How Loneliness Makes You Sick

A new study sheds light on why being lonely is such a major health risk. 

One is the loneliest number, and it may be the sickest number, as well. A new study from a team of researchers, including UChicago psychologist and leading loneliness expert John Cacioppo, sheds light on why being lonely is such a major health risk.
Previous research from Cacioppo and UChicago showed that feeling lonely can up an older person’s chances of premature death by 14 percent. But the biological reasons why haven’t been well understood. This study looked at adults aged 50 to 68, as well as a species of monkey called rhesus macaques, which are known for being particularly sociable. Researchers looked at gene expression in leukocytes, cells in the immune system that help protect our bodies against bacteria and viruses. In both lonely humans and lonely macaques, there was decreased expression of genes involved in antiviral response. Interestingly, this gene expression and loneliness seem reciprocal: the gene expression could predict loneliness measured a year or so later.
Loneliness also triggered higher levels of the “fight or flight” neurotransmitter, norepinephrine. This stimulates blood stem cells in bone marrow, up-regulating the body’s inflammation response. So loneliness was causing more inflammation and less viral protection, causing less optimal health conditions.
According to Cacioppo’s 2014 work on the health risks of loneliness, symptoms can include interrupted sleep, depression, higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol, and increased blood pressure. He says it isn’t actual isolation that causes health risks—some people are completely fine with solitude—but a profound sensation of being alone that causes negative effects. His research suggests three important areas where we can foster healthy relationships as we age:

1. Intimate connectedness, which comes from have people in your life who affirm who you are.
2. Relational connectedness, which means having face-to-face interactions that feel mutually rewarding.
3. Collective connectedness, or a feeling that you are part of something that is bigger than yourself, something beyond your individual existence.

These three types of connectedness help older adults become more resilient, less depressed and have higher subjective well-being.
“Retiring to Florida to live in a warmer climate among strangers isn’t necessarily a good idea if it means you are disconnected from the people who mean the most to you,” wrote Cacioppo in his study. Population changes make understanding the role of loneliness and health all the more important, he explained.

Top 10 Ways To Lose 15 Pounds in 3 Weeks

Many online websites and forums give various ways to lose weight ”fast”. But most of them have no references and give out false information. What I’m writing is the truth and the best way to really 15 lbs in one month…

1. Stop eating foods with added sugar, especially refined sugar. No soda and no sweets.
2. Avoid as best possible anything that has ”Concentrated Glucose-Fructose”. This is the worst possible glucose you can eat.
3. Stop eating fried foods. No french fries, no fried chicken, nothing fried.
4. Cut down to the maximum of saturated and trans. fat. If its sticky and waxy, its probably saturated.
5. Drink a lot of water. 1/2 your body-weight in ounces of fresh cold water for best results.
6. Eat more vegetables. Such as greens, carrots, tomatoes, all sorts of vegetables.
7. Eat small (no more than 300-400 calories) meals five times a day. Each meal must contain proteins, fibers and must be low in fat.
8. Workout at least 4 times per week, between 1h30 and 2h a day. Do light to moderate intensity exercises. It’s important that you do aerobics but you must also include anaerobic workouts (resistance training such as weight lifting). Speak with a personal trainer to plan a workout routine for you, and also speak to your doctor to prior to beginning any workout regimen. It is proven that following a routine helps keep motivation and also tracks down your improvements.
9. Eat high protein meals right after a workout. (within 1 hour). Avoid eating too much meat (except for lean healthy meat such as chicken breast, turkey breast, fish, grass fed beef). Ensure that you eat beans, lentils, chick peas, quinoa or egg whites. Optionally (and what is highly recommend), you can take protein supplements such as Whey Protein Shakes right after a workout. Try to eat at least 60 grams of proteins a day with as least fat as possible.
10. Stop eating 2 hours before going to bed (especially with bad carbs and bad fats).

Do the above consistently and you WILL lose about 2-3 pounds per week… naturally and permanently.

Now if you are eating right, if you find a simple and effective online fat loss progra, if you cut down your fat and sugar intake as much as possible, and if you do all of this while maintaining a good workout routine to exhaust your body, you WILL be able lose 3-4 pounds per week.

