Category: Health

• Healthgrades recently announced the recipients of the 2026 Patient Safety Excellence Awards.
• The awards recognize hospitals that provide the highest quality care and excel at preventing serious safety events.
• The 2026 recipients include 438 hospitals from 40 states and represent the top 10% of hospitals nationwide for patient safety.

Healthgrades has announced the recipients of the 2026 Patient Safety Excellence Awards, which “recognize hospitals that excel at providing top-quality care while preventing serious safety events during hospital stays.”

This year’s recipients represent the top 10% of hospitals nationwide for patient safety and include 438 hospitals from 40 states.

Healthgrades’ annual analysis found that more than 100,000 patient safety events could have been avoided between 2022 and 2024 if all hospitals had performed at the same level as those that received a 2026 Patient Safety Excellence Award.

Patients treated at award-winning hospitals were also significantly less likely to experience the four most common patient safety indicators (PSIs)—serious but preventable complications that account for about 78% of all safety events. Those include:

• In-hospital falls that result in fractures (52.4% less likely)
• Collapsed lungs related to procedures or surgery around the chest (57.5% less likely)
• Catheter-related bloodstream infections acquired in the hospital (67.8% less likely)
• Pressure sores or bed sores developed during a hospital stay (71.9% less likely)

“The data behind this year’s Patient Safety Excellence Award highlights how measurable improvements in safety can prevent thousands of complications,” Alana Biggers, MPH, medical advisor at Healthgrades, said in a press release.

“Hospitals that prioritize evidence-based safety practices not only achieve better clinical outcomes, but also cultivate a culture where patients come first. These insights give individuals and families the information they need to make confident and better informed healthcare decisions.”

Hospitals recognized with the 2026 Patient Safety Excellence Award were identified through an analysis by Healthgrades examining how well facilities prevent serious safety complications during hospital stays.

To determine the recipients, Healthgrades analyzed hospital performance using inpatient MedPAR data and evaluated facilities across 13 patient safety indicators (PSIs).

These indicators track serious complications that can occur during hospital care, such as respiratory failure after surgery, surgical infections, and excessive bleeding following procedures.

The analysis compares hospital performance nationwide using risk-adjusted data to account for differences in patient populations.

Results across the 13 indicators are combined into an overall patient safety score for each hospital, enabling facilities to be ranked by how effectively they prevent these complications.

Hospitals that rank among the top 10% nationally for patient safety earn the Patient Safety Excellence Award.

To qualify, facilities must also meet several eligibility requirements, including meeting clinical quality thresholds, reporting data on at least 7 of 8 core patient safety indicators, and having no documented cases of foreign objects left in patients during a procedure.

Hospital rankings and safety awards can provide useful guidance for patients comparing facilities, particularly when they highlight measurable differences in outcomes, such as complication rates and preventable safety events.

“Rankings like those offered by Healthgrades should be able to assist healthcare consumers in making better decisions for themselves and their loved ones,” Robert Bonar, Dr.H.A., the Gordon A. Friesen Professor of Healthcare Administration at the George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health, previously told Healthline.

Still, experts say these ratings are best used as one tool among many when choosing where to receive care. Factors such as a patient’s specific medical needs, individual physicians’ experience, and recommendations from trusted healthcare providers can also play an important role in making the best decision.

Bonar also previously noted that when patients are evaluating health information, they should prioritize sources that “work hard to base their recommendations on statistically sound outcomes, measurable data, complication rates — including surgical infection rates — and morbidity and mortality data.”

Looking at multiple sources of information — including hospital safety ratings, patient reviews, and conversations with healthcare professionals — can help patients get a more complete picture when evaluating their options.

The full Patient Safety Excellence Award recipient list and methodology are available on the Healthgrades website.

*Healthgrades and Healthline are part of the RVO Health portfolio of brands.

• A recent study has shown that adults remain interested in sexual activity and intimacy in relationships into their 80s.
• The study participants emphasized that physical connections are among the most important aspects of a relationship, with some even saying that a lack of intimacy would be a “deal breaker.”
• The findings could help dispel stereotypes and misconceptions about sex and aging, as well as encourage an open discussion about sexual health with older adults.

It’s a common misperception that the desire for sex and romantic relationships wanes as people age.

However, a recent study published in the Journal of Sex Research found that adults ages 60 to 80 expressed not only a desire, but a need for sexual intimacy in a relationship.

In fact, many view a relationship that lacks sexual intimacy as less than a complete relationship, with some even seeing it as falling short of their definition of romance.

“Older adults who report sexual activity report greater overall well-being and life satisfaction, Arien Muzacz, PhD, clinical associate professor of counseling at The College of Education, Oregon State University, told Healthline. Muzacz was not involved in the study.

While older adults may have the same desire for sexual intimacy, they may experience certain challenges.

“Adults don’t become more asexual as they age; however, they may become less sexual, even though the desire for intimacy remains strong,” said Karyne Wilner, PsyD, licensed psychologist and author of “Releasing Toxic Anger for Women,” who wasn’t involved in the study.

“Many in their 70s, 80s, 90s, and beyond feel desire and romance, but at the same time, they have more difficulties with sex,” she told Healthline.

The researchers interviewed 100 individuals. The participants were split evenly, with 50 single males and 50 single females, ages 60 to 83, with average ages of 65.6 for males and 66.8 for females.

The study focused on how single older adults framed their desire for new sexual and romantic relationships.

Almost three-quarters of the participants openly stated that they didn’t want to be in a relationship if it didn’t involve sexual activity.

Many participants stated that not having sex was a “deal breaker” in a relationship.

One participant, Dean, 68, said, “That would be a deal breaker. I’m still able to be intimate. So that would be a deal breaker. I mean, it might end up as a friendship instead of a relationship. Period.”

