#Publichealth

A surprising new wave of research is challenging the stereotype of the lethargic “stoner” by revealing an unexpected trend: cannabis users are increasingly pairing marijuana with exercise to boost motivation, enjoyment, and even achieve the coveted “runner’s high.” This new approach, highlighted in a recent article by Salon.com (source), reflects a growing body of scientific studies suggesting that cannabis, when used thoughtfully, might actually help some people embrace a more active lifestyle—contrary to decades-old assumptions linking marijuana to inactivity.

A major new review in The Lancet provides fresh insights into how exercise acts as a powerful protector of the ageing brain, marking a significant step forward in scientific understanding of the neuroprotective effects of physical fitness. The research, led by international experts, underscores the vital role that regular physical activity plays in not only preserving memory and thinking skills but also in counteracting the very processes that make the brain vulnerable to diseases like Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. For Thai readers, already facing an increasingly aged society, these findings reinforce the urgent importance of weaving fitness into daily life—not just for the body, but for the mind as well.

Recent scientific findings are challenging the long-held belief that moderate alcohol consumption is harmless, with robust evidence now demonstrating that even small amounts of alcohol can have significant health effects. For Thai readers who enjoy a social drink, the latest research urges a more cautious approach, echoing a global recalibration of alcohol guidelines in light of rising health concerns (STAT News, Harvard Health Blog). This news resonates in Thailand where alcohol is woven into celebrations and social rituals, yet mounting health issues tied to drinking have stoked concern among health professionals.

A new study is putting the simple act of walking in the spotlight, revealing that just five minutes of walking for every 30 minutes of sitting can drastically reduce blood sugar spikes—by up to 58 percent. This accessible “exercise snack” approach not only highlights a low-barrier way for Thais to improve metabolic health, but may also help offset the growing public health concerns around diabetes and sedentary lifestyles common in modern Thai society. The findings, which have gone viral in international health media and have sparked notable discussions on social platforms, carry direct real-world implications for Thailand, where office culture and urban living habits often lead to prolonged sitting throughout the day.

A wave of urgent scientific warnings has gripped international health and environmental communities as researchers uncover the pervasive contamination of everyday products with “invisible” microplastics—tiny particles of plastic less than five millimeters in size that can easily enter food and drinking water, impacting people after just a single use. This silent invasion, previously believed to be a concern mainly with overused or degraded plastic items, is now recognized as an immediate health issue, requiring both policy responses and personal vigilance, including here in Thailand (Yahoo News).

The US state of Virginia has reported its first confirmed measles case for 2025, raising fresh concerns about the resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases. Health officials at the Virginia Department of Health announced the case on 19 April 2025, emphasizing the critical need to maintain high immunization rates. This news is not only significant for Americans, but offers urgent lessons for Thai families and healthcare providers in an era marked by global travel, vaccine hesitancy, and infectious disease risks.

Recent research heralds weight training not just as a pathway to physical strength, but a powerful tool in safeguarding the aging brain—offering fresh hope for millions of Thai seniors and families facing the threat of cognitive decline. A study featured in Medical News Today highlights how resistance exercise, commonly known as weight or strength training, can slow and potentially reverse cognitive deterioration often seen in dementia, a condition increasingly prevalent in Thailand’s rapidly greying society (Medical News Today). The significance of these findings cannot be overstated, given that dementia remains incurable and current treatment options are limited. Isadora Ribeiro, PhD, one of the researchers cited, explained, “Since there is still no cure [for dementia], finding ways to delay or prevent its onset—especially through accessible, non-pharmacological strategies—is essential to improve quality of life in aging.”

Secondary infertility, a condition where couples struggle to conceive after successfully having had at least one child, is becoming an increasing concern among families worldwide, including here in Thailand. Recent reports and new research highlight not only a steady rise in cases but also the typically overlooked emotional turmoil experienced by affected parents—an issue that has resonated with many Thai families amid shifting demographics and social expectations.

The significance of this trend is well-captured by the candid story of Charlotte Bennett, as reported in The Times. Bennett, already a mother, described the “horrendous” guilt of being unable to give her six-year-old son a sibling, despite years of effort. For many parents, secondary infertility brings an unexpected and deeply personal form of distress, often complicated by cultural expectations and misconceptions that once a couple has had one child, further pregnancies should be easy and natural (The Times).

