Hello health and wellness enthusiasts. My name is Kaitlin, your guide to the news you might have missed this week – and how it could affect your life. In the meantime, here’s what my team and I were focused on:
Here’s what else you should know:
MDMA was rejected as a mental health treatment
An independent Food and Drug Administration panel has rejected the use of the drug MDMA — also known as Ecstasy in tablet form, or Molly in crystal form — as a therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD. The panel said there was insufficient evidence that the treatment was effective and said the risks were greater than its benefits, with specific concerns about the study design and the drug’s potential cardiovascular effects.
Why this matters:
The ongoing conversation about psychedelics and mental health suggests that people and experts are seeking other forms of treatment — and that there is a lack of currently available options.
Although not the same drug, the panel’s rejection of MDMA as a treatment option follows recent concerns about ketamine therapy, an off-label psychedelic treatment that many experts believe could be a game changer for those with mental health problems. difficult to treat. healthy conditions. While people like Chrissy Teigen and Sharon Osbourne support the use of the drug in ketamine clinics, not everyone agrees. The therapy was back in the news following the death of actor Matthew Perry, who died from the effects of ketamine and spoke about going to ketamine clinics for treatment.
Cardiovascular diseases are a big problem
Well, this is alarming: according to a new study, six in 10 adults will have cardiovascular disease in the next 30 years, with high blood pressure being the most likely condition people will develop. This is a big problem because high blood pressure can cause heart attacks and strokes.
Why this matters:
Cardiovascular disease has been on the rise for years, but experts told Yahoo Life that the numbers will continue to rise due to several factors, such as the growing number of elderly people. Obesity, which is also linked to cardiovascular problems, is on the rise, including among young people, who may face heart disease for the rest of their lives. The good news? Lifestyle changes, such as a healthier diet and exercise, can reduce your risk.
Here are some recommendations:
The FDA is reversing its Juul ban
The Food and Drug Administration announced this week that it is reversing its ban on Juul, the controversial e-cigarette brand. The FDA initially banned the products because the company could not prove that keeping them on shelves would be safe for the general public. However, e-cigarettes (which have become increasingly popular in recent years, especially among young people and specifically in high school bathrooms) remained on the shelves, at the company’s request. Now, Juul is once again under review by the agency, where the company is seeking new marketing authorization for its products.
Why this matters:
First, let’s read beyond the headlines: “Unbanning” Juul does not mean the FDA has declared vaping safe. While there is evidence to suggest that vaping is better for you than traditional cigarettes, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that vaping is not safe due to the chemicals they contain – including nicotine, which is an addictive chemical that can have a negative impact on the brain of teenagers. More research, including the FDA’s review of Juul, could help point a way forward.
