Come out of the sun and heat for awhile, clean off the loam from your hands and sit and relax. Have some iced tea while you continue your summer dreaming by doing “Summer Flowers in Bloom” word search. Do you recognize your fav flower in the group? Take your time, the weeds can wait. Enjoy.
Hair never seems to grow more slowly than when you need it to do the exact opposite. If you’re wondering how to grow hair faster, the first thing to keep in mind is that there’s no sudden miracle cure for transitioning between hairstyles or growing out an unfortunate chop overnight. On average, you should expect a maximum half inch of new growth per month—and that’s under the healthiest conditions. Due to factors like breakage or diet, it can easily be less. In other words, have plenty of patience.
The good news: There are plenty of easy steps that can make a big difference in ensuring you do reach that half inch every month. Growing your hair out requires a twofold approach. First, you have to reduce damage throughout the hair shaft to prevent hair loss and growth-slowing breakage. And second, you need an optimal growing environment at the root, while also leaving certain things (like color and trims) in the hands of experienced professionals. Below, hair and scalp experts weigh in on the 15 most effective things you can do to get those follicles (gradually) moving. Here’s their best advice on how to grow hair faster.
1. Put down the scissors and ask for “health trims.”
Says celebrity hairstylist Justine Marjan, let it grow out until you can (or feel safe enough to) book a salon appointment again. Once you do, she recommends asking for a “health trim”—in other words, letting your hairstylist know you are growing out your hair and only want to cut the split ends while still maintaining length.
“If the goal is to grow out your hair, patience is key,” she says. “Get trims two or three times a year, or more frequently if your hair is damaged or you color it regularly.”
2. Take a break from bleaching.
“I like to say your hair can be short and blonde or long and dark, but you can’t have both,” says Marjan. Regularly bleaching and highlighting your hair can easily lead to over-processing, which causes breakage and makes it much harder for hair to grow out. Marjan recommends switching to darker colors during your grow-out phase and opting for demi- or semi-permanent colors at the salon, which won’t cause unnecessary damage.
3. Try a clarifying shampoo or scalp scrub.
Your scalp condition is crucial to growing your hair—not just faster, but also healthier and stronger. According to dermatologist Ava Shamban, M.D., you can improve scalp health by creating a clear surface with clarifying ingredients. “Like your face, your scalp experiences a great deal of environmentally induced inflammation,” she says. “Keeping follicles clean prevents oil build up or clogging.”
Shamban recommends any scalp scrub formulas with salicylic acid (which strips away the outer layer of cells and sebum buildup) and glycolic acid (which penetrates even more deeply). You can also try making your own using sugar, olive oil, honey, and apple cider vinegar. Or, simply incorporate a once-weekly shampoo that’s equal parts clarifying and hydrating.
4. Choose haircare products with targeted ingredients.
Beyond your once-weekly clarifying shampoo or scrub, it’s also helpful to look for topicals that can maintain your hair health in between. Kerry Yates, scalp health expert and founder of Colour Collective, always recommends a select group of anti-inflammatory botanicals. “Aloe vera instantly soothes and conditions without negatively impacting sebum production,” she says. “Fenugreek is rich in niacin, which can increase blood flow to the follicle. Chamomile is a natural calming agent for scalp sensitivities, and honey helps ward off bacterial growth on your scalp.”
5. Space out your shampoo days.
Deciding how often you should wash your hair ultimately depends on your individual hair type. But whether you have curls or straight hair, Yates does not recommend shampooing on a daily basis. “The daily use of cleansers can cause dryness and scalp irritation,” she says. Use a dry shampoo when needed, and follow with a clarifying rinse the day after.
6. Treat yourself to a deep-conditioning treatment.
Scalp health is important for growth, but so is keeping the rest of your hair nourished, even if it’s made up of dead cells. Cut down on split ends and damage by doing a once-weekly deep-conditioning treatment. These targeted formulas help to keep the hair shaft sealed and smooth. “Have a deep conditioning treatment that’s part of your regular regimen,” says hairstylist and owner of Phenix Salon Suites, Gina Rivera.
