Kava Kava for Anxiety Treatment: Effective Short-Term But Uncertain Long-Term

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. …

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Deep Brain Stimulation for OCD: Long-Term Effects & Outcomes

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of a brain region called the ventral capsule/ventral striatum (VC/VS) may provide long-term relief for people with severe, treatment-resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), according to a new retrospective study. Key findings: 6 out of 9 people with severe OCD achieved remission after DBS surgery It took an average of 14 months for …

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