CBD or cannabidiol is a very popular component, not just in cannabis (marijuana) but it is also an important component in medical marijuana, Harvard Health explains. They further detail how CBD does not make people dependent on it or cause potential substance abuse. However while previous studies like 2024 study published in the Neuropsychopharmacology journal have shown that CBD is unlikely to cause significant harm to daily functioning or workplace performance, researchers have found that liver damage can be a likely outcome of long-term use.

Even though cannabidiol (CBD) products are everywhere these days—think capsules, gummies, edibles, oils, and lotions—a recent study suggests that even small amounts might not be entirely safe for your liver.

FDA Trial Investigates Low-Dose CBD Effects

Researchers from the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Division of Applied Regulatory Science conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial last year. The study aimed to assess how low-dose CBD affects liver function in a group of 201 healthy middle-aged men and women.

For four weeks, 201 volunteers were given either a typical amount of oral CBD (about 350 mg for someone weighing 154 pounds) or a dummy pill. They had weekly check-ups to see how their bodies were reacting.

Liver Enzyme Elevations Observed

The study, published in JAMA Internal Medicine, found that most people were fine. However, 5% showed significantly higher levels of a liver enzyme called aminotransferase. This enzyme is a known sign of liver damage or inflammation. Women seemed to be more affected than men. The good news is that these liver enzyme levels went back to normal within a week or two after people stopped taking CBD. Also, seven participants dropped out of the study because they were showing signs of possible liver injury caused by the CBD.

Researchers called these findings "important." They said it suggests that CBD itself, even without other drugs, might be a risk to liver health. Many people using over-the-counter CBD might not know about this potential for liver damage, assuming CBD is completely harmless.

What Liver Problems Look Like

Signs of liver damage include stomach discomfort, yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice), and feeling very tired. It's important to know that liver injuries caused by drugs don't always show up right away. In the government study, only one person with high liver enzymes actually felt symptoms within four weeks. This suggests that people might not realize they're hurting their liver. Experts say doctors should ask about regular CBD use during check-ups.

This isn't the first study to point out possible liver risks with CBD. Concerns came up before when a government agency reviewed data for CBD-based prescription drugs for childhood epilepsy. In those cases, 14% of patients had raised liver enzymes. While those patients were also taking other seizure medications, the new study suggests CBD alone can be a factor.

Research also shows that certain doses of CBD can affect liver cells in a way similar to acetaminophen (Tylenol). Acetaminophen, when taken too much, is a very common cause of drug-induced liver injury.

Who Might Be at Higher Risk?

Recent studies show that people who take very high doses of CBD, over 1000 mg per day, are most at risk of liver injury. However, there have been reports of liver injuries even in healthy people taking moderate doses, between 300 mg and 1000 mg per day.

We don't know much about why some people are more affected than others, but it's thought that genetics might play a role. CBD can also block certain liver enzymes needed to process medications.

In the new government study, most participants who had serious liver problems also showed signs of an immune condition where the body makes too many white blood cells called eosinophils.

Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in women, accounting for over 15% of all new cancer cases in the United States. Abnormal cell growth in the breast ducts (DCIS) or lobules (LCIS) can sometimes progress to breast cancer, but currently, doctors cannot predict which cases will develop into invasive cancer.

A recent retrospective study using the 313-SNP breast cancer polygenic risk score (PRS313) blood test suggests that women with abnormal cells are more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer later on. This discovery could help identify patients who would benefit from targeted interventions while reducing unnecessary treatments.

Although DCIS and LCIS can progress to breast cancer, predicting which cases will remain harmless has been a challenge. However, this new study indicates that calculating a polygenic score may help forecast a future breast cancer diagnosis.

“It is therefore very important that we find ways to predict which women with DCIS and LCIS are most likely to develop invasive breast cancer in the future so they can be given the most appropriate treatment and avoid unnecessary treatment,” explained study senior author Elinor J. Sawyer of King’s College London (UK).

What Is A Polygenic Score?

A polygenic score is a numerical estimate of a person’s genetic likelihood of developing a particular trait or disease. When used to predict disease risk, it is often called a polygenic risk score (PRS), according to Harvard Medicine Magazine.

