Does ‘Vabbing’ Actually Make You Irresistible To Men? I Asked A Sexologist

Posted on 18/03/2025 by Boris Clair

Ever heard of vabbing? No?

Well, nor had I until this morning (how I cherish my life before then).

Turns out the phrase refers to a social media phenomenon (it would be inaccurate to call it a trend, as most people seem appalled by it) that involves wiping vaginal secretions on your pulse points. Yes, really.

In a now-deleted TikTok video, a site user said: “I swear if you vab, you will attract people, like a date, a one-night stand. Or you’ll just get free drinks all night.”

“Elle Woods should have been teaching vabbing instead of the bend and snap – it’s more effective,” the TikToker added.

It’s important to stress that the practice, which is a portmanteau of “vagina” and “dabbing”, really hasn’t taken off – it seems to be more of a point of viral outrage than an actual trend.

Still, I thought I’d speak to sexologist, therapist, and author at Passionerad Sofie Roos about whether the original controversial clip had any merit whatsoever.

And?

Kind of, but not really, the expert said.

“A study published in 2020 found that heterosexual men can smell women’s sexual arousal, and one part of that is the vaginal secretions, especially the lubrication that’s produced when [women are] turned on,” the sexologist explained.

So, there might be a real appeal in the scent – but not in the context of “vabbing,” Roos reckons.

“Research published in Science Direct 2006 finds that female pheromones are very dependent on the social context to work, so wearing vaginal secretions as a perfume in any not-so-sexually-loaded situation will most likely have a disgusting effect,” she shared.

“In my opinion… it’s better to use a good-smelling perfume of high quality” if you want to attract a date, Roos continued.

Smelling of, er, secretions is just “unhygienic” in the wrong context.

Pheromones may actually matter, though

Obviously, there’s no need to “vab.” But speaking to TIME, Noam Sobel, a professor in neurobiology and smell expert, said that our partner’s BO might have more of a say in how much we fancy them than we realise.

“The underlying theory is that you somehow select immune compatibility in a mate” through scent, he told the publication.

Still, Gary Beauchamp, president of the Monell Chemical Senses Centre, told TIME that it’s hard to work out how much, say, sweat actually influences our attraction.

“There are so many things going on with humans, in terms of how you select somebody you want to be with or get married to or have children with… isolating the odour part to it has been very, very difficult.”

It’s far safer to bet that doing something like “vabbing” is a turn-off, don’t you think?

I’m A GP ― Never Ignore These 3 ‘Normal’ Seeming Symptoms

Posted on 03/03/2025 by Boris Clair

Tiredness is common complaint in the UK, which can make it hard to work out when to actually see a GP about your sleep issues.

Other potential symptoms ― severe period pain, bruises, and even fingernail changes ― can seem like “normal” signs, but are sometimes worth a trip to the doctor too.

In a helpful TikTok, Dr Ahmed, a GP, shared some information which might make the “normal or not?” call easier to make.

He said: “Here are three symptoms you may think are normal, but they are not, and you need to see a doctor if you have them.”

1) Back pain that lasts longer than six weeks

Though the issue is “very, very common” and “can have many causes, and most of them are completely benign,“Dr Ahmed says you really ought to see your GP if it lasts longer than six weeks.

It doesn’t matter how harmless you think the issue is ― “go to your doctor to make sure there’s no serious underlying cause” after the time ends, Dr Ahmed advised.

2) A sudden increase in eye floaters

Of course, eye floaters are common and usually aren’t cause for alarm. They “look a bit like squiggly worms ― some may be see-through” while others might be opaque, Dr Ahmed shared.

“It’s generally much worse when you look at bright light.”

While they’re usually completely harmless, Dr Ahmed says that if you experience a “sudden increase in the number of floaters” or lots of dark spots in your vision, you should get it checked out.

This “could be signs of a serious problem with the back of your eye, which could permanently affect your vision if it’s not treated quickly,” the NHS warns.

3) Chronic fatigue

“A lot of people may have” this but “ignore” it, Dr Ahmed says.

“Now I don’t just mean feeling a little bit tired all the time or if you’ve got a very good reason for feeling tired,” he explained.

He’s talking instead about “extreme fatigue, where you can’t function when there’s no obvious reason or cause, especially when this has started relatively recently.”

