Quest for new cancer treatment crosses milestone Therapy invented at Rice University excels in pilot clinical trials
HOUSTON -- (Aug. 26, 2019) -- A cancer therapy invented at Rice University has crossed a milestone in clinical trials, a major development in a decadeslong quest to develop a treatment that destroys tumors without the debilitating side effects of chemotherapy, invasive surgery and radiation.
Thirteen of the first 15 prostate cancer patients treated in a clinical trial of the nanoparticle-based, focal therapy showed no detectable signs of cancer a year after treatment, according to a study published this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).
The paper presents the results from 16 patients who were treated at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York. It is believed to be the first published clinical study of a photothermal cancer therapy -- one that uses illuminated nanoparticles to heat and destroy tumors -- in a refereed scientific journal, said the study's authors.
In the study, 16 men ages 58 to 79 with low- to intermediate-risk localized prostate cancer agreed to participate in a trial of AuroLase Therapy, a focal ablation treatment that uses gold nanoparticles to heat and destroy tumors. Fifteen of the 16 patients underwent the two-day treatment, receiving an intravenous infusion of nanoparticles on day one and undergoing an image-guided ablation treatment on day two. All of the patients went home on the day of the treatment and returned for follow-up tests at three months, six months and one year after treatment. Of the 15 who completed treatment, only two showed detectable signs of cancer in follow-up biopsies and MRIs one year later.
"Gold-silica nanoshell infusion allows for a focused therapy that treats the cancer while sparing the rest of the prostate, thus preserving a patient's quality of life by reducing unwanted side effects, which could include erectile dysfunction and/or the leakage of urine," said study lead author and trial principal investigator Dr. Ardeshir Rastinehad, associate professor of urology and radiology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.
The trial, which is ongoing and has treated 44 patients at Mount Sinai and two other clinical sites in Michigan and Texas, is the culmination of a 20-year quest by Rice University engineer and nanoscientist Naomi Halas and Duke University bioengineer Jennifer West. Halas and West, co-authors of the new study, first envisioned the nanoparticle-based therapy around 2000 while working together in Rice's Brown School of Engineering.
The particles, tiny silica spheres with a thin outer layer of gold, are called nanoshells. They are about 50 times smaller than a red blood cell, and Halas invented them at Rice in 1997. By varying the thickness of the gold shell, Halas had shown she could tune nanoshells to interact with specific wavelengths of light. Around 2000, she and West invented a method of destroying cancer cells by heating nanoshells with a low-power, near-infrared laser that could pass harmlessly through healthy tissue.
The work garnered national awards and press coverage, and by the early 2000s Halas and West had co-founded a Houston-based startup, Nanospectra Biosciences, to develop the technology for clinical use.
Around that time, Halas' father, then 85, was diagnosed with prostate cancer.
"He had profound hearing loss and was legally blind, so I had to be the communications link between him and his urologist," Halas said. "I know a lot about what people go through with prostate cancer because of my dad."
Halas said she'll never forget when her father asked if her invention might be the answer for his prostate cancer.
"He knew about nanoshells," she said. "The story had been in Business Week, and he had posted the clipping on a wall in his office."
At the time, Nanospectra was still conducting the necessary pre-clinical work to show that nanoshells could be safely used in humans.
Two years after his radiation therapy, it became almost impossible for him to urinate.
"It was terrible," Halas recalled. "He was in and out of the hospital weekly. The doctor would catheterize him. He'd go home. Things would be fine for a few days, and then he'd have to go to the emergency room. It was unbelievable what he went through."
She vividly recalls a conversation that still motivates her.
"He said to me, 'If you could prevent just one person from having to go through the hell that I went through, it would be worth it,'" Halas said.
From the outset, West and Halas had imagined a treatment that would destroy cancer without the debilitating side effects often associated with chemotherapy, invasive surgery and radiation. And that had been borne out in their early studies in cell cultures and mice.
"The science hasn't changed," West said. "If you look back to our original PNAS paper, where we did the first animal studies, there's nothing fundamentally different in the science."
But getting clinical trials approved by the Food and Drug Administration was not easy, in part because the technology was groundbreaking.
"We were the first, really engineered nanoparticle to go into human beings," West said. "In the beginning, the FDA wasn't sure how to handle these types of materials. We had something that looked like an injectable liquid in an IV bag. Was it a drug or a device? There was a point in time where the FDA was discussing creating a whole new division just for nano."
