Credit: iStock/FG Trade Latin We’ve all heard the saying “Laughter is the best medicine,” but what does science say? It turns out that laughing isn’t just pleasant, it can be genuinely beneficial for your mind and body throughout your life. Let’s start with stress. Chronic stress is everywhere in modern life, contributing to anxiety, fatigue … Continue reading Laughing as Medicine: Why a Giggle a Day Might Be Good for You
Stress
The Memory Sniper: How Stress Modifies Our Brain
Credit: iStock/kali9 Her tangled locks were fluttering around her face.Rosy cheeks; grin pasted in place.The wind roared in her ears as the rollercoaster plummeted down.The rush of adrenaline through her veins sent her stumbling into the past.“You have great potential; never give it up in life,” her father remarked.It was her first real oil painting … Continue reading The Memory Sniper: How Stress Modifies Our Brain
A Fatty Truth: How Your Meat and Eggs Become Messages
Credit: iStock/4kodiak When you bite into a burger or crack an egg open, it's more than just a meal. Every fat molecule in that food carries information—tiny signals your body listens to. The way animals are raised, whether in a pasture or in conventional systems, subtly shifts the types of fats that end up on … Continue reading A Fatty Truth: How Your Meat and Eggs Become Messages
From Cortisol to Calm: The Physiology of Calm Breathing
Credit: Amin Mohajeri “Take a deep breath.” You’ve probably heard that advice—before a big exam, a tough conversation or when you’re feeling overwhelmed. And if you’ve ever noticed that it actually helps, you’re not imagining it. Your body has a built-in system for finding calm, and breathing is the key that unlocks it. When stress … Continue reading From Cortisol to Calm: The Physiology of Calm Breathing
The Top 10 Most-read I Spy Physiology Posts of 2024
Credit: iStock/gustavofrazao It’s been another “ph-un” filled year of physiology on the I Spy Physiology blog! We’ve featured posts ranging from marijuana research and bone cancer in children to how many steps do we really need to take per day and if alkaline water lives up to the hype. To complement our Women’s Health Research … Continue reading The Top 10 Most-read I Spy Physiology Posts of 2024
Ripples in Childhood, Waves in Adulthood: Early Childhood Stress and Your Health
Credit: iStock/FangXiaNuo Playgrounds, red balloons, lollipops, sandcastles on the beach and jump ropes are just some of the images that come to mind when you think of a happy childhood. Many people grow up with curiosity, play and the building of foundational memories that shape who they become. From learning to ride a bike to … Continue reading Ripples in Childhood, Waves in Adulthood: Early Childhood Stress and Your Health
Blue Spaces: The Surprising Health Benefits of Being Near Water
Credit: iStock/baona We have all heard that drinking enough water is good for our health, but we don’t often hear about the benefits of being in a “blue space” near water. Can you get a boost in wellness simply by being close to a body of water? Blue spaces are outdoor areas with water such … Continue reading Blue Spaces: The Surprising Health Benefits of Being Near Water
Is What’s Healthy in the Eye of the Beholder?
Credit: iStock In physiology research, the term “placebo effect” refers to the positive effects that result from our perception of something being healthy. For example, exercise benefits our health, but just knowing exercise is good for us may also enhance its benefits. There’s also a phenomenon known as the “nocebo effect”—negative effects that happen when … Continue reading Is What’s Healthy in the Eye of the Beholder?
2023’s Most-read I Spy Physiology Posts
Credit: iStock This year, as science celebrated the discoveries that gave us mRNA vaccines to fight COVID-19 and gene editing treatments for sickle cell disease, our contributors also brought you fascinating, fun and insightful physiology stories on the I Spy Physiology blog. From the always-popular topic of spaceflight to the always-important matter of mental health, … Continue reading 2023’s Most-read I Spy Physiology Posts
Watching Scary Movies Can Help Reduce Your Stress (Really!)
Credit: iStock If you’re a fan of scary movies, you might notice that intense scenes may make you a little fidgety. As a scare pops up suddenly, you may unconsciously clench your fists or grip the arms of the couch, your heart rate quickens, goosebumps start to prickle your skin and sweat beads out of … Continue reading Watching Scary Movies Can Help Reduce Your Stress (Really!)