Important note: You will lose less weight the closer you are to your fitness level weight. Once you achieve this weight, you can either eat more lean proteins and do more anaerobic exercises to gain muscle mass or do less cardio and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Best Yoga Exercises For Reducing Belly Fat

Yoga is an age-old science developed over the centuries and it is known for its effectiveness in curing all sorts of health related issues. Contrary to popular belief yoga can also help you reduce your belly fat. This article deals with the best yoga exercises for reducing belly fat.

1: Surya Namaskara:

This is a series of poses compiled as a salutation to the sun. This is one of the more fast paced sequences in yoga and can alternatively be performed slowly. This is effective not only for belly fat but it activates the body as a whole making you feel energetic, flexible and fit. The Surya namaskar consists of 12 asanas that is to be performed as a sequence. It is one of the most recommended exercises for reducing belly fat.

 

2: Bastrika Pranayama:

Another effective one amongst the yoga exercises for reducing belly fat is this intense asana. This is a breathing exercise that engages your respiratory system and abdominal muscles. Seat yourself on a yoga mat in a cross-legged position with your back straight. Now raise your hands straight above your head and simultaneously inhale sharp and hard as much as you can.  Hold your breath for a count and sharply exhale completely, simultaneously bring your hands down in one swift motion such that your fist is at the level of your chest.

3: Kapalabhati:

This is another intense one amongst yoga exercises for reducing belly fat. Seat yourself similarly as the asana. Now inhale deep and long and hold it. Exhale short and hard breaths by using your abdomen to push the air out.

4: Urdha Mukha Svanasana:

This is a stretching exercise amongst the yoga exercises for reducing belly fat. Lay on your tummy on a yoga mat with your palm pressed to the floor beside your chest. Then push your upper body up by balancing your hands such that only your legs from below the abdomen rest on the mat. Now look on top and hold the pose.

5: Naukasana:

This is the boat pose that will ensure you a flatter belly in no time. Lie down on the yoga mat and raise your hands, chest, head and feet into the air such that only your abdomen is on the floor. Hold your hands and feet parallel to the ground. This is the most exhausting amongst yoga exercises for reducing belly fat.

Reducing belly fat through yoga is highly effective and it is a different approach. Try these poses for a month and see the differences by yourself. For results be consistent in your exercise routine.

How Much Masturbation Is Too Much?

According to the National Survey of Sexual Health and Behavior—the largest survey of its kind—more than 94 percent of men ages 25 to 29 reported masturbating at some point in their lives, while more than 84 percent of women in the same age group did. Another study of teens ages 14 to 17 confirmed what you likely already know to be true: Males reported masturbating more than females, and the frequency of masturbation among both sexes increased with age. And while we often think of masturbation as some quality time alone, that's not always the case. According to the NSSHB, nearly 50 percent of both men and women ages 25 to 29 self-pleasured with their partner by their side.
By now, most people know that the myths surrounding masturbation—that it will stunt growth or make hair grow in strange places—aren't true. And while some people may feel guilty or embarrassed about touching themselves, masturbation is a perfectly normal habit that even comes with health benefits.

Masturbation can be really helpful. If you can't tell or don't know where your erogenous zones are... then you can't voice that and explain it to your partner.

"Masturbation can be a really helpful," says Leah Millheiser, M.D., director of female sexual medicine program at Stanford Health Care. It's one of the best ways to learn what turns you on, both for your own enjoyment and to share with your partner. "If you can't tell or don't know where your erogenous zones are—they could be clitoral, vaginal, or anal—then you can't voice that and explain it to your partner," Millheiser says. Gaining that knowledge through experimentation also helps boost confidence in the bedroom. It's no surprise that research shows most women find masturbating sexually empowering.
And healthy strokes serve as a workout for your private parts. For women, masturbation can strengthen muscle tone in the pelvic area, lowering the chance of accidental urine leakage (laughing and peeing, anyone?), according to Planned Parenthood.

