The Nutrient: Meditation mutes pain, Top Covid symptoms, Eating in Alaska
Research
Disentangling self from pain: mindfulness meditation-induced pain relief
We know that mindfulness can reduce pain, but it's nice to know why because it helps motivate folks to actually do it. It's surprisingly hard to sit still and do nothing.
This study had participants do four separate 20-minute mindfulness training sessions where they focused on their breath while they let go of thoughts and sensations without judging them. That's it.
Just 80 minutes of doing nothing led to a 32% reduction in pain intensity and a 33% reduction in pain unpleasantness. You don't need to be a Zen master with decades of practice either to benefit from meditation. Just commit to consistency.
The participant's pain was still there, sure, but the sense of ownership was less. I know this sounds fishy, but it's pretty relatable to how we respond to any stressor.
Picture yourself standing in a parking lot, watching someone take a baseball bat to the windshield of a truck. If it's not your truck then you're just a bit surprised, but it's easy to walk away. Contrast that response with the physical sensations that would arise if it was your truck. You'd be fired-up! That's because your brain reacts differently to the things it associates ownership with.
This study showed that practicing mindfulness puts distance between you and your experiences. That way when you're experiencing pain, or watching someone destroy your rig, your reaction is controlled and deliberate. It's less intense.
News
"The recent survey of about 17,500 patients who were asked about their symptoms found that 58% reported a sore throat, 49% a headache, 40% a blocked nose, 40% a cough with no phlegm, and 40% a runny nose.
Covid is still mysterious, making new research like this helpful for diagnosing and treating the virus. I had Covid a couple weeks ago and hit it pretty hard with nutrients and herbs, so feel free to reach out if you're interested in my protocol.
Article
Bree Kessler
We’d communally grow vegetables with our neighbors. We’d order food from thousands of miles away, weeks ahead of time. And we would hardly ever be eating alone.
Words of the week
“A belligerent samurai, an old Japanese tale goes, once challenged a Zen master to explain the concept of heaven and hell. The monk replied with scorn, "You're nothing but a lout - I can't waste my time with the likes of you!"
His very honor attacked, the samurai flew into a rage and, pulling his sword from its scabbard, yelled "I could kill you for your impertinence."
"That," the monk calmly replied, "is hell."
Startled at seeing the truth in what the master pointed out about the fury that had him in its grip, the samurai calmed down, sheathed his sword, and bowed, thanking the monk for the insight.
"And that,"said the monk "is heaven."
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