Alcohol’s effects on the brain, especially among the elderly, have long been a subject of scientific inquiry. A recent study from Gothenburg, Sweden, provides new insights into how varying levels of alcohol consumption impact brain structure in individuals aged 70 and over. This research sheds light on the relationship between alcohol intake and the aging …
The COVID-19 pandemic has undeniably transformed various facets of human life, including our health behaviors and substance consumption patterns. Through the lens of wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE), a study conducted in Riga, Latvia, from December 2020 to July 2023, sheds light on how the pandemic and subsequent restrictions have impacted the use of pharmaceuticals and recreational …
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) emerges as a promising, noninvasive treatment for reducing cravings in substance addiction. This technique involves the use of scalp electrodes to modulate neural activity, influencing cravings associated with drug addiction or substance dependence. Despite its promise, further research is needed to standardize protocols and understand long-term efficacy. Highlights: tDCS significantly …
Xanax (alprazolam) is a drug of the benzodiazepine class originally developed by Upjohn, a Michigan-based pharmaceutical company (now a subsidiary of Pfizer). In the United States, Xanax first received FDA approval for the treatment of panic disorder and hit the market as a prescription medication in 1981. It eventually received subsequent FDA approval for the …
ZzzQuil is an over-the-counter (OTC) sleep aid manufactured by Vicks (a subsidiary of Proctor & Gamble) that initially hit the market in 2012. When administered on an “as-needed” basis, ZzzQuil is thought to alleviate occasional bouts of insomnia and other sleep disturbances with minimal risk of abuse, addiction, and/or dependence – as compared to pharmaceutical …
Hypothyroidism is a medical condition characterized by insufficient secretion of thyroid hormone (thyroxine) by the follicular cells of the thyroid gland. Common symptoms of hypothyroidism include: chronic fatigue, depression, memory deficits, and weight gain. If you’ve been diagnosed with hypothyroidism, there’s a good chance you’re utilizing a thyroid replacement therapy such as Synthroid or Armour …
It is estimated that over 85% of adults in the United States have consumed alcohol at some point during their lifetime. Of these individuals, over 70% have had a drink within the past year, and upwards of 55% of individuals have had a drink within the past month. Alcoholic beverages contain the psychoactive substance “ethanol,” …