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mental health

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·November 13, 2024·4 min read

Metabolic Pathways Link Cannabis to Psychosis in Teens

A study investigated how cannabis use influences metabolomic patterns linked to psychotic-like experiences in adolescents. Blood samples revealed that non-cannabis users showed inflammatory metabolic changes associated with hallucinations, while cannabis users exhibited shifts in energy-related metabolites tied to brain ketogenesis. These findings suggest that cannabis use may trigger distinct molecular pathways in psychotic-like experiences.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·November 13, 2024·4 min read

Stress in Social Groups: How One’s Stress Affects the Whole

New research on zebra finches reveals that stress spreads within social groups, even affecting individuals not directly exposed to stressors. Birds in groups with more stressed members showed reduced movement and changes in social behavior, such as fewer social bonds.

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Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·November 13, 2024·6 min read

Schizophrenia Risks Tied to Psychedelic Use

A new study links hallucinogen-related emergency department visits to a 21-fold increased risk of schizophrenia compared to the general population. Even after accounting for other mental health disorders and substance use, individuals faced a 3.5-fold higher risk.

This shows a teen sitting alone on a phone.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·November 13, 2024·6 min read

Isolation Spurs Teen Threat Sensitivity, Even With Online Interaction

A new study finds that brief isolation increases threat sensitivity in teens, even if they remain connected online. Adolescents isolated in a room for several hours showed heightened physiological stress and anxious responses to potential threats, regardless of whether they had access to smartphones.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·November 13, 2024·4 min read

Psychedelic Therapy Could Benefit 5.6 Million People with Depression

Psilocybin-assisted therapy could potentially benefit up to 5.6 million Americans with major depressive disorder or treatment-resistant depression, offering a powerful alternative to traditional treatments. Researchers applied medical criteria to a national pool of patients and found that over half might be eligible for psilocybin therapy, pending FDA approval. If approved, this therapy could significantly impact public health policies, insurance frameworks, and economic costs by reducing reliance on long-term antidepressant prescriptions.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·November 12, 2024·6 min read

Glial Cells May Influence Depression and Schizophrenia

New research highlights neuroglia (or glia cells) as critical players in mental health, potentially influencing conditions like depression and schizophrenia. Glia cells, long considered "support cells" in the brain, have now been shown to communicate through unique calcium signaling, impacting neuronal function and stress responses. Studies suggest that compromised astrocyte function, a glial cell type, may relate to depressive symptoms and schizophrenia.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·November 12, 2024·5 min read

Chronic Inflammation Linked to Depression

Emerging research suggests that chronic inflammation, rather than neurotransmitter deficiencies alone, may be a major factor behind depression, reshaping traditional views of the condition. This insight links inflammation, both in the body and brain, to depressive symptoms, explaining why some patients don't respond to conventional antidepressants. Studies reveal that stress can trigger immune responses that activate and later damage microglial cells in the brain, worsening depressive symptoms over time.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·November 12, 2024·6 min read

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Shows Promise for Treating PTSD

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has shown effectiveness in alleviating symptoms for individuals with PTSD unresponsive to traditional treatments. In a study of combat veterans, HBOT led to significant reductions in flashbacks, irritability, and hypervigilance, and was associated with improved brain connectivity on fMRI scans. The specialized protocol, developed over years, involves 60 sessions of breathing pure oxygen under high pressure.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·November 12, 2024·4 min read

App Shows Promise in Reducing Depression by Curbing Rumination

A new digital health intervention, developed over a decade of research, uses a gamified app to help reduce depressive symptoms by disrupting ruminative thought patterns. The app, which features five mini-games, encourages users to progress through thoughts more flexibly, aiming to break negative cycles. In an 8-week trial, participants who used the app reported faster symptom improvement compared to those who didn’t. These benefits persisted up to four weeks after the study, suggesting long-lasting effects.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·November 12, 2024·5 min read

After the Pandemic, Alcohol Use Remains Elevated

U.S. alcohol use increased during the COVID-19 pandemic and has stayed elevated post-pandemic, posing serious health risks. Heavy drinking rose by 20% during the pandemic, and the increase continued in 2022. This trend spanned across most demographics, with the highest rise among adults aged 40-49.

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Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·November 11, 2024·7 min read

Emotional Sensitivity Linked to Anxiety and Depression Risks

A recent study reveals that seniors who are more susceptible to “emotional contagion”—feeling emotions from others—are significantly more likely to experience anxiety or depression. Researchers found that emotional sensitivity, when unmanaged, could increase the risk of psychological distress in seniors by up to tenfold. Emotional contagion, often triggered unconsciously, helps foster empathy but may strain mental health in communal living settings.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·November 11, 2024·4 min read

Astrocytes Play Role in Deciding the Fate of Memories

Researchers have uncovered a surprising role for astrocytes—cells surrounding neurons—in deciding which memories are kept or forgotten. By manipulating astrocytes in mice using optogenetics, scientists found that acidifying these cells after a traumatic experience leads to forgetting the memory over time, while alkalinizing them preserves it long-term. This suggests astrocytes significantly influence emotional memory retention and could inform treatments for conditions like PTSD.

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mental health

Metabolic Pathways Link Cannabis to Psychosis in Teens

Schizophrenia Risks Tied to Psychedelic Use

Isolation Spurs Teen Threat Sensitivity, Even With Online Interaction

Psychedelic Therapy Could Benefit 5.6 Million People with Depression

Glial Cells May Influence Depression and Schizophrenia

Chronic Inflammation Linked to Depression

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Shows Promise for Treating PTSD

App Shows Promise in Reducing Depression by Curbing Rumination

After the Pandemic, Alcohol Use Remains Elevated

Emotional Sensitivity Linked to Anxiety and Depression Risks

Astrocytes Play Role in Deciding the Fate of Memories

Moms’ Baby Talk Boosts Infant Oxytocin

Dopamine and Serotonin Work in Opposition for Effective Learning

Can Cannabis Help ADHD?

Brain Mapping Unveils Secrets to Designing Livable, People-Centric Cities

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