Summary: Opioid crisis and opiate abuse have only worsened in recent years, despite declining rates of opioid prescription. It is no secret that many people living with OUD are not seeking treatment. There are many causes for people not seeking treatment, like clinics not taking new patients, or many are just hesitant to seek treatment. However, telemedicine now offers hope. Doctors can not only treat OUD through online apps or platforms but also prescribe drugs like suboxone, which is a combination of buprenorphine and naloxone.

It is no secret that there are many reasons why so many people are not getting OUD treatment. One of the reasons is that there are just not enough clinics and specialists to treat the condition. In addition, many clinics are not taking new patients, and there are long waiting times.

Another, perhaps, even more significant reason is that those living with any kind of addiction do not want to go to clinics. There is much hesitance. They think that others would not understand their problem or simply do not want to travel, seek help, and more.

However, what if we said that now you can get opioid treatment programs online and prescription for medications? Finally, many states have approved the use of telemedicine in treating OUD. It is the right step, considering the scale of the problem.

Moreover, for most people living with opioid addiction, privacy is also a significant reason for not seeking help. Now they can expect to get treatment in the privacy of their home and even expect to get prescription medication.

Many clinics have now launched online OUD treatment services, which are completely legal. But, of course, there are some requirements to be fulfilled. For example, DEA has made it necessary that patients should undergo live video interviews with healthcare providers and not consult via chat. These limitations are just for the first time, as later, one can keep in touch with the clinics through other means.

Currently, a drug called suboxone is approved for treating addiction through telemedicine. It means that doctors can prescribe this to those living with OUD without the need to visit a clinic. It is among the most effective drugs to treat OUD, and it is a combination of buprenorphine and naloxone.

Suboxone is a very interesting medication and quite effective due to its unique mode of action. For example, buprenorphine works almost in the same way on opioid receptors as oxycodone. However, its activity is much less. Naloxone, on the other hand, blocks the effects of opioids.

Generally, naloxone is not used along with opioids like medications due to the risk of some severe side effects. However, it seems that combining it with buprenorphine is safe and good. Such a combination help overcome withdrawal syndrome quite effectively and, at the same time, block some of the unpleasant effects of prolonged opioid use. Hence, it is among the most effective ways to recover.

Online suboxone prescription is legal, but not in all states. Thus, if you are looking for a suboxone treatment option, you would need to check if online it is legal in your state. Of course, it is worth understanding that things are changing fast, and it is becoming legal in an increasing number of states. Thus, checking the latest information is always a good idea.

Of course, there are some other limitations of this kind of treatment. Besides the first online video interview, doctors would regularly ask you to get tested for opioid use. They would often send you a testing kit, and you will need to carry out the required tests, or else doctors can stop prescribing suboxone. These are some of DEA’s strict requirements, and everyone must stick to them.

Here it is vital to understand one more important thing; if suboxone online prescribing is legal in your state, it does not mean that just any doctor can prescribe it. Buprenorphine is still a controlled substance; thus, clinicians need to obtain a special waiver from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

Moreover, to avoid any pain killer addiction, there has to be a strict dosage prescription policy , both by the patient and the doctor.

Summary: TKA is a major surgical intervention requiring prolonged use of painkillers post-surgery. Additionally, doctors also need to use anxiolytics and antidepressants to manage emotional distress in many patients. A new study shows that those requiring psychotropics are also more likely to require longer opioid use due to a greater pain score.

 

Knee osteoarthritis, a common condition in the United States affecting millions of people, can be treated with various methods, including opioid addiction treatment. It is characterized by the degeneration of cartilage in the knee joint, leading to pain and disability that can significantly impact a person’s quality of life, making it difficult to perform everyday activities such as walking, climbing stairs, and participating in physical activities.

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA), also known as knee replacement surgery, is a common treatment option for individuals with severe knee osteoarthritis. TKA involves removing the damaged parts of the knee and replacing them with artificial components, which can significantly reduce pain and improve mobility. However, TKA is typically only recommended for patients who have not responded to less invasive treatments, such as physical therapy, weight management, and pain management.

TKA is a major surgical intervention. However, it also provides significant relief to the patient once the joint has healed after the surgery. In addition, TKA ultimately results in lower dependence on painkillers, as most are able to live without painkillers. Generally, patients need opioids for the first three months after the intervention. Opioids, though highly effective in controlling postoperative pain, are not an excellent choice. They slow down healing processes. Additionally, though minimal, but there is still a risk that prolonged opioid therapy in the post-surgical phase may increase the risk of opioid dependence in some.

