Trending News Today: Study Reveals Mechanisms of Ketamine's Antidepressant Effects

A new study recently provided insight into the mechanisms underlying ketamine’s antidepressant effect, STAT reported. According to the article, the researchers showed that ketamine worked in mice to quickly improve the functioning of certain brain circuits involved in mood and restored neural connections that had been diminished by chronic stress within hours. Additionally, the study findings indicated that the survival of these new connections, known as synapses, appeared to be critical in maintaining some of ketamine’s effects, the article reported.

A recent CDC report estimated that deaths tied to the herbal supplement kratom in the United States are more common than previously thought, The Associated Press reported. According to the article, kratom was cited as the cause in 90 overdose deaths in 27 states, compared with the previously known number of 44. Many of the deaths also involved heroin, fentanyl, and other drugs, but kratom was the only substance detected in 7 of the deaths, the article reported.

Rite Aid will stop selling all e-cigarette and vaping products, including Juul products, in its drugstores over the next 90 days, The Wall Street Journal reported. According to the article, company executives said the change was in response to the increasing use of these products by children and teens. However, Rite Aid said it will continue to sell traditional cigarettes in its stores, the article reported.