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The CEO of a company that makes $65 candles explains why they're worth the price tag

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diptyque

  • French fragrance company Diptyque is known for its expensive, high-end candles.
  • In a recent interview with Business Insider, the company's CEO explained the manufacturing process that makes the candles worth the $65 price tag. 
  • The company is now ramping up focus on its personal fragrances business in the US.

French-born brand Diptyque has been at the forefront of high-end candle making for decades.

The company dates back to 1961 and Boulevard Saint-Germain in Paris, where three artistic friends — Christiane Gautrot, Desmond Knox-Leet, and Yves Coueslant — set up a shop selling their designs.

The three founders were responsible for creating the early versions of the candles and personal fragrances that are found in its stores today. However, the business has since changed hands — it was bought by a London-based private equity fund, Manzanita, in 2005, and its current CEO, Fabianne Mauny, joined in 2007. 

In the US, Diptyque is best known for its candles, which are showcased in elegant boutiques.

A cup-sized candle costs $65 and comes in expensive-sounding French scents such as Figuier, Feu de Bois, and Feuille de Lavande, which translates less romantically in English as Fig Tree, Wood Fire, and Lavender Leaf. There's a mini version of these scents that costs a more modest $35. 

You could, however, end up spending as much as $315 on an outdoor candle at Diptyque.

diptyque boutique

When Diptyque originally came to the US in the 1990s, it was sold primarily in Barney's and Bergdorf Goodman. But after the company changed hands in 2005, the new management started to make strides in the US market and opened its own stores. Today, there are 20 Diptyque locations around the country.

The brand has nailed the allure of shopping in what feels like a French store: elegant spaces, a limited amount of products to keep a feeling of exclusivity, and items placed in expensive-looking packaging.

Business Insider spoke to Mauny and the president of the US arm of Diptyque's business, Julien Gommichon, at a fragrance-focused pop-up it recently launched in Soho. 

"Anyone can think they can make candles," Mauny told Business Insider. "But our candles are made of very specific materials. They are developed carefully with a lot of raw materials."

The work is done manually, and production can only be done in small batches — hence, the hefty price tag, according to Mauny.

"It's not a simple cooking recipe. It takes a lot of time and adjustment to make sure we create the right wick and wax mix to ensure that the candle will burn in the right way," she said.

Each wick is straightened by hand to ensure it burns correctly. Mauny says that Diptyque customers are getting a good deal when considering the work that goes into each candle.

"If you look at the market for someone, you cannot say that Diptyque is an expensive brand. On the contrary, we are on the right level for a product of such high quality," she said. 

An equivalent candle at Estée Lauder-owned candlemaker Jo Malone, for example, also costs $65.  

Diptyque

Diptyque is now ramping up marketing of its personal fragrances, which, according to Mauny, have higher margins than candles because they can be mass-produced. Eaux de toilettes cost between $95 to $135, depending on the size. 

The company's mini fragrance store — open for a limited time in the Soho part of New York City — has a series of stations where customers have the chance to sample the different ingredients that make up each bottle. This experiential shopping space could be seen as a move to target the millennial shopper. 

But Gommichon said the brand doesn't market to any consumer in particular. 

"We communicate what we do in the most spontaneous way and hopefully it will reach people of different ages and origins," he said. 

So why are these expensive products resonating well with a generation of price-savvy customers?

"Millennials are looking for authenticity and engagement," he said. "In that aspect, I understand why we are connecting as a brand, as that is who we are."

SEE ALSO: Luxury brands are cleaning up their image — and it could be bad news for TJ Maxx

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NOW WATCH: How all-you-can-eat restaurants don't go bankrupt


I'm taking a trip around the world with only a carry-on suitcase — here's everything I packed

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WhatToPackRoundTheWorldTrip (11 of 11)

  • I'm taking a trip around the world that will have me traveling for many months on end as Business Insider's International Correspondent.
  • I wanted to bring only a carry-on suitcase and a backpack so I could travel lighter and avoid baggage fees on the numerous flights I'll be taking.
  • Most of the packing lists I found online were ridiculously minimalist. I couldn't afford to be, with travel plans ranging from business meetings to hiking trips.
  • Packing properly required a lot of planning to make sure all the travel essentials I need.

As Business Insider's International Correspondent, I'll be spending the next three months traveling through Hong Kong, China, Vietnam, Singapore, and Russia.

When I started planning my round-the-world trip, there was no shortage of packing lists to draw from. But most packing lists are laughably small. Minimalism is the dominant philosophy of travel bloggers everywhere.

That wasn't going to work for me. 

My trip has a wide range of scenarios to plan for, and that's before you include the copious photo and video equipment I'm carrying with me to document it all.

I'll be spanning Beijing's frosty early spring to Hanoi's sweltering summer and situations ranging from boardroom meetings with executives at Chinese tech startups to hiking China's Zhangjiajie National Forest Park (the mountains the 2009 film Avatar was based on).

With all that in mind, I decided to eschew the minimalist mantra of the backpackers of the world and go maximalist.

Consider this carefully planned packing list my Watch The Throne.

SEE ALSO: I stayed at New York’s most iconic luxury hotel that charges up to $50,000 a night and was once owned by Donald Trump

I'm going to take a ton of flights, so I don't want to deal with checking baggage. I decided to bring a carry-on and a backpack for efficiency.

(1) TravelPro MAXLITE 21" Expandable Carry-On SpinnerContrary to popular belief, there is no one correct carry-on suitcase size. Some airlines allow bags up to 22-inches, some only 20-inches. This bag is 21-inches. That should be small enough for most international carriers. 

TravelPro is the brand you'll see flight attendants and pilots using. I don't know if that's because they get them for free or because they're so ergonomical. For now, I'll pretend ergonomical and report back in a few months.

(2) Peak Design 30L Everyday Backpack: I've been carrying the small radioactive orange Lowepro camera/hiking backpack for 6 years. While I love it, it was time to say goodbye. 

When I started looking for a new camera backpack for this trip, I came across Peak Design, which launched one of the most successful Kickstarters ever and is the choice backpack of tech journalists, or so I'm told. My early impressions are largely positive.

It's stocked with tons of pockets and functional design choices so you can fit (and keep organized) everything you might need on a workday: laptop, notebooks, paper, camera, lenses, flash, water bottle, chargers, knickknacks, etc.

It's also fairly stylish, if I do say so myself.



Packing the carry-on was a lot easier using packing cubes to keep things organized.

(1) Bicycle card deck: I always carry a pack of cards of me so I can perform my sick magic tricks on new business acquaintances. Just kidding. But they are a good distraction.

(2) New Outlander pocketable backpack: This is a good day pack for hiking. Super-light and folds up into the pocket so its smaller than a paperback book.

(3) Overboard Dry Tube Bag: I have a lot of expensive camera equipment and I plan on doing some adventure-type activities that I’d like to document on the trip. This bag will keep everything bone-dry so I don’t have to worry about calling the insurance company.

(4) Domke 19-Inch Protective Wrap: This Velcro wrap is a handy piece of gear so I can pack up sensitive equipment that doesn’t have its own case.

(5) Fuji X-T2 Battery Grip: This add-on grip for my Fuji camera houses two extra batteries and adds some extra performance punch when shooting video with the camera. Extra bonus: I can use it to charge two batteries at a time.

(6) Card tin + business cards: I refashioned a tin for holding playing cards as a business card holder. I learned my lesson on my trip to launch Business Insider Japan last January about not having business cards in Asia. I only hope I brought enough.

(7), (10), Godox VING V860IIFA speedlight for my Fuji X-T2 that’s fraction of the price of other leading brands while capable of doing everything I need it to. Plus the charger.

(8) Godox XPro-F: I just started getting into shooting with off-camera flash. This controller will allow me to execute more complicated lighting arrangements by firing the flash without it being connected to the top of my camera.

(9) Sony camera charger: In addition to my Fuji XT-2, I’m also carrying a high-end point-and-shoot, the Sony RX100 Mark IV. This is the charger for it.

(11) Ultraviolet and Neutral Density Lens Filters: This is a package of four lens filters for my Fuji lens. The UV filters protect the lens from scratches or smudges, while the ND filters reduce the amount of light to the camera.

(12) Lexar 25-in-1 memory card reader: For transferring my photos and video to my computer for editing.

(13) 3 Legged Thing Equinox Leo: A lightweight carbon fiber travel tripod that can handle a full camera setup. One of the legs is a detachable monopod. I’ll be using this a lot on upcoming shoots. A good thing it folds up to a little over 16 inches long.

(14) Travel towel: You never know when a place you are staying won’t a have a towel. This travel towel has come with me on a ton of trips. it folds up small and drys fast.