Evelyn, 65, agreed. “No, sex has to be part of your relationship. So, if you don’t want to have sex, then what’s the use of having a relationship? . . . You can be friends without having sex. If you just want to be friends, that’s fine. But if you try to do a relationship, then sex has to be a part of it.”

Around 30 of the participants stated they may be somewhat open to a romantic relationship that didn’t involve sexual activity. However, these statements were generally either contradictory or came with caveats.

“Older adults [may] need to look at sexuality in a new way,” said Wilner.

“It can be the touch of a hand on the small of [the] back, sitting or lying close together, a tender massage, or rubbing against each other. It may not end in the strong orgasm or release of yesteryear, but there may be moments of great intimacy with loving bodies intertwined,” she said.

Those who did entertain the idea of a relationship without sexual intercourse typically included stipulations, such as:

• having non-penetrative forms of sexual contact
• changing their partner’s mind
• already loving someone when the sex stopped later in the relationship

“I think sexuality needs to be encouraged among older adults, married and partnered, as well as single,” said Wilner.

“I hope that this study and others like it will encourage people to follow their desires and be realistic about their needs, but also to be flexible in how they define sexuality. If it’s pleasurable, it’s sexual, even when it doesn’t look like the sex you used to have.”

When people talk about sexuality in older adults, they often focus on ability, finding that older adults may have less or no sex, or that the quality of sex is lower, due to bodily changes that come with age.

“Your body may change as you age due to physiological processes such as menopause, the type of exercise you get, or the medicines you take. However, sexuality is still important; it is part of the joie de vivre, it empowers your life force and energizes you,” said Wilner.

The participants in this study also mentioned that biological issues, such as difficulty with erections and lubrication, were among their concerns about having sex at an older age. However, they viewed these as inevitabilities to overcome, not enough to prevent their pursuit of sex.

“Open yourself to a new form of intimacy based on sensual touch or scents,” suggested Wilner.

While the study participants were clear that sex is an important part of romantic relationships, they also showed flexibility in the details of sex. They were aware that the type of sexual experiences one can have may change with age.

Both males and females noted that, as long as the relationship included sex, the frequency of sex was less important.

One of the participants, Howard, 62, said that it was the physical connection, not the frequency, that was essential to the health of the relationship.

“I would think you have to have some kind of intimacy, sexual relations somewhere. It might not be a once a month or twice a month, but [it is necessary] to keep the flow in the relationship going,” he said.

Some of the participants also alluded to the way sex as an older adult may not have the same vigor and pleasure of sex as a younger adult. However, this did not negate the value or importance of sex in a relationship.

Wilner said the study is important because it’s “more in touch with reality than the myth that when people reach a certain age, they lose interest in sex.”

She noted that the results may be reassuring to those who desire sexual connections but feel it may not be appropriate behavior at their age.

The study may not only help dispel the myth and stereotype that older adults lose interest in sex, but it may also help open the conversation about sexual health with these individuals.

“STI prevention is essential for any older adults due to increased risks like thinning of the vaginal walls and reduced lubrication in the vaginal canal (the latter can be addressed by using water-based lubes that do not erode latex prophylactics),” said Muzacz.

“There is also a reality that older adults in communal settings like retirement communities may have multiple partners, so STI prevention and testing are recommended for any older adults engaging in partnered sexual activity,” she added.

The recent study researchers suggested that older adults and their healthcare professionals may often avoid the topic of sexual health. However, the study shows that sexual activity remains a vital piece of relationships to many older adults.

This makes it even more important to incorporate sexual wellness into routine healthcare for older adults.

“People — no matter what their age — need to have a sense of the person they are being intimate with and some knowledge of that person’s dating or marital history. I also think that conversations with physicians, gynecologists, or urologists about safe sex would be helpful in learning how best to protect yourself,” said Wilner.

• In a TikTok video, pop music artist Doja Cat shared that she may have lipedema, a condition that causes abnormal fat buildup in the lower body.
• The singer said the condition influenced her decision to undergo liposuction in 2023.
• Lipedema most commonly affects the hips, thighs, and legs and typically does not respond to diet or exercise.
• Experts say increased awareness from public figures can help more people recognize symptoms and seek medical care earlier.

Grammy-winning pop artist Doja Cat recently shared a video explaining that she believes she may have lipedema, a condition that causes body fat to abnormally accumulate in the lower part of the body.

The singer opened up about the condition in a TikTok video, explaining how it contributed to her decision to have liposuction in 2023.

In the video, Doja Cat reflected on the way fat accumulated in her lower body throughout her life, particularly around her thighs, knees, calves, and hips.

“If you look at my knees… Like I had big ass knees, like big fat f*ing knees.” Doja said.

“Basically, I wasn’t horrendously, deeply overweight or anything. I was just building up all this ass, and ankle, and calves, and knee, and thigh. I had a whole ton of it,” she continued.

Lipedema is a chronic condition that may lead to an abnormal buildup of fat tissue, mostly in the hips, thighs, and legs, explained Raj Dasgupta, MD, chief medical advisor at Garage Gym Reviews.

“The fat tends to accumulate symmetrically and typically does not respond well to typical weight loss strategies such as diet or exercise,” Dasgupta told Healthline.

People with lipedema may also experience tenderness, easy bruising, and swelling in the affected areas.

“Over time, the condition can lead to discomfort, mobility issues, and in some cases, problems with the lymphatic system,” Dasgupta said.

“Although lipedema is not primarily caused by lymphatic issues, the accumulation of abnormal fat can place pressure on the lymphatic vessels, compromising the body’s ability to properly circulate and drain lymph fluid, which can result in swelling, tightness, heaviness, and pain, particularly in the legs,” he explained.

