Friends of Franz

How far are people willing to go for glass skin and a clear face? For years, we have witnessed adventurous — and sometimes extreme — pursuits within skincare and cosmetic treatments in the quest for ageless beauty. We’ve heard it all: the Vampire Facial, human placenta for collagen, snail slime, and, in recent years, salmon sperm DNA. From celebrities like Jennifer Aniston to Kim Kardashian, salmon sperm facials have become the lat...

Korean skincare and cosmetics have truly become a global phenomenon, taking the beauty world by storm. Rooted in the preventive philosophies of Hanbang (한방), or Traditional Korean Medicine, Korean beauty has introduced a cultural mindset of proactive skincare, consistent routines, and understanding your skin’s needs before issues arise. Now, as it intersects with Western aesthetic methodologies and AI-powered formulations, one ques...

In many East Asian cultures, childbirth marks not just a beginning, but a sacred period of recovery known as Zuò Yuè Zi, or “sitting the month.” Rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine, this postnatal confinement practice emphasizes rest, warmth, and nourishment to restore balance and vitality after delivery, which is said to deplete the mother's qi, or vital life force. In the modern and busy world of working mothers with unpaid ma...

Originally developed as an anesthetic in the 1960s, ketamine has reemerged as one of modern psychiatry’s most promising tools for treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Its superpower lies in working with your brain's glutamate receptors to create antidepressant effects. What does the future of psychedelic-assisted mental health care hold? Could this once-stigmatized molecule represent the futu...

Ayurveda, often referred to as the “science of life,” is one of the world’s oldest holistic healing systems, with origins dating back over 5,000 years to ancient India. From understanding the three doshas—Vata, Pitta, and Kapha—that govern our physical and emotional states, to the powerful cleansing and rejuvenating process known as Panchakarma. Ayurveda is rooted in harmony between mind, body, and spirit, and it views health as a ...

For thousands of years, humans have sought healing from within — through breath, movement, and energy. Practices like Qigong, yoga, and, more contemporarily, Reiki have emerged from traditions as powerful ways to restore balance, vitality, and inner peace. Qigong uses slow, intentional movement and breath to cultivate life force energy, while yoga unites body and mind through postures and controlled breathing. Reiki, rooted in Japa...

For centuries, acupuncture has been a cornerstone of Traditional Chinese Medicine, offering a powerful lens into the body’s natural healing intelligence using the precise placement of ultra-fine needles. Rooted in the concept of meridians—an intricate network of energy pathways—this ancient practice seeks to restore balance and harmony, thereby proposing relief from chronic pain, inflammation, and even stress. Can these invisible c...

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is often called the world’s oldest and longest continuously practiced medical system, with roots reaching back nearly 5,000 years. Born from the philosophies of Qi, yin and yang, and the Five Elements, it blends ancient wisdom with healing practices like acupuncture, herbal medicine, and qigong. For millennia, TCM has centered on restoring balance and harmony within the body and mind. But in an er...

The fourth installment of the Friends of Franz Podcast now journeys from ancient and Eastern healing traditions to cutting-edge conversations surrounding modern science and medicine, featuring expert clinicians, practitioners, and scientists from both domains and schools of thought.

Thank you to Season 4's Asian-founded brand partners: Reprise, Uka Beauty, The Qi, Remsen Skincare, SHY Binu, Sanzo, DAYGUARD, EMME, JOYN, Dae Tea, and ...

According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer remains to be the most common cancer, excluding skin cancers, and accounts for the second leading cause of cancer death, following lung cancer, in women across the nation. Yet, despite these staggering statistics, a Current Oncology commentary from Harvard Medical School states that misinformation believed by the general population within the domain of breast health remains at...

According to the World Health Organization, around 3.6 billion diagnostic radiologic medical examinations are performed worldwide yearly. Diagnostic imaging exams — including X-rays, MRIs, Ultrasounds, CT scans, and PET scans — can truly save lives and change the trajectory of a patient's care plan by potentially preventing the necessity of surgery and more invasive procedures. Yet, despite the integral work of diagnostic radiologi...

According to the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM), nearly one-fourth of older adults aged 65 and older are at increased risk for loneliness and are considered to be socially isolated, with risk factors being attributed to hearing loss, losing family or friends, role changes such as retirement, living alone, and chronic disease. Geriatric syndromes — such as polypharmacy, falls, cognitive impairment ...

Did you know that, according to the National Institute of Aging, if we stretched out our arteries, veins, and capillaries as adults, they would measure around 100,000 miles? This means that our blood vessels could circle the globe four times, given that the earth's circumference is about 25,000 miles! The human vasculature is truly an intricate system that literally supplies us with blood (with veins circulating around 2,000 gallon...

According to the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), approximately 2.9 million annual injuries occur in sports, athletic, and recreational settings, with sprains and strains accounting for the largest portion of injuries at 41.4 per 1,000. Truly, the universal recommendation is that we all engage in physical activity and exercise due to its evidence-based benefits on our cardiopulmonary health and general wellness. Howeve...

"Life in plastic, it's fantastic." This iconic line from the 1997 hit song "Barbie Girl" by Europop band Aqua alludes to the Barbie doll that debuted in 1959. Barbie has long been the paradigm of societal attractiveness through physical features, as confirmed by a survey report by Fairmont State College professor Albert M. Magro. In the same year as the song was released, Magro published the paper "Why Barbie is Perceived as Beauti...

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, in 2021, 25% of Asian American adults with a mental illness reported receiving mental health services compared to 52% of White adults. Additionally, Asians were 2.25x more likely to report mental health treatment being ineffective. What is it about the Asian American community that their approachability to mental health and mental health care is lower than ...

According to the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA), approximately 65% of over 50 million anesthesia services in the United States are delivered by certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) each year, whether in collaboration with a physician or independently. In many rural and underserved areas in America, this percentage is significantly higher at over 90%. Despite this, the profession is still regarded as ...

According to the Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM), the Sleep Research Society (SRS), and the National Sleep Foundation (NSF), adults should regularly sleep at least 7 hours a night to promote optimal health. However, over one-quarter of adults do not meet this recommendation. (Oops, me included!) AASM states that about 30% of adults have insomnia symptoms, and about 10% of adults have insomnia that is severe enough to cause daytime...

According to Harvard Medical School, the endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a long-hidden mystery of the human body - a complex network of chemical signals and cellular receptors that play a crucial role in regulating various essential functions in our body, such as sleep, temperature regulation, immune responses, learning and memory, and so much more. With the "cannabinoid" receptors in our brain, does this mean that our body is set ...