Bee Stress Free

1. Bee Stress Free TechXplore 2008-2009, sponsored by the National Science & Technology Education Partnership (NSTEP) www.nstep-online.org Bergen County Academies (High School) Hackensack, New Jersey Facilitator: Evelyn Rios Mentor: ShaheenLakhan

2. Table of Contents • The Team/Mentor • The Problem • Research & Investigation • The Solution • Oral Presentation/Feedback • Survey • Bibliography • Lessons Learned • Thank You • Written Report

3. The Team • Anna G. – Webmaster • Hillary K. – Graphic Designer • Caroline K. – Researcher • Melanie V. – Researcher HOME

4. The Team – Our Mentor • Anna G. – Webmaster • Hillary K. – Graphic Designer • Caroline K. – Researcher • Melanie V. – Researcher • Shaheen Lakhan- Mentor • Founder and executive director of the Global Neuroscience Initiative Foundation, a non-profit charity organization for the advancement on mental health and neurological patient welfare, research, and education • Manages an international organization that has several projects designed to help those with brain disorders • Researches neuropsychiatry • Searches for biomarkers for psychiatric disorders to diagnose individuals before their major symptoms develop • Contact Dates: 9/25/08-12/15/08 (29 emails- no VyewBook used) HOME

5. The Problem • Not knowing when one is stressed • Difficulties identifying stress levels • No natural, effective way to treat stress • Causes teens to turn to drugs and alcohol • Brainstorming solutions • Option 1 • Option 2 • Option 3 HOME

6. Solution: Option 1 • Stress relieving body-care: shampoo, conditioner, soap, face wash, etc. that contains natural stress relieving elements such as pineapple and honey • Every time you wash, stress relieving ingredients sink into the body • Why Not? • www.clarocet.com/resources/stress/food-to-reduce-and-relieve-stress.htm • www.herbal-supplements-guide.com/herbs-for-stress.html HOME

7. Option 1: Why Not? • There is no proof that ingredients in body care will accurately transmit stress relievers into the body, let alone the blood to affect stress hormones quickly and effectively • This also does not solve the problem of knowing when stress levels are high, which is a big part of our proposed problem HOME

8. Solution: Option 2 • A reminding device that you keep with you everyday • At a certain time, it reminds you to do something stress-relieving (i.e. taking a bubble bath or doing yoga) • Why Not? HOME

9. Solution 2: Why Not? • This is essentially a timer, which is not a new invention • It’s just an arbitrary delegation of a moment to relax, which might place further pressure of the stressed individual • It implies that the person should drop everything to do something relaxing, which could actually end up causing more stress • news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/4183549.stm • www.holisticolonline.com/Stress/stress_vitamins.htm HOME

10. Solution: Option 3 • A patch that detects when you are stressed (from blood pressure, heart rate, hormones, etc.) and injects natural elements such as ginseng, watermelon and honey into the body to relieve stress • Why Not? HOME

11. Option 3: Why Not? • Allergens found in natural substances that can provide stress relief can cause consumer limitations • However, with correct labeling and careful consideration this problem can be mostly avoided • Transportation of the substances through the patch can become expensive • There are new options available that can lower costs • Overall, this is the most convincing option HOME

12. Research and Investigation • What Is Stress? • One’s reaction to a situation and environment • The Body’s Response • Release of the hormone cortisol • Prolonged high levels of cortisol result in • Decreased bone density • Higher blood pressure • Lowered immunity • Hyperglycemia HOME

13. Research and Investigation Cont. • Identifying Stress • Physical symptoms • Increase in heart rate • Increase in blood pressure • Stomach problems • Skin outbreaks • Muscle tension • Loss of sex drive • Mental symptoms • Memory problems • Anxiety • Indecisiveness • Poor judgment • Constant worrying • Negative thoughts • Inability to concentrate HOME

