Melissa delivers lessons with grace and an ability to prioritise ethical and professional practice. Her deep understanding of nutrition, herbology, intuition development, acupuncture and massage is evident in her teachings.
Documented client outcomes show improvement in musculoskeletal conditions such as chronic pain, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, joint pain and back pain.
What is a Natural Healer?
Natural healers are people who have a unique gift for soothing and comforting others, often without formal training or titles. They carry a healing energy that radiates from their bodies, and they are often the trusted confidant friends call in the middle of the night. They can sense pain, discomfort, and grief in the people around them, and they can ease the pain of animals and even plants.
A natural healer is someone who serves as a bridge between the seen and unseen worlds. They feel things that others can’t, see things that other can’t, hear things that other can’t, and smell things that other can’t. Because they are so sensitive to the emotions and vibrations of other people, they may find it difficult to be in large crowds and might need to spend time alone to recharge their batteries.
Healers often have a strong spiritual connection with nature, and they feel at home in the mountains, oceans, rivers, and other wild places. They can communicate with the plants and animals in a way that many others cannot, and they often see potential for growth and healing in people that other people might miss. They have a deep understanding of the importance of treating all beings with compassion and respect.
What are the Benefits of a Natural Healer?
Natural healers have a gift to soothe, comfort, and restore others, often without formal training or titles. They may feel things others don’t, sense things others can’t, or see, hear, or smell energies that others are unaware of. They can feel called to ease the suffering of people, animals, and nature.
Healers are often drawn to spiritual and metaphysical topics and have experiences like dreams that come true. They may also find it easy to connect to music or other creative outlets as a way to express emotions and process energy.
Healers are often a bridge between the 3D realms of this dimension and higher consciousness, and many find themselves feeling most at home in nature. This sensitivity can sometimes be overwhelming, especially in the presence of too much negative or unprocessed energy. As a result, it’s important for healers to practice self-care, and meditate regularly. They should also take time to rest and recharge, and make sure their boundaries are properly set. They should also seek guidance and mentorship, and explore healing modalities that resonate with them. Melissa’s lectures are incredibly well-articulated, not just syntactically but in terms of her heartfelt intention and genuine care for her students. She is a master at making the most complex of ideas relatable and meaningful.
Collagen is a fibrous protein found in bones, cartilage, and tendons; however it’s also available as oral supplements which have been shown to enhance skin elasticity and hydration. Research demonstrates this fact.
But can ingesting collagen protect against the natural effects of aging? Mayo Clinic dermatologist Dawn Davis says no; she emphasizes limiting UV exposure, not smoking and wearing sunscreen regularly as key elements to maintaining a healthy complexion.
How it works
Collagen is an essential protein for providing strength and structure to skin, hair and joints. Produced by your body from amino acids consumed through food such as fish, poultry, meat beans and nuts; production decreases with age so eating a balanced diet with supplements to support collagen levels is key for keeping levels at an optimum level.
There is some evidence that collagen supplements may help reduce fine lines and wrinkles, hydrate skin and improve elasticity, but larger studies are required to confirm these benefits. Furthermore, it could have adverse reactions on those suffering from certain medical conditions, including autoimmune disease or diabetes.
Oral collagen supplements are typically composed of the protein components found in animal collagen sources like skin, bones and cartilage. Available as capsules, powders, gummies or liquids. Collagen is then broken down into smaller peptides or amino acids easily absorbed by your digestive tract for use in building or repairing muscle, skin, hair or nail tissue.
Oral collagen supplements offer numerous advantages to skin and joints, including increased hydration and elasticity that could result in decreased fine lines and wrinkles, reduced symptoms of osteoarthritis like pain and stiffness, improved muscle mass by increasing cell turnover rates and providing the building blocks for proteins.
Diet is the best way to enjoy the benefits of collagen. A balanced diet including fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins sources and sugar should all contribute to producing more collagen by your body. Furthermore, using sunscreen with SPF 30 protection or higher and limiting sun exposure are both proven ways to prevent collagen loss from UV radiation and promote good health in general. Finally, getting adequate rest and exercising regularly are also great ways to promote collagen production and keep you feeling great!
Ingredients
Collagen is an elastic protein produced naturally, though production tends to decrease with age. Many people begin noticing sagging or wrinkled skin at this point; thus causing them to take pills, powders or rub it on their faces in an attempt to increase collagen levels – but does it really work and is it safe?
