Nutrition

In 2008, the NIH started funding the Human Microbiome Project in an effort to identify and characterize the microorganisms of the human body (such as those on the skin and in the vagina, mouth, and the intestinal tract) to determine if they play a role in human health and disease. This research has started unraveling…

Recovery is largely about ritual, and at Two Dreams we encourage the establishment of rituals that promote regular, high quality sleep. For example, each morning residents on the Outer Banks embark on a sun salutation walk on the beach to expose their retinas to sunlight, encouraging the switch from a sleep state (when GABA brain…

To gain control over addiction, it is important to remove all drugs from your system that affect neurological signaling, which includes caffeine. Although caffeine is commonplace and not considered to be harmful in most cases, it is an addictive substance that can cause its own set of health problems such as upset stomach, sleep disorders,…

Gingerbread, ginger ale, ginger beef…the culinary versatility of ginger is unparalleled by any other spice. The span of gastronomic use ranges from aromatic pungent Indian and Asian dishes to sweet treats and candies. Ginger is one of the most widely consumed spices in the world. In addition to ginger’s use in the kitchen, science suggests…

The benefits of milk for bone growth and development have been accepted for years. The composition of milk, its protein and carbohydrate balance, helps to improve muscle performance and to attenuate damage after exercise. The current governmental dietary recommendation for dairy consumption in adults is 3 cups per day. Pasteurized dairy milk is a good…

Drug users often suffer from vitamin deficiencies because they do not eat enough food for various reasons. Some use drugs as a way to stay thin, some do not realize they are hungry, and some forget to eat because they are consumed by other problems. These behaviors can lead to serious medical conditions caused by…

When you’re struggling with an addiction to drugs or alcohol and it’s mealtime, it’s all too easy to stop in at your favorite fast food place and pick up a burger, fries and a soda to go. But while that may be fine for an occasional treat, if you’re suffering from the disease of alcohol…

Substance-use exerts a large amount of physical stress on the human body. Drugs take precedence over basic necessities during active addiction, so health often falls by the wayside. Malnourishment, for example, causes the body to function improperly due to a lack of essential nutrients. Some drugs create the illusion of “fullness” so the body doesn’t…

It used to be, if you visited a physician for a medical exam, he or she would most likely ask you few if any questions at all about your lifestyle: what kind of food you ate each day, how well you slept each night, and whether or not you incorporated exercise into your life on…

Dream Journal Volume XXXV / December 2015 Note from Dr. B. The holidays can be a difficult time for individuals in recovery: frustrating family members, crazy Christmas parties, stressful shopping trips, etc. You don’t have to let the season get you down though! There are plenty of ways to stay centered and sober during the…