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Tag: Pain

  • How Lindsey Vonn can compete with a ruptured ACL

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    Lindsey Vonn wiped out in a downhill race on Jan. 30. She got up limping, then was airlifted from the course. The diagnosis: a ruptured ACL — a season-ending injury for most.But the three-time Olympic medalist announced on Tuesday she would go on to compete in her fifth Games.On Friday, she completed her downhill training run without issue at the Tofane Alpine Skiing Centre ahead of Sunday’s medal event in Cortina d’Ampezzo.Video above: U.S. Skiers talk about Lindsey Vonn competing in Italy Olympics despite torn ACLFor anyone who’s hobbled off the field, it’s hard not to ask: How?“It is a big deal to tear your ACL,” said Lindsey Lepley, an associate professor of athletic training at the University of Michigan. “And doing anything while being ACL-deficient is a big deal.”Vonn, 41, who is set to be the oldest Alpine skier to race at a Winter Olympics, has an extensive history of knee injuries and surgeries, including two prior ACL injuries. Dr. Martin Roche, a surgeon at the Hospital for Special Surgery, says Vonn’s first injuries date back to the beginning of her professional career in the 2000s.She’s had problems with both knees, but her left was the “stronger” one, according to Roche, who performed a partial knee replacement on the Olympian’s right knee in 2024. After Friday’s crash, her left knee is now injured — a new turn in Vonn’s long injury saga.What is the ACL and why is it important?The ACL — also known as the anterior cruciate ligament — is a ligament that connects the bones of the knee, stabilizing the joint and preventing one bone from sliding in front of the other.“The knee is not a joint that is completely stable,” Dr. Anthony Petrosini, an orthopedic surgeon at Hackensack Meridian Health, said. “The ligaments play a great role in keeping the knee in position.”Petrosini, who has torn his own ACL, says the structure is easily injured because it has a hefty responsibility in controlling the knee’s rotational stability. It’s the most common knee injury, affecting more than 200,000 people per year in the United States.Weight-bearing and high-speed activities, particularly those involving sudden twists and stops, place the greatest burden on the ACL.And skiing fits that bill. It’s among the highest-risk sports for ACL injuries. Vonn’s sex and prior injuries further increase that risk.When injured, the ACL can be partially torn, also known as a tear, or fully separated, referred to as a rupture. The terms are frequently used interchangeably, as Vonn did on Tuesday.What happens when the ACL is injured?A jolt of pain is felt when the ACL is first injured. Some people also feel a pop or instability in the knee. Fluid then accumulates in the joint, causing swelling and stiffness. The inflammatory response can also cause a locking sensation and reduced range of motion.For many, that means trouble standing on the injured knee and continued pain.The structures above the knee also feel the pain. Lepley studies how muscles of the upper leg shut down after a knee injury — a process called muscle inhibition.“It’s sort of this unique forgetfulness that happens between the brain and the muscle,” Lepley said.The injury also travels up to the brain, triggering a fear response. “People are going to have fear of re‑injury,” Lepley explained, noting the psychological component can cause someone to change movement patterns.That’s why, Lepley says, Vonn was likely performing box jumps after the injury. “They’re sort of testing that fear,” Lepley said, noting the exercises can also help fight off muscle inhibition. “If you can’t jump and stabilize yourself on solid ground, that’s a good indication that somebody has too much hesitation.”In a video posted on Instagram on Thursday, a day before her completed training run, Vonn squats with weights, lunges from side to side and does fast kicks against a ball.How to treat an injured ACLOnce the ACL is torn, it doesn’t regenerate in the same way that bone does. “Unfortunately, we’re not like lizards,” Lepley said.Most people undergo surgery to reconstruct the ligament, and nearly all athletes get the procedure after the injury, according to Roche.While a surgical approach doesn’t speed up recovery time, it can stabilize the knee, reduce the risk of further injury and allow for return to high-demanding activities like skiing. Some data suggests surgery can also reduce the risk of osteoarthritis — a common long-term concern after ACL injury — though the evidence is conflicting.Regardless of whether someone has surgery, months of rehab are standard. Those who don’t opt for surgery stick to pain control and rehab, learning to live without a functioning ACL.Vonn said on Tuesday that surgery “hasn’t been discussed.”“It’s not really on my radar screen right now. The Olympics are the only thing that I’m thinking about,” she said. “We’re doing everything to make sure I am making smart and safe decisions.”Has anyone ever skied on an injured ACL?Yes, some of Vonn’s teammates said they’ve done it. Other skiers, like Slovakian Veronika Velez-Zuzulová have done it, too. And Vonn says she’s done it before.“It’s possible,” Roche said. But other parts of the leg need to compensate.“When that ligament is gone, your muscles have to step up to help stabilize the joint,” Lepley said.All the experts CNN spoke with emphasized that an immediate return to competition is far from the norm — and not recommended. Far more often, athletes do the opposite. Hitting the slopes would expose Vonn to substantial risk of further injury.Plus, there was more to her injury. She also reported bone bruising and meniscal damage, both common companions to ACL injuries. These additional injuries raise the risk further, making her return to racing even more dangerous. The good news, though, is that Vonn didn’t report any significant bone fractures, Roche said.Roche, who knows Vonn’s medical history well, says it comes down to the athlete.“She knows her body better than anyone,” Roche said. “She’ll be able to determine if she can overcome any injury to her knee quickly or if it’s going to set her back.”What to watch for when Vonn returns for fresh powderVonn is set to begin racing on Sunday.“I don’t think she’s going to be able to perform at 100%,” Lepley said. “But I think she’s going to be able to make the best of a bad situation.”Parts of the course that put more stress on one knee could be especially risky. Lepley says the Olympian might lack symmetry as she compensates.The biggest concern is Vonn’s meniscus, which acts as a shock absorber and helps the knee move smoothly. Without a functioning ACL, the structure is more vulnerable and, if injured, it’s notoriously difficult to heal.At the finish line, three things will matter most, Lepley says: a medical exam to check for any additional damage, close monitoring of pain and swelling and a renewed focus on restoring normal motion and walking. And if her knees are on her side, a medal.“She’s in good hands,” Petrosini said. “To be able to pull off what she’s attempting is really remarkable.”

    Lindsey Vonn wiped out in a downhill race on Jan. 30. She got up limping, then was airlifted from the course. The diagnosis: a ruptured ACL — a season-ending injury for most.

    But the three-time Olympic medalist announced on Tuesday she would go on to compete in her fifth Games.

    On Friday, she completed her downhill training run without issue at the Tofane Alpine Skiing Centre ahead of Sunday’s medal event in Cortina d’Ampezzo.

