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Disney World Florida to scrap beloved fireworks display

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The IllumiNations firework display will be replaced next summer. (Picture: Joe Penniston, Christian Lambert, Dennis Dunkman/Flickr)
The IllumiNations firework display will be replaced next summer. (Picture: Joe Penniston, Christian Lambert, Dennis Dunkman/Flickr)

Disney has announced that summer 2019 spells the end for its famous fireworks display at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.

The Epcot theme park will no longer run the IllumiNations: Reflections of the Earth display that has been a fixture at Disney World for almost 20 years, making way for the launch of a brand new fireworks show.

The current display has been running at Epcot since 1999, and has captivated visitors from all over the world with dazzling fireworks, flaming torches and atmospheric music.

It’s something that many visitors remember long after they have returned home.

Fans of the iconic display are disappointed at the news, with one Twitter user writing: ‘RIP to Illuminations next year – best fireworks show at Disney’.

The Walt Disney World Resort confirmed the axing of IllumiNations, saying: ‘During the coming year, guests will have plenty of time to experience the nighttime spectacular again and again as excitement builds for what’s next.

‘The Disney Parks Live Entertainment team is already busy creating new thrills to debut immediately following the conclusion of “IllumiNations,” continuing the tradition of nightly entertainment on the World Showcase Lagoon.’

The Disney team has also established that new experiences will be added to the park over the coming years, including a Guardians of the Galaxy rollercoaster and an attraction based on Ratatouille.

Epcot is the second of the four theme parks in Florida that make up Walt Disney World.

It opened in 1982 and its name is an acronym of Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow, which is a dream city supposedly imagined and planned by Walt Disney himself.

The IllumiNations show will certainly be missed, but there’s still time to see it if you haven’t visited the Epcot park yet (or you’ve seen it before and want to relive the experience).

Disney fans will have to wait to see whether the new fireworks spectacular lives up to its impressive predecessor.

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Los Angeles becomes the largest city to ban sales of fur

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(Picture: Edward Berthelot/Getty Images)

Los Angeles has announced the decision to ban the manufacturing and sale of fur, making it the largest city in the world to have an official ban.

That’s a pretty big deal – a city following in the footsteps of Burberry and London Fashion Week to take a stand against the death of animals for the purpose of style.

The Los Angeles City Council, led by Paul Koretz, Bob Blumenfield, and Mitch O’Farrell voted unanimously to take the city fur-free.

Bob Blumenfield, who introduced the motion, told the New York Times: ‘This is L.A. taking a stand and saying we will no longer be complicit in the inhumane and vile fur trade that’s been going on for years.

‘We’re trying to set an example for the rest of the state and the rest of the country.’

The ban will come into effect in two years time.

(Picture: Kirstin Sinclair/Getty Images)

It’s worth noting that Los Angeles tends to be fairly warm, so it’s perhaps not a place where wearing fur is super popular. We’ll have to wait and see if colder cities in the U.S. and internationally follow suit.

The decision comes after a rally from PETA and actresses Alicia Silverstone and Mena Suvari.

Naturally, PETA’s pretty pleased about the move.

‘This decision will spare countless animals the horror of being beaten, electrocuted, and skinned alive for environmentally toxic items—items that compassionate shoppers don’t want and top designers won’t use,’ PETA said.

‘Today’s decision was a powerful one. When Los Angeles speaks, the world listens, and it’s now the largest and most notable city to tell the world that “fur is dead”.’

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We trust people with different accents less because we see them as the ‘other’, say experts

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Why we should care about children?s mental wellbeing - and what we can do to help (Picture: Ella Byworth/ Metro.co.uk) Metro Illustration Illustrations
(Picture: Ella Byworth/ Metro.co.uk)

Have you ever met someone with an accent you couldn’t understand? Chances are, if it came down to it, you wouldn’t trust them over someone who actually sounds like you.

That’s according to researchers at McGill’s School of Communication Sciences and Disorders who said we have a natural unconscious bias towards people who sound like us, so those that don’t, become the ‘other’.

Researchers say that we’re chatting to people, the brain makes two distinctions, the ‘in group’ – people from a similar background/region, and the out-group – those who are not.

Regions of the brain are automatically activated to analyse whether to warm to people from the in-group or the out-group.

‘There are possibly two billion people around the world who speak English as a second language – and many of us live in societies that are culturally diverse,’ said lead author Marc Pell.

‘As we make decisions about whether or not to trust people who are different from us we pay a lot of attention both to visual cues and to a person’s voice.

‘Here, we wanted to better understand how we make trust-related decisions about other people based strictly on their speaking voice.’

Our brains weigh up the negative bias towards the accent and push us not to believe their words.

However, this all changes when the speaker speaks confidently, no matter what their accent.

The study, published in the Journal NeuroImage found that speakers with a regional or foreign accent talking confidently were judged to be equally believable to speakers with a neutral accent.

‘What this shows me is that, in future, if I want to be believed, it may be in my interest to adopt a very confident tone of voice in a whole range of situations,’ said Xiaoming Jiang, a former post-doctoral fellow at McGill.

‘This is a finding that potentially has repercussions for people who speak with an accent when it comes to everything ranging from employment to education and the judicial process.’

We're less likely to trust people with an accent
Red marks show the regions of the brain that were activated as listeners made judgments about whether speakers from the ‘in-group’ sounded believable. The blue shows the regions of the brain that were activated as listeners made the same judgments for ‘out-group’ speakers (Picture: McGill University)

The study was extremely small and featured 26 participants so results may not be generalisable on a wider scale.

The participants, who spoke Canadian-English as their mother tongue, listened to a series of short, neutral statements spoken with varying degrees of confidence.

The statements were made in accents ranging from a familiar Canadian-English to Australian-English and English as spoken by Francophone-Canadians.

After a brain imaging technique (fMRI) captured areas of brain activation, they were asked to rate how believable they found each statement.

The similar sounding in-group was judged to be more believable.

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Little girl’s rare condition gives her giant pupils

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It’s not uncommon for people to buy cosmetic contact lenses to make their pupils take up their entire eye.

Mehlani Martinez has that look naturally thanks to a rare condition that makes her pupils unusually large.

One-year-old Mehlani has Axenfeld-Gieger syndrome, a rare genetic disorder.

But while her giant eyes may look intriguing, they come with a serious cost: Mehlani’s condition could blind her.

Children born with Axenfeld-Gieger syndrome have small irises, allowing the pupil to take up a larger part of the eye. Some children’s pupils will be off-centre, or they’ll have multiple pupils.

Having an unusually shaped pupil causes sensitivity to light, as that’s where light enters the eye.

