064 - AI Lucid Dreams, Long Covid, and Glowing Guts - HealthHippieMD Week In Review
Getting Gold through Crowdfunding
Olympic gymnast Mary Lou Retton joined the ranks of countless Americans, turning to crowdfunding to cover her substantial medical expenses incurred during a battle with rare pneumonia. Her daughter launched a fundraising campaign on Spotfund, and the public rallied, astonishingly raising $350,000 in under two days, surpassing the $50,000 goal. This peculiar juxtaposition highlights the harsh reality of healthcare costs in the U.S., where a quarter million Americans initiate crowdfunding campaigns yearly. Sadly, most don't reach their targets; studies show that 16% receive no donations. This underscores the stark inequalities within the American healthcare system. Mary Lou Retton Crowdfunded Her Medical Debt, Like Many Thousands of Others - The New York Times. (gift article)
Scientists Unearth New Clues to Long Covid
In an unexpected twist in Long Covid, researchers suggest that the villain might be lurking in the gut. In a study published in the journal Cell, scientists from the University of Pennsylvania propose that the remnants of the coronavirus residing in the digestive tract could be suppressing serotonin production, the brain's feel-good neurotransmitter. This serotonin shortage could explain the cognitive and neurological symptoms experienced by many Long Covid sufferers. The research offers a fresh perspective on the condition and potential treatment avenues, proving that sometimes the gut feeling isn't just a metaphor. Scientists Offer a New Explanation for Long Covid - The New York Times. (gift article)
FDA Sounds Alarm on Ketamine Misuse
The FDA is raising eyebrows about the reckless use of ketamine, the anesthetic pharmaceutical (and sometimes party drug) that's been rebranded as a depression and anxiety remedy. They're concerned about the growing trend of online marketers doling out ketamine prescriptions via telemedicine, sidelining the need for medical supervision. While ketamine therapy for mental health shows promise, the regulatory haze around it has spurred abuse. The FDA warns that unsupervised use could lead to serious health problems despite its "off-label" legality. Before you consider a virtual consultation for ketamine, think twice. FDA Issues Warning Over Misuse of Ketamine Therapy - The New York Times. (gift article)
How Not To Age
I'm a big fan of Michael Greger and NutritionFacts. Dr. Gregor's new book, How Not to Age, is coming out this December. He has a few previews of the information here: anti-aging | Health Topics | NutritionFacts.org.
Emotional Costs of Sleepless Nights
A Psychology Today article highlights the emotional toll of sleep deprivation. Beyond the evident fatigue, insufficient sleep can destabilize our delicate equilibrium, leading to intensified negative emotions and unpredictable mood swings. It's a poignant reminder that sleep doesn't merely rejuvenate our bodies but also plays a pivotal role in mental well-being. In essence, to remain emotionally balanced, it's imperative to count the hours and make them count. 4 Ways That Sleep Deprivation Can Harm Your Emotional Health | Psychology Today.
Ear's a Thought: Brainwave Buds
Researchers from the University of California, San Diego, have unveiled innovative earbuds to monitor brainwaves and assess health via ear sweat metabolites. Unlike traditional bulky EEG machines, these compact "neuro-buds" offer a non-invasive peek into cognitive states, potentially aiding early diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases and even providing neurofeedback. The earbuds, embedded with minute electrodes, detect neural electrical activity during various tasks. Additionally, they can gauge stress levels, predict seizure risks, and measure vital metabolites like glucose. As a bonus, they're designed to play calming sounds based on detected neural patterns, offering users real-time mind management. New Brain-Earbuds Can Listen to Brainwaves, Improve Mood, Decrease Stress, and Possibly Predict Stroke and Neurodegenerative Diseases. ^
NCCIH on Rheumatoid Arthritis
NCCIH has a page on the science behind complementary approaches to Rheumatoid Arthritis: 6 Things To Know About Complementary Health Approaches for Rheumatoid Arthritis | NCCIH.
+And a page on paying for Integrative and Complementary Medicine (including insurance coverage): Paying for Complementary and Integrative Health Approaches | NCCIH.
Mediterranean Diet and Exercise Melt Visceral Fat
A recent study revealed that a combination of a reduced-calorie Mediterranean diet and regular exercise can significantly reduce total fat mass and dangerous visceral belly fat. Older participants following this regime gained muscle and lost considerable body fat within a year, with benefits lasting up to three years. Notably, this wasn't merely about weight loss; the program reshaped body composition from fat to muscle. The study underscores the health risks of visceral fat, linked to diabetes, heart disease, and stroke, and emphasizes the transformative potential of diet and exercise on metabolic health. Mediterranean diet and exercise reduce dangerous belly fat, study says | CNN.
Glowing Guts for IBD
An MIT team designed a pill filled with genetically engineered E. coli bacteria that emit light when detecting gut inflammation. The new device was built to aid in treating Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Photodiodes inside the pill capture this glow, while a radio chip broadcasts it externally. Merging moist microbes with dry electronics was tricky, solved with a clever adhesive barrier. After promising tests in pigs, the next step is human trials. As some pursue a "pill cam" for visual diagnostics, this pill offers a luminescent alternative. This microbe-filled pill could track inflammation in the gut | MIT Technology Review.
Sobering Stories: Physicians and Their Mental Health
The Guardian had an article on the physical and mental toll of medicine and medical training, told through the experience of a Harvard Endocrine Surgeon. U.S. surgeons are killing themselves at an alarming rate. One decided to speak out.
Lucid Dreaming with the Help of AI
Eric Wollberg and Wesley Berry have embarked on a futuristic quest with their startup, Prophetic. Taking inspiration from ancient prophets, their "Halo" device pledges to induce lucid dreams through the wonders of generative A.I. After a whirlwind fundraising season garnering over $1 million and support from tech bigwigs like Apple's neurotech team and Elon Musk's Neuralink, the buzz is palpable. But there's a hiccup: Prophetic hasn't triggered lucid dreams yet. Science suggests that inducing such dreams is feasible, but consistently doing so remains unproven, especially with Prophetic's unique method. Prophetic says its Halo device can cause lucid dreams using generative A.I. Can it?