Latest news with #mentalWellness
BBC News
08-07-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Cheltenham support group for mums from different ethnicities
A weekly group aimed at supporting mothers from different ethnicities will launch after one mum said she "never fitted in" at other Nansubuga, a Cheltenham mother-of-four, attended several groups following the birth of her youngest child, now 20 months, but said she struggled as she "never had anything in common with the other mums".Lives of Colour, a Gloucestershire-based race equity charity, will launch the Mothers of Colour group at Aspire Foundation, Cheltenham on Thursday, in partnership with the NHS perinatal maternity Nyasamo, charity founder, said the partnership will allow the health needs of mothers from all ethnicities to be met. National audit programme "Mothers and Babies: Reducing Risk through Audits, External" (MBRRACE-UK) found maternal deaths among black women were nearly three times higher compared with those of white women in Mothers of Colour group will cover newborn care, mental wellness, and maternal Nansubuga said, at the sessions, she hopes to meet mothers who "understand the cultural nuances" she experiences after not "fitting in" previously."Groups are meant to give you rest from the mundane things of motherhood you've been going through at home so, when you go there, you have to feel welcome," she said."But it's not just me, even my baby would think 'I don't look like everybody else here'."When I heard about this group starting up I was super excited because, finally, we have the chance to attend a baby group and be ourselves." Ms Nyasamo said it can be hard for women who have moved from another country to understand the "small nuances" at groups in the UK."It's nice to go into a space where you can just be," she said."We know with the NHS partnership, if we need a midwife or health visitor to come and have a conversation, then we've already got those connections."Whatever the women will ask for, we'll do our best to make sure their needs are met."Mothers of Colour is open to women of all ethnicities.
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
7 Sneaky Signs You Could Have Cognitive Decline, According to Experts
Reviewed by Dietitian Jessica Ball, M.S., RDCognitive lapses aren't always linked to aging or dementia. Factors like stress, anxiety, and multitasking can mimic or contribute. Incorporating brain-healthy foods, staying physically active and engaging in mentally stimulating activities are ways to slow cognitive decline. Early consultation with a healthcare professional is crucial for proper diagnosis and happens from time to time: You start telling a story, only to lose your train of thought halfway through. Or you walk into a room and can't remember what you went in there to do. Mental glitches like these happen to everyone and are understandably scary, but aren't necessarily a sign of cognitive decline. "The feeling of your brain short-circuiting is often more likely due to psychological processes," says Sarah Garcia-Beaumier, Ph.D. Increases in stress, distractions, multitasking, anxiety or depression can be contributors. "A common consideration we have to make clinically is whether cognitive symptoms are due to early dementia, or rather due to a depressive or anxiety disorder," Garcia-Beaumier says. Cognitive decline typically involves a worsening of performance in areas such as memory, attention or language. Common signs include forgetting to call someone or struggling to recall the right word. When those symptoms appear much more than they did previously, so much so that others are starting to notice, "that's typically an early red flag for cognitive decline beyond what we expect for the normal aging process," says Garcia-Beaumier. Normal aging may cause minor delays in memory retrieval, like struggling to remember a name but recalling it later. These are not signs of dementia or cognitive impairment, per Thomas Hammond, M.D. "Forgetting conversations or important appointments, or feeling lost in familiar places, are more worrisome and concerning for significant early cognitive impairment,' Hammond explained. Garcia-Beaumier notes that some individuals with mild cognitive impairment may stabilize or improve over time. Still, unresolved psychological distress or untreated health issues could increase the risk of dementia, making it crucial to address potential warning signs early. The corticolimbic system of the brain modulates the experience of anxiety. "It also happens to be the same area of the brain that helps with processing speed, attention, planning, judgment, organization and lots of thinking skills," says Garcia-Beaumier. "So if there's a change in this area of the brain due to stress or anxiety, these cognitive skills are also affected." This overlap in brain pathways, along with the larger amount of resources devoted to modulating your stress and anxiety due to your body constantly shifting between survival and recuperation mode, will lead to a varying array of