(Rachel Feltman/ Popular Science) —The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given the hallucinogenic compound psilocybin, known for giving “magic mushrooms” their mind-altering powers, a “Breakthrough Therapy” designation for the second time in just over a year.

This designation, which is designed to expedite the development  …

(Langis Michaud/ The Conversation) — Monique is 77 years old. I met her when she came to the eye clinic at the University of Montréal, where I am a professor. A retired teacher, Monique has enjoyed an active and full life with her students and family and considers herself lucky to be in good health.

She is concerned, however, about   …

(Anicka Slachta/ Cardiovascular Business) — A study presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions in Philadelphia this November found that heart patients who practiced routine intermittent fasting over a period of four and a half years were ultimately healthier than those who didn’t.

Benjamin Horne, PhD, the  …

(Catharine Paddock/ Medical News Today) — Scientists have found a link between the use of oral antibiotics and the risk of Parkinson’s disease. They suggest that the connection could be due to the drugs’ impact on gut microbes.

The findings also suggest that up to 15 years can elapse between antibiotic exposure and the emergence  …

(Kalina Laframboise/ Global News) — The Quebec government is pledging new regulations aimed at addressing vaping after at least three confirmed cases of severe lung illness have occurred in the province.

Health Minister Danielle McCann announced Monday she will put in place a plan to fight smoking and vaping by next spring.

Dr. Horacio  …

(Canadian Press) — Canadian health officials are warning consumers to avoid romaine lettuce grown in Salinas, Calif., because of another food poisoning outbreak.

The notice comes almost exactly one year after a similar outbreak led to a blanket warning about romaine, ranging from whole heads to pre-cut salad mixes.

The Public Health  …

(Stephanie Pappas/ Live Science) — The secret to living past 110 may be an increase in killer cells in the bloodstream.

New research finds that “supercentenarians,” or people who make it to 110 years of age or older, have higher-than-typical concentrations of a particularly rare type of T helper cell in their blood.  …

(Nicola Davis/ The Guardian) — As winter approaches it might be tempting to curl up under a thick feather duvet, but experts have warned it might lead to more than just warm toes.

Doctors have reported a case of “feather duvet lung” – a lung inflammation caused by breathing in dust from the feathers in bedding – and have called for medical   …

(Thomson Reuters) — The inflammation-fighting drug colchicine, already a treatment for gout, dramatically reduces the odds of future cardiovascular problems in people who have just survived a heart attack, a large new study has concluded.

While 7.1 per cent of patients who took placebo pills died, had a second heart attack, a stroke  …