ACSH Science Dispatch

Kratom has opened a new front in America's drug debate. Manufacturers market the herb—and its highly potent alkaloid, 7-OH—as a breakthrough for pain management. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is pushing back, arguing that 7-OH acts as a synthetic opioid fueling a new wave of addiction. With the DEA moving to place 7-OH under temporary Schedule I control, the stage is set for a clash between public health advocates and drug legalization proponents. Let's get to the bottom of this messy debate.

Dr. Mansi Vaishnav, known as the Mammogram Doc, joins hosts Ana and Desiree in our latest Mom Pod Takeover to demystify the mammogram and share crucial insights that could save lives. If you or someone you love is in need of clarity when it comes to breast health, tune in.

Debunking misinformation is a big business. For every health "influencer" selling a supplement on Instagram, there's probably a doppelganger with a Ph.D. making a lot of money arguing against supplementation. That's not inherently wrong—unscientific nonsense should be confronted. But when skepticism becomes our identity, we may reflexively dismiss a conclusion before we've considered all the data. Veteran science journalist Matt Fuchts explains how to avoid the ditch on both sides of the road: hyper-skepticism on one, gullibility on the other.

In the latest episode of the Mom Pod Takeover, we explore back-to-school health tips, vaccine education, and how to handle common childhood illnesses with experts in immunology and science communication. Perfect for parents looking to navigate the germ-filled season with confidence and science-backed advice.

As more states legalize recreational cannabis use, serious health risks linked to the drug appear to be increasing. Emergency rooms have seen more cases of cannabis hyperemesis syndrome—recurrent, uncontrollable vomiting and abdominal pain, sometimes so severe it has been dubbed “scromiting.” Other research points to longer-term harms, including worse educational outcomes among people who use cannabis in adolescence and young adulthood. The question is whether those trade-offs are a price worth paying to end marijuana prohibition. Two physicians, Drs. Liza Lockwood and Jeff Singer, join us with contrasting answers.

Suppressing government documents and evading Freedom of Information requests. Thousands of emails, Slack messages and diary entries released by Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) have raised troubling questions about the behavior of top public health officials and scientists during the COVID pandemic—including one former NIAID adviser who pled guilty to conspiring to conceal public records. Will the science community confront what these communications show?

Motion sickness has plagued travelers for centuries, yet the standard remedies remain largely unchanged—often leaving users drowsy, dry-mouthed and unfocused. A new drug in late-stage trials targets the root cause: a sensory mismatch between what the eyes see and what the inner ear senses. The brain interprets this conflict as possible poisoning and triggers vomiting. In a Phase 3 boat-trip study, it cut vomiting rates from 44% on placebo to 18%. Join us on the Science Dispatch podcast as we unpack the data. Could this finally offer travelers real relief without the side effects?

We're living longer than ever thanks to dramatic improvements in modern medicine, but are we healthy enough to enjoy those extra golden years? In the wake of the MAHA movement, a recent study claims there's a growing gap between our lifespan and "healthspan," arguing that greater emphasis on preventive care could reduce late-life morbidity. Let's take a closer look at the results.

America’s PFAS rules rest on a questionable 80-year-old assumption born of Hiroshima and Nagasaki: any exposure above zero to certain chemicals is harmful, so levels must be driven to the vanishing point to protect public health. New research by ACSH contributor and toxicologist Edward Calabrese points to a troubling conclusion—the US could spend trillions to prevent an essentially harmless exposure.

Summer myths are everywhere—but some can be dangerous. This week on the Mom Pod, Dr. Liza Lockwood joins the moms to separate fact from fiction on sunscreen, water safety, and hydration. From the biggest summer parenting myths to simple science-backed tips that could keep your family safer, this is one conversation you'll want before your next trip to the beach, pool, or playground.