Many of us believe that we are great drinkers and that alcohol does not affect us as much. People who are able to drink without showing any sign of inebriation are known as social drinkers. In short, they are not addicted to alcohol but will not turn down the opportunity to have a good time! While it may seem like it doesn’t affect you, new studies suggest that it is just an illusion, even if you have high tolerance, alcohol affects your cognitive and motor functions more than you think.

The study reveals the below implications and techniques:

• Researchers used a new MRI technique to precisely measure brain electrical activity.
• By comparing brain scans before and after drinking, scientists identified specific areas affected by alcohol and how much brain activity slowed down.
• Participants were chosen to be regular social drinkers without alcohol addiction, ensuring the study focused on the effects of alcohol alone.
• MRI technology provided reliable data on brain activity changes caused by alcohol consumption.

How does the brain react to alcohol?

Think of it as the foundation for your brain's performance. When brain conductivity is high, information flows smoothly, and that helps your brain in rapid processing and response. On the other hand, low conductivity can hinder cognitive function, leading to slower thinking, impaired memory, and difficulties with coordination.

A study conducted at the Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA) and UNSW Science unveiled a startling connection between alcohol consumption and brain conductivity.

What is the connection between alcohol consumption and brain activity?

While many people brush off the effects of alcohol as temporary changes in behaviour, the reality is much more complex. Beyond the obvious impacts on coordination and judgment, alcohol significantly alters brain function. Alcohol dramatically slowed down brain activity, especially in areas responsible for decision-making, planning, and physical coordination. This decline was so significant that it resembled the brain changes seen in normal ageing. This means even one drink could temporarily accelerate the ageing process of your brain.

Alcohol and Brain activity: What does the study Imply?

The implications of this research are far-reaching. It provides compelling evidence that alcohol consumption has a direct and measurable impact on brain function. The discovery that alcohol can significantly reduce brain conductivity opens new avenues for understanding the neurocognitive effects of alcohol abuse and dependence. While you may not feel like alcohol is affecting you and you have a high tolerance, it most definitely changes and affects your decision-making abilities and impulse control.

Furthermore, the MRI technique employed in the study could be a valuable tool for assessing the impact of other substances on the brain and for developing interventions to mitigate alcohol-related brain damage.

The Indian Society of Anaesthesiologists (ISA) has issued an urgent advisory asking anaesthesiologists and hospitals across the country to immediately stop administering Hyperbaric Bupivacaine manufactured by Themis for spinal anaesthesia until further notice.

Why Has ISA Issued This Advisory?

Themis Hyperbaric Bupivacaine is commonly administered as a spinal anaesthesia. According to the ISA and the Anaesthesia Patient Safety Association (APSA), the anaesthesia resulted in several suspected adverse events.

These reports were significant enough to warrant an immediate nationwide safety alert, even though the exact cause and frequency of the adverse events have not been revealed yet.

However, according to Medical Dialogues, the Indian Society of Anaesthesiologists has suspected that the adverse incidents linked to Themis Hyperbaric Bupivacaine were reported at Apollo Hospitals and Yashoda Hospitals. They also said that Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) related to the drug have been reported, and an investigation is underway.

The associations also stressed that the advisory is strictly precautionary and does not imply that the drug is defective or that Themis is responsible for any negligence or unethical practices.

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What Does The Advisory Say?

Apart from stopping the administration of Themis Hyperbaric Bupivacaine, the advisory has also asked hospitals and healthcare facilities to:

• Identify, segregate, and isolate existing stock of Themis Hyperbaric Bupivacaine from clinical use.

• Switch to alternative approved brands of hyperbaric bupivacaine.

• Preserve details like batch number, manufacturing date, expiry date, and storage conditions.

• Report any suspected adverse events related to the drug to APSA and the relevant regulatory bodies.

Dr Sherry Mathews, President of the Hyderabad Metro City Branch of the Indian Society of Anaesthesiologists, said, “This is a precautionary advisory issued in the interest of patient safety. Reports of serious adverse events have been received from multiple hospitals, and until the investigation is completed, we have advised doctors to stop using the product.”

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A separate notice issued by the ISA's Hyderabad Metro City Branch directed consultants, resident doctors, anaesthesia technicians and operation theatre staff to immediately stop the use of Themis Bupivacaine for spinal anaesthesia.

It also said that no ampoules of the product should be used for neuraxial administration until an official clearance is issued. It added that any inadvertent use must be reported to the head of the department without fail.

The authorities are currently investigating these suspected adverse reactions, particularly their nature and association with the drug.

