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A Brush with Rebellion: The Power of Makeup in Protest Through History

Makeup, often dismissed as a mere tool for beautification, has a deeper, richer history woven with threads of protest and empowerment. From ancient civilizations to contemporary movements, makeup has been utilized as a medium for self-expression, resistance, and assertion of power. This article takes you on a journey through time, exploring the fascinating evolution of makeup as a potent symbol of protest and strength.

Ancient Roots:

In the ancient world, civilizations such as Egypt and Mesopotamia laid the groundwork for using cosmetics not only for aesthetic purposes but also as a means of social and political expression. Both men and women adorned themselves with elaborate makeup, using kohl and pigments to signify status, protection, and sometimes dissent.

Medieval Europe:

As Europe transitioned through the Middle Ages, makeup faced scrutiny as the Church condemned its usage. Despite societal restrictions, some women employed cosmetics to challenge societal norms subtly. Red lipstick, for instance, became a clandestine symbol of rebellion and resilience.

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Can Cannabis indica homeopathy help with IBS-D?

Short answer (one line):

No reliable scientific evidence shows that homeopathic preparations of Cannabis indica meaningfully help people with IBS-D (diarrhea-predominant IBS). Mechanistically, high-potency homeopathic medicines contain no measurable THC/CBD, so they cannot act like medicinal cannabis; any reported benefit is most likely a placebo or non-specific. PubMedScienceDirect

What exactly are we talking about?

  • “Cannabis indica” (the plant): a species/chemovar of cannabis that contains cannabinoids (THC, CBD) and terpenes. Pharmaceutical or herbal cannabis products deliver those chemicals and can affect the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS). PMC

  • “Cannabis indica” in homeopathy: a homeopathic remedy made by serial dilution and succussion of a mother tincture of the plant. Typical potencies used by homeopaths (e.g., 30C) are diluted far beyond the point where any original molecules remain. Homeopathy’s claimed mechanisms (like “potentisation”) are not supported by mainstream chemistry or physiology. WikipediaScienceDirect

Important distinction: a homeopathic “Cannabis indica” remedy ≠ is an herbal tincture, cannabis oil, or pharmaceutical THC/CBD product. The former does not deliver cannabinoids in measurable amounts; the latter can. WikipediaPMC

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How does Ramosetron affect gut receptors?

Ramosetron is a drug that mainly targets the serotonin (5-HT) system in the gut. Serotonin isn’t just in the brain—it’s also heavily involved in controlling digestion.

  • The key players:
    In the gut, there are serotonin receptors called 5-HT3 receptors. When these receptors are overly active, they can increase gut contractions, cause pain signals to fire more strongly, and trigger diarrhea.

  • What Ramosetron does:
    Ramosetron is a 5-HT3 receptor antagonist. This means it blocks those receptors, preventing serotonin from overstimulating them.

  • Effects in the gut:

    1. Reduces overactive contractions → helps normalize bowel movements.

    2. Lowers gut hypersensitivity → decreases abdominal pain and discomfort.

    3. Slows down intestinal transit → particularly useful in diarrhea-predominant IBS (IBS-D).

  • Clinical use:
    Ramosetron is mainly prescribed in parts of Asia (like Japan and South Korea) for IBS-D. Studies show it can improve stool consistency, reduce urgency, and relieve abdominal discomfort.

✅ In short: Ramosetron calms the gut by blocking serotonin’s overactivity at 5-HT3 receptors. This helps control diarrhea, pain, and irregular gut movement, making it useful for IBS patients with diarrhea symptoms.

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Is Cheese Messing With Your Dreams and Your Metabolism?

cheese and your metabolic health
New research says yes—to at least one of those.

First, a cheesy nightmare update:

A study published in Frontiers in Psychology surveyed over 1,000 university students and discovered something interesting: those who ate dairy foods—especially cheese—were more likely to report vivid or disturbing dreams. So, is your midnight mozzarella ritual the reason you’ve been dreaming of apocalyptic raccoons? Possibly. The twist? Many of those who reported dream disturbances were either lactose intolerant or had gut sensitivities—suggesting it’s not just what you eat, but how your body reacts to it.

