McGill Office for Science and Society (OSS)

McGill Office for Science and Society (OSS) Separating sense from nonsense. The OSS acknowledges the generous support of the Trottier Family Foundation.

McGill.ca/oss
Instagram.com/McGillOSS
Bsky.app/profile/mcgilloss.bsky.social
Linkedin.com/company/mcgill-office-for-science-and-society/ The McGill Office for Science and Society (OSS) is dedicated to disseminating up-to-date information in the areas of food, food issues, medications, cosmetics and general health topics. Our approach is multi-faceted, making use of radio, television, the press, the Internet, private consultations, public lectures, and the classroom.

“Your frontal lobe isn’t fully developed until 25”—we’ve all heard it. It’s become the go-to explanation for impulsive c...
09/02/2025

“Your frontal lobe isn’t fully developed until 25”—we’ve all heard it. It’s become the go-to explanation for impulsive choices, late-night texts, and general quarter-life chaos. But is your brain actually done developing at 25?
Not quite.

The truth is more complex. While the prefrontal cortex (the part responsible for decision-making and impulse control) keeps maturing into our 20s, there’s no magic switch that flips on your 25th birthday. Brain development is gradual, variable, and highly individualized—some people’s brains keep changing into their 30s, while others plateau earlier.

So why has the “25 rule” taken such a strong hold? For Gen Z navigating a turbulent world, it offers a convenient narrative: if your frontal lobe isn’t “done,” then maybe the messiness of young adulthood isn’t all your fault. But when this half-truth seeps into policy—like legal decisions or healthcare restrictions—it can have serious consequences.

Let’s stop treating neuroscience like a stopwatch. Maturity doesn’t arrive on schedule—it evolves. And that evolution? It’s not a flaw. It’s your brain’s greatest asset.

🧠 Read the full story to bust the myth and embrace the nuance.

https://mcgill.ca/x/iXG

You’ve probably heard it before—maybe on TikTok, in a health class, or from your therapist: “The frontal lobe isn’t fully developed until 25.” It’s become a sort of modern mantra, used to explain bad decisions, ghosting exes, and why your 24-year-old roommate still can’t do his taxes. ...

In a world dominated by virtual reality (VR) technologies, putting yourself in someone else’s shoes takes on a whole new...
09/01/2025

In a world dominated by virtual reality (VR) technologies, putting yourself in someone else’s shoes takes on a whole new meaning. Virtual reality is rapidly transforming patient care and medical education, opening the door for a promising frontier in empathy-driven care and immersive learning.

This article will unpack the history of VR and two of its uses in the medical world. The first: patient rehabilitation.

🧍‍♀️ VR creates immersive environments for users, simulating both everyday activities and physical therapy exercises. Research has found that VR-based rehabilitation programs are perceived by patients to be less painful and more engaging than conventional rehabilitation therapies.

❤️ The second use of VR is far newer in this field. A research team developed a VR application that simulates the experience of having Parkinson’s Disease. While limited, some literature looks at the role of VR applications in increasing feelings of empathy for aging individuals. The developed applications for this form of empathy education attempt to simulate hearing loss and macular degeneration (vision loss).

The Key Takeaway? 🔑
While the case for VR in patient experience and medical education on a skill level has proven to be very useful, its role in cultivating empathy still warrants more research. However, VR may be the key to bridging the patient-doctor relationship once and for all.

https://mcgill.ca/x/iXq

One day in 2014, I came home from school only to see my uncle fiddling with a small cardboard box on the couch. This wasn’t any old cardboard box, but one that looked like the world’s chunkiest pair of binoculars. He called me over and told me to hold the strange apparatus up to my eyes. Suddenl...

While babysitting a baby during a camping trip, I began to write this article all because of a mosquito patch she was we...
08/31/2025

While babysitting a baby during a camping trip, I began to write this article all because of a mosquito patch she was wearing.

In this article we cover:
⚠️ The deadliest animal in the world - Mosquitoes spread dangerous diseases, which is why repellents are so important. But not all products live up to their promises.

🩹 The truth about Nat Pat’s “all-natural” mosquito patches - Upon investigating these essential oil patches (like citronella or lemon eucalyptus) that claim to protect kids, science isn’t on their side. Their data is inconsistent (43 minutes of protection vs. 8 hours vs. 7 days 🤔) and their science is patchy.

