Research-informed reading on physical health, mental wellness, nutrition and fitness – summarised from trusted health publications, with a link to every original source.
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A study conducted at Texas A&M University explored the benefits of anger, challenging the common notion that people should always aim to be happy. The researchers found that volunteers in a state of anger outperformed others in achieving challenging tasks. The study suggests that experiencing a range of emotions may lead to greater life satisfaction and better performance.
Durham University’s study found that quitting social media is complex, bringing both positive and negative emotional changes. The study, involving 51 moderate to heavy users aged 18-25, found a dip in negative emotions like boredom and loneliness during a week without social media, but also a decrease in positive feelings. Participants, however, reported no addiction-related cravings, contradicting theories likening social media to chemical or behavioural addictions. These findings suggest a more nuanced view of social media’s impact is needed.
Research has found that while weight-loss surgery may double the chances of single people getting married, it also increases the likelihood of married people getting divorced. US and Scandinavian studies showed similar trends, indicating that changes in weight, health, and sexual desire, could strain marriages post-surgery. However, 81% of the respondents remained married five years post-surgery.
Aberystwyth University’s research suggests magicians are less prone to mental health difficulties compared to other creative professions or the general population. Magicians demonstrated lower scores on psychopathological traits indicating fewer tendencies towards antisocial behaviour and unusual experiences. The study aligns magicians’ mental health profiles with those of mathematicians and scientists, indicating that the relationship between creativity and psychopathology is intricate.
In the digital age, excessive use of technology and social media is proving detrimental to mental health, leading to anxiety, depression, stress, and decreased cognitive abilities. Features like online short videos are contributing to shrinking attention spans, while constant notifications encourage addictive behavior, reducing productivity. However, this negative impact can be mitigated through alternatives like physical activities, mindful use of technology, and maintaining offline connections. Maintaining mental health in the digital age is crucial, as unchecked excessive digital usage could dictate our emotions and lives.
During the Behavioral Health Tech 2023 conference, digital health experts discussed the effectiveness of digital mental health solutions. They agreed that addressing patient needs, reducing no-show rates, conducting controlled clinical trials, and improving access to care are key components of a successful digital solution. However, the need to evaluate whether these solutions are making a significant impact on the mental health crisis was also emphasized.
A review by Chinese researchers finds a direct connection between omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) dosage and its effect on depression treatment, with eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) showing greater effect than docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). The study suggests omega-3 PUFAs supplementation as a potential therapeutic approach for alleviating depression symptoms, noting a significant improvement in most included studies.
Recent studies in the US and Sweden show a link between lower biological age and better cardiovascular and neurological health. Improvements in cardiovascular health, achieved through lifestyle changes like a healthy diet and weight management, can lead to younger biological age. Biological aging also has impacts on dementia and stroke risks, emphasizing the need to address it. Experts assert biological age can be lowered through improvements in lifestyle behaviors.
Research from Northwestern University suggests that staying awake all night can have similar effects to taking the anesthetic, ketamine, on the brain. This is not suggesting sleep deprivation as a health measure, but rather to inform the understanding and approach to developing antidepressant medications. The team traced the behavior back to dopamine release in the prefrontal cortex exclusively, hinting at the importance of this region in mood regulation.
Neurocrine Biosciences is discontinuing two mid-stage developmental programs after their partnered drug candidates for major depressive disorder (MDD) and focal onset seizures (FOS) failed in trials. The partnered drug NBI-1065846 with Takeda did not reduce MDD in patients, while NBI-921352 with Xenon Pharmaceuticals did not demonstrate a significant decrease in seizures. However, Neurocrine is redirecting its focus on market opportunities for NBI-921352 in treating SCN8A developmental and epileptic encephalopathy syndrome.
Psychedelics such as psilocybin and MDMA have shown significant antidepressant effects, according to recent studies. A new generation of nonhallucinogenic psychedelics aims to offer the mental health benefits of traditional psychedelics minus the trip. These substances, currently under testing, have the potential to treat mental illnesses without inducing hallucinatory experiences, and likely will be easier to regulate and more accessible for patients. Psychedelics induce neuroplasticity, which could be central to their therapeutic effects.
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Sage Therapeutics, in partnership with Biogen, has priced the Postpartum Depression (PPD) pill, Zurzuvae, at $15,900 for a 14-day treatment course. The new pill signifies an advancement in psychiatry where depression is theorized as an array of chemical and electrical impulses in the brain. Further, virtual reality can be used to visualize these conceptual impulse arrays to better understand depression and potential therapies.
Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune condition causing rapid skin cell growth, leading to itchy, scaly patches. Its pain can vary greatly, and in around 30 percent of cases, it extends to psoriatic arthritis. The cause of psoriasis and its discomfort is not well-understood but is presumed to result from inflammation that irritates skin nerves. Various strategies can help manage the pain, including moisturizing skin, applying cold compresses, stress management, and using OTC pain relievers. Topical creams, oral medications, and injections are also available for pain management.