Magic mushrooms offered at Harley St clinic
And other stories from the stranger side of life
A Harley Street clinic is to offer “welcoming setting” for adults to listen to music while taking drugs such as magic mushrooms, LSD, ketamine and MDMA, according to The Times. The centre will provide Europe’s first commercial setting for clinical trials of psychedelic drugs when it opens this summer. A study by Imperial College London found that psilocybin, the active ingredient in magic mushrooms, is more effective than antidepressants when offered with therapy.
Dead man wins Texan election
Residents of a city in Texas have voted to keep their mayor in power despite him having recently died. Ramiro Rodriguez Jr. beat Israel Silva in Palmhurst on Saturday after he received 329 votes to his rival’s 234. Rodriguez Jr. had held the position from 1999 until his death on April 5, but his name remained on the ballot. A fresh election will now need to be held to elect a new mayor.
‘Senior fitizens’ on the rise in UK
The UK is experiencing the rise of the “senior fitizen”, said The Telegraph. A new Global State of Mind report by fitness brand Asics found that the biggest growth area for exercise is among people between the ages of 57 and 70. Meanwhile, Sport England’s recent Active Lives Survey found that fitness activity among those aged 55 to 74 and 75 plus is now returning to near pre-pandemic numbers. PureGym has also reported a 14% increase in the number of over-60s in its membership base compared with before the pandemic.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Sudan's forgotten pyramids
Under the Radar Brutal civil war and widespread looting threatens African nation's ancient heritage
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
'Being more nuanced will not be easy for public health agencies'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Where did Democratic voters go?
Voter turnout dropped sharply for Democrats in 2024
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Has the Taliban banned women from speaking?
Today's Big Question 'Rambling' message about 'bizarre' restriction joins series of recent decrees that amount to silencing of Afghanistan's women
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Cuba's energy crisis
The Explainer Already beset by a host of issues, the island nation is struggling with nationwide blackouts
By Rebekah Evans, The Week UK Published
-
Putin's fixation with shamans
Under the Radar Secretive Russian leader, said to be fascinated with occult and pagan rituals, allegedly asked for blessing over nuclear weapons
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Chimpanzees are dying of human diseases
Under the radar Great apes are vulnerable to human pathogens thanks to genetic similarity, increased contact and no immunity
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies hang over Sydney's Mardi Gras
The Explainer Police officer, the former partner of TV presenter victim, charged with two counts of murder after turning himself in
By Austin Chen, The Week UK Published
-
Quiz of The Week: 24 February - 1 March
Puzzles and Quizzes Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will mounting discontent affect Iran election?
Today's Big Question Low turnout is expected in poll seen as crucial test for Tehran's leadership
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Sweden clears final NATO hurdle with Hungary vote
Speed Read Hungary's parliament overwhelmingly approved Sweden's accession to NATO
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published