Latest news with #Goop
Telegraph
25 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
How to do ‘boyfriend breakfast' like Gwyneth Paltrow (tops optional)
It's a question that plagues Reddit forums and troubles the minds of more women than Camille Paglia might wish: should you make your husband / partner breakfast? If you're a Trad Wife, the correct answer is, clearly, a resounding 'yes'. If you're an Oscar-winning actress with a multimillion dollar lifestyle and wellness empire, however, the answer is clearly… also 'yes'. Gwyneth Paltrow – net worth: $200 million – has been espousing the virtues of the 'boyfriend breakfast' since 2022, when she revealed to her 8.8 million Instagram followers that she likes to cook them for her husband, Brad Falchuk. 'When Brad was just my boyfriend, I started a tradition of making him breakfast every Saturday morning,' she wrote. 'Coming up with surprising menus, the prepping and cooking was a way for me to disconnect with the other stresses of my life and direct my focus on my boyfriend. It became this very special moment for us. They are called #boyfriend breakfasts to this day.' On Father's Day, she made the moment even more special by cooking Falchuk's breakfast topless, posting a video to Instagram of her slaving over a hot stove in nothing but a pair of boxer shorts. One can only hope the oil from her Tuscan sausages didn't splash. Unsurprisingly, Paltrow's boyfriend breakfasts have provoked a backlash, not helped by an article on her lifestyle website, Goop, revealing that she doesn't always eat the breakfast she cooks, preferring to fast in the mornings while Brad tucks into his gluten-free egg soldiers with organic avo and some crispy martyrdom on the side. But Paltrow had an answer for those critics accusing her of setting back feminism to the 1950s. 'What's actually anti-feminist, at this point, is prescribing what feminism is – including looking down on domesticity,' she responded. 'For me, it's not anti-feminist to serve; it's an act of service that's about seeing the other person and understanding their needs. It brings a particular energy and intimacy to a relationship. Cooking is also, for me – and I think many type A people – relaxing and grounding. Embracing something so traditionally feminine and old-fashioned balances the hard-driving, work side of myself.' From her marble-top kitchen in Montecito, Meghan Markle was clearly taking notes. Four years later, she'd take Paltrow's words and make an eight- part Netflix documentary out of them. No doubt her Notes app is open once more – for Paltrow has just released another wheeze. Not content with giving us the #boyfriendbreakfast, she's now intent on dressing the world in 'boyfriend breakfast style'. For heaven forfend you cook his eggs in an M&S nightie and a bobbled dressing gown. Just as the world was tiring of TikTok-friendly microtrends like 'mob wife' and 'coastal grandma', Paltrow is proposing another one. 'You asked, we answered', she recently posted on Goop's Facebook page. 'The boyfriend breakfast shop: easy shirtdresses, boxer shorts and pj sets inspired by Gwyneth.' Although strictly speaking, surely they were inspired by Brad, since the items in question (which are currently being sold on seem to be comprised of oversized shirts and stripy boxer shorts – garments you may find familiar if you happen to have a teenaged daughter, who has likely been plundering her dad's wardrobe for the same items for years. This is Paltrow's trick: putting her own spin on items we already own, then elevating them by recasting them in her own image. It's hard to reach midlife without acquiring at least one oversized shirt, while the high street is currently groaning with stripy boxer shorts, all of which cost considerably less than the $175 'Shorty' boxer Paltrow is selling under her own brand, G. Label. But none of this will deter her fans. They're buying into a lifestyle. No matter that they're in Morecambe: by purchasing her $325 'Teddy' shorts, they'll feel bathed in the benevolent glow of a Montecito sunrise. G. Label Teddy short, $325, Goop G. Label Shorty boxer, $175, Goop In an era where the word 'storytelling' is bandied about too frequently, Paltrow is a masterclass in how to do it well. 'She offers a regular and stylised window into her personal life which is aspirational but attainable,' notes Sara McCorquodale, founder influencer insights agency, Corq. 'That's not to say it isn't idealised – everything about Paltrow and Goop is elevated – but the concept of a relaxed Saturday morning making breakfast is not out of reach. On a deeper level, Paltrow's boyfriend breakfast concept points to something that is highly inspirational to many people: finding love and new traditions with a new partner post-divorce. It's a lifestyle concept about having a nice breakfast, but in a bigger sense it's about getting the extremely pleasant life that you always wanted.' While it's a sexist cliché to pit Paltrow and the Duchess of Sussex against each other, it's hard not to conclude that the latter has tried to follow Paltrow's playbook. Few could blame her. Paltrow is the Martha Stewart of her day, with added Hollywood cachet to boot. But while she might have the privilege and platform, that doesn't mean what she has achieved is easy, even if she makes it seem so. Just as she's at the vanguard of ' quiet luxury ', she's a dab hand at 'quiet marketing'. 