DoxyPEP
Sleep Like a Caveperson
By Dr. Zachary LaVigne, B.S., D.C
Humans have been sleeping for hundreds of thousands of years, but only recently did we start doing it badly. Our ancestors slept under moonlight, surrounded by cool air and total darkness. Their internal clocks were guided by the rising and setting sun. Modern life flipped that rhythm upside down. We fall asleep under artificial light, often surrounded by noise and heat, and then wonder why we wake up tired.
in conditions closer to 65 degrees than 75. Studies confirm that most people sleep best between 65 and 68 degrees Fahrenheit. Cooler air helps the body enter and stay in deep sleep stages.
The secret to better sleep is not a gadget or supplement. It is recreating the environmental cues that your body evolved to expect. The most powerful of those cues is light. The body’s circadian rhythm runs on a roughly 24-hour cycle that depends on light exposure. Blue light, which comes from screens and LED bulbs, tells your brain that it is daytime. When you use your phone or laptop late at night, the brain delays melatonin release. That is the hormone that makes you sleepy.
One of the simplest fixes is to mimic the sunset indoors. Dim your lights as evening approaches. Use warmer tones instead of bright white bulbs. Avoid screens for at least an hour before bed, or wear bluelight blocking glasses if you cannot. These small habits help the body recognize that night has arrived, allowing you to fall asleep faster and sleep more deeply.
Temperature is another major cue. As you fall asleep, your core body temperature drops slightly. A cool environment helps that happen naturally. Our ancestors slept
Darkness is equally important. Even small amounts of light from street lamps or electronics can signal the brain to stay alert. Use blackout curtains or an eye mask, and cover or unplug glowing devices. Complete darkness tells your body that it is time to power down.
You can also take a lesson from history. In preindustrial times, people often had two separate sleep periods each night. They would fall asleep soon after dusk, wake for an hour or two in the middle of the night, then return to bed until dawn. This “first and second sleep” pattern was normal. If you wake up in the night, it may not mean something is wrong. It might mean your body is following an older rhythm.
Sleeping like a caveperson is not about roughing it. It is about creating the conditions that your body still understands. Dim the lights, cool the air, and let darkness signal rest. Your body already knows how to sleep. You just need to remind it what night is supposed to feel like.
Dr. Zachary LaVigne, B.S., D.C
Jae XO Casts a Spell
Edited by Edited by Mikkel Hyldebrandt
Photos: So Fierce Music
Rising trans pop artist Jae XO is back with a bewitching new single, “Dancin’ in the Full Moon,” a sultry, high-energy dance-pop anthem that feels tailor-made for Halloween season. Produced by Velvet Code and recorded with 3x Grammywinning engineer Denise Barbarita, the track blends disco grooves, irresistible hooks, and a touch of witchy mysticism that promises to keep listeners under its spell long after the beat fades.
The song’s origins are as magical as its sound. While fighting through a bout of writer’s block, Jae turned to their kitchen for inspiration, brewing a creative potion of herbs – peppermint, lavender, rose, rosemary, and more. “I was immediately hit with a groove that made my bones move,” Jae recalls. “It was the fastest I’ve ever written a song, and within days I had a full demo ready.”
At its heart, “Dancin’ in the Full Moon” is an anthem of trans power, resilience, and self-discovery.
“Trans people are mystical, powerful beings who fight through hell and back just to live authentically,” says Jae. “Dancin’ in the Full Moon is about harnessing that inner strength, charging ourselves with confidence and expression, and finding joy in the fight.”
The single carries Jae’s signature energy that fans first fell in love with on their breakout hit “Fabulous,” but Jae promises this track goes even further. “This one is sexier, catchier, and more thrilling than anything else I’ve ever written,” they say. “I know it will become a haunting household hit for years to come.”
With its hypnotic rhythm, brass flourishes, and even a witch’s spell woven into the bridge, “Dancin’ in the Full Moon” captures every mood of the spooky season –whether you’re carving pumpkins, dancing until dawn, or summoning a little magic under the stars.
Jae credits a “coven” of collaborators for helping bring their creative vision to life, including makeup and styling maven Evan Nicholas, creative assistant Kimi Handa Brown, nail technician Sammy Daoud, and design duo Langley and Luis of Lone Ace
Design, who crafted the track’s stunning visuals. A full music video is on Jae’s wishlist, pending funding to match their ambitious vision.
For Jae, “Dancin’ in the Full Moon” is more than a song—it’s a call to movement and meaning. “Dan Savage once said, ‘During the darkest days of the AIDS crisis, we buried our friends in the morning, protested in the afternoon, and danced all night,’” Jae reflects. “This song will make people want to dance, but it’s never just dancing. It’s mourning, it’s fighting, and it’s celebrating all at once.”
