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Let’s Laugh Together At Canada’s Anti-Marijuana PSAs

Educating Canadians on the dangers of “high” driving is important, but these PSAs make us laugh, too.

Something about anti-marijuana ads just makes us giggle. Portraying people inebriated by cannabis in an exaggerated manner inherently leads to goofy characterizations and metaphors. Even as a teenager, watching those “Above the Influence” commercials on TV didn’t teach me anything. Instead, I just laughed at the preposterous notion that smoking weed would transform a girl into a literally flat human being.

Poor Flat Sara.

But a new campaign from the Ontario government—a province of Canada—is funny for the right reasons. The advertising’s goal? Convince Canadians that driving while high isn’t a super smart idea. The videos, shot by the Perlorian Brothers and envisioned by McCann Canada, focus on that negligible difference between being “barely high” and plain old-fashioned stoned.

“When I’m high, I can’t stop laughing,” starts the funniest of the ads, titled Giggles. “When I’m barely high, I just giggle now and then.”

Kudos to the team behind this one. As Fast Company notes, we’ve been conditioned from anti-drunk driving PSAs to expect scare tactics and fearmongering. Such strategies can dissuade us from such aberrant behavior.

However, treating people like adults triggers a more effective persuasion. Because when I watch these videos, I recognize how accurate they are. These ads convince me by reinforcing behavioral patterns I already know about myself—i.e. the difference in brain patterns between “barely high” and “high.” Anyone who smokes weed long enough understands it, too. It doesn’t hurt the videos make you laugh, too.

RELATED: How Black Pepper Sedates Marijuana Paranoia, According To Neil Young And Science

Recent research also demonstrates how important such PSAs are in this “honeymoon” phase of the legalization era. According to a study conducted by AAA, nearly 15 million Americans got behind the wheel of a car within an hour of smoking weed in the last 30 days. What’s more? About half of marijuana users believe they can drive safely while stoned, one poll finds. So yes it’s probably more important than ever to educate people on the dangers of stoned driving.

You can watch the rest of the PSAs below.

Why Cancelling Plans Feels So Good

Cancelling plans provides a rush of dopamine to the brain, producing the tangible happiness people feel in these situations.

The dinner date or camping session that you scheduled with a friend under the influence of a couple of drinks can be repressed and forgotten until the last minute. Then, it catches you off guard in the most unexpected of times, often as you’re relaxing at home after a long day. Dread floods your system. Your plans of having a glass of wine and catching up on TV fly out the window.

RELATED: 5 Things To Do If You Often Wake Up Anxious

According to experts and psychologists there is evidence that canceled plans provide relief in the brain. “If having to keep to a plan made is causing the person discomfort — say she has a lot to do or does not really want to meet the person — it is likely there will be increased activity in the emotion centers and in the prefrontal cortex, where most higher level processing takes place,” Dr. Regan Gurung tells Bustle.

Gurung explains that cancelling plans provides a rush of dopamine to the brain, producing the tangible happiness people feel in these situations. The dopamine effect becomes even more pronounced in people who have social anxiety.

Photo by JESHOOTS-com via Pixabay

Another expert, Dr. Maya Borgueta, says that we put ourselves in these unwanted situations because we agree to things on the moment, without thinking about our real motivations and what we really want. “We’ll say ‘yes’ to something because we can’t think of a good excuse not to go in the moment, but we’re really not interested,” Borgueta told Apartment Therapy.

RELATED: Here’s How Your Monthly Cycle Affects Your Workouts

PhD Chip Raymond Knee provides a more layered explanation for this phenomenon, putting the blame on the plans themselves. He told  Men’s Health that in order to be motivated to do something, you have to know that your plans will fulfill at least one of the following requirements:

1) Autonomy: Feeling that your behaviors stem from what you really want

2) Competence: Feeling capable and effective in what you’re doing

3) Relatedness: Feeling like you belong

If your plans don’t satisfy any one of those needs, you’ll most likely stay in for the night.

