Marijuana is nothing new. While legalization has brought growers and sellers out of hiding, people have been smoking and consuming the drug for centuries. However, what does seem to be new is the vast and unbelievable claims of the drug's capabilities. Many brands tout their products as the essential cure-all to what ails you. Do you have a bad back? Smoke this. Do you suffer from anxiety? Chew on this. Everything from pain management to creativity seems to be treatable with a bit of CBD or THC.

Therefore, it wasn’t surprising when legal marijuana producers began claiming that CBD — the part of marijuana that won’t give you a high — could relieve menstrual cramps, even cure them. That is every women’s dream come true. Unfortunately, there is no evidence to suggest that CBD is an effective or even helpful treatment or therapy for menstrual cramping.

Looking Closer At CBD and Pain-Relief

Researchers have proven time and time again that marijuana — produced in a controlled medical setting — provides many benefits for pain management. However, the pain the drug can treat is limited to specific chronic pain. Based on that observation and logic, sellers concluded that CBD could treat the chronic pain or cramps of the menstrual cycle, but that is an assumption without evidence.

Menstrual cramps are the result of a release of prostaglandins, inflammatory compounds. The more of these compounds you release during menstruation, the more severe your cramps. Consequently, if a medication or therapy does not affect the production of prostaglandins, it will not reduce the risk or severity of cramps. Common drugs, like Advil and Celebrex, bind to tissues and COX receptors in the brain, blocking the production of prostaglandins, reducing the pain or likelihood of severe cramping.

CBD does not affect the production of prostaglandins. In fact, it does not even interact with the COX receptors. Instead, CBD and THC have a direct effect on hormone production, specifically dopamine. While dopamine can help you feel good, it will not affect the likelihood of cramps. Consequently, women taking THC might have a euphoric experience, reducing the perception of pain and leading to false testimony. 

CBD and marijuana, in general, are better at treating chronic-neuropathic pain and other inflammatory joint disorders. There is sound evidence to suggest that these benefits are real, although sellers likely inflate their potential, but why and how?

[insert page='Offer' display='content']

FDA and CBD Distribution

CBD is a non-addictive substance, and it does not provide a high. CBD is within a legal class of drugs and products; however, it is not subject to FDA approval. Without FDA approval, a drug cannot legally claim to cure any ailment, but that does not mean a brand cannot speak about the “potential benefits.” 

As long as a CBD manufacturer stays clear of promising results to consumers, it is essentially safe from prosecution. Therefore, brands can continue to advertise their products as “helpful” and “beneficial” without providing definitive evidence.

CBD, like other dietary supplements, falls into a weird limbo. The brands clearly understand the limitations of their products but continue to market them as potential cure-alls without fear of consequence.

It is up to consumers to educate themselves about lofty claims and review the data and the evidence. Marijuana producers are currently enjoying the luxury of legitimate business, but many are still skirting the law with broad and non-specific marketing campaigns.

As women, it is best to seek out actual medical advice for the treatment and management of severe menstrual cramps. While CBD and THC might be good for treating some chronic pain conditions, there is no evidence to suggest the drug works for cramping resulting from menstruation.

If you've ever struggled with a bottle of gloppy, sloppy lotion, you know that the right sunscreen formula can make a big difference in your summer. With more selections than ever before, however, it can be challenging to choose the best SPF for your needs. Avoid the endless experimentation with my guide to the best sunscreens you can buy.

ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica Ultralight Emulsion Sunscreen SPF 50+

Many sunbathers prefer a mineral sunscreen since these formulas are free of oxybenzone. If you swim in the ocean, this chemical can deplete the health of coral reefs. The ISDIN formula, which comes highly recommended by dermatologists, both protects against harmful UV rays and reduces the impact of previous sun damages with repair enzymes, vitamin E and antioxidants. This sunscreen is a smart choice for those who have hyperpigmentation since it also blocks screen-based blue light that can worsen dark spots. 

Hawaiian Tropic Antioxidant+ Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50+

Named as the best body sunscreen by Good Housekeeping, this formula stays put even during your most vigorous workouts. It also gets raves for its residue-free application, smooth texture and alluring tropical scent. Best of all, it won't irritate your skin or clog pores even with daily use and repeated application.

[insert page='Offer' display='content']

La Roche-Posay Anthelios 60 Cooling Water-Lotion

This soothing formula was named the best overall sunscreen for 2021 by Glamour editors. La Roche-Posay makes a sunscreen like none you've ever experienced, with a cooling gel consistency that provides relief even on the hottest days of the season. According to Consumer Reports, this lotion also stands up to its marketing claims better than almost any other formula, which means you can trust sun protection from this legendary skin care brand. 

EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 Facial Sunscreen

The paraben-free, fragrance-free formula makes this EltaMD sunscreen a favorite for sun goddesses among us with sensitive or breakout-prone skin. Hyaluronic acid in the blend provides a much-needed dose of hydration by locking in moisture with each application. If you want sunscreen that feels completely invisible on your skin, this is the formula for you.

PCA SKIN Daily Defense Broad Spectrum SPF 50+ Zinc Oxide Anti-Aging Face Sunscreen

New York magazine calls this ocean-safe sunscreen the best choice for mature complexions. While it's designed specifically for the face, you can also use this formula on any exposed skin for a moisturizing physical shield from broad-spectrum rays. The smooth finish creates a matte impact that looks great alone or with makeup. 

