Posts

Vaping cannabis could put teens at greater risk for lung damage than smoking cigarettes and marijuana, or even vaping nicotine products, according to a study in the Journal of Adolescent Health. Key Takeaways Teens who vape cannabis may be at greater risk for respiratory symptoms than those who smoke cigarettes or marijuana, a recent study found.This type of vaping could put adolescents at higher risk than vaping nicotine as well.Researchers haven’t pinpointed why e-marijuana would have this effect, but it’s important for smokers to know that vaping cannabis isn’t the safer choice....

What Are Synthetic Drugs? Synthetic drugs are chemical drugs made in laboratories. While some of them are produced for medicinal reasons, many have no medicinal use and only exist because of their psychedelic and psychoactive effects. Many synthetic drugs simulate the feeling you get when you use illegal drugs, such as cocaine or marijuana. Here’s what you should know about synthetic drugs and why using them can pose a threat to your overall well-being....

To understand what these scores really mean, it is essential to look at exactly how these test scores are calculated. Today, many IQ tests are standardized, and scores are derived by comparing individual performance against the norm for people in that age group. An IQ test is an assessment that measures a range of cognitive abilities and provides a score that is intended to serve as a measure of an individual’s intellectual abilities and potential....

What Is Gender Expansiveness? It can manifest in many forms, and a person can be expansive in their gender at some times but not at others. Gender expansiveness is not a gender identity in and of itself, but rather a term that can be used to describe people and the ways they express themselves. A person who is gender expansive may be of any sexuality and any gender identity. Gender expansiveness is an umbrella term for any expression of gender that falls outside of society’s current gender binary standards....

Sometimes when life gets hard, you might think, I want to disappear. Maybe your life feels too heavy with the injustices in the world, maybe you are overwhelmed with everything you need to do, or maybe you wish a relationship you were in looked different. If you’re feeling depressed and in a downward cycle of rumination, you may be feeling like you can’t do anything right and wish you could only disappear before you mess even more up....

Hanukkah is just around the corner, and that includes lighting the menorah, playing dreidel, and indulging in some tasty chocolate gelt. Another great way to celebrate with the whole family is by frying up some latkes, cuddling up with a cozy blanket, and watching your favorite feel-good movies. Hanukkah, or the Festival of Lights, is an eight-day celebration filled with hope, renewal, and time with family. So, if you are looking for a few relevant movies to share with your family this season, you won’t have to look far....

Teenagers are often chastised for always being on their phones as if it is a bad thing. A recently published study in Clinical Psychological Science found minimal evidence for an increased association between technology use among adolescents and mental health issues over the past 30 years. Key Takeaways There has been minimal to no increase in associations between technology usage among teenagers and mental health challenges, based on almost three decades of research in the US and the UK....

The first breast milk that your baby receives after birth is colostrum. Colostrum is concentrated and produced in small amounts, so it doesn’t make your breasts feel full. The change from colostrum to the creamy transitional milk that fills your breasts takes a few days. This usually starts at approximately the third day postpartum, but for some women, the process is delayed. Why Your Milk Hasn’t Come In If any of these apply to you, you might notice that your milk doesn’t come in by day three or four after birth....

Pregnancy can be hot. In fact, research has shown that a pregnant person’s blood volume increases by 45% on average. The effort it takes to carry around an extra 20 to 30 pounds means your pregnant body is bound to get hot because of all the work it is expending. All of that work means that you might sweat more and dehydrate more easily. Even your heart has to work harder....

Vaping has grown in popularity—especially among teens and young adults. One of the newest trends impacting this growing vape culture is the desire to vape cannabidiol (CBD) oil. However, vaping CBD oil poses many health risks. Learn more about the potential side effects and hazards of vaping CBD oil and other ways of getting the potential benefits of CBD. Why People Vape CBD Oil Part of the draw to CBD oil in areas where marijuana has been legalized is the fact that it has been touted as helping treat a host of medical problems....

