Bernard Mandeville's work explores how pride and shame drive human behavior and social cohesion, revealing that virtues like politeness and chastity are artificial passions rooted in self-love and the desire for recognition, which ultimately contribute to societal welfare through private vices.
The 3.2-million-year-old Lucy fossil, a key specimen of Australopithecus afarensis, challenges our understanding of early human nudity and cultural perceptions of shame. Technological advancements suggest Lucy may have been less hairy than previously thought, aligning with theories that early humans lost most body hair millions of years ago. The depiction of Lucy in modern media often reflects contemporary cultural biases rather than scientific accuracy, revealing more about our own views on nudity, shame, and gender roles.
Dr. Jill Krapf, a vulvovaginal specialist, attributes New York City's surge in sexually transmitted infections (STIs) to female shame and societal pressures, with women at higher risk due to anatomical vulnerabilities. She emphasizes the importance of open conversations, regular testing, and at-home testing to combat the stigma and increase accessibility. At-home testing, offered by platforms like Evvy, provides discreet and effective solutions, empowering women to take control of their sexual health and bridge gaps in education.
Gavin Rossdale opens up about feeling "shame" over his divorce from Gwen Stefani, expressing regret about not having a stronger "connection" with her and the impact it has had on their children. He acknowledges the difficulties of divorce and its effects on kids, reflecting on his own upbringing and the impact it had on him.
Oprah Winfrey's prime-time special, "Shame, Blame and the Weight Loss Revolution," focused on weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, with Oprah candidly discussing her own weight loss journey. The special highlighted the shame felt by people who rely on medication to lose weight, featuring personal stories and perspectives. While some shared positive experiences, others recounted serious side effects. Oprah emphasized the importance of finding what works best for each individual, acknowledging that there is space for all points of view on weight loss.
Oprah Winfrey hosted a prime-time special focusing on the rise of weight loss drugs and the stigma surrounding weight and weight loss. The special highlighted the impact of new drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro on the conversation about treating obesity and aimed to address the shame and judgment associated with weight. Many patients who use these medications have felt shamed for struggling with their weight and then shamed for taking weight loss drugs, prompting a shift in how people think about managing obesity.
Oprah Winfrey revealed that she is using prescription medication to manage her weight, expressing her desire to shed the shame associated with her body. While she did not disclose the specific medication, drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro have gained popularity for weight loss. However, there have been reports of health problems and complications, partly due to knockoff versions of the drugs and inadequate regulation.
Oprah Winfrey revealed in an interview with People magazine that she uses weight loss medication as a tool to manage her weight and overcome her own shame about it. While she did not disclose the specific medication, recent headlines have highlighted drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy for their weight loss benefits. Winfrey has also made lifestyle changes, including following the WeightWatchers points system, drinking a gallon of water a day, and engaging in regular exercise like hiking. She emphasized that weight loss is not solely about willpower but also about the brain, and she is close to reaching her goal weight of 160 pounds.
A recent study published in Psychoneuroendocrinology explores the complex relationship between testosterone, aggression, and shame. The research reveals that testosterone reactivity plays a crucial role in moderating aggressive behavior among young men, particularly when combined with an individual's tendency to experience shame. The study found that fluctuations in testosterone levels influenced aggression differently depending on an individual's shame proneness. For those low in shame proneness, a decrease in testosterone after social exclusion was associated with decreased aggression, while an increase in testosterone was linked to increased aggression. However, for individuals high in shame proneness, testosterone reactivity did not significantly impact aggressive behavior. The study highlights the intricate interplay between hormones, shame, and aggression in social situations.
Cognitive reappraisal, a coping strategy that involves changing one's interpretation of a situation, is linked to heightened sexual desire, particularly for women, according to a study published in Scientific Reports. The research found that cognitive reappraisal was the only factor that predicted sexual desire, while feelings of shame or trying to hide emotions during sex may not be as important. The study suggests that cognitive reappraisal is important for how much people desire sex, but future studies with larger and more diverse samples are needed to verify the results.
The author shares her experience of losing 45 pounds on Ozempic, a drug used to treat type 2 diabetes, but cautions against viewing it as a "magic bullet" for weight loss. She discusses her struggles with disordered eating and shame surrounding her body, which she attributes to family patterns of addiction and fat-shaming. She emphasizes the importance of addressing the emotional and psychological aspects of weight management, including learning to detach from others' emotions and rewiring destructive thought patterns.