Drug abuse is a serious problem, which is capable of not only causing death to the one using it, but create a havoc in the lives of those who are associated with that person too. There have been plenty cases, whether it is Matthew Perry or the recent death of Liam Payne, which is in trial currently.

It is also a problem in the US and is emerging as one of the health concerns that could destroy families and society. One of the most alarming aspects of drug abuse is also its impact on public safety as well as increased crime rates. Drugs also take a heavy toll on healthcare systems as emergency departments frequently encounter cases of drug overdoses, which puts the burden on medical professional who have the strain the limited resources available.

There are also long-term health impact due to drug abuse, which includes organ damage, infectious disease, mental health disorders and rise in healthcare cost.

Are there any specific drugs which are most abused in US?

Yes. There are commonly used drugs, which also includes prescribed painkillers like oxycodone, hydrocodone, and fentanyl, as well as illicit substances like heroin. As per recent data, opioid abuse has also reached alarming levels which has affected millions of Americans.

Here are the most abused drugs in the US:

Stimulants

They are used to increase alertness, attention, and energy. They also have a high potential for abuse due to the euphoric and performance enhancing effects. Cocaine and methamphetamine are notable stimulants frequently abused in the US. As per 2019 data, 10.3 million people reported to misuse stimulants in the previous year.

Depressants

These substances are used to slow down brain activity and induce relaxation. Benzodiazepines is one of the commonly prescribed medicine. Around 4.8 million individuals in the US have misused this drug.

Other misused drugs and its affects on the health:

Opioids:

It could lead to slow breathing and heart rate. It can also increase the risk of overdose and respiratory failure, constipation and a weakened immune system.

Stimulants:

It can elevate heart rate and blood pressure. It could also increase body temperate and lead to an irregular heartbeat. Furthermore, one can experience loss of appetite and weight loss.

Cannabis:

This can alter perception and coordination. People who consume it often have red eyes and a dry mouth. This can increase appetite, sometimes the "munchies" can reach to a point of no return and it could impair memory and cognitive function.

Benzodiazepines:

It could lead to sedation and drowsiness and an impaired coordination and balance. There also could be memory problems and confusion, along with respiratory depression, when combined with other depressant substance.

Alcohol:

This could lead to slurred speech, impaired condition, poor judgment and decision-making, liver damage and cirrhosis and an increased risk of accidents and injuries, which is the 3rd most leading cause of death in the US.

Additional Negative Impact: Social and psychological

Substance abuse impairs job performance and reliability, leading to frequent absenteeism, reduced productivity, and even job loss. This further leads to financial instability, strained relationships, and a cycle of dependency.

Parkinson’s disease (PD) symptoms differ between women and men, a new study has found, with potential implications for treatment.

Presented at the 2026 International Congress of Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders in Seoul, the study found that women experienced more severe motor complications and depression. Men, however, had greater cognitive impairment.

“Sex differences in movement disorders remain understudied and undervalued despite having an important impact on clinical outcomes in both real-life and clinical trial settings,” said Dr. Marina Picillo, assistant professor of neurology at AOU San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d’Aragona.

What Did The Study Find?

Researchers retrospectively analyzed 10 years of clinical data from more than 10,000 Parkinson’s patients examined at a movement disorders clinic in Germany.

The findings showed that women had a greater burden of motor complications and depression. Men were more likely to experience cognitive impairment, REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD) and loss of smell.

“By analyzing data for more than 10,000 PD patients, this study confirmed that depression is more common in women, while RBD, worse cognition, and poorer olfaction are more prevalent in men,” Picillo said. “With good representation of women (40%), it also confirmed a greater female burden of motor complications.”

How Could The Findings Help?

The findings highlight the need to account for sex differences in Parkinson’s disease management and clinical trial design, particularly given the historical underrepresentation of women in neurological research. However, the factors underlying these differences remain unclear.

Picillo stressed that considering sex differences when tailoring treatment and designing clinical trials could be an important first step toward precision medicine in Parkinson’s disease.

