• Dr. Crandall: Long-Term Melatonin May Harm Heart
  
  New research is raising concerns about long-term melatonin use. According to the American Heart Association, a study found that people who took melatonin for more than a year had a higher risk of developing heart failure within five years compared to nonusers. They were also...
• Dark Chocolate May Give Memory a Quick Boost
  
  Japanese researchers have discovered how the astringent "bite" of cocoa flavanols can stimulate the brain - even though very little of the compound actually enters the bloodstream. In mouse studies, the sensation of astringency triggered sensory nerves that activated...
• Dr. Small: More Americans Seeking Talk Therapy
  
  About 1 in 10 Americans now receives counseling from a mental health professional, reflecting a growing openness to addressing emotional and psychological health.
• Healthy Habits Slash Dementia Risk With Diabetes
  
  New research suggests that those with Type 2 diabetes (T2D) and a genetic risk for dementia can significantly lower their odds for cognitive problems by adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle. The preliminary findings - to be presented Saturday at an American Heart Association...
• Study Explains Why Children Get Easily Distracted
  
  Kids are known for jumping from one thing to the next, even when they're supposed to stay focused, but a new study suggests that behavior doesn't owe to curiosity alone. Scientists say children's working memory just isn't developed enough to help them stay locked in on a...
• Intermittent Fasting Doesn't Hinder Thinking Ability
  
  Intermittent fasting shouldn't dull an adult's ability to think, remember and problem-solve, a new evidence review says. Mental abilities like memory recall, decision making and responsiveness aren't hampered by skipping a meal or fasting for a half-day, according to an...
• How a Full Moon Affects Sleep
  
  For centuries, people have wondered if the moon has the power to influence our behavior and health. Many believe that when the full moon's radiant glow lights up the night sky, it can stir something deep within us-affecting our sleep, emotions, and even our sanity. In fact,...
• Just 3,000 Steps Daily Slows Alzheimer's Decline
  
  A new study found that taking as few as 3,000 to 5,000 steps daily can slow the decline of Alzheimer's disease in people at increased risk by as much as three years. The study, published in Nature Medicine, involved older patients who had biological signs of the illness,...
• Can Simple Hand Exercises Prevent Dementia?
  
  One of the latest trends sweeping social media are videos of hand and finger exercises said to prevent Alzheimer's disease and dementia. These exercises include clapping, tapping, arm circles, and intricate finger movements in various directions. While they may seem simple,...
• Watching Inspiring Videos Cuts Stress, Boosts Mood
  
  A surprising new study has found that watching short inspirational videos can be just as effective as meditation for lifting mood and reducing stress. For the study, 1,000 men and women, ages 18 to 86, watched a three- to five-minute inspiring video, or comedy clips, or...
• Text-Based Therapy Effective Against Depression
  
  A growing number of Americans are turning to therapy by text message, and new research suggests it can be just as effective as traditional video sessions for some patients. In a study published Oct. 30 in JAMA Network Open, researchers found that people with mild to moderate...
• Pediatrician Group Not Recommending Autism Drug
  
  The American Academy of Pediatrics on Friday said it does not recommend the routine use of leucovorin - a form of vitamin B9 - in children with autism, citing a lack of evidence on the treatment's benefits and risks to support widespread use in this population. The...
• Skipping Sleeping Pills Better for Seniors' Health
  
  Middle-aged adults and seniors would age more gracefully - and save a few bucks - if they lay off prescription sleep medications, a new study says. Avoiding sleep drugs would reduce older Americans' lifetime rate of falls by nearly 9% and brain decline by 2%, researchers...
• Dr. Small: 'Green' Mediterranean Diet Protects the Brain
  
  A healthy diet doesn't just benefit your waistline - it may also help keep your brain sharp as you age. New research published in Clinical Nutrition suggests that a "green Mediterranean" diet can slow brain aging and improve cognitive health.Dr. Gary Small, a brain health...
• Heartburn Might Signal a Drinking Problem
  
  Frequent heartburn might be a sign that you have a drinking problem, a new study says. Patients had an 18% higher risk of diagnosis with alcohol use disorder if they suffered from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), also called acid reflux or heartburn, researchers...
• Dr. Crandall: What to Learn From Kim Kardashian's Aneurysm
  
  When Kim Kardashian revealed she has a "little aneurysm," the news immediately drew attention to a condition that, while rare, can be serious and even deadly. The reality star attributed her diagnosis to stress, prompting many to wonder: how common are brain aneurysms, and...
• Study: Warm Foods Ease Anxiety, Improve Sleep
  
  Feeling anxious or having trouble sleeping? A bowl of hot soup or a cup of tea may do more than warm you up - it could help calm your mind. A 2025 study from San Diego State University found that consuming cold foods and drinks in summer was linked to higher levels of...
• What You Should Know About Brain Aneurysms
  
  Reality TV star, actress and mom Kim Kardashian, 45, disclosed in the season premiere of "The Kardashians" that a small aneurysm was detected in her brain. An aneurysm occurs when a blood vessel wall weakens and stretches, creating a balloon or bubble. While aneurysms can...
• Fitness Apps Undermine Motivation for Some
  
  Fitness and calorie counting apps are meant to boost people's spirits, helping them become healthier by tracking their progress. But many find them to be a complete downer and an utter detriment, a new study says. Some experience a sense of shame, disappointment, frustration...
• Do This Now to Prepare for the Time Change
  
  With autumn officially here, another change is on the horizon - the end of daylight saving time. The U.S. will "fall back" next weekend, on Sunday, November 2 at 2 a.m. Despite calls to eliminate the practice, daylight saving time remains in effect across most of the...
• Gum Disease May Raise Stroke, Brain Damage Risk
  
  If you need another reason to brush and floss, here it is: Research suggests keeping your mouth healthy might also protect your brain and heart. Two new studies published Oct. 22 in Neurology Open Access linked gum disease and cavities to a higher risk of stroke and brain...
• Dr. Small: Chatbot Psychotherapy on the Rise
  
  A growing number of Americans are turning to artificial intelligence for mental health support - and many say it's helping. A 2024 survey found that 28% of people have used AI as a personal therapist, signaling a major shift in how we approach emotional well-being. But can...
• Antidepressants Linked to Weight, Heart Changes
  
  Antidepressants are widely used to treat depression and anxiety, but a new study finds that some of these medications can cause noticeable changes in weight, heart rate and cholesterol levels. The study, published Tuesday in The Lancet, analyzed data from more than 58,000...
• Doctors Overlooking a Common Symptom of Autism
  
  Doctors aren't checking for or treating a common symptom of autism, a new study says. As many as 87% of autistic children have movement impairments like delays in crawling or walking, poor coordination, trouble with balance, abnormal walking patterns and problems with fine...
• What to Do When 'Sunset Anxiety' Strikes
  
  As the days grow shorter and the sun sets earlier, you may notice yourself feeling anxious, irritable, or down. You're not imagining it - "sunset anxiety" is a real phenomenon that affects many people this time of year. Sunset anxiety refers to the unease, nervousness, or...

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