Just as COVID is winding down, a burnout epidemic is rising—and it’s fueling a mass exodus of workers. A psychiatrist and a workplace trauma expert say the timing shouldn’t surprise us.
Nashville, TN (July 2021)—The worst of COVID seems to be over. So, just as a sense of normalcy is returning, why are America’s workers reporting record levels of burnout? And why is it driving what’s being called the “Great Resignation”?
Psychiatrist Mark Goulston, MD, says burnout (characterized by depletion, cynicism, and reduced productivity) is a normal response to the extreme stress and trauma caused by a global pandemic that has dragged out for over a year—and the delay is no surprise.
“Burnout happens progressively and cumulatively,” says Dr. Goulston, coauthor along with Diana Hendel, PharmD, of Why Cope When You Can Heal? How Healthcare Heroes of COVID-19 Can Recover from PTSD (Harper Horizon, December 2020, ISBN: 978-0-7852-4462-2, $17.99). “Spend a year working long hours under stressful circumstances, trying to also homeschool your kids, feeling isolated, grieving all these losses, and worrying about the safety of your loved ones and yourself, and eventually you will hit a breaking point.
“It takes time to reflect on and process what you’ve been through,” he adds. “It makes sense that many people are just now getting to that breaking point.”
Obviously, a cadre of burned-out employees is bad for engagement, innovation, productivity, and all the other factors that make a company hum. What’s more, the pandemic has given employees a lot of time to think and reassess. And many have concluded that life is too short to work for companies that don’t seem to care about them as human beings (hence, the mass exodus).
The onus for fixing the burnout problem is on both parties, say the authors.
“Leaders need to take burnout seriously,” says Dr. Hendel, an organizational trauma expert. “Get intentional about monitoring your employees’ mental health, which is intertwined with burnout, and intervening when needed. This matters in the best of times, but especially in the wake of a traumatic event like COVID.
“But also, employees need to take responsibility for managing their own stress and building up their own resilience,” she adds.
Five Tips for LEADERS…
Stand firm against stigma. Burnout absolutely impacts people’s mental health, say Drs. Goulston and Hendel. When it’s untreated, people can become depressed and anxious, and they may be at greater risk for substance abuse and possibly even suicide. That’s why a holistic approach to fighting burnout includes making sure employees feel safe enough to come to you when they’re struggling.
“We need to do all we can to bring mental health issues into the light—and to stand firm against the stigma that discourages people from talking about it,” says Dr. Hendel.
If you have an EAP, make sure people feel comfortable accessing it. An employee assistance program (EAP) helps employees with issues that affect their health and mental and emotional well-being. If your organization has an EAP, make sure that people know the services it offers, and that they can access them confidentially. Reinforce the message that there is no shame in using an EAP. And if you do not currently have an EAP, consider setting one up now.
Talk up the subject of mental health. Don’t assume people “just know” you care about this issue. They probably don’t. Say the words “I want you to be mentally and emotionally healthy. Please come to me if you need help. My door is always open.” And don’t just say it once. Say it, announce it, write it, and reinforce it, over and over.
Regularly meet with employees one-on-one so you’re more likely to be aware of their personal struggles. This is a good leadership practice anyway as it builds strong connections between leaders and employees. But especially in tumultuous times like now, it helps you know if they’re grieving a loss or their spouse has lost a job or their child is struggling in school. The better you know your employees, the more likely you’ll be to intervene when they need it.
Be aware of the signals you’re sending. (People need to feel psychologically safe to tell the truth.) It’s crucial for leaders to allow people to feel their emotions and to talk about it when they are having a tough time. Pay attention to the signals you’re sending. Never penalize people, overtly or subtly, for bringing their secret struggles into the light. Never imply that this is a sign of “weakness” or that they are finding a reason to shirk their duties. And, if you think you’d never do this, know that it’s possible to subconsciously push people away through stigmatizing them.
“We often stigmatize others because what they are going through hits too close to home about our own mental and emotional issues,” says Dr. Goulston. “It seems that most of the world copes with anxiety and depression—as opposed to healing from it—by trying to run away from it by keeping busy. Hearing about someone else’s issues can get in the way of our being able to run from ours.”
…and Five More for EMPLOYEES
Tell your employer how they can help. First, assume your employer wants to help; after all, it is to their benefit not to have a burned out employee. Maybe you need a more flexible work schedule or hybrid arrangement (partly remote, partly onsite) to help you balance work and home priorities. Maybe you need more training or different kinds of projects to get you out of your funk. Maybe you need your company to consider upgrading the mental health benefits it offers.
“Employers can’t always meet every request, but most will do their best,” says Dr. Hendel. “Don’t be afraid to ask. If you don’t, they probably won’t even realize you’re struggling.”
Prioritize sleep, diet, and exercise. They are your foundation. A healthy lifestyle may not get to the root of your burnout problem, but it can make you more resilient so you can better tackle those root causes.Go to bed early enough to get the rest you need. Cook a batch of healthy meals at once so you can have several lunches and dinners ready when you are. Make time to exercise; you will feel physically and emotionally better when you move your body several times a week.
Meditate daily. A simple meditation routine can help you maintain a more relaxed state overall and manage anxiety and stress. If you’re new to meditation, try not to overthink it. Simply find a quiet moment, close your eyes, and begin slowly breathing in and out. Focus on your breathing but allow your emotions and thoughts to rise and flow through you naturally. Don’t fret if you can meditate for only a few minutes at a time. Start small and add more time when you are ready.
“You can also use your meditation time to do a quick body scan,” says Dr. Goulston. “Start at the top of your head and intentionally scan your entire body, noticing any areas where you may be holding onto extra tension. Mindfully release any tension you become aware of.”
