Ayahuasca, a powerful psychoactive drug derived from a South American plant, is a traditional Amazonian-based medicine and an increasingly popular hallucinogenic brew used by devotees worldwide. But what is the ayahuasca experience really like? An international survey of thousands of men and women who have tried the drug for religious, therapeutic or recreational purposes provides… read on > read on >
THURSDAY, Nov. 17, 2022 (American Heart Association News) — When it comes to reduced-carb diets, it may be quality, not quantity, that matters most. New research finds that animal-based, low-carbohydrate eating was associated with a higher Type 2 diabetes risk, whereas plant-based, low-carb eating was associated with a lower diabetes risk. The research, recently presented… read on > read on >
THURSDAY, Nov. 17, 2022 (American Heart Association News) — From her hospital bed, Beth Murphy demanded that a television be brought into her room. She needed to see the face of her husband. Kevin Murphy died on 9/11 as he worked at the World Trade Center in New York City. Of the 2,977 killed that… read on > read on >
People battling heart failure should make the time to get their flu shots now, a new study suggests. Not only will the shots help prevent influenza in this high-risk group, but it could also reduce pneumonia infections and cardiac complications, researchers report. “If you have heart failure, you should get your flu shot because it… read on > read on >
Ever wonder why kids seem to pick up new knowledge and skills faster than adults? A new study attributes the kids’ mental prowess to differences in a brain messenger called GABA. “Our results show that children of elementary school age can learn more items within a given period of time than adults, making learning more… read on > read on >
A crowded, overwhelmed emergency department raises the risk of death and suffering for patients throughout a hospital, a new study warns. “The more the emergency room was crowded, the more people were dying throughout the hospital,” said lead researcher Charleen Hsuan, an assistant professor of health policy and administration at Pennsylvania State University. Patients also… read on > read on >
In a finding that illustrates just how deeply racial disparities permeate the U.S. health care system, a new government report finds that suicide rates dipped slightly among white Americans while they rose for Black and Hispanic Americans. “Although the recent decline in suicide rates for non-Hispanic white persons is encouraging, the continued increase for non-Hispanic… read on > read on >
WEDNESDAY, Nov. 16, 2022 (American Heart Association News) — An abnormal buildup of fat in the liver not caused by alcohol may greatly increase the risk of heart failure, according to new research. Nearly 1 in 4 adults in the U.S. has a condition known as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, or NAFLD. Scientists already knew… read on > read on >
California’s plan to manufacture its own insulin could be a huge money-saver for state residents with diabetes — and possibly be a model for other states, according to experts. Earlier this year, California announced an initiative to bring its own insulin products to market, in response to the steep costs of the lifesaving drug in… read on > read on >
Regular aerobic exercise improves blood flow to the brain, which should help keep seniors sharper as they age, a new trial has revealed. At least a half-hour of power walking or jogging four to five times a week promoted better blood flow in and out of the brain among a small group of older adults,… read on > read on >