That means that Mehlani must wear sunglasses whenever she goes outside to prevent damage to her eyes.

Her condition also gave Mehlani a 50% chance of developing glaucoma – increased pressure within the eyeball that causes gradual loss of sight.

At just one year old, Mehlani was diagnosed with glaucoma. While her vision is still good today, her mother, Karina worries that her daughter will soon lose her sight.

Mehlani has already needed surgery. At five months old she had artificial drainage canals added to her eyes to prevent the build up of fluid and pressure.

‘I’d never heard of anybody being born with [glaucoma],’ Karina told Daily Mail Online.

Karina is keen to make sure Mehlani never feels insecure about the unusual appearance of her eyes.

‘People always say she’s so beautiful and she’s s cute, but I felt conflicted because people notice something different about her eyes,’ Karina says.

‘And I worry about when she gets approached by any other kids about her eyes … kids can be mean. But I teach her when people compliment her to say “thank you” and smile.’

Karina shares photos of Mehlani on Twitter, where they flooded with comments about the one-year-old’s beautiful eyes.

The mother hopes that she can raise awareness of Mehlani’s rare condition, and for her daughter’s birthday this year set up a fundraiser for the Children’s Glaucoma Foundation.

‘Every time we;re out & a stranger compliments on how big & beautiful her eyes are, I have a mental debate on whether or not I should mention her defect,’ Karina writes on Twitter. ‘I decide no, smile & say thank you.

‘I’m always left with a weird feeling. I just pray she’ll always know how beautiful she is.’

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Valium: What is it used for and why are people buying it on the street?

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medication illustration
(Picture: Ella Byworth for Metro.co.uk)

Last November, Christina Craig died after taking a fake Valium pill.

The tablets were known as ‘Blue Plague’.

She was the fourth in a group of six friends in Glasgow to lose her life to what she believed to be Valium.

Scottish police estimate that there could be millions of fake Valium pills on the streets.

Why is there a thriving market for the drug? Why aren’t users getting it on prescription?

Valium, also known as Diazepam, is part of a group of drugs called benzodiazepines. It’s a sedative recommended for short-term treatment only because it can quickly become addictive.

Valium isn’t usually prescribed for longer than two to four weeks at a time, and some GPs are uncomfortable prescribing it at all.

The NHS lists the side effects of benzodiazepines as including drowsiness, difficulty concentrating, vertigo, low sex drive, headaches and the development of a tremor.

After four weeks of use, benzodiazepines may start to lose their efficiency, meaning that you need a higher dose to get the same effect.

The way Valium loses potency and the potential for addiction are two reasons why GPs don’t regularly prescribe the drug for long-term conditions like anxiety, as they did when it was first released.

Valium was created by Leo Sternbach and released in 1963. It became one of the most frequently prescribed medications  in the world, and between 1968 and 1982, it was the highest selling medication in the US. More than two billion tablets were sold in 1978 alone.

Anxiety and insomnia had previously been treated with barbiturates, which caused extreme withdrawal symptoms, were highly addictive and easy to overdose with.

Benzodiazepines like Valium seemed like the safer and more effective option, and they became the prescription solution for every problem.

The drug was particularly associated with women, and in 1966, the Rolling Stones even wrote a song about it, entitled ‘Mother’s Little Helper’.

It took a long time for the addictive nature and negative side-effects of benzodiazepines to be recognised, despite research in the 1980s linking the long-term use of this drug group to brain damage and calling the drug ‘more difficult to withdraw people from than heroin’.

The NHS is now supposed to prescribe benzodiazepines for a maximum of four weeks to curb the potential for addiction.

However, some doctors are failing to stick to guidelines published more than 20 years ago.

Benzodiazepine addiction is common and many people get hooked through a legal prescription. (Picture: Getty)

NHS research suggests than one in every 11 patients in England are being prescribed medication that could be addictive and it’s estimated that there are 1.5 million people in the UK addicted to benzodiazepines.

A study has found that a quarter of all people who are prescribed Valium will become addicted.

People who feel they need more of the drug but their GP is refusing to prescribe are turning to alternative methods of getting it.

Annie* gets round the prescription guidelines by misleading her GP about why she needs Valium and topping up her supply from a street dealer.

She told Metro.co.uk: ‘I get prescribed a small amount “for flying” every month. And then I buy the rest from a dealer who also sells illegal drugs and other prescription drugs.

‘When I buy off him I do worry the authenticity of what I am buying, but it seems to be fine so far.

‘I use it to to calm my nerves when I have to do anything public – so when I do any TV or radio I will have 5mg.

‘I have started to think I need to curb it – especially after I found myself not as able to think as quick, almost as if I was slightly drunk.

‘I do feel dependent on it now, almost like it’s my good luck charm and if I don’t have it I will freeze up and there will be disastrous consequences!

‘I first tried it when I sprained my back two years ago and that’s how I realised it could help my stage fright.

‘My GP is not happy to prescribe it in the quantities I need and was very clear about the addictive side to it.

‘I do currently feel a bit trapped and go into a panic when my supply is low.’

If you’re experiencing feelings of panic when you don’t have enough tablets, moving from the legal sphere of prescriptions to buying the drug illegally might seem like a logical step. There’s no penalty for possession, after all.

Robert* doesn’t feel that he’s addicted to Valium, but admits to using his NHS GP, a private GP and the supplies of friends to get hold of the drug.

‘I am not an addict – I usually get an NHS prescription for 24 x 5mg tablets and they would last me a year.

‘I also use private GPs which is expensive but they are often more relaxed about prescribing.

‘I still stick to the story that I want the tablets for fear of flying. That’s not really true anymore but it works so why change it?

‘I don’t use enough of the drug to fear addiction but I am also aware that I don’t present to GPs as someone who is likely to be getting the tablets for anything else than what I say.

‘I’m middle aged, usually wearing a suit, articulate – there is nothing to worry about from their point of view. Still, they often limit the number of tablets.

‘Many years ago my own NHS GP just shrugged and gave me a prescription for 60 tablets. Good times!

‘I have never bought any medication on the internet – I just don’t trust what I would be getting. To me it is the modern equivalent of street dealing and I don’t feel happy with that.

‘Although I have given tablets to a couple of friends and also taken Valium from another friend but she got it on prescription so I felt safe.

‘I imagine there is a huge market for Valium, particularly as doctors are so reluctant to prescribe it now, and it is so effective but I don’t see it as a street or recreational drug. It’s just a way of controlling your mind.’

Valium is also used as a comedown drug for people who’ve taken cocaine or MDMA, helping to depress the central nervous system and allow the user to drop off to sleep more easily.