Let people know exactly what you need (and what you don’t) when you’re stressed out. The people in your life want to support you, but they may not know how to go about it—especially when your anxiety or stress levels are high. For example, tell family members, your partner, and coworkers that you prefer they give you a few minutes of privacy when you’re visibly struggling, and ask them not to bombard you with chitchat until you’ve had a chance to calm down. It is much easier when everyone is on the same page.
Consider checking in with a pro. It can be helpful to talk out what you’re experiencing with a trained professional at least once. Use the resources you have available to you to set up a confidential check-in either with your EAP, a social worker, a mental health professional, or a chaplain and discuss how you are doing. You might find that this is very beneficial to your well-being and decide to make it a routine practice.
Finally, notes Dr. Hendel, whether you’re a leader or an employee, give yourself a little grace. It’s been a doozy of a year, and we’re all still feeling our way through.
“COVID has been incredibly stressful, and life is forever changed—and it’s not the last traumatic event we’ll weather,” she notes. “We live in a time of chaos, and there will be disruptions from time to time. Employers and employees are just going to have to figure out how to get through them together.”
# # #
Diana Hendel, PharmD
Dr. Diana Hendel is the coauthor of Trauma to Triumph: A Roadmap for Leading Through Disruption and Thriving on the Other Side (HarperCollins Leadership, Spring 2021) and Why Cope When You Can Heal?: How Healthcare Heroes of COVID-19 Can Recover from PTSD (Harper Horizon, December 2020). She is an executive coach and leadership consultant, former hospital CEO, and the author of Responsible: A Memoir, a riveting and deeply personal account of leading during and through the aftermath of a deadly workplace trauma.
As the CEO of Long Beach Memorial Medical Center and Miller Children’s and Women’s Hospital, Hendel led one of the largest acute care, trauma, and teaching hospital complexes on the West Coast. She has served in leadership roles in numerous community organizations and professional associations, including chair of the California Children’s Hospital Association, executive committee member of the Hospital Association of Southern California, vice chair of the Southern California Leadership Council, chair of the Greater Long Beach Chamber of Commerce, board member of the California Society of Health-System Pharmacists, and leader-in-residence of the Ukleja Center for Ethical Leadership at California State University Long Beach.
She earned a BS in biological sciences from UC Irvine and a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from UC San Francisco. She has spoken about healthcare and leadership at regional and national conferences, and at TEDx SoCal on the topic of “Childhood Obesity: Small Steps, Big Change.”
Mark Goulston, MD, FAPA
Dr. Mark Goulston is the coauthor of Trauma to Triumph: A Roadmap for Leading Through Disruption and Thriving on the Other Side (HarperCollins Leadership, Spring 2021) and Why Cope When You Can Heal?: How Healthcare Heroes of COVID-19 Can Recover from PTSD (Harper Horizon, December 2020). He is a board-certified psychiatrist, fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, former assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at UCLA-NPI, and a former FBI and police hostage negotiation trainer. He is the creator of Theory Y Executive Coaching that he provides to CEOs, presidents, founders, and entrepreneurs, and is a TEDx and international keynote speaker.
He hosts the My Wakeup Call podcast, where he speaks with influencers about their purpose in life and the wakeup calls that led them there, and is the co-creator and moderator of the multi-honored documentary Stay Alive: An Intimate Conversation about Suicide Prevention.
He appears frequently as a human psychology and behavior expert across all media, including CNN, ABC/NBC/CBS/BBC News, Today, Oprah, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Fortune, Harvard Business Review, Business Insider, Fast Company, Huffington Post, and Westwood One, and was featured in the PBS special Just Listen.
He is the author or principal author of seven prior books, including PTSD for Dummies, Get Out of Your Own Way: Overcoming Self-Defeating Behavior, Just Listen: Discover the Secret to Getting Through to Absolutely Anyone, Real Influence: Persuade Without Pushing and Gain Without Giving In, and Talking to Crazy: How to Deal with the Irrational and Impossible People in Your Life.
About the Book:
Why Cope When You Can Heal?: How Healthcare Heroes of COVID-19 Can Recover from PTSD (Harper Horizon, December 2020, ISBN: 978-0-7852-4462-2, $17.99) is available in bookstores nationwide and from major online booksellers.
Helping young Canadians get their health back on track after more than a year of COVID-19 pandemic lockdown
Quash provides support to teens who want to quit vaping and smoking
TORONTO, July 8, 2021 /CNW/ - Canadian teens who turned to smoking and vaping at alarmingly high rates during the pandemic to cope with stress and deteriorating mental health have a new app to support quitting.
Helping teens get their mental health and well-being back on track after more than a year of COVID-19 pandemic lockdown.
Quash is a free, made-in-Canada app based on behaviour change science to help teens quit their way, free of the judgement that can often lead to setbacks.
A recent study shows that during the pandemic, about 70 per cent of youth ages six to 18 experienced depression, anxiety, irritability, a lower attention span, or obsessions and compulsions. During these difficult times, teens turned to alcohol, cannabis, smoking and vaping to cope.
"As the COVID-19 vaccine rollout continues and pandemic restrictions are lifted across the country, we're proud to help young Canadians get their health back on track to avoid the debilitating effects of lung disease and support a lifetime of lung health," says Peter Glazier, Executive Vice President of the Lung Health Foundation.
Created by the Lung Health Foundation, the leading national charity dedicated to improving the lung health of Canadians, with financial support from Health Canada, Quash includes tools and calculators to keep teens motivated to make long-lasting changes to live vape and smoke-free.
With Quash, teens can design a quit plan that works for them. They can set personalized goals for quitting and create new healthy habits. They can log their cravings, manage their triggers, track their progress and celebrate their wins by earning cool badges to keep them motivated. The app even features a cost calculator so teens can see how much money they're saving by not buying cigarettes or vape products.
