034 - Social Anxiety, Beethoven's DNA, and Tattoos - HealthHippieMD Week In Review

New Year's Anti-Resolutions and To-Don't Lists

"when you don't know the right way forward, you might succeed by focusing on what you know to be wrong instead." I learned quite a bit from Your bad attitude can make you happier.

Galentine's Day-Dinner with Strangers

The Radical Act of Eating With Strangers was an interesting article about friendship and social connection. I wonder how it might work here in North Carolina. (I ran out of gift articles)

How to Combat Loneliness

An article from Harvard Health with suggestions to combat loneliness: 3 ways to create community and counter loneliness

Social Anxiety - Fear of Failing

What is the neuroscience behind social anxiety, an affliction that affects 40 million people in the U.S.? Fear of Failing: The Secrets Behind Social Anxiety

Steven Pinker Interview

Steven Pinker is an influential cognitive psychologist and author. In the interview, The ultimate guide to rationality, , he touches on "topics such as human progress, the tragedy of the commons, Bayesian reasoning, and strategies to curb our most destructive instincts, with the ultimate goal of improving the world for everyone."

Tattoos and Immunity

The skin is the body's first line of defense. For thousands of years, humans have been decorating their bodies with tattoos. Scientists still aren't sure what happens to our immune system when we receive one.Tattoos do odd things to the immune system

Foods that Fight Inflammation

Here is a brief but informative article from Harvard on anti-inflammatory foods: Foods that fight inflammation

GPT-4 AI Scores 85% on USMLE

Microsoft released a paper this week that showed that the latest GPT model could pass the USMLE: GPT-4 on Medical Challenge Problems - Microsoft Research. +Eric Topal breaks down the implications of AI for medicine: Multimodal AI for medicine, simplified - by Eric Topol

Intelligence and (un)Happiness

"Your intelligence is more likely to bring you happiness if you put it to use by chasing better ways to love and serve others rather than elbowing others aside and hoarding worldly rewards." Another interesting article in the Atlantic's How to Build a Life: Intelligence Is More Than a Tool to Get Ahead

Defining "Life" and "Death."

Technology forces us to reexamine what we consider alive and dead. The ideas are far-reaching, including law, medicine, ethics, and morality. Another thought-provoking article in Wired: The End of 'Life' As You Know It

Applying Scarcity to Gym Membership

Years ago, Robert Cialdini wrote a classic book on sales techniques: Influence, New and Expanded: The Psychology of Persuasion. The rise of pricey, application-only gyms is an exemplar of Cialdini's principles: The Rise of Exclusive, Application-Only Gym Memberships (gift article)

Animal Personality and Scientific Results

Here is an interesting article questioning whether animal personality might alter scientific results. Animal Personalities Can Trip Up Science, But There's a Solution

Cancer and Circadian Rhythm

A study published in Trends in Cell Biology reviewed the influence of circadian rhythms on cancer biology. "The circadian rhythm governs most of the cellular functions implicated in cancer progression, and its exploitation, therefore, opens new promising directions in the fight against metastasis. In this review, we summarize the role of the circadian rhythm in tumor development and progression, with emphasis on the circadian rhythm-regulated elements that control the generation of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and metastasis. We then present data on chronotherapy and discuss how circadian rhythm investigations may open new paths to more effective anticancer treatments." A new time dimension in the fight against metastasis

Beethoven's DNA

An article on how sleuths tracked down and analyzed strands of Beethoven's hair. The findings are fascinating: DNA From Beethoven's Hair Unlocks Medical and Family Secrets (gift article) and Beethoven's Genome Has Been Sequenced for the First Time, Revealing Clues About the Great Composer's Health & Family History

Meat Lobbies

Here is an article on how the meat industry changed the proposed recommendations of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report. I learned quite a bit from the article, including that the global beef industry is estimated at around $400 billion and that meat and dairy produce about 14.5% of global greenhouse emissions. The meat industry got the IPCC to edit a climate change report

Using Google Maps to Plan your Vacation

I'm going to try this: How To Use Google Maps Immersive View To Vacation Plan Like a Pro

Who is Most at Risk for Long-Covid?