(15) Dakine Travel Kit Backpack: This toiletry bag has a ton of good reviews so I decided to give it a try after lugging around the same boring black one since I was 14. It fits a ton in there. See the next slide.

(16), (17), (19) — HiDay Travel Organizer Bag System: My girlfriend purchased this set of seven packing cubes for herself, then decided not to use most of them. I’m finding these to a be functional way to keep my clothes organized amidst all my other gear.

(18) Dollar store flip flops: I bought these at a dollar store in Canada last summer and they are still holding strong. I’ll keep using them until they disintegrate. Maybe then I’ll upgrade to some Havianas.

(20) Nike Roshe One Running Shoes: The Nike Roshe’s have become something of a cult favorite Nike shoe in the last couple of years, mainly because of its lightweight top and thick sole. The clean design combined with that reputation for performance convinced me that it would a good shoe for the many walking tours ahead, as well one I could use for morning exercise while traveling.

 

 



While I rarely buy travel-size toiletries, a few items like moleskin and Gold Bond can make long trips far more enjoyable.

(1) Oral-B Toothbrush: I had bought a Radius Scuba toothbrush a month ago to bring on the trip. That toothbrush is supposed to last 9 months (versus most toothbrushes 3 months) and is supposed to better on the gums. Unfortunately, it lasted a week before I lost it. A foreboding sign.

(2) Marvis Whitening Toothpaste: Let me start by saying I rarely, if ever, purchase travel-size items. They’re overpriced and too small. This one I acquired while staying at The Beekman for a story recently. Like Ross Geller (You know you’re a 90’s kid when …) I always stock up on hotel amenities for future trips.

(3) Floss: With apologies to my dentist, and my teeth, I don’t floss often. But I’m trying to change that. If New York me doesn’t floss, maybe I can convince world traveler me to do so.

(4) Marrone Scurro Creme: I recently bought an expensive pair of Italian leather hiking boots (see following slide). This tube of leather cream (?) came with it. I assume it's for shoe care but I’ll be honest I don’t really know. Might as well bring it.

(5) American Crew Forming Cream: I’m going to be at a lot of business meetings so that means stepping up my hair game. This cream gets my hair to look thick and pushed back without going full American Psycho.

(6) Nioxin Scalp Treatment: Like many men my age, I’m very slowly losing my hair (VERY SLOWLY, thank you).This spray came in a trial pack of other men’s hair products. It says it helps keep your scalp healthy. I’m not holding my breath.

(7) Old Spice Swagger body wash: I know I said I don’t buy travel-size toiletries, but this one was rolling around in the back of my medicine cabinet. I can’t be blamed for what a younger me purchased.

(8) Travel size shampoo and body lotion: I got these on vacation last October in Austria. I told you I stock up at hotels.

(9) Conair Hair Brush: It’s probably time for me to downgrade to a comb as I no longer have Thor-level locks, but I’m holding onto my youth as long as possible, thank you.

(10) Nioxin shampoo and conditioner: This also came in the trial pack. They lie flat so I figured I’d might as well pack them.

(11) Advanced Clinicals Beard Oil: I’ve never been one to use cologne as I find most scents too pungent for my delicate nose. But this sandalwood-scented beard oil serves that purpose while I also making my standard-issue 2010s-era Williamsburg beard nice and soft.

(12) Aquamira water purifier tablets: I’ve been storing this in my toiletry bag for at least a decade and have never used them. Still, it gives me peace of mind to know that if I’m ever caught in the wilderness, I’ll be able to drink from a stream. LOL.

(13) Fa Sport Deodorant: I’ve got nothing interesting to say about this deodorant except that I bought it in Europe and, for some reason, European brands of deodorant come in much smaller packages, which makes them ideal for travel.

(14) Blistex lip balm: I’ll be traveling to western China (Shaanxi and Inner Mongolia provinces) where it is very windy. You’ll see — this one is going to come in handy,.

(15) Wahl beard trimmer: The benefit of having a beard means not having to carry razors and shaving cream. The downside: you need a bulky electric trimmer to keep it professional-looking.

(16) Ibuprofen: Don’t be fooled. This miniature bottle of Ibuprofen also contains Imitrex for my migraines, which is a loving condition I was gifted when I turned 27. This bottle has since been moved to my backpack after suffering a migraine on my New York to Hong Kong flight.

(17) Moleskin: No, not the notebook. Moleskin is possibly one of the most clutch items to keep in your travel bag. After walking for days on end, you are bound to get blisters on your feet. Slap the Moleskine over them and you won’t feel them.

(18) Gold Bond Anti Itch Cream: Chafing is an eternal traveler condition. This tingling bottle of relief mitigates the issue.

(19) Antibiotic ointment (i.e. Neosporin): I usually carry a full first-aid kit on hiking trips. I plan to do some hiking during this trip, but I just don’t have the space for the kit. This will have to do.

(20) Eco Soap Bar: I will never run out of travel-size amenities. Trust me. I’m a squirrel storing nuts for winter.

(21) CVS bandages: You never know when you are going to cut yourself. Particularly when you are a klutz like me.

(22) Tums: Eating a lot of strange foods and drinking a fair amount — sounds like a recipe for a stomach ache, eh?

(23) Malaria pills: I’m not sure if these are really necessary, but I will be in Southeast Asia next month and my doctor wrote the prescription.

(24) Z-Pac: It’s always a good idea to have antibiotics on hand.  Most food and drinks are made with water stocked with foreign bacteria. Your immune system is not always going to be able to fight them off.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Here’s why people love to travel to Cancun, Riviera Maya, and Cozumel

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Every year, millions of travelers head south of the border — and with so much to see and experience, it's no surprise that the Mexican Caribbean is the most popular multi-destination to visit in Mexico. The area offers historic Mayan ruins in Riviera Maya, beautiful diving locations in Cozumel and Isla Mujeres, fine dining and the Underwater Museum in Cancun, and much more experiences for families, weddings, and groups.

Apple Vacations wants to help you enjoy your next vacation to Mexico to the fullest. With help from their in-resort representatives, you can plan trips to cenotes in Riviera Maya, schedule an afternoon of scuba diving in Cozumel, or experience any water or inland sport you like or just relax by the beach in Cancun. The representatives will pick you up in your hotel lobby, take you to your desired excursion, and drop you off back in your hotel after a day of fun. Apple Vacations welcomes you to Mexico and helps you feel like you're home for the whole vacation. 

Watch the video above to see why travelers enjoy visiting Riviera Maya, Cancun, and Cozumel — the Mexican Caribbean.

Looking for travel tips, advice, or inspiration? Check out CarryOn Blog, Apple Vacations’ online magazine, which features articles and videos on the hottest destinations, hotels, excursions, and more.

To plan your next trip to Mexico, visit applevacations.com.

Video Logos Apple Vacations

This post is sponsored by Apple Vacations. | Video provided by Apple Vacations.

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A little-known hallucinogenic drug called DMT takes people to a place that feels 'more real than real' — here's what researchers know about it

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DMT trip

  • DMT is a psychedelic drug that is found in many plants and animals, including humans.
  • Recreationally DMT is usually smoked or injected.
  • In the 90s, a researcher asked people to take the drug and report back what they experienced.
  • Volunteers said they experienced something "more real than real," and some were convinced of life after death.
  • Regular users of DMT report being taken to other realms, speaking to divine beings, and often come back with a new appreciation of life.
  • DMT has potential to be therapeutic in the future, but research is very much in its infancy.


"This state... cannot be described with words," Sam*, a regular user of hallucinogenic drugs, wrote to me when he described one of his experiences with N,N-Dimethyltryptamine — known as DMT.

"It's a state where you exist in your purest form, [a state] of deep peace and happiness," he said. "This world is beyond cool to look at, and it just so seems that this is the place where we all came from, which is awesome. Spirals upon spirals began to appear and infinite spirals would emerge out of other spirals. I was happiness itself, this world is mine, and the happiness is emerging only from me."

A trip on DMT is described by users like "breaking out of a simulation." People report being able to access the true inner workings of their minds, and describe the feeling of being launched into other dimensions, where they experience their consciousness existing outside of their own bodies.

"One may experience coalescence with the very fabric of space-time, followed by the 'blast-off' into an alternate, alien realm, termed 'hyperspace' by some," another user called Eli* told Business Insider. "The alternate realm defies all conceptions that we are accustomed to and typically presents as impossible geometric fractal patterns that possess eerie familiarity."

Time and language are inconceivable, but you may experience telepathic conversations with the beings you encounter, he said. According to personal accounts, a DMT trip is different to hallucinating on other drugs, such as psilocybin (mushrooms) or LSD, because it takes you some place completely different to this world, as opposed to modifying your relationship with it.