'She's been relatively slow to commercialise her boyfriend breakfast concept, which has had millions of views and now has an invested audience grown over several years,' notes McCorquodale. 'Many celebrities would have capitalised on this much faster and more aggressively through books and even a podcast, but in doing so they would have risked making it seem contrived. Paltrow has wisely launched products linked to her boyfriend breakfast concept at a time when there is a definite, positive audience. Very few stars are able to sell products to their followers without some kind of backlash. The parasocial Instagram environment means negative sentiment can quickly snowball.' With a £300 million business under her belt and G. Label growing at an estimated 42 per cent year over year, Paltrow is owning the lifestyle and wellness space, yet is still careful to appear humble, a quality that people seem to require more of female entrepreneurs than males, as she knows only too well. When she was a guest on the podcast Aspire With Emma Grede last month, Paltrow spoke honestly about her failures as a CEO, the role she's held at Goop since 2016. 'It's important to admit defeat early. If it's not working, let it go, [because] it doesn't get better.' Wise words that more should heed. Cute co-ords to buy
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
How Brad Pitt and girlfriend Ines de Ramon leveled up their fashion game for the ‘F1' promo tour
How can Brad Pitt get any hotter? The A-list movie star has been a heartthrob for more than three decades straight and is no stranger to an eye-catching look, having experimenting on and off the red carpet with skirts, thigh-high leather boots, man buns and buzzcuts in recent years. Pitt's also an entrepreneur; he launched a clothing line and a skincare range in 2022, the latter inspired by his ex-girlfriend Gwyneth Paltrow's Goop. Now, the 61-year-old actor is cementing his status as a style icon — with current lady love Ines de Ramon by his side. Though Pitt typically hasn't worked with a stylist in a formal capacity, he's tapped two heavy hitters during the promotional tour for his newest movie, 'F1.' Off the red carpet, Taylor McNeill — who is the mastermind behind Timothée Chalamet's internet-breaking 'A Complete Unknown' press tour as well as Kendrick Lamar's viral flared Super Bowl jeans — is working her magic on Brad. The superstar put the Hollywood vet in Adidas sneakers, silk shirts, velvet blazers and oversized jeans — a mix of whimsical pieces ripped straight from the runway and sourced from vintage Italian fashion brands. 'a best ever for him!' one fan commented on McNeill's Instagram showcasing one of her looks for Pitt. 'Ahh it was you!' another said, while a third agreed, 'I saw this fit and was impressed, make sense now.' Though the 'Ocean's 11' star may be borrowing some plays from Chalamet — who, despite being half Pitt's age, actually shares a somewhat similar style sensibility, not to mention an even more famous girlfriend — he's still suiting up at red carpet premieres. Enter a second stylist: George Cortina, who put the hunk in the aforementioned Saint Laurent leather boots on the cover of GQ just last month. Cortina, who works regularly with the men's fashion mag as well as Vanity Fair, V, Elle and more, has long been a collaborator with Pitt. However, the 'F1' run is a bit of a departure for the actor — and, naturally, he broke a few fashion rules in the process. The stylist told GQ that the pair decided he'd wear handmade suits from legendary Savile Row tailor Anderson & Sheppard to the film's premieres, but in a rainbow of colors and seldom-used fabrics. Thus far, Pitt has worn lilac, sherbet orange and emerald green everywhere from Mexico City to London. 'Bespoke is a different animal because you have to know what you're doing. Otherwise, your tailor will make a beautiful suit for you that's impeccably cut, but you might end up looking like Prince Charles,' Cortina told GQ of the array. 'Essentially all of the fabrics that Brad is wearing were basically fabrics that have never been used before for this purpose.' Pitt isn't the only one who's brought in new wardrobe help lately. De Ramon, whom the actor's been dating since 2022, tapped top stylist Dani Michelle to outfit her for the press tour. Michelle, whose other clients include Kendall Jenner and Hailey Bieber, has certainly delivered high-voltage looks so far, dressing de Ramon in a Chanel halter crop top and low-slung feathered skirt at the NYC premiere of 'F1' on June 16. De Ramon, who is a top executive at high-fashion jewelry brand Anita Ko, followed it up with a glittering Fendi Couture gown covered in micro-crystals and sequins, which she paired with a matching Nano Baguette purse with beaded fringe in London. With the Dubai premiere just around the corner and the film's Apple TV+ release on June 27, we can only imagine how Pitt and de Ramon plan to end the promo tour with a grand finale.