A meta-analysis revealed the risk factors for long-covid: being female, obese, over 40, a smoker, and having previous medical conditions. Who Is Most At Risk for Long Covid? (gift article)

033 - Coulrophobia, Lucid Dreaming, and Cowless Dairy - HealthHippieMD Week In Review

The Calorie Hunter

Science had an interesting article on Duke scientist Herman Pontzer, whose work has challenged some of the most fundamental beliefs on weight management. "Exercise prevents you from getting sick, but diet is your best tool for weight management." This scientist busts myths about how humans burn calories—and why

SAD Myth

These scientists think Seasonal Affective Disorder is not what we thought it was. The Surprising Truth About Seasonal Depression "The seasons do affect our lives, although a growing body of research shows that major psychological effects such as depression and cognitive slowdown are likely not what most of us are experiencing during winter."

Step-by-Step Guide to Lucid Dreaming

I've not yet had a lucid dream. Using this guide, I am going to try: How to Lucid Dream (Even if You Think You Can't)

Aggressive End-of-Life Care

An article in the NY Times about how care escalates for many (most?) patients, frequently beyond what they desire: Aggressive Medical Care Remains Common at Life's End (gift article)

Health Worker's Mental Health

Healthcare workers suffer from sleep deprivation, exhaustion, and stress. All these factors contribute to poor mental health. "In our study, about half of the healthcare workers we surveyed reported that their work interfered with their family life, while about 30% experienced family life interfering with work. Importantly, these conflicts were linked to poor mental health, such as depression." Health care workers are frazzled – and poor sleep may turn stress into poor mental health See also a blog post I wrote about Mindfulness and Medicine

Introverts and Friendship

I'm an extreme introvert. I found this article insightful and interesting: How to Make Friends as an Introvert(gift article)

AI and Cancer

The article, An AI Told Me I Had Cancer, bothered me. Although I share the author's frustration with accessing one's medical information, I found the author's opinions pretty naive (about AI, medicine, research, and the accuracy of data models). I can think of few better uses of AI than as a tool to augment a physician's terminal disease diagnosis. The author ignores the many types of AI--the article lumps them all together (I suspect the piece was meant to capitalize on the recent popularity of Chat GPT), and the author's premise of requiring consent to have a UI aid in their diagnosis seems ludicrous. I could go on.....

American vs. European Medical Training

As we pass through another Match Week, where medical students find out where they'll do their residency training, Mother Jones published an interesting article, Bone Tired. Underpaid. Performing Surgery. What Could Go Wrong? about differences between American and European medical training.

Mediterranean Diet Associated with Lower Risk of Dementia

A new study revealed that eating a Mediterranean-type diet – rich in seafood, fruit, and nuts – may help significantly lower dementia risk later in life. Mediterranean Diet Associated With Decreased Risk of Dementia

Cowless Dairy

Are you ready for dairy made from yeast? It's already here: Milk, cheese, and ice cream without the cow have entered the marketplace.

Coulrophobia

Afraid of clowns? You're not alone. The Psychological Reason You're Afraid of Clowns attempts to explain the phenomenon.

"Open"- AI

The arms race for artificial intelligence continues. Companies are throwing all caution to the wind in the pursuit of massive profits. "_Big tech companies like Google, Microsoft, and Meta are racing to create new AI technologies as fast as possible, often sidestepping or shrugging off ethical concerns. _"OpenAI's GPT-4 Is Closed Source and Shrouded in Secrecy

Lunchables Served in School Cafeterias

I find this hard to believe, but Kraft has developed a version of its Lunchables product that meets Federal school lunch specifications. Kraft hopes the product will be adopted by underfunded schools that can't afford (or find) the staff to cook fresh meals. "Offering branded packaged food to children through the National School Lunch Program essentially allows food companies to market directly to children with the added credibility that comes with associating their product with schools..." Lunchables in school cafeterias have child nutrition experts concerned

How to Fix a Broken Sleep Cycle

Wired has some good advice to improve your sleep habits: How to Fix a Broken Sleep Schedule

Narcissism

Narcissism exists on a spectrum. We all have some of this trait, but about 8% of the population is pathological. A little bit of narcissism is normal and healthy – here's how to tell when it becomes pathological

Music-Evoked Autobiographical Memory

Music can involuntarily bring back memories of events, people, and places from our past. This article explains why: Why Does Music Bring Back Memories?

Faux Self-Care

"If you think of self-care as a goal, it becomes another task to check off the list. But when you consider it as values and decisions that inform all of your different roles and activities, it can deeply impact the quality of your life." Although written with women in mind, How Women Can Avoid 'Faux Self-Care' and Beat Burnout (gift article) has useful information for everyone.