However, it is worth understanding that pain is not the sole concern of those who undergo TKA. Most patients also require treatment for mental health issues, for emotional distress. Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) can also cause significant anxiety and depression in some patients. The reasons for this can be diverse and interrelated but generally stem from the patient’s concerns about the outcome of the surgery, the recovery process, and the ability to return to normal activities.

Chronic pain, which is a common symptom of knee osteoarthritis, can lead to depression and anxiety. In addition, the physical limitations imposed by the pain and disability associated with knee osteoarthritis can also contribute to feelings of hopelessness and depression.  All this means that doctors frequently use psychotropics in TKA patients to manage pain and mental health issues. Moreover, many patients report better pain relief when they are provided drugs like anxiolytics or antidepressants along with opioids.

However, now some researchers warn against the frequent use of anxiolytics or antidepressants in TKA patients. Since new studies show that using these drugs may result in longer opioid use in patients. Not only that the patients use opioids for longer, they even had higher pain scores when psychotropics were used along with opioids. Although, it does not seem to have any influence on readmission rates or emergency department visits.

It means that using psychotropics in TKA patients along with opioids has limited health benefits and must be used with great care. Overall, researchers found that patients on these medications require more aggressive pain control after surgery. Moreover, these issues were seen even in patients prescribed anxiolytics or antidepressants for other reasons, and they did not experience anxiety or depression. Of course, it is not possible to treat all the patients without these drugs. Nonetheless, the study shows that those living with mood disorders are more likely to experience prolonged post-TKA pain and recover slower.

It is our mission to bring real hope and transformational change to patients who would otherwise be consigned to a lifetime of medications, doctor’s visits, and suffering. We expose misaligned incentives and return the power of health to the individual. We believe empowered individuals change their communities. We use a combination of lifestyle intervention, medication management, and emerging scientific research to help our patients.  When you are ready or have questions, reach out.

The content provided herein is not intended to provide assessment, diagnosis, treatment, or medical advice; it also does not constitute provision of healthcare services. No information in this content should ever be considered as a substitute for advice from a healthcare professional, it is provided for thoughtful discussion, informational and educational purposes only.

Summary: Alcohol consumption is socially accepted; in many cultures, it is even a sign of adulthood. However, many people start drinking alcohol excessively. It seems that some people are susceptible to alcoholism. Alcoholism is a severe health issue. However, there is still a lack of good understanding of the problem. There is no single test that can help confirm the diagnosis. Nonetheless, there are now clearly defined alcoholism stages and proven ways to manage alcohol addiction. Thus, those addicted to alcohol must seek suboxone treatment, understanding that being sober is the new high.

Humans have consumed alcohol for ages. Its consumption is socially accepted. Not only that, in many societies, particularly in western nations, drinking alcohol is considered a sign of growing up as some say that only children must be sober.

All this means that millions of people consume alcohol regularly. Studies suggest that almost 85% of adults in the US consume alcohol. About five to six percent of the total US adults are addicted to alcohol. It means that they are living with alcoholism.

One of the issues with alcoholism is that it does not have well-defined boundaries. It is unclear who is an alcoholic. There are no tests or biomarkers that can be done to diagnose alcoholism. It means that alcoholism is mainly diagnosed clinically or indirectly.

There is also good news. Studies also show that consuming alcohol is not considered chic anymore. Therefore, there is some decline in excessive alcohol drinking. There has been a decline in alcohol consumption even in the last few years. 

It means that an increasing number of people realize the dangers of excessive alcohol drinking. And thus, many people now recognize that drinking alcohol is not essentially cool. 

Alcohol addiction is a severe health problem

These days, excessive alcohol consumption is not more regarded as a habit or a lack of willpower to control oneself. Instead, medical science now views excessive alcohol consumption as a health disorder.

In fact, medical science now defines the three stages of alcohol dependence. It starts with the first stage, when a person begins consuming alcohol frequently. Although, at this stage, a person does not have many issues with alcohol, nonetheless, they seek a reason to drink. For example, during the first stage, a person starts drinking alcohol to combat boredom, celebrate something, and combat loneliness.

During the first stage, the body starts adapting to alcohol. It means that such individuals do not show many signs of alcohol consumption and can even function well when intoxicated. In addition, these people can resist some of the effects of alcohol.