In the end, the agency opted to regulate the treatment, which Nanospectra branded as AuroLase Therapy, as a medical device. Clinical trials focused on safety began almost 10 years ago with a study in late-stage head and neck cancer. Halas said Nanospectra learned valuable lessons at every step, but she said it was another big advance -- this one in medical imaging -- that set the stage for the success in prostate cancer.
In 2011, researchers from the National Institutes of Health published results of a new technique that combined ultrasound and MRI imaging to resolve prostate tumors with millimeter-scale precision, Halas said. Clinicians began adoption of the technique for "fusion biopsies," a procedure for targeting needle biopsies to the specific site of suspected tumors.
One of the lead researchers working to develop fusion biopsy technology was Rastinehad, who joined Mount Sinai in 2015 and was an early proponent of using the fusion imaging platform for "focal therapy," minimally invasive treatment that could target tumors without the risks of incontinence and impotency that were associated with whole-gland treatments like surgical removal of the prostate or radiation.
For Halas and West, the newly published study is another, important step in a 20-year journey that's always been personal and deeply moving.
"Tropical Storm Allison hit while we were doing our earliest animal experiments in the Texas Medical Center," West recalled. "Many of the MRI instruments in animal research facilities were destroyed, and we ended up having to run MRIs on our mice in the same facilities they were using to image patients. It was profoundly moving to see the impact that cancer was having on people, to be waiting there with them and think that what we were developing might one day, hopefully, really help them."
Halas' father died several years ago, but she said she thinks about him every day.
"There's a bigger picture here," she said. "This (study) is 16 men, but when does it get to be 16,000? Sixteen million? Because 1 in 9 men are going to have to deal with this in their lifetime. The thought that this treatment could alleviate the side effects, and the misery, that my dad experienced is truly heartwarming."
West said the results show what is possible when physicians and engineers work together to solve problems.
"This work demonstrates the power of collaboration across engineering and medicine," she said. "It shows how collaboration can enable the translation of exciting new technologies into clinical medicine to improve the lives of patients."
Halas is the Stanley C. Moore Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering in Rice's Brown School of Engineering, director of Rice's Smalley-Curl Institute and a professor of chemistry, bioengineering, physics and astronomy, and materials science and nanoengineering. West is the Fitzpatrick Family University Professor of Engineering and associate dean for doctoral education in Duke's Pratt School of Engineering.
Additional study co-authors include Harry Anastos, Ethan Wajswol, Jared Winoker, John Sfakianos, Sai Doppalapudi, Michael Carrick, Cynthia Knauer, Bachir Taouli, Sara Lewis and Ashutosh Tewari, all of Mount Sinai; Jon Schwartz of Nanospectra Biosciences; Steven Canfield of the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston; and Arvin George of the University of Michigan Health System.
The clinical trial is sponsored by Nanospectra Biosciences. Halas and West, the company's co-founders, maintain a small equity stake in the company but are not involved with Nanospectra Biosciences' business or strategic decisions. Rastinehad, the national principal investigator for the multi-institutional trial of AuroLase Therapy, is also a consultant for Nanospectra Biosciences.
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VIDEOS are available at:
DESCRIPTION: When Houston television meteorologist Frank Billingsley announced he had prostate cancer in 2018, the outpouring of sympathy was overwhelming. Emails poured in, but the popular KPRC-TV broadcaster said one message stood out.
EDITORS NOTE: Billingsley is notone of the first 16 patients whose results are reported in the new PNAS study. He is a patient in the ongoing clinical trial of AuroLase Therapy and was treated at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston.
https://youtu.be/O0y7_I76GGs DESCRIPTION: Art Rastinehad, associated professor of urology and radiology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, discusses the first clinical trial of gold nanoparticles to treat prostate cancer.
High-resolution IMAGES are available for download at:
https://news-network.rice.edu/news/files/2019/08/0812_CANCER-nhjw12a-lg.jpg CAPTION: Naomi Halas (left) and Jennifer West at Houston's 2012 Art Car Parade. Rice's parade entry honored the engineering researchers for their invention of AuroLase Therapy, a cancer treatment that uses gold nanoparticles to destroy cancer without damaging health tissue. (Photo by Mike Williams/Rice University)
Avicanna Secures Canadian Cannabinoid Research Licence at its Headquarters in Toronto's Discovery District
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TORONTO, Aug. 19, 2019 /CNW/ - Avicanna Inc. ("Avicanna" or the "Company") a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development, manufacturing and commercialization of plant-derived cannabinoid-based products is pleased to announce that it has received a research licence (the "Research Licence") from Health Canada. The Research Licence will allow Avicanna's research and development team to work with cannabinoid-based formulations and advanced pharmaceutical drug development at Avicanna's research and development headquarters located at the MaRS Discovery District in Toronto.
