The positive effects of nature on mental and physical health are well-documented. Captain Obvious says that’s because humans evolved outdoors, not indoors, for 99.9% of their time on Earth. Virtual reality nature lacks the multisensory inputs (like soil, volatile organic compounds, and soundscapes) that people need to get the full…
A new study says that another individual’s stress can alter your brain the same way your own stress does. Additionally, these harmful side effects of stress can be reversed by social interactions—at least in women. The research team reached these findings after studying male and female mice; they separated male…
A six-year study suggests that seniors who eat more than two portions of mushrooms a week may have 50% reduced odds of experiencing mild cognitive decline. Furthermore, even just one small portion of mushrooms a week could prove beneficial and reduce these odds. The research team reached this conclusion after…
Addiction is, in fact, a disease of the brain, but many continue to insist that it is not—and doing so only causes sufferers further harm. This stigma surrounding addiction discourages those who suffer with the disease from opening up about their struggles and getting the help that they need. To…
A year or so ago, I went to the movies with some friends to see The Purge: Election Year. For those of you who haven’t seen this movie, it’s pretty disturbing and unsettling. The whole series is about an annual “purge,” in which all criminal activity is legal for 12…
When I was just three months old, my family made the move from a busy urban area to a quieter, smaller community. Prior to moving, my parents and siblings spent every summer in said neighborhood—there was a lake to swim in, parks to play on, and plenty of greenery to…
Exercise is incredibly beneficial—even vital—to both our physical and mental health: it can, decrease negative feelings such as stress, improve brain health and memory, and even reduce one’s risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. Still, even with these proven benefits, people aren’t prioritizing that morning run or late-night gym session—they “just…
Think back to when you were a kid: what’s the one thing your parents demanded time and time again? The phrase that haunts you to this day? You can probably still hear them yelling, “Clean your room!” or “Get to bed!” but that’s not the answer we’re looking for here….
Owen carefully studies the revolving fan above him, while his girlfriend Cristina sleeps silently next to him. Finally, he drifts into what appears to be a peaceful sleep. But later, Cristina awakes under the pressure of his body and due to a severe loss of breath—Owen is straddling her, with…
When I was in college, I lived in Africa for five weeks, as a part of a study abroad program called Linking Lives. The purpose of this program was to immerse us students in a completely unfamiliar culture and environment, whilst also giving us the opportunity to help others. Now…
There’s rural and then there’s urban—those who relish in wide open spaces and those who prefer the city bustle. I’ve always been the former: I grew up in a very small town with acres of farmland, woodland, and waterways. And while I love the quiet, a good hike on the…
Schizophrenia is a debilitating mental illness characterized by a range of cognitive, behavioral, and emotional dysfunctions. Individuals who suffer with this disease often experience delusions, hallucinations, incoherence, and dysfunction in major areas of life, such as at work or in their personal relationships. And while much has been discovered about…