Dreams are often unpredictable - some can get a bit scary and others may be inspired by our desires, random thoughts or fears. The disturbing thing about dreams is that we do not often know it isn’t the reality, until after we wake up. But what about the dreams where you hold some semblance of consciousness? These are called lucid dreams. The term refers to the time that the sleeper gains awareness of their surroundings in the dream and can also control the trajectory of the dream.

How Do Lucid Dreams Affect Us?

Every night, while we sleep, we spend roughly two hours dreaming. According to a 2019 Frontiers in Psychology review, dreams reflect our inner emotions and thoughts. They explain that REM sleep is key to reprocessing emotions within dreams. This theta activity is also important for memory during wakefulness, supporting the idea that our mental processes are continuous between sleep and wakefulness. Gamma waves, another type of brain wave, appear connected to emotional processing, dream recall, and lucid dreaming.

There are conflicting views about lucid dreaming and whether it is beneficial or not. Some believe lucid dreaming is good for your well-being and can even be used as therapy. On the other hand, because lucid dreaming involves a mix of sleep and wakefulness, it has also been linked to things like strange thoughts, stress, and mental health issues.

A 2018 study published in the Frontiers asked college students about their lucid dreaming experiences, mental health (including depression, anxiety, and other symptoms), stress levels, and sleep problems. They used a Frequency and Intensity Lucid Dream questionnaire. The study revealed that how often people had lucid dreams wasn't linked to mental health issues. However, the intensity of the dreams and positive emotions during them were linked to fewer mental health symptoms. A longer term study showed that people who tried to induce lucid dreams showed an increase in dissociation and schizotypy symptoms over a two-month period.

Techniques People Use To Induce Lucid Dreaming

People who want to induce lucid dreams often have specific reason they wish to achieve like expanding their creativity, overcoming fears, practicing skills, managing nightmares, and simply enjoying the unique experience controlling one's dreams. Some ways you can induce a lucid dream with these techniques:

Reality testing: Regularly questioning your reality throughout the day to build the habit of doing the same in dreams. Asking yourself questions like ‘Am I dreaming’ and noticing your surroundings, so that the next time you dream you can identify it as one.

Wake back to bed (WBTB): Briefly waking up after 5 hours of sleep, before returning back to bed. When the alarm clock rings do any activity like reading a book to keep your mind active and go back to sleep.

Mnemonic induction of lucid dreams (MILD): Read and repeat affirmations after waking up from a 5 hour sleep to remember you're dreaming during your next dream. Assign a ‘dreamsign’ something that is unusual like flying, make a verbal acknowledgement of it so that you remember it the next time it happens.

Can You Safely Induce Lucid Dreaming?

Like mentioned above, the benefits of life dreaming often encourages people to try it and knowing your reasons can help you decide if it's working for you. If it's not helping you achieve your goals, it might not be worth the risks. It's important to be honest with yourself about your reasons for wanting to lucid dream. Make sure your motivations are healthy and realistic. Here are some other considerations to keep in mind.

High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, often termed the "good" cholesterol, plays a crucial role in cardiovascular health by transporting cholesterol from the arteries to the liver for excretion or reuse. Elevated HDL levels are associated with a reduced risk of heart disease due to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. While genetics influence HDL levels, lifestyle choices significantly impact them.

One notable lifestyle change that positively affects HDL cholesterol is quitting smoking. Smoking has been shown to suppress HDL levels, thereby increasing the risk of heart disease. A 2018 study highlighted that pregnant women who smoked had significantly lower HDL levels compared to non-smokers. The American Lung Association emphasizes that quitting smoking can enhance HDL levels by facilitating the removal of cholesterol from the bloodstream.

Beyond improving HDL cholesterol, smoking cessation offers a myriad of health benefits. Within 20 minutes of quitting, blood pressure and heart rate begin to decrease. In a few days, carbon monoxide levels in the blood normalize, and within 48 hours, nerve endings start to regenerate, enhancing the senses of taste and smell. Over the subsequent months and years, the risks of coronary heart disease, stroke, and various cancers diminish significantly.

