The Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku, usually translated as “forest bathing,” has received a lot of attention in recent years. Studies have found that immersing yourself completely in nature with the help of a trained guide can have significant health benefits, including lower blood pressure, improved immunity, and better mental health.Read
A study published in the journal Biological Psychiatry shows that young adults with low blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids had more psychotic experiences.
Depression affects nearly 300 million people, including 5% of all adults and almost 6% of adults over age 60. And these numbers are on the rise, with the number of people suffering from this often-debilitating condition up almost 20% over the past decade, making it the leading cause of disabilityRead
Schizophrenia is one of the most common severe mental illnesses, affecting some 24 million people—about one in every 300—worldwide. Symptoms range from listlessness and apathy to issues with attention, memory, and concentration to full-blown hallucinations and delusions. Currently, there is no cure for schizophrenia, and treatments focus mainly on managingRead
Postpartum blues, also known as “baby blues,” is characterized by mood swings, crying spells, anxiety, and difficulty sleeping. It affects up to 8 out of every 10 new mothers and may last for up to two weeks after delivery. In severe cases, it can become a precursor to the moreRead
The gut-brain axis is a bidirectional communication network between the central nervous system (CNS) and the enteric nervous system, linking emotional and cognitive centers of the brain with peripheral intestinal functions. Both neural and hormonal routes of communication allow the brain to influence intestinal activities, including activity of functional effectorRead
The Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis, or HPA Axis, is a bidirectional neuroendocrine network that modulates our adaptive stress response. The activation loop begins in the hypothalamus with corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH). Once released, CRH binds to receptors on the anterior pituitary gland resulting in the subsequent release of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). In turn,Read
The Mindful Microbiota Trillions of microorganisms—bacteria, viruses, fungi, and others—create the microbiota. The vast majority, around 70%, of these bugs reside in our intestines and are vital to the development of our immune system, influence our metabolism, and protect us from pathogens. Interestingly, the gut microbiota also affects our cognitiveRead
Getting and staying motivated is hard for many people. In fact, it is such a frequent problem that scientists have invested much time and research into the topic. Now, a new study in the journal eLife reveals that motivation is influenced by oxidative stress in the brain. And, according toRead
People with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) experienced better sleep, a reduction in the severity of symptoms, and more effective treatments after exposure to blue light therapy, according to a new study in Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience. Sleep is crucial for maintaining physical and mental health, and over time, inadequate sleepRead
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