Of course, it all depends on the plans; canceling some plans might feel better than canceling others. While a party that you chose to skip out on might leave you with some FOMO, a canceled meeting with a friend that you haven’t seen in a long time might produce some guilt and hurt feelings. It’s important to prioritize and to avoid canceling plans when your fears are rooted in laziness and social anxiety.

Hannah Brown Doesn’t Mind If Tyler Cameron Is Dating Gigi Hadid; Royals Criticized For Meghan Markle Birthday Post

‘Bachelorette’ Hannah Brown says Tyler can date who he wants because “he’s single”; and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are getting backlash for an insensitive Instagram post.

Hannah Brown doesn’t mind if Tyler Cameron is dating Gigi Hadid: ‘He’s single’

Via USA Today:

Hannah Brown isn’t burning bridges quite just yet with Tyler Cameron. The former “Bachelorette,” who dumped Cameron during the finale, commented on rumors that Cameron and supermodel Gigi Hadid have been spending time together, as reported by E! and People.

USA TODAY has reached out to representatives for Cameron and Hadid for comment

Though Hadid and Cameron have been silent on the buzz that they are getting to know each other, Brown spoke out in multiple interviews on the rumored romance and explained that while she has thoughts about the speculation, she’s not holding anything against Cameron.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bz9vO_wnW_6/

“I have feelings, but I’m also single and he’s single and I wanna keep my options open and he can keep his options open,” Brown told Entertainment Tonight, saying she had a “great time” spending time with him after asking him out, and that the maybe-couple is “trying to figure out how we feel.”

“We definitely hung out and talked about everything and… I know nobody will believe me (about) just hanging out and actually talking but it was good to be able to catch up. We had a lot to talk about.”

Speaking to People, Brown explained that “the feelings that it have for Tyler didn’t go away.”

“Just because I’m single doesn’t mean I didn’t have feelings for him still,” she added about their hangout. “I did want to hang out with him and a single girl can go out on dates and I wanted to go out and have a drink. I thought it went great. I think he did too.”

“I want to keep my options open,” she said, “and make sure I’m doing the best thing for Hannah.”

Kate Middleton & Prince William Criticized For Meghan Markle Birthday Post

Photo by Chris Jackson/Staff/Getty Images

Via iHeart Radio:

Meghan Markle celebrated her 38th birthday on Sunday (August 4). The entire royal family took to social media to wish the Duchess of Sussex a very happy birthday. While most royal watchers were delighted to see Prince William and Kate Middleton share a birthday wish for their sister-in-law on Instagram, they also faced a ton of backlash for the photo they chose to post.

Kate and William shared a photo from last Christmas, which features Prince Harry and Prince Charles in addition to Meghan. Though Kate and William most likely chose to share a happy family memory with their followers, some royal watchers were offended that the post didn’t do more to highlight Meghan specifically. Here’s the post from the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, sweetly captioned “wishing a very happy birthday to The Duchess of Sussex today!”

https://www.instagram.com/p/B0vA-fQFQgb

Here are some of the comments left on the post:

“Why a picture of the whole royal family?! It’s not about Kate or Wiliam or Charles! It’s about Meghan! Ridiculous!”

“That they chose an image where Duchess Meghan isn’t centered though the post is dedicated to her birthday speaks volumes as to the Cambridges’ lack of class.”

“All these royal photographers couldn’t find a pic of Meghan in the center?!?! In a brighter color???????????”

It’s (unfortunately) not so surprising to see such negative comments pop up on the Cambridge’s post. Meghan and Harry faced similar backlash for their own birthday messages for Prince George back in July. Hopefully the royals aren’t paying too much attention to the criticism and are simply enjoying the birthday celebrations together IRL.

Celebrities And The Foods They Refuse To Eat

Celebrities — they’re just like us when it comes to food quirks. Some are high-brow with their hatred (caviar), while others can’t stand the sight of chewing gum.

