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MDMA Makes People Feel Closer When Talking, Could Be Good for Therapy

Posted on October 4, 2023 by admin12

Researchers at the University of Chicago conducted a groundbreaking study. They published it in Scientific Reports on September 22, 2023, and explored the pharmacological effects of MDMA and its influence on social interactions.

This research aimed to understand how MDMA influences human connections on a deeper level.

Volunteers participated in a series of experiments in a meticulously controlled laboratory setting. They were divided into groups, some of whom were administered MDMA while others received a placebo.

This study is intriguing because it also included a group that received methamphetamine, a stimulant with different effects on the brain compared to MDMA. Despite their differences, researchers investigated both substances for their potential to enhance social connectedness.

Also Read, FDA Approve First RSV Vaccine for Pregnant Mothers to Safeguard Infants

Hanna Molla, Ph.D., a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience at the University of Chicago and the primary author of the study, provided insight, stating, “MDMA heightened sensations of connection, aligning individuals with their conversation partners and amplifying the significance of their interactions compared to those who received a placebo.”

But interestingly, we found the same effect with methamphetamine. Pharmacologically, there are distinctions between the drugs, so there might be differences in the underlying mechanisms to how these drugs produce feelings of closeness.”

The Lab of Social Interactions

This groundbreaking research took place under the guidance of Harriet de Wit, Ph.D., Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience at UChicago and senior author of the study.

De Wit’s team specializes in studying the effects of various substances on social interactions.

The experiment involved pairing healthy adult volunteers with partners they had never met. To ensure unbiased results, the participants were unaware whether they had received MDMA, methamphetamine, or a placebo.

This double-masked design aimed to minimize the influence of expectations on the participants’ experiences.

Following the administration of the substances, the volunteers engaged in structured conversations with their partners. The researchers provided question prompts to initiate casual discussions about topics like favorite TV shows or holidays, avoiding deep or highly emotional issues.

Also Read, Ban on Disposable Vapes Proposed Amid Concerns of Child Addiction

The Methamphetamine Surprise

The study also included an experiment with methamphetamine, albeit at a much lower dose than typically associated with recreational use.

Methamphetamine has the potential for abuse, but doctors also clinically prescribe it in small amounts to treat conditions such as narcolepsy and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Regarding brain receptor interactions, methamphetamine shares some similarities with MDMA but also exhibits differences.

In both experiments, the participants evaluated the overall quality of their conversations and their feelings towards their partners. Additionally, we collected saliva samples to measure oxytocin levels, a hormone that strengthens social bonds.

MDMA vs. Methamphetamine: A Closer Look

Volunteers who received MDMA reported feeling significantly more connected to their conversation partners and had more positive feelings about the interactions.

The drug also increased oxytocin levels, which correlated with the sense of closeness experienced.

In contrast, those who received methamphetamine reported similar feelings of intimacy with their partners. However, their emotions were not tied to oxytocin levels.

Researchers studying MDMA believe its ability to enhance traditional psychotherapy lies in its capacity to forge a stronger connection between the patient and therapist. This heightened connection can lead to more open and meaningful discussions about the patient’s emotions and experiences.

Harriet de Wit shared her thoughts, saying, “When people use a drug like MDMA for fun, they might think it helps them feel closer to others. As researchers, we’re curious about the psychological reasons behind this. Our findings from studying MDMA in a controlled lab setting suggest it could help with therapy and make it better. There might be various ways to make people feel closer, like through oxytocin with MDMA or other methods. But simply having a long conversation might also help people feel connected.”

Last Words

The study at the University of Chicago highlights the profound effects of MDMA and, surprisingly, methamphetamine on social interactions.

Although MDMA is commonly associated with recreational use, this research suggests that it has the potential to be a therapeutic tool, especially in psychotherapy.

As we delve deeper into the complex world of human emotions and connections, these findings open up new possibilities. They can enhance therapy and human relationships.

Also Read, How has artificial intelligence in healthcare evolved

FDA Approve First RSV Vaccine for Pregnant Mothers to Safeguard Infants

Posted on August 22, 2023August 22, 2023 by Admin

On Monday, the Food and Drug Administration granted approval to a vaccine designed for administration to pregnant individuals. This vaccine aims to safeguard infants from RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) during their initial six months of life.