032 - Bayesian Thinking, Cadavers, and Medical Unions - HealthHippieMD Week In Review

House Staff Local 131

I read an article about physicians unionizing. Although there has been talk about this for quite some time, I did not realize it had already happened in several locations: Doctor Unions Are Good for Your Health

Avatar Now

What do you get when you combine the immersive collaborative experience of an escape room with a video game? You get a Gamebox. Immersive Video Games Are Coming to a Theater Near You

The Plant Whisperer

Are plants sentient? I'm still not convinced, but this scientist theorizes they might be. What Plants Are Saying About Us - Nautilus

Spring Ahead

I read an article from a sleep scientist about the downsides of Daylight Savings time. The report convinces us that we should be on a permanent Standard Daylight schedule, not a permanent Daylight Savings schedule, as is currently suggested in a Congressional Bill.Springing forward into daylight saving time is a step back for health – a neurologist explains the medical evidence and why this shift is worse than the fall time change

Swiss Miss

The iconic Matterhorn of the Swiss Alps will no longer be seen on the wrappers of Toblerone chocolate bars after production moves from Switzerland to Slovakia. Where are Toblerone chocolate bars made?

Taking Control of What you Read on the Internet

Here is an article on the 25-year-old technology, RSS feeds: It's time to take back control of what we read online. I use RSS feeds in various ways. For my daily news, I rely on Feed Bin and Unread. I previously wrote about the ways I use RSS in scholarly activities: Unlock the Power of RSS feeds with DEVONthink — Workflows in Personal and Professional Productivity

This is your Brain on Art

"Art is not a luxury for our downtime, but an important contributor to physical and mental well-being..." I couldn't agree more, especially regarding music. How art, music, and dance affect your brain and body. (gift article)

Non-Nutritive Sweeteners

Artificial sweeteners are in various foods, from bread and cereal to tortillas and greek yogurt. Here is an article on the dark side of sugar substitutes: How sugar substitutes sneak into foods and affect your health (gift article)

Healthy, Redefined

The FDA is cracking down on commercial foods that may be labeled 'healthy.' The food companies are resisting: FDA is redefining 'healthy,' and the food industry is pushing back (gift article)

Personality Testing in the Workplace

Many years ago, I went down the rabbit hole, taking any personality test I could get. Although many personality tests (i.e., MBTI) have not been validated, they are increasingly used to make workplace decisions. Personality testing is now a $2 billion industry. The $2 Billion Question of Who You Are at Work (gift article)

The Argument for Moving Closer to Your Friends

"Many people are prepared to move for a new job, to be with a romantic partner, or even just for an adventure. Moving to be closer to buddies should be no different. Friends are not incidental to a good life; they're essential to one. So why not shorten the distance between you and them?" Live Closer to Your Friends

Health Podcasts Worth Listening To

....at least according to the NY Times. I am going to check out a few of these: Here Are 12 Health Podcasts Worth Listening To (gift article)

What Fuels Teen Anxiety?

Reformers have argued for fewer hours in a workweek. Yet, simultaneously, demands on our children at school have increased. Many believe the time needed to become attractive college applicants at the root of teen anxiety: "Richer and more complex economies require more rigorous and intense education, putting more pressure on kids to be high-achieving perfectionists." We're Missing a Key Driver of Teen Anxiety

Does your Microbiome Influence Interest in Exercise? (pre-clinical)

An interesting article in WaPo about how, in mice, the microbiome influences interest in exercise: How your microbiome may influence your motivation to exercise - The Washington Post (gift article)

Cannabis and Anesthesia

An article in the Economist discusses how cannabis influences the amount of drugs needed for adequate anesthesia. Cannabis and anesthesia do not mix

A Short History of Medical Cadavers

Medical students traditionally dissect cadavers while learning anatomy. Ever wonder where the bodies come from? From grave robbing to giving your own body to science – a short history of where medical schools get cadavers "Where many Americans once regarded medical students as "butchers" for exploiting their beloved dead, contemporary students honor what some of these future doctors call their "first patients" for the precious gift they have been given."

Bayes' Rule

After seeing all the evidence, how strongly should you believe something? That question is at the heart of Bayesian thinking, named after the Reverend Thomas Bayes. Here is an interesting video explaining Bayes Rule: Harvard professor explains Bayes' rule and an interesting article on how to use Bayesian Thinking to influence our relationships: Bayes and Deadweight: Using Statistics to Eject the Deadweight From Your Life.

