101 - Nonprofit Hospital Illusion, Genetic Discrimination, and Microbial Athletic Edge - HealthHippieMD Week In Review

Long COVID: An Unsettling Puzzle

Long COVID, a widespread post-infection condition, affects millions globally, significantly impacting health and economies. Despite over 24,000 scientific publications, understanding still needs to be completed. The risk of long COVID has declined due to vaccines and viral changes, yet millions still suffer. It manifests in over 200 symptoms, from respiratory issues to neurological and metabolic disorders, severely impacting daily life and work. Recent studies suggest persistent viral presence and immune dysfunction as causes. Misleading public narratives downplay its threat, but data shows COVID-19 remains a severe and ongoing health risk.Long COVID puzzle pieces are falling into place – the picture is unsettling.

The Need for Genetic Discrimination Safeguards

The increasing popularity of genetic testing, with millions sharing their DNA for health and ancestry insights, raises critical concerns about genetic discrimination. Genetic data, often inadequately secured, poses risks if accessed by insurance companies or employers, leading to potential discrimination. This article highlights the ambiguity in defining genetic discrimination, drawing parallels to historical eugenics. Despite existing laws, varying definitions complicate protection efforts. Newer tests, like those measuring biological age, further complicate the landscape. Policymakers face challenges in creating robust protections, while individuals are urged to scrutinize data-sharing terms and understand their rights. Why we need safeguards against genetic discrimination | MIT Technology Review.

VR: The Body Image Game-Changer?

Virtual reality (VR) is emerging as a promising tool to tackle body image disturbances. These disturbances, often linked to eating disorders and body dysmorphic disorder, stem from faulty multisensory integration, leading to distorted body perceptions. VR-based "embodiment illusions," like the "rubber hand illusion," can trick the mind into feeling it inhabits a different body, potentially realigning these perceptions. Research shows that people with higher body image disturbance are more susceptible to these illusions, which can reduce perceptual distortions and negative emotions about body size and shape. While promising, further research is needed to understand the long-term effects and ethical implications. Can Virtual Reality Help Folks With Body Image Disturbance?

Dream Cuisine

Sleep deprivation affects about one-third of Americans, leading to severe health issues. However, improving sleep quality is achievable through specific dietary habits. Consuming foods rich in tryptophan, like turkey, fish, eggs, and nuts, combined with healthy carbs, can enhance melatonin production, promoting better sleep. Adopting a Mediterranean diet high in fiber, zinc, B vitamins, and magnesium can also aid sleep. Avoiding inflammatory foods such as sugary cereals and saturated fats is crucial. A consistent eating schedule and incorporating gut-friendly foods like yogurt and fermented items can further support restful sleep. 8 Eating Habits That Improve Your Sleep | TIME.

The Nonprofit Hospital Illusion

Many major nonprofit hospitals are barely charitable, maintaining tax-exempt status while running numerous for-profit ventures. They exploit legal loopholes, enjoy regulatory leniency, and engage in extensive lobbying to operate like big businesses yet avoid taxes. Their activities include owning for-profit insurers, venture capital firms, and hospitals abroad. Despite significant earnings, they report "operating surpluses" instead of profits. Critics argue these hospitals should lose tax benefits as their community contributions are minimal compared to the financial advantages they gain. The article calls for stricter regulations and more accountability to prevent such exploitation. Opinion | Many hospitals are nonprofit in name only, and get away with it - The Washington Post (gift article).

The Microbial Edge in Athletic Performance

Endurance athletes constantly seek ways to enhance their performance, often focusing on optimizing their mitochondrial health through rigorous training and precise nutrition. However, emerging research highlights the gut microbiome as a crucial yet overlooked factor in athletic excellence. The gut microbiome, a complex community of microorganisms, aids in nutrient absorption, immune function, and even communication with mitochondria. Elite athletes often exhibit unique microbiomes that directly impact performance and boost VO2 max and lactate thresholds. Integrating microbiome-friendly foods and probiotics into diets can significantly enhance endurance and recovery, presenting a new frontier in sports nutrition. Athletes looking for a competitive edge may find it within their gut microbiome.

+see also: Do Gut Bacteria Improve Athletic Performance? (yes, if you're a mouse, and maybe if you're a human) — HealthHippieMD.

