The hottest Health Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics

Après Sport

Snaxshot • 679 implied HN points • 18 Aug 24
🍲 Food & Drink Health
  1. Après sport drinks are a trendy new category that focuses on hydration without the heavy functionality of traditional sports drinks. They are designed to be enjoyed socially after light sports like pickleball or tennis.
  2. Millennials are reviving and upgrading leisure sports and related drinks, moving away from sugary beverages towards healthier options like sparkling waters. This reflects a broader shift in lifestyle and drinking habits.
  3. Market trends show a growing demand for low-calorie and functional drinks, with the sports drink sector expected to see significant growth. People are starting to prefer lighter, refreshing choices after sports activities.

Level Up Challenge: Week One

Running Probably • 119 implied HN points • 04 Oct 24
🎾 Sports Health
  1. Everyone is at a different stage in their running journey, and that's okay. Whether you're just starting or you're a seasoned runner, there's a place for you.
  2. The Level Up Challenge has different levels for various runners, from beginners trying to build a habit to advanced runners seeking to improve speed and training. This can help everyone identify where they fit and what goals to set.
  3. Keep a running journal to reflect on your experiences and progress. Writing down thoughts about your runs can help you understand how running affects you, both mentally and physically.

"Like Trader Joe's on Ayahuasca"

Snaxshot • 739 implied HN points • 12 Aug 24
🍲 Food & Drink Health
  1. Gen Z is moving away from traditional recipes and ingredients. They like to remix old favorites with new, exciting flavors and trends.
  2. There's a rising trend of niche and locally sourced water brands. Many consumers are now interested in hyper-local options rather than exotic imported waters.
  3. Food brands are finding success by unbundling popular classics. This gives consumers new and fun ways to enjoy familiar products.

A Story About Pain

The Audacity. • 10770 implied HN points • 13 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture Health
  1. The post discusses women, pain, and the struggle to be heard
  2. The author, Aubrey Hirsch, shares personal stories through writing and illustrations
  3. Aubrey Hirsch's work has been featured in various publications like The New York Times and TIME

Why Are So Many British Women Getting Abortions? Plus. . .

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 310 implied HN points • 30 Jan 26
📰 News Health
  1. Abortions in England and Wales are at their highest level since legalization, with roughly one in three pregnancies ending in termination. Easier access to medication, growing normalization of abortion, and a generation of women who feel unready or too imperfect to parent are major factors in the rise.
  2. Social media can serve as a broad public fact-checker, pushing back on and correcting official narratives in high-profile cases like the Alex Pretti killing. Crowdsourced scrutiny sometimes exposes government inaccuracies faster than traditional channels.
  3. Blaming data centers for energy crises misses the root cause: weak, outdated power grids that can’t support modern industrial growth. Improving grid capacity and planning is the real solution, not demonizing data infrastructure.
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Girl Storm (2023) by Peg Kerswell

Tao Lin • 599 implied HN points • 22 Jul 24
📚 Literature Health
  1. Raising a profoundly autistic child can be incredibly challenging and heartbreaking. The author shares true stories of frustration and helplessness while caring for her daughter Ellie.
  2. There is a growing concern about the rising cases of profound autism, with the author questioning the commonly held belief that autism is purely genetic. The book highlights the potential roles of diet and environmental factors.
  3. Despite the struggles, the memoir offers a perspective that can cultivate gratitude in readers. It serves as a reminder of the importance of support and love in difficult circumstances.

Reflections on Peru and Bolivia

Bet On It • 316 implied HN points • 20 Jan 26
🏝 Travel Health
  1. Heavy bureaucracy and messy logistics make travel in Peru and Bolivia harder than it should be — ticketing quirks, constant passport checks, cash-only kiosks, and changing visa/vaccine rules create big hassles that push people away.
  2. The destinations themselves are amazing and worth the trouble — places like Machu Picchu, Ollantaytambo, Sacsayhuaman and La Paz’s cable-car system offer unforgettable scenery, history, and modern transit.
  3. Relatively simple policy changes—market pricing or privatizing site management, better ticketing and infrastructure—would raise revenue, reduce queues, and vastly improve the tourist experience; Bolivia’s recent political shift adds both opportunity and short-term uncertainty for reform.

‘I Let the AI Run My Life.’ Plus. . .

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 282 implied HN points • 23 Jan 26
📰 News Health
  1. A person let an AI manage her bank, inbox, calendar, investments, and daily tasks, showing how easy it is to build an all‑seeing personal assistant and raising questions about convenience versus loss of autonomy.
  2. A new Friday newsletter edition now curates the week's top stories, arrives later in the morning, and includes features like an advice column to help readers catch up on longer pieces.
  3. The reporting spans big political fights and legal battles, human stories about deportation and censorship, and some hopeful news such as falling fentanyl deaths and activists using Starlink to get around internet blackouts.