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Recalling First Few Days of Returning to Work [April 2022]

Returning to work has been a somewhat unexpected journey for the last 3 months, and it continues to be a bit disruptive, and a bit of relief at the same time. The first week in the more-than-familiar office cabin was slightly suffocating. The COVID wave hadn't subsided when we were called back, and there was every reason to feel apprehensive. With just the senior managers and the upper hierarchy called in, the team, people who contribute to the dense headcount at our office was nowhere to be seen.

Returning to Work Post Covid

Just to share some insight about my personal struggles to keep wearing the mask, I have been claustrophobic since I was around 17, and I have been on & off anxiety medications for more than a decade. Being grounded at home due to the pandemic, having just become a father to a baby girl, also took a toll in some way though, at many levels, I am also thankful for giving me the opportunity to be there when the little monkey was gifted to us.

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Anxiety | Mental Health | Lionel Messi - It Happens to the Best!

This discussion about mental health, anxiety, and how being anxious chronically can happen to the best, people as good and great as Lionel Messi, is inspired by this article by Adam Alter, on Ideas.Ted.com

For many people, when celebrities talk about mental health issues, it becomes a bit easier to comprehend the problem and understand that it can happen to anybody irrespective of the amount of inherent talent or the fandom that comes with being the best in anything, ranging from movies to soccer. The latter has its smart, Messi, whose psychological challenges of holding up his performance in the middle of a growing, global fan following. The problems with Messi' preparedness for the big stage have been doing the rounds for some time. Reports suggest that he usually vomits and according to some sources, his vomiting is a bit of a chronic thing that tends to happen en route to a big match. It was in 2014 that reports emerged about Messi showing symptoms of vomiting and perhaps, the condition being associated with trouble in handling anxiety.

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For those who have IBS in the times of Corona Pandemic

Understand Irritable Bowel Syndrome
If you have a history of IBS, it is most likely that no one, and I mean not even the most qualified physician out there, would have been able to fully understand your set of symptoms -  that is the problem with IBS, it is highly symptomatic and very unpredictable. That is how complicated IBS can be, but strangely, despite all the medicinal and guidance-based support, nobody really understands what the sufferer is put through. At this time, when the coronavirus scare is at its worst, you need to double-up your layers of protection to ensure a flare-up is prevented. For starters, the Corona global pandemic is about a lot of cynical views around you - don't let this get you into that space where you start believing that the world is coming to an end. It looks like it, but in reality, we will bounce back - everyday folks like you and me and the governments that are responsible for protecting us. Don't read too much into how much worse it can get. The idea is to control your anxiety levels daily, since right now, when the more normal Joe seems to be slightly frantic.
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Reviewing I am All Girls on Netflix India

reviewing I am all girls on netlfix movie


I Am All Girls is perhaps one of the most underrated movies on Netflix India. There is every reason the channel,l and more so, its marketing team, should have promoted this title a bit more. Even the online ratings seem a bit poorly done, underestimating the subject tackled in the movie and the manner in which the story has been told. I am All Girls may or may not be for family viewing, ng depending upon how your ecosystem handles movies that are a bit graphic about subjects as sensitive as child abuse, child pornography, child trafficking, and the system that feeds off young girls taken off the streets, taking a toll on their families, and ruining lives without any logic to it.

The only reason you could find a syndicate that needs a constant supply of young girls to be mercilessly abused is that the human race is driven naturally and instinctively to behave in such a horrible way. I Am All Girls is also a movie of revenge and redemption set in South Africa. The starcast is a bit new for audiences like me, but overall, the performances delivered. IAmm All Girls does not try to preach anything. It merely tells the story of how child abuse is there in our society, in our homes, and how the people affected by it continue to be affected by it for their entire lives.

