But with so many popular iterations of IF out there, each with potential perks and pitfalls, you may find yourself wondering which option—if any—is right for you, or if it’s even safe. The truth is, this area of science is still young—many IF studies have been done on rodents or small sample sizes of people—and there’s a lot that needs to be verified with further research. But that said, many reputable experts we’ve spoken to do see a potential benefit to various forms of intermittent fasting for most people—when done responsibly and in a way that’s in tune with your goals and current health status....

While buying organic kale is one way to avoid pesticide consumption, some people have floated the idea that it may still contain toxic heavy metals. Recent research hasn’t backed up the claims, but without a proper understanding, the statements may sound scary. To help make sense of it, let’s talk heavy metals: where they come from, what to do about them, and what it all means for our kale consumption. Arsenic is predominantly found in its organic form in rice, other grains, and vegetables....

This was my experience, over and over, until I started to see my relationships from a different perspective. Romantic relationships can be counted upon, more than any other challenge, to bring up all your “stuff.” You know, your baggage. So, when you and your significant other are triggered—when those old wounds will come up—it’s not necessarily because those relationships are wrong or that person isn’t a fit for you. It’s for the purpose of healing....

Stress dreams, adds professional dream analyst Lauri Loewenberg, are often more frustrating than truly frightening, particularly if they’re recurring. And according to both her and Ellis, nightmares are more likely to wake you up in a panic. A stress dream can be about anything remotely bothersome and even ordinary, whereas a nightmare tends to be “gruesome or life-threatening, and are frequently related to trauma,” Ellis notes. Stress dreams are often “fast-paced and go nowhere, like a hamster on a wheel,” she adds....

This week, a frightening study1 from Michigan State University found teen girls who have sexual experiences online were more likely to experience sexual assault, engage in unsafe sex, and find themselves in a violent relationship. The online sexual experiences included things like posting sexual photos of themselves on social media, watching porn, having conversations about sex with people online, and getting solicited for nudes and sex from strangers online. Even the lead researcher behind the study, MSU human development and family studies professor Megan Maas, Ph....

In our brain-imaging work, we began by looking for patterns that could help us diagnose and treat mental health conditions, such as ADHD, depression, bipolar disorder, and anxiety. But as we studied more and more scans, we also realized that certain brain patterns corresponded to personality types. Based on our research, we have identified five primary brain types that influence who you are, how you behave, and how you relate to others....

All that considered, the way we wake up is just as important as the hours of sleep we’re getting. Studies have shown that waking up naturally with the sunrise can regulate your circadian rhythm and improve the quality of your sleep1. Unfortunately, this kind of natural wake-up call isn’t always possible, especially if you have blackout curtains or a windowless bedroom (hello, city apartments). Sunrise alarm clocks, otherwise known as wake-up lamps or dawn simulation clocks, help you wake up gradually, with warm, natural light instead of sound....