Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that helps control the reward and pleasure centers in the brain. It helps regulate movement and emotional responses, enabling the brain to see rewards and move toward them. Dopamine provides enjoyment and reinforcement to motivate a person to do or continue doing certain activities that provide pleasure. It’s a key factor…
You probably already know that spending time in nature is great for your health and well-being. Getting some fresh air while relaxing to the sounds of birds chirping, sticks rustling under the feet of furry little creatures and trees swaying in the wind can soothe the mind and feed the soul. Nature is so diverse…
Hello and welcome back to another issue of top 5 alternative health sites of the week. This week, we have 5 top sites in a unique alternative health category, which is Biofeedback Therapy. Every week we do a countdown from a special field of alternative health. Hope you enjoyed our last week’s countdown, which was…
We’ve all heard it before — added sugar is awful for you. Large quantities can wreak havoc on your health and lead to obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease and even cancer. Despite the dangerous health consequences of consuming sugar, Americans are still eating it. Candy, sodas, ice cream treats, processed foods… The sugar addiction…
You probably know that vitamins are an important part of keeping your body healthy, but did you know that there are certain vitamins that are essential for brain health? In order to function properly, the brain needs a variety of vitamins that work to enhance memory, improve mood and strengthen cognitive abilities. These five vitamins are…
Oatmeal is referred to by many health experts as ‘a power food.’ One study found it to be very effective at boosting energy while another found that the high concentration of starch and beta-glucan protects your skin by relieving itches. Add to that benefits like weight loss and diabetes prevention and it’s not hard to see why…
Our understanding of depression and how it affects the brain has changed drastically over the past several years. It wasn’t all that long ago, in 1895, when we first made the distinction between depression and schizophrenia. As recently as the early 20th century, we were still lobotomizing people (destroying the frontal portion of their brains,…
From strawberry waffles and strawberry pie to strawberry smoothies and strawberry jam, the amount of homemade treats you can make using ripe and delicious strawberries is almost endless. Not to mention, they make the perfect treat on their own. While you probably weren’t looking for another reason to eat this sweet fruit, here’s one you…
It is a well known fact that mercury is terrible for the body. The World Health Organization states, “Elemental and methylmercury are toxic to the central and peripheral nervous systems. The inhalation of mercury vapour can produce harmful effects on the nervous, digestive and immune systems, lungs and kidneys, and may be fatal.” But, what…
It’s no secret that exercise is beneficial to your health. Walking, biking, yoga, lifting weights… Getting your heart rate pumping is a great way to burn calories, improve cardiovascular health and stay in shape. Not only does exercise improve your physical health, but it can have great affects on your mental health as well. Your…
The great debate continues about whether coffee is healthy or not, but the truth is that it all really comes down to quality and quantity. According to one poll, 64% of adults in the United States reported drinking at least one cup of coffee a day, and 25% say they’re addicted. Those polled had no…
Not only is hiking a great workout and a fun way to spend time outdoors, researchers are now saying it can actually have so much of an impact that it causes changes to your brain! Hiking can be a way to relieve stress, calm the mind and exercise the body, and recent studies have also…
Aluminum is in many things we use every day. It’s in our antiperspirant, beauty products, the air we breathe, and even our food. (source) Aluminum is considered a neurotoxin, which means it poisons the brain and nervous system and limits their ability to do the jobs they are meant to do. Recent studies have linked…
Dr. Mary Newport has a theory that ketone bodies – which the body makes when digesting coconut oil – may be an alternative fuel for the brain. She believes that coconut oil may offer profound benefits in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease. If her theory is accurate, it could be one of the greatest natural…
There are two types of people: huggers and non-huggers. Some people just aren’t the cuddly type. They’re probably the ones who shy away a little bit when you go in for a hug. Others love to show their appreciation, happiness or excitement by hugging those they care about. These are the ones who give those…