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Boulder is buzzing with excitement over Payton Follestad, ND, MSR Student, who’s been named Boulder's 2025 Naturopathic Student Researcher of the Year. Her groundbreaking work in psychedelic researc…
Boulder is buzzing w…
Boulder is buzzing with excitement over Payton Follestad, ND, MSR Student, who’s been named Boulder's 2025 Naturopathic Student Researcher of the Year. Her groundbreaking work in psychedelic research is reshaping the future of naturopathic medicine. Bridging Two Worlds Follestad studies at the National University of Natural Medicine (NUNM) in Portland, OR. She’s a fifth-year student pursuing a dual degree as a Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine (ND) and Master of Science in Clinical Research (MSCR). At the same time, Follestad leads the Psychedelic Assisted Therapy Research Team at Nour…
Brenna Bray
August 31, 2025
Boulder proudly celebrates Hrishikesh “Rishi” Lamichhane as the 2025 MPH Student Researcher of the Year. With a sharp mind for data and a heart for public health, Rishi is already making a meaning…
Boulder proudly cele…
Boulder proudly celebrates Hrishikesh “Rishi” Lamichhane as the 2025 MPH Student Researcher of the Year. With a sharp mind for data and a heart for public health, Rishi is already making a meaningful impact in the field. A Mind for Mapping Rishi is a Research Assistant and Resident Biostatistician at the NourishED Research Foundation, where he trains under Boulder's own, Dr. Brenna Bray (PhD). He specializes in network mapping and mixed-methods analysis, focusing on environmental factors in binge eating disorder, using tools like Kumu, Python, R, SPSS, and ArcGIS. Rishi's network …
Brenna Bray
August 30, 2025
Boulder is proud to celebrate Barbara Kalu as the 2025 Clinical Mental Health Counseling Student of the Year. Her dedication to mental health, research, and advocacy is already making a meaningful imp…
Boulder is proud to …
Boulder is proud to celebrate Barbara Kalu as the 2025 Clinical Mental Health Counseling Student of the Year. Her dedication to mental health, research, and advocacy is already making a meaningful impact. A Voice for Change Barbara is a Master’s Candidate in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Johns Hopkins University. With a background in Psychology from Boston University, she brings both academic rigor and heartfelt compassion to her work. She’s not just studying mental health—she’s helping shape its future. Leading with Impact In addition to her academic work, Barbara se…
Brenna Bray
August 29, 2025
Boulder is proud to name the NourishED Research Foundation as its 2025 Nonprofit Pick of the Year. This local organization is leading a global movement to change how we understand, treat, and talk abo…
Boulder is proud to …
Boulder is proud to name the NourishED Research Foundation as its 2025 Nonprofit Pick of the Year. This local organization is leading a global movement to change how we understand, treat, and talk about eating disorders. Nourishing Knowledge, Empowering Hope Founded by Dr. Brenna Bray, NourishED is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit research foundation that uses science to spark change. Their mission is simple but powerful: improve awareness, understanding, prevention, and treatment access for eating disorders—and do it for everyone. They focus on justice, equity, diversity, inclusion,…
Brenna Bray
August 28, 2025
Boulder is proud to name the NourishED Research Summit as its 2025 Health Event of the Year. This powerful, four-day virtual gathering is changing how we understand eating disorders, mental health, an…
Boulder is proud to …
Boulder is proud to name the NourishED Research Summit as its 2025 Health Event of the Year. This powerful, four-day virtual gathering is changing how we understand eating disorders, mental health, and public wellness—and it’s all led by one of Boulder’s own: Dr. Brenna Bray (recently named Boulder's Health Coach, Advocate, & Researchers of the Year). A Summit With Purpose Hosted by the NourishED Research Foundation, the summit will be held online (virtually) September 12–14, and brings together researchers, clinicians, policymakers, and advocates from around the world. Th…
Brenna Bray
August 27, 2025
Boulder is home to many brilliant minds, but few shine as brightly as Dr. Brenna Bray. This year, she’s been named Boulder Health Coach and Boulder Health Advocate of 2025—a well-deserved recognit…
Boulder is home to m…
Boulder is home to many brilliant minds, but few shine as brightly as Dr. Brenna Bray. This year, she’s been named Boulder Health Coach and Boulder Health Advocate of 2025—a well-deserved recognition for a woman whose work is changing lives across the globe. Brain Science Meets Real Life Dr. Bray holds a PhD in Biomedical Science and Neuroscience, with postdoctoral training in Complementary and Integrative Health funded by the NIH. Her early research explored how stress hormones affect the brain’s reward system. “We confirmed that in healthy conditions, stress increases hormone le…