Benzodiazepines are also getting a party drug reputation, with rappers including Max B, Lil Wayne and French Montana name-dropping them in songs.

Unfortunately, they come with a big catch.

Not only are benzodiazepines like Valium highly addictive, the withdrawal symptoms can kill you.

A former addict told Dazed: ‘If you do benzos on a heavy long-term basis, you might as well be an alcoholic or a heroin addict.

‘You can die from withdrawals. When I stopped taking them, I started to have adverse withdrawal affects such as extreme anxiety and agitation.

‘The physical effects were shaking, headaches, muscle aches, cramps and spasms. Banging headaches. I even thought I was going to have a seizure at one point.

‘I was getting migraines and having nightmares. I also had severe depression, anxiety and irrational paranoia.’

The consequences of a benzodiazepine addiction can be extremely serious, putting at risk your job, relationships and physical and mental wellbeing.

Abbas Kanani, pharmacist at Chemist Click, told Metro.co.uk: ‘As a pharmacist, I’ve come across fake prescriptions for large amounts of Valium as they have a high street value.

‘Valium is addictive as it works on the same area of the brain as alcohol.

‘It’s able to provide a similar relaxing effect and by binding to the same area of the brain that alcohol does (the GABA receptor), it stimulates the release of the “feel good hormone” dopamine.

‘When you stop taking Valium after a stint, you may find yourself unable to sleep and feeling agitated – and wanting to take the drug again.

‘Also, dopamine levels drop, which can negatively affect a person’s mood. Looking to top up on the feel-good hormone dopamine, it’s easy to revert to taking Valium again.’

GPs are still not consistently following guidelines for the prescription of benzodiazepines, despite their highly addictive nature and the potentially fatal consequences of withdrawal.

Aamira* is prescribed Valium for cyclic vomiting syndrome triggered by severe anxiety.

She told us: ‘Not a single doctor has actually mentioned the side effects or addictive nature of it.’

*Names have been changed.

Need support? Contact the Samaritans

For emotional support you can call the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org, visit a Samaritans branch in person or go to the Samaritans website.

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The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show is returning to New York after two years away

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(Picture: Michele Crowe/CBS via Getty Images)

The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show will take place in New York this year, after two years abroad.

We now know where the show will take place and some of the models confirmed to walk on the runway, but we don’t yet know exactly when the event will happen. It usually takes place in November, just in time to make us all put fancy underwear on our Christmas lists.

Last year the show took place in Shanghai, and the year before that it was in Paris. Fans of sparkly bras were waiting with bated breath to find out where Victoria’s Secret would go next.

Now, we know it’s returning to New York for the 17th time.

The brand revealed the news on Instagram with photos of Victoria’s Secret angels Elsa Hosk, Josephine Skriver, and Sara Sampaio running around in New York city.

Instagram Photo

It’s not clear yet whether these specific models will be walking the runway. So far more than 40 names have been confirmed but we’re still waiting for news on Victoria’s Secret regulars such as Gigi Hadid and Karlie Kloss.

The new batch of models taking to the runway this year includes Duckie Thot, Winnie Harlow, and Kelsey Merritt, the first Filipino woman to take part in the event.

We don’t have any further details on themes and blinged-out bras just yet, but will update you all as information comes in.

In the meantime, take a look at all the models confirmed for this year’s show:

NEWBIES

Duckie Thot

(Picture: Gotham/GC Images)

 

Winnie Harlow

(Picture: Daniel Zuchnik/GC Images)

 

Iesha Hodges

(Picture: Gotham/GC Images)

 

Herieth Paul

(Picture: Daniel Zuchnik/GC Images)

 

Kelsey Merritt

(Picture: Daniel Zuchnik/GC Images)

 

Yasmin Wijnaldum

(Picture: Daniel Zuchnik/GC Images)

 

Maia Cotton

(Picture: Daniel Zuchnik/GC Images)

 

Alexina Graham

(Picture: Edward Berthelot/Getty Images)

 

Cheyenne Maya Carty

(Picture: Gotham/GC Images)

 

Sadie Newman

(Picture: Getty)

 

Lorena Rae

(Picture: Daniel Zuchnik/GC Images)

 

Isilda Moreira

(Picture: Getty)

 

Sofie Rovenstine

(Picture: Daniel Zuchnik/GC Images)

 

Myrthe Bolt

(Picture: Gotham/GC Images)

 

Alannah Walton

(Picture: Daniel Zuchnik/GC Images)

 

Mélie Tiacoh

(Picture: Daniel Zuchnik/GC Images)

 

Josie Canseco

(Picture: Getty)

 

Mayowa Nicholas

(Picture: Getty)

 

RETURNING MODELS

Bella Hadid

(Picture: Michele Crowe/CBS via Getty Images)

 

Shanina Sheik

(Picture: Getty)

 

Kelly Gale

(Picture: Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Victoria’s Secret)

 

Leomie Anderson

(Picture: Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for Victoria’s Secret)

 

Barbara Palvin

(Picture: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)

 

Devon Windsor

(Picture: FRED DUFOUR/AFP/Getty Images)

 

Georgia Fowler

(Picture: FRED DUFOUR/AFP/Getty Images)

 

Gizele Oliveira

(Picture: Michele Crowe/CBS via Getty Images)

 

Grace Bol

(Picture: Taylor Hill/WireImage)

 

Cindy Bruna

(Picture: FRED DUFOUR/AFP/Getty Images)

 

Barbara Fialho

(Picture: Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for Victoria’s Secret)

 

Megan Williams

(Picture: Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for Victoria’s Secret)

 

Frida Aasen

(Picture: Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for Victoria’s Secret)

 

Estelle Chen

(Picture: Taylor Hill/WireImage)

 

Maggie Laine

(Picture: FRED DUFOUR/AFP/Getty Images)

 

Toni Garrn

(Picture: Randy Brooke/WireImage)

 

Alanna Arrington

(Picture: Taylor Hill/WireImage)

 

Jourdana Phillips

(Picture: Michele Crowe/CBS via Getty Images)

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Antioxidant in red wine ‘may relieve pain for millions of arthritis sufferers’

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(Picture: Getty Images/EyeEm)

Red wine, consumed in careful moderation, has been cited for its potential health benefits for decades (though this is a hotly contested issue).

Now, a study has found that a compound named resveratrol – found in red grapes – could potentially bring significant pain relief to osteoarthritis patients.

The results of the study by scientists at the Al-Rafidain University College in Baghdad showed that those given the compound reported much less pain and had reduced inflammation in their knees.

