08.08.08 (August 8, 2024)-This date sent the world into a frenzy. Suddenly, everyone around me was lighting candles, writing notes and manifesting their goals and ambitions. But does manifesting work? Can we really make the universe work for us? The answer to these questions lies not in summoning the cosmic energy but in paying attention to a neural network located deep within the brain: the Reticular Activating System (RAS). This system, which regulates our sleep-wake cycle, plays a crucial role in filtering out unnecessary information and retaining only what’s important.

Power of Selective Attention

A classic example of RAS in action is the “cocktail party effect”—hearing your name across a noisy room. Even amidst the clamour, your brain zeroes in on that familiar word. Similarly, when you concentrate on a specific goal, your RAS tunes in to anything related to it, amplifying your chances of success.

Priming

By harnessing the power of the RAS and incorporating priming into your routine, you can train your mind to recognize and seize opportunities that align with your aspirations. This system doesn’t just filter information; it heightens your awareness, helping you navigate the world with a sharp focus on your goals.

Finn Wolfhard, Stranger Things famed actor has recently opened up about the anxiety he had encountered in the early days of filming the series. In an interview with Variety, he said that he had often been worried about doing the 'wrong thing' on the set, and it had caused him anxiety. He is also known for his role in IT.

He revealed that it was due to his hectic schedule during the filming of Stranger Things that he had to overlook his anxiety. He was 13 at the time of filming the first season in 2016. However, he agreed, the therapy sessions have helped him. "It is something that's worked for me."

The actor, now, 22, said, "I can either try to bury that stuff and just do project after project, not think about it, or be able to ask myself these questions," talking about his anxiety. He shared that he is constantly worried about getting things right, which is what makes him anxious. He said that he is constantly worried about "saying the wrong thing, doing the wrong thing in social situations, doing the wrong thing in my career, disappointing people."

Not The First Young Star To Go Through This

Young stars have often dealt with mental health issues, and Wolfhard is unfortunately not the first one to deal with it.

Billie Eilish

The pop singer debuted when she was only 13. She has now become the voice for anxiety and depression. She is often credited to be one of the most sincere and open public figures to share her stories about mental health and coping with problems. She has been open about her experienced with depression, anxiety and body dysmorphia, the themes also reflected in her music, and even the clothes she chooses to wear in the music videos.

Selena Gomez

The pop singer debuted in 2002 with her first role in Barney & Friends at the age of 7. Now, at 33, she has come a long way and not only openly discussed about her mental health journey, but also contributed to the cause. She has opened up about growing up in the public eye and struggling with anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder.

Miley Cyrus

She also rose to fame as a Disney star, from the show called Hannah Montana, when she was only 13. Growing up in the public eye led her to struggle with body dysmorphia, along with the intense scrutiny she had faced from a young age. When she transitioned from a Disney star to a solo artist, trying to find her own identity, she again encountered significant public criticism for her image change. She talked about it in length in her TikTok series called 'Used to be Young'.

Demi Lovato

Rising to fame as a child star on Disney Channel, she also experienced the same challenges of growing up in the public eye. She made her debut at the age of 10. She has opened up about her challenges and the pressure to be successful, which has led to substance abuse, eating disorders, and anxiety at a young age. In 2023, she directed a documentary titled Child Star, which explored the effects of early fame on young stars.

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Justin Bieber

He made his debut in the music world at the age of 15, and very soon became one of the biggest pop stars in the world. Transitioning from boyhood to adulthood attracted a lot of scrutiny, including in his personal life and relationships. He struggled with anxiety and depression. In the recent years, he had openly shared his battles and about seeking therapy and working on his personal growth. His music too has evolved and often touches on the themes of self-reflection and emotional healing.

Why Are Child Stars More Prone To Mental Health Issues?

As per the British Psychological Society, the demanding nature of film, sets, drama, and shooting schedules creates significant psychological stress for the child stars.

Shauna Springer, Ph.D., a licensed psychologist who focuses on psychological trauma and close relationship on range of pop culture topics tells Complex, especially in the case of Britney Spears that child actors could be prone to exploitation by a legal guardian, whether financially or emotionally. This can lead to mental health or substance abuse challenges at a young age. Furthermore, Springer shared, "Money and fame bring a level of social power that is hard for a mature adult to navigate. Children who have to navigate this without the support of a trustworthy adult are outwardly powerful while being deeply vulnerable at the same time."

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Springer further added, "Navigating these changes as an adult can be stressful, even with trustworthy support and guidance. For child stars, these sudden changes can be overwhelming and may in some cases be associated with the onset of substance abuse and other challenges.”

