Latest news with #McLeanHospital
Business Wire
28-07-2025
- Health
- Business Wire
NFL Biosciences Announces a Scientific Collaboration with McLean Hospital (Boston, USA) to Further Investigate the Mechanism of Action of NFL-101
MONTPELLIER, France--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Regulatory News: NFL BIOSCIENCES (Euronext Growth Paris – FR0014003XT0 - ALFNL), a biopharmaceutical company developing innovative botanical drugs for the treatment of addiction, today announces the launch of a scientific collaboration with McLean Hospital, a member of the Mass General Brigham healthcare system in Boston, USA. This new collaboration aims to deepen the understanding of the mechanism of action of NFL-101, its proprietary botanical drug candidate for smoking cessation. This collaboration follows studies conducted with the Georges Pompidou European Hospital (HEGP) and the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) which highlighted NFL-101's ability to restore normal brain activity in regions associated with tobacco craving, particularly the thalamus, during withdrawal. This restoration proved to be both specific and sustained. These results suggest the existence of a unique mechanism of action involving an interaction between the immune system and the central nervous system, distinct from existing treatments that directly target nicotinic receptors. The studies conducted by McLean Hospital will explore in greater detail the links between this brain activity restoration and established biomarkers of tobacco addiction, with the objective of further characterizing NFL-101's pharmacological profile. Three laboratories at McLean Hospital, will be involved in this project: the Integrative Neurochemistry Laboratory, the Behavioral Neuroimaging Laboratory, and the Behavioral Psychopharmacology Research Laboratory. This collaboration represents a strategic milestone aligned with the upcoming Phase III trial. It also supports NFL Biosciences' international expansion, particularly in the United States, through collaborations with world-renowned experts in addiction science. The results will further strengthen NFL Biosciences' regulatory submission. Launched at a pivotal time, this initiative contributes to the momentum of ongoing discussions with potential industrial partners. Under this agreement, NFL Biosciences will retain exclusive intellectual property rights, including any potential patent applications resulting from the work conducted jointly with McLean Hospital. The results of this collaboration may lead to co-authored publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals and presentations at international conferences by the McLean Hospital research teams involved in the project. These studies will further enhance the scientific visibility of the NFL-101 program. Professor Scott Lukas, Director of the McLean Imaging Center and the Behavioral Psychopharmacology Research Laboratory at McLean Hospital (USA), stated: 'With botanical drugs, efficacy often relies on the full extract, making it challenging to identify a precise mechanism of action. Too often, we develop molecules with a clearly defined mechanism, yet based on an incomplete understanding of addiction pathways, which frequently leads to setbacks in clinical trials. Here, it's the opposite: we already have demonstrated clinical effects, and the mechanism remains to be further explored. The next stage is to better understand the mechanism of action, which could strengthen the scientific rationale for the treatment and open the door to additional therapeutic insights, including potential individualized approaches.' Bruno Lafont, Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of NFL Biosciences commented: 'We are delighted to collaborate with McLean Hospital on this research project. Following the teams at the CEA and the Georges Pompidou European Hospital, this new collaboration further strengthens our program with complementary world-class expertise, particularly in addiction science and botanical drug pharmacology. It represents a key milestone in our commitment to deepen the understanding of NFL-101's mechanism of action and enhance its scientific and industrial appeal.' About McLean Hospital McLean Hospital has a continuous commitment to put people first in patient care, innovation and discovery, and shared knowledge related to mental health. It is consistently named the #1 freestanding psychiatric hospital in the United States by U.S. News & World Report and is #2 in America for psychiatric care in 2024-25. McLean Hospital is the largest psychiatric affiliate of Harvard Medical School and a member of Mass General Brigham. To stay up to date on McLean, follow us on Facebook, YouTube, and LinkedIn. About NFL Biosciences: NFL Biosciences is a biopharmaceutical company based in the Montpellier region of France, developing plant-based drug candidates for the treatment of addictions. NFL Biosciences' ambition is to bring new, safer and more effective natural therapeutic solutions to the entire world population, including low- and middle-income countries. Its most advanced product, NFL-101, is a standardized tobacco leaf extract protected by three patent families. NFL Biosciences intends to offer smokers wishing to quit a natural, safe, easy-to-administer and personalized alternative. NFL Biosciences is also developing NFL-301, a natural drug candidate for the reduction of alcohol consumption and has a drug development project for the treatment of cannabis use disorders. NFL Biosciences shares are listed on Euronext Growth Paris (FR0014003XT0 - ALNFL). The company is qualified as an 'Innovative Company' eligible for FCPI investment. More information on