There is nothing pink or typecast about this movie. The plot has very little mystery to it, actually almost none if you have been watching it carefully from the first shot, and tries to explore every step in the managed procedure that helps politicians and the rich feed off children. I Am All Girls is a bit gritty for sure,e but more importantly, it does try to play on the morality of seeking revenge - it makes you feel that yes, some people deserve to have their balls sliced off and shoved down their throats! It was also nice to see characters in the movie speak with a near-native South African accent - that seemed very real. Watch it once, try it once, you won't be let down...but again, not for people who are looking for happy-feel movies. Here, the subject is a bit serious and violent.

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The Starling Movie Review [Netflix India OTT]

The Starling Movie Review | feel good movies




















The Starling is a decent effort if you are not looking for Oscar-winning performances. Not that Kevin Kline and Melissa McCarthy don't do a great job; they have performed rather well, but yes, there are places where the movie fails to live up to its expectations. The story of a couple who are dealing with the loss of their child is told rather well. While Melissa has taken the quiet, let us not talk about it sort of approach, her husband turns suicidal and has to be admitted to a facility for mental wellness. The movie shows the massive difference between the approach the couple takes to deal with their sense of loss.
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Movie Review for The Old Ways on Netflix India OTT

the old ways - horror movie reviewed



Keep your expectations real - The Old Ways does not have a premium starcast or the directorial credentials that make it an obvious pick during your work-from-life. However, like many horror flicks and gore movie plots that performed rather well with their directors and lead performers later blossoming into bigger names in the industry, The Old Ways does many things right to impress. The best part is that it wastes no time in revealing the storyline without unnecessarily stretching it. The first shot happens to be in the room where the supposedly possessed lady has been chained. Yes, this movie, too,o is about possessions and being taken over by ghosts when you venture into the badlands and lesser-visited areas.

The story is not too dramatic, but it is told at a good pace. There is no time to take a popcorn break as Cristina realizes that her body has been taken over, and then gets on a quest to get rid of the unwanted spirit, and later becomes a witch doctor lady of sorts herself. The entire movie presents just about four or five faces. There is no melodrama or too many special effects. This is a good movie if you like a lightweight horror flick where the fear is in the victim's eyes rather than computer-generated graphics. Combine the basic plot with a bit of sorcery and tales that only some village folks would know about, and The Old Ways comes up with a decent concoction. Highly recommended if you don't like to watch something too scary before going to bed, but still want to see something that spooks you a little. A good effort overall, and it also makes me wonder why Netflix India has not been promoting or recommending this movie in any way. Perhaps their content-spotting team needs to do a better job of looking at their own inventory of decent movies and recommending them when a browser chooses the genre-based filter.

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Online Shopping Review for Mr. Bowerbird Apparels on Myntra

This review comes after three purchases and some really close inspection - there is a brand on Myntra, called Mr. Bowerbird, and I am pretty sure that the softness and overall quality of the fabric it offers is right up there with some of the luxury brands, and close competitors like H&M. I had been tracking their inventory options for some time. The prices were usually a bit inflated - at least, that is what I felt about the sticker tags. But in the last 10 days or so, the prices have been really cut down. It must be one of those discount schemes that I seldom understand, but yes, it gave me the opportunity to order a bit from this niche brand.

The two, round-neck t-shirts were brilliantly done, ensuring the seams were almost invisible, the fabric ultra-soft, and the slightly relaxed fitting done to perfection. That is what this brand does - Mr. Bowerbird does not try to impress you with iconoclastic designs or color combinations that would challenge a rainbow. Mr. Bowerbird does the basics right, to the extent of perfecting them. It sets new standards for everyday apparel with the loveliest fabrics. Expect a very subtle sheen on the apparel despite using top-quality cotton. This is sure to protect against the visual wear & tear that repeated washing or hard water use causes. Apart from the tees, I have bought two woolen polos. Now, this in itself is a bit unconventional. These are essentially cotton and not woolen t-shirts, done in a simple form for the changing season.

