A study shows that a hormone associated with breast growth is very much present in the gluten we eat in our bread.  The hormone prolactin is one of the main components responsible for celiac disease. In a 2014 clinical trial, it was found that people diagnosed with this disease had elevated levels of prolactin with them. After they went gluten-free, the prolactin decreased within six months.

It seems this disease is simply a body’s reaction to something it could not completely process. Many people are going gluten free now that they are aware of the possible effects. 

I know from personal experience, that when I stop eating bread, the size of my breasts decreased dramatically. It astonished me how quickly they shifted in size immediately after I stop consuming gluten.

There are other sources of gluten, including yeast, wheat and barley. These all contain high levels of estrogen which may also contribute to this experience some women are experiencing.

While some might consider a sudden jump in bra size a blessing, it is concerning to think that there is an external hormone that is essentially creating an imbalance in our bodies. There is an interesting link in women with celiac disease who have been shown to have a lower incidences of breast cancer. There’s not definitive research to show that cutting out gluten is the sole reason for this but it is very possible. Continue reading →

Why is that old cliché of girls liking the bad boy who mistreats them, even a cliché in the first place?

Why are we drawn to people who could be toxic for us?

It could be their mysterious personality that entices us, or the thrilling times we had with them that seem to out shine the negative experiences. Many people are drawn to relationships where they want to help or fix the other person, and that is usually a recipe for disaster.

Some of us have had relationships where we feel we have been treated unfairly, yet were simultaneously sweet talked and shown different forms of kindness.

As with everything in this universe, there’s always an ebb and flow of energy between people.

When we meet someone of interest who doesn’t show us emotional availability, we give them more energy to try and have it reflected back. This can create a cycle of giving way more energy than receiving it.

Of course, it is our brain firing different synapses which make us feel such deep emotions for our partners. The first of which would be dopamine.

Dopamine

Also known as the pleasure center of our brain, dopamine controls the neurotransmitters which associates feelings of happiness. When we have intensely joyous times with someone, the chemicals released during those times sticks with us.

Continue reading →

Everyone who has ever chewed gum usually tries to blow that perfect bubble without it completely exploding in our faces. Sometimes we come across that ”oops” moment when we accidentally swallow a piece.

It doesn’t matter if it’s a piece of HubbaBubba, Fire ball or one of those rainbow-balls coming out of a vending machine, swallowing a piece of gum always feels uncomfortable. Some say that all the pieces of gum accumulate in your stomach that form a big pound that’ll never go away. Others say swallowing gum will stick to your intestines and will only be completely digested after seven years.

Is it actually dangerous to swallow gum or is it just a bunch of old tales?  If you still get worried every time you swallow gum, lets get the facts straight.

Evidence was found proving in 7000 BC people in Northern Europe started to develop a habit of chewing on indigestible substances. Only, back in those days, people were chewing on pieces of black tar. The base of the gum that we know today was developed in 1946 when chemists learned to make synthetic rubber.

It’s mostly butyl rubber, the same rubber they use to make basketballs, which became a substitute for most natural rubber in chewing gums. Most gums are made from a synthetic rubber, or a mixture of artificial and natural bases.

Softeners are added to keep the moisture and to prevent the gum from becoming hard. The most popular softeners are glycerin and vegetable oil.

Continue reading →

Designed by Czech firm Miramari Design, this 258 sq. ft caravan home really looks deceiving!

Maringotka, which is Czech for Caravan, is designed to look inconspicuous, but once inside you’ll be astonished!

Perfect for year round living, Maringotka is insulated, has double glazed windows and has a range of heating options, while the big round window allows loads of light in.

Available in two versions, one which offers a small dining area that can be converted into an additional bed. Both offer a bathroom, kitchen and sleeping quarters.

While it isn’t legally allowed on the road so you won’t be able to travel with it, this cute and unique home brings together old and new and offers a contemporary way of living. Perfect as an office, vacation villa, or even as a more permanent home.

Source: Small House Bliss

The day my life started changing and accelerating was the day I started learning meditation. I borrowed the book 8-Minute Meditation from a friend. I also started listening to Kosmic Consciousness by Ken Wilber. I have never looked back and my smile is still growing.

Spiritual Brain Chemistry

Spiritual practices like meditation, mindfulness and yoga have a profound effect on our mood. We can attribute much of this mood-enhancing effect to brain chemicals like serotonin [1,2,3], dopamine [4] and GABA [5]. Almost all anti-anxiety drugs target these chemicals .

Related Reading: Psychedelic Buddha: How to Get High Without Drugs

Science Evaluates Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction

These ancient spiritual techniques are starting to enter scientific treatment of anxiety. In 2014, mindfulness was compared to “normal” treatments for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). It was the first randomized controlled trial of this type [6].

Mindfulness Beats Stress Management over 8 Weeks

The 93 participants were randomly assigned to one of two programs. One was a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program. The other, the control, was a Stress Management Education (SMM) program. The programs lasted for 8 weeks.

The researchers found that the mindfulness based program worked a lot better than the stress management program. Mindfulness performed better on four out of five anxiety measurement scales. On the fifth scale both programs performed equally well. It was speculated that they were equal on the fifth scale because it focused on physiological symptoms. It ignored psychological symptoms. Mindfulness also led to the greatest increase in positive self-statements.

About Vegard:
Vegard Gjerde is one of the two founders of Global Harmony Crew.

Subscribe to Global Harmony Crew to go deeper. When you subscribe you get their 20$ inner peace course for free.

Learn more about brain chemistry from their Udemy course.

References:
[1] Bujatti M, Riederer P. “Serotonin, noradrenaline, dopamine metabolites in transcendental meditation-technique”. Journal of Neural Transmission, 1976.
[2] Arita, H. “Anterior prefrontal cortex and serotonergic system activation during Zen meditation practice induces negative mood improvement and increased alpha band in EEG.” Rinsho Shinkeigaku, 2012.
[3] Mohandas, E. “Neurobiology of Spirituality”. Mens Sana Monographs, 2008.
[4] Kjaer, T.W. et al. “Increased dopamine tone during meditation-induced change of consciousness”. Brain Research: Cognitive Brain Research, 2002.
[5] Elias A. N., et al. “Ketosis with enhanced GABAergic tone promotes physiological changes in transcendental meditation”. Medical Hypotheses, 2000.
[6] Hoge, E. A., et al. “Randomized Controlled Trial of Mindfulness Meditation for Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Effects on Anxiety and Stress Reactivity”. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 2014.