In fact, the trip is so intense and abstract, some users have trouble explaining exactly what it's like. One user told me that attempting to write it down is essentially pointless. But a common theme among users is the opinion that tripping on DMT feels "more real than real."

Many of the users I spoke to mentioned their minds being "pulled" from their bodies, meeting alien entities or spiritual beings to guide them, in an environment of vivid circus-like colours and patterns. There are also forums on the internet dedicated to particular figures that seem to appear time and time again, such as a jester.

Research into DMT started in the 50s

DMT was first found to be psychedelic by the Hungarian chemist Stephen Szára in the 1950s. In the 60s it was discovered in the human body, with research suggesting it is synthesised in lungs and the pineal gland in the brain. It is now believed to be widespread throughout the natural kingdom, in thousands of plants, and in every mammal that has been investigated so far.

A flurry of research throughout the 60s focused on DMT, including looking into whether it could help explain why some people have schizophrenia (it couldn't). But then, in the 70s, DMT was placed into a restrictive legal category, and research was halted.

Rick Strassman, a psychologist and psychopharmacologist, led the first new human research in the US into DMT in a generation with his colleague Clifford Qualls between 1990 and 1995.

"I was interested in looking at DMT as a naturally occurring psychedelic for quite a few reasons," he told Business Insider. "One of them was being interested in the biology of naturally occurring spiritual states. In other words, in whatever manner, some of the symptoms of a near death state, a mystical experience of enlightenment, or religious, unusual dreams. One could make an argument that naturally occurring DMT was also involved in those non-drug states."

Breathing exercises are a large part of many spiritual and religious communities as a way to reach enlightenment. If DMT is in fact produced in the lungs, this would tie in nicely to how people reach "psychedelic" trance states while meditating.

In the DMT study, Strassman recruited volunteers, all of whom were experienced hallucinogen users. He asked them to take DMT in a clinical environment, and then report their experience when the hallucinations ended. With a regular dose, the effects of a DMT trip are generally over within 30 to 40 minutes.

"There were no bells, no whistles, no Buddhist statues — it was just 'here's the drug, and tell me what happened after you come down.'" Strassman said. "So it was kind of like sending people off to explore a new world and telling them to come back and tell us what they encountered."

Usually, DMT is smoked or injected, as it is broken down too quickly in the stomach to achieve any hallucinogenic effects if it's swallowed.

When people come down from a DMT high, they often report having profound experiences, such as looking back on childhood memories. Some saw abstract images that told them to spend more time with family. One woman in the study, Strassman said, came back convinced of the persistence of consciousness after death.

"One of the volunteers had a classic near death experience, and that confirmed her beliefs, and made her feel good about the prospect of dying when it happened," he said. "She said: 'If everyone knew what was awaiting them after death, everyone would commit suicide,' and I said, 'Well, don't spread the word.'"

tripping

DMT is closely linked with spiritualism and death

The link between DMT and spiritualism has been around a long time. A common theory about why DMT is in the body is that we release a large dose of it when we die. When people come back from a near death experience, and report seeing a white light or divine beings, some say this is the result of a release of DMT, which gives the brain a final, all-encompassing hallucination.

In the Amazon, ayahuasca is a combination of DMT and a plant that contains an inhibitor of the enzyme that normally breaks down DMT. The result is a DMT drink that has been used for over 500 years.

"Ayahuasca is a Quechua word and it means the vine of the dead, or the vine of the souls," Strassman said. "So that points to the belief that drinking ayahuasca somehow provides access to the realm of the dead, or the realm of disembodied spirits. That's been a belief that's circulated around ayahuasca, or DMT, for quite a long time."

There are a number of ways researchers could test whether DMT is present in near death experiences. For example, you could ask someone who has had a near death experience to take DMT, then ask them to compare the two. Strassman said he's had a few emails from people who have described a lot of similarities.

You could also potentially test the levels of DMT in someone who is having a near-death experience, or look at the expression of the gene that's responsible for the synthesis of DMT in dying people.

Strassman said there is some unpublished data that indicates DMT levels increase in the brain in dying animals. If research in this area is looked into further, the connection could be strengthened, he said.

DMT could answer some questions about the human brain

As for where DMT research could go in the future, Strassman said it could help us define certain aspects of consciousness.

"I'm keen on the old Aristotelian definition of the mind, with the intellectual functions and the imaginative functions," he said. "I think DMT in particular, but psychedelics in general, must likely stimulate the imaginative faculty of the mind more than the rational faculty... So it could be that once we start looking at the biology or the neurophysiology of the imaginative faculty versus the rational faculty, DMT may help us understand the imaginative faculty's function."

There are also still a lot of questions to answer, like the explanation for what DMT is doing in the body in the first place. It's clearly important, Strassman said, as it is actively transported into the brain using energy. There are very few compounds that the brain absorbs this way, such as glucose and amino acids that are required for normal brain function, but can't be made by the body on its own.

"That makes you wonder if DMT might be involved in the regulation in every day normal consciousness as well," Strassman said. "And something else that has been discovered over the past few years is that the enzyme and the gene that synthesise DMT are quite active in the retina. So it could be that DMT is regulating a visual perception in particular as well as regulation of consciousness."

What that suggests in regards to theories about us living in some sort of simulation, I'll leave up to you.

One problem with researching DMT is that it is very quickly broken down in the body. That's why a trip only lasts about half an hour. In 2016, Strassman and his colleague Andrew Gallimore published a paper which described a way to give DMT continuously over a number of hours.

There are a number of reasons for the benefits of this: one, is the effect could be categorised more carefully, and two, the therapeutic effects it has the potential for.

"Lots of people describe the therapeutic benefits of ayahuasca... and if you could extend the DMT state you could be able to apply it for therapeutic purposes," Strassman said. "More practical experiments would be to extend the state and see if that has applications for therapy."

psychedellic

Whatever its purpose, DMT has a profound impact on people

Regular users of DMT are convinced that the drug has tons of potential, both to open people's minds and to be used in mental health treatment.

Sam believes the hallucinogenic has the ability to "raise global human consciousness and change the world in this modern era."

He said before DMT he was struggling with an existential crisis, and at times was suicidal because he couldn't see the point in anything in the world.

"It got to the point where I became so frustrated at this life that I resolved to take my own life unless I could be given a proper reason to continue living," he said. "I knew I wanted to help the world in some way but to me it just seemed hopeless to even try. The answer came to me in the form of DMT and it felt like the universe embraced me in a soothing ocean of love."

From then on, he said his cynicism was replaced by optimism. He became refreshed and energised, and felt he could start his life with a new "positive and clear outlook."

As well as the enlightenment that users of hallucinogenics tend to talk about, Sam felt DMT really pulled him back from the edge. In some sense he found the answers he was looking for, but he also had a new appreciation for living.

"I thought to myself that I must try DMT as a last ditch effort before committing to the plan of suicide. Luckily for me the outcome was better than I could've imagined and I can say that it really did save my life," he said. "I believe DMT can be utilised in a therapeutic setting as a revolutionary treatment used to heal people... The world is changing and I think we're entering a new era of human civilization."

Anthony Castellanos believes himself to be one of the most experienced users of DMT. He told Business Insider that the drug could definitely be used for treatment in reducing anxiety, stress, and depression. After one trip, he felt he had access to "inner parts" of his imagination for four months afterwards.

"With some meditation I could drift myself away into new places far from my body," he said. "I had a portal inside me that my soul could walk through that would take me into the realm of love and beauty and God. And I'm not even religious."

There is also discouragement from some

Like any drug, DMT should be used with caution, Castellanos warned.

"Because of its vivid infinite intensity, it has the potential to be mentally damaging," he said. "It removes one from his or her routine perception of reality, and it can be difficult for some to readjust after a trip."

Research into DMT is just getting off its feet, Strassman said. Unfortunately, some scientists are willing to write it off as a research area because they believe the concentrations of DMT in the human brain are too low to be significant.

"It's too bad those arguments are being floated because they are discouraging research into this incredibly interesting field," he said. "And that's kind of weird... Even if concentrations in the whole brain are low, that could still mean that concentrations in specific areas of the brain could be high.

"The brain is a big mysterious black box in a lot of ways, but we're understanding a little bit more and more."

All drugs come with risks, and some people see this as a barrier to recreational drugs being used openly. According to Talk to Frank, the drug awareness and advice website, a bad trip on any drug, including DMT, can result in triggering mental health problems, or worsen issues someone already has. Also, it can raise blood pressure and heart rate, so may harm those with a pre-existing heart condition.