AAPI communities have experienced more anti-Asian racism since the start of COVID-19. To cope with this violence, fantasy books from Asian authors may provide a temporary reprieve for members of AAPI communities. Key Takeaways The COVID-19 pandemic has brought an increase in targeting for members of the AAPI communities. Fantasy literature from Asian authors may provide a unique opportunity for AAPI communities to heal. Authentic representation in literature can foster resilience for members of the AAPI communities....

Puberty is a tough time for tweens, but it can be even more upsetting for a tween when all of his or her friends have developed, but they haven’t. Delayed puberty presents a variety of challenges to both children and parents, but it’s a challenge that can be tackled together. A tween who is experiencing delayed puberty may feel like something is wrong with them. Even worse, a classmate who makes a negative comment could cause additional stress and concern....

You might have read an article or seen research citing something called the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study (ABCD). You may be wondering what it is and why it’s so widely cited. The ABCD study is the largest long-term research on brain development and child health in the United States. It follows children from the onset of adolescence through early adulthood, aiming to pinpoint how their experiences affect their development. This information can then be used to shape programs, policies, and recommendations....

When you’re pregnant and thinking about what labor will be like, you’re probably not expecting to go into premature labor. Most pregnancies progress to full term without issue. However, unfortunately, sometimes complications do arise. This is why it’s important to watch for signs of preterm labor and get regular prenatal care, which may include certain diagnostic tests to make sure your baby is as healthy as can be. The fetal fibronectin (fFN) test is a diagnostic tool that healthcare providers use to determine the risk for preterm labor....

When it comes to workplace bullying, there are no quick fixes. But there are some things you can do to confront the behavior. The top three things you can do include taking care of yourself, addressing the bullying and seeking outside support. Here are some ideas on how this can be accomplished. 1. Take Care of Yourself Learn to recognize bullying. When you realize that you are being bullied, you will be less likely to blame yourself or take responsibility for something that isn’t your fault....

Kids of all ages can misbehave, act out, and have sleep issues as a result of a disruption in their routine. Most people don’t like their routine upended, but adults are better able to find creative ways to manage chaos and continue on with life. This is not always as easy for kids. Since hiding in the bathroom from your child for more than five minutes is not an option, you might be wondering how you can teach your child to manage their emotions, while also helping them feel calm and secure....

If you are newly pregnant, had a miscarriage before, or know someone who has a miscarriage, you may be concerned about your odds of having a miscarriage. Unfortunately, miscarriages are incredibly common, especially early in pregnancy. Approximately one in every three to five pregnancies ends in miscarriage. Your exact risk of having a miscarriage varies based on your genetics, environment, and other factors. When reading about miscarriage statistics, it is important to remember that these figures are just numbers....

Watching your daughter suffer at the hands of an abusive person is a painful experience for any parent. Naturally, you want to intervene and put an end to the relationship. But that is easier said than done. And, it may not be the safest route for her either. Although wanting to help is a natural reaction, try to limit your advice. Your daughter needs to make the decision to break up on her own time....

Internalizing behaviors are common among depressed children. These behaviors are quiet and often invisible because they are generally not disruptive to others, unlike externalizing behaviors. Typical Internalizing Behaviors Examples of internalizing behaviors include: Being nervous or irritableBeing withdrawnEating more or less than usualFeeling afraidFeeling lonelyFeeling sadFeeling unloved or unwantedHaving concentration problemsHeadaches, stomachaches, and other physical symptoms that are not related to any physical illnessNot talking Sleeping more or less than usual While these behaviors are similar to those seen in children with depression, they do not necessarily mean your child is depressed....

Welcome to Verywell’s Child Development Guide. Your children’s growth, needs, and challenges change quickly over the years—and your parenting concerns develop right along with them. Shifting your parenting strategies to keep up with your child’s growth is a big task, but it’s important to consider your child’s health and wellness needs at every age and stage of development. In this guide, you’ll learn how to help your children thrive as they grow physically, mentally, and emotionally....