ADHD Meds May Not Work for Healthy College Students
Razi Berry Many college students rely on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medications to increase focus, stay up later in the evening, and be more productive. However, a recent study has found that these medications actually fail to improve cognition in healthy students and can actually impair functioning.1 Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medications The […]
Binge Drinking Lowers Working Memory in Adolescents
Razi Berry A recent study from Columbia University Irving Medical Center notes that binge drinking impairs working memory in the teenage brain.1 This study may help explain why adolescents who binge drink are 15 times as susceptible to alcoholism as adults. Teen Brains Vulnerable to Addictive Behaviors It is well known that the brains of […]
“Good Cholesterol” May Be “Bad” for These Women
Razi Berry A new study has suggested that high density lipoprotein (HDL), the “good cholesterol,” may not represent the same cardiovascular risk for post-menopausal women.1 The body needs cholesterol. All cellular membranes and hormones are made from this vital element. It is transported throughout the body by lipoproteins – this allows the hydrophobic cholesterol to […]
Are Hot Dogs Making People Crazy?
Razi Berry An interesting study has recently associated hot dogs and other processed meats with the development of mania, a psychological state marked by hyperactivity, euphoria and insomnia. An analysis of over a thousand individuals with and without psychiatric conditions has suggested that nitrates – compounds used in processed meats such as hot dogs, jerky, […]
No Such Thing as “Normal” Vaginas, All are Unique
Razi Berry Many women feel uncomfortable with the shape, size and overall appearance of their vagina. However, a recent study published in the journal BJOG, concludes that there is no such thing as a “normal vagina.” This is the largest study ever conducted on vaginas and vulvas of women, and may impact how women view […]
Vitamin D Deficiency May be Common in Pregnancy
Razi Berry A recent study from Norway determined that by the end of pregnancy, 1 in 3 women are deficient in vitamin D.1 During the winter, when the days are much darker, this percentage rose to nearly 50 percent. Lead author adds, “use of sunscreen during the summer months further inhibits vitamin D production” The […]
Cannabis Use in Children with Epilepsy
Razi Berry A recent research study on the use of cannabis in treatment-resistant forms of epilepsy differs from previously held beliefs about CBD versus THC.1 The study, conducted in Australia, found that parents treating children with medical cannabis extracts saw a great reduction in epileptic symptoms, up to 75 percent, however, products surprisingly contained relatively […]
Using an “Eye-chip” to Treat Eye Diseases
Razi Berry A research team has developed a new model for conducting research on the eye. The model is actually a living retina fragment on a chip.1 The model is intended to further the development of personalized treatment of eye diseases. Specifically, the “eye-on-a-chip” may become a less invasive technique for addressing the worsening eyesight […]
“Identity” Plays a Role in Smoking Relapses
Razi Berry A recent research study indicates that ex-smokers have difficulty in abstaining from smoking due to a drive to reclaim a sense of “who they are.” The study is from the University of East Anglia. Smoking relapse study The study suggests that relapse often occurs from a desire to reclaim a lost social identity, […]
Blood Pressure Meds Causing Problems in the Elderly
Razi Berry A new study from the Netherlands is questioning the recommendations for antihypertensive medication use in the elderly.1 The study shows that old and frail patients may have increased memory problems as well as increased mortality risk when blood pressure is lowered excessively through pharmaceutical intervention. The authors were awarded the 2018 research prize […]