Regardless, there are many champions of DMT, both those who take it and those who want to experiment with it. And many supporters of recreational drug use argue that decriminalisation and regulation of drugs such as DMT can make their use safer and enhance the potential benefits.

Researchers may only just have started tapping into DMT's potential, wherever it came from. And wherever the research goes, there will probably be a lot of people following the story as the mysteries unravel.

"DMT is an elixir for existential dread," Eli said. "It reveals how meaningless and transient our corporeal existence is, and in that revelation, one can understand and appreciate how special it is to be alive.

"That seems paradoxical... but so does everything about this drug."

*Names changed.

SEE ALSO: Why psychedelics like magic mushrooms kill the ego and fundamentally transform the brain

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NOW WATCH: The surprising reason why NASA hasn't sent humans to Mars yet

'Ready Player One' is the most enjoyable Steven Spielberg movie in over 15 years — and will take you on a wild ride

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Ready Player One 2 Warner Bros

  • Steven Spielberg proves he can still do the blockbuster movie better than anyone else with "Ready Player One."
  • It's the best Spielberg "ride" movie since "Catch Me If You Can."

With Steven Spielberg at the helm adapting a book that celebrates the geeky decade when he was at his peak, it's OK to go into "Ready Player One" (in theaters now) with a whole lot of skepticism.

Is Spielberg too close to the material to be able to pull off a story that is true to Ernest Cline's book?

No. It's as simple as that.

Spielberg — along with the screenwriter Zak Penn ("X-Men: The Last Stand," "Last Action Hero") and Cline (who is also a credited screenwriter) — creates an event film that has to be seen on a big screen to be fully appreciated.

Along with the countless pop-culture references (I don't think I could catch them all even if I saw it five more times), Spielberg dusts off his action-adventure storytelling toolbox to prove to everyone he still can make a blockbuster movie at a high level.

Lately the Oscar-winning director has focused on more serious fare like "The Post," "Bridge of Spies," "Lincoln," and "War Horse." That means many moviegoers haven't gotten that incredible Spielberg pulse-pounding, entertaining movie in over a decade. Even when he tried to sprinkle in a few catered to the under-30 crowd in that time — "The BFG" and "The Adventures of Tintin" — they were box-office duds that were mostly ignored by the Spielberg die-hards. (And I'm not even going to mention "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull." Just pretend that never happened.)

For a Spielberg blockbuster that was universally praised, you have to go all the way back to Tom Cruise running from aliens in 2005's "War of the Worlds." But I'll go even further back than that.

Personally, I think "Ready Player One" is Spielberg's most enjoyable movie since 2002's "Catch Me If You Can" starring Leonardo DiCaprio.

I know what you're going say: "How can a movie about a check forger running from the FBI for years compare to a movie about a crippled future where everyone is addicted to virtual reality?"

The ride.

What Spielberg still does better than any other filmmaker is take you on a thrilling ride while sitting in a dark theater. I had that feeling watching DiCaprio con his way through "Catch Me If You Can," and I finally had that feeling once more in a Spielberg movie when I saw "Ready Player One."

ready player oneIf you're not familiar with the book, Wade Watts (played by Tye Sheridan) lives in the year 2044 in Oklahoma City's poverty-stricken trailer-home community known as "The Stacks" (trailers are literally stacked one on top of one another). In this future the world has been decimated by a slew of disasters — both technological and environmental — that have led society to basically give up and head to a new world.

That new world is not Mars or another planet but rather the virtual-reality world of the Oasis.

There people can be and do whatever they want through their avatars. The longer you are in the Oasis and building a coin count, the more cool things you can accumulate. And thanks to the creator of the Oasis, James Halliday (Mark Rylance), there's also a whole slew of 1980s pop-culture references he loved as a kid ("You can even climb a mountain with Batman," Wade says at the beginning of the movie).

But there's one more big reason to enter the Oasis. When Halliday died (before the events of the movie), he announced that he had left an Easter egg buried somewhere in the Oasis and that the first person to find it would receive a fortune and ownership of the Oasis. He also left three keys that lead to the Easter egg. But at the start of the movie, it's been five years and no one has found any of the keys.

During "Ready Player One," we follow Wade and his friends as they try to find the keys. But they aren't the only ones looking. The corporation IOI has a team of people working day and night to find the egg led by a former Halliday intern, Nolan Sorrento (Ben Mendelsohn).

Spielberg still gives us his baseline theme that is in almost all of his movies: the main character's troubled family life. But for the most part we are in the Oasis following Wade's journey. Things pick up when Wade discovers a cheat to the race he's been trying to win with no success (driving the DeLorean from "Back to the Future," Wade can never seem to get past King Kong to the finish line). With the victory, he becomes the first person to get the first key.

A lot of that race is spoiled in the movie's trailers, but it's merely an appetizer for what's to come. It's when Wade goes after the second key that the movie kicks into another level.

I'm not going to give it away. All I can say is that's where the "ride" feel of a Spielberg movie kicked in for me. You could just feel the energy change in the theater I was in when we all realized what was about to happen.

And the movie just becomes more fun as it goes on. Along with the action, it sprinkles in a love story between Wade and Samantha (Olivia Cooke), and a race to beat Sorrento that juggles between reality and the Oasis. There's also a great message about the need, as human beings, to have real-world interaction and not be plugged in all the time.

Listen, I'm not trying to say we should put "Ready Player One" on the Mount Rushmore of Spielberg classic movies. What I hope I'm getting across is if you missed that Spielberg ride (or haven't experienced it yet in your life), this movie is going to give it to you.

SEE ALSO: All 30 Steven Spielberg movies, ranked by how much money they made at the US box office

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Why 555 is always used for phone numbers on TV and in movies

4 reasons why 'The Incredibles' is Pixar's best movie — and one of the best superhero movies of all time

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When a Disney/Pixar "March Madness" bracket started making the rounds on the internet recently, I was compelled to fill it out.

It pitted classic (and some new) animated Disney movies against Disney-owned animation studio Pixar.

Some of the match-ups were near impossible (you want me to pick between "Inside Out" and "Finding Nemo?"), while others were a little too easy ("Toy Story 3" vs. "The Good Dinosaur").

But one thing was always clear in my mind: "The Incredibles," about a family of superheroes, is Pixar's best film.

It has tough competition. While Pixar has had some misses in recent years, it is still known for high-quality animated films, from "Toy Story" to "Up" to "Coco."

But for me, "The Incredibles" stands above them all as a near-perfect movie (and one of the greatest superhero movies of all time) about family, responsibility, and teamwork. I fell in love with it when I saw it in a theater at 11 years old and still love it to this day.

After 14 years of waiting, a sequel finally comes to theaters in June from the director of the first movie, Brad Bird — but it has a lot to live up to.

Below are 4 reasons why "The Incredibles" is Pixar's best movie:

SEE ALSO: All 30 Steven Spielberg movies, ranked by how much money they made at the US box office

It captures the best aspects of classic superhero stories — while also being ahead of its time.

"The Incredibles" isn't just Pixar's best movie — it's also one of the best superhero movies of all time. It captures the essence of classic superhero stories, while also introducing concepts that would be touched on in future ones.

"With great power, comes great responsibility" is Spider-Man's famous creed, and the characters of "The Incredibles" embody this as well. As a family of superheroes, Bob and Helen Parr, a.k.a. Mr. Incredible and Elastigirl, must drill into their kids' heads that their powers are a major responsibility and shouldn't be taken lightly, which can be said for a lot of things kids will encounter growing up. By the end of the film, the Parrs finally realize that if they want their kids to take their powers seriously, they have to learn to trust them with those powers, too. 

And the fact that it focuses on a family of superheroes also evokes a Fantastic Four-like quality — meaning it's basically the best "Fantastic Four" movie ever made.

But "The Incredibles" was also ahead of its time.

In the beginning of the film, superheroes are forced to retire by the government when public outrage over the heroes' unchecked power reaches new heights. If it sounds familiar, it's similar to what happens in Marvel Comics' "Civil War" event, and then in the 2016 movie "Captain America: Civil War," where the government passes legislation that forces superhumans to register their identities.  



It's a thrilling action movie ...

"The Incredibles" has by far the best action sequences of any Pixar movie, which admittedly doesn't exactly make it "better" than any of them on its own, but it does give it an edge. 

The action in "The Incredibles" puts you on the edge of your seat.

Take the nail-biting plane crash sequence, for instance. Helen is flying a jet to the island that Bob is trapped on, and discovers that the kids, Dash and Violet, snuck on board. The villain Syndrome launches a missile at the plane, and the moments that follow are simply thrilling. When Violet can't project a force-field over the plane, Helen has to scoop them up and parachute down to the water below, and all the while Bob can only listen in terror as he believes his family was just killed.