Osteoarthritis is different to rheumatoid arthritis, which is a chronic condition where the body’s immune system is dysfunctional and causes the body to attack itself.

Osteoarthritis is caused by cartilage gradually wearing thin over time. Even so, sufferers can experience inflammation at the points of abrasion.

Eight million people in the UK suffer from the condition, around a third of over-45s, and can mean that joint replacements are necessary.

Mandatory Credit: Photo by REX/Shutterstock (8565250a) MODEL RELEASED Friends clinking red wine glasses VARIOUS
(Picture: REX/Shutterstock)

The study treated 110 patients, half of whom were administered placebo and half of whom received resveratol.

Those who took the resveratol treatment not only reported much less pain than their placebo-taking peers, but also measurably showed fewer physical markers of inflammation.

The bad news is that a glass of wine contains only a small amount of the active compound.

You would need to consume about eleven litres of red wine a day to get the recommended amount used in most studies (150mg) which is not recommended for obvious reasons.

Arthritis Research UK expressed interest in the study and hoped to see more research to understand the compound’s effect in the long term.

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‘Eating for two’ while you’re pregnant ‘could actually harm your baby’

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Eating for two when you're pregnant could harm your baby. (Picture: Getty)
Eating for two when you’re pregnant could harm your baby. (Picture: Getty)

There is a popularly-held belief that you can ‘eat for two’ while pregnant.

That has been found to not be beneficial in a number of studies and new research published in the journal Diabetologia shows that gaining either too much or too little weight during pregnancy can negatively affect the foetus.

Researchers surveyed 905 mother and child pairs and found that women who gained too much weight were putting their child’s health at risk.

Children whose mothers have piled on the pounds during pregnancy were more likely to have insulin resistance, high blood pressure and be predisposed to macrosomina – where a baby is significantly larger than average at birth.

Cardiometabolic risks (and increased risk of diabetes, heart disease or stroke) in later life were also predicted for babies born with a higher body mass index (BMI).

The same adverse effects were found to be present for women who gained too little weight.

All weight gain was measured in line with the Institute of Medicine’s guidelines.

According to the IOM, women with a healthy BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 should be gaining between 25 and 35 pounds during pregnancy.

On average, the women taking part in the study saw their weight fluctuate by 33 pounds, with 41% exceeding the recommended weight gain amount and 17% putting on less weight than they needed to.

According to official National Institute For Health And Care Excellent (NICE) guidelines, an expectant mother’s energy requirements don’t change for the first six months on pregnancy and an extra 200 calories a day are only needed in the final trimester.

Lead researcher Professor Wing Hung Tam told told The Independent: ‘What a pregnant mother needs is a balanced diet meeting such requirements with adequate micro-nutrients.

‘They also need to have moderate exercise to avoid putting up excessive weight gain.’

This isn’t the first time that the risks of gaining too much weight during pregnancy have been highlighted.

A 2017 study published in the journal JAMA showed that the common descriptor ‘eating for two’ overestimates a woman’s calorific needs during pregnancy and ‘misrepresents the recommendation that a pregnant woman should increase food consumption by only a few hundred calories per day’.

Another survey commissioned by the National Charity Partnership found that 69% of pregnant women don’t know how many extra calories they should be eating during pregnancy.

Around six in ten women (63%) found themselves under pressure from others to eat significantly more than normal.

‘Eating for two’ is an inaccurate description of how to best manage a pregnancy diet and, according to Professor Wing Hung Tam’s study, the practice is actually harmful.

Having a bun in the oven probably doesn’t mean putting more buns in the oven, sorry.

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Very good dog fetches owner an energy drink from the fridge when her blood sugar drops

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Mel Lucas suffers from a hypermobility disorder called Ehler Danlos Syndrome, as well as from PTSD and hypoglycemia.

The 25-year-old from Tampa, Florida had managed to rely on herself to deal with symptoms of her illnesses.

But in April, she adopted an adorable Golden Retriever named Godric, who has not only provided her with a new best friend, but also helps to manage her health problems.

Godric wasn’t trained as a service dog, but within days of his adoption he was able to fetch Mel energy drinks when her blood sugar dropped below a safe level.

PIC FROM Kennedy News and Media (PICTURED: GODRIC THE GOLDEN RETRIEVER PULLS OPEN DOOR TO RETRIEVE GATORADE) A chronically-ill woman has taught her seven-month-old puppy to open the fridge and fetch her a bottle of sports drink to save her from a hypoglycemic attack. This is the moment an incredible puppy opens a fridge and fetches a bottle of sports drink to save his owner's life - despite being just seven months old. Golden Retriever Godric was just a regular eight-week-old puppy when he was adopted by Mel Lucas, 25, in April. SEE KENNEDY NEWS COPY - 0161 660 8596
(Picture: Kennedy News and Media0

‘As well as joint hyper-mobility, EDS can also affect the internal organs such as the liver, lungs and heart, and result in low blood sugar and elevated heart rate,’ she explains.

‘My blood sugar drops three times a week now compared to the 10-plus times it used to be a year ago.

‘He’s still learning to catch on to blood sugar drops, but out of the three times, he notifies me twice.

‘Once, he did it while driving and I was able to pull off into a gas station and get a quick snack.’

PIC FROM Kennedy News and Media (PICTURED: GODRIC THE GOLDEN RETRIEVER PULLS OPEN DOOR TO RETRIEVE GATORADE) A chronically-ill woman has taught her seven-month-old puppy to open the fridge and fetch her a bottle of sports drink to save her from a hypoglycemic attack. This is the moment an incredible puppy opens a fridge and fetches a bottle of sports drink to save his owner's life - despite being just seven months old. Golden Retriever Godric was just a regular eight-week-old puppy when he was adopted by Mel Lucas, 25, in April. SEE KENNEDY NEWS COPY - 0161 660 8596
(picture: Kennedy News and Media)

The heroic pup has not only learned how to open the fridge and fetch life-saving energy drinks, but also to predict his owner’s migraines.

Dogs have the ability to sense delicate changes in brain chemistry, so Godric is able to warn Mel half an hour before the pain will begin by nudging her and licking her hands.

‘He’s my entire world and I don’t know what I would do without him. We do everything together.’ she says.

Still only seven months old, this clever pup will be able to assist her with her walking when he gets a little bigger.

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What is ‘lawnmower parenting’?

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Lawnmower parenting is the new helicopter parenting. (Picture: Getty)

You’ve probably heard of ‘helicopter parenting’, where overzealous parents and carers hover over their children, ready to swoop in at the first sign of strife.

‘Lawnmower parenting’ is another style of excessive involvement in a child’s life.

