The hottest Health & Wellness Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Health & Wellness Topics

The best psychedelic (survey results)

Knowingless • 1890 implied HN points • 26 Nov 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Psychedelics Mental health Substance Use Therapeutics Addiction
  1. Different people value different effects of drugs. Some want deep life changes, while others prefer milder experiences.
  2. Ayahuasca is often seen as the most intense option, but MDMA is highly rated for pleasure and social experiences.
  3. It's important to consider the risks and benefits when choosing a drug, as different ones can impact your life in various ways.

Mental Bric-a-Brac

Disaffected Newsletter • 839 implied HN points • 08 Aug 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Healthcare Customer Service Mental health Wellbeing Community
  1. Good customer service should be recognized and praised, just like bad service is often complained about. It's important to share positive experiences.
  2. A personal connection with service staff can make a big difference, like when a pharmacist helps save money on medications and explains the options available.
  3. Observing changes in other countries can evoke a sense of concern and hope for their future. There's often a personal connection felt even from afar.

The Gadfly: Walter Kempner

Experimental Fat Loss • 162 implied HN points • 04 Feb 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Dieting Public Health Medical History Patient Care
  1. Walter Kempner was a doctor who developed a strict rice diet that helped seriously ill patients, particularly those with kidney problems, see improvements in their health. The diet was simple but very restrictive.
  2. Kempner's approach was controversial, and he often faced criticism from other doctors. However, he backed his claims with detailed data and had notable success in treating patients.
  3. Despite his initial success and fame, Kempner's methods aren't widely recognized today, and the rice diet hasn't been successfully replicated outside of his clinic.
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Flu activity increases again

Force of Infection • 183 implied HN points • 07 Feb 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Public Health Disease Prevention Epidemiology Health Education Chronic Illness
  1. Flu activity is on the rise, hitting its highest level since 2002. This means more people are going to the doctor with flu-like symptoms.
  2. Younger children are getting hit hardest, with nearly 17% showing flu symptoms. Older adults are at greater risk for serious illness, even though their overall illness rates are lower.
  3. To prevent the flu, it's important to wear masks in crowded places, ventilate indoor areas, and get vaccinated. If you do get sick, antiviral medications can help you recover faster.

Cosmic impostor syndrome

Sasha's 'Newsletter' • 2627 implied HN points • 23 Oct 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Mindfulness Spirituality Self-Improvement Meditation
  1. Meditation can make you happier and more relaxed, but the journey has ups and downs. You might go through weird phases where your self-esteem feels all mixed up.
  2. Cosmic impostor syndrome is when you realize you're not in full control of your life and self-esteem doesn't make sense anymore. It can feel awkward when you stop taking all the credit for your accomplishments.
  3. Praise can start to feel less personal and more like a comment on something outside of you, like the weather. Relationships that matter to you become the main source of self-affirmation.

Reunion!

Tom Ryan, Author • 10672 implied HN points • 18 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness
  1. The author reflects on the impact of a veterinarian on their lives.
  2. Unexpected relationships can profoundly influence our experiences.
  3. Sometimes a change, like switching vets, can lead to positive outcomes.

⚡️ Top 10 news of the week

digitalhealthinsider • 19 implied HN points • 25 Oct 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Digital Health Healthcare Innovation Health Technology Health Policy
  1. Waltz is working on making prescription care cheaper and easier using AI technology. They aim to help consumers make better choices about their healthcare.
  2. There's a growing gap between what virtual health services offer and what people want. This disconnect could affect how healthcare evolves in the future.
  3. Health tech startups are facing challenges after a surge in funding during the pandemic. Many may need to merge or consolidate to survive in the changing market.

Level Up: Week 3

Running Probably • 59 implied HN points • 18 Oct 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Fitness Mental health Nutrition Personal Growth Lifestyle
  1. It's important to have easy runs in your training. Not every run should be tough; some should feel light and fun.
  2. Building a running routine means making your run a priority. Set aside time and prepare so that running becomes a natural part of your day.
  3. Managing your effort can help improve your running. Use the talk test to find a comfortable pace where you can chat easily while running.

Altered states: The new science of appetite and brain plasticity

Brain Pizza • 662 implied HN points • 23 Dec 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Medicine Mental health Addiction Research
  1. New weight-loss drugs like semaglutide can help people lose weight and improve their overall health. They might change how we think about appetite and cravings.
  2. These medications could have benefits beyond just weight loss, including helping with anxiety and even substance use disorders. They show promise in many areas of health.
  3. There is potential for these drugs to change society by reducing healthcare costs, improving self-esteem, and even aiding in the treatment of diseases like Parkinson’s.

