The dreaded cyclosporiasis has struck thousands of people in the United States. It is caused by an unknown parasite.
While New England may have avoided the worst outbreaks, explosive diarrhea is still a threat that has many people on edge.
Investigators from the Midwest say that the outbreaks could be linked to salad or lettuce.
It hasn’t deterred irreverent social media users from creating memes or comments about the incident.
In the past, cyclospora outbreaks were caused by leafy greens and lettuce. Other types of produce like raspberries and peas also contributed to the spread. The infection is spread by foods that have been exposed to irrigation water contaminated with feces.
No produce supplier or grower has been named as the cause of this outbreak. Taco Bell announced Tuesday it has “voluntarily and temporary” removed some ingredients from select restaurants as a “precautionary measure.”
On Wednesday, lettuce, cilantro and other ingredients continued to be sold at Taco Bell stores in the Boston area.
Salad eaters are now questioning the healthfulness of their eating habits, while non-salad eaters have affirmed their own.
Merriam Webster even made the greens part of the joke.
Other social media users noted the outbreak occurred after Trump’s administration cut funding to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This included a program that tracks longer-term trends for foodborne pathogens such as cyclospora.
Officials from the Department of Health have stated that the program has not had a material impact on the response to this outbreak. The state-level real-time detection systems are handling the situation.
Some posters, however, couldn’t resist drawing parallels with a meme that circulated after the presidential election of 2024 — in which, according to the meme, “Diarrhea Forever”, the platform “Everyone Gets A Puppy”, just narrowly lost out to “Everyone Gets A Puppy”.
Some people, like progressive commentator David Sirota went even further in their predictions.
Between May 1 and the end of July, Massachusetts’ Department of Public Health reported 18 cases of Cyclosporiasis. This is a fairly normal number for Massachusetts, especially at this time when seasonal increases are quite common.
The next state-wide update on foodborne illnesses will be released by health officials in August, “unless there is any abnormality in the reported cases of illness in Massachusetts”.
Barnstable County Department of Health and Environment stated in a press release that Cape Cod residents can still enjoy local produce.
The department stated that “this is not the time to avoid the farmer’s market, but rather a moment for you to refresh your knowledge on the safety of produce.”
Some online commenters have expressed frustration at the cyclospora worries that are surfacing online, despite the fact that Massachusetts bathrooms appear to be safe.
This is the future of ‘Is this a Tick? What is the tick problem at x location? “How bad are ticks at x place?” wrote a commenter on Reddit. It will be a daily posting.”
This report uses material from the Associated Press.
Camilo Fonseca can be reached at camilo.fonseca@globe.com. Follow him on X @fonseca_esq and on Instagram @camilo_fonseca.reports.

The perky representative handed me two ALP nicotine pouches in tins.
The “lip pillows” were available at Dave Asprey’s Beyond Biohacking Conference. Attendees flocked to the booth in order to try the fruity, minty flavor.
Nicotine was long viewed by many as an addiction, and not something that could improve health or performance. But thanks to biohackers and wellness influencers, and consumers who are looking for a mental edge, the image of nicotine has recently been transformed.
Asprey, a vocal proponent of the drug that was once associated with addiction and cigarettes, is now exploring its potential as a way to improve mental performance and brain function.
Asprey told The Post that “Nicotine was one of the misunderstood substances in the biohacking community.”
He said that the problem is when people hear about nicotine they automatically think of smoking.
Tobacco smoke is a mixture of more than 7,500 chemicals and cancer-causing agents. Asprey stated that vaping was probably even worse. “Pharmaceutical-grade nicotine is completely different.”
When nicotine is separated from the combustion of tobacco, it can be a nootropic that binds to brain receptors involved in attention, memory and neuroprotection.
Asprey stated, “I have been using noncombustible nicotine for many years and am not ashamed about it.” “I use 2-5 milligrams and am strategic when it comes to using the product. Usually, I use it before deep work and before high-stakes conversations.
Asprey’s is not the only company that has embraced nicotine as an aid to performance. Silicon Valley tech companies are giving away free nicotine to their employees and stocking vending machines in offices with stimulants. Employees say that these products sharpen the focus of workers, and increase productivity.
