Mental Health

New research in mice suggests that exposure to a biodiverse soil may improve mental health by raising levels of a bacterium with anxiety-relieving effects. Share on PinterestExposure to biodiversity may have anxiety-relieving effects by altering our gut bacteria, new research in rodents suggests. Intuitively, we know that living in excessively polluted, built-up areas cannot be

Could people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) benefit from using cannabis to help reduce depressive episodes and thinking about suicide? A study of a population survey from Canada suggests that the preliminary answer is yes. Share on PinterestNew research looks into the benefits of cannabis for relieving depressive symptoms in PTSD. A recent paper on

In the largest study of its kind, researchers identify similarities in the brain activity of people with major depressive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, and anxiety disorders. Share on PinterestA new study looks for the neural links between a range of mental disorders. Mental health disorders, although incredibly prevalent, remain poorly understood. According to

Researchers have known for a while about a connection between insufficient sleep and anxiety. A new study strengthens and quantifies this causal relation and shows that a sleepless night can raise anxiety by up to 30%. New research suggests that getting deep sleep is a natural way to ease anxiety. Furthermore, the new study suggests

Mixing a specific type of meditation with a well-known hallucinogen may make for a new form of therapy that could aid those with depression, according to a new study. New research suggests that combining meditation and psilocybin may improve symptoms of depression. People often still regard psychedelic psychotherapy as a controversial treatment. However, recent evidence

Ending the cycle of negative thought rumination is the premise of a depression treatment called metacognitive therapy. New findings suggest that it may be more beneficial in stopping depression relapse than other more commonly used methods. New research suggests that a new form of therapy called metacognitive therapy may prevent depression from returning. Depression is

Trichotillomania, or pathological hair pulling, is a common but underdiagnosed psychological disorder. People with trichotillomania experience an overwhelming urge to pull out their hair. Many people who have trichotillomania may not know that they have a diagnosable condition. They may simply view their hair pulling as a bad habit. Others may experience severe physical and

Zombies have become staple figures of popular culture, and the zombie apocalypse is a trope that features in many books, movies, and TV series. But are there actual, real cases of zombiism in nature? Read this special feature to find out. Share on PinterestAre there any real cases of zombification? We investigate. Zombie. The walking

Depression is a mental health condition that affects people from all walks of life. It can be difficult to see a loved one having a hard time, and it is natural to want to help. However, it can be tricky knowing where to start. Depression is a difficult condition to live with, but it is

Suicide is not an idle threat. It is not something that people talk about to gain attention, so it is crucial to take any warning signs or threats of suicide seriously. Talking to someone about suicidal ideation will not cause suicide. Suicide rates are rising in the United States. Between 1999 and 2017, there was

Psoriatic arthritis is a type of arthritis that is more likely to affect people with psoriasis. People with psoriatic arthritis have joint pain and chronic inflammation. The condition can also cause complications that range from mild to potentially life threatening. While most of the people who develop psoriatic arthritis (PsA) already have psoriasis, it is

Narcissism is a personality disorder that gets a bad rap due to some of its characteristic traits, such as an inflated sense of self-importance and poor regard for others. But researchers now suggest that some of these traits might help safeguard a person’s mental health. Share on PinterestIs having narcissistic traits always a bad thing?

The symptoms of autism in adults can differ from those in children, and many adults have learned to live with their symptoms over the years. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders. In most cases, people receive an autism diagnosis in childhood, usually after the age of 4 years. However,

New research concludes that there is not enough evidence to justify the use of medicinal cannabinoids to improve mental health. New research questions the benefits of medicinal cannabinoids for treating anxiety or depression. A recent paper on the findings in The Lancet Psychiatry describes how the study, which takes the form of a meta-analysis, combines

In recent years, a growing body of evidence has suggested that inflammation and depression are intimately linked. But new research challenges this notion. New research undermines the hope that, one day, we could use a simple blood test to diagnose depression. The idea that inflammation may be what drives and characterizes depression has been gaining

Anxiety is very prevalent, but its triggers vary among individuals, who will also experience it in many different ways. Some people with anxiety may notice that they have shortness of breath. Shortness of breath, or dyspnea, is a common symptom of anxiety. As with other anxiety symptoms, it can feel worrying, but it is ultimately

Everyone experiences feelings of sadness occasionally, but depression is different. It persists over time and can cause a variety of other symptoms. Depression is a medical condition that affects more than 300 million people globally, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). People sometimes call it clinical depression or major depressive disorder. In this article,

It is normal for people to feel sleepy from time to time, particularly after a long day. However, excessive sleepiness can be disruptive and make it difficult for a person to go about their normal daily activities. Some of the more common causes of excessive sleepiness include not sleeping long enough and having poor quality

Having a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or another stress-related condition may increase the risk of acquiring certain infections, according to a new study. People with a stress-related condition may be predisposed to infections. Despite what some 17th century philosophers taught us, our minds and bodies are not separate entities. In fact, modern scientific

Pica refers to when a person craves or eats nonfood items, such as paint chips or sand. Most medical guides classify pica as an eating disorder. Some women may develop pica during pregnancy. People with pica crave or eat a wide variety of nonfood items. Many will crave a specific type of item. Common cravings

Cognitive dissonance is a theory in social psychology. It refers to the mental conflict that occurs when a person’s behaviors and beliefs do not align. It may also happen when a person holds two beliefs that contradict one another. Cognitive dissonance causes feelings of unease and tension, and people attempt to relieve this discomfort in

Essential oils are concentrated extracts of various plants. Practitioners use them in natural and alternative health practices, such as aromatherapy and naturopathy. Many plants contain some potentially helpful compounds. However, in many cases, there is not enough evidence to suggest their use as a treatment or cure for ailments. In this article, learn more about

Thousands of people experience negative health outcomes from the overuse or misuse of opioids, a drug class that includes both illegal substances, such as heroin, and prescription medicines for pain relief. Can mindfulness boost the effects of traditional treatments that relieve opioid cravings? New research suggests that mindfulness can help reduce cravings for opioids. The

A new systematic review and meta-analysis ask whether bipolar disorder is associated with developing Parkinson’s disease. Although the authors conclude that there is a link, it is a tough question to unpick. A recent study examines the links between two conditions that appear at opposite ends of life. Bipolar disorder (BD), which people once called

Some people become more anxious as they attempt to relax because relaxing interrupts their worrying, according to new research. Relaxation techniques may have the opposite effect in some people. Although the intent of relaxation exercises is to reduce anxiety, for some people, they have the opposite effect. A new study concludes that, in these people,

There is evidence that people with a history of major depression have lower connectivity between two particular brain areas when recalling feelings of guilt. Now, new research suggests that it is possible to strengthen this brain connectivity and increase self-esteem with a new type of neurofeedback training. Using a functional MRI scanner, researchers have shown

Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers in the body. Their job is to transmit signals from nerve cells to target cells. These target cells may be in muscles, glands, or other nerves. The brain needs neurotransmitters to regulate many necessary functions, including: heart rate breathing sleep cycles digestion mood concentration appetite muscle movement The nervous system controls

In the first study of its type, researchers conclude that even a brief shift in dietary habits can alleviate the symptoms of depression in young adults. The findings offer hope, but more work is needed. Is there a link between healthful food and good mental health? Science has now clearly established the impact of poor