All articles tagged with #medical supervision
A Gallup survey finds 11% of American adults now use GLP-1 medications for weight loss, a rise linked with a measurable drop in obesity, but doctors warn that these drugs must be medically indicated, supervised, and used as part of multimodal therapy; long-term use and access issues remain, and some patients rely on surgery or lifestyle changes alongside GLP-1 for sustained results.
The Verge reports on the inaugural Enhanced Games in Las Vegas, a controversial biohacking-inspired sporting event where athletes competed under medically supervised enhancement protocols and access to performance‑enhancing drugs; while some records and personal bests were achieved, critics – including WADA/USADA – warn about health risks and the lack of generalizable data, even as organizers frame the event as scientific evolution and plan future competitions and a telehealth-based business model.
A 44-year-old English drummer on an online GLP-1 weight-loss regimen, pursued without medical supervision, lost about 80 pounds but developed gangrenous cholecystitis and required gallbladder removal. The piece underscores that GLP-1 medications should be used under medical supervision due to digestion-slowing effects and potential serious complications, and warns against unsupervised online prescriptions.
Kennedy’s claim that ketogenic diets cure schizophrenia is not supported by current science. Evidence is preliminary, coming from small studies and case reports that suggest possible symptom improvement when ketosis is achieved under medical supervision, but large, randomized trials showing clear benefit over medication alone are lacking. The Stanford study reported most adherent patients improved but had no control group, and researchers caution that keto should supplement rather than replace antipsychotic treatment while more rigorous research is underway.
Ketamine therapy, used for treatment-resistant depression and depicted as a marriage saver by Mormon reality stars, is a controversial treatment that can be effective when administered properly under medical supervision, but carries risks such as addiction and adverse health effects.
New research suggests that fasting for more than three days may be necessary to trigger significant health benefits, as observed in a study of 12 participants undergoing a seven-day water-only fast. The study found that protein production changes linked to improved health were only evident after three consecutive days of fasting, indicating that shorter or intermittent fasts may not offer the same benefits. While fasting may hold potential health benefits, it also poses risks, and its effects on a diverse human population are not fully understood. Further research is needed to better understand the long-term health implications of fasting.
The recent death of actor Matthew Perry has brought attention to the drug ketamine. Ketamine is a legal medication used as an anesthetic and has been increasingly used off-label to treat depression and other mental health disorders. While generally safe when taken under medical supervision, recreational use of ketamine can have serious risks, including respiratory depression and cardiovascular overstimulation. The autopsy revealed high levels of ketamine in Perry's blood, suggesting he may have taken it orally and in excessive amounts. Ketamine clinics have seen a rise in popularity, but experts caution against using the drug recreationally and emphasize the importance of medical supervision. Ketamine overdose by itself is rare, but mixing it with other substances or having underlying health conditions can increase the risk of adverse effects.