Keeping it Together: Feeling overwhelmed this week? You're not alone.
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This week has been a lot.
The glitz and glam of Monday's Met Gala was overshadowed when a leaked document revealed the conservative Supreme Court planned to take away the constitutional right to abortion. And an actress in a high-profile civil suit was mocked and scorned for trying to defend her right to speak about her former marriage with a Hollywood star.
Although all these things seem unrelated, my colleague Alia E. Dastagir recognized and wrote about an important through line.
Experts in gender, misogyny and reproductive justice told her that the Met Gala, the leaked Supreme Court opinion overturning Roe v. Wade and the public's treatment of actress Amber Heard during her defamation trial with Johnny Depp are all influenced by misogyny – explicit and internalized.
"When women's bodies behave, it seems like they have autonomy and that their bodies can even be used as a source of empowerment. When women break the unspoken rules about their bodies, like talking about abuse while not being the perfect victim or by having an unwanted pregnancy, we quickly realize that that autonomy is an illusion," says Kjerstin Gruys, a sociologist at the University of Nevada, Reno, who studies the relationship between physical appearance and social inequality.
So if you've felt overwhelmed, disappointed or scared this week, you're not alone.
To read Alia's full story and learn more, click here.
A deeper look at substance abuse and glamorizing diet culture
This week, my colleague Jenna Ryu wrote about when recreational substance use turns toxic in relationships after details of Amber Heard and Johnny Depp's drinking and drug use came to light in their trial.
Depp has acknowledged a history with alcohol, cannabis and cocaine. And during her testimony on Wednesday, Heard said she took mushrooms and MDMA during their relationship.
Experts specializing in addiction told Jenna that Depp and Heard are just one example of how substance use and toxic relationships often go hand-in-hand.
And I wrote about the extreme lengths Kim Kardashian took to fit into her Met Gala gown, the original skin-tight, sparkling nude dress that Marilyn Monroe wore to sing "Happy Birthday" to President John F. Kennedy.
On the red carpet, Kardashian told pal LaLa Anthony she lost 16 pounds in three weeks in order to don the dress, which couldn't be altered. That messaging from such a prominent star has worried both experts and fans, who fear Kardashian is promoting a dangerous diet culture that our society has tried to move away from in recent years.
"We have to remember that food is energy for our body, and we should not be afraid to eat whole wholesome foods, and we should focus on the foods that we should eat versus ones we shouldn’t eat," Angela Lemond, a spokeswoman for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, previously told USA TODAY.
To read more of Jenna's story about substance abuse in relationships, click here. And to read my full story on Kim Kardashian's concerning Met Gala affairs, click here.
Does activated charcoal actually cure hangovers?
In this week's medical column, Dr. Michael Daignault debunked some misinformation about the uses of activated charcoal. Here's an excerpt:
In recent years, activated charcoal has crossed over to the wellness industry. It has become increasing popular, and it is now included in many commercially available products including juice cleanses, hangover cures, toothpastes and face washes. (In 2019, Starbucks even introduced a frappuccino using the trendy ingredient.)
As an ER doctor, I am most concerned by its manufacturer-recommended use as a hangover cure. Does it actually work? Is it safe?
The bottom line: Activated charcoal is a very effective treatment option for certain drug or toxin poisonings in the ER. Since it does not bind alcohol or prevent its absorption into the bloodstream it should not be used as a hangover prevention or cure. Ingesting activated charcoal with alcohol or the next day may increase nausea and vomiting with a high risk for dangerous aspiration and lung injury. Exercise skepticism of any wellness products with purported benefits of activated charcoal.
Instead, opt for healthier and safer hangover cures. Hangovers are hard to prevent once alcohol is consumed. Aim instead to reduce the likelihood by drinking in moderation, hydrating while drinking and the next morning and exercising. Another tip: If you’re nauseated, skip the greasy, high-fat meal that takes longer to digest and can further irritate your stomach. Choose fast-digesting carbs like toast and bagels instead.
To read the full column, click here.
Today's reads
Age gap relationships face unique challenges, but they can still be healthy
Are you a ‘coastal grandmother’? Or ‘night luxe’ lady? TikTok has the answer
Feeling burnt out? It's probably not your fault, experts say
What Ashley and Wynonna's statement said about their mother Naomi Judd's death, and what it did not
Can kissing cause cavities? The answer may surprise you
Cinco de Mayo may be over, but you can still get in the spirit with these easy recipes
Today's pet
Meet Piper.
"Piper is my grand dog in Virginia," writes Lu Wigode. "She love to go on walkies with me when I visit, but her favorite thing is cuddling with family."
Adorable!
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: From Supreme Court shock to Heard trial, this week has felt like a lot