In a groundbreaking development, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a vaccine. This vaccine is designed to safeguard infants from the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).”

Pfizer, a pharmaceutical giant known for its pioneering work in vaccine development, has produced a single-dose shot named Abrysvo. This vaccine triggers the production of protective antibodies transferred from the mother to the infant through the placenta. It marks a significant milestone. This is the first vaccine to protect against RSV, a virus notorious for causing severe lower respiratory illnesses in infants.

However, it’s important to note that just last month, the FDA approved an injectable RSV drug for infants, delivering a direct dose of antibodies into the bloodstream.

Before Abrysvo can be made widely available to the public, an advisory committee to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) must determine the target demographic for vaccination.

Following this, Dr. Mandy Cohen, the Director of the CDC, will formally endorse the vaccine. Pfizer anticipates that the CDC advisory committee will convene by early October. The vaccine is expected to become accessible shortly after its official endorsement.

The Abrysvo Vaccine – Targeting Pregnant People at 32 to 36 Weeks Gestation

The newly approved Abrysvo vaccine is intended explicitly for pregnant individuals at 32 to 36 weeks gestation. Notably, this vaccine received approval in late May for individuals aged 60 and older and is already available at select Walgreens locations.

RSV infections are typically mild, with most children contracting the virus by age 2. However, in severe cases, RSV infections can lead to pneumonia or bronchiolitis, which can inflame the airways and cause blockages due to mucus buildup. Vulnerable populations include older adults and babies, with RSV responsible for up to 300 deaths annually among those under the age of 5 in the United States and up to 160,000 hospitalizations among individuals aged 65 and above.

The previous RSV season, they witnessed a dramatic surge in severe illnesses, leading to overwhelmed children’s hospitals. A recent study published this month revealed that most babies admitted to the intensive care unit with RSV in late 2022 were previously healthy and born full-term.

Abrysvo’s Clinical Trial – Promising Protection Against RSV

Tamara Zangrilli, an operations coordinator at Children’s Hospital Colorado, was among the first individuals to receive the Abrysvo vaccine while pregnant. Her decision was not taken lightly, as she and her husband deliberated extensively before opting for the experimental vaccine.

“We, really, really discussed it. Zangrilli shared, “My husband and I deliberated for three days, contemplating whether we should proceed.”

Ultimately, her concern for her baby’s well-being led her to participate in Pfizer’s clinical trial in 2021.

In the clinical trial involving nearly 7,400 participants, Abrysvo reduced the risk of severe RSV-related illnesses in infants by 82% within approximately three months after birth. By the six-month mark, the vaccine’s efficacy was around 69%.

Dr. Bill Gruber, Pfizer’s senior vice president of clinical research and development, stated, “If we introduce it widely, it will stop some children from requiring hospitalization or ventilators this winter.”

Among pregnant women who received the shot, the most common side effects reported were fatigue, headache, injection site pain, muscle pain, nausea, joint pain, and diarrhea.

Addressing Concerns and Looking to the Future

In May, a committee of experts appointed by the FDA meticulously examined data concerning the vaccine. The group generally praised its effectiveness. However, they raised some concerns about the duration of protection and the potential risk of preterm birth. Throughout the trial, observers noted that individuals who received the vaccine (5.7%) had a slightly higher rate of giving birth before reaching 37 weeks of gestation. This is in comparison to those who received a placebo (4.7%).

Although these rates were not statistically significant, the vaccine’s prescribing label warns against administering Abrysvo before 32 weeks gestation. This caution is due to this numerical imbalance. According to the CDC, it’s important to note that both observed rates were lower than the rate of preterm births in the general population. This rate typically hovers around 10%. Pfizer has committed to ongoing monitoring of the risk of preterm birth among vaccine recipients.

Dr. Gruber reassures the public: “There’s a long track record of safety for administering vaccines to pregnant women.” This applies to diseases like pertussis, influenza, and tetanus.