Although collagen supplements have gained much hype in recent years, evidence is lacking that oral or topical collagen supplements can reverse the aging process. Most studies supporting their use come from low quality studies sponsored by product or research sponsors or are from developed nations without replication in low income populations with similar demographics.
Additionally, most oral collagen supplements come from animal sources like cow hides, fish scales or chicken feet. While scientists are working towards finding plant-based sources of collagen for human consumption, vegans should for now avoid these products.
At the end of the day, millions are being spent on products that could better benefit skin health and reduce wrinkles by eating healthy food such as lean proteins, whole grains, leafy greens, fruits and citrus fruits – including those rich in collagen boosting properties such as citrus fruits – which could boost their own collagen production by the body.
If you are considering taking collagen supplements, consult with your physician first. They may suggest one that has been proven effective through clinical trials and can provide advice about selecting one that fits in with your lifestyle and is safe.
Be mindful that no supplement will prevent aging; rather it should be seen as part of a comprehensive strategy to maintain skin health. If there’s anything amiss with your skin, visit a dermatologist immediately – they’ll help assess whether what’s happening is normal or something which needs urgent attention.
Side effects
Collagen is one of the body’s most abundant proteins, found in bones, cartilage, tendons and skin. As we age, collagen production slows and many individuals use oral collagen supplements in an attempt to reverse this aging process and improve skin elasticity and hair health; however, healthy diet, stress reduction techniques and sun protection may prove more beneficial than supplements alone.
Most evidence regarding collagen supplements comes from small studies that may not apply to everyone, with many being funded by supplement companies, which raises questions of bias and inaccuracy. Furthermore, not enough data exists regarding how long it takes for users of collagen supplements to experience results from taking them.
Although some individuals report positive outcomes from taking collagen supplements, it’s important to remember that collagen may also cause side effects. Common side effects include stomach irritation, bloating and diarrhea – these usually happen when your body cannot process the protein or additives present in the supplement properly. Other potential negative reactions could be headaches and changes in neurological health.
Importantly, most supplements are unregulated by the FDA, meaning they could contain harmful ingredients and contaminants that could pose health risks to consumers. Oral collagen supplements could contain heavy metals like mercury or lead, while others could contain amino acids from fish which could pose dangers to those allergic to seafood.
As with any supplement, collagen supplements may cause side effects, including elevated blood pressure or heart rate. While such adverse reactions are relatively rare, they could occur.
Collagen supplements may modestly improve hydration and elasticity, but they cannot prevent UV aging, intrinsic collagen decline or sugar glycation from happening. To combat signs of aging dermatologist-recommended next steps include wearing daily broad spectrum sunscreen, eating foods rich in protein and vitamin C such as salmon and orange juice as well as stress management techniques and lifestyle upgrades; consult a registered dietitian nutritionist for further insight on this matter.
Safety
Collagen is one of the body’s most abundant proteins, providing strength and structure for skin, bones, tendons, joints and more. It is widely used in skincare products and supplements due to its firmness, elasticity and moisture-retaining properties; while collagen production naturally declines with age. Some believe taking collagen supplements could reverse these effects and improve overall health; however more research must be conducted into manufacturer claims made regarding taking supplements.
Studies on collagen supplements are limited and often funded by the supplement industry, which raises concerns of bias. Furthermore, most of these studies were performed on high-income populations of various ages, making extrapolating results difficult. Furthermore, most were conducted on these high-income populations at various aging rates and risk factors; more research must be conducted in order to ascertain if topical or oral collagen supplements have an effect on slowing down aging processes.
Collagen may be considered a healthy protein source, but it doesn’t contain all of the necessary amino acids needed for optimal health. Therefore, it is best to incorporate various sources of protein into your diet, such as fish, meat, dairy products, eggs, beans, leafy vegetables and whole grains into a well-rounded meal plan. In addition to eating well and regularly exercising you may also help slow the natural loss of collagen associated with age by exercising regularly, avoiding secondhand smoke exposure and restricting alcohol intake.
Additionally, exceeding the daily recommended dosage may be harmful, so it’s wise to consult your healthcare provider prior to adding new supplements into your diet – particularly if you have any health issues or medications you are currently taking.
