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  • Meditation and Mental Health: The Surprising Benefits for Your Wellbeing

    Meditation and Mental Health: The Surprising Benefits for Your Wellbeing

    Introduction to Meditation and Mental Health

    Meditation has been practiced for thousands of years, originating from ancient Eastern cultures as a means to cultivate mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. In recent decades, the Western world has increasingly adopted meditation as a tool for improving mental health and overall wellbeing. The practice involves training your mind to focus, relax, and become more aware of your thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations. As the world grapples with rising rates of anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges, meditation has emerged as a powerful adjunctive therapy, offering a variety of benefits that can enhance mental health and promote a sense of wellbeing.

    Understanding Meditation

    Meditation is a broad term that encompasses a range of practices, including mindfulness meditation, loving-kindness meditation, transcendental meditation, and movement meditation, among others. At its core, meditation involves setting aside time to sit comfortably, close your eyes, and focus your mind on a particular object, thought, or activity. For beginners, this often starts with focusing on the breath, noticing when the mind wanders, and gently bringing it back without judgment. Regular practice can lead to a deeper understanding of oneself, reduced stress levels, and an improved ability to handle life’s challenges with grace and resilience.

    The Surprising Benefits for Mental Health

    The benefits of meditation on mental health are multifaceted and well-documented. Regular meditation practice has been shown to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, improve sleep quality, enhance cognitive functioning such as attention and memory, and boost the immune system. Meditation also promotes emotional regulation, allowing individuals to better manage their emotions and respond to stressful situations in a more thoughtful and less reactive manner. Furthermore, meditation cultivates self-awareness, enabling individuals to understand their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors more clearly, which is crucial for personal growth and development.

    Impact on Anxiety and Depression

    One of the most significant benefits of meditation is its impact on anxiety and depression. These are two of the most prevalent mental health disorders worldwide, characterized by persistent feelings of worry, fear, sadness, and loss of interest in activities. Meditation has been found to decrease the production of stress hormones like cortisol, leading to a reduction in the symptoms of anxiety and depression. By teaching the mind to stay present and focused on the current moment, rather than dwelling on the past or worrying about the future, meditation helps to break the cycle of negative thinking that often accompanies these conditions.

    Enhancing Cognitive Function

    Beyond its emotional benefits, meditation has a profound impact on cognitive function. Regular practice has been linked to improvements in attention, memory, and problem-solving abilities. Meditation helps to strengthen the neural networks within the brain, enhancing communication between different brain regions. This can lead to better performance in work and academic settings, as well as improved overall cognitive health. Furthermore, meditation has been shown to have neuroprotective effects, potentially reducing the risk of age-related cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s.

    Promoting Better Sleep

    Sleep is a critical component of mental health, with sleep disturbances often being a symptom or cause of various psychiatric conditions. Meditation can help improve sleep quality by reducing stress and anxiety, making it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep throughout the night. Regular meditation practice before bedtime can signal to the body that it is time to sleep, creating a healthy sleep routine. Improved sleep quality, in turn, can enhance mental health, lead to better mood regulation, and reduce the risk of developing mental health disorders.

    Cultivating Emotional Regulation

    Emotional regulation is the ability to manage and modulate emotional responses to various situations. Meditation cultivates this skill by increasing self-awareness and teaching the mind to observe emotions without judgment, rather than becoming overwhelmed by them. This can lead to more harmonious relationships, improved decision-making, and a reduced tendency to react impulsively to stressors. By learning to navigate emotions in a healthier way, individuals can develop resilience and better cope with life’s challenges.

    How to Incorporate Meditation into Your Life

    Incorporating meditation into daily life can be simple and accessible. Starting with short sessions, even just a few minutes a day, can be beneficial. Using guided meditation apps, joining a meditation group, or following meditation videos can provide structure and motivation for beginners. Finding a quiet, comfortable space to meditate and making it a consistent part of your daily routine, such as right after waking up or before bedtime, can help turn meditation into a sustainable habit.

    Conclusion

    Meditation offers a wide range of benefits for mental health and wellbeing, from reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression to enhancing cognitive function and promoting better sleep. By incorporating meditation into daily life, individuals can cultivate greater self-awareness, improve their emotional regulation, and develop resilience in the face of stress and adversity. As the world continues to navigate the complexities of mental health, the ancient practice of meditation stands as a powerful tool, available to anyone, anywhere, offering a pathway to improved mental health and a deeper sense of wellbeing.

    FAQs

    • Q: What is meditation, and how does it work?
      A: Meditation is a practice that involves training your mind to focus, relax, and become more aware of your thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations. It works by reducing stress, improving emotional regulation, and enhancing cognitive function, among other benefits.

    • Q: Do I have to be religious or spiritual to meditate?
      A: No, meditation is a practice that can be adapted to anyone’s beliefs and values. It is about cultivating mental and emotional wellbeing, and can be practiced by people of all religious and spiritual backgrounds.

    • Q: How often should I meditate to see benefits?
      A: The frequency of meditation can vary, but starting with daily practice, even if it’s just a few minutes, can be beneficial. Consistency is key, and as you continue, you can adjust the duration and frequency based on your needs and schedule.

    • Q: Can meditation help with specific mental health conditions?
      A: Yes, meditation has been shown to help with a variety of mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, PTSD, and substance abuse. It is often used as an adjunct to traditional therapies and treatments.

    • Q: How do I get started with meditation if I’m a beginner?
      A: You can start by using guided meditation apps, following meditation videos, or joining a meditation group. Finding a quiet, comfortable space and making meditation a part of your daily routine can help you get started and maintain your practice.

  • A Meditation to Rest Your Attention

    A Meditation to Rest Your Attention

    We live in a noisy world that’s constantly vying for our attention. But as teacher Sharon Salzberg reminds us, our attention is at its most potent when we’re able to rest and restore it.

    When we talk about attention, we often use active and extractive verbs: pay, give, court, leverage. In mindfulness, attention isn’t a commodity to be used; it’s a gift to be nurtured. What might it feel like to rest our attention? 

    This week, teacher Sharon Salzberg offers a guided meditation that’s down-to-earth and deeply restorative as we practice holding our awareness with the lightest touch possible

    A Meditation to Rest Your Attention

    Read and practice the guided meditation script below, pausing after each paragraph. Or listen to the audio practice.

