Survival Of The Friendliest

PLUS: What Teens Are Vaping Now, Ban Or No Ban

Shots Muaz Bin Saat/EyeEm/Getty Images How Friendship Shapes Your Health Friendship isn’t just life’s frosting – it’s key to survival. “Very few people understand that your social relationships can actually change your health,” says Lydia Denworth, author of a new book on the topic. ”They can change your cardiovascular system, your immune system, how you sleep, your cognitive health.” That’s true for many species -- from fish to elephants, as well as people -- Denworth found in her research for Friendship: The Evolution, Biology, and Extraordinary Power of Life's Fundamental Bond. Women tend to rely more on conversation to nurture their friendship bonds, studies suggest, and men more on shared activities, Denworth says. But the approach you take doesn’t matter so much as prioritizing the bond – for the sake of your health, and that of your pals. Read on to learn what Denworth’s research means for middle school kids. BONUS: Men Can Have Better Friendships: Here’s How   Newsletter continues after sponsor message Bonnie Halpern-Felsher What’s Your Teen Vaping Now? The Trump administration’s partial ban on flavored vaping products doesn’t cover the latest generation of sweet, disposable vapes -- and that’s a problem for kids and their parents, say public health advocates. Disposables like Puff Bar, Stig and Viigo -- exempt from Trump’s ban -- are now flooding the market, says Meredith Berkman, co-founder of the advocacy group Parents Against Vaping E-cigarettes. "Juul is almost old school,” Berkman says. “It's no longer the teen favorite.” Popular brands look like candy-colored, elongated thumb drives and come in sweet flavors like “Pink Lemonade,” “Mango” and “Banana Ice.” A single Puff Bar device is stocked with about 300 puffs and has about as much nicotine as two or three packs of cigarettes. Read on for tips on what to watch for, and for better ways to talk to kids you love about the risks.   Becky Harlan/NPR Your Guide To Better Birth Control You have choices when it comes to birth control, and the array can be daunting, no matter your age or experience. Your needs can change, and contraceptives change, too. Most fears about hormonal methods, for example, “aren't grounded in science and come from much older versions of birth control pills with higher doses of hormones,” says frequent NPR health contributor Dr. Mara Gordon. Gordon recommends a couple of websites -- Bedsider.org or Advocates for Youth -- as a good first stop if you want to read in a bit before taking up the topic with your doctor. Also, Gordon has worked with the team at NPR’s Life Kit podcast to produce a handy guide and chart packed with timely, empowering information and tips to help you choose a method that’s right for you. After all, as Dr. Melissa Gilliam, a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Chicago, tells Gordon: "You will always do best with the method that you'll use.”  Read on to learn how different short-acting and long-acting methods compare. BONUS: Do Fertility Treatments Effect The Baby? Maybe More of this week's health stories from NPR Why Kids May Be Less Vulnerable To The New Coronavirus It’s OK To Shake Hands: Life After Quarantine  Opioids And HIV: Lessons Learned From Indiana We hope you enjoyed these stories. Find more of NPR's health journalism on Shots and follow us on Twitter at @NPRHealth. Your Shots editor, Deborah Franklin   What do you think of today's email? We'd love to hear your thoughts, questions and feedback: shots@npr.org Enjoying this newsletter? Forward to a friend! They can sign up here. Looking for more great content? Check out all of our newsletter offerings — including Goats & Soda, Daily News, Best of NPR and more! You received this message because you're subscribed to Health emails. This email was sent by National Public Radio, Inc., 1111 North Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC 20002 Unsubscribe  |  Privacy Policy