Medicine/fitness

How to avoid being fooled by people including yourself (an excerpt from my book, Herbs Demystified)

When people ask me what I remember most about doing research, I always say the same thing. I remember being surprised at how often I was wrong. I mean, it happened a lot. And really smart people I worked for were also often wrong. We'd spend a lot of time... Read more →

Smell for your life

Note: I wrote this before the Covid-19 pandemic. Most of us now are keenly aware that the virus that causes Covid-19 often damages the brain's olfactory bulb, causing anosmia, a loss of smell and taste. Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, researchers were alarmed to learn that anosmia was associated with... Read more →

Mind your back: mindfulness therapy for chronic back pain

“The research suggests that training the brain to respond differently to pain signals may be more effective — and last longer — than traditional physical therapy and medication.” I like to put this in the category of can't hurt, might help. Read more →

Rethinking antioxidant supplements

So for now it seems like a good idea to just eat your fruits and vegetables,drink tea and/or coffee (with or without caffeine) and put your favorite cooking spices and herbs on your food to flavor it. I would definitely skip the antioxidant supplements. To be clear, antioxidants can overlap with other categories, like vitamins and anti-inflammatories, and there are sometimes very good reasons to take certain vitamins and anti-inflammatories. Read more →

Inner space craft

Want to knit stronger neurons? Crafts can help. Being in the zone, or a state of flow is the latest positive psychology terminology for having energized focus, full involvement and enjoyment. Although it is an ancient idea, entire books are now being written on this rather specific state of mind. Certain tasks may enable you to reach a state of flow. I propose that it is good brain exercise. Being in the flow is good for us. What puts you in a state of flow? Read more →

Game over: you can build cognitive reserve without paying for brain training programs

Some people may be tempted to buy brain training programs. My mom hears the advertisements and keeps asking me about whether they will help her. Here are some alternatives backed up by research. Read more →

Misophonia

Do you hate certain sounds with a passion that you know is unreasonable? You might have misophonia. Greek for hatred of sound, "misophonia" is replacing previous labeling attempts such as Select Sound Sensitivity Syndrome and Sound-Rage. Misophonia is surprisingly common. It is an involuntary, visceral hatred or disgust felt when... Read more →

Cross training for writers and other sitting people

Being mindful of your body's position in space, especially for prolonged periods of time, is integral to your well being. Read more →

Making daily healthy habits stick

t's taken me a number of years of grouchy fumbling around to figure out how to get certain healthy habits to stick. They HAVE been sticking for over five years as of now. Something is working! Read more →

Knowing DMN well: Reflecting on The Emissary movie and the default mode network

The process of being aware of what you are doing—thinking about the past, present or future—and doing it consciously, being able to move from one state to the other at will, that is the skill that is worth exercising. It is about not getting stuck in the past, the future, or even the glorious now. Read more →

A good heart arrhythmia

Most people think of heart arrhythmia as something they don't want. But respiratory sinus arrhythmia appears to be an exception. Read more →

Why is oxygen such a bad thing?

Dear Holly, Everyone talks about ANTI oxidants being good for you, and how many are found in plants. But don't we need oxygen to live? What is so bad about oxygen? Is this a dumb question? Sylvia in Colorado Dear Sylvia, It's an excellent question! It's so good, that I... Read more →

Can you touch your toes with your mind?

I am fascinated by the mechanism required for us to sense the bottoms of our feet. This simple exercise will increase the resolution of the sensory map in your brain. Read more →

What's the opposite of hangry?

Little did I know that this practice would form the basis of one of the most life-changing meditations I that have tried. It's now rare for me to overindulge. Read more →

How does capsaicin work to relieve pain?

Dear Holly, Can you tell me if capsaicin creams that I keep seeing in my drugstore work for pain? All I know is that peppers burn my skin! Why would people put this on their skin? How is it supposed to work? I am scared to try it until I... Read more →

Licorice: an excerpt from my book, Herbs Demystified

Licorice Licorice Glycyrrhiza glabra History and Folklore The first thing you may think of when considering licorice--or “liquorice,” if you are in Europe--is that it is candy, but historically it is better known as an herb. The candy is traditionally prepared from the sweet-tasting root of the licorice plant, a... Read more →

How is guarana stimulating?

I have heard that guarana doesn't have caffeine, but something else that stimulates you. Is it just the sugar in guarana drinks? How does it work? JT., Costa Rica Guarana, the plant, contains caffeine, and this is identical to the caffeine in coffee, tea, and cola. I love to talk... Read more →

A skin question about alpha hydroxy acids and pH-balanced topical products

Dear Holly, I have a skin question. I read recently that alpha hydroxy acids will not work if they are in a "pH balanced" formulation. Is this true? If so, how can I tell if I am spending a lot of money for a product that won't work? Can I... Read more →