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Combined GLP-1 and GLP-2 treatment appears safe but does not beat placebo for obesity

In a 12-week randomized phase IIa trial in adults with obesity, the dual GLP-1/GLP-2 receptor agonist dapiglutide was well tolerated but did not achieve statistically significant weight loss compared with placebo at 4 mg or 6 mg doses. Although the higher dose showed modest within-group weight reduction and improved HbA1c, unexpectedly substantial placebo-associated weight loss limited the observed treatment effect.

24 Feb 2026

Onset of "the munchies" after cannabis use could offer clues to help people with appetite loss

The urgent onset of "the munchies" after cannabis use isn't imaginary – it's a cognitive response that occurs regardless of sex, age, weight or recent food consumption and could offer clues to help people struggling with appetite loss.

19 Feb 2026

Does Ginkgo biloba help dementia? New review examines the evidence

A major Cochrane review examines whether a widely used herbal supplement truly supports cognitive function, revealing modest dementia benefits but limited evidence for prevention or early impairment.

18 Feb 2026

How GLP-1 drugs affect the body beyond weight loss and glucose control

This review evaluates the safety profile of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and related incretin therapies used for obesity and type 2 diabetes. It highlights common gastrointestinal effects, rare but debated risks, and areas where further long-term safety data are still needed.

18 Feb 2026

Exercise shows minimal short-term benefit for osteoarthritis

The effectiveness of exercise therapy to ease the symptoms of osteoarthritis is likely minimal, short lived, and probably no better than no treatment at all, suggests an overarching (umbrella) systematic review and pooled data analysis of the available evidence, published in the open access journal RMD Open.

17 Feb 2026

Short-duration psychedelic therapy shows promise for major depression treatment

A phase IIa randomized trial found that intravenous dimethyltryptamine (DMT) with structured psychological support produced rapid reductions in depressive symptoms in adults with major depressive disorder. Improvements were statistically significant versus placebo at two weeks, with mostly mild-to-moderate adverse events and the need for larger confirmatory studies emphasized.

17 Feb 2026

Psychedelic effects of ketamine do not predict sobriety

The psychedelic effects recreational users often seek from taking ketamine do not predict the therapeutic benefits for people being treated for alcohol use disorder.

16 Feb 2026

Do cocoa flavanols influence heart and fatty liver risk factors?

A recent Nutrients review examined whether cocoa-rich dark chocolate influences cardiovascular and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease risk factors through antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and endothelial effects. Evidence suggests modest improvements in biomarkers, but most data come from short-term studies, so definitive clinical benefits remain unproven.

16 Feb 2026

Probiotic form matters for memory, mood, and more

How you take probiotics can affect their impact on the brain. A study from örebro University points to new possibilities for personalized approaches, depending on whether the primary aim is, for example, to improve memory or reduce depression.

16 Feb 2026

Magnesium lower fasting blood sugar in older adults

Magnesium boosts fasting glucose control in older adults with deficiency, but preventing diabetes progression may need more than just mineral correction.

13 Feb 2026

Promising new speech biomarker could enrich antipsychotic clinical trials

Researchers have identified a promising new speech biomarker that could significantly enrich clinical trials by reducing sample size requirements and enhancing statistical outcomes.

11 Feb 2026

Semaglutide lowers cardiovascular events even without major weight loss, researchers report

Semaglutide reduced major adverse cardiovascular events in adults with overweight or obesity and established cardiovascular disease regardless of baseline adiposity. Cardiovascular benefit was largely independent of overall weight loss, with waist circumference reduction explaining only part of the effect.

11 Feb 2026

Sprint-based exercise reduces panic attacks and improves mental health

High-intensity exercise shows promise in retraining fear responses in panic disorder, providing a sustainable and engaging alternative to traditional therapies.

11 Feb 2026

Analysis finds aerobic exercise to be most effective for reducing depression and anxiety

Aerobic exercise, such as running, swimming, and dancing, may be most effective for relieving the symptoms of depression and anxiety, finds an overarching (umbrella) review and data synthesis of the available evidence, published online in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.

10 Feb 2026

Tirzepatide shows dual benefits in sleep apnea trial improving metabolism and reducing inflammation

Tirzepatide significantly improved cardiometabolic risk markers in adults with obesity and moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea in the SURMOUNT-OSA phase 3 trials. Mediation analyses suggest both weight loss and reduced sleep-disordered breathing contributed to improvements in inflammation, insulin resistance, lipids, and blood pressure.

9 Feb 2026

Most statin side effects are not backed by trials

Research indicates that many statin therapy side effects are not supported by evidence, suggesting a need for revised labeling to improve treatment decisions.

9 Feb 2026

Novel neuroprotective drug improves recovery after acute ischemic stroke

Stroke patients treated intravenously with loberamisal, a novel neuroprotective medication, daily for 10 days and starting within 48 hours of stroke symptoms, had better recovery than patients who received a placebo, according to a preliminary late-breaking science presentation at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference 2026.

7 Feb 2026

Investigational anti-clotting drug reduces risk of second ischemic stroke without bleeding concerns

An investigational anti-clotting medication, asundexian, demonstrated a reduction in the risk of a second ischemic (clot-caused) stroke without raising bleeding concerns, according to a preliminary late-breaking science presentation at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference 2026.

6 Feb 2026

Large trials show statins rarely cause reported side effects

Cardiovascular disease results in around 20 million deaths worldwide and causes around a quarter of all deaths in the UK.

5 Feb 2026

Which hair loss supplements actually work?

Researchers compare the effectiveness and safety of multiple dietary supplements for hair loss.

4 Feb 2026

Placebo News and Research

Combined GLP-1 and GLP-2 treatment appears safe but does not beat placebo for obesity

Onset of "the munchies" after cannabis use could offer clues to help people with appetite loss

Does Ginkgo biloba help dementia? New review examines the evidence

How GLP-1 drugs affect the body beyond weight loss and glucose control

Exercise shows minimal short-term benefit for osteoarthritis

Short-duration psychedelic therapy shows promise for major depression treatment

Psychedelic effects of ketamine do not predict sobriety

Do cocoa flavanols influence heart and fatty liver risk factors?

Probiotic form matters for memory, mood, and more

Magnesium lower fasting blood sugar in older adults

Promising new speech biomarker could enrich antipsychotic clinical trials

Semaglutide lowers cardiovascular events even without major weight loss, researchers report

Sprint-based exercise reduces panic attacks and improves mental health

Analysis finds aerobic exercise to be most effective for reducing depression and anxiety

Tirzepatide shows dual benefits in sleep apnea trial improving metabolism and reducing inflammation

Most statin side effects are not backed by trials

Novel neuroprotective drug improves recovery after acute ischemic stroke

Investigational anti-clotting drug reduces risk of second ischemic stroke without bleeding concerns

Large trials show statins rarely cause reported side effects

Which hair loss supplements actually work?

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