7. Swap out your bath towel for something snag-free.
Once you’re out of the shower, your hair is in its most fragile state. Avoid breakage by using towels that won’t snag and pull. “The best towels to use for drying the hair are non-terrycloth towels,” says Yates. “The absence of the tight loops prevent that excess pulling, which is not good for hair health.” She suggests using an old cotton T-shirt instead, which provides a smooth surface for hair to glide over without getting caught.
8. Minimize heat damage.
Growing your hair out doesn’t mean swearing off hot tools entirely, but minimizing heat damage significantly cuts down on dryness and split ends. “I recommend Ghd hot tools because of their universal heat setting, which styles your hair without blowing out the cuticle and contributing to heat damage,” says Marjan. Rivera also recommends lines like By Gina with infrared smart technology, which locks moisture into the hair shaft. In general, keep your blow-dryers, flatirons, and curling wands on lower heat settings when possible to prevent scorching the hair. (And always pair them with a heat protectant.)
9. Brush your hair—carefully.
Brushing your hair does more than detangle it; it also releases dead cells, improves scalp circulation, and distributes oil throughout your hair shaft. Shamban often recommends that her clients with irritated scalps incorporate this step by using a bristle brush daily. Remember that hair is especially fragile out of the shower, so it’s best to do this step once your hair isn’t sopping wet. “Make sure you brush gently and use a non-damaging brush that won’t pull or snag hair,” says Marjan.
10. Invest in a silk pillowcase.
“Silk pillowcases are probably the easiest change you can make that reaps the biggest reward,” says Marjan. When you sleep on cotton pillowcases, the fabric can pull moisture from your hair overnight and cause friction that leads to dryness and pulling. “Sleeping on silk not only extends the life of your hairstyle, but also keeps hair healthier,” says Marjan. These colorful cases from Branché keep their soft but substantial finish no matter how many times you wash them, but you should also take a look at our breakdown of the best silk pillowcases worth your money.
11. Gua sha your scalp.
If you’ve tried gua sha on your face, the same technique can be applied to your scalp to stimulate hair follicles. “This is a great pre-shampoo treatment and can be done with an oil on your scalp,” says Marjan, who recommends either castor or tea tree oil. “Castor oil has an essential fatty acid that nourishes your scalp and prevents hair from falling, resulting in thicker, healthier hair,” she says. Tea tree oil is an ideal option if you want a cooling, stimulating effect. touch points.
12. Use low-pressure hair ties.
Just like cotton pillowcases, elastics can also pull on your hair if you’re not careful. “Constant pulling will result in permanent follicle damage and prevent the follicles from operating normally,” says Yates. “If you like to wear your hair in tight ponytail, try one a bit lower, towards the nape of your neck to limit strain.” Also consider swapping out your regular elastics for silk scrunchies or hair ties that distribute pressure more evenly, like the Invisibobble.
13. Take biotin, iodine, and zinc supplements.
Topicals are effective at maintaining hair health to an extent, but supplements are another smart way to get your nutrients in. There’s no miracle pill that will suddenly speed up hair growth, but certain ingredients can assist in the process. Shamban frequently recommends biotin to her patients, which works as well internally as it does topically. Nutritionist and founder of JSHealth Vitamins, Jessica Sepel, likes kelp-sourced iodine and zinc, which are featured in her Hair + Energy vitamins. “Iodine has promising research to enhance hair health and growth, and zinc can help maintain it,” she says.
14. Eat foods rich in iron, protein, and healthy fats.
Sepel also recommends paying attention to your regular diet, where you get the bulk of your growth-boosting ingredients. “Incorporate a variety of nutrients to promote healthier hair,” she says. At the top of her list are iron and protein-rich foods like red meat, spinach, legumes, tempeh, tofu, poultry, fish, and eggs. The healthy fats found in salmon, avocado, and nuts can also help promote shinier, stronger hair.
15. Reduce stress.
Shamban says that stress and hormonal shifts are the main factors behind hair loss and thinning in women. “When you are unhealthy, the energy to support scalp and hair health will be diverted to other parts of your body,” says Yates. “Solely relying on topical treatments in these cases will not help with scalp health.”
This one’s admittedly easier said than done, but whether reducing stress involves plugging in an essential oil diffuser or having a longer conversation with your doctor, it’s an important final step. “A happy scalp grows healthy hair,” says Shamban.
Sarah Wu is a writer in Berlin. Follow her on Instagram@say.wu.