031 - Science / Pseudoscience of Aging, Cannabinoids and Cancer, and The World's Hottest Pepper - HealthHippieMD Week In Review

For Love of the Bean

This author loves their coffee (in reality, caffeine). "A low dose of caffeine can lead to a significant increase in … happiness and calmness and decreases in tenseness." Coffee really does make you happier

What's Your Subjective Age?

There is frequently a difference between our chronological age and our subjective age. This author examines the phenomenon: I'm 53 years old. I'm 36 in my head. - The Atlantic

The Science and Pseudoscience of Aging

Scientists are working diligently to unravel the aging process. I mentioned some of this work in 027 - Wise-Selfishness, Horvath's Clock and GrimAge - HealthHippieMD Week In Review. Here is an excellent video overview of the quest to extend our lives, including an interview with Steve Horvath: The Future with Hannah Fry And another interesting, more scientific overview of the field: Turning back time with epigenetic clocks - Nature

+More on the brave new world of chronological-age testing start-ups: How Old Are You, Really? New Tests Want to Tell You

+More on longevity research: Can We Change How Fast Humans Age? A New Study Is Getting Closer to the Answer

Periodontal Disease and Rheumatoid Arthritis

Scientists at Stanford have been working on why there is an association between poor oral health and more severe rheumatoid arthritis: Oral bacteria trigger rheumatoid arthritis flare-ups

The Last of Us

I'm enjoying the HBO series, The Last of Us. The premise that a fungus infects humans and does everything in its power to spread is borrowed from the animal world. The article, Can a Fungus Really Take Over Our Brains?, is an overview of known pathogens that alter HUMAN behavior. If you want to binge another great sci-fi/horror show, try Fortitude, supposedly one of the most scientifically accurate sci-fi shows ever made.

How to Deal with Dark Personalities at Work

Dark personalities: narcissists, psychopaths, and Machiavellians are common in society. Here is some advice on how to navigate your interactions with them at work: Here's what to do when you encounter people with 'dark personality traits' at work

A Reading List on the Neuroscience of Reading

According to the intro, humans were not designed to read. Here is a series of long-form articles on one of life's greatest pleasures: A Reading List About the Neuroscience of Reading

Digital Declutter

"Just as clutter in your home can cause stress, erode productivity, and hurt your sense of well-being, digital clutter, she said, can bring up similar feelings." Here is an interesting and helpful article from the NY Times on how to clean and organize your digital life: How to Clear Out Digital Clutter - The New York Times (gift article)

The Hottest Peppers in the World

Curious about where your favorite pepper ranks? Here you go... Hottest Pepper in the World and 6 Other Spicy Chilis

Artificial Sweetener Associated with Cardiovascular Events

This week's study in Nature Medicine, The artificial sweetener erythritol and cardiovascular event risk,, demonstrates an association between the use of erythritol and cardiovascular events such as stroke or heart attack. More research is needed. Zero-Calorie Sweetener Possibly Linked to Heart Issues, New Study Suggests (gift article)

The Microbiome and Multiple Sclerosis (pre-clinical)

These scientists are investigating how the microbiome might be manipulated as a therapeutic intervention in Multiple Sclerosis: Bile acids and gut microbes could potentially treat multiple sclerosis, according to new research in mice

Cannabinoids and Cancer

As North Carolina ponders approval of medical marijuana, these scientists are investigating how cannabinoids might be used as therapeutic agents to combat cancer: Can Cannabis Help Treat Cancer? Researchers Are Getting Closer To An Answer

GLP-1 Agonists in Economist

The Economist had a brief but informative overview of the new anti-obesity drugs. A new class of drugs for weight loss could end obesity (subscription required)

The Problem of Fraud in the Scientific Literature

The problem of fraudulent papers in medicine is much more prevalent than I believed. The Economist explains There is a worrying amount of fraud in medical research (subscription required)

Wired Guide to Quantum Computing

Wired continues its excellent series on the hottest technology topics: What Is Quantum Computing? The Complete WIRED Guide

Generative AI does Anime

Unlike the author of this article, I was fascinated by the techniques used with generative AI to make an anime from the video: Corridor Crew's AI-Generated Anime Isn't Just Callous and Craven — It's Also Dangerous Make sure to watch the linked videos in the story.