Throwing a party for one even helps relieve menstrual cramps. "It causes contractions of the uterus, which seems counterintuitive, but it's an analgesic in a sense," Millheiser says. "[It releases] chemicals that act as pain relievers." In men, masturbation has also been associated with a reduced risk of prostate cancer.
And for both sexes, solo time has been shown to be a great sleep aid since it eases muscle tension and leaves you feeling relaxed and happy. Plus, masturbation is a great option if you've chosen to abstain from sex for any number of reasons.

Too Much of a Good Thing?

Turns out it's tough to go overboard. "There's no downside to masturbation,"Millheiser says. "In general, there are women who masturbate daily and ones who masturbate once a month," she says. "For some, zero times is normal. It doesn't mean anything or that you're more or less sexual."

That said, it can become a problem if it interferes with your ability to function in your everyday life. For example, if you continue to show up to work late because of it or if you have a pattern of avoiding having sex with your partner because you would rather masturbate, says Kat Van Kirk, Ph.D., sex and marriage therapist and author of The Married Sex Solution. "Some people use masturbation as a way to check out of reality and live more in their head, where they can focus on fantasies," she says. And in some cases, that can lead to disconnecting emotionally or sensually when it comes to your partner—or being overly reliant on fantasy.

"It can also be unhealthy if you find that you do it to the point of causing yourself physical harm, such as rawness and extreme genital irritation from too much friction,” she says. If that's the case, it's best to consult a professional therapist to uncover the reason behind chronic, compulsive masturbating.

One potential concern Van Kirk noted from her clinical experience: "If you are masturbating the same way every time, it can condition you to only become aroused or orgasm in one specific way, which can lead to difficulties when having partnered sex." Communication and education is key to this transition, says Alyssa Dweck, M.D., an OB/GYN and assistant clinical professor at Mt. Sinai School of Medicine. And in some cases, a vibrator "holiday" may be advised.

The Bottom Line

In general, masturbation is not only harmless but also healthy. Sure, doing it more than once a day could lead to temporary numbness, but it's unlikely, according to Millheiser. And for the 52 percent of women out there using a vibrator? You don't have much to worry about either. Millheiser says that despite rumors that vibrators can cause nerve damage, most don't use it long enough to bring on any issues. (The same study mentioned above also found that 71 percent of women had never experienced any potential negative side effects associated with vibrator use.) 

"The types of vibrators out there for sexual pleasure aren't really a risk—they're just not strong enough," Millheiser says. "But if you're using one for over an hour nonstop, you might get temporary numbness or desensitization. This isn't going to make you lose feeling all together."
The biggest risk to masturbating? Some chafing brought on by friction, which is easily remedied by lubricant.

25 Incredibly Simple Swaps That Could Change Your Life

Whole grains for white, quality for quantity, Wii Fit for Mario Kart—just one smart swap can pave the way to a healthier and happier life. We decided to go all out and provide 25 “this for that’s,” so there are no excuses when it comes to making healthier choices!

Fitness

1. Planks for Crunches

OK have we said this enough? Crunches may not be the secret to six-pack abs. Give planks a try instead to work that wholecore. Extra points for holding it for a minute straight!

2. Interval Workout for Relaxed Run

Congrats on that 26.2-mile marathon. Now try a 20-minute interval run that involves lots of sprinting with some walking recovery. It may kick up the heat even more.

3. Incline for Flat Treadmill

In a perfect, outdoor world, flat roads rarely exist. (Sorry, midwestern readers!) Add some hills to that treadmill run by cranking up the incline, and feel the muscle-building burn!

4. Zumba for Elliptical

Trash that Cosmo-reading elliptical routine and surprise the body with a fun, calorie-burning cardio session. Sure beats staying stuck to a machine.

5. Dynamic for Static Stretching

Stretching out cold muscles could lead to injury. So incorporate some active movement into a stretching routine—try lunges and arm swings before working out.

6. Warming up for rushing right to it

We know that barbell looks tempting. But before hitting the weight rack, do an active warm-up to loosen up limbs and get the most out of the workout.

7. Standing for Sitting at a Desk

How often does someone complain about having to sit in a cubicle all day? We have a simple solution (no college degree required)… stand. Use a pile of books to prop up the computer, or purchase one of these.