Aras Azadian, Chief Executive Officer of Avicanna commented "Attaining this licence will allow Avicanna's team of scientists to directly enhance and expedite research and development and intellectual property development projects while we concurrently execute via our ongoing collaborations, including with the University of Toronto, and at our subsidiaries' laboratories in Colombia. In this way, Avicanna has further fortified its leadership position in the cannabinoid-based pharmaceutical industry and will further leverage working with top Canadian researchers, clinicians and world class institutions, many of which are located meters away from the newly licensed lab."
About Avicanna
Avicanna is an Ontario corporation focused on the development, manufacturing and commercialization of plant-derived cannabinoid-based products through its two main business segments, cultivation and research and development.
Avicanna's two majority-owned subsidiaries, Sativa Nativa S.A.S. and Santa Marta Golden Hemp S.A.S., both located in Santa Marta, Colombia are the base for Avicanna's cultivation activities. These two companies are licensed to cultivate and process cannabis for the production of cannabis extracts and purified cannabinoids including cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
Avicanna's research and development business is primarily conducted out of Canada at its headquarters in the Johnson & Johnson Innovation Centre, JLABS @ Toronto. Avicanna's scientific team develops products, and Avicanna has also engaged the services of researchers at the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy at the University of Toronto for the purpose of optimizing and improving upon its products.
Avicanna's research and development and cultivation activities are focused on the development of its key products, including plant-derived cannabinoid pharmaceuticals, phyto-therapeutics, derma-cosmetics and Extracts (defined as plant-derived cannabinoid extracts and purified cannabinoids, including distillates and isolates), with a goal of eventually having these products manufactured and distributed through various markets.
Stay Connected
For more information about Avicanna, visit www.avicanna.com, call 1-647-243-5283, or contact Setu Purohit, President by email info@avicanna.com.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information and Statements
Certain information in this press release contains forward-looking statements. Such statements include but are not limited to the Company's intended use of the Research Licence. This information is based on current expectations that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict, including the risk factors set out under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's long form final prospectus dated July 8, 2019. Actual results might differ materially from results suggested in any forward-looking statements. The Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements, unless and until required by securities laws applicable to the Company.
SOURCE Avicanna Inc.
Want to get better grades? Lace-up your sneakers!
As students of all ages prepare to go back to school, research suggests that sneakers, not scribblers, should top the list of school supplies. Dr. Scott Leith, data scientist and research psychologist with GoodLife Fitness, explains exercise stimulates brain growth, diminishes stress, contributes to better self-control, speeds up thinking, and more – all of which can translate to better grades.
Here are some of the ways exercise impacts classroom performance:
Focuses attention. Even one workout has been shown to increase focus. Exercise improves multitasking ability, sustained focus, reaction times, and time on task in the classroom.
Reduces stress. Physical activity helps mitigate the impact of life’s various stressors. Stress and mental health are larger concerns for today’s youth, and research shows regular exercise buffers us against the potentially damaging effects of tight deadlines and overwork. Further, exercise has a powerful impact on mental health – particularly in alleviating depression and anxiety.
Improves speed and flexibility of thought. People usually think brain and brawn are separate, but they actually go together. Even single workouts can improve the brain’s processing speed, decision-making ability, and memory capacity.
Grows more neurons. Exercise supports neurogenesis, the production of new neurons in parts of the brain that govern memory and physical learning. When you hit the gym, you’re not just building bigger muscles, you’re building a bigger brain.
Increases academic performance.Studies repeatedly show that exercise has a positive effect on the grades of elementary school children, high school students, and university undergraduates. The effects are particularly strong in math.
Brain-building workoutsIt’s clear that our brains benefit from any and all exercise, but Leith suggests the most effective type of physical activity should be fun and engaging. Workouts that require you to learn new moves and replicate them and sports that require you to react quickly, like soccer or tennis are also great for mental and physical agility. Leith suggests building these kinds of exercises into your regular workouts:
Get your heart pumping. Activities like running, swimming, biking, and walking help build cardiovascular stamina, which encourages better brain function overall. Cardio is also good for reducing stress and improving focus. A brisk 20-minute walk or jog is a perfect study break to help you clear your mind and return with renewed focus. Stuck inside, just do some jumping jacks or walking lunges to refresh your mind. Play a sport. Any activity where you have to think strategically and move quickly promotes better brain function and mental agility. Sports like soccer or tennis require us to control our movements and plan our next move on the fly, which helps build neural pathways and trains us to focus.
