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Twenty million people worldwide use khat. While it has traditionally been a custom associated with older Muslim men, khat’s use has expanded to include women and younger people. In Eastern Ethiopia, nearly 30% of adolescent girls and over 70% of adolescent boys chew khat. Cathinone is a Schedule I Controlled Substance. Khat is illegal in the United States and Canada, but is legal in many other parts of the world, including Ethiopia, Somalia, Yemen, and Kenya, where is it commonly seen as a food rather than a drug (much the way that coffee is viewed in the United States)....

The Link Between Marijuana Usage and Male Infertility Marijuana contains the cannabinoid drug THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), its primary psychoactive chemical, as well as other cannabinoids. Several studies have linked marijuana usage and male infertility but how the use of the drug affects infertility has been attributed to a variety of reasons. One study found that men who smoke marijuana frequently have significantly less seminal fluid, a lower total sperm count and their sperm behave abnormally....

The following are some of the most popular, effective, and enjoyable meditations for stress relief; try several, and see what type of meditation works best for you. Then practice regularly and let your chosen meditations transform your life. There are many mindfulness meditation techniques that can be effective for stress relief and relaxation. Really, any activity that you perform where you stay fully present, completely and non-judgmentally rooted ‘in the now’ can count as a mindfulness meditation technique and, when practiced regularly, can bring the benefits of meditation to your life....

Metaphors for life may help you think about your life and problems in a different way. Metaphors not only help people describe and make sense of their lives, but can serve as a source of encouragement, motivation, or gratitude. This article explores some common metaphors that can be used to inspire you (or help you get out of a rut) in your daily life. Follow Now: Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Google Podcasts...

Often staffed by trained counselors, these organizations can provide direct and confidential assistance, crisis center referrals, and useful information for whatever you may be coping with. Know that there are countless people out there who are eager to help, especially at a time when you feel helpless. SAMHSA National Helpline 1-800-662-HELP (4357) Operated 24/7, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline provides information and referrals if you or a loved one are facing mental health and/or substance use issues....

This systematic review and meta-analysis included 50 studies and found that nature-based activities improved depressive moods, reduced anxiety, improved positive affect, and reduced negative affect for participants. While it may not always be easy to engage with nature depending on your circumstances, this research might better inform both personal strategies for managing individual mental health concerns, as well as urban planning, so access to nature for all communities is promoted....

Additionally, some ethical and legal concerns become more complicated with teletherapy. If you are getting started with online therapy, it’s important to understand how a therapist or digital platform will keep your private information safe and follow all of the appropriate protocols. This article discusses the ethical, legal, and security issues related to online therapy. It also discusses some special concerns including recent changes due to world events. Subscribe Now: Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Google Podcasts...

It’s not uncommon for people to experience slight bouts of paranoia from time to time. But for people with mental illnesses such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and paranoid personality disorder, the experience of paranoia can be persistent and extremely unpleasant—even dangerous. Signs and Symptoms of Paranoia How do you know if you or someone you love might have paranoia? Here are some signs to watch for: Becoming defensive due to criticism that is imagined versus real Being argumentative Difficulty forgiving others Hypervigilance Fear of being taken advantage of or deceived Inability to relax Mistrust of others Preoccupation with the notion that others have hidden motives...

This article discusses how positive reinforcement works and how it can be used to teach or modify behaviors. It also covers how positive reinforcement compares to negative reinforcement and how it is best applied. What Is Positive Reinforcement? In operant conditioning, positive reinforcement involves the addition of a reinforcing stimulus following a behavior that makes it more likely that the behavior will occur again in the future. When a favorable outcome, event, or reward occurs after an action, that particular response or behavior will be strengthened....

Health Benefits Proponents claim that taking pregnenolone supplements can help to combat age-related memory impairment, as well as protect against a variety of health conditions. In alternative medicine, pregnenolone is said to aid in the treatment of the following health problems: Alzheimer’s disease allergies arthritis depression endometriosis fatigue fibrocystic breast condition menopausal symptoms multiple sclerosis premenstrual syndrome psoriasis scleroderma Pregnenolone is also used to sharpen memory, reduce stress, stimulate the immune system, promote detox, prevent heart disease, and slow the aging process....

Problem-solving therapy can be used to treat depression, among other conditions. It can be administered by a doctor or mental health professional and may be combined with other treatment approaches. Techniques Problem-solving therapy is based on a model that takes into account the importance of real-life problem-solving. In other words, the key to managing the impact of stressful life events is to know how to address issues as they arise....

When people experience stress, the fight-or-flight response causes the release of hormones that help prepare the body to take action. You become both physically and mentally alert as your heart rate and breathing rate increase. This allows you to take action in situations that require a quick response. However, being in this heightened state of arousal becomes problematic when there is no immediate danger and you remain in this state for a prolonged period of time....

Especially as teachers have had to reimagine their approaches to work during COVID-19, recess provides a meaningful opportunity to reassess how best to support the needs of all students through the lens of play. While schools may feel pressure to push learning given disruptions from the pandemic, prioritizing recess quality may be beneficial for both children and teachers, given the variety of benefits that healthy child development offers. The Study To explore the intersection of recess and emotional, social, and behavioral health, researchers collected data from 26 schools in 4 regions of the U....

When people hold irrational beliefs about themselves or the world, problems can result. The goal of REBT is to help people recognize and alter those beliefs and negative thinking patterns in order to overcome psychological problems and mental distress. According to REBT, our cognition, emotions, and behavior are connected. In order to understand the impact of events and situations that people encounter throughout life, it’s essential to look at the beliefs people hold about these experiences and the emotions that arise as a result of those beliefs....

Selected Sigmund Freud Quotes “No one who, like me, conjures up the most evil of those half-tamed demons that inhabit the human breast, and seeks to wrestle with them, can expect to come through the struggle unscathed.” –From Dora: An Analysis of a Case of Hysteria, 1905 “The ego is not master in its own house.” –From A Difficulty in the Path of Psycho-Analysis, 1917 “Devout believers are safeguarded in a high degree against the risk of certain neurotic illnesses; their acceptance of the universal neurosis spares them the task of constructing a personal one....

Everyone makes mistakes, but learning how to learn from these errors, let go, move on, and forgive yourself is important for mental health and well-being. Learn more about why self-forgiveness can be beneficial and explore some steps that may help you become better at forgiving your own mistakes. How to Forgive Yourself Self-forgiveness is not about letting yourself off the hook, nor is it a sign of weakness. The act of forgiveness, whether you are forgiving yourself or someone who has wronged you, does not suggest that you are condoning the behavior....

Emotional intelligence (sometimes referred to as “emotional quotient” or “EQ”) is essential to basically every aspect of life. In fact, many experts now believe that EQ may actually be more important than IQ in determining overall success in life. As such, having low EQ or low emotional intelligence can negatively impact not only your interpersonal relationships but also your mental and physical health. When someone has a low EQ, there are many ways it can present itself....