14. Research and Investigation Cont. • Identifying Stress Cont. • Behavioral symptoms • Eating more or less • Sleeping too much or too little • Isolation • Procrastination • Using alcohol, cigarettes, or drugs • Violent tendencies • Knowing How to Manage Stress • Mange time wisely • Plan ahead • Get enough sleep • More than 6 hrs each night • New eating habits • Avoid fast food, chips, and soft drinks • Avoid late-night snacks HOME www.holisticonline.com/Herbal-Med/_Herbs/h44.htm www.holisticonline.com/Aromatherapy/aroma_benefits.htm http://stress.about.com/od/studentstress/a/freshman15cause.htm

15. The Solution • A patch that indicates when stress levels are high through blood pressure, hormone levels (cortisol, epinephrine, etc.), and other bodily indications, so there are no false alarms • Stress-relievers are released transdermally when high stress levels are triggered, straight into the blood stream • Molecules pass through the dermis and epidermis into the capillaries, which then travel to the brain and avoid the stomach, meaning there will be no side-effects that cause stomach problems • Source: http://www.medi-patch-clinic.co.uk/transdermal-patch-technology.html • Because we are using natural ingredients, non-allergy related side-effects are very limited HOME

16. The Solution Cont. • Natural stress-relievers used in the product • Herbs • Siberian Ginseng: increases stamina, acts to adapt to external stress; increases immunity to stress • Gotu Kola: helps with stress coping and reduces anxiety • Wild Yam: acts as a muscle relaxer and hormonal tonic • Watermelon • Contains naturally occurring compounds that react with the body and trigger reactions • Citrulline: relaxes blood vessels • Converted into arginine, an amino acid that benefits the heart, circulation system, and immune system • Therapeutic vitamins, such as A, E, C, B1, iron, selenium, and potassium HOME

17. The Solution Cont. • Product Image HOME

18. Presentation Here, we presented to our Technology 2 class. HOME

19. Survey • Have you ever heard of such a product in existence? • Yes: 16% • No: 84% • Do you think our product would be successful as a solution to identifying and treating stress? • Yes: 77% • No: 23% • Do you think this product is necessary and essential for people who suffer from stress? • Yes: 64% • No: 36% • Have you ever heard of non-prescription stress medication? • Yes: 58% • No: 42% • Have you ever heard that watermelon can reduce stress? • Yes: 25% • No: 75% • Have you ever heard of stress-reducing herbs? • Yes: 75% • No: 25% • If you were suffering from stress, would you like to use this item in your everyday life? • Yes: 82% • No: 18% • Do you think this concept is realistic for future production? • Yes: 83% • No: 17% • Do you think this product would be in the average person’s price range? • Yes: 92% • No: 8% • Do you think this product will lower rates of drug and alcohol use in teens? • Yes: 71% • No: 29% HOME From this survey, we learned that not many of our classmates have heard of a patch like ours, but they think people can benefit from it.

20. Sources • www.clarocet.com/resources/stress/food-to-reduce-and-relieve-stress.htm • www.herbal-supplements-guide.com/herbs-for-stress.html • www.holisticolonline.com/Stress/stress_vitamins.htm • http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/4183549.stm • www.holisticonline.com/Herbal-Med/_Herbs/h44.htm • www.holisticonline.com/Aromatherapy/aroma_benefits.htm • www.associatedcontent.com/pop_print.shtml?content_type=article&content_type_id=130120 • www.helpguide.org/mental/stress_signs.htm • http://stress.about.com/od/stresshealth/a/cortisol.htm?p=1 • www.healthline.com/blogs/health_oberservances/2008/07/watermelon-relaxes-blood-vessels-may.html • www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/diet.fitness/07/03/watermelon.vagra.ap/index.html • http://stress.abot.com/od/studentstress/ss/college_stress.htm HOME