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Yahoo
Majority of Gen Z would marry an AI, survey says
People are already using AI to date (and to flirt), but what about marrying one? In an April 2025 survey of 2,000 Gen Z respondents by AI company Joi AI, eight in 10 said they'd consider marrying an AI partner. 83 percent said they could have a deep emotional bond with one. AI companions appear to be Joi AI's bread and butter. On its website, you can chat with pre-made characters or make your own. The company calls these connections "AI-lationships." SEE ALSO: Can AI save dating apps? "AI-lationships are not intended to replace real human connections," Jaime Bronstein, LCSW, relationship therapist and expert at Joi AI, said in an emailed statement to Mashable. "Instead, they provide a distinct type of emotional support that can enhance your overall emotional well-being." Clinical neuropsychologist Shifali Singh, director of digital cognitive research at McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School, told Mashable that it's not totally surprising that young adults believe they can have a deep emotional bond with an AI. "Some of my research has demonstrated that people with social anxiety tend to like using digital tools more because they're not so afraid of the repercussions, the judgment, especially with social media," said Singh. They might think, "If I can just interact with AI who will give me this generally nonjudgmental interchange, discussion — that's meaningful." She continued that young adults are "so used to being judged and commented on and scrutinized in ways that humans were never meant to be." Another reason people may form a bond with AI is that they tend to search for empathy. "When you engage with AI, AI mirrors your own language and your own thought processes, and it feels like real emotional responses," she said. People feel connected with AI because of the higher amounts of empathy that they may not get from real-life human interactions. There's a risk in that, too. Singh compared the cyclical mirror of AI to troll farms, groups of online trolls who typically spread misinformation. Troll farms reinforce and validate someone's beliefs, even if they're wrong. "What we have to be very careful of is [that] AI isn't going to give us novel information…It's recursive, and it's iterative and it's algorithmic," she said. "So if you give it an idea that starts out as a seed, it's going to grow into a bush." Singh also believes there needs to be more education about what AI can and can't do. AI can be fed a lot of wrong information, such as from hackers, so it can go into a dangerous place. (For reasons unknown, last week Elon Musk's AI bot Grok kept posting about "white genocide.") Singh is an AI researcher and uses AI tools herself. She believes using AI as a stopgap for the loneliness epidemic works in some cases. One is for older adults, who seem to love it as a companion tool, she said. Another is if someone has a condition like agoraphobia and they're too scared to go outside and speak with people, talking with an AI bot might help them feel connected, and it can stave off some of the more severe aspects of depression. A problem arises when someone doesn't want to see friends in real life, or wants to cancel dinner plans, because it feeds into anxiety. As for the marriage statistic, Singh said Gen Z might think of marriage as an old guard institution and want to be more independent. A recent report from the nonprofit Common Sense Media declared that AI companions aren't safe for anyone under 18, as they create emotional attachment and dependency. At this writing, everyone in Gen Z is an adult, but the full mental impact of bot interactions has yet to be seen. Anecdotally, people have noticed their loved ones believing spiritual delusions due to conversations with ChatGPT. Despite the dangers, people young and old will likely still create and talk to AI companions. "Sometimes, it's just nice to have someone, even if it's AI," Bronstein said.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Stress eating doesn't always mean craving more: What to know to avoid overeating