    Video above: U.S. Skiers talk about Lindsey Vonn competing in Italy Olympics despite torn ACL

    For anyone who’s hobbled off the field, it’s hard not to ask: How?

    “It is a big deal to tear your ACL,” said Lindsey Lepley, an associate professor of athletic training at the University of Michigan. “And doing anything while being ACL-deficient is a big deal.”

    Vonn, 41, who is set to be the oldest Alpine skier to race at a Winter Olympics, has an extensive history of knee injuries and surgeries, including two prior ACL injuries. Dr. Martin Roche, a surgeon at the Hospital for Special Surgery, says Vonn’s first injuries date back to the beginning of her professional career in the 2000s.

    She’s had problems with both knees, but her left was the “stronger” one, according to Roche, who performed a partial knee replacement on the Olympian’s right knee in 2024. After Friday’s crash, her left knee is now injured — a new turn in Vonn’s long injury saga.

    What is the ACL and why is it important?

    The ACL — also known as the anterior cruciate ligament — is a ligament that connects the bones of the knee, stabilizing the joint and preventing one bone from sliding in front of the other.

    “The knee is not a joint that is completely stable,” Dr. Anthony Petrosini, an orthopedic surgeon at Hackensack Meridian Health, said. “The ligaments play a great role in keeping the knee in position.”

    Petrosini, who has torn his own ACL, says the structure is easily injured because it has a hefty responsibility in controlling the knee’s rotational stability. It’s the most common knee injury, affecting more than 200,000 people per year in the United States.

    Weight-bearing and high-speed activities, particularly those involving sudden twists and stops, place the greatest burden on the ACL.

    And skiing fits that bill. It’s among the highest-risk sports for ACL injuries. Vonn’s sex and prior injuries further increase that risk.

    When injured, the ACL can be partially torn, also known as a tear, or fully separated, referred to as a rupture. The terms are frequently used interchangeably, as Vonn did on Tuesday.

    What happens when the ACL is injured?

    A jolt of pain is felt when the ACL is first injured. Some people also feel a pop or instability in the knee. Fluid then accumulates in the joint, causing swelling and stiffness. The inflammatory response can also cause a locking sensation and reduced range of motion.

    For many, that means trouble standing on the injured knee and continued pain.

    The structures above the knee also feel the pain. Lepley studies how muscles of the upper leg shut down after a knee injury — a process called muscle inhibition.

    “It’s sort of this unique forgetfulness that happens between the brain and the muscle,” Lepley said.

    The injury also travels up to the brain, triggering a fear response. “People are going to have fear of re‑injury,” Lepley explained, noting the psychological component can cause someone to change movement patterns.

    That’s why, Lepley says, Vonn was likely performing box jumps after the injury. “They’re sort of testing that fear,” Lepley said, noting the exercises can also help fight off muscle inhibition. “If you can’t jump and stabilize yourself on solid ground, that’s a good indication that somebody has too much hesitation.”

    In a video posted on Instagram on Thursday, a day before her completed training run, Vonn squats with weights, lunges from side to side and does fast kicks against a ball.

    How to treat an injured ACL

    Once the ACL is torn, it doesn’t regenerate in the same way that bone does. “Unfortunately, we’re not like lizards,” Lepley said.

    Most people undergo surgery to reconstruct the ligament, and nearly all athletes get the procedure after the injury, according to Roche.

    While a surgical approach doesn’t speed up recovery time, it can stabilize the knee, reduce the risk of further injury and allow for return to high-demanding activities like skiing. Some data suggests surgery can also reduce the risk of osteoarthritis — a common long-term concern after ACL injury — though the evidence is conflicting.

    Regardless of whether someone has surgery, months of rehab are standard. Those who don’t opt for surgery stick to pain control and rehab, learning to live without a functioning ACL.

    Vonn said on Tuesday that surgery “hasn’t been discussed.”

    “It’s not really on my radar screen right now. The Olympics are the only thing that I’m thinking about,” she said. “We’re doing everything to make sure I am making smart and safe decisions.”

    Has anyone ever skied on an injured ACL?

    Yes, some of Vonn’s teammates said they’ve done it. Other skiers, like Slovakian Veronika Velez-Zuzulová have done it, too. And Vonn says she’s done it before.

    “It’s possible,” Roche said. But other parts of the leg need to compensate.

    “When that ligament is gone, your muscles have to step up to help stabilize the joint,” Lepley said.

    All the experts CNN spoke with emphasized that an immediate return to competition is far from the norm — and not recommended. Far more often, athletes do the opposite. Hitting the slopes would expose Vonn to substantial risk of further injury.

    Plus, there was more to her injury. She also reported bone bruising and meniscal damage, both common companions to ACL injuries. These additional injuries raise the risk further, making her return to racing even more dangerous. The good news, though, is that Vonn didn’t report any significant bone fractures, Roche said.

    Roche, who knows Vonn’s medical history well, says it comes down to the athlete.

    “She knows her body better than anyone,” Roche said. “She’ll be able to determine if she can overcome any injury to her knee quickly or if it’s going to set her back.”

    What to watch for when Vonn returns for fresh powder

    Vonn is set to begin racing on Sunday.

    “I don’t think she’s going to be able to perform at 100%,” Lepley said. “But I think she’s going to be able to make the best of a bad situation.”

    Parts of the course that put more stress on one knee could be especially risky. Lepley says the Olympian might lack symmetry as she compensates.

    The biggest concern is Vonn’s meniscus, which acts as a shock absorber and helps the knee move smoothly. Without a functioning ACL, the structure is more vulnerable and, if injured, it’s notoriously difficult to heal.

    At the finish line, three things will matter most, Lepley says: a medical exam to check for any additional damage, close monitoring of pain and swelling and a renewed focus on restoring normal motion and walking. And if her knees are on her side, a medal.

    “She’s in good hands,” Petrosini said. “To be able to pull off what she’s attempting is really remarkable.”

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  • My Kineon Review After Testing For 6 Months

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    At least 80% of people in the U.S. will experience back pain in their lives—and I’m an unfortunate member of the club. I’ve tried countless methods to alleviate pain: morning stretches, PEMF infrared mats, massage guns, and even cold plunge tubs. Yet none have delivered the same immediate relief as the Kineon Move+ Pro Led & Laser.

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  • How To Do A Quick Neck Stretch To Ease Tension & Improve Posture

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    Between general poor posture and the dreaded “tech neck” many of us experience neck and shoulder pain, eye strain, and tension headaches—especially at the end of a workday. Thankfully, if your posture could use some work, or you simply want to alleviate some of that tension, neck stretches are always at your disposal.

