MedPage Today (12/22, Robertson) reports a study found that “use of benzodiazepines during pregnancy, particularly in the second trimester, was linked to some adverse pregnancy outcomes.” Researchers observed that “among 454,477 pregnancies, benzodiazepine use was associated with increased risk of abortion (spontaneous and elective abortion), with an absolute risk of 0.83 events per 100 pregnancies among benzodiazepine users compared with 0.52 events per 100 in nonusers (relative risk [RR] 1.58).” Furthermore, they noted that “after accounting for competing risks, benzodiazepine use was also linked to increased risk of preterm birth (RR 1.20) and small for gestational age (RR 1.06), compared to nonuse, and effects were more pronounced with exposure during the second trimester.” The study was published in JAMA Internal Medicine.

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— MedPage Today (requires login and subscription)

Healio (12/22, Feliciano) reports a study found that “while most adolescents remained resilient to depression during the COVID-19 pandemic, girls and teens in the later stages of puberty were more vulnerable.” The researchers “classified participants’ depression trajectories as resilient, depression-susceptible or chronically high, based on symptoms scores that tracked six key symptoms of depression, including depressed mood, anhedonia, a sense of guilt or worthlessness, fatigue, sleep and concentration impairments.” They observed that “various pre-pandemic risk factors were associated with the depression-susceptible trajectory, including being in the late pubertal or post pubertal stage before the pandemic, pre-pandemic family conflict, peer bullying, cyberbullying, maternal history of depression, polyenvironmental adversity exposure, and polygenic risk of depression among those of European ancestry.” In contrast, “lower depression susceptibility was associated with parental monitoring and problem-solving skills.” The study was published in JAMA Network Open.

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— “Adolescent girls, teens in late puberty faced higher COVID-19 pandemic depression risk,”Octavia Feliciano, Healio, December 22, 2025

MedPage Today (12/22, Monaco) reports a systematic review and meta-analysis of 137 studies found that “nearly one in two transgender and gender diverse (TGD) youth reported suicidal ideation or self-injury, and one in four attempted suicide.” The researchers observed that “in a study of 131,429 TGD individuals ages 25 and younger, 48.8% experienced suicidal ideation and 26.2% reported a suicide attempt.” Meanwhile, “pooled prevalence estimates also showed that 46.6% of TGD youths experienced nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI).” Researchers said, “These rates are 2 to 3.5 times higher than those reported for cisgender youth (20.5% for suicidal ideations, 7.1% for attempts, and 17.7% for NSSI).” Furthermore, they noted “prevalence rates of suicide attempt were higher in North America (29%) compared with Europe (22%) and Asia (19%).” The review was published in JAMA Pediatrics.

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Dermatology Advisor (12/19, Stong) reported a study found that “alopecia areata is associated with a significantly increased risk of developing psychiatric disorders.” The research team observed the “alopecia group had a cumulative incidence of any psychiatric disorder of 17.3% compared with 3.9% in the control group, for a risk ratio (RR) of 4.49. Severe psychiatric illnesses such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder were diagnosed in 0.7% of patients in the alopecia group and 0.2% of patients in the control group. Specifically, 6.4% of patients with alopecia had a depressive disorder compared with 1.3% of control patients. Anxiety disorders occurred in 10.6% of the alopecia group and 2.8% of the control group.” Additionally, “women with alopecia had an increased psychiatric burden compared with men.” The study was published in Dermatology and Therapy.

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— “Alopecia Areata Is Associated With Increased Risk for Psychiatric Disorders,”Colby Stong, Dermatology Advisor, December 19, 2025

HealthDay (12/19, Thompson) reported a study suggests that “psychiatric conditions as varied as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder might be driven by very similar genetic underpinnings.” According to researchers, “mental health problems can be sorted into five general genetic categories, each with a shared ‘genetic architecture’ driving people’s illness.” The five general categories involving 238 genetic variants includes: disorders with “compulsive features” like anorexia, Tourette disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder; “internalizing” disorders like depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder; substance use disorders; neurodevelopmental conditions “like autism and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder;” and bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. With that said, “70% of the genetic signal associated with schizophrenia is also associated with bipolar disorder, the study said.” The study was published in Nature.

