Cannabis reduces Empathy

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Cannabis reduces Empathy

7:50 AM

Cannabis reduces Empathy | Healthbiztips
photo credit: Robert Zunikoff @rzunikoff @unsplash

Cannabis reduces Empathy | Healthbiztips

@healthbiztips by Arlene Gentallan | psychology blog | health blog

What if I tell you that there is a substance that can weaken your ability to understand emotions and empathize with other people. That's just tragic because a person's capability to read the emotion of others is a crucial part of social interaction and emotional intelligence. What is it?

It's cannabis.

Surrounded with controversy, cannabis is prized for it's medical and recreational use. You may be more familiar with it's other name--marijuana. It's considered an illicit drug in parts of the world.

Research reveal that cannabis users have smaller region of the brain in the part known as left rostral anterior cingulate cortex which controls the ability to empathize and process emotion.

Individuals who use cannabis have reduced ability in discriminating positive facial expressions such as those of happiness and sadness. On the contrary, cannabis users were found to have higher capability to detect faces showing negative emotions like fear and anger.

Cannabis contains bioactive components which alters the chemicals and neurotransmitter in the brain that leads to behavior and cognitive changes. Individuals who tend to use cannabis more frequently have been shown to have more pronounced difficulty in identifying emotions.

It's not just emotional awareness that cannabis tampers with. The consumption of this substance have known effects both mentally and physically:

• inability to concentrate
• cognitive deficit
• difficulty making sound decision
• decrease risk perception
• changes in appetite
• alteration in sleep pattern

Resources:

Troup LJ, Bastidas S, Nguyen MT, Andrzejewski JA, Bowers M, Nomi JS (2016) An Event-Related Potential Study on the Effects of Cannabis on Emotion Processing. PLoS ONE 11(2): e0149764. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0149764

source: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0149764

What is the difference between depression and loneliness?

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What is the difference between depression and loneliness?

7:54 PM

What is the difference between depression and loneliness? | Healthbiztips

Is loneliness and depression the same? | Healthbiztips

@healthbiztips by Arlene Gentallan | psychology blog

It is worth knowing that although loneliness and depression are associated with extreme feeling of sadness, these two are completely different things.

To a layman, the difference between loneliness and depression may not be apparent.


Let's look into loneliness. Have you ever felt the emotional pain caused by being far away from your family or loved ones? Have you ever experienced the pain of a break up?

Loneliness is the sadness a person feels caused by the absence of or being away from close relations like family, friends, and intimate relations.

In Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, we learn that love and belonging  is a basic human need that needs to be fulfilled in order for a person to be motivated to achieve self-actualization. Other basic human needs include physiological needs (such as food, water, sleep, and clothing), safety, and self-esteem.

Humans can go to such extremes just to feel accepted and loved because the sense of belonging is a basic human needs.

When our need to belong is not met, it is normal to feel the pain of loneliness. Did you know that this feeling actually activates the same area of the brain that processes physical pain, thus, the pain experienced is real.

Loneliness stems from the absence of close ties and meaningful relationships.

Depression

Depression is mental health problem in which a person experiences profound sadness, worthlessness, and hopelessness. While loneliness is a normal and temporary response, depression is a serious mental illness that needs to be addressed and treated.

Depression affects both the individuals mental and psysical state. Below are several of it's manifestations:

• adhedonia (inability to feel pleasure)
• inability to feel pleasure in previouslt enjoyable activities
• loss of appetite
• fatigue
• sleep disturbance
• social withdrawal
• loss of self-esteem
• feeling of worthlessness
• inability to concentrate and think clearly
• loss of purpose and meaning in life
• developing suicidal thoughts

What causes depression?

The exact cause of depression if hard to point out, but there are several factors linked to it's development:

• genetics and family history
• mental health disorder such as bipolar disorder
• medications such as corticosteroid and isotretinoin
• unpleasant life experiences
• history of experiencing abuse
• death of a loved one

To summarize, loneliness is the feeling of temporary sadness that an individual experiences due to the absence of the basic need of being loved and accepted. On the other hand, depression if a serious mental health problem characterized by long lasting feeling of extreme sadness that's debilitating to a person's normal functioning.

Is it true that talking to yourself makes you smarter?

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Is it true that talking to yourself makes you smarter?

4:20 AM

Is it true that talking to yourself makes you smarter? | Healthbiztips

 
Is it true that talking to yourself makes you smarter? | Healthbiztips

@healthbiztips by Arlene Gentallan | psychology blog

I've found psychology blogs online pointing out that talking to yourself makes you smarter. That's great because I know there's a lot of people who want to boost their brain power, right?

I thought to myself how cool this is but I got disappointed when I got to the real answer.

According to the research conducted by G. Lupyan from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a self-directed speech, not a conversational self talk, can increase your focus.

So, my nonsensical self-speeches do not count at all. I should have known better. Striking a conversation with yourself (I mean, a real talk) still looks strange so you won't want other people to see that part of you. You know, just in case people speculate about your social life.

