Mourning a history maker; waiting for emergency help; LSD as medicine – Morning Medical Update

Losing a medical history maker

The first patient to receive a genetically modified pig kidney transplant has died, according to the Associated Press. Richard “Rick” Slayman, 62, of Weymouth, Massachusetts, appeared in good health after the operation and there was no indication he died because of the transplant.

Emergency department boarding

During the COVID-19 pandemic, emergency department conditions were bad for long wait times, risk of deteriorating health, and overworked staff. Now they are worse for older patients waiting – sometimes without food, bathroom breaks, or painkillers – to be admitted to hospitals. USA Today has this report from KFF Health News.

Rethinking LSD

It’s clear the regulatory agencies under President Joe Biden are moving to reclassify marijuana. Is it time to set aside prior beliefs and rethink the medicinal use of lysergide d-tartrate program (MM-120), or LSD, for generalized anxiety disorder? Here’s why one physician thinks it is time to revisit LSD as a treatment.