You are what you eat — and for those with pica, that can be downright dangerous. Perhaps most famously seen on TLC’s reality show “My Strange Addiction,” the eating disorder drives people to consume things you’d never find on a menu. And no, we’re not talking about the time your toddler snuck a bite of … Read more
When it comes to heart health, you don’t want to skip a beat. The leading cause of death for adults in the US, heart disease claims a life every 34 seconds and strains the healthcare system to the tune of $168 billion, according to the CDC. Aside from the obvious lifestyle interventions like getting more … Read more
Blame it on the X factor. Research has long shown that boys are over three times more likely to be diagnosed with autism than girls. In fact, about 1 in 20 US boys are diagnosed with autism by age 8. For girls, the rate ranges from about 1 in 70 to 1 in 100. The … Read more
Harlan Randell was a late bloomer in the bedroom. The 24-year-old Brit didn’t lose his virginity until 21 — and when he finally took the leap, he ran into an unexpected obstacle that would haunt him for years: erectile dysfunction. “I was absolutely mortified,” Randell, a sports distribution customer service and logistics specialist, told The … Read more
Everyone remembers the petrifying moment. Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin suffered a near-fatal cardiac arrest following a routine tackle in a “Monday Night Football” game against the Cincinnati Bengals in January 2023. Paycor Stadium fell silent — and viewers at home watched in shock — as Hamlin received emergency CPR and defibrillation on the field … Read more
It’s a disaster of biblical proportions. Taylor Frankie Paul — who rose to fame amid a soft-swinging scandal on TikTok and a starring role on “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” — has become the tok of the town, for all the wrong reasons. Hulu halted production on Season 5 of “SLOMW” and ABC pulled … Read more
After ages of being dismissed as “baby blues,” postpartum depression, anxiety and even psychosis are finally being taken seriously. But while moms are dealing with massive hormonal changes on top of stress and sleep deprivation, dads’ mental health can also face challenges. And a new study published in JAMA Network Open found that fathers’ risk for … Read more
A little green might not be a cure for the blues. New research suggests medical marijuana isn’t the mental health miracle many hope for, finding little evidence that it can effectively treat conditions like anxiety, depression or PTSD. “In the absence of robust medical or counselling support, the use of medicinal cannabis in these cases … Read more
Oh, gimme a break! Newcomers to the workforce are already in need of respites from the rat race. So, they’re ditching the daily grind to enjoy a little midweek mindfulness in nature amid the rising “green days” movement. “I’m really enjoying my day off from work,” raved a 28-year-old law office assistant, in part, while … Read more
Red, white and feeling blue. Turns out that Gen Zers aren’t universally unhappy — they’re just sullen in the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Outside those four countries, people under 25 reported increasing feelings of happiness over the last decade, according to the 14th edition of the World Happiness Report, released Wednesday. Gen Zers … Read more
Shhh — the secret’s out! Experts say a TikTok fitness trend that prioritizes the sound of silence can support heart health. “Silent walking” is the practice of stepping out without the distractions of devices or music. Devotees of the “rawdogging” movement maintain that it is a whole-body boon that builds mindfulness, awareness and intentionality. “Silent … Read more
Chronic stress can speed up biological aging — no matter if the stress is from mounting debts, overtime work or your terminally annoying uncle who always wants to “play devil’s advocate.” That’s right: Researchers have measured the effects of “hasslers” — people in your life who regularly “create problems” or make things more difficult — … Read more
Six years after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, its effects are still visible — from widespread hybrid work schedules to declining student performance. Add another wrinkle to the list — new prescriptions for ADHD medicine have more than doubled since the start of the pandemic, especially among younger adults. ADHD, or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, is … Read more
“It was like a cloud had lifted, and she could think more rationally again.” That’s how one mother described her teenage daughter — a sufferer of “erratic mood swings” — after eight weeks on a high-dose regimen of dietary supplements. In teenagehood, some degree of irritability comes with the territory. But a clinical trial out … Read more
Scientists have long searched for ways to treat Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia. Chief among these strategies has been targeting amyloid beta, a toxic protein that forms plaque-like deposits when it accumulates abnormally in the brain. This accumulation is a hallmark of Alzheimer’s. Now, scientists say a smaller peptide, a “cousin” of amyloid beta, … Read more
Dementia often affects memory, thinking, behavior and daily functioning — now, a new case study reveals a novel symptom that shouldn’t be overlooked. Nearly 7 million Americans and more than 55 million people worldwide are living with dementia, an umbrella term that describes several progressive disorders that impact memory and cognition. While Alzheimer’s disease is the most common … Read more
A paw-sible path to a longer life? About 43% of US households — especially those run by millennials — own a pooch. Research has long suggested that there are numerous physical and mental benefits to having a furry friend around. A canine pal could even mean living longer, thanks to its effects on heart health, … Read more
So much for Generation ZZZs. Teens are getting less sleep than ever — and it’s becoming a crisis. The downsides of poor sleep are well-documented, especially for teenagers, who are at risk for depression, anxiety, impaired brain function and multiple sclerosis later in life. And while phones are often the main reason for snooze issues … Read more
Getting high, but feeling low. Science is split on whether the effects of cannabis are good or bad, with recent research showing it could boost brain power in older adults, while other studies show the purported benefits go up in smoke. But a new study has found a growing connection between cannabis use and detrimental … Read more
Modern science is just catching up to what folk and traditional healers have known since Homeric times. While lab-developed pharmaceuticals can help manage anxiety, you might also want to check your local botanical garden. Native to parts of Europe and Asia, valerian root has a long-established history as a sedative, with records of its use … Read more