Special K: Ketamine, From Party Drug To Depression Medication
A new drug based on ketamine was recently approved by the FDA to treat depression in treatment-resistant patients.
Health & Safety
Beyond Annoying: How To Identify The Sounds Of A Troublesome Snore
Most snoring is harmless, aside from the misery it might cause your bed mate. In some cases though, it's a sign of sleep apnea, a serious condition. Here's how to know the difference.
Scientists Dig Into Hard Questions About The Fluorinated Pollutants Known As PFAS
PFAS are a family of chemicals accumulating in the soil, rivers, drinking water and the human body. How much exposure to these substances in clothes, firefighting foam and food wrap is too much?
Amid Rural Doctor Shortage, Dozens Of Medical Workers Charged In Opioid Crackdown
A recent opioid sting caught 60 people, including doctors, accused of enabling addicts. Physician Stephen Loyd tells NPR's Sacha Pfeiffer how the sting could affect addicted patients.
Disciplining Kids Without Yelling: Readers Tell Us Their Tricks
Our readers share ways to get your children to listen without raising your voice — sometimes without saying a word.
Prison For Forced Addiction Treatment? A Parent's 'Last Resort' Has Consequences
Thousands of Massachusetts residents have been committed to treatment for addiction against their will. Some families say locking up addicts in prison isn't treatment. Others say it saves lives.
Amid Opioid Prescriber Crackdown, Health Officials Reach Out To Pain Patients
After dozens of health care workers were charged with illegally prescribing opioids in Appalachia, local health agencies are trying to make sure chronic pain patients don't fall through the cracks.
Anti-Tobacco Advocates Question McConnell Plan To Raise Minimum Purchasing Age
Citing an "unprecedented spike" in teens vaping, Sen. Mitch McConnell said the bill would raise the minimum age for people to buy tobacco products from 18 to 21. Tobacco companies back the proposal.
How Effective Are School Lockdown Drills?
Since the 1999 Columbine High School shooting, a generation of American children has learned how to hide from a potential shooter. But there's little data on what kinds of drills work best.
Why Do Doctors Overtreat? For Many, It's What They're Trained To Do
Ordering more tests or treatments is not always best for patients' health or wallet. A group of medical educators is trying to address the problem where they think it starts: medical training.