Most Americans are asking the same questions, "When Should I Get My Covid booster?", “Can I still get a Covid booster?” The answer, unfortunately, isn’t simple. For some, the shot may be easy to access, but for many, navigating eligibility, availability, and potential out-of-pocket costs is becoming increasingly complex. This fall, the landscape for Covid vaccination is shifting, leaving uncertainty for millions who once relied on pharmacies and clinics for routine boosters.

Part of the confusion comes from shifting FDA guidance and evolving recommendations around new mRNA formulations. Add to that state-level rules, age restrictions, and questions about insurance coverage, and you’re left with a situation where many people simply don’t know if they’re eligible—or if they should be lining up at all. Parents, especially, are finding it tough to get clear answers about vaccines for children.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., along with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), have altered longstanding guidance on who should receive vaccines, raising questions about both safety and necessity. The resulting uncertainty has prompted organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics to issue their own evidence-based recommendations, aiming to fill the information gap.

What Are The Challenges of Getting A Covid Booster In Fall?

What this really means is that access isn’t just about supply anymore—it’s about information, clarity, and timing. As new Covid variants continue to surface, staying on top of vaccine updates matters more than ever, but understanding the rollout may feel like a moving target.

Pharmacy Access and State Limitations

For years, most Americans have received Covid vaccines at local pharmacies. This fall, that model may face disruption. Pharmacists’ authority to vaccinate varies across states, and in at least 18 states plus Washington, D.C., this authority is tied to official guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). With Kennedy’s overhaul of the ACIP, the usual routine of a June vote on recommendations has been delayed, leaving many states scrambling to maintain access. Pharmacy groups are now requesting governors to issue executive orders to restore vaccine administration authority, but this process is slow and inconsistent.

Eligibility Hurdles for Under-65s

If the FDA limits approval to individuals 65 and older or those with specific high-risk conditions, younger adults will face hurdles. Proof of underlying conditions such as asthma, diabetes, cancer, mood disorders, or obesity may be required to qualify. Healthy individuals seeking vaccination may need off-label prescriptions from doctors, a process pharmacists generally avoid due to liability concerns. This added layer of complexity could dissuade many from receiving the booster, despite rising Covid cases.

Children, Pregnant Individuals, and Vulnerable Populations

The situation is similarly complicated for children and pregnant people. While healthy children can still receive the current vaccine through shared decision-making with parents and providers, the CDC has removed routine recommendations for certain groups. The American Academy of Pediatrics emphasizes that infants aged 6 to 23 months face risks comparable to adults in their 50s, advocating for booster access for high-risk children and any family choosing vaccination. Pediatricians routinely prescribe off-label vaccines for young children in specific scenarios, but the guidance remains less straightforward than in previous years.

A Summer Surge and New Variants

Adding urgency, Covid cases are rising in many parts of the country. According to CDC wastewater data, the XFG variant—a descendant of the JN.1 subvariant of Omicron—has become prevalent. Experts like infectious disease modeler Jay Weiland predict a peak in early September, coinciding with back-to-school activity. While this current wave isn't producing serious illness in most, it underscores the necessity of boosters in high-risk populations and concerns vaccine equity in the face of changing guidelines.

Funding Cuts and Policy Shifts

Adding to the challenges, recent federal budget cuts for mRNA vaccines have created another source of uncertainty. The FDA's planned mid-September approval of new vaccines, combined with an expected limitation to those over 65, is a shift from previous years when the boosters were broadly available. For younger adults and healthy young people, it may leave a large segment of the population more susceptible during the winter and fall seasons.

As a reaction to scarce federal guidelines, medical groups and health groups are making their own suggestions. These include the promotion of immunization among high-risk children, adults aged under 65 years with certain medical conditions, and those living with immunocompromised individuals. In spite of conflicting messages from federal agencies, these organizations hope to guarantee the most susceptible individuals continue to have access to life-saving protection.

For those Americans who have already had Covid vaccines without complication, the new system can be daunting. Determination of eligibility, possible expense, and fluctuating state-by-state access creates a situation in which advance planning is critical. Patients are encouraged to see healthcare providers early, to discuss individual risk factors, and to get information on accessible vaccine types. Being late to the surge effort may lead to missed or delayed opportunities for vaccination.

The autumn 2025 Covid booster rollout highlights where health policy, vaccine eligibility, and changing viral variants meet to produce a complicated picture of vaccination. As millions wait eagerly to be protected, confusion and restricted availability may expose many to danger. It is now essential that anyone thinking about a Covid booster this year remains informed, consults with healthcare professionals, and considers personal risk factors.

