And what hummingbirds may lack in size, they make up for in tenacity, she explains, noting that these birds are fierce and known to attack intruders with their long, pointy beaks and fast-beating wings. They can even drive away much larger birds, and because of this, “they were once honored in both myth and history as courageous and lively warriors,” she tells mbg. Before we break down a few more specific meanings behind this animal, it’s worth noting that you should always take your personal associations with any animal into account when trying to interpret its message for you....

With pregnancy comes many choices regarding your lifestyle and health. (These, of course, are between you and your doctor—and as long as your health care practitioner thinks you and the baby are healthy, that’s all that matters.) But a big part of this is diet: As there are many challenges with conducting studies on pregnant women, the research regarding what diet is best limited. However, the scientific consensus is that if you are otherwise healthy, sticking to a nutritious vegan diet is fine1....

Read on for the pros and cons of dairy in your diet. Below, we’ll explore different types of dairy, factors to look for in order to add the most benefits to your diet, and helpful tools to learn if dairy is right for you. You’re not alone. Approximately 65% of adults are genetically lactose intolerant, rising to 70-100% for folks of east asian descent. Lactose intolerance can also develop after damage to the small intestine, such as Crohn’s disease or Celiac disease....

Both products can easily be placed on top of your mattress for added plushness, cushioning, and support, but each has its own best-use cases. To help you decide whether a mattress pad or mattress topper will best suit your needs, we spoke with experts and dove deeper into the mattress pad vs. mattress topper decision. Below, learn more about the difference between these two sleep-supporting products, and find our picks for the best mattress pads and the best mattress toppers....

While I’ve opened the (freezer) door to a few frozen staples that make it easier to eat a nutrient-packed meal on a budget—like frozen fruits and vegetables—I still adamantly avoid the frozen food section at my local grocery store. You won’t catch me munching on a late-night frozen pizza or mac ’n’ cheese, as they’ve always tasted subpar to the items that I could cook myself. I’ve never been happier to eat my words (literally)....

Thanks to neuroplasticity, it is possible for the brain to change and learn. And contrary to popular belief, neuroplasticity isn’t something that infants have a monopoly on or that you suddenly lose one day. Instead, it’s normal brain function and a fascinating cognitive ability, waiting to be shaped by your life experiences. Curious? Read on to learn about neuroplasticity, plus how to exercise it through lifestyle changes and key brain nutrition strategies, including supplements....

Pheromones are famously thought to increase sexual desire, among other subliminal effects on human behavior, says psychologist Dana McNeil, PsyD, LMFT. They “act as an agent of change” encouraging certain behaviors, she explains, though those may include survival-related behaviors like sensing predators, locating nearby food, or engaging in other protective mannerisms, in addition to potentially influencing the desire to seek out intimacy and sexual activity. Importantly, Shafipour notes research still hasn’t proved whether humans actually have pheromones and just how they might influence human sexual response....