National Geographic | Mind, Body, Wonder

This week, we discover how vaccines help you, what triggers morning migraines, ask who should be taking multivitamins … and ponder whether fasting can actually increase your lifespan.

In this illustration, an mRNA vaccine messages cells to make the viral proteins that elicit an immune response.

PHOTOGRAPH BY NOBEASTSOFIERCE, SCIENCE SOURCE

How vaccines use inflammation to ramp up power

Additives like aluminum in vaccines can amp up their effectiveness, creating just the right balance of inflammation to prevent disease. Not too little—and not too much, either.

THE GOLDILOCKS EFFECT

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What foods you really need to reduce inflammation

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What is ‘inflammaging’? Here's how inflammation affects you as you age

A woman holds her head at her temples

PHOTOGRAPH BY KATE JACOBS, SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

What triggers morning migraines? Scientists may now know.

Mood, stress, energy, and poor sleep can all be indicators of a morning migraine the next day, a new study finds. It could help some migraine sufferers predict—and maybe even prevent—their next one.

WHAT CAN WE DO?

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When laughter isn’t the best medicine—and could foretell MS, brain tumors, or a stroke

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All that pounding: Why don’t woodpeckers get headaches?

Two cocktails on a table with a woman holding one of them in the background

PHOTOGRAPH BY ARTUR WIDAK, NURPHOTO/GETTY IMAGES

Why is alcohol worse for women?

As the gender gap in drinking narrows, alcohol-related complications in women are rising. From immune system disorders to breast cancer, here’s how alcohol harms the female body.

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When you go sober for even a month, your body will change. Here’s how

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Even a small amount of alcohol before bed can hurt your sleep

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Mocktails have some surprising benefits—even for drinkers

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Sober tourism is a growing trend—here’s how it can help your trip

A conceptual photograph showing a floret of broccoli on a green background of multivitamin capsules

PHOTOGRAPH BY BECKY HALE

Not everybody should be taking a multivitamin

In some situations, they can be helpful. In others, they can lead to dangerous nutrient deficiencies or imbalances. Experts weigh in on how to make an informed decision.

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Are vitamin C supplements overrated?

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How magnesium affects your sleep and anxiety

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‘Brain food’ is real. Here’s what to eat to keep it healthy and strong

An example of a five-day diet mimicking a fast with different food items on a black background.

PHOTOGRAPH BY JASPER DOEST

Can fasting help you live longer?

It’s a popular practice, and research shows it has real health benefits. A new diet that tricks your body into thinking it’s fasting may have similar benefits.

CAN YOU WAIT TO EAT?

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