21. Sources Cont. • http://stres.about.com/od/studentstress/a/finals_stressor.htm • http://stress.about.com/od/undrstandingstress/a/perfectionist.htm • http://stress.about.com/od/understandingstress/a/type_a_person.htm • http://stress.about.com/od/optimismspirituality/a/optimismbenefit.htm • http://stress.about.com/od/lowstresslifestyle/ss/control_5.htm • http://stress.about.com/od/studentstress/ht/schoolstress.htm • http://stress.about.com/od/studentstress/a/freshman15cause.htm • http://cnx.org/content/m13289/latest/ • http://brainblogger.cm/2008/01/14/irritable-bowel-syndrome-linked-to-abnormal-brain-activity/ • http://brainblogger.com/2008/03/18/ibs-and-the-brain-part-ii/ • http://brainblogger.com/2008/09/23/craniosacral-therapy-healing-through-touch/ • http://brainblogger.com/2008/09/01/laughter-is-the-best-and-possibly-oldest-medicine/ • http://www.medi-patch-clinic.co.uk/transdermal-patch-technology.html HOME

22. Lessons Learned • We learned many things from our project • We learned how much research you need to put in if you want to support your idea • We also learned the importance of communication and help. Our project would not be complete if we could not communicate properly HOME

23. Thank You! • We would like to thank many people for the completion of our project • Thank you to our mentor, Shaheen Lakhan, for his time and dedication as well as thoughtful comments • Thank you to our facilitator, Evelyn Rios, for her endless advice and encouragement • Thank you to Donna Leonardi, for her help with researching for our project • Lastly, we would like to thank TechXPlore for giving us the opportunity to participate in such a unique and exciting project! HOME

