Category Archives: Health

Scientists: Banned Drugs Deserve More Research

A group of scientists have published a new report online in the medical journal Nature Reviews Neuroscience, calling for additional research to be performed on various illegal drugs and describing the bans on these drugs as scientific censorship. The researchers say that such drugs, including psychedelics and marijuana, may have incredible efficacy in treating various physical and mental heath conditions, but that restrictive laws prevent the scientific community from fully understanding exactly how and to what extent. Many of these drugs are considered “Schedule 1″ under U.S. law, meaning that they’re thought to have no medical use and a high potential for abuse. Could drugs once considered strictly recreational and dangerous actually hold the keys to a new era of safer, more effective medical treatment?

Read More »

Posted in Health, Health Facts, Medical, Mental Health, News, Studies | 5 Comments

40% of “Designated Drivers” Actually Impaired by Alcohol

With summer comes bon fires, beach parties, barbecues and music festivals, and with those types of events, alcohol sometimes comes too. The typical safety advice in these types of situations always starts with the same important tip: designate a sober driver so you and yours can get home safely when the festivities have ended. But is having a designated driver really a guarantee that your wheelman will be clearheaded at the evening’s conclusion? Far from it, according to a new study that finds that approximately 40% of so-called “designated drivers” actually end up drinking anyhow. The study is particularly troubling considering the statistics from MADD, which state that 28 people die per day in the U.S. as a result of drunk driving crashes. Also, 300,000 incidents of drinking and driving occur daily.

Read More »

Posted in Diet, Food, Health, Health Facts, Mental Health, News, Studies | 1 Comment

Daily Sunscreen Delays Aging of Skin

With hot summer days fast approaching, many Americans are heading to supermarkets and drug stores to pick up an annual staple – sunscreen. But according to a new study by Australian researchers, sunscreen shouldn’t just be used seasonally, at least not if you want to maximize the health and appearance of your skin. The study finds that daily application of sunscreen results in fewer wrinkles and better skin overall. Specifically, subjects under the age of 55 who applied sunscreen every day had 24% less aging to their skin than individuals who only put on sunscreen once in a while. The study included both men and women. The findings represent further evidence that the “tan is beautiful” doctrine could cause long-term damage. In order to have young-looking beautiful skin, it might be necessary to protect yourself from the sun at all times.

Read More »

Posted in Health, Health Facts, Medical, News, Skin and Beauty, Studies | 6 Comments

Nanoparticles: The Next Revolution in Medical Science?

“”It’s all a matter of scale,” says an old adage. According to medical researchers, we’ll soon have access to robots produced on such a tiny scale that they can actually be injected into the bloodstream in order to attack diseases, diagnose medical issues and heal internal wounds. If it sounds futuristic, then the future is here. Researchers have spent the last 10 or more years developing so-called nanotechnology and nanomedicine with the intention of curing diseases – including cancer – that have been impossible to cure in the past. The idea is not entirely new, however, as the beginnings of nanotechnology are thought to have been inspired by a 1959 lecture given by American physicist Richard Feynman. Since then, medical researchers have been working on the techniques and are now in a position to literally change the world with their findings.

Read More »

Posted in Health, Health Facts, Medical, News, Studies | 1,367 Comments

Allergy Meds and Driving: A Dangerous Combination?

A new warning issued by the Food and Drug Administration should have you thinking twice if you’re planning on using medication to stave off your allergies this summer shortly before driving. According to the FDA statement, taking allergy meds could drastically reduce your ability to safely drive a vehicle. This is because most allergy medications contain antihistamines, which carry side effects such as delayed reaction time and sleepiness. It’s estimated that around 1,550 deaths occur each year due to fatigue, but the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration admits that the actual number may be much higher. If you plan on taking allergy medication this summer, and especially if you’re trying a different medication than you’ve used before, you’d be wise take your first dosage on a day you know you won’t be driving so you can test the effects.

Read More »

Posted in Health, Health Facts, Medical, News, Studies | 5 Comments