One of the most common diseases in the world is diabetes. This disease is so widespread that some people are calling it a way of life. Thus what is sugar? How is it absorbed by our body and how can…
The coolest, weirdest marijuana-infused beverages that are surprisingly legal in the US and UK
BY: QUENTIN STUCKEY Whether you’re using it because you’re looking for a different kind of buzz than alcohol or if your doctor has prescribed it to you for the sake of your health, marijuana (or cannabis) is one of the…
For Canadians, free health care doesn’t come without a price
BY: NADIA ZAIDI One of the most important relationships is the one you have with your doctor. It could very much save your life. But when waiting rooms are swelling with sick people, doctors sometimes speed through check-ups, and can…
Cats are proven to naturally alleviate anxiety and depression
BY AILEEN ZANGOUEI Cats are simultaneously our cuddliest, furry friends and the world’s biggest assholes. But when they’re not waking us up at 4 a.m. by plunking their entire bodies on our face, or knocking anything and everything that’s glass…
Why so much of the world lives in a “poverty trap” and how we can escape it
Rich and poor, poor and rich. These two small words have been the driving force behind so many of the world’s cultural, social and economic history. In the old days, of course, the rich and powerful had it better than…
5 superfoods that actually work and aren’t just a trendy marketing fad
Superfoods often get a lot of bad press from skeptics for, well, not quite living up to their name. But what is it that makes a superfood ‘super’ exactly? Does Beyoncé need to wear a t-shirt sporting various foods? Do…
Why updating Canada’s food guide is a win for the environment and your health
BY BROOKLYN PINHEIRO Since the early ’90s the ‘Got Milk’ campaign has graced the pages of glossy magazines everywhere. The classic advertisement ended in 2014 and has been recently replaced by a swirl of new commercials this year. The ‘grab…
Study finds that dancing is the most effective activity for preventing Alzheimer’s
BY BROOKLYN PINHEIRO If you’re looking to sharpen your brain, you can put down the crosswords and sudokus and opt for a night of dancing instead. While any and all physical activity is beneficial, a study published in Frontiers of…
Turmeric is a potential aid against precancerous cells
BY: NADIA ZAIDI Turmeric may kill precancerous cells, and is deservedly the newest superfood to hit the market by storm. I’ve chronicled my experience consuming turmeric regularly over the period of three weeks. After reaping some profound benefits, I swear by…
Herbal Medications: A growing trend, a growing problem?
BY: NADIA ZAIDI Alternative treatments are growing in popularity, as many people begin to question traditional pharmacology. Various theories on disease cures being hidden from the public for pharmaceutical profit are gaining momentum. They are also feeding a million-dollar herbal…
Cannabis has now been proven to treat a rare and severe form of epilepsy
Marijuana remains one of the most controversial plants on Earth. Is it a miracle cure-all for society’s ills or the gateway drug to the root of all evil? Proponents of both sides have debated just how quantifiable marijuana’s effects can…
Why do we say ‘bless you’ when someone sneezes?
BY: NADIA ZAIDI Sneezing is one of the most effective (and satisfying) bodily releases, yet it’s something we don’t give second thought to. However, a recent bout of sniffles had me wondering about what happens up there, and how our…
How to turn your bedroom into a mindful space and get the best sleep of your life
It’s easy for us to forget that our bedrooms are where we spend the majority of our lives. Dependant on your sleeping pattern, between 6 and 10 hours every single day is spent in bed sleeping. It’s safe to say…
7 tried and true ways to improve or maintain your romantic relationship(s)
Often, unwanted tension in relationships can be avoided, or at the very least reduced. This is not to say that conflict is the worst thing ever, in fact, it is sometimes necessary, but often enough it is easier than you…
Generosity is the key to happiness
BY BROOKLYN PINHEIRO You don’t have to quit your job and volunteer indefinitely to benefit from the power of being generous. A new study concluded that, in accordance to the popular notion, being a giving person does in fact make…
Giving vegetables sexy, indulgent names makes people eat healthier
It’s a war that’s been waged in a billion homes all over the world throughout history – the struggle of eating vegetables. Face it – compared to a juicy steak or a helping of fries, there are very few of…
African-Albino models are redefining beauty in the west
BY: NADIA ZAIDI Featured image of Thando Hopa courtesy of Instagram Albinism is one of the most unrecognized and yet scorned conditions in the world. It is inherited, and occurs in all ethnic communities. Today, models like Diandra Forrest, a black-American supermodel…
Natural sleep remedies that will help you get to sleep quickly
Do you spend hours at night lying in bed waiting to fall asleep? Cause let me tell you -that ain’t fun. You might want to take the “easy” way out and purchase sleeping pills, but forget reaching for pills and try…
Men’s mental health is facing a silent crisis
BY: NADIA ZAIDI Featured Illustration by Xulin Wang Men’s Mental Health Awareness Day was on June 13, 2017, and it served as a reminder that men, too, can suffer from anxiety, depression and a range of mental illnesses. The constructs…
America’s dirty history of lunatic asylums and their forgotten patients
BY: SYDNEY KEEFE Featured Illustration by Xulin Wang The history of mental institutions in the world is a relatively short one. The modern institution began in the 18th century. They began as lunatic asylums and eventually morphed into psychiatry hospitals.…