Grief Can be Deadly
Plus: Features on medicinal mushrooms, nightmares, BMI and much more
Welcome back to your weekly dose of wisdom and wellness, written by Wise & Well’s editor, Robert Roy Britt. Below you’ll find several informative and actionable stories by our team of journalists, topical experts and practicing professionals. First, this week’s news brief:
People who lock intensely into grief following the loss of a loved one were 88% more likely to die within 10 years compared to people who were able to let go and move on, new research reveals.
It’s not entirely clear why some people are more prone to intense, chronic grieving, however.
“The ‘high grief’ group had lower education on average, and their more frequent use of medication before bereavement suggested that they had signs of mental vulnerability, which may cause greater distress on bereavement,” said study leader Mette Kjærgaard Nielsen, PhD, a researcher at the Research Unit for General Practice in Aarhus, Denmark.
The finding suggests that some people may need professional help putting their life back in order after the death of a spouse, parent or other close relation.
“A GP could look for previous signs of depression and other severe mental health conditions,” Nielsen said. “They can then offer these patients tailored follow-up in general practice, or refer them to a private-practice psychologist or secondary care. The GP may also suggest a bereavement follow-up appointment focusing on mental health.”
The study did not investigate why mortality was higher among people with the heaviest hearts, but a 2023 study linked severe grief to a notable rise in blood pressure, suggesting an increased risk for cardiac events.
“It isn’t just the death of a loved one that impacts the heart, but our emotional response to loss that is affecting our heart,” said that study’s first author, Mary-Frances O’Connor, PhD, an associate professor of psychology at the University of Arizona.
Two of our Wise & Well writers have previously written essays on grief that I highly recommend for anyone who might struggle with it:
The Truth About Grief: You’re Not Going to Fully Heal, by Giana Porpiglia, LMHC
When My Whole Body Grieved, by Dr. Jan Patterson
Here are this week’s feature stories:
Frequent Nightmares Can be Deadlier than Thought, Predicting an Early Demise
My worst nightmares often center around being somewhere, trying to get elsewhere, and being blocked at every turn. There’s always someone or something chasing me. My dreams are mild compared to some folks. But here’s the scary thing: Frequent nightmares have now been linked to faster biological aging, and higher risk of the actual death that never happens in your dreams. By Annie Foley
Will This Mushroom Work Wonders for Your Brain?
In which we actually meet the mushroom. So here’s the thing: I have roughly zero interest in the medicinal qualities of lion’s mane mushrooms, but in this story, the mushroom itself reveals some amazing facts and analysis of its properties in an interview with the writer. Every question and answer proves informative and entertaining, and the headline’s question is answered clearly, if humorously. By John Kruse MD, PhD
BMI is a Big Fat Lie
BMI is so ingrained in the health system as a diagnostic metric for obesity that it continues to be used despite a new measure that’s proven to be more accurate and useful. Given the twisted history of BMI — roots in male-only health research and even eugenics—you’d think physicians would drop it like a hot rock. This family doctor explains the better alternative, and the hurdles that force her and other docs to rely on the BMI. For now. By Jennifer Brown, MD
How to Spot Disgusting, Unsafe Hotel Bars and Buffets
I’ve done a lot of traveling for work, and likewise eaten at many dive bars and hotel buffets. If I don’t see lipstick on my water glass or food on the floor, I generally assume a place is safe. But after reading this article, I realize I’ve been missing several simple clues that an establishment is gross—red flags you won’t spot unless you know what to look for. By Dr. Hatem El-Nagar
What Really Triggers Addictions in Young People
When you see a young person addicted to drugs, what do you think of that person? Give it a moment. OK, you can keep those thoughts to yourself. Truth is, most addictions can be traced back to youth, and there are several known risk factors, and they’re not just the things you were thinking. This is stuff parents need to know. By Gail Post, Ph.D.
Microplastics Found in Drinks in Glass Bottles. Should We Worry?
You might’ve heard that human-made microplastics are everywhere. In mean everywhere. In the ocean. In remote alpine lakes. I our bloodstreams. In poop of newborn babies. Plastic water bottles are big contributors to the problem. But now glass drink bottles? This scientist explains the reality of a new study and why it’s concerning but not as bad as it sounds. By Sam Westreich, PhD
7,000 Steps is the New 10,000 Steps
For decades now, fitness gurus and fitness apps alike have recommended we all aim to put in at least 10,000 steps of daily walking. The number has no basis in science. And now, research reveals the physical and mental health benefits of pretty much any amount of walking, with each 1,000-step increment bringing additional advantages until around 7,000, when the gains begin to level off. If you’re a 10,000-stepper, by all means keep it up. But if that threshold seems daunting, the bottom line is clear: Get off your butt and get moving, because every step counts. By Robert Roy Britt
Dogs Can Ease Your Stress Significantly, New Experiment Reveals
Having a dog with you during or after a stressful situation can calm you down — even more than a friend might. In a new study, people who had their dogs with were less stressed during an angsty public-speaking test and had lower stress afterward, by multiple measures, compared to people who did the test sans a pooch. By Kevin Morris and Jaci Gandenberger
Angels, Witches and Crystals: What Americans Believe in and Why
For some of us, things we cannot see or find solid evidence for tend to all fall into the same category: Maybe they exist, but without proof, we choose not to just believe. Others have firm convictions about God and other religious beliefs. Then there are people who cling to black cats and other supernatural musings. While belief can run the spectrum, these scientists find most people fit into one of four groups. By Christopher P. Scheitle, Bernard D. DiGregorio & Katie E. Corcoran
I hope we’ve helped make your tomorrow a little better than today. Feel free to forward this newsletter to friends.
Cheers,
Rob