Flying with cannabis? TSA's new guidance comes with a major health warning

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) recently updated its medical marijuana guidelines, adding specific instructions to its "What Can I Bring?" directory for both carry-on and checked bags.

Patients who use cannabis to manage chronic pain, anxiety, nausea or other qualifying conditions may travel with their medication for use at their destination.

When taking medical marijuana on a flight, experts suggest separating the travel process from the treatment and waiting until arriving at the destination before using the substance.

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"For most patients, the goal isn't to use cannabis on the plane. It's making sure they have access to their medicine when they arrive," Professor Rob Mejia of the Stockton University Cannabis Studies Department, who is also author of "The Essential Cannabis Book," told Fox News Digital.

Using cannabis on aircraft is generally not recommended. Airlines strictly prohibit smoking and vaping, and even edible products can behave unpredictably.

While some experienced consumers may use a low-dose edible before a flight to manage flight anxiety or promote sleep, Mejia said the key factor is familiarity.

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"An airport or airplane is not the place to test a new product or take a dose you are not accustomed to," he advised. "What feels relaxing to an experienced consumer can easily feel overwhelming to someone with less experience."

According to clinical data published by the American College of Cardiology, cannabis use significantly alters heart rhythm regulation and heightens the heart muscle's overall oxygen demand.

When this elevated cardiac strain combines with the nervous system's natural response to altitude — which, according to University of Florida research, already forces the heart to beat faster to distribute lower levels of oxygen — it can trigger acute cardiovascular distress.

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Rather than relieving travel anxiety, using unpredictable or high-potency doses at high altitudes can worsen symptoms like severe nausea, dizziness and hyperventilation, research shows.

"The overall goal should be continuity of care during travel, not medicating at 35,000 feet," Mejia said.

For a growing number of patients, cannabis is no longer just an alternative therapy, but functions as a primary form of medicine. In these cases, before traveling with the substance, preparation is everything, experts say.

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"The safest cannabis travel plan is understanding the laws before you pack," Mejia advised, warning travelers not to misinterpret the updated language.

"A TSA checkpoint is not a legal shield from state or local enforcement," the expert noted. "The TSA checks for security threats, not cannabis. That doesn't mean cannabis can't become your problem."

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"If your cannabis looks legitimate, labeled and professionally packaged, you're less likely to raise questions."

"If your cannabis looks legitimate, labeled and professionally packaged, you're less likely to raise questions than if you're carrying a bag of mystery gummies and a handful of loose flower," Mejia added.

If an item raises eyebrows, the agent has the authority to refer the matter to law enforcement.

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While domestic travel has entered a gray area, international travel remains a different set of rules altogether. Crossing international borders with cannabis carries severe risks, regardless of the laws of the country you are visiting, experts say.

"If you're traveling internationally, leave your cannabis at home," Mejia advised. "Even in countries that have legalized cannabis, the rules for visitors can be very different from the rules for residents."

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Drinking alcohol may influence cravings for certain foods in a surprising way, study suggests

If you find yourself reaching for a bag of chips after a few drinks, hormones may be partly to blame. Researchers suggest they can influence food cravings and may contribute to significant overeating.

Studies examining how alcohol affects people’s eating habits have produced inconsistent results, University of Sydney researchers reported in Obesity Reviews.

Alcohol on its own always adds calories, but how much it contributes to people’s total caloric intake depends on their dietary habits, the scientists observed.

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Previous research suggests alcohol consumption may increase levels of FGF21, "a hormone that increases savory (umami) preference and reduces sweet preference," the researchers wrote. In "minimally processed food environments," people seek foods that are both satiating and high in protein, and they limit the number of calories they eat.

On diets rich in ultra-processed savory foods and/or high-fat unprocessed meats, however, consumers eat foods that taste like the minimally processed foods, but that fail to deliver protein. The researchers refer to these foods as "protein decoys." People who indulge in ultra-processed foods tend to eat many more calories, because they’re not satisfied without protein.

The researchers analyzed previous experimental work that involved interviews with more than 9,000 Australians. The survey found that people who reported drinking alcohol also reported eating a lot more savory foods and fewer sweet foods than the non-drinkers. People’s savory food intake increased on days they reported drinking.