Research suggests that lipedema affects 10–11% of adult women. The condition is often underdiagnosed.

It can be helpful when public figures like Doja Cat speak openly about their health, especially when they have conditions like lipedema that can be difficult to detect.

“Visibility usually helps people recognize symptoms in themselves and seek medical care earlier.

With lipedema, awareness is especially important because the condition is often dismissed as just weight gain,” Dasgupta said.

“Discussing it publicly can help shift the conversation from blame toward recognition that this is a condition that deserves proper attention,” he noted.

• A recent study found that, over time, stressful relationships may accelerate biological aging.
• The researchers refer to those who create problems or make life more difficult as “hasslers.”
• The study also found that a greater number of “hasslers” in your life can lead to a higher risk of depression, anxiety, and poorer overall health.

Spending time with someone who consistently creates problems or makes life more difficult can accelerate biological aging and affect your overall health.

A recent study found that spending more time with people the researchers call “hasslers” and having more of them in your life can negatively affect various aspects of your life and health.

The researchers also noted that “social relationships are fundamental to human health.”

However, past research has mostly focused on the supportive nature of these relationships. This recent study focused on the “hasslers” in the close social networks of individuals and the role these stressful people play.

“Those around us can either increase or decrease our stress levels because we are wired for social connection and our social relationships can significantly influence and shape our mood, perspectives, motivation, and energy, on a daily basis, and for future goals/visions,” said Menije Boduryan-Turner, PsyD, licensed psychologist, and founder of Embracing You Therapy. Boduryan-Turner was not involved in the study.

The study analyzed data from 2,345 participants in a health survey in Indiana. The participants ranged in age from 18 to 103, with an average age of about 46.

The individuals answered questions about their relationships, focusing on the previous 6 months.

The researchers defined “hasslers” as people whom the participants reported as “often hassling them, causing them problems, or making life difficult.”

The average network size among participants was just over 5, with a maximum size of 25. On average, the individuals reported around 8.1% of the network members as “hasslers.”

Of the participants, 28.8% reported having at least one “hassler” in their social network, and 10% reported having two or more. This suggests that persistently negative ties are not rare among personal relationships.

“We resonate with people, and when someone creates problems, ideally, we would leave such a situation,” said Alex Dimitriu, MD, double board certified in psychiatry and sleep medicine and founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine, who was not involved in the study.

“Dealing with a hassler definitely takes a toll on mental health, and I see that in my work every day,” Dimitriu told Healthline.

The researchers then examined the association between having “hasslers” in your life and biological aging.

They compared biological aging using saliva samples from participants, enabling the researchers to measure specific epigenetic markers.

This analysis showed a clear pattern. For each “hassler” a person interacted with, their biological aging pace increased by about 1.5%. This means that someone with an extra difficult person in their life may age about 1.015 biological years for each chronological year.

It’s important to note that this study does not definitively show that having difficult people in your life directly causes aging.

The researchers observed an association between “hasslers” and the rate of aging. They also noted that certain groups of people may be more likely to have or report “hasslers” in their lives.

Females were less likely than males to report having zero “hasslers” in their social networks. They also reported higher levels of “hasslers” in their lives in general than males.

There were also various psychosocial factors that emerged as important predictors of the presence of “hasslers.”

For example, individuals with adverse childhood experiences were more likely to have “hasslers” in their social network.

People with a larger social network were less likely to report zero “hasslers” and were more likely to have a higher number.

Daily smokers and people with less favorable health were also less likely to report zero “hasslers.” This suggests that “hassler” exposure is not random. Rather, it clusters around certain individuals with greater psychosocial and health vulnerabilities.

“Hasslers” were also more likely to be family members, with parents and children more likely to be reported as difficult than spouses.

Outside of the family, participants were more likely to report co-workers, neighbors, and roommates as “hasslers” than friends.

The researchers also examined whether the association with “hasslers” was specific to biological aging or extended across health outcomes.

They found that the number of hasslers in a person’s social group was consistently associated with worse health across multiple domains. The strongest associations were among mental health outcomes.

Each additional “hassler” was associated with an increase in the severity of both depression and anxiety. This was followed closely by less favorable self-rated mental health outcomes.

“When stress becomes too hard to manage, it creates insomnia, poor concentration, depression, anxiety, and/or irritability,[an] increase and/or a decrease in appetite, isolation, and paralysis,” said Boduryan-Turner.

The associations found with physical health and adiposity-related (excess fat) outcomes were more modest, but still significant.

Additional “hasslers” were associated with:

“Stress can increase our blood pressure and affect our gastrointestinal and immune systems, among many other organ systems in the body,” Nissa Keyashian, MD, board certified psychiatrist and author of “Practicing Stillness,” who was not involved in the study, told Healthline.

Many may say that the obvious solution is to reduce contact with “hasslers” in your life. However, this may not always be possible. Certain people, such as family members or co-workers, may be part of your daily life.

Dimitriu recommended that you control what you can, which is most often yourself. A strong emphasis on self-care, time to journal, and grounding yourself through meditation, exercise, or both is essential.

Boduryan-Turner said that it is fundamental to set clear, value-based boundaries.

“The keyword here is value-based, because often we make fear-based decisions. When setting boundaries, we want to keep our values in mind and communicate our needs from that place,” she added.

Keyashian agreed. “Practicing setting healthy boundaries is one of the most important skills in our lives,” she said.

Boduryan-Turner noted that people should set limits with love.

“We can set our boundaries lovingly and compassionately,” she said. “It doesn’t have to feel like a fight or a conflict to set them. Often taking breaks and engaging in activities that soothe are necessary ways to cope with these kinds of people in our lives.”