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Heat exhaustion symptoms include rapid pulse, nausea, fatigue, and lightheadedness.
Heat exhaustion usually happens in hot, humid environments when the body is dehydrated and can’t cool itself properly.
To prevent heat exhaustion stay hydrated and try to avoid exercising, or otherwise exerting yourself, during the hottest parts of the day.
This article was medically reviewed by Jason R. McKnight, MD, MS, a family medicine physician and clinical assistant professor at Texas A&M College of Medicine.
This story is part of Insider’s guide to Heat Illness.
Heat exhaustion is a heat-related illness that happens when the body overheats and cannot cool itself effectively. It’s often caused by exposure to extreme heat and humidity. Common symptoms include heavy sweating and rapid pulse.
Heat exhaustion can happen to anyone, but those most at risk include children under four and people over age 65.
Most often, it occurs when people exercise or work outdoors in hot or humid conditions. However, heat exhaustion can also happen indoors, like if you’re in a car with the windows rolled up during the summer.
This article discusses the symptoms of heat exhaustion, who’s most at risk, and how to treat and prevent it from happening in the future.
Heat exhaustion symptoms
Heat exhaustion is not as serious as heatstroke. However, if you’re experiencing the following symptoms, you should seek treatment immediately since heat exhaustion can develop into heatstroke, a more dangerous heat-related illness.
The main symptoms of heat exhaustion are:
Heavy sweating
Rapid pulse
Cool, clammy, or pale skin
Fatigue
Nausea
Headache
Lightheadedness
Fainting
Dizziness
Confusion
You may also experience heat cramps, another type of heat-related illness that causes muscle spasms and can be a precursor to heat exhaustion.
Heat exhaustion causes
Heat exhaustion occurs when the body overheats. Normal body temperature is usually around 98.6 °F but it can vary between 97 °F and 99 °F. The body can easily overheat when it’s dehydrated and in hot, humid environments. Exerting yourself under these conditions, like exercising, can accelerate the process.
“Your body temperature can increase about a degree for every five minutes of exercise you’re doing,” says Joshua Scott, MD, primary care sports medicine physician at Cedars-Sinai Kerlin-Jobe Institute.
Sweat is the main way your body cools itself down. But in humid environments, sweat doesn’t evaporate as quickly, which can cause you to overheat. Add high temperatures and exercise to the mix, and you can easily overheat before you know it.
Heat exhaustion treatment
If you’re experiencing symptoms of heat exhaustion, it’s important to cool yourself down immediately. Try the following treatments:
Get out of the heat. Seek shade or get indoors — and preferably in air conditioning — if you can.
Hydrate. Sweating cools you down, but it causes you to lose fluids and electrolytes, which are minerals that help keep you hydrated. To treat heat exhaustion, you need to replenish those fluids by drinking water or a sports drink like Gatorade for electrolytes.
Use cool water. Help to bring your body temperature down by taking a cool bath or shower, spraying yourself with a garden hose, or by putting wet, cool cloths on your body.
Loosen your clothing. Remove any tight or unnecessary clothing if you notice symptoms of heat exhaustion. Multiple layers can trap heat and make it harder for your body to cool itself — light fabrics and loose clothing are always best when it’s hot.
Heat exhaustion prevention
If you’re going to be exercising or working outside in the heat, here are three of the best ways to protect yourself:
1. Avoid the hottest part of the day
Some jobs, like working construction, may require you to be outdoors all day, but if you can, try to avoid being outside around 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., when temperatures are highest.
If you’re planning to go for a run, check the weather for the day, and if the high is more than 101 degrees Fahrenheit, choose a cooler time of day to be outside, like the morning or evening.
2. Take frequent breaks
When you’re in hot and humid conditions, Scott recommends taking a 10-minute break for every 40 minutes of exercise.
Exercising quickly raises your body temperature. Giving yourself time to rest can help your body adjust to these changes.
3. Stay hydrated
When you’re dehydrated, your body can’t produce enough sweat to cool down. Make sure to take a drink about every 15 to 20 minutes while you work out, Scott says.
Overall, you should be consuming about 100 fluid ounces of liquid a day, even if you don’t feel thirsty. You usually don’t feel thirsty until you’re already dehydrated, Scott says, so it’s important to drink water throughout the day, and especially when you’re working out.