✅ Don’t fear DEET - DEET isn’t the “toxic chemical” some people think it is. The EPA has found it safe when used properly, and it’s the most effective repellent we have. The real risk? Skipping it in favor of products that just don’t work.

https://mcgill.ca/x/i83

While camping this weekend, I got to mind a very cute 7-month-old baby. She was super social, giggly and sporting a patch that inspired this article. As she laid her head on my shoulder, I noticed a pink patch on the back of her shirt collar. I asked her grammie what it was, and she said that the ba...

RFK Jr. recently claimed he can spot “mitochondrial malfunction” in kids just by looking at them in airports (a diagnosi...
08/31/2025

RFK Jr. recently claimed he can spot “mitochondrial malfunction” in kids just by looking at them in airports (a diagnosis by vibes, basically) ✈️🔋

Jonathan Jarry’s article unpacks where this fad came from, and how mitochondria became the latest scapegoat in wellness culture

Read it here👇

There is a shell game at the heart of Robert F. Kennedy Jr’s Make America Healthy Again campaign, and it has to do with the mitochondrion. I doubt, though, that RFK Jr, who has been confirmed as Secretary of the Health and Human Services Department, even knows what a mitochondrion is. Wellness inf...

Vladimir Lenin lies in a mausoleum in Red Square in Moscow in a preserved state. But he has no brain. That’s because the...
08/31/2025

Vladimir Lenin lies in a mausoleum in Red Square in Moscow in a preserved state. But he has no brain. That’s because the Soviet government wanted to have the brain examined scientifically to see how it differed from that of mere mortals. After all, someone who thought up something as clever as communism must have had a very special brain! 🤔

Lenin’s brain was not the only one studied in search of physical signs of great intellect. Perhaps the most famous brain in the world belonged to Albert Einstein. 🧠 Al died in 1955 and was cremated. But his son thought that such a wonderful brain was too hot an item to burn and decided it should be saved for research.

What was so special about Einstein’s brain?

There was nothing really dramatic, except for the fact that some parts of the brain had a greater density of nerve cells. Einstein’s brain weighed less than that of the average adult male, so certainly, in this part of the body, it is not size that counts! 😉

Small or not, Einstein’s brain was spectacular. He always had a brilliant answer to a question. 💡 No one knows who came up with the quote, wrongly attributed to Einstein: “Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former.” But I think the man with the most famous brain would have agreed. 🤭

https://mcgill.ca/x/i8Z

Vladimir Lenin lies in a mausoleum in Red Square in Moscow in a preserved state. But he has no brain. That’s because the Soviet government had it removed after he died in 1924. They wanted to have the brain examined scientifically to see how it differed from that of mere mortals. After all, someon...

If you’ve been told to avoid nuts and seeds because of diverticulosis, you may not need to. 🌰🌻The old advice made sense:...
08/27/2025

If you’ve been told to avoid nuts and seeds because of diverticulosis, you may not need to. 🌰🌻

The old advice made sense: tiny food particles could get stuck in the small cervices of the bowel wall and get infected. But recent research suggests otherwise.

Diverticulosis is when small pouches form in the large intestine, often with age. While diverticulitis (when those pouches get infected or inflamed) can be painful, only about 4% of people with diverticulosis will ever develop it.

A 2008 study in men found no link between eating nuts, seeds, or popcorn and diverticulitis. More recently, a study of nearly 30,000 women confirmed the same: a healthy overall diet helps reduce risk, but avoiding nuts and seeds does not.

In this article, Dr. Christopher Labos looks at why this long-standing advice persists, and why the evidence suggests it’s time to rethink it.

Read more here 👇
https://mcgill.ca/x/i8i

This article was first published in The Montreal Gazette. If you have diverticulosis, you were probably told to avoid eating nuts and seeds. The worry was that tiny food particles could get stuck in the small cervices of the bowel wall and get infected. It was inherently logical and made a lot of se...

You’ve read food labels. You check your skincare ingredients. But have you ever looked into what’s in your tampons?Tampo...
08/26/2025

You’ve read food labels. You check your skincare ingredients. But have you ever looked into what’s in your tampons?

Tampons and other period products may contain pesticides, endocrine disruptors, and PFAS — “forever chemicals” that don’t break down easily in the body. Shocking, right? Even more shocking: manufacturers in the U.S. and EU aren’t required to disclose those ingredients. Despite limited research, some studies suggest these chemicals can be absorbed through the skin. But there’s still a lot we don’t know about long-term risks.

