‘Magic Mushrooms’ Provide Fast, Long-lasting Depression Relief: Study

[ad_1] Feb. 18, 2022 — Treatment with psilocybin, the psychedelic compound found in “magic mushrooms,” relieves major depression for up to a year, and perhaps longer, new research shows. In a study of adults with a long-term history of depression, two doses of psilocybin, combined with supportive “talk” therapy, led to large, stable, and enduring…

Is It Time for Yet Another COVID Booster?

[ad_1] Feb. 18, 2022 — Will springtime be booster time — again? The first COVID-19 booster shot is now in the rearview mirror for millions of Americans — for the 28% who got it, at least — but new data finds it’s less effective after about 4 months. The CDC has already recommended a second…

Are Alternative Birthing Practices a Good Idea?

[ad_1] Feb. 18, 2022 — Can I eat my placenta? Is a water birth safe for my baby? These are a couple of the questions that more people have been asking Sarah Pachtman, MD, over the past couple of years amid a boom in alternative birthing practices. Pachtman, an obstetrics and gynecology doctor and…

Overactive Bladder, Urinary Incontinence Common in Middle-Aged Women

[ad_1] Dec. 22, 2021 (HealthDay News) — Nearly one in five Japanese women report urinary incontinence related to overactive bladder (OAB) or stress urinary incontinence, according to a study published online Nov. 12 in Menopause. Kazue Nagai, Ph.D., from Gunma University in Japan, and colleagues investigated the prevalence and factors associated with urinary symptoms in…

Third Transplant Patient Cured of HIV Marks Important Firsts

[ad_1] Feb. 16, 2022 — This week’s news that a third person has been “cured” of HIV through a unique transplant of stem cells has given hope for a larger-scale way to beat back the HIV epidemic that has plagued the world for decades. But while this case is certainly cause for celebration, experts involved…

Other Ways to Manage Pain After Surgery

[ad_1] Feb. 17, 2022 — Nick Dawson, a 42-year old Montana-based ski instructor, knows a thing or two about ACL repairs. He has torn his anterior cruciate ligament four times and had surgery for the injury three times. A common but painful surgery, doctors often prescribe a hefty course of opioids for pain management after…

Why Won’t My Therapist Just Tell Me What to Do?

[ad_1] If you’re looking for advice, you can call friends and family. You can speak with a spiritual leader or life coach. But if you ask your therapist, you may be disappointed. Melba Vasquez, PhD, a psychologist in independent practice in Austin, TX, has heard the plea a number of times throughout her career: “Why…

Olympic Skater Blames Positive Drug Test on Heart Medication Mix-Up

[ad_1] Feb. 16, 2022 Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva said her positive drug test was caused by a mix-up with her grandfather’s heart medication, according to Reuters. Denis Oswald, the permanent chair of the International Olympic Committee’s disciplinary commission, said Valieva discussed the mix-up at a Court of Arbitration for Sport hearing, which was convened…

Vaccination Reduces Chance of Getting Long COVID, Studies Say

[ad_1] Feb. 16, 2022 Vaccination against COVID-19 reduces the risk of developing long COVID and improves long COVID symptoms among those who were unvaccinated when infected, according to a new comprehensive review by the U.K. Health Security Agency. The review includes data from 15 U.K. and international studies, with seven studies examining whether COVID-19 vaccination…

1,400 NYC Workers Fired Over COVID Vaccine Mandate

[ad_1] Feb. 15, 2022 New York City fired 1,430 city workers for failing to comply with the city government’s vaccine mandate. Mayor Eric Adams said termination notices were sent Friday to the workers, most of whom had been on unpaid leave for months, The New York Times reported. Of the fired employees, about 900 worked…