Optimising Your Skin Microbiome…

Your parents probably nagged you to clean behind your ears, between your toes and your bellybutton….

Well it now turns out, there may be some science backing this…

Scientists hypothesised that these often missed areas are associated with a narrower and less healthy microbiome diversity (the population of microbes that reside on the skin)

A team from the George Washington University Computational Biology Institute took 129 graduate and undergraduate students and collected samples from their calves and forearms, behind their ears, between their toes and in their navels.

They then sequenced the DNA in these skin samples, comparing the oily, neglected areas to the samples taken from dry, cleaner areas.

The results showed that the areas that were more regularly cleaned had a much more diverse microbiome, containing a potentially healthier collection of microbes than the neglected areas. 

Dry skin regions (forearms and calves) were more even, richer, and functionally distinct than sebaceous (behind ears) and moist (belly button and between toes) regions.

So clean your forbidden holes and spots more regularly… because science!

Could Chilli Treat

Diabetes and Obesity? 

Capsaicin, the chemical that provides the spicy punch in chillis, is already used in skin creams and patches to relieve neuropathic or “nerve” pain.

It does this by desensitising the nerves in the regions where it is applied, this causing an analgesic effect for a few hours.

The capsaicin acts by binding to TRPV1 receptors and provides the feeling of heat and pain,

but interestingly, TRPV1 receptors are also found in fat tissue, the immune system and liver cells!

Activating these regions with capsaicin has been shown in rodents to reduce body fat, blood pressure, blood glucose and cholesterol levels in rodents and even increase body heat production and lower inflammation levels.

Granted, rodent physiology is different to humans but this promising research has earned the right to be investigated more to see if we could yield more beneficial effects relating to metabolism in humans!

Halluocinogens for Depression?

Psilocybin – the hallucinogenic agent that is found in “magic mushrooms” has been involved in the renaissance of psychedelic research over the last 20 years

and there is a growing body of studies that suggests that psilocybin can reduce symptoms of conditions like major depressive disorder, anxiety, and end-of-life distress.

A recent randomised trial study published in JAMA revealed that a single dose of synthetic psilocybin (25mg) in combination with psychological support in patients with major depressive disorder was associated with a rapid and sustained antidepressant effect compared with placebo.

Psilocybin and other psychedelics have been taboo topics for decades and mostly still are, but more research citing their therapeutic effects in mental health could start to melt down this stigma..

particularly, as the rates of mental health conditions show no signs of slowing down.

What You Should Read:

“Mafia Queens of Mumbai” 

by Hussain Zaidi and Jane Borges

On my recent trip to Mumbai one of my friends took me on a culinary tour through some of the backstreets of south Mumbai to eat some of the most off the beaten path street foods.

We passed by a neighbourhood called Nagpada, which my friend said was one of the most notorious gang districts in Mumbai.

When you think of crime in Mumbai you imagine mustachioed male gangsters…but the Mafia Queens Of Mumbai take a detour from this rhetoric and takes you on a journey through the real life story of 13 female gangsters who were involved in the highest level of criminal activities!

What You Should Watch:

The Pope’s Exorcist

On my flights from London to Mumbai, I always like to watch one movie before I progress into my slumber..

What better than a horror movie starring Russell Crowe.

Although Russell Crowe’s Italian accent left a lot to be desired, I did weirdly enjoy this movie about demons, possessions and exorcisms. One of my favourite genres (I’m biased).

It got me thinking about real life exorcisms and “demonic possessions” in general.

Where is the line between science, mental health conditions and the supernatural?

There have been numerous cases of those consigned to punitive practices and “exorcisms” in the name of religion that have left those suffering with severe mental health conditions even worse off, or in the worst case scenarios.. dead (ref to the real life story of Emily Rose).

But what of the cases where a possession seems too hard to ignore?

A person who can speak new languages or “tongues” without prior exposure or showing other worldly signs that simple science can’t explain?

I’ve always maintained that perhaps the supernatural is science we have yet to explain…

After all, it was only several hundred years ago that before the advent of microscopes, we thought bacterial illness was the result of curses from the gods!

Being Bored

In the 1600s, Blaise Pascal said

“all of humanity's problems stem from man's inability to sit alone in a room”

Do we have a problem being bored?

With the countless social media notifications, news headlines, streaming apps, Whatsapp messages and emails we receive, we are constantly inundated with a deluge of notifications.

Our attention is seemingly never spared.

However, being bored is one of the few moments that allow us to fuel our creativity –

our best ideas often come when driving to work, having a shower and doing banal chores.

Time to get back your focus and learn to be bored.