• Federal regulators have approved leucovorin for the treatment of cerebral folate deficiency, a rare neurological disorder.
• The FDA approval, however, did not include the use of leucovorin as a treatment for autism.
• The Trump administration has touted leucovorin as an autism treatment, but experts agree that more research is needed before leucovorin should be approved for this purpose.

A medication used primarily to help relieve the side effects of chemotherapy has been given the green light to be used as a treatment for a rare neurological disorder.

Officials at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced on March 10 the approval of the drug leucovorin to help treat adults and children with cerebral folate deficiency. This rare condition is characterized by low levels of vitamin B9 in the brain.

However, the FDA announcement did not mention the use of leucovorin as a potential treatment for autism.

In September 2025, President Donald Trump and other administration officials suggested that the FDA had started a process to approve leucovorin as a treatment to manage symptoms in autistic people. However, there’s no word yet on a timetable or process for such an approval.

Leucovorin is the first approved treatment for cerebral folate deficiency. The FDA decision is being praised as long overdue relief for individuals with that condition.

“Today’s approval represents a significant milestone for patients living with cerebral folate transport deficiency due to the FOLR1 variant, a rare genetic condition that has had no FDA-approved treatment options until today,” said FDA commissioner Marty Makary, MD, in the agency’s announcement.

Leucovorin is a prescription medication used mainly to reduce the toxic side effects of chemotherapy agents such as methotrexate.

The medication works by helping to restore folic acid to healthy cells that have had that substance depleted by the effects of chemotherapy.

Leucovorin is considered to be effective as a “rescue agent” for people undergoing certain types of chemotherapy.

• developmental delays
• seizures
• movement abnormalities

It’s estimated that 1 in 1 million people worldwide have cerebral folate deficiency, although the true prevalence is unknown. It’s also been estimated that 38–70% of autistic children may have cerebral folate deficiency.

However, experts say those percentages may be inflated because much of the data has been drawn from FRAT tests, a blood exam that can be inaccurate.

While individuals with cerebral folate deficiency may have a higher risk of autism, but autistic people don’t necessarily have a higher risk of cerebral folate deficiency.

Alycia Halladay, MD, the chief science officer for the Autism Science Foundation, said she’s glad that people with cerebral folate deficiency finally have a treatment.

“This will probably help them. The mechanism is there,” she told Healthline. “I feel any relief would be helpful.”

Antonio Hardan, MD, a professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Stanford University, said that early intervention with leucovorin for cerebral folate deficiency is key.

“Case reports [support] complete clinical and radiological recovery when treatment is provided before the age of 2 years,” Hardan told Healthline.

While early intervention in autism is also crucial, it’s too soon to recommend leucovorin as a treatment.

Halladay expressed relief that leucovorin wasn’t approved as an autism treatment because there isn’t yet a scientific justification for this particular use.

“I’m glad the FDA used a scientific approach and used rigor to make this decision,” she said.

Hardan echoed this sentiment. “There is some evidence from small randomized controlled trials supporting the use of leucovorin for the treatment of autism. However, these studies have several design limitations, including small sample sizes and non-rigorous inclusion/exclusion criteria,” he said.

In September, President Trump said the approval of leucovorin as an autism treatment would give “hope to the many parents with autistic children that it may be possible to improve their lives.”

Makary echoed that sentiment, estimating that “hundreds of thousands of kids, in my opinion, will benefit” from the approval of leucovorin.

After that press briefing, officials at the Health and Human Services (HHS) Department clarified those comments, saying that leucovorin “is not a cure” for autism and “may only lead to improvements in speech-related deficits for a subset of children.”

The research on leucovorin and autism has mostly consisted of small studies with fewer than 100 participants, many done repeatedly by the same researchers.

The results of one of the studies, published in the European Journal of Pediatrics, were retracted in January after the authors identified several errors in their data.

There has been some anecdotal evidence that leucovorin can provide some benefits to communication and behavior for some autistic children, specifically those with cerebral folate deficiency or evidence of folate metabolic differences.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), however, more research in this area is still needed.

“The evidence for leucovorin and use for autism is currently limited,” the AAP said in an FAQ sheet about leucovorin use in autism and cerebral folate deficiency.

“Small studies show benefits to communication and behavior for some autistic children, specifically those with CFD or evidence of folate metabolic differences. Larger independent trials are warranted to better understand which patients may benefit. More evidence on efficacy and safety is needed before pediatricians can broadly recommend leucovorin,” the AAP said.

The Autism Science Foundation agreed, saying more studies are needed before leucovorin can be considered as a treatment for autism.

Halladay said that large-scale studies that examine safety and efficacy need to be completed before leucovorin can be considered as an autism treatment.

An HHS official appeared to agree, telling NBC News this week that there is not enough data to support leucovorin’s use as an autism treatment.

“We don’t have sufficient data to say that we could establish efficacy for autism more broadly,” the official said. “It’ll be up to patients to talk with their physicians to see if that might be right for them.”

Doctors can prescribe leucovorin as an off-label treatment for autistic children. Some have apparently been doing so.

A recent report published in The Lancet stated that leucovorin prescriptions for children rose 71% during the 2 months following President Trump’s announcement in September.

Halladay expressed concern about that increase, as well as the fact that people can go online and purchase folate acid products with vitamin B9 that are similar to leucovorin.

“All this can lead to false hope from companies that prey on families who will do anything to help their child,” she said.

Halladay encouraged families of autistic children to listen to medical professionals over what they read in the media.

“Talk to your doctor. Listen to your doctor and don’t listen to the internet,” she said.