    1.  In this meditation, you can sit comfortably or lie down. Close your eyes, or if you’re keeping them open, just find a spot in front of you to rest your gaze. 
    2. Center your attention on the feeling of the in and out breath, at the nostrils, at the chest, or at the abdomen. Just the normal, natural breath. 
    3. When I become silent, that’s the signal for you to put into practice what I’ve just suggested. 
    4. As you feel the sensations of the breath, you can make a very quiet mental notation of breath. With the in breath, and then again with the out breath. Maybe it’s once or maybe it’s twice that you silently repeat the word breath as you breathe in, breath as you breathe out. 
    5. Think breath when a thought or a feeling arises that’s strong enough to take your attention away from the breath. Simply note it silently as not breath: It’s not the breath and you can recognize it in just that way. So we have breath and we have not breath. 
    6. It’s important to understand that it doesn’t matter if it’s the most beautiful thought in the world or the most terrible thought in the world. It’s simply not the breath. You don’t have to judge yourself. You don’t have to get lost in a thought or elaborate it. You recognize it’s simply not the breath Very gently let go and bring your attention back to the feeling of the breath. 
    7. Some of your thoughts or feelings may be tender, caring. Some might seem cruel or hurtful, but they’re not the breath. You can see them, recognize them, let them go, and bring our attention back to the feeling of the breath. These thoughts and feelings are like clouds moving through the sky. Some are very light and fluffy looking, very inviting. Some are quite ominous and threatening, but they’re all not the breath. We just let them go. 
    8. Our habitual tendency is to grab onto a thought or a feeling, to build an entire world around it or push it away, struggle against it. Here we stay even, balanced, calm. We simply recognize it’s not the breath. Very gently we let it go. We bring our attention back one breath at a time 
    9. When you feel ready, you can open your eyes or lift your gaze, and we’ll end the meditation.



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  • Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD)

    Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD)

    What is the liver, and what does it do?

    •  It helps process the food we eat.
    • It removes waste and toxic substances from the blood.
    • It helps make proteins and hormones that the body needs to function.

    What is metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD)?

    Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) or simply “steatotic liver disease” is a problem caused when too much fat stays in the liver.  Extra fat in the liver can happen in children and in adults.  It also can happen in adults and adolescents who drink alcohol.

    MASLD can be mild to severe.

    MASH: Some people with a steatotic liver have a more severe form that includes damage (inflammation) inside the liver.  This is called metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis or MASH.

    Cirrhosis: Over time, MASH can cause scar tissue to develop in the liver. Eventually, the scar tissue replaces healthy liver cells, and the liver cannot work. This is called cirrhosis.

    Why was there a change in the name for this liver disease?

    MASLD was formerly known as fatty liver disease or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). It is the most common chronic liver disease around the world, affecting more than 30% of global population. The worldwide liver community agreed that better terms for this liver disease were needed that did not make people embarrassed and that clearly separated this condition from alcohol consumption.

    What causes a steatotic liver?

    A steatotic liver is a very common disorder affecting around one in ten children in the United States. The most common cause of steatosis build-up in the liver is too much weight gain.

    Approximately half of overweight and obese children may have a steatotic liver. Children who gain more belly fat may have more risk of a steatotic liver. Other risk factors for a steatotic liver are having a family member with a steatotic liver, type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, or polycystic ovary syndrome.

    How is steatotic liver disease diagnosed?

    A steatotic liver is usually suspected in children who are overweight with a body mass index (BMI) >85%.

    If your pediatrician suspects a steatotic liver, they will send a blood test to check your child’s liver function. In a child with a steatotic liver, a blood test will frequently show elevated levels of a protein called ALT (alanine aminotransferase). This result suggests there is liver inflammation. Sometimes a pediatrician also will perform an abdominal ultrasound, which can show if there is too much steatosis in the liver.

    Other conditions such as viral hepatitis, autoimmune hepatitis, and metabolic diseases can also cause steatosis accumulation in the liver. Your doctor will perform appropriate blood tests to make sure your child has no other liver diseases.

    Once a diagnosis of a steatotic liver is confirmed, other tests can be used to measure how severe it is. An MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan can measure how much steatosis is in the liver and can look for scar tissue (fibrosis). A liver biopsy in some cases also can be helpful to measure inflammation and scar tissue.

    How is a steatotic liver treated?

    The first treatment for a steatotic liver is to try changing the diet by reducing added sugars. This includes limiting things like sugar sweetened beverages, sugary foods, and all juices. The American Heart Association recommends 25 grams or less per day of added sugars for children, and kids with fatty liver may need even less.

    In addition to changing the diet, increasing exercise may promote weight loss and reduce a steatotic liver. It can be helpful to increase daily physical activity like playing sports, going to a playground, walking, and other activities. Current recommendations suggest 30–60 minutes of activity per day, and kids with a steatotic liver may need even more.

    Because a steatotic liver does not always improve with a better diet and exercise, sometimes in kids with a steatotic liver are treated with medication. At this time, there is no approved medication for a steatotic liver.  Research studies are currently testing medications to help with a steatotic liver, especially when there is inflammation and scar tissue. Ask your doctor about research studies in your area or visit Clinicaltrials.gov.

    Authors: Abha Kaistha, MD, Vania Kasper, MD and Miriam Vos, MD, February 2020.
    Updated March 2024: Author Jay Hochman, MD
    Editor: Christine Waasdorp, March 2024

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  • The FDA Just Approved a Powerful Biologic for Children as Young as 6 with Severe Psoriasis or Psoriatic Arthritis

    The FDA Just Approved a Powerful Biologic for Children as Young as 6 with Severe Psoriasis or Psoriatic Arthritis

    Children as young as 6 years old with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis or active psoriatic arthritis now have access to one of the most effective biologics in dermatology and rheumatology, following an FDA approval announced June 26, 2026.

    AbbVie announced that the FDA has approved risankizumab (Skyrizi) for children 6 years of age and older with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis who are candidates for systemic therapy or phototherapy, and for active psoriatic arthritis in the same age group. A new 55 mg prefilled syringe was simultaneously approved to support weight-based dosing for patients weighing less than 40 kg, filling a critical gap in pediatric treatment access.

    Risankizumab is now the first and only interleukin-23 (IL-23) inhibitor approved in the United States for pediatric patients 6 years of age and older who weigh less than 40 kg with either plaque psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis.

    Why This Matters

    According to Drug Topics, approximately 30 percent of people who develop psoriasis first experience symptoms before age 18. For these patients, severe psoriatic disease can mean painful, visible skin lesions that affect school participation, social development, and mental health in addition to causing physical discomfort.