People who reported drinking and consuming a savory diet with the low-protein, high-fat characteristics of an ultra-processed diet took in 40% more calories than the daily recommendation — before factoring in the alcohol.

"Results suggest that alcohol may have contributed to the obesity epidemic," because it increases people’s appetites, and people consuming highly processed foods eat more of the unsatiating food, the researchers hypothesized.

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The researchers wrote that their observations could explain why studies on alcohol’s effect on caloric intake have been so varied, because it likely depends on the types of foods you’re eating while drinking.

They also noted that their studies did not directly measure FGF21 levels, but that they applied previous information gathered through scientific studies to make their observations. They wrote that they could not provide direct evidence of FGF21’s role in food intake.

The researchers also acknowledged the limitations of their research, since it was largely based on secondary evidence from a population survey.

"Advice to limit highly processed foods, including savory snack foods, may be even more critical than previously thought for reducing the risk of weight gain among adults who drink regularly," they concluded.

Registered dietitian Morgan Beemiller, RD, LDN, based in Ohio, said she was not surprised by this study’s findings.

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"Alcohol is known to affect several biological and behavioral systems that influence food cravings," she told Fox News Digital.

According to Beemiller, alcohol alters appetite-regulating signals and affects the brain’s reward circuits. It also changes taste perception, she said.

To avoid the ultra-processed overeating pitfall, Beemiller recommended people eat a substantial meal prior to drinking.

"Include protein, fiber-rich carbohydrates and healthy fats," she advised. "This combination helps slow alcohol absorption and reduces urges for convenience foods later."

Chicken, rice and salad or salmon, potatoes and broccoli are sensible pre-drink meals, Beemiller said.

"Decide on your late-night food before you start drinking," she said. "If healthy food is already available, you are less likely to order or make convenience foods later in the evening."

People should keep minimally processed snacks such as nuts, cheese, fruit, hummus and vegetables and hard-boiled eggs, readily available, Beemiller said. It’s also important to stay hydrated, she noted. Alternating alcoholic drinks with water can reduce total alcohol consumption, improve hydration and reduce hangover symptoms.

While Beemiller said evidence suggests less alcohol is generally better for health, she added there are a few ways to reduce the negative impact if someone chooses to drink.

Keep your intake to a moderate level. Health risks rise the more people drink. Choose low-sugar options such as dry wines, light beers and cocktails that use fresh juices rather than syrups. Avoid high-sugar drinks, such as margaritas, daiquiris, sweet dessert wines and hard lemonades. Also beware of high-calorie mixers. Opt for sparkling water instead.

"Choose alcohol for enjoyment, not stress management," Beemiller said.

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Can alkaline water actually improve your health? Experts separate fact from fiction

Alkaline water has entered the conversation as an arguable alternative to regular drinking water.

Numerous celebrities, including Gwyneth Paltrow, Mark Wahlberg and Jennifer Aniston, have touted alkaline water in brand campaigns — but is there a real benefit? Experts report that the science is uncertain.

Bottled water that’s sold as alkaline water may have added minerals like calcium and magnesium, which help the water reach an alkaline pH, according to Mayo Clinic. A pH of 7 is neutral, while a level greater than 7 is alkaline and less than 7 is acidic.

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Plain tap water has a lower pH than alkaline water, which has led some to claim that drinking alkaline water can neutralize acidity in the body.

There have also been claims that alkaline water can help prevent certain health conditions, like cancer and stroke, Mayo Clinic mentioned. Some studies have also shown that alkaline water may help slow bone loss, perhaps due to the added calcium.

Other research suggests that alkaline water combined with a plant-based Mediterranean diet may help relieve acid reflux. Several studies have suggested that alkaline water alone could improve symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

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Mayo Clinic stressed that more research is necessary to support these claims and to confirm whether these benefits continue over time.

In a Harvard Medical School publication, Howard E. LeWine, MD, chief medical editor of Harvard Health Publishing, confirmed that benefits potentially exist, but only temporarily.

"Because the fluid in the stomach is so acidic, once regular or alkaline water gets down to your stomach, there will be little difference in the resulting stomach fluid pH," he wrote.

"You could potentially raise the stomach fluid pH by drinking a lot of alkaline water, but it would only be temporary. Even if you drank enough alkaline water to slightly raise the pH of your blood, your kidneys would quickly go into action to rebalance your blood pH."