The term is used to refer to parents who ‘mow down’ obstacles in their offspring’s path, so their precious little Betsy never has to experience adversity or discomfort.

In a post on the education blog WeAreTeachers entitled ‘Lawnmower Parents Are the New Helicopter Parents & We Are Not Here for It’, an anonymous educator describes her run-in with a ‘lawnmower dad’.

The writer recounts being called to the school office to pick up an item from a parent.

Believing it was something important like ‘an inhaler or money for dinner’, the writer was stunned to find that a dad had come all the way to school to make sure his daughter had her insulated water bottle.

‘”Hi, sorry,” the parent said sheepishly. He was in a suit, clearly headed to work (or something work-like).

‘”Remy kept texting me that she needed it. I texted back, Don’t they have water fountains at your school?, but I guess she just had to have it out of the bottle.”

‘He laughed, as if to say, Teenagers, am I right?’

The teacher went on to outline the dangers of ‘lawnmower parenting’ and how by smoothing over life’s rough edges and shielding their children from all discomfort, parents aren’t creating a happier generation of children.

They wrote: ‘We are creating a generation that has no what idea what to do when they actually encounter struggle.

metro illustrations
(Picture: Ella Byworth for Metro.co.uk)

‘A generation who panics or shuts down at the mere idea of failure. A generation for whom failure is far too painful, leaving them with coping mechanisms like addiction, blame, and internalization.’

The writer of the WeAreTeachers post isn’t the first person working in education to have noticed the rise of the lawnmower parent.

Karen Fancher, a university professor in Pittsburg, posted about her experience of a mother who dragged her teenage daughter through the department, racing to correct an error in her child’s class schedule.

She wrote: ‘These are the parents who rush ahead to intervene, saving the child from any potential inconvenience, problem or discomfort’.

Francher makes a distinction between the styles of overzealous parents of university-age kids and younger children, saying that lawnmower parenting becomes the preferred option when parents can no longer ‘hover’ as helicopter parents because their offspring are leaving for college.

Fancher went on to warn readers that lawnmower parenting could have long-term, detrimental effects on children.

She cited the parenting style as showing kids that they can’t be trusted to do things on their own and preventing them from making their own decisions.

According to Fancher, it also leaves children without a sense of personal motivation and poorly equipped to deal with routine struggles and challenges.

The vast majority of parents want the best for their kids.

Bearing this in mind, it’s perhaps understandable why some parents would fall into the trap of lawnmower parenting, because they’re so focused on protecting their children and making life easy for them that they lose sight of the fact that dealing with hardship, disappointment and failure is an important part of growing up.

In order for children to become well-rounded adults, they need to have experience of setbacks and be able to problem-solve independently.

If all the obstacles in life have been removed by a lawnmower parent, how will a young person cope when they eventually fly the nest?

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Disney and ColourPop are bringing you a magical makeup line

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The Disney/ColourPop beauty line is dropping this month. (Picture: Disney/ColourPop, Getty)
The Disney/ColourPop beauty line is dropping this month. (Picture: Disney/ColourPop, Getty)

Disney has teamed up with the LA cosmetics brand ColourPop to create a makeup line fit for a Disney prince or princess.

The Designer Collection features a super-shimmery highlighter, six lipstick colours, three lipglosses, a set of eyeshadow shades, and a pressed powder palette with colours ranging from softer mid-tones to vibrant shades.

Each Lux Lipstick is associated with a specific Disney princess, and you can choose whether Snow White, Cinderella, Belle, Tiana, Jasmine or Ariel is more your style.

The upcoming range will go on sale later this month and it’s sure to be a hit with fans of both Disney and beauty goodies.

Super Shock Shadows in ‘A Whole New World’

$5 for one or $18 for the bundle of six. (Picture: ColourPop/Disney)
$5 for one or $18 for the bundle of six. (Picture: ColourPop/Disney)

 

Disney Princess Lux Lipstick in ‘Ariel’

$7 each or $42 for the bundle of six. (Picture: ColourPop/Disney)
$7 each or $42 for the bundle of six. (Picture: ColourPop/Disney)

 

Super Shock Highlighter

Disney and ColourPop make up line Credit: ColourPop/Disney
$8 each. (Picture: ColourPop/Disney)

 

It’s A Princess Thing Pressed Powder Palette

Disney and ColourPop make up line Credit: ColourPop/Disney
$20 for the fifteen shade eyeshadow palette. (Picture: ColourPop/Disney)

 

Ultra Glossy Lip

Disney and ColourPop make up line Credit: ColourPop/Disney
$6 each or $16 for the bundle. (Picture: ColourPop/Disney)

Inspired by some of Disney’s most beloved fairytale stories, the range should make wearers feel truly magical.

You can shop the Designer Collection from ColourPop or Disney on 28 September.

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Yes, people really are wearing Christopher Kane’s £800 shoes with bits of sponge on them

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Would you wear shoes decorated with washing up supplies? (Picture: Christopher Kane)

In the midst of all the strange and wonderful things designers have declared are stylish clothing – excessively long jeans, penis pockets, tying a jacket around your top half like a denim corset – you may have glossed over one particular shoe created by Christopher Kane.

The shoes appeared at London Fashion Week in 2017 to general shock and intrigue.

Why, you may ask, do these shoes remain worthy of discussion?

Well, they’ve got massive bits of sponge on them.

In what may be a genius solution to the pain of high heels, Christopher Kane decorated his stilettos with what looked like dish sponges cut into strips.

The bits of sponge provided padding at the heel and under the straps, as well as decorating the toe in little blue and yellow sponge stripes.

We liked the concept in theory, but the reality was a bit… strange. It’s hard to get your head around shoes with dish sponges stuck on being the height of fashion – especially when said shoes cost around £800 (Christopher Kane’s regular slingbacks cost around £450, while the Sponge Crystal Slingback Heels were listed by Surface at £834).

We entirely expected that these shoes would remain on the runway, just another weird trend for us to all gawp at.

We were wrong.

It turns out that there are people on the planet who are willing to pay hundreds of pounds to make their feet look like a bowl of washing up. Evidence of this: Samantha Cameron’s pal showed up to meet her while wearing those exact Christopher Kane shoes, and posed for a picture outside 10 Downing Street as if nothing out of the ordinary was occurring.

Tammy Kane and Christopher Kane meet with Samantha Cameron outside 10 Downing Street. Tammy’s the one wearing the sponge shoes. (Picture: TOLGA AKMEN/AFP/Getty Images)

Now a quick note that’s quite important. Said pal is Tammy Kane, the sister of Christopher Kane and the deputy creative director at the label. That means she didn’t have to actually pay for said shoes.