cognitive deficits. These pathways are also crucial in processing information—if you can no longer pay attention to things, your brain isn't going to be able to encode them and retain them for later memory. Cognitive decline manifests itself in almost all aspects of complex daily tasks, especially our language. "Even a simple undertaking, like naming a kitchen appliance, engages our brain networks extensively, making it a sensitive indicator of early decline," says Aubry Alvarez-Bakker, Ph.D.. A strong sign can be found in moments when you might forget a simple, specific word you're looking for, so you try to describe it instead. Over time, you might also start having difficulty keeping up with conversations, which can lead to anxiety in social situations. The specific mechanism behind why this happens isn't fully known, but research shows that language decline often originates in the left side of the brain. "We also know that low BDNF production (a protein produced by our nervous system that's crucial for the production of new brain cells) means fewer new cells to help us carry on activity across our brain," says Alvarez-Bakker. As we age, production of this protein naturally declines, so our body relies heavily on our environment to create BDNF to "fertilize" our brain and allow new cells to form. "Among the best foods to consume to boost BDNF in our body—and subsequently ward off cognitive decline—are blueberries, turmeric, green tea and dark chocolate," says Alvarez-Bakker. Because apathy is a common symptom of severe burnout, it's easy to pay no mind that it can also be a symptom of cognitive decline. "It's actually the most common symptom and perhaps the most overlooked," says Alvarez-Bakker. A sudden loss of interest in activities you used to love, or a willingness to throw in the towel easily, is a common symptom of dementia. You might lose interest in reading books, gardening or many other activities you used to enjoy. You might also find things that used to be easy for you to accomplish are now overwhelming, or that you avoid complex tasks or projects entirely. "This is unfortunate because withdrawing from stimulation is known to speed up the decline process," says Alvarez-Bakker. "Luckily, our lifestyle can help counteract this symptom to an extent." When apathy creeps in, the best step to take is to get personal by integrating things you deeply enjoy—music, art, sports, reminiscing—into daily activities that will boost your participation in life, and in turn, stimulation. Subtle personality changes are an often-missed sign of cognitive decline, primarily because of how easily they can be blamed on chronic stress (say, becoming easily angered or swearing when that isn't a regular part of your vocabulary). You might also find yourself withdrawing from social interactions and activities—and when you are around others, you may not participate in discussions, but instead stay quiet. "These are symptoms which are often written off as an individual being shy," says Hammond. "However, the person who was once talkative and garrulous will often become quiet and a wallflower as an early sign of developing cognitive decline." Regardless if stress is the cause or a variable that's augmenting the cognitive decline, "any treatment hoping to prevent or reduce cognitive decline needs to incorporate stress management," says, Isaac Tourgeman, Ph.D. Incessantly ruminating and worrying keeps your fight-or-flight response in overdrive, and symptoms of chronic stress can mimic cognitive decline, such as forgetfulness and inattention. "Uncontrolled, toxic thinking has the potential to create a state of low-grade inflammation across the brain and body over time, which can impact our cognitive health and ability to remember or recall information," says Caroline Leaf, Ph.D. "If left unmanaged, this kind of chronic cognitive upset can progress into varying levels of cognitive decline." Resolution of the underlying causes of your rumination and worry is paramount to improving current and preventing future symptoms of cognitive decline. "Cognitive dulling is a common feature associated with general medical illnesses, such as the flu, urinary tract infection and gastroenteritis," says Hammond. "Metabolic stress caused by minor infection will often lead to a transient cognitive decline," Hammond added. Other conditions can also lead to cognitive decline, including sleep disorders (such as sleep apnea). "Similar to psychological distress, sometimes symptoms can be resolved if it's due to one of these conditions," says Garcia-Beaumier. "But if left untreated, it does increase a person's risk of dementia down the line." Depression can result in what's called pseudodementia, where depression essentially masquerades as cognitive impairment. "Symptoms present as forgetfulness, difficulty with attention and lowered energy and motivation," says Tourgeman. This is when it's especially important to consult with your doctor to ensure the right diagnosis is made and proper treatment given. "We all experience cognitive