No matter which of these fan-favorite sunscreen formulas fits the bill for you, applying consistently and correctly provides the best protection from skin cancer and the aging effects of UV rays. 

Life is full of stress and anxiety, so much so that mental health is becoming a growing concern in society. The goal, then, is to find ways to reduce stress and return to a state of relaxation and mental clarity.

Reiki is a centuries-old energy healing technique created in Japan. Today, there are Reiki practitioners worldwide and a growing number of patients. It is seeing a tremendous surge in interest and popularity in the United States alone, but why?

The potential health benefits of the energy healing practice are staggering. Practitioners claim everything from better sleep to pain management for terminal illnesses. However, with little scientific backing, why are people trusting this holistic approach to healing instead of going to medical professionals for prescriptive options to stress reduction?

There is a significant discord between the medical profession and society, especially following the opioid crisis. People do not want more pills. They want naturalistic options, regardless of how the sales pitch might sound.

[insert page='Offer' display='content']

Reiki and Life Force Energy

Reiki is built on the idea that human beings have a life force energy constantly flowing through their bodies. When the flow of this healthy energy is interrupted, your body will respond with pain, sickness, discomfort, or stress.

A Reiki master uses a series of specialized movements to help realign the energy flow and heal the body. These movements and hand placements can occur over the body or directly touching the body, depending on the situation and the practitioner.

Because of the level of intimacy or interaction during a Reiki session, it is not for everyone. Some people will be uncomfortable with the practitioner touching them or standing over them, meaning the session could make anxiety or stress worse for some.

Potential Health Benefits

Reiki masters and some studies suggest the practice can promote better sleep, improved mood, and pain relief. In addition, according to research, Reiki sessions can help individuals achieve a state of relaxation, allowing relief and healing from persistent stress or anxiety.

Because of the relief that can occur during these sessions, Reiki can help promote pain relief and healing from injuries and diseases. Any damage to the body causes stress, and when the body is under constant pressure, it does not efficiently promote healing. Reiki techniques encourage relaxation and consequently faster recovery.

The Science and the Placebo

The truth is, no one really knows how Reiki works or even if it really does. Scientifically speaking, there is no hard evidence to prove the existence of life force energy. However, people who attend Reiki sessions do experience lower blood pressure, less pain, reduced anxiety, and so much more.

For now, researchers are boggled by the effects of Reiki and chalk any success up to a potential placebo effect, with many experts explaining people feel better after a session because they believe it will work. However, regardless of your take, the practice was never intended as a solo treatment but rather a complementary one. Therefore, if you are still supposed to receive any traditional treatments, where is the harm in trying something that might be beneficial, whether the benefit is perceived or real.

Do you have any interest in trying a Reiki session? You surely wouldn't be alone. Hundreds of thousands of people practice and experience Reiki every year. Leave a comment below with your thoughts.

Who doesn’t want to get healthier, slow the aging process, and possibly live longer? Life is such a beautiful experience with so many possibilities. Still, to take advantage of the most it has to offer, it is crucial to look after individual health and wellness.

Recently, researchers have recognized the growing need for mental health, allowing for a shift in stigmas surrounding counseling and therapy. While the focus on mindfulness and mental health is encouraging, the primary goal is to reduce stress to limit its overreaching and adverse effects on health and wellness overall.

There is a growing trend linked to cellular fitness, specifically how cellular stress can result in rapid aging and declining muscle function. The idea is based on customizing exercises and nutritional practices based on individual physiology rather than generalizations.

How Does Cellular Fitness Work?

According to practitioners, cellular fitness is a new way of looking at physical activity. For years, the focus of physical fitness has revolved around the ideas of high-intensity workouts or interval training. While each program has its advantages and works for most people, there are limitations and the potential for burnout and injury.

Researchers are beginning to understand how too much exercise or intensity during a workout can result in lasting damage. When your cells are placed under significant stress, they cannot perform optimally, meaning your body experiences greater wear and tear, weakened defenses, inflammation, possible health problems, and potential weight gain.

Cellular fitness programs use “cellular stress tests” to determine how your system reacts to the stress of specific workouts or routines. These tests measure the damaging by-products in your body to determine the effectiveness or ineffectiveness of a workout on any given day. With accurate measurements, there is hope that an individual could tell which days are best for pushing themselves to get the extra rep and which are better for taking it easy.

While the process seems out there, several organizations are taking the open-mind approach. In fact, the NBA has been using similar technology and physiological insights for years, providing individualized goals and routines to suit each player by analyzing information from a wearable device.

Is There Any Truth To the Claims?

According to recent research published in the journal Nature Communications, the idea that exercise can improve cellular health is possible. During the study, scientists notice a direct link between exercise and the production or renewal of mitochondria, the cellular powerhouse. 

In essence, when workouts are effective, the body produces new and healthy mitochondria, replacing and forcing the old out of the muscles and bones. Ultimately, exercise contributes to better health and longevity, which people have known for a long time, but now researchers see the improvement on a cellular level.

Unfortunately, most research into cellular fitness is still fairly new, with limited studies expressing its true and proven advantages. However, there is a decent amount of circumstantial evidence to suggests a possible correlation between individualized exercise regimens and cellular health. What do you think of the ballooning trend and its potential for the fitness community? Leave a comment below.