Psychedelics, such as psilocybin, provide lasting improvements in mood and feelings of social connectedness, after the effect of the drug has worn off. Read More
Research examines the myths and science behind how the amino acid tryptophan, associated with turkey, affects mood. Read More
Evidence suggests new dog owners experience a reduction in negative mood and feelings of loneliness. Read More
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) affects over 10 million people in the US. Find out the symptoms and treatment options available. Read More
A new study identifies a novel neural network regulating feeding and mood in response to chronic stress. Inhibiting the POMC to ventral tegmental area circuit increases body weight and food intake while reducing depressive symptoms in mouse models. Read More
Finding humor in life can help to improve happiness and reduce stress. Read More
Those who microdose psychedelics report improved mood, greater focus, and increased creativity. A new study looks at the positive outcomes of microdosing and suggests others look at potential long-term negative consequences of using psychedelics. Read More
Middle-school aged children with vitamin D deficiency were twice as likely to develop externalizing behavior problems and mood disorders during adolescence than their peers with higher levels of the vitamin. Read More
Eating dark chocolate can help reduce anxiety and improve symptoms of clinical depression. People who ate dark chocolate in two 24-hour periods had 70% reduced odds of reporting depressive symptoms than those who did not eat chocolate. However, milk chocolate did not produce the same effect. Dark chocolate contains phenylethylamine, a neuromodulator implicated in mood regulation. Read More
Cortisol levels are higher in women who give birth during winter months. The findings shed light on why mental health disorders are more common in those born during colder seasons. Read More
Dissociative disorders affect 10-11% of people at some point in their life. Dissociation is often the result of a traumatic event and can lead to emotional numbness. The condition is often comorbid with other mental health disorders. However, dissociative disorders are often overlooked. A new paper explores the phenomena of dissociation and calls for more understanding of the condition. Read More
Microdosing, a growing trend where people take small doses for psychedelic drugs, is associated with improved mood, focus, and creativity. For some, microdosing may provide a possible alternative to SSRI antidepressants. However, researchers warn of some potential problems with microdosing, including negative side effects, psychological stigma, and exposure to elicit, black market products. Read More