“Dehydration can start to reduce muscle strength which can then reduce your body’s ability to thermoregulate itself,” Scott says. “So the problems start long before you get thirsty.”
When to see a doctor
If heat exhaustion symptoms don’t improve within an hour of onset or they get worse, you need to seek immediate medical attention.
Swathes of tall, wafting grasses look wonderful in large gardens, but they can also be used to great effect in a small space.
It pays to be bold when using ornamental grasses, which tend to work best dotted throughout border schemes, mingling with other plants. Many will look good until the end of autumn, undergoing subtle colour changes as the seasons progress.
The grass family is one of the largest in the plant kingdom, having evolved to cope with every conceivable soil and site. This means you can choose species that suit your garden conditions, as well as your taste.
Discover our pick of grasses for small gardens, below.
Molinia caerulea
Our native purple moor grass, Molinia caerulea first flowers in May and adopts subtle shades of green, blue and purple. However, as its flower stems head skyward they change to gold, and when they extend and open, they start to shimmer. The plants that make the greatest impact are bred from the subspecies Molinia caerulea subsp. arundinacea, which is much taller. Molinias are the most versatile of grasses, and the changes in light from dawn to dusk, or from storm to glorious sunshine, give them different guises. Plant them against a dark background to enjoy the full benefit of their sunlit golden stems, but make sure you can see them silhouetted against a brilliant blue autumn sky, too.
Molinia caerulea ‘Edith Dudszus’ bears vertical, needle-like foliage and refined upright flower stems, this molinia forms a compact clump that’s ideal for a small space. You can also see through it, to other treats growing behind.
Flowers: July-November Height x Spread: 75cm x 50cm
Molinia caerulea subsp. caerulea ‘Edith Dudszus’
Miscanthus sinensis
The two best reasons for growing miscanthus are their statuesque presence in the garden and their magnificent flowerheads, or inflorescences, which last for months, making a striking feature from late summer into winter. Some cultivars, such as ‘Flamingo’ have silky pink flowers that cascade softly, while others, such as ‘Nippon’, have more upright spikes in a deep bronze-red. Neither of these is too big for a small garden and there are several other compact varieties. ‘Kleine Fontäne’ and ‘Kleine Silberspinne’ both grow to shoulder height. They bring light, air and movement into even the tiniest garden and since they grow upwards, they take up no more space than a clump of hardy geraniums.
Flowers: July-November H x S: 120cm x 50cm
Miscanthus sinensis ‘Kleine Silberspinne’
Imperata cylindrica
A brilliant addition to any hot-coloured planting, Imperata cylindrica spreads by underground rhizomes, but grows so slowly that it will never wander too far in our climate. Give it deep, fertile soil with plenty of humus to keep it happy.
Flowers: June-August H x S: 50cm x 50cm
Imperata cylindrica ‘Red Baron’
Hakonechloa macra
With its long pointed leaves, Hakonechloa macra must be the most elegant of grasses. It’s always impeccably groomed, with never a blade out of place. Brilliant in containers, it’s probably most effective when giving a solo performance. Grow it in sun or part-shade.
Flowers: July-September H x S: 35cm x 40cm
Hakonechloa macra
Melica uniflora
One of the prettiest grasses for shade, its dainty owers are widely spaced along its branching stems. It’s a woodlander and if you choose the variegated form, the silvery tones of the foliage and inflorescences will stand out even more in shade.
Flowers: May-July H x S: 40cm x 40cm
Wood melick (Melica uniflora)
Milium effusum ‘Aureum’
Milium effusum is ideal for adding zingy colour to a shady border. It self-seeds readily and looks especially effective in spring, when the dark ground is sprinkled with bright new seedlings. In summer its dainty owerheads dance on the breeze.
Flowers: May-July H x S: 60cm x 30cm
Milium effusum ‘Aureum’
Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Hameln’
Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Hameln’ is covered in fluffy flowerheads from midsummer onwards. Despite its delicate appearance, it’s totally hardy and extremely tolerant, even of heavy, damp soil.
