Adult ADHD
Widely discussed, a diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) in adulthood, has become more common. It’s overall affects on day to day life are still not easily understood – especially when presenting in adults.
Traditionally typecast as a childhood condition, there are many misconceptions that can act as barriers to effective support and management as ADHD symptoms can come and go depending on situations and circumstances. For those 17 and older, symptoms must be present for at least six months before an ADHD diagnosis is made. Adults may be classified as having inattention predominant, hyperactivity predominant, or combined type ADHD, depending on the number of specific symptoms they experience.
Of note: Adult ADHD affects more than 4% – 6% of Canadian adults. Treatment options include medication, which is often the first suggestion but, psychotherapy forms of coaching and coping techniques are also options. Cognitive behavioural therapy and emotional therapy may be better options if there are impactful symptoms from medication.
Source: Harvard Health Publishing
Pig organs in people
With over hundreds of thousands of people waiting for organ transplants, and a shortage of available organs, we know that some people will die before a match is found. It’s this reality that has led scientists to explore what’s known as xenotransplantation—species to species transplantation. The practice has been explored in ways for thousands of years with the first reported instance in the late 1600s when sheep blood was transfused into a 15-year-old boy.
Nowadays, scientists are hoping to utilize genetically modified pig organs for transplantation into humans. So far, more than a dozen pig-organ transplants have taken place in what started as a short-term-experiments on people who were deemed brain dead. Eventually the tests extending to “compassionate use” cases where the volunteers were too ill or ineligible to receive human organ transplants.
As expected, there are a number of concerns raised by experts that include from rejection of the organ, transmitting viruses from pigs to people and to people alongside a variety of ethical concerns. Bioethicists are also concerned these patients are being given “an offer they can’t refuse”.
Source: Knowable
Pets the new probiotic?
The rate of immune related diseases such as asthma, eczema and allergies has soared within the general population—but that’s not the situation for the Amish. Past research has shown that the Amish children’s animal friendly environment shapes their immune system in such a way that they have lower risk of allergies.
Global investigations have also demonstrated the benefits of having animals in close proximity to living quarters. In recent news, a study from January of 2025 found that having a dog at home can help to prevent eczema in some children who are genetically prone to the condition.
The possibly protective nature of pets has piqued the interest of many including a New York Times writer who asked if “pets are the new probiotic?”
They may be onto something. Suggestions that the microbiome could be colonised by bugs from our own pets may strike an interesting visual, but it experts tell us that microbes from an animal’s paws and fur have been shown to temporarily end up on our skin—the possibly source of special immunity for some.
Source: BBC
Images: CanStock. Shutterstock.
