079 - Schizophrenia's Microbiome Mystery, Integrative Pain Managment, and Memories in Motion - HealthHippieMD Week In Review

Stretching the Limits: Americans Flexing Their Choices in Pain Management

According to data from the 2022 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), released in January 2024, U.S. adults have significantly boosted their reliance on complementary health approaches over the past two decades. Particularly noteworthy is the surge in employing these approaches for pain management purposes. The survey reveals a remarkable uptick in the utilization of yoga, meditation, and massage therapy from 2002 to 2022. This shift underscores a growing inclination towards holistic methods in addressing pain, signaling a broader trend in health consciousness among Americans. National Health Interview Survey 2022 | NCCIH.

Memories in Motion: Deciphering the Canvas of Recollection

In an interesting interview, renowned neuroscientist Charan Ranganath delves into the intricate workings of memory, challenging the notion of fixed recollections. Ranganath illuminates how memories are not mere snapshots but dynamic interpretations, constantly shaped by present perspectives. He emphasizes the power of mindfulness in crafting enduring memories and explores the therapeutic potential of shared recollections. With insightful analogies to artistry and poignant anecdotes, Ranganath reveals the fluid nature of identity and the profound influence of memory on shaping our perceptions of self. A Leading Memory Researcher Explains How to Make Precious Moments Last - The New York Times (gift article). +If you'd like an entertaining deep dive into the topic of enduring memories, take a listen to one of my favorite episodes of my favorite podcast, Revisionist History: Free Brian Williams | Revisionist History.

Finding Support for Pet Loss

In the wake of pet bereavement, the quest for solace has expanded, with a surge in resources catering to grieving owners. With informal meetups, online programs, and support groups, many avenues offer empathy and assistance. The pandemic's influence, strengthening bonds with pets, has further underscored the need for compassionate outlets. From sharing stories to validating grief, these resources offer a comforting embrace amidst the ache of loss. Coping With the Loss of a Pet? They Can Offer Grief Support. - The New York Times (gift article).

Therapist Recommended Self-Help Books

I'm adding the several I have not read to my queue. 6 Self-Help Books That Therapists Read Themselves - The New York Times (gift article).

Weighing the Pros and Cons: Seniors and Weight Loss Drugs

As older Americans increasingly turn to GLP-1 drugs for weight loss, concerns arise about potential risks and benefits. With Medicare considering covering these drugs for obesity treatment, millions of seniors may experience weight loss, raising questions about long-term health effects. While studies show benefits such as improved glycemic control, there's uncertainty about the impact on muscle and bone health, especially considering potential fractures and loss of fat-free tissue. As seniors navigate the decision to use weight loss medications, experts urge caution and highlight the need for personalized approaches in managing obesity in older adults. [Boomers Will Define the Ozempic Era - The Atlantic].(https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2024/02/ozempic-weight-loss-older-americans-boomers/677371/)

+A new study reveals that users of tirzepatide, marketed as Mounjaro or Zepbound, experienced reduced blood pressure after 36 weeks, yet researchers couldn't differentiate the drug's impact from weight loss effects. Tirzepatide, by Eli Lilly, treats diabetes (as Mounjaro) and obesity (as Zepbound), competing with semaglutide (Ozempic/Wegovy). Users of Zepbound or Mounjaro Had Lower Blood Pressure in Study - The New York Times (gift article).

Unveiling Schizophrenia's Microbiome Mystery

In a recent manuscript, researchers explore the gut microbiome's role in treatment-resistant schizophrenia, particularly in response to clozapine. Published in JAMA Psychiatry, the study delves into the distinct microbial profiles observed in individuals with treatment resistance. While implications for therapeutic strategies, including dietary adjustments and probiotics, are tantalizing, experts caution about the complexity of causal relationships and their translation into clinical practice. This study underscores the intriguing interplay between gut health and psychiatric disorders, suggesting a potential avenue for future exploration in the quest for effective interventions. Gut Signature for Treatment-Resistant Schizophrenia? (thanks, Dave!).

Nurturing Creativity in the Age of AI

In the educational arena, integrating AI tools like ChatGPT poses both promise and peril for student creativity. Research reveals a nuanced landscape: while AI aids brainstorming with its quick idea generation, it also risks undermining students' confidence in their creative abilities. Balancing AI's benefits with the imperative of fostering independent creative thinking is paramount. As schools navigate this terrain, ethical considerations loom large. The harmonious coexistence of human ingenuity and technological advancement remains the goal, with further exploration needed to understand AI's multifaceted impact on the creative process. For the record, I'm for using AI in the creative process. AI can help − and hurt − student creativity.

Chew on This

This Simple, Overlooked Diet Tweak Could Revolutionize Your Gut Health" covers the importance of chewing in digestion. Often overlooked, this simple act is essential for optimal gut health. Research highlights that thorough chewing enhances the absorption of nutrients, aiding in weight management and overall well-being. As we age, the significance of chewing increases, making it crucial for seniors. Beyond its physiological benefits, mindful chewing promotes relaxation and reduces stress.

