The Checkup Archive: Alcohol and Drugs

Cash-Strapped Adults Curb Smoking, Drinking

The current economic slump may have caused many of us to drop our gym memberships and made it more challenging for us to eat healthfully. But the impact on our health may not be all bad: According to a recent Pew survey, young adults are skimping on cigarettes and alcohol...

The Best Part of the Mediterrannean Diet

For years, we've been hearing that the Mediterranean diet is one of the healthiest way to eat. People who to consume diets that are rich in whole grains, olive oil, nuts, fruits and vegetables, fish, cheese and moderate amounts of wine seem to live longer, healthier lives. But is there...

A New Wind A-Blowin' for Medical Marijuana?

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder told reporters Wednesday that federal law-enforcement officials will no longer go after providers of marijuana that's used for medicinal purposes in the 13 states in which medical marijuana is legal unless that service is just a front for unlawful activities. That announcement will no doubt...

Pancreatic Cancer News You Can't Use

A new study in the Journal of the American Cancer Institute shows that people with certain blood types may be more likely to develop pancreatic cancer, one of the most deadly of all malignancies. Specifically, folks with type O blood face the lowest risk for pancreatic cancer, while those with...

Phelps Aside, Pot Use Down Among Young

The news that 23-year-old Olympic swim sensation Michael Phelps had been caught on camera taking a bong hit completely overshadowed other important marijuana news issued Monday. A study in the Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine found that marijuana use among 15-year-olds in the U.S., Canada and Europe declined substantially...

Renewed Call for Alcohol Labeling

Quick: How many ounces in a standard serving of wine? liquor? beer? Beer's easy: It usually comes in 12-ounce bottles or cans, which conveniently match the USDA's dietary guideline for a serving size. But wine and spirits are harder to size up, as we pour them into different-sized glasses. A...

Older Entries in This Category »

Drinking and the Shrinking Brain, Jennifer LaRue Huget , October 15, 2008

Magic Mushrooms, Rob Stein , July 3, 2008

Your Brain On Pot, Rob Stein , June 5, 2008

Boating? Skip the Booze, Jennifer LaRue Huget , May 23, 2008

How Did Your Kid Turn 21?, Rob Stein , May 22, 2008