If you are considering taking collagen, look for products containing high amounts of proline, glycine and hydroxyproline which have been scientifically shown to reduce wrinkles and increase skin elasticity. Be sure to buy from a reputable manufacturer without additional ingredients. Also bear in mind that because the FDA doesn’t regulate dietary supplements (i.e. peptides), no double blind, placebo-controlled trials need be completed before being sold – although collagen peptides have been found safe, there’s no scientific proof they reverse aging processes or improve health benefits –
Biohacking practices vary in their safety. While some have established recommendations, others can be more experimental and may pose risks. If you decide to go beyond the recommended guidelines for any reason, always consult your doctor first.
Lifestyle tools and health tracking apps offer tools that help optimize sleep, nutrition and exercise habits. Medical scans also offer objective feedback that turns intuition into tangible results.
Glucose
Glucose is the fuel for all your body’s cells. From your digestive tract into your bloodstream and eventually directly to individual cells for energy production. A glucose test shows you how efficiently glucose is being utilized within your system to produce energy production.
Though many biohackers rely on subjective feedback to assess whether their protocols are working, an objective method of knowing for certain would be gathering pre and post biohack data with hard blood tests or wearable devices. For example, to maximize the benefits of sauna bathing you would want to collect data such as your temperature, heart rate, lipid levels (cholesterol, HDL and LDL levels), vitamin D levels as well as inflammation markers like hsCRP levels.
Healthcare providers will clean your fingers before using a lancet to extract one drop of blood which is then placed on a test strip that plugs directly into a glucose meter, showing its reading in seconds.
Biohackers who excel in performance use continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) as part of their biohacking arsenal to gain more insights into themselves and how their bodies operate. CGMs are disc-shaped devices worn for an agreed-upon time period and send real-time blood glucose data directly to an app on smartphones or tablets for analysis.
HbA1c
Glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), also referred to as glycated haemoglobin, measures the amount of glucose adhering to protein hemoglobin in your blood and serves as a key biomarker of diabetes mellitus and other glycemic control disorders. You can have HbA1c measured by your primary care doctor, diabetic educator or laboratory technician at their primary care practice.
Biohackers use supplements, cold plunges, sleep trackers, and more to optimize performance, but without objective biomarkers it’s hard to know which are actually working. Blood work turns biohacking from guesswork to feedback loop: establish a baseline, change one variable at a time until measuring whether the needle moved.
Many biohacks are grounded in science, with research backing their efficacy. Others, however, can be more experimental; perhaps drawing inspiration from ageing and longevity research findings while others remain at an experimental stage of testing.
If you’re interested in biohacking as part of your lifestyle, selecting the appropriate biohacks is key to reaching your goals. InsideTracker’s comprehensive health profile offers just that solution; by analyzing fitness, diet, bloodwork, DNA and wearable data to identify which biomarkers may not be optimal and then providing recommendations regarding nutrition, supplements, exercise and lifestyle changes designed to optimize them.
Lipids
Lipids are organic compounds found throughout our bodies and include fats, waxes, oils, certain vitamins and phospholipids. While insoluble in water solutions, lipids do dissolve when mixed with certain organic solvents – they also play a key role in cell membranes by providing energy storage capacity in form of fatty acids – as well as providing essential protection from inflammation markers, metabolic health concerns, hormone levels and cell repair needs. Biohackers utilize lipid tests as part of monitoring inflammatory markers, metabolic health metrics, hormone levels and cell repair needs over time.
Successful biohacking relies on objective data and systematic experimentation. Modern wearables and blood testing allow us to track changes and measure lifestyle interventions; such as tracking inflammatory markers for anti-inflammatory strategies; measuring metabolic improvements through blood glucose testing; or understanding longevity and cardiovascular resilience through full lipid panels.
Biohackers use imaging scans to quickly detect tumors, arterial plaque, cysts and organ abnormalities at their early stages – before symptoms appear. These tools enable individuals to significantly lower their risk for major illnesses while improving quality of life.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is one of several wellness strategies that can be measured using a simple lab test, providing data-backed discussions about healthy habits rather than speculation. According to the NIH, any vitamin D levels below 20 ng/mL indicate insufficient intake; biohackers can utilize supplements and lifestyle strategies to restore optimal levels of this vital nutrient that promote bone health and brain functioning.