Though there could be “hundreds” of reasons for the change, a lot of them are worth speaking to your doctor about, he continued.

‘You’ll Never Forget Just One Shoe!’: Flight Attendant’s Trick To Stop Losing Things On Holiday

Posted on 27/02/2025 by Boris Clair

Visiting Paris gave me a greater appreciation for reliable public transport, a really well-made coffee and stunning European architecture.

In return, I gave Paris a brand-new pair of ankle boots, a book, and an unread copy of Cosmopolitan magazine. What can I say? I never really was that great at gift-giving.

Seriously though, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve left behind something important when travelling and it is really starting to frustrate me. RIP to those boots, several scarves in New York and the strappy top I swanned around Berlin in.

I do take some comfort in knowing that I’m not alone. According to the holiday experts at eShores, 80% of people lose, forget or have something stolen when they go on holiday.

Thankfully, a flight attendant shared her secret to never losing important items abroad

In a TikTok video, a British Airways flight attendant revealed that she has a slightly strange technique for ensuring that she never loses anything particularly important – like documents, purses, passports, etc., – abroad again and honestly… she’s on to something.

The flight attendant, Zoe, says in the video: “When I have my passports or anything valuable, when I put them in the safe, what I always do is, I always put one of my crew shoes in the safe because I would never forget anything I’ve put in there.”

Many people in the comments agreed with her, with one adding: “I always put my belt and tie in the safe! Will never forget anything I hope!”

Zoe also helpfully assured that even as a cabin crew member, she has also lost things abroad and that’s actually what resulted in a colleague telling her this handy tip.

She added: “You’ll never forget just one shoe!”

Here’s hoping.

I’m A GP – Taking Too Much Vitamin D Can Cause This Condition

Posted on 09/02/2025 by Boris Clair

The NHS recommends all adults in the UK consider taking a vitamin D supplement until at least March.

That’s because the vitamin, which is usually produced by our bodies when we expose our skin to sunlight, can be hard for us to make during gloomy winter. A vitamin C deficiency can cause muscle fatigue and may even be bad news for our teeth and bones.

Still, the health service warns us not to “take more than 100 micrograms (4,000 IU) of vitamin D a day as it could be harmful.”

In a recent TikTok, GP Dr Ahmed explained why.

What are the risks of taking too much vitamin D?

Per the doctor, the potential problem lies with calcium.

“Taking vitamin D at very high doses long-term is actually very dangerous,” he explained in the clip, “because it can cause hypercalcaemia.”

That means there’s too much calcium in your blood.

The issue with that is that “the excess calcium can deposit in your heart and your kidneys.” The Mayo Clinic says the condition can cause kidney stones and decrease bone density; it may also affect the heart and brain.

Most of the time, overdoing it on a vitamin isn’t going to cause you much harm, Dr Ahmed says. A lot of vitamins are water-soluble, so we just pee out the excess.

But vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, meaning our bodies can’t get rid of excessive amounts.

The doctor agrees with the NHS ― “most people only need about 10 micrograms, which is 400 IU,” he said.

We hit the danger zone when we go ten times over that, or at 100 micrograms (4,000 IU) a day.

Though Dr Ahmed says “there are some people who need a much higher dose than this, these are patients who’ve got very low vitamin D on their blood tests.”

You can’t decide for yourself whether you need a higher amount than is recommended ― and the GP urges anyone on vitamin D to get their bloods checked every so often.

So ― should I skip vitamin D?

The GP says that the information isn’t meant to scare you away from taking vitamin D if you need it.

“I think it’s one of the best supplements you can take,” he shared.

Indeed the NHS says people who don’t go outside often, people whose skin is mostly covered when they do leave the house, those in care homes, and people with darker skin tones might benefit from taking the supplement year-round rather than just in winter.

“But you have to take it carefully and responsibly,” Dr Ahmed continued. In this case, that’s as simple as checking the measurements on the back of the packet.

The 1 Sign You’re A Little Too Addicted To TikTok

Posted on 18/01/2025 by Boris Clair

I’ll say it: The power TikTok has on my nighttime routine is unmatched. After I’ve popped a melatonin, brushed my teeth and settled under the covers, I’m heading to the app for funny videos and relatable content.