To further boost HDL levels, individuals can adopt additional lifestyle modifications:

• Incorporate Healthy Fats: Consuming extra virgin olive oil, rich in polyphenols, can increase HDL cholesterol.
• Engage in Regular Exercise: Physical activities, including strength training and high-intensity interval training, have been shown to elevate HDL levels and enhance their functionality.
• Adopt a Low-Carb Diet: Low-carbohydrate and ketogenic diets can raise HDL cholesterol, especially in individuals with obesity or insulin resistance.
• Consume Fatty Fish: Fish like salmon, mackerel, and sardines are high in omega-3 fatty acids, which can improve HDL cholesterol levels.
• Avoid Trans Fats: Eliminating artificial trans fats from the diet helps prevent the lowering of HDL cholesterol and reduces inflammation.
• In conclusion, quitting smoking is a pivotal step toward enhancing HDL cholesterol levels and overall cardiovascular health. Coupled with other healthy lifestyle choices, individuals can significantly reduce their risk of heart disease and improve their quality of life.

What All Do We Know About Cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance found in every cell of the body. While it’s essential for building cells, producing hormones, and aiding digestion, too much cholesterol in the blood can pose health risks—particularly to the heart.

There are two main types of cholesterol: low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL). LDL is often referred to as "bad" cholesterol because it carries cholesterol to the arteries. High levels of LDL can lead to plaque buildup in artery walls, increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke.

HDL, or "good" cholesterol, works in the opposite way. It transports cholesterol away from the arteries and back to the liver, where it is broken down or excreted. HDL also has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, helping to protect the cardiovascular system.

Maintaining a healthy balance between LDL and HDL is crucial. While high LDL levels are harmful, high HDL levels are beneficial and can lower the risk of heart problems. Lifestyle changes such as a balanced diet, regular exercise, and quitting smoking can help improve this balance and promote heart health.

As the world struggles with yet another spike in COVID-19 cases—this time fueled by the rapidly spreading JN.1 Omicron subvariant—pregnant women are left with new questions and fears. While JN.1, to date, has had an overwhelmingly mild sickness in the general population, pregnancy profoundly changes immune mechanisms that can amplify even low-grade infection.

Since its initial detection, the JN.1 variant has been listed by the World Health Organization as a Variant of Interest, upgraded later to Variant of Concern, a classification that is reserved for strains that are found to have higher transmissibility or immune-evading capability. In India alone, recent figures cite 257 active JN.1 cases, while simultaneous upticks are registered worldwide. Together with its close cousins LF.7 and NB.1.8, JN.1's increased transmissibility has elicited fresh public-health debates, policy reappraisals, and reinforcement of essential prevention measures.

"As a doctor and infectious disease expert, I think it's important to keep fear out of it and stick to facts," says Dr. Charu Dutt Arora. "We do know that JN.1 transmits faster, but present evidence indicates comparable clinical severity to previous Omicron subvariants—particularly in vaccinated groups."

Why Covid Surge Affects Pregnancy?

Pregnancy provokes intricate immunological adaptations, cooling specific immune defenses to accept the fetus. Although generally protective, this adaptation renders pregnant women more susceptible to respiratory viruses. Even mild fever or transient episode of low oxygen levels—symptoms readily dismissed by many—can during pregnancy raise the risk for preterm labor, intrauterine growth restriction, or increased maternal stress that can complicate the delivery.

"Pregnancy will naturally alter the immune system, placing pregnant women at heightened risk of respiratory illness," says Dr. Arora. "While JN.1 seems to produce less severe illness in the majority, pregnant women should be cautious: a mild cold in non-pregnant adults can have disproportionate impacts on maternal and fetal health."

Vaccination

Reassuringly, COVID-19 vaccines and booster shots maintain strong protection against severe illness—even in the presence of new subvariants. Several global large-scale studies demonstrate that pregnant individuals who receive their initial series and get boosters in the second or third trimester have much lower ICU admission, ventilator use, and adverse birth result rates.

Both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) highly recommend vaccination at any time during pregnancy. Increasing evidence also indicates that maternal antibodies are passed on to the baby, providing newborns with some measure of early protection.

Layered Precautions

Vaccination, though essential, is only one of the planks of an overall risk-reduction strategy. Experts recommend a "Swiss cheese" method—several overlapping defenses to cover holes:

Masking in Public: Use a close-fitting surgical or N95/KF94 mask, particularly in crowded, poorly ventilated areas.

Hand Hygiene: Regular handwashing with soap or alcohol-based rubs lowers the likelihood of acquiring the virus from surfaces.

Ventilation: Leave windows open when it is safe to do so and use portable HEPA filters in heavily trafficked rooms.

