FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·April 4, 2025·3 min readHow Psilocybin Lifts Mood Without the Hallucinogenic TripResearchers have uncovered two key brain mechanisms—specific neurons and a serotonin receptor—that help explain how psilocybin produces long-lasting antidepressant effects. Their study identified pyramidal tract neurons in the medial frontal cortex and the serotonin 5-HT2A receptor as essential to the therapeutic action of psilocybin.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscience·March 31, 2025·7 min readIntermittent Fasting Boosts Male Libido by Lowering SerotoninA new study shows that long-term intermittent fasting increases the sex drive of male mice by reducing serotonin levels in the brain. The effect was linked to dietary tryptophan deficiency, which lowers the production of serotonin—a neurotransmitter known to inhibit sexual behavior.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·February 10, 2025·2 min readCerebellar Serotonin Acts as a Brake to Reduce AnxietyNew research reveals that serotonin in the cerebellum plays a crucial role in anxiety regulation. Scientists found that mice with lower cerebellar serotonin levels displayed increased anxiety-like behaviors, while those with higher serotonin levels were less anxious.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscience·January 8, 2025·6 min readDopamine and Serotonin Drive Emotional Word ProcessingResearchers have uncovered how neurotransmitters in the brain respond to the emotional content of language, shedding light on the intersection of emotion, cognition, and communication. Using advanced techniques, the team simultaneously measured dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine release in patients during exposure to emotionally charged words.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscience·December 20, 2024·5 min readSerotonin, GABA, and Dopamine Drive Hunger and FeedingA new study has revealed how brain circuits and neurotransmitters regulate meal initiation, offering insights into obesity management. Researchers identified serotonin neurons in the midbrain's dorsal Raphe nucleus (DRN) as key players, inhibited by GABA and dopamine when hunger strikes.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·December 12, 2024·8 min readGut Serotonin Plays Role in Depression and MoodSerotonin 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.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·October 3, 2024·4 min readPsychedelics Reduce Anxiety Without HallucinationsNew 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.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscience·September 28, 2024·5 min readSerotonin Levels Rise With Reward AnticipationSerotonin, known as the "happiness molecule," increases in anticipation of a reward and scales with the value of that reward. Using a biosensor called GRAB-serotonin, researchers measured serotonin in real time in mice as they received treats.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·September 23, 2024·4 min readGut Microbiome Disruption Linked to AggressionDisruptions in the gut microbiome, especially due to early-life antibiotic use, lead to increased aggression in mice. Researchers transplanted microbiomes from infants exposed to antibiotics into mice and found a clear connection between altered gut bacteria and aggressive behavior.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscience·September 21, 2024·5 min readSerotonin Receptor Dampens Visual Input to Enhance Internal ProcessesThe 5-HT2A receptor in the brain reduces incoming visual information, allowing more space for internal thought processes. Researchers found that this receptor, when overactivated, suppresses sensory input, potentially explaining the effects of hallucinations from drugs like LSD.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·September 7, 2024·4 min readRole of Serotonin Release in Depression UncoveredResearchers developed a highly selective fluorescent probe to image serotonin in cells and animal models, shedding light on its role in depression. The study revealed that while serotonin levels in normal and “depressed” cells are similar, depressive cells release significantly less serotonin.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·September 5, 2024·4 min readObserving Trauma Boosts Resilience Through SerotoninA new study reveals that observing others endure trauma can increase resilience and protect against depression. Researchers found that serotonin, released in the brain's habenula, plays a key role in this process, enhancing resilience by altering neuronal activity.Read More