These individuals start developing physical and mental dependence from the middle or second stage. Their organs start becoming dependent on alcohol. Their heart starts beating irregularly, which causes damage to their heart muscles. Excessive drinking causes changes in the liver and gastrointestinal tract. They start drinking habitually and start developing erratic behavior. They also show withdrawal symptoms like nausea, sweating, and severe irritability.

Finally, many develop late-stage alcohol dependence. It is a full-blown alcohol dependency. It is a stage that is called alcoholism. These people live with severe malnutrition, liver disease, low immunity, heart disease, and other physical and mental ailments. They often suffer from blackouts and memory loss. 

As one can understand, the third stage of alcohol dependence is a full-blown health disorder that requires medical treatment. 

Overcoming alcohol addiction

It is vital to understand that alcohol addiction shares many traits with drug addiction. Therefore, one must be similarly treated for alcohol addiction. In the US, a 12-step program for addiction treatment is commonly used. But, of course, it is not the only way to treat addiction, but one of the recommendations.

It has some important components, like realizing helplessness in overcoming addiction. It is also about believing that higher power can help and then asking the higher power to help. Finally, it is about making a list of shortcomings and then trying to overcome them. This 12-step program is also about maintaining the personal inventory, admitting when one is wrong, and more.

The good thing about the 12-step program is that it focuses much on boosting inner strength and enabling people to overcome their addiction by themselves. Of course, no single method may work for all. Many people cannot overcome addictions through this program or sheer willpower. In such cases, seeking specialized treatment for the addiction is the way forward. It is vital to understand that being sober is the new high.

Summary: Fibromyalgia is a common chronic disorder causing body aches, fatigue, tenderness in various body parts, depression, sleep disorders, and more. The condition is caused by certain changes in the brain that remain poorly understood by science. Doctors treat fibromyalgia using painkillers, antidepressants, and other medications, but the treatment is far from satisfactory. However, new studies suggest that psychedelics like psilocybin or LSD may help in chronic pain treatment, as they can help reset the brain, providing long-term relief in the condition.

Fibromyalgia is among the most complex disorders to diagnose and treat. Fibromyalgia causes widespread body aches. There are multiple areas of high pain sensitivity. Not only that, but it also causes fatigue, sleep disorders, depression, and more.

However, the condition is still poorly understood by science. That is why it remains a diagnosis of exclusion. Before confirming the diagnosis, doctors would generally exclude other well-known chronic health disorders causing similar symptoms like body aches and fatigue. Its diagnosis is mainly clinical, and there are no reliable biomarkers to confirm it. Nevertheless, it is among the common causes of chronic pain. What is worrisome is that its incidence is increasing.

There is no single drug therapy that would work for all. Thus, doctors would prescribe non-inflammatory drugs and anti-seizure medications, like gabapentin, and antidepressants, to treat the condition. However, the benefit from most of these drugs is far from satisfactory, and the risk of side effects from such treatments is high. Thus, there is a need to find safe medications to treat the condition.

In recent years, doctors have understood that fibromyalgia is caused by some brain changes causing hyperalgesia and fatigue. Thus, body tenderness in the condition is rather due to changes in the brain and not due to some local inflammation. Hence, it is vital to explore drug therapies that may help alter the brain’s working. Psychedelics are known to help reset the brain and provide prolonged benefits for many brain disorders. However, psychedelic therapy still remains largely experimental in various health disorders.

Now, one of the pharma startups has decided to explore the role of psychedelics in managing fibromyalgia. A California-based company called Tryp Therapeutics has partnered with the Chronic Pain & Fatigue Research Center at the University of Michigan Medical School for a phase 2 study regarding the use of psilocybin to treat fibromyalgia.

There are many reasons to consider psilocybin. It is the psychoactive compound found in “magic mushrooms” and is known to be relatively safe. Thus, researchers do not need to spend years generating pre-clinical data, and they also do not need to start with a phase 1 study, which mainly focuses on the safety of the compound and its humans. It is because there is already sufficient information about psilocybin, and its safety in humans is established to a degree. It has the potential of becoming the best treatment for fibromyalgia.

Of course, phase 2 studies are also about safety, but they are more extensive than phase 1 studies. Moreover, they also focus on efficacy at a safe time. Thus, the possibility of starting from the phase 2 study means much savings in both financial terms and timelines.

