Cannabidiol reduces aggressiveness
Cannabidiol (CBD) can inhibit aggressiveness associated with social isolation, a new mouse model study reveals.... Read More...
serotonin
Red wine compound shows promise for treating depression and anxiety
Resveratrol, a compound found in red wine, may help to combat depression and anxiety. The compound inhibits PDE4, an enzyme induced bt excessive amounts of corticosterone, which causes depression-like symptoms in mouse models. ... Read More...
Science of microdosing psychedelics remains patchy and anecdotal
While many people report microdosing is beneficial to their mental wellbeing, researchers say more research needs to be conducted to evaluate the psychological and health implications of taking low-dose psychedelics.... Read More...
How a popular antidepressant drug could rewire the brain
Fluoxetine rearranges nerve fibers in the hippocampus of mice, a new study reports. ... Read More...
Research shows that drinking Matcha tea can reduce anxiety
Matcha tea can help reduce anxiety, a new study reports. Mice given Match extract showed a reduction in anxious behaviors. The calming effects are a result of Matcha activating dopamine and serotonin receptors.... Read More...
Genetic variation linked to response to anxiety could inform personalized therapies
A study of marmoset monkeys reveals a genetic variation of the SLC6A4 repeat region may contribute to anxiety via neurochemical changes in brain areas associated with emotional processing.... Read More...
Ack! I need chocolate! The science of PMS food cravings
From comfort eating to hormonal levels contributing to a desire for sweets, many studies have investigated why women with PMS often crave certain foods. Researchers explore why food cravings may occur, and what can be done to suppress them for women with premenstrual syndrome.... Read More...
Mechanisms underlying early life stress and irritable bowel syndrome discovered
Mice that experienced early life stress and later developed irritable bowel syndrome had significantly higher levels of intestinal stem cells and enterochromaffin (EC). Additionally, the mice expressed elevated secretion of serotonin as a result of the increased EC cell density.... Read More...
Settling the debate on serotonin’s role in sleep
Serotonin produced by the raphe is critical for sleep in both mice and zebrafish. The firing of neurons in the raphe and the release of serotonin may help the brain build up better sleep pressure. The results may explain why some sleep-related side effects of antidepressants increase serotonin in the brain.... Read More...
Study reveals roots of Parkinson’s in the brain
Changes in the brain's serotonin system may occur years before Parkinson's disease symptoms begin. Serotonin alterations could be used as a biomarker for Parkinson's disease.... Read More...
Serotonin linked to somatic awareness, a condition long thought to be imaginary
Somatic awareness, a condition previously believed to be of psychological origin, is connected to a common genetic variant. The mutation leads to the malfunctioning of an enzyme critical for serotonin production.... Read More...
Diabetes drug alleviates anxiety in mice
Metformin, a common diabetes medication, shows promise for the treatment of anxiety and depression.... Read More...