Jillian Michaels, fitness guru and host of “The Biggest Loser”, has talked about how she uses nicotine gum to protect and manage her ADHD.
Joe Rogan and Tucker Carlson are also fans of ALP. Tucker Carlson is the co-founder, who described nicotine once as “a life-enhancing chemical, God-given”
Andrew Huberman is a professor of Stanford University School of Medicine and best known for “The Huberman Laboratory”, a podcast on wellness. He once stated that it “sharpens your mind.”
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the Health Secretary has been seen carrying nicotine pouches and appeared to put one beneath his lips during his Senate hearing.
Many people tout nicotine pouches as a tobacco-free alternative to cigarettes or vapes, which may be able to help adults quit smoking combustible smoke.
Some newer companies are going a little further and promoting nicotine as an alternative to smoking, as well as as a way of improving productivity, focus, and performance.
One brand’s website, Athletic Nicotine invites its customers to “join a movement of winning winners who balance mind and body, while crushing challenges of the day.”
Asprey’s investment in Lucy, the company that makes nicotine pouches, is promoting its products to people who use nicotine “to focus better, relax more easily, and be inspired by creativity.”
Social media posts by manufacturers such as Zone show a user working on a computer with “Lock In”, graphics, and the caption: “No need for you to leave.”
However, the science of nicotine’s effects on cognition is less well-established than marketing claims.
Researchers have shown that nicotine increases attention, working memory and synaptic signals and neurotransmitter efficacy, as well as motor control and response time when performing cognitive tasks.
Experts say that these short-term benefits don’t translate to long-term cognitive improvements.
Nicotine is known to make people feel more focused, alert and sharper in the short-term. “That effect is real,” said Dr. Fawad MIan, the founder of Ascend Regenerative and board-certified neurology, clinical neuroscience, sleep medicine, and neurophysiology.
The same pathways which create the focus effect can also lead to dependence. The brain may adapt over time and require nicotine to feel normal.
Some supporters claim that the stimulant can offer more than just focus. It could also protect against cognitive decline due to age.
Asprey stated that “there is compelling evidence showing regular users of the product have a lower rate of Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s.”
One study found that nicotine can slow down age-related decline in cognitive function and increase natural brain chemicals. It also improved performance among those who had lower baseline scores, which Asprey says suggests that it could restore cognitive efficiency instead of artificially stimulating high performers.
It is unclear whether nicotine protects against neurodegenerative diseases.
Mian stated, “I take these studies very seriously.” Smokers are less likely to develop Parkinson’s. When patches were applied to patients, the results weren’t as expected.
He explained that “in patients with Parkinson’s early stage, there were no obvious benefits other than temporary cognitive improvements.” It didn’t affect how the patients functioned on a daily basis.
Some experts believe that the research to date is interesting, but it’s not sufficient for widespread use of nicotine as a prevention tool.
“The associations are there, and the mechanisms are plausible as judged by animal studies, but the clinical trials that exist assess effects on individuals already diagnosed with the disorders and don’t consistently demonstrate efficacy regardless,” said Dr. Nehal Vadhan, director of Northwell Health’s Feinstein Family Human Neuropsychopharmacology Lab.
Even if we have the best intentions and disorders that are severely debilitating, it is not wise to use a substance which could lead to dependence as a strategy of prevention for healthy individuals.
Mian was in agreement. He said, “At the moment, there is no strong evidence in humans that this supplement slows down brain aging or protects memory over time.
There is a protective effect in the short term on mitochondrial health. However, more research needs to be done to determine how it affects long-term effects.
Experts are most concerned about what happens to nicotine users who use it over time, not if they can get a quick boost.
Vadhan explained that the main danger doctors are aware of is nicotine dependence.
He said that while everyone agreed tobacco was a much worse product, no long-term study has been done to prove the safety of pouches. This is especially true when considering all the added ingredients.
Asprey acknowledges that all pouches may not be created equally, and it is “worth selecting carefully” when buying a tin.
He said: “A reputable brand should have pharmaceutical-grade nicotine, and you’ll want to research the material of the pouch.” Some pouches may contain microplastics. That’s not something you want in your mouth.