The company will test synthetic psilocybin. Early studies suggest that psilocybin can alter neuroplasticity, alter many neural networks, and cause long-term changes in brain function. Hence, it is likely that it may help reduce hyperalgesia of central origin often found in those with fibromyalgia.

Everyone is very excited about the study, as its success may change how fibromyalgia is managed and may even affect how chronic pain treatment, opioid addiction treatment and depression management is carried out. But, of course, these are still early days, as the company is still only getting ready to file for phase 2 trials. Such a trial needs to enroll a few hundred people. However, for the US FDA to approve the drug for medical use, there would be a need for a phase 3 trial, which is much more extensive.

So, sure, there is still a way to go. Nevertheless, the news is exciting, as pharma companies have started looking beyond traditional painkillers or antidepressants to manage such conditions. Moreover, there is limited evidence that antidepressants work for fibromyalgia.

Even more interesting is that other pharma companies have also started exploring the role of psychedelics in managing fibromyalgia. Thus, another company, Mind Medicine, has announced that they are beginning their investigation regarding the use of LSD to treat chronic pain syndrome and get cluster headache relief.

To date, LSD and psilocybin are classified as Schedule 1 controlled substances; hence, they are not approved for any medical use. However, these studies may change all that.

Summary: Vaping was promoted as a safe alternative to tobacco smoking. However, experience shows that it is far from true. Vaping has its own set of health risks. For example, it is known to cause severe effects on lungs leading to fatal outcomes. However, now, new studies suggest that it may be addictive, increase the risk of addiction to other substances, and may have many other longer-term adverse consequences for wellbeing. The new study suggests that various vaping juices may cause increased expression of inflammatory mediators in multiple organs, including the brain, heart, lung, and colon. Moreover, the study also found that the adverse effects of different flavors differ.

Treating one kind of addiction with another less dangerous addiction is not an ideal solution to the problem. Vaping has picked up in recent years. Initially, many promoted it as a way of overcoming tobacco addiction.

However, things are changing fast, and many people vape who never used tobacco. It means that vaping itself is emerging as a significant problem. Moreover, studies show that it is not as safe as imagined earlier and may cause some unique health issues. Data regarding its adverse health effects is still emerging.

What is worrisome is that vaping is a pastime activity of young minds. Most people vaping is between the ages of 18-24. It is also worth understanding that vaping has only picked up in the last few years.

Therefore, it may even become a significant health concern if timely measures are not taken. Therefore, there is an urgent need to raise awareness regarding the health risks associated with vaping. Furthermore, considering how fast people accept vaping and get addicted to it, most people may start vaping in a decade.

Vaping may alter inflammatory responses of the brain, heart, lungs, and colon

It is now known that vaping causes severe and life-threatening lung disease in some. It is already causing a few deaths each year. However, these findings are insufficient to raise awareness regarding the health risks of vaping addiction, as people see it as something uncommon. Most people see vaping-related lung disease as a rare disorder affecting a few.

However, people do not realize that vaping may have many long-term ill effects on health.

Studying the ill effects of vaping on health is more challenging than understanding the risk of tobacco addiction. Unlike cigarettes that use various tobacco strains with varying degrees of nicotine, vaping uses many different kinds of vape juices with quite different chemical compositions.

It means that vaping one kind of liquid may have a certain set of side effects. While using another type of vaping juice may have completely distinct side effects.

The new study published in the journal eLife explored the ill effects of various commonly available vaping flavors or some of the leading vaping devices like JUUL.

In the study, researchers were especially amazed by the significant elevation of inflammatory markers that are associated with poor brain health and an even higher risk of neurodegenerative disorders. Experts noted that vaping fluids caused changes in gene expression in the brain. They found that this effect is especially marked in the nucleus accumbens, a brain region that plays a vital role in the reward pathway.

These findings are concerning, as they suggest that vaping may also increase the dangers of mental health disorders. Thus, it may increase the risk of anxiety, depression, and more. In addition, it may also cause behavioral changes, increasing the risk of addictive behavior. This may also increase a person’s risk of substance abuse and addiction.

Similarly, the authors of the study noted that certain vaping juices increase colon inflammation. However, these changes were seen after one month of regular vaping.

Similarly, vaping influences gene expression and increases inflammation of the lungs and even other body tissues.

Researchers also noticed that the inflammatory response of different organs differed to various vaping flavors. This is explained by the different chemical compositions of various vaping juices.