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Kate Moss's lifestyle brand she hoped would rival Gwyneth Paltrow's Goop closes less than three years after it was launched
When Kate Moss created her lifestyle brand, Cosmoss, she hoped it would rival the success of Hollywood star Gwyneth Paltrow 's Goop. Now, however, the supermodel has thrown in the towel and closed down the company less than three years after it was launched to great fanfare at Harrods in 2022. Yesterday, she put the Cosmoss Group into voluntary liquidation. Its demise is reported in documents filed at Companies House, with a notice reporting the appointment of liquidators on June 18. At the time of launch, Moss, 51, claimed it would 'open a door' to 'balance, restoration and love'. Last year, she boasted that she had succeeded where the world's top scientists had failed – and found a miracle cure for eczema. Just one application of her new £105 Golden Nectar skin oil, she said, has the unexpected bonus of instantly getting rid of eczema or another incurable skin condition, psoriasis. 'I have to tell you a secret: we didn't know when we made it; we've discovered it since,' she said in a video of her talking with a fashion writer, posted on the Cosmoss Instagram page. Cosmoss products including dawn tea, face cream and cleanser. Last year, Ms Moss boasted she had found a miracle cure for eczema 'I have friends with eczema and any kind of psoriasis, any kind of spots, bites... You put this on – and gone, the next day.' Cosmoss sold a range of own-brand teas, skincare products and a book of 150 'positive messages'. Its launch represented a big change of career for Moss, who was branded 'Cocaine Kate' in 2005 after pictures surfaced which a newspaper claimed showed her snorting drugs at a music studio. She lost her £1 million contract with H&M and booked herself into a rehab clinic. Cosmoss has been a family affair for Moss, whose daughter Lila, also a model, attended various events promoting the brand. Lila, 22, who wore a revealing sheer top at Paris Fashion Week yesterday, was among the guests at Cosmoss's first anniversary party in 2023. In the same year, Kate won a legal battle with a Danish pharmaceutical firm over the Cosmoss name. It meant that she was able to trademark the brand for herbal preparations for medicinal purposes, plus food and mineral supplements. 'Kate has huge ambitions for the Cosmoss brand,' a source declared at the time. Cosmoss's first and only set of accounts showed that it owed lenders more than £405,000 against stock and assets of just over £315,000. Moss, who grew up in Croydon, south London, was due to file more up to date accounts by last December, but the figures – due to span 18 months to December 2023 – remain overdue at Companies House. Ahead of the liquidation, members of staff revealed that they had gone unpaid since January. The end of the brand also follows its failure to secure trademark status in America. Moss was the single-biggest shareholder in the business. The website remains up and running, but her goods cannot be placed into the basket to purchase.