Early Symptom Monitoring: Get tested and seek medical care immediately if you develop fever, new cough, shortness of breath, or other respiratory symptoms.

"Avoid poorly ventilated public areas, keep wearing masks in groups, practice hand hygiene, and watch for early symptoms," advises Dr. Arora. "An unexplained fever or a persistent cough during pregnancy should never be dismissed."

Why its Important to Nurture Mental Well-Being of Expecting Moms?

The psychological impact of pregnancy during a pandemic cannot be overstated. Uncertainty regarding new variants, changing guidelines, and worry about the unborn baby can cause anxiety, insomnia, and mood swings. Dr. Arora underscores that mental health is as important as physical health:

"Just as vital is mental health. Uncertainty over new variants can raise anxiety and mood swings. Support from families, obstetricians, and mental health providers is the key to a safe and tranquil pregnancy experience."

Interventions like guided meditation, gentle prenatal yoga, and online support groups can offer coping skills as well as social connection when physical contact is restricted.

Expert Tips for Expecting Moms

To build resistance against disease, Dr. Kushal Agrawal emphasizes the building blocks of prenatal care:

"Eat healthy daily—green leafy vegetables, fruits, pulses, dairy or plant proteins. Drink plenty of water and stick to your prescribed iron, calcium, and folic acid supplements. Light exercise, such as short walks, improves circulation and can relieve stress."

Rest and sleep hygiene are also crucial. Dr. Agrawal tells pregnant women to tune into their bodies:

“If you feel low or anxious, talk to your partner or a trusted friend. Emotional support is very important during pregnancy.”

Maintaining Essential Routine Visits

Routine prenatal appointments, ultrasounds, and recommended immunizations (such as the flu and Tdap vaccines) form the backbone of safe pregnancy management. Telehealth consultations can supplement in-person care when infection risk is high, but crucial milestones—like anatomy scans and glucose screenings—should not be deferred.

As the U.S. continues to strengthen mask policy and booster drives for vulnerable populations, other nations are reassessing travel recommendations and in-workplace protection for pregnant workers. India's recent JN.1 wave has seen state government health officials issue specific advice for pregnant women visiting antenatal clinics, including special "mask-only" visiting hours and rapid-test entry screening.

Global organizations such as WHO and FIGO (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics) promote cross-border data exchange regarding variant trends and pregnancy outcomes to optimize recommendations in real time.

The appearance of JN.1 is not a cry for panic but an invitation to remain vigilant. Knowledge, vaccination, layered prevention, and emotional support create a strong shield—protecting not only maternal health but also the future generation.

"JN.1 variant is not a cause for alarm—but a call to remain educated and ready," finishes Dr. Arora. "By safeguarding maternal health, we safeguard the future. Let us proceed to this new chapter with science, empathy, and solidarity."

Dr. Charu Dutt Arora, Infectious Disease Specialist and Head of AmeriHealth Home Care at Asian Hospital

Dr. Kushal Agrawal, Head of Neonatology and Pediatrics at KVR Hospital.

With summer season on, tick season begins—ushering in a new wave of concern for emerging infectious diseases. Among them is the Powassan virus (POWV), a rare but deadly tick-borne illness that recently claimed the life of 62-year-old Kevin Boyce from Massachusetts, sending shockwaves through the medical community and his grieving family. His story is not just tragic—it's a critical warning for the public as tick-borne illnesses quietly surge across the country.

In April 2024, Kevin Boyce experienced what he initially believed to be flu-like symptoms—headaches, vomiting, and body fatigue. Within days, those symptoms escalated dramatically. He collapsed in his home and was rushed to Massachusetts General Hospital, where doctors diagnosed him with Powassan virus, a rare virus transmitted by tick bites. Despite aggressive treatment, Kevin succumbed to the virus after his brain experienced severe swelling—an extreme complication known as encephalitis, or inflammation of the brain.

His family describes the ordeal as watching “his brain blow up,” underlining the silent danger of a virus that many Americans have never heard of.

What Is Powassan Virus?

The Powassan virus is named after the town of Powassan, Ontario, where it was first identified in 1958. Though rare, it is part of a group of viruses known as flaviviruses—the same family that includes Zika, dengue, and West Nile virus.

