Many of us use music, podcasts, or sound effects to relax and even fall asleep. White noise, ambient music, and a favorite podcast can often make us feel so tired that we would rather be asleep than listen to more. It's a really tempting option for those people who need a quiet sanctuary in a noisy world; however, is it healthy to sleep with headphones, or are we compromising health for the sake of healthy sleep?

While headphones and earbuds can create a more peaceful sleep environment, they also pose several potential risks if not used right. This feature will discuss the pros and cons of sleeping with headphones, guide you through safety considerations, practical tips, and how to ensure that you're making choices that support your ear health.

Why People Choose to Sleep with Earphones

For those who live in noisy environments or struggle to fall asleep, headphones can be a sanctuary of sound. There are a few compelling reasons why people opt to wear headphones to bed:

• Blocking Out Noise: One of the most common reasons people turn to headphones is to block out external noise, whether it's traffic, snoring partners, or household sounds that can disrupt sleep.
• Relaxation: Sounds such as rain, ocean waves, or soft instrumental music help to keep the mind calm and open with feelings of security.
• Stress Relief: Listening to music or guided meditations has been widely practiced to lower anxiety, slow heartbeat, and create a peaceful environment that facilitates falling asleep.
• Getting in the Right Headspace: Music or sounds tailored to promote sleep can help the brain transition from the stress of the day to a more restful state.

These factors can be particularly beneficial for people living in urban areas, frequent travelers, or those with sleeping partners who snore. However, while sleeping with headphones can have its advantages, it's important to weigh these benefits against the potential risks.

Can You Sleep with Earbuds In?

The short answer is yes, you can sleep with earbuds in, and for some people, it may even improve their sleep quality. Comfortable, sleep-specific earbuds are designed to create a cozy, personalized sleep environment by playing calming sounds or masking disruptive noises. They help engage the brain in soothing, rhythmic sounds that encourage restfulness, especially in noisy conditions.

Using earbuds or sleep headphones is known to have various benefits in improving sleep. They can block out any other noise that might wake you up, thus promoting longer periods of sleep as you are able to sleep and not wake up so quickly. They can help in a deeper sleep cycle due to the elimination of distraction and a constant sound around you.

But Is It Safe to Sleep with Earbuds?

While sleeping with earbuds in may seem convenient in the name of having improved sleep, it does present risks. Here are the key concerns:

Risk of Ear Infections

Wearing earbuds at nighttime is also a risky matter because of the higher danger of ear infections. A pair of earbuds sits right in the ear canal, and if moist conditions are not kept clean regularly, bacteria may be present for infection. Over long periods of use, such as through the night, this may be worsened by minimal airflow and the warmer, more moist conditions that tend to foster the growth of bacteria. Careful selection of earbuds composed of breathable antimicrobial materials and good maintenance practices should minimize infection.

Discomfort and Ear Pain

Another safety consideration is discomfort. Sleeping with earbuds in, especially those not specifically designed for sleep, can lead to pressure points in the ear canal, causing soreness or pain. This discomfort is usually worse when a person moves during sleep because the earbuds can shift. For this reason, earbuds that are specifically designed for sleep are recommended, as they are generally smaller, softer, and more flexible and provide a better fit without putting pressure on the ears.

Risk of Hearing Damage

Listening to music at high volumes, especially for extended periods, can cause long-term damage to your hearing. According to a study conducted by Swedish researchers, a subgroup of adolescents listened to music at volumes ranging from 90 to 100 dB, a level that could potentially lead to noise-induced hearing loss. In order to avoid damaging your hearing while using earbuds at night, it is essential to keep the volume at a safe level (below half the maximum volume) and limit the time spent listening.

Cord Safety

For those using wired earbuds, there also may be a strangulation danger from the cords in an untidy bedroom setup with restless sleepers. Use wireless earbuds or a pair of sleep headphones which have short or no cord to avoid this entirely.

Does Sleeping with Earbuds Damage Your Ears?

The other major risk that may be attributed to sleeping with earbuds on is ear damage. Though safe in many cases, long exposure to high volumes of loud music and sounds may cause damage. To prevent hearing loss, the volume should be set low, and earbuds should not be left on for a long period of time. The delicate hairs in your inner ear will be damaged, thus endangering your ability to hear if the volume is too high or you use it too frequently.

Do Headphones Cancel Out Snoring?

Yes, sleep headphones with noise cancel will give some form of shielding against snoring. That is, they'll mask some of the unwanted external sounds, like snoring, by white noises and smooth music, creating a silent environment and making one feel comfortable sleep.