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  • The Role of Interactive Toys in Reducing Anxiety and Aggression in Dogs | Animal Wellness Magazine

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    It’s hard on pet parents when dogs act out of aggression or anxiety, but these behaviors communicate a problem you must address. Sometimes, the problem might be physical, like pain or discomfort. However, these behaviors can also stem from stress. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to relieve stress-related aggression and anxiety, and interactive toys are an excellent tool at your disposal.

    Supporting Dogs with Anxiety

    Canine anxiety comes in many forms, and outward signs and symptoms include:

    • Hiding or retreating to a corner or safe spot
    • Constant whining
    • Physical signs like their ears down or their tail between the legs
    • Abnormal behavior, such as chewing destructively or pacing

    Common anxiety triggers are loud noises like fireworks or being left alone. However, it can also be related to trauma, stress, pain, or aging. If your dog shows symptoms, talk to your veterinarian.

    Typical solutions to anxiety include providing immediate comfort, using calming tablets or sprays to reduce stress, and ensuring your dog gets enough mental and physical stimulation. For example, dogs with separation anxiety may find comfort in a cuddly or squeaky toy that helps them feel less alone and more secure. What’s more, squeaky toys excite a dog’s prey drive, giving them positive feedback and stimulation when they play with the toy.

    Managing Aggression in Dogs

    Aggression is always a worrying behavior. Canine aggression can be caused by lack of stimulation, boredom, and anxiety. Again, consult with your veterinarian, a trainer, or a dog behaviorist for professional advice, but part of the solution for managing aggression can include using interactive toys to provide:

    • More exercise to burn off excess energy.
    • Entertainment to stave off frustration and b
    • Greater socialization to build animal and human bonds.
    • Anxiety and stress relief because interactive toys and games stimulate and distract.
    • Comfort and security, as dogs can develop positive emotional connections with toys through learned association.
    • Lessons in impulse control that help prevent dogs from hoarding or acting aggressively if people try to interact with their toys.

    What To Look for in Interactive Toys for Dogs

    The world of dog toys is a huge business with endless varieties, and buying the right one for your dog requires some consideration. Here are some tips:

    • Your dog’s size will determine the type of toys you can get, but most are available in multiple sizes. Just make sure there are no small parts a dog can break off and swallow.
    • Age also plays a key part in the selection process. For example, an older dog won’t have the reflexes to catch a high-velocity rubber ball and may prefer something softer and less unpredictable.
    • Consider how a toy will impact their behaviour and address anxiety or aggression. Durability should be high on the list for aggressive dogs.
    • Toys that deliver treats are a great way to support a dog that’s anxious around food.
    • For dogs with trouble sleeping, try a cuddly toy that doesn’t have uneven shapes or hard parts.
    • Some toys make a noise through squeakers or rattles or have different materials to provide textures and grab points to make them easy to carry and fling.
    • Clicker training can be a valuable complement to toys, helping to reinforce positive behaviors and reduce anxiety or aggression through consistent, reward-based methods.
    • Whatever type of toy you buy, make sure it’s durable and made with safe, non-toxic materials.

    Aggression and anxiety can be a challenge in dogs, but consistent training and socialization, positive reinforcement, and interactive toys can address the root cause and help your dog become calmer and more balanced.


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    Jennifer Sy

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  • Commentary: Democrats crumble like cookies. Is this really the best they can do?

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    Democrats just crumbled like soft-bake cookies.

    The so-called resistance party has given up the shutdown fight, ensuring that millions of Americans will face Republican-created skyrocketing healthcare costs, and millions more will bury any hope that the minority party will find the substance and leadership to run a viable defense against President Trump.

    Sunday night, eight turncoat Democrats sold out every American who pays for their own health insurance through the affordable marketplaces set up by President Obama.

    As has been thoroughly reported in past weeks, Republicans are dead set on making sure that insurance is entirely out of financial reach for many Americans by refusing to help them pay for the premiums with subsidies that are part of current law, offered to both low- and middle-income families.

    Republicans — for reasons hard to fathom other than they hate Obama, and apparently basics such as flu shots — have long desired to kill the Affordable Care Act and now are on the brink of doing so, in spirit if not actuality, thanks to Democrats.

    Trump must be doing his old-man jig in the Oval Office.

    The pain this craven cave-in will cause is already evident. Rates for 2026 without the government subsidies have been announced, and premiums have doubled on average, according to nonpartisan health policy researcher KFF. Doubled.

    Insurance companies are planning on raising their rates by about 18%, already devastating and symptomatic of the need for a total overhaul of our messed-up system. That increase, coupled with the loss of the subsidies beginning at the start of next year, means a 114% jump in costs for the folks dependent on this insurance. Premiums that cost on average $888 in 2025 will jump to $1,904 in 2026, according to KFF.

    But it’s the middle-income people who will really be hit.

    “On average, a 60-year-old couple making $85,000 … would see yearly premium payments rise by over $22,600 in 2026,” KFF warns, meaning that instead of paying 8.5% of their income toward health insurance, it will now jump to about 25%.

    Merry Christmas, America.

    Although the eight Democrats who broke from their party to allow this to happen are directly responsible (thankfully our California senators are not among them), Democratic leadership should also be held accountable.

    A party that can’t keep itself together on the really big votes isn’t a party. It’s a bunch of people who occasionally have lunch together. Literally, they had one job: Stick together.

    The failure of Democratic leadership to make sure its Senate votes didn’t shatter in this intense moment isn’t just shameful, it’s depressing. For all of the condemnation of the Republican members of Congress for failing to uphold their duty to be a check on the power of the presidency, here’s the opposition party rolling over belly up on the pivotal issue of healthcare.

    As Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Fremont) put it on social media, “Senator Schumer is no longer effective and should be replaced. If you can’t lead the fight to stop healthcare premiums from skyrocketing for Americans, what will you fight for?”

    If the recent elections had any lessons in them, it’s that Democrats — and voters in general — want courage. Love or hate Zohran Mamdani, his win as New York City mayor was due in no small part to his daring to forge his own path. Ditto on Gov. Gavin Newsom and Proposition 50.

    Mamdani put that sentiment best in his victory speech, promising an age when people can “expect from their leaders a bold vision of what we will achieve, rather than a list of excuses for what we are too timid to attempt.”

    Before you start angry-emailing me, yes, I do understand how much pain the shutdown in causing, especially for furloughed workers and people facing disruptions in their SNAP benefits. I feel for every person who doesn’t know how they will pay their bills.

