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Lately a common news topic is mass murder/suicide. With the media reporting shootings about once a month (lately sometimes more), we are left with anguish, heartbreak, anger, confusion and fear. Besides grief, the aftermath always includes the questions of why it happened and how it could have been prevented or foreseen. [More]

If you are suffering from a so-called psychosomatic disorder, you know how deflating it can be to go to the doctor and be told the problem is in your head. Unfortunately, this experience gives people the false impression that there symptoms are not real. In this video podcast, learn how to contextualize so-called psychosomatic issues in a western medicine world. [More]

The science of happiness has been increasingly gaining public attention in recent years as researchers are trying to delineate the specific determinants of individual sense of well-being or life satisfaction. What constitutes human happiness has long been considered to be subjective but recent studies are showing that it might not be entirely so. [More]

In February of 2014, a rape accusation of one of the great patriarchs of the 1980’s resurfaced. News casters and reporters were revisiting Bill Cosby, otherwise known as Heathcliff Huxtable’s past accusations of sexual assault against multiple women. Since 2005, women have come forth alleging that Mr. Cosby violated them. Some of the events stemmed as far back as 1970’s but weren’t brought to light until 2005. Mr. Cosby, a man that many perceive as a jovial, loving, fun father figure has recently been characterized as a “monster” who admittedly gave Quaaludes to women with the intent to have sex with them. [More]

Paid your dues in therapy, but still not sure if your ‘issues’ are getting any better? Sometimes we get so focused on what is going wrong, we don’t know what feeling better looks like. In this video, learn about the neural mechanisms that underscore wellbeing and the universal marker for health: integration. [More]

Although the brain is complex, it requires regular maintenance in order to operate at its full capacity. Mindfulness is likened to closing the apps running in the background on a smart phone in order to increase speed and performance. Slowing down and living in the moment can actually improve the function of the mind, body, and overall life experience (Albeinz & Holmes, 2000). [More]

A new study in the June issue of Emotion found a connection between people with the short version of gene 5-HTTLPR and a more significant sense of humor. The study looked at 336 adults, showing them humorous comics and film clips, and rating the participants intensities of smiles or laughter. Those with the shorter alleles had more intense reactions of laughter or smiles and rated the comics or film clips as funnier than those with the longer alleles of the same gene. In past research, the 5-HTTLPR gene has been linked to regulating serotonin, a neurotransmitter that is thought to be related to mood fluctuations. [More]

It all began in 2009 -2010 when four students and a recent graduate from Henry M. Gunn High School in Palo Alto, California killed themselves over a seven-month period. In just five years, the tragedy ensued and was followed by another four suicide victims this year. When a recent graduate from Gunn High killed himself on the tracks near East Meadow Drive in Palo Alto, another student ended his life the same way in less than three weeks after. Two and half months later, a senior killed himself followed by another suicide committed by a sophomore from Palo Alto High School (Kapp, 2015). [More]

How much power and influence do humans have when it comes to their healing? Is it luck, an individual’s own fierce determination and attitude, or what religion calls ‘God’s will’? The long-standing debate continues. Recently, however, three stories were presented to the media that shine more light on the discussion, reflecting great power within consciousness. [More]

Syracuse, NY native Ronnie Brower has managed to lose 425 pounds in just under two years. Not only is this feat amazing for the amount of weight loss, but it is a testament to Brower’s hard work as he lost the weight through old fashioned exercise and eating well. Two years ago, Brower was faced with news that his weight of almost 700 pounds could mean death before reaching the age of 30. Well Brower just celebrated his 30th birthday, and he did so over 400 pounds lighter, reaching his goal of 250 pounds. Along his journey, Brower often cited Taylor Swift’s songs as his inspiration as he continued to put in long hours at the gym. [More]