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"Believe you can, and you're halfway there." -Theodore Roosevelt

The Daily Tonic is a two to five minute read sharing science backed health news and tips, all while getting you to crack a smile or even lol on occasion.

Monday. New week, new month, and just like that, we are already in May. Ah, the sweet smell of spring: the flowers bloom, the birds sing, and allergy sufferers finally get a break. Plus, it's still not hot enough to fry an egg on the sidewalk, which is always a plus. Speaking of things that sizzle, the NBA playoffs are in full swing, and while the Dallas Mavericks aren’t participating this year, their owner, Mark Cuban, is still making headlines. Let’s dive in. I promise it has nothing to do with sports.

Mark Cuban Is Doing It

Mark Cuban, the billionaire entrepreneur, Shark Tank TV personality, and owner of the Dallas Mavericks, is making headlines again, and this time, it has nothing to do with antics on the sidelines of a basketball court. His company, Cost Plus Drug, is now selling three brand-name diabetes drugs from Janssen Pharmaceuticals, a unit of Johnson & Johnson, at a fraction of the original cost.

That’s right — brand-name pharmaceutical drugs for cheap. An unheard-of oxymoron in the world we live in today. 

In an April 3 tweet, Cuban announced that Cost Plus would now offer Invokana, Invokamet, and Invokamet XR at a discounted price. The move is significant because it represents a departure from the company's original focus on generic drugs and could pave the way for other drug companies to follow suit.

These new drugs are sold at a steep discount through Cost Plus, where customers can purchase them for a fraction of the usual cost. For example, a month's supply of Invokana typically costs about $640 when purchased from a pharmacy. However, Cost Plus is selling the same amount for just $243.09. I’m no math expert, but that sounds like a pretty hefty discount.

Some might call it life-changing, actually. Imagine a patient with diabetes now being able to save almost $400 a month on their medication. Now imagine those $400 in savings going towards a gym membership and healthier food options. Or imagine those $400 in savings going towards other essential expenses and alleviating some stress. Imagine the impact that would have on the patient. 

So why hasn't Cuban offered branded drugs before? Breaking into the branded drug market is much more expensive than providing generic drugs. With generics, competition among drugmakers tends to keep prices reasonable. When it comes to name-brand drugs, there is no competition. Patents mean that only one drug manufacturer can make a name-brand drug, allowing drugmakers to basically charge whatever they want.

Adding another level of yuck to how the system works, drugmakers are then incentivized to give rebates to pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) for the drugs because PBMs can place them on formularies, which means insurers will cover the drugs, and they'll be prescribed more often. But there's no incentive for drugmakers to give similar rebates to pharmacies because they'd get less money and nothing in return.

This is why Cost Plus's move into the branded drugs market is significant. By offering these drugs at a steep discount, they're disrupting the pharmaceutical industry in a big way. They're also providing a much-needed service to patients who can't afford the high cost of branded drugs. 

But why would J&J want to give Cost Plus a discount? It's simple, really. New drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy are getting all sorts of buzz, and the space is getting more competitive. Plus, Invokana's patent expires in 2024, so it will face generic competition soon anyway. All of these things could cause a steep decline in sales for Invokana. Giving patients a significant discount today could help make up for some of those sales losses tomorrow. 

The key takeaway? Cost Plus's move into the branded drug market is a big deal, and it could significantly impact the pharmaceutical industry as a whole. It's also a stark reminder of how broken our healthcare system is in the United States. The fact that drugs like Invokana can cost hundreds of dollars a month is outrageous, and it's something that needs to change. 

Hopefully, Cuban’s Cost Plus will inspire other companies to follow suit and start offering branded drugs at a more affordable price. Until then, we'll keep our fingers crossed and hope for the best.

Together with Beverly Hills MD

Say bye to aging skin. 

Doctor: “Doing This Every Morning Can Snap Back Aging Skin (No Creams Needed)”

The Top 3 ’Super Ager” Habits And The 1 Thing You Can Do At Home To Snap Back Aging Skin

Forest Bathing, Baby! 

What the heck is "forest bathing," you ask? Well, it's not taking a bubble bath in the woods. Forest bathing is the practice of spending time in nature while mindfully using all five senses to connect with nature. It is a Japanese tradition known as Shinrin-yoku, which has been gaining popularity worldwide for its healing properties.

But don't just take our word for it—research has shown that forest bathing can significantly reduce stress, cortisol levels, and depression symptoms. A 2017 Harvard study even suggests it can prevent disease and promote better overall health. 

Yea, but it’s not like everyone has access to a forest in their backyard. No worries — experts say similar effects can be achieved by spending time in more accessible green spaces or engaging in mindful meditation. 

So if you're looking for other types of ecotherapy, consider community gardening or farming, park prescriptions, animal-assisted therapy, or outdoor meditation and yoga. 

Take a deep breath of fresh air—your mind and body will thank you.

Tonic Shots

• Allergy season is almost behind us, but you can always start preparing for next year. What are the 47 worst plants for pollen allergies? Learn more.

• Do you have three minutes to spare today and want to go through a guided meditation to improve your mental health and how you feel about your body? Give it a try!