Try low-intensity mind-body exercise. Mind-body exercises like yoga or tai chi require us to focus on specific muscles while moving through a series of positions. This kind of physical activity is great to reduce stress and practice mindfulness. These kinds of exercises prompt us to control our muscles and hold them for a sustained time – strengthening the connections and control between mind and body.
DO YOUR CHILDREN HAVE BACK TO SCHOOL ANXIETY?
NEUROPSYCHOLOGIST DR. SANAM HAFEEZ PROVIDES TIPS FOR PARENTS TO EASE BACK TO SCHOOL JITTERS
Did you know that anxiety issues are the most common mental health disorders in children? There are an estimated 18 million children and teens who suffer from anxiety. The National Institute of Mental Health reports that 25 percent of teenagers have issues of anxiety, and the statistics don't take into account the young people who are undiagnosed or don't reach out for help. (credit sheknows.com) Because the start of a new school year can trigger or worsen anxiety in stressed-out children and teens, NYC Licensed Neuropsychologist and School Psychologist Dr. Sanam Hafeez offers the following tips for parents to help ease back-to-school anxiety for their kids.
Start Early
Over the summer, most families take their cues from the sun and stay up later. While it may be tempting to keep the late-night fun going up until the end, starting your school routine a few weeks early can help ease the transition back to school. Starting two to three weeks before the advent of school, begin going to bed and getting up close to when you need to for school, and try to eat on a more regular schedule as well. This advice isn’t just for little kids -- teens and adults need quality sleep for proper functioning as well, and getting your schedule straight now will help ensure that you all start the school year off more prepared and don’t feel as much anxiety over the advent of that first day.
Give your child a preview
Talk to your child about what they’re going to be doing in the upcoming school year. If your child is starting school for the first time, see if there’s a kindergarten orientation or a way to meet their teacher before school begins. Whether they’re starting a new elementary school or going back to the same one, go explore it with your child. Review where their class will be, visit the cafeteria, the library or the art room. Take them to the playground (with a friend who’ll be going to their school, if possible) to help them get adjusted and feel comfortable at the school. Give your child a “preview” of the new faces and places they’ll be seeing. This can help to “right size” the school in your child’s mind and take the fear and mystery out of it.
Shopping together for school supplies
Shopping together for school supplies, and using the shopping trip as a time to talk about what to expect at school, can be a healthy way to keep a child talking. Parents should also try to connect their child with future classmates. “If a child knows someone who is going to be in the same classroom, that can greatly reduce their apprehension and fear of the unknown,” says Dr. Hafeez.
Facilitate friendships.
Help prepare kids for school-year socializing by arranging a couple of playdates with classmates and reminding them that they’ll be seeing their familiar school friends again soon.
Talk up the positives
Field trips, old friends, new classes, sporting events, after-school activities. There’s plenty to get fired up about! Remind your child and the enthusiasm will be contagious.
Sick of School-Literally
Nervousness over heading back to class can make kids feel sick. They may complain of stomachaches, headaches, nausea and dizziness, especially on Sunday evenings after feeling well all weekend. If you observe potential symptoms of stress as the start of school approaches, Dr. Hafeez suggests having a candid conversation with your child. “Don’t just accept ‘fine’ if you ask your child, ‘How are you?’ or, ‘How was your day?’ Ask questions that can't be answered ‘yes or no,’ like, ‘How do you feel about going back to school?’ Then, let them talk, and don't try to fix what they say.”
When anxiety about school “masks” something else
Kids of any age who don’t want to go to school, or avoid it, may be doing so because of a specific issue beyond general anxiety, worry or depression, notes Dr. Hafeez. “Children who are bullied or teased often become anxious about going to school, and if the problem is not addressed, the anxiety will continue along with a host of other problems,” she says. “Similarly, children who are avoiding school may be doing so because school is hard for them — school anxiety many times emerges just before a child is diagnosed with a learning difficulty.”