Biden's Bid to Bargain for Better Drug Deals

In Washington, the Biden administration initiates negotiations by sending preliminary offers to makers of 10 selected prescription drugs under Medicare. These drugs, crucial for treating conditions like diabetes and cancer, mark the start of a groundbreaking federal program aimed at curbing drug spending. While this move signals potential savings of nearly $100 billion over a decade, legal battles loom as pharmaceutical companies contest the constitutionality of government price negotiations. With the courts yet to weigh in, the future of Medicare's bargaining power hangs in the balance, impacting millions of Americans reliant on affordable medication. U.S. Makes Initial Offers in Medicare Drug Price Negotiations - The New York Times (gift article).

078 - Panpsychism, Unleashing Joy, and Dream Teams - HealthHippieMD Week In Review

NCCIH on Mindfulness and Meditation

I wanted to remind you about the terrific National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health resources. Here is their fact sheet on Mindfulness and Meditation: Meditation and Mindfulness: What You Need To Know | NCCIH

The Dream Team

I thought I'd feature an article on the importance of sleep and athletics with the Super Bowl approaching. The significance of a good night's sleep is often overlooked. However, sleep is vital in enhancing athletes' performance, from boosting muscle repair to strengthening the immune system. This article highlights the crucial connection between quality sleep and athletic success. It explains the different stages of sleep and their impact on physical and cognitive health. Athletes prioritizing sleep can improve speed, accuracy, cognitive skills, and pain tolerance, ultimately gaining a competitive edge. The article also provides practical tips for athletes to optimize their sleep routines, emphasizing that sleep is a performance enhancer. Sleep can give athletes an edge over competitors − but few recognize how fundamental sleep is to performance.

+And if you're curious how exceptionally talented professional athletes are compared to the Average Joe, listen to this podcast (where a journalist went through the NFL combine and was rated against NFL players): People I (Mostly) Admire: 123. Walt Hickey Wants to Track Your Eyeballs.

A Fitness Folly

In The Apple Watch May Have a Calorie Problem, The Atlantic explores the complex relationship between users and their fitness trackers, particularly the notorious red "Move" ring on the Apple Watch. The article delves into the challenges users face in trying to meet daily activity goals set by these devices, revealing the potential pitfalls of relying on them too heavily. The piece highlights the inaccuracy of calorie measurements on fitness trackers and how these devices can sometimes lead users to prioritize external motivation over the intrinsic joy of staying active. Ultimately, it raises thought-provoking questions about the role of technology in shaping our fitness routines.

Edibles vs. Smoking Cannabis

As the popularity of cannabis-infused edibles surges, people are questioning whether they offer a safer alternative to traditional smoking methods. While the answer is not straightforward, experts weigh in on the pros and cons of each. Edibles take longer to kick in, making it easier to overconsume, potentially leading to adverse effects. They can also produce more intense highs. On the other hand, smoking poses respiratory risks due to harmful chemicals in the smoke, though conclusive evidence on lung cancer is lacking. Regardless of the method, cannabis use has some short and long-term health risks, emphasizing the importance of moderation and informed choices. Are Cannabis Edibles Safer Than Smoking? - The New York Times (gift article).

Panpsychism: Is Consciousness Woven into the Universe?

"Somehow, the water of the physical brain is turned into the wine of consciousness." In a thought-provoking article, Dan Falk explores the age-old question of consciousness and its place in the Universe. The article delves into the theory of panpsychism, which suggests that consciousness is an intrinsic component of reality, akin to mass or electrical charge. Scholars gathered at a recent workshop to discuss the idea, highlighting its appeal as a solution to the enigmatic "hard problem" of consciousness. However, critics argue that panpsychism faces challenges, such as the "combination problem" and the dilemma of explaining the consciousness of other beings. The article offers a captivating glimpse into the ongoing debate between panpsychism and alternative views, shedding light on the profound philosophical implications of our understanding of consciousness. Is Consciousness Part of the Fabric of the Universe? | Scientific American.

Nature's Wegovy / Ozempic

The article, A Gastroenterologist Reveals How To Tap Into Your Body's Natural Processes That Inspired Ozempic explores the role of natural gut hormones and healthy food in metabolism and weight loss. It delves into how drugs like Wegovy, Ozempic, and Mounjaro, designed for weight loss and diabetes, mimic natural incretin hormones found in the gut. Specialized gut bacteria help transform undigestible components of food into molecules that regulate appetite and metabolism, emphasizing the importance of a diverse, healthy gut microbiome. These drugs reinvigorate the body's natural systems, making them effective for weight loss and blood sugar control, but lifestyle changes and whole foods are still vital for long-term health.

Snooze Control: How Your Diet Affects Your Sleep Quality

Research suggests that our dietary choices can significantly impact the quality of our sleep. Nutritional epidemiologist Erica Jansen explores the intricate relationship between diet and sleep, highlighting that adherence to nutritional guidelines, such as consuming fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains, can lead to longer and better sleep—furthermore, healthier diets like the Mediterranean and anti-inflammatory are associated with improved sleep quality. While specific foods and nutrients like fatty fish, dairy, and melatonin-rich fruits play a role, the complexity of this relationship remains challenging to unravel. The article also cautions against consuming certain foods and substances that can disrupt sleep, emphasizing the importance of overall dietary patterns and good sleep hygiene practices. One Simple Change to Your Diet Could Help You Sleep Better, Study Finds.