8. Exercise Ball for Office Chair

Okay, we get it. Some people really don’t want to stand at their cubicle. So stay seated, but on a Swiss ball! It can help with balance and that six-pack. Fitness at the fingertips!

9. Gym for Napping

Falling asleep at the wheel? Pull over. Tired in front of the TV? Hit the gym. It provides a big boost of energy and burns calories.

10. Free Weights for Machines

Skip the big machines (they’re sweaty anyway) and go for the little guys—free weights are more versatile and allow for a full range of motion in the joints.

11. Pull-ups for Biceps Curls

Isolating muscles is so 2012. Pull-ups are not only impressive (I can do two, thankyouverymuch) but they work way more than one muscle. Talk about multitasking.

12. Squats for Leg Press

Forget staying seated to work out the legs. Amp up the training sesh and do some squats to strengthen all the leg muscles, with some gluteus maximus work in there too!

13. Personal trainer for guessing games.

Just when we think we’ve had enough, trainers may help push us through that second set of burpees. Look for a deal online to cut the cost in half!

14. Foam Rolling for Static Stretching

Need to get the knots out? Try using a foam roller instead of sitting and stretching to the toes. It’s almost like a personal massage.

15. Exergames for Mario Kart

Mario may be booking it through the race course, but holding the remote control does next to nothing for our own heart rate. Try out Wii Fit or Just Dance—they’re designed to provide light to moderate exercise.

16. Rowing for Biking

How often can we row, row, row a boat indoors? Take advantage of the rowing machine instead of the good ’ol bike; it’s a super upper and lower body exercise.

17. Stairs for Escalator

We’ve heard the tip a million times, so here it is for the millionth plus one. If the option’s available, go the old-fashion route and climb the stairs to burn some extra calories.

18. Fun Workout for Dreaded Workout

Loathe the elliptical? Try the stair-master. Hate the bench press? Do push-ups instead. We can still challenge ourselves without doing exercises we hate.

19. Active Date for Dinner and a Movie

Save a night at that French restaurant for retirement and go on a fun, active winter date with a special someone. Sledding can be just as intimate as duck confit, and it sneaks in a hill-climbing workout, too.

20. Parking farther away for getting a spot up close

There’s no need to circle the parking lot five times looking for the perfect spot. Just park further away and walk the extra 100 feet to Target. (Doesn’t count as a trip to the gym, though!)

21. Walking Farther for Running Shorter

New to running? It’s okay. Even if a mile is all that’s possible, keep walking for a good cardio workout. Hold some light weights to up the intensity even more!

22. Working Out With a Pal for Exercising Alone

Grab that special someone or just a friend and hit the gym; working out with others may strengthen trust. Plus he or she could help motivate us through that final set of push-ups!

23. Hands-Free Running for Holding Handles

Hands off! On the treadmill, don’t rely on the handlebars. They take some of the stress off the body and make that workout less challenging.

24. Cherry Juice for Muscle Medicine

Feeling sore? Rather than popping some pills, try drinking a glass of cherry juice. The antioxidants could help keep muscle swelling down. (Take that, Aspirin!)

25. Homemade Post-Workout Snack for a Protein Bar

Bring a PB&J or another post-workout snack to the gym rather than buying a protein bar. We need some after-exercise fuel, but don’t get it in the form of excess sugar!

How to not allow your anxious thoughts to become who you are

I put the same post on here as I did on Facebook earlier this month and it was so popular that it received 3 times more hits than any other post so I decided to expand on it, also this comment below from the last post is so true and encouraged me to write a more detailed post.

“Kristina thanks a lot. You are right, I have to change my attitude to my thoughts. My problem is that I believe my thought, believing it, I accept it as a reality and thus become afraid of it. I need to not respect the strange and abnormal thoughts. That is the key.”
The post is really to express that you are not your thoughts or your thinking, you are separate from them and it is your choice if you wish to believe them or not.

A lot of people are a slave to their thinking and see it as the truth and follow it without question, if I think it then it must be true and all decisions and actions are then based on what they think.