So, you get warm, half-sleeve tees that can be worn as it is or combined with some outerwear to protect against the extreme winters. My usual colors are rust, dark orange, and all hues of maroon, and Mr. Bowerbird provides plenty of options for me. I would recommend this fashion apparel brand to every guy out there who demands everyday apparel options in the best fabrics without the luxury pricing. Want more? And this is perhaps the most lovable aspect of shopping for a Mr. Bowerbird product - they pack the merchandise in small, paper bags that come with tie chords, and each unit has its own notepad! Yes, a simple, plain paper notepad is great for noting down things. Again, there is nothing magical to talk about a notepad, but then, Mr. Bowerbird does this in a similar manner - a good quality product delivered with utter simplicity.

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Ovenstory Cheese Stuffed Garlic Bread Reviewed

Just a bit crispier and this would have been the clear winner! That is how close Ovenstory Cheese Stuffed Garlic Bread comes to taking the honors when it is compared to contemporary favorites in this niche, like Dominos. The latter impresses with a more buttery taste and an outer crust that is done a lot better. Ovenstory Cheese Stuffed Garlic Bread has less garlic and instead uses cheese to deliver more gooey goodness in each bite. However, it lags behind in the texture, inside and out. The outer surface is a bit undercooked. The lesser-baked approach just might not work with folks like me who like to bite into the bread rather than gently chewing the bread. Ovenstory Garlic Bread also does away with the tendency to overpower the bread with the garlic flavor, making it a better choice for folks who cannot handle the garlic-heavy flavor.

Home Cooking Review Garlic Bread
However, the biggest difference is the insides. Ovenstory Cheese Garlic Bread does not hold back when stuffing the insides with real, not flowy cheese. There is sufficient dairy flavor in every bite. If you press the bread a bit harder, some of the cheese might actually squeeze out - you cannot expect this in Domino's Garlic Bread which seems to use more butter, and even when you order the cheese-stuffed variety, it uses cheese as if the stuff is borrowed from the World Bank on the highest interest rates modern-day nations have seen. But you can expect this from Domino's - putting all the cheese in the TV ads and not actually putting it in what is served to us has been the standard approach for almost 4 years now. In comparison, Ovenstory Cheese Stuffed Garlic Bread generously layers it up with good-quality cheese that has an actual taste - again, unlike the neutral, bland cheese that Domino's seems to have sourced - I am thinking there must be an industry of seconds in cheese from which Domino's inventory management team regularly buys. One more piece of advice to the Ovenstory team - garlic bread is not supposed to be so soft inside. You have to find a way of making it stand up a bit more, and not being precariously close to getting spongy soft.

ALSO GATHERED A BIT OF INFORMATION ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE GARLIC BREAD: [USING AI TOOLS LIKE CHATGPT]

The Mediterranean, known for its vibrant culinary traditions, has a long history of using garlic in various dishes. Bread, being a staple food in the region, provided an excellent canvas for experimenting with flavors. The addition of garlic to bread not only added a delightful aromatic element but also enhanced the overall taste. Garlic bread, in its simplest form, typically consists of sliced or crushed garlic combined with butter or olive oil, spread onto bread, and then toasted or baked until golden brown. This simple yet flavorful combination has become a favorite accompaniment to many meals, particularly Italian and Italian-American cuisine. While the exact moment of garlic bread's invention cannot be determined, it gained widespread popularity in the United States during the 1940s and 1950s. Italian-American immigrants brought their culinary traditions to America, including garlic bread. It quickly became a beloved side dish or appetizer served in Italian-American restaurants, pizzerias, and households across the country.