    Psoriatic arthritis in children — called juvenile psoriatic arthritis or psoriatic juvenile idiopathic arthritis — causes joint pain, swelling, and stiffness that can impair a child’s ability to walk, write, or participate in normal childhood activities. Before biologics in this class were available for children, treatment options were more limited, and some children were treated off-label with adult formulations in adult doses, which is not ideal from a pharmacokinetic standpoint.

    “Plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis can affect much more than skin and joints — these conditions can shape daily life and disrupt important childhood experiences,” said Roopal Thakkar, MD, executive vice president of research and development at AbbVie.

    What We Know So Far

    Risankizumab is a humanized IgG1 monoclonal antibody that selectively blocks the p19 subunit of IL-23, a cytokine that drives the inflammatory cascade responsible for the skin plaques and joint inflammation in psoriatic disease. It was first approved for adults with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis in 2019 and has since received approvals for adult psoriatic arthritis, Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis.

    The pediatric approval is supported by data from the Phase 3 OptIMMize clinical trial program, which enrolled children and adolescents aged 6 through 17. Key findings from the trial:

    In adolescents aged 12 to 17: At week 16, 85.2 percent of risankizumab-treated patients achieved PASI75 (75% reduction in psoriasis severity), comparable to ustekinumab (85.7%). However, PASI100 (complete clearance) favored risankizumab at 40.7% versus 17.9% for ustekinumab.

    In children aged 6 to 11: Response rates at week 16 were high: PASI75 in 86.7%, PASI90 in 76.7%, and PASI100 (complete clearance) in 43.3%. Nearly all patients (90.0%) achieved a physician global assessment score of clear or almost clear.

    Durability: In adolescents who responded and continued treatment through week 52, approximately 95% maintained clear or almost clear skin — a strong durability finding for this age group.

    The safety profile in pediatric patients was consistent with the established adult safety profile, according to AbbVie and Contemporary Pediatrics.

    Who Qualifies for Skyrizi — Children and Dosing

    Age: 6 years and older

    Conditions: Moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis who are candidates for systemic therapy or phototherapy; OR active psoriatic arthritis

    Dosing by weight:

    • Children weighing less than 40 kg: 55 mg subcutaneous injection (new weight-based formulation)
    • Children weighing 40 kg or more: 150 mg subcutaneous injection (same as adult dosing)

    Administration schedule: An initial dose, followed by a dose 4 weeks later, then maintenance dosing every 12 weeks thereafter — the same schedule used in adults.

    The psoriatic arthritis approval for children 6 and older is supported by the OptIMMize psoriasis data plus population pharmacokinetic modeling from well-controlled adult PsA studies.

    What Doctors and Experts Say

    Amy S. Paller, MD, chair of dermatology and professor of pediatrics at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and a lead OptIMMize study investigator, called the approval significant: “These clinical responses, combined with weight-based dosing for younger patients, may help physicians better support a broad range of children living with these conditions.”

    Medscape’s analysis noted that this is the first IL-23 inhibitor to reach the under-40 kg pediatric population, distinguishing Skyrizi from other biologics in this class that have not yet reached this weight category in children.

    What the Evidence Shows — and What It Does Not

    MedicalDaily Evidence Check

    • Study type: Phase 3 randomized controlled trial (OptIMMize psoriasis program) — active-controlled in adolescents; single-arm open-label in children 6 to 11
    • Participants: Children and adolescents aged 6–17 with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis; PsA approval additionally supported by adult data plus PK modeling
    • Published in: Journal of Investigative Dermatology (conference data); FDA review completed June 26, 2026
    • What it found: High rates of PASI75, PASI90, and PASI100 at week 16 with durable responses through week 52
    • Key limitation: The psoriatic arthritis approval for children is partially supported by adult study data extrapolation through PK modeling rather than a dedicated pediatric PsA efficacy trial
    • Safety limitation noted: Detailed pediatric adverse event rates and serious adverse event rates were not publicly released in the press announcement

    What You Can Do Now

    • If your child has moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis that has not been adequately controlled with topical therapies, ask your pediatric dermatologist or pediatric rheumatologist about risankizumab at your next appointment.
    • Before starting any biologic, standard screening includes tuberculosis testing, hepatitis B testing, and a review of current infections — discuss these with your child’s specialist.
    • The European Commission approved risankizumab for pediatric plaque psoriasis (ages 6 and up) on June 23, 2026 — just days before the U.S. approval — making this a global regulatory milestone for pediatric psoriatic disease.

    Cost and Access: What Patients Should Know

    Skyrizi is a biologic specialty medication. Insurance coverage and prior authorization requirements vary by plan. AbbVie has a patient support program — myAbbVie Assist — for eligible patients who need help with access or cost. Contact your specialty pharmacy or AbbVie’s patient support team for current assistance program details.

    The Bottom Line

    Skyrizi (risankizumab) is now FDA-approved for children 6 and older with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis or active psoriatic arthritis — making it the first and only IL-23 inhibitor available for the under-40 kg pediatric population in the United States. Clinical trial data showed high rates of complete skin clearance in both adolescents and younger children, with durable responses through a year of treatment. Families of children with severe psoriatic disease should ask their pediatric specialist whether risankizumab is appropriate.

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  • How a Single Meal Can Cripple Your Arteries and Lungs

    How a Single Meal Can Cripple Your Arteries and Lungs

    What happens within hours of eating a high-fat meal?

    We are only as old as our arteries. What can we do to preserve arterial function as we age? A poor diet and sedentary behavior can lead to adverse aging processes, like impairment of the little power plants in our cells, which can result in free radical formation, oxidative stress, and inflammation, which lead to the artery dysfunction that can end in cardiovascular disease that ends us.

    In a series of videos I did about a decade ago, I discussed landmark research showing that a single high-fat meal could cripple artery function within hours of consumption, compared to no change with a low-fat meal, as you can see below and at 1:04 in my video Saturated Fat Causes Artery and Lung Inflammation.

    In the study, the high-fat meal that so crippled artery function included Sausage and Egg McMuffins from McDonald’s. How do we know the sausage, egg, or cheese was to blame? What about the crappy carbohydrates in the biscuits or something else? Because the low-fat meal that didn’t impair artery function was a sugary mess of carby Frosted Flakes.

    Just when your artery function finally starts to recover, five or six hours later—it’s lunchtime! Then, your arteries may get whacked with another load of meat, eggs, dairy, or oil. Why does it matter so much what happens after a meal within your body? Because most of us spend about 16 hours a day in that after-a-meal state, constantly hammering our arteries. No wonder cardiovascular disease is our number one killer.