 



... but also a relatable family drama.

I already touched on how "The Incredibles" deals with themes of family, which isn't new to Pixar stories. But "The Incredibles" was the first of the bunch that felt like it was truly relatable for any age group.

The movie was Pixar's sixth animated feature, after "Toy Story," "A Bug's Life," "Toy Story 2," "Monster's Inc.," and "Finding Nemo." What do all of those movies have in common that "The Incredibles" doesn't? They all focus on non-human characters.

Nothing against toys, bugs, monsters, or fish, but "The Incredibles" was the first Pixar movie with human main characters, ones you could truly identify with whether you're a parent or a child. The other movies captured feelings we could identify with — whether it was nostalgia for childhood or the anxiety over losing a loved one — but "The Incredibles" dealt with mature themes and delivered them in a way more people could connect with. Sure, they were superheroes, but they were also flawed characters.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

All these TV shows are ending in 2018 — get prepared to say farewell

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Scandal ABC

As we get further into 2018, more of your favorite TV shows are ending their runs.

Shows ending this year include ABC's "The Middle," FX's "The Americans," FXX's "You're the Worst," and Netflix's "House of Cards."

Most of these shows were popular with critics or audiences throughout their runs, and some are (or were) considered among the best shows on TV.

But every show has to end at some point. These have run their course, and their networks decided it's time for them to go.

Is your favorite show coming to an end this year?

Here are all the shows coming to an end in 2018:

SEE ALSO: After 6 Marvel TV shows on Netflix it's become clear that they are both compelling and fundamentally boring at the same time

"Love" — ended March 29, after three seasons on Netflix



"Portlandia" — ended March 22, after eight seasons on IFC



"New Girl" — ends May 15, after seven seasons on Fox



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Teenage girls are sending the Florida shooting suspect love letters and bikini pictures — and his lawyers refuse to show them to him

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nikolas cruz

  • Teenage girls and young women have been flooding the suspected Florida shooter with fan mail.
  • Nikolas Cruz is accused of murdering 17 students and staff members at a Florida high school, and could face the death penalty.
  • The women have sent Cruz gushing love letters, revealing photos of themselves, and roughly $800 for his commissary account, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported.

Like many infamous prisoners before him, accused Florida gunman Nikolas Cruz is receiving torrents of fan mail, money, and vulgar photos from teenage girls and young women across the country who say they're attracted to him.

Cruz has been in jail since February 14, the day he allegedly gunned down 17 students and staff members at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland. Prosecutors recently announced they intend to seek the death penalty.

His attorneys said they were shocked by the stacks of letters and cards he has received — many of which included pictures of scantily clad teenagers or gushing descriptions about his looks.

"When I saw your picture on the television, something attracted me to you," one letter from an 18-year-old girl in Texas said, according to the South Florida Sun Sentinel. "Your eyes are beautiful and the freckles on your face make you so handsome."

She added some jokes about gummy bears and peanut butter, and a description of herself: "I'm really skinny and have 34C sized breasts."

Another woman in Chicago reportedly sent Cruz nine salacious photos, including shots of her cleavage and backside, and one of herself in a bikini eating a Popsicle.

marjory stoneman douglas high schoolBroward County Public Defender Howard Finkelstein told the Sun-Sentinel he hasn't seen anything like it in his 40 years on the job.

"The letters shake me up because they are written by regular, everyday teenage girls from across the nation," he said. "That scares me. It's perverted."

Finkelstein added that about $800, apparently from Cruz's fans, has been deposited into Cruz's commissary account in jail.

Cruz has not received any of the mail since he's currently under suicide watch — and his attorneys said they refuse to read him the fan letters or share any of the girls' photos. Finkelstein said his team has only read certain religious letters to Cruz that "extend wishes for his soul and to come to God."

Jail workers also reportedly open every item sent to Cruz, except legal documents, and return any "obscene" or potentially threatening mail to the senders.

But despite his attorneys' efforts, Cruz is apparently aware of his newfound fame.

A prosecutor involved in a trespassing case against Cruz's brother, Zachary Cruz, said during a court hearing she was concerned about a jail visit Zachary made to Nikolas, in which the two apparently discussed starting a fan club for girls, ABC News reported.

"There is a discussion of starting some kind of pen pal or fan club and see how many girls he is capable of attracting — referring to his brother Nikolas," Assistant State Attorney Sarahnell Murphy said last week. "[Zachary Cruz] has been heard and observed discussing how popular his brother is now."

SEE ALSO: Florida shooting suspect's brother sentenced to 6 months of probation for trespassing on Parkland high school campus

DON'T MISS: Stunning photos show how many people joined the March for Our Lives protests in cities across the US

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: BILL BROWDER: How sanctions on Russia hurt Putin's closest allies


Photos capture the emotional moment Hope Hicks and Trump said goodbye on her last day at the White House

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hope hicks donald trump

  • Hope Hicks appeared to have an emotional moment with President Donald Trump as they said goodbye on Thursday, her last day at the White House.
  • Hicks was one of Trump's longest-serving and most trusted advisers.
  • She announced in late February that she would resign as the White House communications director.

Hope Hicks left the White House on Thursday, having what appeared to be an emotional moment with President Donald Trump as they said goodbye on the portico.

Hicks, who was one of Trump's longest-serving and most trusted advisers, announced late last month that she would leave her post as the White House communications director.

Hicks had a tight-knit relationship with Trump dating back to the earliest days of his presidential campaign in 2015. She had no political experience at the time but was a well-trained public-relations representative who had worked with Ivanka Trump.

Since announcing her resignation, Hicks has apparently been spending less time than usual around the West Wing. Trump has occasionally attempted to summon her by shouting "Hope!" or "Hopey!" when she's not there, CNN reported on Thursday.

It's still unclear who — if anyone— will replace Hicks, but several Trump administration officials are said to be vying for the job.

CNN says the top candidates include Mercedes Schlapp, the White House strategic communications director, and Tony Sayegh, a public-affairs official at the Treasury Department. But those close to Trump have expressed doubt that he will pick either, according to the report.

Hicks has refrained from opining about who should replace her, White House officials told CBS News.

Hicks' last few months in the White House were beset by multiple scandals, including reports that she had become a key focus in the special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russia's interference in the 2016 US election.

She came under fire in late February after she was said to have told the House Intelligence Committee that she occasionally told "white lies" on behalf of Trump, though she said none of them were connected to the Russia investigation.

Hicks was also thrust into the spotlight earlier that month when Rob Porter, the White House staff secretary at the time, was publicly accused of abusing his two ex-wives. Multiple reports said Hicks, who was dating Porter, was involved in writing an initial public statement from John Kelly, the White House chief of staff, that defended him.

Yet she remained one of Trump's favorite aides.

Photos from White House journalists captured the moment Hicks and Trump said goodbye on Thursday before he departed for Ohio.

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hope hicks donald trump

hope hicks donald trump

SEE ALSO: How 29-year-old Hope Hicks, Trump's 'real daughter,' became the youngest White House communications director in history — and resigned after getting ensnared in its biggest scandals

DON'T MISS: Inside the strange relationship between Trump and Hope Hicks, his right-hand woman and the youngest White House communications director in history

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NOW WATCH: 3 reasons why North and South Korean reunification is unlikely

Roseanne Barr has a history of supporting Trump — and promoting right-wing conspiracy theories

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Roseanne barr

  • Roseanne Barr has a history of supporting President Donald Trump, as well as promoting popular online right-wing conspiracy theories.
  • Barr received a congratulatory call from Trump on Wednesday for the ratings success of the premiere of "Roseanne," the revival of her ABC sitcom, in which she plays a Trump supporter.

On Wednesday, President Donald Trump called Roseanne Barr to congratulate her on the ratings success for the premiere episodes of "Roseanne," the revival of Barr's ABC sitcom.

Roseanne Conner, Barr's character on the show, is a Trump supporter. Barr herself has been a vocal Trump supporter since the lead-up to the 2016 election, and she also has a history of promoting popular online right-wing conspiracy theories.

"I have always attempted to portray a realistic portrait of American working class people, and it was working class people who elected Trump," Barr said in January at the Television Critics Association press tour of depicting her character as a Trump supporter. 

"He says a lot of crazy s---,” Barr continued. "I’m not a Trump apologist. There are a lot of things he’s done and said that I don’t agree with in the same way there are probably a lot of things Hillary Clinton has done and said you don’t agree with."

But as The Washington Post recently reported, Barr's Twitter page had been a trove of Trump support and tweets promoting right-wing conspiracy theories like Pizzagate, up until she deleted most of her page's history in December.