Unleash the Joy

In A Pet Psychologist Reveals How To Give Your Dog The Best Walk of Its Life, , a pet psychologist shares valuable insights into the art of dog walking. Rather than focusing on steps, it emphasizes the importance of time spent outdoors, allowing dogs to engage in their favorite activity: sniffing. Sniffing and marking territory are crucial to a dog's experience, making it a mental exercise as much as a physical one. Rushing through walks or encouraging dogs to hurry up with their business can be detrimental, potentially leading to behavioral problems. By customizing walks to suit each dog's preferences and reframing the experience, dogs and owners can enjoy the best walks of their lives.

Awe

Here is a balanced critique and interview with the author of the book Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life.. I'm adding this book to my queue.

056 - Dementia Prediction, Button Dogs, Prosody, and Ink Therapy - HealthHippieMD Week In Review

Mind Your Risk: New Tool Predicts Dementia Likelihood

To crack the code of dementia risks, researchers have unveiled an innovative tool that forecasts an individual's chances of developing the condition within the next 14 years. This predictive model, known as the U.K. Biobank Dementia Risk Score (UKBDRS), delves into 11 crucial factors, including age, education, diabetes history, depression history, stroke history, parental dementia history, deprivation levels, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, living arrangement, and gender. The tool, which also considers the influence of the APOE gene, trumps other risk assessments and offers a 40% chance of preventing cases by targeting modifiable factors. Dementia risk study finds 11 key factors behind condition.

Feeling the Beat: Haptic Suits

This article features haptic suits—backpack-like devices that translate music into vibrations on the skin. Haptic technology advancements have fueled innovations in creating shared musical experiences for all concertgoers, blurring the lines between hearing and feeling the groove. Haptic Suits Let You Feel Music Through Your Skin - The New York Times. (gift article)

Another Brick in the Wall: Neuroscience of Prosody

You may have heard scientists recreated parts of Pink Floyd's Another Brick in the Wall using only the brain's electrical signals. Here is a short video on the research and its implications: Tuning into the Brain's Music: Decoding Song from Brainwaves - Neuroscience News.

Button Dogs

If you spend time on TikTok or Instagram, you're probably familiar with "button dogs" who communicate with their families by stepping on electronic pads that speak words when pressed. Can dogs use language in this way? Scientific American elaborates: Can Dogs Use Language? - Scientific American.

Nurses TRAPped

Healthcare employers use a sneaky tactic called "Training Repayment Agreements" (or TRAPs) to keep nurses from leaving their jobs. These agreements make nurses repay training costs if they quit within a specific time, essentially trapping them with financial obligations. Neil Rudis, a nurse, found himself stuck in this web, unable to leave due to the debt. These debt-based schemes are rising in nursing as companies try to deter nurses from changing jobs. While some companies are ditching TRAPs, many nurses still grapple with these financial shackles, affecting their well-being and worsening workforce shortages. Health Care Companies Are Using Debt to Trap Nurses on the Job – Mother Jones.

Feed Me: A.I. Sparks Race for Information

The escalating demand for A.I. model training data prompts a creative scramble among A.I. makers. As larger models require vast datasets, A.I. companies are hunting for new sources of information while organizations with substantial data holdings seek ways to monetize them. This article discusses how the scarcity of quality training text, the legal battles around copyright infringement, and the push for compensation for ingested material reshape the A.I. landscape. The pursuit of data has led to partnerships and deals with media outlets, record labels, scientific publishers, and other data-rich entities, igniting a fervent competition for valuable information. A.I. is setting off a great scramble for data.

Sleep Debt

A large percentage of the American public is sleep-deprived. Unfortunately, repaying a sleep debt is more demanding than you might think: Here's why there's no quick fix for sleep deprivation - Big Think.

Aging Well

Aging isn't a one-size-fits-all journey – it's a tangled interplay of biology and environment. This expert breakdown by biologist Ellen Quarles reveals why aging is a unique experience for each person and even for cells within our bodies. Unraveling the intricate web of cellular processes, from DNA repair to protein recycling, Quarles explains how aging disrupts this delicate network. While there's no magic cure, interventions that target multiple critical cellular processes might hold the key to extending our healthier years. So, don't expect a universal anti-aging remedy, but rather embrace the intricate puzzle of your own unique aging path. Aging is complicated – a biologist explains why no two people or cells age the same way, and what this means for anti-aging interventions.

Nurturing Gut Microbes for Well-Being

Your body is a reflection of what you eat. These Gut Microbes Are Crucial To Well-Being — What To Eat To Cultivate Them delves into the pivotal role of gut microbes in regulating your well-being.