    But here are the facts that we can’t forget. Republicans have purposefully made that pain intense in order to break Democrats. Trump has found ways to pay his deportation agents, while simultaneously not paying critical workers such as airport screeners and air traffic controllers, where the chaos created by their absence is both visible and disruptive. He has also threatened to not give back pay to some of those folks when this does end.

    And on the give-in-or-don’t-eat front, he’s actually been ordered by courts to pay those Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits and is fighting it. Republicans could easily band together and demand that money goes out while the rest is hashed out, but they don’t want to. They want people to go hungry so that Democrats will break, and it worked.

    But at what cost?

    About 24 million people will be hit by these premium increases, leaving up to 4 million unable to keep their insurance. Unable to go to the doctor for routine care. Unable to pay for cancer treatments. Unable to have that lump, that pain, the broken bone looked at. Unable to get their kid a flu shot.

    In many ways, this isn’t a California problem. The majority of these folks are in Southern, Republican states that refused to expand Medicaid when they had the chance. About 6 in 10 subsidy recipients are represented by Republicans, according to KFF, led by those living in Florida, Georgia and Mississippi. But Americans have been clear that we want access to care for all of us, as a right, not an expensive privilege.

    Which makes it all the more mystifying that Democrats are so eager to give up, on an issue that unites voters across parties, across demographics, across our seemingly endless divides.

    But I guess that’s just how the cookie crumbles.

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    Anita Chabria

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  • Fasting and Plant-Based Diets for Migraines and Traumatic Brain Injuries  | NutritionFacts.org

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    What effects do fasting and a plant-based diet have on TBI and migraines?

    An uncontrolled and unpublished study purported to show a beneficial effect of fasting on migraine headaches, but fasting may be more likely to trigger a migraine than help it. In fact, “skipped meals are among the most consistently identified dietary triggers” of headaches in general. In a review of hundreds of fasts at the TrueNorth Health Center in California, the incidence of headache was nearly one in three, but TrueNorth also published a remarkable case report on post-traumatic headache.

    The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that more than a million Americans sustain traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) every year. Chronic pain is a common complication, affecting perhaps three-quarters of those who suffer such an injury. There are drugs, of course, to treat post-traumatic headache. There are always drugs. And if drugs don’t work, there is surgery, cutting the nerves to the head to stop the pain.

    What about fasting and plants? A 52-year-old woman presented with a highly debilitating, difficult-to-manage, unremitting, chronic post-traumatic headache. And when I say chronic, I mean chronic; she experienced pain for 16 years. She then achieved long-term relief after fasting, followed by an exclusively plant-foods diet, free of added sugar, oil, or salt.

    Before then, she had tried drug after drug after drug after drug after drug—with no relief, suffering in constant pain for years. Before the fast, she started out in constant pain. Then, after the fast, the intensity of the pain was cut in half, and though she was still having daily headaches, at least there were some pain-free periods. Six months later, she tried again, and eventually her headaches became mild, lasting less than ten minutes, and infrequent. She continued that way for months and even years, as you can see below and at 1:45 in my video Fasting for Post-Traumatic Brain Injury Headache. 

    Now, of course, it’s hard to disentangle the effects of the fasting from the effects of the whole food, plant-based diet she remained on for those ensuing years. You’ve heard of analgesics (painkillers). Well, there are some foods that may be pro-algesic (pain-promoting), such as foods high in arachidonic acid, including meats, dairy, and eggs. So, the lowering of arachidonic acid—from which our body makes a range of pro-inflammatory compounds—may be accomplished by eating a more plant-based diet. So, maybe that contributed to the benefit in the fasting case, since many plant foods are high in anti-inflammatory components. In terms of migraine headaches, more plant foods and less animal foods may help, but you don’t know until you put it to the test.

    Researchers figured a plant-based diet may offer the best of both worlds, so they designed a randomized, controlled, crossover study where those with recurrent migraines were randomized to eat a strictly plant-based diet or take a placebo pill. Then, the groups switched. During the placebo phase, half of the participants said their pain improved, and the other half said their pain remained the same or got worse. But, during the dietary phase, they almost all got better, as you can see here and at 3:11 in my video.

    During that first phase, the diet group experienced significant improvements in the number of headaches, pain intensity, and days with headaches, as well as a reduction in the amount of painkillers they needed to take. In fact, it worked a little too well. Many individuals were unwilling to return to their previous diets after they completed the diet phase of the trial, thereby refusing to complete the study. Remember, the participants were supposed to go back to their regular diets and take a placebo pill, but they felt so much better on the plant-based diet that they refused. We’ve seen this with other trials, where those trying plant-based diets felt so good, they often refused to abandon them, harming the study. So, plant-based diets can sometimes work a little too well.

    All my videos on fasting are available in a digital download here.  

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    Michael Greger M.D. FACLM

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  • 5 Healthy Habits To Reduce Your Risk Of Rheumatoid Arthritis

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  • Suffer From Headaches? You Could Be Missing This Key Nutrient, Study Finds

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    Plus what to do about it.

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  • A Functional Eye Doctor’s Tip To Test Your Blue Light Glasses

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    It’s no secret screen time has soared during the pandemic1. Especially for those able to work from home, you might oscillate from virtual meetings to online happy hours to a feel-good TV series on Netflix. And repeat. With all this skyrocketed screen time, the thought might have crossed your mind once or twice: Should I invest in a pair of blue-light-blocking glasses? These lenses, meant to filter out the blue light in your surroundings, are practically exploding in popularity as we continue to bombard our retinas with LED-backlit screens—you can snag a pair for anywhere from $12 to $95. 

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  • Doing This For Pain Relief Is More Than Just A Placebo Effect

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    If you’re among the 21% of U.S. adults1 who struggle with chronic pain, you likely already know there are a number of interventions you can take to help manage it. But did you ever consider mindfulness meditation? According to new research published in the journal Biological Psychiatry, it might address pain better than you’d think.

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  • Have Foot Pain? Here's How To Fix Plantar Fasciitis In Just 15 Minutes

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    There may be more factors at play than just the tissue on the bottom of your foot.

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  • Managing Aggression in Dogs? Try Ashwagandha for Stress and Anxiety Relief | Animal Wellness Magazine

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    Managing aggression in dogs requires a comprehensive approach, and ashwagandha should be included to reduce aggressive behavior caused by pain, stress, or anxiety.

