http://medicalxpress.com/ en-us Medical Xpress internet news portal provides the latest news on Health and Medicine. Media reports about substances that are supposedly hazardous to health may cause suggestible people to develop symptoms of a disease even though there is no objective reason for doing so. This is the conclusion of a study of the phenomenon known as electromagnetic hypersensitivity. Those affected report experiencing certain symptoms on exposure to electromagnetic waves, such as those emitted by cell phones, and these take the form of physical reactions. With the help of magnetic resonance imaging, it has been demonstrated that the regions of the brain responsible for pain processing are active in such cases. "Despite this, there is a considerable body of evidence that electromagnetic hypersensitivity might actually be the result of a so-called nocebo effect," explained Dr. Michael Witthöft of Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU). "The mere anticipation of possible injury may actually trigger pain or disorders. This is the opposite of the analgesic effects we know can be associated with exposure to placebos." The new study illustrates how media reports about health risks may trigger or amplify nocebo effects in some people. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-05-nocebo-effect-media-trigger-symptoms.html Psychology & Psychiatry Mon, 06 May 2013 10:33:56 EST news287055193 The camera zooms in on a stubble-bearded hunk dragging on a cigarette and blowing out a thick cloud of smoke with what seems to be great satisfaction. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-02-tobacco-e-cig.html Addiction Mon, 11 Feb 2013 04:29:07 EST news279778794 (Medical Xpress)—Houses and other buildings used to grow marijuana indoors contain high levels of mold, which could pose a health threat to residents living there and law enforcement agents investigating them, according to new research from National Jewish Health. Industrial hygienist John Martyny, PhD, led a team that evaluated potential hazards including mold, pesticides, fertilizers, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and THC, the psychoactive chemical in marijuana. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-09-indoor-marijuana-pose-healthy-threat.html Health Mon, 17 Sep 2012 09:04:18 EST news267091444 There is no scientific evidence that low-level electromagnetic field exposure from mobile phones and other transmitting devices causes adverse health effects, according to a report presented by a Norwegian /Swedish Expert Committee. In addition, the Committee provides advice to authorities about risk management and regulatory practice. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-09-mobile-wireless-networks-evidence-health.html Health Thu, 13 Sep 2012 10:31:52 EST news266751100 New research suggests that there could be health hazards associated with consuming excessive amounts of beta-carotene. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-05-potential-dark-side-diets-high.html Health Tue, 01 May 2012 14:50:06 EST news255101110 (Medical Xpress) -- The dangers of cigarette smoking are common knowledge. And when it comes to smoking while pregnant, life-threatening health hazards extend to the fetus and newborn. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-03-developmental-problems-kids.html Addiction Thu, 08 Mar 2012 06:20:01 EST news250409181 Prolonged power outages aren’t just inconvenient. They can be hazardous. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2011-09-post-irene-outages-health-hazards.html Health Thu, 01 Sep 2011 09:16:29 EST news234087329