National Geographic | Mind, Body, Wonder

This week provided answers on what long flights can do to your body, brought insights on an experiment with psychedelics, and highlighted how tomorrow’s eclipse can affect your psyche. With swimwear season approaching, we turn to experts for answers on how much vitamin D is really needed.

A woman's face, lit by soft, warm light as she looks out an airplane window

PHOTOGRAPH BY SKYNESHER, GETTY IMAGES

THE EFFECTS OF LONG FLIGHTS

Despite the decreasing size of seats and legroom on planes, passengers spend increasingly more time in the air (above). While that can mean more discomfort on planes, the effects on the body—particularly on long flights—are much broader. Experts tell us the full story.

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How clean is the air on planes?

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A traveler’s guide to pests

A purple, X chromosome next to a yellow Y chromosome against a black background

PHOTOGRAPH BY BIOPHOTO ASSOCIATES, SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

WHY ARE WOMEN MORE PRONE TO AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES?

The X-chromosome factor: New studies indicate the reason for the higher incidences of autoimmune diseases in women—four out of every five patients—may be linked to a faulty mechanism within the body that is supposed to shut down one of the two X-chromosomes (pictured above, on the left) only women have.

Photograph of a liberty cap mushroom

PHOTOGRAPH BY NIGEL HUTCHINGS, SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

JUST HOW MUCH CAN PSYCHEDELICS HEAL?

They may have their limits, too. After he lost his wife to a tragic accident that left her unresponsive, he turned to an unprecedented and experimental form of therapy to try and save her. What happened? (Above, a Kirlian photograph of liberty cap mushrooms.)

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Will psychedelics become legal?

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How psychedelics may help treat PTSD

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How fungi can be key to major cancer research breakthroughs

In-camera multiple exposure of a total solar eclipse as seen in Salem, Oregon

PHOTOGRAPH BY MARCUS YAM, LOS ANGELES TIMES/GETTY

HOW AN ECLIPSE CAN AFFECT YOUR PSYCHE

Tomorrow’s solar eclipse will attract crowds of people excited to see a rare sight. Standing under the shadows of the moon can leave you awestruck. (Pictured above, a total solar eclipse.) The spectacular event also can affect your psyche. Here’s how and why.

PREPARING TO SEE THE SUN

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How to watch a solar eclipse safely

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What is a solar eclipse?

A woman on a blue towel in the sun

PHOTOGRAPH BY MATTHIEU PALEY, NAT GEO IMAGE COLLECTION

HOW MUCH VITAMIN D DO YOU REALLY NEED?

All our bodies really need to make vitamin D is sunlight (pictured above, a woman sunbathing.) But you probably aren't getting enough of the nutrient. Why do we need vitamin D—and why is the advice on how to get it so contradictory? Here’s what the experts say.

SUN OR SUPPLEMENTS?

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Want to strengthen your bones? Look beyond vitamin D.

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How much SPF is enough? Your burning questions, answered.

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