    Aggression in dogs is often misunderstood, but it’s never about a dog being bad. More often, it’s a response to pain, stress, or anxiety. These underlying issues can trigger behaviors like growling, snapping, and avoidance. While addressing behavioral issues is essential, natural supplements like ashwagandha can play a supportive role in managing aggression in dogs. Ashwagandha, particularly clinically proven KSM-66 Ashwagandha, helps manage cortisol levels, reduce inflammation, and promote calm. When used as part of a holistic approach, it can support dogs struggling with stress- or pain-related aggression, helping them feel more balanced, secure, and happy.

    When to Use Ashwagandha for Managing Aggression in Dogs

    Any dog can be aggressive, which can include growling, snapping, avoiding contact, and changes in body language. But aggression doesn’t happen because a dog is bad. Rather, it’s often a symptom of a deeper problem, such as pain or anxiety, which can cause irritability, defensiveness, and reactivity. Ashwagandha can be an effective tool for managing aggression caused by stress or anxiety because this adaptogenic herb naturally:

    • Helps with stress
    • Reduces inflammation
    • Provides relief from pain
    • Supports restorative sleep
    • Promotes a calm mood

    Since aggression is a behavioral issue, addressing it requires a multifaceted approach that includes pain/stress management along with training and socialization.

    Common Causes of Pain and Stress for Dogs

    Despite best efforts to keep companion animals happy and healthy, there are numerous conditions or experiences that can cause them pain and stress. Things that can lead to aggressive behavior include:

    • Arthritis or joint disease
    • Dental problems
    • Skin infections
    • Hot spots
    • Ear infections
    • Gastrointestinal upset
    • Neurological conditions

    Trust KSM-66 Ashwagandha for Managing Aggression in Dogs Related to Stress and Anxiety

    When you need a proven solution, you need KSM-66 Ashwagandha! It’s the safest and only clinically proven ashwagandha for pets, and it’s the only ashwagandha with carefully controlled levels of withanolides, one of the therapeutic compounds. KSM-66 Ashwagandha has been shown to reduce inflammation and stress, support gut health, and promote healthy aging. As an anti-inflammatory, adaptogenic herb, ashwagandha helps manage cortisol, other hormones, and neurotransmitters, so it’s beneficial for managing aggression in dogs when it’s related to pain or stress.

    Learn more about sustainable, all-natural KSM-66 Ashwagandha and find pet products that feature it!


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    Animal Wellness is North America’s top natural health and lifestyle magazine for dogs and cats, with a readership of over one million every year. AW features articles by some of the most renowned experts in the pet industry, with topics ranging from diet and health related issues, to articles on training, fitness and emotional well being.

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    Animal Wellness

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  • Stop Using Your Laptop at the Dinner Table Already

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    Branch Ergonomic Chair Pro

    Photograph: Julian Chokkattu

    Kristianne Egbert has worked in occupational ergonomics for nearly 20 years and is now a senior corporate ergonomist at Briotix Health, a workplace injury prevention company. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Egbert also says that repeated use of a laptop alone on a desk is going to have a huge effect on your overall posture.

    Egbert referred to what’s known as the 20-degree rule. If you’re holding your neck at an angle of 20 degrees or more, you’re officially crossing the risk threshold. “You’re probably bending over because you’re leaning forward to see that screen and be able to reach the keyboard,” she says.

    Sitting back farther in your chair might seem like a fix to the problem temporarily, but in reality, bending beyond 20 degrees isn’t the real issue. Most people aren’t comfortable holding that position for long periods of time, which means it’s what else your body does to compensate that’s problematic.

    “Nobody really wants to bend their head that much more than 20 degrees,” Egbert says. “So, when you don’t want to bend your neck forward, then the rest of your body is going to try and accommodate.”

    You might tilt your whole back forward to avoid that extreme neck posture to type on the keyboard and see the screen of your laptop. That’s where bad posture habits really form. It’s not that you need to just suck it up and have better posture. You need to change the way you’re working, not necessarily your discipline.

    “The other thing that ends up happening when your back starts getting tired is you’re like, ‘OK, well, I’m gonna scoot back a little bit to keep my back a little straighter,’” she says, demonstrating the position over the Zoom call. “But then, my arms are going to come out a little bit more, and I’m anchoring my wrist down while I’m typing.” This position can cause all sorts of other problems.

    It’s even worse for shorter people, who are often working from chairs that aren’t tall enough. Egbert often recommends putting the laptop down on the lap, so that your arms can be down “where they belong.” You can tilt the laptop screen and look down at it, cutting the risk of leaning forward too much.

    What to Do Instead

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    Hansker Productivity Mouse

    Photograph: Henri Robbins

    Fortunately, there are some simple (and even affordable!) solutions to this ergonomic disaster. Both experts I interviewed indicated that your office chair is a good place to start for better posture and office ergonomics. (We have an excellent guide that can help.)

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    Luke Larsen

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  • Vaporized Cannabis Mitigates Migraine Symptoms

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    The inhalation of cannabis flower containing THC and CBD provides superior migraine relief compared to a placebo, according to clinical trial data presented at the annual meeting of the American Headache Society.

    “This is the first placebo-controlled study in this space. It’s the first real — to me — compelling evidence for the anti-migraine effects of cannabis in humans,” the study’s lead researcher said.

    Investigators affiliated with the University of California at San Diego presented the findings. They had previously documented their results in a 2024 preprint paper, concluding, “Vaporized 6% THC+11% CBD cannabis flower was superior to placebo for [migraine] pain relief, pain freedom, and MBS [most bothersome symptom] freedom at 2 hours as well as 24-hour sustained pain freedom and sustained MBS freedom and 48-hour sustained MBS freedom.”

    THC/CBD cannabis was also superior to placebo at relieving migraine-related photophobia (light sensitivity) and phonophobia (sound sensitivity).

    No serious adverse events were reported.

    “Nearly one-third of migraine sufferers have tried cannabis for symptom management, and patients consistently report that it significantly reduces their pain severity and migraine frequency,” NORML’s Deputy Director Paul Armentano said. “These data further affirm patients’ testimonials.”

    Survey data indicates that migraine sufferers frequently consume cannabis preparations to mitigate their symptoms and reduce their use of prescription drugs. A 2002 literature review of nine studies involving 5,600 subjects concluded: “Medical marijuana has a significant clinical response by reducing the length and frequency of migraines. … Due to its effectiveness and convenience, medical marijuana therapy may be helpful for patients suffering from migraines.”

    Additional information on the use of cannabis for migraines is available from NORML’s publication Clinical Applications for Cannabis and Cannabinoids.

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    NORML

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  • Should We Drink Kombucha  | NutritionFacts.org

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    What are the risks versus benefits of drinking kombucha?