To make it short, you're only boosting your brain power when giving yourself instruction regarding something you're currently engaged with or when you're discussing with yourself things you've learned.

Say, you're trying to find a familiar object in a grocery store, then repeating the name of that object verbally increases your attention into finally finding that thing.

Research revealed that the strategy of repeating a familiar object's name will increase your speed of finding that object in a grocery store by up to 50 to 100 milliseconds.

Ironically, doing the same strategy to find an foreign object proves to be a handicap. Turns out chanting an unfamiliar object's name doesn't make it any more recognizable in a sea of stuffs.


In conclusion, you get smarter by increasing your focus on the task at hand by speaking out about the current task your have to accomplish and reciting things you've learned to improve your memory about that subject.

The way a person treats restaurant staff reveals a lot about their character

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The way a person treats restaurant staff reveals a lot about their character

9:49 AM

The way a person treats restaurant staff reveals a lot about their character | Healthbiztips

Do you know someone who speaks to their superior in an incredibly nice way, but treats their subordinate rudely. How about a customer who speaks to his comrades kindly but treats restaurant staffs like lowly servants? I've seen it happen and I tell you, it's really awful.

It's like that person is wearing a two sided mask. But, which side is the real one?

Did you know that how a person treats servers and subordinates tells a lot about their character.

The way a person treats restaurant staff reveals a lot about their character | Healthbiztips
photo credit: Deleece Cook @deleece @unsplash

@healthbiztips by Arlene Gentallan | psychology blog

Let's face it, we just can't help but create an impression about certain people, whether they are friends, strangers, or enemies. At times, it's really important to know a person better. Imagine being engage to the kindest person you've ever met, then finding out after your marriage that he's not as kind as you think. If you'd like to know a person better, then observe how they interact with staffs in a restaurant.

If you're going to a restaurant with a colleague, a friend, or a fiance, pay attention to the way that person treats restaurant staff as it  reveals a lot about their character.

Because let's admit it, we tend to be in our best behavior when we're in front of our boss, but when it comes to dealing with strangers or people we think are working to please or serve us, we can't help but reveal our true essence, and at times, it can reveal the worst of us.

I don't know about you but I don't trust someone who is nice to me but rude to waiter and waitress. If you fiance talks to you like he's all kindness but shouts or acts rudely in front of a restaurant staff because something didn't go by his way, then, it can be a telltale sign of her inner character.

How you treat other people can reveal valuable personality traits about you.

How Art Therapy heals Addiction

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How Art Therapy heals Addiction

12:53 AM

Art therapy for addiction treatment | Healthbiztips

Did you know that art therapy has been used to treat addiction in as early as 1950s.

Art therapy for addiction treatment | Healthbiztips
photo credit: Hin Bong Yeung @hinbong @unsplash

@healthbiztips by Arlene Gentallan

Art therapy for addiction is a therapeutic technique that offers individuals a creative and positive outlet to communicate their thoughts and feelings which ultimately lets them overcome their addiction and bad behavior. It is a form of psychotherapy that is done under the supervision of a therapist.

Addiction, especially to tobacco, illegal substance, and regulated drug is a health problem that's a global threat. Treatment and rehabilitation for those people afflicted remains a challenge.

A lot of smokers find it hard to quit their detrimental addiction to nicotine.

Using art therapy is an old and effective strategy to fight addiction. It is used by rehabilitation facilities in addition to other forms of therapy to help an individual to eliminate an addiction.

Expressing creativity fosters a good mental health. It's application can not be underestimated.

People who want to get rid of addiction finds art therapy as an outlet of their emotions and a way for them to express their thoughts. Art therapy remarkably reduces anxiety, stress, and depression.

Art therapy can be a valuable coping mechanism that individuals can employ to lessen the urges brought about by their addiction.


It has several forms
Art therapy to treat addiction can take several forms such as drawing, painting, sculpting, dancing, singing, and playing musical instrument.


The purpose of art therapy
Through engaging in an artistic work, the person not only is able to communicate feelings that are often hard to put into words, with proper guidance, he can also gain valuable insights into the inner workings of his mind, thereby, know himself better.


In art therapy, you are not alone.
Art therapy treatment for addiction is guided by a therapist who helps individuals interpret their artistic work and find hidden meaning that are often overlooked by the naked eye.


It's not about how good you are at it.
The success of art therapy to manage addiction is not dictated by the craftsmanship and superiority of the artwork made. Art therapy is simply a valuable medium to  enable self expression, improve self awareness, and redirect negative emotions. You don't need to be artistic or talented to engage in art therapy.


Art therapy is not enough
Addiction can't be treated by art therapy alone so it is used together with other forms of therapy such as group therapy to achieve success in treatment. Furthermore, art therapy may not work well for all individuals. It is crucial that treatment plan for addiction be tailored to the person's unique needs.