As an example, alkaline water may provide heartburn relief from acid reflux, but the effects would not be long-lasting. LeWine considered that there are "much more effective options," such as antacids.

The doctor warned that drinking alkaline water could be dangerous for people who take PPIs, or stomach acid production blockers.

Mayo Clinic added that alkaline water has been linked to safety concerns, especially when the water’s pH is higher than 9.8. This can lead to high levels of potassium in the blood, a condition known as hyperkalemia.

LeWine expressed the same concern that alkaline water "might result in an increased blood pH, which can alter the normal blood levels of chemicals like potassium, especially [for people with] kidney disease."

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In an interview with Fox News Digital, certified holistic nutritionist Robin DeCicco confirmed that there is "no strong evidence" that alkaline water provides "meaningful long-term health benefits."

While infusing the water with minerals can be beneficial for reducing acidity in the body, the best way to do so is by following "foundational" dietary habits, according to the expert.

This includes eating meals based in real foods and eliminating excess sugar, caffeine, processed and fried foods, as they can "aggravate acidity in the body," she said.

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"Vegetables, fruit, good fats, like the omega-3 fats, lean protein, fiber — those are the things that really help to keep acid out of the body," DeCicco added.

For those who have acid reflux complications, she recommends seeing a doctor and adopting helpful habits like eating consistently throughout the day, not lying down after eating and avoiding highly acidic foods.

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Breakthrough pancreatic cancer drug shows survival gains that surprise experts

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→ Just 5 minutes of prayer could have surprising health benefits

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Scientists unveil 'living bandage' that could dramatically speed wound healing

A new "living bandage" could soon revolutionize how doctors treat serious injuries by accelerating the healing process, according to new research reported by SWNS.

The high-tech patch was developed by researchers at Rice University in Texas. It acts like an around-the-clock mini factory, continuously delivering healing proteins directly to different types of wounds, the same source noted.

Caring for chronic wounds is often a challenge for doctors, as it's difficult to deliver steady, localized signals that tell the body to repair its own tissue, the researchers said. 

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The body naturally relies on small chemical messengers called cytokines to control inflammation and healing. However, traditional treatments like ointments or injections usually fail, as fragile proteins break down too quickly or wash away from the injury site.

To solve the problem, the research team created a cell-based patch that stays on top of the wound. Inside the device, scientists placed engineered cells programmed to manufacture and secrete three specific healing cytokines, known as IL-10, IL-12 and Transforming Growth Factor-beta.

These cells are safely housed inside protective material that acts like a shield — letting vital nutrients and therapeutic proteins pass through to the skin while keeping the body's immune system from attacking the engineered cells inside.

The system also uses a special hydrogel that helps the patch blend naturally with the wound, SWNS reported. It may be updated eventually, the research team indicated, to work alongside electronic components.

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In lab tests on rodents and pigs, the patch successfully accelerated wound healing. By analyzing the genetic material of the cells, the researchers confirmed the treatment successfully activated the processes needed for tissue repair.

Professor Omid Veiseh, faculty director of the Rice Biotech Launch Pad and leader of the laboratory development, said the animal trials showed strong potential for the approach.

"The findings show how continuous, localized cytokine delivery can support key biological pathways involved in tissue repair," Veiseh said, according to SWNS.

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"By maintaining a consistent presence of these signaling molecules at the wound site, we can more effectively engage the body’s natural healing response."

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He said genetic analysis "revealed coordinated upregulation of genes associated with tissue regeneration and immune modulation, providing a mechanistic basis for the functional improvements observed."

The platform is fully customizable, so the engineered cells can easily be adapted to produce different combinations of proteins and growth factors, depending on what each individual patient needs.

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Study co-author Christian Schreib, Ph.D., noted that "the ability to tune both the type and timing of cytokine delivery opens the door to more precise control over the healing process."

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Schreib said that "future work will focus on expanding the flexibility of the platform, including approaches such as optogenetic control" — using light to control cell activity — "to regulate cytokine secretion in real time."

The technology is still in an early stage and has not yet been tested on human patients. 

Further research is needed to understand how the technology will be used on humans.

