Marijuana May Protect Brain Cells from Alzheimer’s

The use of marijuana and cannabis compounds in the medical field is increasing.

We’ve all heard how it can help cancer patients cope with their disease, as well as their treatments, but now it may be able to help patients with another serious disease as well: Alzheimer’s.
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In a new study from the Salk Institute, scientists have discovered that tetrahydrocannabinol or THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, has been helping relieve plaque forming Alzheimer’s proteins from lab-grown brain cells. Although research is still in the preliminary stages, the find is promising, and it may just lead to the creation of new therapeutics for patients suffering from the disease.

Other studies have been conducted with similar results, but this is the first time researchers have been able to demonstrate and record that cannabinoids have an affect on both the inflammation and accumulation in the nerve cells directly.

“Although other studies have offered evidence that cannabinoids might be neuroprotective against the symptoms of Alzheimer’s, we believe our study is the first to demonstrate that cannabinoids affect both inflammation and amyloid beta accumulation in nerve cells,” explains David Schubert, Salk Professor and senior author of the study.

The breaking down of protein buildup is important to the overall find, but what people don’t understand is just how important reducing inflammation within the cells can be. When the cells are inflamed, it makes it incredibly difficult for your neurons to communicate the way they’re supposed to, which is the root of the disease itself.
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Besides the discovery that THC can break down plaque buildup and reduce inflammation, this study also shows researchers that there is a strong connection between the protein plaque and the neurons themselves, which has only been previously hypothesized. It’s believed that THC is able to work within the brain’s naturally occurring endocannabinoid receptors in order to slow the progression of the disease.

The study is still only in the preliminary stages, and there is a lot of work to be done before this link between THC and Alzheimer’s can be called anything more than casual. The recent acceptance of both medical and recreational marijuana has opened the door for scientists to study the effects of cannabis compounds on the brain and body. There is still a vast amount of work to be done, but the possibilities are enlightening.

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20 Simple Ways to Practice Emotional Self-Care

Self-care is not a selfish or frivolous thing. It is time we stopped looking at this practice as a luxury. If we are to be our best and most useful selves, caring for our souls is a necessity. A happy and healthy person can accomplish twice as much as one who is fighting burnout.
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Here are 20 small ways to care for yourself today:

1. Forgive yourself for small mistakes. Treat yourself with the same compassion and kindness that you would a close friend.

2. Ask someone you look up to to be a personal mentor. You will make their day.

3. Leave 15 minutes in your day as white space. Allow yourself to slow down and be silent. This is especially nurturing if you have active children or a demanding job.

4. Listen to at least three songs you love each day.

5. When you feel your self-esteem start to slip, write a love letter to yourself.

6. Journal every night. Even a short entry counts. Draw cartoons, write poetry, or keep a gratitude list. Mix it up. Make it your own.

7. Resist pressure to spend your free time in a way that pleases others. If you are an introvert, don’t apologize for needing solitude. Nurture your soul in a way that feels right to you.

8. Give yourself permission to experience your emotions. Feel your feelings, even (and especially) if they are painful.

9. Do something creative each day. It doesn’t matter how small. All creativity feeds the soul.

10. Give yourself three compliments each morning. Start off the day by working toward a positive self-image.
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11. Don’t attempt to do everything yourself. Tell people what you need from them. You’ll be surprised at how willing they are to help.

12. Learn to receive a compliment in a way that makes you feel empowered, rather than awkward. This is surprisingly hard.

13. Cultivate gratitude. Take note of small joys in your life as you go about your day.

14. Learn to say no.

15. Take deep breaths when you are angry, stressed, or afraid.

16. Eat something delicious each day without guilt. You have my permission.

17. Listen to the way you speak to yourself. You’ll be surprised at the messages you may have internalized. Make an effort to engage in positive self-talk.

18. Take note of one thing you love about your body each day.

19. Set boundaries. Encourage others to do the same. Respect them without criticism.

20. Learn to meditate. It’s surprisingly easy!

“Self-compassion is simply giving the same kindness to ourselves that we would give to others,” observed Christopher Germer. Treat yourself with kindness today. You deserve it, and your loved ones deserve to experience the best version of you.

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8 Behaviors that Stop You from Finding Love

“You are your own worst enemy. If you can learn to stop expecting impossible perfection, in yourself and others, you may find the happiness that has always eluded you.” Lisa Kleypas understood the power of looking inward to solve external problems. Often, when we struggle to find love, we look to the people with whom we have tried to make it work. It is natural to blame others for our pain and frustration. However, it is not productive.
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Is it possible that some of your own behaviors are standing between you and true love?

Here are eight common mindsets that could prevent you from finding a happy relationship:

1. You don’t trust easily.

This often begins as a survival skill. After being hurt, it is normal to build up a wall. However, the same wall that keep out the pain could also keep people out who have good intentions. Take a leap of faith. Trust someone with a small secret, and see what happens. You don’t have to jump in all at once. Just don’t be afraid to test the waters.

2. You are afraid of changing who you are.

Good news – if you are in a healthy relationship, you won’t have to! Don’t hide your quirks when you are looking for love. Embrace them. The right person will love you for who you truly are. This includes your oddities, your unusual hobbies, and even your flaws.

3. You make the same mistakes over and over.

Look to your past relationships. Did they all end the same way? If so, you may need to work on yourself before getting back out there. If you don’t fix the ongoing problem, you are only setting your next relationship up to crash and burn in the same way.

4. You’re hung up on someone who is uninterested or unavailable.

It’s easy to imagine a fantasy love with someone if you know it would never happen. There is a good chance that if the two of you were together, things would play out much differently. If you compare everyone you meet to a fantasy, they will always come up short. Let go of the dream, and pursue someone you might have a real future with.
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5. You struggle with your self-esteem.