How to Use Earphones Safely

If you want to use earbuds or headphones to help you sleep, here are some safety tips to follow:

• Use External Speakers: In case you can, use an external speaker instead of headphones or earbuds. This will minimize the risk to your ears and allow you to enjoy soothing sounds without having to touch your ears directly.
• Avoid Noise-Canceling Headphones: Noise-canceling headphones may be helpful to block noise, but they are not the best option for sleeping. In an emergency situation, you may need to hear things such as fire alarms, a ringing phone, or someone calling your name.
• Don't Use Cords: Wired headphones may be hazardous as they could get tangled around your neck or elsewhere in your body. Opt for wireless or cord-free headphones made for sleep.
• Keep the Volume Low: Whether you use a speaker or headphones, always maintain the volume at a medium level. The volume must be kept under 50% of the maximum level.

Is It Bad to Sleep with Earphones?

The final verdict is that it's not that bad to sleep with headphones or earbuds. It is an effective way to enhance sleep quality if you enjoy listening to calming sounds at night and choose the right type of headphones or earbuds. However, you need to take precautions for your ears. Choose sleep-specific headphones or earbuds that are designed for comfort and safety, keep the volume low, and avoid using them for long periods.

Headphone listening habits and hearing thresholds in swedish adolescents. Noise Health. 2017

With a global estimate of 20 million cases in 2022, cancer is the leading cause of death worldwide. Cancer diagnoses can turn people’s lives upside down, as the diagnosis is followed up by treatments such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or even surgeries. The best way to deal with cancer is catching it early, however the chances of catching it early are very low. Many people only visit their doctors when they see concerning symptoms, but that could also mean that the cancer has progressed much further, reducing the chances of survival.

A new small pilot study suggests that a type of blood test could potentially find signs of cancer up to three years before it would typically be diagnosed. These tests, called multicancer early detection (MCED) tests, look for tiny bits of genetic material that tumors release into the bloodstream.

How the MCED Test Works

This special MCED test works by looking for what's called "tumor DNA" in your blood. Tumors, which are growths of cancer cells, shed little pieces of their genetic material into your bloodstream. The test is designed to pick up on these tiny clues. In the study, it actually found this cancer DNA in some people's blood up to three and a half years before they were officially diagnosed with cancer.

Researchers from Johns Hopkins, said that finding cancer this early could lead to much better results for patients. It's like getting a head start on fighting the disease. They also mentioned that we'd need to figure out the best way to follow up with someone if this test came back positive so early.

Early Findings from the Pilot Study

For this initial study, the researchers looked at blood samples that were already collected for a big heart disease study. They used the MCED test on two groups: 26 people who were diagnosed with cancer within six months of giving their blood, and 26 similar people who didn't get cancer.

The results were quite telling: eight of the 52 blood samples came back positive on the MCED test. And sure enough, all eight of those people were diagnosed with cancer within just four months of their blood sample being taken. The types of cancers found included colon, pancreatic, rectal, lung, breast, and liver cancer. Sadly, five of these eight patients later passed away from their cancers. This shows how serious these diseases are, even when found relatively early.

Uncovering Cancer Even Earlier

To push the boundaries even further, the researchers looked at older blood samples from six of those eight patients. These samples were taken a remarkable three to three and a half years before their cancer diagnosis.

They found tumor DNA in four of those much older samples! This strongly suggests that these cancers could have been spotted years earlier, which could have given doctors a significant head start on treatment. Researchers explained that this study really shows how promising MCED tests are for finding cancers very early. They believe it sets a new standard for how sensitive these tests need to be to truly be successful.

More Research and Enhanced Sensitivity

While these findings are very exciting, it's important to remember this was a small pilot study. We need much bigger studies to confirm these results. However, the initial findings strongly suggest that this type of blood test could be a game-changer, helping us catch cancers when they are much smaller and easier to treat, increasing the chances of survival.

The researchers also pointed out that their main goal was to show how early cancer DNA can be detected in the blood, not just to prove a new test works. They also noted that to find cancers three or more years before a diagnosis, these blood tests will need to be 50 times more sensitive than the ones currently used to detect cancers within six months.

Auto-Brewery Syndrome, also known as gut fermentation syndrome, is a rare medical condition where the digestive system produces alcohol internally. This happens when certain microorganisms—mostly yeasts like Candida or some bacteria—ferment carbohydrates in the gut, creating ethanol. The ethanol then enters the bloodstream, causing symptoms such as dizziness, disorientation, fatigue, and even slurred speech, mimicking alcohol intoxication.

How Does It Happen?

ABS typically occurs when the natural balance of the gut microbiome is disrupted. This disruption can follow antibiotic use, gastrointestinal infections, or diets high in refined carbohydrates. In some cases, people with diabetes or existing gut disorders are more prone to developing the condition.

