The Chemistry of Chocolate
Chocolate is a Valentine’s Day must-have and popular among people with a sweet tooth. Many also claim it lifts mood or even acts as an aphrodisiac, and we’ve all heard someone say it’s habit forming. The compounds in chocolate that allegedly have positive effects come from the cacao bean, so the darker the chocolate, the more of these compounds it contains. Milk chocolate has less than dark chocolate, and white chocolate has nearly none because it includes no cocoa solids, only cocoa butter. Chocolate contains upwards of 800 chemical compounds, just a handful of which are explored in this infographi...
Source: Biomedical Beat Blog - National Institute of General Medical Sciences - February 12, 2020 Category: Research Authors: Chrissa Chverchko Tags: Chemistry, Biochemistry and Pharmacology Source Type: blogs

Valentine ’s Day and Alcohol: How to Enjoy It
Valentine’s Day and Alcohol: How to Enjoy It Whether you are single or in a loving relationship, Valentine’s Day and alcohol have likely gone hand-in-hand for you. Now that you are sober, it is time to learn new ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day with your Valentine without a glass of wine or to find new ways to cope with not having a Valentine at all. Valentine’s Day presents its own set of unique triggers and the best thing you can do is be as prepared as possible. Valentine’s Day and Alcohol: If You’re Single Valentine’s Day can be triggering for single people, whether they suffer from addiction or not. It ...
Source: Cliffside Malibu - February 7, 2020 Category: Addiction Authors: Jaclyn Uloth Tags: Alcohol Alcohol Rehab Information Alcoholism Detox Resources for Alcohol and Drugs/Opiates alcohol abuse alcohol dependence alcohol detox alcohol treatment alcohol treatment center alcohol treatment facility Alcoholics Anonymous Source Type: blogs

Stressed is desserts spelled backward
Tiramisu, chocolate mousse, red velvet cake, freshly baked cookies, and warm brownies topped with ice cream. These are some of my favorite desserts and the things I start thinking about when I am under intense stress. I often gaze at the bakery section at the grocery store just to take a look when I feel […]Find jobs at  Careers by KevinMD.com.  Search thousands of physician, PA, NP, and CRNA jobs now.  Learn more. (Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog)
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - February 5, 2020 Category: General Medicine Authors: < span itemprop="author" > < a href="https://www.kevinmd.com/blog/post-author/jasmine-toor" rel="tag" > Jasmine Toor, MD < /a > < /span > Tags: Physician Psychiatry Source Type: blogs

9 Unique Valentine ’ s Day Gift Ideas for Everyone on Your List
When we think of Valentine’s Day, we think chocolate-covered everything, big and bright balloons, and grand, costly gestures. But these presents might not precisely express your true appreciation and love for the special people in your life. Below, you’ll find nine creative and unique Valentine’s Day gift ideas for your partner, kids, best friend, mom, dad, and anyone else on your list. These ideas range from presents you can make to meaningful activities you can do together.  Leave little notes. This could be anything from a Post-It note on your partner’s car window to a lengthy love letter that reflects on your...
Source: World of Psychology - February 2, 2020 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Margarita Tartakovsky, M.S. Tags: Creativity Family Friends General Mental Health and Wellness Relationships Self-Help Dating Intimacy Love valentine's day Source Type: blogs

How To Achieve Your New Year ’s Resolutions, According To Psychology
By Emily Reynolds The excesses of Christmas have been and gone, and we’ve been met once again by January’s familiar call for resolution and goal-setting. For most of us, New Year’s resolutions are a mixed bag: whether we’re looking to get fit, become more environmentally-friendly, or just keep up a new hobby, there sometimes seems to be no rhyme or reason as to why some habits stick and others fall by the wayside almost immediately. But there are a few things you can do to make your new routines work, based on research into motivation, temptation and achievement. Here’s our digest of the ten findings that could ...
Source: BPS RESEARCH DIGEST - January 13, 2020 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: BPS Research Digest Tags: Feature The self Source Type: blogs

Preparing for a Mental Health Crisis
Mental health issues can be very difficult to manage, but preparation is helpful and could be lifesaving. Just as other emergencies can be handled better with plans and necessary supplies in place (winter storms, power outages, and emergency childcare or health problems), you have control in quiet times to think of what you might need in a crisis, and you can decide on management plans that you approve of ahead of time. With many aspects of illness outside your control, this is one area that can give you confidence. You are the main person responsible for your care. How can you create a crisis management plan? Write down e...
Source: World of Psychology - January 3, 2020 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Jan McDaniel Tags: Bipolar Depression Self-Help bipolar disorder relapse crisis plan Hypomania Mental Health Crisis Source Type: blogs

Podcast: What Is Dopamine Fasting?
One of the new trends on social media is “dopamine fasting,” the idea that depriving yourself is somehow good for you.  Is it? Does this trend have any benefit? Could it even be harmful? What’s the science behind it? On today’s episode, Gabe welcomes back Psych Central founder and editor-in-chief, Dr. John Grohol.  Join us as Dr. John gives us the 411 on dopamine fasting. SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW Guest information for ‘Dr. John Grohol Dopamine’ Podcast Episode John M. Grohol, Psy.D. is a pioneer in online mental health and psychology. Recognizing the educational and social potential of the Internet in 1995...
Source: World of Psychology - December 26, 2019 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: The Psych Central Podcast Tags: Brain and Behavior General Interview Podcast Psychiatry The Psych Central Show Source Type: blogs

