The Local Optimist Digest #13

Welcome to The Local Optimist Digest, your crib sheet for the latest news in mental health. Whether you want to know how the government is (or is not) investing in our wellbeing, discover the latest research on how the mind impacts the body, or find out which celebrities are helping destigmatize the conversation by opening up about their own mental health struggles, we’ll be covering it all here every other week. This week, we're looking at the rising potential of cannabis addiction, how hormonal changes trigger eating disorders, and a dangerous mental health test taking over TikTok.

Welp, weed is more addictive than we've been told

Today in bad news for the wake-and-bake crowd, weed can be more addictive and detrimental to our mental health than we're often told. As the third most widely used drug globally behind alcohol and nicotine, cannabis is often positioned as being the less addictive option, but a new study pours cold water on that POV. Researchers found that people who used high-potency cannabis (and potency has increased in recent years as weed has been legalized) are more likely to experience addiction and experience a psychotic disorder like schizophrenia than low-potency users. Sorry, Nancy Botwin. READ

Nightmares can ripple far beyond the bedroom

You know the feeling well: you've had a terrible nightmare, wake up to find it's not real, and feel a huge sense of relief. Well, it turns out the story doesn't always end there – depending on what type of nightmare it is (and researchers have identified 3) nightmares can lead to greater irritability, anxiety, and stress during the day. Beyond the obvious self-care tips, if you find yourself waking up frequently in fear, experts suggest cutting alcohol, limiting food intake before bed, and meditating when you get under the covers. READ

Can hormonal changes trigger eating disorders?

It's well-known that eating disorders can cause hormonal changes in women, but a growing body of research suggests that reproductive hormone shifts might trigger eating disorders, too. Puberty, menopause, pregnancy, and the postpartum period have all been found to be ripe territory for the onset or recurrence of EDs, and the science now indicates that it's not just due to the psychological toll of body changes in a society that privileges thinness but the complex fluctuations of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone during these periods, too. Heaviest sigh. READ

Ayahuasca users are (apparently) better than us

Of all the psychedelics we've been curious to try for our mental health, ayahuasca, what with its vomit-y reputation, has been last on the list, but a new study has us reconsidering. Research from the Netherlands found that frequent ayahuasca users tend to eat healthier, engage in more physical activity, and suffer from fewer chronic diseases than the average psychedelic-free Joe. What's more, just under 99% of participants reported greater happiness, optimism, and self-acceptance. Lead us to your shaman, please. READ

Ghosting is not great for either party's mental health

If you've used a dating app in the last decade then there's a 99.9% chance you've been ghosted or ghosted someone yourself. You're also likely aware that it feels shitty, and a new study out of Wesleyan University bears this out. It found that many victims of ghosting feel overwhelming rejection, confusion, low self-worth, and strong feelings of mistrust for future relationships. But there are psychological consequences for the ghoster, too, with about half of them saying they experienced remorse or guilt after their disappearing act. Maybe we should try... being respectful and straightforward about our feelings instead? READ

You probably shouldn't take the Childhood Trauma Test that's all over TikTok

One of the latest messy mental health trends to take hold on TikTok is the "Childhood Trauma Test" created by a Ukrainian company called BetterMe that claims to gauge how traumatic your early childhood was based on 12 questions, such as the extremely broad "were you often punished in childhood?" On top of the fact that its un-vetted methodology is giving TikTok's young users warped perceptions of their childhood, it's also quietly being used to collect a ton of their personal data that is then sold to companies like Amazon, Facebook, and Google. Don't they have enough of that? READ

If you find yourself feeling extra anxious before work these days, try to build a little solitude into your morning routine. Experts suggest carving out a 20-30 minute mindful "pause" before work to help ground yourself in the present, put your needs first, and set a calmer tone for the day.

How you do this is highly personal, but suggestions include meditating, reading news or a book unrelated to your career over coffee, and journaling. If you pick up a pen, try exploring these questions:- What really matters to me today?- What am I longing for today?- What does success mean to me? 

Shawn Mendes cancels his world tour for a mental health break

After previously postponing his world tour for 3 weeks, the pop star Shawn Mendes announced last week that he'd be canceling the rest of the tour in order to focus on taking care of his mental health. "I started this tour excited to finally get back to playing live after a long break due to the pandemic, but the reality is I was not at all ready for how difficult touring would be after this time away," Mendes posted on Instagram. The singer has long been open about his mental health struggles in an effort, he's said, to help and empower others who are struggling. Obviously, we dig. READ

Ecotherapy is on the rise: here's how to practice it yourself

A growing amount of research shows that incorporating nature into our therapeutic practice can be incredibly beneficial to our mental health. But to really make the most of it, you have to think beyond simply going outside. In our latest Local Optimist Toolkit, we take a closer look at the best (non-obvious) steps you can take to really reap the mood-boosting benefits of being outdoors and share resources for finding an ecotherapist if you'd like to dive deeper. Cue "Going Up the Country" by Canned Heat. READ

Lambda Legal

In the wake of the Supreme Court's dark decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, many are anxious that they'll soon do the same with Obergefell v. Hodges, which legalized same-sex marriage. Lambda Legal – a nonprofit doing crucial work to protect LGBTQ+ civil rights through impact litigation, education, and public policy work – is at the forefront of the fight to make sure that doesn't happen. To learn how you can get involved in their campaigns or donate to support the fight, head HERE.

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