Painkillers

In a breakthrough finding, researchers have discovered that immune cells near the spinal cord are triggered by estrogen and progesterone to produce a natural painkiller called enkephalin. The finding could change the way we treat chronic pain.

Long-term use of over-the-counter pain medication may reduce the risk of developing dementia. It's not the first time these drugs have been linked to preserving cognitive function, hinting at the importance of reducing inflammation for brain health.

A decade-spanning study has revealed a troubling side effect when pregnant women take a common painkiller during their pregnancies. The effect of the over-the-counter drug was significantly stronger in female offspring than males.