"In as little as nine months after quitting, lungs show big improvements and are better able to fight infections like COVID-19," says Glazier. "Teens find that their mood begins to improve and they're able to get back into sports once they quit. Which makes all the difference when it comes to their positive mental health and well-being."
Quash is available in English and French on Google Play, the App Store and www.quashapp.com.
About the Lung Health Foundation The Lung Health Foundation is the leading national charity dedicated to improving the lung health of Canadians. As part of our five goals for five years, we're dedicated to ensuring future generations don't suffer the debilitating effects of lung disease through smoking and vaping prevention and cessation. Visit lunghealth.ca
The WiseGuide App: Gain Confidence, Find Happiness and Achieve Success
Fort Myers, FL, July 8, 2021 — Effective Learning Systems, the company that pioneered the practice of Productive Meditation more than 45 years ago, recently announced the launch of their first mobile app, WiseGuide, putting the company’s entire library of powerful, time-tested self-improvement techniques at everyone’s fingertips.
WiseGuide goes beyond the benefits of traditional mindfulness and meditation teachings to deliver a vast library of targeted, impactful programs that can help users achieve specific, life-changing personal and professional goals, including boosting athletic performance, building healthier relationships, cultivating better concentration and managing addictions.
“Most people experience positive results immediately and remarkable life-transformation with regular, consistent use,” said Effective Learning Systems founder Bob Griswold.
Features of the WiseGuide App include:
- Over 120 prescriptive titles that address specific goals, including smoking cessation, weight control, stress management, better sleep and much more
- A children’s collection for self-image and self-esteem
- Effective studying and test taking for children from grade school through college
- Programs to listen to while driving, exercising, working or even sleeping
- Works on any iOS or Android mobile device
It is never too late to break bad habits, overcome fears, manage stress or improve virtually any other aspect of life, and it’s never been easier. The WiseGuide App can help people use the power of their own minds to take control and make lasting improvements. And all they have to do is listen.
The WiseGuide App was developed by Effective Learning Systems, whose founder Bob Griswold has been helping people harness the power of their own minds to make transformative changes for more than 45 years. His unique approach to meditation, guided imagery, positive affirmations, relaxation, self-hypnosis and more make his programs uniquely effective.
Polysleep Expands its Sleeping Goods Launching Ultimate Antimicrobial and Cooling Products with Innovative Technology
Leading Canadian mattress company Polysleep debuts its latest innovation, expanding its sleeping goods with three new additions to its locally manufactured collection.
MONTREAL, July 7, 2021 /CNW/ - Poly Sleep Inc. (Polysleep), ranked one of Canada's Fastest-Growing Retail Companies, launches three new technologically advanced products that help ease various health conditions affecting sleep while minimizing nighttime overheating.
Recent studies prove that hot temperatures have significant effects on sleep quality, increasing the average heart rate and respiratory rate, affecting sleep efficiency. Furthermore, Polysleep knows its clients and recognizes that temperature is only the tip of the iceberg. Physical and health variables such as night sweats, sleep position, respiratory distress, heartburn, or inadequate support also have a major impact on the quality of a good night's sleep.
"Introducing the newest members of the Polysleep family delivers on our mission to support our customers' desire for a balanced life, starting with a healthy and comfortable sleep," said Jeremiah Curvers, CEO & co-founder of Polysleep. "Our new products were created by leveraging the most innovative technology available on the market to help a growing segment of consumers with particular needs to improve their sleep."
The new additions to the Polysleep family include the modular and cooling Wedge Pillow, the PolyCool™ Topper and the breathable hypoallergenic and waterproof Mattress Protector. The Polysleep Wedge Pillow and the PolyCool™ Topper are designed with KulKote® Temperature Regulating Technology, an innovative feature built into the top layer that absorbs and dissipates heat for true temperature regulation and a more comfortable feeling. Combined with our antimicrobial and open-cell hybrid foam, our new products offer better support and comfort than traditional memory foam providing the same protection and comfort as our existing Polysleep mattresses.
The modular Polysleep Wedge Pillow is the first product of its type in Canada with a medical-grade antimicrobial foam and KulKote® Temperature Regulating Technology. It can be used in various orientations for unique purposes – including comfort and various health conditions. 1 in 6 adult Canadians is impacted by gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD); sleeping with the head elevated decreases heartburn, the most common symptom of acid reflux. A recent study from Harvard Medical School also found that mild head-of-bed elevation significantly improves obstructive sleep apnea severity. As well as the American Pregnancy Organization who recommends using a wedge pillow for the "SOS" (sleep on side) position and relaxing back stress during the later stages of pregnancy.
The PolyCool™ Topper is a cooling mattress topper developed for those who experience hot flashes and night sweats, which balances the body temperature variations during sleep thanks to the KulKote® Temperature Regulating Technology. According to the Canadian Women's Health Network, the three main symptoms of menopause are hot flashes, insomnia, and night sweats. In Canada, 80 percent of womenhave some symptoms around menopause, increasing fatigue and disrupted sleep. This adjustable cooling mattress pad can be flipped upside down or stay right-side-up to decrease or increase cooling. Since we all react differently to temperature, the PolyCool™ Topper comes in two separate sheets so both you and your partner can enjoy different cooling levels if need be.
The new addition also includes the breathable, waterproof and hypoallergenic Mattress Protector. Designed and made 100% in Montreal, the Polysleep Mattress Protector reduces allergies thanks to its Hypoallergenic SilverClear® coating, providing a protective barrier against odors and allergens. With the same principle as the Baby Mattress, the Polysleep Mattress Protector is ultra-comfortable thanks to its very soft fabric; it will protect your mattress from spills, while the fabric fibers allow it to stay ventilated by wicking away moisture.