• Psilocybin, also known as “magic mushrooms,” may help smokers quit tobacco for the long term.
• Smokers who received psilocybin alongside counseling were six times more likely to quit than those using nicotine patches in a small trial.
• The findings suggest psilocybin could eventually become another tool to help millions of smokers quit.

Could “magic mushrooms” help tobacco smokers quit for good?

Over the past decade, research into the use of psychedelic drugs to treat psychiatric conditions has expanded dramatically. Psilocybin in particular has shown promise as a therapy for addiction-related conditions, including alcohol use disorder and smoking.

The new research suggests that psilocybin combined with CBT may be more effective than nicotine replacement therapy at helping smokers achieve both short- and long-term abstinence.

“There was no question the psilocybin group did much better,” said Matthew Johnson, PhD, associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences and first author of the research.

“We found that for prolonged absence, they had six times higher odds of quitting if they were assigned to the psilocybin group compared to the nicotine patch group,” Johnson told Healthline.

Johnson is the leading researcher in the field of psilocybin and tobacco cessation. This latest trial builds on much of his earlier work, namely a 2014 study that first demonstrated that psilocybin could be safely used as an adjunct in smoking cessation treatment.

The findings published this week continue to establish psilocybin as a potential treatment for individuals with nicotine addiction.

Johnson and his team at Johns Hopkins University conducted a randomized clinical trial to investigate whether psilocybin could help smokers quit more effectively than a standard nicotine replacement therapy.

Both arms of the trial included 13 weeks of CBT, an approach used in counseling. CBT can help smokers identify triggers, manage cravings, and develop practical strategies to quit smoking.

The study enrolled 82 adult daily smokers ages 21 to 80 who had previously tried and failed to quit but still wanted to stop smoking. Participants were 59.8% male and 89% white, smoked roughly a pack per day, and had attempted quitting six times on average before the trial.

One group received a single supervised dose of psilocybin (30 milligrams per 70 kilograms of body weight), while the comparison group followed a standard 8- to 10-week regimen of FDA-approved nicotine patches.

Researchers tracked smoking behavior for six months using self-reported smoking diaries and biological tests to verify that participants had actually stopped smoking.

The researchers found that after starting treatment, 40% of those treated with psilocybin (17 participants) achieved prolonged abstinence, meaning they stopped smoking and remained smoke-free for six months after a brief grace period.

In contrast, only 10.0% of participants in the nicotine patch group (4 participants) achieved the same outcome. This translates to more than six times greater odds of quitting in the psilocybin group.

“It’s definitely refreshing to see someone look at new possibilities for nicotine addiction,” said George Singletary, MD, assistant professor of addiction medicine at the Tulane University School of Medicine, who wasn’t involved in the research.

“With all the deaths we have in this country due to nicotine that are preventable, it’s great to expand the options for treatment,” he told Healthline.

The researchers also investigated a seven-day point-prevalence abstinence, meaning participants had not smoked at all in the previous week at the time of the six-month visit.

By this measure, 52% of the psilocybin group (22 participants) were abstinent compared with 25% of the nicotine patch group (10 participants), representing about three times higher odds of short-term abstinence.

“This is an exciting study,” said Brian Barnett, MD, assistant professor of psychiatry and director of the psychiatric treatment resistance program at the Cleveland Clinic, who wasn’t involved in the research.

“We see that there is more and more evidence showing there’s potential benefit here for patients,” he told Healthline.

However, there are some notable limitations to the study as well.

Barnett pointed out that most of the participants (64.6%) had some previous exposure to “classic” psychedelic drugs, which could limit the generalizability of the findings to a broader population.

But, he added, “It’s an important caveat, but I don’t think it’s so problematic that it negates the obvious superiority of psilocybin to nicotine patch in the study.”

Singletary said he would have liked to have seen the study borne out over a longer time period than just six months. “Many smokers fail within six months, so we really need to see what happens after that point,” he said.

Despite decades of progress, smoking remains one of the most harmful and preventable public health threats in the United States.

More than 16 million Americans are living with smoking-related diseases, including:

While nearly two-thirds of smokers say they want to quit, the majority of them won’t. In any given year, fewer than 10% of adults who smoke successfully quit.

“Nicotine hijacks the brain’s reward learning circuitry. It shifts your brain toward being very preoccupied with getting the next exposure to nicotine,” Barnett said.

Fortunately, there are more options and resources available to stop smoking today than ever before.

Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), which includes patches and gums, is a longtime staple that can help, but is most effective when paired with other interventions like CBT, or other forms of counseling, and medication.

• Bupropion (Zyban) — An antidepressant that is also prescribed to help stop smoking. It works by affecting specific neurotransmitters involved in feelings of reward and pleasure.
• Varenicline (Chantix) — Reduces cravings and withdrawal by partially activating nicotine receptors in the brain. Simultaneously, it blocks nicotine, which reduces the pleasurable effects of smoking.

“The biggest takeaway is: don’t quit trying to quit. The more times you try to quit, the more likely you are to have success,” said Singletary.

Johnson told Healthline that he doesn’t expect psilocybin to replace any of these mainstay therapies, but instead to give smokers more options.

“I just want more tools in the toolbox to help empower as many people [as possible] that want to quit,” he said.

Psilocybin represents a potentially safe and effective therapy to help quit smoking, but experts caution that these studies are undertaken in controlled environments utilizing specific dosages.

“There are risks with psilocybin and other psychedelics, including legal risks. Certainly, I don’t advise anyone to do this themselves. Not only is it less safe doing it on your own, but the chances of it working would probably be much less than in therapeutic hands,” Johnson said.

• A recent study has found that taking a daily multivitamin may slow biological aging.
• The researchers note that multivitamins don’t necessarily add time to your life span, but may improve your overall health in the long-term.
• Multivitamins are not a magic fix, but can be beneficial when combined with other healthy lifestyle habits.

