“The plant’s notability comes from its ability to survive in lower light and drought-tolerant conditions. It also has a natural resistance to many pests and diseases,” Pangborn tells mbg. Native to the temperate conditions of Japan and China, the Aspidistra elatior has been a popular houseplant around the world for ages. “The nickname for the cast iron plant emerged alongside its rise in popularity during the Regency era,” Pangborn explains. “It continued to reign as one of the most popular houseplants in the Victorian era....

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....

That’s why we’re here to talk about the two most common retinoids for acne-prone skin: adapalene and tretinoin. Don’t fret; most don’t have but a clue what they are, let alone what they’re good for. And if you’ve done a quick Google search on either of the two, you might feel slightly afraid at the thought of applying these powerful ingredients to your skin. But the truth is, they’re actually not that scary—as long as you use quality formulas and use them appropriately....

Here’s what to know about the popular adaptogen and exactly how to use it to find calm.* It is one of the most revered plant medicines in Ayurveda, a natural system of medicine originating in India more than 3,000 years ago. Today, many people refer to ashwagandha as an “adaptogen,” meaning it can increase our body’s power to adapt to and counter various stressors, but in traditional Ayurveda, it is known as a “rasayana” or a “rejuvenator....

We asked sex experts Alexandra Stockwell, M.D., and Goody Howard, LMSW, MPH, for details about the auralistic fetish and how you can lean into making all of your senses sexy. It’s not exactly clear when the term was coined, though getting hot off of your partner’s sounds of enjoyment isn’t new. Notably, though, there has been increased interest around sensual audio experiences in recent years, from audio porn to ASMR. Stockwell attributes the trend to the general turn toward placing more focus on the female sexual experience and what turns women on....

The Mirror, the original wall-mounted home gym, hit the fitness scene in 2018. Since then, brands have continued to launch innovative takes on the newest home gym essential. The game-changing equipment can bring your favorite aspects of an in-studio workout to your living room, or pack the power of a personal trainer with smart A.I. that corrects your form in real time. Below, we unpack the pros and cons of the current workout mirrors available on the market—and tap experts for their take on the smart workout equipment....

We’re talking about blind pimples. You know, those large, inflamed, painful pimples under the skin? These can be particularly uncomfortable and oftentimes more difficult to treat than their more low-key cousins like blackheads, for example. There are many nuances to these breakouts that derms need you to know, so here we go. You can get cystic pimples on every area of the face, neck, back, and perhaps other parts of the body too—but they’re most common on the face....