Over time, garlic bread has evolved to include variations such as the addition of cheese, herbs, or even toppings like tomatoes or bacon. These adaptations have further expanded the range of flavors and textures associated with garlic bread, making it even more appealing to different palates. Today, garlic bread is enjoyed worldwide and has become a staple in many cuisines. It can be found in pizzerias, restaurants, and even in frozen food sections of grocery stores, allowing people to enjoy its delightful taste and aroma in the comfort of their homes. In conclusion, while the exact origins of garlic bread remain somewhat elusive, it is safe to say that variations of bread seasoned with garlic have been enjoyed by various cultures throughout history. The modern concept of garlic bread gained popularity in the Mediterranean region and eventually spread to other parts of the world, becoming a beloved accompaniment to meals and a culinary delight appreciated by many.

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7 Influences Clearly Visible in Bhoot Police | Still Does Not Impress

scary tree in sleepy hollow copied in bhoot police
Winchester Brothers: Supernatural was a bit of a breakthrough after Buffy, the Vampire Slayer, as a TV series dedicated to monster hunting and extermination. Add some ghouls, fallen angels, zombies, and other out-of-this-world predators, and Supernatural addressed all of them with the duo of the Winchester brothers kicking some serious ass. Bhoot Police surely borrowed this idea, but the chemistry between Arjun Kapoor and Saif was just not the same. I cannot call this a lame attempt since it was done decently, but it just did not make an impact. 

The Grudge: Hollywood remake of the Japanese horror icon laid new standards for presenting the creepy type of horror, moving away from the horror genre that was typically high on special effects. One thing that every first-time Grudge watcher would remember is the body-twisting and bone-cracking sounds. Bhoot Police borrowed the same on two occasions, if I remember correctly. The impact was missing again. It was done a bit too quickly, without any creepiness.

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You Never Really Here is Grim without a Reason and thankfully, it does not try to explain why

reviewed You Never Really Here movie amazon prime india
If there is Joaquin Phoenix in a movie, I have a reason to watch it - things are that simple for me when it comes to trusting the starcast to choose a movie to watch tonight. But You Never Really Here tests this theory, this faith that the movies Phoenix chooses are invariably high on substance. For starters, the guy hardly speaks throughout the movie. Not that the action sequences are too stretched. There is an intentional slowness to the story, but then again, there is no real story here. Joaquin is remorseful, guilty, passive-aggressive, violently aggressive, repentful, and a lot more, but the plot just does not allow him to really take up the screen space he warrants.
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Fel Tauri Might Help to Halt Damage that 'Revenge Pandemic Snacking' Creates

I guess it had to happen at some point - the work-from-home and life-at-home schedule has taken a toll on physical health, too. And it seems I am not the only one. My observations have been along the lines of feeling a bit more breathless and some recurring headaches that indicate rising cholesterol levels. I have to confess, I have been snacking a lot more than my careful usual. Though I have tried to limit it, every now and then, things end up in my hands that I wouldn't have been caught snacking when things were more normal. The regular life meant a daily intake of fruits, sometimes a lot of them, and even more regularity with consuming fiber and staying away from the typically tasty but fried stuff. The last few months have seen me slip. Whereas people have been indulging in revenge travel, my mind seems to be heading towards revenge snacking. What is it?

Not very sure if there is a proper definition for it in Wikipedia, but I can at least try to explain it - a type of snacking that stems from the irritation or frustration that creeps up on account of being home-bound for far too long. This is a new form of psychological snacking. For people who have been through weight-loss battles, emotional snacking is not a new concept. However, the pandemic has dictated a new dimension to it. Essentially, the toll this schedule is taking on the mental faculties is giving way to moments of feeling like having redeemed the day in some way, but snacking, even when I am not hungry. Back to the rising cholesterol levels - I plan to get bloodwork done tomorrow morning. This was pending for almost 2 years since one annual test is mandatory for me with my continuing thyroid issues. Even before this, I was never on the right side of cholesterol, and now, it feels as if the lipids have really returned with a vengeance.