As Jae continues to carve out space in the music industry, they remain grounded in community and gratitude. “As an independent trans artist, I know I’m swimming
upstream for visibility,” they say. “But I carry on because I know how much it means for my community to see us thriving and taking up space. That keeps me moving forward.”
“Dancin’ in the Full Moon” is available now on all streaming platforms. Follow @jaexo.music for more updates and upcoming releases.
NETHERWORLD 29 Seasons of Terror
Edited by Mikkel Hyldebrandt
Photos courtesy of Netherworld haunted House
Atlanta, brace yourself – your nightmares have just clocked in for working overtime. The legendary NETHERWORLD Haunted House is back for its 29th Season of Screams, and this year’s themes promise to push even the bravest thrill-seekers to the edge of terror. With MONSTERS ATTACK!, OBLIVION: RETURN OF THE MANGLER, and GRENDEL’S FEAST, this haunted juggernaut is serving up a triple threat of pure nightmare fuel – bigger, bloodier, and more twisted than ever before.
After crashing Dragon Con over Labor Day Weekend with its army of grotesque creatures and a float fit for your darkest dreams, NETHERWORLD has officially opened the crypt doors for fall. Fans got a sneak peek at the new season’s creatures— hulking monsters, deranged clowns, and other abominations that look like they clawed their way straight out of your subconscious. As co-creator Ben Armstrong put it, “Dragon Con is our official start to haunt season and the ultimate stage to introduce our new characters and themes. For 2025, we’re unleashing massive new monsters, mind-bending sets, and some of the most ambitious haunts in our history.”
Translation: if you thought you’d seen it all, you haven’t seen anything yet.
Get ready for the doors to horror heaven (or hell, depending on your perspective) to swing open. First, you’ll battle your way
through MONSTERS ATTACK!, an allout creature clash that pits giant beasts against each other while you, the helpless human, try to survive the chaos. Then it’s on to the twopart horror fever dream OBLIVION: RETURN OF THE MANGLER and GRENDEL’S FEAST, where grotesque carnival horrors and infernal machines await in the dark.
Between screams, guests can catch their breath in the NETHERWORLD Midway, a twisted festival featuring food, games, eerie photo ops, and – you guessed it – more monsters. It’s a whole Halloween ecosystem of fear and fun that proves why NETHERWORLD remains one of the most acclaimed haunted attractions on the planet.
Tickets are on sale now at Fearworld. com, with both General Admission and Speed Passes available. Fair warning: this event sells out faster than you can say
“boo,” so secure your tickets early if you want to make it in before the haunt closes in early November.
Founded in 1997 by film and TV veterans
Billy Messina and Ben Armstrong, NETHERWORLD has become a Halloween institution, consistently ranked among the
top haunted houses in the nation. Its blend of theatrical storytelling, groundbreaking effects, and high-octane performances turns every visit into a horror blockbuster you get to live through – if you can survive it.
So, consider this your spooky PSA: time is ticking, and the monsters won’t wait forever. Grab your crew, steel your nerves, and head to 1313 Netherworld Way in Stone Mountain before the lights go out and the screams fade into the night.
Because in the world of horror, you don’t visit NETHERWORLD—you surrender to it. Visit Fearworld.com for tickets, dates, and updates. Follow @NetherworldHauntedHouse on Facebook, Instagram, and X for behind-the-scenes frights.
GEORGiA AQUARiUM’S Halloween Bash MAKES A Splash
Edited by Mikkel Hyldebrandt
Photo: Russ Youngblood
Ready your fiercest fins and fiercest heels – Georgia Aquarium is turning up the under-sea drama for Halloween with “Sips Under the Sea: Beware of the Deep” on October 31, 2025. From 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., the normally serene aquatic halls in downtown Atlanta will become the stage for a dazzling adults-only soirée: think live DJ sets, signature cocktails (and mocktails), haunting décor, and, of course, a sea of extraordinarily fabulous costumes taking over the ocean-inspired space.
Where the Magic (and Mayhem) Happens
Step inside the Georgia Aquarium after dark—the fish may be chill, but the vibe upstairs will be electric. As part of the aquarium’s Haunted Seas fall experience, this event invites you to explore stunning underwater galleries transformed into mysterious, moody, and glamorous party rooms. Whether you’re floating past jellyfish tanks or hanging out beside the whale shark exhibit, the night is yours.
Here’s how to secure your spot in this deep-sea drag-dress extravaganza: Tickets are available online through the Georgia Aquarium’s website, georgiaaquarium.org. For members, the advance price is $51.99, and for non-members, it’s $56.99 advance. Last entry is 9:00 p.m., with the party ending sharply at 10:00 p.m.—and the last drink pour at 9:45 p.m. Remember: the garage parking is available (for an extra fee) and rideshare alternatives are strongly encouraged once you’ve poured your third shimmering ocean-blue cocktail.
