Om your marks, get set, O. Tantra itself is an ancient spiritual practice with roots in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jain traditions that’s thousands of years old. Today, “tantra as we know it is a heart-centered, embodied spiritual practice that embraces every aspect of life and says, ‘This could be a path or vehicle to enlightenment,’” explains Barbara Carrellas ACS, AASECT, author of Urban Tantra: Sacred Sex for the 21st Century. Walking the dog, doing your homework, and navigating traffic can all be done tantrically....

Given our society’s general overstimulation through technology, it may take more to keep your interest because you’re used to being distracted fairly easily. For some, it might mean a lack of connection to things that help you feel stimulated, purposeful, or motivated. Boredom may also be a defense mechanism used to protect yourself from more unpleasant, distressing, or activating emotions. For others, a chronic disengagement of attention could be a symptom of a larger depressive pattern....

“Sixty to 80% of our immune system is in our gut and is known as the gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT),” registered dietitian Ella Davar, R.D., CDN, previously told mbg. That means that more than half of your immune system relies on a healthy gut, so keeping your gut microbiome balanced with probiotic foods and drinks, like ACV, is especially important for fighting off colds. While there haven’t been any studies that directly connect apple cider vinegar with immunity specifically, research published in Synthetic and Systems Microbiology in 2018 stated that probiotics, in general, are effective for fighting off colds3 and flu-like respiratory infections because they nourish the immune system....

Over time, the stones became associated with the 12 astrological signs, and eventually the 12 months of the year. Then, in the early 1900s, the National Association of Jewelers made the 12 birthstones official. Today, they’re most often gifted on birthdays, holidays, anniversaries, and more. And, fun fact—they’re actually the official 60th-anniversary gift, which is as high as the official list goes—indicating their lasting strength. “Aries and Taurus (the zodiac signs of April) often already have a beautifully developed sense of self and willpower, but they can also be famously stubborn,” Van Doren notes....

If you want to get into the nitty-gritty details, here’s some of the recent research: Here are a few insights from the research: That’s not a good thing—it means our culture has an even longer way to go before an attitude of sexual acceptance and celebration truly becomes the norm. Some research shows people view women who’ve slept with a ton of people as less confident than they do women who’ve slept with fewer partners....

Practically every facet of our culture has some sort of galactic or futuristic element (perhaps due to the rise of the metaverse?). During a recent chat at Condé Nast, Kim Kardashian described her personal style as “Future Alien Barbie.” Model Bella Hadid had a dress literally sprayed on her body during the Coperni show at Paris Fashion Week. Scroll through your social media feeds, and you’ll see a slew of “chromecore” looks that practically scream Space Age....

The ingredient has been around for thousands of years, relevant in many cultures, so it at the very least has ample anecdotal evidence. But can it actually stimulate hair growth at the hair follicle? Well, that might not be as straightforward as it seems—however, that doesn’t mean it’s not a valuable addition to your hair care routine. Along with unsaturated fatty acids like linoleic acid, the key to black seed oil’s impressive benefits is mostly thanks to the chemical compound thymoquinone....