The princess in Hans Christian Andersen’s The Princess and the Pea might have had fibromyalgia syndrome, according to two researchers in Stockholm. The chronic sleep disturbance and musculoskeletal pain common in FMS patients aligns with the restless nights that the fairy tale attributes to royal hypersensitivity. A princess is so delicate, the story goes, that even a little nub under a mountain of eiderdown would keep her awake. But the Swedish researchers say she wasn’t just a spoiled royal, she This story is from Kinfolk Issue Thirty-six Buy Now Related Stories Arts & Culture Issue 51 Emily Gernild The Danish painter breathing new life into an old medium. Arts & Culture Food Issue 51 Imogen Kwok The artist takes food styling quite literally, creating accessories out of fruits and vegetables. Arts & Culture Issue 50 Close Knit Meet the weavers keeping traditional Egyptian tapestry-making alive. Arts & Culture Issue 50 New Roots The Palestinian agriculture collective sowing seeds of community. Arts & Culture Issue 49 Karin Mamma Andersson Inside the moody, mysterious world of Sweden’s preeminent painter. Arts & Culture Issue 49 Amalie Smith The Danish arts writer finding clarity between the lines.
Arts & Culture Food Issue 51 Imogen Kwok The artist takes food styling quite literally, creating accessories out of fruits and vegetables.
Arts & Culture Issue 50 Close Knit Meet the weavers keeping traditional Egyptian tapestry-making alive.
Arts & Culture Issue 49 Karin Mamma Andersson Inside the moody, mysterious world of Sweden’s preeminent painter.