"4 those who wonder-back in the day when I was called a 'liberal' by journalists, I used to answer-‘I’m not a Liberal, I’m a radical’ & I still am-I voted Trump 2 shake up the status quo & the staid establishment," Barr tweeted in December.

Roseanne barr

Barr has shared YouTube links promoting Pizzagate, a conspiracy that Hillary Clinton and her former campaign chair John Podesta were using a Washington, DC, pizzeria as a base for a child trafficking ring. ("Pizzagate Journalists Being Attacked by MMFA & ThinkProgress!" she tweeted in December).

She also tweeted about the conspiracy of a "cover-up" surrounding the death of former Democratic National Convention staffer Seth Rich in July 2016.

roseanne barr

 

Read the Washington Post's report on Barr's internet presence >

SEE ALSO: Trump called Roseanne Barr to congratulate her on the high ratings for the 'Roseanne' reboot

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NOW WATCH: This is how LUSH makes its solid, packaging-free shampoo — which saved the use of 15 million plastic bottles in 2016

Nurses share the 12 funniest things they’ve heard patients say

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  • If you're a nurse dealing with one patient after the next, you can usually find humor in some of the lighter scenarios.
  • Whether they're waking up from anesthesia or being totally honest and frank, patients can say the funniest things.
  • We asked nurses to let us in the most memorable things a patient has said to them.

If there's one person who's most likely to have seen and heard just about everything, it's a nurse. And we're not just talking bodily fluids and things stuck in places they shouldn't be.

"Some patients have absolutely no filter when they're talking to us," veteran nurse Gail told Business Insider. "People trust us and they open up to us, which can lead to them coming out with some really memorable lines."

To find the funniest things patients have said that have left their nurses in stitches, Business Insider spoke with four real nurses and scoured the depths of the internet for more tales.

Here are 12 of the funniest things nurses have heard patients say.

SEE ALSO: I'm a nurse in New York, here's how my salary has changed in the last 10 years

DON'T MISS: 11 words only doctors understand

Tales of pure filth

"It was my first patient with a colostomy. He was this old, grumpy man sitting up in bed. I started taking off his bag and it smelled so bad my eyes were watering. I kept telling myself to think about his feelings and to not let anything show on my face. He looked at me and said, 'God, you've got bad breath!'"

— Nancy, a nurse with 45 years' experience



Labor pains

"One patient was fully dilated, she started pushing, then changed her mind. 'I don't wanna do this, I'm going the f--- home,' she said. And then tried to get off the table."

Redditor jinx614



Interesting last words

"We had one little, old lady on our floor that was so fixated on her bowel movements. When she passed away her family wanted to know if she said anything. We had to make something up because her last words were 'Haley's M-O', the name of a popular laxative."

— Nancy, a nurse with 45 years' experience



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Microsoft's billionaire co-founder just sold a painting for a cool $35 million to a mysterious buyer at Art Basel Hong Kong

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  • Art Basel Hong Kong is the premier art fair in Asia for millionaire and billionaire collectors to buy and sell art.
  • China is now the second biggest art market in the world, after the United States.
  • Art Basel Hong Kong kicked off this year with one of its biggest sales yet thanks to Microsoft co-founder and art world powerhouse Paul Allen.
  • Allen sold an abstract painting by William de Kooning for $35 million to a very private collector.

Every few months, the world's biggest art collectors  — i.e. the world's mega-rich — meet at Art Basel to trade millions of dollars worth of paintings, sculptures, and installations.

This year's Hong Kong fair kicked off Tuesday with a sale of incredible magnitude: Microsoft co-founder and US-based billionaire Paul Allen sold Willem de Kooning's abstract painting Untitled XII, 1975 for $35 million to a private collector. 

Allen is one of the most prominent and secretive art collectors in the world, with a collection worth $750 million by some estimates. His wide collection includes masters from Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Roy Lichtenstein, and Jasper Johns.

The de Kooning painting had been on consignment with Lévy Gorvy Gallery, a gallery with locations in New York and London. According to Artnet, the buyer had been in talks to buy the painting prior to the show, but decided within hours of the VIP preview that he or she would buy it.

Usually, Art Basel reports more information about the collector, such as the region he or she hails from, but no such information was provided for the de Kooning buyer.

The de Kooning work is an abstract painting completed in 1975, around the period when the abstract expressionist's most valued works have been created. The record sale for a de Kooning was $66.3 million for a 1977 Untitled XXV sold in 2016.

"I made those paintings, one after another, no trouble at all," de Kooning said of the period. Though the artist was in his 70s at the time, he was in love with a young woman.

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De Kooning's Untitled XII, 1975 painting wasn't always worth $35 million. It was sold at auction in 1987 for $517,000. Allen purchased it in 2001 for an undisclosed price.

Art Basel is better known for its 48-year-old main event in Basel, Switzerland, which takes place in June, and for the outrageous parties associated with its US event in Miami, Florida. The Hong Kong event, while only in its fifth year, has matured as Asian collectors quickly become more important to the art market.

China is now the second largest marketplace for art after the US, according to an art market report cited by the South China Morning Post.

"I've only been here four years and I would never have thought that something would sell in that price range when I started my work here," Art Basel Hong Kong's director, Adeline Ooi, told ArtNet. "But here we are four years later. You know how time changes in Asia and everything is accelerated here."

SEE ALSO: Hong Kong's richest man retired at 89 years old — here's his incredible rags-to-riches life story

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NOW WATCH: People are obsessed with this Google app that finds your fine art doppelgänger

27 of the most dangerous things science has strongly linked to cancer

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Cancer is the number two cause of death in the US, second only to heart disease.

It fundamentally affects the way our cells grow and divide, changing them in perverse ways.  All cancer is a result of DNA damage or genetic mutations in our DNA. The nasty, debiltating class of diseases spreads through a body like an invading army, as toxic cells grow relentlessly into unruly tumors. 

Some cases of cancer are out of our control, determined by genetic defects and predispositions passed down from one generation to the next, or spurred by genetic changes we undergo through our lifetime.

But we also know that breathing in certain substances, eating specific things, and even using certain kinds of plastics ups the risk of developing some deadly cancers. 

Here are some known carcinogens (cancer-causers), as well as a few more things scientists are zeroing in on as prime suspects: 

SEE ALSO: A study of more than 100,000 people has found that one food group is closely linked with cancer

Sugar

Scientists now know that eating too much sweet stuff can not only lead to diabetes, it can also actively damage your cells and up your odds of developing cancer.

But that's not all.

New research suggests that sugar may fuel tumor growth in the body, because cancer loves to use sugar as fuel. 

"The hyperactive sugar consumption of cancerous cells leads to a vicious cycle of continued stimulation of cancer development and growth" Belgian molecular biologist Johan Thevelein said when his latest study was released in 2017. Scientists say the groundbreaking research gives us a better understanding of how sugar and cancer interact, and could one day help create targeted diet strategies for patients.

 



Processed foods

Any food that comes in a crinkly plastic wrapper, is industrially sealed, and built to last for months without spoiling may be a quick fix for a hunger pang on-the-go, but it's also likely upping your risk for cancer.

Scientists in France recently zeroed in on a link between people who eat more processed foods, and those who develop more cancer.

They're not sure yet whether it's the shelf-stabilizing ingredients in the food that's the problem, the plastic packaging, or some combination of the two. And because their study was correlative, it's possible there's some other hidden factor at work.

 

 



Smoking

Even though the tobacco industry tried to cover this one up, we've known for years that tobacco smoke has at least 70 cancer-causing chemicals inside. And it's not just smokers who are affected: people who inhale secondhand smoke can develop deadly forms of cancer too.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says "nonsmokers who are exposed to secondhand smoke at home or at work increase their risk of developing lung cancer by 20–30%."

People who chew their tobacco are at increased risk, too. 



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Roseanne Barr is under fire for appearing to promote a conspiracy theory about a Parkland student activist

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  • Roseanne Barr is under fire for appearing to promote a far-right conspiracy theory about the Parkland school shooting activist David Hogg. 
  • In a since-deleted tweet, Barr wrote the words "NAZI SALUTE" in response to a conspiracy theorist's post that tagged Hogg.  
  • Barr's tweet seemed to reference a debunked conspiracy that Hogg raised a Nazi salute at a March for Our Lives rally on Saturday.

Roseanne Barr sparked controversy this week for appearing to promote a far-right conspiracy theory about the Parkland shooting student-activist David Hogg. 

On Tuesday evening, just before the revival of her ABC sitcom "Roseanne" premiered, Barr tweeted the words "NAZI SALUTE" in response to a Twitter user who tagged Hogg in a tweet. She later deleted her tweet.