    Is Kombucha Tea Good for You? is one of my first videos. It was featured in a blog entry entitled “NutritionFacts.org: the first month,” where I marveled the video had reached nearly 100,000 people. You can see it below and at 0:20 in my video Kombucha’s Side Effects: Is It Bad for You?. I’m honored to say that we now reach more than 100,000 people a day.

    In that first kombucha video, I profiled a report published in the Journal of Intensive Care Medicine of “a case of kombucha tea toxicity” in which a young man ended up in an acidotic coma. The authors concluded, “While Kombucha tea is considered a healthy elixir, the limited evidence currently available raises considerable concern that it may pose serious health risks. Consumption of this tea should be discouraged, as it may be associated with life-threatening lactic acidosis.” And this was just one of several case reports of “serious, and sometimes fatal, hepatic [liver] dysfunction and lactic acidosis within close proximity of ingestion.”

    For example, there were two cases in Iowa of severe metabolic acidosis, including one death. There was also a triggering of a life-threatening autoimmune muscle disease that required emergency surgery and was “probably related to the consumption of a fermented Kombucha beverage.” Another patient presented with shortness of breath, shaking, and a movement disorder “after consumption of tea and no other medications,” and a middle-aged woman complained of xerostomia, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, headache, and neck pain,” and her symptoms recurred on reingestion of the tea. There was another case of severe metabolic lactic acidosis, as well as a case of hepatotoxicity (liver toxicity) that resolved after stopping kombucha.

    Why these sporadic cases? Maybe some unusual toxins developed in a particular batch. I mean, it is a fermented product, so it’s possible there was just some contamination by a bad bug, like the time people smeared kombucha on their skin because they were told it had “magical healing power.” What it had instead was anthrax. So, even though such reports were rare, I concluded ten years ago that we should probably stick to foods that haven’t put people in a coma. But what about its risks versus benefits? Maybe kombucha is worth it. After all, it’s “reputed to cure cancer,” “eliminate wrinkles,” “and even restore gray hair to its original color”—as “marketed by alternative and naturopathic healers throughout the United States.”

    “Currently, kombucha is alternately praised as ‘the ultimate health drink’ or damned as ‘unsafe medicinal tea.’” It’s been “claimed to be a universal wonderful drug…a potion which improves awareness and concentration, slimming, also purifying, regenerating and life extending.” Which is it? Is it “potion or poison?

    Back in the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s, there were several medical studies conducted by recognized physicians confirming all sorts of beneficial effects, as you can see below and at 2:55 in my video. 

    I couldn’t wait to read them. Dufrense and Farnworth were cited, and when I went to that paper, I saw the same claim, citing Allen 1998. When I went to that source, I saw the citation is for a random kombucha website, as shown below, and at 3:10 in my video. And guess what? That website’s been defunct since 2001, and “much of the Kombucha information” posted came from comments on some mailing list.

    Finally, in 2003, a systematic review of the clinical evidence that had been published was conducted. “The main result of this systematic review, it seems, is the total lack of efficacy data…No clinical studies were found relating to the efficacy of this remedy.” We just have these cautionary tales, these case reports. So, based on these data, it was concluded that the largely undetermined benefits do not outweigh the documented risks of kombucha. It can therefore not be recommended for therapeutic use.” That was back in 2003, though. How about a 2019 systematic review of the empirical evidence of human health benefit?

    “The nonhuman subjects literature claims numerous health benefits of kombucha,” with “nonhuman” meaning mice and rats. We need human clinical trials, yet there is still not a single controlled human study. (I did find one uncontrolled study purporting to show a significant reduction in fasting and after-meal blood sugars among individuals with type 2 diabetes, though, as seen below and at 4:19 in my video.)

    “Nonetheless,” despite no controlled trials, “significant commercial shelf space is now dedicated to kombucha products, and there is widespread belief that the products promote health.” So, we are left with this extreme disparity between science and belief: “There is no convincingly positive clinical evidence at all; the [health] claims for it are as far-reaching as they are implausible; the potential for harm seems considerable. In such extreme cases, healthcare professionals should discourage consumers from using (and paying for) remedies that only seem to benefit those who sell them.”

    Doctor’s Note:

    Friday Favorites: What Are the Best Beverages? Watch the video to find out. 

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    Michael Greger M.D. FACLM

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  • Statins and Muscle Pain Side Effects  | NutritionFacts.org

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    Why is the incidence of side effects from statins so low in clinical trials while appearing to be so high in the real world?

    “There is now overwhelming evidence to support reducing LDL-C (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol)”—so-called bad cholesterol—to reduce atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD),” the number one killer of men and women. So, why is adherence to cholesterol-lowering statin drug therapy such “a major challenge worldwide”? Researchers found “that the majority of studies reported that at least 40%, and as much as 80%, of patients did not comply fully with statin treatment recommendations.” Three-quarters of patients may flat out stop taking them, and almost 90 percent may discontinue treatment altogether.

    When asked why they stopped taking the pills, most “former statin users or discontinuers…cited muscle pain, a side effect, as the primary reason…” “SAMSs”—statin-associated muscle symptoms—“are by far the most prevalent and important adverse event, with up to 72% of all statin adverse events being muscle-related.” Taking coenzyme Q10 supplements as a treatment for statin-associated muscle symptoms was a good idea in theory, but they don’t appear to help. Normally, side-effect symptoms go away when you stop the drug but can sometimes linger for a year or more. There is “growing evidence that statin intolerance is predominantly psychosocial, not pharmacological.” Really? It may be mostly just in people’s heads?

    “Statins have developed a bad reputation with the public, a phenomenon driven largely by proliferation on the Internet of bizarre and unscientific but seemingly persuasive criticism of these drugs.” “Does Googling lead to statin intolerance?” But people have stopped taking statins for decades before there even was an Internet. What kinds of data have doctors suggested that patients are falsely “misattribut[ing] normal aches and pains to be statin side effects”?

    Well, if you take people who claim to have statin-related muscle pain and randomize them back and forth between statins and an identical-looking placebo in three-week blocks, they can’t tell whether they’re getting the real drug or the sugar pill. The problem with that study, though, is that it may take months not only to develop statin-induced muscle pain, but months before it goes away, so no wonder three weeks on and three weeks off may not be long enough for the participants to discern which is which.

    However, these data are more convincing: Ten thousand people were randomized to a statin or a sugar pill for a few years, but so many more people were dying in the sugar pill group that the study had to be stopped prematurely. So then everyone was offered the statin, and the researchers noted that there was “no excess of reports of muscle-related AEs” (adverse effects) among patients assigned to the statin over those assigned to the placebo. But when the placebo phase was over and the people knew they were on a statin, they went on to report more muscle side effects than those who knew they weren’t taking the statin. “These analyses illustrate the so-called nocebo effect,” which is akin to the opposite of the placebo effect.