We all have our eating quirks. Some people hate the texture of mushrooms, while others can’t stand the sight of peas. It’s interesting how our childhood shapes the foods we like and dislike. And celebrities are no different. They hate the same types of food as the rest of the proletariat. Here are 10 famous people and the foods they want no part of.

Chrissy Teigen (Nutella)

Who’d have thought the woman who has written several cookbooks and loves junk food has a hatred for this?

https://twitter.com/chrissyteigen/status/516756960981811201?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw/

She’s also not a fan of hummus.

https://twitter.com/chrissyteigen/status/338733981140926464

Michelle Obama (Beets)

In a 2017 interview with Food & Wine, the former First Lady said: “I know that I’m known for eating my 
vegetables, and there really isn’t much I don’t enjoy. But I’m just not a fan of beets. ” As Refinery29 points out, Obama’s aversion was made pretty clear in 2009 “when beets were omitted from the 55 fruits and vegetables planted in the White House garden.” In 2012, she was also quoted as saying: “We believe there’s a beet gene. You either love beets or you hate ’em.”

RELATED: 7 Reasons Why Barack Obama Is Our Foodiest President Ever

https://www.instagram.com/p/BLPlU7xh_V_

Tom Brady (Strawberries And Coffee)

Tom Brady
Photo by Flickr user Keith Allison

Believe it or not, the New England Patriots quarterback admitted to New York Magazine in September 2016 to never having tried either. And he says he has no desire to change that anytime soon. Weirdo.

Ina Garten (Cilantro)

During an interview with Munchies: The Podcast, the Food Network stalwart said she hates cilantro: “I know people love it, and you can add it to the recipe. I just hate it. To me it’s so strong — and it actually tastes like soap to me — but it’s so strong it overpowers every other flavor.” Welcome to the club, Ina! (She does seem to love mint, though. Seriously, the woman puts it on everything!)

https://www.instagram.com/p/BzyHd4Ih8g0/

The Queen (Garlic)

Photo by WPA Pool/Pool/Getty Images

RELATED: Meghan Markle Had To Give Up Garlic To Be A Royal

“At mealtimes her Majesty has a no starch rule in her diet once breakfast has been dealt with,” according to former royal chef Darren McGrady by way of Heart. But what she really despises is garlic.

According to McGrady, ““We can never serve anything with garlic or too many onions.”

Even Meghan Markle had to give up garlic when she married into the royal family. The royals are also not allowed to eat shellfish, as it increases their likelihood of food poisoning.

The Queen also has a no-starch rule for dinner. You won’t be eating any yummy potatoes or pasta in her presence. As another former chef told The Telegraph, usually they’d prepare something like “grilled sole with vegetables and salad.” She sounds fun.

Khloe Kardashian (Pork)

I would for sure rather gain 10 pounds! I don’t think I’ll ever eat pork in my life,” Khloe was quoted as saying in January 2017.

Ariana Grande (Bananas)

She’s allergic to them.

https://twitter.com/arianagrande/status/147365589625733121?lang=en

Donald Trump (Pizza Crust)

Ever wonder why “45”, a man who’s never met a spork he didn’t like, eats his slices with a knife and fork? It’s so he can pick off all the toppings.

 

Jennifer Aniston (Caviar)

In 2016 she told Yahoo! Food that you will never find caviar in her fridge: “Nope, you can’t acquire that taste no matter how many people say that. It’s just a shitty taste.”

Gwyneth Paltrow (Spray Cheese)

In 2011, the GOOP founder said that she would rather smoke crack than eat cheese from a can. In 2016, she reiterated her feelings on her GOOP blog during a Q&A session with her readers, saying: “You know, crack might be extreme, but spray cheese is not my kind of party.”

Oprah

Jennifer Aniston Is Dating Again: ‘It’s Very Hush-Hush’; Oprah Worried About Upstaging Meghan Markle At Royal Wedding
Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Staff/Getty Images

This doesn’t really fall into the “food” category, but Oprah has a well documented hatred of chewing gum. “I hate chewing gum. It makes me sick just to think about it. When people chew loudly or smack it and pull it out of their mouth, that’s the worst,” she told People magazine in 2010.