Well Being: Methylene Blue

Who is Robert Malone • 38 implied HN points • 17 Feb 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Supplements Nutrition Fitness Longevity
  1. Bio-hacking means figuring out new ways to improve your health by experimenting with your body and mind. It's all about using different techniques and supplements to feel better.
  2. Methylene blue is a supplement that may help boost energy levels and improve cognitive function by supporting the health of our mitochondria, the parts of our cells that produce energy.
  3. While there are risks with self-experimentation, some people find that bio-hacking can lead to amazing health benefits, like better energy and improved brain function, especially as we age.

Covid, 4 years on

Ground Truths • 15003 implied HN points • 13 Mar 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Public Health
  1. The global excess mortality due to Covid has reached about 30 million lost lives, impacting life expectancy in 204 countries. Long Covid continues to affect tens of millions worldwide.
  2. Vaccination rates and political affiliation have shown stark differences in Covid death rates, with data indicating the protective benefits of boosters for older individuals.
  3. New variants of SARS-CoV-2, like BA.2.87.1, are being monitored for mutations, with the current consensus suggesting it is less immune-evasive. Vaccines have shown major protection against cardiovascular outcomes.

Technology indistinguishable from magic

Wrong Side of History • 470 implied HN points • 31 Dec 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Pharmaceuticals Gene Therapy Chronic Illness Public Health
  1. Medical technology has advanced a lot recently. Many serious diseases, like diabetes and HIV, are now much easier to treat than before.
  2. New treatments for conditions such as schizophrenia and allergies are being developed, showing promise for better ways to help people who suffer from these issues.
  3. Innovations like gene therapy and cancer vaccines are changing how we approach some of the most challenging health problems, potentially offering cures or significantly improved treatments.

What Is The Current Evidence for mRNA Vaccine Shedding?

The Forgotten Side of Medicine • 9512 implied HN points • 08 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Vaccination Symptoms Research Prevention Effects
  1. Shedding from mRNA vaccines is a real concern, with varying levels of sensitivity among individuals.
  2. Symptoms of shedding exposure often overlap with long COVID and vaccine side effects, particularly affecting women.
  3. Shedding can occur through proximity, skin-to-skin contact, and other secretions, with a range of symptoms such as menstrual abnormalities, bruising, dizziness, and more.

Level up: Week 2

Running Probably • 99 implied HN points • 11 Oct 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Fitness Wellbeing Training Nutrition Mindfulness
  1. Running by feel is important. Instead of always checking your watch, pay attention to how your body feels during the run.
  2. Finding the right time to run makes it easier to stick to your routine. Try different times to see when you feel best running.
  3. Adding variety to your running routes keeps things interesting. Explore new paths and take note of your surroundings to make each run fun.

Op-ed on the US Dietary Guidelines: the problems and how to fix them

Unsettled Science • 1158 implied HN points • 22 Nov 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Dietary Guidelines Public Health Wellness Trends Food Science
  1. The US Dietary Guidelines have some serious flaws that need addressing. Many people think these guidelines aren't based on solid science.
  2. Experts are suggesting changes to improve the guidelines. They believe the rules should be more flexible and better reflect current nutrition research.
  3. There's a call for a broader discussion on diet recommendations. It’s important for everyone to have a say in what healthy eating looks like.

Dissecting A Modern Vaccine Propaganda Piece

The Forgotten Side of Medicine • 8824 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Vaccines Science Politics Propaganda Disinformation
  1. The author dissects a modern vaccine propaganda piece and reveals tactics used to defend unchallenged arguments.
  2. Peter Hotez is highlighted as drawing the ire of the vaccine safety community by defending the vaccine narrative and attacking critics.
  3. Hotez's suggestions to silence opposition and his rhetoric are critiqued for their implications on free speech and public debate.

Women of All Ages: Stop Drinking Now

Ladyparts • 4852 implied HN points • 28 Mar 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Health Risks Alcohol Awareness
  1. Moderate drinking for women of all ages significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular disease.
  2. Contrary to past beliefs, even one glass of wine a day may not have health benefits and can actually increase the risk of death for women.
  3. Consider exploring sources that share updated and evidence-based information about alcohol consumption and its effects on health.

