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In a recent New York Times essay, a professor of anesthesia and pain management recently protested the Drug Enforcement Administration's opioid manufacturing quotas and micromanagement of doctors treating their patients' pain. At a time when DEA S.W.A.T. teams frequently raid doctors' offices for "inappropriate" prescribing, the professor's essay demonstrated boldness. Unfortunately, the professor's reform proposals were much less bold.

The sleazy world of dietary supplements is hardly confined to the United States. In Japan, more than 100 people were sickened – and at least five died – after consuming a ridiculous product called Benikoji Choleste, aka red rice yeast. How can such a dangerous supplement be sold? The following should sound quite familiar.

The standard argument for restricting patient access to pain medications is that these drugs frequently lead to addiction. A large body of research contradicts that claim, though it's doubly absurd when directed at people afflicted by terminal (and often very painful) illnesses. They sometimes have only weeks or months to live, yet they're denied pain medicine in the name of fighting opioid dependence. Such absurdity has to stop.

Welcome to "What I Am Reading" - a quick mention of intriguing articles, from the safety of decaf coffee to historical echoes of the opioid crisis, an argument for plagiarism, and something data brokers know.

Xolair, an antibody asthma drug, was recently approved for severe food allergic reactions. It is not the first biological drug to treat multiple conditions. But it is the first to treat severe food allergies - a growing problem.

Harm reduction strategies have been used for decades in many developed countries to reduce diseases and overdoses from using drugs obtained on the black market. It's a major reason why those countries have lower drug-related illness and fatality rates than the U.S. In recent years, many state and local jurisdictions have begun adopting these strategies. Idaho, however, recently decided to go in an ill-advised direction.

Picture this: a digital watchdog, prowling through heaps of patient data, poised to raise the alarm at the slightest sign of trouble. Enter a guardian angel, in the guise of algorithms designed to forewarn medical staff of impending crises. But is it truly a beacon of salvation or a mirage in the desert of clinical uncertainty?

As celestial enthusiasts eagerly await the solar eclipse on April 8, Canadian researchers uncovered eye-opening insights into the eclipse's impact on road safety. Let's consider their findings as we gear up to witness this celestial marvel.

In vascular realms where risks abide,
A rule we held, a trusty guide,
For every year with diabetes crowned,
A year to age, our wisdom found.
Yet, a study bold, a truth unfurled,
Challenges the norm.

Discovering the truth about the impact of ultra-processed foods on our brains can be like navigating a maze of conflicting information. In a recent article published by The Wall Street Journal, the spotlight was once again cast on this controversial topic.

The recent cases and legislation addressing the destruction of IVF embryos prompts revisiting past cases involving “child murder” in a medical context. Some cases turn on what is in the best interests of the child, while others pivot on the importance of preserving a child’s life, even if it involves terminating the life of another. Sometimes, religion gets involved. And this presents a conundrum.

Today's lineup promises a delightful array of topics, from ancient smartphones to outrageously priced sweaters. So grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and let's get reading

The national newspaper recently published a guest essay that finally got the opioid story straight – something it previously has been unwilling, or unable, to do. The chilling essay was written by a pain management specialist who was unable to get pain meds for her dying mother-in-law, because of the takeover of medicine by the runaway DEA. The Times may have finally gotten it right (but it's worth noting that here at ACSH, we've been doing so for more than a decade).

While rare, babies have been switched at birth. Typically, discovery happens when the children are adults, with little room to accommodate the error. But given the “wild west” of an unregulated fertility industry and the prevalence of switched gametes, it should come as no surprise to find that embryos, too, have been switched. Those discoveries happen when the child is an infant, with biological and birth mothers both claiming the child is “theirs.” Splitting the baby is, obviously, not an option.

It's equal parts wardrobe malfunction and psychological assault, and it somehow manages to make even the healthiest among us feel fragile and exposed. But guess what? Researchers have dug deeper into the gown's flaws, suggesting these backless wonders mess with our heads.

There have been some mighty strange choices to lead the U.S. healthcare system starting in 2025. Instead of complaining, let's sing about them!

Jay Bhattacharya's recent history is a cautionary tale of how ideology and misinformation can undermine public health. His flawed views led to unnecessary suffering and eroded trust in science, making him a wholly unacceptable choice to head the nation's premier research institution.

Voluntary COVID vaccination mandates for staff in nursing homes during the pandemic were important. There was no evidence that the marginally increased staff turnover at vaccine-mandated facilities compromised patient care while there were positive effects of employer-imposed vaccination mandates. Nursing home residents experienced a significant reduction in both COVID infections and mortality.

Imagine unelected bureaucrats wielding unchecked power to interpret laws with minimal oversight. Now, picture courts reclaiming authority to ensure Congress's intent prevails. Though controversial, the Supreme Court's Loper Bright decision is a vital reaffirmation of constitutional balance between the executive and legislative branches.

As global life expectancy rises, so too does the number of years people spend burdened by chronic disease. Modern medicine has turned death sentences into "manageable conditions," but manage is the key word here. Should we measure population health solely on how long people live, or shift our attention to the years they are healthy and active?

Just when you thought the opioid crisis may have peaked, Dr. Andrew Kolodny, arguably the world’s foremost anti-opioid zealot, has found a shiny new way to inflate the numbers. In the HHS’s redefining of opioid use disorder (OUD) to include patients responsibly taking their prescribed meds, he’s managed to conjure millions of “new” cases out of thin air. But don’t worry, it’s all in the name of “progress.” That's because nothing says compassionate care like labeling chronic pain patients as addicts and patting yourself on the back for the chaos you helped create.

Does fructose, one of today's boogeymen, cause cancer? According to a fascinating
paper in Nature, it does so in cultured cells, zebrafish, and mice by creating a specific
class of lipids that are convincingly shown to promote tumor growth. Should we worry?

Milk has long been hailed as a cornerstone of a healthy diet, yet modern debates paint a muddled picture of its actual value. Critics point to raw milk outbreaks, saturated fat concerns, and A1 vs. A2 protein controversies, leaving consumers wondering where science truly stands. Let’s explore what the research says about milk’s risks, benefits, and place in a balanced diet.

Treating addiction first requires that we understand it. As it turns out most people know little about what addiction actually is, and even less about what causes it. An expert breaks down the issue, so we can better understand what we're seeing unfold around the country.

Using made up numbers, The Lancet reports that surgery is the third greatest burden of global disease, right after cardiovascular disease and stroke. In order to save lives should surgeons actually "put down the knife"?