It is like someone who has been cheated on in their last 3 relationships, they will then be much more inclined to have thoughts about the next going wrong and their new partner and the relationship may have to suffer because of this. The thought will be ‘He will probably do the same to me’. She may then question where he is, continually seek assurances and drive herself silly through her insecurities until the relationship finally breaks down. Now there was nothing wrong with this thought, it came through a belief created through past experiences, but she became identified with the thought and saw it as the truth. It is always the association to a thought that makes it seem real.

If this lady could have caught the thought and realised it was part of her past experiences and not fact then she could have put her insecurities to one side and enjoyed the relationship instead of letting a thought destroy it. Those insecurities may have still popped up, but she could have seen the truth behind the thought and why it was there and not to treat it as fact.

This is the same as when someone may go to a supermarket and have a funny turn and then their mind creates the thought ‘Hey danger, don’t go back there’ this is in no way true as what danger is there in walking around putting groceries in a basket? If the person can see past the thought and do it anyway, then they will see the truth that it was just a thought and not based on fact, just a past experience.
This is where the old saying ‘Feel the fear and do it anyway’ comes from as it is basically saying recognise your fear, but do it anyway as it is a false fear and by doing it you will find out for yourself. Once you do it and you survive fine (even if you do feel uncomfortable) then the thought process next time is ‘Hey I got through fine, no danger there’ again your experiences are shaping your thought process. There are many people in that supermarket with no concern whatsoever as they are all fine and safe, just as you are too, so don’t let a thought trick you into thinking otherwise.

On the other side of the coin if you came face to face with a tiger and the thought was ‘Danger, get out of here’ then the thought is real and helpful and is there to protect you as there is real danger and you need to avoid the tiger. This is what we were programmed for and the reason we need to feel some fear, the reason your mind looks for fear and tries to protect you. But there is no real danger in visiting a supermarket or visiting friends, so it is tricked by anxiety into getting it wrong and these are the times when you decide to not believe your thoughts, see the truth behind them and do it anyway.

Remember thoughts are not the problem, you can think whatever you wish, it is your reaction and your belief towards them that is.

This is true with my anxiety and how I used to see thoughts as fact. I was very bad socially when at my worst and when I came through I carried a lot of my old fears and experiences around with me and thoughts like ‘People aren’t interested in what you have to say’ or ‘I will just feel awkward all night’ or ‘I don’t fit in socially, so why bother going out?’ with this belief system I would hide away in the corner or make excuses not to talk to others or try and rush the conversation, totally believing my thoughts about who I was. My thinking was totally wrecking my life and the decisions I made and how I acted. This was not me, it was my thoughts based on past experiences that I decided to believe that were causing me all this pain and restricting my life so much. I had chosen to believe my thoughts about who I was and how I would perform and so tried to protect myself by hiding away in the corner or not going out at all. This had to change and I knew I was being a slave to my thoughts and that I needed to separate myself from them, to let them say what they wished, but to just do things anyway and not see them as fact or become involved in them.
On realisation of the above I also started to catch what I was thinking and would see the silliness behind it. An example would be a neighbour approaching and the thought then would be ‘Oh god don’t let her come over, I will have to chat and then I’ll make a fool of myself, quick indoors’ I would habitually run indoors and then think phew got away with it, right I just need to wake up one day and all this will be behind me. I never truly looked at the silliness of the thought, it was just a case of it must be the truth because I thought it. When I finally did stop and truly looked at the thought I had a realisation that my life would never change whilst I was controlled by my thinking, I realised that the thought was absurd, what danger could there possibly be talking to the woman four doors up? I also realised that in this and other occasions that my mind thought it was keeping me safe, but in reality it was doing a bloody damn awful job of it as all it was doing was restricting my life.