Whether or not TikTok is here to stay is up in the air, although it’s increasingly looking like a ban might take effect in the coming days. But until then, I think it’s safe to say I’m one of many users who enjoys the platform. From recipes and beauty trends to mood-boosting hacks and products that are actually useful, dare I say that TikTok is low-key a lifestyle hub?

As with anything, though, too much of a good thing is… well, not a good thing. At what point can endless scrolling be unhelpful, or even harmful? At what point can TikTok use point toward addiction, affect work and relationships, and even cause a sour mood?

Ahead, therapists and counsellors who specialise in addiction share a major sign you’re addicted to TikTok, why TikTok is so addicting and what to do if your usage causes problems.

The Main Sign You’re Addicted To TikTok

Addiction experts agree that one sign stands out: Your use of the app takes over your life.

“The biggest red flag is when TikTok starts to interfere with daily responsibilities or relationships,” said Michael Villarreal, the CEO of Tres Vistas Recovery, an addiction treatment centre in California. “If someone finds themselves skipping work tasks, ignoring family or friends, or struggling to keep up with school or chores because they’re too wrapped up in endless scrolling, that’s a strong sign that their usage has become very unhealthy.”

That comes down to one thing. “As with any addiction, the main indicator of a problem is lack of control,” said Beth Chippendale Katona, a licensed clinical professional counsellor and a licensed clinical addiction counsellor with Thriveworks in Kansas City, Missouri. “The individual experiences consequences and is not able to curb the behaviour.”

It’s important to note that people experiencing addiction may feel like they’re in control, but that’s not necessarily the case.

If all of that sounds a little too familiar, you’re far from the only one. Villarreal shared an example from his practice. “I once worked with a client who realised her sleep patterns were entirely off because she’d get caught up in the ‘just one more video’ loop until 3 a.m.,” he recalled.

Other Signs You’re Addicted To TikTok

Addiction and unhealthy usage can present themselves in other noteworthy ways, too. Providers urge people to look out for the following signs.

You’re constantly thinking about the app.

Whether you’re taking a break at work, going to the bathroom or fighting the need to get out of bed, an urge to watch TikTok may arise — and that’s not necessarily a great thing.

“If TikTok is the first thing you think about in the morning and the last thing before bed, or if you’re constantly replaying videos in your head during other activities, that’s a sign your brain is hyper-focused on it,” Villarreal said.

You feel emotionally dependent on it.

Feeling anxious, bored or irritable without TikTok, or relying on it for validation, are other signs of dependency, according to Villarreal.

Claire Wilson, a therapist with Kelley Counselling & Wellness, also pointed this out. “There can be abrupt shifts in mood when access to TikTok is restricted,” she said. “One may notice a tendency to frequently incorporate TikTok into discussions with others, leading to comparisons with individuals featured on the platform, which can adversely impact one’s mood and mental well-being.”

You experience physical pain.

Yep, spending too much time on TikTok can even cause physical problems, unfortunately.

“Spending hours glued to your phone can lead to physical issues like eye strain, headaches or neck pain — what some jokingly call ’tech neck,’” Villarreal said.

There are a few red flags suggesting your social media usage might be going too far.

When Is TikTok Use Unhealthy Versus A Full-Blown Addiction?

Loving TikTok isn’t necessarily an addiction, so at what point is it?

According to Wilson, it’s when “dependency may distort one’s understanding of reality, resulting in a loss of personal identity, alterations in personality, decreased self-esteem and even suicidal thoughts.”

Katona summarised her take with three key words: level of impact. When your work, school, relationships and goals suffer greatly because of TikTok, she said, you may be looking at an addiction.

“In essence, an unhealthy relationship is problematic but can usually be addressed with intentional changes, while addiction is more compulsive and often requires outside help or intervention,” she explained.

Why Scrolling On TikTok Is So Addicting

So why is it so dang easy to get lost in the sauce of TikTok? How are silly videos so engaging that they can cause real damage?

“TikTok is brilliantly designed to keep you hooked,” Villarreal said. “It’s like a slot machine: You don’t know what’s coming next, but you’re sure it’ll be entertaining, so you keep scrolling.”

Besides the way it provides endless entertainment and excitement, TikTok’s formulation is also strategic. Katona spoke to the algorithm tailoring content for you, the stress relief it provides and how it can help you feel connected to others in a more comfortable, easy way.

Wilson added that the dopamine high is “similar to a high one can get from a drug” and can even “lead to withdrawal symptoms and the onset of addiction, escalating to more serious forms of dependency.”