About the Doctor:
Dr. Sanam Hafeez PsyD is a NYC based licensed clinical psychologist, teaching faculty member at the prestigious Columbia University Teacher’s College and the founder and Clinical Director of Comprehensive Consultation Psychological Services, P.C. a neuropsychological, developmental and educational center in Manhattan and Queens. Dr. Hafeez masterfully applies her years of experience connecting psychological implications to address some of today’s common issues such as body image, social media addiction, relationships, workplace stress, parenting and psychopathology (bipolar, schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, etc…). In addition, Dr. Hafeez works with individuals who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), learning disabilities, attention and memory problems, and abuse. Dr. Hafeez often shares her credible expertise to various news outlets in New York City and frequently appears on CNN and Dr.Oz. Connect with her via Instagram @drsanamhafeez or www.comprehendthemind.com
Rapid Dose Therapeutics Commences Clinical Research Trial with GI Research Institute and University of British Columbia
BURLINGTON, ON, Aug. 20, 2019 /CNW/ - Rapid Dose Therapeutics Corp. (CSE: DOSE), ("RDT") announced today the commencement of a clinical research trial with the GI Research Institute ("GIRI") and the University of British Columbia ("UBC") under the direction of Dr. Brian L. Bressler, MD, as Principal Investigator. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of providing daily doses of QuickStrip™ Vitamin B12 oral thin film strips to Inflammatory Bowel Disease ("IBD") patients who are vitamin B12 deficient.
IBD is a chronic gastrointestinal condition that afflicts approximately 270,000 Canadians and more than 5 million people worldwide and causes inflammation that can lead to ulceration of the intestinal tract that often results in poor absorption of essential nutrients and vitamins. Vitamin B12 deficiency is generally treated with injections or orally ingested pills. Injections may be unpleasant for some patients while others may have difficulty with swallowing pills. Rapidly dissolving QuickStrip™ B12 oral thin film strips may provide an effective and convenient solution to individuals needing daily B12 supplementation.
"We are delighted to engage in this clinical study, initiated and led by Dr. Brian Bressler, and the GIRI team of researchers, as Dr. Bressler is one of Canada's foremost leaders in the area of gastroenterology and the treatment of IBD," said Dr. Rina Carlini, VP, Research & Innovation of RDT.
"We are excited to be involved in this study to learn how this new delivery of vitamin B12 can help replace this essential nutrient in patients with IBD in an efficient and convenient way," said Dr. Bressler.
RDT's proprietary QuickStrip™ technology is an oral dispersible thin film drug delivery system that rapidly delivers active medicinal agents directly to the bloodstream via transfer through the sublingual or buccal mucosa (mouth), bypassing metabolism of the active agent in the gastrointestinal tract.
GIRI, located in Vancouver, BC, is affiliated with Pacific Gastroenterology Associates and supports clinical research and helps advance education in gastrointestinal disease.
About Rapid Dose Therapeutics Rapid Dose Therapeutics Corp. is a publicly-traded Canadian life sciences company that provides innovative, proprietary drug delivery technologies designed to improve outcomes and quality of lives. RDT offers Quick, Convenient, Precise and Discreet™ choices to consumers. RDT is focused and committed to clinical research and product development in the healthcare industry, including nutraceutical, pharmaceutical and cannabis sectors. Within the cannabis sector, RDT provides a turn-key Managed Strip Service Program which enables RDT's QuickStrip™ proprietary drug delivery technology to be licensed by select partners. RDT's service-based annuity contracts drive recurring revenue which enables rapid expansion into emerging markets — generating value for consumers and shareholders. Rapid Dose Therapeutics is committed to continually create innovative solutions aimed at multiple consumer segments and future market needs.
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: Certain information in this news release may contain forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Any statements that are contained in this news release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward- looking statements. Forward looking statements are often identified by terms such as "may", "should", "anticipate", "expect", "potential", "believe", "intend" or the negative of these terms and similar expressions. Statements containing forward-looking information, including, without limitation, in respect of the delivery of products using the QuickStrip™ product delivery method, express, as at the date of this news release, the plans, estimates, forecasts, projections, expectations or beliefs of RDT as to future events or results and are believed to be reasonable based on information currently available to them. Forward-looking statements necessarily involve known and unknown risks, including, without limitation, risks associated with general economic conditions; adverse industry events; marketing costs; loss of markets; future legislative and regulatory developments involving cannabis; inability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources, and/or inability to access sufficient capital on favourable terms; the cannabis industry in Canada generally, income tax and regulatory matters; the ability to implement its business strategies; competition; currency and interest rate fluctuations and other risks. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list is not exhaustive. There can be no assurance that statements of forward-looking information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, will prove to be accurate as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are based will occur. Actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.
SOURCE Rapid Dose Therapeutics Corp.
Need that Extra Push? 4 Ways to Motivate Yourself to Start a New Workout Routine
The year is already more than half over and you might be coming to the realization that you never got around to tackling those fitness goals you set for yourself at the beginning of the year. If you need that extra push to motivate yourself to get fit, here are four tips to help get you started on a new workout routine.