Words, Not Truths

"On the other hand, if I can talk to a bot that will give me plausible responses to things I say, it would be useful in situations where factual accuracy isn't all that important." A computer scientist chimes in on how he believes generative AI, such as ChatGPT, should be used: ChatGPT is great – you're just using it wrong

Why Some Food Tastes Better the Next Day

Here is some of the science behind why certain leftovers taste better the next day: Why certain foods taste better the next day

030 - Hard Dew, Endocannabinoids, and Thinking Like a Monk - HealthHippieMD Week In Review

ChatGPT Writes Obituaries Too

This author experimented with ChatGPT, having it write her eulogy: I Had An AI Chatbot Write My Eulogy. It Was Very Weird Although I found the concept of the article interesting, the author lost me with the last paragraph, "Regardless of how advanced these tools become, one thing should now be obvious: their well-documented biases and flawed decision-making abilities mean they should never be used to do anything of consequence." Totally disagree!

ChatGPT and Science

Are you using generative AI to generate research ideas and scholarly publications? It's already possible: "...a chatbot was deemed capable of generating quality academic research ideas." Why ChatGPT Could Usher in a New Era of Scientific Discovery

Tim Urban Writes a Book

I'm rarely excited by an upcoming book. But Tim Urban, the creative force behind Wait But Why (one of my favorite websites), is publishing a book this week (Amazon | Apple). In his latest blog post, A Short History of My Last Six Years — Wait But Why, he explains the six-year journey examining our society. "This book is my best crack at explaining what I think is an existential risk to liberal societies and what I think we need to do to get to that awesome future I used to be so excited about."

ME/CFS and the Microbiome

I've written about how Long Covid has ignited interest in a long-time ignored and misunderstood medical condition, ME/CFS. The NIH Director's blog mentioned recent clues to the disease in the microbiome: "... suggesting that imbalances in certain bacterial species inhabiting the gut could be used as measurable biomarkers to aid in the accurate and timely diagnosis of ME/CFS. It also points to a possible therapeutic target to explore."_ More Clues into ME/CFS Discovered in Gut Microbiome – NIH Director's Blog

Vibrating Pills for Constipation

Here is a new, FDA-approved medical device for the drug-free treatment of constipation: Vibrating Pill for Constipation Now Available This adds a whole new meaning to moving your bowels.....

You are not Your Attachment Style

I love the book Attached.. Here is an interesting article that offers an overview of Attachment Theory and some of the more common misperceptions: You Can Change Your Attachment Style

Friendship

The Atlantic curated a series of articles on enduring friendship: Why We Lose Our Friends as We Age - The Atlantic (subscription required)

Relationships and Serious Disease

Being diagnosed with a severe illness is challenging enough. But medical issues also can have a devastating effect on relationships/marriages: Why Men Leave Sick Wives - Facing Illness Alone

Optimism and Pessimism

"_Optimism and pessimism, it turns out, are all about the stories we tell ourselves after both our successes and our failures._" Are You (Still) an Optimist? These Questions Might Help Explain Why (gift article)

Six Steps to Improve Your Mood for Good

An academic happiness researcher advises on improving your life: The Key to Happiness: 6 Strategies To Boost Your Mood for Good

Asthma Drug Recovers "Lost" Memories (Pre-Clinical)

A side effect of sleep deprivation is amnesia, but whether memory loss is a storage or retrieval problem has been unclear. These scientists are zeroing in on the answer: "This study shows that neurons in the hippocampus retain the memories, albeit in an inaccessible state, but that they can be rescued artificially." Asthma drug brings back "lost" memories

Ultra-processed Foods and Obesity

Wired had a great overview of the impact of ultra-processed foods on body weight. "The results of the study surprised Hall. On the ultra-processed diet, people ate around 500 extra calories daily and weighed about two pounds more pounds." Fat, Sugar, Salt ... You’ve Been Thinking About Food All Wrong

Endocannabinoids and Health

Just like opiates, your body produces endogenous compounds that bind to the same receptors as compounds in marijuana. Research on endocannabinoids lags far behind opiates, but research has shown "An imbalance in the production of endocannabinoids, or in the body's responsiveness to them, can lead to major clinical disorders, including obesity as well as neurodegenerative, cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases." People produce endocannabinoids – similar to compounds found in marijuana – that are critical to many bodily functions is a nice overview. For more on endocannabinoids, see: Why does running give you a high? A look at the science and Cannabinoids - HealthHippieMD

The Brain and the Immune Response

Nature had an excellent overview of efforts to unravel further how the brain affects immune function: Your brain could be controlling how sick you get — and how you recover (subscription required)

The Dark Side of Ketamine Telemedicine

Covid influenced many changes in medicine. One of those changes was a loosening of regulations surrounding the remote prescription of controlled substances. A Fraught New Frontier in Telehealth: Ketamine (gift article) talks about the dark side of the remote prescription trend.