She may also be happy to look a bit silly for the purposes of showcasing Christopher Kane’s designs.

But the important thing here is that Tammy Kane, a real-life person with real-life feet, chose to wore a pair of shoes with bits of sponge on to meet Samantha Cameron, then walked around like it was no big deal.

The sponge shoes have officially moved from the catwalk into the real world, and thus they are a trend for which you must sit up and pay attention.

Christopher Kane also made a matching sponge clutch, but we haven’t seen anyone wearing that just yet.

People on the internet seem fairly baffled by the shoes now…

…but just you wait. Soon Primark will be selling ballet flats with scourers and heels with steel wire flowers on the toe.

Sadly, Tammy Kane’s exact shoes are sold out (again, proof that people are paying money for said shoes).

But we reckon you could easily make your own pair.

Simply grab a pair of slingbacks and pop a sponge between the back strap and your foot. The Christopher Kane shoes actually have the sponge stuck to the outside of the strap, but putting it right next to the foot might add some extra comfort.

Add some more strips of sponge under your foot and on the toe of the shoe for extra excitement.

Just please do make sure you buy a fresh sponge for this purpose. A grimy one yanked from your washing up, flecked with ketchup and burnt-on grease, is not the look we’re going for.

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How to organise your own microgap adventure

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metro illustrations
(Picture: Ella Byworth for Metro.co.uk)

Who doesn’t want a bit of adventure in their daily life?

Many of us would love to just throw caution to the wind and escape on a far-flung adventure to an exotic location. But the reality is we often can’t just stop what we’re doing and head off to explore the world.

Recent research from VisitEngland has found that the vast majority of 18 to 34-year olds yearn to head on trip of a lifetime (82%), but only 8% actually think they’ll do it. The main reasons? Financial constraints and a concern that it will affect their career progression.

Don’t be disheartened. If you want to explore but lack the funds or the flexibility, you just need a microgap.

The microgap has emerged as a travel trend over the last few years for people who want to venture but have limited time and funds. It offers the opportunity to explore and discover the world (as well as yourself) for a few days, while also being just a stone’s throw from your front door.

Essentially, it’s a mini trip somewhere in the UK rather than needing to venture further afield.

It’s the perfect option if you’re craving an escape but need to be back in time for a meeting on Monday.

Here’s how to plan your own microgap adventure.

Set a budget

It’s a little boring but make sure you have a cost in mind before you get planning. There’s nothing worse than setting your heart on an amazing excursion only to find if you book it you’ll be eating baked beans for the foreseeable future.

The great thing about a microgap is because it’s a short trip you’ll need less spending money than a long international jaunt. So if you want to book that slightly more expensive, but once in a lifetime, stay in a treehouse it’s certainly worth the splurge.

Decide how many days you want to be away for, work out the price for transport and make sure you factor in additional costs for food and drink, plus a little extra emergency money and you’ll be good to go.

(Picture: Erin Aniker/Metro.co.uk)

Choose a theme

Do you want the buzz of adrenaline or perhaps more of a spiritual awakening? If you need a little inspiration try taking a look at the VisitBritain website, where they have some ready-made itineraries to spark some ideas.

Another great place to research experiences are voucher websites such as Groupon and Wowcher. These are often filled with unusual classes and activities, sometimes with significant discounts. Perhaps you could book a digital detox in Dorset or give coasteering on the Cornish coast a go?

Decide on a location

The UK is pretty diverse in terms of its geography. With miles of coastline, countryside and even a few mountains – you’ll be able to find a place suitable for whatever you want to do.

Something to consider when you’re making a booking is transport. If a location is billed as remote they’re probably not likely to have a bus stop nearby, so you may need to factor in a car journey.

Use resources such as GoogleMaps to work out the journey from home to your destination, paying particular attention to public transport’s arrival and departure times. Also make sure wherever you go you have a local taxi firm number written down in case you’re without phone signal or battery.

You don’t need to head into the deepest wilds of the countryside either. Britain is filled with amazing cities, each with their own unique personality and vibe. Take Bristol with its amazing street art and wealth of independent eateries, or visit Newcastle for a city that’s famed for its nightlife and nearby beautiful coastline.

And if you’re not so hung up on what you’re doing and more on where you are going, search through Instagram on tags like #prettybritain and #exploreuk to discover somewhere utterly beautiful to visit.

Pick your accommodation

Your choice of accommodation will be a major factor in your plans and it’s worth deciding early on what type of facilities are going to be most important to you on your travels.

If you’re a little strapped for cash, then websites like Booking.com allow you to book and pay on arrival or for a budget-friendly option the YHA has a network of hostels across the country.

Fancy going all out? Then sites such as Airbnb and Canopy & Stars offer some unique places to enhance your experience.

When you select a hotel or activity, make sure you check reviews on sites like TripAdvisor beforehand to make sure you’ll be getting what you pay for.

Also make sure to check that the website you are booking on has the padlock icon on any payment screens – this ensures that your payment details are secure.

Enjoy yourself

A microgap is all about discovery and doing things that you wouldn’t be able to do every day. Wherever you decide to go, head there with an open mind, a flexible outlook and make sure you experience as much as you possibly can before heading home.

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Set to be a sell-out: Charlotte Tilbury Stars In Your Eyes Instant Eye Palette

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 Charlotte Tilbury Stars In Your Eyes Instant Eye Palette
(Picture: Charlotte Tilbury)

Charlotte Tilbury has just revealed a new eyeshadow palette on Instagram and we’re ready to hand over our money.

The new Stars In Your Eyes Instant Eye Palette launching tomorrow (Thursday 20 September) comes after the success of last year’s Instant Eye Palette which amassed an incredible 30,000-person waiting list and sold out in less than 24 hours.

Instagram Photo

The new eyeshadow palette follows the same layout as the previous Instant Eye Palette and is split into four eyeshadow sections.

However this time round the palette is far warmer in tone and includes a spectrum of 12 amber hues.

The four sections have been designed to help effortless create eye looks to inspire love, power, happiness and confidence.

All of the eyeshadows are wearable, highly pigmented and perfect for everyday. And the pops of shimmer make the palette transitional meaning it can take you from desk to disco in an instant – as Charlotte would say.

One of our favourite trios is Love Eyes, a romantic rose-gold line-up, that features a stunning shimmering rose gold and a soft terracotta.

But if you fancy something a little moodier, Confident Eyes is both bold and burgundy.

As Charlotte Tilbury has earned herself a major cult following, we predict yet another sell-out.

So if you loved Charlotte Tilbury’s original Instant Eye Palette, or didn’t manage to get your mitts on the now-sold-out Pillow Talk eye palette you can join the waiting list online here.