The study was published in the journal Nature Biomedical Engineering.

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'I thought I had the flu': Mom nearly died after dismissing deadly sepsis symptoms

In the wake of NASCAR star Kyle Busch’s death from sepsis, a Virginia Beach mother who almost lost her life to the deadly condition is sharing her harrowing experience to raise awareness.

In 2015, Audrey Wiggins was a healthy 31-year-old when she thought she’d come down with the flu. Instead, her condition spiraled into a severe case of sepsis that left her in the ICU for 10 days, including five days in a medically induced coma. 

Now recovered, Wiggins – who is married to professional golfer Marc Leishman – is dedicated to raising awareness about the condition through her nonprofit organization, the Begin Again Foundation. She has also written a children's book aimed at helping families recognize the warning signs.

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Wiggins’ ordeal began when she began to feel ill one evening while caring for her sons, then 19 months and 3 years old, while her husband was traveling.

"I had never actually had the flu before, but I was achy, feverish and cold. And so I thought, this seems like the flu," she told Fox News Digital during an on-camera interview.

As the days went on, Wiggins started to feel worse. Her fever spiked higher and she developed severe stomach issues.

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"At one point, I actually thought I was going a little bit crazy, because my right elbow and left big toe started hurting – it was the most random thing. I hadn't injured myself," she said. "I was really confused as to what was going on."

When Wiggins became too weak to care for her sons and started to have nosebleeds, her friend insisted that she see a doctor.

At urgent care, Wiggins’ temperature and heart rate were abnormally high, and her blood pressure was dangerously low. She was taken by ambulance to the emergency room.

While today’s hospitals have "come a long way" toward sepsis awareness and recognition, Wiggins noted that wasn’t the case in 2015.

"They took a very long time to figure out what was going wrong with me," she said, adding that doctors at first thought she was afflicted with autoimmune diseases. 

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"They kept testing me for different things. Eventually, they admitted me, and I was in the ICU for a total of 10 days – five of which were in a medically induced coma."

The sepsis ultimately turned into acute respiratory distress syndrome.

"I very much remember not being able to breathe," Wiggins recalled. "That was by far the scariest part. It got to the point where I had to pause between every word to take a breath, and it was basically like sipping air."

At one point, she later learned, there was a "good chance" she wasn't going to wake up from the coma.

"When I finally did wake up, it was quite the process of relearning how to walk again, dealing with at-home physical therapy and being on a PICC line (peripherally inserted central catheter)," Wiggins shared.

The first year of recovery was "very difficult," she said. "My immune system was so compromised that I was sick constantly."

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Today, Wiggins says she is healthy, but that her memory "is not what it used to be" and that she gets fatigued more often.

The original cause of her sepsis remains unclear, she said, but it may have been linked to her recent IUD removal.

"I did have the diagnosis of toxic shock syndrome, but I also had tonsillitis, strep throat, a UTI and pneumonia," she said. "I was a very, very sick person."

In severe cases, infection can spread into the bloodstream, triggering the widespread, life-threatening inflammatory response that is sepsis. 

It can quickly lead to tissue damage, organ failure and death if not treated right away, according to Fox News senior medical analyst Dr. Marc Siegel.

"The body reacts by making inflammatory chemicals. It’s the immune system revving up … but it can hurt more than help," he previously told Fox News Digital.

Wiggins explained the response with an analogy: "Instead of your body sending out the Navy SEALs, it sends out the entire U.S. Armed Forces."

As sepsis worsens, it can cause a drop in blood pressure and interfere with the delivery of oxygen to the body’s tissues, potentially leading to lactic acidosis — a dangerous buildup of lactic acid in the bloodstream.

Organ failure is a serious risk, particularly affecting the kidneys, Siegel warned.

"The kidneys fail, toxins from the kidneys build up, blood pressure goes down, fever goes up, the lungs fail — something called ARDS," he said.

ARDS — acute respiratory distress syndrome — occurs when inflammation causes fluid to leak into the lungs, making it difficult for oxygen to reach the bloodstream.

Common warning signs of sepsis can include high fever, confusion, rapid breathing, extreme weakness, low blood pressure, fast heart rate and bluish or mottled skin, per the CDC. Patients can also feel very cold and experience extreme pain, Wiggins added.

