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psychosis

·October 29, 2019·3 min read

Distinct brain region alterations in youth with psychosis spectrum disorders

Teens with psychosis spectrum disorders have significantly reduced surface areas in the orbitofrontal cortex, cingulate, precentral, and postcentral brain regions. MRI scans also revealed decreased thalamic volume.

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·September 30, 2019·3 min read

Cannabis study reveals how CBD offsets the psychiatric side-effects of THC

CBD blocks the ability of THC to overstimulate the ERK pathway in the hippocampus, preventing negative side effects associated with cannabis use.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·September 27, 2019·4 min read

Abused or neglected children are four times more likely to develop serious mental illness

Adults who were maltreated as children have an increased risk of being diagnosed with schizophrenia, psychosis, bipolar disorder, and anxiety than their peers who were not abused.

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·August 28, 2019·2 min read

Teens are using a highly potent form of marijuana

Many teens are turning away from using traditional marijuana and are using marijuana concentrates. Marijuana concentrates increate the risk for addiction, psychosis, and cognitive impairment.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·August 27, 2019·4 min read

Neurological brain markers might detect risk for psychotic disorders

Researchers have identified a new biomarker for psychosis in the striatal dopamine neurons. Those at risk for psychosis showed increased activation in the striatum for positive feedback and decreased activation when faced with negative feedback.

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·August 25, 2019·4 min read

Some women with psychotic disorders are more vulnerable around the time of menstruation

A new study confirms the link between menstruation and worsening of psychosis symptoms in women with mental health disorders. Researchers found psychiatric admissions for women were one-and-a-half times higher during the time of menstruation.

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·August 18, 2019·3 min read

Immune system and mental health are connected

Researchers explore the link between the immune system and mental health disorders. Cytokines appear to play a critical role in the development and progression of mental illness. They question if administering prednisolone, a steroid that curbs inflammation, can have a beneficial effect on treating and preventing mental health problems.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·August 7, 2019·2 min read

Study examines cannabis’ effects on brain neurochemistry

Study evaluates the effects of regular cannabis use on cortical dopamine function in youth at high risk of psychosis.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·August 6, 2019·6 min read

Guns and mental illness – The facts and consequences of using a blanket term so vaguely

Despite widespread propaganda, people with mental illnesses only commit 3-4% of all violent acts within the U.S in any given year. Mental health conditions are more strongly associated with suicide, not homicide. Restricting access to guns for those with mental health issues does not take into account those who already own guns and develop mental health conditions over their lifetime. Researchers say, given the climate of blame, people with severe mental health disorders may be dissuaded from seeking treatment.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·July 27, 2019·6 min read

Unmasking Dissociative Disorders: Growing Mental Health Problem Often Overlooked

Dissociative disorders, contrary to popular belief, might affect up to 10-11% of the global population, rivaling the prevalence of mood disorders. These conditions manifest when individuals feel a profound detachment from themselves, their memories, and their emotions, often as a coping mechanism to compartmentalize traumatic events.

This shows the location of the nucleus accumbens in the brain

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·July 8, 2019·3 min read

Why marijuana affects different people differently

By looking at THC’s effect on a rat brain, the researchers showed that THC, the main psychoactive compound in marijuana, can produce highly rewarding effects in the front-most part of a region of the brain called the nucleus accumbens. The image is in the public domain.