Unlike other brands on the market focused only on the surface affecting sleep quality, Polysleep is the only Canadian brand that genuinely cares about different needs—providing their customers with the best sleep performance through smart and innovative solutions such as their unique Polysleep support frame, antimicrobial foam, or the Zephyr Nanobionic technology, allowing to have a more efficient restorative sleep.
About Polysleep. Founded in 2016 Polysleep is a leading Canadian mattress company driven by the desire to offer the best possible sleeping solutions for a balanced life. Available online and 100% locally made, Polysleep offers high-quality products considering peoples' expectations and sleeping demands as a priority while contributing to the local economy's influence and reducing environmental impact.
A business with the purpose to change the world for the better through sleep, for every 10 mattresses sold, Polysleep donates 1 mattress to a person in need collaborating with hundreds of charities across Canada, supporting local initiatives on behalf of the community and the environment. Visit Polysleep at www.polysleep.ca
SOURCE Polysleep
A world first - Thanks to genomics and artificial intelligence, it is now possible to predict the risk of people with type 2 diabetes of developing heart and kidney complications.
MONTREAL, July 7, 2021 /CNW Telbec/ - A study1 published today in the prestigious science journal Diabetologia (the Journal of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes [EASD]) states that it is now possible to "predict to prevent" several major type 2 diabetes related complications.
Diabetes increases the risk of serious cardiovascular and renal complications that have huge consequences on patients' quality of life and significantly increase healthcare costs. Thanks to genomic data and artificial intelligence, we can now predict the risk of developing complications before the first symptoms appear. Early risk prediction could lead to timely and more efficient intervention in patients at high risk.
A research team led by Dr Pavel Hamet and Dr Johanne Tremblay of the Centre de recherche du centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), in collaboration with the company OPTITHERA, selected nearly 600 genetic variants associated with cardiovascular and renal diseases in more than one million people. They developed a new genetic health risk test by analyzing the clinical and genetic data of participants from 17 countries of the ADVANCE trial, one of the largest clinical studies in the world, involving patients with diabetes.
"Over the five-year period of the clinical trial, 20% of people in the genetic high-risk group died from cardiovascular problems compared to only 5% in the low-risk group. Our genetic health risk test also allowed us to identify the people most at risk of developing diabetic nephropathy" said Dr Pavel Hamet.
Moreover, this study showed that the ADVANCE intensive treatment, which consisted of strict blood pressure and glycemic control, had a beneficial effect on high-risk patients in particular. The number needed to treat (NNT) was only 12 (p = 0.006) for high-risk patients compared to 64 (not significant) for low-risk patients. "Our genetic health risk test combined with the ADVANCE intensive treatment allowed a 47% reduction in the mortality rate from cardiovascular disease in the high-risk group. The new test developed by OPTITHERA was validated in four additional independent cohorts including the largest data bank in the United Kingdom (UK Biobank), two population studies, one in the Czech Republic and one in Canada and, in the Clinpradia Quebec cohort." added Dr Johanne Tremblay.
The study published today in Diabetologia demonstrates that this new polygenic risk prediction model allows for stratification of type 2 diabetes patients according to their risk of complications and timely identification of those who will most greatly benefit from intensive glycemic and blood pressure control.
"Moreover, a recent study2 published in March 2021 in the Canadian Journal of Diabetes concluded that our genetic health risk test for the prediction of renal complications in diabetes patients had two positive socio-economic impacts: it reduced healthcare costs and improved patients' quality of life (QUALY)," added Dr Martin Godbout.
"This significant study led by Dr Johanne Tremblay and Dr Pavel Hamet demonstrates the importance and impact of research lead by CHUM researchers and their collaborators," said Dr Vincent Poitout, Director of the CRCHUM.
"Through the combined strength of genomics and artificial intelligence, doctors will have access to a new tool to prevent complications in patients with type 2 diabetes. This new tool gives us a glimpse into what technological innovation can do for patient care," highlighted Dr Fabrice Brunet, President and CEO of the CHUM.
"This scientific breakthrough in precision medicine made by two of our professors at the Faculty of Medicine at the Université de Montréalwill undoubtedly help to improve the quality of life of patients with diabetes" concluded Patrick Cossette, Dean of Medicine at the Université de Montréal.
The OPTITHERA test will be available in Canada soon. After several years of intensive research into diabetes, OPTITHERA will soon be able to offer Canadians a unique and effective test for predicting the risk of complications linked to this medical condition.
ABOUT DR PAVEL HAMET, CM, OQ, OM, MD, PhD, FRCP(C), FAHA, FRSM, FCAHS, Founding President of OPTITHERA
Dr Hamet is a researcher at the CRCHUM, professor of medicine at the University of Montreal, adjunct professor at the department of experimental medicine at McGill University, and visiting professor at the first faculty of medicine at Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic. He founded and directed the CRCHUM between 1996 and 2006. He founded the CHUM genetic medicine service and directed it for more than 15 years. Dr Hamet has authored more than 600 scientific papers on diabetes and hypertension. He is internationally recognized as a leader in personalized medicine for cardiometabolic diseases and was the holder of a Canada Research Chair in predictive genomics between 2006 and 2020.
ABOUT DR JOHANNE TREMBLAY, PhD, FAHA, FCAHS, Co-founder of OPTITHERA, Vice-President and Chief Scientific Officer
Researcher at CRCHUM, professor of medicine at the University of Montreal, and fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences and the American Heart Association, Dr Johanne Tremblay has authored more than 300 scientific papers on diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and personalized medicine. Dr Tremblay chaired the program committees of the first and second Congress on Personalized Health Care in Montreal with the participation of scientists from more than 25 countries.