“This would be the very first, basic step for boosting precision medicine in PD,” she said.

What Is Parkinson’s Disease?

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder caused by the loss of dopamine-producing nerve cells in the brain.

Common symptoms include tremors, muscle stiffness, slowed movement and impaired balance. As the disease progresses, patients may have difficulty walking, speaking and performing everyday tasks.

The condition can also cause cognitive impairment, depression, anxiety, sleep disturbances, pain and swallowing difficulties, affecting patients’ independence and quality of life. Although it primarily affects older adults, younger people can also develop Parkinson’s disease.

Global Burden Of Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s disease affected an estimated 11.9 million people worldwide in 2021. The number is projected to reach 25.2 million by 2050, a 112% increase.

Can Parkinson’s Disease Be Prevented?

There is currently no established way to prevent Parkinson’s disease. However, research suggests that certain lifestyle and environmental factors may influence disease risk.

• Physical activity: Regular exercise supports overall health, although its role in preventing Parkinson’s disease remains under investigation.
• Diet and nutrition: A balanced diet supports brain health, but no specific diet has been proven to prevent the disease.
• Environmental factors: Exposure to certain pesticides and other environmental pollutants has been associated with Parkinson’s disease risk. Reducing harmful exposures may help address potential risk factors.

A US lawsuit has accused feminine hygiene brand Carefree of exposing women to perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), a chemical linked to certain cancers. The complaint alleges that users developed health problems ranging from yeast infections to liver disease.

The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court, claims the panty liners contained PFOA, a member of the per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) group, New York Post reported.

The women in the suit claim they suffered health problems, including breast, ovarian and kidney cancer; thyroid disease; chronic inflammation; infections; high cholesterol and immune disorders.

Others allegedly suffered reduced fertility or infertility, while the lawsuit claims the women now live in fear of developing cancer because of their alleged exposure.

“Each plaintiff suffered physical, mental, and emotional pain and suffering, anxiety over her diagnosis and treatment, and loss of enjoyment of life,” the papers state.

But can chemicals in panty liners pose a health risk? Scientific research has detected potentially harmful substances in menstrual products, raising questions about repeated exposure.

What Are PFOA And Forever Chemicals?

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PFOA is a synthetic chemical belonging to the PFAS family, commonly known as forever chemicals because some can persist in the environment and human body for years.

Research has linked PFOA exposure to an increased risk of kidney and testicular cancers. Studies have also associated exposure with health concerns involving cholesterol, thyroid function and the immune system.

However, the risks depend on the chemical, the level and duration of exposure, and how it enters the body. The allegations against Carefree do not, by themselves, establish the extent of exposure from panty liners or the resulting health risks.

What Does Research Say About Chemicals In Panty Liners?

A February study published in Science of the Total Environment detected endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), including phthalates, bisphenols and parabens, in sanitary pads and panty liners.

Detection frequencies ranged from 75% to 100% in panty liners and 50% to 100% in sanitary pads. Phthalates were more prevalent in liners, while bisphenols were detected more frequently in pads.

The researchers estimated daily exposure doses of 2–20 nanograms per kilogram of body weight under normal skin-absorption assumptions, rising to 8–80 nanograms per kilogram under alternative exposure assumptions.

The findings highlight menstrual products as a potential source of chemical exposure, particularly when use is repeated over long periods and exposure occurs alongside other sources.

Some endocrine-disrupting chemicals have been investigated for their potential effects on hormonal and reproductive health. However, detecting these substances in menstrual products does not establish that using the products causes cancer.

More research is needed to determine how much of these substances is absorbed during normal use and whether the resulting exposure poses a measurable health risk.

Can Panty Liners Cause Irritation Or Infections?

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Chemical exposure is not the only concern associated with panty liner use. Fragrances and other ingredients may trigger allergic reactions or contact dermatitis in people with sensitive skin.

Prolonged moisture and friction can also aggravate irritation around the vulva. Although liners do not necessarily cause bacterial or yeast infections, continuous use may cause discomfort in some people.

Persistent itching, unusual discharge or recurring irritation should be assessed by a healthcare professional.

