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stress

·October 3, 2023·5 min read

Psilocybin Microdosing Promising for Mental Health Disorders

Researchers delve into the therapeutic potential of psilocybin microdosing, exploring its influence on stress resilience and compulsive behaviors in rats. While high-dose psilocybin therapy has been scrutinized for psychiatric treatment applications, this study focuses on low, repeated doses—commonly known as 'microdosing'—and its burgeoning popularity in self-medication narratives online.

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·October 2, 2023·5 min read

Chronic Stress and Depression Linked to Alzheimer’s Risk

A recent study highlights a potential connection between chronic stress, depression, and the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers found that individuals aged 18 to 65 previously diagnosed with either condition showed a heightened risk for Alzheimer’s and mild cognitive impairment.

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·September 13, 2023·4 min read

Brain’s Own THC: Endocannabinoids Are Nature’s Way to Combat Stress

A recent study illuminates the brain's unique response to stress: releasing its own cannabinoid molecules akin to THC from cannabis plants. Centered in the amygdala, these molecules counteract stress alarms originating from the hippocampus, an integral memory and emotion region.

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·September 7, 2023·4 min read

Bright-Light Treatment’s Power Over Stress-Induced Sleep Problems

Researchers unveiled the neural pathway linking chronic stress to sleep disturbances, shedding light on how bright-light treatment rectifies these issues. The study, involving mouse models, emphasized the crucial role of the lateral habenula, a brain region sensitive to light signals.

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·September 4, 2023·5 min read

Why Household Mess Triggers Stress and Anxiety

The presence of clutter can often lead to feelings of stress and anxiety. The brain tends to favor order, reducing the competition for attention and mental load.

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·July 31, 2023·7 min read

Gender Lines in Stress: How Pandemic Pressures Differently Impact Men and Women

Researchers studied the effects of COVID-19 pandemic stressors on mental health, revealing gender-specific responses. Anxiety levels in men increased alongside job-related worries, while in women, anxiety rose with concerns about family and friends. Support from friends and family improved the quality of life for women, but this correlation was not found in men. The study highlights the need to consider social aspects in therapeutic interventions for mental health improvement.

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·July 25, 2023·3 min read

Scorching Stress: The Hidden Mental Toll of Summer Heatwaves

Research suggests that extreme summer heat can significantly impact mental health, in addition to physical health. Changes in emotions and behaviors can occur due to heat's influence on serotonin, the neurotransmitter that regulates mood.

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·July 7, 2023·7 min read

Birth Control Pills Affect Women’s Stress Hormone Levels

Social activity reduces the levels of stress hormone ACTH in women not on birth control pills, but not in women who are. The study, involving women of an average age of 20.5 years, discovered the stress response in women off birth control depends on their menstrual cycle phase.

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·June 24, 2023·6 min read

Adolescent Stress Shapes Motherly Behavior

Stress during adolescence alters brain functions, influencing postpartum social behavior in mammals. The research utilizes optogenetics and calcium imaging techniques to understand neuronal communication in mice that experienced psychosocial stress during adolescence.

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·June 23, 2023·5 min read

Stress Neurons Mapped the Brain, Exposing Estrogen Link

Researchers pinpointed a specific group of nerve cells in the mouse brain that play a role in negative emotional states and chronic stress. The neurons, which were mapped using a variety of advanced techniques, were found to possess estrogen receptors.

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·June 13, 2023·3 min read

Positive Parenting Shields Youth from Stress Impact

Positive parenting, as reported by children and teenagers, can safeguard young individuals from the damaging effects of stressors like financial hardship or serious illness. The research team used MRI data and survey responses from 482 participants aged 10–17.

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·June 8, 2023·5 min read

Stressed Brains Amplify Comfort Food Cravings

Researchers uncovered how chronic stress in combination with high-calorie diets can amplify our brain's reward system, driving overeating and weight gain. They found that stress inhibits the lateral habenula, a brain area typically curbing such reward signals.