1: Smoking Cessation: From Patches to Psychedelics?

An RCT found that psychedelics, such as psilocybin, appear promising for the treatment of tobacco use disorder. In 82 psychiatrically healthy adult smokers, those who received 1 dose of psilocybin with adjunct cognitive behavioural therapy had 6 times greater odds of prolonged smoking abstinence compared with those using nicotine patch therapy. With no serious adverse events attributed to the psychedelic treatment, psilocybin may represent a potential new direction for smoking cessation.

2: Metabolically Healthy — For Now

A cohort study of 7,275 children with metabolically healthy obesity — meaning they do not exhibit overt metabolic abnormalities — found that by age 30, these individuals still face an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia compared with the general population. These findings suggest that pediatric obesity treatment should be considered regardless of metabolic status, as the risk of cardiometabolic disease may still emerge over time.

3: Rethinking Splints in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

A parallel-group clinical trial of patients with carpal tunnel syndrome assessed whether wrist splinting helps relieve symptoms and prevent surgical treatment. Despite being a commonly prescribed intervention, there were no significant differences in outcomes between those using a rigid wrist splint and those given a soft placebo bandage after 12 weeks. These findings call into question the routine use of splinting and suggest a need to re-evaluate current management strategies.

Keeping up with the GLP-1 landscape in 2026 is practically a full-time job. Join Dr. Sean Wharton on April 30 at 7:00 PM EST for a free, 1 hour webinar into where obesity management is headed next.

Clinical success is becoming about much more than just numbers on a scale. Dr. Wharton will break down the systemic benefits of newer incretin therapies, the biological "why" behind weight regain, and how the diversifying market is actually changing patient access. It’s a high-impact, zero-cost update from one of the biggest names in the field — perfect for anyone looking to move toward more holistic, long-term outcomes for their patients.

What happens to the body when the cycle ends early?

What happened: New research suggests that women whose menstrual cycle ends before age 40 face a 40% higher risk of coronary heart disease. 

Why it matters: While premature menopause affects fewer than 10% of women aged 30 to 45, the long-term cardiovascular implications are significant. The study didn’t pinpoint the cause of premature menopause and heart disease, but some cardiologists believe social, environmental, and health factors might explain why. The researchers looked at high blood pressure and cholesterol, which may increase the risk of both premature menopause and heart disease. However, the exact mechanism — whether it's the sudden loss of estrogen or the impact of surgical menopause — remains a mystery in terms of how it triggers heart failure or heart attacks later in life.

A recent Ipsos poll found that 33% of Canadian women wait more than 2 years to seek menopause care. Although most women understand menopause, some still report confusion over symptoms — meaning they often aren’t sure when to seek care. In 2022, the Menopause Foundation of Canada reported that 46% of Canadian women feel unprepared for menopause, while more than half believe it’s a taboo subject. 

Vague issues like unexplained fatigue, shortness of breath, or even nausea can be subtle red flags for cardiovascular disease. For women navigating premature menopause, these symptoms are often brushed off as just part of the transition, leaving many unaware of the underlying risks. This reflects a broader, decades-long trend where women’s health has taken a backseat, leaving patients unsure of where to turn for help. Experts emphasize that any woman experiencing menopause, premature or otherwise, should consult their primary care physician to discuss risk management.

Bottom line: Current research is actively exploring whether hormone therapy could play a dual role — not only in alleviating immediate symptoms but also in protecting long-term heart health. This potential for prevention highlights a crucial shift: while menopause is a natural transition, it can also serve as an early indicator of future cardiovascular risk. By encouraging women to speak openly about their symptoms now, we can reduce the stigma and ensure they receive the proactive care needed to navigate this transformative period safely.

1: 🏥 Primary care is getting a major system reset this week. As of today, federal rules prohibit private billing for services provided by nurse practitioners, midwives, and pharmacists — classifying them as medically necessary and forcing provinces to bring these providers under the public umbrella. For family physicians, that removes the pressure of "pay-to-play" competitors, but there’s a tradeoff: a short-term administrative headache while funding models are in flux. Expect a wave of NPs looking to integrate back into public clinics and family health teams.

2:🎖️ Should Canadian hospitals be ready for war? A new CMAJ commentary argues Canada’s civilian health system is currently unequipped to handle the clinical burden of a large-scale conflict or national emergency. According to researchers, Canada lacks a formal framework to coordinate between provincial health systems and federal military medical services, unlike some NATO allies. The authors are calling for a "civilian-military medical integration" that includes shared training hubs and interoperable data systems. It’s not about militarizing medicine — it’s about having a command structure ready to manage trauma beds and blood supplies across provincial borders if a crisis hits.

3: 💉 Banned performance-enhancing drugs are so accessible in Canada, an Ottawa teen was able to order a testosterone booster with his parents' credit card. The enclomiphene citrate (intercepted by his father) is sold as a “research chemical,” according to the seller, and labelled “not for human consumption.” Meanwhile, more grey market "health" products could be on the rise, as a start-up planning “steroid Olympics” is now planning on selling them in the States. Part of the rise in popularity? Influencers and (in what sounds like a joke) RFK Jr. praising them on Joe Rogan's podcast.

4:🥛 Attention milk drinkers: certain dairy products sold under the Farmers, Natrel and Québon brands are being recalled due to a possible presence of pieces of glass. The recall covers two-litre cartons of 1%, 2%, 3.25%, and chocolate milk primarily in Quebec and the Maritimes, though the Natrel lactose-free chocolate milk was distributed nationally. The company says the situation is "under control," but the CFIA is investigating how far the problem has spread.

21: the number of spike protein mutations found in BA.3.2, a highly diverged new COVID-19 variant now under global surveillance. It hasn't triggered a major wave yet, but experts are concerned its unique genetic signature may help it sidestep existing immunity better than previous Omicron strains.

1: the number of genes researchers "knocked out" via CRISPR to strip bitterness from grapefruit. This could win over kids and citrus-haters, though it raises a lingering question: are we slipping toward "boring" produce, sacrificing flavour complexity for our collective sweet tooth?

2: how many Starlink satellites have now exploded in orbit in just a few months. The latest “anomaly” scattered “tens of objects” into low Earth orbit — the same increasingly crowded space SpaceX plans to fill with even more satellites.

12%: the percentage of US teens who use AI chatbots for emotional support or advice, according to a recent report. 16% said they use AI for casual conversation.

🎧 Listen: to the latest CIHI podcast on the Ozempic boom — and how Canada became the world’s 2nd-largest user of the drug, weighing its clinical potential against the reality of a 6,000% spike in public spending.

🍳 Make: this spring pea and lemon risotto. This one-pan wonder is essentially "spring in a bowl," using fresh peas, mint, and lemon zest for a bright, light dinner. 

🛍️ Save: on Amazon Big Spring Sale deals and snag solid markdowns on cult favourites — including the Ultrahuman Ring AIR for screen-free health tracking, JBL noise-cancelling earbuds, and kitchen staples like the Ninja Foodi.

💡 Vent: to Transport Canada about blinding headlights. If you’ve ever felt personally victimized by an oncoming LED high-beam during a post-shift commute, now’s your chance to say so. The feds are gathering feedback on "bluer" light and SUV lamp heights until April 20.

🌍 Travel: the ultimate luxury vacation. If you’ve ever wanted to helicopter over Icelandic fjords or be served by a world-class chef in a private villa, this new "ultraluxe" tier has you covered.

First clue: Ground _____ opacity

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