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A panel of experts advising the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) voted against adopting MDMA as a treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) on Tuesday.Members of the FDA’s Psychopharmacologic Drugs Advisory Committee said that they did not feel there is sufficient evidence to show that the drug is effective in a 9-2 vote. In a 10-1 vote, experts overwhelmingly said that the benefits of MDMA, commonly known as ecstasy or molly, do not outweigh the risks.The panel was tasked with evaluating a proposed treatment developed by Lykos Therapeutics, which involves taking prescribed doses of MDMA under the supervision of clinicians providing psychotherapy to treat patients with moderate to severe PTSD. The FDA does not have to abide by the panel’s guidance, but does take its input ...

Losing weight is one the best ways to lower your risk of heart disease, and cutting back on sugar can contribute to that. But sweeteners that mimic the taste of sugar with fewer—or no—calories could be increasing, rather than decreasing, the risk of some heart events.In a study published Thursday in the European Heart Journal, an international group of researchers led by a team at the Cleveland Clinic report that higher levels of xylitol, a sugar substitute found in candy and even toothpaste, are linked to a higher risk of heart attack, stroke, and death.The study included more than 3,000 people in the U.S. and Europe, about half of whom had a history of heart disease, and almost all of whom had at least a few risk factors for heart disease. They were followed for several years. The resear...

Waking up throughout the night is normal. Most adults do it between two and six times per night—and if you’re a good sleeper, these wakings will be so brief that you likely won’t remember them, says Lynelle Schneeberg, a sleep psychologist and assistant professor of psychiatry at Yale Medicine. But for some people, nighttime wakings are so intrusive that they experience what Schneeberg calls “the download.”“You wake up and think, Why am I awake? How long have I been asleep? How much longer do I have to sleep?” she says. You might start worrying about something that’s been on your mind, whether it’s a big presentation at work or a conflict with a family member. After the download, you’re up.Even people who have no trouble falling asleep can struggle with night wakings. These expert tips wil...