Spooky science; safety tips from the ACEP; the surprising health perks of Halloween – Morning Medical Update

Spooky science from the ACS

The American Chemical Society (ACS) is stirring the cauldron this Halloween with four spine-tingling studies that would make Dr. Frankenstein proud. The research — featured across multiple ACS journals — includes lab-grown “mini-brains” pulsing with neural activity, spider-inspired gloves that spin instant wound dressings, wolf-apple coatings that keep produce fresh long past the full moon and the unsettling discovery of microplastics lurking in human retinas. While the subjects sound fit for a horror movie marathon, ACS notes that each study aims to advance human health and sustainability, not raise the dead. Check out their list here.

Halloween safety tips from emergency physicians

The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) is urging revelers to keep the scares fictional this Halloween. With one of the busiest nights of the year ahead for emergency departments nationwide, ACEP President L. Anthony Cirillo, M.D., FACEP, reminds families that a few precautions can keep the holiday fun and injury-free. The group’s advice: use proper tools for pumpkin carving, stick to sidewalks and reflective gear while trick-or-treating, choose safe and well-fitting costumes and check candy for choking or allergy hazards.

“A few precautions can help make sure your fright night celebration does not include an unplanned medical scare,” Cirillo said.

Frightfully good for you: The surprising health perks of Halloween

Halloween might have a reputation for sugar overload, but the holiday offers more than tricks and treats — it can actually boost well-being, according to MDLinx.

From calorie-burning scares to mood-lifting social gatherings, celebrating the spooky season may benefit body and mind. Dark chocolate’s flavanols can support cardiovascular and eye health, trick-or-treating adds sneaky exercise and horror movies can spike adrenaline, raising metabolism and even white blood cell counts. Add in the social connection and stress relief of costume shopping, and Halloween may be just what the (mad) doctor ordered!

Happy Halloween from Medical Economics!