Fun Fitness Challenges Await

7 Fitness Tests to Gauge Your Strength and Mobility - The New York Times (gift article) introduces seven fitness tests to assess strength, mobility, and overall fitness. These tests range from measuring flexibility and balance to evaluating power and VO2 max, catering to various fitness levels. The tests include simple activities like standing on one leg, gripping a bar, and rapidly getting out of a chair. They aim to provide a comprehensive snapshot of one's fitness, helping individuals track progress and set achievable goals. Whether you're training for a marathon or just curious about your fitness, these tests offer valuable insights and fun challenges.

Mind Over Matter

Advanced meditation is revolutionizing our understanding of consciousness. Neuroscientist Matthew Sacchet delves into the brain's behavior during deep meditative states. Unlike mindfulness practices for stress reduction, advanced meditation explores profound states of ecstatic bliss, deep insights, and compassionate experiences. Sacchet, who has meditated since childhood, uses a multidisciplinary approach to study these states, combining personal experiences, wisdom traditions, and empirical neuroscience. His research aims to unlock advanced meditation's potential for enhancing mental health and well-being and even integrating with psychedelics and AI for deeper consciousness insights. Altering Consciousness with Advanced Meditation | Scientific American.

Canines Catch Your Cortisol

Research from the University of Bristol reveals that dogs can detect human stress through scent, specifically the cortisol hormone in sweat. In the study, dogs were exposed to sweat samples from stressed and relaxed volunteers. The results showed that dogs became more pessimistic about ambiguous situations after smelling stress-induced sweat, suggesting they emotionally react to human stress. This emotional contagion between humans and dogs likely evolved for mutual survival benefits. The findings emphasize the profound empathetic bond between humans and their canine companions, highlighting the impact of human emotions on dog behavior. When Dogs Smell Your Stress, They Act Sad | Scientific American.

068 - Mitophagy, Crapsules, and VR for Pain - HealthHippieMD Week In Review

Artificial Inaccuracy

The article ChatGPT Quickly Authored 100 Blogs Full of Healthcare Disinformation, discusses a study where generative AI, particularly ChatGPT, was used to produce a large volume of healthcare disinformation rapidly. ChatGPT created 102 blog articles with over 17,000 words of disinformation on vaccines and vaping in just 65 minutes. The study, conducted by Australian researchers and reported in "JAMA Internal Medicine," also involved using AI tools like DALL-E 2 and HeyGen to create realistic images and a deep-fake video to accompany the blog posts. Notably, other AI programs like Google Bard and Microsoft Bing Chat did not facilitate such disinformation production. The study underscores the potential misuse of AI in spreading persuasive, customized disinformation efficiently, posing significant risks if exploited by malicious actors.

Dose of Reality: Unraveling the Complex Prescription Drug Financing in the U.S.

The article Following the Money: Untangling U.S. Prescription Drug Financingprovides a critical analysis of America's high prescription drug costs. It reveals that the U.S. leads in per capita drug spending, averaging $1,432 per person in 2021. This in-depth investigation into the U.S. healthcare system uncovers the multifaceted reasons behind this substantial financial burden. The article aims to shed light on the convoluted nature of prescription drug financing in the U.S., contrasting it with its international counterparts.

The Honest Truth About Fibs

Recent research reveals intriguing insights into lying habits. Surprisingly, 59.9% of people reported not lying in a day, with half of all lies coming from just 5.3% of participants. The study found that the frequency of lying is relatively unaffected by the communication medium, whether face-to-face, text, or email. Additionally, while minor lies are commonly told to strangers, significant lies are often reserved for close partners or family members. These findings, although reliant on self-reported data (leading to the possibility of significant inaccuracy), suggest that most people are generally truthful in their daily interactions. A New Study Estimated The Number of Times An Average Person Lies Per Day.

U.S. Dietary Guidelines Eyeing Ultra-processed Food

The upcoming revision of the U.S. dietary guidelines may mark a significant shift in nutritional focus by potentially warning against consuming ultra-processed foods. This change, influenced by mounting evidence linking these foods to a range of chronic diseases like obesity, heart disease, and diabetes, could profoundly impact national food programs, including the National School Lunch Program, and the overall dietary habits of Americans. Critics have long criticized current guidelines for overlooking the effects of food processing and additives. The food industry, fearing potential impacts, has already begun lobbying against such recommendations. The next guidelines edition is due in 2025, with an advisory committee report expected next year, potentially leading to a major overhaul in how Americans perceive and consume food. Nutrition guidelines may soon warn against ultra-processed foods - The Washington Post. (gift article)