Find a Workout Buddy
Working out with a friend is much more fun and makes the time go by a lot faster. You can also lean on each other when you’re not feeling particularly excited about a workout or are getting a bit down on yourself. Choose a partner that has similar fitness goals as you so that you’re always on the same page and can maximize the benefits of the benefits of having a workout buddy.
Post Inspiration Everywhere
When you see something that inspires you to reach your fitness goals, grab on to it. If it’s something you see on your social media feed, share it. If you come across something in a magazine, clip it out and hang it on your refrigerator or another location that you visit often throughout the day. Visualizing your fitness goals in this way can help you manifest your dreams into reality.
Get New Workout Gear
When you look your best, you feel your best. This theory holds true when exercising as well. If you have some new workout gear you’ll be more motivated to put them on and get to the gym. Gear that fits correctly, particularly weightlifting clothes, can also improve your workout routine because it’s less likely to get tangled up in equipment when you’re exercising.
Set Smaller, More Frequent Goals
Making one huge goal of losing a large amount of weight can seem intimidating, leading you to be less motivated about working out. The more goals you achieve, the more encouraged you’ll feel to stay the course. Set smaller goals, like a five pound weight loss within a two month time frame, so that you can realistically meet that goal within the allotted time. Once you crush that goal, you can continue to set goals until you’ve finally achieved everything you desire.
Staying motivated when starting a new workout routine can seem like a daunting task at first. With the right tools and right people around you, you’ll be able to reach all of the goals you set.
IS YOUR BRAIN HARDWIRED FOR ROMANCE?
Neuroscience Expert Shares How to Biohack The Brain for a Better Relationship Dating and relationships are hard work - especially in 2019. The changing face of modern romance has led to some pretty depressing stats: A recent survey found that more than 50% of sexually active individuals are dissatisfied with their sex lives; only 30% of Internet daters are in search of true love as opposed to hookups; and a staggering 23% of women aren’t happy in their relationships! It's no wonder nearly half of all marriages today end in divorce.Before you lose all faith in modern romance and turn your back on love, there may be some hope. Though some argue technology is the leading culprit in romantic demise, new tech has also given us incredible insight into love and relationships. According to Neuroscience expert Dr. Patrick Porter, there is a fascinating link between brainwaves and romance.We can't see it, but brains hum with these waves of electrical activity. At the root of all our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors is the communication between neurons within our brains. Changing our brainwaves has a dramatic effect on our physical, mental, and emotional health."Brainwave training has been found to help people de-stress and achieve emotional balance. It is proven to help people who struggle with stress, anxiety, difficulty sleeping, fatigue, - all of which are extremely important factors when it comes to romance and relationships..."...says Dr. Porter, who recently presented research along with Arianna Huffington at the National Biohacking Conference in Los Angeles. According to research, sleep plays a major role in relationships. When we sleep poorly, the parts of our brain devoted to emotional empathy don’t function as well. Sleep loss causes social withdrawal and loneliness and it helps us to be less angry and aggressive. Not surprisingly, anxiety and stress can also negatively impact your relationship. It can lead to inappropriate suspiciousness or paranoia, overthinking, being indecisive, and an appropriate need for reassurance and support.Though there are several methods of brainwave entrainment, one of the most effective is "braintapping" which uses auditory and visual stimulation to synchronize and balance brainwaves. As the light and sound frequency changes, so does the frequency in the brain. Brainwave training stabilizes the limbic system which is involved in motivation, emotion, learning, and memory. Your body is calmed, your breathing becomes rhythmic, your hands warm, and your muscles relax. "The light and sound stimulation boost brain levels of serotonin, beta-endorphins, and norepinephrine. These are the same chemicals that are released during attraction and make us giddy, energetic, and euphoric," says Porter. Brainwave training and biohacking have made tremendous advances in improving symptoms of mental health conditions which are closely tied to relationships. Although in the past, brainwave training and biohacking have received criticism for being unregulated, biohackers argue that's exactly why it needs to be studied and have close attention by the public. Dr. Porter is sharing the fascinating link between brainwave training and its impact on romance and emotional health and he can also explain why balancing brainwaves may improve your love life.IN AN INTERVIEW OR ARTICLE, DR. PORTER CAN DISCUSS:Brainwaves and relationships: the science of love.The fascinating link between brainwave training and its impact on romance and emotional health.Why balancing brainwaves may improve your love life.Biohacking - the latest trend in health and wellness.How to biohack your brain with light, sound, and vibration.What mainstream biohacking means for the healthcare industry. ABOUT DR. PATRICK PORTER:Dr. Patrick K. Porter, Ph.D., is an award-winning author and speaker who has devoted his career to neuroscience and brainwave entrainment. As the creator of BrainTap Technology™, Porter has emerged as a leader in the digital health and wellness field. BrainTap’s digital tools and mind development apps use Creative Visualization and Relaxation, a biohacking technique that has made tremendous advances in treating mental, physical, and emotional health issues. Braintap has been praised for helping people overcome stress and insomnia, lose weight, stop smoking, manage pain, accelerate learning, and much more. FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT: www.braintap.com
STONEFIELD VILLA RESORT LAUNCHES AN EXCLUSIVE FITNESS RETREAT WITH CANADIAN CELEBRITY AND FITNESS EXPERT JANA WEBB
TORONTO, ON (August 20th, 2019) - Stonefield Villa Resort, a premier health and wellness boutique property nestled at the base of Saint Lucia's famous Pitons has partnered with fitness expert and Reebok spokesperson, Jana Webb to launch a weeklong fitness retreat from November 17 – 24th, 2019 offered exclusively through WestJet Vacations.