The one proven danger? Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS), a rare but serious bacterial infection linked to high-absorbency tampons. Thankfully, it's preventable: use the lowest absorbency necessary and change your tampon every 4–8 hours.

So what can we do?

✅ Ask questions — choose brands that are transparent
✅ Explore alternatives like medical-grade silicone menstrual cups
✅ Support better regulation and more independent research
Ignorance isn’t bliss — it's an oversight. Let’s push for safer, more transparent menstrual care.

Read the full story 👇
https://mcgill.ca/x/i8J

If you’ve ever paused to consider the ingredients in your lunch but never questioned what chemicals lay in your menstrual products— congratulations, you’re not alone. But here’s the inconvenient truth: the humble tampon may be carrying more than just your monthly misery. A recent article fro...

You can’t see it, smell it, or taste it—but it could be quietly increasing your risk of lung cancer. Radon is a naturall...
08/20/2025

You can’t see it, smell it, or taste it—but it could be quietly increasing your risk of lung cancer. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that seeps into homes through cracks in the foundation or around pipes. And it’s surprisingly common in Canada: 1 in 5 homes have radon levels above Health Canada’s safety guidelines.

Radon is the #1 cause of lung cancer in non-smokers. If you smoke, your risk is even higher with radon exposure—up to 1 in 3. The scariest part? Your home doesn’t have to be old or drafty. Even brand-new builds aren’t safe from radon.

But here’s the good news: testing is easy and affordable. For $30–60, you can pick up a DIY radon test kit online or at your local hardware store. Just place it in the lowest level of your home where you spend time and mail it in after three months.

If your levels are high, certified radon mitigation systems can dramatically reduce your exposure—protecting your lungs and your loved ones.

There’s no truly “safe” level of radon, but lowering it means lowering your cancer risk. Take control of your home’s air quality today. Test your home. Breathe easier 🏠💨

Read more about everything radon on our website 👇
https://mcgill.ca/x/ihA

There may be an uninvited guest in your home. It doesn’t eat your snacks, hog the remote, or leave the toilet seat up—but it might be slowly increasing your risk of lung cancer. Meet radon: a colourless, odourless, tasteless radioactive gas that may be living in your basement rent-free. So… wh...

In 2005, Colin Campbell, now Professor Emeritus at Cornell University, authored “The China Study.” A vegan diet, he clai...
08/18/2025

In 2005, Colin Campbell, now Professor Emeritus at Cornell University, authored “The China Study.” A vegan diet, he claimed, is the answer to beating the diseases of Western civilization.

In this article, Dr.Joe unpacks:
• Background on The China Study 📖 – Written by Colin Campbell in 2005, the book promotes a vegan diet to prevent major Western diseases, based on a large 1980s epidemiological study in China comparing regional diet and disease patterns.

• The main claim and criticisms 👎🏻 – Campbell concluded that higher animal protein intake correlated with more disease, advocating total elimination of animal products. Critics argue his conclusions are not fully supported by the data, overlook high stomach cancer rates in China, and reflect a preconceived bias.

• Supporting and conflicting research 🧐 – Advocates cite small studies by Caldwell Esselstyn and Dean Ornish suggesting plant-based diets can improve heart health, though these studies also involved other interventions like statins and lifestyle changes.

• Balanced takeaway 🥗 – Evidence suggests North Americans overconsume meat and dairy, and a mostly plant-based diet is beneficial, but total exclusion of animal products isn’t necessary; health benefits may come from adding more fruits and vegetables rather than eliminating meat entirely.

Professor Campbell has followed his regimen and is still active at 91 years of age. That’s something to chew on. 🤔

https://mcgill.ca/x/ihM

In 2005, Colin Campbell, now Professor Emeritus at Cornell University, authored “The China Study.” The book became a best seller with its claim that the road to good health meanders through fields of vegetables and fruits with no animal in sight. A vegan diet, he claimed, is the answer to beatin...

🧠TikTok’s newest wellness trend is the McMigraine order 🍟🥤—a Coke and McDonald’s fries that allegedly hold the miracle c...
08/17/2025

🧠TikTok’s newest wellness trend is the McMigraine order 🍟🥤—a Coke and McDonald’s fries that allegedly hold the miracle cure for migraines.

