Researchers find similarities in brain activity induced by different psychedelic drugs in rats, providing clues to how they alter consciousness. Key facts: Psychedelic drugs like LSD and ketamine induce high-frequency brain waves that synchronize activity across the cortex. This hypersynchrony was seen between the frontal cortex, sensory areas and emotion centers like the ventral striatum. …
Researchers are gaining exciting new insights into how the drug ketamine can rapidly treat symptoms of depression, including in people who don’t respond to other antidepressants. Key facts about ketamine for depression: Ketamine is an FDA-approved anesthetic that has been found to quickly improve mood in depressed patients, including those with treatment-resistant depression. It works …
A new study published in the journal Mædica – a Journal of Clinical Medicine compared the antidepressant effects of modafinil versus citalopram for treating major depressive disorder (MDD). The medications were equally effective at reducing depressive symptoms over a 6-week treatment period. Key facts: 30 patients with MDD were treated with either modafinil or citalopram …
Staying awake and alert can be challenging, especially for pilots working long hours and night shifts. A new study found that the drugs modafinil and caffeine can significantly improve vigilance in pilots compared to placebo, helping them stay alert and attentive during periods of sleep deprivation. Key Facts: The study tested 32 pilots from the …
Researchers have discovered that classic psychedelic drugs like LSD and psilocybin (‘magic mushrooms’) flatten the energy landscape of the brain. This effect makes it easier for the brain to transition between different states of activity and leads to more diverse and entropic neural dynamics overall. Key Facts: Using fMRI data and network modeling, researchers found …
Major depressive disorder affects over 280 million people worldwide. While the causes are complex, new research is uncovering the role epigenetics plays in depression. Epigenetic changes can regulate how genes are expressed without altering the DNA sequence itself. These changes may explain why some people are more susceptible to depression and highlight new avenues for …
A new brain imaging study provides insight into how antidepressants like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may bring about symptom improvement in adolescents with major depressive disorder. The findings suggest that changes in a brain region involved in cognitive control may serve as markers of treatment response. Key Facts: Researchers used MRI scans to examine …
A new study reveals that widely prescribed antidepressants may cause persistent erectile dysfunction in a small but significant number of male patients. Key Facts: The study found that serotonergic antidepressants like SSRIs and SNRIs triple the risk of erectile dysfunction (ED) compared to non-users. After stopping the antidepressants, 0.46% of patients (1 out of every …
Researchers have found signs of ongoing inflammation in the brains of athletes still experiencing concussion symptoms months or years after their injury, according to a new study published in Journal of Neuroinflammation. The findings suggest the concussion triggered chronic neuroinflammation that may be contributing to their persistent symptoms. Key Facts: The study examined athletes who …
Cannabis legalization is spreading, but what does it mean for public health? A new review summarizes the research on the impacts of legalizing recreational cannabis use. Key Facts: Recreational cannabis is now legal nationally in Canada, Uruguay, and Malta. 18 U.S. states plus D.C. have also legalized recreational use. Research finds mixed evidence for effects …
