This is the story of Joseph, a 28-year-old man who's made a very difficult choice. On December 2024, Joseph Awuah-Darko shared the difficult decision of choosing euthanasia on Instagram. He's not physically sick, but he's been battling a severe mental illness called bipolar disorder for many years. He's tried many treatments, but nothing has helped him feel better. He feels like the pain of his illness is too much to bear. He's shared his story publicly to help people understand what he's going through and to show how serious mental illness can be. Joseph shared a post that explained why he is making this decision, in the caption of the post he shared, “I am not saying that life (as a phenomenon) isn’t worth living. It ABSOLUTELY is. What I am saying is that the mental weight of MINE has become entirely unbearable.”

Joseph has bipolar disorder, which means his moods swing very high and very low. He's had this illness for a long time, and it makes his life very difficult. On his Instagram, he has shared his journey with bipolar, he explained that he tried many different medicines and therapies, but they haven't worked. He feels constant pain and suffering because of his illness. He's reached a point where he feels like he can't go on anymore. He's been open about his struggles on social media, hoping to raise awareness about mental health. He wants people to understand how much he suffers and why he's made this decision.

Euthanasia in the Netherlands

Government of the Netherlands explain that in the Netherlands, it's legal for a doctor to help someone end their life if they meet certain conditions. This is called euthanasia. Joseph has applied for this because he feels his mental illness is causing him unbearable suffering. There are rules and procedures that doctors must follow. They have to make sure the person understands their decision and that there are no other options. The process can take a long time, sometimes years. Joseph believes that having the option of a peaceful and dignified death is important. He wants to have control over how his life ends.

The Last Supper Project

When Joseph shared his decision, people had many different reactions. Some people understood and supported him. Others were sad and hoped he would change his mind. He even received some negative comments. But he also received many kind messages, including invitations to have dinner. This inspired him to start "The Last Supper Project," where he travels and shares meals with strangers. In the caption he explained, “‘The Last Supper Project’ is based on the Harvard Study of Adult Development which speaks to the importance of quality relationships and community as the greatest predictor for happiness. And I feel connecting this way around food as a great unifying vessel could be beautiful.”

The Last Supper Project is one of the longest studies, lasting for more than 80 years, done on adult development. In an Author Speaks edition of McKinsey & Company, the study’s director Robert Waldinger explained the study wanted to know what helps people have happy and healthy lives, even if they had problems when they were young. Most studies only looked at what goes wrong, but this one wanted to know what goes right. The study emphasizes that it is never too late for positive changes. People often believe they are too old or incapable of forming good relationships. They may think happiness is out of reach. However, the study has observed individuals who found happiness unexpectedly.

Joseph wants to connect with people and enjoy these moments while he waits for his euthanasia request to be approved. He sees these dinners as a way to find joy and connection in his final chapter. He still has bad days, but he finds comfort in these shared experiences.

While GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic are popular for weight loss, a new study published today in The Lancet Psychiatry journal showed that it can also help tackle the burden of depression, anxiety, and self-harm in high-risk diabetic patients.

The GLP-1 drugs, with ingredients such as semaglutide and liraglutide, were found to effectively reduce the risk of these mental health conditions in patients already taking the medications to manage their diabetes or obesity.

Also Read: ACC/AHA Cholesterol Guidelines 2026 Explained: Start Screening For Cardiovascular Diseases Early

The study found that these medications were linked to

• fewer psychiatric hospitalizations,
• taking sick leave due to mental illness,
• death by suicide.

The study comes as people with diabetes are known to have a higher risk of depression (2-3 times), anxiety (20 percent), and suicide than the general population.

“Our findings suggest that GLP-1 drugs, particularly semaglutide, might contribute to better mental health in people with diabetes and obesity,” said Jari Tiihonen, specialist physician and professor at the Centre for Psychiatry Research, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden.

Calling the results "observational", Tiihonen urged the need for controlled clinical trials to confirm the findings.

Also read: Ozempic Can Help People With Diabetes Walk Better Despite Poor Blood Flow To Legs

Key Findings

The researchers followed more than 95,000 participants diagnosed with depression or anxiety and were prescribed various antidiabetic medications through Swedish national registers between 2009 and 2022. Of the patients, 22,480 had used GLP-1 drugs.

Semaglutide, the main ingredient in Ozempic, showed the highest benefits against the mental health conditions. Semaglutide led to a:

• 42 percent reduced risk of worsening mental health
• 44 percent lower risk of worsening depression,
• 38 percent lower risk of worsening anxiety,
• 47 percent lower risk of worsening substance use disorder.

On the other hand, liraglutide, sold under the brand names Victoza (for type 2 diabetes) and Saxenda (for chronic weight management), was linked to an 18 percent lower risk of worsening mental health.

Other GLP-1 medications, including exenatide and dulaglutide, did not show the same benefit.

Also read: Oprah Winfrey Sparks Ozempic Buzz at Paris Fashion Week with Slim Figure

How Do GLP-1 Medicines Fight Against Addiction?

A recent study, published by researchers at the Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis, reported that Ozempic could prevent substance use disorder and could also treat it.

Not just the lack of will to eat food, but some people have actually reported a lack of interest in alcohol or nicotine consumption.

Previously, observational studies have also shown how it could lower the risk of alcohol and cannabis use disorders, opioid overdose, and alcohol related hospitalization.

The findings published in The BMJ showed that people taking GLP-1 drugs had a 14 percent lower risk of developing any substance use disorder.