    Placebo effects are positive consequences falsely attributed to a treatment, whereas nocebo effects are negative consequences falsely attributed to a treatment, as was evidently seen here. There was an excess rate of muscle-related adverse effects reported only when patients and their doctors were aware that statin therapy was being used, and not when its use was concealed. The researchers hope “these results will help assure both physicians and patients that most AEs associated with statins are not causally related to use of the drug and should help counter…exaggerated claims about statin-related side effects.”

    These are the kinds of results from “placebo-controlled randomised trials [that] have shown definitively that almost all of the symptomatic adverse events that are attributed to statin therapy in routine practice are not actually caused by it (ie, they represent misattribution.)” Now, “only a few patients will believe that their SAMS are of psychogenic origin” and just in their head, but their denial may have “deadly consequences.” Indeed, “discontinuing statin treatment may be a life-threatening mistake.”

    Below and at 4:46 in my video How Common Are Muscle Side Effects from Statins?, you can see the mortality of those who stopped their statins after having a possible adverse reaction compared to those who stuck with them. This translates into about “1 excess death for every 83 patients who discontinued treatment” within a four-year period. So, when there are media reports about statin side effects and people stop taking them, this could “result in thousands of fatal and disabling heart attacks and strokes, which would otherwise have been avoided. Seldom in the history of modern therapeutics have the substantial proven benefits of a treatment been compromised to such an extent by serious misrepresentations of the evidence for its safety.” But is it a misrepresentation to suggest “that statin therapy causes side-effects in up to one fifth of patients”? That is what is seen in clinical practice; between 10 to 25 percent of patients placed on statins complain of muscle problems. However, because we don’t see anywhere near those kinds of numbers in controlled trials, patients are accused of being confused. Why is the incidence of side effects from statins so low in clinical trials while appearing to be so high in the real world? 

    Take this meta-analysis of clinical trials, for example: It found muscle problems not in 1 in 5 patients, but only 1 in 2,000. Should everyone over a certain age be on statins? Not surprisingly, every one of those trials was funded by statin manufacturers themselves. So, for example, “how could the statin RCTs [randomized controlled trials] miss detecting mild statin-related muscle adverse side effects such as myalgia [muscle pain]? By not asking. A review of 44 statin RCTs reveals that only 1 directly asked about muscle-related adverse effects.” So, are the vast majority of side effects just being missed in all these trials, or are the vast majority of side effects seen in clinical practice just a figment of patients’ imagination? The bottom line is we don’t know, but there is certainly an urgent need to figure it out.

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    Michael Greger M.D. FACLM

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  • Understand aging in pets | Animal Wellness Magazine

    Understand aging in pets | Animal Wellness Magazine

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    Understand aging in pets, ensuring your dog or cat’s health and quality of life are enhanced for comfortable and meaningful later years.

    Aging is something every living being goes through, including our dogs and cats as well as ourselves. But what precisely is aging, and what are the different ways it can affect our animals? More importantly, understanding aging in pets can shift how we care for them and make the final stages of life less difficult and painful for both ourselves and our four-legged companions.

     

    Every Animal’s Experience is Unique

    Many of us associate aging with increased illness, weakness and debilitation, but advancing years do not, in and of themselves, lead to specific physical changes in every dog or cat. We’ve all seen animals in their upper teens with bright eyes and a joyful energy that seem to bely the number of birthdays they’ve had. Conversely, of course, many older animals are dealing with failing organs or other disease states. Common concerns in aging animals include difficulties with mobility, chronic pain and illness, personality changes, and cognitive decline. But are these issues really due to how old the dog or cat is?  

     

    Environmental chemicals contribute to “age related” issues

    During my time as a veterinarian, the age of a “senior” dog or cat dropped from over 12 to below eight. This is certainly not due to a sudden epidemic of rapid aging in animals. A combination of nutritional and environmental stressors has led to a situation in which animals show symptoms we have defined as age related, when perhaps they are simply a sign of a reduced ability to manage the current conditions of life.  

    It is no secret that our environment exposes us to many more chemicals than it did 30 years ago. Some of these chemicals include agricultural residues, artificial scents in laundry soaps and body products, or flame retardants in our homes. No one can say for certain what the effects of this stew of chemicals are because each safety study focuses on a single chemical with a short exposure time, rather than a combination of chemicals with an exposure duration of years or a lifetime. Although the popular saying claims “correlation does not equal causation”, the number of chronic disease states continues to grow as more chemicals are introduced into home environments or as residues in diet.

    Point to ponder: Perhaps we can combat aging by simplifying the chemicals used in the home, and choosing diets with ingredients sourced from organic farms, or those that use fewer agricultural chemicals. 

     

    Managing Aging in Pets for Better Quality of Life

    But what about dogs and cats that have already lived a decade or so within the above parameters and are now facing health challenges? Understanding aging in pets can guide us in several ways to ease the aging process and the health problems that often (though not always!) accompany it. 

     

    1. Putting a plan in place 

    When a client comes to me well ahead of the actual deterioration of their dog or cat, I tell them to begin deciding on the right medical approach for their family. This can be driven by circumstances such as finances, religious beliefs, and the willingness of the dog or cat to be treated in the first place. 

    Point to ponder: Having a loose plan in place can help alleviate fear of the future and allows the focus to be redirected to your animal’s present needs.  

     

    2. Growing allopathic and alternative treatment options

    The veterinary profession continues expanding to offer better medical options for the majority of disease states, and these come close to matching those offered by human medicine. They can help maintain an aging dog or cat’s well-being and quality of life much longer than in the past. 

    We have both allopathic and alternative options for pain and disease management, anxiety treatment, and mobility assistance at our disposal. Pharmaceutical, herbal, homeopathic, electromagnetic, vibrational, energetic and structural modalities are also available. Adhering too tightly to any single paradigm does not create the best outcome; using several different approaches often yields more complete results with fewer adverse effects.  

    Because it is virtually impossible to access every option from a single practitioner or hospital, having a team that includes your regular veterinarian, an integrative or holistic vet, boarded specialists, and rehabilitation practitioners creates wonderful outcomes for aging animals. Sometimes an animal parent will work simultaneously with several different modalities, or move from one to the next as their dog or cat’s needs change. 

    Point to ponder: While many treatments need to be done in the hospital or clinic setting, many can be done at home, thereby increasing treatment frequency while reducing overall cost of care.  

