Are Those Who Cheat, “Cheaters?”

Are Those Who Cheat, “Cheaters?”

In May 2020, seventy-two first-year West Point cadets cheated on a calculus final. All the accused made the same error on a particular portion of the exam. Fifty-five cadets were found in violation of West Point’s honor codes and enrolled in a rehabilitation program. Some resigned. Some we do not know the outcome. The Academy’s…

The 2020 Social Experiment

Social Isolation

You may never have guessed, unless you’re Stephen King, that social isolation can have devastating effects on animals. We’ve already observed increased psychiatric dysfunction since COVID-19 quarantine began. According to the Centers of Disease Control (CDC), by June 2020 rates of anxiety were three times higher and depression was four times higher than 2019. Virtual…

Danish Face Mask Study

Danish Face Mask Study

You may or may not have recently read the results of the November 2020 Danish face mask study. This was published November 18th, in the Annals of Internal Medicine, a much less prestigious journal than say the New England Journal of Medicine, Lancet, Nature or JAMA. You’d figure the only randomized study of its kind…

Proper Post-Hospital Care After Brain Surgery

Proper Post-Hospital Care After Brain Surgery

Common questions leading up to brain surgery revolve around postoperative care. “How much care will I require?” “Does someone need to be with me 24/7?” “Can I go upstairs?” What are my restrictions?” “How will I feel?” “When will I feel normal again?” These common questions are highlighted by the recent death of Argentinian soccer…

Smoking to Treat Pain, yet Smoking Increases Pain?

Smoking to Treat Pain, yet Smoking Increases Pain?

Some patients report they smoke more because they have spine pain or anxiety. Studies have shown that smokers increase their cigarette consumption when their pain increases. 42% of persons experiencing medically unexplained pain in the last year smoke. 54% of treatment-seeking chronic pain patients smoke. Furthermore, these smokers tend to have more maladaptive pain behaviors,…