A retired 74-year-old man’s steadfast commitment to daily exercise over ten years has become a model for boosting energy, health, and longevity—a routine now gaining the approval of medical experts and trainers worldwide. Vincent ‘Vin’ DiMonte of Rhode Island, whose story appeared recently in Business Insider, highlights the power of combining strength training and cardio as key pillars for healthy aging and vibrant living, a message resonant among Thai seniors and fitness newcomers alike Business Insider.

As the sun breaks through the rainy season clouds, many Thais are rediscovering a simple but powerful form of exercise: walking. New research and expert opinions are making it clear—walking, often dismissed as too gentle, is a genuine workout with surprising health benefits. This shift in perspective is timely, especially as people seek accessible ways to boost their health while balancing busy schedules and tight budgets in cities like Bangkok and beyond.

A groundbreaking study using artificial intelligence (AI) has taken a scientific leap in answering an age-old question: why do some people stick with regular exercise, while others quickly fall off the wagon? By analyzing the habits and characteristics of nearly 12,000 individuals, a research team from the University of Mississippi has identified three surprisingly robust predictors of exercise adherence—how much time you spend sitting, your gender, and your education level—shedding new light on what keeps people committed to their fitness goals. This finding could open the door to more individualized health advice and smarter public health campaigns worldwide, including here in Thailand (Neuroscience News, Science Daily).

A wave of recent studies is drawing global attention to a striking trend: the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content in cannabis – the primary compound responsible for the drug’s psychoactive “high” – is now far more potent than in previous decades. According to new data reported by Axios, the average THC level in U.S. cannabis has quadrupled since the 1990s, signaling both significant changes for cannabis users and new health concerns for society at large Axios. For Thai readers—whether policymakers, healthcare providers, students, or parents—the global surge in high-potency cannabis raises important questions about public health, legal approaches, and cultural attitudes toward marijuana.

A chilling health scare recently made global headlines after a 41-year-old woman in the UK was hospitalized with life-threatening rhabdomyolysis following an “intense” karate session while dehydrated—a cautionary tale that experts warn could happen to anyone, including Thailand’s fitness enthusiasts Daily Mail. This rare but severe condition, sometimes shortened to “rhabdo,” has been rising in reported cases worldwide as high-intensity workouts and fitness challenges grow in popularity, yet public awareness remains dangerously low. Understanding rhabdomyolysis, its risks, symptoms, and prevention is now more crucial than ever, especially as Thailand’s health-conscious population embraces ever-tougher fitness regimes.

A recently shared personal account by Jacob Skidmore, an Ohio-based TikTok creator diagnosed with narcissistic personality disorder (NPD), is igniting global and local conversations about stigma, mental health, and the reality of living with NPD. The story, covered by Newsweek and rapidly circulating on social media, highlights how individuals with this diagnosis face not only challenges from the disorder itself but also substantial social vilification and misunderstanding. For Thai readers, the viral nature of this discussion offers an opportunity to reflect on how mental health terminology and stigma play out both globally and in our own society.

A recent review published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine illuminates the complex relationship between physical activity and digestive diseases, revealing both the benefits and risks associated with various intensities of exercise on the gastrointestinal (GI) system. The study, highlighted by The American Journal of Managed Care (AJMC), underscores that while moderate exercise can significantly enhance GI health and overall quality of life, high-intensity exercise may pose risks—especially for individuals already dealing with digestive conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) (AJMC).

A seemingly obscure dietary supplement, GliSODin, is gaining attention in the medical community for its reported ability to slow aging, protect the heart, and even help prevent cancer, according to a recent feature in the New York Post NY Post, 2025. While Thailand’s health-conscious public is no stranger to vitamin shops lining Siam Square or the latest superfood news ricocheting across LINE groups, GliSODin may be a new name poised to join the ranks of must-have supplements. Here’s why this novel product—derived from cantaloupe melon and wheat gliadin—has experts abuzz, and what it could mean for Thais watching their health as they age.

New scientific findings are shedding light on why saying “no” to junk food is so difficult—even when we know better. Recent research highlights how memories of fatty and sugary foods are actively stored in the brain’s hippocampus, creating deeply rooted cravings that are tough to resist, according to a summary by National Geographic and supported by studies from major research institutions (National Geographic; ScienceDaily). By understanding these mental food traps, Thai readers can better grasp the complex forces behind snack-time temptations and make smarter choices in everyday life.

