Psychopharmacology

A study in the Journal of Affective Disorders found that women currently on birth control pills have a lower major depression prevalence than those who've stopped. The findings highlight complex relationships between pill use and depression, with no significant difference...

A recent study found that individuals with ADHD have reduced motivation for effortful tasks, which can be significantly improved with amphetamine-based medications. This shifts the understanding of ADHD beyond traditional symptoms to include motivational challenges.

Women using birth control pills experience different stress and inflammation responses compared to those not using these contraceptives, according to new research. The findings shed light on the complex ways in which hormonal contraceptives can influence the body's psychophysiological reactions.

Adults with ADHD who practiced microdosing psychedelics reported increased mindfulness after four weeks, according to a study in Frontiers in Psychiatry. The research highlights the need for controlled studies to validate these findings

Chronic caffeine use may reduce brain plasticity, key to learning and memory, according to a study. This contrasts with expectations of caffeine enhancing cognitive abilities.

A new study has found a link between psilocybin use and lowered psychological distress, particularly in individuals with adverse childhood experiences, highlighting the possible therapeutic applications of psychedelics.

A recent study explored the enduring challenges individuals face after using psychedelic substances like psilocybin and LSD, finding that emotional difficulties, such as anxiety and fear, were the most common, along with self-perception and cognitive issues. The study, published in...

A study of individuals with treatment-resistant depression found that four infusions of the antidepressant ketamine led to enhanced cognitive functioning that persisted for five weeks. These improvements appeared to be independent of the antidepressant response. The study was published in...

A three-month study on ayahuasca ritual participants showed slight self-reported decreases in narcissism, not confirmed by informant reports. This research, highlighting ayahuasca's potential psychological impacts, suggests modest changes in personality traits and calls for further investigation into psychedelic-assisted therapies.

Methylphenidate, a common ADHD medication, has varying effects on creativity depending on an individual's baseline dopamine levels, according to new research. The findings challenge the notion of universally using such drugs for cognitive enhancement.

The nationwide shortage of Adderall, a drug used to treat ADHD and narcolepsy, has highlighted issues of overprescription and misuse, leading to stigmatization and access difficulties for those in need. While Adderall works by regulating dopamine levels to alleviate ADHD...

A recent study explores how lithium affects brain processes in emotion regulation, revealing that it alters brain activity and connectivity in healthy participants. These findings provide insights into lithium's psychological effects and may guide future treatments for bipolar disorder, despite...

Prolonged CBD use may alter brain connectivity in the hippocampus and amygdala, regions linked to memory and emotion, but its impact on mental health remains unclear. This finding, from a study in Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, suggests complex effects of...

Recent research indicates that abstaining from alcohol for over seven months can significantly improve brain structure in those recovering from alcohol use disorders. These findings highlight the brain's capacity to heal with sustained sobriety.