Have you ever heard of MBSR (Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction)? My guest today is going to tell us all about it, as well as research into why a mindfulness practice could be beneficial for those with chronic skin issues (such as eczema, psoriasis, and alopecia areata). Jessica completed her BSc at York University in Toronto, ON and has completed her Doctor of Naturopathy degree from the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine. Her passion for integrative medicine and research led her to a postdoc position at UC Davis’ Department of Dermatology and now more recently, to work with Integrative Skin Science and Research. Her research interests include nutrition, the microbiome, mindfulness, and quality of life in various dermatological conditions. Join us as we discuss research surrounding the benefits of mindfulness for chronic skin rashes. Do you have a regular stress reduction and mindfulness practice? Let me know in the comments! In this episode: Can our state of mind affect our skin? What do the terms "itch intensity" and "itch catastrophizing" mean? Can a mindfulness practice help people with alopecia areata? What is MBSR (Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction)? Quotes “You can think of mindfulness as the practice of paying attention on purpose to the present moment without judgment.” [5:40] “Itch catastrophization could be thoughts along the lines of this itch is only going to continue to get worse and worse and it's never going to go away. And so seeing maybe the extremes of the negatives and the anticipation of it becoming gradually worse. And itch intensity is more so about the physical sensation of it really increasing and how you feel the itch.” [7:51] Links Follow Jessica on Instagram Articles highlighted in this episode: Alopecia - Gallo R, Chiorri C, Gasparini G, Signori A, Burroni A, Parodi A. Can mindfulness-based interventions improve the quality of life of patients with moderate/severe alopecia areata? A prospective pilot study. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2017;76(4):757-759. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2016.10.012 Psoriasis - Kabat-Zinn J, Wheeler E, Light T, et al. Influence of a Mindfulness Meditation-Based Stress Reduction Intervention on Rates of Skin Clearing in Patients With Moderate to Severe Psoriasis Undergoing Photo Therapy (UVB) and Photochemotherapy (PUVA): Psychosom Med. 1998;60(5):625-632. doi:10.1097/00006842-199809000-00020 - Fordham B, Griffiths CEM, Bundy C. A pilot study examining mindfulness-based cognitive therapy in psoriasis. Psychology, Health & Medicine. 2015;20(1):121-127. doi:10.1080/13548506.2014.902483 Atopic Dermatitis - Lüßmann K, Montgomery K, Thompson A, et al. Mindfulness as Predictor of Itch Catastrophizing in Patients With Atopic Dermatitis: Results of a Cross-Sectional Questionnaire Study. Front Med. 2021;8:627611. doi:10.3389/fmed.2021.627611