Neurologist Speaks Out

Injecting Freedom • 69 implied HN points • 26 Feb 26
🎙 Podcasts Health
  1. A double-board-certified neurologist says he has seen acute vaccine adverse events firsthand that are quietly acknowledged but rarely reported.
  2. He argues there is deep cognitive dissonance in medicine, with flawed vaccine surveillance systems and many neurologists staying silent about suspected vaccine harms.
  3. He calls for more transparency, better reporting, recognition of genetic susceptibility, and stronger informed consent and parental choice around vaccinations.

Reading List 02/08/2025

Construction Physics • 7933 implied HN points • 08 Feb 25
🔬 Science Health
  1. Ship-mounted lasers are being developed by the military to counter drone threats. These directed energy weapons may become crucial as drones are more widely used in conflicts.
  2. Santorini is experiencing a series of small earthquakes, leading to most residents evacuating. Authorities are on alert as they prepare for the possibility of a stronger quake.
  3. Ford is facing significant losses in its electric vehicle division as high costs for development and low sales numbers are piling up. The company estimates it could lose up to $5.5 billion this year on EVs.

Adam Kucharski: The Uncertain Science of Certainty

Ground Truths • 3718 implied HN points • 29 Jun 25
🔬 Science Health
  1. Science is about understanding uncertainty and the limits of what we know. It's important to recognize that truth can change as new evidence comes in.
  2. Different types of proof, such as randomized trials or natural experiments, all have their pros and cons. It's crucial to evaluate what type is best for the situation at hand.
  3. Repetition can affect our belief in something, even if it's not true. It's essential to stay open to different viewpoints and challenge our own beliefs.

Hidden Open Thread 415.5

Astral Codex Ten • 412 implied HN points • 08 Jan 26
🎭️ Culture Health
  1. This entry is a paid, subscriber-only post titled "Hidden Open Thread 415.5" published on Jan 08, 2026.
  2. The page requires subscribing or signing in to view the full content and provides direct subscribe and sign-in links.
  3. The header shows small engagement numbers (6, 184, 1) and includes previous/next navigation, indicating it's part of a series with some interaction.

Open Thread 390

Astral Codex Ten • 3372 implied HN points • 14 Jul 25
🔬 Science Health
  1. You can talk about anything you like in this open thread, ask questions, or share ideas. It's a great way to interact with others.
  2. There was a recent discussion about a math error in a simulation related to schizophrenia, showing the importance of accuracy in research.
  3. A user reported vision loss potentially linked to a probiotic, but many are skeptical. It's a reminder to approach health claims carefully and seek expert advice.

Running together

Thinking about... • 776 implied HN points • 15 Nov 25
🎾 Sports Health
  1. Sometimes things don't go as planned, like when a race turns out to be a scam. But it's important to make the best of the situation and still participate.
  2. Even without official organizers or timing, running with others can create a sense of community and support. It's nice to cheer each other on, even in tricky circumstances.
  3. The joy of running is not just about competition but also about the shared experience. Completing the run together made it a special moment, despite the original disappointment.

Pfizer and Moderna bivalent vaccines contain 20-35% expression vector and are transformation competent in E.coli

Nepetalactone Newsletter • 5405 implied HN points • 08 Mar 23
🔬 Science Health
  1. Pfizer and Moderna bivalent vaccines have 20-35% expression vector and can transform E.coli.
  2. Previous estimates of DNA contamination in the vaccines were significantly underestimated.
  3. Different methods like transformation of DNA in E.coli and qPCR assays were used to quantify the nucleic acid contamination in the vaccines.

DisInformation Chronicle Podcast with NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya

The DisInformation Chronicle • 290 implied HN points • 31 Dec 25
🎙 Podcasts Health
  1. A new podcast will interview interesting, smart thinkers and plans to release new episodes about twice a month at first.
  2. The first episode features NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya discussing his move from Stanford professor to the government role that manages a huge chunk of biomedical research funding.
  3. Future guests will be announced ahead of time so paid subscribers can suggest questions, and listeners are invited to suggest guests and consider subscribing.

Ancient Wisdom: When Darkness Comes, Don’t Flinch

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 2420 implied HN points • 20 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Health
  1. Facing tough times can be really hard, but it's important not to back down. Staying strong in the face of challenges helps us cope better.
  2. Family connections remain important even when circumstances change. Little moments with loved ones, like sharing stories or laughter, can bring comfort.
  3. Finding personal treasures or symbols can help us navigate difficult emotions. They can remind us of joyful memories and keep our spirits up during tough times.

