Kava kava, an herbal supplement made from the root of Piper methysticum, has gained popularity as an alternative treatment for anxiety and insomnia. A recent systematic review and meta-analysis re-examined kava kava’s effectiveness and safety for anxiety disorders. The authors concluded that kava kava is effective for short-term anxiety relief but long-term safety remains uncertain. …
Psychopathic individuals are known to commit a disproportionate amount of violence and crime. Yet the connections between psychopathy, intelligence and aggression are complex. A new study unpacks the links between these dangerous traits in men and women. Key Facts: Psychopathy was assessed using the Psychopathy Checklist: Screening Version which divides psychopathy into 4 facets – …
New research reveals that lower intelligence and poorer emotional control in adolescence are associated with an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors over the life course. However, while lower intelligence is linked to a consistently higher suicide risk into late middle age, the association between emotional control and suicide risk diminishes in strength over …
A new pilot study investigates using kava and valerian, two herbal remedies, to treat stress-induced insomnia. Key Facts: 24 patients with stress-induced insomnia took part in the 6-month crossover study. All patients took kava for 6 weeks, then valerian for 6 weeks, then a combination of both for 6 weeks. Both kava and valerian significantly …
Suicide is a leading cause of premature death worldwide. Social isolation is increasingly recognized as a major risk factor for suicide. Thorough understanding of this relationship is crucial to guide prevention efforts and policy. Key Facts: Nearly 800,000 people die by suicide each year globally, with many more attempting suicide. Social isolation significantly increases suicide …
New research suggests that having higher intelligence may reduce the risk of depression associated with neuroticism, a personality trait linked to emotional instability. Key Facts: Neuroticism is strongly associated with an increased risk of depression and psychological distress. Intelligence does not appear to protect against clinical diagnosis of major depressive disorder in highly neurotic individuals. …
Alzheimer’s disease continues to destroy minds, but new gene editing techniques like CRISPR offer hope for better understanding and treating this devastating illness. Key Facts: Alzheimer’s disease is a complex, poorly understood neurodegenerative disorder affecting over 50 million people worldwide. Gene mutations play a role in early-onset Alzheimer’s, but late-onset Alzheimer’s involves a more complex …
Brain tumors can take a major toll on mental health. New research provides important insights into the psychiatric symptoms that often accompany these devastating diseases. Key Facts: Around 27% of brain tumor patients experience psychiatric symptoms like depression and anxiety. These frequently arise before diagnosis. Depressive symptoms are most common, affecting 24% of brain tumor …
Pesticides are chemical substances commonly used in agriculture to eliminate pests and enhance crop yields. However, indiscriminate use of pesticides has raised concerns about potential toxicity and adverse health effects in humans. Key Facts: Pesticide exposure is linked to neurological disorders like Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and psychiatric conditions including depression and suicide. Exposure can …
Narcissism is characterized by self-importance, entitlement, and interpersonal difficulties. Neuroscience research has begun to uncover the complex mechanisms underlying the paradoxical patterns of narcissistic functioning. Key findings show: Narcissism involves heightened vigilance and stress reactivity to ego threats despite outward grandiosity Alterations in brain regions involved in self-vs-other processing may underlie narcissistic self-focus and empathy …
