Curiosify

Noticias singulares a raudales

Science

Does The Moon Really Have An Effect On Our Behavior?

While the likelihood of someone transforming into a werewolf Jacob Black style is slim to none, there are many stories about people going “loony” during the full moon. There are reports of increased crime and emergency room visits during this lunar phase, yet is this just all a coincidental nightmare?

a full moon seen through the trees.

The Moon’s Effect On The Tides… And The Water In Our Body

It is well-known knowledge that the moon has an effect on the tides. Just as Earth has a gravitational pull, so does the moon. While it’s not strong enough to lift us off the planet entirely (thank goodness for that) it does have the effect of pulling the water, making it “bulge.” As a result, we get high tide on the side of Earth that’s nearest the moon.

a moon over the water, showing the tides on a beach.

That said, as humans we also have a large amount of water in our bodies. In fact, men’s bodies are composed of approximately 60% water (55% for women). This leads many to believe that the moon’s gravitational pull of water then also means it’s pulling humans, and likely having an effect on our behavior.

Enough With Beliefs, What About The Facts?

Many people have their hunches, but science is the only way to truly prove if this lunar behavioral phenomena is real. A group of researchers in Canada decided to research if the moon had any behavioral effect on patients. The researchers composed their investigation by recording all of the patients who complained of chest pain with no medical reason behind it. A majority of the patients also suffered from some psychological issues, such as mood disorders or anxiety.

a woman holding a glowing yellow full moon.

The results found that there was zero correlation between the chest issues, which they determined to be a psychological issue, and lunar phases. According to Dr. Geneviève Belleville who led the study, “One thing is certain: we observed no full-moon or new-moon effect on psychological problems.”

Full Moon Or Something else…

Given the solid conclusion from the research study, the full moon is officially off the hook as scapegoat for one’s crazy behavior. Turns out, if one is acting a little loony, they might just be that way… always.

Photos: Pixabay, Unsplash

Are You Brushing Your Teeth The Correct Way?

Yes, as a matter of fact, there is a right and wrong way to brush your teeth. Beyond just avoiding cavities and decay, having proper toothbrushing technique helps to keep your heart healthy too. Seeing as we all have (hopefully) been brushing our teeth since before we could remember, you might think you are a PRO at this point. Nevertheless, you could be doing your twice daily routine improperly– putting your health at risk in the process. Fix it up with this simple correct guide!

man smiling with thumbs up, brushing his teeth.

The Time Taken For Brushing Teeth Is Key

It’s been drilled into our heads since childhood that brushing your teeth twice a day is the standard, once in the morning and once at night. This routine is perfectly healthy, so long as you brush your teeth for the right amount of time. According to Popular Science, the best teeth brushing is properly done with at least two minutes for each session. Realistically, this is probably longer than you are used to. In order to change this habit and ensure you are brushing for the right duration, you can bring a timer with you to the bathroom (on your phone works) and just brush away!

woman smiling while brushing her teeth.

The Harder The Scrub Does NOT Mean The Better The Clean

Brushing your teeth should be gentle to your mouth and gums, not a harsh scrub fest. You should be aiming to brush at a 45 degree angle to your gums and using soft bristled brushes. If you find your gums habitually hurt after brushing your teeth, chances are it’s due to wrong technique and brush, both of which are easy fixes!

toothbrush with toothpaste on it.

Keep It Interesting

If the main reason you don’t brush your teeth properly is because it’s boring, try to find ways to keep it interesting. Play music while in the bathroom or put on a video to distract yourself. That way the time will fly and you’ll keep up your health.

Photos: Freepik, Pixabay

The New iPhone Camera Is Giving People Anxiety

There is always lots of press and commentary surrounding the release of a new iPhone. The most recent, the iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max, were revealed Tuesday night with a bold new upgrade from the already impressive previous design of the iPhone X. These new phones now have three rear cameras, which help to create professional looking photos (even at night). However, this new design comes at a price… triggering anxiety in people with trypophobia.

color variations of the new iPhone 11 Pro

What Even Is Trypophobia?

According to Irena Milosevic, author of “Phobias: The Psychology of Irrational Fear,” trypophobia is an “intense fear of a repetitive pattern of holes.” This might sound very strange upon reading, but when you look at some visual references, you might be shocked at how much your skin crawls. Looking at items with repetitive holes like honeycombs and seed pods cause certain people to experience a variety of symptoms, including disgust, anxiety, vomiting, and distress. If the following picture makes you feel nervous, you too might feel triggered by the new phone.

a honeycomb that can cause people trypophobia

People Tweet About Their Anxiety From The New iPhone

While it may sound comical, it is actually a very serious condition. As the triple camera does create a creepy hole-filled void, many people took to Twitter to share their disgust and discomfort with the new iPhone’s camera appearance.

Viewing the new iPhone 11 Pro design is incredibly unnerving for people who have trypophobia, causing various physical and emotional responses. Which leads to the question, how do people get anxiety from looking at these images?

The Origins Of Trypophobia

It is believed that 18% of women and 11% of men in the adult population globally have symptoms of trypophobia, potentially deriving from survivalism. Specifically, researchers at the University of Essex say this phobia “arises in part because the inducing stimuli share basic visual characteristics with those of dangerous organisms.”

Given the considerable chunk of the population affected by this phobia, it could mean a drop in sales for Apple (or maybe people will spend less time on the screen?) Nevertheless, Apple has yet to respond to the public concerns about the anxiety induced by the design.

