Reading the news can be stress-inducing at the best of times. When the news is particularly worrying, many of us experience levels of anxiety so high that we can have difficulty coping. So how can we stay (reasonably) anxiety-free when the media bombards us with headlines that spook us? It…
Chemicals between us: Surprising effects of oxytocin on cocaine addiction
A team of addiction researchers at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) report in Psychopharmacology that oxytocin, a hormone produced naturally in the hypothalamus, has significant gender differences when used as a treatment for cocaine-addicted individuals with a history of childhood trauma. The MUSC team was led by Jane E. Joseph,…
Veterans benefit from pain treatment without drugs
A new study finds a lower risk of adverse post-treatment outcomes among returning military service personnel with chronic pain who received nondrug therapy. Many people returning from military deployment experience physical and mental health issues. These can include chronic pain, post-treatment alcohol use disorder, drug addiction, depression, thoughts of suicide, self-harm, or a combination.…
Night owls’ health may benefit from ‘simple’ routine adjustments
Yoga keeps the mind and body young, 22 clinical trials show
A review analyzing the results of 22 randomized clinical trials has found that yoga practice can improve many aspects of physical and mental health among older adults. Yoga refers to a series of mind-body practices that originate in Hindu tradition. However, they are growing in popularity across the world as an…