In November of 2016, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) gave permission for the commencement of large-scale Phase 3 clinical trials into the use of MDMA (Ecstasy) in the treatment of PTSD. If successful, the trials could see an illicit street substance become a potent treatment for PTSD by 2021. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)Continue reading “PTSD: Agony and Ecstasy”
Category Archives: Health
Kratom: Medicinal or Criminal
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) moved earlier this year to list the herbal supplement kratom as a Schedule 1 drug under the Controlled Substances Act. This would place kratom alongside Heroin, LSD, Morphine, and Ice as substances that have a high potential for abuse and a risk to public health. The ban, proposed toContinue reading “Kratom: Medicinal or Criminal”
Substance Use Disorder (SUD)
Alcohol and drug misuse and related disorders are major public health challenges that are taking an enormous toll on individuals, families, and society. Neighborhoods and communities as a whole are also suffering as a result of alcohol- and drug-related crime and violence, abuse and neglect of children, and the increased costs of health care associatedContinue reading “Substance Use Disorder (SUD)”
New Research Shows Benefits of High-Intensity Statins
In a study publishing this week in JAMA Cardiology, Stanford researchers show that taking high-intensity statins could increase heart patients’ chances of survival over taking moderate-intensity statins. There are currently seven main types of statins prescribed in the United States. A set of guidelines put forth by the American College of Cardiology and the American HeartContinue reading “New Research Shows Benefits of High-Intensity Statins”
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs) are a group of conditions that can occur in a person whose mother drank alcohol during pregnancy. During the first trimester of pregnancy, alcohol interferes with the migration and organization of brain cells, which can create structural deformities or deficits within the brain. During the third trimester, damage can beContinue reading “Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)”
Genetic Damage Caused By Smoking
Scientists have measured the catastrophic genetic damage caused by smoking in different organs of the body and identified several different mechanisms by which tobacco smoking causes mutations in DNA. Researchers at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, the Los Alamos National Laboratory and their collaborators found smokers accumulated an average of 150 extra mutations in everyContinue reading “Genetic Damage Caused By Smoking”
What Is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
The carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway on the palm side of your wrist made up of bones and ligaments. The median nerve, which controls sensation and movement in the thumb and first three fingers, runs through this passageway along with tendons to the fingers and thumb. When it’s pinched or compressed, the result isContinue reading “What Is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?”
Sociopath vs Psychopath: What’s The Difference?
You may have heard people call someone else a “psychopath” or a “sociopath.” But what do those words really mean? You won’t find the definitions in mental health’s official handbook, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Doctors don’t officially diagnose people as psychopaths or sociopaths. They use a different term instead: antisocial personalityContinue reading “Sociopath vs Psychopath: What’s The Difference?”
Herbal Supplements You Shouldn’t Try
Supplement Safety – It seems like these products should be harmless. After all, you use herbs all the time when you’re cooking. But some may not be safe, especially if you have certain medical conditions or take some medications. Talk with your doctor before taking any supplements. St. John’s Wort This popular supplement is oftenContinue reading “Herbal Supplements You Shouldn’t Try”
Complementary Medicines
A new multimillion dollar deal between Swisse Wellness and CSIRO has raised questions about the integrity of Australia’s premier scientific research organisation and the motivations behind the deal. Another important question is whether consumers will benefit from such partnerships. Swisse manufactures complementary and alternative medicines, which are widely used by different populations. Research has shownContinue reading “Complementary Medicines”