These findings are also relevant in the context of the covid-19 epidemic since the body of those addicted to vaping would respond differently to the infection.

It appears that apart from general immunity, every organ has its immune environment. Thus, these findings are disturbing, as they indicate that vaping may alter the immune responses of individual organs. It may have unpredictable ill effects on health, especially over the long term which form sufficient reasons to quit vaping.

Summary: Understanding mental health disorder risk and pathogenesis is complex. New studies show that adverse childhood experiences may also increase the risk of mental health disorders, as they can result in altered stress responses. In the new study, researchers focused on microglial cells in the brain rather than focusing on neurons. Since microglial cells play a vital role in brain development, researchers found that adverse childhood conditions cause increased pruning of neuronal synapses by microglial cells, thus altering stress responses. This ultimately increases the risk of mental health disorders in adults.

Most people imagine the brain as an organ that contains neurons that are interconnected in a particular way, which creates a most powerful supercomputer. Whereas cognitive function depends on how these neurons are connected via synapses, thus forming specific kinds of circuits, memories, and functional units.

Although, this is absolutely true. However, it is worth noting that the brain has non-neuronal cells that play a vital role in brain development and maintaining cognition throughout life. Therefore, dysfunction of these non-neuronal cells may increase the risk of various brain disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, and even mental health disorders.

These non-neuronal cells do not produce impulses. However, they support neurons, provide them with vital nutrients, and defend neurons from toxins, infection, and so on. They play a vital role in maintaining brain structure. These cells are glial cells. Depending on the species, they form 35-60% of all brain cells.

Among the glial cells, microglia are most abundant in the brain. They play a vital role in brain development and are also an important part of the brain’s immune system.

Researchers have been paying significant attention to microglia, their role in neurodegeneration, and mental health disorders in recent years. Since many changes in the brain are difficult to explain by focusing solely on neurons. Moreover, the role of one of the most abundant brain cells cannot be neglected in brain disorders and mental health issues.

A study shows that early life adversity causes microglia dysfunction and thus altered stress responses and mental health issues in adults

Researchers at the Departments of Anatomy & Neurobiology, Pediatrics, Neurology, and Physiology & Biophysics at the UCI School of Medicine say that neuroscience has focused much on neurons, neglecting the role of microglial cells.

However, now neurobiologists realize that a lack of understanding of the role of glial cells in brain health may be the missing link. Thus, understanding these cells that do not produce impulses but play a vital role in brain development and maintenance may help understand various neurological disorders and common mental health problems.

Researchers conducted an experimental study on mice to understand how early life adversity (ELA) can influence stress responses in later life. One group of mice was kept under close to ideal conditions, with adequate light, rest time, and food. However, another group of mice was exposed to adverse condition.

Researchers found that the group that was exposed to ELA has significant changes in the brain, especially in the stress-sensitive hypothalamic corticotropin-releasing hormone-(CRH) expressing neurons. These changes occurred due to the pruning of synapses by microglial cells.

Researchers could establish that in the developing brain, microglial cells play an important role in the formation of neuronal synapses, brain development, and, thus, stress responses. Hence, ELA causes altered brain function and stress responses.

However, researchers noted that although they could identify the role of microglial cells and altered stress responses caused due to adverse conditions in early childhood and their role in mental health disorders later in life, they are still to identify underlying molecular pathways.

Researchers still need to understand what molecules are causing microglial dysfunction. Understanding this molecular mechanism is essential for finding preventive measures and even remedies such as mental disorder treatments and childhood trauma treatment.

Summary: Although it appears that Covid-19 is now almost over, experts warn that the US healthcare system is facing some other severe threats. It is expected that in coming years, inflation, shortage of nursing staff, and burnout among physicians will significantly affect the quality of healthcare in the US.

Though seasonal epidemics are not rare, the Covid-19 pandemic took the world by storm and surprise. It dominated daily life for a couple of years before mass vaccination, and the emergence of herd immunity led to its decline.

We are already into the third year of the pandemic, and it is far from over. Nonetheless, most experts agree that the peak is now over. It is now more likely to become a low-level health threat, like the flu or other seasonal infections. It means that worse is behind us.

Though disaster predictions are often wrong, they have their role. These predictions do not create panic but rather prepare people for the worse. A well-prepared person or society is more likely to steer through the storm.

