More Americans are microdosing or tripping on magic mushrooms than ever Two new studies estimate psychedelic use in the U.S. and both find magic mushrooms gaining in popularity, including some folks who just want to get a little bit high, aka microdosing. Will Stone
New York City is moving to ban phones from school. Will it work? New York may soon be the largest district in the U.S. to ban phones from the classroom. “They’re not just a distraction, kids are fully addicted now to phones," says the city's schools chancellor. Jason Breslow
Abortion bans still leave a 'gray area' for doctors after Idaho Supreme Court case The decision on abortion that the Supreme Court handed down Thursday was narrow. But confusion for doctors in abortion ban states about how to deal with pregnancy emergencies remains widespread. Elissa Nadworny
Why this UW doctor wants colleagues to ask patients if they are lonely Medical professionals have started noting that isolation and loneliness are increasingly factors in health care, alongside smoking or exercise. One Seattle doctor urges his colleagues to ask their patients about it. Patricia Murphy
Health insurers cover fewer drugs and make them harder to get Insurance companies are covering fewer drugs than they used to, and patients have to jump through more hoops to get many of them. When shopping for insurance, check for coverage of the drugs you need. Sydney Lupkin Play AudioListen 3 mins
Drug companies will pay penalties for hiking prescription rates The penalties are part of the Biden Administration's Inflation Reduction Act. It requires drug companies to pay rebates to Medicare if they raise prices faster than inflation. Play AudioListen 4 mins
Supreme Court allows Idaho to offer emergency medical abortions The decision brings abortion back into the political limelight as a major controversy, just months before the presidential election. Nina Totenberg
Beethoven was a classical and romantic composer, but his body was full of heavy metal Virtuosic pianist and composer Beethoven suffered from several debilitating ailments. A new study suggests lead poisoning may be at least partly to blame. Ari Daniel Play AudioListen 5 mins
U.S. is seeing increased risk of dengue infections, health officials warn The CDC warns of increased risk of dengue in the U.S. This been a record-breaking year for cases of this mosquito-borne virus in Central and South America, with more than 9 million cases reported. Pien Huang Play AudioListen 4 mins
Insurance covers fewer drugs than in 2010 and they're harder to get Insurance companies are covering fewer drugs than they did in 2010, and they’re making patients jump through more hoops and pay more money to get them. A report from GoodRx documents the issues. Sydney Lupkin Play AudioListen 3 mins