    And it doesn’t just inflame the arteries in our heart but our lungs as well. “A high-fat challenge increases airway inflammation and impairs bronchodilator recovery in asthma.” When people with asthma coughed up sputum from their lungs four hours after the same kind of high-fat meal, inflammatory cells shot up in the high-fat meal group, as you can see below and at 2:12 in my video.

    In terms of lung function, when given two hits of their inhalers (containing a drug called albuterol or Ventolin), their airways open up as they should after a low-fat meal. But after the high-fat meal, the same inhaler doses don’t work as well, crapping out after a few hours because of all the extra inflammation in their lungs, as you can see below and at 2:29 in my video.

    What you eat can determine how well you breathe.

    But those study participants were people with asthma. Well, researchers found that even people without asthma have that same spike in inflammatory cells in sputum coughed out of their lungs four hours after eating what was, in this case, “a Jimmy Dean’s Meat Lover’s breakfast bowl.”

    And there aren’t only more inflammatory cells; there is a doubling of the amount of pro-inflammatory oxidized LDL cholesterol sucked up by the type of white blood cells that go on to form foam cells. Those are the cells that build up the inflamed pus in your artery wall that leads to heart attacks. All this happens within just hours of eating pizza, in this case. The fat in your blood goes up, and so do your endotoxin levels, as you can see below and at 3:16 in my video.

    Endotoxins are the components of bacterial cell walls, and foods like meat can be so contaminated with bacteria—alive and dead—that they accumulate endotoxins. We’re talking about both red meat and white meat, as you can see below and at 3:28 in my video.

    But recent research (published in 2020) suggests the main culprit may not be endotoxins after all, but the fat itself. The saturated fat floating in your blood after an unhealthy meal may be inducing the inflammation more directly. Either way, we are responsible for what we eat, meal by meal, in shaping the risk factors for chronic metabolic disease.

    Doctor’s Note

    This topic is the first in a three-part series on saturated fat and fast food. The next two are Exercising to Protect Your Arteries from Fast Food and Foods to Help Protect Your Arteries from Saturated Fat.

    What about the “butter is back” studies? See the related posts below.



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  • How Same-Day IV Drip Services Are Changing the Future of Personalized Wellness

    How Same-Day IV Drip Services Are Changing the Future of Personalized Wellness

    Same-day IV drip services are reshaping how people approach wellness in a fast-moving world. Traditional health routines often require planning, travel, and waiting, which can discourage consistent care. In contrast, on-demand solutions are redefining expectations by bringing support directly to individuals when they need it most.

    One reason for this shift is the growing number of IV drip options available today. These options are designed to target specific concerns such as hydration, energy levels, or immune support, giving users more control over their wellness choices.

    Clarity around how the service works has also contributed to rising interest. A trained professional administers fluids, vitamins, and electrolytes through an intravenous line, allowing nutrients to enter the bloodstream without passing through the digestive system.

    In major metropolitan areas, NYC mobile IV drips reflect how urban lifestyles are driving demand for flexible care. Busy professionals and frequent travelers often prefer services that fit into their schedule rather than disrupt it.

    Cost planning has become easier as well. Many providers offer IV package deals, allowing people to commit to regular sessions while managing expenses more predictably.

    A Shift Toward Immediate Access in Wellness

    Healthcare and wellness services have undergone noticeable changes in recent years. People expect faster access to solutions that match up with their routines. Waiting days or weeks for an appointment no longer feels practical for those managing demanding schedules.

    Same-day IV drip services respond to this expectation by offering near-instant availability. This immediacy changes how people think about recovery and maintenance. Instead of postponing care, individuals can act as soon as they notice signs of fatigue or dehydration.

    This approach reflects a broader cultural shift. Convenience is no longer viewed as a luxury; it is becoming a standard expectation across industries, including wellness.

    Personalization Beyond Generic Solutions

    Personalized wellness has gained attention as people look for approaches that reflect their unique needs. Generic advice or one-size-fits-all products often fail to tend to specific concerns.

    Same-day IV drip services allow for a more individualized experience. Users can select treatments based on their current condition rather than following a fixed plan. This flexibility supports a more responsive approach to wellness.

    Personalization extends beyond the formula itself. Timing, location, and frequency can all be adjusted to match individual preferences. This level of customization creates a more engaging and practical experience.

    Time Efficiency as a Driving Influence

    Modern schedules leave little room for lengthy appointments. Time efficiency plays a big part in the adoption of same-day services. Individuals can receive care without sacrificing productivity or rearranging their day.

    Appointments are often scheduled around existing commitments. This allows users to continue working, relaxing, or managing responsibilities while receiving treatment. The ability to combine wellness with daily activities adds to the appeal.

    Reducing travel time is another advantage. Eliminating the need to commute to a clinic saves valuable time and reduces stress, making it easier to maintain consistency.

    Adapting to High-Performance Lifestyles

    High-performance environments demand consistent energy and focus. Professionals, entrepreneurs, and creatives often face long hours and high expectations. Maintaining physical and mental stamina becomes a priority in these settings.

    Same-day IV drip services meet these demands by offering targeted support when it is needed most. Instead of waiting for fatigue to build, individuals can respond quickly to changes in their energy levels.

    This proactive approach supports ongoing performance rather than reactive recovery. It fits well within lifestyles that prioritize productivity and efficiency.

    Expanding Access to Wellness Services

    Accessibility has long been a barrier in healthcare and wellness. Geographic limitations, scheduling conflicts, and availability can prevent individuals from searching for support.

    Same-day IV drip services reduce these barriers by bringing care directly to the user. This model expands access to individuals who may not have considered IV therapy in the past.

    The ability to receive treatment in a preferred setting also improves comfort. Familiar environments can make the experience more relaxed compared to traditional clinical spaces.

    Supporting Preventive Wellness Habits

    Preventive care has become a central focus in modern health discussions. Instead of waiting for symptoms to escalate, many individuals are adopting habits that support long-term well-being.

    Same-day IV drip services fit into this approach by offering a way to deal with minor concerns before they develop into larger issues. Hydration, nutrient support, and energy maintenance can all be managed proactively.

    The Importance of Technology in On-Demand Care

    Technology has played a big part in the rise of same-day services. Online booking systems, mobile apps, and real-time communication make it easier to schedule appointments quickly.

    These tools also allow users to explore different treatment options and select what meets their needs. Transparency in offerings helps people make the best possible decisions without unnecessary delays.

    Digital platforms have also improved coordination between providers and users. This efficiency supports the rapid response model that defines same-day services.

    Changing Expectations Around Recovery

    Recovery is no longer seen as something that requires extended downtime. Instead, people are looking for ways to maintain momentum while tending to their needs.