So the next time the neighbour approached or there was a social gathering I may have had the same thought, but dismissed it as false and did it anyway, it was actually quite amusing at times when I looked at what my thoughts came up with and the absurdity behind them. Things did not always go great feelings wise, but as usual I just went with how I felt, all thoughts and emotions are fine and after years of conditioning I did not expect things to go perfect in all the things I had previously avoided, but there was a big shift and in time through no longer associating with my thoughts and seeing them as facts my life started to open up, my restricting negative thoughts began to disappear, I did not need protecting from the woman up the street or a gathering of friends, it was absurd later to think I did. My confidence in every aspect of my life began to grow and the old confident me came back and all because I decided to no longer believe or become associated with my old and conditioned thinking. I could think, but I did not have to believe.

I am sure my mind thought it was keeping me safe at times and it was only gathering thoughts through past experiences, but these thoughts would not shape my future behaviours or experiences, from now on I would.
To no longer associate with or believe my thoughts whilst understanding why they came was such a big part of my recovery.

I hope I have explained well enough what I am trying to get across and I am not trying to simplify things as nothing happens overnight, but I hope people get something from the above.

Making space for your anxious thoughts and feelings

We can start with this post that was deleted as it was on my facebook page also, I will add more as the weeks go by so there is as much info on as there was before.
Today I wanted to talk about giving space to unwanted thoughts and feelings as I still read posts on here about people wanting to find ways to rid themselves of anxious thoughts and feelings. One of the best tools to do this is to give them space to be there and just see them as a passing emotion.

I used to wake full of anxiety and my head was all muddled with anxious thoughts. I would then spend the first hour of my day trying to make sense of it all, question it and try different things to make myself feel better. This used to have the opposite effect and make me feel worse most of the time. Then one day I remember waking and feeling awful and then just as I was about to start the struggle, I just decided to let the feelings be there without struggle or objection, just for once they were allowed to be there and take up my space. I did not do this to feel better, I had just had enough. The result was that I instantly felt calmer and more at ease and realised I then had been doing everything wrong. It was the struggle that was keeping me in the loop. These feelings needed to be there and the more I tried to shove them away then the more they knocked on the door. They were like a troublesome party guest that you keep trying to throw out, only for him to keep knocking whilst making more noise, the more you struggle to get rid of him, then the angrier he gets and the more he tries to bother you.

Another example was that I was awful at talking on phones for a long period of time. I used to get pretty anxious and would try and either cut the call short or ramble my way through it the best I could, I would also pace up and down whilst taking the call. I think the anxiety of how I was coming across was the problem. I was pretty advanced in my recovery at this point and it was just something that I thought I was stuck with and had no idea why. I then remember taking a call from an old friend and start pacing up and down whilst trying to hold it together by rambling on, when a huge light bulb moment came on and I realised it was my feelings I was running away from and I was not giving them space to be there. I instantly stopped pacing up and down and allowed myself to feel anxious instead of rambling and all this pacing up and down to cover it all up. Again the difference was immense and I started to feel far more at one with the conversation and not me. In a short space of time I was fine talking on the phone, it was me that was creating the problem by not giving myself space to feel anxious, instead I was anxious about feeling anxious, which just doubled the feeling.

This is also the way to get past anxious thinking, allow space for your anxious thoughts to be there. Don’t expect instant miracles or use this as a tool to rid yourself of them, just allow them as much space as need be without expectation for as many times as need be. It is all about being more at peace with yourself, people become anxious about being anxious, worry that they worry, anxiously think about their anxious thinking and then wonder why they never break out of the loop.

To finish anxious thoughts and feelings just want a chance to be there and then they will go quitely, if you keep pushing them away and go into struggle mode, then they will keep knocking to get in and you will constantly keep trying to keep them at bay. It is this constant struggle the causes the problem.

Just learn to give your feelings the space to be there whilst living your life and being you, don’t feel the need to be on guard for them or work them out, whatever may come just be at peace with it and give your feelings and thoughts space to be there. How you feel now is totally natural in the circumstances, so stop struggling with yourself and leave it be.
Hope that helps is some way

Your Brain On Beer vs Coffee

Let’s just pretend that there aren’t already enough not wholly accurate metaphors that describe the college experience and try to entertain this one: getting your degree is like walking a tight rope with a beer in one hand and coffee in the other. Even if you don’t drink and aren’t that keen on coffee. Well you really don’t even have to be a college student either. The point I’m trying to make here is that there is a delicate balance concerning when to relax and when to get down to business.

