Dr. Tracey Marks is a board-certified general and forensic psychiatrist, author, and popular digital educator with over 25 years of experience. She is widely known for her educational YouTube channel, where she breaks down mental health topics like anxiety, ADHD, mood disorders, and burnout into practical strategies. Visit her YouTube channel to learn how stress, sleep, movement, habits, relationships, and mental health affect the brain. You’ll also find organized playlists o

For many of us, the simple act of snuggling — curling up with someone we trust, feeling safe, warm, and connected — feels like a basic human need. It’s not just about affection. It’s about regulation. Co-regulation. Oxytocin. A return to the body. But what happens when you’re single, grieving, far from loved ones, or just not in a season of life where snuggling with another is possible? The good news: You can still get the benefits of snuggling — the sense of safety, warmth,

Uncertainty can feel frustrating at the best of times, but when uncertainty becomes chronic or long-term, our nervous systems can become "stuck" in fight or flight. Our nervous systems, which include the brain, may interpret uncertainty as a danger signal. When we're in danger, the part of our brain that supports connection and wellbeing becomes less active. Over time, this can affect our health, make communication harder, and diminish our sense of agency. But even in uncerta

If you've been healing from chronic illness, trauma, or complicated grief, you’ve probably heard that everything is connected—and nowhere is that more true than in your gut. Welcome to the Microbiome Mash, where trillions of microbes throw a biochemical party in your digestive system... and the guest list might just affect your mood, immune function, and even how much pain you feel. What Is the Microbiome? Your microbiome is a living ecosystem of bacteria, viruses, and fungi,