The emergence of correction center to treat addiction is important to help people be cured. However, it is a reality that a huge percentage of people needing treatment for addiction do not receive treatment.

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Resources:

Aletraris, L., Paino, M., Edmond, M. B., Roman, P. M., & Bride, B. E. (2014). The use of art and music therapy in substance abuse treatment programs. Journal of addictions nursing, 25(4), 190–196. doi:10.1097/JAN.0000000000000048

Coffee fights depression

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Coffee fights depression

3:46 AM

Coffee fights depression | Healthbiztips

A cup of piping hot coffee to brighten a gloomy Monday morning. It's not just an expression. There's a real science behind it.

Coffee fights depression | Healthbiztips 

photo credit: Janko Ferlič @thepootphotographer @unsplash

@healthbiztips by Arlene Gentallan

Studies reveal that the caffeine content of coffee actually decreases the risk of depression. Makes sense considering caffeine is the world's most widely consumed stimulant.

Depression is just not a simple problem. It is a deep feeling of sadness that can distort one's good judgement, which makes individuals suffering from this mental health condition at risk of committing suicide.

The World Health Organization ranked depression as the third medical condition worldwide with the greatest impact to humanity.

Depression is a chronic recurring mental health problem that's challenging to treat. It's better to prevent it from developing in the first place.

Coffee is beneficial to a person's mental health. Drinking coffee everyday has been shown by research to prevent the development of depression and reduce the risk of suicide.

Caffeine is coffee's potent component against depression, therefore decaffeinated coffee loses it's protective effect against depression.

The remarkable benefit coffee has over depression may come down as a good reason to promote it's daily consumption especially to the working class as they are more prone to stress and burnout, but do know that consuming too much coffee has it's risks.

Drinking coffee is not recommended for people who have cardiac problem as it's caffeine content can increase blood pressure and pulse, as well as cause irregular heart beat or dysrhythmia.

For an average healthy person, drinking up to 3 cups of coffee or consuming up to 400 mg caffeine every day is generally considered safe. But do know that there are certain coffee brands that has more caffeine content than others.

Coffee is incredibly rich in antioxidant which prevents oxidative damage to the cells of the bodyand in turn, helps prevent premature aging.

Coffee isn't just effective to prevent depression. In fact, this superfood decreases the risk of prevalent diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and colorectal cancer. That's how amazing coffee is.

Regular consumption of coffee not only jump-start your day, but also serves your body with a pack full of remarkable health benefits.

Sounds like a cup of coffee can really uplift your mood and brighten up your day.

Isn't is heartwarming to know that something so good can really make you guilt free.

Enjoy!


You may also want to check out:

Green coffee bean extract for Weight loss
5 Crazy Healthy Coffee Adds-on Blend
How to make your Coffee Experience Healthier?
Is Coffee Cancerous?
5 Conditions When is Coffee Bad for You
Caffeinated Coffee Increases Blood Sugar
Is coffee an insect repellent?
Here's Why Pregnant Mother should Avoid Coffee

How did sarcasm become a sign of intelligence? - Healthbiztips

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How did sarcasm become a sign of intelligence? - Healthbiztips

10:06 AM

Sarcasm is a Sign of Intelligence

Let's play a mind game!

Are sarcastic people really that smart?


Intelligence--we're always interested to know how smart we are.

Being sarcastic might sound like an absurd way to tell if someone is intelligent, yet, scientific studies uncover that it is.

How did sarcasm become a sign of intelligence? - Healthbiztips

Sarcasm can be quite tricky because it's saying the contrary of what you intend to convey.

You might ask, if speaking in paradox is the norm of intelligent people, then they must be cracking jokes every few lines. Don't mind me, I'm just being sarcastic.

What makes a sarcastic person so smart?

It turns out, speaking the paradox requires more brain power.

The ability to say and understand sarcasm requires a higher brain process that involves abstract thinking.

Abstract thinking is the ability to analyze and interpret intangible ideas, principles, relationships, and patterns.

It's the ability to think about something which you can not see, feel, or touch, and that which only exist in the mind, like solving a math problem.

The human brain depends on abstract thinking to process mathematics, language, and physics.

Did you know that abstract thinking is a crucial measure of intelligence so it is included in most intelligence test?

The sarcasm. You have to be clever enough to take in the whole situation and find the hidden meaning that is masked underneath a poker face or at times, an inappropriate tone and contradicting facial expression.

Sarcasm boosts creativity

Sarcastic people excel in abstract thinking.

One study reveals that creativity is improved in people who express and understand sarcasm. Yep, after all, creativity is an abstract concept.


In conclusion, I know some of you might think that being sarcastic is such an easy feat that even a kid will have no problem saying and understanding it.

But, in my experience, while I know a lot of people who can spot a sarcastic remark head-on, there are also those folks who just can't catch on. Which, by the way, makes me a mean and judgemental person by thinking that they're "kind of dumb".

At the end, sarcasm sounds like a mind game. It's either you don't get it, take offense, or nail it!