UF Health Podcasts

Weight-loss drugs like Ozempic may be doing more than trimming waistlines. Early research shows they could also curb cravings for alcohol, opioids and nicotine.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, or GLP-1RAs, were originally developed to treat diabetes and obesity. Now, scientists are discovering just how useful these drugs might be in treating other conditions.

Researchers found that drugs such as Ozempic or Wegovy act on the brain’s reward circuits, helping reduce the drive for addictive substances, according to a recent study.

Early trials show promising results in treating addiction. In people with alcohol use disorder, low-dose semaglutide reduced alcohol consumption, drinks per drinking day and cravings. Rodent studies suggest similar benefits for opioid and nicotine use, lowering self-administration and relapse-like behaviors.

The overlap between the pathways that control appetite and those involved in addiction may explain why a medication designed to curb hunger could also reduce substance-seeking behavior. Researchers caution that current findings are preliminary, but they could indicate a new era in addiction therapy.

With substance use disorders affecting millions worldwide, yet fewer than one in four people receiving treatment, drugs like Ozempic may offer hope where current options are limited, researchers said. Scientists emphasize more research is needed, but the potential to treat obesity, diabetes and addiction simultaneously promotes optimism for the future.

Who knew your weight-loss medications might also be helping your brain fight unhealthy cravings?

If you know you’re heading into a stressful situation, keep a water bottle handy. Your level of hydration might influence just how tense you’ll get.

Remember, up to 78% of your body is composed of water. H-2-O helps the body stay in healthy balance. Water aids digestion, lubricates joints, regulates body temperature and acts as a shock-absorber to the brain, spinal cord and, if you’re pregnant, the fetus.

And Americans are frequently dehydrated, often without realizing it.

Now, a study in the Journal of Applied Physiology says people who drink less than 1.5 liters of water a day experience a significant spike in the stress hormone cortisol.

That leaves someone more susceptible to stress-related health issues. Over the long term, those include heart and kidney disease and diabetes, making stressful events worse.

In fact, the study shows the stress response is 50% higher.

Investigators took 62 men and women and separated them into two groups based on how much water they drank. The low-fluid group drank less than 1.5 liters, while the hydrated folks met daily recommendations on water intake.

That’s 2 liters for women, 2.5 liters for men.

The participants were asked to keep to their normal drinking patterns for a week. Researchers, meanwhile, monitored their blood and urine to verify hydration.

The groups then participated in a mock job interview and mental math test to simulate real-world stress. Scientists said all participants were anxious, as noted by their increased heart rate. The dehydrated group, however, had more cortisol in their saliva.

So, don’t get mad. Get hydrated. A little water can make a stressful situation better.

To those who have always wanted a cat but found themselves barred by sneezing, watery eyes or other sundry allergy symptoms: take heart. A solution is on the horizon.

New research from the University of Colorado at Boulder points to safe UV light as a means of neutralizing allergens in minutes. This includes dust mites and mold, too.

A “passive” UV light treatment can inactivate airborne allergens, according to the study. The key word here is “inactivate,” as you can’t “kill” an allergen, researchers explained. When you sneeze in response to an allergen, it’s not the “source” you are reacting to, but one of its byproducts.

For example, a person allergic to a cat isn’t allergic to Mr. Whiskers, but to a protein produced in his saliva. These hang in the air, flung during a spirited grooming session or from dander. Once these particles get into our nose, our immune system mounts a response via antibodies that attach themselves to the protein’s signature structure. Mice, dogs and plants all emit their own unique protein structures.

The safe UV light doesn’t eliminate the structures. Instead, it mounts a disguise — crumpling the protein’s structure in a way that makes it unrecognizable to your immune system.

Other UV wavelengths used for disinfection, like those in hospitals, airports and elsewhere, are a little stronger than those used in the study (typically 254 nanometers) and require protective equipment to prevent damage to skin and eyes. For at-home use, like this study tested, “safe” UV light, at a wavelength of 222-nanometers, was sufficient.

Maybe there’s a reason cats like to soak up sunbeams after all…

Do you toss and turn night after night? While some of us can’t help it, insomnia can wear away at you and your brain’s health.

A new study suggests chronic insomnia — characterized as trouble sleeping for three days a week for three or more months — increases the risk of mild cognitive impairment or dementia.

