Harvard Health Content API

A prominent TV doctor says he was wrong about medical marijuana. Sanjay Gupta, M.D., will explain his views in a documentary Sunday on CNN. He wrote about them in an article published August 8 on CNN.com. Dr. Gupta, a neurosurgeon, is the network’s chief medical correspondent. In the past, he has opposed medical marijuana, now legal in 20 states. But he recently changed his mind after looking more closely at the evidence. Dr. Gupta cited specific people he has learned about for whom marijuana is the only drug that helps to stop seizures or pain. Marijuana is a Schedule I drug under U.S law. This means it is likely to be abused and has no medical use. Dr. Gupta disputed both of those statements. He said about 10% of marijuana users become addicted. Those are less than half the rates for other illegal drugs or tobacco.

A new study suggests that higher blood sugar may increase people’s risk of developing dementia. In the study, the risk increased along with blood sugar levels. Even people without diabetes had a slightly higher risk of dementia if their blood sugar was above ideal levels. The study included 2,067 people. All were 65 and older. In the 5 years before the study began, all of them had their blood sugar measured at least 5 times. Researchers used a formula to produce an average blood sugar figure for each person. When the study began, about 10% of the total group had diabetes. Nobody had dementia. The study lasted 7 years. Researchers gave people regular tests of memory and thinking skills. By the end of the study, about 25% of the total group had dementia.