We looked into the claims 🔬 and (spoiler alert) — once again, an online trend is no replacement for real medical advice.

In this article, we will:
👤Explain migraines and their triggers📱Break down the McMigraine trend 💊 Discuss potential migraine pain management techniques

The Key Takeaway? 🔑
Managing migraines isn’t chasing miracle remedies. It’s about building a strategy, one that is sustainable, evidence-based, and reflects your unique needs. And no matter how tempting it might be in the moment, a McDonald’s combo isn’t a substitute for that.

https://mcgill.ca/x/ihW

For those who consider themselves to be a part of the “Migraine girlies” community, you may be familiar with the recent McMigraine trend on TikTok’s page. This wellness hack is one that promotes ordering McDonald’s fries and a Coke as a newfound, DIY migraine treatment. In fact, on...

Everywhere you look, headlines warn of a “reading crisis.” Are we really abandoning books, and if so, why does it matter...
08/16/2025

Everywhere you look, headlines warn of a “reading crisis.” Are we really abandoning books, and if so, why does it matter? 📚

Survey data (though imperfect) shows that book reading is indeed on the decline.

Some blame phones, streaming, or education reforms that favor short texts over full books. Others say it’s just another “kids these days” panic. But the data suggests something real is happening, and it’s not just about nostalgia for a “golden age” that may never have existed.

The real concern isn’t simply reading less, but losing deep reading—spending sustained time in a single text, analyzing, inferring, and reflecting. Without it, we may become more vulnerable to misinformation, shallow reasoning, and manipulation.

In this article, Jonathan Jarry explores:
• How book reading habits have changed across generations
• Why survey numbers may be inflated but still show a clear decline
• How “deep reading” differs from scanning short online posts
• Why this shift could affect our critical thinking and even democracy

Read the full article here 👇
https://mcgill.ca/x/ihP

Everywhere I turn, I am told there is a reading crisis. Multiple YouTube videos and a never-ending series of articles in Vox and The Atlantic claim that people are reading fewer books than ever before—and this decline is said to be worrisome. I’ve even seen the argument that we might revert back...

The first time I heard of betel nuts was in 1991 at a performance of Miss Saigon at the Broadway Theatre in New York. 🎭 ...
08/16/2025

The first time I heard of betel nuts was in 1991 at a performance of Miss Saigon at the Broadway Theatre in New York. 🎭 In the second act, a sleazy night-club hustler known as the “engineer” belts out “My American Dream,” a song with the following lyric: “My mother sold her body, high on betel nuts.”

In this article, Dr. Joe covers:
• What betel nuts are and why people chew them – Seeds from the Areca catechu palm, often mixed with lime and wrapped in betel leaves, are chewed for a warm sensation, increased alertness, and a sense of well-being, especially in South and Southeast Asia.

• Health risks – Linked to higher rates of heart disease, diabetes, asthma, and especially oral cancer; chewing also causes excessive salivation, and teeth/mouth staining.

• Physiological effects – The alkaloid arecoline mimics acetylcholine, while other compounds raise adrenaline levels, increasing heart rate and temperature.

• Environmental and social issues – Profitable betel farming has replaced traditional crops, causing hillside erosion; some governments (like Taiwan’s) are pushing anti-betel campaigns, including restrictions on how betel sellers dress.

I think I will stick to chewing on almonds, cashews and Brazil nuts. 🌰 🥜

Read the full story ⬇️
https://mcgill.ca/x/inT

The first time I heard of betel nuts was in 1991 at a performance of Miss Saigon at the Broadway Theatre in New York. This was Claude-Michel Schonberg and Alain Boublil’s second hit musical after 1985’s phenomenally successful Les Misérables. It is a loose adaptation of Puccini’s Madam Butter...

Address

801 Sherbrooke Street West, Rm. 110
Montreal, QC
H3A0B8

Telephone

(514) 398-6238

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when McGill Office for Science and Society (OSS) posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

What We Do

Simply put, we separate sense from nonsense on the scientific stage.

The McGill Office for Science and Society (OSS) is dedicated to disseminating up-to-date information in the areas of food, food issues, medications, cosmetics and general health topics. Our approach is multi-faceted, making use of radio, television, the press, the Internet, private consultations, public lectures, and the classroom.

Got a burning question about a scientific phenomenon, new supplement, diet or technology? Ask us!

The OSS acknowledges the generous support of the Trottier Family Foundation.