Sawyer and study lead author Jasmine Timbres (King’s College London) focused on PRS313, a blood test that evaluates breast cancer risk by identifying which of 313 specific genetic variations (single nucleotide polymorphisms, or SNPs) a person carries. The researchers examined PRS313 scores from more than 2,000 DCIS and LCIS cases across the ICICLE and GLACIER studies.

Their findings showed that, for DCIS, women with higher PRS313 scores were 2.03 times more likely to develop cancer in the opposite breast compared to those in the lowest score quartile. For LCIS, women with elevated PRS313 scores were 2.16 times more likely to develop cancer in the same breast. The risk was even higher for patients with a family history of breast cancer.

“LCIS is not always treated with surgery or hormone therapy because it is considered lower risk than DCIS. However, these results suggest that women with a family history may benefit from additional interventions to reduce their risk of developing cancer,” Timbres added.

How To Measure A Polygenic Score?

A polygenic score is calculated by looking at an individual’s genetic variations (like SNPs) and summing them with weights based on how strongly each variant is associated with a trait or disease, as determined by large-scale genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Researchers first identify genetic variants linked to a disease by comparing the genomes of people with and without the condition. Each variant’s effect size is then applied to the individual’s genome to create a single score representing their overall genetic risk.

Polygenic scores can be measured in research settings using GWAS data. They are also available through commercial direct-to-consumer genetic testing services or via clinical assessments provided by medical institutions and genetic counselors.

Limitations Of The Study

While these findings are promising, further research is needed to confirm results in other patient groups and to examine additional genetic factors. Some limitations include the fact that PRS313 was designed specifically to assess risk for invasive breast cancer, meaning it may not capture other relevant genetic changes in in-situ breast disease. Additionally, the number of women with LCIS in the study was relatively small, which may have limited the ability to detect statistically significant associations.

Days before Diwali celebrations took off, the national capital of India, Delhi has already logged 211 in the Air Quality Index (AQI), categorizing the quality as ‘Poor’. The Central Air Quality Management (CAQM), as a result, imposed Stage 1 measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi-NCR, which will ensure dust control measures, including the use of anti-smog guns around the construction and demolition sites and areas with higher AQI.

As Delhi prepares itself for Diwali, this year, the Supreme Court of India allowed the sale and bursting of green firecrackers in the city, after lifting last year’s blanket ban on all crackers.

The Supreme Court permitted the sale between October 18 and 21 and limited the timings to 6-7am and 8-10pm.The Chief Justice of India Bhushan R Gavai said, “We have to take a balanced approach permitting it in moderation while not compromising with the environment.”

However, what one needs to understand is whether green crackers really work for the environment.

Are Green Crackers Also Health Threats?

While it is true that green crackers are designed to cut emissions of particulate matter and harmful gases by 30 to 40% and keep the noise levels below 120 decibels, a joint study by Delhi Technological University (DTU) and IIT Roorkee shows that even green crackers release large volumes of ultrafine particles. These particles are smaller than 100 nanometers and can penetrate deep into the lungs.

Dr Rajeev Kumar Mishra, who is the senior researcher at DTU as reported by The Indian Express, said that more research must be done to assess atmospheric emissions of green crackers and their health impacts.

These small particles present in the green crackers can also become a hinder for people with existing pulmonary and respiratory issues, asthma, COPD, and heart problems.

Green crackers also emit fine and ultrafine particles like PM2.5 and PM1, and they are tiny enough to go deep in the lungs and even enter the blood streams. These tiny particles also contain small amounts of metals and chemicals which can cause breathing problems or worsen the issues in people with existing breathing problems.

Many experts also note that green crackers, while producing less sound, still exceed safe auditory limits. It can also cause relentless or disturbed sleep.

What Are The Health Risks?

As per the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution can lead to stroke, ischaemic heart disease, CPOD, lung cancer, pneumonia, and cataracts.

Dr Sanjay Jain, a Delhi-based ENT and a member of DocTube also noted an increase in the number of patients with respiratory issues. "I have seen a notable increase in patients with upper respiratory tract infections, chronic sinusitis, and allergic rhinitis, which are directly linked to rising pollution levels," he says. From his experience, he has noticed a rough increase of 30 to 40% of patients with pollution-related ENT issues.

