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psychopharmacology

·December 12, 2024·8 min read

Gut Serotonin Plays Role in Depression and Mood

Serotonin in the gut epithelium plays a critical role in modulating mood and may provide a safer target for treating depression and anxiety. In animal studies, increasing gut serotonin improved mood symptoms without causing digestive issues, unlike systemic antidepressant treatments.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·December 6, 2024·5 min read

Antipsychotics Worsen Behavior in Dementia

A study of 500,000 Canadian nursing home residents found antipsychotic medications significantly worsened behaviors in patients, with nearly 68% experiencing increased issues. Antipsychotics are often prescribed "off-label" for dementia-related symptoms, despite serious side effects like tremors and cognitive decline. Researchers advocate for person-centered care, emphasizing non-drug therapies like music, art, and exercise to address behavioral issues.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·November 25, 2024·3 min read

Can Cannabis Help ADHD?

Researchers are investigating how cannabis affects ADHD symptoms, focusing on its interactions with the body's endocannabinoid system. Evidence suggests cannabis influences attention, hyperactivity, and anxiety, but the findings are limited due to legal restrictions and the complexity of ADHD presentations.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·November 14, 2024·6 min read

Brain Circuits Behind Psychedelics’ Anti-Anxiety Power Decoded

New research has identified distinct neural circuits for the anti-anxiety and hallucinogenic effects of psychedelics. Using the psychedelic DOI in mice, researchers demonstrated that anxiety reduction persists long after hallucinatory effects subside.

This shows the molecular structure for ketamine.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·November 14, 2024·7 min read

“Lifesaving” Low-Dose Ketamine Unlocks Rapid Relief for Depression

Researchers have identified how low-dose ketamine alleviates depression by selectively targeting specific NMDA receptors in the brain. Unlike high-dose anesthetic effects, low-dose ketamine binds to lateral grooves on NMDA receptors, enhancing excitatory transmission and long-term synaptic changes.

This shows an outline of a person sitting in a chair surrounded by swirly lines.

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.

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.

This shows a woman and psychedelic swirls.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·October 3, 2024·4 min read

Psychedelics Reduce Anxiety Without Hallucinations

New research has pinpointed the specific brain region and neuron type responsible for reducing anxiety using the psychedelic drug DOI, without triggering hallucinations. The study revealed that DOI targets serotonin2A receptors on parvalbumin-positive neurons in the ventral hippocampus, decreasing anxiety behaviors in animal models.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·September 24, 2024·3 min read

Psychedelic Drug Reduces Anxiety by Targeting Fast-spiking Interneurons

The psychedelic DOI, a compound similar to LSD, reduced anxiety in mice by activating specific brain cells called fast-spiking interneurons. These neurons silence nearby cells in the ventral hippocampus, a region linked to emotion and memory. By uncovering this mechanism, the study opens the door to designing new treatments that target anxiety without triggering hallucinations, a hallmark of many psychedelics.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·September 24, 2024·4 min read

Anti-inflammatory Drug Boosts Motivation in Depression

A new study reveals that infliximab, an anti-inflammatory drug, can improve motivation in patients with depression and high inflammation. Researchers found that patients receiving infliximab showed greater effort in reward-based tasks, correlating with changes in brain activity in key motivation regions.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·September 24, 2024·2 min read

Psilocybin Shows Promise in Treating Body Dysmorphic Disorder

A new study reveals that psilocybin, the active compound in magic mushrooms, may help treat body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) by altering brain connectivity. In a pilot trial, patients with BDD showed significant improvements in symptoms after a single dose of psilocybin, with brain scans indicating increased neural flexibility. Though preliminary, the study suggests that psilocybin could offer new hope for BDD sufferers. Larger studies are needed to confirm its efficacy.

This shows a head and psychedelic swirls.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·September 22, 2024·7 min read

Psilocybin Shows Greater Long-Term Benefits Over SSRI for Depression

A study comparing psilocybin to the SSRI escitalopram found both drugs improved depressive symptoms similarly over six months, but psilocybin offered additional psychosocial benefits. Patients taking psilocybin reported a greater sense of meaning, psychological connectedness, and improved social functioning. These results suggest psilocybin could provide a more holistic treatment option for depression, addressing both symptoms and overall well-being. While promising, psilocybin remains experimental and is only administered in controlled environments.

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psychopharmacology

Gut Serotonin Plays Role in Depression and Mood

Antipsychotics Worsen Behavior in Dementia

Can Cannabis Help ADHD?

Brain Circuits Behind Psychedelics’ Anti-Anxiety Power Decoded

“Lifesaving” Low-Dose Ketamine Unlocks Rapid Relief for Depression

Schizophrenia Risks Tied to Psychedelic Use

Psychedelic Therapy Could Benefit 5.6 Million People with Depression

Psychedelics Reduce Anxiety Without Hallucinations

Psychedelic Drug Reduces Anxiety by Targeting Fast-spiking Interneurons

Anti-inflammatory Drug Boosts Motivation in Depression

Psilocybin Shows Promise in Treating Body Dysmorphic Disorder

Psilocybin Shows Greater Long-Term Benefits Over SSRI for Depression

How the Brain Maps Every Number

Non-Drug Breakthrough for Postpartum Depression

Cancer Drug Halts Fragile Brain Bleeds

Astrocyte Subtypes Drive Synapse Formation and Memory

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