Drug Cost and Value-Based Pricing

When Dying Patients Want Unproven Drugs | The New Yorker got me thinking about incentives for the pharmaceutical industry in the U.S. I went down a rabbit hole and ended up learning quite a bit about value-based pharmaceutical pricing. Value-Based Pricing of Prescription Drugs Benefits Patients and Promotes Innovation - Center for American Progress. is well worth a read.

A.I. Helps Stroke Survivor Speak Again

In a heartwarming breakthrough combining neuroscience and artificial intelligence, a paralyzed woman's thoughts are translated into speech through an avatar. Ann Johnson, who lost her speaking ability after a stroke at 30, saw her brain signals converted into vocalized language by implanted electrodes. This achievement, reported in the journal Nature, is a first in synthesizing spoken words and facial expressions directly from brain activity. This milestone holds promise for those who've lost speech due to strokes or conditions like cerebral palsy. The aim? To restore not just words but the essence of who people are. A.I. Helps a Stroke Patient Speak Again, a Milestone for Tech and Neuroscience - The New York Times. (gift article)

Avocado Odyssey

Avocado aficionados know the disappointment of bringing home what appears to be the perfect avocado only to find it mushy or tasteless. The capricious nature of avocados is due to their unique ripening process, setting them apart from other fruits. The article, How to select a perfectly ripe avocado. delves into choosing the perfect avocado.

Ink Therapy

A new study suggests that combatting post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) could be as simple as putting pen to paper. This innovative treatment involves supervised 30-minute writing sessions where patients recount their traumatic experiences. , this approach proved as effective as traditional talk therapy in a study involving 178 veterans. Importantly, dropout rates were significantly lower in the writing group. This method, known as written exposure therapy, inspired by "expressive writing" experiments from the 1980s, offers a quicker, potentially more accessible alternative to established PTSD treatments. As the field evolves, the healing power of words gains renewed attention. Writing Therapy Shows Promise for PTSD - The New York Times. (gift article)

036 - Xenopharmacology, Serious Play, and the Happiest Country on Earth - HealthHippieMD Week In Review

Phages and Multi-Resistant Bacteria

What will we use when traditional antibiotics are no longer effective? Many believe we will use phages: In the War on Bacteria, It's Time to Call in the Phages

Prebiotics > Probiotics

Probiotics are not the panacea the industry would lead you to believe: Probiotic supplements claim to boost gut health, but may do opposite (gift article). See also Are Probiotics Making You Fat? probiotics, prebiotics, and fermented food — HealthHippieMD

Telehealth Facility Fees. Really?

I read an interesting story about facility fees. It doesn't seem right patients are charged a facility fee, even if they don't visit the facility. Making a telehealth appointment? You might still pay a facility fee. (gift article)

Hiccups and Cancer

Here is an article with everything you'd like to know about hiccups and a few things you might not: Hiccups have a curious connection to cancer

The Neuroscience of Spiritual Experiences

What is the science behind spiritual experiences, and how do they work from a neuroscientific standpoint? I learned quite a bit from the video: The neuroscience of spiritual experiences +More on mysticism and spirituality: The psychedelic origins of ancient mystical rites

Dad Jokes

Ever wonder why dads are singled out for their groan-worthy humor? This article is for you: What Makes a 'Dad Joke'?

Humor's Impact on Happiness

Here are some valuable hints on humor and happiness from the "How to Build a Life" Series: You Can Tell Bad Jokes and Have a Great Sense of Humor

You Could Care Less

"Humans, by nature, are social beings who crave connection, intimacy, and relationships. Caring about what others think of us is part of that desire to make connections and feel accepted." But what if you put too much weight on what others think? How to Not Care What People Think: 15 Expert Tips. See also: Why You Should Stop Caring What Other People Think (Taming the Mammoth) - Wait But Why

Tofu

The New York Times tackles tofu. Is it healthy or not? Is Tofu Good for You?

How Psychedelics Influence Depression

Psychedelic psychotherapy is all the rage now. What is the science behind psychedelics' potentially beneficial effects on mental health? How psychedelic drugs may help with depression | National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Xenopharmacology

I'm fascinated by this topic, especially for pharmaceutical-dependent areas of medicine such as anesthesiology. As always, Scientific American publishes scientific ideas on the cutting edge. Further kudos to SI for featuring a neighbor (Matt Redinbo) in their article: How Gut Microbes Shape Our Response to Drugs

Animals and Childhood Allergies

An article in the Economist summarized a recent study published in PLOS One. "Children in households with dogs, the researchers found, had lower rates than average of allergies to eggs, milk, and nuts. Those cohabiting with cats seemed more tolerant of eggs, wheat, and soybeans. However, children whose parents kept "turtles" (terrapins, in particular, are popular pets in Japan) appeared unaffected. And, curiously, those exposed to hamsters appeared more likely than average to be allergic to nuts." More evidence that animals reduce childhood allergies

FDA's Dietary Supplement Ingredient Database

"To help manufacturers, retailers, and consumers of dietary supplements stay informed about recent developments and locate information on FDA's website quickly, we have put together an "ingredient directory" with links to FDA's actions and communications concerning particular dietary ingredients and other ingredients used in products marketed as dietary supplements." Dietary Supplement Ingredient Directory

Tripping in the Bronze Age

"A new study based on strands of hair found in a Spanish burial cave reveals that humans living about 3,000 years ago used hallucinogens, likely derived from local plants, as part of their rituals." Tripping in the Bronze Age

On the Topic of Earworms

Everything you'd like to know about the musical phenomenon of Earworms: Song Stuck in Your Head? What Earworms Reveal About Health

Pet Head-Tilts

Dogs have many endearing behaviors. One of my favorites is the head-tilt: Why do dogs tilt their heads? It may signal intelligence.