FTC Takes a Bite Out of Misleading Influencer Marketing of Food

The FTC has warned significant food and beverage industry groups and numerous dietitian influencers, spotlighting a crackdown on undisclosed paid advertising on social media. Targeting American Beverage and the Canadian Sugar Institute, alongside influencers with over 6 million followers, the FTC points out non-transparent endorsements of artificial sweeteners and sugary foods. This move, spurred by The Washington Post and The Examination investigations, aims to enforce clear disclosure standards across influencer marketing. It represents a significant shift in the FTC's approach, with potential fines exceeding $50,000 per violation, signaling a tougher stance against deceptive social media advertising practices. FTC cracks down on food industry for paid dietitian influencer posts - The Washington Post. (gift article)

Mitophagy and Aging

Scientists at the Buck Institute have made a breakthrough in understanding aging by focusing on mitochondria, the cell's powerhouses. Their study, published in Nature Aging, highlights a natural compound, Mitophagy-Inducing Coumarin (MIC), that extends the lifespan of Caenorhabditis elegans, a model organism in aging research. MIC boosts the cell's waste management system, mainly targeting old and damaged mitochondria for disposal, a process known as mitophagy, which naturally declines with age. This discovery could lead to new therapies for age-related diseases by enhancing autophagy, the body's innate rejuvenation process. However, while MIC has shown promising results in worms, further research is needed to determine its effects on human aging. New Anti-aging Molecule May Work By Keeping the Cell's "Powerhouse" Healthy.

Crapsules: The Future of Medicine

In the field of microbiome medicine, a revolutionary shift is underway. Medical teams are transforming donated fecal matter into pills to combat infections like Clostridium difficile. These "crapsules" represent a broader scientific awakening to the importance of the gut's microbiome. Fecal transplants have proven to be efficacious in treating Clostridium dificile (a common life-threatening gut infection, often seen after broad-spectrum antibiotic treatment). Researchers are now exploring advanced strategies, including metabolite manipulation and genetically engineered bacteria, to treat a range of conditions more effectively. The FDA's recent approval of Seres Therapeutic's SER-109, an oral microbiome therapeutic, signifies a major leap in this field. With companies like Seres Therapeutics and Vedanta Biosciences at the forefront, the future of microbiome medicine appears promising, moving beyond the crude efficacy of FMT towards more sophisticated treatments. Microbiome treatments are taking off. (disclosure: I own shares of Seres Therapeutics)

Virtual Reality: A Real Game-Changer in Pain Management

The pain is real. The painkillers are virtual reality. | MIT Technology Review discusses RelieVRx, a virtual reality (VR) system designed to manage pain. Unlike traditional painkillers, RelieVRx aims to teach patients pain relief strategies such as mindfulness, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and relaxation rather than just providing a distraction. The approach is based on "unlearning" physiological pain responses and reinforcing alternative coping mechanisms. This innovative method offers a new frontier in pain management, leveraging the immersive capabilities of VR technology.

067 - Invisible Wounds, Stellar Departures, and Shakespeare on Sleep - HealthHippieMD Week In Review

Moth Matriarchy

In an unexpected twist of fate, researchers in Japan have stumbled upon a virus that could revolutionize pest control by inducing a matriarchal society in moth populations. This unique virus, discovered within the tobacco cutworm, can eliminate male offspring, resulting in generations of female-only moths. This finding challenges our understanding of viral evolution and offers a promising tool for managing agricultural pests and disease vectors. The discovery, which could have easily fluttered unnoticed, now stands as a beacon of potential in the ongoing battle against crop-destroying insects, highlighting nature's intricate balance of power. Male-Killing Virus Is Discovered in Insects - The New York Times. (gift article)

Diet Debts

The United Nations has published a significant new tally of the world's food system's impact on our health and the planet, a staggering $12.7 trillion annually (about 10% of the world's GDP). The FAO report highlights that the majority of these costs stem from health-related issues due to poor diets leading to obesity and diseases. Environmental impacts follow, with significant disparities between low and high-income countries. The study suggests that better dietary choices, fairer trade practices, and sustainable farming could alleviate these financial burdens. The FAO urges a multifaceted approach involving government policy, consumer behavior, and industry practices to reduce these hidden costs. The World's Broken Food System Costs $12.7 Trillion a Year | WIRED.

Stellar Departures

In an exploration of humanity's final frontier, Their Final Wish? A Burial in Space, (gift article) delves into the lives of individuals who have chosen the cosmos as their final resting place. Contracting with Celestis, a company that offers memorial spaceflights, these seven people have opted to send their ashes or DNA into the vastness of space. Their reasons range from spiritual to pragmatic, with many driven by a lifelong passion for the stars. As traditional earthly bonds loosen, space burials represent a profound acceptance of the unknown, a testament to the human spirit's unyielding curiosity and desire for exploration.