When the gut environment changes, fermentative microbes may flourish. These microbes thrive on simple carbohydrates and sugars, converting them into alcohol during digestion. While most people efficiently digest these foods without any issue, those with ABS experience a build-up of ethanol, leading to unwanted and surprising symptoms.

The Role of Bread and Carbohydrates

Bread—especially white or refined varieties—is rich in simple carbohydrates. For most people, eating bread in moderation doesn’t cause harm. In fact, whole grain bread can be beneficial due to its fibre content, which supports healthy digestion and feeds good gut bacteria.

However, when eaten in excess, particularly in its refined form, bread can contribute to an overgrowth of fermentative microbes in susceptible individuals. This can lead to symptoms like bloating, gas, discomfort, and, in rare cases like ABS, internal alcohol production.

A Simple Remedy: Psyllium Husk

To support gut health, many wellness experts recommend incorporating psyllium husk, or Isabgol, into your routine. Psyllium is a soluble fibre that absorbs water and forms a gel-like substance in the gut. This helps regulate bowel movements, slows down carbohydrate absorption, and may prevent the rapid fermentation of food in the intestines.

By stabilizing digestion and reducing the speed at which carbs are broken down, psyllium can help minimise gas, bloating, and the risk of ethanol build-up—making it a helpful tool for those concerned about gut health.

Supporting a Healthy Gut

Managing ABS or preventing gut issues doesn't require drastic changes. Here are a few everyday habits that support better digestion:

• Limit intake of refined carbohydrates and processed foods
• Choose whole grains, fresh fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins
• Include fermented foods like yogurt, kefir, or pickles
• Stay active and hydrate well
• Manage stress through breathing exercises, meditation, or regular routines

Auto-Brewery Syndrome is an unusual and extreme case, but it highlights a powerful truth: the food we eat shapes our internal health in surprising ways. Paying attention to our gut and making mindful dietary choices can go a long way in supporting not just digestion, but overall well-being.

You may know about people who avoid certain foods like peanuts, berries or eggs because they are allergic to it, but what does that mean? Food allergies can happen to anyone. It is a condition where your body’s natural defenses overreact to exposure to a particular substance. The American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology explains that our body’s immune system basically mistakes food or a particular particle as an invader or a threat to your body.

This then causes your immune system to release ‘defense’ chemicals that can cause reactions like nausea, swellings, dizziness or worse, anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is a whole-body reaction that can impair your breathing and cause a dramatic drop in blood pressure. Life-threatening reactions like such are the reason why many parents are apprehensive about introducing certain foods to their children. However, could that be the reason why children are developing more allergies?

A new study published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that some parents are waiting much longer—a year or even more. Many parents, understandably worried, might actually be preventing their children from avoiding food allergies. Experts now say that introducing tiny amounts of common allergy-causing foods like peanuts and eggs to babies as young as 4 to 6 months old can help them build a strong defense. This delay could mean their children don't get the chance to become tolerant to these foods, increasing their risk of developing allergies.

Delayed Introduction Trend

The study looked at what parents are feeding their babies and found some interesting, and perhaps concerning, trends:

Nuts: About 35% of babies hadn't eaten nuts by their first birthday.

Eggs: Similarly, around 21% of parents hadn't given their one-year-olds any egg.

Sesame: And for sesame, 16% of babies hadn't tried it by age one.

These numbers come from a survey of parents in the UK, who are part of a study tracking their children's health over time.

Persistent Misconceptions And How It Affects Health

For many years, parents were told to avoid giving allergenic foods to babies and even during pregnancy. The idea was to prevent allergies. However, we now know that this advice might have actually made allergies more common, especially in children.

Researchers explain that studies as such are very important. Parents must update themselves regarding new food allergy guidelines. This understanding is important as if parents keep waiting to introduce these foods, it will continue to fuel the "allergy epidemic" we're seeing.

The researchers talked to nearly 400 parents involved in a project tracking children's health from birth. They found that most children did start eating common allergenic foods like eggs and nuts when they were between 6 and 9 months old. However, many parents still chose to wait longer for certain foods:

Sesame: About 26% of parents waited until their child was older than 9 months.

Fish: 25% delayed introducing fish.

Nuts: 21% waited longer for nuts.

Eggs: 11% held off on eggs.

The researchers concluded that even parents whose families had a history of allergies weren't following the updated advice. Many babies weren't exposed to nuts and eggs by their first birthday, which is a key time for building tolerance.

Bridging the Knowledge Gap

These findings suggest that the new guidelines about food allergies aren't reaching new parents clearly enough. Research consistently shows that introducing allergenic foods early, especially nuts and eggs, lowers the risk of developing allergies. In fact, for babies at high risk of allergies, experts even suggest introducing peanut-containing foods as early as 4 to 6 months of age. It's crucial for this message to get out so more children can benefit from these updated recommendations.