    Same-day IV drip services contribute to this shift by offering solutions that fit within active lifestyles. Users can continue their routines while receiving support, reducing the need for interruptions.

    This perspective reflects a broader change in how wellness is viewed. It is becoming an ongoing process rather than an occasional activity.

    Flexibility in Frequency and Commitment

    Flexibility is a defining feature of same-day IV drip services. Individuals can choose how often they receive treatments based on their goals and schedules.

    Some may opt for occasional sessions during periods of high demand. Others may incorporate regular treatments as part of a consistent routine. This adaptability allows users to customize their approach without rigid commitments.

    The availability of different scheduling options supports a number of preferences, making the service accessible to a broader audience.

    A New Direction for Personalized Wellness

    Same-day IV drip services represent a shift toward more responsive and individualized care. They match with the needs of modern lifestyles by offering convenience, flexibility, and targeted support.

    As expectations continue to progress, services that adapt to individual needs are likely to gain further attention. Personalized wellness is moving away from static routines and toward dynamic solutions that respond in real time.

    This transformation highlights a growing demand for options that fit smoothly into daily life. Same-day IV drip services are at the forefront of this movement, offering a new perspective on how wellness can be approached.

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  • How Sleep Works – Sleep Phases and Stages

    How Sleep Works – Sleep Phases and Stages

    During REM sleep, your eyes twitch and your brain is active. Brain activity measured during REM sleep is similar to your brain’s activity during waking hours. Dreaming usually happens during REM sleep. Your muscles normally become limp to prevent you from acting out your dreams. You usually have more REM sleep later in the night, but you do not have as much REM sleep in colder temperatures. This is because, during REM sleep, your body does not regulate its temperature properly.

    How do our patterns of sleep change as we age?

    The patterns and types of sleep change as people mature. For example, newborns spend more time in REM sleep. The amount of slow-wave sleep peaks in early childhood and then drops sharply in the teenage years. Slow-wave sleep continues to decrease through adulthood, and older people may not have any slow-wave sleep at all.

    NHLBI research on sleep

    Sleep is one of the four primary areas of NHLBI research. Learn more about the ways the NHLBI is advancing understanding of sleep and sleep disorders. Research on this topic is part of the NHLBI’s broader commitment to advancing scientific discovery for sleep science.

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  • Walking Grief Home: Six Companions for Living With Loss

    Walking Grief Home: Six Companions for Living With Loss

    When someone we love dies, the world doesn’t end, but it does lose its shape. The familiar becomes strange. Time stretches and collapses. Movements feel halting, as if the body has forgotten how to belong to itself. In these early days, when the heart feels unmoored and the ground unreliable, we long for something steady enough to walk beside us—not to fix the unfixable, but to accompany us as we learn to live inside a world that has changed.

    After decades as a clinical psychologist and later as a bereavement volunteer, I’ve come to understand grief not as a problem to solve but as a relationship to tend. Mindfulness offers a way to do that. It helps us meet life moment by moment without abandoning ourselves, and it cultivates qualities that soften our experience of whatever is here.

    Mindfulness, in its deepest sense, is not about calm. It is about capacity.

    Mindfulness, in its deepest sense, is not about calm. It is about capacity—the capacity to stay close to what is true, even when what is true is painful. It does not guide us toward “getting over” grief. Instead, it teaches us how to walk with grief. And as we walk, six companions begin to emerge as lived experiences shaping how we meet our loss.

    These companions—Presence, Grace, Memory, Becoming, Belonging, and Trust—form a relational model of healing. They do not arrive in order. They circle, overlap, and return. Together, they help us stay close to ourselves as we navigate a world reshaped by loss.

    Presence: Allowing What Is

    Presence is not passive. It is a wholehearted “yes” to the reality of the moment, even when that reality is painful. Presence asks only one thing of us: to allow what is here to be here.

    Grief is not a single emotion but a gathering of states—sorrow, anger, confusion, numbness, longing, exhaustion. Presence invites each one to be recognized.

    Grief is not a single emotion but a gathering of states—sorrow, anger, confusion, numbness, longing, exhaustion. Presence invites each one to be recognized. This is simple to understand but difficult to practice. Most of us try to manage grief the way we manage everything else: by tightening, organizing, or trying to stay in control. But grief is not something the mind can manage. It is a visitation—an unmistakable presence that arrives with its own timing.

    The first gesture of presence is permission. Permission to feel everything—not because it will fix anything, but because it is honest. To feel everything can leave us feeling lost, but as E.L. Doctorow wrote, “It’s like driving a car at night. You never see further than your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way.” Presence accompanies us, breath by breath, until we begin to regain our footing.

    Grace: Life’s Quiet Movement Toward Us

    If presence is how we meet life, grace is how life meets us back. Grace is not dramatic. It is the easing that comes when we stop bracing against what is true.

    We do not manufacture grace; we receive it.

    We do not manufacture grace; we receive it. It often appears in small, almost imperceptible ways: a friend’s steady companionship, a loosening of the chest, a stranger’s kindness, the relief of a deep exhale.

    These moments do not erase the pain, but they remind us that we are not entirely alone within it. Grace opens a small space inside the ache. Over time, it helps us weave the loss into the fabric of our lives—not as something to overcome, but as something that deepens us, widens us, and makes us more tender.

    Memory: The Waves That Carry Love Forward

    Grief moves in waves—not the predictable rhythms of tides but the wild, irregular surges of the ocean in winter. A scent, a song, a phrase, a slant of evening light can break over us with startling force. These waves are not mistakes or punishments. They are the movements of love trying to find its way in a world that has changed shape.

    Love does not end when a life ends, but it does change form.

    Memory is also a doorway into the continuing bond that remains. Love does not end when a life ends, but it does change form. As presence steadies us and grace softens us, memories begin to shift. What once shattered us may eventually bring warmth when the heart remembers not only the pain of loss but the depth of love that made the loss so devastating.

    We begin to speak to our loved ones in quiet moments, carry their gestures, and seek their wisdom. Memory becomes a companion, not an adversary, as we learn to carry the bittersweetness of a life that has loved deeply and lost profoundly.

    Becoming: Letting the Loss Shape Who We Are

    At some point—often so subtly we don’t notice it—something inside begins to shift. Not because the sorrow has lessened, but because the heart has begun to make room for the loss. This is the arising of Becoming, the slow integration of grief into our sense of self.

    Becoming does not ask us to forget; it asks us to remember differently.

