Thanks to a number of scientific studies and reviews, I now know that these health benefits are due to the unique pairing of two synergistic compounds: L-theanine and caffeine. And no surprise here, Buddhist monks discovered and harnessed matcha’s powerful cognitive effects long before I ever did. L-theanine is a less-known (but very up-and-coming) bioactive amino acid that’s especially concentrated in green tea. Both caffeine and L-theanine naturally have nootropic properties, which means they impart unique mechanisms and actions in the brain....

Here, we break down everything you need to know about the nutrients, cooking methods, and health benefits of lentils. Prebiotics, which may be just as important for your gut as probiotics, are what our friendly gut bacteria feed on. This type of fiber, also found in foods like beans, garlic, onions, jicama, and more, promotes the proliferation and survival of this good bacteria and keeps your microbiome happy. Maintaining good gut health can positively affect everything from your bowel movements to appetite regulation to mood....

The name comes from the idea that this alignment creates a “portal” for manifestations to take place, with “lion” coming from the sun in Leo. As astrologer and holistic psychiatrist Kayse Budd, M.D., notes, “During the Lion’s Gate portal, Sirius separates sufficiently from the sun to come into view. Since Sirius is the brightest star in our night sky, some ancient (and even current) mystics believed it infuses the earth with extra energy and light....

Melatonin has been a popular sleep aid in the U.S. for decades. Between 2007 and 2012, usage of the supplement more than doubled in America1, and millions of people now keep it at their bedside for sleepless nights. Magnesium’s entrance to the sleep market has been more recent, but initial research shows that this essential mineral could be a helpful tool for getting the mind and body ready for bed.* Here are the main differences between how these two readily available sleep aids work....

“It’s something that we characterize as happening between the ages of 40 and 60, maybe even 35 and 65 depending, and it’s just somebody feeling discontent with an aspect of their life and often taking some steps to remedy the discontent,” Yusim says. Those steps, adds psychotherapist Annette Nuñez, Ph.D., LMFT, are often drastic life changes, like starting a whole new career path or trying to retain (or reclaim) some sort of youthful behavior....

Add this one to the list: Orange peel skin. So what is this skin texture, what causes it, and what can you do about it? Below, our investigation. That’s the comparison for a very specific type of skin texture, colloquially called “orange peel skin.” This is not a dermatological diagnosis, we should note, merely a descriptor. “‘Orange peel skin’ is a phrase used to describe skin that resembles the peel of the orange....

“Last week I had sex once, but I had three orgasms,” says Madeline, 37. “We have two kids and jobs. We don’t have time to just throw down and get it on anymore. Wednesday night is our date night, and it works for us. The sex is great!” It’s time to ditch the obligation sex. Orgasm stacking is effective because it takes the pressure off “getting it in” and allows partners to really engage with each other during intimate moments....