Determining the safety of any new medication is difficult. Generally, willing volunteers are given doses of experimental medications and monitored by medical professionals in a clinical setting. This, of course, after extensive testing in animal models first. While this approach generally works for the population in general, certain groups, like pregnant mothers, are excluded from … Read more
Medical cannabis opponents often point to the addictive potential of cannabis as a reason to oppose its use. Many cannabis users consider it to be non-addictive, but cannabis use disorder (CUD, formerly cannabis dependence) is a clinically defined condition. In 2010, an estimated 13 million cases of CUD were reported worldwide. Over 1.7 million of … Read more
Schizophrenia is a mental disorder that affects the way individuals perceive reality. While it is relatively uncommon (less than 1% of the population), the symptoms are devastating. Those suffering from schizophrenia often lose touch with reality, and may experience hallucinations and delusions. Other symptoms include withdrawing into an internal world, a “flat” affect, an inability … Read more
Anxiety and Depression are the most common psychiatric illnesses in the United States, affecting ~40 million people every year. There are seemingly countless antidepressants on the market, falling into several different categories based on their mechanism of action and particular chemical composition. These drugs are incredibly popular; a study from 2016, summarized here, showed that … Read more
Cancer is one of the most prevalent diseases on the planet and a leading cause of death. The National Cancer Institute estimates that there were 14 million new cases worldwide in 2012, with 8.2 million deaths. Worse, the number of new cases per year is rising, potentially reaching 21 million per year by 2030. One … Read more
Last year, a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine made headlines by announcing the first double-blind, placebo-controlled study of cannabidiol(CBD) for the treatment of a form of childhood epilepsy. This study not only demonstrated that CBD is a safe and effective treatment for this type of therapy, but also vindicated parents who … Read more
It’s no secret that the United States has an opioid problem. In 2015, 2 million Americans had opioid abuse disorders, and 33,000 died from accidental overdose. Those numbers are projected to be even higher for the two years since. With increased public attention, doctors are starting to prescribe these drugs less often, and to shorten … Read more
Endometrial cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in the United States. It’s estimated that just over 61,000 new cases were diagnosed in 2017, accounting for 3.6% of all cancer diagnoses for the year, and resulting in over 10,000 deaths. This female-specific cancer affects the lining of the uterine wall, and exists in … Read more
Neurodegenerative disorders are a major health burden both in the United States and worldwide. These diseases, such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Huntington’s disease, all stem from the progressive loss of neurons in the brain. The specific causes of these diseases (with the exception of Huntington’s) are complex, and are influenced by genetic and environmental factors. … Read more
Prescribing any sort of medicine requires guidance in the form of rigorous scientific data. In general, this takes two forms: clinical trials, and clinical case studies. The first relies on experimentation in the lab, while the second relies on the real-world experiences of doctors. While effective, this process is time-consuming and often produces conflicting results. This … Read more