The Book of Blue Zones

The Economist had an interesting article on Blue Zones, an area of the world with a disproportionate share of centenarians: Christian Californians may have a solution to America's obesity | The Economist (subscription required)

Hard Dew

I had no idea about the roots of Mountain Dew. I had no idea Mountain Dew was a nickname for moonshine. Why PepsiCo's and Coca-Cola's Alcohol Drinks Worry Health Experts (gift article) discusses the worrisome trend of "hardening" traditional soft drinks. Next up, marijuana tinged soft-drinks.....

Think Like A Monk

In addition to Tim Urban's book, I've started reading Think Like a Monk by Jay Shetty. I'm about three chapters in and enjoying the material. Highly recommended! (Thanks, Sandy!)

029 - Coffee College, Facebook, Resilience and Despair - HealthHippieMD Week In Review

Life may get in the way of newsletter publication next week. I'm apologizing in advance for an abreviated or absent edition. I'll resume normal publication on Sunday, February 26.

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Demoralization of Healthcare Workers

Here is a provocative piece about diminished morale amongst healthcare workers. Although written by a physician about physicians, the same is true for other healthcare professionals. Opinion | Doctors Aren't Burned Out From Overwork. We’re Demoralized by Our Health System (gift article)

Food Choice and Cognition / Dementia

Here is another article on the cognitive value of eating whole, plant-based food: How Your Diet Could Help (or Hurt) Your Aging Brain. For a nice review paper on food and supplements, see: In Pursuit of Healthy Aging: Effects of Nutrition on Brain Function.

Exercise and Resilience

"Resilience is the ability to bounce back from adversity... Resilience is essentially an emotional muscle, but a growing body of research shows that exercising our physical muscles is one way to increase our capacity to cope with daily stress." WaPo had an article on the physiology behind the phenomenon: How exercise can help you build resilience at any age (gift article)

Your Lying Mind

The Atlantic procured several articles on how our minds can deceive us, especially when something threatens our identity: Your Lying Mind - The Atlantic (requires subscription)

Psychedelics Medically Approved Down-Under

Starting July 1, 2023, authorized Australian psychiatrists have another tool in their armamentarium: psychedelics. On February 3, MDMA and psilocybin, but the training standards and hoops to jump through to prescribe these drugs are still formidable: MDMA and Psilocybin Are Approved as Medicines for the First Time | WIRED (thanks, Richard!)

Relationship Contracts

A relationship contract looks pretty unromantic, but it seems to work for this couple: Creating a contract — yes, a contract! — could help you get what you want from your relationship |

Sound Therapy

Sound therapy instruments like the Digeridoo and Tibetan Singing Bowls have been used for thousands of years to calm the mind and heal the body. Is Sound Therapy the New Way to Zen? discusses the phenomenon. I was skeptical about sound therapy until I read literature on how specific frequencies of sound activate immune pathways (in rodents): Alzheimer's Disease and Gamma Waves

Coffee College

I'm interested in perfecting my coffee-making abilities. In the article, Coffee College: Everything You Wanted to Know about Coffee Making in One Lecture, I learned of the coffee-education service Barista Hustle and its associated Youtube channel. I'm setting aside 80 minutes to watch: Advanced Coffee Making Lecture at Assembly Coffee London.

Your Healthcare System: Official Corporate Partner of the NFL

A provocative opinion piece in WaPo about hospital marketing. "So when people see any TV commercial or billboard highlighting a hospital system's quality of care, then walk into that same hospital system's emergency room only to find it dangerously overcrowded and understaffed, it is worth connecting the dots. Imagine how many lives would be saved if only we were to take the bold step of demanding that our healthcare dollars be spent on actual healthcare." Opinion | Super Bowl ads are not where hospitals in crisis should spend money (gift article)

Artificial Intelligence Primer: Wired Complete Guides

Wired has been doing background pieces on today's important technology. Two examples to help you get up to speed: What Is Blockchain? The Complete WIRED Guide and What Defines Artificial Intelligence? The Complete WIRED Guide. Both are worth a read.

A New Approach to Graft-vs-Host Disease and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (pre-clinical)

GI GVHD Link to Microbiome Dysbiosis Addressed by Reducing Intestinal Oxygen discusses a study looking at treating GVHD (and perhaps inflammatory bowel disease) by decreasing the oxygen content in the bowel using iron chelation. "The findings suggested that restoring the normal environment by reducing the oxygen level in the intestine could help re-establish the balance of the microbial community and lead to attenuation of GVHD."