Brenna Bray
August 26, 2025
Nutrition is essential for child brain development, which lays the foundation for lifetime attention, emotion, and behavior regulation, and overall mental health. Essential nutrients that s…
Nutrition is essenti…
Nutrition is essential for child brain development, which lays the foundation for lifetime attention, emotion, and behavior regulation, and overall mental health. Essential nutrients that support brain development and mental health include: Vitamins: A, B, C, D, & E. Minerals: Magnesium, Zinc, Iron, Selenium. Fatty Acids: Omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). Dietary Fiber. Studies also identify harmful impacts of sugar, artifical additives, and processed/factory foods on overall mental health in children and adults alike. …
Brenna Bray
January 25, 2025
Parenting is no joke. While undeniably rewarding, it can also be quite demanding. Moreover, parenting is often just one of several roles a parent plays, alongside partner, worker, neighbor, etc. The s…
Parenting is no joke…
Parenting is no joke. While undeniably rewarding, it can also be quite demanding. Moreover, parenting is often just one of several roles a parent plays, alongside partner, worker, neighbor, etc. The stress of these roles - even when rewrading - can take their tole on physical and mental health for parents and children alike (1,2,3). In fact, studies find that over the last decade, parents are consistently more likely to report experiencing high levels of stress as compared to their childless adult peers, with 33% of parents and only 20% of childless adults reporting high levels of stress in…
Brenna Bray
January 23, 2025
Eating Disorders are Real Mental Health Issues Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions recognized clinically but largely minimized by the healthcare industry and society as a whole. …
Eating Disorders are…
Eating Disorders are Real Mental Health Issues Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions recognized clinically but largely minimized by the healthcare industry and society as a whole. This is especially true of binge eating disorder (BED), a clinical mental health diagnosis that involves discrete episodes of binge eating, in which individuals consume large amounts of food quickly and persistently (~1/wk for >3 months in 2-hour periods), often feeling a lack of control, guilt, and shame. Like all eating disorders, BED can lead to significant distress and health issues. Un…
Brenna Bray
January 19, 2025
In the heart of Boulder, CO, a new battle is brewing against the predatory practices of the food industry. This fight echoes the historic struggle against Big Tobacco, drawing alarming parallels betwe…
In the heart of Boul…
In the heart of Boulder, CO, a new battle is brewing against the predatory practices of the food industry. This fight echoes the historic struggle against Big Tobacco, drawing alarming parallels between the two. The Rise of Big Food Just as Big Tobacco once manipulated public perception and downplayed the dangers of smoking, Big Food has employed similar tactics. From the 1980s to the present day, these companies have created environments that promote unhealthy eating habits, leading to a surge in eating disorders. "With tobacco, we were working on these treatm…
Brenna Bray
January 18, 2025
Boulder, Colorado, is a lively city celebrated for its breathtaking natural scenery, abundant outdoor recreational options, and a strong community spirit. For parents who want to keep their children p…
Boulder, Colorado, i…
Boulder, Colorado, is a lively city celebrated for its breathtaking natural scenery, abundant outdoor recreational options, and a strong community spirit. For parents who want to keep their children physically active without incurring costs, Boulder offers a treasure trove of free / low cost activities that promote exercise, creativity, and exploration. Here are some active, affordable things parents can do with their kids in the Boulder area. Explore the Boulder Creek PathThe Boulder Creek Path is a picturesque, paved trail that follows the creek. Families can walk, jog, or bike along the p…
Brenna Bray
January 16, 2025
In a groundbreaking decision for Boulder and National public health, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has officially banned the use of Red Dye No. 3 in food products and ingested medication…
In a groundbreaking …
In a groundbreaking decision for Boulder and National public health, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has officially banned the use of Red Dye No. 3 in food products and ingested medications. This significant action comes more than thirty years after initial studies revealed concerning links between the dye and cancer in animal models. The FDA's announcement, prompted by a petition from various advocacy organizations, represents a crucial step toward enhancing consumer safety and health standards. Overview of Red Dye No. 3 Red Dye No. 3, scientifically known as erythrosine, is…
Brenna Bray
January 15, 2025