Invisible Wounds: A Closer Look at the Markers of PTSD

How Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Works delves into the harrowing journey of Adam Kelley, a U.S. Army specialist who, despite returning home from Iraq, could not escape the clutches of PTSD, ultimately leading to his tragic suicide 13 years later. PTSD, a mental health condition triggered by traumatic experiences, is characterized by 17 symptoms, including agitation, anxiety, concentration issues, memory problems, depression, and mood swings. These symptoms can manifest in various intensities and are not uniform across all individuals. The article also explores the evolution of PTSD's understanding, from its initial identification in the American Civil War to modern research that includes genetic factors and the importance of social support. It highlights the military's vulnerability to PTSD, given the intense and life-threatening nature of combat experiences. The article concludes with insights into counseling and medication treatments for PTSD, cutting-edge research, and innovative approaches like virtual reality therapy and resilience training for soldiers.

Amazon's One Medical Priming the Market

Amazon is making its primary care boutique clinic, One Medical, cheaper for Prime subscribers. Amazon links One Medical primary care to Prime memberships - The Washington Post. (gift article)

Shakespeare on Sleep

Arthur Brook's article, Five Ways to Make Sure You Get More Sleep, using quotes from Shakespeare, delves into the elusive quest for restful slumber, a journey often hijacked by the mind's nocturnal wanderings. With 15% of American adults struggling to fall asleep, the nation's sleep debt is not just a personal nuisance but a public health concern. Sleep deprivation is linked to a myriad of health issues, from metabolic disturbances to mental health problems like depression and anxiety. The piece underscores the profound impact of sleep on our well-being and happiness, offering practical sleep hygiene tips and advocating for a personalized approach to sleep patterns. It suggests that embracing one's unique sleep rhythm and addressing life's stressors could be the key to unlocking the rejuvenating power of sleep and a happier life.

Mind Matters

Emerging research underscores a significant connection between mental health disorders in later life and an increased risk of dementia. Studies suggest that late-life mental illnesses, such as depression, maybe early indicators of dementia or could exacerbate its onset. While not all late-life psychiatric disorders lead to dementia, the correlation is strong enough to warrant cognitive testing for older adults presenting new psychiatric symptoms. The relationship between early-life mental health issues and later dementia is less definitive, though severe early mental illness does raise dementia risk. Overall, maintaining mental and physical health is emphasized as a preventative measure against dementia. Mental Illness May Affect Dementia Risk, Research Suggests - The New York Times. (gift article)

Psychedelics and Depression: Neuroplasticity without the Trip

Recent insights suggest that the mental health benefits of psychedelics like psilocybin and MDMA may not stem from their hallucinogenic effects. Researchers are now developing non-hallucinogenic variants that target neuroplasticity without the trip, potentially offering depression and PTSD treatments to a broader patient base. These novel compounds could reset emotional control and improve mood without the psychedelic experience by enhancing brain adaptability. This shift could redefine psychedelic therapy, focusing on neuroplastic potential rather than transcendental experiences, and streamline regulatory processes for easier access and research. What If Psychedelics' Hallucinations Are Just a Side Effect? - The Atlantic.

+More on the importance of neuroplasticity in mental health. Neuroscientists are Tantalizingly Close to Mastering How Psychedelics Redesign Our Brains.

Urban Wellness

Urban epidemiologist Tolullah Oni's research underscores a stark contrast in urban living conditions, revealing that affluent neighborhoods often boast better air quality, cooler temperatures, and safer spaces for physical activity. This disparity is critical as urban populations are set to double by 2050. Oni's work emphasizes the need for cities to address these inequalities proactively. The article highlights the importance of urban planning that considers health impacts, equitable access to public spaces, and the role of governments and the private sector in building healthier cities. Where You Live Is As Important As What You Eat | WIRED.