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Despite the criticism, we’re overjoyed Theresa May starred in our wedding photos

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We feel extremely lucky to have met Prime Minister Theresa May, especially on our wedding day. What a story to tell our future children, and a really great addition to our wedding album.

There we were, posing for our wedding photos at the royal yacht squadron on the Parade in Cowes, Isle of Wight, when a passer-by told us that Theresa May was about to get off a ‘big boat that has just moored up’.

We said hello and asked if she would mind taking a photo with us.

thumbnail for post ID 7953604Theresa May gatecrashes wedding and jokes she’s ‘not really dressed for the occasion’

At first she seemed a little embarrassed, joking that she wasn’t dressed for the occasion, but happily agreed to join us for a quick picture. She congratulated both of us and complimented Michelle on how beautiful she looked in her dress.

We didn’t invite her to the reception, as we assumed she had somewhere to be, though she didn’t say why she was visiting the Isle of Wight or how long she was planning to stay.

Had she come along, I am confident we would have seen the infamous ‘Maybot’ moves make an appearance.

Overall, she was very polite and smiled the whole time. We didn’t speak to her husband, although in all honesty we have no idea what he looks like and she was with several men so we just figured they were all her security staff.

We understand that Theresa is very much in the spotlight with current affairs, but we had no idea the country would react the way it has.

Unfortunately, we have seen several negative comments on news stories circulating on Facebook, with people saying things like ‘Why would you want her in your wedding photos?’.

But we don’t get why they feel so strongly about it – given the chance, surely any of these people would have done the same.

A newly married couple were stunned when Prime Minister Theresa May 'crashed' their waterside wedding. Jason and Michelle Dight, had just exchanged their vows at the yacht haven in Cowes, Isle of Wight, and were having photos taken in the marina when Mrs May, flanked by security, turned-up by boat at the Royal Yacht Squadron. She then posed for pictures with the amazed couple before continuing to the town centre. An astounded Michelle, 32, said: "We decided to pose for photos near the jetty. We saw this great big motor cruiser. It pulled up at the jetty and someone said 'It's Theresa May.' SEE OUR COPY FOR DETAILS. Please byline: Glass House Productions/Solent News ? Glass House Productions/Solent News & Photo Agency UK +44 (0) 2380 458800
(Picture: Glass House Productions/Solent News)

To be completely honest, we try not to get too involved in politics, which a lot of people disagree with, especially given Theresa’s role in the Brexit debate.

We both voted to leave the EU, with the main reason being immigration problems and we think that’s probably why most of leavers voted the way they did. Regardless of how Brexit is being dealt with – good or bad – it’s still a big problem that needs to be addressed.

Either way, we were just grateful that the prime minister took the time to join us for a picture.

To us, this moment wasn’t political; it was just a fun opportunity to get a famous face in our album. And we were both just grateful that she took the time to join us for a quick picture.

How many people can say that the prime minister is in their wedding photos?

The interest from the media has been pretty intense.

Glass House Productions and Neil Hunt Photography, who we had hired to do the video and pictures, were contacted by local papers and radio on the day of the wedding.

Ever since then, they have been inundated with calls by people from all over the country trying to get the footage.

We were told that we would receive our photos in a couple of weeks, but it seems the whole world got to see a few of them before we did.

(Picture: Neil Hunt Photography)

As for us, we’re still in our happy post-wedding bubble, enjoying a mini-moon in Gran Canaria, both quite glad to be away from all the hype generated by the story back home.

Having said that, day one of our trip was spent answering the phone to the media; we did two live radio interviews, three pre-recorded segments and two Skype interviews with the BBC and ITV, all before we had even brushed our teeth.

Not the traditional way to spend your first day as a married couple, but we’ve enjoyed it all the same.

And who knows – maybe Theresa will grace us with her presence for our anniversary next year.

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Oh look, here’s that pooing dogs calendar you were after

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a calendar of dogs pooing all over my hopes and dreams picture: poopingpooches.com METROGRAB
(Picture: poopingpooches.com)

If you’re going to rely on good old glossy paper rather than your phone, you might as well choose a calendar that brings you true joy each time you flip the page to a new month.

Thankfully there are calendars available to suit every taste – sexy fish, lumberjacks, women hanging out in coffins.

Now, finally, there’s even a calendar to please those among us who adore dogs taking dumps.

Yep, people for whom the crinkle of a doggy bag signals true happiness now have a calendar just for them. Inside are not pictures of just plain old dog poo, which would be ridiculous, but pictures of dogs pooing.

a calendar of dogs pooing all over my hopes and dreams picture: poopingpooches.com METROGRAB
(Picture: poopingpooches.com)

That’s right. Dogs pooing all over your time and organisation. Don’t read into that.

As well as making dog mess fans very happy, the calendars benefit another good cause. $1 from every calendar goes to the Maui Humane Society, a charity that matches abandoned and stray pets with loving homes.

Inside this year’s calendar are dogs of many sizes, breeds, and pooing locations, from French Bulldogs to Beagles.

The lucky dogs getting fame in the calendar were chosen through PoopingPooches’ yearly photo competition, which invites dog owners to submit their photos of their pups creating faeces. Winners receive treats, merch, and their photo in a calendar for everyone to enjoy.

If you long to write down your weekly plans while gazing at a dog doing a poo, you can buy the 2019 calendar through Etsy for £11.78.

PoopingPooches also sells dog poo themed cards, in case you’re not ready for a yearlong commitment, or paper-haters can take a scroll through the PoopingPooches Instagram.

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Why do dogs roll in fox poo?

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(Picture: Getty)

One of the reasons cat people like cats and dog people like dogs is definitely mess.

Cats are pretty much self cleaning and stay out of most things. Dogs on the other hand will roll in mud, cut grass, and unfortunately fox poo if it’s there.

It does seem crazy that dogs would voluntarily cover themselves in another animal faeces, but apparently there is a reason for it.

The main reason is actually an evolutionary one.

Although your pooch might not seem like a feral beast, it’s hard-wired into its brain to act like it would have back when dogs lived in the wild.

In those times, dogs would cover themselves in strong-smelling substances so they could sneak up on their prey easier.

They’d also do the same to their young to conceal them from any predators that may have been lurking.

(Picture: Getty)

If you bathe your dog using a strongly scented shampoo, you might find that they actually try to go outside and roll in something to get rid of the clean smell.

Make sure to always use a specific dog shampoo, and if your dog’s really prone to rolling in fox poo, keep them on the lead in areas where it is.

If fido does happen to go for a roll in smelly stuff, some people use ketchup to get rid of the stench.