In the heart of Boulder, CO, Dr. Brenna Bray, PhD founded and leads the NourishED Research Foundation, a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit research foundation that uses research to improve awareness, pre…
In the heart of Boul…
In the heart of Boulder, CO, Dr. Brenna Bray, PhD founded and leads the NourishED Research Foundation, a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit research foundation that uses research to improve awareness, prevention, treatment, and the lived experiences of eating disorders and other mental health disparities. Among its many activities, NourishED uses research to raise awareness about the ways predatory food industry practices and environments significantly impact disordered relationships with food and eating, which can lead to eating disorders. The Rise of Big Food Just as Big Tobacco once manipul…
Brenna Bray
January 15, 2025
In a groundbreaking lawsuit, 18-year-old Bryce Martinez from Warrington, Pennsylvania, has taken on 11 major food companies, claiming that ultraprocessed foods (UPFs) are as addictive as cigarettes an…
In a groundbreaking …
In a groundbreaking lawsuit, 18-year-old Bryce Martinez from Warrington, Pennsylvania, has taken on 11 major food companies, claiming that ultraprocessed foods (UPFs) are as addictive as cigarettes and have led to serious health issues, including fatty liver disease and Type 2 diabetes. In a groundbreaking lawsuit, an 18-year-old Pennsylvanian takes on 11 major food companies, claiming their ultraprocessed foods are as addictive as cigarettes and have lead to serious health issues, including fatty liver disease, Type 2 diabetes, and - Dr. Brenna Bray (pHD) adds - eating disorders! The …
Brenna Bray
January 11, 2025
In Boulder, where the mountains stand as silent witnesses to the resilience of nature, a similar strength is found in the hearts of those who seek healing. Ellie Grey Ashton, a Colorado local with an …
In Boulder, where th…
In Boulder, where the mountains stand as silent witnesses to the resilience of nature, a similar strength is found in the hearts of those who seek healing. Ellie Grey Ashton, a Colorado local with an MS in Psychology, PhD candidacy in Psychology/Developmental Psychology, and an alphabet list of healing certifications, is a testament to this. From Adversity to Empathy Ashton identifies himself as an empathetic leader who earned a “full-ride” NCAA DI football scholarship at the Virginia Military Institute. In his own healing journey, Ashton earned certifications in advanced herbalism, a…
Brenna Bray
March 24, 2024
In Boulder, we’re known for our forward-thinking community and the inspiring natural beauty that surrounds us. It’s the perfect setting for envisioning a brighter future and taking the steps to ma…
In Boulder, we’re …
In Boulder, we’re known for our forward-thinking community and the inspiring natural beauty that surrounds us. It’s the perfect setting for envisioning a brighter future and taking the steps to make it a reality. Whether you’re aiming for personal growth, professional achievements, or a more fulfilling lifestyle, the journey begins with a clear vision of your future self. This column will guide you through a simple yet powerful exercise adapted from ancient Hawaiian Healing techniques to help you bridge the gap between your current self and the person you aspire to be. Ready to start?…
Brenna Bray
March 23, 2024
As Boulder’s own remarkable matron, Chris Bray, LP, MA, PhD, approaches her 75th birthday, we take a moment to step back into the pages of her past, which read like an adventure novel. In…
As Boulder’s own r…
As Boulder’s own remarkable matron, Chris Bray, LP, MA, PhD, approaches her 75th birthday, we take a moment to step back into the pages of her past, which read like an adventure novel. In 1973, Bray and her newlywed husband, Tim, embarked on a year-long odyssey that would see them traverse the globe on a shoestring budget, a testament to their adventurous spirits and setting the standard for living bolder before it became Boulder’s way of life. Go On, Take the Money and Run In April, 1973, the newlywed couple Chris and Tim Bray made a bold decision to trade their weddi…
Brenna Bray
March 21, 2024
Feline Elegance on the Catwalk Strutting down the runway of life with unparalleled grace and a wardrobe that would make any fashionista purr with envy, Petunia Adams is not just any feline—she’…
Feline Elegance on t…
Feline Elegance on the Catwalk Strutting down the runway of life with unparalleled grace and a wardrobe that would make any fashionista purr with envy, Petunia Adams is not just any feline—she’s Boulder’s next top model and our adored “Cat of the Week.” From Foster Care to Forever Home Petunia’s rise to fame began in the cozy confines of Payton Adams’ heart and home. Payton, a former cat foster parent, has a history of caring for cats with compelling backstories, from Mauna Kea with her musical namesake to Don Juan, the sneezing romantic. Yet, it was Petunia who stole th…
Brenna Bray
March 19, 2024
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