Cortisol is often referred to as the “stress hormone,” because it becomes more abundant when we are faced with a stressful situation. It affects the heart rate, breathing patterns, and other aspects of the body’s “fight or flight” response. But just what is cortisol? And what does it do? Probably … Read More
You toss. You turn. You stare at the ceiling, waiting for sleep to come. Still, it evades you. Why can’t you just get to sleep? Routine shut-eye has been proven to boost our energy, improve our mood, and increase our life span. Problem is, many of us can’t seem to … Read More
Cushing’s disease is caused by excess cortisol in the blood. It’s rare: According to the National Institutes of Health, only 40 to 70 people out of 1 million have Cushing’s disease. Most are women between the ages of 30 and 50, but men and even children also get Cushing’s disease. … Read More
Occasional anxiety is normal—in fact it can be helpful when it alerts you to pay attention (when you're about to take a test, for example) or take action (if you're about to step on a snake, for example). Anxiety disorders, however, involve a more chronic fear or worry that interferes … Read More
When a man is aroused, the brain sends a signal to the nerves in the penis, which then stimulate the arteries in the penis to open up, filling with blood. Simultaneously, the veins close up and the blood in the arteries becomes trapped, causing enlargement and hardening of the penis. … Read More
Losing weight is not an easy task. It can be daunting to alter diet and fit regular exercise into your schedule. But there’s another important element to weight loss that is rarely mentioned: managing your stress. How does stress cause weight gain? Stress is clearly associated with weight gain.[1,2] Both … Read More