It is easy to believe the right relationship would fix this problem. Unfortunately, that isn’t how it works. You need to love yourself before you can build a healthy relationship with someone else. Put your relationship with yourself first for awhile. It’s the one that truly matters.

6. You stick to your “deal breakers.”

I am a proud Penn State graduate. My husband is a Michigan fan. I know lots of couples who have similar mismatches on the surface, but managed to find a deep and fulfilling love together. Don’t let someone’s unattractive hands or penchant for double dipping blind you from their good heart.

7. You are jaded.

If too many broken relationships have left you bitter, you might not be giving love a fair chance. This does not only apply to your past break-ups. You may be a child of divorce or the victim of a toxic friendship. Most likely, you need to work through the pain of the past before you can embrace a healthy relationship in the present.

8. Your standards are not realistic.

“We come to love not by finding a perfect person, but by learning to see an imperfect person perfectly,” wrote Sam Keen. If you hold your romantic prospects to an impossible standard, you will never be pleased. You are also not giving them a chance to be vulnerable with you. To make a relationship work, you need to give one another the freedom to be flawed.

“Hope for love, pray for love, wish for love, dream for love…but don’t put your life on hold waiting for love,” wrote Mandy Hale. Seek love in the world, but also look inward. Build your relationship with yourself. Become the kind of person people fall in love with. Then, open up your heart to others.

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21 Ways to Keep a Strong Woman Satisfied

Many men are drawn to strong, empowered women. Few know what to expect once they manage to catch one. A confident and independent woman acts differently from others. She may want you, but she doesn’t need you. She respects your needs, but she won’t let her own be forgotten. She will not compromise her values, ambitions, and morals for anyone’s sake. She will not be your doormat, and she does not want you to become hers.
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Strong women terrify men, because they are not afraid to leave.

Here’s some advice for keeping the empowered woman in your life happy.

1. Expect you will have to work for her trust. Earn it by being honest, dependable, and respectful.

2. Allow her to be vulnerable with you, but don’t demand it.

3. Show her that she can trust you to keep her deepest secrets. Make it clear that her most private thoughts, feelings, and moments will stay that way with you.

4. Don’t play games. Operate with honesty.

5. When she takes responsibility for her part in an argument, you should do the same. It is rarely a one-way street.

6. When she challenges your ideas and opinions, don’t get defensive. This is a sign that she respects you.
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7. Practice gratitude together.

8. Reassure her that even if she doesn’t need you, you are always there to help her. Make it clear that you do not think any less of her when she asks for your support.

9. Celebrate her accomplishments.

10. When she fails, praise her efforts. Help her identify what she learned and gained from the experience.

11. Help her to make a positive impact in the community. Volunteer together. Strong women love passionate men.

12. Give her spiritual practices a chance. Be honest if they do not ring true to who you are. Respect and support her in pursuing them, even if you do not share her beliefs.

13. Respect her boundaries.

14. Realize that actions speak much more loudly than words. Don’t just apologize when you are wrong. Change your behavior.

15. Share your ambitions with her. Allow her to help you reach them.

16. Ask about her career goals. Keep track of the progress she is making. Praise and recognize her hard work, no matter what the results.

17. Be clear about your expectations. Discuss the future of your relationship with honesty and transparency. Strong women appreciate straightforward men.

18. Get to know her friends and family members.

19. Don’t be offended when she asks for alone time to recharge.

20. Encourage her to care for herself.

21. Refuse to gossip about other people. This looks petty and weak to a confident woman.
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“Do not bring people in your life who weigh you down. And trust your instincts … good relationships feel good. They feel right. They don’t hurt. They’re not painful. That’s not just with somebody you want to marry, but it’s with the friends that you choose. It’s with the people you surround yourselves with,”explained Michelle Obama. Be a person who makes your empowered woman feel good. She will do the most incredible things with you by her side.

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20 Body Language Tricks that Make Others Like You

Most of us are conscious of the words we say. So why do we often send messages we didn’t mean to? Our body language can influence how confident, trustworthy, and likeable we seem to the world.
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Did you know that over half of what we communicate is nonverbal?

Here are 20 things you can do to make sure you are sending the right message:

1. Mirror people’s movements.

2. Smile often. Think of something happy so it will feel genuine, rather than forced.

3. Step closer to someone who wants to feel close to you.

4. Step back from someone who indicates they need space.

5. Mirror posture in a subtle way.

6. Don’t cross your arms over your chest. This makes you seem closed off or unhappy.

7. Maintain eye contact for at least three seconds. Smile warmly while you do so.

8. Be conscious of having good posture. Avoid slouching.

9. Don’t lean on things.

10. Point your shoes toward the person you are speaking with.

11. Don’t fake a laugh. If someone makes a joke and laughter doesn’t come naturally, trust that a smile will suffice.
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12. Maintain eye contact for the duration of a handshake.

13. Shake hands with light but firm pressure. Use the same force as you would to lift the handle of a pan.

14. Smile when you enter a room.

15. Take your time when greeting people. Don’t rush on to the next person.

16. Stand with your feet hip width apart.

17. Try to keep tension in your core when you walk, sit, or stand. This will help you to maintain graceful movements and good posture.

18. Relax, but don’t slouch. Imagine a string is pulling the top of your head.

19. Resist the urge to push back your shoulders and puff out your chest.

20. If you are nervous, remind yourself of something impressive you have done. Keep it to yourself. This will help you to project confidence.

“Think of good posture as your body’s projection of a positive message to those you meet,” wrote Cindy Ann Peterson. Consider the message you are sending about yourself. Is it accurate? Could it be improved? Use the tips above, and see if people react to you differently.

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How Sensitive Is Your OCD Radar?

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Can You See All Six People In This Picture?

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