Paracetamol or Tylenol is a popular pain and fever medication for decades for all and especially for pregnant women. Its safety record has for many years stood above the rest of the over-the-counter medications and is therefore used as the first-line medication for headache, fever, and mild pain in pregnancy. But new studies at Mount Sinai and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health have opened the door to an important discussion: is prenatal exposure to acetaminophen associated with neurodevelopmental disorders including autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children?

A study led by Andrea Baccarelli, dean of Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health’s faculty of environmental health, published on August 14 in BMC Environmental Health, systematically reviewed 46 previous studies encompassing data from more than 100,000 participants. The aim was to investigate whether acetaminophen use during pregnancy correlates with neurodevelopmental disorders in children.

Applying the Navigation Guide Systematic Review method—a strict, gold-standard approach to assessing environmental health evidence—the study team evaluated the quality, risk of bias, and strength of evidence of all included research. By doing so, it was possible to conduct a solid synthesis of available scientific literature, and what emerged was a pattern: better-quality studies more often showed an association between prenatal acetaminophen exposure and offspring increased risk of ADHD and autism.

Researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai reiterated these alarms. The research highlighted that acetaminophen is not without risk, particularly considering its heavy use—more than half of pregnant women worldwide reportedly use it. Although the research does not establish causation, biological pathways may provide some insight. Acetaminophen passes through the placental membrane, which may initiate oxidative stress, hormonal disruption, and epigenetic changes that can disrupt fetal brain development.

Dr. Diddier Prada, a population health science and policy and environmental medicine assistant professor at Mount Sinai, pointed to the larger picture: "With so many people taking this drug, even a modest increase in risk could have huge public health implications."

How To Balance Risks and Usage?

What this actually indicates is not that pregnant women should never take acetaminophen—not at all. Fever and unrelieved pain during pregnancy are actually risks to the fetus as well, risks of miscarriage, preterm labor, and developmental problems. Rather, researchers at both Harvard and Mount Sinai simply suggest the use of acetaminophen with restraint: the minimum dose that will be effective, for as short a period as possible, always under a physician's care.

Clinical practice guidelines in the U.S., such as those of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, still favor acetaminophen over nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents such as ibuprofen, which are usually avoided in the second and third trimesters. The focus is on personalized risk-benefit evaluation, not blanket bans.

Although the new evidence raised some eyebrows, not all research supports an association. For example, in 2024, the Swedish cohort of about 2 million children, of which more than 180,000 were exposed to acetaminophen during pregnancy, identified no evidence of association with autism, ADHD, or intellectual disability. Likewise, previously, the FDA and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine suggested that current studies are inconclusive or too small in number to change recommendations.

These contradictory findings demonstrate the nuance of research on prenatal effects of medication. Neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism and ADHD are affected by a wide range of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle variables. Separating the effect of acetaminophen from these elements is difficult, and large-scale, high-quality longitudinal studies are needed.

Why Is Tylenol A Concern For Pregnant Women?

Scientists investigating biological mechanisms have observed that acetaminophen has the potential to affect fetal brain growth through several mechanisms:

Oxidative Stress: Metabolism of acetaminophen can produce reactive oxygen species that could interfere with usual neural development.

Hormonal Disruption: Changes in maternal hormone levels may indirectly influence fetal neurodevelopment.

Epigenetic Changes: Exposure can induce changes in gene expression without changing DNA sequences, which can impact cognitive and behavioral outcomes.

Though these mechanisms are still being studied, they are a reasonable hypothesis for why some have seen associations with ADHD and autism.

How Does It Affect Future Prenatal Care?

The results have important public health consequences. Acetaminophen is the most widely used over-the-counter medication among pregnant women, so even a modest increase in risk of neurodevelopment would impact huge populations worldwide. The study highlights the necessity of new clinical guidelines, improved patient education, and investment in safer alternatives for pain and fever management for pregnant women.

Researchers emphasize that pregnant women should not stop taking acetaminophen on their own. Rather, open communication between healthcare providers and pregnant women is essential, comparing untreated pain and fever risk against possible neurodevelopmental issues. Non-pharmacologic pain relief, rest, and hydration can be considered when appropriate.

As ADHD and autism diagnoses surge globally, knowing the environmental and drug causes of neurodevelopment becomes ever more pressing. This research contributes to mounting evidence calling for caution in prenatal use of acetaminophen, while continuing to support further study to establish causation, dose-response, and alternative safer medicines.

Tylenol is still widely used as a suggested painkiller and fever reducer during pregnancy. However, recent research has shown possible associations with ADHD and autism in kids, which has led scientists to recommend careful, short-term use under medical guidance. Women in pregnancy should consult their doctor concerning any pain relief plan, weighing current needs against possible long-term impacts on child development.