The brain adopts rigid patterns of activity if you suffer from depression. But researchers at Imperial College London have discovered that psilocybin, the psychedelic substance found in magic mushrooms, helps to “open up” depressed people’s brains. Psilocybin is now one of a … Read More
New physio trials a step in the right direction for adults struggling to walk
We all know the mental and physical benefits of walking, and it’s a simple exercise many of us take for granted. But for some, walking can cause excruciating pain in the calves, which makes putting one foot in front of … Read More
New ground-breaking Covid vaccination nasal spray only needing one use is on its way
As the Covid virus continues to evolve, experts are afraid it might be capable of evading our vaccines by throwing up mutations. In its present form, it is using only one mode of entry into the body via a spike … Read More
New mobile phone app could transform the lives of people living with pain
There are 20,000 people in Edinburgh with gout and soon they’ll be successfully controlling their condition thanks to a novel self-management pilot study. The study encourages patients to manage their own gout by doing finger-prick tests at home to measure their urate … Read More
Penile cancer is usually slow-growing and when caught early a cure is possible
Recently I answered a reader’s letter about cancer of the penis, and although it’s rare, I feel it needs more space. Thankfully there are only around 400 cases a year, diagnosed mostly in men over the age of 60. The … Read More
Being kind to ourselves is key in the battle against depression
We tend to be our own worst critics and fall into the habit of being tough on ourselves. In people with depression, this negativity can tip over into feelings of worthlessness, even self-hate. No depression can get better if that … Read More
Women shouldn’t ignore sudden abdominal pain as it’s almost always serious
For women, right-sided abdominal pain that comes on suddenly is nearly always serious and quite often ends up in A&E. Surgery is on the cards. This is because causes of right-sided pain could be appendicitis, ectopic pregnancy and Crohn’s disease … Read More
Hope as scientists are targeting a new area in the brain to treat anxiety
Before the pandemic levels of anxiety were already pretty high, with one in five of us struggling. But, unsurprisingly, the figures have soared in the past couple of years, to one in three. Coping with anxiety is not easy and … Read More
Workouts become harder if you break good exercise habit due to crucial protein
I’m all too aware that if I let my daily exercise lapse, it’s extremely hard to take up the reins and get back into my usual routine. I thought that was just my muscles getting lazy but research from Leeds … Read More
Newborn screening could save 70 babies each year from crippling disability
Every five days a potential tragedy occurs in one of the UK’s maternity units as a baby is born with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). It’s a tragedy waiting to happen because while treatments are available, they have to be given immediately after … Read More