ABOUT DR MARTIN GODBOUT, OC, PhD Chief Executive Officer of OPTITHERA
Dr Godbout was the President and CEO of Genome Canada between 2000 and 2010. For more than 30 years, he has actively participated in the launch of several biotech companies in Canada.
ABOUT THE CHUM RESEARCH CENTRE (CRCHUM)
The Centre de recherche du Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM) is one of the main hospital research centres in North America. Its mission is to improve adult health through a continuum of research covering disciplines such as basic sciences, clinical research, and public health.
More than 1850 people work at the CRCHUM, including more than 550 researchers and more than 460 post-graduate students. chumontreal.qc.ca/crchum
ABOUT OPTITHERA
OPTITHERA was founded in 2014 by the Société de valorisation du CHUM and Dr Pavel Hamet. OPTITHERA is a precision medicine company focusing on the development and clinical applications of innovative technologies for the benefits of patients with diabetes. By combining genomic data with artificial intelligence, OPTITHERA has developed a new and simple genetic health risk test that is a decision-aid tool for healthcare providers treating patients with type 2 diabetes.
Company provides outlook on near-term business goals
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TORONTO, July 7, 2021 /CNW/ - Cubed Biotech Inc. ("Cubed" or the "Company"), a future psychedelic biotech manufacturing company, is pleased to announce the successful oversubscription of its fundraising rounds and Cubed's planned research & development strategic pathway to becoming a natural entheogen psychedelic medicine manufacturer with its own unique intellectual property ("IP") portfolio.
Cubed intends to develop & produce psychedelic medicine to disrupt the current treatments of mental illness & addiction. The Company plans to develop a pipeline to manufacture innovative treatments based on the following natural entheogens: Mushrooms, Cacti, and Ayahuasca. Cubed's executive team brings extensive regulatory operations & financing experience to Cubed's mission to develop avant-garde psychedelic medicine inspired by historical ethnobotany.
Cubed's Operational Plan
"We are hyper-focused on becoming a leading psychedelic medicine manufacturer and a trusted partner for pharmaceutical companies worldwide", states Founder & CEO, Adam Coape-Arnold.
To fulfill this vision, Cubed has 4 core objectives for the near-term:
cGMP Facility:
Build, license & operate a purpose-built cGMP facility with a Health Canada Dealers License that is compliant to cultivate, extract & synthesize psilocybin and other psychedelics.
Subsequently receive Drug Establishment License to manufacture pharmaceutical grade psychedelic medicines.
Drug Development: Work with a Contract Research Organization (CRO) in compliance with applicable laws to develop two stacked active pharmaceutical ingredient ("API") drugs:
Psilocybin / Mescaline Compound
Ayahuasca Compound (DMT with MAO inhibitors)
Stock Exchange Listing: Pursue a listing of Cubed's shares on a stock exchange through an initial public offering, direct listing or reverse takeover.
Research Collaborations: Enter into collaboration and/or research and development agreements with third-parties in order to research novel drug candidates and advance the Company's IP portfolio in accordance with applicable laws.
Cubed has raised over $3,000,000 in oversubscribed private placements since its launch in early February.
"Cubed has had tremendous capital markets success for an early staged company formed only 4 months ago. We've had the participation of numerous hedge funds, alternative medicine investor groups, family offices and a multitude of portfolio managers who are equally motivated to drive our business forward. We have a focused pathway to "Psychedelics 2.0": to cultivate, extract & synthesize psilocybin, which is the future of medicine manufacturing," states Anthony Rossi, Co-Founder and President of Cubed.
ABOUT CUBED BIOTECH INC. Cubed Biotech is a Canadian company working to become a Health Canada licensed Contract Development & Manufacturing Organization. Subject to required regulatory approvals and exemptions, the Company intends to cultivate, extract and synthesize natural entheogens (Psilocybin from Mushrooms, Mescaline from Cacti, along with DMT & MAO-inhibitors from Ayahuasca), manufacture pharmaceutical mental-health & addiction medicines and eventually develop its own proprietary novel stacked API compound through clinical trials in order to achieve to pharmaceutical-grade distribution and commercialization.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information
This news release contains statements which constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs and current expectations of the Company with respect to future business activities and operating performance. Forward-looking information is often identified by the words "may", "would", "could", "should", "will", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect" or similar expressions and includes information regarding the Company's planned research & development; the Company's development of its IP portfolio; the Company's future intentions and planned development pipeline; and the Company's core objectives for the near-term, including the pursuit of a listing of the Company's shares on a stock exchange.
Investors are cautioned that forward-looking information is not based on historical fact but instead reflects management's expectations, estimates or projections concerning future results or events based on the opinions, assumptions and estimates of management considered reasonable at the date the statements are made. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking information are reasonable, such information involves risks and uncertainties, and undue reliance should not be placed on such information, as unknown or unpredictable factors could have material adverse effects on future results, performance or achievements of the Company. Among the key factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information are the following: regulatory and licensing risks; limited operating history; changes in industry growth and trends; changes in general economic, business and political conditions, including changes in the financial markets; availability of additional capital; lack of product revenue; the global regulatory landscape and enforcement related to psychedelics, including political risks and risks relating to regulatory change; compliance with extensive government regulation, including the Company's interpretation of such regulation; difficulty associated with research and development; risks associated with clinical trials or studies; heightened regulatory scrutiny; early stage product development; clinical trial risks; regulatory approval processes; public opinion and perception of the industry; and the novelty of the psychedelic inspired medicines industry. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking information prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Although the Company has attempted to identify important risks, uncertainties and factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be others that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update this forward-looking information except as otherwise required by applicable law.