This raises some interesting questions though. With the knowledge that we have about drugs like alcohol and caffeine, despite their drawbacks it seems that there is supposedly a way to responsibly maximize their benefits. If that’s true then it makes you wonder, are we missing our full potential by not taking the right drugs at the right time?

Well it would seem that way in theory, but there are plenty of people who are doing great things without the help. Then you have someone like Charles Bukowski. He was featured in an infographic last week about sleep habits and productivity. While being the latest to wake up every morning at noon (which even that seems a little early for him) he was also one of the more productive writers and a very committed alcoholic. There is a natural tension and release in life that can be intensified by drug use, but whether or not this is conducive to a more fruitful lifestyle is a very difficult question.

50 Incredibly Weird Facts About the Human Body

As long as we make efforts to take care of ourselves and live healthy, there is a good chance that our bodies will serve us well for a long time. Our bodies truly are amazing. You might be surprised at what your body is capable of after reading these 50 weird facts about the human body:

The Brain

Complex and poorly understood, the brain is what makes everything work properly. The body may be kept alive, but without the brain, a person can’t truly live. Here are some interesting and weird facts about the brain.

1. The brain doesn’t feel pain: Even though the brain processes pain signals, the brain itself does not actually feel pain.
2. Your brain has huge oxygen needs: Your brain requires 20 percent of the oxygen and calories your body needs — even though your brain only makes up two percent of your total body weight.
3. 80% of the brain is water: Instead of being relatively solid, your brain 80% water. This means that it is important that you remain properly hydrated for the sake of your mind.
4. Your brain comes out to play at night: You’d think that your brain is more active during the day, when the rest of your body is. But it’s not. Your brain is more active when you sleep.
5. Your brain operates on 10 watts of power: It’s true: The amazing computational power of your brain only requires about 10 watts of power to operate.
6. A higher I.Q. equals more dreams: The smarter you are, the more you dream. A high I.Q. can also fight mental illness. Some people even believe they are smarter in their dreams than when they are awake.
7. The brain changes shapes during puberty: Your teenage years do more than just change how you feel; the very structure of your brain changes during the teen years, and it even affects impulsive, risky behavior.
8. Your brain can store everything: Technically, your brain has the capacity to store everything you experience, see, read or hear. However, the real issue is recall — whether you can access that information.
9. Information in your brain travels at different speeds: The neurons in your brain are built differently, and information travels along them at different speeds. This is why sometimes you can recall information instantly, and sometimes it takes a little longer.

Your Senses

You might be surprised at the amazing things your various senses can accomplish.

10. Your smell is unique: Your body odor is unique to you — unless you have an identical twin. Even babies recognize the individual scents of their mothers.
11. Humans use echolocation: Humans can use sound to sense objects in their area using echolocation. It is thought that those who are blind develop this ability to heightened effectiveness.
12. Adrenaline gives you super strength: Yes, with the proper response in certain situations, you really can lift a car.
13. Women smell better than men: Women are better than men at identifying smells.
14. Your nose remembers 50,000 scents: It is possible for your nose to identify and remember more than 50,000 smells.
15. Your hearing decreases when you overeat: When you eat too much food, it actually reduces your ability to hear. So consider eating healthy — and only until you are full.
16. Your sense of time is in your head: How you experience time is all about your perception. Some speculate that stress can help you experience time dilation. Apparently, time manipulation isn’t just for superheroes.

Reproduction

How we as a species reproduce offers all sorts of interesting weird facts. Here are some of the weirder things you might not know.

17. Your teeth are growing before birth: Even though it takes months after you are born to see teeth, they start growing about six months before you are born.
18. Babies are stronger than oxen: On a pound for pound basis, that is. For their size, babies are quite powerful and strong.
19. Babies always have blue eyes when they are born: Melanin and exposure to ultraviolet light are needed to bring out the true color of babies’ eyes. Until then they all have blue eyes.
20. Women might be intrinsically bi: There are sex studies that indicate that women might bisexual intrinsically, no matter how they class themselves, while men are usually either gay or straight.
21. Most men have regular erections while asleep: Every hour to hour and a half, sleeping men have erections — though they may not be aware of it.
22. Sex can be a pain reliever: Even though the “headache” excuse is often used to avoid sex, the truth is that intercourse can provide pain relief. Sex can also help you reduce stress.
23. Chocolate is better than sex: In some studies, women claim they would rather have chocolate than sex. But does it really cause orgasm? Probably not on its own.