Mian concluded that there were other factors to consider before turning to nicotine as a way to boost performance, at least up until research caught up.
He said that if you are looking to improve your memory then concentrating on sleeping, eating, exercising, managing your blood pressure, blood sugars and learning new skills, as well as staying socially engaged, is a safer alternative. It will avoid any addictions or long-term consequences.

GLP-1 weight-loss drugs are more popular than ever, and many Americans turn to telehealth providers to obtain these blockbuster medications.
Is it safe?
A new investigation by NBC News, KFF Health News and the National Public Radio has revealed that patients who use this method are sickening because they don’t receive proper supervision.
Gallup reports that 11% of U.S. adult adults are now taking GLP-1s for weight loss, which is a record high.
Leslie Gammon, a former patient of the clinic, was among them – until she suffered a terrifying overdose from a GLP-1 compounded drug. She ended up in hospital. She said that she followed her telehealth provider’s instructions on how to dose the drug.
Gammon told NBC reporter Anne Thompson that she was unable to stop vomiting. It happened every 20 minutes.
It hurt. My ribs were so bruised that I could not talk for nearly a whole week.
According to America’s Poison Centers, the National Poison Data System, from 2019 to 2025 there has been a nearly 1,500% rise in calls about an overdose of GLP-1 injectable weight loss drugs or their side effects. During that time, there were nearly 23,000 cases. Data does not indicate whether the calls are related to an in-person prescription or telehealth.
Overdosing on any medication is possible, and patients must trust that there are safeguards in place. Dr. Fatima, an assistant professor of medicine at Duke University, as well as a medical specialist in weight loss at Duke Health, in Durham, North Carolina, explained.
Syed says that while GLP-1 can overdose after an in-person appointment, she has a safety framework in place when prescribing a medication, whether it’s at the doctor’s office or pharmacy. This may not exist if all communication and follow-up is handled via text message or email in a telehealth environment.
Obesity is a complicated problem. Does a simple click suffice to manage your diabetes, high blood pressure? “The answer is no,” Syed stated. Your body weight and size deserve to be treated with the same level of clinical supervision.
Injections Lead to Hospitalization
Gammon used two different companies for telehealth to obtain a GLP-1 drug to aid her in losing weight during the menopause. She preferred them to her doctor’s office due to the ease of accessing and convenient nature of making online appointments.
The companies both sent her a vial with syringe rather than an automatic injector pen to self-inject and measure the medication once a weekly.
Gammon described the first telehealth service she used as “phenomenal,” complete with Zoom and phone sessions with doctors. In four months, she lost 18 pounds.
Gammon then signed up for Amble in October 2025, after a friend recommended it. She said that this time the communications were all conducted via email.
Gammon sent Gammon an email to let her know that the drug was not working for her. She was then given a second dose of the compounded GLP-1 drug and instructed to inject five times as much. The syringe now contained 46 units instead of 8 units.
She recalls, “That kind of scared me.” “I called the doctor and said that this seemed to be more than I was supposed to take. The response that I received, I believe a few days later, was to just follow your doctor’s instructions.
Gammon, still apprehensive, injected 30 units. She began vomiting violently every hour for two hours. Vomiting lasted all day and night from Sunday to Tuesday. She was taken to the urgent care and then emergency room by her boyfriend.
She recalled, “I asked my doctor if he could put me in a state of coma to wait until the treatment was finished.”
Gammon spent 3 days in hospital. She didn’t believe it when the medical staff informed her boyfriend that she had overdosed on GLP-1.
Gammon took about a month to be able to eat solid foods. Since then, she hasn’t taken a GLP-1 medication. She lost weight by herself with diet and physical exercise.
She blames herself and the telehealth doctor for her ordeal.
I think that the doctor. “I think the doctor. Humans make mistakes. I’m human too. Gammon replied, “I should have done more to educate myself.”
I’m not stupid. “I’m not dumb. “I should have known.”
Gammon now has a hospital bill of $9,000 from this ordeal. Amble Telehealth, which is the company she contacted, has not responded.
Amble said to NBC it does not comment on individuals, or confirm if they are using the platform. However, patient safety and wellbeing is its top priority.