Shawn Mendes

Photo by Paras Griffin/Stringer/Getty Images

The singer has gone on record with his dislike of tomatoes.

CBD Is More Popular Online Than Beyoncé And Kim Kardashian

Online interest for cannabidiol have exploded over the last couple years, outpacing searches for of some celebrities

At this point, labeling CBD as 2019’s biggest wellness trend simply doesn’t go far enough. Stars like Kristen Bell and Oliva Wilde touting its health benefits have certainly helped CBD cross into the mainstream. But CBD’s therapeutic potential really demonstrates why Americans have flocked to the cannabinoid. From intractable epilepsy, PMS symptoms, and a better night’s sleep, CBD is providing relief for many where there was previously none. Yes, CBD is more popular online than Beyoncé and Kim Kardashian.

This might explain how CBD has become more popular than Beyoncé and kale. According to Cannabis MD’s Knowledge Navigator, which tracks consumer trends, online interest for cannabidiol have exploded over the last couple years. Pulling from internet searches and social media profiles, the Knowledge Navigator shows that CBD hasn’t even peaked online yet.

Photo by Yana Tatevosian/Getty Images

The Knowledge Navigator’s data, The Observer notes, falls in line with current Google Trends analytics as well. CBD not only surpassed Beyoncé for online chatter, but also bested Kim Kardashian and veganism.

Intrigue around CBD really took off in 2018, the year Congress decriminalized hemp via the Farm Bill. That persistence of interest, in part, is fueled by the confusion around what CBD can and can’t do, as well as an unregulated market. In some cases, the CBD oil you buy might be bogus, though the Food and Drug Administration is dropping hints that tightened regulatory standards are coming soon.

Until then, it’s important to know which CBD product is right for you and how to accurately spot fake CBD. Remember, misinformation around CBD can be life-threatening if being used medicinally. Thankfully, we have a beginner’s guide to get you started.

7 Highly Social Experiences That Are Better With Marijuana

Looking to add a little spice to your next group activity? Whether it’s a backyard BBQ or a concert, try adding some weed.

Enjoying the wonders of marijuana can be an inherently social activity. While there is a time and place for solitude, the group bonding effect of passing around the peace pipe cannot be overstated. Here, we weigh the pros and cons of some top options for fun group experiences with friends that are only aided by a little weed.

The Camping Trip


via GIPHY

RELATED: 5 Ways To Add Cannabis To Outdoor Summer Fun

Pros: You should certainly be able to find some seclusion away from the rest of humanity should you choose to go the camping trip route. Plus, taking your friends out of their normal daily environment is a good way to cement an experience no one will soon forget, especially with the addition of everyone’s favorite herb. Moreover, who can turn down the experience of sparking up under the stars?
Cons: Beware of wildlife … or anything throughout the night that may sound like wildlife. Additionally, you will have to plan ahead for food and presumably have to have someone skillful enough to pitch a tent or two.

The Cookout

Buying The Most Weed
Photo by Darrin Harris Frisby/Drug Policy Alliance

Pros: There is no doubt that if you invite your crew over for a cook-out, the munchie and entertainment game will be on point. Between the delicious barbeque food, the table snacks, the drinks, the music, and the muted “Planet Earth II” playing in the background on the television, your friends will have the perfect ambiance to pass around some Silver Haze.
Cons: Cook-outs take some attention to stay running, so someone will need to play host for the night and tend to the food and ultimately the cleanup.

The Concert or Festival


via GIPHY

RELATED: You Can Use CBD To Cope With Festival Anxiety

Pros: The experience of seeing one of your favorite artists while sharing some herb with your pals in the middle of a sea of like-minded music lovers is unlike any other. The energy in the venue will enhance your high all the more making this experience unforgettable for years to come. For this time-honored tradition, you don’t typically want to roll with a group of larger than two to three people, though, as it pays to be nimble and not stand out if you’re going to spark up when the music starts.
Cons: Be smart about which concerts you decide to bring your marijuana to — there’s always the possibility of getting it confiscated or even getting booted out yourself. On the flip side, if you manage to get in with everything intact, you may end up sharing with more people than you intend once you whip it out, so discretion is key as well.