Sea-Witch Glam or Merman Majesty?
Costumes are a must for this deep-sea celebration, and creativity is your best accessory. Whether you’re channeling a shimmering merman, a mysterious sea-witch, a campy coral creature, or a sleek deep-sea diver, this is your chance to go all out – why not make a splash?
What makes “Sips Under the Sea” so special is how it invites everyone to show up as their most expressive selves. The Georgia Aquarium transforms from a serene underwater wonderland into a vibrant playground where imagination rules.
Halloween at the Georgia Aquarium is more than just another party—it’s an atmosphere of creativity, connection, and pure fun. Costumes become an art form, and the mix of music, lighting, and marine magic creates a oneof-a-kind experience. It’s the perfect place to celebrate individuality and expression,
surrounded by people who love to stand out and have a great time doing it.
There’s something liberating about dancing between glowing tanks and swirling schools of fish while dressed in your most fabulous look. “Sips Under the Sea” is about more than cocktails and costumes—it’s about community, joy, and a shared love for the extraordinary. This Halloween, dive into a night that celebrates who you are, however you choose to shine.
What: Sips Under the Sea Halloween Party
When: October 31, 2025, 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m
Where: Georgia Aquarium
How: Tickets available at georgiaaquarium.org
BARS & CLUBS MIDTOWN
BLAKE’S ON THE PARK blakesontheparkatlanta.com 227 10th St NE
BULLDOGS 893 Peachtree St NE
FRIENDS NEIGHBORHOOD BAR friendsonponce-atl. com
736 Ponce De Leon Ave NE
MY SISTER’S ROOM mysistersroom.com 66 12th St NE
X MIDTOWN xmidtown.com 990 Piedmont Ave NE
THE T modeltatlanta.com 465 Boulevard SE
CHESHIRE
HERETIC hereticatlanta.com 2069 Cheshire Bridge Road
BJ ROOSTERS bjroosters.com 2043 Cheshire Bridge Road NE
WESTSIDE
MARQUETTE 868 Joseph E. Boone Blvd NW
840ATL 840 Ralph David Abernathy Blvd
ATLANTA EAGLE 1492 Piedmont Ave NE
FELIX’S 1510 Piedmont Ave NE
MIXX mixxatlanta.com 1492 Piedmont Ave NE
OSCAR’S oscarsatlanta.com 1510 Piedmont Ave NE
WOOFS woofsatlanta.com 494 Plasters Ave NE
TRIPPS fb: tripps-bar 1931 Piedmont Cir NE
EAST ATLANTA, GRANT PARK & EDGEWOOD
MARY’S marysatlanta.com 1287 Glenwood Ave SE
SISTER LOUISA’S CHURCH sisterlouisaschurch. com 466 Edgewood Ave SE LORE ATLANTA loreatl.com 466 Edgewood Ave loreatl.com
DINING
MIDTOWN
CASA ALMENARA 991 Piedmont Ave NE casa-almenara.com
OLIVE BISTRO olivebistro.com 1050 Juniper St NE #4
LA HACIENDA lahaciendamidtown. com
900 Monroe Dr NE
TUK TUK THAI FOOD LOFT TUKTUKATL.COM 1745 Peachtree Rd NW
DEKALB
LIPS ATLANTA atldragshow.com 3011 Buford Hwy NE
RETAIL MIDTOWN BOY NEXT DOOR MENSWEAR boynextdoormenswear.com 1000 Piedmont Ave NE, Ste A
ANSLEY
BARKING LEATHER AFTER DARK barkingleather.com 1510 Piedmont Ave NE
GCB & PLEASURES brushstrokesatlanta. com
URBAN BODY FITNESS
urbanbody tness. com
500 Amsterdam Ave N
CHESHIRE
GRAVITY FITNESS
gravity tnessatl.com 2201 Faulkner Rd NE
SPAS/BATHS ADULT
FLEX SPA exspas.com 76 4th St NW
SOUTHERN NIGHTS VIDEO 2205 Cheshire Bridge Rd NE
ANSLEY
1510-D Piedmont Ave. NE
Photos by: Russ Youngblood
We all have those moments of ‘wait, did they just say that?’ Lucky for you, we compile the best of the best right here on this page. Want to join in on the b*tch session? Submit your own nuggets to info@davidatlanta.com.
Some of y’alls costumes are going from boo to booger real fast.
Some will literally rob the Louvre before trying therapy.
He prefers a side hustle because his mom was exactly that…
Getting older is realizing that the only sane person on the Gilmore Girls is Emily.
I just want to be able to afford what I want without bothering anyone.
I’ll be driving and be like ‘damn, was that light even green?’
Some of these guys are bound to be vampires for Halloween because they are a pain in the neck.
For someone who appreciates sleep so much, I go to bed way too late.