The virus is transmitted by the Ixodes scapularis, commonly known as the black-legged or deer tick, which is also responsible for the spread of Lyme disease. However, unlike Lyme, which typically requires more than 24 hours of tick attachment to transmit, Powassan virus can be transmitted in as little as 15 minutes, according to the Massachusetts Department of Health.

Symptoms of Powassan Virus carried in Ticks

Symptoms of Powassan virus typically appear between 7 to 30 days after a tick bite. These symptoms may include:

• Fever
• Headache
• Vomiting
• Weakness
• Confusion
• Loss of coordination
• Seizures
• Difficulty speaking

In severe cases, the virus causes encephalitis (brain inflammation) or myelitis (spinal cord inflammation), which can lead to permanent neurological damage. According to Yale Medicine, about 10% of these severe cases are fatal, and approximately 50% of survivors suffer from long-term neurological complications.

What Kind Of Ticks Carry The Powassan Virus?

The Powassan virus is primarily carried by two types of ticks in the United States:

Ixodes scapularis – commonly known as the black-legged tick or deer tick, found predominantly in the Northeast and upper Midwest.

Ixodes cookei – also known as the groundhog tick, which is more often found in wooded or rural areas, especially near wildlife like woodchucks and skunks.

Of these, the deer tick (Ixodes scapularis) poses the greater public health risk, as it also transmits Lyme disease, and it's more likely to bite humans. Powassan virus can be transmitted in as little as 15 minutes after the tick attaches—much faster than other tick-borne infections like Lyme.

Because of their size (as small as a poppy seed in the nymph stage) and tendency to attach in hard-to-notice areas, these ticks often go undetected, making early prevention and tick checks critical after spending time outdoors.

Is Prevention Is the Only Protection?

Perhaps the most concerning aspect of Powassan virus is the absence of any vaccine or antiviral treatment. Unlike Lyme disease, which can be treated with antibiotics, Powassan has no direct medical countermeasures. The only approach is preventative care—which makes awareness critical.

To avoid tick bites, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) recommend the following:

• Wear long sleeves and pants when outdoors, preferably light-colored clothing to easily spot ticks
• Tuck pants into socks or use tape to seal clothing gaps
• Use insect repellents containing DEET, permethrin, or picaridin
• Stick to the center of hiking trails to avoid brushing against tick-laden bushes
• Check for ticks on your body, clothes, pets, and gear immediately after being outdoors
• Shower and wash clothes in hot water soon after returning inside

If a tick is found, remove it with fine-tipped tweezers as soon as possible

Recent findings from the University of Massachusetts Amherst’s New England Center of Excellence in Vector-Borne Diseases (NEWVEC) reveal a startling truth: while Powassan virus remains rare in reported cases, it may be significantly underdiagnosed.

A study published in Clinical Microbiology and Infection, led by microbiologist Stephen Rich, highlights that many people bitten by Powassan-positive ticks don’t develop symptoms or seek healthcare. In their passive surveillance study, none of the 38 people bitten by infected ticks reported subsequent illness, suggesting that mild or asymptomatic cases are flying under the radar.

The same research revealed that black-legged ticks bite over 1.36 million people annually in the U.S., based on data from the TickReport testing service in Massachusetts. While Lyme disease has a known high transmission rate, the estimated exposure to Powassan virus ranges from 3,000 to 5,000 people annually, many of whom may never realize they were infected.

Why Powassan Cases Are Rising?

Despite being rare historically, Powassan virus is on the rise in the United States, particularly in the Northeast and Midwest. In 2024 alone, 54 cases were reported nationwide, with 12 cases in Massachusetts. Over the last decade, human cases have increased fourfold, signaling that the threat is becoming more prevalent.

According to the CDC, since 2004, the U.S. has recorded 311 hospitalizations and 44 deaths due to Powassan virus, a number that experts warn may be just the tip of the iceberg.

The rise in infections may be fueled by:

• Climate change, which extends the tick season and habitat
• Growing deer populations, which host these ticks
• Human encroachment into wooded areas, increasing tick exposure

Co-Infections and Complexity

Even more concerning, ticks that test positive for Powassan virus are often co-infected with other dangerous pathogens, including:

• Borrelia burgdorferi (Lyme disease)
• Babesia microti (Babesiosis)
• Anaplasma phagocytophilum (Anaplasmosis)
• Borrelia miyamotoi

This means a single tick bite could expose a person to multiple serious illnesses, compounding the risk and complicating diagnosis.