glitches to a certain extent when going through the pressures of life, but a good rule of thumb is if anyone who knows you has noticed a consistent increase of these symptoms over time, it may be a sign that you're experiencing cognitive decline," says Leaf. Usually the person experiencing symptoms is the last to be aware of the decline, so it's important to be open to feedback and proactive about taking action. "While we currently aren't able to change our genes, we can influence how our environment impacts them," says Tourgeman. "A healthy lifestyle—eating a brain-healthy diet (like the MIND Diet), exercising regularly, reducing stress and distractions, maintaining a sense of utility and connectedness—can all go a long way." And no healthy lifestyle with the goal of avoiding or improving cognitive decline would be complete without a wide range of activities that keep your brain engaged. "Playing brain games on your phone will only go so far, though, mostly because you'll only get really good at that one thing," says Garcia-Beaumier. "Doing lots of activities that you enjoy and that challenge you is best." Things like reading, playing games, learning new skills and dancing can all contribute to optimal cognitive health when done in conjunction with other healthy habits. "Any time someone notices cognitive changes, such as memory not being as good or the brain feeling slower or foggy, they should check in with their doctor," says Garcia-Beaumier. "But it's especially important if family or friends are also noticing issues or if the issues make it hard to fulfill daily responsibilities." You can try to work on decreasing stress and improving how you take care of any other health conditions to see if that also clears up any cognitive issues, but there isn't a definitive way to know whether your symptoms are due to stress, psychological issues, another health condition or cognitive decline without talking to a healthcare provider and possibly seeing specialists for further testing. "Even getting some basic tests, early before any issues arise, can allow your doctor to compare your current cognitive performance to possible cognitive issues in the future," says Garcia-Beaumier. The occasional mental lapse, like misplacing your keys or forgetting the name of a person you just met, is a normal part of life and not necessarily a cause for concern. These fleeting moments of forgetfulness are often tied to stress, lack of sleep, or even simply being preoccupied with too many things at once. However, when these cognitive issues become consistent, noticeable to others and begin to interfere with daily life, they may signal something more significant, such as cognitive decline. Taking proactive steps to manage stress, maintain overall health, and engage in stimulating mental and physical activities can help you protect your brain's function and resilience. Understanding the difference between normal cognitive aging and more concerning symptoms is key to addressing issues early on. Consult a healthcare professional if you or those close to you observe persistent changes in memory, attention, or overall behavior. Seeking support and adopting lifestyle habits that prioritize brain health can not only slow potential decline but also improve your quality of life. By staying informed and proactive, you give yourself the best chance at maintaining your cognitive health and vitality for years to come. Read the original article on EATINGWELL
Associated Press
02-07-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
Citizens Commission on Human Rights Exposes Psychiatry's Role in Oppressing Black South Africans
- Psychiatry: An Industry of Death exhibit draws crowds in the township of Zithobeni, in Gauteng, South Africa, spotlighting psychiatry's role in apartheid and its continuing threat to human rights - ZITHOBENI, South Africa, July 1, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Hundreds of South Africans visited the Psychiatry: An Industry of Death exhibit at the Zithobeni Community Hall, where they were introduced to the destructive legacy of psychiatry and its ongoing impact on Black communities. Hosted by the Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR), the exhibit, with the theme Taking Mental Wellness and Human Rights to Communities, resonated deeply with residents, traditional leaders and professionals. The exhibit highlighted the insidious link between psychiatry's creation and support of eugenics and apartheid. South African Prime Minister Hendrik Verwoerd—a psychologist educated in Nazi Germany—applied racist psychiatric theories to craft apartheid policies. Psychiatrists supported the regime with pseudoscientific claims of Black inferiority, helping to justify widespread discrimination, denial of education, and the destruction of families, communities and entire cultures. For decades, Black South Africans were funneled into psychiatric institutions through secret government contracts that guaranteed high occupancy rates. Tens of thousands were committed without consent, drugged, subjected to electroshock without anesthesia and forced into unpaid labor—practices exposed by CCHR in the 1970s. When local laws tried to silence CCHR's exposure of these abuses, CCHR took their findings to the World Health Organization (WHO). A 1983 WHO report compared the psychiatric labor camps to slavery and confirmed widespread neglect, abuse and preventable deaths. The Zithobeni exhibit brought this history to light for many for the first time. 