Mental health disorders continue to rise though treatments have changed little—if at all—in decades, and healthcare professionals are calling for new, innovative solutions to address the growing crisis. A possible answer? Psychedelics. Used for centuries by Indigenous cultures, plant-based psychedelics like psilocybin and ayahuasca may provide relief for people with depression, anxiety, and addiction. Already […]
Those of us who struggle with depression or an anxiety disorder know that finding the right treatment can be challenging. From finding the right therapist to discovering the SSRI that works best on our brains, it can all seem endless and overwhelming – particularly when we just want to feel better already! If this is
Identifiable by names like “special K” and “magic mushrooms,” psychedelics are surging ahead as one of the most significant breakthroughs in mental health treatment. Psychedelics refer to substances that can change perception and mood and were declared illegal in the late 1960s. However, in the early 1990s, researchers began taking a more serious look at
Among the roller coaster ride of symptoms associated with perimenopause and menopause, one of the most unsettling and anxiety-provoking for many women is brain fog. Those frequent episodes of forgetfulness, confusion, difficulty concentrating, and mental fatigue are shared by up to 70% of women and can make you feel as if your brain has turned
Smooth, decadent chocolate; crunchy, salty chips; or gooey, cheesy, well, anything. On a stressful or down day, it’s common to reach for certain foods to help brighten your mood. But scientists are learning that the relationship between food, mood, and brain function, known as the gut–brain connection, goes both ways. Your gut “speaks” to your
You’ve heard the saying, “A dog is man’s best friend.” And it’s true – dogs have been providing loyal companionship to humans for thousands of years. But can dogs also serve a role that goes beyond companionship, to actually providing emotional support and wellbeing to those that suffer from mental health concerns like anxiety and
When we hear that someone is depressed, we may assume that person is feeling extremely sad – perhaps crying all the time or even unable to leave the house. And while this may be true, it’s not always the case. Depression has many other symptoms, and these can show up in different ways for different
It’s the most wonderful time of the year… Unless you’re spending it alone, which can make the holiday season feel like the loneliest time of year. Add that to rising stress levels, and it can feel very overwhelming. But don’t abandon all of that holiday hope just yet! Whether you’re spending the season alone by
It’s that time of year again! Dropping temperatures, cozy sweaters, and enjoying the merriment that comes with the winter holiday season. It’s also the time of year when our clocks change back to standard hours, and with that comes a decrease in daylight hours. If you notice a change in mood and behavior during this
November is National Family Caregivers Month! Caregiving provides much needed services to older adults and people with disabilities. In the United States, over 53 million people provide such services. Though a rewarding experience, caregiving has its challenges. The number of men in the field is growing, but the caregiving task still falls disproportionately to women,
Ever feel like you’re sleepwalking through life? You’re not alone! It’s time for America to wake up to the reality that there’s a sleep crisis happening. But sleep doesn’t have to be a rare commodity. A medicinal herb called ashwagandha can help you get the sleep you need. According to the CDC, 35% of U.S.
Stressed out, anxious, can’t sleep? There is a powerful amino acid that may help. L- Theanine, an amino acid found almost exclusively in green and black tea, provides a variety of health benefits primarily by acting on the nervous system. Among its benefits, l-theanine is neuroprotective; improves cognitive function; has antistress, antianxiety, and antidepressant effects;