Many Americans are really stressed out right now. When we're emotionally overwhelmed, it probably feels natural to reach for a bag of chips. But we're probably wrong about how stress affects our eating habits, a psychologist says. What does that mean for our waistlines? Stress eating has long been associated with overeating, but that's a basic misunderstanding, said Dr. Kristin Javaras, an associate psychologist at McLean Hospital in Massachusetts and an assistant professor at Harvard Medical School. Maybe we're not eating as much as we think. Much of what we know about stress eating is based on cultural cliches such as TV shows, movies or social media. Research on the behavior is mostly from surveys that rely on people remembering what they ate when going through tough times. The problem with those surveys, Jarvaras said, is people's perceptions often change when they're stressed, so it can be hard for anyone to accurately describe how their eating behavior was affected. 'You don't actually eat more, but you think you eat more when you're stressed simply because you think the amount is larger,' said Javaras, who recently presented some of her findings in a Brain & Behavior Research Foundation webinar. In other words, people remember the moment of a breakup and then eating ice cream. 'But you don't think of all the other times you're actually stressed at work and ate less,' she adds. Many people actually do eat less when they're acutely stressed, especially as the severity of the situation increases, in part because they may not have as much time to eat. Past research has shown approximately 40% people eat more when stressed, 40% eat less and 20% don't change their eating habits. When the body is under chronic stress, cortisol levels rise, which not only stimulates appetite but also can promote fat storage, particularly in the abdominal area, said Dr. Christopher McGowan, a gastroenterologist and obesity specialist who runs True You Weight Loss in Cary, North Carolina. 'It also disrupts sleep, which further exacerbates cravings and metabolic dysfunction,' he said. At that point, people often turn to comfort foods that are high in fat and sugar, which triggers the pleasure center of our brain to release dopamine, providing a temporary sense of relief, McGowan said. That relief is short-lived, often followed by guilt or regret. And comfort food may not actually provide as much comfort as you think. A prior study concluded comfort food does not on average reduce stress, finding no difference in healthy women participants when they replaced unhealthy comfort foods with fruits and vegetables. 'The more we eat in response to emotion, the stronger the connection between that emotion and the craved food — making our stress eating response more ingrained over time,' said Rachel Gargano, the chief registered dietitian at a private practice. 'Cravings usually last about 20 to 30 minutes, so if you can get through these initial intense, often overwhelming feelings, they usually begin to subside and become more manageable,' she said. Each person has specific triggers, like being alone at home and seeing or smelling favorite foods that may start the process of overeating, Gargano said. She recommends keeping a journal to document when cravings start, then categorizing them as physical hunger or emotional hunger, depending on the situation. 'If it's been longer than three or four hours since your last meal, then it's possible that your body needs a quality, balanced snack or meal,' she said. If you realize you're not hungry and it's just 'emotional hunger,' it's time to try distraction. 'Replacing stress eating with even short bursts of physical activity can be a powerful shift toward long-term well-being,' McGowan adds. Exercise helps regulate the body's stress response, lowers baseline cortisol levels, boosts mood, improves sleep quality and supports both physical and metabolic health, he adds. Alternative options to distract yourself include reading a chapter of your favorite book, going for a quick walk, sitting outside or doing 15 minutes of yoga. Gargano encourages developing an 'anti-cravings tool kit,' which can include: Not skipping regular meals. Getting enough fiber in the diet. Women need about 25 grams daily and men need 35 grams. Getting enough protein each day. (About 30 to 40 grams per meal.) Drinking plenty of fluids. If you aim for about half your weight in ounces per day and add more if it's hot out or if you're exercising more than an hour, your body won't confuse thirst for hunger. Get at least seven hours of sleep, although eight is optimal. 'The more you're able to get through a craving without giving in, the more you're retraining your brain to not need food as a Band-Aid,' Gargano said. Dr. Joanna Steinglass, director of research at the Center for Eating Disorders at NewYork-Presbyterian, said surveys are still helpful for researchers to understand how general increases in stress contribute to more challenges with eating, including whether they lead to any increases in eating disorders. Finally, if you stress eat once in a blue moon, don't worry about it, Javaras said. 'I always tell people, don't stress yourself out further by being like, 'Oh, my goodness, I was stressed one day and I ate a little more,'' Javaras said. This article was originally published on
NBC News
17-05-2025
- Health
- NBC News
Stress eating doesn't always mean craving more: What to know to avoid overeating
