Taking supplements without proper knowledge can silently harm the liver and kidneys, especially when combining multiple products, overusing certain nutrients, or ignoring pre-existing health conditions. It's crucial to check interactions, avoid excess intake, and consult healthcare professionals before starting any supplement regimen to prevent long-term organ damage.
Taking ADHD medications without having the condition can cause serious health issues, impair cognitive performance, and is often misused by professionals and athletes seeking a competitive edge, but research shows these drugs can be counterproductive and dangerous for healthy individuals.
A woman recounts her regretful experience using the weight-loss drug Wegovy, despite not being overweight. She details severe side effects, including nausea and depression, and highlights the growing misuse of such drugs among non-obese individuals. Experts warn of the dangers and potential health risks, emphasizing that these medications should only be used under medical supervision for those who truly need them.
Fulton County Commissioner Bob Ellis is leading a probe into District Attorney Fani Willis over allegations of misusing taxpayer funds in her handling of a case involving special prosecutor Nathan Wade. The approved budget for the DA's office is $36.6 million, slightly lower than the actual 2023 spending. Commissioner Ellis has requested transparency on how the funds were used, specifically focusing on Willis' alleged romantic relationship with Wade. The investigation is described as non-partisan, with a focus on ensuring public funds are used as intended.
Prime Minister Modi addressed the issue of deepfake videos in a recent speech, highlighting the misuse of artificial intelligence and calling on the media to educate the public about the crisis. The viral deepfake video of actress Rashmika Mandanna has prompted the Indian government to take action, with the cyber laws division sending letters to social media platforms to remove such content. Other celebrities, including Kajol and Katrina Kaif, have also fallen victim to deepfake videos.
Adderall, a drug commonly used to treat ADHD, has faced shortages and stigmatization due to overprescription and misuse. Neuroscientists studying the dopamine system have found that Adderall works by blocking a leaky protein that causes dopamine to be pushed out of neurons in individuals with ADHD. However, in people without ADHD, the drug can disrupt the dopamine transporter, leading to increased dopamine levels and potential cardiovascular complications. Misuse of Adderall can also result in drug dependence and negative emotional states. Despite the stigma, Adderall remains an effective treatment for ADHD, improving the quality of life for those who need it.
Omegle, a popular online chat service, has shut down after 15 years due to growing misuse of the platform, including in committing "unspeakably heinous crimes." The founder, Leif K-Brooks, expressed disappointment in the changing landscape of the internet and the challenges faced in operating the service. Despite its waning popularity, Omegle still attracted around 50 million visitors last month.
Researchers in New Zealand caution against a rapid large-scale increase in the use of ketamine as a treatment for depression, despite its potential benefits for treatment-resistant depression. While ketamine shows significant short-term improvements, it is associated with high relapse rates and potential misuse. Careful patient selection, close monitoring, and robust support structures are recommended for its controlled use. The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists suggests restricting its use to treatment-resistant depression and ensuring familiarity with the drug among clinicians.
A landmark trial has found that opioids are not effective in relieving acute low back or neck pain in the short term and may lead to worse outcomes in the long term. The study, involving 347 adults, showed no significant difference in pain scores between those who took opioids and those who took a placebo after 6 weeks. After 1 year, patients given the placebo had slightly lower pain scores, and those using opioids were at a greater risk of opioid misuse. The results suggest that opioids should not be recommended for acute low back or neck pain.
FTX Trading Ltd. and its affiliated debtors have released a second report detailing the commingling and misuse of customer deposits at FTX.com by the previous management team. The report notes that FTX.com owed customers approximately $8.7 billion as of the petition date. The FTX Debtors' review is ongoing, and the report is part of a series regarding pre-petition events and issues that preceded the Chapter 11 cases.
The FDA has taken new action to address concerns about misuse, abuse, addiction, and overdose of prescription stimulants used to treat ADHD. Updated drug labels will clearly state that patients should never share their prescription stimulants with anyone, and the boxed warning will describe the risks of misuse, abuse, addiction, and overdose consistently for all medicines in the class. The FDA encourages prescribers to assess patient risk of misuse, abuse, and addiction before prescribing a stimulant and to counsel patients not to share the medication. Friends and family members are the most common source of prescription stimulant misuse and abuse.
Google is testing an experimental translation service called "Universal Translator" that redubs video in a new language while synchronizing the speaker's lips with words they never spoke. The service takes an input video, transcribes the speech, translates it, regenerates the speech in that language, and then edits the video so that the speaker's lips more closely match the new audio. However, Google warns against the possibility of misuse and has built guardrails to prevent it. The company plans to integrate new innovations in watermarking into its latest generative models to help with the challenge of misinformation.
A University of Michigan study shows that one in four middle and high school students are misusing prescription ADHD medications, such as Adderall and Ritalin, to enhance academic performance and increase focus. Misuse of these drugs can lead to addiction and negative consequences that outweigh any potential benefits. The study highlights the need for increased awareness and education about the risks of misusing ADHD medications and the importance of preventing misuse and addiction.
A new study has found that a large number of US adults are being prescribed drugs like amphetamines, which have a risk for misuse, along with medications for depression and anxiety. The practice could lead to higher rates of misuse and addiction, and cause unknown side effects. Prescription stimulant use appears to be rising, and more than 45% of adults using these drugs were using them alongside other psychiatric medications. The study's lead author is concerned about the practice because stimulants alongside medications for conditions like depression and anxiety haven't been thoroughly tested in clinical trials.
A study published in JAMA Network Open found that up to 1 in 4 students in middle and high schools in the US are misusing prescription drugs for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The study surveyed over 231,000 students from 2005 to 2020 and found that rates of misuse were highest in schools with the highest rates of students being treated for ADHD. Misuse was also more common in schools with high or moderate rates of binge drinking, more white students, and higher levels of parental education. Misusing ADHD drugs can lead to cardiovascular problems, neuropsychiatric complications, substance abuse disorder, and lower graduation rates.