041 - Doctor Dog, AI Mind-Reading, and Smelling Virtual Roses - HealthHippieMD Week In Review

Long Telomeres

"Short telomeres were thought to be bad — people with premature aging syndromes had short telomeres — so, by analogy, long telomeres were thought to be good..." A paper published last week, Familial Clonal Hematopoiesis in a Long Telomere Syndrome | NEJM, challenged current assumptions about telomere length. Link Between Long Telomeres and Long Life Is a Tall Tale, Study Finds - The New York Times

Rapamycin

"Rapamycin is a paradoxical drug. It improves anti-cancer immunity, but it may also cause cancer. It protects against bacterial infection, halts viral replication, and suppresses the immune system. It reverses symptoms of Alzheimer's disease but also increases plaque deposits in the brain. It improves metabolic function, but it also causes type 2 diabetes. This list of contradictions goes on and on; however, there is one thing about Rapamycin that scientists tend to agree on: it is potentially the most powerful anti-aging drug ever discovered." I learned quite a bit from the article: Rapamycin: Unlucky history of the most powerful anti-aging drug.

ChatGPT's Empathetic Bedside Manner

In a recent study, healthcare professionals preferred the responses from A.I. over those from flesh-and-blood doctors. Could generative A.I. have a place in the future of healthcare-patient interaction? ChatGPT Has a Better 'Bedside Manner' Than Doctors.

+Quartz has some suggestions on how to get more out of your ChatGPT queries: How to use ChatGPT at work.

Futile Care

The Atlantic had an interesting opinion piece on the importance of end-of-life planning: An ICU nurse reflects on futile care. _"But what I think and feel doesn't matter. What matters is what the patient would think and whether the people who make choices about their care both know what the patient would think and understand the likelihood that their choices will have this result. This is often not the case."

Inside the Upcoming $1.5 Trillion Farm Bill

The Conversation published a peek behind the curtain as the government ramps its efforts to bring forth the next farm bill. These four challenges will shape the next farm bill – and how the U.S. eats.

The Association Between Season Allergies and Mood Disorders

"Not only are the physical symptoms draining, but a growing body of research also shows an association between allergic rhinitis — commonly known as hay fever — and mood disorders like anxiety and depression." How Seasonal Allergies Can Affect Mental Health.

Childhood Obesity

Obesity in U.S. children was already high and was exacerbated by the pandemic.Obesity in children is rising dramatically, and it comes with major – and sometimes lifelong – health consequences talks about the trend and its implications.

Mindfulness and Meditation

The benefits of mindfulness and meditation practice are numerous. The article Mindfulness, meditation, and self-compassion discusses benefits and gives practical steps to begin your practice.

Noggin Reading

Scientists have developed a mind-reading technology powered by A.I. that can decode a person's thoughts into speech. The researchers used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and a large language model to analyze brain recordings and translate them into sentences. Although the technology's potential to help those who have lost their ability to speak, like stroke victims, is promising, it raises ethical privacy concerns. Mind-reading technology, powered by A.I., sparks ethical concerns.

Oh, Look At All the Lonely People

A recent study suggests that the brains of lonely people respond to visual stimuli in unique ways, unlike non-lonely people, implying that lonely people may view the world differently. The findings also suggest that being surrounded predominantly by people who view the world differently from oneself may be a risk factor for loneliness. The brains of lonely people process the world differently

Ode to the Human Genome Project

The Economist had an excellent article on the Human Genome Project, How the Human Genome Project revolutionized biology, although I was disappointed not to see the microbiome mentioned. As Julien Davies pointed out, the HGP is incomplete until we understand the role of microbial DNA: In a Map for Human Life, Count the Microbes, Too | Science.

Tweaking Vegetable Genes for Taste

Scientific American published an article on how CRISPR gene editing technology is being used to improve the taste of food: Tweaking Vegetables' Genes Could Make Them Tastier--And You'll Get to Try Them Soon - Scientific American (Thanks Dave Pell - NextDraft)

Doctor Dog

The article How My Dog Knows When I'm Sick is about how dogs can sense when their owners are sick and the signals they use to detect it. According to researchers, dogs can smell changes in their owners, including a virus or bacteria infection. They can also pick up on emotional changes, such as depression or lethargy, through the owner's voice changes. While it's unclear what dogs make of these changes, they may be more curious or suspicious than concerned. Nonetheless, dogs' empathy has significant benefits for human health.

Smell the (Virtual) Roses

Olfaction is tightly coupled with the parts of the brain responsible for emotions and memory. The evocative nature of the sense of smell is why companies are interested in deploying smell in the Metaverse: How to bring scents to the Metaverse and Smelling in V.R. environment possible with new gaming technology.

026 - Organic Fraud, Self-Schemas, and Improving Creativity - HealthHippieMD Week In Review

Wellness on Wheels

Wellness on Wheels Is Possible discusses how car makers are building "wellness" into their new vehicles in an attempt to decrease driving fatalities.