Barr, a vocal Trump supporter with a history of promoting right-wing conspiracy theories, seemed to be referencing a far-right conspiracy theory that Hogg raised a Nazi salute at a March for Our Lives rally on Saturday.

As Mic noted, a number of Twitter users, including Chrissy Teigen, criticized Barr for the tweet, while some called out ABC for giving Barr a platform with her revived sitcom.

 

Barr has previously used her Twitter page to promote debunked far-right conspiracies including Pizzagate and the  conspiracy of a "cover-up" in the death of former Democratic National Convention staffer Seth Rich. 

ABC did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the matter.

SEE ALSO: Roseanne Barr has a history of supporting Trump — and promoting right-wing conspiracy theories

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Why 555 is always used for phone numbers on TV and in movies

Costco workers reveal 7 deals that aren't worth the money

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Costco samples

Costco deals aren't always a good value.

• With some products, employees said you might be better off skipping a trip to Costco.

• From vacation packages to large supplies of perishable produce, here are the items employees suggest leaving out of your Costco shopping cart.


Costco deals aren't created equal.

The retail chain is famous for having just about everything in bulk — from food kits for the apocalypse to cars.

But that doesn't mean you should necessarily buy everything at Costco.

Costco employees know firsthand that it's sometimes better to look for deals elsewhere, especially when it comes to certain items.

Here's a look at some items you might want to consider skipping on your next Costco run, according to employees:

SEE ALSO: Costco employees share their best food court secrets and hacks

DON'T MISS: 12 Costco deals everyone should stop wasting money on

SEE ALSO: 11 insider facts about shopping at Costco only employees know

Vacations

Did you know that you can actually book vacations through Costco?

But, according to former Costco marketing manager and Quora user Dan Holliday, that doesn't mean that you should.

In a 2013 post, he wrote that Costco Travel deals aren't "terrible" by any means. Still, he wrote that, "you're simply not going to find some crazier deal on Costco Travel than you would anywhere else."

He wrote that, like with any travel site, there's a possibility you'll find a gem of a vacation package.

"If you're just booking airfare or hotels, then don't bother," Holliday wrote. "There are better sites."



Standard membership if you spend a ton of money

A standard membership at Costco goes for $60 a year. An executive membership will cost you $120 a year.

Costco manager and Quora user Jeremy Falletta recommended springing for the more expensive option if you tend to be a big spender.

The reason? A standard membership just gets you access to Costco. An executive membership will net you an annual 2% reward up to $1,000 on your purchases.



Cookware and patio furniture, if you live in Japan

Some Costco products are more useful in some countries than others.

Quora user and Costco member David Grace wrote that some of the cookware at his local Costco in Japan is too big for typical Japanese ovens.

"Similarly they also carry large patio furniture sets, but nobody here has a yard or patio big enough for them," he wrote. "For almost everything else, I'm at Costco every couple of weeks!"



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The new iPhone update automatically turns off Apple's battery-related slowdown feature (AAPL)

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Tim Cook

  • The latest iPhone update includes a feature that will tell you if your battery needs to be replaced.
  • The update will also automatically turn off a feature that slows down iPhones to protect their batteries.

Apple has been under fire ever since it was revealed that a 2017 software update included a feature that slowed down iPhone processors to prevent unexpected device shutdowns. Apple is currently facing a slew of class-action lawsuits over the feature

Now, you can see if your device is being throttled, thanks to a new setting in the latest iPhone software update, iOS 11.3, which is now available.

To get the update, first navigate to Settings > General > Software Update.  

In fact, when you update your iPhone, Apple will turn the slowdown feature off automatically, according to a support page updated on Thursday. It only gets turned back on if your iPhone has a shutdown problem. 

"Devices updating to iOS 11.3 will initially have performance management disabled; it will be reenabled if the device subsequently experiences an unexpected shutdown," Apple wrote on a support page about the feature.

But if you want to turn it off — or on — it's easy. You can also check how healthy your battery is overall and whether you need to have it replaced.

Simply go to Settings > Battery and click on Battery Health (Beta.)

Here's what the screen looks like:

battery health beta

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NOW WATCH: Facebook can still track you even if you delete your account — here's how to stop it

The 9 mistakes people make when buying, ordering, and drinking coffee — and what to do instead

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Will Corby, Head of Coffee

  • Business Insider spoke to Will Corby, Head of Coffee at Pact, to find out what bad habits we're keeping.
  • He said people should treat coffee like vegetables and bread rather than a long-term product.
  • He also explained why cheap instant coffee should be a red flag.

 

Whether it's choosing the wrong glass for your wine or abiding by old-school whisky rules, we make mistakes every day when it comes to how we eat and drink.

And buying and making coffee is no exception.

To find out what we're doing wrong when we buy, order, and drink it, Business Insider spoke to Will Corby, head of coffee at Pact Coffee, a London startup that delivers freshly roasted and ground coffee by post.

Corby has been working in the coffee industry for 12 years, has won and judged global barista awards, ran his own coffee shops, and also has experience roasting.

"For the past 12 years, I've specialised in the absolute pinnacle of coffee quality and optimising the process of growing it, shipping it, importing it, brewing it," he said. 

He's also been a head judge — appointed by the Colombian government — for the Colombian National Quality Competition for the past two years.

Now at Pact Coffee, he works on relationships with coffee founders to "develop practices, and increase quality and production in a sustainable manner," he said.

"We want to show the coffee in the best light we can, brew the coffee in the best possible way, [and] provide it to [people] in a way that makes it easy."

However, he said there's a lot of steps that go into making sure people have a good cup of coffee every day — and there are plenty of things you can do to make sure you're getting the most out of your java.

1. Not buying it fresh like you would vegetables or bread...

Pact Coffee 1

"If you walk into a supermarket in the UK, coffee is treated like a dried fruit," Cory said. "You find it in an aisle with cereal, dried peas, long-life things."

However, he explained, coffee isn’t really a long-life product.

"One of the key things to explore is to drink your coffee really fresh," he said. "Think about it like fresh bread or vegetables."

One of the ways to do this is through a service like Pact, which sends out the coffee the day after it's been roasted, or from a local coffee shop or roaster.

2. ...Then keeping it for longer than a month

Coffee in the UK tends to be sold in 250g bags, according to Corby, which typically makes 13, 14, or 15 cups of coffee.

"That's about two-week supply if you drink it every day," he said, the ideal timeframe.

"You could be drinking it up to a month after it's been ground, but you’ll notice a drop off in the quality," he said. "After a month, it will begin to taste stale."

He added that every time you open and close the bag, you’re "allowing the aromatics to escape," meaning your coffee is losing its flavour.

3. Not making sure your grind size is consistent

You can usually buy whole beans or ground coffee suited for a cafetiere, drip, or a stove-top.

While this means you can successfully brew coffee in any of these methods, he said getting a consistent grind size is the real way to get a "really good brew" out of any method.

"Relatively small particles are going to over-extract, and make coffee taste more bitter than it should," he said.

Meanwhile, he added that large particles "add a [taste] that feels like acidity, which isn’t very pleasant."

A "mish-mash" of both will provide "an astringent flavour," according to Corby.

"You need to buy coffee that is ground quite specifically for the brew method you’re going to use to do it," he said.  "Once you have particles your own size, brew the coffee."

4. Letting it brew for less than 4 minutes...

Most people in the UK use a cafetiere to brew their coffee — and it's important not to rush the process.

"If the grind size is perfect, ideally you want it to brew for four minutes, very slowly pushing it down through the cafetiere," Corby said.

5. ...And forgetting to decant what you don't drink straight away

coffee in cafetiere

While the idea of making your way through a cafetiere full of coffee might seem like a luxury, Corby said you should always take all liquid out after you've pushed it through, and decant whatever you're not drinking immediately into a different vessel.

"While the coffee’s sat in the cafetiere, it will keep brewing and start to taste bitter," he said.

He said if you want coffee that has "delicious flavours," it's easier to taste them if you use a brew method that has a paper filter rather than metal, like a cafetiere.

He said metal "prevents you from detecting different tastes within the coffee."

6. Using a less-than-clean cafetiere

Often, people make a fresh pot of coffee without fully cleaning out their cafetiere from the last batch.

"You’ve got to keep it clean," Corby said. "You don’t want to have any old coffee in there — it's just going to add bad flavour to the coffee."

He said the V60 drip coffee maker has become popular because "you can brew coffee relatively quickly, and it's faster to clean... you can just chuck the paper in the bin."

