Do you know who can donate blood to you or who can you donate blood to? Blood donation may not be complex, but it does need to be compatible with yours and vice-versa. The blood types are determined by the presence or absence of certain antigens - substance that can trigger immune response if they are foreign to the body.

There are four major blood groups which are determined by the presence or absence of two antigens, A and B, on the surface of red blood cells. There is also a protein called the Rh factor, which can either be present (+) or absent (-), which creates A+, A-, B+, B-, O+. O-, AB+, AB- blood types.

Group A blood type has only A antigens on red blood cells and B antibody in the plasma. B has only B antigen on red cells and A antibody in the plasma. AB has both A and antigens on red cells, but neither A nor B antibody is present in the plasma. O has neither A nor B antigens on red cells, but both A and B antibody are present in the plasma.

Blood Type And Who Can You Donate To?

Your blood type determines who can you donate to. This is because there are very specific ways in which blood types must be matched for safe transfusion. The right blood transfusion could actually save you, while the wrong one could be lethal. Also, Rh-negative blood is given to Rh-negative patients and Rh-positive or Rh-negative blood can only be given to Rh-positive patients.

If you are O blood type, you can donate to O, A, B, and AB, if you are A blood type, you can donate to A and AB, if you are B blood type, you can donate to B and AB, however if you are AB, you can only donate to AB.

Who Can You Receive Blood From?

If you are O blood type, you can only receive from O. If you are A, you can receive from type A and O. If you are blood type B, you can receive from type B and O. If you are AB, you are lucky, you can receive blood from O, A, B, and AB.

There are more than 600 other known antigens, the presence or absence of which creates "rare blood types". Certain types are unique to specific ethnic or racial groups, this is why an African-American blood donation can be the best hope for the needs of patients with sickle cell disease, as per the Red Cross Organization.

Universal Blood Donor

Type O is one in high demand, as it can donate blood to anyone. O negative blood type is the universal blood type, which can donate to everyone, especially during the emergency transfusions and for immune deficient infants.

Who Have These Blood Types In US?

In the US, 37% Caucasian, 47% African-American, 39% Asians, and 53% Latino-American are O-positive. However, only 8% of Caucasian, 4% of African-American, 1% Asian, and 4% Latino=Americans are O-negative.

A+: 33% Caucasian, 34% African-American, 27% Asian, 29% Latino-American

A-: 7% Caucasian, 2% African-American, .5% Asian, 2% Latino-American

B+: 9% Caucasian, 18% African-American, 25% Asian, 9% Latino-American

B-: 2% Caucasian, 2% African-American, .4% Asian, 1% Latino-American

AB+:3% Caucasian, 4% African-American, 7% Asian, 2% Latino-American

AB-: 1% Caucasian, .3% African-American, .1% Asian, .2% Latino-American

An antibiotic routinely used for acne has been linked to a lower likelihood of developing schizophrenia. A new investigation from the University of Edinburgh found that adolescents receiving mental health care who were given doxycycline had a reduced chance of being diagnosed with schizophrenia as adults, compared with those who were prescribed other antibiotics.

Although these early findings cannot confirm that doxycycline prevents schizophrenia, the researchers suggest that its influence on immune activity, inflammation, and programmed cell death may help protect the brain from changes associated with the disorder. “Because this research relies on observational records, it cannot prove that doxycycline directly lowers the risk of schizophrenia, so more studies are needed,” the authors explain.

“Even so, the results raise the possibility that doxycycline could play a role in lowering schizophrenia risk among young psychiatric patients and open new avenues for prevention-focused mental health research.”

What Is Schizophrenia?

Schizophrenia is a severe psychiatric disorder that affects about 23 million people worldwide, with most cases identified during late adolescence or early adulthood. The illness can appear suddenly and may bring on psychosis. Typical symptoms include ongoing delusions, hallucinations, disorganized thoughts, restlessness, or withdrawal from others. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than two out of three people experiencing psychosis lack access to specialized mental health services.

What Is Doxycycline?

Doxycycline is a broad-acting antibiotic commonly given to teenagers for acne. Some recent research suggests it may also offer certain protective effects for the brain, as it is able to cross the blood-brain barrier. In 2024, Science Alert reported on a Danish study showing that this brain-penetrating antibiotic was associated with a lower likelihood of schizophrenia patients later receiving disability benefits, hinting at how the illness might affect their daily functioning.