Attention, Attention

The ability to focus is an essential skill for physical and mental wellness, yet modern society pulls our attention in multiple directions. How to unlock your "peak mind" discusses the implications of poor attention and how to build your capacity to pay attention.

Soloman's Paradox

King Solomon was wise when it came to other people, but he was less successful in taking care of his personal affairs. The dichotomy gives rise to Soloman's Paradox, the fact that most people are better at advising others than themselves. How to use "Solomon's paradox" to give yourself good life advice discusses how to overcome the phenomenon.

Are Protein Bars Healthy?

Protein bars have come a long way since they were invented in the San Francisco Bay Area in the 1980s. Although many people associate "protein" with health, many choices are ultra-processed and high in sugars and additives. In the long run, you're always better off with whole food: Are Protein Bars Good for You? What to Know About Nutrition. (gift article)

How to Change your Habits to Exercise in the Morning

The jury is still out on what is better for you, exercising in the morning vs. the evening. Some evidence suggests morning workouts are superior for fat loss, while afternoon exercise improves your laboratory profile. If you want to transition to morning exercise, How to Become a Morning Exercise Person (gift article) is for you.

Learning/Understanding Multiple Languages Slows Alzheimer's Onset

Although no clinical trials have explored the impact size, multiple studies have shown that speaking two languages slows the onset of Alzheimer's Disease. The thought behind this phenomenon is that knowing more than one language builds cognitive reserve: Duolingo is a better Alzheimer's treatment than drugs. There are similar findings for playing musical instruments. Does playing a musical instrument prevent dementia?

Cancer-Mortality Rate Falls in the U.S.

Since the early 1990s, the U.S. cancer mortality rate has fallen by one-third, according to a new report from the American Cancer Society. Behavioral changes and screening are just as significant (or maybe more so) than treatment. The Surprising Reason for the Decline in Cancer Mortality.

Biotech Trends for 2023

BigThink had an article on the biotech trends we should keep an eye on for 2023: 5 biotech trends to watch in 2023.

Self-Schemas

Self-schemas profoundly affect how we feel and interact with the world. A positive self-schema has numerous benefits, while a negative self-schema can be highly detrimental to our success and happiness. Feeling insecure? 5 science-backed strategies could help break the cycle, gives some insight into how to improve how you see yourself.

Meditation and the Microbiome

A small observational study of 37 Tibetan Monks, published in General Psychiatry, attempted to link meditation to the microbiome's health. The methodology is loaded with problems, but the article is interesting nonetheless. Deep Meditation May Alter Gut Microbes for Better Health

The Key to a Good Life

The Harvard Study of Adult Development established a strong correlation between deep relationships and well-being. How does one nurture those deep relationships? What the Longest Study on Human Happiness Found Is the Key to a Good Life. +More wisdom on prioritizing friendships and relationships: 6 Keys to Lifelong Friendship +Tim Urban tackles relationships and quality time in The Tail End — Wait But Why

Animal Self-Awareness

The discovery that a wide range of animals possess self-awareness has called into question their captivity in zoos and for research. Aeon published a thought-provoking article on the fight over human exceptionalism and our right to exploit other species: Why nonhuman beings should be granted personhood rights.

One Simple Way to Improve Your Wellness and Creativity

Emotional reappraisal has many benefits. Study reveals one brilliant brain hack that can unlock your creativity discusses emotional reappraisal and how to use it to improve your well-being.

Memories vs. Perception

As I mentioned in 024 - Musical Instruments and Cognition, Law of Jante, McGurk Effect, Awe, our perception can vary from reality. Here is an article on how your brain stores information: How the Brain Distinguishes Memories From Perceptions

USDA to Crack Down on 'Organic' Fraud

Sales of organic foods in the United States have more than doubled in the past ten years, jumping by a record 12.4 percent in 2020 to $61.9 billion as consumers became more concerned about eating healthy foods, thereby increasing the incentive for fraud. USDA's Strengthening Organic Enforcement rule aims to stamp out fraud (gift article) is about the government's attempts to cut down on deceptive practices in the organic food space.

Using Virtual Worlds to Minimize Pain

An interesting article about how researchers are using virtual environments to help alleviate pain: SnowWorld melts away the pain for burn patients, using virtual reality snowballs (thanks, Josh)

Another Study Tying Hearing Loss to Dementia

A new study in JAMA demonstrated a 61% higher incidence of dementia among older people with moderate to severe [hearing loss][1] compared to those with normal hearing. Even mild hearing loss posed a risk: Hearing Loss Strongly Tied to Increased Dementia Risk