Dr. Howard Murad

“Cultural Stress” is the constant, pervasive, ever-increasing stress of modern living. It includes over-exposure to technology at the expense of in-person relationships; 24-hour connectivity, which blurs the boundaries between work and personal life; on-demand delivery of goods and services, which severs neighborhood and community relationships and results in long sedentary hours in front of our screens; the pace of technological change, which contributes to professional, economic, and social… Show more

“Cultural Stress” is the constant, pervasive, ever-increasing stress of modern living. It includes over-exposure to technology at the expense of in-person relationships; 24-hour connectivity, which blurs the boundaries between work and personal life; on-demand delivery of goods and services, which severs neighborhood and community relationships and results in long sedentary hours in front of our screens; the pace of technological change, which contributes to professional, economic, and social insecurity; our global economic system, which sows uncertainty as it outsources jobs overseas or to new technologies; environmental contaminants, noise, crowding, and various new sources of radiation; changes to our diet, which has become heavily reliant on a few processed commodities (corn, wheat, sugar, and soy); and changes to our urban development and transportation patterns, which result in less physical activity and more hours spent sitting in long commutes.

It is the chronic nature of Cultural Stress that distinguishes it from conventional stress. Because Cultural Stress is ubiquitous, the body seldom gets a chance to recover without active intervention strategies. Show less

The characteristics of modern society contribute to a condition we call Cultural Stress Anxiety Syndrome (CSAS), which is a response to the constant, pervasive, ever-increasing stress of modern living. Cultural Stress often leads to an isolated, sedentary lifestyle and a state of constant anxiety that triggers the body’s inflammation response, including the release of stress hormones linked to weight gain. Because Cultural Stress aggravates all other causes of obesity, it must be included in… Show more

The characteristics of modern society contribute to a condition we call Cultural Stress Anxiety Syndrome (CSAS), which is a response to the constant, pervasive, ever-increasing stress of modern living. Cultural Stress often leads to an isolated, sedentary lifestyle and a state of constant anxiety that triggers the body’s inflammation response, including the release of stress hormones linked to weight gain. Because Cultural Stress aggravates all other causes of obesity, it must be included in any effective weight management program. Show less

Our phones recognize our face shapes better than our friends. Digital consumption is replacing human touch. Even when we’re together, we are texting rather than talking. lf personal connection was classified as a sustainable resource, we could hypothesize that it is non-renewable and fleeting fast.

How is it that, in this age of being more connected than ever, we are at our loneliest? Advances in technology, enhanced screen time, and digital interconnectedness have collectively created a… Show more

Our phones recognize our face shapes better than our friends. Digital consumption is replacing human touch. Even when we’re together, we are texting rather than talking. lf personal connection was classified as a sustainable resource, we could hypothesize that it is non-renewable and fleeting fast.

How is it that, in this age of being more connected than ever, we are at our loneliest? Advances in technology, enhanced screen time, and digital interconnectedness have collectively created a false sense of connection and a new type of stress: Cultural Stress (CS) and its pervasive, recognizable syndrome classified as Cultural Stress Anxiety Syndrome (CSAS). Show less

Research on aging, including therapies for external, internal, and emotional concerns, will continue to expand to accommodate for the demands of baby boomers who are seeking to stay young as old as possible. The youngest baby boomers turned 55 this year and, while many of them are looking forward to retirement, you can be assured that none are looking forward to aging. With intrinsic and extrinsic aging, certain deteriorations may occur, giving rise to disorders and illnesses such as… Show more

Research on aging, including therapies for external, internal, and emotional concerns, will continue to expand to accommodate for the demands of baby boomers who are seeking to stay young as old as possible. The youngest baby boomers turned 55 this year and, while many of them are looking forward to retirement, you can be assured that none are looking forward to aging. With intrinsic and extrinsic aging, certain deteriorations may occur, giving rise to disorders and illnesses such as arteriosclerosis and cardiovascular disease, ocular disorders, skin laxity, cellulite, arthritis, and joint problems, to name a few. These conditions have one thing in common: connective tissue. Because connective tissue deterioration in the body can have far-reaching, systemic effects, much research has been devoted to decoding its mechanisms. Show less

Positive emotions and stress reduction have profound effects on overall wellbeing and physical health. Based on scientific findings from positive psychology, we have developed 11 positive insight cards that we expect to reduce stress and enhance wellbeing.

Dietary and topical strategies for reducing puffiness

We have more control over gene expression than we might think.