A wave of new research is highlighting the powerful benefits of the Mediterranean diet—particularly its effectiveness at supporting healthy blood sugar levels and reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes. Inspired by the traditional cuisines of Greece, Italy, and the broader Mediterranean region, this diet’s health credentials are being reinforced by both nutrition science and practical, easy-to-prepare recipes such as those recently featured in EatingWell’s article “19 Easy Mediterranean Diet Lunches To Support Healthy Blood Sugar” (source). With diabetes and metabolic syndrome growing concerns in Thailand, these new findings offer fresh hope and actionable guidance for Thais looking to adopt healthier eating habits.

A new study published in the journal Neurology has sent shockwaves through the global medical community by firmly linking heavy alcohol consumption to changes in the brain associated with Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive decline (source: Washington Post). For Thai readers, where drinking culture is woven deeply into social and festival life, these findings carry sobering health messages that resonate well beyond laboratory data.

The research, conducted at the University of São Paulo Medical School in Brazil, delved into 20 years of brain autopsy data collected from 1,781 people aged 50 or older at the time of death. By using family surveys, experts reconstructed people’s drinking habits three months before their deaths and matched these to neuropathological findings. The key takeaway: Those consuming eight or more alcoholic drinks weekly—classified as heavy drinkers—had a 41% increased likelihood of developing neurofibrillary tangles, clumps of tau protein in brain cells definitively associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Even former heavy drinkers, who stopped within those last three months, had a 31% higher risk compared to those who never drank.

As low-carb diets remain a popular trend among weight-conscious Thais and people around the world, new research published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics has sounded a cautionary note: cutting carbohydrates may unexpectedly leave you short on several essential vitamins and minerals, with possible long-term health consequences for those who don’t carefully balance their menus (EatingWell). This fresh evidence urges the health-minded public to look past quick results and consider nutritional completeness, particularly as Thai society increasingly embraces Western and trendy diet patterns in the hopes of fighting the national rise in obesity.

A new wave of health recommendations by the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) has placed a clear spotlight on a single, critical diet change to tackle high cholesterol—a condition that remains a silent threat to millions worldwide, including a growing number of Thais. The NHS now identifies cutting down on foods high in saturated fat as the “number one” step to reduce high cholesterol, supported by extensive research and echoed by organizations like Heart UK. For readers in Thailand, where shifting diets and lifestyles have driven a sharp increase in cholesterol-related illnesses, these findings offer both a wake-up call and a practical roadmap to better heart health (Express).

Protein has become the star macronutrient of the decade, with consumers in the United States and beyond embracing protein-rich diets at record rates. According to Cargill’s 2025 Protein Profile, in the US, a staggering 61% of consumers report actively increasing their protein intake in 2024, a substantial jump from just 48% in 2019 (Cargill, 2025). Supermarkets now brim with protein-enriched snack bars, cookies, even sodas and ice creams, while food manufacturers and social media influencers stoke the frenzy with bold claims about the benefits of high-protein diets. But as this “protein obsession” becomes a global consumer trend—advanced by viral dieting advice and evolving food industry strategies—nutrition experts are raising the alarm, warning of misunderstandings and potential health risks surrounding excessive protein consumption (San Diego Union-Tribune, 2025).

Deciding whether to prioritize strength training or cardio is a question that plagues gym-goers and health-seekers worldwide, and Thai fitness enthusiasts are no exception. A recent article in GQ (GQ, 2025), along with a slew of emerging research, sheds new light on the debate, suggesting that a smart balance—not picking sides—is the true key to lifelong health, effective weight loss, and even brain wellness as we age. As Thailand faces its own health challenges, understanding how to tailor our routines to these findings is both timely and relevant.

Could three simple exercises help you live a longer, healthier life? According to renowned trainer Ollie Thompson, the key to “living better for longer” might be hiding in your gym routine. In a recent interview with The Independent, Thompson—founder of the performance-based health company Welltolead—singlehandedly champions resistance training as a crucial pillar for promoting health, longevity, and vibrancy in later life, saying, “the benefits of maintaining healthy muscle are highly underrated” (The Independent).