What To Do If You Want To Scroll Less On Social Media

“Comprehending the functionality of TikTok and its impact on users is essential,” Wilson said. “Acknowledging a potential addiction to TikTok is a crucial first step.”

The same holds true for other social media apps. Consider the following expert-backed tips:

Set limits.

Since the “just one more video” mindset can be a slippery slope (been there, done that), try to set specific, firm boundaries around how much time you want to spend on the app. For example, maybe an hour spread out over the day, or only when you’re in line at the store.

Certain tools can make this easier. Villarreal mentioned TikTok’s built-in screen time settings, which Apple phones typically have, too.

Create no-phone zones.

Villarreal suggested dedicating certain spaces — like your bedroom or the dinner table — as tech-free areas. “This helps you reconnect with life outside the screen,” he said.

Find new habits or hobbies.

What else do you like to do in your downtime? That may be an easier, more enjoyable way to replace screen time.

Examples of activities Villarreal mentioned include reading, walking and other hobbies. Maybe it’s time to finally meet that reading goal or even bring back the hot girl walk.

Get curious.

Feel a compulsion to get on the app? Ask yourself why.

“Are you bored, stressed or avoiding something?” Villarreal asked. “Address the root feeling instead of escaping into the app.”

For example, maybe you’re trying to avoid an uncomfortable feeling that’s better addressed, at least long-term, in therapy. Or maybe you’re bored and realise pursuing another weeknight activity would fulfil you more.

Seek support.

You’re not alone in this journey. Besides having settings and goals to help keep you accountable, you can also talk to someone.

“If you’re struggling to cut back, talk to someone, maybe a trusted friend, therapist or support group,” Villarreal said. “There’s no shame in reaching out for help.”

Looking for a therapist who specialises in addiction or practices cognitive behavioral therapy may be especially fruitful. CBT is a type of therapy that looks at a person’s thoughts and how they affect mood and behaviour.

“This method aids in restructuring cognitive patterns and unlearning detrimental habits, while also equipping individuals with coping strategies and alternatives,” Wilson explained.

Group therapy may also be advantageous, she added. For example, users may benefit from a Media Addicts Anonymous group, which is similar to the more commonly known Alcoholics Anonymous.

TL;DR? “It’s normal to enjoy social media, but the distinction lies in impact,” Villarreal said. “Unhealthy use becomes a full-blown addiction when it starts significantly disrupting someone’s mental, emotional or physical health.”

At that point or earlier, these suggestions may be needed for truly happier living.

Dental Hygienist Warns Against The 1 Flossing Mistake We All Make

Posted on 11/01/2025 by Boris Clair

I saw a tweet (well, post on X) in which someone advised, “only floss the teeth you want to keep”. I reached for the minty spool pretty swiftly after reading that.

But, after viewing a TikTok post from dental hygienist Anna Peterson, I’ve realised my efforts may have been in vain ― turns out, I’ve been flossing my teeth wrong for years.

“Do you know how deep you’re meant to go with floss?” Peterson began the video, quoting a question that had been asked of her in the comments of another TikTok video.

“The only way for me to properly answer is to show it to you,” the dental hygienist revealed.

Spoiler ― it’s further than you think

Tearing off a length of dental tape, Anna Peterson said, “when it comes to flossing, it’s really important that you do go to the right depth, or you won’t be doing it effectively, and you could still have gum disease, even though you’re flossing.”

She then revealed that “the floss needs to go to the gum level and then some more,” sharing a closeup that revealed a thin strip of dental floss sliding into the curve at the top of her tooth (I was surprised, too).

That’s possible, she says, because “the gum is not attached to the actual crown of the tooth, and the crown of the tooth is the bit that we can actually see.”

Instead, the gum attaches to the root of the tooth ― there’s no direct attachment between the front of your gnashers and your gums. I’m still reeling from that.

“This means that bacteria are in between that bit of gum and crown of the tooth that we can’t see,” the dental hygienist said. “And it’s why it’s so important that with the floss, we are going right up and under.”

She then shared that, if your gums are healthy, you can go about 1-3mm in depth. “Keep doing it, even if it’s bleeding,” she advises.

