How Tobacco Use Affects Oral Health
Cigarettes, cigars, hookah, e-cigarettes, and smokeless tobacco all negatively impact oral health, often in ways that are both painful and dangerous. Tobacco use is strongly linked to oral cancers, including those of the mouth, throat, lips, and gums. Cigarettes can cause gum disease, stained teeth, and even tooth loss. Cigars, even without inhaling, can cause […]
What Happens in the Brain After a Friendship Breakup
Friendship breakups are more common than many realize—research shows that up to 70% of close friendships dissolve after seven years, and a 2023 YouGov poll found that over two-thirds of Americans have ended a friendship in their lifetime. Yet despite being so common, the end of a close friendship is often overlooked or minimized compared […]
Can’t Focus? Same. These 5 Tips Will Cure Your Brain Fog Stat
After becoming a parent to twins, sleep became a luxury I could no longer afford—three non-consecutive hours was considered a win. Between midnight feedings, a preschooler’s tantrums, and a demanding full-time job, I was functioning on caffeine and sheer willpower. But what truly made life unmanageable was the relentless brain fog: that spacey, “buffering” feeling […]
8 Signs of Emotional Maturity
Emotional maturity is the ability to understand, express, and manage your emotions in ways that promote healthy relationships and personal well-being. It allows you to respond to life’s stressors with intention rather than reaction. Emotionally mature individuals are self-aware, compassionate, and open-minded—they continue to develop emotional and cognitive tools to cope with adversity and find […]
Cigar Smoking and Cancer
Cigars and cigarettes may seem similar, but the differences go far beyond size. Cigarettes are typically small, wrapped in paper, and contain less than 1 gram of unfermented tobacco. They’re made to be inhaled and usually smoked in under 10 minutes. In contrast, cigars are made from fermented tobacco wrapped in tobacco leaf, come in […]
What Does It Mean When You Dream About Someone?
Have you ever woken up confused—or even emotional—after dreaming about someone? Whether it’s a friend, ex, boss, or a romantic partner, dreaming about another person can reveal powerful insights into your unconscious mind. Sigmund Freud believed that dreams act as a bridge to the subconscious, a space filled with hidden thoughts, desires, and emotions. Modern […]
Impact of marijuana on venous thromboembolic events: Cannabinoids cause clots in trauma patients
As marijuana use continues to rise across the country, new research is uncovering unexpected health concerns—especially in trauma patients. A study analyzing over 593,000 adult trauma cases from the ACS Trauma Quality and Improvement Program (2015–2016) found a significant link between preinjury marijuana exposure and increased thromboembolic complications (TEC), such as deep venous thrombosis (DVT) […]
Is Anxiety Genetic?
Anxiety often runs in families, but does that mean it’s in your DNA? While scientists haven’t pinpointed a single “anxiety gene,” research shows that having a close family member with an anxiety disorder increases your risk by two to six times. Twin studies and genetic research support a hereditary link, but genes are only one […]
Does smoking marijuana increase the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease?
As marijuana use continues to rise, so do concerns about its long-term effects on lung health—particularly its link to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). While marijuana is the second most commonly smoked substance in the world after tobacco, its health risks remain less defined. Marijuana smoke shares many of the same harmful components as tobacco […]
Smoking and Heart Disease, Stroke, and Peripheral Artery Disease
Heart disease—including coronary artery disease, stroke, and peripheral artery disease (PAD)—remains the leading cause of death in the U.S., and smoking is a major driver behind it. Plaque buildup in the arteries can lead to chest pain, heart attacks, heart failure, and strokes, while PAD often causes pain and weakness in the limbs. Smoking and […]