To explore this further, child and adolescent psychiatrist Ian Kelleher from the University of Edinburgh led a large international team in reviewing data from more than 56,000 people born in Finland between 1987 and 1997. All had used mental health services in their youth and had been prescribed antibiotics during that time.

The analysis showed that those given doxycycline had a 30 to 35 percent lower chance of developing schizophrenia over the following decade, compared with individuals who had taken other antibiotics. The risk dropped from 2.1 percent in the non-doxycycline group to 1.4 percent in those who used doxycycline.

Doxycycline Linked To A Drop in Schizophrenia Risk

The research team found that taking doxycycline was linked to a 30 to 35 percent reduction in schizophrenia diagnoses over ten years. One theory is that doxycycline may clear an infectious agent that contributes to schizophrenia. Another possibility is that it directly affects inflammation and nerve pathways inside the brain.

Other antibiotics offer hints as well. A 2019 study using stem cells from people with schizophrenia and healthy volunteers showed that minocycline can reduce excessive loss of synapses, a process thought to play a part in schizophrenia. Since both minocycline and doxycycline belong to the tetracycline family, they may share similar properties. Using Finland’s health records, Kelleher’s team noted that nearly half of all psychotic disorders in the population occurred in individuals who had visited adolescent psychiatric services.

The researchers believe this stage of life may offer a valuable period for early intervention, where medications like doxycycline might help reduce the chance of the illness progressing. “Nearly half of the people who develop schizophrenia had earlier contact with child and adolescent mental health services for other issues,” Kelleher says.

“At the moment, we do not have any proven ways to lower the risk of schizophrenia in these young people, which makes these findings encouraging.”

Does Doxycycline Have Side Effects?

Doxycycline is available in two forms, doxycycline monohydrate and doxycycline hyclate, though both tend to cause similar reactions. This list does not include every possible side effect, so consult your medical provider if you are unsure about anything you notice while taking the medication.

Mild doxycycline side effects include:

• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Sensitivity to sunlight
• Sore throat or difficulty swallowing
• Vaginal yeast infection
• Itchy skin and rash (urticaria)

Rare but serious doxycycline side effects include:

• Ulcers in the esophagus
• Severe skin reactions
• Liver problems
• Tooth discoloration in children
• Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) diarrhea
• Intracranial hypertension (increased pressure around the brain)
• Low blood cell counts

Always speak with your healthcare professional before starting or stopping any medication.

California-based Dr. Salvador Plasencia, who supplied 20 vials of ketamine to Matthew Perry, the Friends (1994–2004) star, has been sentenced to 30 months in prison. Perry, 54, was discovered dead in his luxurious Los Angeles home on October 28, 2023. The actor had a history of depression and substance use but was reportedly on the path to recovery. His final on-screen appearance was playing himself in the 2021 feature-length special, *Friends: The Reunion*.

Perry accidentally drowned due to the acute effects of a ketamine overdose. Five individuals faced charges in the case, all of whom eventually pleaded guilty. Dr. Plasencia is the first person to be sentenced in connection with Perry’s death. In addition to his 30-month prison term, he was ordered to pay a fine of $5,600. But what exactly is ketamine, and how can an overdose affect the body?

Doctor Who Supplied Matthew Perry Ketamine Pleads Guilty

Perry was found dead in his hot tub on October 28, 2023, at age 54. The LA County Medical Examiner determined that his death resulted from the “acute effects of ketamine,” with contributing factors including drowning and coronary artery disease. In July 2025, Dr. Plasencia pleaded guilty to felony charges for distributing ketamine to four individuals. He also confirmed that Perry had received multiple doses of the drug prior to his death. Perry’s death in Los Angeles, California, was officially attributed to the “acute effects of ketamine,” which caused him to lose consciousness and drown in his hot tub. He had struggled with substance abuse for years and had been receiving ketamine treatment for anxiety and depression at an accredited clinic, according to the BBC.

What Is Ketamine?