'My eyes are opened now after seeing the exhibit,'said one attendee.'Psychiatrists must be punished and expelled from health centers,' said another. The event shifted public opinion, with a majority of attendees leaving with a changed view of psychiatry—the raw, shocking facts now clearly etched in their minds. Speakers at the event urged the community to reject psychiatric coercion and flagrant abuses and instead embrace wellness, dignity and informed choice. One respected community leader warned, 'Many people today seek quick fixes, often turning to psychiatric medications with potentially serious side effects. These medications can have a profound impact on our minds and bodies.' Another reminded the audience that '[eugenics']' racist and discriminatory ideas undoubtedly contributed to the intellectual climate that allowed apartheid to flourish.' Others emphasized that the ideologies that underpinned apartheid have not disappeared—they've simply been repackaged. The Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR), founded in 1969 by the Church of Scientology and psychiatrist Dr. Thomas Szasz, continues to fight for a mental health system rooted in dignity, freedom and informed choice. The organization has been instrumental in exposing abuses globally and, in South Africa, remains committed to ensuring communities know their rights and the full truth about psychiatry's role in their oppression. Media Contact: Linda Weiland [email protected] MULTIMEDIA: Photo link for media: PHOTO CAPTION: Attendees learned the raw and shocking facts about psychiatry and its role in the creation and support of apartheid. NEWS SOURCE: Citizens Commission on Human Rights Keywords: Africa Business, CCHR, Psychiatry: An Industry of Death exhibit, psychiatry's role in apartheid, Citizens Commission on Human Rights, Black South Africans, ZITHOBENI, South Africa This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (Citizens Commission on Human Rights) who is solely responsibile for its accuracy, by Send2Press® Newswire. Information is believed accurate but not guaranteed. Story ID: S2P127384 APNF0325A To view the original version, visit: © 2025 Send2Press® Newswire, a press release distribution service, Calif., USA. RIGHTS GRANTED FOR REPRODUCTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART BY ANY LEGITIMATE MEDIA OUTLET - SUCH AS NEWSPAPER, BROADCAST OR TRADE PERIODICAL. MAY NOT BE USED ON ANY NON-MEDIA WEBSITE PROMOTING PR OR MARKETING SERVICES OR CONTENT DEVELOPMENT. Disclaimer: This press release content was not created by nor issued by the Associated Press (AP). Content below is unrelated to this news story.
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
If You Do This You're More Anxious And Reactive Than You Realize
Navigating the chaos of modern life, with its endless stream of notifications and societal pressures, means you're not just juggling tasks—you're often wrestling with your own psyche. In an era where mental health is finally taking center stage, understanding the nuances of anxiety is more crucial than ever. But sometimes, you might not even realize how anxious and reactive you truly are. Here's a deep dive into some signs that suggest your inner world might be more turbulent than you think. Your mind is a whirlpool of thoughts, constantly spinning scenarios and replaying conversations that happened hours—or even years—ago. You dissect every word and action, as if you're a detective on the hunt for hidden meanings. It's not just exhausting; it can make you feel like you're trapped in your own head. A study in the Journal of Abnormal Psychology even noted that chronic overthinking significantly correlates with increased anxiety levels. Rather than finding solutions, overthinking often leaves you more confused and worried. You may find yourself spiraling into 'what if' scenarios that are not only improbable but also counterproductive. It's as if you're living life two steps removed, always anticipating the worst instead of being present in the moment. Your inner critic is loud, relentless, and always on call, making it hard to find peace. When something happens—good or bad—your emotional response is immediate and intense. You react before you even have a chance to think it through, leaving you to later ponder why you snapped or cried or laughed too loudly. It's as if your emotions have a velocity that outpaces your logic. This knee-jerk reaction pattern often leaves you feeling remorseful or embarrassed afterward. In conversations, you find it challenging to pause and just listen. Instead, you're quick to