Many Americans are really stressed out right now. When we're emotionally overwhelmed, it probably feels natural to reach for a bag of chips. But we're probably wrong about how stress affects our eating habits, a psychologist says. What does that mean for our waistlines? Stress eating has long been associated with overeating, but that's a basic misunderstanding, said Dr. Kristin Javaras, an associate psychologist at McLean Hospital in Massachusetts and an assistant professor at Harvard Medical School. Maybe we're not eating as much as we think. Much of what we know about stress eating is based on cultural cliches such as TV shows, movies or social media. Research on the behavior is mostly from surveys that rely on people remembering what they ate when going through tough times. The problem with those surveys, Jarvaras said, is people's perceptions often change when they're stressed, so it can be hard for anyone to accurately describe how their eating behavior was affected. 'You don't actually eat more, but you think you eat more when you're stressed simply because you think the amount is larger,' said Javaras, who recently presented some of her findings in a Brain & Behavior Research Foundation webinar. In other words, people remember the moment of a breakup and then eating ice cream. 'But you don't think of all the other times you're actually stressed at work and ate less,' she adds. Many people actually do eat less when they're acutely stressed, especially as the severity of the situation increases, in part because they may not have as much time to eat. Past research has shown approximately 40% people eat more when stressed, 40% eat less and 20% don't change their eating habits. When stress can lead to hunger When the body is under chronic stress, cortisol levels rise, which not only stimulates appetite but also can promote fat storage, particularly in the abdominal area, said Dr. Christopher McGowan, a gastroenterologist and obesity specialist who runs True You Weight Loss in Cary, North Carolina. 'It also disrupts sleep, which further exacerbates cravings and metabolic dysfunction,' he said. At that point, people often turn to comfort foods that are high in fat and sugar, which triggers the pleasure center of our brain to release dopamine, providing a temporary sense of relief, McGowan said. That relief is short-lived, often followed by guilt or regret. And comfort food may not actually provide as much comfort as you think. A prior study concluded comfort food does not on average reduce stress, finding no difference in healthy women participants when they replaced unhealthy comfort foods with fruits and vegetables. How to avoid overeating and counteract cravings 'The more we eat in response to emotion, the stronger the connection between that emotion and the craved food — making our stress eating response more ingrained over time,' said Rachel Gargano, the chief registered dietitian at a private practice. 'Cravings usually last about 20 to 30 minutes, so if you can get through these initial intense, often overwhelming feelings, they usually begin to subside and become more manageable,' she said. Each person has specific triggers, like being alone at home and seeing or smelling favorite foods that may start the process of overeating, Gargano said. She recommends keeping a journal to document when cravings start, then categorizing them as physical hunger or emotional hunger, depending on the situation. 'If it's been longer than three or four hours since your last meal, then it's possible that your body needs a quality, balanced snack or meal,' she said. If you realize you're not hungry and it's just 'emotional hunger,' it's time to try distraction. 'Replacing stress eating with even short bursts of physical activity can be a powerful shift toward long-term well-being,' McGowan adds. Exercise helps regulate the body's stress response, lowers baseline cortisol levels, boosts mood, improves sleep quality and supports both physical and metabolic health, he adds. Alternative options to distract yourself include reading a chapter of your favorite book, going for a quick walk, sitting outside or doing 15 minutes of yoga. Gargano encourages developing an 'anti-cravings tool kit,' which can include: Not skipping regular meals. Getting enough fiber in the diet. Women need about 25 grams daily and men need 35 grams. Getting enough protein each day. (About 30 to 40 grams per meal.) Drinking plenty of fluids. If you aim for about half your weight in ounces per day and add more if it's hot out or if you're exercising more than an hour, your body won't confuse thirst for hunger. Get at least seven hours of sleep, although eight is optimal. 'The more you're able to get through a craving without giving in, the more you're retraining your brain to not need food as a Band-Aid,' Gargano said. Dr. Joanna Steinglass, director of research at the Center for Eating Disorders at NewYork-Presbyterian, said surveys are still helpful for researchers to understand how general increases in stress contribute to more challenges with eating, including whether they lead to any increases in eating disorders. Finally, if you stress eat once in a blue moon, don't worry about it, Javaras said. 'I always tell people, don't stress yourself out further by being like, 'Oh, my goodness, I was stressed one day and I ate a little more,'' Javaras said.