The Fishing Trip


via GIPHY

Pros: Part-sport, part-relaxation, fishing makes for the perfect mix of activity of sitting around that anyone who has smoked a hefty joint could appreciate. Depending on the preference of your group, you don’t even have to go out on a boat if it doesn’t suit you — grab a couple of beach chairs and hit the local pier to see what you can catch. But don’t fret if you’re a traditionalist, marijuana plays a perfect partner to boating too. Even if one or two in your group get a little seasick, the weed may help with calming any nausea or headaches that arise.
Cons: The reward is sometimes in the journey with fishing, so you and your group have to be ready to simply enjoy sitting around and waiting as you might not catch anything.

The Museum


via GIPHY

Pros: Whether you live by the MoMa or the Getty, it’s never a bad call to make an audible and swing by your local museum to get some culture after sharing some culture with friends back at your apartment or house. No one will be disappointed once they delve into the latest exhibits and it can serve as a conversation starter for the next time around. Most of the major museums have enough to offer for multiple visits too.
Cons: Time flies in the caverns of a museum—especially after a joinor two—so you might end up spending a bit more time than you intended inspecting Medieval art or sculpture collections from the 1950s.

The IMAX Movie


via GIPHY

Pros: Attending an IMAX movie after indulging in your favorite strain of cannabis is the gold standard by which all other movie-going experiences are compared (at least until virtual reality becomes more prevalent). So long as your group can agree on the right movie, which shouldn’t be much of an issue if you’ve got the right crew of people, this one should be a no-brainer.
Cons: There’s a lot of stimulation and this one can get intense depending on the type of film you decide to see. Choose your strain wisely.

Board Games

board games
Photo by Flickr user John Morgan

Pros: Chances are, you’re already in a good mood because you’re away from the city (we’re imagining you had the good sense to rent a cabin). But even if you just find yourself with a free night on your hands, nothing brings a sense of nostalgia quite like playing games with a group of your friends. Plus, it’s the perfect excuse to light up with a bunch of people who won’t judge you when you decide to buy Mediterranean Avenue in Monopoly. Cons: You’re going to kill your buzz if you choose games like Jenga (unless you like rebuilding towers time after time), Twister (unless you enjoy falling down a lot) and Operation (for obvious reasons). Motor skills are not your friend when you’re blazed.

5 Apps & Browser Extensions To Help You Stop Wasting Time Online

There’s an unending stream of content and information available to us at all times, which makes it difficult to get things done.

While our prductivity may benefit from the pressure of paychecks and deadlines, our hobbies and side projects are the most likely to suffer from these distractions, which sometimes result in hours spent staring at our phones and laptop screens in a mind numbing haze.

In order to be more productive, a conscious effort needs to be made. We have to choose to do that thing that’s been bugging us, even if it means postponing the TV show that everyone’s been talking about. Luckily, there are tons of tools that can limit your browsing and internet use, helping you dedicate at least an hour of your time to something that will make you feel good and accomplished in the long run.

Here are 5 of the best apps and browser extensions that will help you spend your time more wisely than Googling random questions.

RELATED: Google Chrome Extension Helps You Procrastinate By Making Netflix Resemble A Conference Call

Freedom for Mac or Windows

Freedom is the most comprehensive of these extensions, controlling your browsing and app usage across all of your devices. By paying for the premium subscription, Freedom allows you to schedule your time in order to leave you with no choice but to get some work done, at least when using your devices. The app is very cheap, costing $2.42 or $6.99 for a yearly or monthly subscription.