defend yourself or voice an opinion, even when it's not needed. It's not that you want to dominate the dialogue; it's just that your emotions are so amplified, you feel compelled to release them. Your heart races, your palms sweat, and suddenly your response is out there, irreversible. For you, bedtime isn't a respite; it's merely a change of scenery. Your thoughts take on a life of their own at night, and instead of winding down, your mind seems to rev up. You find yourself staring at the ceiling, replaying the day's events or worrying about tomorrow's unknowns. According to sleep expert Dr. Matthew Walker, poor sleep and anxiety are a vicious cycle—each exacerbating the other, leaving you trapped in a restless loop. Your body feels the effects of this endless mental marathon. Dark circles become permanent residents on your face, and fatigue is your constant companion. You consider sleep aids, but fear dependency or dulling your senses. It's a nightly battle between the need for rest and the inability to shut down. You have an insatiable desire to keep everything just so, a habit of controlling minutiae to stave off chaos. When plans change unexpectedly, your anxiety flares up, leaving you scrambling to regain your footing. While structure can be healthy, this need for control often stems from a fear of unpredictability. It's a coping mechanism, a way to assert order over an otherwise chaotic world. You make lists, organize your space, and plan out each day meticulously. This gives you a temporary sense of security, but when things don't go your way, it feels as if the rug has been pulled out from under you. Life's unpredictability becomes a source of constant stress, leaving you feeling vulnerable and exposed. Instead of embracing spontaneity, you cling to your routines like a lifeline. Walking into a room, you instinctively scan to gauge everyone's emotional temperature. It's almost as if you've developed an antenna for mood swings, always on high alert for changes in tone or expression. Research by Dr. Elaine Aron on Highly Sensitive Persons suggests that this heightened awareness can be both a gift and a burden, heightening emotional reactivity and stress levels. The smallest shift in someone's demeanor can set your mind racing with assumptions and worries. You internalize these mood fluctuations, often blaming yourself for someone else's bad day. It's as if you're the emotional custodian of everyone around you, always attuned to external cues but often neglecting your own emotional needs. This self-imposed responsibility can be draining and isolating. The prospect of a party or any social event fills you with a mix of excitement and dread. You enjoy being around people, but the effort it takes to navigate social dynamics and maintain appearances leaves you exhausted. You often find yourself rehearsing conversations beforehand, trying to anticipate every possible outcome. Once there, you're constantly checking if you've said the right thing or appeared interested enough. Your energy depletes rapidly, and you can almost feel the countdown to when you can politely leave. You're hyper-sensitive to the ebbs and flows of the gathering, whether it's a lull in conversation or an awkward pause. The pressure to engage, entertain, and exist as a social entity becomes overwhelming. You leave feeling relieved but also questioning every interaction, wondering if you left the right impression. Your daily agenda is a never-ending saga of tasks, obligations, and looming deadlines. No matter how much you accomplish, it never feels like enough, leaving you perpetually on edge. As noted by productivity expert David Allen, an overstuffed to-do list can lead to a constant state of anxiety, making you feel like you're in a hamster wheel with no exit. The more you try to tackle, the more you add, as if you're trying to outrun your own sense of inadequacy. You equate productivity with self-worth, meaning any unchecked item is a personal failing. This relentless pursuit of achievement often overshadows moments of relaxation or joy. Instead of celebrating what you've done, you're fixated on what's next. A sudden noise—a honk, a shout, a phone ringing—can make your heart leap into your throat. Your body reacts instantly, muscles tensed and adrenaline surging. It's as if you're perpetually braced for impact, even when there's no immediate threat. This heightened sense of alertness can be a hallmark of anxiety, keeping you in a constant state of readiness. You find yourself avoiding environments with too much unpredictability or noise. Crowded places, busy streets, or even bustling social settings can feel like sensory overload. You yearn for quiet, for spaces where you can lower your guard. Yet, even in silence, your mind is a cacophony of thoughts and worries, never truly at rest. Whenever someone offers constructive criticism, you instinctively go on the defensive. It feels less like guidance and more like an assault on your very character. You start questioning your abilities and replaying the conversation, searching