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— “Different Mental Health Conditions Share Similar Genetics, Study Says,”Dennis Thompson, HealthDay, December 19, 2025

HealthDay (12/18, Thompson) reports, “It’s beside the point to debate whether vaping or nicotine pouches can be more healthy than smoking a cigarette, a major new report argues.” HealthDay says “nicotine is toxic to the heart and blood vessels regardless of how it’s consumed, according to an expert consensus report.” One researcher said, “Across cigarettes, vapes, heated tobacco and nicotine pouches, we consistently see increased blood pressure, damage to blood vessels and a higher risk of heart disease. … No product that delivers nicotine is safe for the heart.” The findings were published in the European Heart Journal.

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— “Vapes Or Cigs, Doesn’t Matter — Nicotine Is Toxic To Heart Health, Experts Say,”Dennis Thompson, HealthDay , December 18, 2025

The AP (12/18, Whitehurst, Barrow) reports the President signed an executive order Thursday that could reclassify “marijuana away from its current classification as a Schedule I drug, alongside heroin and LSD,” and instead would be “a Schedule III substance, like ketamine and some anabolic steroids.” While the reclassification by the Drug Enforcement Administration would not make cannabis legal for recreational use by adults nationwide, “it could change how the drug is regulated and reduce a hefty tax burden on the cannabis industry.” Furthermore, it will also “open new avenues for medical research,” and overall represents “a major shift in federal drug policy that inches closer to what many states have done.”

NBC News (12/18, Gregorian, Reichman, Dean) reports the order “directs Attorney General Pam Bondi to conclude the formal rescheduling process, which has been going on for more than a year, and move to publish a final rule that would reclassify cannabis.” It also “directs the White House deputy chief of staff for legislative, political and public affairs to work with Congress to allow people in the U.S. to benefit from access to CBD products while still restricting sale and access to products that pose serious health risks.”

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— “Trump signs executive order that could reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug,”Lindsay Whitehurst and Bill Barrow , AP, December 18, 2025

HealthDay (12/18, Thompson) reports a study found that a single half-hour course could help young adults “feel less anxious and depressed, by helping them increase their tolerance of uncertainty.” According to researchers, “young adults who took the course titled ‘Uncertainty-Mindset Training’ continued to feel better a month after taking it.” Even though the course “lasted less than a half-hour,” participants, up to a month later, still “showed substantial improvement in their ability to tolerate uncertainty, as well as decreases in anxiety and depression.” Researchers noted that “three months later, these participants’ tolerance of uncertainty was still much improved, but the reductions in depression and anxiety had started to wane.” The study was published in Psychological Medicine.

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— “Anxious, Depressed About An Uncertain World? Training Can Help You Cope, Study Says,”Dennis Thompson, HealthDay , December 18, 2025

The Washington Post (12/16, Ovalle) reports some policy and health experts say the President’s recent declaration “that illicit fentanyl is a weapon of mass destruction” is “a stretch,” adding that “the move may have little practical impact on curbing drug supply, addiction and overdose deaths.” The Administration “has cited the deadly drug crisis in enacting tariffs on China and Mexico, labeling criminal groups terrorist organizations and launching military strikes on suspected smuggling drug boats in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific.” Experts in national security and transnational crime “say such heavy handed measures could harm global alliances needed to combat traffickers.” Public health experts “say the designation may also exaggerate fears about fentanyl.”

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— “The Washington Post (requires login and subscription)

Medical Economics (12/16, Payerchin) reports “a national study found” that women physicians “and early-career physicians face higher social isolation, correlating with increased burnout and suicidal ideation.” Investigators found that “specialties like pathology, emergency medicine, and settings like veterans’ hospitals report the highest isolation levels.” The researchers said, “Physicians have the same innate need for connection as all other human beings. … Efforts by both organizations and physicians to prioritize and nurture personal and professional relationships and social connections may enhance well-being and physicians’ ability to care for others.” The findings were published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings.

Related Links:

— “Social isolation contributes to physician feelings of burnout, workplace satisfaction, suicidal ideation,”Richard Payerchin, Medical Economics, December 16, 2025