How To Use Panty Liners More Safely

• Choose unscented liners: Fragrances may irritate sensitive skin.
• Change them regularly: Replace liners when damp or soiled to reduce prolonged moisture and friction.
• Avoid unnecessary use: Skip liners when you do not need them, particularly if they cause irritation.
• Check product information: Look for disclosures about materials and whether PFAS are intentionally added. Such claims do not guarantee the complete absence of these chemicals.
• Seek medical advice: Consult a healthcare professional if irritation or other symptoms persist.

Auto antibodies that target the body’s DNA-repair process may provide researchers with some clues about why some children develop cancer. It has opened new avenues for early detection and appropriate treatment, according to a study published in Frontiers in Immunology recently.

A team of researchers from Norway, through the study, identified that children with cancer were more likely to have antibodies that target proteins tasked with repairing damaged DNA.

In a separate group of children whose blood samples had been collected years before they developed cancer, those who were later diagnosed were about eight times more likely to carry these antibodies than their peers who remained free of cancer.

The findings suggest that these antibodies could be an important marker of early indicator of cancer risk. However, the researchers state that further studies are needed to prove whether the antibodies contribute to cancer development and whether they can reliably predict the disease years before.

How Antibodies Interfere With DNA Repair?

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Antibodies are proteins that are generated by the immune system. They help recognise and neutralise foreign bodies, like viruses and bacteria.

Sometimes, however, the immune system produces autoantibodies, which mistakenly target the body’s own proteins.

The study found that some children with cancer had elevated levels of autoantibodies against six proteins involved in DNA repair. They are RAD52, NUMA1, ALKBH7, APBB1, UNG and MGMT.

DNA repair is essential because cells constantly go through damage that can lead to errors into their genetic material. When these errors are not corrected, mutations may accumulate and gradually contribute to cancer.

The researchers proposed an unproven theory that the antibodies might enter cells and bind to protein responsible for DNA repair, interfering with their normal function.

Their laboratory experiments provided evidence that these antibodies can enter living cells and localise to a cellular compartment called the TIGER domain.

“We showed that many children with various types of cancer have antibodies against some of their own DNA repair proteins. We also demonstrated that such ‘auto-antibodies’ can enter live cells and bind to – and probably inhibit – the activity of these essential proteins,” said corresponding author Dr Ola Myklebost, emeritus professor of molecular oncology at the University of Bergen.

If the antibodies do impair DNA repair, they could contribute to the accumulation of genetic damage. However, this mechanism has not yet been conclusively observed in humans.

Could A Blood Test Predict Cancer Years In Advance?

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To investigate whether the antibodies appeared before cancer diagnosis, the researchers examined blood samples from 59 children who participated in two British long-term studies: the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children and Born in Bradford.

Half of the children were subsequently diagnosed with cancer before the age of 30, while the other half had not developed the disease. On average, the blood samples from those who later developed cancer had been collected approximately six years before diagnosis.

“Although this cohort is small, it was the best we could find internationally,” Myklebost said.

He added that children who later developed cancer were about eight times more likely to have antibodies against at least one key DNA-repair protein.

The researchers analysed samples from a broader group of 375 healthy individuals and patients, alongside cancer samples from adults and children with sarcoma or acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.

Childhood cancers are often biologically different from adult cancers. Unlike many adult malignancies, which can accumulate mutations over decades, paediatric cancers may arise in developing cells with fewer accumulated genetic changes. The researchers believe the immune system could play an important role in some cases.

However, the findings do not establish that the antibodies cause cancer. The study also cannot determine how accurately an antibody test would predict future disease in the general population.

The researchers are now investigating whether these antibodies affect DNA repair in laboratory-grown cells and plan to study their potential cancer-causing effects in animal models.

“At present we are investigating the effect of patient antibodies on the repair of induced mutations in cultured cells. Ultimately, we hope to clone white blood cells that secrete such auto-antibodies, and test for any cancer causing effects in mice to definitively prove our hypothesis,” Myklebost said.