CNET
12-05-2025
- Health
- CNET
THC Drinks vs. Alcohol: We Ask an Expert Which Is Healthier
Editor's note This article is for informational purposes only and doesn't constitute medical advice. Readers should talk to their doctor before trying THC products, especially if they're taking certain medications or have underlying health conditions. During a recent trip to Total Wine, I was surprised to see an entire aisle filled with THC-infused drinks instead of just a shelf or two. Nowadays, you can find cannabis beverages everywhere and even at your local brewery. "There's no shortage of options," says Dr. Staci Gruber, director of the MIND Program at McLean Hospital and associate professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. "We just need to do a better job explaining what they are and what they aren't." As sobriety and the sober curious movement become increasingly popular amid concerns about the health impacts of alcohol, you may be tempted to swap your alcoholic or even nonalcoholic drink for one infused with THC. But is it actually healthier for you? What are THC drinks? PortlandTHC beverages are infused with tetrahydrocannabinol, the psychoactive compound in cannabis that causes a high and intoxication. These drinks come in a variety of forms, such as zero-calorie seltzers and tropical lemonades. They're often marketed as a way to get a buzz without the booze. Some contain only THC, while others blend in cannabidiol, or CBD, a non-intoxicating compound, to help balance the effects. THC beverages vs alcohol Alcohol -- specifically ethanol -- is a single molecule, not a mixture of many. After you learn your alcohol drinking habits, you typically know more about your limits. However, other ingredients like sugar and additives can impact your intoxication and hangovers. Also, they vary by person. While I might be buzzed after three alcoholic seltzers, my friend needs only one to feel the same way. San Francisco Chronicle/THC drinks are different. They come in many strengths and combinations so predicting and standardizing the effects is harder. "Cannabis is not one thing," says Gruber. "A product that has equal amounts of THC and CBD is not likely to have the same impact as a product that has 15 milligrams of THC alone." Your body also processes THC differently. Alcohol goes into your bloodstream quickly through your stomach. THC takes longer to absorb. Once it reaches your liver, it becomes another compound that can feel even stronger. "You may feel more high as time marches on. It's the gift that keeps on giving," says Gruber. Plus, once it's in your system, you can't get rid of it like you can with alcohol. "You can always take more but you can never take less. Once it's in, you can't throw it up or sweat it out," Gruber says. "You're stuck on the ride until it ends." That's why she advises you to start low and go slow if you decide to try out cannabis drinks. Are they legal? It can depend on where you live but most THC drinks you find in stores or online are made from hemp, not marijuana. Thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill, hemp-derived products (such as products with Delta-8 THC, created through a chemical conversion of CBD) are legal at the federal level if they contain no more than 0.3% of THC. With this rule, cannabis drinks can be sold in states where marijuana is still illegal. "That's how you can walk into a Total Wine and buy these off the shelf," says Gruber. "It's not part of the Controlled Substances Act." However, that doesn't mean they're available everywhere. Each state may have limits on how much THC a drink can contain or where it can be sold. "Each state has varying regulations regarding cannabis-infused drinks," says Dr. Doug Roehler, an epidemiologist at the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. There's no consistent national framework like there is with alcohol. For example, Georgia is tightening restrictions on consumable hemp products. House Bill 265 proposes limiting THC and other intoxicating cannabinoids to 5 mg per serving. Meanwhile, the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control in California banned hemp product sales in the same places as alcoholic beverages. Not enough research on THC andEven though THC and CBD drinks are gaining popularity, the science behind them is still catching up. While alcohol has been studied for decades, there's limited data on the long-term health effects of cannabis drinks. Unlike medications approved by the Food and