Researchers think that when it comes to healthcare in the US, there are a few things that everyone should be worried about. However, the US is facing certain threats that may cause significant physical and mental health issues soon.

Untamed inflation

Many economists have already warned that trillions spent to counter Covid-19 may cause severe inflation. However, most of those models did not take into consideration other issues that were not visible on the horizon at that time, like the war in Ukraine and rising oil prices. Together these factors can drive inflation to an all-time high.

These issues can significantly limit the ability of the federal government to fix the problems faced by the healthcare system. Researchers warn that healthcare costs can become exorbitantly high in the near future. It is worth understanding that these costs do not rise daily and are fixed for a few years. Hence, if the cost of living keeps rising, healthcare costs may suddenly rise. Moreover, insurers are planning to increase their premium in the coming year.

Nursing shortages

US data shows that the nation is going through a shortage of nurses, and as a result, delays in planned surgical procedures and other healthcare services are becoming all too common.
There are multiple reasons for these shortages. For example, one survey shows that one-third of RNs just want to change their current roles. Many of them plan to leave nursing altogether. Additionally, about one-fourth of baby boomer RNs are retiring within the year. These are highly trained nurses who would be challenging to replace.

It is expected that in the next year or two, the healthcare sector in the US will experience a severe shortage of nursing staff. Some experts warn that the shortage would be so acute that it would significantly affect the working of hospitals. This will result in a significant number of patients being turned away from hospitals.

Experts warn that it would be wrong to assume that such a problem can be resolved quickly. Though one can produce more nurses in a couple of years, it takes much longer to produce well-trained nurses. Most nurses acquire skills over years of practice

The burnout crisis

Innumerable studies are showing this problem among doctors. It seems that the burnout crisis is especially severe among doctors. The prevalence of burnout is much higher among doctors compared to other professions.

Further, it appears that the burnout crisis has been made worse by the Covid-19 pandemic due to emotional trauma. It seems that many healthcare workers have reached a boiling point.

Burnout crisis among doctors and shortage in nursing staff will significantly affect the healthcare quality in the US. Doctors are now rejecting the word burnout, instead calling it a “moral injury.” A pain caused to them due to their inability to provide excellent medical care. All this means that doctors are increasingly turning to private equity (PE) firms.

If these threats are not handled soon, they will have grave consequences for US healthcare in the short and long run.

It is our mission to bring real hope and transformational change to patients who would otherwise be consigned to a lifetime of medications, doctor’s visits, and suffering. We expose misaligned incentives and return the power of health to the individual. We believe empowered individuals change their communities. We use a combination of lifestyle intervention, medication management, and emerging scientific research to help our patients. When you are ready or have questions, reach out.

Medical Disclaimer: Keep in mind that the content provided is not direct medical advice for patient care, but is provided for thoughtful discussion.

Summary: Heave drinking, binge drinking, and AUD are significant social and health problems. Many people struggle to say no to alcohol despite realizing the ill effects of heavy drinking. Psychotherapy is one of the effective and safe ways to manage the condition, as it helps rewire the brain and alter the thinking pattern. Now a new study shows that using psilocybin along with psychotherapy may have much higher benefits. After such a treatment, people are almost twice more likely to abstain from alcohol and report a significant decline in cravings.

Alcohol is widely consumed in the US. About 80% of all adults drink alcohol now and then, and some of them consume it quite frequently. However, some people start engaging in excessive alcohol consumption, which is harmful to health.

According to the CDC, binge drinking is having four or more drinks on a single occasion. And heavy drinking means having eight or more drinks.

Excessive and irresponsible alcohol use is a significant problem in the US. Moreover, this problem is quite common in young adults. It is among the leading cause of death in young adults. AUD causes 140,000 deaths each year, and it also causes significant disability and economic harm.

Psilocybin is a psychedelic compound from magic mushrooms widely used for its trippy effect. It causes hallucinations. Yes, it remains a controversial compound for clinical use. It is still a substance of abuse, and FDA does not allow its clinical use. However, FDA allows its use for clinical studies.

Researchers have been experimenting with psychedelics for more than half a century to treat various mental health issues.

However, they have recently discovered how to use these agents safely and effectively. They understood that these agents are only suitable for use under medical supervision and for the short term. They work at lower dosages and are more effective when combined with psychotherapy.