Finland: The Happiest Country on Earth?

Finland once again led the list of the world's happiest countries. The why is far from cut and dry: "It turns out even the happiest people in the world aren't that happy. But they are something more like the content." Why Is Finland the Happiest Country on Earth? The Answer Is Complicated.

Getting to the Bottom of Fatigue

Fatigue is an important sign. Here is what to pay attention to Fatigue can have many causes. There are ways to ease it. (gift article)

Spring Cleaning (Your Brain)

Here are some tips from WaPo on using the Spring to revamp your life: How to spring clean your brain (gift article)

Play, Video Games, and Learning

Much of my research over my last years at Duke had to do with the use of video games in education and patient care. Here is a look at state of the art in the field: To Supercharge Learning, Look to Play [^1] See also Education is Broken and my other lectures at Presentations on my ePortfolio.

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[^1]: I own shares of Akili Interactive whose EndeavorRx is mentioned in the article.

028 - Immunometabolism, MusicLM, and Chatting with the Dead - HealthHippieMD Week In Review

How to Live to 100

Want to live to one hundred? Doing so combines luck, hard work, and a good social network: How do you live to be 100? Good genes, activity, and friends. (gift article)

Canine Healthspan and Longevity

I first mentioned scientists and start-ups trying to decode the aging process by studying dogs in 017 - Ganzflicker, Misinformation, Canine Cognition, and Happiness — HealthHippieMD. Here is another article, this time in National Geographic: Could dogs be our best hope to reverse aging in humans?

How Long Does it Take to Get Fit After an Exercise Hiatus?

How Long Does It Take to Get Fit Again? (gift article) has the answers and suggestions on how to slow decline when you take a break.

Extending the Functional Life of Immune Cells

An interesting article was published last week in Nature about scientist's success (in mice) in enhancing the functional life of T-cells-one of the body's front-line defenses against disease: Functional T cells are capable of supernumerary cell division and longevity "It's probably one of the most extraordinary papers in immunology that I've seen, easily in the past decade...." Read the summary article: The Case of the Incredibly Long-Lived Mouse Cells

Doctors and Artificial Intelligence in Medicine

AI will have a profound impact on medicine. Doctors, Get Ready for Your AI Assistants | WIRED discusses a few ways AI will change medical practice.

Coffee

The Atlantic linked to many articles on my favorite beverage, coffee. Why Americans Love Coffee So Much

Generative AI for Music

Google has developed a generative AI (like ChatGPT and DALL-E) for music. You type the text for what you want to hear, and MusicLM generates music on the fly. The problem? Copyright. About 10% of MusicLMs songs would infringe on others' copyright. Nevertheless, I'd love to try this tech out. Google created an AI that can generate music from text descriptions, but won't release it

Microbes in Food Alter Cancer Defense

Food is medicine. Here is a brief overview of how the gut microbiome alters the immune system to fight or allow cancer growth: Microbes in your food can help or hinder your body's defenses against cancer – how diet influences the conflict between cell 'cooperators' and 'cheaters'

Rick Rubin on Creativity

It seems everywhere I look, I see the iconic music producer Rick Rubin. He was recently featured on 60 minutes. Here are some thoughts and excerpts from his upcoming book: Creative wisdom from Rick Rubin.

What you Eat and How you Feel

What you eat affects how you feel, mediated by the microbiome. Recent publications attempt to unravel the mechanism: The link between our food, gut microbiome, and depression (gift article) (Thanks, Jenny!)

How to Stop Ruminating

Are you stuck in a mind loop of worries that never seem to end? Here is some valuable advice from the New York Times: How to Stop Ruminating

"Chatting" with the Dead

The fast-moving development of chatbots like ChatGTP has accelerated the ambitious goal of having conversations with the dead: Founder: You'll Soon Be Able to Talk to Your Dead Mom In the Metaverse Thanks to ChatGPT ^

The Microbiome Could Be Contagious

A recent Nature study documented that individuals who spend time together share similar microbial species. The Human Microbiome Might Be Contagious, Scientists Say. The news clip made me think of this NEJM study that showed obesity was more common in groups of people that spend time together (like close friends and family): The Spread of Obesity in a Large Social Network over 32 Years,

Ultra-Processed Food and Cognition

This article is an excellent overview of the effects of dietary choices on brain health: Ultra-processed foods – like cookies, chips, frozen meals, and fast food – may contribute to cognitive decline

Ultra-processed Food and Cancer

A recent study demonstrated that the higher one's intake of ultra-processed foods, the higher the cancer incidence. "For every 10 percent increase in ultra-processed food in a person's diet, there was an increased incidence of 2 percent for cancer overall, and a 19 percent increase for ovarian cancer specifically...." Ultra-processed foods may increase ovarian cancer risk, U.K. study warns. (gift article)

Are Some Foods Addictive?

