A longtime party drug is finding a new role treating depression and PTSD for hundreds of Charlotteans.

Why it matters: Ketamine infusion clinics are growing in the city and across the country as research points to the drug's mental health benefits.

Context: Ketamine has been used as an anesthetic in surgery and emergency medicine since the 1970s. It later became known as a club drug because of its hallucinogenic effects.

• More recently, doctors have begun prescribing ketamine off-label, often in the form of IV infusions, to treat severe mental health conditions.

Zoom in: After years of living with clinical depression, Lake Norman resident Adrienne Craighead had tried everything from traditional antidepressants to meditation in search of relief.

• Then she tried a ketamine infusion at Derive Health in Dilworth, one of several clinics in the Charlotte area offering the drug as mental health therapy.
• She says she noticed a shift almost immediately.

How it works: Ketamine acts on the brain's glutamate system to promote neuroplasticity, explains Jonathan Leake, an emergency medicine physician and co-owner of Derive Health.

• Combined with the psychedelic state patients experience during treatment, Leake says that process can help people approach difficult thoughts and emotions from a different perspective.

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Davidson College has a new tuition structure that will mean free tuition for U.S. citizens or permanent residents whose families earn $175,000 or less.

Why it matters: High costs are a major barrier for people looking to earn a college degree, as Axios has previously reported.

How it works: Starting with new students who enroll in fall 2027:

• Those with a total family income of $85,000 or less will receive a full scholarship, meaning tuition, fees, housing and meals are covered.
• For families earning $85,000 to $175,000, tuition is covered, plus possible additional aid based on calculated need.
• For those earning above $175,000, financial aid that covers full calculated need without loans.

Context: Since 2007, Davidson has not included loans in financial aid packaging. Instead, students have received grants and on-campus jobs.

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Iron Oak Cigar Lounge is now open in Concord with cigars, bourbon and golf.

Why it matters: Owner Bjorn Mohaugen says it can take years for a cigar to go from seed to smoke, which is why he wants Iron Oak to be a place where smokers can slow down, learn the story behind each blend and discover smaller brands they might otherwise overlook.

What to expect: The 3,200-square-foot lounge seats about 90 people indoors, with additional patio seating outside. Expect jazz and instrumental music, plus an indoor golf simulator.

• The lounge also has a full bar with a bourbon- and whiskey-focused selection, about 11 signature cocktails, wine, beer and nonalcoholic drinks. Eventually they'll have recurring bourbon and wine tasting events.
• The humidor features more than 400 cigars, from quick 20-minute smokes to blends that can last more than three hours.

Zoom in: The lounge plans to host "Cigar 101" sessions with cigar company representatives for beginners and more in-depth tastings for experienced smokers, giving customers a chance to try cigars they may not find elsewhere.

Stop by: Find Iron Oak right off I‑85, at 1048 Copperfield Blvd NE #101. It's open Sunday–Thursday 11am-10pm and Friday–Saturday 11am–11pm.

See inside the new lounge

🏫 Johnson C. Smith University remains on probation while its accreditor examines the institution's progress in resolving financial responsibility concerns. (The Charlotte Post)

🥵 Villani's Bakery on Pecan Avenue will be closed today due to high heat. "Unfortunately, our air conditioner just cannot keep up with the heat from the kitchen right now, and it is not creating safe or comfortable working conditions for our staff," the bakery's team posted on Instagram.

🍩 Your Mom's Donuts plans to expand to Lake Norman. (Observer)

Americans are spending less time hanging out than they were 20 years ago — and the trend cuts across every generation, new American Time Use Survey data shows.

Why it matters: It's a fundamental shift in the way we live our lives that has implications for everything from what we believe to how long we live.

By the numbers: Average time spent socializing per day has fallen from 45 to 35 minutes over the last 20 years.

Between the lines: Sociologists and psychologists point to several trends driving this phenomenon, which Substack writer Derek Thompson dubbed "The Anti-Social Century" in the Atlantic last year.

• We're all on our smartphones, often interacting through screens instead of face to face.Teens, in particular, spend an average of 4.8 hours a day on apps like TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat, according to Gallup.
• The shift to remote work — and life — during the pandemic has persisted, keeping more of us homebound.
• Longer-term trends are reshaping daily life in ways that make isolation easier. Homes are bigger and more comfortable, with larger TVs. Virtually every restaurant is on a food delivery app, making it easier than ever to stay in.

💬 Readers: what's your favorite third place (somewhere that isn't home or work) in Charlotte? Tell us at [email protected].

Looking to socialize more? Start with our guide to 30+ ways to make new connections in Charlotte.