Two Options for Infant Protection: Abrysvo and Beyfortus

Unlike previous RSV seasons, expectant parents and those with young infants now have two options to protect their children.

The CDC recommends the antibody injection, Beyfortus, for babies up to 8 months old. This recommendation applies to those born during or entering their first RSV season, which typically commences around October. They also recommend it for infants aged 8 to 19 months. This recommendation is for those who face an increased risk of severe disease in their second season.

While Abrysvo may offer a broader antibody response that resembles the body’s natural defense against viruses, we currently lack direct data comparing the two vaccines.

Health authorities have not yet issued recommendations regarding expectant mothers. They haven’t clarified whether those planning to vaccinate their infants with Beyfortus should also consider receiving the Abrysvo vaccine. This issue may be a subject of discussion for the CDC’s advisory committee.

Zangrilli, who participated in the Abrysvo clinical trial, reports that her 18-month-old son, Harrison, has not tested positive for RSV. She remains open to receiving the vaccine again if health authorities recommend it for future pregnancies.

FDA’s approval of Pfizer’s Abrysvo vaccine offers hope for protecting infants from severe RSV-related illnesses. While some have raised concerns about preterm births, we will continue refining our understanding of the safety and efficacy of this groundbreaking vaccine. This will be achieved through ongoing monitoring and research.

Also Read, Powassan Virus: 4 Confirmed Cases in Connecticut, CT

4000 Daily Steps Linked to Reduced Death Risk – New Study

Posted on August 16, 2023August 18, 2023 by Admin

Recent research has debunked the notion that hitting 10,000 steps daily is necessary for health improvement. A mere 4,000 steps per day show a lowered risk of death, as revealed by an analysis published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology.

Pooling data from 17 studies across six nations, the research establishes that individuals taking around 4,000 steps daily witnessed a decrease in all-cause mortality. The risk of death diminishes as the step count rises.

The research disclosed a 15% decline in overall death risk for every extra 1,000 daily steps. Notably, there’s no upper limit to the benefits of walking; even as high as 20,000 steps a day exhibited advantages. Notably, younger adults gained a more pronounced reduction in death risk compared to their older counterparts.

Dr. Maciej Banach, lead author, and cardiology professor at the Medical University of Lodz, emphasized the importance of early and maximum step accumulation for optimal health benefits.

Incorporating almost 227,000 participants from various countries, the analysis followed subjects for around seven years. Significant risk reductions emerged for cardiovascular mortality, with walking just 2,337 steps daily linked to lower risk. Each additional 500 degrees translated to a further 7% risk reduction.

Also Read: AstraZeneca’s COVID Antibody Protects Immune-Compromised

The study proposed an ideal step range for different age groups: 7,000 to

13,000 daily for those under 60 and 6,000 to 10,000 for those over 60. Contrary to popular belief, 10,000 steps isn’t the sole benchmark, confirmed Amanda Paluch, epidemiologist, and kinesiologist at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

The origin of the 10,000-step target dates back to a 1965 Japanese marketing campaign for a pedometer named “Manpo-kei.” Paluch underscores that while a healthy aspiration, it lacks scientific grounding.

For lightly active individuals, aiming for 5,000 daily steps could be reasonable.

Paluch’s research, part of the current analysis, revealed a 50% to 60% lower mortality risk for those walking between 6,000 to 11,000 steps daily, compared to the 3,500 steps median.

Numerous studies have demonstrated walking’s heart, cancer, diabetes, and dementia benefits.

The Department of Health and Human Services recommends 150 to 300 minutes of moderate physical activity weekly, or 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous exercise, combined with muscle-strengthening activities twice weekly.

Moderate physical activity elevates heart rate, contributing to health. Though daily steps are light activity, they don’t fully align with federal guidelines. Amanda Paluch advises combining aerobic and resistance training for optimal health outcomes.

Also Read: Human Metapneumovirus: What You Should Know About This Virus

EPA Proposes Regulation to Limit ‘Forever Chemicals in Water’ to Lowest Levels Detected

Posted on August 10, 2023August 10, 2023 by Admin

“The proposed plan would put stern limits of 4 parts per trillion, the lowest level that can easily detect, for two general types of PFAS compounds called PFOS and PFOA. Also, the EPA wants to regulate the combined amount of all four other types of Forever chemicals.”

