New research has identified mutations in the DNA code that may affect energy metabolism. It also found a link to major depressive disorder. The World Health Organization (WHO) describe depression as “the leading cause of disability worldwide.” It affects more than 300 million people around the world. Experts believe that many factors contribute to…
Cannabis and the brain: Recent studies shed new light
How long-term depression alters the brain
Depression has become a common mental health problem. For some, this condition lingers for many years, and scientists now strive to understand how that might affect the brain, and how treatments should be adjusted to address these changes. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),…
The road to wisdom runs through hardship, study finds
How does somebody become wise? A plethora of writers and philosophers has tried to answer that question. Now, research gives the answer, and the route is anything but straightforward. A famous Japanese proverb says, “Fall down seven times, and stand up eight,” implying that there is much to be gained…
How to stop catastrophizing
Catastrophizing is a way of thinking called a ‘cognitive distortion.’ A person who catastrophizes usually sees an unfavorable outcome to an event and then decides that if this outcome does happen, the results will be a disaster. Here are some examples of catastrophizing: “If I fail this test, I will…