When combined the psychotherapy, they help rewire the brain quickly. Their effect is unlike other medical drugs that take a long time to start acting and have a short-lasting action. Instead, psychedelics work fast and may provide long-lasting relief due to improved brain rewiring. They are especially good for managing mood disorders like depression.

However, now a new study confirms that they can be pretty good for managing substance abuse disorders like AUD.

In a new study published in the journal JAMA, researchers compared the effectiveness of psilocybin with diphenhydramine, a kind of antihistamine with a sedative effect and known to lower cravings. The study found that when combined with psychotherapy, psilocybin is much better and has a long-lasting effect.

Researchers say that what has amazed them is the persistent effect of psilocybin. Though the study was small and had a sample size of only 100, the findings were quite surprising. They found that psilocybin was almost twice more effective compared to diphenhydramine.

In the study, researchers divided participants into two equal groups. Both groups received 12 psychotherapy sessions over 12 weeks. However, one group received two dosages of psilocybin and the other group, diphenhydramine, as a placebo. They tracked the patients for six months.

At the end of the study, they found that just by adding two doses of psilocybin, the effect of psychotherapy increased considerably. Thus, after six months, about 10% still reported drinking heavily. However, these numbers were almost 25% in the diphenhydramine group.

What is impressive is that in the psilocybin group, twice as many participants stopped drinking altogether, 48% vs. 24%. They said that they had reduced cravings for alcohol after a psilocybin treatment. Those who stopped drinking said they did not consider themselves alcoholics anymore.

Researchers then went further and offered a third dose of psilocybin to study participants at the end of the six-month study. They said that after this dosage, many more reported benefits.
Researchers say they are very encouraged by their findings, and study results surpass their expectations. Moreover, psilocybin did not cause any side effects, and yet it had a prolonged benefit.
Researchers say that they are now planning more extensive study. They are planning a 3-year study with more than 200 participants. And they also plan to have participants from diverse backgrounds. Nevertheless, researchers think that psilocybin appears to be a real breakthrough in managing AUD.

Summary: A new annual survey report by the University of Michigan shows that opioid misuse in young adults has fallen to a new record low level in 2021 since its peak in 2006. Now just about 1.7% of young adults misuse prescription opioids. However, the study found that marijuana and hallucinogen use has increased in young adults. Similarly, alcohol use remains quite common. Thus, the study shows a shift in the substance abuse landscape.

Misuse of prescription opioids has fallen to the record lowest level in young adults in the US. In the year 2021, the lowest number of young adults abused prescription opioids since 1975, a survey found. But, of course, this does not mean that substance use disorder has become less severe. It also does not mean that opioid overdose-related deaths have declined.

Here it is vital to understand that prescription opioids are a vague term. It generally includes opioids like hydrocodone and oxycodone. Further, it is worth understanding that this report is about prescription opioid misuse and not essentially opioid overdose and related deaths. Nevertheless, it means that though the abuse of prescription opioids continues to decline, opioid overdose-related deaths continue to increase.

So, no, opioid overdose-related deaths are not decreasing. Opioid misuse is also not showing any signs of decreasing. Nonetheless, there is good news prescription opioid misuse is decreasing. These findings are significant since it shows that opioid prescription by doctors is not fueling opioid addiction treatment, as proposed by many. These new findings regarding a significant decline in prescription opioid misuse by young adults were published by the Institute for Social Research, The University of Michigan. They published this information in their Monitoring the Future Panel Study annual report: National data on substance use among adults ages 19 to 60, 1976-2021.2

As per this new study, now only about 1.7% of young adults are abusing prescription opioids, which they generally describe as “narcotics other than heroin.” This is a massive decline from a peak of about 9% in 2006. Moreover, it means that most adults who are prescribed opioids are using them responsibly. The MFT survey and CDC data confirm that prescription opioid misuse has been declining. However, the opioid overdose epidemic continues mainly due to illicitly procured fentanyl and other opioids.

One of the reasons for such a decline in opioid misuse has been a significant decline in opioid prescriptions by doctors. Market data shows that prescriptions of opioids have also fallen to half since their peak in the early 2000s. However, the picture is not as rosy as it may sound. Though prescription opioid misuse is declining consistently, the use of illicit opioids is not declining. Even worse, the misuse of many other substances is increasing. Thus, now more young adults are abusing marijuana and hallucinogens, compared to the year 2000.

