Virtual Reality Therapy (VRT) is the use of computer generated simulations to make patients believe they are experiencing a different set and setting. 1 Counselors aid patients guiding them through their thoughts and emotions, and providing suggestions on how to address situations. VRT has been observed to help people suffering from various ailments, including anxiety, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and pain management. Bravemind for PTSD Bravemind is a VRT exposure t

On January 7th, 2026 OpenAI launched a new tool directed towards health questions called ChatGPT Health. OpenAI claims that " Health is a dedicated space in ChatGPT where you can ask health and wellness questions and choose to connect your health data (like medical records and wellness apps) so responses can be grounded in that context (What is ChatGPT Health, 2026). This new tool could be beneficial for people to track and get advice on health-related questions, but it may a

By Anne Denk, RN, BSN Migraines affect 37 million Americans, including men, women, and children. Migraines occur due to a variety of factors. While there are multiple pharmacological treatment options, studies have shown that several alternative treatments are beneficial. Massage therapy is one of these alternative treatment options that can reduce the symptoms of migraines. Origins and Impacts of Migraines Migraine headaches occur for many reasons. Contributing factors inclu

Image from Forbes What is AI? Artificial Intelligence, or AI, is the ability for computers to perform tasks that are typically done by humans, such as writing, problem-solving, and language understanding. Benefits of AI in Healthcare Some benefits are its ability to conduct surgery, provide diagnoses, organize data, and much more. All of this can be useful, but to every advantage, there is a disadvantage. Disadvantages of AI in Healthcare Some disadvantages are its malfunctio

Introduction Telemedicine has emerged as a transformative approach in healthcare, enabling patients to access medical services remotely through digital platforms. Especially during pandemics or in geographically isolated regions, virtual healthcare reduces physical visits, minimizes infection risk, and enhances the efficiency of medical services. By leveraging video conferencing, mobile apps, and wearable devices, telemedicine supports continuous monitoring, follow-ups, and c

By Kristine Burneko, MSN, APRN, PMHNP-BC, APHN-BC Introduction Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) is a multidisciplinary field that examines the tridirectional interaction of psychological processes, neurological activity, and immune function. Within clinical practice, PNI provides the mechanistic foundation for mind–body medicine, an evidence-based approach that complements conventional biomedical care by enhancing psychophysiological regulation and response to concurrent treatmen

What is functional medicine? Functional medicine uses a patient-centered approach to identify the root cause of an illness. Whereas conventional medicine uses symptom based treatments based on a specific disease, functional medicine focuses on disease prevention with an emphasis on the whole body. In simpler terms functional medicine looks at how the body is functioning, and treats the altered function causing the illness. Functional medicine specialists believe each person i

By: Nesredin Hassen Yesuf LinkedIn  | Email Introduction Acute appendicitis is a leading global surgical emergency, with an estimated lifetime risk of 7–8% [1]. For over a century, appendectomy has been the undisputed standard of care. However, the contemporary era is marked by a significant paradigm shift, with robust evidence emerging for non-operative management using antibiotics. This evolution, fueled by advancements in diagnostic imaging, improved risk stratification, a

The use of AI in early cancer diagnosis and treatment Let's admit it, you might have used AI a couple of times in the past month, either for mundane tasks, doing groceries , planning for the day, getting inspiration, or using it for school in any shape or form. But would you trust AI being used in the medical field? AI has proven to be both beneficial and dangerous, depending on one's intention. To help people in the medical field, some states, hospitals, and certain fields h

By Vanessa Muller, PharmD Most people don’t think about the technology behind medication safety. You pick up a prescription, read the instructions, and trust that if something important changes, your doctor will hear about it. But the amount of safety information that experts handle today is far greater than it used to be. Every year, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reviews millions of safety reports, research findings, electronic health-record patterns, and globa

Introduction Imagine a world where blood shortages no longer threaten patients in need. Every year, hospitals face critical gaps in supply—whether from seasonal drops in donations, unexpected disasters, or the growing demand from cancer treatments and surgeries. In these moments, lives hang in the balance. Now picture a future where blood is not just donated, but manufactured on demand.  Scientists are developing “blood factories”—engineered systems that recreate the environm

A lot has been said about artificial intelligence (AI) and pharmacovigilance (PV), but for seasoned professionals we should have seen this coming a long time ago. The traditional way PV activities have been conducted relied heavily on manual, resource‑intensive processes. Case processing involved receiving and validating adverse event reports, entering them into databases, and ensuring regulatory submissions were complete. Narrative writing required medical reviewers to craft

by David Cox RN BSN. nursedavidwrites.com I’m in the process of completing an excellent review on AI, AI for Work and Life, an eight-part webinar series put on by my alma mater, the University of North Florida. Each session is at least an hour long, and is led by one or more subject matter experts in different aspects of the use and, yes, misuse of this world-changing technology. We’re getting the latest and best understanding of who can or should use AI, what some of the man

Medications are delivered using various devices. Medications must sometimes be administered through an intravenous (IV) route. There are both peripheral and central IV routes. Differentiating between these IV routes and devices might seem confusing. However, there are mainly three common categories: peripheral IVs, peripherally inserted central catheters, and ports. PIVs Peripheral IVs (PIVs) are the most common and recognizable type of IV device. When a person is admitted to

Traditional drug development is a notoriously slow, expensive, and high-risk endeavor; most potential drug candidates fail during years of rigorous laboratory screening and clinical trials despite massive investments. However, a new era is emerging, fueled by the rise of vast biological and chemical datasets, powerful computing, and advanced algorithms. These technologies, spanning machine learning, molecular modeling, and generative AI, are enabling a shift in how cures are

Rachelle DiMedia   Have you ever experienced “butterflies” in your stomach before a big event? That’s your gut and brain communicating—and scientists are discovering this connection is more profound than they previously thought. Depression and anxiety present a significant burden on society and those who suffer from them. They are a leading cause of disability in the U.S., affecting not only the individual but also their loved ones.   There is a growing need to discover thera

Steve Jobs was open about how using LSD shaped his worldview and enhanced his creativity. Spiritual leader Ram Das, who has millions of followers postmortem, attributed his spiritual awakening to psychedelics. Now pharmaceutical companies around the world are racing to bring these types of drugs to your medicine cabinet. In 2023, the FDA legitimized the potential therapeutic use of psychedelics by issuing “ first draft guidance ” for clinical trials. (1) And in 2024, the FDA

The psychological issues among children and adolescents are getting progressively worse.  Up to 20% of children and adolescents worldwide are struggling with mental illnesses, but most of them never get the help they need.  The disparity is exacerbated by stigma, a lack of child psychiatrists, and restricted access to care, particularly in low- and middle-income nations.    With its ability to provide early detection, digital interventions, and individualized care, artificial

All of us are familiar with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, popularly known as HIV, as it has been one of the most dreaded viruses in the world for a long time. HIV infection has long been one of the world’s most challenging and stigmatised conditions, and despite decades of awareness efforts and scientific progress, misconceptions still surround it. Once you contract HIV, unfortunately, there is no cure. However, advances in treatment and prevention have transformed HIV in

Stem Cells vs. Progenitor Cells: What's Better? The field of regenerative medicine is rapidly progressing and emerging as a promising solution for regaining the normal functioning of organs and tissues. Regenerative medicine works by repairing and regrowing damaged cells, thereby enhancing the regular operation in its targeted area. Regenerative therapy involves the incorporation of specialized cells that can generate new tissues, and to understand this mechanism, it is cruci