Happy Wednesday my friend,

Crows may seem like everyday birds, but they’re some of the brightest minds in the animal world. They recognize faces, share information, and solve puzzles. Today, we’re giving them their moment… and also getting into the nuance of the cold plunge craze – what actually helps, and what doesn’t.

If you want to read full deep dives, get monthly wrap-ups, recipe videos, custom hypnosis and meditations, and a whole other bunch of members-only resources, only right now I’m doing 50% off ECL Membership. This supports our independent writing, reporting, and filmmaking into 2026.

🐿️ CREATURE FEATURE 🐿️

Don’t Underestimate the Crow

Our Creature Feature section is usually a bit more exotic, and while crows may be “everyday birds” for many of us…they have some serious brainpower. Impressively, crows can remember human faces, and even apparently share that info with their flock, and hold onto it for years. In one long-term STUDY HERE, wild crows learned to recognize specific people who had trapped them, then taught others to scold those faces later. For a great summary, see THIS OVERVIEW from University of Washington.

And crow problem solving skills are next level. Some species make and use tools, bend hooks from twigs, and even pass the famous “Aesop’s fable” water test by dropping objects to raise the water level and reach a treat. For a CRAZY VIDEO of crow toolmaking and smarts, watch that from the BBC.

When It Comes To Detoxification…

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🍎 NUTRITION 101 🍎

TANGERETIN is a potent flavonoid found in citrus peels, especially tangerines, with strong anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties. It also supports brain health and may help protect against metabolic and neurological disorders. Learn how these phytochemicals affect the C-word.

🌏 DEEP DIVE 🌏

The Cold Convo We Need To Have

Cold exposure has exploded in popularity. There are tubs in backyards, timing yourself to break your new record, breathwork sessions to improve stamina, and entire communities built around this voluntary discomfort.

So are these people crazy for doing this?

Well…speaking from experience, the benefits can be very real. Better mood, lower inflammation, faster recovery, more stress resilience (especially in winter). But like most health practices, the hype can drown out the nuance. Cold can be a powerful tool, but it is NOT a universal one, and it works very differently for different bodies.

One of the most interesting findings in recent years came from a large randomized trial in the Netherlands. Participants who ended their morning shower with cold water for 30 to 90 seconds had significantly fewer sick days compared to those who took warm showers. You can read the details in THE STUDY on cold showers and illness risk.

The researchers noted that the length of time in the cold made little difference. The key was consistency, not suffering. This is important because it suggests that short exposures may be more effective than long plunges for many people.

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