The Johnson Center for Health

Ever wonder why some people feel calm and relaxed after using marijuana, while others feel anxious and paranoid? The answer may lie in your genes. Research has long tried to determine how our genes affect our reaction to marijuana. In celebration of Virginia’s recent legalization of recreational marijuana, we have compiled the research to tell you which genes may be affecting your response to cannabis. For Virginians: The new marijuana law in Virginia moved up the date of the

How’s your hair doing? Have you noticed more hair falling out lately? If you have, you’re not alone. 34% of women and 67% of men are affected by hair loss. While hair loss could potentially have something to do with the products you’re using, it’s likely something deeper. Hair loss can act as a warning light for other, potentially more serious, health problems occurring within your body. Mineral and vitamin deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, and mitochondrial damage can all l

On a sunny day when Dr. Johnson is out of the office, you can probably find her out in her garden. Since she was young, gardening has been one of Dr. Johnson’s favorite ways to spend her free time. Beyond being aesthetically pleasing, cultivating a garden has some surprising benefits for your health! Grounding: As discussed in our Earth Day blog, we delve deeper into the benefits and methods of grounding. Essentially, grounding is a therapeutic technique that allows you to re

Have you been feeling more fatigued lately? Have trouble catching your breath? Or have a persistent cough or headache? If so, you might actually be suffering from chronic COVID-19. As more research is released, we are learning the surprising facts around the disorder. Even if you had an asymptomatic infection, you might have chronic COVID. Even if you had a negative coronavirus antibody test, you might have chronic COVID. But especially if you had a severe COVID-19 infection,

As the coronavirus pandemic rages on, more and more information is emerging about what happens after we "recover" from COVID-19. For millions of people around the world, their symptoms of COVID-19 do not disappear. This condition is known as chronic COVID. We don't know much about chronic COVID-19, but we do know that everyone is at risk. Young or old, healthy or impaired, you can develop chronic symptoms following COVID-19. The best thing you can do is educate yourself and k

Now that the weather is finally warming up, take a break from your computer screen and restrictive shoes, and head outside barefoot to enjoy the Earth’s natural benefits. The process of grounding, also referred to as earthing, is the practice of electrically connecting your body to the earth. Multiple studies have shown evidence for widespread benefits of the technique- from faster wound healing to decreased inflammation. But how does standing barefoot in the dirt really affe

The UCP1 gene is another gene that can determine how your body stores fat- similar to the FTO gene. The UCP1 gene relates to how efficient your body is at transforming calories into heat to maintain your body temperature. While your body likely doesn’t need the excess heat in today’s world, an efficient UCP1 gene has been linked to lower body weight, as fewer calories from food are stored as fat. Obviously, this makes the UCP1 a very enticing gene. Luckily, even if you don’t

Early on Tuesday, April 13th, federal health agencies called for an immediate halt of the use of the Johnson & Johnson coronavirus vaccine. This pause is in response to the six recipients that developed a rare blood clot disorder after receiving the vaccine. Here’s what you need to know: - The six recipients were women between the ages of 18 and 48. One woman has died and a second woman has been hospitalized in critical condition. - The women developed an extremely rare blood

Unfortunately, receiving your Covid-19 vaccination does not mean you can return to normal, pre-pandemic life just yet. While yes, a vaccine will significantly lower your risk of a serious Coronavirus illness, there are still precautions you should take for the foreseeable future. Below, we’ve compiled several steps to ensure you stay healthy and Covid-19 free till the end of the pandemic. What does being vaccinated really protect you against? According to the CDC, you are not

Excessive worrying, agitation, restlessness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, tense muscles, insomnia, social avoidance, and irrational fears- do any of these feelings sound familiar? These are all common symptoms of anxiety. While short-term anxiety may be common, ongoing symptoms should not be ignored. But traditional medicine may not be the answer for everyone. Five people can be diagnosed with anxiety and have five different causalities. Yet, a traditional