Neuropsychiatric Disorders

Transcranial Brain Stimulation for Insomnia & Sleep: TES & TMS Efficacy

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Insomnia is a highly prevalent sleep disorder affecting up to 35% of the general population – and can significantly impair quality of life. Researchers have been investigating new non-pharmacological treatment options like transcranial electric stimulation (TES) and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) to treat insomnia symptoms. A new meta-analysis published in Frontiers in Psychiatry reviewed …

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MDMA-Assisted Therapy for Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD): Dampening Emotional Reactivity?

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Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a serious and complex psychiatric illness impacting 1-2% of the general population. Despite available treatments, many patients continue to struggle with suicidal behavior, emotional dysregulation, and impaired interpersonal functioning. Researchers are now considering the potential of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy (MDMA-AP) as a complementary treatment approach for BPD. Key Facts: BPD involves …

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Chronic Emptiness in Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD): Disconnection from Self & Others

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Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a complex and often misunderstood mental health condition characterized by difficulties with emotional regulation, impulsivity, and unstable relationships. One of the criteria for diagnosis is chronic feelings of emptiness. While commonly discussed in clinical observations, empirical research on this experience has been limited. A new systematic review published in PLOS …

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Bigorexia Nervosa & Muscle Dysmorphia in Bodybuilders: The Hidden Crisis of Never Being Big Enough

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Bigorexia nervosa, also known as muscle dysmorphia or reverse anorexia, is an emerging psychiatric disorder characterized by an obsessive focus on becoming more muscular. Individuals with bigorexia have a distorted self-image and see themselves as small and weak even if they have large, muscular physiques. This excessive preoccupation leads to unhealthy behaviors like over-exercising, restrictive …

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Biomarkers & Suicidal Ideation: Advanced Detection for Suicide Prevention

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Suicide is a devastating public health problem, claiming hundreds of thousands of lives worldwide each year. Understanding the underlying biological and psychological factors that increase suicide risk is key for developing effective prevention and intervention approaches. A recent article comprehensively reviews research on biological markers of suicidal thoughts and behaviors, providing important insights and guidance …

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Ayahuasca: A Potential Treatment for Addiction & Psychiatric Disorders?

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Ayahuasca is a traditional psychedelic brew from the Amazon that has been used for centuries in shamanic healing rituals. Research is now exploring its potential therapeutic benefits for mental health and addiction. Key Facts: Ayahuasca contains DMT, a hallucinogenic compound, along with MAOIs from the vine Banisteriopsis caapi. The MAOIs allow the DMT to be …

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Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) & Low Empathy: Brain Scans Reveal Deficits

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Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a complex mental health condition characterized by difficulties with emotional regulation, impulsivity, and unstable relationships. A key feature of BPD is impaired empathy, which contributes to the interpersonal dysfunction seen in these patients. A new review analyzes 45 studies on empathy and related constructs like theory of mind in BPD, …

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High Serotonin Levels in Social Anxiety Disorder Brains (PET Scans)

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Social anxiety disorder (SAD), one of the most common anxiety disorders, is characterized by an intense fear of social situations. A new brain imaging study provides evidence that SAD is associated with an overactive serotonin system. Key Takeaways: Using PET imaging, researchers found increased serotonin synthesis and reuptake in multiple brain regions in patients with …

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Boost Serotonin in the Brain: Targeting TPH2 Enzymes to Treat Depression

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Depression affects over 120 million people worldwide, carrying a heavy burden of disability, mortality, and cost. While medications like SSRIs have provided relief for many, most patients fail to achieve full remission. After 30 years with few advances in pharmaceutical options, it may be time to rethink our approach to treating depression. Exciting new research …

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Autoantibodies & OCD Link: Targeting the Immune System

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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 …

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