Not only are ultra-processed foods bad for us, but it is also possible they are addictive: Are Some Foods Addictive? (gift article)

Immunometabolism

Lots of interesting articles on the role of food on health. This article in The Atlantic discusses recent findings of food's impact on immunity and infection: Someday, You Might Be Able to Eat Your Way Out of a Cold.

Remodeling the Brain

Psychedelics remodel the brain. That can be either good or bad: Psychedelics open your brain. You might not like what falls in.

Latest on Long Covid

Opinion | Three important studies shed light on long covid (gift article) opines on recent publications focused on Long Covid.

019 - Farmaceuticals, Psychobiotics, and Darwinian Medicine - HealthHippieMD Week In Review

Psychobiotic Diet

The article, This diet helps your mental health by boosting your gut health, discusses food to improve mental health. Psychobiotics and nutritional psychiatry are fields in their infancy, but you're going to hear more and more about the role of food on stress, anxiety, and depression.

YAMS and Sweet Potatoes

Yams and sweet potatoes are NOT the same things. But in the U.S., the names are used interchangeably. Here's the story: What's the Difference Between Sweet Potatoes and Yams?

What Are Sugar Alcohols

Sugar alcohols are in many of today's processed foods. What are they? Sugar Alcohols Are in Many Sugar-Free Foods. What Are They? (gift article)

Darwinian Medicine, Evolutionary Psychiatry

What if illness is not a disease but an adaptation to evolutionary pressures? The provocative article Evidence grows that mental illness is more than dysfunction discusses a controversial way of reframing our thoughts about mental illness.

Humor: An Essential Life Skill

Why a good sense of humor is an essential life skill has a lot to say about the importance of humor in your personal and professional lives.

The Formula for Happiness

"What we think it is about is an attachment to another person. And a sense that another person is there for you, particularly when you need them. We think of relationships as safety nets, as stress regulators." There are many important insights in this podcast/transcript from Arthur Brook's How to Build a Happy Life. A New Formula for Happiness

Pursuing Happiness in All the Wrong Places

More Arthur Brooks. Before he taught at Harvard and wrote publicly about happiness, he led a well-known conservative think tank. The article, America Is Pursuing Happiness in All the Wrong Places, adapted from his November remarks at the Irving Kristol Award & Annual Dinner, is packed with wisdom. Although I am not a conservative, and despite some of the political overtones of the article, his words spoke deeply to me.

Farmaceuticals

Antibiotic resistance is an increasing problem across the world. Here is an article about a new antibiotic isolated from potatoes, incredibly potent against certain types of fungus: New antibiotic found in potato bacteria

Lucid Dreaming

Scientists are studying the phenomenon of lucid dreaming. Lucid Dreaming Is a Mystery We're Starting to Crack is focused on the quality of sleep during lucid dreaming.

Gut Microbiome and Prosocial Behavior

Scientists are studying the role of gut bacteria and the gut-brain axis in prosocial behavior. In a preclinical study with implications for neurodevelopment issues, Researchers found Zebra Fish lacking a gut microbiome are less social and have different brain structures than peers who had normal gut flora. Specifically, the lack of bacteria influenced the microglia of Zebra Fish brains and led to structural changes. It will be interesting to see if a similar phenomenon exists in mammals, especially humans.

Wasted Healthcare Spending

It's conceivable that half of the healthcare dollars are wasted. A small portion of the total, a mind-numbing $160 billion, is attributed to absenteeism-not showing up for appointments. According to the article, A big source of wasted healthcare spending is your fault, one in four appointments is missed. I will track down the NEJM article mentioned, although I'm sure it will raise my blood pressure.

Mindfulness vs. Anti-Anxiety Medications

A recent paper compared Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) to the medication escitalopram's (Lexipro's) ability to reduce stress. Mindfulness meditation may be just as effective as anxiety medication reports the study, published in JAMA Psychiatry. Although 45 minutes of daily mindfulness practice may not be practical for everyone (I usually only do 15-20 minutes), the paper indicates that cultivating mindfulness should be more widely taught (and prescribed).

+See also my lecture on mindfulness/meditation: Mindfulness-The Basics

More Bugs in Space

Knowledge of what happens to microbial life inside and outside the body while in space is important to understand as we contemplate missions to Mars and beyond. Scientists are struggling to figure out how space transforms our gut microbiome is an overview of the emerging science.

Bed Habits

Is Falling Asleep to TV So Bad? An Investigation is an entertaining article written about an insomniac's immersion into the science of sleep.