WIRED
5 days ago
- Health
- WIRED
I Tested 30+ Lip Balms and These Are the Top 5 I Swear By
Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm for $4: If you're ingredient-conscious, Burt's Bees has probably been in your tote at some point. The original formula blends beeswax, coconut oil, sunflower seed oil, and peppermint oil. No petroleum, no parabens, and you can find it just about everywhere. That said, the beeswax forms a solid barrier but is not the most hydrating, especially during the dead of winter. The balm coats but doesn't penetrate, which means it won't do much for lips that are already cracked. The peppermint oil can also be a little too spicy for sensitive lips. Still, if you're in a pinch and standing in front of the CVS self-checkout, it's a smarter purchase than Blistex (more on that later). Glossier Balm Dotcom for $16: The Glossier Balm Dotcom walked so the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask could run. It's a multipurpose salve that blends lanolin, castor oil, and beeswax for ultimate moisture retention. Plus, it comes in a handful of sheer tints that play well with no-makeup makeup days. But the thick, waxy texture can feel a bit clumpy, especially if you're layering over flaky lips. Courtesy of Goop Goop Beauty Nourishing Lip Repair Mask for $30: This buttery lip mask from Goop is loaded with ceramides to help restore your lip barrier, along with fig seed oil and acai fruit that smells just as tropical as it sounds. While it's free from silicones, parabens, and synthetic fragrances, those botanical oils and fruit extracts can still trigger a reaction. Patch test first. Also, at $30 for just 0.3 fluid ounces, it's not the most cost-effective balm on my list. Omorovicza Budapest Perfecting Lip Balm for $46: Omorovicza's Perfecting Lip Balm's texture leans gritty, almost like a lip polish or a micro-exfoliator. There are some goodies in here, like hyaluronic acid and omega fatty acids. But, there are also some unnecessary (potentially irritating) extras—eucalyptus oil, parfum, and benzyl alcohol. Avoid These Lip Balms Blistex Lip Medex 3-Pack for $6: It gives you that instant tingle thanks to menthol and camphor, plus a cocktail of synthetic flavors and fragrances, but that sting is a red flag. A general note: 'Medicated' lip balms often do more harm than good. Carmex Classic Lip Balm 3-Pack for $3: For similar reasons to Blistex, skip Carmex. It contains camphor and benzocaine, which are ingredients that can irritate the skin and make chapped lips worse over time. What Causes Chapped Lips? AccordionItemContainerButton There are a lot of triggers, and here are some of the most common causes of chapped lips: Cold weather and dry air: Both cold and dry air zap moisture from your skin and stiffen keratin, which is the protein that keeps your lips moisturized. Both cold and dry air zap moisture from your skin and stiffen keratin, which is the protein that keeps your lips moisturized. Lip licking: The more you lick, the drier they get. Licking your lips breaks down your lip's natural barrier, leading to irritation and even hyperpigmentation. The more you lick, the drier they get. Licking your lips breaks down your lip's natural barrier, leading to irritation and even hyperpigmentation. Allergic reactions: Some lip balms contain ingredients that trigger allergic reactions, making dryness and peeling worse. Usual suspects include castor oil, fragrance, dyes, and preservatives. Some lip balms contain ingredients that trigger allergic reactions, making dryness and peeling worse. Usual suspects include castor oil, fragrance, dyes, and preservatives. Sun exposure: Your lips are thinner and have less pigment than the rest of your skin, which means less protection from UV rays. Unprotected exposure can lead to painful dryness or precancerous spots called actinic cheilitis. Your lips are thinner and have less pigment than the rest of your skin, which means less protection from UV rays. Unprotected exposure can lead to painful dryness or precancerous spots called actinic cheilitis. Tobacco smoke: If you smoke, your lips are at a higher risk for a condition called glandular cheilitis, which causes swelling, rough texture, and cracks. It can also raise your risk for infections and lip cancer. If you smoke, your lips are at a higher risk for a condition called glandular cheilitis, which