The Natural High Blog:
Trusted Support for Parents
and Educators

Simple, research-backed tips, real stories, and conversation starters you can actually use.

The 10 Core Essentials

Decades of research. These core concepts are what you need to feel prepared to have ongoing conversations about substance use with kids.

natural high single spark
1. Peter Benson and Spark Theory

Kids that find their spark — another word for their Natural High — are far more likely to lead happy, successful lives.

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teens doing different activities
2. Dr. Harvey Milkman and The Iceland Study

A proven way to reduce the number of teenagers engaging in risky, dangerous, and life-altering behaviors with substance use.

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Positivity
3. Aspirational Lifestyle Case Study: South Africa

When you create an aspirational movement driven by influencers and storytellers — young people jump on board.

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social norms
4. Making Healthy Choices Cool – The Social Norms Theory

Studies have shown that when teens realize that not as many of their peers engage in substance use as they thought, then they’re less likely to use them, too.

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teen drinking
5. Delayed First-Time Use

The single most important preventive measure: delay a kid’s first drink.

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Vulnerability to substance use
6. 4 Personality Type Risk Factor Series

These personality factors can be highly predictive of who develops problems with alcohol and substance misuse.

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mother's advice to her teen daughter
7. How to Help Kids Find Their Natural High

Our guide combines Natural High’s Core Essential principles in a free and simple downloadable PDF.

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positive influences for teens
8. Why Positive Peer Influence Is So Crucial For Kids

3 ways to help steer kids to positive Influences.

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Power of Storytelling
9. The Science Behind The Power of Storytelling

The power of storytelling and how it affects the brain.

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teenager peer pressure
10. Understanding Teenage Peer Pressure

The real danger of peer pressure in teenagers is that it happens internally. It’s teens’ desire for acceptance that drives them and can lead to unhealthy choices.

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