Researchers followed nearly 3,000 people around 70 years of age over the course of five years. The study showed that after accounting for age, blood pressure, sleep apnea diagnoses and sleep medications, those with insomnia were 40% more likely to develop cognitive issues. They also performed worse on tests measuring a variety of thinking skills.

Notably, those participants’ cognitive function was also comparable to “acting” four years older.

The study suggests that insomnia itself could be a direct contributor to accelerated brain aging because of how it impacts small vessels supplying blood to the brain and amyloid plaques, or the proteins associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Those carrying a gene linked to a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s demonstrated even sharper declines in memory and thinking skills.

Researchers say treating chronic sleep issues could be a way to preserve brain function and delay the onset of dementia. The study also emphasizes that sleep isn’t just about getting rest, but also about maintaining brain resilience.

So the next time you’re tempted to shrug off a few sleepless nights, think again. You might feel like you can bounce back enough to get through the day, but your brain could be paying the price.

Prioritizing good sleep now could help protect your memory for years to come.

Do you get nervous when you go to the dentist?

From the bright lamp spotlighting you to the fear of cavities, it’s not unusual to have a little apprehension. One thing you’re likely trying to avoid is a root canal.

The dental procedure is performed to remove an infection or damaged tissue inside a tooth. Nearly 15 million root canals are performed in the United States each year.

Although there are several factors that may lead to a root canal, there are also ways to minimize your risk — with a few lifestyle changes.

For instance, hydration is more important than you think. That’s because saliva is crucial in protecting your teeth and washing away food and bacteria. When your mouth lacks saliva, bacteria can flourish and cause decay inside your mouth.

Sugary and acidic foods and drinks are one of the leading causes of tooth decay, too. This includes natural sugars from fruit and juices. Snacks like raisins and dried berries can attach to your teeth and cause trouble. Similarly, carbonated beverages, beer, wine and coffee will coat your teeth with acid — something the enamel on your teeth would rather avoid.

Your habits have a lasting impact as well. Smoking and vaping will not only increase your risk of gum disease but also allow chemicals to break down the enamel of your teeth. The same is true for those who work near toxic fumes and chemicals; the exposure will compromise your oral health and potentially lead to a root canal.

In some cases, a root canal is unavoidable. Until then, there are plenty of small steps you can take to decrease your chance of a long afternoon in the dental chair.

Your child’s favorite plastic toy might be more than just a plaything — it could be a hidden health risk. Now a new study from researchers in New York reveals that childhood exposure to plastics can cause serious issues down the road, including hormone disruption, chronic inflammation and a lower IQ.

It’s not just toys that are causing these issues. Many common household items, cosmetics, food packaging and even paper receipts can hide dangerous chemicals used in plastic manufacturing. The chemicals are included for a variety of purposes, like making plastics more flexible or more rigid and more heat-resistant.

The findings demonstrate how early childhood exposure to these chemicals is associated with a number of chronic conditions that carry into adolescence and adulthood, including heart disease, obesity, infertility and asthma.

According to the study, this is because when plastics are heated, or even just used, small plastic particles are released and unknowingly ingested.

The researchers recommend taking certain steps to help reduce exposure to the harmful chemicals, such as replacing plastic containers with glass or stainless steel. They also suggest trying to avoid microwaving plastic or to refrain from putting it in the dishwasher when possible.

The group is also calling for more regulation to help reduce the use of non-essential plastic items.

While it may seem impossible to completely avoid plastic, even simply reducing your plastic exposure today can protect your child for a lifetime. Small swaps in daily routines may seem minor, but they can add up to a safer, healthier start in life.

From the waterfall screensaver to the dripping office sink, plenty of things can affect your bladder — and make you realize you need to go. But have you ever felt like your bladder is full, yet nature won’t take its course?

The problem could be urinary retention. For many, it manifests as a full bladder that just won’t let you go, or feeling like you need to pee but come up empty.

Think of your bladder like a balloon located in your lower abdomen. The bladder “neck” resembles the opening where you blow air into a balloon. For urine to empty, your bladder muscles contract while the bladder neck and urethra relax. If your bladder muscles are weak or you’re experiencing poor nerve signals, you may have issues.

And, as you age, health conditions and medications play a role. Research shows men can experience trouble because of an enlarged prostate blocking the flow of urine. Women, on the other hand, might have difficulty due to nerve issues or a cystocele (sih-stuh-seel), also known as a dropped bladder.

Pills for allergies or a cold, such as decongestants and antihistamines, can also contribute to slowing — or even stopping — urine.