causes swelling, rough texture, and cracks. It can also raise your risk for infections and lip cancer. Medications: Certain meds come with dry mouth as a side effect, including but not limited to retinoids, antihistamines, antidepressants, and benzodiazepines. Certain meds come with dry mouth as a side effect, including but not limited to retinoids, antihistamines, antidepressants, and benzodiazepines. Underlying conditions: Autoimmune conditions like lupus, eczema, or lichen planus can all show up on your lips first. If your symptoms don't budge after trying the usual suspects, talk to your dermatologist. Ingredients to Look for (and Avoid) AccordionItemContainerButton Here's what to look for on the label: Emollients: These are moisturizing ingredients that help repair and smooth flaky, chapped lips. Some common ones include: 1. Castor oil : Thick, nourishing, and packed with ricinoleic acid that helps smooth rough texture. It is ever so slightly comedogenic, meaning it can clog pores. 2. Cocoa butter or shea butter: These rich butters toe the line between emollient and occlusive. They hydrate and help rebuild the lip's natural barrier without clogging pores. 3. Coconut oil: Naturally anti-inflammatory, but if you're acne-prone, it can be too much for the skin around your lips. 4. Jojoba oil: Mimics the skin's natural sebum. Super lightweight, non-greasy, and unlikely to clog pores. These are moisturizing ingredients that help repair and smooth flaky, chapped lips. Some common ones include: 1. : Thick, nourishing, and packed with ricinoleic acid that helps smooth rough texture. It is ever so slightly comedogenic, meaning it can clog pores. 2. These rich butters toe the line between emollient and occlusive. They hydrate and help rebuild the lip's natural barrier without clogging pores. 3. Naturally anti-inflammatory, but if you're acne-prone, it can be too much for the skin around your lips. 4. Mimics the skin's natural sebum. Super lightweight, non-greasy, and unlikely to clog pores. Occlusives: These ingredients form a protective barrier to seal in moisture and block out environmental aggressors. Look for petroleum jelly (aka petrolatum), a tried-and-true moisture sealant, or beeswax for a natural alternative. These ingredients form a protective barrier to seal in moisture and block out environmental aggressors. Look for (aka petrolatum), a tried-and-true moisture sealant, or for a natural alternative. Humectants: These ingredients attract water to keep lips plump and hydrated; they work best when paired with emollients and occlusives to trap moisture. The standout is hyaluronic acid , which hydrates without leaving a greasy residue, but you'll also benefit from glycerin , aloe vera , or honey . These ingredients attract water to keep lips plump and hydrated; they work best when paired with emollients and occlusives to trap moisture. The standout is , which hydrates without leaving a greasy residue, but you'll also benefit from , , or . Antioxidants: Ingredients like vitamin E , vitamin C , niacinamide , and polyphenols help defend against free radicals and aid in repairing damaged skin cells over time. Ingredients like , , , and help defend against free radicals and aid in repairing damaged skin cells over time. SPF protection: Lips are especially vulnerable to sun damage, so opt for mineral sunscreens utilizing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. They're effective, gentle enough for sensitive skin, and don't leave a white cast. Here's what to avoid: Synthetic fragrances and flavors: Yummy scents, including but not limited to peppermint, cinnamon, and citrus, can irritate your lips. Yummy scents, including but not limited to peppermint, cinnamon, and citrus, can irritate your lips. Menthol, camphor, and other cooling agents: These make dryness worse over time. When to See a Dermatologist AccordionItemContainerButton According to the American Academy of Dermatology, if your lips are still chapped after two to three weeks of consistent balm use, you should consult your dermatologist. A professional can help you figure out if there's something more serious going on—like an allergic reaction or fungal infection—and treat it before it exacerbates.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Gwyneth Paltrow and Serena Williams are both fans of neuromodulation – but what is it and how does it work?