    Becoming does not ask us to forget; it asks us to remember differently. To remember in a way that honors love as well as loss. Becoming is not a stage, nor does it unfold in a straight line. There will be days when the heart feels spacious and days when the ache returns with full force. Becoming honors both clarity and confusion. It is the work of letting the loss shape us without letting it define us.

    Becoming is not the end of grief—it is the beginning of a new relationship with our loss.

    Belonging: Finding Our Place in a Changed World

    Loss shakes our sense of belonging. The world feels unfamiliar, and we feel unfamiliar within it. Yet belonging is not lost; it is changing.

    As we adapt to this new way of being, we come to realize that belonging isn’t something others give us. Instead, it’s a consciousness that we are present—alive, supported by the earth beneath us.

    As we adapt to this new way of being, we come to realize that belonging isn’t something others give us. Instead, it’s a consciousness that we are present—alive, supported by the earth beneath us. This feeling grows from how we engage with ourselves and our surroundings. When we stop neglecting ourselves, a new sense of belonging gradually develops as the world continues to embrace us: the warmth of sunlight, the simple pleasure of a cup of tea, the scent of a forest, the welcoming signs of growing more comfortable, and the quiet resilience of standing in the shadow of mountains.

    The continuing bond with the person who has died becomes part of this belonging. Their presence lives in our choices, our gestures, our ways of seeing. We discover that we are still part of the living world, still part of a story that continues to unfold.

    Trust: The Quiet Confidence That We Can Live With This

    Grief asks us to trust what we cannot yet see. Trust grows when we begin to sense that the heart is larger than the loss. Not because the loss is small, but because the heart is vast. It can hold sorrow and love at the same time. It can hold the one who is gone and the one we are becoming.

    Trust is not the absence of pain. It is the recognition that pain is not the only thing present. Over time, trust reveals an inner sturdiness—a kind of Kintsugi of the heart, where the broken places are reconstructed and highlighted with gold.

    Trust is not the absence of pain. It is the recognition that pain is not the only thing present. Over time, trust reveals an inner sturdiness—a kind of Kintsugi of the heart, where the broken places are reconstructed and highlighted with gold. The loss becomes part of our strength, not because it stops hurting, but because it has been integrated into who we are.

    A Relational Model, Not a Linear One

    Walking grief home is not a series of stages or steps. These six companions move in all directions. Some days one leads; other days another rises first. They circle, overlap, and return, each shaping and being shaped by the others.

    Walking grief home teaches us something profound: that we can belong to our own lives again.

    Presence steadies us. Grace meets us. Memory connects us. Becoming reshapes us. Belonging roots us. Trust holds us.

    Walking grief home is not about waiting to arrive somewhere new. It is about learning to live here and now with a more spacious heart—one capable of holding the full complexity of love and loss. It teaches us something profound: that we can belong to our own lives again. Not the life we expected. Not the life we planned. But the life that is here—the life that is still unfolding, still calling to us, still offering moments of beauty, tenderness, and meaning.

    A Simple Practice for the Next Wave

    When the next wave of grief arrives, try this:

    Pause. Feel your feet on the ground. Let one breath be exactly what it is. Name what is here—sadness, longing, numbness, love. Place a hand on your heart. Say quietly, “This belongs.”

    Not because it is easy, but because it is true.



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  • Virginia’s Measles Outbreak Has Expanded to a Second County as Cases Reach 129

    Virginia’s Measles Outbreak Has Expanded to a Second County as Cases Reach 129

    Virginia’s measles outbreak is no longer confined to one county.

    On June 25, 2026, the Virginia Department of Health announced that the Buckingham County measles outbreak had expanded geographically to include Cumberland County, a directly adjacent rural county in central Virginia’s Piedmont region. Health officials confirmed that new cases in Cumberland County reflect community transmission — meaning the virus is circulating locally, not merely being imported from Buckingham.

    As of the June 25 announcement, the Piedmont Health District, which includes both counties, reported 106 outbreak-associated measles cases. Virginia’s total statewide case count for 2026 stands at 129 — compared to just five confirmed cases in all of 2025.

    Why This Matters

    A measles outbreak that expands from one county to a second in the same Piedmont Health District signals that containment has not held. The expansion to Cumberland County means anyone who lives in, works in, or visits either county is at elevated risk of exposure if they are not fully vaccinated — and the virus can survive in the air for two hours after an infected person leaves a room.

    Piedmont Health District Director Maria Almond said: “As this outbreak expands to Cumberland County, I ask for the community’s help to stop measles from gaining further ground by ensuring you are vaccinated.”

    Measles is one of the most contagious infectious diseases known. One infected person can spread measles to nine out of ten unprotected people in the same room or space.

    What We Know So Far

    The Buckingham County outbreak was first confirmed by VDH on May 13, 2026. Since then, it has grown to become one of Virginia’s largest measles clusters in modern state history. The outbreak began among individuals in Buckingham County with below-threshold vaccination coverage and has since spread through close-contact networks.

    The VDH measles disease page shows that Virginia is now in the midst of one of the worst measles years in recent memory: 129 confirmed cases in less than six months, compared to five for all of 2025.

    The outbreak has generated exposure sites across the two-county area, including schools, medical facilities, and community gathering places. Every case confirmed in the outbreak involves a person who was either unvaccinated or could not confirm their vaccination status — consistent with the national pattern.

    Cumberland County borders Buckingham to the east and shares the same rural character: dispersed population, limited access to health services, and historically lower vaccination uptake in some communities.

    What VDH Recommends: Specific Vaccination Guidance for the Affected Area

    The Virginia Department of Health has issued outbreak-specific vaccination recommendations that go beyond standard routine guidance for people in or visiting Buckingham and Cumberland Counties:

    • Infants aged 6 to 11 months are advised to receive an early dose of MMR vaccine. This is an outbreak-specific recommendation — routine MMR vaccination does not begin until 12 months. Infants who receive this early dose should still receive two more doses at the recommended ages (12 months and 4–6 years) at least 28 days apart.
    • Children aged 12 months to 18 years who have not yet been vaccinated or have never had measles infection should receive their first MMR dose immediately, with a second dose at least 28 days after the first.
    • Adults who are not up to date on MMR vaccination should contact a health care provider or local health department for vaccination guidance.
    • Residents and visitors of both counties should avoid large gatherings if they are unvaccinated and should consult a health care provider immediately if they develop measles symptoms.

    Where the Risk Is Highest

    Buckingham and Cumberland Counties are in the heart of the Piedmont Health District in central Virginia, approximately 60 miles west of Richmond. Communities in both counties with documented below-threshold vaccination rates face the most immediate risk of continued spread.