On Tuesday, The US Environmental Protection Agency proposed a new health parameter in which the amount of harmful “forever chemicals” in drinking water needs limit to the lowest level so that tests can detect them. This new water safety law will save thousands of lives and prevent serious water-borne illnesses.

Also Read, Low Breastfeeding Rates Found in Infants Born to COVID-19 Affected Mothers: Health Study

This marks that the Environmental Protection Agency has come up with a proposal for putting regulations on a toxic group of compounds that are widespread, detrimental, and costly to remove from water.

PFAs also called per- and polyfluorinated substances, are non-biodegradable and associated with a wide range of health disorders, including kidney cancer, and low birth weight. EPA says drinking water is a potential source of PFAs exposure for people.

‘Forever Chemicals’ Leave A Decades-Long Legacy

PFAs or Forever chemicals had been used in consumer products and industry for the last 80 years. Their use is now almost no more in the U.S., but some still remain.

The proposed plan would put stern limits of 4 parts per trillion, the lowest level that can easily detect, for two general types of PFAS compounds called PFOS and PFOA. Also, the EPA wants to regulate all four other types of Forever chemicals.

In this proposal, the public would able to make comments and the EPA can make changes before issuing a final regulation. Water providers will get some time to adjust.

Human Metapneumovirus: What is it? What You Should Know About the Virus that Slipped through Everyone’s Notice

Posted on June 1, 2023August 16, 2023 by Admin

Discover the elusive Human Metapneumovirus: Learn about this unnoticed respiratory virus and stay informed about its risks and symptoms.

Everyone was focused on diseases like flu and RSV during the winter months However, Americans may have missed a vital pathogen called Human metapneumovirus, also known as hMPV.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention this week announced an increase in the number of cases of hMPV across the country during the season of winter and spring experts believe this could be due to an increase in people’s capacity to detect different viruses.

Dr. Rick Malley, an infectious disease expert at Boston Children’s Hospital, stated that “there is a much greater focus on identifying the cause of (infections) than we’ve ever had.”

He attributes that focus to the COVID-19 epidemic.

I think that you’re hearing more about this particular virus because the importance of other viruses and the diseases they cause have diminished, the speaker continued.

This article will provide all the information you need regarding the virus-causing respiratory illness that was through the air this year with regard to symptoms and transmission and treatment.

What is Human Metapneumovirus, also known as hMPV?

Human metapneumovirus, also known as hMPV, is an infection that is affecting those with the respiratory and respiratory tract in the words of the CDC. While it can affect anyone of all ages, the agency declares that young children, elderly adults, and those with weak immune systems are more at risk.

According to the CDC, HMPV is a member of the Pneumoviridae family, which also includes breathing syncytial viruses, and was first discovered in 2001.

Human Metapneumovirus is just the Result of a Cold? What are the Symptoms of hMPV?

The American Lung Association states that mild symptoms resembling a cold are the norm for people with hMPV. For healthy people, symptoms typically last two to five days and disappear on their own.

The CDC suggests that the most common symptoms are:

Cough
Fever
Nasal congestion
Breathlessness

Young children, elderly adults, and those who have weak immune systems are at a higher risk of getting more severe illnesses and can suffer from asthmatic wheezing, breathing difficulties, and the occurrence of asthma-related flare-ups.

The American Lung Association reported that secondary illnesses, such as bronchiolitis, bronchitis, and pneumonia, can also be present and may require medical attention.

Read, FDA Approves Paxlovid for High-Risk Adult Covid Treatment

What is the Human Metapneumovirus Spread?

As with other respiratory viruses, hMPV is typically spread from person to person via:

Contact with an infected person
Coughing
Sneezing
In the event of touching objects, you’ll get the virus

The CDC states that this virus is most likely to spread in the winter and spring, just like RSV, the flu RSV and cold-related viruses.

Do you require Antibiotics to Treat Human Metapneumovirus?

There is no treatment for antiviral for hMPV or a vaccine to stop the infection according to the CDC.