For most, the idea that you might don a headset to zap your depression away or use electromagnetic pulses to sharpen your cognition seems better placed in a science fiction novel from the 1930s than modern neuroscience, but these kinds of treatments are more common than you might think. In fact, you can now buy 'vagus reset' gadgets to practice what's broadly referred to as 'neurostimulation' or 'neuromodulation' at home – Instagram and Tiktok are awash with ads for them. And for more intense forms of this kind of technology, a quick online search will deliver a range of private clinics offering 'repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation' to treat depression and anxiety. Tennis legend Serena Williams and Goop founder Gwyneth Paltrow are among those who've checked into a private facility to undergo a treatment like this. The athlete recently shared a sponsored Instagram post about her 'ExoMind' journey, describing the treatment as a form of self care. Wellness magnate Paltrow posted a similar story on her Instagram, showing a glowing device attached to her head while she lay on a table. The company responsible for ExoMind describes the treatment as 'a workout for your mind. An FDA-cleared for the treatment of depression'. The company also offers treatments that use electric pulses to tone and strengthen muscles all over the body – from the stomach to the pelvic floor. But naturally, both Williams' and Paltrow's Instagram posts have prompted some confusion about possible uses for neuromodulation, delivery methods and who should be using technology like this. Do we need to be nudging our brains with electrical stimuli for improved 'mental fitness'? Or should we just stick with mindfulness apps and fish oil supplements for better brain health? Furthermore, is stimulating the brain actually a serious cure for depression? Do you need to visit a clinic or will an at-home headset deliver the same results? And most importantly, is this all safe? Neurostimulation is the act of stimulating the brain, spinal cord or peripheral nerves to modulate neuronal activity. There are a variety of ways to do this and types of neurostimulation vary. For example, a headset that you can buy online without a prescription that promises to 'reset your vagus nerve' is not the same as an in-clinic transcranial stimulation session delivered by a qualified practitioner. The Flow headset, for example, sends the equivalent current of an AA battery directly to the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, 'targeting depression at its source to help relieve symptoms'. Rival company Neurosym claims that its device emits precise electrical pulses for 'safe stimulation of vagus nerve fibres'. The company isn't clear on how this approach differs from Flow's, but it does claim that the device activates the parasympathetic nervous system to 'effectively manage chronic pain, fibromyalgia, gut problems, long-covid symptoms, inflammation, POTS symptoms, fatigue, sleep issues, HRV issues, ADHD symptoms, stress, anxious and depressive thoughts and more'. Quite the list of claims. Pulsetto, another headset that you can use at home, also describes itself as a 'vagus stimulator'. Pulsetto technology uses the lowest form of bluetooth energy – ultra low radiofrequency energy (ULRE) – which according to the brand, 'passes safely into the body to biohack your parasympathetic nervous system'. 'These headsets have great branding but in reality you don't know the exact effects that treatment is going to have on you,' says Adam O'Hagan, specialist rTMS practitioner and coordinator at Priory Wellbeing Centre Harley Street. 'The do-it-yourself kits have shown to be effective but not as much as in controlled settings. Some headsets use rTMS in low levels but they're very different to what we do. They can be more cost effective but use different technologies and these can be significantly less effective.' Read more: 14 best mindfulness apps to help you keep calm during a crisis The kind of treatment offered at Priory differs vastly from headsets like Flow and Neurosym – technologies that you can easily buy online albeit for a high price point. Technically, all treatments fall under the umbrella of neurostimulation, but there are significant differences when it comes to the technology and frequencies used, and the applications and results. The idea with both in-clinic treatments and do-it-yourself headsets is to nudge the areas of the brain that are responsible for emotional regulation, cognitive function and self-control. These areas can often become under-active and this lack of activity is associated with low mood, anxiety, depression and behavioural disorders. Neurostimulation devices generate magnetic pulses to induce electrical currents in the brain, stimulating under-active brain regions. 'An in-clinic session can last about 30 minutes and is typically recommended for treatment-resistant depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, significant eating disorders and anxiety symptoms. The intensity of the machine used is much higher and the treatment is administered by a trained professional,' explains O'Hagan. 'During an rTMS session, electromagnetic coils are placed on your scalp in order to deliver magnetic pulses to your brain. The treatment specifically targets areas of the brain that are involved in mood control, which means it can help to alleviate the symptoms of your mental health conditions and improve wellbeing.' 