Flowers: July-September H x S: 120cm x 100cm
Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Hameln’
Pennisetum orientale
If you have dry, hot conditions, you may get away with growing pennisetums. Pennisetum orientale has arching, fluffy heads of pink and crimson, wonderful with a dark sedum. Anpther one to try is Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Herbstzauber’. Its multiple fluffy flowerheads look like furry caterpillars.
Pennisetum orientale
How to grow ornamental grasses
Raising from seed – scatter seeds over the surface of damp seed compost and cover lightly with grit. Once the seedlings are sturdy enough, prick them out into modular trays and grow them on.
Dividing plants – many grasses can be increased by division, but do this in spring – never in autumn or winter. With some grasses, lift the whole clump, then pull or chop it into pieces. It’s best to pot up the resulting divisions, rather than planting them straight into the ground, as they will have a much higher chance of survival.
Growing in pots – when planting in containers, use a loam-based compost and make sure there’s good drainage. Generally, grasses don’t need feeding, but in containers an occasional dose of a weak liquid fertiliser will help them thrive.
Cutting back – never cut back evergreen grasses – simply comb out dead growth with your fingers. Molinias don’t need cutting back, as they simply collapse, however miscanthus, calamagrostis and panicums should be cut down to the base in spring.
Covid got you down? Check out these ways to improve your brain’s fitness.
Article By Mark Stibich, PhD Medically reviewed by Shaheen Lakhan, MD, PhD, FAAN
Brain fitness has basic principles: variety and curiosity. When anything you do becomes second nature, you need to make a change. If you can do the crossword puzzle in your sleep, it’s time for you to move on to a new challenge in order to get the best workout for your brain. Curiosity about the world around you, how it works and how you can understand it will keep your brain working fast and efficiently. Use the ideas below to help attain your quest for mental fitness.1
Play Games
Digital Vision / Photodisc / Getty Images
Brain fitness programs and games are a wonderful way to tease and challenge your brain. Suduko, crosswords and electronic games can all improve your brain’s speed and memory. These games rely on logic, word skills, math and more. These games are also fun.
You’ll get benefit more by doing these games a little bit every day. Spend 15 minutes or so, not hours.
Meditation
Daily meditation is perhaps the single greatest thing you can do for your mind/body health. Meditation not only relaxes you, it gives your brain a workout. By creating a different mental state, you engage your brain in new and interesting ways while increasing your brain fitness.2How to Meditate for Brain Health
Eat for Your Brain
Your brain needs you to eat healthy fats. Focus on fish oils from wild salmon, nuts such as walnuts, seeds such as flax seed and olive oil. Eat more of these foods and less saturated fats. Eliminate transfats completely from your diet.
Tell Good Stories
Stories are a way that we solidify memories, interpret events and share moments. Practice telling your stories, both new and old, so that they are interesting, compelling and fun. Some basic storytelling techniques will go a long way in keeping people’s interest both in you and in what you have to say.
Turn Off Your Television
The average person watches more than four hours of television every day. Television can stand in the way of relationships, life and more. Turn off your TV and spend more time living and exercising your mind and body.
Exercise Your Body to Exercise Your Brain
Physical exercise is great brain exercise too. By moving your body, your brain has to learn new muscle skills, estimate distance and practice balance. Choose a variety of exercises to challenge your brain.
Read Something Different
Books are portable, free from libraries and filled with infinite interesting characters, information, and facts. Branch out from familiar reading topics. If you usually read history books, try a contemporary novel. Read foreign authors, the classics, and random books. Not only will your brain get a workout by imagining different time periods, cultures and peoples, you will also have interesting stories to tell about your reading, what it makes you think of and the connections you draw between modern life and the words.
Learn a New Skill
Learning a new skill works multiple areas of the brain. Your memory comes into play, you learn new movements and you associate things differently. Reading Shakespeare, learning to cook and building an airplane out of toothpicks all will challenge your brain and give you something to think about.
Make Simple Changes
We love our routines. We have hobbies and pastimes that we could do for hours on end. But the more something is ‘second nature,’ the less our brains have to work to do it. To really help your brain stay young, challenge it. Change routes to the grocery store, use your opposite hand to open doors and eat dessert first. All this will force your brain to wake up from habits and pay attention again.
Train Your Brain
Brain training is becoming a trend. There are formal courses, websites, and books with programs on how to train your brain to work better and faster. There is some research behind these programs, but the basic principles are memory, visualization, and reasoning. Work on these three concepts every day and your brain will be ready for anything.