Photos: Unsplash, Twitter: @BenGeskin ,

The Best Alternatives For Sugar

”Too much sugar can cause death” is a well-known fact. The dangers of sugar have been a main topic for researchers around the globe. Harvard, among the best Universities in the world, published several sugar-related-studies journals. In one of their published studies, they explain the recommended dose of sugar, which is incredibly low compared to the actual real-life numbers.

Keep in mind that most of the foods we consume on daily basis are sugar loaded. Therefore, in this article we explore the best alternatives to sugar, to lower the risks of cardiovascular disease.

Honey

Honey is a natural, delicious product. Besides the fact that it’s healthy thanks to the nutritions in it, it also tastes better than sugar. It has been used as a healing agent in natural medicine. It works as an anti-inflammatory to fight cold and sore-throats. However, honey is still as sweet as sugar, and moderate consumption is recommended for people diagnosed with diabetes.

Stevia

This sugar substitute known as Steviol glycoside is extracted from a plant in South America. The ancient Guarani used it as a medicinal plant. It has no calories and does not cause any harm to the teeth. It also doesn’t affect blood sugar levels, so stevia can be perfectly consumed by everyone, including diabetics.

Agave Syrup

The Agave Nectar, which comes mainly from the juice of the agave plant found in Mexico, is a sweetener just like honey. Although they taste fairly the same, Agave syrup has a thinner consistency. It contains metabolites, vitamins and minerals, and is suitable for vegans. However, due to its high fructose content, and big amount of calories, a moderate consumption is required.

Coconut Sugar

This sugar substitute is made from the nectar of flower buds of the coconut palm. It tastes like caramel, and contain many vitamins and minerals, including magnesium, iron and zinc. Although it is still better than regular sugar and has a lower glycemic index, it is a fairly pure form of sugar. So, individuals with type 2 diabetes should be careful with using it. It is also considered a luxury good, since it’s quite expensive.

Photos: Unsplash, pixabay

Drinking 2 Sodas A Day Might Lead To Your Death

It’s no surprise that sodas are not considered a healthy beverage. With lots sugar (or artificial chemicals), soda can cause weight gain, tooth decay, and numerous other issues. If these health risks were not enough to make you put down the bubbly beverage, the latest study from “Journal of the American Medical Association” will. Researchers found that drinking just two sodas a day can be linked to a higher chance of death. Yes, DEATH.

a fizzing soda.

A Substantial Study On Sodas

This was not some small study with only a few participants. 451,743 healthy individuals from different European countries participated in the study, all of whom gave information over the course of almost a decade, from 1992-2000. The participants were asked to report their consumption of soda, and researchers paired that information with the mortality rates from 11 to 19 years after.

Conclusive Evidence

For all those who regularly consume soda, the unsettling news might shock you. Researchers found those who consumed two sugary drinks or more a day had much higher mortality rates than those who only drank one soda a month. Additionally, the heavy soda drinkers were on average 2 years younger than their fellow one-a-month participants, giving rise to the clear correlation between soda and fatal health risks.

lots of cans of pepsi sodas.

Different Causes Of Death For Diet Vs. Regular Soda

One of the most interesting findings from the study was that the cause of early death for diet soda drinkers was different from the early mortality of regular soda. Those who drank diet sodas with artificial sweeteners typically died of diseases related to the circulatory system. Regular soda drinkers more often died from diseases linked to the liver and intestines.

cans of diet and regular sodas.

While more information and research is needed on the effects of artificial sweeteners, it is safe to say you are much better off skipping the soda at your next meal.

Photos: Freepik, Unsplash

The Best Time To Drink Coffee Is Not In The Morning

If you feel like you can’t fully start your day until you’ve swigged down a cup of coffee, you’re not alone. According to one survey, over 60% of Americans consume coffee daily. No wonder big coffee chains like Starbucks do so well nationally (and internationally). For the majority of coffee consumers, the standard time to drink a cup of joe is in the morning. However, a recent study found that this isn’t actually the best time to be sipping on the caffeinated beverage…

woman drinking a cup of coffee in. the morning.

Reasons To Avoid The Morning Mug Of Joe

While most of us rely on caffeine first thing in the morning to wake us up, in reality there are many more health perks to coffee that we are not benefiting from simply based on the time of consumption. Scientific studies revealed that the health advantages are best when the body has low levels of the stress hormone, cortisol. This is because when caffeine is mixed with cortisol, the body responds negatively, causing fatigue, poor sleep and other health risks.

coffee with beans shaped in a heart beat.

Your body naturally throughout the day has a pattern of higher and lower levels of cortisol. For each person this pattern is different, and depends on your circadian rhythm and the time you wake up. For example, people who wake up at 6:30am typically has peak cortisol around 8:30am, 12:30pm, and 5pm, meaning they should avoid consuming coffee at these times. Additionally, it is advisable for everyone to not drink the beverage right when you wake up, because that’s when hormones start being active.

The Best Time For Coffee Consumption

While each person has their own circadian rhythm, which can be calculated online, the best “catch-all” time for coffee consumption is mid-morning or early afternoon. This is typically when cortisol levels are lowest, and you can better benefit both from the caffeine stimulation and other health perks.

What Are The Other Health Perks Of Coffee?

woman holding out a mug to the camera.

Given its vast consumption and popularity, coffee has been the source of many scientific investigations. While too much caffeine can lead to negative side effects for some people, drinking 1-2 cups a day has been found to help reduce the chances of getting cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. Time to get the most out of your mug and sip up!

Photos: Pixabay, Freepik