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TL;DR: A 2026 mouse study in Alcohol: Clinical and Experimental Research found that chronic intermittent ethanol plus repeated forced-swim stress left mice drinking more alcohol months later and impaired reversal learning in midlife, alongside locus coeruleus…
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TL;DR: A 2026 study in Comprehensive Psychoneuroendocrinology found that adulthood stressor severity was linked to higher hair cortisol in a longitudinal sample, while early-life stress, recent stress, daily phone-based stress reports, and the cortisol/DHEA ra…
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TL;DR: A 2026 mouse study in Neurochemical Research found that 28 days of unpredictable chronic mild stress increased dopamine D1 receptor binding across the striatum and raised dopamine D2 receptor binding only in selected regions, regardless of fatty acid-bi…
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TL;DR: A 2026 study in Psychopharmacology found that after 14 days of unpredictable chronic stress, a single 1-hour ayahuasca exposure restored sociability, reduced anxiety-like behavior, normalized cortisol, and rescued whole-brain BDNF in adult zebrafish wit…
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Elevated fingernail cortisol levels can distinguish individuals with lifetime major depressive disorder (MDD) from healthy controls, suggesting it as a promising biomarker for MDD. Highlights: Individuals with lifetime MDD had significantly higher fingernail c…
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Experiencing chronic stress or taking addictive drugs like cocaine can change your brain and behavior in similar ways, making you prone to anxiety or addiction. Key Facts: Chronic stress and chronic drug abuse both impair the striatum, which can make people be…
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Feeling lonely and socially isolated is associated with poorer health outcomes and increased risk of early mortality. Research in monkeys now reveals how loneliness impacts the immune system, providing clues into the mechanisms underlying the health risks of l…
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Loneliness is a growing public health crisis that affects a significant portion of the population and increases the risk of premature death. Here are some key facts on loneliness: Over 30% of people experience loneliness, with 1 in 12 severely affected. Loneli…
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