Serotonin syndrome (SS) is a potentially life-threatening condition caused by excessive serotonin activity in the brain and body. Key facts: SS is characterized by a triad of mental status changes, neuromuscular abnormalities, and autonomic instability. It is usually caused by certain combinations of serotonergic medications, especially MAOIs mixed with SSRIs or SNRIs. Diagnosis is clinical …
Long COVID affects millions globally, causing debilitating symptoms that can persist for months or years. Experts are calling for urgent clinical trials to find treatments. Key Facts: Long COVID can cause fatigue, brain fog, muscle weakness, sleep disturbances and other symptoms lasting weeks to years after initial infection. The mechanisms are unclear but may involve …
Long COVID syndrome (LCS) is a complex, chronic condition that can arise after COVID-19 infection. Key facts about LCS: Affects an estimated 10-30% of COVID survivors Causes debilitating symptoms lasting months to years after initial infection Impacts nearly every organ system, especially the brain Exact causes remain unclear but may involve vascular damage and inflammation …
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a complex neuropsychiatric illness impacting approximately 2% of the global population. The disorder is characterized by intrusive, irrational thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions) that patients feel driven to perform. OCD typically follows a chronic course and is associated with significant impairment and reduced quality of life. While effective therapies like …
Brain serotonin is crucially involved in regulating mood, social behavior, and physical health. While medications that alter serotonin levels have revolutionized psychiatry, non-drug approaches may provide safer, sustainable ways to optimize serotonin and promote wellbeing. Key Facts: Brain serotonin influences mood, sociability, and health in animals and humans. Higher serotonin is linked to positive mood, …
A new study published in Scientific Reports provides insight into which memory training techniques are most effective at improving working memory. The research compared an adaptive n-back training task to the memory palace technique over 20 days of training. Both groups improved on trained tasks, but n-back training showed greater transfer to untrained working memory …
Cold stimulus headache, commonly known as “brain freeze”, is a curious and understudied phenomenon that many of us have experienced when eating or drinking something cold too quickly. Though brief and benign, these headaches provide insight into how the brain responds to sudden temperature changes. Key Facts About “Brain Freeze”: Caused by quick exposure of …
A systematic review and meta-analysis published in Scientific Reports evaluated the potential association between chronic fluoride exposure and neurological damage. The study aimed to analyze the impact of fluoride from different sources on neurological disorders in humans. After a thorough literature search, the authors included 27 observational studies in the qualitative analysis. The results showed …
Researchers have uncovered new evidence that a traditional Chinese herbal medicine may be a safe, effective option for treating depression. The formula, known as Chaihu-jia-Longgu-Muli-tang (CLM) also phrased “Chai Hu Jia Long Gu Mu Li Tang,” outperformed standard antidepressants in clinical trials and appears to work via multiple mechanisms in the brain. Key findings: In …
Suicide is a major global public health problem, accounting for over 800,000 deaths worldwide each year. Lithium, a mood stabilizing medication, has been proposed as a novel population-level suicide prevention strategy through supplementation of trace doses into the public drinking water supply. This controversial idea has sparked much debate around its ethics, risks, benefits and …