Bari’s Picks of the Week: Charlie Kirk’s Final Message

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 463 implied HN points • 12 Dec 25
📰 News Health
  1. Charlie Kirk says observing the Sabbath transformed him and inspired his final book, which argues that taking regular time offline can change a life. His wife will discuss the book and their experiences in a town hall about grief and forgiveness.
  2. A new America at 250 newsletter will explore American history and highlight lesser-known Founders like George Mason, arguing his work influenced the Declaration and the Bill of Rights. The project aims to celebrate and reexamine the ideas that shaped the country.
  3. Reporting focused on contentious social issues: a Canadian court ruling recognizing Indigenous "Aboriginal title" has left long-time homeowners in legal limbo, while debates over legalizing assisted suicide (MAID) continue across the West. These stories show how legal and moral questions are reshaping communities and medical practice.

Minimal Evidence of Heterogeneity in Effect Estimates: GWAS from the Million Veteran Program

The Infinitesimal • 319 implied HN points • 19 Jul 24
🔬 Science Health
  1. The Million Veteran Program's study looked at genetic data from 600,000 people, revealing that diversity in ancestry helped identify genetic traits linked to diseases.
  2. Most genetic differences between groups were due to allele frequency changes rather than real differences in how genes affect health.
  3. Fewer than 1% of significant genetic associations showed differences between populations, indicating that many genetic effects are quite similar across different ancestry groups.

We should measure effect sizes on substantively important scales

Wyclif's Dust • 2146 implied HN points • 12 Jul 25
🔬 Science Health
  1. Effect sizes matter when they're measured on scales that are important to real life. For example, a small change in the chance of going to university can have a huge impact on families and policies.
  2. Correlation coefficients aren't the only way to measure effect sizes. Sometimes, using different scales can make it clearer how significant an effect really is.
  3. Noisy outcomes can still be meaningful. Just because there's variation around a mean doesn't mean the underlying effect isn't strong; it's important to look at how much outcomes change in significant ways.

They Became Symbols for Gazan Starvation. But All 12 Suffer from Other Health Problems.

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1627 implied HN points • 18 Aug 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Health
  1. Viral photos from Gaza showing starving children may not tell the whole story. Many of the kids in these images have serious health issues like cystic fibrosis and rickets.
  2. A recent case highlighted by The Free Press involved an 18-month-old boy presented as a symbol of hunger. His health conditions were downplayed in reports.
  3. Several other similar images shared by major media lacked context about the children's medical backgrounds, creating a misleading narrative about starvation in Gaza.

We had people go into rooms of our parents, grand-parents, who were isolated behind the glass, no doctor would touch them as they began to die in isolation; pull back cover saw feces, mound of feces

Alexander News Network -Dr. Paul Elias Alexander's substack • 2299 implied HN points • 17 Jan 24
🏥 Health Politics Health
  1. Patients were left isolated and uncared for, even as they died in filth.
  2. The author advocates for holding medical professionals accountable for their actions during COVID.
  3. The text urges for dramatic legal consequences if COVID policies are found to be harmful.

Are the Phones Really to Blame? Plus. . .

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 398 implied HN points • 10 Dec 25
📰 News Health
  1. Many people blame smartphones for youth mental-health and attention problems, sparking school phone bans and a low-tech backlash. Some experts say those harms are overstated and warn broad bans could hurt free expression and bring unintended costs.
  2. A powerful sedative called medetomidine has appeared in Philadelphia and is knocking users into dangerous, sleep-like states that can send them to the ER or leave them unconscious. Dealers are mixing it into cheap stamps, worsening the city's overdose crisis.
  3. Rising geopolitical risks are piling up: Trump’s aggressive posture in Latin America could accidentally trigger conflict, Ukraine refuses territorial concessions, and incidents like AI-chip smuggling and worries about Iranian operatives add to global instability. Together these developments are making the international situation more volatile.

The Audacious Roundup

The Audacity. • 1965 implied HN points • 30 Jan 24
📰 News Health
  1. The Audacious Bookclub's February pick is _Martyr!_ by Kaveh Akbar.
  2. Roxane Gay's debut title from Roxane Gay Books is a finalist in the NAACP Image Awards.
  3. Various news and events in the literary and social justice world are highlighted.

BOOM! “Bill Gates has done more damage to the world's health than probably any other individual." ~ Professor Angus Dalgleish (professor of oncology at St George's, University of London)

Alexander News Network -Dr. Paul Elias Alexander's substack • 2181 implied HN points • 11 Jan 24
🏥 Health Politics Health
  1. Professor Angus Dalgleish believes Bill Gates has done significant damage to global health.
  2. Criticism is directed at pharmaceutical companies for experimenting with harmful research protocols and vaccines on poor populations.
  3. The pursuit of money and power in the pharmaceutical industry is highlighted as detrimental, especially to vulnerable communities.