Their substance-specific reductions:

• Alcohol use disorder risk fell by 18 percent
• Cannabis use disorder fell by 14 percent
• Cocaine and nicotine use disorders fell by 20 percent
• Opioid use disorder fell by 25 percent

Digestive problems like bloating, gas, acidity, and constipation have quietly become a common problem in our daily lives. It is common these days to find people experiencing discomfort after meals or feeling unusually heavy. While these problems may not be serious in nature, doctors say these problems have increased in recent times due to changes in the way people live and eat.

• The first major cause of these problems in recent times is the change in the way people eat. It is a known fact that people are now eating more of junk food and less of fiber-rich food. Fiber plays a crucial role in keeping digestion smooth and bowel movements normal. If the amount of fiber in the diet is low, digestion becomes slow, leading to bloating, gas, and constipation.

• Another major cause of these problems in recent times is the sedentary lifestyle people are leading these days. It is a known fact that a person should move around a lot in a day. Lack of physical activity may cause problems in digestion. Simple habits like eating quickly, missing meals, or drinking excessive carbonated beverages are some of the common causes of excessive gas and discomfort.

• Another cause of digestive upsets that is often overlooked is stress. The fact that the brain and digestive system are closely related means that digestive upsets can be caused by emotional stress. When a person is under a lot of stress, hormones are secreted into their system that can slow down digestion. As a result, a person may feel stomach upsets like tightness, bloating, irregular bowel movements, or even develop a medical condition like irritable bowel syndrome depending on their digestive system composition.

• In addition to that, other lifestyle habits like late-night meals, lack of proper sleep, dehydration, or excessive caffeine intake can cause digestive upsets. When a person’s body is out of sync, digestion is not as effective as it should be. As a result, food ferments in the stomach, leading to excessive gas production.

Traditional Remedies

Most people tend to use various remedies when they are feeling unwell.

Also Read: Why Regulatory Clarity Is Important for Safe Aesthetic Procedures in India

Remedies such as the consumption of warm water, fennel seeds, ginger tea, and the intake of probiotics in the form of curd may offer temporary relief. However, it is important to note that these might offer temporary relief and might not be effective if the symptoms of digestive discomfort are recurring.

Digestive discomforts that recur frequently should not be taken lightly. Frequent occurrences of digestive discomforts such as bloating and constipation might sometimes be symptoms of an underlying condition.

Therefore, if the symptoms of digestive discomfort last for weeks and if the symptoms also include the presence of any of the aforementioned symptoms of digestive discomfort, it might be important to consult a doctor.

Gut Problems: Need For Lifestyle Modifications

The relationship between gut health and wellbeing is also well noted. Among the lifestyle modifications that may be implemented for improved digestive health is a healthy and balanced diet, exercising regularly, adequate intake of water, stress levels, and eating at regular times.

It is a normal occurrence for people to experience bloating and gas at some point in their lives. However, if discomfort in the digestive system is a frequent occurrence, it may be a wake-up call from the body that something is amiss and deserves attention. Heeding such a call and making lifestyle modifications may work wonders for the gut.

Aesthetic medicine in India has been expanding rapidly in the past decade. There is increasing demand for more minimally invasive cosmetic treatments such as injectables (botox and dermal fillers), laser treatments, and hair restoration procedures.

According to the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS) report, more than 1.29 million procedures have been recorded in 2024 for cosmetic treatments. India has successfully entered the top 5 countries in the world for aesthetic procedures.

Also Read: Why Are Gut Problems Like Bloating, Gas, and Constipation Increasing Today?

Although this shows the increased demand for aesthetic medicine, there is an even larger concern that there is little to no regulation to protect the consumers.

Aesthetic Services: No Regulatory Clarity

Aesthetic services and practices in India have an unclear position which has been increasing concern for stakeholders in the industry. Medical specialties like dermatology and aesthetic medicine have been recognized fields that require training, clinical judgement, and sterile environments, but cosmetology is largely non-medical. However, that is not the case. For instance, there are many beauty centers and spas that offer procedures of medical aesthetic services like chemical peels, laser treatments, and injectables.

Regulatory clarity addresses the issue by describing who can do aesthetic procedures, and the conditions required for them to do so. Absence of such descriptions could allow low-practice and trained personnel to do procedures that carry risk for infection, scarring, burning, or other dissatisfactory results and complications. There are licensing and enforcement ambiguities that are giving the ability to practitioners to call themselves "cosmetic surgeons" without any training in plastic surgery.

Need For Strong Regulatory System

A strong system of regulations is also in the interest of uniformity in clinical practices. Regulations may lay down the minimum requirements for the infrastructure of aesthetic clinics so that they can provide sterile equipment, emergency protocols, and trained medical personnel. Regulations can also mandate obtaining informed consent, so that patients know the risks, benefits, and likely results of a procedure.

A further important role for regulations is to prevent misleading advertisements, and unscrupulous behavior. The competitive field of aesthetics invites patients based on exaggerated, and unfulfilled promises. Patients can be misled if there are no regulations to relatively eliminate the occurrence.

Trust from patients stems from regulatory transparency. Accreditation of clinics and the specialties of staff performing the procedures reassure patients regarding safety, hygiene, and postoperative care. This ultimately increases the standard of the aesthetic industry for patients and ethical practitioners.

As aesthetic medicine continues to develop in India, the evolving regulatory mechanisms will be essential in continuing to promote innovation while ensuring the safety of patients. Greater regulatory documentation, transparency from governing bodies, and public education regarding evolving safety regulations will safeguard the aesthetic space from practitioners prioritizing profit over ethics.

Besides recommending patients needing aesthetic treatment to consult a licensed plastic surgeon or dermatologist, they ensure that intricate aesthetic procedures are performed in clinical environments by qualified personnel.