Thinking about a cure for pain, again

Trevor Klee’s Newsletter • 597 implied HN points • 25 Dec 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Pain management Medical Science Chronic Pain Diabetes Mental health
  1. Pain is a fundamental part of being human and signals when something is wrong, yet we still don't fully understand how it works or how to treat it effectively.
  2. Diabetes can cause specific types of nerve pain that result from damage to the nerves, often making it hard for those affected to find relief.
  3. Researchers might need to focus on targeting pain at the nerve level to find better solutions, potentially using advanced methods like gene therapy.

Let's make 2024 the year of saying no to productivity culture

Changing The Channel • 8730 implied HN points • 04 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Rest Productivity Culture Mental health Self-care
  1. Taking time to rest and relax is essential for our well-being, even if it goes against the pervasive productivity culture.
  2. Rest should not be tied to productivity but should be seen as a natural cycle to be honored.
  3. During challenging times, like January, it's okay to embrace the idea of taking a break and not succumb to the pressure of always being productive.

Over 90,000 Satisfied Responses In Trans Survey; Largest Detrans Survey Only Had 100

Erin In The Morning • 6584 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Transgender Survey Regret Legislation
  1. A recent survey of over 90,000 transgender individuals shows high levels of satisfaction post-transition.
  2. The survey results challenge prevailing narratives of transgender regret prevalent in anti-trans media.
  3. The largest detrans survey had only 100 responses, highlighting the rarity of detransition and regret among transgender individuals.

Applying The Bradford Hill Criteria To Social Media Use and Adolescent Mental Health

After Babel • 787 implied HN points • 17 Dec 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Addiction Social media Adolescents Public Health
  1. Heavy social media use is linked to poor mental health in teens, like depression and anxiety. This effect is often stronger in vulnerable groups, especially girls.
  2. The Bradford Hill criteria help us explore if social media actually causes mental health issues instead of just being correlated. It's a framework to understand more about how risks might affect health.
  3. Not all social media use is harmful; some might even be okay. The key is moderation and understanding the potential risks, especially for those who might be more affected.

You can save your teeth with this one ordinary trick

Disaffected Newsletter • 2118 implied HN points • 29 May 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Preventive Care Lifestyle
  1. Flossing is super important for keeping your teeth healthy. It's even more crucial than brushing because it gets rid of the stuff stuck between your teeth and below the gumline.
  2. Ignoring gum disease can lead to serious health issues and changes in your appearance. Losing teeth not only affects your smile but also your facial structure over time.
  3. Regular dental cleanings and procedures like deep root scaling can really improve your gum health. If you take care of your gums now, you can avoid bigger problems and keep your smile for life.

Lighting up Long Covid

Ground Truths • 15222 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Long Covid Vaccination Clinical Trials
  1. A new study on Long Covid analyzed 6,600 proteins to identify potential biomarkers like complement activation.
  2. Vaccination offers substantial protection against Long Covid, especially in those not at risk of severe illness.
  3. Recent reports highlight potential neurologic damage from Covid and call for more research on effective treatments.

How to Make Big Life Decisions

David Spinks' Newsletter • 12 implied HN points • 26 Feb 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Personal Growth Mental health Decision-making Emotional Wellbeing Career Coaching
  1. Emotions are important when making big decisions, so it's good to let them flow and be expressed. This helps clear your mind and find calmness.
  2. Listening to the different parts of yourself can help you understand your fears and concerns. Acknowledging them can lead to a deeper insight into what you really want.
  3. Checking in with your heart and body when making a decision is crucial. If it feels right and brings calm, you’re likely on the right path.

Understanding Iron

Harnessing the Power of Nutrients • 1997 implied HN points • 01 Jun 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Metabolism Disease Regulation
  1. Iron levels inside cells can be misunderstood, leading to confusion between deficiency and overload, especially for those with certain gene variants.
  2. Neurological, psychiatric, and cognitive issues could be linked to iron levels being too low or too high, affecting dopamine and myelin synthesis.
  3. Understanding the complexities of iron metabolism can help in interpreting lab data and making informed decisions to address iron-related problems effectively.

You Don't Understand Serum Ferritin

Harnessing the Power of Nutrients • 2216 implied HN points • 23 May 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Iron Testing Research
  1. Ferritin, used to measure iron in blood, holds little iron but plays a crucial role, impacting health at extremes.
  2. Iron balance is key for health - too much ages, affects skin, causes diseases; too little harms brain, hormones, energy. It needs to be just right.
  3. Understanding serum ferritin's purpose is unclear; we don't know how it gets into blood or why. Limitations exist in relying solely on ferritin for iron status.