Far easier (and not requiring a second bath to remove the tomato smell) is specific fox poo shampoo for dogs, which should neutralise the odour.

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Cannabis coffee could make your mornings less stressful

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Would you make cannabis coffee part of your morning routine? (Picture: Metro.co.uk)
Would you make cannabis coffee part of your morning routine? (Picture: Metro.co.uk)

Cannabis coffee could be just what you need on a crowded early commute or during a testing morning meeting.

Cambridge-based researchers claim that a ‘healthy’ new cannabis-infused coffee could reduce drinkers’ feelings of stress and anxiety.

The coffee was created by supplement company FutureYou, and is infused with cannabidoil, also known as CBD.

CBD naturally occurs within cannabis, and is one of at least 113 cannabinoids that have been found in the hemp plant.

CBD isn’t psychoactive, which means you’re not going to get high from it.

In recent years, CBD has become a rallying point for activists who want to see cannabis legalised for medicinal and recreational purposes.

Studies have shown that the compound has positive properties and can be used to reduce pain and inflammation.

It could be valuable for patients suffering from seizures, chronic pain and insomnia.

In July, the UK government announced that doctors would be able to prescribe medicinal cannabis after advice from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs outlined the medical benefits of the drug.

Yesterday, soft drink giant Coca Cola confirmed that it is considering creating cannabis-infused versions of some of its beverages.

Dr Nicholas Shenker, a member of FutureYou’s medical advisory board, said: ‘All over the world, people are using CBD – often in pharmaceutical doses – to address their health issues.

‘CBD acts on endocannabinoid receptors that affect mood. Some people claim that it helps them to reduce stress and anxiety.”

IFutureYou hopes to trial the CBD-infused coffee at a cafe in Cambridge next month.

Mags Dixon, Costa’s marketing director, said: ‘This drink offers the benefits of Britain’s fastest-growing wellbeing supplement as part of your morning routine.

‘Coffee is the perfect complement to CBD; since most of us already enjoy a cup of coffee every day, this combination will help them to get more health benefits without changing their habits.

‘Plus it has a unique flavour profile and is really drinkable.’

Will the stimulation of the caffeine compliment the chill-out properties of CBD? Will it taste… weird?

We’ll have to wait to find out.

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Arthritis and depression may go hand in hand

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woman with hand on shoulder
(Picture: Ella Byworth for Metro.co.uk)

Arthritis is more prevalent in patients suffering from depression, research from the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry has found.

The study of US adults aged 50 and over showed that arthritis and depression often interact with each other, boosting the likelihood that the two conditions will occur together.

The physical pain and restricted movement caused by arthritis can lead to worse mental health for sufferers.

Over half (55%) of participants with minor depression also had arthritis, and this number rose to 62.9% and 67.8% among people with moderate and severe depression respectively.

Arthritis is a very common problem. In the UK, it affects an estimated 10 million people.

Although it’s more likely to be found in people in their late 40s and beyond, it does affect people of all ages, including children.

The two most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Osteoarthritis is by far the more prevalent out of the two types, affecting 8 million people every year. It occurs when the cartilage lining of joints begins to thin out and become rough, meaning that the tendons and ligaments have to work harder.

According to the NHS, this can cause ‘swelling and the formation of bony spurs, called osteophytes’. If a great deal of cartilage is lost, the bones that make up the joint can start rubbing against each other and get pushed out of shape.

Osteoarthritis is most commonly seen in the hands, knees, hips and spine.

Rheumatoid arthritis is very different, and tends to affect three times more women than it does men. It’s where the body’s immune system attacks joints, causing pain and swelling.

These two types of arthritis occur for different reasons, but they can both result in intense pain, inflammation, stiffness and reduced movement ability.

Some people may find that they feel weak and the skin around their joints is red and warm to the touch.

Poor physical health can lead to an increased risk of developing mental health problems.

People with arthritis may not be able to enjoy the same activities as they did before the health of their joints began to deteriorate, leading to feelings of uselessness, frustration and unhappiness.

The new study, led by Jessica M. Brooks from Dartmouth College, highlights the importance of medical professionals taking an integrated approach to care, and concludes that older adults with depressive symptoms should always be screened and offered treatment for arthritis-related pain.

Laura Boothman, Senior Policy Manager from Versus Arthritis told Metro.co.uk: ‘Over half of the ten million people living with arthritis experience pain every day.

‘It can have a substantial negative impact on their quality of life, often isolating them from society, which can lead to mental health problems including depression and anxiety.

‘We would like to see more healthcare professionals addressing both the physical and mental impact of living with ongoing pain, so that more people with arthritis have the support they need to live well.’

With ageing populations are becoming an increasing concern for countries including the UK, USA, China and Japan, the medical care of elderly citizens is a pressing issue.

According to the findings released today, an understanding of how arthritis and depression are linked is essential for ensuring that older patients get the care that they need.

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What to eat when you have a cold, and what you should avoid

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This is your reminder to stay hydrated – cold or no cold (Picture: Getty)

The old saying goes ‘feed a cold, starve a fever’, but the fact is we need to eat no matter what.

When you’re all stuffed up with a cold, eating might seem like the last thing on your mind.

However, you don’t want to add hunger pains to your list of ailments.

Here are the best foods to help you during a cold, and what to stay away from.

Any excuse to eat tasty soup (Picture: Getty)

What to eat when you have a cold

Chicken soup isn’t just for the soul. Any hot liquid – when inhaled – should help unblock your sinuses. However, studies have shown that chicken soup does this better than others, and also has anti-inflammatory properties.

Try to also eat plenty of foods containing cold-fighting property quercetin. This can be found in leafy vegetables,broccoli, red onions, peppers, apples, grapes, as well as black tea and green tea.

Spicy foods or things with ginger are also good for unblocking nasal passages. They won’t actually help make you better, but provide you with short-term relief.

A colourful plate makes for a healthy eater (Picture: Getty)

In general, the best way to keep yourself healthy is by eating a balanced diet with loads of fruits, veggies, protein and carbs. Doing that year-round should help keep your immune system in check so you avoid the next cold, too.

What to avoid eating when you have a cold

Don’t beat yourself up if you want some ice cream when you have a head cold. It’s a common myth that dairy will promote mucus production, but it’s just that – a myth.

Do try to stay away from caffeine and alcohol, though.

Both of these substances dehydrate your body, which can make headaches worse. Plus, you need plenty of liquids to fight a cold, so removing them probably isn’t ideal.

MORE: Arthritis and depression may go hand in hand

MORE: Cannabis coffee could make your mornings less stressful

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