    Discussing what you envision for your aging animal’s care, and what options are available, starts with the veterinarian you see for routine physical exams. If they do not have the tools you are looking for, let them know you would like a team approach and ask for local referral options.  

     

    3. Euthanasia decisions for aging pets

    When is enough enough? The answer is a moving target that’s different for every family and every animal. Euthanasia is an important option when the dog or cat is clearly suffering and there are no ways left to alleviate that suffering. 

    As a veterinary practitioner, I was taught we should always reach for humane euthanasia, almost as if a natural death was a terrible thing. However, I have had more than one client inform me they had no intention of euthanizing their dogs or cats, and wanted my assistance keeping the animals comfortable to the natural end of life. I was very judgmental with these first few clients, but after watching them graciously support their animals until they passed on their own, I gained a new appreciation of the particular gift that comes with caring for a dog or cat at the end of life. I was also surprised by how gentle and easy a natural death could be.

    If you make a decision to euthanize your dog or cat, start by discussing it with your regular veterinarian. If they have had a years-long relationship with you and your animal, they will want to be a part of this final stage of the relationship. 

    Point to ponder: Some clinics offer in-home euthanasia, which can reduce the stress of a final car ride for animals that don’t like the car.  

    The senior years of your dog or cat’s life are a time to reflect on the wonderful experience you’ve shared with him. The journey through this end-of-life stage can be challenging, and ultimately painful when he passes – but it’s also full of love as you honor him with your caregiving efforts. Approaching an aging animal’s final phase of life with an open heart and mind can bring grace and comfort to both you and your beloved companion.

     

    Changing your perspective on aging and death

    The last years of a dog or cat’s life present particular concerns and challenges when it comes to healthcare and quality of life. But with an optimistic and appreciative approach, it can also be a time where your relationship with your companion animal deepens as he teaches you about end-of-life care.

    Many people begin the process of grieving for their dogs or cats months to years before they are actually faced with either euthanasia or a natural death. This grief arises from a fear of what is to come, both in the lives of their animals, as well as in their own lives after the dog or cat has passed. I have encountered deep anxiety among my clients and colleagues about how long to support a dog or cat in advanced age, and what specific steps should be taken. I believe this anxiety stems from a fear of losing control over exactly how and when a beloved animal companion will pass. I have even seen clients and colleagues choose euthanasia at a point when the dog or cat was still clearly engaged in life, in order to be able to gain a sense of control over a disease state or condition. 

    But what if we approached the end of life as a joyous culmination of a beautiful relationship? Understanding aging in pets from this perspective can shift how we care for them and make the final stages of life less difficult and painful for both ourselves and our four-legged companions. I feel this perspective helps ease our fears and brings comfort as we honor the wonderful beings that shared their lives with us. 

    Culturally speaking we don’t like to look at death. Our senior relatives are often put elsewhere, such as nursing homes or hospitals, to live out their final months or years. We rationalize it by saying we don’t have the time, or capacity, to properly care for them — and this is absolutely true. But we have also created a society that fears death and does not want to engage with it. 

    In veterinary medicine, we often pride ourselves on being more humane because we have the legal ability to end suffering. Too often, however, I have noticed it’s the animal parent’s suffering that is being treated by the euthanasia  as much as (if not more than) the animal’s. As a veterinarian, I do my best to guide animal parents in both the physical and emotional needs of their aging dogs and cats, but also towards an awareness of the emotional triggers that may be guiding their decision-making.

     


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    Ayse Washington, DVM, CCRP, CVMMP

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    Ayse Washington, DVM, CCRP, CVMMP

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  • Boomer And Gen Z Consume Marijuana For Similar Reasons

    Boomer And Gen Z Consume Marijuana For Similar Reasons

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    Cannabis has become popular for every adult age group- but the surprise is Gen Z and Boomers are using it for similar reasons.

    Cannabis is fully legal to over 50% of the population and all groups are embracing its use. Proven healthier than alcohol, it has become much more common in all sets. Even Florida looks like it is going to vote for recreational cannabis. Long stigmatized as a way to get high, be lazy and lay about on the couch, it turns out it is become part of every day life…and part of a health regime. An example of how it is being used, Boomer and Gen Z consume marijuana for similar reasons.

    RELATED: The Most Popular Marijuana Flavors

    It is become so accepted, AARP did a study about use among Boomers. AARP is the largest  print magazine with 38 million readers…and their bulletin has 33 million.  A huge validator for the demographic. It also shows they are more open to more mainstream cannabis. This falls in line by the positions of the American Medical Association and the American College of Physicians.

    Photo by Kindel Media from Pexels

    The AARP study revealed 21 percent ages 50-plus used some form of cannabis — be it food, drink, flower or another type— at least once in the last year, a report from the University of Michigan’s National Poll on Healthy Aging found. That’s up from 1 in 8 (12 percent) in 2021. In 2015 and 2016, roughly 3 percent of adults 65 and older used cannabis, according to research published in JAMA Internal Medicine.

    Roughly 68% of poll respondents who used cannabis products did so for help with sleep, the researchers found. Many also cited pain relief (63 percent), mental health, anxiety,  and mood (53 percent) and relaxation (81 percent) as reasons for using cannabis.

    What is interesting is Gen Z, the youngest adult generation, Gen Z, is an also a big fan of marijuana. They helped fuel the California Sober trend where you reduce or stop drinking and use weed instead.  One reason Gen Z has embraced weed is it helps with anxiety and mood.  They also use it for relaxation, way more so than other generation who tend to lean into alcohol.

    RELATED: This Natural Cannabinoid Makes You Feel Happy

    What is interesting is some Boomers and Gen X are consume marijuana in a more traditional way by smoking. Gen X and Boomers new to consuming tend to vape and use gummies.  The later two are more “on the go” and discreet and doesn’t have the smell. It is interesting the marijuana is bonding together two generations.

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    Amy Hansen

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  • Best CBD Oil For Pain We Trust In 2024

    Best CBD Oil For Pain We Trust In 2024

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    As CBD grows in popularity, it’s looking to be a viable option to reduce various types of pain, including chronic pain, sore muscles, and joint pain. In addition to helping manage pain, CBD may also improve sleep, stress, and mobility. However, it’s important to remember that CBD is not a replacement for professional medical treatment, especially for those living with chronic pain. 

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  • Suffer From Headaches? You Could Be Missing This Key Nutrient, Study Finds

    Suffer From Headaches? You Could Be Missing This Key Nutrient, Study Finds

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    Plus what to do about it.

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