    Travel through the area — particularly to or from the Charlottesville metro, Richmond metro, or the Appomattox and Farmville areas — should be considered by people assessing their vaccination status. The VDH maintains a list of specific exposure sites at vdh.virginia.gov/measles.

    Statewide, Virginia’s 129 total cases in 2026 make this the state’s largest measles year in decades. All confirmed cases have been in unvaccinated or unverified individuals.

    What Doctors and Experts Say

    Dr. Brannon Traxler, Virginia’s deputy state health director, described measles containment as a race between vaccination and transmission. The expansion to Cumberland County indicates that race is still ongoing.

    Pediatricians in the affected area have been on heightened alert for potential measles cases since May. The VDH issued guidance to area clinicians to maintain high suspicion for measles in unvaccinated patients presenting with fever and rash, and to contact the health department and isolate potential cases immediately before laboratory confirmation.

    The early MMR dose recommendation for infants aged 6 to 11 months is a significant step — the CDC typically reserves early dosing recommendations for situations where the outbreak risk is high enough to warrant protecting babies before the standard schedule begins.

    Who Faces the Greatest Risk?

    • Unvaccinated residents of Buckingham and Cumberland Counties
    • Children under 12 months who cannot yet receive standard MMR vaccination
    • People traveling through the area who are unvaccinated or have only one documented MMR dose
    • Anyone whose vaccination history is uncertain — particularly adults born between 1957 and 1989, who may have received only one dose before two-dose schedules became standard

    Symptoms and Warning Signs to Watch For

    Measles symptoms appear 7 to 14 days after exposure and progress in a predictable pattern:

    • High fever (often above 104°F)
    • Cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes
    • Small white spots inside the cheeks (Koplik spots — an early, distinctive sign)
    • A red blotchy rash beginning on the face and spreading downward, appearing 3 to 5 days after initial symptoms

    Infected people are contagious from four days before the rash appears through four days after. If you develop these symptoms, do not go to a medical facility without calling ahead — notify them of your possible measles exposure so they can prepare isolation protocols.

    What You Can Do Now

    • If you live in or plan to visit Buckingham or Cumberland Counties, confirm your MMR vaccination status and your children’s vaccination records.
    • Infants 6 to 11 months old in or visiting the outbreak area should receive an early MMR dose — discuss this with your pediatrician now.
    • If you are unsure whether you have had two MMR doses, contact your physician, local health department, or the VDH Record Request Portal.
    • Report symptoms consistent with measles — fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and rash — to your health care provider before seeking in-person care.
    • Residents can email questions to the Virginia Department of Health at epi_response@vdh.virginia.gov or contact their local health department.

    Cost and Access: What Patients Should Know

    MMR vaccine is covered at no cost under the ACA preventive services mandate for insured patients. The Vaccines for Children (VFC) program covers MMR for eligible uninsured children. Virginia health departments are providing MMR vaccination at no cost to area residents during the outbreak. Contact the Piedmont Health District for information on local vaccination clinics.

    What Happens Next

    The VDH is continuing contact tracing, case investigation, and targeted vaccination outreach in both counties. The outbreak will be declared resolved after 42 consecutive days with no new outbreak-related cases. MedicalDaily will report on any further geographic expansion and on case count updates as they are released.

    The Bottom Line

    Virginia’s measles outbreak has crossed into a second county, with 106 confirmed outbreak-associated cases and 129 statewide in 2026. Vaccination is the only tool that stops this spread. The VDH has issued specific outbreak guidance for infants as young as 6 months in the affected area — an unusually early recommendation that reflects the seriousness of the current risk. Confirm your vaccination status and your children’s MMR records now, before a potential exposure occurs.

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  • Tobacco Smoke, Vaping, and Asthma

    Tobacco Smoke, Vaping, and Asthma

    Vaping is also bad for you. E-cigarettes are often marketed as better than tobacco, but they have harmful chemicals and create air pollution too. Vaping emissions can have negative effects, especially in infants, children, pregnant people, and people with lung conditions such as asthma.

    What Is in Tobacco Smoke and E-Cigarette Aerosol?

    Tobacco smoke has more than 7,000 chemicals.1 This includes trace amounts of poisons, such as formaldehyde, arsenic, DDT, and cyanide. At least 70 of the substances in tobacco smoke can cause cancer.2 Many more irritate the lungs and airways.

     

    An illustration of a poison bottle with the text Tobacco smoke contains 7,000 chemicals and 70 cancer-causing chemicals.

     

    E-cigarettes are sometimes called e-cigs, electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), vape pens, or vapes. They work by heating liquid found in cartridges. This creates a mist or aerosol that is breathed into the lungs. The act of breathing e-cigarette aerosol in and out is known as vaping.

    E-cigarette aerosol often contains nicotine and other toxic chemicals.3 This may cause serious health conditions, such as lung disease, heart disease, and cancer. The aerosols create air pollution that is a health risk to the users and non-users around them.

    Harmful substances found in e-cigarettes include:3

    • Nicotine
    • Cancer-causing chemicals (carcinogens)
    • Very fine particles that can be breathed into the lungs
    • Volatile organic compounds (gases released into the air from products)
    • Chemical flavoring that is linked to serious lung disease
    • Heavy metals, such as nickel, tin, and lead

    It is hard to know exactly what is in e-cigarettes. For instance, some products that claim not to have nicotine have been found to contain nicotine.

    How Is Secondhand Smoke Linked to Asthma and Allergies?

    Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) is also called “secondhand smoke.” This refers to the smoke that is released into the air when a smoker breathes out. It also refers to the smoke released from a burning cigarette, cigar, or pipe.

    Secondhand smoke is harmful. A person who is around someone who is smoking is also exposed to the same harmful chemicals in the smoke. Secondhand smoke can trigger asthma attacks or make asthma worse. It can cause heart disease, stroke, and lung cancer, too.

    Children are at high risk of lung damage and illness from breathing in smoke. Studies have shown a clear link between secondhand smoke and asthma in children. But studies have not proven that secondhand smoke causes asthma in children.

    Secondhand smoke can cause serious health problems in children.

    • Secondhand smoke can trigger asthma attacks in children who have asthma. Children with asthma who are around secondhand smoke have worse and frequent asthma attacks.1
    • Studies show that children whose parents smoke have a greater chance of getting sick more often. Their lungs may grow less than children who do not breathe secondhand smoke. They also have a higher risk of more bronchitis and pneumonia.1
    • Wheezing and coughing are more common in children who breathe secondhand smoke.4
    • Children whose parents smoke around them get more ear infections. They have fluid in their ears more often. They also have more operations for ear tubes for drainage.4

     

    An illustration of lungs with the text secondhand smoke causes more asthma attacks and affects lung growth in children.

