Major depressive disorder (depression) is very common. It causes a lot of suffering and disability around the world. The good news is many people get better with medication, psychotherapy (talk therapy), or both. But for some people, depression just won’t go away even after trying multiple treatments. This is called treatment-resistant depression or TRD. Key …
The human brain goes through major changes as we grow from babies to adults. Scientists are interested in mapping out these changes to understand when and where the brain is most flexible to new experiences during development. Knowing when the brain is most flexible, called neuroplasticity, is important because experiences during these times have the …
A new study found that a program to provide more social contact and activities for prisoners in solitary confinement led to improved mental health and behavior. The program was based on a “Resource Team” model developed in Norway. Key Facts: Solitary confinement involves isolating prisoners in cells for 22+ hours per day with limited social …
Cigarette smoking and mental health problems often go hand-in-hand. But which one typically comes first? And how much does our genetic makeup contribute to this risky combo? New research examined these questions by analyzing long-term health data on over 300,000 people in the UK. Key Facts: Smoking initiation typically happened in adolescence, before the first …
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. …
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 …
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 …
A new report from the CDC provides insight into suicide rates among different industries and occupations in the United States. The key takeaways: Suicide rates have increased 40% from 2000 to 2017 among working-age adults (ages 16-64). Men who work in the mining, construction, and other manual labor jobs have the highest suicide rates. Women …
Loneliness is a painful feeling that arises when there is a mismatch between one’s desired social connections and actual relationships. Chronic loneliness is increasingly prevalent in modern societies and strongly tied to poor mental and physical health outcomes, including higher risks of depression, cardiovascular disease, and mortality. New genetic research provides key insights into the …
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. Loneliness increases the risk of premature death by 26%. Loneliness has similar health risks …
