013 - Horseshoe Crabs, Nightmares, and Dementia - HealthHippieMD Week In Review

Nightmares and Dementia

Are frequent nightmares an early sign of impending dementia? This researcher thinks so. Having this many nightmares a week may be tied to extreme brain aging.

Horseshoe Crabs and the Pharmaceutical Industry

Most people don't realize that crab blood is critical to the modern pharmaceutical industry. Horseshoe crab's blue blood contains a compound that protects humans from infected medical supplies. How horseshoe crab blood became one of the most valuable liquids in medicine. Radiolab also has a great episode on this topic: Baby Blue Blood Drive.

Understanding the High Cost of Living Life Online

Studies have found that frequent social media use is connected with increased symptoms of anxiety and depression. The article, The High Cost of Living Your Life Online, discusses some reasons and how to combat those negative feelings.

The Healthiest Bedtime for Metabolic Health

A recent study, Early chronotype with metabolic syndrome favors resting and exercise fat oxidation in relation to insulin‐stimulated non‐oxidative glucose disposal, found that being a night owl negatively affects metabolic health. Early risers burn more fat when fasting or exercising: Going to bed before this time could boost your metabolic health.

Paul McCartney's Freakish Memory

This article is a stretch from medicine and wellness, but being a music and Beatles lover, I had to include it. Paul McCartney's freakish memory, delighted me, offering insight into the unconscious mind and a glimpse into McCartney's songwriting process. And now I love Paul McCartney even more.....

Ten Modern Paradoxes

I include this thought-provoking article because of the first paradox mentioned, hedonism. _"...psychologist Viktor Frankl wrote, "Happiness cannot be pursued; it must ensue, and it only does so as the unintended side effect of one's personal dedication to a cause greater than oneself or as the by-product of one's surrender to a person other than oneself." 10 paradoxes that will stretch your mind.

The Gut-Brain Axis in Mental Health

Thought to be fringe science only a few years ago, hundreds of scientists are now racing to unravel the microbiome's role in mental health. The article, What does the latest science tell us about our brain, gut, and mental health, gives a whirlwind tour. Also, see my lecture on the gut-brain axis: Gut Feelings: the role of the microbiome in behavioral health.

The Physiology and Neuroscience of Tickling

I approached the article, Why Can't You Tickle Yourself, with skepticism, but ended up learning quite a bit. I'm going to look more into the science of playfulness.

Why We Do Things We Know We'll Regret

" Use your resources joyfully, without guilt or shame for your abundance. But use your bounty in service of the love you have for others. Beyond your everyday needs, buy time and experiences with your loved ones. Support the people and causes you care about. Invest in getting to know others deeply. While you're at it, beyond your generosity with your money, give more of yourself by sharing your heart with honesty and defenselessness. Tell more people you love them, even when it is a little awkward or scary." I enjoyed this article by Arthur Brooks: Why We Do Things We Know We'll Regret.

The Pandemic Changed our Personalities, and not for the Better

Social scientists think of personality as being relatively stable throughout one's life. But, there is increasing evidence that the pandemic altered many of our personalities, and not for the better: The COVID pandemic may have had a lasting impact on personality traits

Fungi and Cancer

Two interesting articles were published in this week's Cell demonstrating an association between intracellular fungal DNA and cancer lethality in multiple cancer types. Despite the finding, neither study can definitively say if fungi drive these poor outcomes or if aggressive cancers create an environment where these fungi can quickly grow. The studies also don't address if fungi can contribute to cancer development, pushing healthy cells to turn cancerous. The finding opens the door to a new research domain: Fungi grow inside cancerous tumors, scientists discover.

Facing Down Loneliness and Heartbreak

Emerging scientific data suggests that social rejection — often in the form of heartbreak — can spark a similar firestorm of brain activity as physical pain. Vivek Murthy, United States Surgeon General, classifies loneliness as a public health crisis. But loneliness can be hacked: An antidote to heartbreak? Science reveals how to hack loneliness. See also the book, Heartbreak: A Personal and Scientific Journey, mentioned in the article and Vivek Murthy's book Together.

Physician Burnout

Physician burnout was a problem before the pandemic and has only accelerated during Covid times. I was well aware of the phenomenon, but what I was not aware of was that burnout is contagious: Physician Burnout Has Reached Distressing Levels, New Research Finds.

Can Technology Prevent Suicide?

Finally, I read an article on attempts to use technology to predict and contribute to suicide prevention: Can Smartphones Help Predict Suicide

Quote of the Week

"The saddest aspect of life right now is that science gathers knowledge faster than society gathers wisdom." ―Isaac Asimov