StayFocusd

This Google Chrome extension is very easy to use and is one of the most flexible ones out there, setting your preferred time limits for different websites. This soft approach allows for you to have some fun but to not let it get out of hand. While it won’t stop you from browsing on your phone, it’s one of the best services available for free.

Photo by rawpixel via Pixabay.

Limit

Limit is also similar to StayFocusd, being a free browser extension and setting daily limits on your favorite websites. These services are very freeing; once you’ve completed your daily browsing quota, you’re free to do whatever it is that you wanted to do.

YouTube Rabbit Hole 

For a lot of people, YouTube is one of the biggest distractions around, recommending videos and playlists of whatever random thing you’re into, be that gaming or make up tutorials.

RELATED: Making Money On YouTube Just Got Easier

YouTube Rabbit Hole is a very specific extension that protects you from these situations, reducing your ability to, well, fall into a YouTube rabbit hole. It’s very versatile, allowing for you to block comments, sidebars, subscription pages, and anything that might trigger your YouTube reflex for more videos.

Forest

One of the most creative productivity concepts comes from Forest, an app that encourages you to cultivate little virtual trees over visiting Instagram and Facebook. This app doesn’t actually block anything, it just makes you feel very guilty over using your phone for other things over cultivating trees. It really works.

Ohio Lawmaker Blames Recreational Marijuana For Mass Shootings

Ohio Rep. Candice Keller believes “the acceptance of recreational marijuana” and more social shifts are the true culprits of gun violence.

In the wake of mass shootings, we seek explanations for such senseless and unnecessary violence. That impulse led one Ohio lawmaker to blame the legalization of recreational marijuana as one reason the United States has seen an increase of mass shootings.

Following mass shootings in Dayton, Ohio and El Paso, Texas, Ohio Rep. Candice Keller took to her Facebook page Sunday to complain of liberals playing the “blame game” around gun violence. Keller lives in Middleton, Ohio, which is around 30 miles south of Dayton, and used the tragedy to place blame where she believes it lies.

RELATED: Marijuana Legalization Would Eliminate Drug Smuggling Better Than Trump’s Wall

“The breakdown of the traditional American family (thank you, transgender, homosexual marriage, and drag queen advocates); fatherlessness, a subject no one discusses or believes is relevant; the ignoring of violent video games; the relaxing of laws against criminals (open borders); the acceptance of recreational marijuana; failed school policies (hello, parents who defend misbehaving students): disrespect to law enforcement (thank you, Obama).”

Her post continued, also blaming professional athletes who “hate our flag and National Anthem,” Democrats in Congress, and “snowflakes, who can’t accept a duly-elected President.”

Ohio Attorney General David Yost denounced Keller’s statements on Twitter.

“No, m’am,” he wrote. “The blame belongs to the evil man who killed those people.”

Chris Seelbach, a Democratic councilman in Cincinnati, also shared Keller’s Facebook post—which isn’t available to the public—and implored people to call Keller’s offices to share how they feel about her comments.

https://twitter.com/ChrisSeelbach/status/1158145939728687105

 

Studies have shown that marijuana legalization has the opposite effect to what Keller insinuates. Police made more arrests for burglaries, theft, and violent crimes (like gun violence) in Washington and Colorado following legalization, according to a 2018 study. At a time when suicide rates are rising across the country, suicide numbers dropped in California after legalization. In addition, thefts, property crimes, and rapes all declined after marijuana regulations, according to 2018 data.

Prince Harry Pens Sweetest Birthday Tribute For Wife Meghan; Camila Cabello Slams Body-Shamers, Embraces Cellulite

Prince Harry wishes his “amazing” wife Meghan a happy 38th birthday and Camila Cabello goes off on body shaming trolls ⁠— “cellulite is normal.”

Prince Harry Pens Sweetest Birthday Tribute For Wife Duchess Meghan

Via iHeart Radio:

Prince Harry wrote wife Duchess Meghan the sweetest message to celebrate her 38th birthday.