Body Functions

The things our bodies do are often strange and sometimes gross. Here are some weird facts about the way your body functions.

24. Earwax is necessary: If you want healthy ears, you need some earwax in there.
25. Your feet can produce a pint of sweat a day: There are 500,000 (250,000 for each) sweat glands in your feet, and that can mean a great deal of stinky sweat.
26. Throughout your life, the amount of saliva you have could fill two swimming pools: Since saliva is a vital part of digestion, it is little surprise that your mouth makes so much of it.
27. A full bladder is about the size of a soft ball: When your bladder is full, holding up to 800 cc of fluid, it is large enough to be noticeable.
28. You probably pass gas 14 times a day: On average, you will expel flatulence several times as part of digestion.
29. A sneeze can exceed 100 mph: When a sneeze leaves your body, it does so at high speeds — so you should avoid suppressing it and causing damage to your body.
30. Coughs leave at 60 mph: A cough is much less dangerous, leaving the body at 60 mph. That’s still highway speed, though.

Musculoskeletal System

Find out what you didn’t know about your muscles and bones.

31. Bones can self-destruct: It is possible for your bones to destruct without enough calcium intake.
32. You are taller in the morning: Throughout the day, the cartilage between your bones is compressed, making you about 1 cm shorter by day’s end.
33. 1/4 of your bones are in your feet: There are 26 bones in each foot, meaning that the 52 bones in account for 25 percent of your body’s 206 bones.
34. It takes more muscles to frown than to smile: Scientists can’t agree on theexact number, but more muscles are required to frown than to smile.
35. When you take a step, you are using up to 200 muscles: Walking uses a great deal of muscle power — especially if you take your 10,000 steps.
36. Your tongue is the strongest muscle in your body: Compared to its size, the tongue is the strongest muscle. But I doubt you’ll be lifting weights with it.
37. Bone can be stronger than steel: Once again, this is a pound for pound comparison, since steel is denser and has a higher tensile strength.

Unnecessary Body Parts

We have a number of body parts that are, well, useless. Here are some facts about the body parts we don’t actually need.

38. Coccyx: This collection of fused vertebrae have no purpose these days, although scientists believe it’s what’s left of the mammal tail humans used to have. It may be useless, but when you break your coccyx, it’s still painful.
39. Pinkie toe: There is speculation that since we no longer have to run for our dinner, and we wear sneakers, the pinkie toe‘s evolutionary purpose is disappearing — and maybe the pinkie itself will go the way of the dodo.
40. Wisdom teeth: This third set of molars is largely useless, doing little beyond crowding the mouth and sometimes causing pain.
41. Vomeronasal organ: There are tiny (and useless) chemoreceptors lining the inside of the nose.
42. Most body hair: While facial hair serves some purposes, the hair found on the rest of body is practically useless and can be removed with few ill effects.
43. Female vas deferens: A cluster of dead end tubules near the ovaries are the remains of what could have turned into sperm ducts.
44. Male Uterus: Yeah, men have one too — sort of. The remains of this undeveloped female reproductive organ hangs on one side of the male prostate gland
45. Appendix: Yep, your appendix is basically useless. While it does produce some white blood cells, most people are fine with an appendectomy.

Random Weird Body Facts

Here are a few final weird facts about the human body.

46. Your head creates inner noises: It’s rare, but exploding head syndromeexists.
47. Memory is affected by body position: Where you are and how you are placed in your environment triggers memory.
48. You can’t tickle yourself: Go ahead. Try to tickle yourself.
49. Being right-handed can prolong your life: If you’re right-handed, you could live up to nine years longer than a lefty.
50. Only humans shed emotional tears: Every other animal that produces tears has a physiological reason for doing so.