Dr Jain says that prolonged exposure to pollution can cause chronic ear infections in children due to inflammation in the Eustachian tube. "This is not commonly recognized by people," he says.

The act of burning firecrackers emits harmful and toxic gases such as carbon monoxide, which facilitate air pollution. This can cause health problems including skin irritation, respiratory issues, cancer, and asthma.

When Diwali comes near, every Indian household gets into full cleaning mode. The week leading up to the festival is usually spent sweeping, scrubbing, and dusting every corner of the home. While this ritual is believed to invite prosperity, it can also have some hidden problem, dust mite allergy.

If you start sneezing uncontrollably, coughing, or notice a runny nose while cleaning, chances are you are reacting to dust mites. But how serious can this allergy get? Let’s understand.

What Is Dust Mite Allergy?

Dust mite allergy, also called house dust allergy, happens when your immune system becomes sensitive to the droppings and remains of microscopic dust mites. These tiny, spider-like organisms live in bedding, mattresses, carpets, curtains, and furniture, feeding on dead skin cells shed by humans and pets.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, dust mite waste and dead bodies contain certain proteins that act as allergens. While these proteins are harmless to most people, some immune systems mistake them for dangerous invaders and trigger allergic reactions such as sneezing, asthma, itching, or eczema.

Can Dust Mite Allergy Trigger More Chronic Diseases?

Yes, a dust mite allergy can worsen over time and contribute to chronic conditions. The National Institutes of Health states that long-term exposure can lead to diseases like asthma and chronic sinusitis due to persistent inflammation.

Here are some chronic diseases linked to dust mite allergy:

• Asthma: Dust mite allergens are one of the main causes of asthma and can provoke severe attacks. Ongoing inflammation may make the airways overly sensitive and lead to permanent changes in lung tissue.
• Chronic sinusitis: Continuous exposure can inflame and swell the nasal passages, resulting in long-term sinus blockage and infections.
• Atopic dermatitis (Eczema): Though not a chronic disease itself, eczema can be made worse by dust mites, causing persistent irritation.

Why it can lead to chronic disease:

• Chronic inflammation: The immune system’s response to dust mites inflames the nasal passages and lungs. Prolonged exposure keeps this inflammation active, gradually damaging tissues.
• Increased sensitivity: Constant inflammation heightens sensitivity to smoke, pollution, or dry air, making symptoms more intense.
• The “atopic march”: This term describes the way allergic conditions can evolve, for example, eczema in childhood developing into asthma or allergic rhinitis later, often linked to dust mite sensitivity.

How Can Dust Mite Allergy Affect Your Body?

When your body first encounters dust mite proteins, it creates antibodies known as immunoglobulin E (IgE) to attack what it perceives as harmful allergens. On later exposure, your immune system reacts more strongly, releasing chemicals that trigger symptoms such as sneezing, itching, or congestion.

How To Treat Dust Mite Allergy: How To Stay Safe

The most effective way to manage a dust mite allergy is by reducing your exposure to dust mites. While it is impossible to remove them completely, minimizing contact helps prevent severe reactions. If symptoms appear, consult a doctor for the right medication. Those with asthma, sinusitis, or other chronic respiratory issues should avoid heavy cleaning during Diwali.

Here are some common treatment options available to treat dust-mite allergy. However, please note that you should take these only under the guidance of a medical professional:

• Antihistamines: Help control sneezing, itching, and watery eyes.
• Nasal corticosteroid sprays: Reduce inflammation and ease congestion.

How To Manage Dust Mites While Cleaning For Diwali

A few steps can help control dust mites while keeping your home festive and clean:

• Use an air conditioner or dehumidifier to keep humidity in check.
• Install a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter.
• Choose washable decorations and clean them regularly.
• Dust using a damp or oiled cloth instead of a dry one.
• Vacuum frequently with a vacuum cleaner that has a HEPA filter.
• Declutter your space to reduce dust buildup.
• Wash curtains and clean upholstered furniture often.
• If possible, replace carpets with wood, tile, vinyl, or linoleum flooring.