On Sept. 12, 2023, an FDA advisory committee concluded that over-the-counter (OTC) oral phenylephrine — the main active ingredient in Sudafed PE — is ineffective as a treatment for nasal congestion. This finding did not strike healthcare practitioners as “especially surprising” given that its efficacy has been controversial for decades. Despite this, the ingredient is […]
Oral phenylephrine: placebo, in tablet form Read More »
You have just gotten back from a long day of work to eat dinner. You pick up your fork, take a generous scoop of food, and are instantly disappointed. Where is the flavor? Where is the satisfying reward of a savory meal? Luckily, the saltshaker on your table is an easy fix. However, this common
What Do You Mean Electric Chopsticks?! Read More »
Let’s face it, hair care is not an easy task. Personally, it takes me around four to five minutes of brushing my hair to get it looking presentable, and even then, the outside world could easily not cooperate and mess up my look. However for some people, no matter how hard they try, their hair
When your hair just won’t go flat Read More »
The accumulation of years, cognitive and physical decline, and reckoning with death’s inevitability drew the spoon-fed prince Siddhartha Gautama away from a life of copious riches and political popularity. While embarking outside his palace, the sight of a humble ascetic inspired a quest to understand the universal experience of suffering, or in other words, life.
Riches to rags: How the Buddha’s journey to enlightenment reimagined neurotherapeutics Read More »
As the days get shorter and the weather colder, keeping that frown upside down becomes an arduous task. While you might think you have what it takes to bear the elements through sheer willpower, your genetics and neurochemistry disagree. Studies of seasonal affective disorder (SAD) in Iceland and in various regions globally show that genetics
Fishing for happiness: Omega-3 and seasonal affective disorder Read More »
Bill Wilson co-founded Alcoholics Anonymous in the 1930s. He had struggled with alcoholism since his early twenties and depression even longer. But while AA helped Wilson recover from alcoholism, he remained frustrated with available mental health treatments. So, in the ‘50s, he began collaborating with psychologist Betty Eisner and discovered the power of LSD. In
Our brains on psychedelics: Getting creative in the treatment of mental illnesses Read More »
You enter the dining hall and see different cuisines such as Asian lo mein, Mexican carne asada, and Italian pasta; your mouth starts to salivate … it all looks scrumptious and delicious! Food tastes amazing and sometimes you may eat more than you plan to or don’t have any vegetables on your plate. Unfortunately, you
Mindful Eating: Savor every bite Read More »
Growing older is a blessing for many, but it doesn’t come without its downsides. Nicknamed “second puberty,” menopause happens between the ages of 45 and 55 for those with female reproductive systems. It is the body’s way of telling reproductive organs their job is done. Many women struggle with carrying out daily activities, yet 73%
Hormone replacement therapy: A delicate balance Read More »
With the scratch of skates on ice and the sickening crunch of a head-to-head hit on glass, hockey is marred by many injuries, but none as frequent or consequential as concussions. Though concussions occur across all sports, the risk of injury grows in the fast-paced, full-contact environment of hockey. A study at the Datalys Center
Top-shelf care: Concussions in Northeastern hockey Read More »