SOURCE Cubed Biotech Inc.
Study reveals children and youth had highest rates of SARS-CoV-2 infection in Canada before third wave
Visible minorities twice as likely to have caught the virus
MONTREAL, July 07, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Canada’s most representative study to date investigating how many Canadians have antibodies to SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing COVID-19, reveals a mere 2.6% of Canadians tested between November 2020 and April 2021 had developed antibodies resulting from a past infection. Another 1% of Canadians had antibodies due to vaccination, reflecting the fact that vaccination was not widely available during the survey period. This brings the total percentage of Canadians with some form of immunity before the third wave to 3.6%. These data come from Statistics Canada’s Canadian COVID-19 Antibody and Health Survey (CCAHS), done in partnership with Canada’s COVID-19 Immunity Task Force (CITF), the Public Health Agency of Canada, and Health Canada.
“More than 10,000 Canadians, 1 year of age and older from across Canada participated in this study by sending a dried blood spot (DBS) sample and answering a questionnaire, making it highly representative of the people in this country,” explains Ron Gravel, Director at Statistics Canada and lead on the project. “The study includes data from all 10 provinces and three territories, people from both rural and urban areas, and Canadians with varied health status.”
“One of the most interesting findings is the fact that seniors – those not in long-term care – were not the ones to have had the most SARS-CoV-2 infections in Canada,” says Dr. Catherine Hankins, CITF Co-Chair. “Younger age groups – and especially children and adolescents - had higher rates of antibodies in their blood suggesting a past SARS-CoV-2 infection.”
“The overall seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies was 3.4% among children and youth 1 to 19 years of age between November and April 2021,” explains Mr. Gravel. “As vaccines had not yet been distributed to this age group at the time of the survey, nearly all of these children and youth had antibodies due to a previous infection. In comparison, 2.9% of Canadians 20 to 59 years of age, and 1.4% of Canadians 60 years of age and older, were found to have antibodies due to a past infection.” Estimates for the Canadian population 60 years of age and older do not include those living in an institutional setting, such as a retirement home or in a long-term care setting.
Overall antibody seroprevalence (the percentage of people with antibodies in their blood), including Canadians with both infection-acquired and vaccine-induced antibodies, was highest in adults 20 to 59 years of age (4.5%). Among those 60 years of age and older, overall antibody seroprevalence was 2.1%.
Visible minority Canadians more affected by the virus
Canadians belonging to visible minorities had a higher proportion of antibodies acquired through past infection (4.3%) compared to other Canadians (2.1%). This contributed to a higher overall SARS-CoV-2 antibody seroprevalence among visible minorities (4.8%) compared to other Canadians (3.3%).
“This study shows that Canadians belonging to visible minorities have had more SARS-CoV-2 infections,” explains Dr. Hankins. “Public health authorities, community groups, and employers must continue to focus efforts on ensuring they can receive two doses of vaccine.”
Many Canadians didn’t know they were previously infected
“About one in three (30.3%) Canadians who had antibodies due to a SARS-CoV-2 infection had never taken a PCR test - a nasal or throat swab test for an active infection,” reveals Mr. Gravel. Among those, 3 out of 4, (76.6%) indicated that it was because they never had symptoms.
“Asymptomatic infections are very real,” comments Dr. Hankins. “Many Canadians who tested positive for antibodies from a previous infection did not know they had COVID-19 and could very easily have spread it to others, although the numbers don’t tell us how much transmission there was. This reinforces that physical distancing measures and mask- wearing have been the best ways to control the virus, especially before the widespread distribution of vaccines.”
Antibody seroprevalence varied across the country
Before the third wave, the percentage of Canadians with antibodies (the seroprevalence) due to a previous infection was highest in Alberta (4.0%), followed by Quebec (3.2%), Saskatchewan (2.9%), Ontario (2.5%), Manitoba (2.4%) and British Columbia (1.6%). The Atlantic Provinces had only 0.5% seroprevalence due to past infection, while the number of residents in the Territories to have antibodies due to a past infection was too low to produce a reliable statistical estimate.
In addition to Canadians with antibodies due to a prior infection, about 33% of adults (more than 20 years of age) who tested positive for antibodies had antibodies from vaccination.
Antibody seroprevalence from both vaccination and past infection was highest in Alberta (5.6%), followed by Quebec (4.4%), Saskatchewan (4.1%), Ontario (3.3%), Manitoba (3.1%), British Columbia (2.4%) and finally the Atlantic provinces (1.3%).
Within the Territories and Atlantic region, most people with antibodies had acquired them through vaccination. Due to the early start of the vaccination campaign in the Territories, about 1 in 5 (21.1%) Territorial residents had SARS-CoV-2 antibodies due to vaccination.
“At no time has the role of better data been more important in driving better outcomes than during a pandemic,” said Anil Arora, Canada’s Chief Statistician, who leads Statistics Canada. “I wish to thank Canadians who voluntarily participated in this survey. They are playing an essential role in advancing the development of new diagnostic tools, treatments and clinical practices that could ultimately benefit all Canadians in the fight against COVID-19.”
Made-in-Canada testing technology
“Another really interesting aspect of this study is the use of dried blood spot (DBS) kits, also known as finger prick tests,” explains Dr. Hankins. “These test kits were sent to tens of thousands of Canadians in rural and urban parts of the country so they could give a blood sample from home by pricking their finger in a specific way. The CITF helped get this DBS method approved for use in Canada, which was important because Statistics Canada and other studies would not have been able to test Canadians in such a representative manner if they had had to draw blood the traditional way with a needle.”