Ketamine is a medication used by doctors as an anesthetic to induce temporary loss of consciousness. Under the Controlled Substances Act, it is classified as a Schedule III non-narcotic substance. The FDA has approved ketamine for use only as a general anesthetic. However, in some cases, doctors prescribe it “off-label” for conditions such as depression. “Off-label” refers to using a drug for a condition that the FDA has not specifically approved.

How Does Ketamine Overdose Harm Your Body?

Certain medical conditions can make ketamine overdose riskier. People with heart disease or high blood pressure may experience increased intracranial pressure, raising the chance of stroke. Blood flow to the heart can be reduced. As a relaxant, excessive ketamine can interfere with breathing, causing it to become shallow. High doses can also be toxic to the liver and urinary bladder. Unregulated or repeated use may lead to dependence and increase the risk of developing schizophrenia.

Side Effects Of Ketamine

At prescribed doses, common side effects of ketamine, according to Medical News Today, include:

• Drowsiness
• Double vision
• Confusion
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Dizziness
• A general feeling of unease

Ketamine can also cause a wide range of other symptoms affecting different parts of the body, though these are less frequent.

Ketamine As A Drug Of Abuse

Ketamine can produce sensations of detachment from the environment, pain relief, and hallucinations, which has led to its misuse. Recreational users often describe feelings of being separated from their body or a floating sensation. Some report near-total sensory detachment, which they compare to a near-death experience.

The drug is particularly popular among teens and young adults in club settings. Many users prefer ketamine trips to PCP or LSD because the hallucinations are shorter—lasting 30 minutes to an hour—rather than several hours.

Always consult a healthcare professional before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.

As December rolls in, familiar melodies float through malls, train stations and sometimes right outside your front door. Carol groups wrapped in tinsel bring a warm sense of nostalgia. Their voices rise in unison, cheerful and bright, filling cold evenings with a comfort that feels almost instinctive. What most people do not realize is that this seasonal tradition may be giving the singers themselves a genuine health lift.

Researchers have been exploring this for years, and their findings suggest that singing is far more than a joyful holiday hobby. It strengthens social bonds, supports emotional wellbeing and even offers physical benefits that reach deep into the brain and lungs.

Why Singing Feels So Good

Alex Street, a researcher at the Cambridge Institute for Music Therapy Research, describes singing as a cognitive, physical, emotional and social act, as reported by BBC. When people sing, especially in groups, the brain lights up in ways few other activities can replicate. Regions responsible for language, movement and emotion get activated at the same time. The steady breathing that singing requires also prompts the release of endorphins, which brings on feelings of pleasure and reduces pain.

Psychologists have long noted how even strangers can develop a sense of togetherness after singing side by side for just an hour. This may explain why community choirs often feel like extended families.

A Simple Workout with Surprising Benefits

Beyond the emotional high, singing demands more from the body than many expect. Studies have shown that it can improve heart rate, circulation and blood pressure. The controlled breathing and longer exhalations strengthen the lungs in ways similar to moderate physical activity. Some researchers even compare a singing session with a brisk walk.

BBC reports that Adam Lewis, an associate professor of respiratory physiotherapy at the University of Southampton, notes that singing encourages people to use their respiratory muscles more efficiently. This is one reason why it has become a useful complementary tool for people living with chronic lung conditions.

Healing Through Harmony

One of the most profound uses of singing is in therapy for people recovering from brain injuries or neurological illnesses. Music therapists often rely on songs from childhood to help patients regain speech or movement. The story of former US congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords is one of the most well known examples, reports BBC. After surviving a severe brain injury, she regained her speech partly through singing familiar melodies during therapy sessions.

Similar approaches have been used with stroke survivors, patients with Parkinson’s disease and people living with dementia. Singing provides repeated vocal practice, encourages focus, and stimulates both sides of the brain. Experts also believe that it may help slow cognitive decline in older adults, although long term studies are still needed.

A Gentle Way Back to Community

For many people living with chronic illness, joining a choir brings something even more meaningful than physical gains. It offers a space where patients, caregivers and professionals participate as equals. Street describes these shared moments as a rare kind of unity that dissolves labels and replaces them with a sense of belonging.

As researchers learn more about the power of song, the message becomes clearer. Singing is not just entertainment. It is a tool for connection, a low cost therapy and a way to strengthen both mind and body. So this festive season, joining a group around the Christmas tree might be more beneficial than you think.