Cannabis extract can be used to treat psychosis, says this study

A single dose of the non-intoxicating compound of cannabis — cannabidiol — can help reduce brain function abnormalities seen in people with psychosis, results of a clinical trial, led by an Indian-origin doctor, has revealed. Psychosis is a mental disorder characterised by a disconnection from reality. Brain activity in the people at risk of psychosis remains abnormal compared to the healthy ones. But in people who had cannabidiol, the abnormal brain activity was less severe than for those who received a placebo, suggesting cannabidiol can help re-adjust brain activity to…

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71% of Consumers Watch Videos on Social Media to Laugh, Report Says

One of the great joys in life is laughter, and when it comes to consumers on social media, 71% said it is one of the reasons they watch videos. The 2018 Sprout Social Index report surveyed consumers and marketers to determine where in the funnel social marketing effort must be targeted. It is critically important to define this target because social media is no longer an optional marketing channel. For small businesses, mastering social marketing is even more relevant because it is an easy and affordable way to reach your target audience. Whether you…

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Single pill with two drugs can boost treatment for blood pressure, says study

A single pill with two drugs could transform blood pressure treatment as most of the patients are often reluctant to take more than a pill, according to a research. The research, published in the European Heart Journal, recognised that a major reason for poor rates of blood pressure control is that patients do not adhere to medications. Non-adherence increases with the number of pills, so administering the two drugs (or three, if needed) in a single tablet could transform blood pressure control rates, the researchers said. “The vast majority of…

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Kidneys can be affected because of poor air quality, says study

Polluted air increases the risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD) which occurs when a person’s kidneys are damaged, or cannot filter blood properly, researchers, including one of Indian origin, have found. The study highlighted that people with diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure or heart disease are at an increased risk of developing CKD. Apart from PM2.5, air pollution also contains heavy metals such as lead, mercury and cadmium -all of which are known to negatively affect the kidneys. Researchers from the University of Michigan in the US, warn high risk…

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Maternal depression may affect child’s mental health, says study

Women, take note. If you are suffering from depression, it may affect your child’s stress and physical well-being throughout life, a new study has found. The findings, published in the Journal of Diabetes, suggested that depressed mothers had higher cortisol (CT) and secretory immunoglobulin (s-IgA) — markers of stress and the immune system — levels and displayed more negative parenting, characterised by negative effect, intrusion, and criticism. “Following mothers and children across the first decade of life, we found that exposure to maternal depression impairs functioning of the child’s immune system…

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Too Much Protein Isn’t Good For Your Heart, Says New Study

A group of researchers wanted to look into the long-term effects of one of society’s most popular diets, so they watched the eating habits of over 2,400 Finnish men for more than 20 years. What they found was eating a high-protein diet isn’t entirely harmless as once thought. Foods rich in protein has been the center of controversy in recent years. Some think it’s a good idea to eat large amounts of protein — after all, it’s one of the building blocks of muscle development. Yet some studies say that too much…

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