In honor of the special occasion, Harry took to social media on Sunday (August 4) to pay tribute to the birthday girl from the SussexRoyal Instagram account. “Happy Birthday to my amazing wife,” Harry captioned the post along with a picture of Meghan wearing a blue dress. “Thank you for joining me on this adventure! – Love, H.”

Harry wasn’t the only member of the Royal Family to send the Suits alum touching messages on her birthday, either. “Wishing a very happy birthday to The Duchess of Sussex today!” wrote brother- and sister-in-law Prince William and Duchess Kate, as Queen Elizabeth shared the following tribute on her profile: “Happy Birthday to The Duchess of Sussex. The Duchess was born on this day in 1981.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/B0u59igFbIM

Camila Cabello Slams Body-Shamers, Embraces Cellulite

Via iHeart Radio:

Camila Cabello got real about the fake perceptions of female body images on social media, and offered some uplifting words about the subject on her Instagram Stories Saturday (August 3).

“I haven’t gone on social media AT ALL with the conscious intention of avoiding things that hurt my feelings,” the 22-year-old wrote in a lengthy post, adding that she was distracted by a “body shaming” headline about her while searching for images to celebrate the two-year anniversary of her Grammy-nominated song “Havana.”

At first, the thought of such gossip, the musician adds, made her feel “super insecure just IMAGINING what these pictures must look like, oh no! My cellulite! oh no! I didn’t suck in my stomach!”

“But then I was like… of course there are bad pictures, of course there are bad angles, my body’s not made of f–king rock,” Cabello went on. “But the saddest part of young girls growing up in an airbrushed world is they’re seeking … perfection that’s not real.”

Turning the negativity into something positive, the “Consequences” star looked, instead, to inspire “girls like my little sister who are growing up on social media,” which often exposes youth to false images of the “perfect body.”

“Everyone’s eyes get used to seeing airbrushed bodies and airbrushed skin. … It’s fake. AND FAKE IS BECOMING THE NEW REAL,” she added, before signing off with these words of reassurance: “Girls, cellulite is normal. Fat is normal. It’s beautiful and natural. I won’t buy into the bulls—t today!!!! Not today satan. and I hope you don’t either.”

How To Tell You Have Been Love Bombed

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While some might engage in this behavior without malicious intent, there are those who use it as a manipulation tactic.

Ghosting, benching, zombieing and cushioning. These are some of the many dating trends that are out there, hiding behind cute and confusing names that rob them of how awful these behaviors are and the damage that they do to people.

The newest and cutest sounding behavior? Love bombing. This occurs when a person showers their new partner with affection, gifts, attention and promises of a future together, only to disappear after a few months have passed or after the “honeymoon phase” is over.

RELATED: People Who Believe In This Are More Likely To Ghost When Dating

Waiting For Sex
Photo by Jeremy Wong via Unsplash

There are different degrees to love bombing. While some might engage in this behavior without malicious intent, there are those who use it as a manipulation tactic. The most common of these behaviors is the former, when people get swept up by their emotions only to realize that they were caught in the moment and that their feelings weren’t based in reality.

“These people are ‘in love’ with falling in love. Experienced daters learn to enjoy the ‘infatuation phase’ without becoming overly emotionally invested,” says author Kevin Darne on an interview with Men’s Health.

The latter, and much more dangerous one, is employed by narcissists, sociopaths and social predators. “Narcissists in particular are known for their skills at manipulation, as much as their penchant for self-love. They may use flattery and attention as tools to build themselves up as the perfect partner, the better to gain your trust, affection — and, ultimately, adoration,” Suzanne Degges-White, Ph.D. tells Psychology Today.

RELATED: ‘Cricketing’ Is The Rude Texting Habit That’s Killing Your Relationship

While there’s no way of protecting your feelings while you’re dating and putting yourself out there, the more experience you get, the more likely it is that you’ll get a grasp on people’s true intentions. Keep an eye out for people who seem too good to be true, who shower you with an unusual amount of attention. While these people might just be kind and generous, there’s a chance that this is all part of their plan.

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