After Wiggins was discharged from the hospital, she was struck by how little people knew about sepsis, which led her to start the Begin Again Foundation.

"I had never heard of sepsis – and I realized that was why I almost died," she shared. "If I had known what the symptoms were and what to look out for, I would have sought treatment earlier."

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The expensive medical costs – for everything from home healthcare to antibiotics to a walker and other equipment – were also shocking. "I learned that sepsis is the most expensive hospitalization bill there is," Wiggins said. "I remember thinking, ‘What if we didn't have the money to afford this?’"

"In a time when people are struggling, if I can help ease that burden – even just the tiniest bit, so they can focus more on the recovery – it is my absolute passion and honor to continue to do that. And that is the main focus of the organization."

Wiggins’ children’s book, "Katie Koala's Biggest Bite," focuses on a young girl who gets injured and becomes ill, then her mother takes her to the doctor soon enough to catch sepsis before it becomes life-threatening.

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"My goal for this book is that it will be in both little hands and their parents' bigger hands … and that by reading this story, they learn about what sepsis is and what symptoms to look out for," she said.

"I've read too many stories of parents who did seek treatment, who took their child to the doctor, and were told it was just a virus."

Wiggins said the simplest thing parents can do is to ask the doctor: "Could this be sepsis?"

"Just asking that question could lead them on the path to run a different lab panel or look at the symptoms in a different way," she added.

Every hour that sepsis goes untreated, the mortality rate increases by up to 8%, Wiggins noted.

"Time truly is the most important thing – and getting that early treatment can prevent you from even being hospitalized."

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One of the most important things people should know, according to Wiggins, is that sepsis can happen from any infection. 

"The most common causes are respiratory infections, UTIs and kidney stones, but it can happen from a cut. It can happen from strep throat, the flu," she warned.

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Popular weight-loss diet shows surprising impact on serious mental health condition

The keto diet may help individuals with anorexia nervosa, new research from UC San Diego School of Medicine suggests.

The small study, published in the journal Nature, enrolled 22 women between 18 and 45 years old who had a history of anorexia nervosa and a BMI (body mass index) above 17.5.

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a severe psychiatric disorder involving food restriction and low body weight, the researchers describe. This is often followed by body dissatisfaction, an intense fear of eating, and a preoccupation with body shape and size even after weight restoration.

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The participants followed a ketogenic therapy plan for 14 weeks, aiming for a diet consisting of 70% fat, 20% protein and 10% carbohydrates, according to a press release.

The goal was to maintain weight while inducing nutritional ketosis — a metabolic state in which the body produces and uses ketones for energy because carbohydrate intake is low enough to shift metabolism toward fat burning.

The researchers monitored the participants via ketone testing, weekly weight checks, symptom questionnaires, and nutritional and psychiatric support.

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Among the remaining 18 participants, eating disorder symptoms reportedly improved in several areas, including restraint, depression scores, and concern with eating, shape and weight.

Overall scores on the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q) also improved, with 72% of participants scoring in the recovered or normal range.

The participants’ body weight did not change significantly, and no BMI fell below 17.5, according to the results.

Those who continued to follow ketogenic therapy three months after the intervention had slightly better EDE-Q scores.

The study authors concluded that ketogenic dietary therapy is "well-tolerated" and demonstrated "potential efficacy" in reducing anorexia nervosa symptoms in adults who are mildly underweight or weight-restored.

Although the study was "sufficiently powered," the authors noted that the small sample size of predominantly White females limits the scope of the findings.

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"Future research should replicate these findings in more diverse populations and incorporate objective assessments of brain function, such as metabolic PET imaging, to assess brain glucose metabolism," they wrote.

Lead study author Guido Frank, MD, professor of psychiatry at the UC San Diego School of Medicine, who has studied and treated anorexia patients for more than 25 years, launched this study to broaden treatment options for this high-risk population.

Frank wrote in a statement that new approaches to anorexia nervosa are "urgently" needed.

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"Our work with ketogenic therapy looks beyond standard therapies and potentially at the underlying physiology of the disorder," he went on.

"Growing evidence links anorexia nervosa to neurometabolic dysfunction, and we are hopeful that direct metabolic intervention can regulate neural function and address the psychological symptoms patients experience."

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