burgundy bug | The Burgundy Zine

March 17, 2020

Tune-In Tuesdays #61: Pop-Group HAUNTER Makes Their Empowering Debut

Rocking right into the pop scene with an unmatchable level of energy and heart, the Houston-based pop-group HAUNTER graced the industry with their electrifying debut single “Love You Better” last month.

Recently, we had an empowering discussion via telephone with guitarist Enoma Asowata, vocalist Lucy Lenoire, and bassist Mark Shroeder. We shared quite a few laughs and had the chance to learn more about this brand new band.

March 16, 2020

Can You Stomach It? The Mysterious Relationship Between Psychedelics and Gut Health

By now, it’s no secret the brain and gut are in constant communication – and yet, there’s still an air of mystery shrowding the gut-brain axis.

So far, we know serotonin is central to gut-brain signaling. In fact, 90 percent of serotonin is synthesized in the lining of the gastrointestinal tract, according to a 2016 Nutrients journal review.

Psychedelics, including psilocybin (a.k.a ‘shrooms’), LSD (a.k.a. ‘acid’), and DMT are serotonergic drugs that bind to the 5-HT2A receptor, says a 2018 World Psychiatric article. This is central to triggering the “psychedelic experience.”

Although research on psychedelics in mood, anxiety, and substance abuse disorders has been and currently is being heavily investigated, with a particular focus on serotonin, the impact of psychedelics on gut health remains largely untapped and under-researched.

Now that’s a head trip.

March 15, 2020

Weekly Newsletter #64: Merch Store Delay, Zine’s Still Okay

Due to recent events, we’ve decided to delay the launch of our online merch store.

However, the show must go on! This month’s issue of The Burgundy Zine is still scheduled for release on March 28th.

March 14, 2020

Pi Day? More Like, Vihart Day

It’s that time of the year again, bug buddies. “Mathemusician” and anti-Pi enthusiast YouTuber Vihart has returned with another one of her infamous “Anti-Pi Rant” videos.

This year, Vihart dives into various scenarios in which Pi itself contracts the coronavirus and spreads it exponentially to humans, other numbers, and of course, aliens.

March 13, 2020

High Fructose Corn Syrup in the Impossible Game of Hide-n-Seek

High fructose corn syrup is like glitter – it’s everywhere.

Just when you think you’ve finally eliminated it by cutting soda, candies, jams, and jellies out of your life, HFCS rears its head into your favorite soups and condiments.

So, what is HFCS? Where the hell does it come from? Why do some believe it’s “bad for you” and what should you do if you can’t digest fructose?

March 11, 2020

Review: Conscious by Annaka Harris

Using neuroscience, psychology, and philosophy as her compass, Annaka Harris guides the reader through the mystery of consciousness in “Conscious: A Brief Guide to the Fundamental Mystery of the Mind.”

Keeping the journey short, sweet, and digestible, Harris manages to present the big question in just a little over 100 pages – an impressive feat, considering the debate has spanned over multiple centuries.

March 10, 2020

Tune-In Tuesdays #60: Neverman Singer Matt McGown on “the War Within Themselves”

Deeply personable and incomparably energetic, Neverman intrigues their listeners through their candid lyricism on wading through rough times only to emerge from them stronger and more resilient.

Following the release of their latest EP, “It’s Not a Prison, It’s a Prism,” we spoke to Neverman frontman Matt McGown to learn more about his personal connection with music and the band’s big goals for this year.

March 9, 2020

Love Thy Doctor: Recent Statistics Say Otherwise

Do you love your doctor, the health care specialist who you’re supposed to entrust with your life and wellbeing?

If you don’t, you’re not alone. A recent Vanguard Communications study shows that doctors are 72 percent more likely to receive a one-star review than lawyers.

Yet, most of the online-complaints against doctors aren’t about the physicians themselves, rather, the practice they work in. But the blame still tends to fall on the doctor.

March 8, 2020

Weekly Newsletter #63: Caffeine Fiends

All the caffeine in the world won’t make our schedules any more legible.

Fun fact: Daylight savings began as we were writing this article and for a split second we thought we had gulped down enough tea to make the entire hour fly by.

March 5, 2020

Comics to Inspire and Educate: Naseed Gifted on Creating P.B. Soldier

Frustrated by the lack of superheroes that “looked like his son,” engineer and educator Naseed Gifted created his own superhero: “P.B. Soldier.”

“P.B. Soldier” truly resonates with the reader by combining history, science, and real-world experiences in an enriching and educational 65-episode story arch.

“When you talk about imagination, you want people to be able to dream again,” Gifted said during our recent interview. “That’s what this whole project is about, having individuals be able to dream and see themselves in the story.”

During our phone call with Gifted, we learned more origin story for “P.B. Soldier” and its Kickstarter campaign that launched this month.