Well, that’s changed how I clean my teeth forever…

This Is How Long You’re Only Meant To Sit On The Toilet For

Posted on 11/01/2025 by Boris Clair

I hope this isn’t too disgusting to share, but honestly, I’ve long maintained that a sneaky five-minute sit-and-scroll on the loo is one of the greatest pleasures in life.

But if colorectal surgeon Karen Zaghiyan, MD, is to be believed, we all need to ensure we’re not sitting on the loo for too long.

In a video, the surgeon shared ten things she’d never do as a colorectal surgeon. Along with not using wet wipes and avoiding colonics, Zaghiyan says she “would never sit [for] more than five minutes on the toilet.” (gulp).

Why?

It’s all to do with strain ― which you should avoid where possible when going number two.

Many of us will be aware that not drinking enough water or eating enough fibre can cause constipation, hard-to-pass stools, and subsequent fissures, haemorrhoids, and more.

But it turns out that simply sitting on the can might take its own toll on your tushy.

“Sitting, especially if you are finished having a bowel movement or waiting to have a bowel movement and you’re just sitting there and scrolling the internet looking at social media, is really bad for your haemorrhoids,” the surgeon shared.

That’s because “there’s a vacuum effect on the toilet that pulls on the hemorrhoidal veins and aggravates them.”

So, your seemingly harmless number two routine could be causing you more bowels more harm than good ― especially if you’re sitting for more than five minutes.

What if I need that much time to get the job done?

“If you have not finished or begun your bowel movement in five minutes, get up, come back another time when you have the urge to go again,” Zaghiyan says.

“But do not sit there a long time ― obviously, this varies and it’s different for people that have gut conditions, have had surgeries, etc. ― I’m not talking about that, I’m talking about the average Joe who’s just sitting there spending half an hour in the toilet. Do not do that,” she finished.

Well, that’s us told…

I’ve Found The Secret To Fluffy Jacket Potatoes In Under 7 Minutes

Posted on 27/12/2024 by Boris Clair

Jacket potatoes are so close to being the perfect midweek winter meal. They’re filling; they’re tasty; they go with basically anything. They’re also cheap, and spuds take much longer to go off than lots of other veggies.

But there’s one problem; it feels like you can basically while away an entire evening waiting for them to cook in an oven.

I can hear the purists now – and yes, I do agree that a lot of the time, the extra wait time is worth it. It’s a great way to ensure perfect, fluffy spuds with delicate, crispy skins, and other cooking methods (like air frying) take a similar amount of time.

But hear me out ― thanks to TikTok, I’ve been converted to a 10-minute microwave jacket potato-cooking method (yes, really).

What’s the method?

TikToker @harley.salem shared a microwave-based recipe for fluffy, crispy jacket spuds – and it’s racked up almost two hundred thousand likes.

The method is pretty simple: you wash the potato, shallowly stab it with a fork a LOT, deeply stab it with a fork a few times, and then wrap the spud in wet kitchen roll.

Place the damp parcel in the microwave for six minutes, and then carefully remove the VERY HOT cooked spud from your microwave. We recommend doing this with a tool like tongs, as it’s literally steaming at this point.

Then, also using a tool like tongs, peel the kitchen roll away from the potato ― et voila, you’ve got a perfectly fluffy spud.

If your spud isn’t fully cooked by the time it’s come out of the microwave, that’s simple to fix – simply re-wrap it in more damp kitchen roll and let it microwave for a couple more minutes (the bigger the spud, the longer you’ll need).

Why does it work?

Wrapping potatoes in wet kitchen roll is “crucial” for a moist and fluffy interior, according to Tasting Table.

Potatoes are pretty watery, however microwaving them can cause all of this water to evaporate really quickly, drying out your beloved baked spud.

The thinking is that wrapping the potato in wet kitchen roll acts as an “evaporation buffer” helping the spud to retain enough moisture to stay fluffy and delicious.

“Best hack ever … sooo easy,” one commenter shared on TikTok. And having tried it myself, I completely agree – the texture is so far from the soggy, grainy mess microwaves sometimes create.

I will say that it’s not the crispiest skin I’ve ever eaten on a potato and the damp kitchen roll gets very, very hot, so you need to be careful (we weren’t joking about those tongs).

But for speed, efficiency and overall flavour, this gets a solid 9/10 from me.

