Fighting Depression and Anxiety Through the Body
Vagus nerve stimulation for mood support (Part 1 of 2) There are many ways in which the physical body can influence the mind and mood. One very important link in the mind-body connection is the vagus nerve. Also known as the tenth cranial nerve X (abbreviated CN X), the vagus nerve “wanders” from the…
Ways to Ease Inflammation and Depression
Smart lifestyle choices for a happy brain and healthy mood In last week’s post we explored the ways in which inflammation can cause depression. The science shows that we cannot blame genetics alone for depression. That’s a good thing: it means there is a lot we can do to heal our brains. Here are…
Biohacks for a Calmer, Happier, More Focused You (Video)
Meet your new best friend – your vagus nerve. Through simple biohacks, we can use our bodies to affect our mood, focus, and productivity. In this video, naturopathic physician Dr. Erica Zelfand introduces the vagus nerve – a nerve that travels from the head to the throat, heart, lungs, kidneys, digestive tract, and even…
Integrative Perspectives on ADHD (Video)
As school is back in full force, and we are doing our best to “stay home, stay safe”, it can be a challenge for even the most focused individuals to maintain sustained attention for the projects at hand. Herein, we take a look specifically at the disorder known as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD),…
Fitting Exercise into Your Day
How to Fit Excercise Into a Busy Schedule Many of us struggle to find time for exercise, yet exercise is crucial for cardiovascular health, weight management, detoxification, and even mental and emotional health. The work day is long, and just fitting in the basics of grocery shopping, laundry, and getting from point A to…
The Multivitamin Debate
What does science say about multivitamin and mineral supplementation? Dietary supplement use is common in the United States, with more than half of the population using such products.[1],[2],[3],[4] Similarly, a majority of health professionals, including physicians and dieticians, use dietary supplements themselves and recommend them to patients.[5],[6],[7] Among supplement users, multivitamin and mineral supplements…
Motivating Change
How many psychotherapists does it take to change a light bulb? None. The light bulb has to want to change itself. This joke makes light of a prevailing truth about human psychology: the most powerful shifts happen when we are ready to lean in and change ourselves. There are all kinds of incentives out…
Taking a Month Off Alcohol: What Will a Month Booze-Free Do for You?
A trend growing in popularity takes center stage, with clinical studies backing its benefits Perhaps you’ve seen it proudly announced on social media, “I’m going a month booze-free,” by a friend or acquaintance. Or maybe it has infiltrated your sphere because of news stories on outlets such as NPR, the BBC, Fortune, or the…
How to Hack Your Habits – Get Moving!
Regular physical activity makes us healthier and happier We all know we need to move more to maintain physical fitness, but did you know that regular physical activity is the single most important thing you can do for your health?[1] Of course, exercise is an important contributor to weight loss.[2],[3] But it turns out…
Does the Paleo Diet Really Work?
A critical review of the evidence One of the most controversial diets in recent times is the Paleolithic (“Paleo”) diet, also known as the Stone Age diet. The Paleo diet seeks to address 21st century ills by revisiting the way humans ate during the Paleolithic era, more than 2 million years ago. As a…
Is the Mediterranean Diet is Really Good For You?
A literature review on this increasingly popular diet What exactly is the Mediterranean diet? The Mediterranean diet (MD) is one of the better known and well-studied dietary patterns that has consistently been shown to have a beneficial influence on health and longevity.[1],[2],[3],[4] It is recognized by the World Health Organization as a healthy and…
Craving Sweets? You Might Be Stressed!
When stress talks louder than the stomach Most people crave sweet or salty foods like cookies, chocolates, or potato chips when under stress, and research offers us an understanding of why.[1] Scientists have discovered receptor sites on taste buds that respond to the hormones cortisol, cortisone and corticosterone, altering our taste perception when we’re…
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