Other examples of biohacking include optimizing sleep, adopting a high-quality diet and exercise regime, practicing stress reduction techniques, cold plunges or sauna sessions to decrease inflammation, improve metabolism and build mitochondrial resilience – these tools have become more and more widely adopted among health and wellness practitioners today.
At its best, biohacking is an evolutionary practice of experimentation and self-improvement guided by personal data and evidence-based science. At its worst, however, it can become an expensive trend that promotes unproven supplements or fringe experiments such as fasting or fecal transplant. Our biohacking and health optimisation lab offers panels covering essential metrics for performance and longevity from hormones to inflammation to micronutrients; additionally we offer individual tests so you can assemble a custom panel according to your biohacking protocol requirements; quarterly testing provides the perfect cadence for tracking results and making adjustments based on personal data.
Insulin
Oakland, California’s hackers have set themselves the goal of developing a DIY insulin kit using yeast cells and genetic engineering. Their aim is to produce an artificial form of the hormone needed for people living with Type 1 diabetes to survive themselves.
Biohacking is an individualized journey, and self-experimentation should play a central role. Select an evidence-based approach and gather objective feedback on how your body is reacting – blood tests, wearable devices or at-home kits such as food sensitivity testing can provide this data.
Some supplements are unregulated and may interact with medications, so it’s essential that you speak to your healthcare provider prior to beginning any new biohacks. Some biohackers utilize a “test-and-repeat” cycle in order to measure the impact of their protocols on specific outcomes; this can be accomplished by creating a baseline, making one change at a time, and tracking its impact through blood work over time.
Glucose and HbA1c tests indicate the efficiency with which your body uses fuel, which determines metabolic health and energy. Micronutrients such as Vitamin D, magnesium and ferritin as well as inflammation markers like hsCRP can provide insight into performance and longevity. Our health optimization lab offers biohacking panels tailored specifically for biohacking; quarterly testing sessions typically allow enough time for effects from protocols to take hold before giving your biology time to respond.
Testosterone
Testosterone is an androgen hormone, or chemical messenger that instructs cells on how to grow muscle mass, reach puberty and develop sexual desire. Testosterone helps the body regulate blood sugar, fat and cholesterol levels; both men and women produce it naturally while synthetic forms may also be prescribed for certain medical conditions.
Men can boost their testosterone levels through foundational biohacks such as sleeping for at least seven to nine hours each night, eating a high-protein diet, and engaging in resistance training. They can also take steps such as optimizing cellular energy production with red light therapy to support testosterone synthesis – these strategies are supported by integrative and functional medicine research and offer safe solutions that promote peak performance and longevity.
Men should use caution with other biohacks, especially those that involve self-administering hormones or supplements without medical supervision. Unproven practices could pose serious health risks including infertility, prostate issues and cardiovascular disease; the principle of risk-adjusted optimization should guide their decisions: prioritize interventions with strong evidence but low risks; seek medical supervision when undertaking more invasive or hormonal biohacks; and avoid shortcuts that promise dramatic results without trade-offs.
Logging in to solex requires entering a password of at least eight characters long, including upper and lower case letters, numbers and special characters. Administrators can set restrictions on passwords. For instance, Password History ensures uniqueness by comparing a newly reset password against previous ones used by a user; setting this value to zero keeps no history and does not mandate users entering unique passwords.
The Minimum Password Length field specifies a minimum password length requirement for new or changed passwords, along with setting maximum login attempts that lock a user out. Simply enter an integer value here to set that limit.
Designed to be gentle on the eyes, this therapy lamp offers an array of LEDs that can be adjusted by angle to suit your needs. It’s meant to wake you up and energize you throughout the day, or even help you beat jetlag when travelling.
Use it at least 30 minutes a day, preferably in the morning. Consistency is key to getting the most benefits from light therapy.
Improves Sleep
Whether you need to boost your mood, improve sleep or boost energy levels, light therapy lamps are a great solution. They mimic the sun and help regulate our natural circadian rhythms, which are tied to our sleep cycle. They are often used to treat seasonal depression (or the winter blues) and can also be helpful for jet lag, skin conditions and insomnia. However, not all light therapy lamps are the same and it’s important to find one that meets the recommended guidelines for usage.