The company stated that “Our independent third-party providers group and their licensed practitioners follow evidence-based protocols from the initial consultation to ongoing monitoring and patient follow-up.”
Amble urges its patients to communicate with their providers throughout their treatment, through regular check-ins and 24/7 messages. Amble’s platform was designed to help providers deliver high-quality, responsible telehealth services in accordance with clinical standards.
Doctors urge caution
NBC News KFF Health News has identified similar cases.
Syed said that GLP-1 drug overdoses could occur even if patients are speaking to their doctor. He advised people who were considering a telehealth solution for GLP-1 medications to select a provider where they can easily reach a physician.
She said that the first thing to check is that there’s a real person talking to you, and not just a one-click procedure.
Who do you call if you have any questions? You can call on whomever you want. “There’s a clear communication and you are not alone in your journey, because there is clarity.”
Syed advised that people should understand the differences between weight-loss drugs like Wegovy and Zepbound which have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and GLP-1 compounded drugs which, while cheaper, are often sold by telehealth providers and are not regulated by the FDA.
Syed stated that “I now have a much better understanding of what is contained in (brand name) medication and what reactions may occur.”
On its website, America’s Poison Centers notes that patients who have taken compounded medications accidentally took 10 times as much due to the “confusing measurements units when using a needle.”
The organization’s website states that overdose symptoms can be similar to those of GLP-1 drugs such as nausea or vomiting but may last longer in some cases and lead to dehydration.
In an April 2026 press release, the Alliance for Compounded Pharmacies stated that, “the increase in demand for GLP-1 medication has resulted in… mass produced copies of drugs operating in gray regulatory areas.” They added that, this trend is outside “legitimate and regulated” practices such as tailoring medications to individual patient needs, or providing access during shortages.
The group called on “stronger supervision where there are risks, transparency of sourcing and formulations (and) accountability in unsafe practices,” but also urged “legitimate compounds” to be able to continue.
Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly both warn against medications that claim to be compounded versions brand name GLP-1 weight loss drugs.
The company states that Eli Lilly “has repeatedly expressed grave concern about the safety” of knock-offs made from mass-produced versions of its tirzepatide medicine.

Researchers reported that a blood test can predict whether or not older, seemingly healthy adults will develop Alzheimer’s in the coming five to 10 years.
This information can be comforting or frightening, but it is a tool that could help speed up drug development. It helps identify high-risk individuals and recruit them into clinical trials of potential Alzheimer’s treatment or prevention strategies.
Already, large-scale clinical trials have been conducted to test if some drugs can prevent or delay disease. If any of these prove successful, then doctors need a way to determine who should be given the drug.
Scientists behind this new study say that healthy individuals should not seek the so-called “p-tau217” test which helps diagnose cognitive disorders in people.
The senior author of this study, Dr. Reisa S. Sperling from the Mass General Brigham Neuroscience Institute said: “Wait until you have the opportunity to do something.” At this stage, it would not change the advice I give to someone. “I’d tell them to stay active, eat healthy, and sleep well.”
New findings show that older adults with no symptoms who have very high levels p-tau217 are at a greater risk for cognitive impairment in the next five years. This risk increased to 78% after 10 years.
This research has been published in JAMA, and was presented in London at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference.
The exact cause of Alzheimer’s is not known, but the disease’s telltale signs are amyloid plaques that clog up brain cells and tau tangles which kill neurons. Sperling explained that the p-tau217 tests measures tau, a type of protein which correlates to how much plaque someone has. It also gives an indication about tangles.
Mass General Brigham analyzed the data of 2,684 healthy older adults, who had enrolled in long-running Alzheimer’s research studies and received a p-tau217 test during enrollment. They also underwent yearly cognitive checks. Around 478 people had cognitive impairment between the first enrollment in 2004, and last year.
Participants with low levels of p-tau217 also had low risks for developing cognitive impairments over a five to ten-year period.
It’s difficult to predict Alzheimer’s because many people have high amyloid levels but never develop dementia. One theory holds that amyloid plaques trigger an abnormal tau type to form tangles. This leads to the symptoms.