How to Recognize and Treat Your Pet's Anxiety

Pet anxiety is quite common. Here is an article to help you decode your pet's behavior and some ideas for treating their anxiety: Puppies on Prozac: How to Handle Your Pet's Anxiety.

Do Something Boring, Yet Engaging to Boost Your Creativity

How to unblock your creativity: Scientists say this bad habit can help is an interesting article on how to boost your creativity and get over mental blocks.

Cannabinoids and Opioids for Pain Relief

Cannabis for pain: A scientist reveals how weed activates our body's opioid system is an overview of work to decode these two substances that might safely work together to alleviate pain.

017 - Ganzflicker, Misinformation, Canine Cognition, and Happiness

What Your Dog Wants

+Dogs understand our behavior better than we do theirs. The article What Your Dog's Behavior Means (gift article) gives insight into what your canine companion might be thinking.

+An article that resonated for me (and Theodore and many of his pals): The Pet-Name Trend People Can't Resist.

Ganzflicker and Hallucinations

For millennia, humans have sought alternate states of consciousness. Most of us are aware of the effect of psychedelic drugs on consciousness. Here is an article about using light to achieve altered states: What is ganzflicker? The strange history of hallucinating without drugs. Although ganzflicker sounds risky for those prone to light-induced seizures, (and perhaps seizures are the reason for the hallucinations), I'm increasingly fascinated by the effect of repetitive light and sound on human physiology: Alzheimer's Disease and Gamma Waves.

How to Help Someone you Love With Their Depression

An estimated 21 million adults in the United States have suffered at least one bout of depression. How to Help Someone With Depression (gift article) has some tips on how to recognize the illness with others and some things to do to help.

Tips to Improve your Sleep

The NY Times published the article, How to Get Better Rest, According to a Sleep Expert (gift article) with helpful tips to combat sleep disruption and insomnia. If you're interested in the topic, read Matthew Walker's book, Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams

Prebiotic Primer

I often find myself explaining the difference between prebiotics and probiotics. Now I may refer folks to the N.Y. Times article: What Are Prebiotics And How Do They Work? (gift article)

Resilience First, Then Happiness

+For whatever reason, my inbox has recently overflowed with stories about happiness. Parents: Don't focus on happiness, help build resilience instead argues that to cultivate happiness in our children (and ourselves), we should focus on resilience. After all, cultivating happiness depends on one's ability to regulate distress.

+The happiness paradox, explained in 7 minutes is from a different source with an identical message.

Fermented and Fibrous Foods May Lessen Stress

+John Cryan is a prolific scientist who has published a great deal on food, the microbiome, and how they likely influence cognitive and mental health (for an overview, see his Tedx talk and his list of publications: ). This week, he published a brief overview of his most recent paper on how eating particular foods may lower perceived stress levels: Fermented foods and fiber may lower stress levels.

+Here's a story on foods to improve gut health: Best Foods For Gut Health

Cultivating Levity

Humor and levity are essential for well-being. Why Humor and Levity Are Important, According to Experts (gift article) has tips to cultivate more.

The Evolution of Laughter

+Why do we laugh? And why is laughter contagious? Why Is That Funny, describes the phenomenon and evolution of laughter. ^a2a14a

Understanding the Science Behind Complementary Health Approaches

If you are using (or thinking about using) a complementary approach to your health, read these fact sheets from the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Know the Science of Complementary Health Approaches.

Triskaidekaphobia

Everything you might want to know about the number 13: Why is 13 considered unlucky? The power behind this notorious number.

What Makes a Song Great, Beato, and Dylan

+Music plays an integral part in my well-being. Bob Dylan wrote a book, The Philosophy of Modern Song. Here is a summary article in The Atlantic: Bob Dylan Reveals Himself Through 66 Songs.

+Although quite a different animal, the premise of Dylan's book reminded me of Rick Beato's YouTube Channel. My favorite feature of Beato's channel is "What Makes This Song Great," where he dissects classic rock songs. If you'd like to see a list of the songs he's covered, see: Rick Beato - What Makes This Song Great Playlist

How to Make Life More Transcendent

People traditionally turned to religious and spiritual behaviors to gain a sense of meaning in a confusing world. Religious belief correlates with searching for and finding purpose in life. Although, as a whole, our society is less religious than previous generations, it is still possible to infuse transcendence into your life: What Transcendent Experiences Do to Your Brain.

SuperForecasting

I enjoyed reading the book Superforecasting: The Art and Science of Prediction, as mentioned in my newsletter 016 - Vampire Hormones, Zombie Fungi, Micromorts, and Bugs in Space. IARPA, the U.S. government's Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity heavily influenced the subject matter. IARPA is to the intelligence community what DARPA is to the Department of Defense. The book offered a fascinating integration of math, history, economics, psychology, positive psychology, and a whole host of other domains. I'm always a sucker for a Dark Horseand Philip E. Tetlock is one.

Why do We Believe Misinformation

WaPo had a good article on the psychology of misinformation entitled Why do we believe misinformation? I learned the concepts of the "illusionary truth effect" and the "continued influence effect." The article is well worth a read especially since political misinformation is so abundant these days.