Epidemiological studies are clear about the deleterious effects of stress on health and aging [1-3]. Stress can cause disease, enhance aging and shorten lifespan [4-6]. Although complex, most kinds of stress are easy to identify: acute stress, episodic acute stress, chronic stress and all types of stress share similarities in how they affect the way the body functions [7,8]. However, more recent examination has produced the need for a new category of stress called Cultural Stress (CS) [9]. CS… Show more

Epidemiological studies are clear about the deleterious effects of stress on health and aging [1-3]. Stress can cause disease, enhance aging and shorten lifespan [4-6]. Although complex, most kinds of stress are easy to identify: acute stress, episodic acute stress, chronic stress and all types of stress share similarities in how they affect the way the body functions [7,8]. However, more recent examination has produced the need for a new category of stress called Cultural Stress (CS) [9]. CS identifies stress from political, climatological, technological and cultural changes and it is a direct result of our interconnectedness and advances in technology. It is also symptomatic of long commutes, overpopulation, noise pollution, toxin exposure through consumables [10] and the incessant use of smart phones, to name a few things. While CS is manmade, it is largely unavoidable in today’s modern society, for those who live on the grid, unless a conscious effort is made to prevent exposure. Even though CS is wholly unnecessary for survival, it can be hard to identify as it is akin to the constant, perhaps unidentifiable, yet equally obtrusive hum of a refrigerator and exists like a ceaseless ringing phone that demands subconscious and conscious management. Patients, most of the time, are conditioned to the continuous stress of CS and are, therefore, unaware that the collection of symptoms and anxiety they experience can be traced back to CS. CS superimposes all other stress types. Show less

Hint: Cultural Stress is a major one.

Epidemiological and nutritional studies indicate that cucumbers, a fruit in the cucurbitaceae family, have numerous benefits internally, externally and even emotionally. As a food, cucumbers offer superior hydration, as they are about 95% water. They have been used for decades for their anti-inflammatory benefits on skin, soothing properties for digestion, and other therapeutic uses. The following contribution offers an overview of cucumbers, specifically, their use to augment cellular water… Show more

Epidemiological and nutritional studies indicate that cucumbers, a fruit in the cucurbitaceae family, have numerous benefits internally, externally and even emotionally. As a food, cucumbers offer superior hydration, as they are about 95% water. They have been used for decades for their anti-inflammatory benefits on skin, soothing properties for digestion, and other therapeutic uses. The following contribution offers an overview of cucumbers, specifically, their use to augment cellular water and address common conditions (i.e.: skin discoloration and aging, cardiovascular and cancerous diseases, bone health, inflammation, and connective tissue disorders). Show less

Innovation and technical advances in dermatology are advancing at a robust pace due to an accelerating rate of fundamental scientific discoveries, which are the substrate for fueling healthy product innovation. With dermatologic products and practices experiencing a surge in popularity worldwide, venture capitalists and financial partners are seeking opportunities to invest. This landscape beckons entrepreneurship, providing a fertile ground for those inspired to act. As asserted at the 2015… Show more

Innovation and technical advances in dermatology are advancing at a robust pace due to an accelerating rate of fundamental scientific discoveries, which are the substrate for fueling healthy product innovation. With dermatologic products and practices experiencing a surge in popularity worldwide, venture capitalists and financial partners are seeking opportunities to invest. This landscape beckons entrepreneurship, providing a fertile ground for those inspired to act. As asserted at the 2015 Dermatology Entrepreneurship Conference by Howard Murad, MD, FAAD, founder and CEO of Murad, Inc., for those interested in entrepreneurship there are resources available, including advice from many: “But don’t listen to the naysayers, particularly if one of them is you. If you’re really interested, and you have the passion to develop a product or system, give yourself permission to be successful.” Show less

Cultural Stress is an overlooked factor in the causes and treatment of obesity.

Connective tissue plays an important role in maintaining health; an inclusive model of care can contribute to whole body wellness.

Murad, H. Glycolic Acid – TCA Peel Combination Deemed “Consistent and Predictable”. Cosmetic Dermatology. March 1993. pp 43 45

Murad H, Shamban A, Moy LS. Glycolic Acid for the Treatment of Polka-Dot Syndrome. Cosmetic Dermatology. March 1993. pp 54 58.

Moy LS, Murad H, Moy RL. Glycolic Acid Peels for the Treatment of Wrinkles and Photo Aging. J Dermatol Surg Oncol. March 1993.

Murad H, Shamban A, Moy LS, Moy RL. Study Shows That Acne Improves with Glycolic Acid Regimen. Cosmetic Dermatology. November 1992. pp 32 35.

Murad, H. Glycolic Acid Recommended for Melasma, Dermatology Times, July 1992; Vol. 13, No. 7

Murad, H. More Than Just Skin Deep: How to Spot Conditions that Could be the Early Signs of AIDS. Dermascope 1992. pp 24 26.

Murad, H. Maturing Skin. Dermascope. November/December 1991. pp 20 21.

Murad, H. Look Again It May Be Rosacea. Les Nouvelles Esthétique. September 1991. pp 78 79.

Murad, H. Melanoma Skin Cancer. Dermascope. September/October 1991. 46 47.

Murad, H. Melasma: Some New Tools for Dealing with an Old Problem. Dermascope. July/August 1991. pp 32 33.

Murad H., Moy LS. Use of AHA’s Add New Dimensions to Chemical Peeling. Cosmetic Dermatology. May 1990. pp. 32 34.

Murad, H. M.D., Lia C. Alverez, M.D., David J. Peters, M.D., Edwin T. Wright, M.D., George McGhee, B.S. and Ernst J. Drenick, M.D. Changes in the Epidermis During Prolonged Fasting1,2,3. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 28. August 1975. pp 866 871.