Monthly Archives: July 2010
Orientation & Choice
When people debate about topics such as same sex marriage and ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ the discussion inevitably turns to whether being a homosexual is a matter of choice or not.When discussing the matter of choice, it is important to distinguish between sexual orientation and sexual behavior. Laying aside the broader metaphysical question of choice, sexual behavior seems to be primarily a matter of choice. That is, the sort of sexual activities a person actually engages in are (with notable exceptions such as being the victim of rape) are consciously selected by that person.”
Via Talking Philosophy
Ecology of the Mind
Ecology of the Mind:
“‘It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society.’
J Krishnamurti
For thousands of generations we humans grew up in nature. Our teachers were flora and fauna and our textbooks thunderstorms and stars in the night sky. Our minds were like the forests, oases and deltas around which our cultures germinated: chaotic, wild, fecund.
But in the last couple generations, we have largely abandoned the natural world, immersing ourselves in virtual realms. Today the synthetic environment rivals nature as a driving force in o”
Surviving Menopause
“Experts recommend a few simple habits anyone can use to cope with hot flashes. Keep a glass of water by the bed; drinking water can cool down night sweats. Dress in layers, learn to recognize the sign of an impending hot flash (it feels like a surge of adrenaline), and react by dressing down. Make sure you’re getting adequate calcium, magnesium, and vitamin D, which not only prevent osteoporosis but reduce hot flashes. If nothing works and your hot flashes are so bad they’re interfering with daily activities or preventing you from sleeping, you may need to consider hormone therapy.”
(Via Caring.com.)
Early Alzheimer’s identification method discovered
Early Alzheimer’s identification method discovered:
“Abnormal brain images combined with examination of the composition of the fluid that surrounds the spine may offer the earliest signs identifying healthy older adults at risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, well before cognitive problems emerge, a study by researchers at UC Davis has found. ”
‘Our findings indicate that a distinctive pattern of imaging and biomarker deviations from typical adults may be an early warning sign of neurobiological pathology and an early sign of Alzheimer’s disease,’ said Laurel Beckett, a professor of public health sciences at UC Davis and the lead study author. ‘By the time people get diagnosed with Alzh”
(Via Science Daily.)
Out of the body or out of the mind?
Out of the body or out of the mind?:
“NEAR-DEATH experiences are often reported by patients who have been exposed to severe trauma, such as cardiac arrest, and who have been close to death but subsequently resuscitated. Features of the NDE include buzzing noises, a deep sense of peace, passing through a tunnel into a bright light and meeting people who have died combined with a strong sense of the validity of the experience.
Another commonly reported aspect of the NDE is an out of body experience (OBE) in which the body is viewed from above and ”
(Via The Irish Times.)
31 Instant Health Boosters
31 Instant Health Boosters:
“Try one of these tips each day — you’ll feel better and get fitter and smarter in just one month.
By Heather Hurlock
1. Give lip service.
Thirty minutes of making out can improve allergy symptoms. Research shows that kissing reduces the amount of chemicals your body releases in response to allergens.
2. Turn up the heat on your sheets.
Bedding contains thousands of dust mites that can irritate sensitive skin and exacerbate eczema, according to a new study. Wash sheets in H2O that’s at le”
(Via www.fitnessmagazine.com.)
Bad Relationships
“Being and dealing with bad relationships is a very painful experience. The following article will provide you some tips of recognizing and then dealing with bad relationships effectively.
In a fantasy world, people get in a relationship because they fall in love with someone and cannot survive without him/her. In the real and practical world, people get in relationship for two reasons. One is because they are aware that they will have minimum adjustment problems with the other person, and they know they have a few things in common which is why they won’t have to curb their ‘self’. They also know that they wouldn’t have to face fights that happen every now and then due to nature differences. And the second reason is exactly the opposite, people find another person who is exactly opposite to them, they find him/her interesting and subconsciously take it as a challenge to live happily”
(Via Buzzle.)
Can Aspirin Prolong A Healthy Life?
Can Aspirin Prolong A Healthy Life?
The Aspirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly (ASPREE) study aims to assess whether aspirin can not only prolong life, but a life free of physical disability and/or dementia for healthy older people.
According to Dr. Raj Shah, assistant professor of family medicine at the Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center and an ASPREE investigator, “Aspirin is one of the most commonly used medicines in the world. Whether the benefits of taking aspirin to maintain a life free of disability in an older person outweigh the risk of bleeding is a critically important health question to answer.”