Perils of Flawed Meta-Analytic Methodology

The Shores of Academia • 39 implied HN points • 03 Oct 24
🔬 Science Health
  1. Flawed meta-analysis can mix different studies that aren't similar, making it hard to draw clear conclusions about their effects on things like mental health.
  2. It’s important for researchers to look at specific impacts and not just assume that a random-effects model explains everything. Understanding the differences in outcomes can lead to better insights.
  3. Proper analysis in studies is really important, especially when people's health is at risk. Ignoring negative findings can mislead people about the safety of products like drugs.

How to De-Addict Gen Z from Porn

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1521 implied HN points • 29 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Health
  1. Many young men today struggle with porn addiction, which affects their relationships and self-esteem. It's common for boys to encounter porn at a very young age, leading to harmful effects on their views about intimacy and real-life connections.
  2. An app called Quittr was created to help Gen Z men quit porn and improve their lives. The app encourages users to focus on personal growth, like hitting the gym and building character.
  3. The widespread access to porn can make facing real-life relationships feel daunting. This can turn seeking love or connection into a scary experience, while porn provides a quick, risk-free outlet.

The Texas Floods Were an Avoidable Tragedy

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1766 implied HN points • 07 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Health
  1. The recent floods in Texas caused over 90 deaths, highlighting the need for better safety measures in flood-prone areas. Many people believe this tragedy could have been prevented with proper planning and warnings.
  2. There is a call for a U.S. Disaster Review Board to help analyze and improve responses to such disasters. This board could ensure lessons are learned and that similar tragedies don't happen again.
  3. Although the U.S. has improved weather forecasts and evacuation procedures, this incident shows that more work is needed. The tragic events remind us that continuous improvement in disaster preparedness is essential.

Womb

The Audacity. • 3282 implied HN points • 14 Jun 23
📚 Literature Health
  1. Kristina Kasparian is an emerging writer from Montreal, Canada.
  2. She holds a Ph.D. in neurolinguistics but left academia due to health reasons.
  3. Her essay 'Womb' is available for paid subscribers on audacity.substack.com.

A Truth-Based Relationship With Reality Requires Courage

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 2123 implied HN points • 07 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Health
  1. Facing the harsh realities of the world, like suffering and injustice, takes real courage. It's uncomfortable, but it's necessary for healing.
  2. Truth can be scary, but it's the only way to improve ourselves and our society. To find peace and happiness, we must confront our hidden fears and lies.
  3. Changing the world requires small, brave steps towards truth. Each person must face their own darkness and contribute to creating a healthier and more harmonious future.

Hinternet Essay Prize Contest

Justin E. H. Smith's Hinternet • 293 implied HN points • 09 Dec 25
🎙 Podcasts Health
  1. Carlyn Zwarenstein won the 2025 Hinternet Essay Prize for her thoughts on how technology can help achieve lasting peace. She believes new tech can play a role in creating a more peaceful world.
  2. In her work, she explores the subjects of substance and its effects on pain and pleasure. She writes about complex topics in a way that is engaging and thought-provoking.
  3. Carlyn is a science journalist, showing that her writing not only focuses on literature but also on important and timely subjects in science.

Top Links 921 Integrating AI. The global distribution of hail. Pre-tomato Italy & "Bad Medicine for Dr Drugs".

Chartbook • 429 implied HN points • 14 Nov 25
🕹 Technology Health
  1. AI is being integrated into the workforce in various ways, influencing how jobs are done.
  2. There's a focus on understanding the global impacts of extreme weather, like hail, on different regions.
  3. Historical contexts, such as pre-tomato Italy, provide interesting insights into how food and medicine have evolved over time.

What I Read This Week...

chamathreads • 1434 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
📰 News Health
  1. Congress's budget estimates can't be trusted
  2. Elon Musk's Neuralink implanted its first brain device
  3. Some children transitioning genders are de-transitioning back

The Presidential Fitness Test Was Humbling. I’m Glad It’s Back.

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1112 implied HN points • 13 Aug 25
🎭️ Culture Health
  1. The Presidential Fitness Test taught kids that hard work can lead to improvement and strength. It showed how physical challenges can help boost confidence.
  2. Recalling old memories of the test highlights how it was often a mix of fun and embarrassment for students. It’s a reminder that everyone has different abilities and experiences in sports.
  3. Reinstating the test aims to tackle the growing health issues among Americans. It encourages people to get active and strive for better physical fitness.