The blood samples from the DBS kits were analyzed at the Gingras Toronto laboratory and the Langlois Ottawa laboratory using cutting-edge assays (tests) developed in Canada.
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The table “SARS-CoV-2 antibody seroprevalence in Canadians, by age group and sex” is now available. This table provides national – as well as regional or provincial – estimates of the prevalence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 among Canadians, by age group and sex.
Upcoming Townhall for more information
The CITF is hosting a townhall, in collaboration with Statistics Canada, open to all Canadians. Presenters from the CITF and Statistics Canada will provide more detailed data and will include an explanation of the CITF’s updated models regarding the progression of population immunity throughout the pandemic. “These data will further inform the CITF’s modelling efforts which will be updated for the townhall on July 15th,” says Dr. David Buckeridge, Scientific Lead, Data Management and Analysis for the CITF.
The event will take place on July 15, from noon to 1 p.m. EDT. The event is free and will be held via Zoom webinar. To register, send an email to media@covid19immunitytaskforce.ca.
About Statistics Canada
Statistics Canada produces statistics that help Canadians better understand their country—its population, resources, economy, society and culture. In addition to conducting a Census every five years, there are about 350 active surveys on virtually all aspects of Canadian life. Statistics Canada has accelerated data collection in response to the urgent need for information to help the country respond to, and recover from, the social and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada.
Statistics Canada is highly committed to protecting the confidentiality of all information it collects and to ensuring that the information we deliver is timely, high quality and relevant to Canadians.
About the COVID-19 Immunity Task Force
The Government of Canada established the COVID-19 Immunity Task Force in late April 2020. The Task Force is overseen by a Leadership Group of volunteers that includes leading Canadian scientists and experts from universities and healthcare facilities across Canada who are focused on understanding the nature of immunity arising from the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19. To that end, the CITF is supporting numerous studies to determine the extent of SARS-CoV-2 infection in Canada (in the general population as well as in specific communities and priority populations), understand the nature of immunity following infection, develop improved antibody testing methods, and help monitor the effectiveness and safety of vaccines as they are rolled out across Canada. The Task Force and its Secretariat work closely with a range of partners, including governments, public health agencies, institutions, health organizations, research teams, other task forces, and engages communities and stakeholders. Most recently, the Task Force has been asked to support vaccine surveillance, effectiveness and safety as part of its overall objective to generate data and ideas that inform interventions aimed at slowing—and ultimately stopping—the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in Canada. For more information visit: http://www.covid19immunitytaskforce.ca
Top NYC Doctor on The Frontlines to Combat Health Care Disparities in People of Color
New York, NY, July 6, 2021 — Blindness caused by glaucoma is insidious. In most cases, there is no pain, and the loss of vision occurs slowly from peripheral to central. Many people do not even realize it’s happening until they have lost a substantial amount of peripheral vision. But Dr. Daniel Laroche, Director of Glaucoma Services and President of Advanced Eyecare of New York, wants you to know there is a way to prevent the devastating effects of glaucoma: Don’t skip your eyecare visits.
What is Glaucoma? Glaucoma is a disease of the eye characterized by three components:
1. Damage and loss of the retinal ganglions cells and optic nerve described as cupping
2. Loss of visual field
3. Increased eye pressure (the mean normal eye pressure is 15mmHG)
People at risk for glaucoma include the elderly, Blacks, people with elevated eye pressure, primary relatives with glaucoma, persons with high myopia, high hyperopia, history of eye trauma and diabetes.
The elevated intraocular pressure from glaucoma damages the optic nerve mechanically and creates decreased blood flow to the eye. The most identifiable cause of glaucoma is the enlarged lens or cataract in the eye. Early cataract surgery and trabecular bypass has become the best option to stop vision loss in patients with glaucoma. The current use of eyedrops and laser help to lower intraocular pressure but do not address the causative mechanism of the glaucoma being the enlarged lens. Incisional cataract surgery and glaucoma surgery is often needed to truly stabilize glaucoma.
All people should be screened regularly for glaucoma as part of a medical eye exam. Screening should consist of an eye examination consisting of gonioscopy (examination of the drainage angle), intraocular pressure measurement with Goldmann applanation tonometry and a dilated optic nerve examination. If there appears to be any damage to the optic nerve or abnormal pressure, then a visual field test should be performed, and optic nerve photos taken. Persons with thin corneas should be more aggressively monitored and treated for glaucoma as the disease tends to be worse in these patients.
If you have eye pressure or glaucoma and feel that you may be losing vision, Dr. Laroche recommends that you seek the care of a glaucoma specialist for a second opinion. DON’T GO BLIND FROM GLAUCOMA! People with conditions such as glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy that could lead to blindness if left unchecked need to stay particularly vigilant with their checkups. The pandemic shouldn’t keep you from visiting your doctor, and everyone should get vaccinated for the Covid 19 virus. He also encourages people to wear face masks on visits and maintain social distancing, even if they are in a health clinic, and if you’re high-risk, consider adding eye protection when in public spaces.
“Eyesight or human vision is one of the most important senses. As much as 80 percent of what we feel comes through our sense of sight. By protecting the eyes, people will reduce the chance of blindness and vision loss while also staying on top of any developing eye diseases, such as glaucoma and cataracts.
About Dr. Daniel Laroche
Dr. Laroche is an exceptional glaucoma specialist in New York. He studied and received his bachelor's degree from New York University and a medical doctorate with honors in research from Weil Cornell University Medical College. He underwent a medical internship at Montefiore Hospital and finished his ophthalmology residency at Howard University Hospital in Washington D.C., where he was the chief resident in his third year. He later completed his glaucoma fellowship at New York Eye and Ear.
