RadioMD News... I'm John Byrd

Marijuana use in the U.S. has doubled in the past decade, rising almost 10% to more than 22 million users, finds a new government survey. The trend reflects a cultural shift and increasingly permissive views about the drug, researchers say. Increasing numbers of U.S. adults think marijuana should be legalized.

Eating a Mediterranean diet may help you preserve a more youthful brain in old age, suggests yet another new study. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and fish has been connected to a reduced risk of developing Alzheimer's disease and other degenerative brain conditions.

And... not getting enough sleep could be shorting your life. People who get less than 6 hours of sleep per night are more likely to increase their odds of getting diabetes, heart disease and strokes, says new research. And the increase isn't small either. Risk of life threatening conditions and chronic diseases rose 30-60% for those who don't get enough shut-eye. Now you know why they call it "beauty sleep." It really does work.

For RadioMD News, this is John Byrd. Hear health talk interviews with top experts at RadioMD dot com.