Because symptoms of hMPV typically resolve without treatment, however, they are not a cause for concern. American Lung Association says treatment generally consists of medications available over-the-counter to manage fever, pain, and congestion.

Medical attention is recommended for patients who experience more severe symptoms, such as wheezing. A doctor can prescribe an inhaler for a short period and steroids as per the American Lung Association.

Malley explained that antibiotics are used to treat infections caused by bacteria, but not viral ones. However, HMPV is associated with an increased risk of developing pneumonia caused by bacterial bacteria, which doctors typically treat with antibiotics.

“This virus may be a very important co-conspirator in causing pneumonia, particularly pneumococcal pneumonia,” the physician stated. “Just because a person has a virus doesn’t necessarily mean that there isn’t a bacterium nearby.”

Read, AstraZeneca’s COVID Antibody Protects Immune-Compromised

FDA Approves Paxlovid for High-Risk Adult Covid Treatment

Posted on May 26, 2023June 11, 2023 by Admin

The FDA first released Paxlovid available under an emergency authorization for use. The new ruling means that numerous studies prove that the drug is safe and effective.

Paxlovid, an antiviral drug made by Pfizer’s Covid, received full approval from the Food and Drug Administration on Thursday for use in people who are at high risk of developing a severe case of the virus.

Medical guidelines recommend Paxlovid for the treatment of moderate to mild Covid in adults over 50 years old and those with specific medical conditions that increase their risk of hospitalization or death from Covid.

This includes those with heart disease, diabetes, or cancer, as well as a flawed immune system.

Up to 75% of adults in the United States are at very high risk of developing severe COVID.

The FDA first released Paxlovid available in December 2021, under emergency use approval for people at high risk aged 12 and over. Following the results of an early clinical trial, the FDA swiftly approved the treatment with this designation.

The FDA’s recent decision means there’s now ample research evidence that suggests Paxlovid is safe and effective.

The treatment comprises two medicines: Nirmatrelvir, which blocks an important enzyme required by the Covid virus for reproduction, and ritonavir, which enhances the first medication’s capacity to fight off the disease.

Both Pfizer as well as the FDA consider the treatment an important tool in addition in conjunction with vaccination. It can help those at-risk Americans to manage their Covid illnesses and eventually save lives.

According to January estimates from FDA researchers, Paxlovid may “lead to 1,500 lives saved and 13,000 hospitalizations averted each week” in the United States using Covid rates.

It’s not clear what the future developments will be like later this year.

The U.S. has 1.1 million doses of the treatment everyone for free. When the government exhausts that, it will move Paxlovid’s distribution into the market for commercial use.

This implies that Pfizer will offer Paxlovid straight to healthcare professionals at a cost the company hasn’t yet disclosed. The current price for a course of Paxlovid is around $530.

Pfizer has seen Paxlovid sales increase to almost $19 billion by 2022. However, it expects sales of the medicine to decline by 58% by 2023

In March an advisory panel composed of independent experts of the FDA suggested the treatment in light of three of Pfizer’s clinical studies.

One study investigated the risk of high-risk individuals who had not received vaccination and had no prior Covid infection.

The study found that Paxlovid decreased the chance of hospitalization or death by:

86% among patients who were treated in the first five days following initial symptoms.
89% of patients were treated within 3 days, as per an FDA examination of data from the company.

There were no significant safety issues discovered in the study, as per the review. However, the agency did flag 137 medicines that could result in serious adverse reactions if combined with Paxlovid.

The FDA stated that the most commonly used medications that caused safety concerns included:

Immunosuppressants, which are frequently employed to treat HIV.
Immunosuppressants used in patients undergoing organ transplants.

The Office for Surveillance and Epidemiology of the FDA reported 271 cases of serious adverse events that interactions between drugs and Paxlovid could cause. This included six deaths and 147 hospitalizations at the end of January.

Altering the dosage of specific drugs and increasing the monitoring of patients. Making sure that labeling on products provides patients and their prescribers with information about possible interactions between drugs.

Some doctors have another aspect of concern: “rebound cases” of Paxlovid. That’s when patients who receive the medication notice that their Covid symptoms recur or they test positive shortly after their initial recovery.