for hidden motives. The weight of others' opinions hangs heavy on you, often overshadowing your self-assessment. This sensitivity to feedback often stems from a perfectionist mindset. You strive for flawlessness, and any hint of critique feels like validation of your worst fears. Instead of seeing feedback as a tool for growth, you perceive it as an indictment of your worth. It's a challenging cycle to break, as your self-esteem becomes intertwined with external validation. Memories, especially the painful ones, cling to you like a shadow. You replay mistakes, missed opportunities, and regrets with relentless precision. It's as if your brain has cataloged every misstep, keeping them readily available for moments of self-doubt. This rumination prevents you from moving forward, anchoring you to a version of yourself you wish you could change. The ghosts of the past haunt your present, manifesting as hesitation, fear, and reluctance. You're wary of repeating old patterns, even if the circumstances have changed. It's a protective mechanism, yet it often cages you in a narrative of your own making. Freedom lies in acceptance, but anxiety makes that a steep climb. Your phone is both a lifeline and a source of anxiety, buzzing with reminders of what you should have done or need to do. Notifications become small detonations of stress, pulling you away from the present moment. You're caught in a cycle of checking, scrolling, and comparing, always plugged in but often feeling disconnected. Digital life feels like an endless treadmill that you can't step off. Social media amplifies your insecurities, providing a curated view of everyone else's seemingly perfect life. You find yourself comparing your raw behind-the-scenes to others' highlight reels, amplifying feelings of inadequacy. The pressure to maintain an online persona adds another layer of stress. Disconnecting feels impossible, yet staying connected feels equally overwhelming. Headaches, stomach aches, and muscle tension are frequent visitors, as if your body is in constant rebellion. Anxiety doesn't just reside in your mind; it manifests physically, reminding you of its presence. You might brush off these symptoms as mere inconveniences, but they are often your body's way of signaling distress. Ignoring them only exacerbates the underlying anxiety, creating a feedback loop of discomfort. Your body becomes a battleground, a visible representation of the turmoil within. You might try quick fixes—pain relievers, caffeine, sugar—to mask the symptoms, but they only offer temporary relief. It's easy to overlook the connection between mental strain and physical health, yet they are intrinsically linked. Addressing the root cause is essential, though it often feels like an insurmountable task. The mere thought of confrontation sends you into a tailspin, heart pounding, mind racing. You'd rather bite your tongue and swallow your emotions than engage in a dispute. It's not just about keeping the peace; it's about self-preservation, as conflict feels like a direct threat to your emotional equilibrium. Yet, avoiding it often means suppressing your true feelings, leading to resentment and festering wounds. You prioritize harmony, sometimes at the expense of your own needs and boundaries. Saying 'yes' becomes a default, even when you're screaming 'no' internally. This aversion to conflict is rooted in fear—fear of judgment, fear of rejection, fear of escalation. But in avoiding confrontation, you often sacrifice your authenticity and leave issues unresolved. Routine is your sanctuary, a predictable pathway that offers respite from the chaos of uncertainty. It's not just about organization; it's about finding a semblance of control in an uncontrollable world. While routines can be grounding, for you, they're a lifeline, a constant amidst the flux of life's unpredictability. Deviations from this routine can send you spiraling, as if the ground beneath you has shifted. Your day is a series of rituals, each providing a sense of safety and continuity. But this reliance on routine can also be limiting, as spontaneity becomes synonymous with insecurity. You long for adventure and novelty, yet fear the unpredictability that comes with them. Routine becomes both your comfort and your cage. Your emotional spectrum is vast, feeling joy, sadness, and everything in between with heightened intensity. While this can make life rich and vivid, it also means your lows are particularly deep and consuming. You're the person who cries at commercials and is profoundly moved by art, music, and literature. While these emotions make you empathetic and compassionate, they can also be overwhelming and isolating. This intensity often means you're more susceptible to emotional burnout. You absorb the energies and emotions of those around you, leaving you drained without knowing why. It's a double-edged sword, as your vulnerability is both your strength and your Achilles' heel. Finding balance in this emotional landscape is not easy, but necessary for your well-being.
