It’s a fact that at this point in our society, cell phones as nearly as integral a part of life as food, water, and sleep. Your 80 year old grandparents have one. Your 10 year old niece has one. Even that odd guy from down the street who likes to think he lives “off the grid” has one. They have become very much an extension of our beings, with a large percentage of the population claiming “they couldn’t live without them.” (For a certain age groups, cell phones were described as “not just a novelty, but a way of life.)

However, as the number of cell phones, and the time we spend on them, continues to rise, more and more information is being gathered that shows the negative impact of their use on our mental well being. New studies, from a variety of sources, are frequently released regarding the correlation between cell phone use and mental health, with many of the end results being similar, and concerning. These are just a few of the effects you could be feeling if your screen time is too high.

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At this point, we all know someone who vapes. Electronic cigarettes (also called vapes because of the vapor the user inhales) were invented as we know them in 2003, but gained prominence worldwide around 2013, being widely touted as a “safe” alternative to smoking and seen as a way to get around the rigid smoke-free laws that are now prevalent in large cities. Today, the vaping industry is huge, with hundreds of different brands of e-cigarettes and flavors of “vape juice” available to purchase, providing global sales that are in the billions.. However, as time has passed, multiple issues with the habit have come to light. The FDA is now regulating e-cigarettes, which, along with lung related illness linked to vaping, has increased recent awareness about the negative side effects that may be incurred. There are several considerable problems that have been reported. 

]]> https://brainbend.com/2019/12/10-ways-teenagers-are-like-baboons/ Tue, 03 Dec 2019 19:12:16 +0000 https://brainbend.com/?p=1022 More]]> Baboons are very social

Ask any group of parents their opinions on how best to raise children and you’ll likely get an extremely wide variety of answers. After all, all children develop and thrive differently, parenting styles are as numerous as the stars. However, one thing many parents do seem to agree on is that once their child hits the teenage years, all bets are off and you can throw away any methods that may have worked in the past. Teenagers are often viewed by their elders as moody, unpredictable, uncommunicative, and it’s considered wise to approach them with caution. Not unlike an animal in the wild. Or even more specifically, like a baboon. Does that seem like a harsh comparison? Well then, consider these facts.

Baboons are well known to be very social creatures, doing many daily activities in groups. Likewise, social activity begins to become more prominent and more important during the teenage years. As they begin driving and dating, teens gain more freedom to see friends and choose where to spend their time. Some teenagers consider their social life to be tantamount to anything else.

]]> https://brainbend.com/2019/11/20-things-you-didnt-know-about-coffee/ Tue, 12 Nov 2019 21:48:37 +0000 https://brainbend.com/?p=805 More]]>

Coffee. We all know that person who can’t seem to function without a cup or four. I mean, if we’re being honest, most of us ARE that person. But if someone were to bust out a round of coffee based trivia, could you hold your own and spout a few facts in return? If not, relax! Here’s a list of twenty things you, or your friends, may not have known about this nectar of the gods, so pour yourself a tall cup of fresh brew and read on!

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