The human brain is an energy hog consuming about 20% of the body’s energy while accounting for only 2% of its weight. But do you know that the brain divides the energy used for internal and external purposes? To understand this, we need to understand two terms. Interoception and
If you are like me, obsessed with tracking and measuring, you would have noticed that the new devices tell you your breath rate. Your smart watch, for example. But have you ever wondered how your watch, worn on your wrist, magically seems to be able to extend up and count
My dad has always been famous for carrying a pen and paper. He would jot down his thoughts and ideas. I was the technology enabled, cool one, or so I thought. No archaic P & P for me. Until I resumed writing by hand. I will not go back. Ever.
Food is complex. No, I don’t mean it is difficult to understand. I mean that food itself is complex. Sure, there is the obvious. Foods that contain protein or fat, for example. But food is complex because it contains a multitude of bioactive compounds. So what are bioactive compounds?
If you have dark spots on the skin, you may have dismissed it as a mere cosmetic concern. It may carry a deeper message about the body that you should pay attention to. Dark spots are formed by the skin producing melanin, a pigment. The production of glutathione regulates melanin.
It is the season of cheer. World over, people are celebrating Christmas. Laughter, joy, happiness. But how long does an emotion last? A few hours, weeks? Months? The answer will vary depending on who you ask and where they are in their lives. But here is the funny thing. Emotions
Artisanal pizza or artisanal bread. I am sure you have enjoyed both. But do you know what an artisanal seed is? I didn’t either until very recently. A few global companies control most of the seeds used to grow fruits and vegetables. These companies produce the seeds that your
Shugendō is a unique Japanese spiritual tradition which defies the modern pursuit of comfort and ease. Happiness, we think, comes from comfort, ease and convenience. The philosophy of Shugendō says no. The path to happiness demands suffering, pain, and discipline. This is not suffering for its own sake, but a
Quick, check to see if your neck is stiff. Chances are that for most of us, our neck and shoulders are. Stress in the neck comes from chronic stress over weeks and months. Poor posture and lack of exercise makes it worse. What’s the most effective method for relieving
Ancient Indian scripts say that our world is Maya. An illusion. While we may believe that we exist in reality, it is a very realistic projection. Perhaps, someday, we will find out. Meanwhile, a more realistic possibility exists. Everything that we see around us will be a projection. We live
Breathing is fundamental to life—an act so natural we rarely stop to think about it. But if you wanted to measure how well you breathe, what metrics would you consider? The most obvious measure, and one we’ve discussed before, is your respiratory rate—the number of breaths you
What creates a competitive spirit? Wanting to win and challenge yourself and others? When is it beneficial and can it ever become harmful? Competitiveness in the brain is driven by a complex interplay of neurological, psychological, and hormonal factors. These elements work together to motivate individuals to compete, seek achievement,