Trial Shows Psychedelic Drug As Good As Common Antidepressant

NBC News: Psychedelic Drug Worked For Depression As Well As Common Antidepressant, Small Trial Finds
A couple of doses of a psychedelic drug may treat depression as well as one of the most commonly prescribed antidepressants, a small and short study published Wednesday shows. A Phase 2 clinical trial, conducted by researchers in London, was the first randomized trial to compare therapeutic doses of psilocybin — the psychedelic compound found in so-called magic mushrooms — with a daily medication. The results were released in The New England Journal of Medicine. (Sullivan, 4/14)

Stat: First Of Its Kind Study Pits Psilocybin Against A Common Antidepressant
Can psilocybin, the active ingredient in psychedelic mushrooms, match the depression-combatting capabilities of a commonly prescribed antidepressant? The first head-to-head comparison, conducted by scientists at the Center for Psychedelic Research at Imperial College London and published Wednesday in the New England Journal of Medicine, indicated that the psychedelic reduced the symptoms of condition at least as well as escitalopram, an antidepressant better known by the brand name Lexapro. Outside experts, though, said the study was designed in a way that made it impossible to know whether psychedelic mushrooms were actually more effective than escitalopram with regard to other measures of well-being, a limitation they described as “unfortunate.” (Brodwin, 4/14)

In other public health news —

CIDRAP: Sexually Transmitted Diseases In US Reached All-Time High In 2019
In 2019, rates of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) reached an all-time high in the United States after being on the rise for 6 consecutive years, according to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) yesterday. "Less than 20 years ago, gonorrhea rates in the U.S. were at historic lows, syphilis was close to elimination, and advances in chlamydia diagnostics made it easier to detect infections," said Raul Romaguera, DMD, MPH, acting director for the CDC's Division of STD Prevention, in a media statement. "That progress has since unraveled, and our STD defenses are down. We must prioritize and focus our efforts to regain this lost ground and control the spread of STDs." (4/14)

KQED: Once On The Brink Of Eradication, Syphilis Is Raging Again 
In certain circles of San Francisco, a case of syphilis can be as common and casual as catching the flu, to the point where Billy Lemon can't even remember how many times he's had it. "Three or four? Five times in my life?" he struggles to recall. "It does not seem like a big deal." (Dembosky, 4/14)

New York Post: Snoring Linked To Learning Hurdles In Kids, Study Finds
Children who snore on a regular basis show signs of structural changes in their brain that may lead to behavioral troubles, such as lack of focus, hyperactivity and cognitive challenges — much to the detriment of their education. The new study, published in the journal Nature Communications, observed for the first time that children who snore three or more times a week presented thinner gray matter in the brain compared to kids getting normal sleep. Poor sleep has been shown to reduce gray matter, the areas of the brain most densely packed with neurons, which play a critical role in day-to-day activities, particularly in terms of impulse control and reasoning skills. (Sparks, 4/14)

Los Angeles Times: DDT's Toxic Legacy Can Harm Granddaughters Of Women Exposed
Now, a team of toxicologists, molecular biologists and epidemiologists at UC Davis and the Public Health Institute in Oakland have confirmed for the first time that granddaughters of women who were exposed to DDT during pregnancy also suffer from significant health threats: Higher rates of obesity and menstrual periods that start before age 11. Both factors, scientists say, may put these young women at greater risk of breast cancer — as well as high blood pressure, diabetes and other diseases. (Xia, 4/14)

AP: Colorado Boy Dies After Taking Part In 'Blackout Challenge' 
A 12-year-old Colorado boy who was hospitalized after his family said he tried a TikTok challenge that dared people to choke themselves until they lose consciousness has died. Joshua Haileyesus died last Saturday, according to an obituary published online by Olinger Hampden Mortuary & Cemetery in Denver. (4/14)

AP: Defense Expert: Floyd Died From Heart Trouble, Not Restraint
George Floyd died of a sudden heart rhythm disturbance as a result of his heart disease, a forensic pathologist testified for the defense at former Officer Derek Chauvin’s murder trial, contradicting prosecution experts who said Floyd succumbed to a lack of oxygen from the way he was pinned down. Dr. David Fowler, a former Maryland chief medical examiner who is now with a consulting firm, said Wednesday the fentanyl and methamphetamine in Floyd’s system, and possibly carbon monoxide poisoning from auto exhaust, were contributing factors in the 46-year-old Black man’s death last May. (Forliti, Karnowski and Webber, 4/15)

WLRN 91.3 FM: Miami Heat End Use Of Vaccinated-Only Sections, COVID-Sniffing Dogs 
The Miami Heat is eliminating the use of vaccinated-only sections and COVID-19-sniffing dogs for home games at American Airlines Arena, the Miami Herald confirmed. The Heat made the vaccinated-only sections available April 1, becoming the first team in the NBA to have sections of seats designated for fully vaccinated fans. (4/14)