'The side effects are extremely minimal compared to other treatments such as medication, so it's a much safer and less invasive solution. Some patients can see results after five sessions or around the halfway mark in the treatment plan,' he adds. It's worth noting that rTMS is very different to electroconvulsive therapy, or ECT, which sends a seizure-inducing current through the brain. Doctors have used ECT for almost a century, and though it's still used in some cases, it remains a controversial and rudimentary treatment. Read more: I tried hypnotherapy to cure my anxiety and noticed results after just one session At the other end of the neurostimulation spectrum are home devices – headsets that deliver a mild electrical current to the brain and that can be worn daily on the head or neck. These devices offer 'improved mental fitness' – a catch-all term that seems to comprise several indicators of good health such as boosted mood, lower anxiety levels, improved memory and cognition, and better focus. The biohacking and longevity crowd are especially keen on the idea of fitness for your mind – Bryan Johnson wears a Pulsetto headset in his Netflix documentary Don't Die. However, Dr Faye Begeti, practising neurology doctor at Oxford University Hospitals and author of The Phone Fix, explains that the term mental fitness is actually quite vague if we're discussing the true benefits of these devices. 'The term 'mental fitness' allows companies to market these devices without clear scientific backing,' she says. 'While some biohackers report subjective benefits, scientific evidence supporting any substantial long term improvement from these devices is weak. 'Established good brain habits such as adequate sleep, regular exercise, learning new skills to build cognitive reserve, and stress management have stronger evidence for improving brain function over time. Expecting dramatic improvements in memory, focus, or productivity from neurostimulation devices is likely unrealistic.' But as mental health issues such as anxiety and depression continue to affect large swathes of the UK population, people are looking for alternative sources of support – particularly within biohacking and functional medicine. So despite scant evidence that at-home devices can help – and their hefty price tags – neurostimulation headsets have become incredibly popular. This might have something to do with the fact that social media is currently flooded with instructional videos on 'how to reset your vagus nerve'. These techniques range from simple massage and acupressure to recommendations for headsets like the Neurosym or Pulsetto. 'The vagus nerve 'reset' trend is a mix of science and misinformation,' explains Dr Begeti. The vagus nerve plays a key role in the parasympathetic nervous system, which helps regulate stress, digestion and heart rate. Activities like spending time in nature, meditation, and breathing exercises can stimulate vagal tone, which may have calming effects – but calling it a 'reset' or a 'detox' is misleading. The nervous system is not something that needs 'resetting' in the way social media often suggests.' 'The issue is that social media often oversimplifies complex neuroscience, making it seem like a single technique is a quick hack for mental health. Instead, it's important to have multiple tools in your toolkit for managing difficult emotions while also seeking professional advice when needed,' she adds. Read more: An expert says you should be doing these four breathing exercises every day As Dr Begeti says, there's no one trick to eliminate mental health issues. A healthy diet of gut-friendly foods, regular exercise, quality sleep and other techniques like breathwork, yoga and time in nature can all have a positive impact on the brain and nervous system when combined. In isolation, a neurostimulation device won't make much difference if you're not taking good care of yourself. However, the most recent studies on the effects of clinical rTMS are promising. 'We are witnessing a growing mental health crisis,' explains O'Hagan. 'Depression is treatable, but for some people, medication and psychotherapy do not provide relief. In such cases, rTMS is a really incredible new tool.' The important thing is not to downplay the intensity of a treatment like this. Though it's akin to tickling your brain, one should be aware of the risks. Various studies have shown that neurostimulation can help improve mood, but a small number of patients have experienced long term effects like tinnitus, cognitive impairment, behavioural changes and short term memory loss. These outcomes are far less likely with an at-home treatment as the power generated by a wearable isn't comparable to an in-clinic rTMS treatment. However, there are still risks associated with using one. You are, after all, giving your brain a buzz, regardless of the dose. 'The biggest concern is that many brands do not disclose the exact stimulation parameters, making it difficult to know what effect the device is actually having. Additionally, improper use – such as applying stimulation to the wrong area of the brain – could lead to unintended effects,' says Dr Begeti. She advises researching the frequency and intensity used in detail and checking if the device has been tested in peer-reviewed studies, rather than relying on general research. She also recommends checking for FDA approval or CE certification for specific medical conditions, as opposed to general wellness claims, and reading the instructions thoroughly. 'For low mood, anxiety and issues with feeling dysregulated, a headset could help,' says O'Hagan. However, the best course of action is to use a wearable in conjunction with other healthy habits. These devices are definitely not a magic bullet and O'Hagan recommends using them alongside other interventions like talking therapy and daily self care routines. 'Typically I wouldn't recommend them for people with clinical depression,' he says. But this is where a treatment like clinical rTMS might make a difference, particularly if you've tried other treatments and found them inconsistent or unhelpful. Our collective understanding of mental health issues is progressing as we find new ways to support and foster good mental health and to treat chronic life-altering problems. Hacking the brain with electromagnetic pulses is clearly just the beginning. But if you're keen to become a brain biohacker yourself, be sure to cast a critical eye over claims you see online, consult with experts and always do your research before trying a new treatment. Read more: How to spot the symptoms of burnout and treat them, according to wellbeing experts