Webb, an original cast member of the Real Housewives of Toronto, is the founder of JOGA World, a movement system made up of yoga combined with the biomechanics of sports training. Joga was created during a personal journey of rehabilitation following a car crash that left Webb severely injured. Her unique program enhances athletic performance, improves concentration, decreases recovery time, and ultimately, transforms an athlete's game.
The Jana Webb Fitness Retreat, is an all-inclusive package with roundtrip flights on WestJet, including luxury villa accommodations at Stonefield Villa Resort. The package will feature daily personalized workouts; a 60-minute spa treatment; customized healthy meal options at the resorts award-winning farm to table restaurant - Mango Tree; airport transfers; Sulphur Springs Volcano mud bath excursion, hiking the famous Pitons and a full day catamaran experience along the islands west coast.
Saint Lucia offers travellers an elevated wellness experience; the volcanic island is home to the healing Sulphur Springs, a restorative mineral mud bath, lush rainforests and the iconic Pitons that rise majestically out of the Caribbean Sea. Webb visited Saint Lucia in November 2018 to scout properties for her first fitness retreat aboard. After reviewing the island top wellness attractions and resorts, she selected Stonefield Villa Resort to host her high-end clientele on a week-long fitness/wellness retreat.
“To find a getaway that combines the zen of the ocean and the adventures of the rainforest is rare,” remarked Jana Webb, founder of JOGA. “Stonefield Villa Resort’s exquisite farm to table service and magical views from your own private villa will be a time in your life you will never forget. Saint Lucia will inspire you! My motto in life is work hard and play harder. Join me for the first ever, all-inclusive - Jana Webb Fitness Retreat partnered with WestJet Vacations and Stonefield Villa Resort. I guarantee a week of fun, fitness, amazing food, relaxation, adventure, laughs and friendship.”
The Jana Webb Fitness Retreat is sold exclusively through WestJet Vacations, visit http://westjet.com/stonefield to book you package today or call Toll Free: 1-888-937 - 8538.
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About Stonefield Resort
Stonefield Villa Resort is one of the most desirable destinations for the discerning Caribbean traveller. This 17-villa boutique property is nestled at the base of St. Lucia's Pitons overlooking the Caribbean Sea. Guests relax, luxuriate and rejuvenate in spacious secluded villas each with large private pools, outdoor garden showers, large verandas and extraordinary views of the Petit Piton and the Caribbean Sea. The resorts' full-service spa, gym, and yoga studio have attracted fitness and wellness groups globally offering annual retreats for exceptional rejuvenation. Consistently rated over four stars on Trip Advisor, Stonefield Resort and Spa has become a yearly award-winning vacation escape for visitors all over the world.
OXYGEN: A SECRET WEAPON FOR HOLISTIC HEALTH?
Expert Offers Insight Into Oxygen, Exercise, & the Art of BreathingWe all know breathing oxygen keeps us alive but it's easy to underestimate just how much it impacts our overall health and fitness. Oxygen helps the body maintain pH balance, boosts metabolism, detoxifies the blood, enhances exercise, and plays a huge role in the recovery process. But just because you are breathing air, doesn't mean that you are getting all of the holistic health benefits that proper breathing can offer. This is especially important when it comes to exercise and fitness.According to expert, Michael Grant White, not all breathing is created equal and there are breathing techniques you can do to enhance your workout."Breathing is an art. Since oxygen is crucial for peak athletic performance, proper breathing should be one of your main focuses during exercise...”
