Ecstasy on the Brain
Research from Johns Hopkins University suggests that the recreational drug "ecstasy" (MDMA), when used several times in an evening (as is typical in drug "raves"), causes damage to brain cells that produce dopamine. The damage lasted up to six weeks, although the study did not investigate long-term effects. However, the consequences of usage show some similarities to Parkinson's disease, leading to speculation that the drug may contribute to the disorder. Critics of the study argue that just because this effect is seen in monkeys, there is no reason to believe it causes similar problems in humans. Many are concerned such results might dampen enthusiasm for research into whether the drug can be used to treat posttraumatic syndrome.1
Researchers in London, testing the validity of a traditional Indian folk remedy for psoriasis, report an apparent benefit to using the seeds of the plant in question. The herb, "purple fleabane," is a member of the daisy family. It contains a compound called vernodalol that acts in two distinct ways: to inhibit proliferation of aberrant cells seen in the condition, and to provide anti-inflammatory action.2
A San Diego, Calif. doctor reports some patients taking "statins," a popular type of cholesterol-lowering drug, may experience a toxic side-effect that manifests as muscles ache. According to the doctor, the normal test for deciding if such aches are caused by the drug - measuring levels of creatine kinase - is not reliable. He conducted a placebo-controlled study in which patients began complaining of muscle aches when they started the drug, but reported improvement when their medication was switched to identical-appearing placebos.3
Psychologists evaluating the effectiveness of a posttraumatic therapy designed to minimize the impact of psychological traumas to patients report the treatment appears to have no therapeutic value. More than 9,000 cases were followed after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attack in New York City, where patients underwent trauma "debriefing," often delivered as a single three-hour group session for victims. The researchers concluded that overall, the sessions did not appear to cause any reduction of subsequent psychological problems.4
A small study from Austria suggests avid male mountain bikers may be prone to a decrease in fertility. The research examined bikers who logged at least 3,000 miles each year, and found that almost 90 percent showed diminished sperm counts and other abnormalities. The researchers believe the continual jolts and vibrations cause scarring of the scrotum, penile arteries and other structures that lead to impaired sperm production. However, for perspective, examination by the same research group found similar abnormalities in about 75 percent of nonbikers.5
A study from the University of Missouri lends more credence to the hypothesis that agricultural chemicals can decrease fertility. Researchers found that men in poorer, rural areas had lower sperm counts, more irregular-shaped sperm, and diminished movement of their sperm than men from urban areas. The regions that scored worst were composed of about 50 percent farmland.6
Researchers investigating the link between birth defects and cosmetics and perfumes conclude that human sperm may be damaged by diethyl phthalates used in these preparations. The study,7 performed at a Massachusetts fertility clinic, involved 168 men. Results suggest the possibility of DNA damage to sperm, although the amount of damage and full effect were not quantified. A larger study is planned. Phthalates extend the longevity of fragrances, and are also used to soften plastics.
A Dutch study8 reports many heart attack victims may benefit from an infusion of glucose immediately after arriving at the hospital. The researchers tested a solution of glucose, insulin and potassium on patients admitted to the hospital for a heart attack, and compared the results to a control group. The treatment involved an IV infusion of about 4.3 pints of fluid administered over 10 hours. Patients who had suffered major heart damage or heart failure did not benefit from the treatment, but among the rest, mortality during the following month dropped to less than one-third the usual rate.9
According to a study from Massachusetts researchers, dry-roasted soy nuts can reduce blood pressure in postmenopausal women. This study involved 60 women evaluated over an eight-week period; those with high blood pressure who consumed about a half-cup of soy nuts each day decreased their systolic pressure by 10 percent, and their diastolic reading by 7 percent. These reductions are comparable, say the researchers, to those produced by prescription medications.10
An Arkansas study suggests a small percentage of SIDS deaths, about 5 percent, may be caused by an electrical problem in the infant's heart. Researchers say that in these cases, they discovered "long Q-T" syndrome: a condition that causes the heart to recharge too slowly to properly fire the next heartbeat. The syndrome also is blamed for a number of sudden deaths in youths and adults each year.11
A joint study from Brown University, Harvard Medical School, Boston University and the Boston Veteran's Affairs Healthcare System concludes that a personality test is one of the best ways to predict who will suffer a heart attack or other manifestations of heart disease.12 In the study, 774 men (average age of 60 years) were tracked for three years. Most laboratory, physical findings and habits (such as total cholesterol, blood pressure and smoking) demonstrated no significant correlation to heart disease, with the exception of HDL levels. However, the subject's hostility profile, as measured by a standard personality test, turned out to be quite a reliable predictor.
New research from the University of Richmond suggests a female's intelligence is enriched by motherhood. This research was done on rats, but the author of the study feels the results will translate to humans. Researchers used mazes and ultimately, dissections, to judge the intellectual prowess of the rats, and found that those who had given birth to multiple litters fared better in learning and remembering than those who had never been pregnant or produced only one litter. The moms also appeared to suffer from declining mental function less frequently as they aged.13
Brian Sutton, DC
Colorado Springs, Colorado
brian.sutton@wcom.com
When sports chiropractors first appeared at the Olympic Games in the 1980s, it was alongside individual athletes who had experienced the benefits of chiropractic care in their training and recovery processes at home. Fast forward to Paris 2024, where chiropractic care was available in the polyclinic for all athletes, and the attitude has now evolved to recognize that “every athlete deserves access to sports chiropractic."
It is estimated that 61% of patients with CTS avoid taking surgical options due to postoperative complications and costly surgical procedures. Chiropractic care offers a comprehensive and effective treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome, addressing the condition from multiple angles. Recent studies also have unveiled a game-changing adjunct to chiropractic treatments for CTS: nerve flossing.
Some doctors thrive in a personality-based clinic and have a loyal following no matter what services or equipment they offer, but for most chiropractic offices who are trying to grow and expand, new equipment purchases help us stay relevant and continue to service our client base in the best, most up-to-date manner possible. So, regarding equipment purchasing: should you lease, get a bank loan, or pay cash?