August is upon us, which means some new Netflix titles are coming your way. As the coronavirus pandemic continues, you are probably spending your summer months inside more than you usually would, and the good news is, there are a ton of streaming options to help you pass the time.
The beginning of the month will kick off with the original Jurassic Park films, as well as Ocean’s Twelve, Ocean’s Thirteen and a number of other classics, including Being John Malkovich. Later in the month, look forward to Selling Sunset season 3, Rob Schneider’s new special, Asian Momma, Mexican Kids, and the James Bond movies, Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace.
Read on for all the August Netflix releases and corresponding dates. Also be sure to check out what’s leaving Netflix, as well as all our streaming guides, from new movies you can stream early while theaters are closed, to the best feel-good movies, the best movies and TV shows to stay in and stream and more.
August 1, 2020
Super Monsters: The New Class Acts of Violence The Addams Family (1991) An Education Being John Malkovich Death at a Funeral Dennis the Menace Elizabeth Harvest Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind Hardcore Henry Iron Man: Armored Adventures: Seasons 1-2 Jurassic Park Jurassic Park III The Lost World: Jurassic Park Mad Max (1979) Mr. Deeds My Perfect Landing: Season 1 Nagi-Asu: A Lull in the Sea: Season 1 The NeverEnding Story The NeverEnding Story 2: The Next Chapter The Next Step: Season 6 Nights in Rodanthe Ocean’s Thirteen Ocean’s Twelve Operation Ouch: Season 1 Operation Ouch: Special Remember Me Seabiscuit Toradora!: Season 1 Transformers Rescue Bots Academy: S2 The Ugly Truth What Keeps You Alive
August 2, 2020
Almost Love Connected
August 3, 2020
Immigration Nation
August 4, 2020
A Go! Go! Cory Carson Summer Camp Malibu Rescue: The Next Wave Mystery Lab Sam Jay: 3 In The Morning
August 5, 2020
Anelka: Misunderstood World’s Most Wanted
August 6, 2020
The Rain: Season 3 The Seven Deadly Sins: Imperial Wrath of The Gods
August 7, 2020
Berlin, Berlin High Seas: Season 3 The Magic School Bus Rides Again Kids In Space ¡Nailed It! México: Season 2 The New Legends of Monkey: Season 2 Selling Sunset: Season 3 Sing On! Germany Tiny Creatures Wizards: Tales of Arcadia Word Party Songs Work It
August 8, 2020
The Promise We Summon the Darkness
August 10, 2020
GAME ON: A Comedy Crossover Event Nightcrawler
August 11, 2020
Mr. Peabody & Sherman Rob Schneider: Asian Momma, Mexican Kids
August 12, 2020
Scary Movie 5 (Un)Well Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl
August 13, 2020
Safety Not Guaranteed An Easy Girl
August 14, 2020
3%: Season 4 El robo del siglo Fearless Glow Up: Season 2 Project Power The Legend of Korra: Book One: Air The Legend of Korra: Book Two: Spirits The Legend of Korra: Book Three: Change The Legend of Korra: Book Four: Balance Octonauts & the Caves of Sac Actun Teenage Bounty Hunters
August 15, 2020
Rita: Season 5 Stranger: Season 2
August 16, 2020
Johnny English Les Misérables
August 17, 2020
Crazy Awesome Teachers Drunk Parents Glitch Techs: Season 2
August 19, 2020
The Crimes That Bind DeMarcus Family Rules High Score
August 20, 2020
Biohackers Good Kisser Great Pretender John Was Trying to Contact Aliens
August 21, 2020
Alien TV Fuego Negro Hoops Lucifer: Season 5 Rust Valley Restorers: Season 3 The Sleepover
August 23, 2020
1BR Septembers of Shiraz
August 25, 2020
Emily’s Wonder Lab Trinkets: Season 2
August 26, 2020
Do Do Sol Sol La La Sol La venganza de Analía Million Dollar Beach House Rising Phoenix
August 27, 2020
Aggretsuko: Season 3 The Bridge Curse The Frozen Ground
August 28, 2020
All Together Now Cobra Kai: Seasons 1-2 I AM A KILLER: Released Unknown Origins