Strangely, this has not led to an addition of inches or centimeters around the waist, but the signs are showing, clearly indicating that it is time to tighten up things - mentally first, so that the physical symptoms are put away for good! One more thing. I had my father-in-law search out something natural and non-drugged up that can help to keep the rising cholesterol levels in check. Turns out, there is actually something helpful in the form of a homeopathic medication called Fel Tauri 3X. The overall opinion is that this medicine is effective enough to lower the rising, bad cholesterol levels in people who have a properly diagnosed, more serious condition, such as chronic high blood pressure levels due to arteries being clogged by rapidly increasing cholesterol levels. I have actually started it, and plan to update the difference it brings about in about 3 weeks.
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Reviewing - 3 Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri - Disney Hotstar Plus

Reviewing 3 Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri movie
Expect shades of grey, black, and the small town passiveness we found in Fargo, the movie and not the TV series, in what can be described as a bit of a hidden gem. But then, this is not surprising since both Fargo and 3 Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri start Francis McDormand, and she is as brilliant as you can expect the lead star in a Hollywood production. As far as the storytelling goes, it is a bit twisted and weird in places, but largely it does a fine job of detailing the grief, anguish, vengeance, and redemption around the rape and murder of a young girl near Ebbing. Playing the role of Mildred, Francis McDormand is very convincing as the remorseful and bitter mother whose daughter has been snatched with utter cruelty in a town that does not care much. More precisely, she seems convinced that it is the police department that has done nothing to find the killers. Her vendetta seems more directed at the sheriff, played by Woody Harrelson, who is battling pancreatic cancer and a sense of guilt for being unsuccessful in making any arrests in this particular case. However, the character that shapes up beyond your expectations and delivers a stellar performance is Dixon, played by Sam Rockwell.
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Hoping that Bandbudh aur Budbak does not try to Indianize Dumb & Dumber for our Kids!

catching up on cartoon with kids christmas season 2025
I realize that the Japanese effect on animation is here to stay. Whether it is watching Titoo on Pogo or catching glimpses of the dubbed version of Shin-chan, a shift towards the Japanese method of creating animated content is very visible. The pout of every character is a bit twisted to one side. The mouth is invariably the size of a planet. The weeping is always exaggerated with a fountain of tears. Largely, the characters in this style of animation have become less lovable, less cute than the period when Disney was the global standard for all cartoons. One such India-specific offering in this genre is Bandbudh aur Budbak. Needless to say that the facial expressions seem strange to me. However, what stands out is the sheer ugliness of the faces. I realize I must sound like a shallow person who seems obsessed with a certain degree of perfection or typicality in everything, but that is not the grounds for this opinion. Bandbudh aur Budbak on Pogo takes the animated ugliness to another level. The teeth are extremely crooked, misshapen to the extent that it looks like the animation creator for these characters is perhaps borrowing from some childhood-day horrors of his own. The clothes are tattered, almost coming apart in places, and all the kids in the supporting roles or background scenes have faces that seem to be intentionally disfigured for the sake of recreating what I just quoted above —— the Japanese style of animating, but even the Japs haven't taken things to this extreme. Sometimes, I get the feeling that the idea was to ensure that the viewers get the feeling that none of the characters here ever takes a bath. Yes, you can almost feel it, which is weird for a cartoon that is engaging the youngest minds across the audience pool. I also think that the idea here is loosely based on Dumb and Dumber, at least the names suggest so. There is a bit of Jim Carrey's look, albeit taken to the childhood years. Even if the creators of Bandbudh aur Budbak confess so, they have done a really, really poor job of recreating close-to-iconic characters. 

Updated for December 2025, on the eve of Christmas, kids these days are better off watching content created in European nations and not the desi animations, especially in the age group of up to 5 years. For some reason, even the feverish popularity of Chota Bheem has tapered, and the age-sensitive audience is more likely to watch YouTube for Kids shows like I Like Nastaya. For some reason, content that seems highly made-up but borders on reality TV-type visuals has better engagement levels. While this suggests a shift in what children prefer to see, it also dangerously highlights the early onset of addiction to social content.

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