If you aren’t familiar with the term, while a placebo is an inert source (such as a pill) that causes a positive health outcome, the term “nocebo” is often used to describe an “inert” source that produces a negative health outcome. In other words, it’s all in your head. The nocebo effect is sometimes used to…
Author: Kristina Hicks-Hamblin
Fascinated by the intersections between human health, the microbiome, and plants, Kristina writes about gardening and houseplants by day, and explores microbial connections by night.
Homekeeping: What Does “Home” Mean to You?
Home is not just the place that you live, it has a singular meaning and emotional status for us – it may conjure up smells, feelings, and specific memories. As a country, we Amercians tend to have a strange relationship with “home.” Part of the American dream seems to have come to include constantly upgrading…
Homekeeping: What’s “Toxic Black Mold”? Is it Dangerous?
Earlier this week a friend asked me about “toxic black mold.” As with many health subjects, there is a lot of confusion as to whether mold is truly dangerous, or if this is all just hype perpetuated by mold remediation companies.
Homekeeping: The Affordable Organic Sofa
If you’re interested in creating a healthy, healing natural environment in your home, don’t overlook the sofa. Conventional sofas are made with petroleum-based foam and have added flame retardants. It may be somewhat easier to find a conventional sofa without adding flame retardants now (Ikea carries some), but a sofa made with only natural ingredients…
Tips: How to Sleep Better at Night
If you’ve spent any time at all watching TV in the past several years you know one thing, Americans don’t sleep well and big pharma has plenty of little pills for that! Rather than turn to medication to fight insomnia or sleep disturbances, why not try preventing the causes of the problem in the first…
Health: Death of a Hairdresser
Yesterday I learned that a dear friend died during surgery for tracheal cancer. The death of this friend was a rude and rough reminder of mortality, and engulfed me in a tsunami of regret. As I looked at Jacques’ memorial photo, what rose to the surface was how incongruous were the word “cancer” and the mischievous smile…
Hearthwilde 