People take multivitamins for various reasons. These supplements can have various health benefits, including increasing nutrient intake, improving health and preventing chronic conditions, and reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.

A recent study published in Nature Medicine has found that taking a daily multivitamin may slightly slow the aging process in older adults.

This study was funded in part by Haleon (formerly Pfizer Consumer Healthcare) and Mars Inc. These companies provided the multivitamins and cocoa extract, and two of the study’s authors received funding from both companies, neither of which contributed to research design.

The study findings show that those who took a daily multivitamin reduced biological aging by up to 4 months.

“Although everyone ages over time, there may be simple ways to delay the aging process and help us live not only longer but also better,” said study author Sidong Li, MD, PhD, a postdoctoral researcher in the Division of Preventive Medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, told Healthline.

“In this study, we found that daily multivitamin-multimineral supplementation could be an accessible and low cost strategy that promotes healthier aging, particularly for people who are already biologically older,” Li told healthline.

The study analyzed 958 older adults ages 60 and older over 2 years. The participants were randomly assigned to one of four groups and took the following pills:

• cocoa extract and a multivitamin
• a multivitamin and a placebo
• cocoa extract and a placebo
• two placebos

The researchers found that those who took a daily multivitamin experienced a slowing of biological aging of about 4 months. This means that over the course of 24 months, these individuals aged about 20 months at the cellular level.

Researchers used five “epigenetic clocks” to estimate the biological aging of the participants.

When compared to the placebo group, the people who took multivitamins aged slightly slower, as shown by two of the five clocks.

The researchers also found that those who showed signs of accelerated biological aging at the beginning of the study appeared to see a greater benefit from the multivitamins.

“It’s important to keep the magnitude of the effect in perspective,” said Michelle Routhenstein, preventive cardiology dietitian at EntirelyNourished, who was not involved in the study.

“These are changes in biomarkers, not direct evidence of fewer heart attacks, cancers, or longer life span. So I would view the findings as encouraging but still preliminary,” Routhenstein told Healthline.

The researchers also found that the cocoa extract has no effect on any of the measures of biological aging.

The researchers note that this doesn’t mean that multivitamins can add to your life span. It does, however, mean that multivitamins may be beneficial for your future health trajectory. It also doesn’t mean you should definitely start taking multivitamins if you aren’t already.

“It was exciting to see that a multivitamin has benefits on the biological aging process in older adults. However, we should keep in mind that maintaining a healthy lifestyle remains fundamental to healthier, higher-quality aging,” said Li.

The decision to take supplements, like multivitamins, should be made by an individual and their healthcare professional.

There are many things to consider when selecting multivitamins.

One major thing is that multivitamins and supplements are not strictly regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This means that some multivitamins may contain higher or lower levels of nutrients than what is stated on the label.

Multivitamins may contain about 12 vitamins and 10 essential minerals.

Some multivitamins and supplements may contain ingredients that could interact with medications. This is why it is important to speak with your healthcare professional before taking any supplement.

“Supplements should complement, not replace, a nutrient-dense diet. Multivitamins are often most helpful for people with dietary gaps, restricted eating patterns, or increased nutrient needs,” said Routhenstein.

She also stated that people should “Choose a formulation that matches your age and health status and focuses on appropriate dosing.”

However, the guidelines also note that some older adults may need fewer calories, but still require equal or greater amounts of key nutrients.

This means you may need to focus on increasing your protein intake. Many older adults are also deficient in Vitamin B12, calcium, and vitamin D.

These individuals may need to discuss taking a multivitamin or other supplements with their healthcare professional, as they may not be able to get the required amounts from their diet.

“The biggest contributors to healthy aging are well established,” said Routhenstein.

She added that they include:

“These lifestyle factors have a far greater effect on long-term health than any single supplement,” Routhenstein said.

• A new study has found that the GLP-1 drug Wegovy is linked with a higher risk of “eye stroke,” especially in men.
• Ischemic optic neuropathy (ION) is a rare but serious condition that can cause vision loss or even blindness.
• Semaglutide drugs like Wegovy may pose a greater risk of ION than Ozempic due to higher doses used for weight loss.
• Doctors say the risk is small, but there are steps you can take to reduce the risk even further.

A new study has raised concerns about a rare but serious eye condition linked to a popular class of used to treat obesity and diabetes, especially those containing semaglutide.

Ischemic optic neuropathy (ION), known colloquially as an “eye stroke,” can cause sudden vision loss and even blindness.

The study found that certain formulations of semaglutide, particularly Wegovy, the higher-dose version, may carry a higher risk of this vision-threatening side effect, especially in men.

The authors called for further research to better understand the safety of these drugs, which are widely prescribed for weight loss.

This database collects reports from patients, doctors, and drug manufacturers about side effects and complications experienced after taking medications.

The researchers focused on reports where a GLP-1 receptor agonist was suspected to be involved in cases of ischemic optic neuropathy.

Semaglutide comes in different forms, including Ozempic, a weekly injection used primarily for type 2 diabetes; Wegovy, a weekly injection for obesity at a higher dose; and Rybelsus, a daily pill for type 2 diabetes.

The study examined each formulation separately to see if the risk of vision problems differed. They also looked at tirzepatide, a newer drug that works on similar pathways but in a slightly different way, as well as common diabetes medications like metformin and insulin for comparison.

The team used statistical methods designed to detect whether a particular drug was reported more frequently with ischemic optic neuropathy than would be expected by chance.

They also adjusted their analysis to account for differences in age and sex, helping to clarify whether certain groups might be more vulnerable. This approach allowed researchers to identify patterns in the data despite the rarity of the condition and the complex background of patients using these drugs.