Forbes
25-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
David Chung, The Visionary Behind Farmacy, The Rootist And ILabs, Talks Beauty Tariffs—And His Boldest Venture Yet
David Chung, founder and CEO of iLabs, headquartered in Mahwah, NJ, with global operations. When Modere, a 23-year-old health and wellness MLM, abruptly shut down on April 11, 2025, it left thousands of direct-selling distributors without income or warning. It reignited age-old questions about the viability of multi-level marketing models, as the Utah company joined a domino line of similar companies—like Beautycounter, Seint, Rodan + Fields, Epicure,—that have recently shuttered or quick-pivoted to affiliate marketing. Despite the fallout, serial beauty entrepreneur David Chung remains steadfast in his vision for Amare Global, a mental wellness and supplements company he acquired last year for an estimated $60 to $80 million. 'I wasn't actively looking to buy another company, but ... I looked into it and saw a lot of potential, despite the challenges.' His goal: to redefine what direct selling can be in beauty and wellness. 'I'm always hungry to grow and make a difference—not just financially, but by bringing value to society,' says Chung, a philanthropist and advocate for Korean-American and AAPI communities. Known for creating beloved brands like Farmacy Beauty and The Rootist, Chung is no stranger to innovation. With Amare Global, he sees an opportunity to essentially rebrand the MLM model—offering transparency, science-backed products, and a more sustainable path to income. 'My journey as an entrepreneur started from humble beginnings,' he reflects. David grew up in South Korea before moving to Queens, NY at age 11. His mother, Judith, opened a small cosmetics shop, which expanded into the Cici Korean Shopping Center. Chung witnessed how his mother's brick-and-mortar helped shape and build Koreatown in New York City. In honor of her, Chung created the Judith Ehm Foundation to support public charities that help Korean-Americans, Asian-Americans, and the broader community with education, social services, and healthcare. David Chung's mother, Judith Chungwon Ehm Chung, was one of the pioneers of Korea Town on 32nd Street in New York City, and a central figure in the Korean American community for decades. 'She passed on a mindset of perseverance and grit that still drives me today,' he says. By the age of 25, Chung opened his first business, Nova Imports, and became a distributor for luxury Italian designer Emilio Pucci. He soon expanded into beauty, launching retail stores like Mona's in New Jersey and Cosmetic World in California, which sold luxury skincare brands like Dior and La Prairie. In 2003, he created his own high-tech skincare line, 3LAB, which became a top seller at Barneys New York. To enhance product innovation, Chung founded Englewood Lab, a New Jersey-based R&D and manufacturing hub that served over 100 global brands, including L'Oréal and Clinique. In 2018, he sold a majority stake in Englewood Lab for $53.7 million, shifting focus to Farmacy, a clean skincare brand he had founded in 2015. Farmacy pioneered a 'farm to face' philosophy, using responsibly sourced ingredients and bypassing raw material vendors to work directly with farmers. 'We had to remove 80% of the ingredients and replace them with cleaner, natural materials,' Chung said. 'We launched with Sephora and never looked back. And it ended with a beautiful exit.' The brand's star product, Green Clean Makeup Meltaway Cleansing Balm, became a cult favorite. The company's rapid rise led to a reported $350 million acquisition by Procter & Gamble in 2021, according to the Korea Economic Daily. Building on that success, Chung in 2023 launched iLabs, a vertically integrated product development and manufacturing center in NJ serving both indie and global beauty brands. It offers R&D, formulations, and other turnkey contract manufacturing services for skin, body and hair brands. Its sprawling, state-of-the-art headquarters in New Jersey, employs his team of chemists, scientists and engineers. He later added Morae Packaging to offer sustainable packaging solutions. He then founded The Beauty Bank to incubate branding, digital marketing, PR and e-commerce operations for its brands. Today, Chung oversees nearly 1,000 employees across his portfolio of companies. The Beauty Bank developed branding for The Rootist, a haircare line focused on scalp health and sustainability, which launched exclusively with Sephora North America in February 2024. Its ultra-concentrated formulas minimize water and packaging waste. 'Most shampoos and conditioners contain 70 to 90% water,' Chung explains. 'That means unnecessarily large bottles and excessive plastic waste are moving around the world to landfills.' Chung's latest venture—his acquisition of Amare Global in January 2024—aims to leave a larger legacy. Founded in 2016 by Hiep Tran, Amare offers wellness supplements rooted in gut-brain axis research, a field that links gut health to emotional wellbeing. The challenge? Amare operates through a direct-sales model. But Chung is undeterred. He believes Amare represents the future of wellness—and of direct selling itself. Here he discusses how his vertically integrated iLabs ecosystem paired with his philosophy of grit and giving back is the perfect formula for rebranding and restructuring Amare. Before we discuss your latest venture, let's talk tariffs. How will the tariffs affect cosmetic manufacturing and packaging, and iLabs in particular? China