Feeling blue? Two new studies suggest taking a trip might help - but we're not talking vacations. PICTURES - Depression nation: 16 saddest states Tripping on "magic mushrooms" appears to change the brain in ways similar to antidepressants, the study found. "We're not saying go out there and eat magic mushrooms," Professor David Nutt, a neuropsychopharmacology researcher at Imperial College London and senior author of both studies, told Reuters. "But...this drug has such a fundamental impact on the brain that ... more→
Alzheimer’s brain plaques prevented by lifetime of puzzles, study suggests
Doctors always talk about the importance of daily exercise to stay healthy and ward off disease, but when it comes to fitness, are you doing enough to work out your brain? PICTURES: Alzheimer's disease: 7 things that raise your risk A new study suggests you better. The study found people who who kept their brains active most of their lives by reading, writing, completing crossword puzzles, or playing challenging games were a lot less likely to develop brain plaques that are ... more→
Eat less, drink up: 6 diets that let you booze
Let's face it, dieting is hard. People have enough trouble giving up the foods they've grown to like, but having to lose weight without the comfort of an occasional drink can be a deal-breaker for some dieters. While certain diets have a zero-tolerance policy toward booze, others allow or even encourage moderate alcohol consumption - and experts say diets that permit drinking may be easier to stick to than their more rigid counterparts. From Angela Haupt of U.S. News & World Report, here's a look at six ... more→
Does a woman’s G-spot actually exist? Study has answer
Some people swear they've found it, while others swear it doesn't exist. We're not talking about the ancient Lost City of Gold or the Holy Grail, but researchers and everyday folks alike have been arguably just as fascinated with tracking it down. It's a woman's G-spot. But a new study that delved through 60 years worth of research has once-and-for all showed that you need not look any further find a woman's G-spot. Because the G-spot doesn't actually exist, the study ... more→
School lunches to get healthy revamp
Schoolchildren's favorite lunch - the ubiquitous frozen pizza - is about to get healthier. First lady Michelle Obama and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack are expected to announce Wednesday that most school meals, including pizza, will have less sodium, more whole grains and more fruits and vegetables as sides. The popular pizzas will still be on school lunch lines but made with healthier ingredients. Mrs. Obama and Vilsack were making the announcement at an elementary school in Alexandria, Va., with celebrity chef Rachael Ray.... more→
Narcissism puts men’s health at risk
Do you really love yourself? If you're a man, you could be risking your health, according to a new study. The study found narcissism - particularly in men - is tied to unhealthy stress on the body. Narcissism is characterized as having an inflated self-esteem, little empathy, and a sense of entitlement. The study, published Jan. 23 in the journal PLoS ONE, analyzed 106 volunteer students from American university - 79 females, 27 males, with were on average 20 years ... more→
Fried food not bad for heart if cooked in olive, sunflower oil
Is eating lots of fried food a heart attack waiting to happen? Not if it's fried in olive or sunflower oil, a new study suggests. PICTURES: Yum - or yuck? 20 freakish fried foods The study, published in today's British Medical Journal, surveyed the cooking methods of 40,757 healthy adults in Spain - ages 29 to 69 - over 11 years. Participants were asked about their diet and cooking methods. Researchers assessed the amount of fried food consumed. After 11 ... more→
Condoms officially required in porn filmed in Los Angeles
It's official. Porn actors must wear condoms if their movies are being filmed in Los Angeles. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa signed the law on Monday, and it should go into effect in 41 days. PICTURES - Derrick Burts: HIV-positive porn actor calls for condom use Officials with the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, which lobbied for years for such a law, expressed jubilation Tuesday and said they would now turn their attention to getting a similar condom requirement adopted elsewhere. "The city ... more→
Medical tests: Are you getting too many?
There's growing concern about medical tests -- whether you're getting too many of them, and which ones should be part of a regular doctor's visit. Should you always get an EKG or cholesterol screening? And how often do women really need bone scans for osteoporosis? Health care costs in the United States have skyrocketed to more than $2 trillion a year -- up from $253 billion in 1980. The concern is that tests can waste time and money and sometimes do more harm ... more→
Chemicals found in microwave popcorn bags may interfere with vaccine protection
Can microwave popcorn mess with childhood vaccinations? The two may seem completely unrelated, but a new study suggests chemicals that are widely used for making popcorn bags and lots of other products may counter the immune system benefits from vaccines in kids. The chemicals in question are called perfluorinated compounds (PFCs). The compounds are found in household items such as food packaging, stain repellents, and non-stick coating in pots and pans. The compounds don't break down easily and are often found in the environment and wildlife. ... more→