Quote of the Week

"It is only possible to live happily ever after on a daily basis." —Margaret Bonanno

Thank you for voting!

015 - Deja Vu, Pilates, and Recycling Theater - HealthHippieMD Week In Review

Fight for the Soul of Pilates

An interesting story in the NY Times about the fight over Joseph Pilate's legacy (gift article) The Fight for the Soul of Pilates.

Technology and Shallow Relationships

It's well-known that frequent social media use contributes to feelings of loneliness and depression. Despite this, technology use accelerated during the pandemic. Arthur Brooks talks about how to combat over-reliance on technology in our relationships: Technology Can Make Your Relationships Shallower.

Predicting Long-Covid

A manuscript published this week, Early immune markers of clinical, virological, and immunological outcomes in patients with COVID-19: a multi-omics study, describes the use of multi-omics and machine learning to predict individuals who will develop long-covid.

Banana Genealogy

Everything you wanted to know about the origins of the modern banana: The Search Is on for Mysterious Banana Ancestors.

The Paradox of Atypical Anorexia

Eating disorders can affect anyone of any body, shape, or type. I learned quite a bit from 'You Don't Look Anorexic.' (gift article)

Lessons from a "Difficult Patient"

I enjoyed an essay in the NY Times about how medicine, in many ways, has lost its humanity. The article, Lessons From a 'Difficult Patient' (gift article), follows one physician's internal journey as she cares for a challenging patient throughout her training.

Understanding Deja Vu

I learned a few new things about the neuropsychological underpinnings of deja vu in the article: What is déjà vu? A psychologist explains this common but creepy phenomenon.

More Terramation

It seems like stories about human composting are everywhere. This article was in Slate: Composting offers a greener way to dispose of human remains.

Brain Cells on a Chip Learn to Play Pong

I found this article on brain-machine interfaces: Brain cells on a chip learn to play Pong within 5 minutes. Although the title is a bit sensational, I still find the concept disturbing.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Brain Health

In a new study, Omega-3's Linked to Improved Brain Structure and Cognition at Midlife, , the authors opined increasing omega-3 fatty intake might help preserve brain health and cognition in middle age. We still don't understand the mechanism of how omega-3 fatty acids work in the brain. My guess is the mechanism involves our endogenous endocannabinoid system, as I mentioned in 006 - Loneliness, Mucus, and Cannabinoids - HealthHippie Week In Review.

Return on Investment for Employee Wellness Programs

Michael Greger released the first video in a series focused on the business case for offering wellness programs in corporate environments: The Return on Investment (ROI) for Employee Health and Wellness Programs. His take after reviewing the literature: $3 returned for every $1 spent.

Rethinking Healthy Eating in Terms of the Microbiome

I loved the manuscript, Rethinking healthy eating in light of the gut microbiome. The manuscript synthesizes a wide range of information from around the world and makes recommendations on what constitutes healthy eating by promoting a healthy gut microbiome. I will be referring to this paper for a time to come.

The Rocky Road of Aspartame

I've had a long-standing interest in non-nutritive sweeteners. Aspartame, only one of many artificial sweeteners, is a multi-billion dollar product. Aspartame: Decades of Science Point to Serious Health Risks is a compilation of the primarily negative data on the multi-billion dollar substance. For a less critical view, see: The_History_of_Aspartame

Think You Are Responsible with your Recycling? Think again.

The article Big Plastic Wants You to Think You Can Recycle Your Yogurt Container, was eye-opening for me. Only a tiny fraction of plastics are recycled, and there is incredible resistance to doing so, given the cost. The take-home point of the article for me: buy fewer products made of ANY plastic.

Our Pets, Our Microbiome

I enjoyed reading Does owning a pet boost your gut health? on how humans and our animal companions swap bacteria -likely beneficial to our overall health and well-being. The one downside of the article is not being able to unsee the phrase "fecal patina."

Behold Envy, The Happiness Killer

Arthur Brooks tackles the topic of envy in the article How to Stop Being So Envious. The article touches on social comparison, social media, and the importance of authenticity. In addition, he offers a few practical suggestions to minimize the role of envy in your life.

Making Better Use of Antidepressants

I learned a lot from the article, How to make better use of antidepressants (pay-wall). I did not realize that 10-15% of the population is on antidepressants, many for a very long time. With the serotonin theory of depression recently called into doubt coupled with a re-examination of this class of drug's efficacy (only about 15% response rate, mainly in severely depressed), it is likely time to reexamine our overuse of these medications, especially in the elderly.

New Evidence Linking the Microbiome to Rheumatoid Arthritis

The 2017 paper, Evidence of the Immune Relevance of Prevotella copri, a Gut Microbe, in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis, hypothesized that a protein produced by a common gut bacteria, Prevotella copri, could trigger the immune system and lead to arthritic inflammation. A new study summarized in New evidence linking gut bacteria with rheumatoid arthritis development provides further evidence supporting the 2017 hypothesis.

Quote of the Week

"Without music, life would be a mistake." - Friedrich Nietzsche (thanks, Lauren!)