Health
Finding good health news amidst a pandemic can be quite daunting. That’s not the case with The Optimist Daily, where positive news is in high supply. Our Health section covers the latest good news from the health sector, featuring solutions ranging from mental and physical health to immunity, nutrition, and cutting edge medical research.
Ayahuasca: Psychedelic drug or mental health treatment?
Every year, thousands of people travel to the Amazon to drink the ayahuasca brew that puts them in a state of deep introspection for about four hours. When they emerge, they often report newfound insights into their unhealthy behaviors. While these stories sound amazing, is it really possible to Read More...
Study: Biking to work cuts risk of cancer and heart disease in half
The commute to work doesn’t have to be an annoying part of the day. Rather, the commute can be something that is beneficial, that is, if you use a bicycle as your vehicle. In a five-year study of 250,000 commuters in the UK, researchers found that riding a bike to work was linked with a halving Read More...
2 big lessons from the biggest happiness study ever conducted
If you want to study happiness, you first have to define what you mean by the word. There are the momentary pleasures of a great glass of wine, a smile on a child's face, or a soft couch after a long day. But there are also deeper meanings of the word. The ancient Greek word for Read More...
Umbilical cord blood could slow brain's ageing, study suggests
Scientists have reversed memory and learning problems in aged mice with infusions of a protein found in human umbilical cord blood. The striking results have raised hopes for a treatment that staves off mental decline in old age, but researchers stressed that more studies, including human trials, Read More...
This fancy food market is localizing produce, and saving "The Last Supper"
Remember this name: Eataly. It's an Italian food market that specializes in bringing only the best of ingredients and fine Italian foods to shoppers eager for locally-made foods. Wherever Eataly sets up shop whether, in New York City or Munich, the company sources nearly all the products from Read More...
Next time you fear the flu, find a frog
Frog slime has properties that could fight off human flu strains. Researchers found that certain peptides excreted by frogs could be used as emergency vaccines when regular ones aren’t available. It’s not a good idea, though, to just go out licking frogs the next time you get the sniffles, as Read More...
One science-based solution for less stress, better mood and memory and more
Sitting is the new smoking. Researchers have found and continue to find evidence that prolonged sitting increases the risk of developing several serious illnesses like various types of cancer, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes. So, conversely, walking is a big investment in your health. But Read More...
Avocados can help protect you from metabolic syndrome
Here’s another reason to love avocados. According to new research, avocados can help to tackle metabolic syndrome, something that is known to cause a number of health conditions such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes. The rich components within avocados, which include fatty acids, minerals Read More...
Study: Having a pet in the house can boost a child's immune system
Having a dog in your home is known to boost mental health, but did you know it can improve physical health as well? According to new research, children born into homes with pets have higher levels of gut microbes that protect against allergies and obesity. Researchers say the indirect exposure to Read More...
Vitamin B diminishes effects of air pollution-induced cardiovascular disease
B vitamins can mitigate the impact of fine particle pollution on cardiovascular disease. Healthy non-smokers who took vitamin B supplements nearly reversed any negative effects on their cardiovascular and immune systems. This is the first clinical trial to evaluate whether B vitamin supplements Read More...