24. Written Report • Bee Stress Free • TechXplore 2008-2009, sponsored by the National Science & Technology Education Partnership (NSTEP) • www.nstep-online.org • Bergen County Academies • (High School) • Hackensack, New Jersey • Evelyn Rios • Shaheen Lakhan • Table of Contents • žThe Team • žThe Problem • žResearch & Investigation • žThe Solution • žPresentation • žSurvey • žBibliography • žThank You • The Team • žAnna G. – Webmaster • žHillary K. – Graphic Designer • žCaroline K. – Researcher • žMelanie V. – Researcher • The Team- Our Mentor • žShaheen Lakhan • ›Founder and executive director of the Global Neuroscience Initiative Foundation, a non-profit charity organization for the advancement on mental health and neurological patient welfare, research, and education • ›Manages an international organization that has several projects designed to help those with brain disorders • ›Researches neuropsychiatry • ›Searches for biomarkers for psychiatric disorders to diagnose individuals before their major symptoms develop • The Problem • žNot knowing when one is stressed • žDifficulties identifying stress levels • žNo natural, effective way to treat stress • ›Causes teens to turn to drugs and alcohol • žBrainstorming solutions • ›Option 1 • ›Option 2 • ›Option 3 • Solution- Option 1 • ž Stress relieving body-care: shampoo, conditioner, soap, face wash, etc. that contains natural stress relieving elements such as pineapple and honey • ž Every time you wash, stress relieving ingredients sink into the body • žWhy Not? • Option1: Why Not? • žThere is no proof that ingredients in body care will accurately transmit stress relievers into the body, let alone the blood to affect stress hormones quickly and effectively • žThis also does not solve the problem of knowing when stress levels are high, which is a big part of our proposed problem • Solution- Option 2 • žA reminding device that you keep with you everyday • žAt a certain time, it reminds you to do something stress-relieving (i.e. taking a bubble bath or doing yoga) • žWhy Not? • Option 2: Why Not? • žThis is essentially a timer, which is not a new invention • žIt’s just an arbitrary delegation of a moment to relax, which might place further pressure of the stressed individual • žIt implies that the person should drop everything to do something relaxing, which could actually end up causing more stress • Solution- Option 3 • ž A patch that detects when you are stressed (from blood pressure, heart rate, hormones, etc.) and injects natural elements such as ginseng, watermelon and honey into the body to relieve stress • žWhy Not? • Option 3: Why Not? • žAllergens found in natural substances that can provide stress relief can cause consumer limitations • žHowever, with correct labeling and careful consideration this problem can be mostly avoided • žTransportation of the substances through the patch can become expensive • žThere are new options available that can lower costs • žOverall, this is the most convincing option • Research and Investigation • žWhat Is Stress? • ›One’s reaction to a situation and environment • žThe Body’s Response • ›Release of the hormone cortisol • –Prolonged high levels of cortisol result in • –Decreased bone density • –Higher blood pressure • –Lowered immunity • –Hyperglycemia • Research and Investigation Cont. • žIdentifying Stress • ›Physical symptoms • –Increase in heart rate • –Increase in blood pressure • –Stomach problems • –Skin outbreaks • –Muscle tension • –Loss of sex drive • ›Mental symptoms • –Memory problems • –Anxiety • –Indecisiveness • –Poor judgment • –Constant worrying • –Negative thoughts • –Inability to concentrate • Research and Investigation Cont. • žIdentifying Stress Cont. • ›Behavioral symptoms • –Eating more or less • –Sleeping too much or too little • –Isolation • –Procrastination • –Using alcohol, cigarettes, or drugs • –Violent tendencies • žKnowing How to Manage Stress • ›Mange time wisely • –Plan ahead • ›Get enough sleep • –More than 6 hrs each night • ›New eating habits • –Avoid fast food, chips, and soft drinks • –Avoid late-night snacks • The Solution • žA patch that indicates when stress levels are high through blood pressure, hormone levels (cortisol, epinephrine, etc.), and other bodily indications, so there are no false alarms • žStress-relievers are released transdermally when high stress levels are triggered, straight into the blood stream • žMolecules pass through the dermis and epidermis into the capillaries, which then travel to the brain and avoid the stomach, meaning there will be no side-effects that cause stomach problems • ›Source: http://www.medi-patch-clinic.co.uk/transdermal-patch-technology.html • žBecause we are using natural ingredients, non-allergy related side-effects are very limited • The Solution Cont. • žNatural stress-relievers used in the product • ›Herbs • –Siberian Ginseng: increases stamina, acts to adapt to external stress; increases immunity to stress • –Gotu Kola: helps with stress coping and reduces anxiety • –Wild Yam: acts as a muscle relaxer and hormonal tonic • ›Watermelon • –Contains naturally occurring compounds that react with the body and trigger reactions • –Citrulline: relaxes blood vessels • –Converted into arginine, an amino acid that benefits the heart, circulation system, and immune system • ›Therapeutic vitamins, such as A, E, C, B1, iron, selenium, and potassium • The Solution Cont. • Product Image • Presentation • We presented to our Technology 2 class and surveyed them about our product afterwards • Survey • žHave you ever heard of such a product in existence? • ›Yes: 16% • ›No: 84% • žDo you think our product would be successful as a solution to identifying and treating stress? • ›Yes: 77% • ›No: 23% • žDo you think this product is necessary and essential for people who suffer from stress? • ›Yes: 64% • ›No: 36% • žHave you ever heard of non-prescription stress medication? • ›Yes: 58% • ›No: 42% • žHave you ever heard that watermelon can reduce stress? • ›Yes: 25% • ›No: 75% • žHave you ever heard of stress-reducing herbs? • ›Yes: 75% • ›No: 25% • žIf you were suffering from stress, would you like to use this item in your everyday life? • ›Yes: 82% • ›No: 18% • žDo you think this concept is realistic for future production? • ›Yes: 83% • ›No: 17% • žDo you think this product would be in the average person’s price range? • ›Yes: 92% • ›No: 8% • žDo you think this product will lower rates of drug and alcohol use in teens? • ›Yes: 71% • ›No: 29% • Lessons Learned • žWe learned many things from our project • ›We learned how much research you need to put in if you want to support your idea • ›We also learned the importance of communication and help. Our project would not be complete if we could not communicate properly • Thank You! • žWe would like to thank many people for the completion of our project • žThank you to our mentor, Shaheen Lakhan, for his time and dedication as well as thoughtful comments • žThank you to our facilitator, Evelyn Rios, for her endless advice and encouragement • žThank you to Donna Leonardi, for her help with researching for our project • žLastly, we would like to thank TechXPlore for giving us the opportunity to participate in such a unique and exciting project! HOME