Psilocybin, the psychedelic substance in “magic” mushrooms, is generating lots of interest as a potential treatment for a host of mental ills, but new research warns there is little data on how it might interact with more traditional psychiatric medications. “There’s a major incongruence between the public enthusiasm and exuberance with psychedelic substances for mental… read on > read on >
All Lifestyle:
Could Aspirin Cut Death Risk for Hospitalized COVID Patients?
Something as simple as aspirin may help lower the risk of death in hospital patients who are fighting a tough case of COVID-19, a new study found. George Washington University researchers analyzed data on more than 112,000 patients hospitalized with moderate COVID-19 at 64 health systems in the United States from Jan. 1, 2020, through… read on > read on >
Can’t Afford the Dentist? Try a Dental Therapist
Nearly 60 million Americans live in “dental deserts,” while many more can’t afford basic dental care even if it is available. Enter dental therapists. New research suggests these newly minted health care professionals could help more people get the oral health care they need in low-income areas. They are fast becoming members of a typical… read on > read on >
Fauci: BA.2 Variant May Not Lead to Deadly Surge
(HealthDay News) — The new Omicron subvariant, BA.2, is spreading across the United States and will soon take over as the major COVID variant, White House chief medical adviser Dr. Anthony Fauci said Tuesday. “Ultimately it will be the predominant variant in this country,” Fauci told HealthDay. “It’s occupying about 85% of the variants in… read on > read on >
Lying Prone Can Help Hospitalized COVID Patients, But Many Can’t Sustain It
Lying facedown may improve breathing in COVID-19 patients who are awake, but many can’t stay in a prone position long enough to reap the benefit, a new study finds. Prone positioning is standard for patients with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), because it encourages a larger part of the lung to expand, so patients… read on > read on >
Moderna Will Ask FDA to Approve COVID Vaccine for Young Kids
Moderna announced Wednesday that it will ask the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to approve the emergency use of its COVID-19 vaccine for children under 6. The company said that its request is based on interim results from its clinical trial that showed, even when given a dose that was one-quarter as strong as the… read on > read on >
Babies, Toddlers Produce Stronger Immune Response to COVID Than Adults
In a finding that could influence future COVID vaccine recommendations for the youngest Americans, new research finds that infants and toddlers have a stronger immune response to the new coronavirus than adults do. To arrive at that conclusion, scientists analyzed blood samples collected from 682 unvaccinated children and adults up to age 62, in 175… read on > read on >
Firefighters Face Higher Odds for Heart Trouble
The more blazes firefighters battle, the higher their risk for a heart rhythm disorder called atrial fibrillation (a-fib), a new study shows. “Clinicians who care for firefighters need to be aware of the increased cardiovascular risk, especially the increased risk of a-fib, among this unique group of individuals,” said senior study author Dr. Paari Dominic.… read on > read on >
Could the Party Drug Ecstasy Help Treat PTSD?
The party drug “ecstasy” might be the key to helping people heal from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), new clinical trial results indicate. In a small study, PTSD patients treated with a powerful combination of the psychedelic drug, also known as MDMA, and talk therapy were much more likely to see an end to their recurring,… read on > read on >
Antibodies From COVID Infection Shield Kids for Up to 7 Months
Antibodies from a COVID-19 infection linger in most children for up to seven months, even if they had no symptoms, a new study finds. To come to that reassuring conclusion, researchers analyzed data from 218 children in Texas, ages 5 to 19, who were enrolled in an ongoing survey launched in October 2020 to track… read on > read on >