has been hit harder than any other country, and if these tariffs stick around or get worse, it could make it nearly impossible for us to continue sourcing materials from there. That's especially challenging when it comes to packaging materials for beauty products, which is where we're feeling the most impact. This shift is opening new opportunities for iLabs. Luckily iLABs has manufacturing in both the U.S. and South Korea, which is a low tariff jurisdiction. Some of the skincare brands that used to manufacture abroad and ship to the U.S. are now reaching out to us to produce here instead. From a formula perspective, our R&D expertise allows us to help our customers switch out raw materials from China to low-tariff countries. We also have our own packaging company, Morae Packaging, so we directly manufacture glass and plastic components which avoids tariff uncertainty from China. So, while the situation isn't easy, it's also pushing us—and our partners—to be more agile. It gives iLabs the opportunity to step up as a go-to partner for brands that want to manufacture closer to home, move faster, and reduce risk in a changing global market. Let's move on to Amare. In a climate where MLMs are not welcomed with open arms, why did you choose to acquire Amare? I wasn't actively looking to buy another company, but one of my employees introduced me to Amare, which was facing a financial crisis. I looked into it and saw a lot of potential, despite the challenges. The company was mismanaged—financially and strategically—and had made some costly mistakes with a previous acquisition. But I knew that with my resources, experience, and the companies I've built, like iLabs and Rootist, I could turn it around. Within months of acquisition, we paid off debt and restructured operations. What's next for Amare? In 2025, Amare is on track for over $200 million in net sales. Our vision is to grow that to $1 billion within the next three years. We've already implemented key changes: a new management team and centralized operations for materials and manufacturing. Sales and marketing remain in Utah, but we're building operations in New Jersey. This isn't just another direct selling company. We're reshaping the future of direct sales into what we call Next Generation Marketing. Traditional MLM models are outdated. People learn about products on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, and live shopping platforms. Our sellers should be able to educate, promote, and earn income in real time and from a direct website or social platform. Its future is affiliate-driven and transparent. How does Amare address mental wellness issues? This category is broad and urgent—people are dealing with stress, sleep disorders, focus issues, and more. Amare's products, like Happy Juice and our cognitive support supplements, are grounded in clinical research and proven efficacy. But this business isn't just about supplements; it's a platform for total self-care: focus, sleep, emotional balance, and community. We currently have over 40,000 brand partners and around 50,000 active consumers. My goal is to equip our partners with the right tools—especially digital and video content—so they can educate others and share products authentically. Not every product is right for every person. Transparency matters. What's your long-term vision for Amare? There will be no private equity investors. I want to build something special without outsiders interfering with their quest for fast profits. I don't need fast profits because I have built a sustainable ecosystem of beauty R&D and manufacturing operations. I tell my team: don't obsess over profit. Focus on relationships, service, and reputation. For example, if an iLabs manufacturing client can't pay full on time, we still deliver our best service. That's how you build long-term trust and a premium brand. This is where many private equity firms fail. They look only at numbers and forget the people who made the business successful. That's how great companies like Beautycounter and Rodan+Fields have been damaged by private equity. The Rootist Densify Collection You are already known for Farmacy and The Rootist that have become bestsellers in Ulta and Sephora. Why take this risky move and acquire Amare? Farmacy was born out of a vision for clean beauty. It aligned with an emerging generation of consumers who cared about sustainable ingredients, and the planet. But Amare gives me something deeper—a chance to build a business while helping others. The Rootist was born from a similar idea—solving the root cause of hair issues with smart, waterless formulations. Why ship big bottles that are 80% water? We created compact, high-tech products and packages that actually deliver results. It's innovation with intention. You've been a leader for Asian-American communities long before the pandemic spurred the AAPI empowerment movement. After my mother passed away two years ago, I started Judith Ehm Foundation in her honor. It supports Korean-American communities and nonprofits globally. Amare also has its own nonprofit arm, Caring Hands, helping communities in Mexico, the Philippines, and beyond. Giving back is part of our DNA. With Amare now part of your portfolio of companies, what is next for you as a serial beauty entrepreneur? Keep evolving, keep innovating, and keep leading with purpose. I believe the next generation of beauty and wellness will be defined by authenticity, mental strength, and meaningful impact. This is my dream. This is my legacy. And I'm just getting started.
