Medicine

Retro Pepsi-Cola logos from the mid-20th century.

Pepsi-Cola was named for two ingredients that it doesn't (and possibly never did) contain.

Discover the history of the flu and its devastating impact on the world, from the deadliest influenza pandemic to today’s vaccines.

Astronaut Kellie Gerardi conducts research aboard the Virgin Galactic spacecraft.

Bioastronautics researcher Kellie Gerardi envisions a future when space is open to all.

Frankincense and myrrh are a fragrant part of traditional Christmas celebrations, but what exactly are these pebble-like perfumes?

Use of the word ‘placebo’ in a medical context is more recent than you might think.

What is a placebo? Technically, a Latin phrase meaning ‘I will please.’ It’s also a Catholic prayer and a clever insult.

A surgeon waving a dismembered arm might have sparked the Doctor’s Riot of 1788.

In the 18th and 19th centuries, robbing graves of their corpses for dissection at medical schools was an all too common practice—and sometimes, enraged citizens rose up in protest.

Should she drink about seven more of those?

How much water should you really drink a day? Well, it’s complicated.

Eating centuries-old mummies was a hot health trend in medieval Europe.

Pigs could be the next step in organ transplantation.

Kidney transplants my one day get an assist from porcine vessels.

Antibiotics are the first treatment for necrotizing fasciitis.

Here's how to stay safe when you take a dip at beaches, lakes, or rivers.

Guests look at a portrait of Henrietta Lacks.

Though she died of cancer in 1951, Henrietta Lacks's immortal cells became the foundation for countless medical advancements.

A new Alzheimer's drug shows promise for those in the early stages of the disease.

Leqembi could slow the progression of Alzheimer's, but the side effects can be severe.

Doctors can self-prescribe, but it's generally discouraged and the practice has quite a few stipulations.

“Hands-only CPR” has gained popularity in recent years. So what is it, and when should you use it?

Martin Couney with two of the premature "incubator babies" in his care.

For many premature babies in the early 20th century, their best chance at life involved being put on display on the Coney Island boardwalk.

Laudanum was used by a number of writers and artists in the Victorian Era.

In an era before modern medicine, laudanum and other opium derivatives became seen as wonder drugs.

A 19th-century illustration of London during the Great Plague.

The Great Plague of 1665 killed about 100,000 Londoners, but winde, quinsie, and livergrown also took their toll.

Dr. René Favaloro (left) pictured with colleague Dr. Mason Sones.

Argentinian heart surgeon René Favaloro popularized coronary bypass surgery, which continues to save the lives of people with heart disease.

Before reaching for the tweezers, try these less painful methods for removing a splinter.

From baking soda to plain water, these old-timey remedies will get that splinter out fast.

A portrait of Henrietta Lacks hangs in New York City.

An important figure in modern medicine, Lacks’s unique cells have been used in life-saving treatments. A new statue is another step in giving her the recognition she deserves.

Celine Dion performs in London's Hyde Park.

Celine Dion recently announced that she has been diagnosed with stiff-person syndrome (SPS), a rare and progressive neurological disorder that only affects about one or two out of every 1 million people.

A new type of drug that could eliminate two to four hot flashes per day could soon become a hot commodity.

Hieronymous Bosch, 'Cutting Out the Stone of Madness' (c. 1501-1505), now in the Museo del Prado

Dig in for the dark story of an ethically dubious medical practice that fortunately fell out of fashion.

Wellcome polio vaccine dropped on to sugar lump for child patient.

Go check those medical records to see if you’re vaxxed, and meanwhile, learn more about the polio with these nine facts.

Pop Star: How Pepsi Got Its Name

10 Facts About the Flu

“Humanity’s Next Giant Leap”: Citizen Astronaut Kellie Gerardi Envisions the Future of Spaceflight

What Are Frankincense and Myrrh, Anyway?

Why Is It Called the “Placebo Effect”?

The Anatomy Riots: When Americans Protested Grave Robbing by Taking to the Streets

5 Misconceptions about Health and Wellness

How an Unfortunate Misunderstanding Spawned a Medieval Mummy-Eating Fad

Scientific Progress Goes 'Oink': Part-Human Kidneys Have Been Grown in Pig Embryos

What You Should Know About Necrotizing Fasciitis, the Flesh-Eating Bacterial Infection

How Henrietta Lacks Became the Mother of Modern Medicine

The FDA Has Just Given Rare Approval to a New Alzheimer's Drug, Leqembi—Here's What We Know So Far

Can Doctors Self-Prescribe Medications?

Does CPR Still Require Mouth-to-Mouth Resuscitation?

Preemies on Parade: How a Fake Doctor's Coney Island Incubator Shows Ended Up Saving Thousands of Lives

The Lure of Laudanum, the Victorians’ Favorite Drug

15 Other Diseases that Could Have Killed You During London's Great Plague

René Favaloro: The Life and Death of the "Father" of Coronary Bypass Surgery

6 Simple and Painless Ways to Remove a Splinter

The Virginia Hometown of Henrietta Lacks Will Erect a Statue in Her Honor

What Is Stiff-Person Syndrome?

After 80 Years, the First New Drugs to Treat Hot Flashes Could Arrive in 2023

13 Fascinating Facts About Lobotomies

9 Essential Facts About Polio