Dr. Laroche is also the author of the new young adult book, How to Become a Successful Black Man, which educates and empowers young boys and men of African descent about their history, heritage and legacy. Dr. Laroche connects history to the present-day life experiences and challenges of the Black Man to instill self-confidence and personal growth to succeed. The book helps to address health and wealth disparities and can be ordered here: https://www.amazon.com/How-Be-Successful-BlackMan/dp/0578841770/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=daniel+laroche&qid=1623702468&sr=8-2.
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The WiseGuide App: Gain Confidence, Find Happiness and Achieve Success
Fort Myers, FL, July 6, 2021 — Effective Learning Systems, the company that pioneered the practice of Productive Meditation more than 45 years ago, recently announced the launch of their first mobile app, WiseGuide, putting the company’s entire library of powerful, time-tested self-improvement techniques at everyone’s fingertips.
WiseGuide goes beyond the benefits of traditional mindfulness and meditation teachings to deliver a vast library of targeted, impactful programs that can help users achieve specific, life-changing personal and professional goals, including boosting athletic performance, building healthier relationships, cultivating better concentration and managing addictions.
“Most people experience positive results immediately and remarkable life-transformation with regular, consistent use,” said Effective Learning Systems founder Bob Griswold.
Features of the WiseGuide App include:
- Over 120 prescriptive titles that address specific goals, including smoking cessation, weight control, stress management, better sleep and much more
- A children’s collection for self-image and self-esteem
- Effective studying and test taking for children from grade school through college
- Programs to listen to while driving, exercising, working or even sleeping
- Works on any iOS or Android mobile device
It is never too late to break bad habits, overcome fears, manage stress or improve virtually any other aspect of life, and it’s never been easier. The WiseGuide App can help people use the power of their own minds to take control and make lasting improvements. And all they have to do is listen.
The WiseGuide App was developed by Effective Learning Systems, whose founder Bob Griswold has been helping people harness the power of their own minds to make transformative changes for more than 45 years. His unique approach to meditation, guided imagery, positive affirmations, relaxation, self-hypnosis and more make his programs uniquely effective.
Top NYC Doctor on The Frontlines to Combat Health Care Disparities in People of Color
New York, NY, July 6, 2021 — Blindness caused by glaucoma is insidious. In most cases, there is no pain, and the loss of vision occurs slowly from peripheral to central. Many people do not even realize it’s happening until they have lost a substantial amount of peripheral vision. But Dr. Daniel Laroche, Director of Glaucoma Services and President of Advanced Eyecare of New York, wants you to know there is a way to prevent the devastating effects of glaucoma: Don’t skip your eyecare visits.
What is Glaucoma? Glaucoma is a disease of the eye characterized by three components:
1. Damage and loss of the retinal ganglions cells and optic nerve described as cupping
2. Loss of visual field
3. Increased eye pressure (the mean normal eye pressure is 15mmHG)
People at risk for glaucoma include the elderly, Blacks, people with elevated eye pressure, primary relatives with glaucoma, persons with high myopia, high hyperopia, history of eye trauma and diabetes.
The elevated intraocular pressure from glaucoma damages the optic nerve mechanically and creates decreased blood flow to the eye. The most identifiable cause of glaucoma is the enlarged lens or cataract in the eye. Early cataract surgery and trabecular bypass has become the best option to stop vision loss in patients with glaucoma. The current use of eyedrops and laser help to lower intraocular pressure but do not address the causative mechanism of the glaucoma being the enlarged lens. Incisional cataract surgery and glaucoma surgery is often needed to truly stabilize glaucoma.
All people should be screened regularly for glaucoma as part of a medical eye exam. Screening should consist of an eye examination consisting of gonioscopy (examination of the drainage angle), intraocular pressure measurement with Goldmann applanation tonometry and a dilated optic nerve examination. If there appears to be any damage to the optic nerve or abnormal pressure, then a visual field test should be performed, and optic nerve photos taken. Persons with thin corneas should be more aggressively monitored and treated for glaucoma as the disease tends to be worse in these patients.
If you have eye pressure or glaucoma and feel that you may be losing vision, Dr. Laroche recommends that you seek the care of a glaucoma specialist for a second opinion. DON’T GO BLIND FROM GLAUCOMA! People with conditions such as glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy that could lead to blindness if left unchecked need to stay particularly vigilant with their checkups. The pandemic shouldn’t keep you from visiting your doctor, and everyone should get vaccinated for the Covid 19 virus. He also encourages people to wear face masks on visits and maintain social distancing, even if they are in a health clinic, and if you’re high-risk, consider adding eye protection when in public spaces.
“Eyesight or human vision is one of the most important senses. As much as 80 percent of what we feel comes through our sense of sight. By protecting the eyes, people will reduce the chance of blindness and vision loss while also staying on top of any developing eye diseases, such as glaucoma and cataracts.
About Dr. Daniel Laroche
Dr. Laroche is an exceptional glaucoma specialist in New York. He studied and received his bachelor's degree from New York University and a medical doctorate with honors in research from Weil Cornell University Medical College. He underwent a medical internship at Montefiore Hospital and finished his ophthalmology residency at Howard University Hospital in Washington D.C., where he was the chief resident in his third year. He later completed his glaucoma fellowship at New York Eye and Ear.
Dr. Laroche is also the author of the new young adult book, How to Become a Successful Black Man, which educates and empowers young boys and men of African descent about their history, heritage and legacy. Dr. Laroche connects history to the present-day life experiences and challenges of the Black Man to instill self-confidence and personal growth to succeed. The book helps to address health and wealth disparities and can be ordered here: https://www.amazon.com/How-Be-Successful-BlackMan/dp/0578841770/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=daniel+laroche&qid=1623702468&sr=8-2.
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