Drug Administration, THC drinks are not evaluated for safety, effectiveness or consistency before hitting the market. "I think we'll have to stay tuned for the next decade or so to see what we can glean from these products," says Gruber. Part of the challenge is how THC beverages can vary in potency, cannabinoid content and added ingredients, like sugar. Until more research is available, experts recommend using caution, starting with low doses and waiting an hour or two before having a second cannabis drink. Potential health benefits of CBD and THCEven though we don't know the exact health effects of THC drinks, some parts of cannabis have been studied for medical use. A 2017 study from the National Library of Medicine found evidence that cannabis can help with chronic pain, muscle spasms from multiple sclerosis and nausea caused by chemotherapy. These findings are based on cannabis in general rather than beverages specifically but they show that certain cannabinoids may offer real benefits. Many people reach for THC drinks as a way to cut back on alcohol. "Some people decide that they would like to drink less because we know there are significant health concerns with people who drink too much," Gruber says. "The Surgeon General's recent note on the association between alcohol use and cancer lit a fire under lots of people to not drink." The Surgeon General's advisory linked alcohol consumption to an increased risk of seven types of cancer, including mouth, breast, liver and colon cancer. While the long-term effects of THC drinks are still unknown, the health risks of alcohol are well-researched. Other nonalcoholic alternatives "Mocktail" no longer means fruit juice or soda. Instead, bartenders at sober bars (and regular bars that have a dedicated nonalcoholic menu) put as much creative intention into mocktails as they do cocktails. Getty Images THC drinks aren't the only option to turn to. You can find several other drinks to help you unwind and feel a little something special without the buzz or the high. Here are a few options to consider: Adaptogen drinks: These drinks use herbs and natural compounds (like ashwagandha, rhodiola or reishi mushrooms) that may help your body manage stress and support mental clarity. Some popular brands include Kin Euphorics, Hiyo and Recess. These drinks use herbs and natural compounds (like ashwagandha, rhodiola or reishi mushrooms) that may help your body manage stress and support mental clarity. Some popular brands include Kin Euphorics, Hiyo and Recess. Mocktails: These are nonalcoholic cocktails designed to mimic the flavor and experience of traditional mixed drinks. They sometimes include functional ingredients for added benefits or use nonalcoholic spirits. These are nonalcoholic cocktails designed to mimic the flavor and experience of traditional mixed drinks. They sometimes include functional ingredients for added benefits or use nonalcoholic spirits. Nonalcoholic dupes: These are drinks that look and taste like alcoholic beverages but without the alcohol. Companies such as Athletic Brewing, Corona and Samuel Adams offer the same flavor and feel as the original but without the same negative effects. These are drinks that look and taste like alcoholic beverages but without the alcohol. Companies such as Athletic Brewing, Corona and Samuel Adams offer the same flavor and feel as the original but without the same negative effects. Functional sparkling water: These drinks add ingredients like magnesium, electrolytes or calming botanicals to sparkling water to help ease stress and improve focus. Some popular brands include Good Idea and Soulboost. The bottom line THC drinks are becoming a popular alternative to alcohol. They're showing up in liquor stores, bars and even breweries. While some people say these drinks help them relax without a hangover, experts say we still don't know enough about their long-term health effects. "If you're interested in checking out THC-infused beverages, you should be mindful of what you're buying and using," says Gruber. "Start with a small amount and give yourself time to see how it affects you." The CDC also recommends knowing how much THC is in the drink and not driving a vehicle or operating heavy machinery after having a glass. When considering a THC drink, read the label, start slow and wait before going in for seconds. If cannabis beverages don't feel like the right fit, there are plenty of other nonalcoholic options to help you unwind without the effects of alcohol or THC.