So, what can you do? Stay in tune with your body and pay attention to subtle changes, like a weaker stream, straining or frequent nighttime walks to the bathroom. And, of course, staying hydrated is important.

Ultimately, while uncomfortable, these aren’t usually a major health concern. But if you find you can’t urinate at all, or your bladder’s fullness frequently reaches the point of pain, head to the nearest doctor — assuming you don’t need a bathroom first.

Sometimes, it’s an emergency because you’re not about to pee.

Whether it’s a cross-country trek to a national park or a regional trip across a single state, a road trip is an American tradition. Less tradition than torture is something else that accompanies many to their destination — motion sickness.

A new study in Frontiers of Human Neuroscience, however, might show a good prescription for feeling better in the form of music.

Researchers found that listening to soft, gentle or upbeat, joyful music significantly alleviated motion sickness by an average of 57%. That hints at a new tool to battle that awful feeling.

Sad songs, however, didn’t help much and were less effective for relieving symptoms than simply pulling into a rest stop and taking a break from driving.

The study did not provide specific examples of music played to test subjects, beyond broad categories like “sad,” “soft” and “joyful.”

Scientists who wrote the study had 30 volunteers use a driving simulator to trigger motion sickness. They asked the drivers to self-report how they felt as music played. Researchers also monitored the subjects’ brain activity.

Once participants began to feel ill, investigators played music.

The study suggested that music interacts with the brain and body. Soft music, for example, might calm the nervous system. By contrast, joyful music might be distracting as a piece stimulates the brain’s reward centers.

Study authors admit their analysis is limited since so few test subjects participated. Still, it provides a reminder of the transcendent power of music.

Keep an appropriate playlist handy on your next excursion and end the trip on a high note. But avoid sad songs like drivers avoid construction zones.

Learning you have cancer can be shocking. Sensory overload follows.

Fear, anxiety, sadness, anger, depression, helplessness and guilt can all be in the mix.

Making that initial onslaught worse, a new University of Florida study found, is that most people newly diagnosed with cancer are met with a flood of misinformation.

Ninety-three percent of such patients in the Florida study said they had seen or heard spurious claims about cancer cures.

Even if you don’t have a cancer diagnosis, you have likely seen it yourself. Wear crystals next to your body, one touts. Follow an alkaline diet, a friend suggests. A Facebook posts says aromatherapy will cure you. Or enemas. Or vitamin C. Or polarity therapy.

The list is as lengthy as it is ridiculous. And patients are vulnerable to such claims because most of us want to live as long as we can.

One takeaway from the study is that doctors should assume a new cancer patient has seen or heard misinformation ¾ rather than hope they haven’t. Bad health information can prevent people from getting treatment that has been studied for safety and effectiveness.

The researchers said they are working to pilot an “information prescription” to steer patients to sources of evidence-based information about cancer, like the American Cancer Society.

Notably, the study found that patients were most often exposed to misinformation secondhand, rather than looking for it. Our online algorithms know us and dictate much of what we see.

So, if you’re trying to understand how to deal with cancer, take everything you read with a grain of salt. And if something seems too good to be true, ask your doctor.

There is nothing better than catching up with a group of old friends.

You know — those moments when everyone can escape from taking the kids to practice, forget about work responsibilities, relax and get together.

As everyone goes around the table talking about this trip or that embarrassing moment in college, you realize some details are cloudy. Others, however, you remember clearly.

That begs the question: Why does the brain remember certain things over others?

Research says it’s because our brains pick and choose which memories are important. The brain uses a sliding scale to decide the memories to preserve, which explains why certain memories, like those associated with particular life events and unforgettable experiences, live on so vividly.

Meanwhile, life’s mundane, more run-of-the-mill tasks are considered “fragile.” Our brain realizes these events are mostly insignificant.

However, there is one caveat: Timing is everything.

Researchers found that people were more likely to remember “fragile” events that happened just before an emotional experience. You can think of an emotional event as one where you felt exhilaration, or one that left you stunned. Emotional intensity is key. Maybe you remember what sports drink you were guzzling before you crushed a home run, or the pajamas you were wearing when you found out the Tooth Fairy was the same person reminding you to brush.

Ultimately, the brain processes an infinite amount of information and decides what to remember and what to forget. It prioritizes experiences that are distinctive and emotionally important.

Now, if only your chemistry class could have been as exciting as the day you got your license…