To maximize the benefits of your lamp, experts recommend using it in the morning to get your body’s rhythms back on track. If you need to use it later in the day, experts recommend only doing so for 30 minutes at a time. Additionally, you should not be looking directly at the light and should make sure it is about two feet away from your face. Additionally, some lamps may emit a small amount of ultraviolet radiation, which can damage the skin and eyes. However, many modern lights are UV free and are safe to use.
In addition to being able to customize the brightness of your lamp, it can also be set to change colors, including red and orange. The color change is meant to simulate sunrise and sunset, which can be useful if you are trying to sleep better at night. Additionally, the SmartSleep lamp also has a relaxation feature that provides soothing sounds and light-guided breathing.
If you’re looking for a simple way to help with your sleep or mood, the Philips goLITE BLU is an inexpensive option that will get the job done. It is a 10,000 lux light that mimics the blue-green spectrum of daylight to boost your energy and mood throughout the day. It is easy to use and only requires 20-30 minutes of exposure each day. It has a built-in timer and multiple settings, making it easy to adjust for different needs. It is also portable and can be used in your office, living room or bedroom.
Boosts Energy
This lamp mimics the natural energizing power of daylight, helping you to feel more alert and energized during your day. It contains blue light which has been clinically proven to boost energy levels and help you fight the winter blues or seasonal affective disorder. It is recommended to use the lamp 20-30 minutes a day and it should be placed about two feet away from your eyes (not directly staring into the light). For best results, consistency is key! You can check out one of these lamps at the Front Desk for three hours at a time. They can also be used in the Dew Drop area on a table overlooking the pond. The smaller therapy lamp is available for in-library use only for three hours at a time.
Reduces Anxiety
Light therapy lamps are a form of phototherapy, which has been used for centuries as a treatment for seasonal affective disorder (SAD). These lights mimic natural daylight to increase energy and improve mood when it’s not possible or practical to get outdoors. They also boost alertness and cognitive performance by emitting blue light that stimulates the brain, while red light supports relaxation and emotional balance. These lamps are most effective when they are positioned near the user and aimed at their eyes, although some can be placed on a desk or next to the sofa.
A light therapy lamp can be used for 20 to 30 minutes a day, but consistency is key. Use it in the morning, as the later you use it, the more likely it will interfere with your circadian rhythm. It’s also important to avoid looking directly at the light and instead keep it at arm’s length. If your eyes are irritated, reduce the intensity of the lamp or stop using it.
A number of different brands offer light therapy lamps, and some are better than others. For the best results, look for a model that delivers 10,000 lux. This is a bright light that will give you the most benefits, but it’s not so bright that it could cause harm to your eyes or skin. It’s also important to look for a model that does not release any harmful UV radiation, which can damage the retina and lead to cataracts. This is especially true if you’re sensitive to UV or have recently had eye surgery.
Reduces Stress
The goLITE BLU has been shown to boost energy levels and mood by mimicking the energizing effects of natural daylight. The lamp delivers 10,000 lux and is safe on the eyes thanks to UV-free LED technology. It only requires 20 to 30 minutes of use a day to help you stay awake and energized throughout the day.
Whether you suffer from seasonal affective disorder or simply have low energy levels, light therapy is an easy and effective solution. It also helps with the onset of winter blues by resetting your circadian rhythm, improving mood and daytime alertness and helping to set you up for healthy sleep at night.
Michael Grandner, the director of the University of Arizona’s Sleep and Health Research Program and behavioral sleep medicine clinic, said that light therapy can be an inexpensive way to increase your daily energy and combat depression. “It’s really important to get those waking hours of sunlight in,” he said. “That’s where we see the most improvement with people feeling more energized and having a better mood throughout the day.”
In the study, 22 individuals with seasonal affective disorder completed two weeks of light treatment. They were randomly assigned to receive standard light therapy (SLT; correlated color temperature of 5000 °K, vertical illuminance at eye position: 10 000 lux) or SLT with a special prototype that was designed to emit a greater proportion of blue wavelengths (BLT; correlated colour temperature of 17 000 °K, vertical illuminance of 750 lux). Each individual completed the SIGH-SAD interview, BDI-II-NL and fatigue self-rating questionnaires on a daily basis during each treatment period.