7. Adding milk and sugar when you don't need it

"As a company, we’re very open to people using milk and sugar," Corby said. However, he explained that most people only add these to make up for having bad coffee in the first place.

"Sugar balances out bitterness which you get by over-roasting it, and milk helps to [hide] defects still showing up in the coffee," he said.

"Taking milk and sugar is not a bad thing, it covers up bad flavours coming in the coffee.

"However, if you buy coffee from a great roaster or someone roasting a bit lighter, if you taste it before you put milk and sugar in, you might find it doesn't need those two things."

8. Buying instant for a cheap, easy fix

instant coffee

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Corby recommends staying away from instant coffee — and he has a few good reasons.

"Instant coffee is very cheap," he said. "If you were to extrapolate out the cost of a bag of 250g of beans used to produce instant coffee, the price of the beans is extremely low."

However, he added that the process used to produce instant coffee is "extremely technical and costly" involving high-pressure brewing methods and freeze-drying.

"It’s not a cheap product to make, but you find instant coffee cheap on the shelf," he said. "If you can buy coffee that cheap, there’s a lot of things wrong with the supply chain — including what’s being paid to the farmer and the quality of beans."

He added: "I can't even think of a bottle of wine still being sold that's as low-quality as instant coffee."

While he says the UK is one of the few markets in the world still consuming instant coffee, there's a shift in the way people are drinking.

"I do think that we're moving away from it as a nation," he said. "It's a positive move, [both] looking at how it impacts farmers and how it impacts consumers — it just brings a much better cup of coffee by buying beans or ground."

9. Not knowing how much caffeine you're consuming

If you're having a daily cup of joe, you may want to avoid going overboard — but most people view caffeine the wrong way.

"One really common misconception is that espresso has the highest extraction of caffeine you can drink, so people looking for a caffeine hit might run to a coffee shop and buy a double espresso," he said. "In actual fact, it just has a dense hit of caffeine.

"If you plan on drinking 200ml of liquid, and you think 'I’m going to drink a double espresso and a bottle of water,' or 200ml of filter coffee, you get more caffeine from the filter coffee because of the time it takes to brew."

He explained: "Caffeine goes into coffee in relation to the time coffee takes to brew rather than the pressure and density with which it brews."

coffee drinking man

SEE ALSO: The biggest mistake people make when drinking wine is choosing the wrong glass — here's exactly how to drink Bordeaux, sauvignon blanc, chardonnay, and pinot noir

SEE ALSO: The 3 mistakes people make when buying, ordering, and drinking whisky — and what to do instead

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Why Easter lands on a different date every year — and how you can work out when it will be

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easter eggs

  • Easter falls on a different date every year.
  • This is because it is determined by the Jewish calendar, which is based on lunar cycles.
  • Here's how to work out when Easter will fall every year.


Do you ever feel like Easter comes out of nowhere?

Maybe you didn't realise, but the Easter weekend actually falls on a different date every year, any time between March 22 and April 25. This year Easter Sunday is April 1.

As a Christian holiday, you might expect it to have a set date like Christmas. However, Easter is actually determined by the Jewish calendar. This is because in the Bible, the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ happened after the Jewish festival of Passover, and followers wanted it to be celebrated as such.

However, this is slightly tricky because the Jewish calendar is based on lunar cycles, whereas Christian culture is based on the sun. A solar year is just over 365 days and a lunar year is about 354 days, so collaborating the two can be complicated.

Passover also changes every year, because it's calculated by the first full moon following something called the vernal equinox — a day in spring when night and day are exactly the same length.

An article on ThoughtCo says that in the early days of the Christian Church, Easter would fall on the first Sunday immediately after the vernal equinox. However, to establish a more standardised system, in 1583 a table was recorded by astronomers to determine all the future Ecclesiastical full moons. These land on the 14th day of the lunar month.

Ever since 1583, the Passover full moon — or Paschal full moon— has been determined from these historical tables, and is the first full moon date after March 20. Easter is always celebrated on the Sunday immediately following it, so as a result, it no longer directly corresponds to the moon.

The Paschal full moon can vary as much as two days from the date of the actual full moon. This is why the dates can range from March 21 to April 18, and Easter falls between March 22 to April 25 in Western Christianity.

This year, March has two full moons. One was on March 1, and the second will be on March 31. The first Sunday after the second moon is the next day, April 1, which is thus Easter Sunday this year.

There is a mathematical method for working out the date of Easter too — between the years 1900 to 2199. Here it is:

1. First, divide the year by the number 19.

E.g.: 2018 / 19 = 106.21

2. Multiply the number before the decimal point by 19.

E.g.: 106 x 19 = 2014

3. Subtract step 2 from the original year.

E.g.: 2018 - 2014 = 4

4. Add 1.

E.g.: 4 + 1 = 5

5. Look up this number in the following list (5), and Easter is on the first Sunday after the date given.

0 — March 27

1 — April 14

2 — April 3

3 — March 23

4 — April 11

5 — March 31

6 — April 18

7 — April 8

8 — March 28

9 — April 16

10 — April 5

11 — March 25

12 — April 13

13 — April 2

14 — March 22

Number 5 corresponds to March 31, and the Sunday after this date is April 1, which is Easter Sunday.

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13 books every young liberal should read

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Obama shopping for books

No matter where you fall on the political spectrum, it pays to be well informed.

From criminal justice and civil rights to environmental policy and freedom of speech, the following 13 books of fiction and nonfiction span a wide range of genres and topics.

One thing they all have in common is that they speak to core liberal beliefs in one way or another, and provide a formidable well of knowledge and perspective for budding young progressives everywhere.

Here are the 13 books every young liberal should read:

SEE ALSO: 13 documentaries on Netflix that will make you smarter about politics

DON'T MISS: 4 movies on Netflix that will help you understand American politics

"1984" by George Orwell

When counselor to the president Kellyanne Conway spawned the phrase "alternative facts" in 2017, sales of George Orwell's dystopian classic "1984" skyrocketed. Some people found parallels between our current reality and the one depicted in the 1949 novel.

In the book, a tyrant named Big Brother reigns supreme, rewriting history, spewing propaganda, and oppressing the populace via constant surveillance and the Thought Police.



"The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander

While some believed that Barack Obama's presidential win marked a new era of racial equality, Michelle Alexander posits in "The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness" that the caste system hasn't ended — it has just been "redesigned."

In this bold and important 2010 book, she explores how the US criminal justice system, which has targeted black men and crippled communities of color, is one of the biggest perpetrators of systemic racism.



"The Jungle" by Upton Sinclair

Focusing on the meat-packing industry in Chicago, Upton Sinclair's 1906 novel, "The Jungle," explores the plight and exploitation of immigrant workers in the early 20th century.

The best-selling account, which describes seven weeks of graphic health violations and hard working conditions in stockyards and slaughterhouses, actually compelled President Theodore Roosevelt to pass food safety legislation that very year.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

14 of the best waterfront homes in the Hamptons you can buy for under $10 million

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Hamptons11

  • Vacationing in the Hamptons is one of the most elite destinations in America.
  • Many rich celebrities, hedge fund managers, CEOs, socialites, and politicians own multi-million dollar summer homes in the Hamptons.
  • The high volume of mansions in the Hamptons — and its waterfront locale — makes it one of the most expensive real estate markets in the US.

A waterfront home in the Hamptons— whether that's bayfront or ocean view — will cost you millions.

Hallmarked by countless famous and flush residents, hedge fund managers, celebrities, CEOs, and socialites alike own vacation homes in the Hamptons. Bill and Hillary Clinton have long vacationed on Georgica Beach in East Hampton. And Southampton even has its very own "Billionaire Lane" reserved for the rich and powerful.

Such prestige doesn't come cheap. At least seven towns in the Hamptons have a median home listing price of around $1 million. That means half the houses for sale in those places are priced under seven figures, and half are priced above. What's more, at least 11 towns have median home prices between $2.2 million to $5.6 million.

That's according to StreetEasy, which recently launched a new Hamptons platform, Out East, for sale and rental listings in the Hamptons. Out East provided Business Insider with a list of 14 of the best waterfront homes for sale under $10 million right now — a relative bargain in a place with oceanfront properties listed for up to $175 million.

Below, take a look at the stunning waterfront homes:

SEE ALSO: How much homes cost right now in the Hamptons, one of America's most elite summer vacation destinations

DON'T MISS: American homes are more affordable than they've been in 40 years — but that could change sooner than you think

Water Mill: $5.495 million



Set on half an acre, this bungalow has only 1.5 bathrooms and 3 bedrooms, but the sunset views over Mecox Bay are unparalleled.

Source: Out East



Montauk: $5.75 million



See the rest of the story at Business Insider
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