...says White who trains athletes (and those with challenged breathing) to use proper breathing techniques and has seen first-hand how better breathing can help strengthen endurance, lower lactic acid production, and improve stamina for cardio-centric activities (like running, swimming, biking, etc.) In addition, simple breathing techniques can help people (at any level of fitness) recover more quickly from high-intensity activities.Oxygen-enhanced exercise is a holistic approach to fitness that has recently skyrocketed in popularity. Once available and common only with Olympians and pro athletes. this training method has hit the mainstream and now at-home-exercisers and workout warriors across the country are using it as an all-natural way to gain an athletic advantage.
In case you missed this high school biology lesson, here's a quick recap of the science: During exercise, your muscles have to contract and work harder, which increases their demand for oxygen. The amount needed is much more than you are taking in. Your body first burns the existing oxygen in the red blood cells and when this runs out, the body turns to fermentation for its energy needs. Instead of using oxygen, the muscles convert glucose into lactic acid and this is when fatigue sets in. Oxygen-enhanced exercise leverages the body's already-existing system for oxygenating the blood before this happens. It is a scientifically proven phenomenon that’s said to benefit the body by reducing the physical stress of exercise, accelerating recovery, helping you sleep, giving you more energy, and improving your metabolism. "Playing sports, weight-lifting, circuit training, or any other intense physical activity, of course, burns calories and builds muscle, but many people don't consider the wear and tear it has on their body. Lack of oxygen ages the body at a much greater rate..."...says White, who has studied breathing over the past 24 years and has seen a rapid rise in interest for oxygen-enhanced exercise. As anti-doping initiatives spread across the country, and athletic drug testing becomes more prevalent, many athletes are turning to oxygen-enhanced exercise as a way to amplify their workouts without the use of drugs, chemicals, surgery, or invasive techniques. In short: better breathing = better health. Michael Grant White is on a mission to awaken the breathing consciousness of the world. He can share breathing tips people can use to improve their health and their workout and has insight into the oxygen-enhanced exercise trend. IN AN INTERVIEW / ARTICLE:Breathing Tricks to Improve Your Health & Enhance Your Workout3 Ways you Might be Breathing WrongUnlikely Ways Your Breathing Impacts Your LifeFascinating Link Between Breathing & The BrainInsight into the "Oxygen-Enhanced Exercise" Trend: An All-Natural Approach to Improve Health & Enhance Workouts ABOUT MICHAEL GRANT WHITE:Michael Grant White is a holistic health expert, author, and international speaker who has dedicated his career to helping people improve their health through better breathing. As an Optimal Breathing Coach and the founder of My Oxygen Machine andBreathing.com, White is on a mission to make the world healthier one breath at a time.
4 Types of Clothing that Will Boost Your Workouts
Exercise can take many forms. It can range from competing in a triathlon down to a few minutes of stretching your legs after couple of hours stuck at your desk. There is as much variety in workout clothing as there is in the types of workouts, but almost any type of physical activity will be more productive and more comfortable with these four types of clothing.
Workout Gloves
We say “No pain, no gain!”, but sometimes the pain can interfere with the gain. If your exercise is causing blisters or scrapes on your hands, you will get a lot more gain by purchasing some quality workout gloves. They’re designed for working out, not being out working, so they’re optimized for exercise. Good workout gloves will flex with you, protect you from injuries, and breathe to keep your skin cool.
Compression Gear
Another area of discomfort during workouts is from your clothes. Bulky garments may be necessary to keep you warm, but they interfere with good form and will increase fatigue. Baggy cotton garments will also get tangled and uncomfortable. Ordinary socks will ride up, ride down, or wear through. Exercise apparel like compression socks for men and womenwill ensure that your clothing stays comfortably in place and doesn’t interfere with free movement.
Modern Rainwear
Bad weather is a good excuse for skipping a daily walk or run. Back when nylon was the only choice for rainwear, it was actually a legitimate excuse, because the material trapped body heat and humidity, quickly making you hot and miserable. Investing in gear made with modern materials can resolve this problem. They turn rain away but allow body heat and moisture to radiate out, keeping you comfortable despite the precipitation.
Wicking Fabrics
The days of sweaty shirts plastered to athletes’ bodies are over. Modern moisture-wicking fabrics help that perspiration move away from the garment and the wearer, resulting in better evaporative cooling that helps maintain a safe, comfortable body temperature. No matter what activity you use for working up a sweat, these materials will work the sweat away from you.
The motivation to work out is vital to a successful exercise program. So is the development of a specific routine. With the right clothes to keep you at the optimum temperature without rubbing you the wrong way or getting you wet, your exercise routine will be easier to maintain and will lead to better results.
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