089 - High Times, Super-Agers, and Soothing Sounds - HealthHippieMD Week In Review

Secrets of Super-Agers

Research has unveiled the remarkable cognitive resilience of "super-agers," individuals aged 80 and above who exhibit the memory capabilities of people decades younger. Studies by scientists such as Dr. Emily Rogalski and Dr. Bryan Strange have focused on why these elders defy typical age-related cognitive decline. Extensive testing, including brain scans and cognitive assessments, revealed that super-agers possess significantly less brain atrophy, particularly in regions crucial for memory, such as the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex. They also maintain stronger neural connections, contributing to their exceptional cognitive abilities. Despite similar lifestyles and health profiles compared to their peers, super-agers show unique brain preservation, suggesting a blend of genetic factors and possibly earlier life habits contribute to their resilience. A Peek Inside the Brains of 'Super-Agers' - The New York Times. (gift article).

Mechanizing the Mind

A recent tech forum in Beijing, China, showcased a new brain-computer interface (BCI) allowing a monkey to control a robotic arm by thought alone. This development, by NeuCyber NeuroTech and the Chinese Institute for Brain Research, signifies China's rapid advancement in BCI technology, which collects and analyzes brain signals to manipulate external devices like robotic arms or keyboards. While the U.S. has been exploring similar medical and cognitive enhancement technologies, China's aggressive progress includes invasive and noninvasive BCIs, with applications stretching from medical to military uses. China's ambitious approach raises ethical concerns, especially as it looks to enhance cognitive functions in healthy individuals, blurring the lines between human and machine capabilities. China Has a Controversial Plan for Brain-Computer Interfaces | WIRED.

Carnivore's Diet Warning

"Our sexy, lean mice who ate high-protein, low-carb diets were the shortest-lived of all. They made great-looking middle-aged corpses." In the wake of Joe Rogan's promotion, the carnivore diet has surged as a social media phenomenon, with enthusiasts advocating for an all-meat regimen consisting of beef, bacon, butter, and eggs. This diet, championed by influencers like Dr. Shawn Baker and popularized in his 2018 book, excludes vegetables and is promoted as a means to achieve optimal mental and physical health. Despite the lack of medical endorsement and potential health risks outlined by nutrition experts, the diet's appeal grows, possibly reacting to conventional dietary advice. Promoters argue that this approach echoes the nutritional habits of our hunter-gatherer ancestors, offering a simplistic yet radical return to what they consider a more natural state of human nutrition. Meet the Men Who Eat Meat - The New York Times (gift article).

Speed Demons

In a detailed investigation by ProPublica, Dr. Debby Day, a former medical director at Cigna, revealed that she was pressured to review patient cases faster than she deemed professionally responsible. This emphasis on speed over accuracy was reportedly driven by Cigna's productivity metrics, which monitored and compared the case-handling speeds of their medical directors. Day described an environment where the quick denial of cases was encouraged to meet performance benchmarks, often using a "click and close" method. Despite Cigna's insistence on thorough, objective reviews, the emphasis leaned towards fast decision-making, which could potentially lead to wrongful denials of critical care. The report sheds light on the troubling use of productivity metrics in healthcare, raising concerns about patient safety and care quality under such systems. Cigna Pressured Her to Review Patients' Cases Too Quickly, Says Former Cigna Medical Director — ProPublica.

Soothing Sounds

Sound baths, involving meditative experiences with gongs, chimes, and crystal bowls, are gaining popularity across the U.S., from beachside sessions in Santa Monica to urban studios and corporate events. Originating from spiritual practices, these sessions immerse participants in a wash of sonic waves, purportedly easing stress and enhancing mental wellness. While sound baths are lauded for their calming effects, allowing some attendees to experience deep relaxation and emotional release, scientific research on their benefits remains limited. Initial studies suggest the potential for reducing anxiety and promoting a tranquil state of mind, although definitive claims about health impacts like lowered blood pressure or mood improvements require more rigorous investigation. As sound baths continue to resonate with modern wellness enthusiasts, they offer a tranquil escape, weaving harmony into the cacophony of daily life. Can Sound Bath Meditation Actually Benefit You? - The New York Times. (gift article).

Conscious Creatures

A recent declaration by a group of leading animal cognition researchers suggests a broader recognition of consciousness across various species, including vertebrates and many invertebrates like cephalopods, crustaceans, and insects. Inspired by studies, such as playful bumblebees at Queen Mary University of London, this new consensus acknowledges the possibility that even animals with simpler nervous systems may experience phenomena like pain and pleasure. The New York Declaration, which was revealed during a conference at New York University, aims to update and expand previous notions of animal consciousness. This expansion challenges our understanding of neurological complexity and prompts a reevaluation of ethical treatment and scientific standards concerning animal welfare. A New Declaration of Animal Consciousness - The Atlantic.

Karate's Concrete Conquest

In the late 1970s, a trio of karate-enthusiast physicists, including MIT's Michael Feld and astronaut-to-be Ronald McNair, investigated how a karate strike could shatter wood and concrete without harming the hand. Their research revealed that breaking these materials requires precise applications of Newton's laws, involving the exertion of thousands of newtons of force within milliseconds. They discovered that human hands can generate significant force briefly enough to avoid injury, thanks to the resilience of bone and meticulous technique. Their study underscores karate as a physical and mental discipline, highlighting the intricate balance of speed, power, and precision necessary for successful martial arts practices. Karate physics: How a hand can snap concrete without breaking - Big Think.

Intermittent Fasting and Alzheimer's

A study from the University of California San Diego School of Medicine reveals (in mice) the potential of time-restricted feeding (TRF) to combat Alzheimer's disease. This novel approach focuses on alleviating circadian rhythm disruptions associated with Alzheimer's, which affects over 6 million Americans. The study demonstrates that mice on a TRF diet, limiting eating to a six-hour window, showed improved memory, reduced nighttime hyperactivity, and consistent sleep patterns. Assuming the finding holds in humans, this simple lifestyle change, which avoids complex drug interventions, could potentially revolutionize the treatment of Alzheimer's by addressing one of its primary drivers: circadian rhythm disruptions. Surprising link found between intermittent fasting and Alzheimer's disease. (thanks, Dave).

High Time for Science

In a landmark move, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration plans to reclassify marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III, significantly easing research restrictions on the drug. This shift, reported earlier this week, marks a dramatic change in federal drug policy, potentially enhancing scientific understanding of marijuana's health effects. Currently, 24 states permit recreational use of cannabis, yet significant gaps in knowledge remain regarding its impact on health, including mental health and heart and lung function. The reclassification will expand research opportunities, allowing for more comprehensive studies on both the potential harms and benefits of cannabis, which has been both widely used and stigmatized for decades. This development promises a new era of enriched scientific inquiry into a substance that has historically been difficult to study due to regulatory hurdles. Marijuana's Health Effects Are About to Get a Whole Lot Clearer - The Atlantic.