The National Institute of Drug Abuse for Teens says that one drop of nicotine in its pure form is toxic enough to kill. Though concentrations of nicotine in cigarettes are much weaker, they are still potent enough to cause life-threatening...
Feeling the grind of a workout is not always indicative of a mind over matter issue. In fact, muscle pain and fatigue are often symptoms of underlying conditions that are magnified during muscle stress. A tablespoon of organic, unpasteurized and...
There are at least as many diet books on the market as there are special diets, all promising the keys to weight loss and a healthier life. Remember that the key to weight loss is consuming fewer calories than you burn during the day, but that...
Yoga in any form is an effective low-impact exercise that can have positive effects on your blood pressure, stress level and mood. Bikram yoga, also called hot yoga, is a series of yoga poses performed in a room heated to 100 degrees or more. It's...
Joint pain caused by arthritis affects more than 46 million Americans, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The crippling disease is caused by overuse, aging and trauma. There is no cure for rheumatoid or osteoarthritis;...
In "Meditation and the Martial Arts," Michael L. Raposa notes that the martial arts simply utilize common forms of meditation and implement those techniques as a component of training. The Chinese thought of martial arts as a pathway to spiritual...
Nicotine--a compound found in tobacco--is among the most commonly used drugs in America. Approximately one in five Americans over the age of 19 identify as cigarette smokers, according to a 2009 survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control...
Hunger pains may make you uncomfortable, but they're not harmful and don't have any harmful side effects. Hunger pains can lead to embarrassment from a growling stomach and can also lead to overeating if you eat to stop them without thinking...
Nicotine---the addictive compound in tobacco products---is responsible for the physical and psychological effects of cigarettes, cigars and pipe tobacco. Nicotine directly affects parts of the brain responsible for memory, mood and other...
Brazilian jiu-jitsu reflects the physical, mental and spiritual states of its practitioners. The martial art relies not only on strategy and physical stamina, but also a sense of inner grace that allows room for defeat without retribution....
The concept of "cutting weight" for an amateur wrestler to fall within the parameters for his weight class is nothing new. A common practice among wrestlers is to lose weight quickly before a weigh-in for a match, and then gain some back before...
It's hard to say exactly how many calories you burn doing Yoga versus Pilates. Although the routines are different, Yoga and Pilates have a lot in common, namely their emphasis on mind over matter. Although neither activity is "easy," they're both...
If you're ready to make the transition from couch potato to fit and trim, you've already taken the first step -- making the decision. But there's much more to getting fit than just mind over matter. Getting your body in top physical shape can take...
Increased heart rate, or tachycardia, can be caused by a variety of substances, and many of them can be found in your everyday life in foods or drinks. Other chemicals that can increase your heart rate can be purchased -- illegally -- without any...
Most wrestlers focus almost all of their training on the physical skills they need to win a wrestling match, but if two wrestlers with equal skills meet on the mat, the bout will be decided by the wrestler who is mentally tougher. The right...
Aikido is a martial arts sport that relies totally on defensive body movements. No offensive moves are allowed in the sport, which aims to align the chi, or center of the spiritual body, with the physical placement of your hands, feet and torso....
Avid cyclers often say that there is no other way to train for cycling than to ride longer and faster. Most sports trainers insist on cross training for a number of reasons. The mental advantages of cross training relieves the possibility of...
Marijuana is a plant with psychoactive (mind-altering) properties that targets the central nervous system and alters the brain's ability to communicate between neurons, which is the body's information processing system. Although marijuana comes...
Toxin scares have a lot of popular traction. The idea is deceptively plausible: Polluted air and prepared foods fill your body with so many toxins that without regularly cleansing your system you're doomed to a short, miserable life. Not only is...
Whether raised or flat, alone or in packs, on your hands or on your feet, warts are unsightly and you want them gone. But before you head to the doctor for surgery or to the drug store for over-the-counter remedies, try a home remedy. It'll be...
In spite of the media attention on the health risks of smoking, teenagers still smoke. According to Bloomberg's Businessweek, 20 percent of teenagers smoke. Even though smoking is not allowed at school and many buildings and malls are smoke-free...
Smoking is the most preventable cause of death in the United States. According to 2010 information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, smoking kills over 443,000 people annually; it kills more people each year than car accidents,...
Diarrhea is characterized by frequent watery or loose stools. Diarrhea can be caused from a wide variety of factors, physical or otherwise. The most basic cause of diarrhea is the insufficient absorption of water in the large intestine. This...
The challenges that come with an attempt to lose weight can prevent an overweight or obese person from shedding pounds that could increase their risk for serious and life-threatening illnesses such as certain cancers, high cholesterol, high blood...
Adult weight-loss camps in Texas draw clients from throughout the country and the world. From yoga to high-impact aerobics, a Texas retreat will start you on the process of breaking bad habits and forming healthier routines of exercise and diet....
Dieting is a dreadful word. Just the sound of it makes many want to run into a corner, fearful of the restrictions the word insinuates. But imagine having a strategy in place, a game plan that sets you up for success rather than failure. This...
Does smoking make you tired? To answer this question accurately, you have to look at two different time frames. Nicotine, one of the ingredients in cigarettes, is a stimulant, and having a cigarette gives smokers an immediate boost. However, the...
As a Sanskrit term meaning vortex or wheel, chakra refers to the seven areas of energy that comprise consciousness. According to Tantric Buddhism, these chakra centers regulate circulation and continuity of energy through the mind and body, with...
Humans use a wide variety of different kinds of drugs for recreational purposes, as well as for ill-advised attempts at self-medication. Some drugs, such as alcohol, caffeine and nicotine, are legally sanctioned. Others are used illicitly. ...