The Science of Pleasurable Touch (pre-clinical)

You've probably heard of "skin hunger," the craving to be touched by another. Scientists are beginning to unravel why being touched by others is pleasurable: Scientists mapped the brain circuitry involved in pleasing touch in mice

How Do You Serve a Friend in Despair

Love oozed from a journalist's writing about his good friend who sunk into depression and ultimately committed suicide. "I learned, very gradually, that a friend's job in these circumstances is not to cheer the person up. It's to acknowledge the reality of the situation; it's to hear, respect, and love the person; it's to show that you haven't given up on them or walked away." Opinion | How Do You Serve a Friend in Despair? (gift article)

All Things Zuckerberg

"We are the germs, but Facebook is the wind." Facebook seems to be at the center of many controversies today. I just read the 2018 article, Can Mark Zuckerberg Fix Facebook Before It Breaks Democracy?, The article was insightful and informative and is a must-read for anyone that wonders what all the hullaballoo is about.

Covid Evolved

A Crucial Group of Covid Drugs Has Stopped Working discusses how Covid has evolved, negating the effectiveness of drugs that were once the mainstay of prophylaxis for immunocompromised patients.

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.

027 - Wise-Selfishness, Horvath's Clock and GrimAge - HealthHippieMD Week In Review

Wise Selfishness

"....a truly enlightened self-interest also means recognizing that acting in great and altruistic ways makes you happier than solely being out for yourself." I enjoyed reading The Benefits of Being Selfish.

Nobody Has My Condition But Me

We often think that in modern medicine all maladies have been cataloged. That is far from the truth. Nobody Has My Condition But Me is about the trials and tribulations of a woman with a unique condition.

Recycling Plastic

More on recycling of plastic: Is plastic recycling a scam? Here's the truth about the common practice. We have a long way to go....

David Crosby's 15 Essential Songs

Another rock icon passed away last week. The NY Times published a list of David Crosby's best songs: David Crosby's 15 Essential Songs. (gift article)

10 Myths in Nutrition

An interesting article for both the myth-busting and the experts consulted: 10 Nutrition Myths Experts Wish Would Die (gift article)

The Microbiome and Thermoregulation

This summary article had a wealth of provocative information:

1. The presence or absence of certain bacteria was associated with the body's temperature response in sepsis (in both humans and mice).
2. Mice without a microbiome have a lower basal body temperature than conventional mice.
3. The administration of antibiotics lowers basal body temperature.

The authors of the study opine that changes in the microbiome may account for the reduction in basal body temperatures of humans over the last 150 years: Gut Microbes Control the Body's Thermostat

Mixed Feelings

Feeling conflicted can feel worse than feeling bad and can bring with them a great deal of distress. Mixed Feelings Can Be Worse Than Bad Ones offers advice on how to overcome the distress.

Amazon is Happy to be Your Pharmacy

Here's an article on Amazon's RxPass, the newest service from Amazon. With a Prime Membership, you can receive as many of the 80 generic medications the service offers for a flat fee of $5 (assuming you have insurance and are not on Medicare or Medicaid). Amazon Will Now Be Your Pharmacist, If You Subscribe to Prime

Food Compass

A relatively new system aims to demystify identifying healthy and unhealthy foods. Parsing which foods are healthy and which are less so isn't always straightforward – a new rating system aims to demystify the process explains.

Gene Snippets from Mother Shape a Baby's Microbiome

A recent study published in Cell demonstrated that it's not just pure bacterial transfer between mother and baby that's important in developing a newborn's microbiome. Small pieces of DNA called mobile genetic elements hop between maternal and newborn bacteria and ultimately influence the baby's microbial development: Mobile Genes From the Mother Shape the Baby's Microbiome.

Odors Change Purchasing Decisions

I did not realize there was a body of research on the sense of smell and consumerism. How body odors influence your buying behavior explains the latest research.

Yerba Mate

Although Yerba Mate is a staple of South American dietary traditions, traction in the U.S. has slowly evolved. The recurrent description of the taste, "like freshly cut green grass," will not help to stimulate demand. The Coffee Alternative Americans Just Can't Get Behind

The Universal Aging Clock and GrimAge

Aging research is all the rage. Here is an interesting article on Horvath's Clock, GrimAge, and the effects of umbilical and young blood plasma transfusion: The Universal Clock of Aging. I learned about the GrimAge metric. I'm continuing to keep a close eye on this body of research.

