A single psilocybin dose increased optimism and engagement in rats for two weeks by enhancing reward processing and reducing loss aversion. These findings suggest psilocybin may help address depressive symptoms like withdrawal and pessimism.
Researchers found that methamphetamine and PCP cause a phenomenon known as neurotransmitter switching, impairing memory. This change is reversible, pointing to potential treatments for drug-induced cognitive deficits and related neuropsychiatric conditions.
A recent study found that improvements in wellbeing after a psychedelic experience were most strongly linked to changes in dysfunctional attitudes, such as rigid thought patterns.
Chronic consumption of high-alcohol beer in rodents disrupted sperm production by increasing oxidative stress, reducing cyclin D1 expression, and elevating p21 levels, leading to impaired cell division and structural damage in testicular tissue.
A study found that antidepressant side effects may not universally improve over time; instead, perceived improvements often reflect early dropout of patients with severe side effects
High school IQ predicts midlife drinking habits: smarter teens are more likely to drink moderately or heavily as adults but binge less often, with income partially explaining the link between intelligence and alcohol use.
A study found that ketamine, which causes dissociation, did not increase emotional suppression in PTSD patients. Instead, it decreased brain connectivity involved in emotion regulation.
Researchers found that people with alcohol use disorder have unique brain connectivity patterns, especially in areas tied to self-control and decision-making, which may explain impulsive drinking behaviors and offer clues for improving diagnosis and treatment.
Researchers found that caffeine blocks alcohol’s ability to increase dopamine in brain reward areas, potentially reducing alcohol's rewarding effects. This suggests caffeine could play a role in preventing or treating alcohol addiction.
A new study has found that cannabidiol (CBD) reduces fever in mice by decreasing pro-inflammatory markers and increasing anti-inflammatory responses, suggesting its potential as an alternative for managing fever and inflammation through immune system modulation.
Heavy cannabis users report lower next-day relationship satisfaction when combining cannabis and alcohol. But light cannabis users show no significant change in satisfaction from their own or their partner’s substance use.
Recent research found that psychedelic-assisted therapy reduced depressive symptoms, with relaxation during sessions being the strongest predictor of improvement.
A recent study found no increased risk of ADHD or disruptive behavior disorders in children by age 11 when mothers used cannabis early in pregnancy, though other maternal and newborn health risks remain.
Psilocybin may improve mood, social functioning, and life meaning in depression, comparable to escitalopram over six months, but small sample size and other treatments limit conclusions; further research is needed to confirm long-term effectiveness.
A recent study found that escitalopram increases right amygdala activity during emotional processing in healthy adults without affecting mood or connectivity with other brain areas, highlighting its specific impact on brain regions tied to emotional processing.