The Best Christmas Leftovers Recipe Is Made In An Air Fryer

Posted on 26/12/2024 by Boris Clair

Don’t get me wrong ― I love leftovers. But after day two of bubble and squeak and this (delicious) roast potato hash, I’m getting desperate for a different way to repackage my uneaten roast veggies.

Thankfully, the best recipe I’ve found is a fuss-free air fryer recipe that creates zero washing-up ― an easy, goes-with-everything air fryer frittata.

Back in June, TikToker and nutritionist Emma Claire shared a foolproof recipe for air fryer frittatas that’s ready in under 15 minutes ― and having recently tried a Christmas leftover variation, I can confirm that it’s as delicious as it is easy.

To start with, you’ll need to line the airy fryer basket with baking paper so that it covers the sides of the basket, too. You can also use specially-designed paper air fryer inserts if you have them ― so long as the base and sides are protected from the eggs.

Then, drizzle some olive oil on the paper before cracking six eggs into the basket. Claire chucked in her veggies at this point ― I used sliced Brussels sprouts, some fairly small roast potato cubes, old broccoli, and peas. Use whatever you have leftover.

Then, add whatever seasoning you like ― Emma Claire went with paprika on top of regular salt and pepper. I like chilli flakes in mine too, but that’s the beauty of the recipe ― you can personalise it to your exact taste and supplies.

Then, add a thin layer of grated cheese to the top and cook for 15 minutes at 180°C.

“I sliced it in half to make two servings ― perfect for a quick and easy lunch or dinner,” Claire shared. I also found it’s perfect for two!

TikTok Says These 2 Sounds Can Get Cats To Come To You ― Here’s What The Experts Think

Posted on 21/11/2024 by Boris Clair

I’ll put my hands up ― I straight-up didn’t believe the TikTok trend that saw cats come to their owner’s side as if a dog had been called by name, thanks to two short sounds.

″‘Mah-AH’… means, come here [in cat],” a vet shared on the app. Video after video of cat owners using the trick to summon their furry friends played in quick succession, but I wondered whether it was all just hype.

So, I reached out to three cat experts ― vet Dr Liza Cahn, a consultant for Embrace Pet Insurance, Mieshelle Nagelschneider, cat behaviour specialist and owner of The Cat Behaviour Clinic, and veterinarian expert Dr Dwight Alleyne ― about the trend.

And?

“Many of our cat clients have tried ‘Ma-AH’ with their cats and have had immediate results,” Nagelschneider told HuffPost UK.

“Even with our own cats, we can call them over and over again with ‘come here’ with no response and then with ‘ma-AH,’ it definitely gets their attention.”

Dr Alleyne, however, says “The effectiveness of this will depend on multiple factors.”

Cats may simply find the sound novel and appealing, he told HuffPost UK, and “the owner may have unknowingly conditioned their cat to the sound through a positive interaction.”

Dr Cahn agrees, sharing that “If your cat comes, they are most likely responding to your tone of voice and body language. This response will also be reinforced if they receive praise or treats.”

All three experts agreed that “mah-AH” could well work to get cats to come closer to you ― but the two vets weren’t convinced the tones had anything intrinsically appealing to the pets.

In other words, “mah-AH” will probably work depending on your cat’s temperament ― but it’s not quite the same as saying “come here” in cat.

So… what is?

Even Nagelschneider, who seemed most convinced by “mah-AH,” said there are other sounds ― like a kitten’s “mew-mew-mew” ― which will elicit a similar response.

Dr Alleyne told HuffPost UK that a lot of combinations of soothing sounds and cupboard love will get your cat to heel ― “Other methods that may work better include the actual calling of the cat’s name, using treats or clickers, or using a high pitched sound or tone to get them to come,” he wrote.

Dr Cahn says that despite what you might have heard, training cats isn’t as tough as you’d think.

“To train your cat to come when called, first, choose a cue word (such as “come” or “here”) and a high-value reward like a tasty treat or favourite toy,” she told HuffPost UK.

“You can either wait until your cat naturally approaches you, or get them to head your way by luring them with the treat or toy. Use the cue word just as they arrive, and immediately give them their reward.”

Over time you can increase the distance ― over time, your cat will learn to associate the reward with responding to your call.

So, “mah-AH” may not be a magic word; but positive reinforcement, high-pitched sounds, and new experiences are a pretty great way to train your cat regardless.

In that sense, the trick is likely to work at least some of the time.