The reports of these cases came in the days following Paxlovid first came on the market.

President Joe Biden and Dr. Anthony Fauci, his former chief medical advisor, both appeared to be able to recover from Covid after consuming the antiviral drink, but they later tested positive again.

The FDA review of Pfizer’s clinical trials found that the overall rate of comeback varied between 10 and 16 percent. Those who took Paxlovid compared to those who received a placebo observed no evidence of a higher rate of symptom rebound or moderate symptom rebound.

As per an FDA review, the results were valid regardless of the risks of getting sick. It was also valid regardless of whether the Omicron variant or a prior variant of the virus was dominant.

AstraZeneca’s COVID Antibody Protects Immune-Compromised

Posted on April 20, 2023 by Admin

“AstraZeneca, a British-Swedish multinational pharmaceutical and biotechnological company based at Cambridge Biomedical Campus in England, is confident that its new version of COVID-19 antibody treatment is capable of protecting immunocompromised patients against all marked virus variants.”

During the first wave of COVID, many companies proposed their own version of COVID vaccines and AstraZeneca is one of them. It is a British-Swedish multinational pharmaceutical and biotechnological company based at Cambridge Biomedical Campus in England.

Also Read, Insomnia and Sleep Apnea like Sleep Disorders Increase in Women with MS

The pharma company has developed a new version of COVID-19 antibody treatment. The company is confident that this new treatment is capable of protecting immunocompromised patients against all marked virus variants.

According to reports, the company plans to make its antibody available by the end of 2023. This is because of pending regulatory approval and the need for more positive data.

Iskra Reic, Executive Vice President, said, “Laboratory studies show the antibody, called AZD3152, neutralizes all known variants of COVID-19 and AstraZeneca has support from regulators to make the treatment available by the end of this year”

Antibody therapies have become a must for people whose immune systems are compromised. This can be due to undergoing immunosuppressive treatments or having underlying health conditions. These people account for approx 2 percent of the global population.

January 2023, the U.S. health regulator revoked the emergency use authorization of the pharma company’s original COVID-19 antibody cocktail, Evusheld. The reason cited for the revocation was the emergence of new dominant variants of the virus.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration‘s (FDA) decision matched the concerns which were raised by the health regulator of Europe.

The multinational pharma company developed a new COVID-19 antibody called AZD3152. Last year, the British biotech startup RQ Bio acquired AZD3152 in a deal worth $157 million.

Iskra Reic also said, “Iskra Reic also said, “The British drugmaker will likely make future investments like its current partnerships with RQ Bio. However, the company did not have any deals to announce at present.”

Insomnia and Sleep Apnea like Sleep Disorders Increase in Women with MS

Posted on April 2, 2023April 20, 2023 by Admin

“Researchers concluded based on the data of over 60K women in the 2013 and 2017 waves of the Nurse’s Health Study that women with MS were more prone than those who haven’t it, report sleep disorders like insomnia, sleep apnea, and sleepiness.”

While thought retardation can be a general symptom of multiple sclerosis in women, new research suggests sleep, or lack of it, could make the condition worse.

Also Read, NBA Warns Fans of Cyber Attack and Data Breach

Researchers concluded based on the data of over 60K women in the 2013 and 2017 waves of the Nurse’s Health Study that women with MS were more prone than those who haven’t, report sleep disorders like insomnia, sleep apnea, and sleepiness.

Dr. Tiffany Braley, Director of the Multiple Sclerosis/Neuroimmunology Division and the MS Fatigue and Sleep Clinic at the University of Michigan Health, explained, “Sleep disorders have gained substantial recognition for their role in cognitive [thinking] decline, which affects up to 70% of people with multiple sclerosis.

Dr. Braley extended his words, “Our results highlighted important pathways between sleep and perceptions of cognitive function in women with MS. We have previously identified important associations between objective cognitive performance and sleep in people with MS, but little is known about how sleep and MS interact together to impact long-term cognitive outcomes, particularly among women who are less likely to be diagnosed with sleep disorders.”

Sleep Apnea and Insomnia, and in 2013 contributed to thinking problems in women having MS in 2017 including memory and ability to follow instructions and conversations.

