This article was originally published November 22, 2019 and has since been updated. Smoking is a difficult addiction to break, especially when it begins during the teen years. The younger a smoker takes up the habit, the more addicted they tend to be. What Makes Smoking So Addictive? Nicotine, the most addictive substance in tobacco,...

Maria Sykes
The Hearty Soul Team
Marie Sykes is an Ontario based writer with a background in research and a love for holistic wellness. She's especially interested in boosting awareness for women's health issues. Once a shunner of gyms, Marie has found an appreciation for weight training and HIIT circuits. She enjoys trying cuisine from all over the world, and she also enjoys not caring two cents what other people think her body should look like.
Fasting is becoming increasingly popular as a way to boost health. But it can be confusing to figure out how much of the hype is backed by evidence. This article discusses the different types of fasting, including intermittent fasting, along with some of their main benefits. What Is Fasting? Fasting is a period of time...
19-year-old, Julia Unger, of Denver, Colorado never thought that her efforts to promote her mental health would leave her even sicker than before. Since high school, she had been self-medicating with cannabis in an effort to relieve anxiety and depression. Unger had gotten into the habit of smoking as often as 5 times every day in...
Do you remember that beautiful daffodil yellow Tupperware either your parents or grandparents had? It may bring back nostalgic memories of potato salad, baking cookies, or afternoon Tang, but there may be a reason to throw it out. As it turns out, they can be extremely high in heavy metals. According to Environmental Activist, Tamara...
Blackheads are never fun. They’re these annoying little clusters of black dots that clog your ‘invisible’ hair follicles. You have probably experienced them on your face, nose, or chin. But did you know you can get blackheads inside your ear? Everything You Need to Know About Blackheads According to the American Academy of Dermatology, 50...
Oatmeal is great when it comes to the nutrition side of things. It’s loaded with vitamins, minerals, fiber, and healthy carbohydrates which are all going to fuel your body in the right way and get your ready for the day ahead. However, despite being packed full of goodness, there is one downfall; oatmeal is still...
19-year-old Molly-Rose Taylor of the UK suffered from excruciating menstrual pain since she was 9 years old. But – as many readers might find familiar – it took many years and misdiagnoses (and a lot of independent research) before she uncovered the root of her pain. Blaming Her Age “When I first started my periods,...
From a young age, fairy tales and happily-ever-after stories are pushed into our heads, leading us to believe that the key to happiness is to find “the one”. However, with divorce rates skyrocketing it’s becoming increasingly popular to remain single for long periods of time. Whether you’re looking for a fairytale ending or prefer your...
Your kidneys are a pair of small bean-shaped organs located in the middle of your back which also just happen to be one of the most important organs responsible for detoxing the body. The kidneys remove waste and extra water from the blood to form urine. If your kidneys were not able to do their job...
Fibromyalgia is still a widely misunderstood condition, one that the medical community is still exploring and learning about. Fibromyalgia presents itself in several forms, which contributes to its notorious mystique. One less well-known condition caused by fibromyalgia is edema (or fibromyalgia swelling). Is edema plaguing you? Fibromyalgia Complications: What is Edema? Edema is swelling caused by...
Organ meats are often perceived with disgust by some people, but they may be more nutritious than you think. If you’re vegan or vegetarian, this isn’t meant to change your mind, but if you’re not, organ meats may be worth a try. And for those who’ve been enjoying liver and kidney recipes for years, keep...
This article was originally published November 15 2019 and has since been updated. There are a lot of reasons to eat less meat. The beef industry has a significantly large carbon footprint (1). Red meat has been tentatively linked to cancer; processed meats even more so. (2) The ethics of eating animals and how they...