Sperling believes that the data from blood tests provides some important new information. While different intermediate levels p-tau217 indicated progressive risk, the highest level seems to be correlated with other evidence regarding that tipping point.
She said: “This is an incremental process in which amyloids and taus build up in your brain, and the blood biomarker tells you where you stand in this process.”
The study was praised by scientists who were not part of the research, but cautioned that it should be viewed with some caution. The study only tracked a fraction of participants for the full 10 years, which means that the risk estimates are less reliable than those based on the 5-year data.
The predictions may also be affected by other factors. Older people could have other health problems, such as heart issues that cause vascular degeneration rather than Alzheimer’s. In a JAMA commentary, Suzanne Schindler of Washington University St. Louis in conjunction with David Wolk of University of Pennsylvania wrote that the predictions could be clouded by other factors. Older people may also have heart-related problems which can cause vascular dementia rather than Alzheimer’s.
Schindler and Wolk, both of whom study p-tau217’s potential for prognosis, wrote that the blood tests are “not yet precise enough” to provide an individualized diagnosis. They said that the work “provided an important piece to the puzzle.”
We have already had people come in saying that they want a blood test. Jessica Langbaum, of the Banner Alzheimer’s Institute, Phoenix said, “I have a history of Alzheimer’s.” She strongly discourages this for now.
Langbaum said that the findings were “quite strong” and that a blood test to predict symptoms would be “really valuable.” But only if future studies find a medication which could treat people even before they show signs.
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Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Howard Hughes Medical Institute Department of Science Education provide support to the Associated Press Health and Science Department. All content is the sole responsibility of The Associated Press.

You might age better if you don’t die.
One geriatrician revealed that the habit her patients share is not expensive supplements or a special diet.
Stephanie Rogers says that they are all a way to avoid a particular condition.
Rogers, a TikTok user and geriatrician in his 80s and early 90s, said that the healthiest individuals he has seen in these years have avoided comfort over and again. If you want to age gracefully, don’t get comfortable. Always try something new.
Her advice stems from a concept known as hormesis. It is the scientific idea that small doses of manageable stress can lead to beneficial adaptations in the body, whereas higher doses are harmful.
Rogers explains that you should challenge yourself enough for your body to adjust, but not too much to cause harm.
Controlled, mild stress can help build resilience in the brain and body, making them better prepared to face future challenges.
However, hormesis is not a quick fix to living longer. The majority of experimental evidence suggests that hormesis improves the health as we age, rather than extends lifespan.
According to researchers, the strongest evidence points towards regular exercise and a healthy lifestyle.
Hormesis can be caused by strength training because it causes tiny tears in the muscles that signals to the heart and cardiovascular system for them to repair themselves. It is also caused by eating plant compounds like sulforaphane and grape resveratrol, which are found in grapes, berries, and vegetables. They activate the body’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant defenses.
Rogers suggests that you constantly challenge your body to new levels for physical health.
She said, “If you’re looking to age gracefully, it is important to always try out new things, such as new exercises and new ways to move your body. You should also challenge your body.” This could be longtime weightlifters or runners adding mobility and balance exercises to their workout.
It may be worth it. In a study from 2026, people who did a variety of different physical activities were 19% less likely to die of any cause than individuals who didn’t change their workout.
It is the same for your brain.
Roger urges his audience to expand their social circle, learn a new hobby, or take up a skill. She said, “Be around new people to have conversations and learn new ideas.”
A new language can be extremely beneficial. The 2026 Federation of European Neuroscience Societies Forum presented research that found even those who start studying a new language late in life can slow down age-related decline.
Fox News reported that Dr. Tommy Wood is a neuroscientist and performance consultant who wrote “The Stimulated mind: Future-Proof your Brain from Dementia, and Stay Sharp At Any Age”.
Wood cited several controlled randomized trials that showed older adults’ attention, executive function and working memory improved after only a few weeks of language learning. Learning new things can help you stay connected to others and strengthen your brain’s capacity for adapting new information.
Wood said that mistakes are a major factor in neuroplasticity.
If you decide to learn a language, then get started, push yourself, and accept the failures. It will actually help you learn quicker.