The Benefits of Yoga

Another article on the benefits of yoga: Yoga: Modern research shows a variety of benefits to both body and mind from the ancient practice. For the latest science: Yoga: What You Need To Know | NCCIH

Adding New Life to Friendships and Relationships

TED had an article with helpful information on how to revitalize interactions with the people most important to you: How to add new life to your relationships (even your best ones!) |

Neurocognitive Testing for Aging Physicians

An interesting interview tackling the subject of competency exams for physicians: Age Competency Exams for Physicians -- Yes or No? For the record, I think it's a good idea.

Physicians Open Notes

Being able to read what your physician writes about you in your chart is a good thing, right? Not so fast. Why Reading Your Doctor's Notes Can Be Painful covers some of the issues.

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

025 - Chronobiology, Anticipation, Cancer Dietary Choices - HealthHippieMD Week In Review

One Question to Boost Your Longevity and Well-being

Having something to look forward to has many health benefits: Asking yourself one fun question could help boost your well-being and longevity.

A Simple Dietary Swap to Improve Health

The new year is a time to examine our habits. If you've resolved to improve your diet, here is a simple yet effective way to improve the quality of your food: For weight loss, replace processed foods with healthy, fiber-rich carbs. (gift article)

Chrononutrition

Another article from WaPo on why you should front-load your calories early in the day: Why timing big meals early in the day is better for your health. (gift article)

Chronobiology and Chronotherapy

Scientists are slowly learning the importance of timing of oral medications: Timing matters for medications – your circadian rhythm influences how well treatments work and how much they might harm you. Yet, the FDA recognizes the importance of timing in only a few medications: Dosing time matters | Science.

New Study Demonstrates Association between Healthy Eating and Reduced Mortality

JAMA published a study demonstrating the association between healthy eating and decreased mortality this week. Although the investigation suffers from the traditional caveats of nutrition research (food diaries, etc.), it differentiates itself by the size of the cohort and the length of follow-up (36 years). Healthy Eating Patterns and Risk of Total and Cause-Specific Mortality.

The Psychology of Procrastination

If one of your resolutions is to procrastinate less, here is an article to help you understand how to overcome inertia: What causes your brain to procrastinate and how to face it. (gift article). One of my favorite internet sites, Wait but Why, also has a series on procrastination:

• Why Procrastinators Procrastinate — Wait But Why
• How to Beat Procrastination — Wait But Why
• The Procrastination Matrix — Wait But Why^a26c07

ZOE Nutrition

Tim Spector founded a personalized nutrition company and wants you to know why: Go with your gut: scientist Tim Spector on why food is not just fuel. The test is a bit expensive but is likely a harbinger of nutritional trends to come.

The Daily Habits of Happiness Experts

The people that study happiness have some valuable habits we can all learn from The Daily Habits of Happiness Experts.

England Bans Single-Use Cutlery

In an attempt to reduce pollution, England has banned single-use items such as plastic cutlery, plates, and trays. England Will Ban Single-Use Cutlery and Plates.

Scientific Stagnation

This year, a new study, Papers and patents are becoming less disruptive over time, reported any given paper today is much less likely to become influential than a paper in the same field from several decades ago. Science Has a Crummy-Paper Problem - The Atlantic

Hearing Aids and Cognition

Restoring hearing was linked with less long-term cognitive decline, a recent systematic review and meta-analysis showed: Use It, or Lose It: Hearing Aids Linked to Cognitive Benefit.

Cancer and Diet

Michael Greger has a great series of videos on food and cancer. In the latest, he offers his thoughts on what you should (and shouldn't) eat if you've already been diagnosed with cancer: The Best Diet for Cancer Patients.

How Music Casts its Spell on Us

Another excerpt from the book, Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life. The article The Neurophysiology of Enchantment: How Music Casts Its Spell on Us, discusses the neurophysiology of music appreciation. +Jeff Beck, one of the greatest guitarists of all time, passed away this week. The NY Times published a list of his ten essential songs: Jeff Beck's 10 Essential Songs (gift article)

Covid and the Immunocompromised

Although most Americans seem done with Covid and Covid precautions, the risk is still high for those of us that are immunocompromised. Here is an opinion piece on how society could protect its vulnerable citizens: Opinion | We need to do more to assist the immunocompromised. (gift article)