The study revealed sleep apnea-like sleep disorder hails for 34% of the total impact between MS and the ability to follow instructions.

Galit Levi Dunietz, an associate professor in the Department of Neurology’s Division of Sleep Medicine at Michigan Medicine, “With this longitudinal study design, we are able to better estimate the burden of sleep disorders among nurses, compared to health care claims data of similar size, which include diagnosed people with sleep disorders,”.

FDA Approves Over-the-Counter Narcan for Opioid Overdose Prevention

Posted on March 29, 2023April 20, 2023 by Admin

“The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the sale of naloxone without providing a prescription, setting the overdose-reversing medicine on course to become the first treatment drug for opioids to be sold through the counter.”

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the sale of naloxone without providing a prescription, setting the overdose-reversing medicine on course to become the first treatment drug for opioids to be sold through the counter.

Also Read, Insomnia and Sleep Apnea like Sleep Disorders Increase in Women with MS

This measure has been taken to enhance access to life-saving medication, though the exact impact will not be clear immediately.

WHAT IS NARCAN?

NARCAN is the best-known form of naloxone and an approved branded nasal spray manufactured by Emergent BioSolutions based in Maryland.

Naloxone has the capability to reverse overdoses of opioids including street medicine like fentanyl, heroin, and prescription versions of oxycodone.

Making naloxone widely accessible is being considered a key strategy to control the nationwide overdose crisis, which has caused over 100,000 deaths a year in the U.S. Most deaths have been because of opioids, primarily potent synthetic versions like fentanyl that can take multiple doses of naloxone to reverse.

Experts believe it’s significant to get Naloxone to people who may take overdoses of opioids, including those who use drugs and their similar versions.

WHAT DOES THE FDA APPROVAL MEAN?

Emergent BioSolutions said naloxone i.e. Narcan will be available at the counter by late summer.

Other versions of naloxone and injectable forms will still take time to be available over the counter.

Harm Reduction Therapeutics Inc., a nonprofit organization backed by Purdue Pharma, the OxyContin maker, has applied before the FDA to distribute its version of spray naloxone without a prescription.

Phthalates may Cause Diabetes in Women – Health Study Reports

Posted on February 16, 2023 by Admin

Synopsis

According to new Health Study Reports, the Phthalates may Cause Diabetes in Women. Read and know in detail here.

“Phthalates are at the top of the exceptionally harmful list, chemicals added to many plastics in order to make them flexible. These chemicals have been part of many health concerns, including obesity, endocrine disruption, reproductive issues, and allergies.”

Plastic is a ubiquitous material and has applications almost everywhere. It helps pack our clothes, food and drink, and uses in the packaging of our personal care products.

Also Read, 12 Tips by WebMD Avoid Diabetes Complications

They are even used in the packaging of drinking water bottles and the air we breathe in the form of microplastics.

While plastic may have multiple uses, increasing scientific evidence suggests that some plastic components may be harmful to the health of humans.

Phthalates are at top of the exceptionally harmful list, chemicals added to many plastics in order to make them flexible These chemicals have been part of many health concerns, including obesity, endocrine disruption, reproductive issues, and allergies.

Insulin is the most likely hormone that can get affected by phthalates. Insulin is a hormone that controls glucose levels in the blood and makes carbohydrate available to cells.

A health study in adolescents says there are chances of insulin resistance with increased urinary phthalate levels, which is often a source to type 2 diabetes.

There were similar observations in another study done in older adults which showed that exposure to diethyl hexyl phthalates (DEHP), one particular group of phthalates, caused increased oxidative stress and insulin resistance.

Now, The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism longitudinal study has found that women with exposure to high levels of phthalates have increased risk of developing diabetes up to 63%.

Dr Ishita Prakash Patel, board-certified endocrinologist, at Texas Diabetes and Endocrinology, said, “The study subjects were chosen from a larger longitudinal study of midlife women to evaluate an association between phthalates in the urine and [the] development of diabetes. The study found an association between higher levels of certain phthalates and development of diabetes in white women, but not the other races studied — Black and Asian.”

Tag: health news