Out of the tens of millions of reports examined, about 31,000 involved semaglutide.

The obesity drug Wegovy showed the strongest link to ischemic optic neuropathy, even though it had fewer overall reports than Ozempic, the diabetes formulation.

The higher dose of Wegovy likely plays a role, as it leads to greater systemic exposure and faster weight loss, which might affect blood flow to the optic nerve.

Males appeared to be at higher risk than females, with the data showing a notably stronger association in male patients taking Wegovy.

No cases were reported with the oral form of semaglutide (Rybelsus), which is absorbed more slowly and in smaller amounts, suggesting that the way the drug is delivered and its dose matter.

Tirzepatide, another drug in this class but with a different mechanism, showed no significant association with vision problems despite achieving even greater improvements in blood sugar and weight. This may be because tirzepatide acts on two receptors, potentially balancing out effects on blood flow and reducing the chance of ischemic injury to the optic nerve.

The study also found no increased risk with other commonly used diabetes medications like metformin and insulin. This specificity points toward a unique effect of semaglutide, especially at higher doses, rather than a general risk from improving blood sugar or losing weight.

Researchers believe that high dose semaglutide may reduce blood flow to the optic nerve through factors such as fluid loss, low blood pressure — especially at night — and shifts in the body’s vascular system. These changes could make the optic nerve more vulnerable to damage. However, the exact biological link remains to be confirmed in future studies.

Because the FDA’s database relies on voluntary reporting, the numbers do not reflect how often the problem actually occurs. Still, the clear pattern seen with Wegovy and the higher risk in men suggest that doctors should monitor patients carefully, especially those receiving the higher doses for obesity.

More detailed studies are needed to understand who is most at risk and how to prevent this serious complication.

Hector Perez, MD, a board certified bariatric surgeon at Renew Bariatrics and an advisor at BestSurgeons.com, who was not involved in the study, said that while the risk for ION is worth monitoring, the study is very small.

“Untreated obesity, diabetes, and vascular disease damage vision far more commonly than semaglutide does,” he told Healthline.

However, Perez noted that there are still several steps you can take to reduce your risk for this side effect.

He advised that you avoid extremely rapid early weight loss. “Gradual caloric reduction helps prevent sudden drops in blood pressure or perfusion,” he said.

Perez further stated the importance of staying well hydrated, explaining that when people’s appetites are suppressed, they often tend to reduce their fluid intake as well. However, this can worsen optic nerve perfusion, he said.

“Excessively low nocturnal BP is a known risk factor for optic nerve ischemia,” he cautioned.

Diala Alatassi, MD, an obesity medicine physician at TeleSlim Clinic, who was also not a part of the study, added that if you have multiple health conditions along with obesity, it’s wise to start low and titrate your dose up slowly.

She further noted that it’s best to consult with an experienced weight loss doctor rather than purchasing medications online and self-titrating.

Alatassi recommended staying up to date with your eye health. “Patients, especially diabetics, should get yearly eye exams to get a baseline prior to starting such medications,” she said.

Finally, Alatassi, stressed the importance of always following your doctor’s instructions.

“These are prescription medications,” she said. “Just like other medications, if used inappropriately, they can have unfortunate outcomes.”

• A recent study suggests there may be three different biotypes of ADHD.
• The findings suggest that each biotype (subtype) of ADHD may have its own distinct chemical reactions in the brain.
• Experts say that more research is needed, but the study could mark a shift in how ADHD is diagnosed and treated.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder.

Symptoms of ADHD can vary in severity, and around 6 in 10 children have moderate to severe symptoms.

Current treatment for ADHD is typically categorized by age group. However, it generally involves a combination of medications and behavioral therapies.

A recent study published in JAMA Psychiatry suggests that there may be three distinct subtypes of ADHD.

“This could mark the beginning of the end for one-size-fits-all ADHD treatment,” said Rod Mitchell, a registered psychologist and founder of Emotions Therapy, Calgary, AB, Canada, who was not involved in the study.

“If each biotype involves different neural circuits and neurotransmitter systems, then the standard ‘diagnose, prescribe stimulant, adjust dose’ approach may only be well-suited to one of the three groups,” he told Healthline.

The study looked at the chemical and structural patterns of the brains of 1,154 participants with ADHD.

When they analyzed brain scans and neurochemical signals, they found that ADHD did not affect everyone’s brain activity the same way.

They noticed that three distinctive patterns seemed to emerge.

The three subtypes of ADHD that they found were:

• severe combined with emotional dysregulation
• predominantly hyperactive/impulsive
• predominatly inattentive

“Each biotype tells a distinct neurobiological story,” said Mitchell.

He explained that the predominantly inattentive type showed alterations in a region tied to sustained attention and filtering distraction.

The predominantly hyperactive/impulsive type showed disruption in circuitry that governs impulse braking and action regulation. Both broadly align with what clinicians have observed for years.

“Interestingly, their phenotypes mirror the DSM-5,” said David Goodman, MD, assistant professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, MD, and a clinical associate professor at the Department of Psychiatry at Norton School of Medicine, State University of New York, Syracuse, NY. Goodman wasn’t involved in the study.

“In some way, these findings support the utility of the DSM-5 when pursuing this research population,” Goodman told Healthline.

The severe-combined type with emotional dysregulation is where this study breaks new ground.

This type showed the most widespread brain alterations, the most persistent emotional dysregulation over time, and preliminary signals of elevated mood disorder comorbidity — all underpinned by involvement across serotonin, dopamine, acetylcholine, and histamine pathways simultaneously, explained Mitchell.

“That neurochemical complexity helps explain why these are often the clients who don’t respond to stimulant medication alone,” Mitchell said.