     

    How Is Secondhand E-Cigarette Aerosol Linked to Asthma?

    Studies have shown that secondhand e-cigarette aerosol can worsen existing asthma and cause asthma flare-ups, especially in young people.5 Exposure to secondhand e-cigarette aerosol can cause the following respiratory symptoms:

    • Wheezing
    • Shortness of breath
    • Cough
    • Increased or thickened mucus

    Secondhand vape is e-cigarette aerosol inhaled by someone who doesn’t vape. Experts are still learning about secondhand vape. But they do know it is harmful. It can cause some of the same health problems as vaping.

    What Is Thirdhand Smoke?

    Thirdhand smoke is residue from tobacco smoke. When a cigarette is smoked, chemicals in the smoke stick to surfaces and dust for months after the smoke is gone. The chemicals in the residue then react to other pollutants in the air, like ozone, to create harmful particles you can easily breathe into your airways.6

    Thirdhand smoke particles are extremely tiny, easily making their way into your lungs. These particles can stick to skin and clothing. Adults and children then breathe in the residue or absorb it through their skin or mouth.

    Babies and young children can ingest these toxic particles because they put their hands in their mouths often. They are more likely to touch a surface and then eat without washing hands. Also, children can absorb these chemicals through their skin. For example, if a child is put into a car seat wearing only a diaper and people smoke in the car – even when the child isn’t present – then the car seat may be coated in these chemicals.

    Some experts believe thirdhand smoke may be worse for people with asthma than nicotine.

    Smoking outdoors does not reduce the threat of thirdhand smoke because it can cling to a person’s clothing. Airing out rooms or cars doesn’t help. Open windows, fans, air filters or confining smoking to certain rooms or outside will not reduce thirdhand smoke either.

     

    A red circle with text that says: Thirdhand smoke is a toxic residue from tobacco smoke. It's just as dangerous as secondhand smoke because it can be inhaled and absorbed through skin or mouth.

     

    What Is Thirdhand E-Cigarette Aerosol?

    Scientists are still learning about thirdhand e-cigarette aerosol. But they do know that the substances found in e-cigarette aerosol can stick to surfaces.6 This is known as thirdhand vape or thirdhand e-cigarette aerosol.

    Some studies have shown that the nicotine found in e-cigarette aerosol can land on tables, walls, floors, and windows.6 It can then get into people’s bodies if they touch it, swallow it, or breathe it in. Infants and toddlers are most at risk of exposure to thirdhand vape. This is because many kids touch a lot of surfaces and put objects in their mouths. It can also be hard to remove nicotine from surfaces because it is very hard to clean with regular soap. It must be removed with an acidic cleanser.6

    What Is the Link Between Smoke, E-Cigarette Aerosol, and Teens?

    Teen smoking has always been a concern. Most people who smoke start smoking by age 18.7 Even though only 13 out of 100 of high school students say they currently smoke cigarettes (traditional or electronic), 28 out of 100 have tried a tobacco product.8

    Vaping is becoming more popular among teens. The CDC’s 2023 Youth Data shows that almost 1 out of 20 middle schoolers and about 1 out of 10 high school students reported using e-cigarettes in the past 30 days.7 This means the number of students using e-cigarettes almost doubles between middle school and high school.

    E-cigarettes could be popular among this age group because the liquid found in e-cigarette cartridges often comes in flavors that appeal to young people. The CDC’s 2023 Youth Data shows that almost all of high school students (90.3%) and middle school students (87.1%) who used e-cigarettes in the past 30 days said they used a flavored e-cigarette during this time.7

    Flavored cartridges have been banned by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). But these cartridges are still easy to buy because of an influx of imported flavors, making it harder to enforce the ban.

    Many communities and local governments are trying to control tobacco advertising aimed at teens. The rise in vaping is concerning because e-cigarettes can have harmful substances that put teens at risk of illness. A recent study from Texas A&M University found that vaping is linked to smoking cigarettes, depression, behaviors related to substance (drug and alcohol) abuse, and increased risk of asthma in teens.8

    Where Can I Get Help to Quit Smoking or Vaping?

    People have different motivations to quit smoking or vaping. For some, they want to improve their health. For others, they want to protect loved ones around them from the effects of secondhand or thirdhand smoke. Some people have ethical concerns with how the materials used to create e-cigarettes/vapes are sourced. (Electronic items with lithium-ion batteries are tied to mining operations with rampant human rights abuses.) Disposable cartridges also contribute to plastic pollution.

    It is important to have support to help you quit. Signs of a nicotine addiction can include:

    • Craving nicotine
    • Unable to stop smoking or vaping
    • Developing a tolerance (needing to use more to feel the same effects)

    There is free help and resources available by phone, online, or mail from the CDC. Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669). Callers are routed to their state quit lines, which offer several types of information and services. These may include:

    • Free support, advice, and counseling from experienced coaches
    • A personalized quit plan
    • Practical information on how to quit, including ways to cope with nicotine withdrawal
    • The latest information about stop-smoking medicines
    • Free or discounted medicines (available for some callers in most states)
    • Referrals to other resources
    • Mailed self-help materials

    If you prefer online help, visit smokefree.gov. You will find online resources like:

    • Live online chat
    • Building a quit plan
    • SmokefreeTXT
    • QuitSTART app
    • Links to Smokefree Espaňol, Smokefree Teen, Smokefree Women, SmokefreeVET, and Smokefree60+

    How Can I Reduce My Family’s Exposure to Secondhand and Thirdhand Smoke and E-Cigarette Aerosol?

    As a parent or caregiver, you can limit your family’s exposure to tobacco smoke and e-cigarette aerosol.

    1. If you smoke or vape, do your best to quit. Resources and groups above are available to help you.
    2. Talk with your children about the dangers of smoking and vaping and how it affects asthma.
    3. Ask other people not to smoke or vape in or near your home and car.
    4. Visit smoke-free and vape-free homes and businesses with a no-smoking/no-vaping policy.
    5. Choose child care that will not expose your child to second- and thirdhand smoke or vape. Even if a caregiver doesn’t smoke or vape around a child, they can still expose a child to thirdhand smoke and vape on their clothes or skin. Remember, children exposed to cigarette and e-cigarette aerosol and residue may get sick more often. Protecting them from exposure is good preventive medicine. Your child’s health depends on it.

     

    Tips on ways to reduce tobacco exposure in kids on an orange background



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