Gardening enthusiasts adamantly tout the long list of benefits include stress reduction and mood improvement. But, why stop there? Could tending to a garden, breathing in fresh air and exposure to Vitamin D sunshine rays help those suffering with depression? The votes are in and experts say “yes.”

The answer lies in the actual antidepressant microorganisms in the soil.

Antidepressant Microbes in the Soil

Mycobacterium vaccae (M. vaccae) in dirt and soil naturally activate the release of serotonin and dopamine in the brain.

Together, these neurotransmitters send chemical messages to the brain: dopamine affects your emotions via sensations of pleasure and pain, while serotonin regulates our mood, social behavior, libido, memory and sleep.

When gardening, these microorganisms absorb into your skin and are inhaled with each breath. Upon entering your bloodstream and respiratory system, they quickly get to work – boosting your mood and subsiding your pain.

The connection between these soil microbes and mood elevation, funnily, were discovered by accident. Originally administered as an immune booster for lung cancer patients, M. vaccae surpassed oncologist Dr. Mary O’Brien’s expectations.

 According to O’Brien, not only did the vaccae microbial bacteria improve their immune system, but patients also demonstrated a sizeable boost in their happiness, vitality and pain relief.

Study: Soil Organisms and Performed Behaviour

According to a study conducted by neuroscientists Dorothy Matthews and Susan Jenks, published in the Behavioural Processes Journal, “eating, touching and breathing a soil organism may be tied to the development of our immune system and nervous system.” Continue reading →

 If you’re always unlucky in love, constantly bickering with your partner, or find that you tend to lose the initial spark in relationships much faster than most other couples, it could be down to an incompatibility between your star signs.

Though the zodiac calendar has existed for many thousands of years, it really splits opinion around the world as to its accuracy and effectiveness as a tool for understanding people’s personalities. However, once past the surface level, there are actually a lot of parallels we can draw between psychology and astrology. The two coexist within the human psyche – the development of our personalities and how our thoughts and actions are influenced by these are key examples.

Most importantly, however, they can give a real insight into why we interact with one another in certain ways, and why some pairings between signs work so beautifully, while others will fall apart. 

Here we will take a look at 4 surprising links between psychology and astrology, to show you how you can better acknowledge and understand your relationship dynamics based on astrology, but from a psychological perspective.

 Astrology Used in Teaching Research Methods

At the University of Cincinnati, astrology is a key component in the introductory classes for students of psychology.

They use astrology as the lens through which they teach students in these introductory classes, and use it to show how to develop and test hypotheses.

This advances the students’ psychological and analytical skills, taking into account thoughts on human behavior, probability, and statistical significance.

The use of this  framework as the initial introduction to various psychological concepts proves a strong link between the two schools of thought. Continue reading →

Musical preferences can be a polarizing. Some people like the Beatles while others are die-hard Led Zeppelin fans. Who’s to say what’s more pleasing, catchy or rhythmic?

A new study conducted by ethnomusicologists believe they’ve pinned down the answer. When it comes to music taste and preference, they argue that it isn’t a matter of biology or our natural makeup…it’s a cocktail of learned factors, like upbringing, exposure and social circles. This study isn’t without its skeptics and musical rivals. Let’s break down and settle this debate, once and for all.

The Nature Versus Nurture Debate

The nature versus nurture debate is never-ending – and the musical realm is no exception. With music present in every culture, the degree to which it is biological remains to be a highly contested issue.

Scientists are equally adamant in each camp, arguing that musical preferences of consonance and dissonance are either innately biological, or socially learned.

Those arguing that they are biologically bound hold that the mathematics of consonant intervals and rhythmic pattern regularities are naturally appealing to humans.

Continue reading →

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a highly contested medical disorder due to its complicated characterization of extreme fatigue that cannot be explained by any related underlying medical condition. Its most troubling attribute: it doesn’t improve with rest.

While there is currently no single cause for chronic fatigue, it’s believed to be a syndrome triggered by a holistic combination of factors like viral infections, immune system problems or hormonal imbalances.

Symptoms of chronic fatigue affect several body parts and include:

• Fatigue

• Loss of memory or concentration

• Sore throat

• Enlarged lymph nodes in your neck or armpits

• Unexplained muscle pain

• Moving joint pain, with no inflammation or redness

• Headaches that you’re not used to

• Unrefreshing sleep

• Unexplained depression (leading to social isolation)

• Feeling exhausted long after exercising or experiencing mental stress

Treating Chronic Fatigue with Meridian Lines

Meridian lines originate in ancient Chinese medicine. Known as “energy highways” or “energy pathways,” in the human body these meridian lines host “Qi” (chi) energy flows. Meridians can be mapped and span over the entire human body; flowing within the body, corresponding to specific acupuncture points along its path. Continue reading →

Each and every one of us, our bodies and minds, are ruled by a life energy, this energy is what we give to the world.

We are all different and unique, and so is our energy. Perhaps you have a happy and positive energy, attracting people with your joyful abundance, or maybe you have mana earth energy – a strong sense to be in and amongst nature. Some of us contain the divine energy, being very spiritual.

Take our quiz to find out which energy you embody!

By Raven Fon

Did you know that drinking ginger water every day can heal a multitude of physical ailments?

Along with being a powerful fighter against cancer, ginger is known to be one of the healthiest spices in the world. In fact, for over 2,000 years in Asian countries it has been recognized as a medicinal herb that could cure almost anything!

After this short list of ways drinking ginger water can heal your body, you will find a helpful recipe on how to make ginger water using either the root, or powder.

1. It Can Help You Lose Weight.

There are several reasons why someone might need to lose weight.

Whether it is a pre-surgery requirement, a recommendation from your doctor, or a personal desire to be healthier, losing weight isn’t easy.

If you need a natural metabolic booster, try drinking ginger water. Not only does the ginger detoxify your system, assisting with shedding pounds, but it also helps suppress your appetite by making you feel fuller, longer.

2. It Can Alleviate Digestion Problems.

IBS affects 25-45 million Americans every year. It can cause extreme amounts of pain- bloating, gas, cramps, diarrhea, and even constipation are some of its unpleasant effects. But, if you have IBS (or any other digestive issue) you are in luck! Drinking ginger water can provide relief by relaxing and soothing the intestines, which helps remove all symptoms of IBS.

3. It Can Prevent And Ease Nausea.

One of ginger’s most well known healing attributes is its use in the treatment of nausea. For those who develop a queasy sensation whenever you  get into a car or ride in a boat, ginger can be your saving grace. In fact, it can be of great help to anyone who feels nauseous for any reason- even if motion sickness isn’t to blame. Continue reading →