The researchers note that understanding subtypes of ADHD may, “ultimately create a path toward developing personalised therapeutic strategies.”

“The correlation of neural networks and 3 biotypes in this study supports ongoing research with this concept … until a large, well-controlled clinical study demonstrates the clear benefit of one compound over another for a specific symptom cluster, this current research contributes to the evolution of ADHD neuroscience with guarded clinical applicability,” said Goodman.

Diagnosing ADHD involves several steps. The CDC states that there is no single test to diagnose the condition.

Treatment for ADHD most often involves a combination of behavioral therapy and medications.

This can depend on the age at which a person is diagnosed, however. For example, for children under 6, parent training in behavior management is generally the first line of treatment before medication.

For children ages 6 years and over, treatment generally involves a combination of therapy and medications. Behavior therapy helps the child learn how to reduce certain behaviors and increase self-regulation skills. It also typically involves training for parents.

There are two types of medications for ADHD: stimulant and non-stimulant.

It’s important for parents to work closely with healthcare professionals to find the right treatment for their child.

• “Boy kibble” is a food trend that’s been gaining popularity on social media, especially among Gen Z men.
• Usually made up of ground beef and rice, the trend is being shared as an inexpensive, simple high protein meal to support muscle building.
• Nutrition experts say the dish can provide important nutrients, but discourage eating it daily without modification.
• Eating the same meal repeatedly may lead to nutritional gaps.

“Boy Kibble” is the latest viral meal trend that’s taking over social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram.

The trend has been described as the male counterpart to the 2023 “girl dinner” phenomenon, in which women shared casual, snack-style meals of small portions of various foods.

“Boy Kibble,” on the other hand, is exactly what it sounds like. Much like kibble for pets, it’s a basic, no-frills meal that typically consists of ground beef and white rice.

Across social media, fitness influencers and gym-focused creators say the dish helps them easily hit their daily protein targets without spending much time cooking or money on takeout.

Many claim they eat the meal several times a week, while some say it’s part of their everyday routine.

Unlike many viral social media diet trends, experts say “boy kibble” does have some benefits, especially when the recipe is modified.

However, it can also pose some risks if the basic recipe is eaten too often.

Jennifer L House, MSc, RD, a dietitian with First Step Nutrition, says there’s a lot to like about the “boy kibble.”

“It’s cheaper than eating out, easy to make and batch cook, and nutrient-dense (especially if you add veggies),” she told Healthline.

“Almost 50% of our calories come from highly processed foods, so I support any kind of home cooking, no matter how basic.”

As for its nutritional plus points?

“Ground beef is a complete protein, which helps maintain muscle, repair tissue, and build antibodies. A 100g serving contains over 100% of our daily requirement for Vitamin B12, which is found [naturally] only in animal products,” House said.

“Beef contains other important minerals, too, such as zinc, which supports immunity, and iron, [which is necessary for hemoglobin], which transports oxygen in our bodies.”

She added that “boy Kibble” doesn’t have to be just for boys.

“The iron in beef is more important for women and growing children, who have higher iron needs. Many adult women are low in iron, which can lead to poor sleep, poor immunity, and lack of energy,” she said.

It’s important to note that not all rice is equal in nutrients. White rice, which is refined, has had its fiber and protein stripped out. This means that it behaves like a simple carb in the body.

“The carbohydrates in rice complement ground beef as they provide the energy you need for your workout and to replenish the energy that was used during your workout,” Kezia Joy, registered dietitian nutritionist and medical advisor at Welzo, told Healthline.

“The two together may serve as a viable base for a post-workout or high-energy meal.”

While the basic “boy kibble” recipe has some nutritional merit, experts are raising concerns about how often some people claim to eat it.

“The basic ‘boy kibble’ meal includes meat and rice. If this is all someone ate, three times a day, they would be low in fiber, calcium, and some vitamins and minerals, such as Vitamin C and folate, as well as antioxidants found in fruits and vegetables,” House said.

She said she strongly discourages people from eating basic ‘boy kibble’ “for three meals a day, or even once a day, especially if it’s just meat and rice with no veggies added.”

Joy agreed, noting that while eating the same meal every day can make tracking calories or protein easier, “dietary variety is very important to ensure that you are getting all of the nutrients your body needs.”

“Rotating different proteins, grains, and vegetables daily will help guarantee that you are getting all of the vitamins, minerals, and beneficial plant compounds your body needs to be healthy over time,” she said.

She also noted that even healthy foods can lead to deficiencies if you eat them repeatedly without variety.

House said she isn’t surprised to see “boy kibble” trending, especially among young men who may find it appealing because it removes some barriers to healthy eating.

“Boy kibble’ is simple, easy to make, and requires little time and mental energy to prepare. If it’s batch-cooked and pre-portioned, it’s just as easy to come home and microwave your ‘boy kibble’ as it is to hit a drive-thru,” she said.

“One of the barriers to cooking at home and eating healthily is the time and energy it takes to meal-plan. This recipe simplifies that process.”

Experts say the basic beef-and-rice “boy kibble” meal can be easily modified with a few simple additions to make it even healthier and more nutritionally balanced.

“Adding frozen mixed veggies or broccoli doesn’t add much prep time, but it boosts nutrition,” House said.

“Or, you could throw in a handful of bagged kale or spinach to add calcium, fiber, and antioxidants,” she added.

If you’re eating it regularly, House suggests occasionally swapping rice for another carbohydrate.

And don’t forget that taste matters too.

“I would like to see some spices, such as garlic powder and cumin, or sauces, such as salsa, added. Not only will it make the meal far tastier, but spices also contain flavonoids and other healthy antioxidants,” House said.