Christmas Glitches: Turn Them Into Family Treasures
Photo image Annie Spratt No matter how well we plan, most of us have some loose ends to tie up Christmas Eve day, just before going to church or having the family gather at our home. The present that was ordered early and then delayed remains in question. Will it arrive in time? The fruit tray reserved at the grocery store. Will it be there when we arrive to pick it up? Probably more worrisome for caregivers is how their aging loved ones will make it through the family events. Will Dad be sleepy from his medications or agitated from all of the excitement? Will Mom’s touchy stomach allow her to eat her favorite foods or w...
Source: Minding Our Elders - December 23, 2019 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Carol Bradley Bursack Source Type: blogs

Chocolate Chip Cookies
The post Chocolate Chip Cookies appeared first on Dr. William Davis. (Source: Wheat Belly Blog)
Source: Wheat Belly Blog - December 19, 2019 Category: Cardiology Authors: Dr. Davis Tags: Recipes grain-free Weight Loss wheat belly Source Type: blogs

Presenting Complaint: Social Injustice
By ANISH KOKA, MD Bobby It took some doing, but I had finally made it to Bobby’s home. It was a rowhome tucked into one of those little side streets in the city that non-city folks wouldn’t dream of driving down. As I step in, I’m met by the usual set up – wooden steps that hug the right side of the wall leading up to the second floor.  Bobby certainly hasn’t made it up to the second floor in some time. At the moment she is sitting in her hospital bed in the living room. The bed is the focal point to a room stuffed to the gills with all manners of stuff. At least three quarters o...
Source: The Health Care Blog - December 13, 2019 Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Christina Liu Tags: Medical Practice Patients Physicians Anish Koka social injustice Source Type: blogs

Monk fruit –More than a healthy sweetener?
Because I wanted a benign and healthy way for followers of the Wheat Belly lifestyle to recreate dishes such as chocolate chip cookies, cheesecake, and pies with none of the health problems of grains or sugars, I helped Wheat-Free Market develop its Virtue Sweetener  product. Yes, you could do without such sweeteners. But I learned long ago when I introduced Wheat Belly concepts to patients in my cardiology practice that having options while entertaining friends, during holidays, and pleasing kids was important for staying on course on this lifestyle. Before I understood how to use such natural sweeteners, patients would ...
Source: Wheat Belly Blog - December 12, 2019 Category: Cardiology Authors: Dr. Davis Tags: Open blood sugar diabetes Dr. Davis Inflammation insulin low-carb monk fruit natural sweeteners undoctored virtue sweetener Weight Loss wheat Wheat Belly Total Health Source Type: blogs

When Holidays Hurt
At certain times of the year, families and friends gather to eat, exchange gifts, celebrate favorite traditions and generally catch up with each other. The atmosphere changes as businesses close, churches hold special services, and retailers tempt shoppers with sales. Decorations and lights are put up everywhere in an effort to spark holiday spirit, before the cold and darkness of winter sets in. It does seem to be a kinder season, in many ways, but it is also a season when conflict, loneliness, and loss can hold a sharper edge.  Expectations (yours or those other people set forth) might be high at a time when you feel yo...
Source: World of Psychology - November 27, 2019 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Jan McDaniel Tags: Family Holiday Coping dissapointment grief Guilt Holidays Resentment Shame Thanksgiving Source Type: blogs

Yes, you can avoid weight gain over the holidays!
The holidays are a time when family and friends gather to enjoy each other’s company — and eat! Indulgent meals, bountiful buffets, cookie swaps, holiday parties… it’s no surprise that maintaining a healthy weight can present even more challenges during the holidays than throughout the rest of the year. Each year, on average, we tend to gain a small amount of weight (about one pound per year). According to some research, most of that weight is gained over the holiday season. Study suggests you can control holiday weight gain Does that mean we are destined to see a bigger number when we step on the scale in January?...
Source: Harvard Health Blog - November 25, 2019 Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Katherine D. McManus, MS, RD, LDN Tags: Diet and Weight Loss Health Healthy Eating Nutrition Source Type: blogs

Suffering from “chemo brain”? There’s hope and many things you can do
Some of the most common symptoms experienced by cancer patients are memory problems, difficulties with multitasking, and reduced attention and concentration. Historically, cancer patients with these symptoms were often diagnosed with depression. Research over the past decade has revealed that many cancer patients experience such symptoms as a consequence of specific damage to the brain caused by either their tumor or their treatment. While radiation to the brain has long been linked to causing cognitive difficulties, the effects of chemotherapy on brain structure and function have only recently been discovered. We now know...
Source: Harvard Health Blog - November 20, 2019 Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Jorg Dietrich, MD, PhD Tags: Brain and cognitive health Cancer Memory Radiation Source Type: blogs

10 Super Foods to Boost Your Daily Productivity and Health
Conclusion: These ten super-foods to boost your daily productivity and live your day to its full potential. So, whenever you feel taking a break from work, grab one of these superfoods to get back to work and appreciate the boost they give you. Have a great day. You've read 10 Super Foods to Boost Your Daily Productivity and Health, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you've enjoyed this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles. (Source: PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement)
Source: PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement - November 20, 2019 Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Laura Edward Tags: featured health and fitness productivity tips food for brain food for the mind foods that make your smarter productive productive people Source Type: blogs