About Themis Hyperbaric Bupivacaine

Themis Hyperbaric Bupivacaine, marketed under brand names like Bupicain Heavy, is manufactured by Themis Medicare Limited, a 53-year-old Indian pharmaceutical company.

It contains Bupivacaine hydrochloride 0.5% (5 mg/mL), a local anaesthetic. It also contains Dextrose, which makes the solution hyperbaric (heavier than cerebrospinal fluid), which helps anaesthesiologists control how the anaesthetic spreads through the spinal canal.

Hyperbaric bupivacaine is commonly used for:

• Caesarean sections

• Orthopaedic surgeries involving limbs in the lower half

• Hip and knee surgeries

• Urological procedures

• Gynaecological surgeries

• Hernia surgeries

• Other surgeries below the umbilicus

Hyperbaric bupivacaine is widely trusted for spinal anaesthesia globally. Many pharmaceutical companies manufacture it. The concern raised by the Indian Society of Anaesthesiologists is not against the drug, but about one manufacturer's production.

The Times Network India Health Summit 2026 – South Edition, held on June 20 in Hyderabad, honored the outstanding contributions of doctors and innovations across the Indian healthcare sector.

The event brought together leading voices from government, medicine, research, and the healthcare industry to discuss the future of India's healthcare system.

Across three panel discussions, experts deliberated on the growing burden of obesity and anemia in the country, the role of artificial intelligence in healthcare and whether AI could outpace doctors, as well as the increasing incidence of violence against doctors and healthcare workers.

The summit featured renowned doctors, policymakers, hospital leaders, researchers and healthcare innovators. Discussions also covered preventive healthcare, artificial intelligence, women's health, public health policy and medical innovation.

The event was powered by Tamashii, with Gigglu as the associate partner, BMW Krishna Automotive as the automobile partner, Sumadhura as the real estate partner, and VOH (Voice of Healthcare) as the knowledge partner.

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Times Network India Health Awards 2026 Winners

Serena Williams has openly spoken up about her weight loss struggle after the birth of her second daughter in 2023. As she returns to competitive tennis at the age of 44, discussion around her much leaner appearance was sparked again. Williams has been candid about attributing her weight loss to a GLP-1 drug called Zepbound.

Serena Williams Lost 34 Pounds With Zepbound

As Serena Williams made a high-profile return to singles competition at Wimbledon on June 30, fans did not miss the difference in her physique.

In 2025, Williams revealed that she was able to shed about 34 to 38 pounds (15 to 17 kg) with the help of the prescription GLP-1 medication Zepbound (tirzepatide), alongside regular exercise and healthy eating.

Her comeback to the sport also sparked debate over whether GLP-1 medications provide a competitive advantage and if they should be banned. But as of now, GLP-1 drugs are not banned by the anti-doping authorities.

She also emphasized that the medication was an addition to, not a replacement for her existing fitness habits. According to NBC, she announced a partnership with the company Ro, which prescribes GLP-1 medications through telehealth.

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The RO website features Williams, stating: “After kids, she was doing everything right, but nothing worked. Ro finally helped her get back to her strongest self," it says. "After losing weight with another GLP-1 provider, Serena chose Ro to continue her weight loss journey. She has used both branded vials and pens.”

In a conversation with People that her weight struggle began after the birth of her daughter. She said that she was not able to get to the weight she wanted regardless of her efforts.

She said, “It was crazy because I'd never been in a place like that in my life where I worked so hard, ate so healthy, and could never get down to where I needed to be at.”

Apart from weight loss, she also spoke about other benefits she experienced after starting Zepbound.

She said, “I just can do more. I'm more active. My joints don't hurt as much. I just feel like something as simple as just getting down is a lot easier for me. And I do it a lot faster. I feel like I have a lot of energy, and it's great. I just feel pretty good about it.”

What Is Zepbound And How It Is Different From Ozempic?

Zepbound’s active ingredient is tirzepatide. While it is called GLP-1 medication, it is more than that. It mirrors two hormones that your body naturally releases after you eat:

GLP-1 (Glucagon-Like Peptide-1)

This hormone makes you feel full sooner, slows stomach emptying, so food stays in your stomach longer, reducing appetite. It also helps the pancreas release insulin when blood sugar rises.

GIP (Glucose-Dependent Insulinotropic Polypeptide)

This improves insulin response, enhances metabolism, and works together with GLP-1 to produce greater weight loss than GLP-1 alone.

Zepbound's two-way action is the biggest factor that distinguishes it from Ozempic. The latter mimics only one hormone, GLP 1, which reduces appetite and hunger by promoting a feeling of fullness.

Zepbound, on the other hand, performs the function of GLP-1 while also improving insulin sensitivity and fat metabolism effectively.