Our Body — Health

Editorial package on the Health page of nationalgeographic.com

Stories: How many microplastic particles are really in our bodies? — Debates over the presence of microplastics in the human body highlight the challenge of studying something simultaneously invisible to the naked eye and abundant.; Doctors have long said cartilage can’t regenerate. They're now rethinking that. — New research suggests injured joints may not be as permanent as once believed, opening fresh strategies to fight osteoarthritis.; Your body has a natural way of getting high (and it's not endorphins) — The endocannabinoid system is found throughout the brain and body and plays a key role in everything from memory and learning to sleep to social behavior.; How does cannabis affect the body? — Experts say regular cannabis users are at higher risk for a host of negative health impacts, from depression to heart disease.; What really happens to your body when you give up meat—even just briefly — Going meat-free for just a few weeks can trigger surprising changes, from gut bacteria shifts to lower cholesterol. But the key to reaping the benefits isn’t just what you cut out—it’s what you add in.; ‘Hysterical strength’? Fight or flight? This is how your body reacts to extreme stress — In life-threatening situations, your body instantaneously recruits the largest and fastest muscle fibers needed for explosive force and power.