Not only that, but the MFT survey also found other causes of concern, like alcohol misuse is not showing any signs of significant decline. Similarly, vaping is gaining momentum. Though people may not be smoking cigarettes, they are now vaping nicotine more frequently. These findings show that the drug landscape is shifting fast. It shows that pattern of drug misuse is changing fast. It means that now doctors need to focus on the ill effects of marijuana and hallucinogens misuse. They also need to focus more on other drugs, like stimulants, that continue to cause significant mortality.

Further, alcohol use disorder still remains a significant problem. It appears that though heavy drinking has been declining in the last few years, things changed in 2021. It appears that the Covid-19 pandemic caused a significant increase in alcohol consumption.

Summary: Early studies show that BBB disruption is found in those diagnosed with neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s. However, till now, researchers have assumed BBB merely as having a barrier function. But, a new study suggests that BBB can modulate the working of neurons and thus may have a greater role in the development of neurodegenerative disorders.

Neurological disorders like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and many others are on the rise. However, despite the increase in neurological conditions, doctors and researchers have struggled to explain the cause of these health disorders.

Painkiller addiction help and suboxone treatment have become critical in managing symptoms of these conditions. Since more than a century of extensive research has failed to answer many critical questions, researchers have recently changed their approach. They think that one of the reasons why studies have failed to understand conditions like dementia well is due to undue focus on neurons. In recent years, researchers have started focusing on other brain cells. Thus, they have been focusing much on glial cells that support and modulate neurons. Glial cells also play a vital role in the brain’s immunity and inflammation.

Now a new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) shows a new way in which the blood-brain barrier (BBB) may be contributing to the rise of these neurological disorders. Though science has long known about the existence of BBB, similarly, science has known that BBB is disrupted in those diagnosed with conditions like Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s. However, till now, researchers have assumed that these changes in BBB are secondary to specific pathological processes.

Moreover, for decades, researchers have made some simple assumptions, like BBB is merely a barrier to certain substances. For example, they have assumed that it is quite like face control in reputed restaurants and bars, which means that BBB only allows specific kinds of molecules to enter the brain. However, now researchers are saying that BBB has a more significant say in brain functioning. What if it is not just letting in specific molecules but also showing them the way? What if it is regulating the traffic of specific molecules actively and thus modulating the working of the neurons? This is precisely what the new study suggests.

The new study suggests that BBB can act as a filter and modulate the working of neurons. After allowing certain molecules to enter the brain, it can also regulate their movement and thus influence the working of neurons. Researchers used firefly larvae for their study, as their BBB is quite similar to mammals yet simpler to study. In the firefly, specialized glial cells act as BBB, quite like epithelial cells in vertebrates.

In the study, researchers focused on enzymes called metalloproteinases since these enzymes can interact with glia and neurons. Using a special technique, researchers identified something called Notch signaling. They have found that this signaling occurs both in fireflies and humans. Investigators in the study say that they were not planning to study Notch, but they discovered that it played a vital role in maintaining BBB. They found that Notch signaling plays an important role in maintaining the overall BBB structure. They found that when the Notch signal is blocked, it also results in BBB disruption. It means that this signaling pathway can influence the fundamental working of the nervous system. It can even affect the release of specific neurotransmitters.

They also found that under specific conditions Notch signaling could influence how neurons fired, even when BBB was intact. This indicated that BBB function is not just of the barrier but can also modulate brain functioning. It also means that BBB breakdown might have a greater role in developing various neurological disorders. Researchers say that the breakdown of BBB does not just mean a leaky barrier. It also means changes in the working of the brain.

The idea that BBB can influence the working of neurons is entirely new. Researchers say that these findings have provided researchers with a new direction. They need to explore the role of BBB in Alzheimer’s and other neurological issues by keeping these new findings in mind.

To date, very little is known about the role of Notch signaling and metalloproteins in the human brain. Thus, there is a need to focus on them. In addition, developing a better understanding of BBB will help develop a better understanding of neurodegenerative disorders and find effective treatments. It is our mission to bring real hope and transformational change to patients who would otherwise be consigned to a lifetime of medications, doctor’s visits, and suffering. We expose misaligned incentives and return the power of health to the individual. We believe empowered individuals change their communities. We use a combination of lifestyle intervention, medication management, and emerging scientific research to help our patients. When you are ready or have questions, reach out.

Medical Disclaimer: Keep in mind that the content provided is not direct medical advice for patient care, but is provided for thoughtful discussion.