Home
AI
World
Politics
Health
Crime & justice
Science & technology
Social issues
Sports
Money
Entertainment
Environment/energy
Military
Culture
Weather
Media






Home
Bias Split
Public FiguresControversies

Sign Up for Our Free Newsletters
Sign Up for Our Free Newsletters

Sign Up!
Sign Up Now!

How our sliders workAboutContact UsNewsletter Archive
MediaFAQGlossaryPrivacy Policy
  1. Home

Study: Antidepressants May Be Linked to Antibiotic Resistance

  • #Pharmaceuticals
  • #Medicine & healthcare
  • #World
  • #Agriculture
  • #Health
  • #Research
story
JAN 2023
Image copyright: Science Photo Library [via nature]
story last updated JAN 2023

The Spin

Narrative A

It is early days in studies concerning antidepressants and antibiotic resistance, and this evidence is not yet conclusive. However, we know for sure that the overuse of antibiotics itself causes problems for public health. Intensive farming methods mean most livestock and poultry are pumped with antibiotics which then enter humans through consumption. This, coupled with the contamination of our water supply, has left our species vulnerable to some of the world's most dangerous diseases.

The Daily Californian

Narrative B

The idea that antidepressants are linked to resistance to antibiotics has been known by the scientific community for years — this new research is only strengthening preexisting theories. As millions of people are set to die from this phenomenon in the coming decades, it's time to prioritize the issue, and look for ways to avoid what were once easily preventable deaths.

Newsweek

Narrative C

The drastic increase in antidepressant use over the last 30 years should, itself, be questioned. New research from University College London has shown that serotonin levels in those with depression are the same as those without, if not greater, suggesting that Big Pharma pushed the "chemical imbalance" theory of depression solely to make profits. If overuse of antidepressants could be contributing to antibiotic resistance, as well as causing unnecessary human suffering, the culture around their consumption may be in need of radical reform.

UCL News

Metaculus Prediction


Articles on this story

Plant toxin discovery could boost fight against antibiotics resistance
IndependentJUL 2023
Substance in SUGAR that wipes out superbugs dubbed 'most promising antibiotic candidate in decades'
Daily MailJUL 2023