Lower Reward Response Indicates First Onset of Depression
Lower neural response to rewards could indicate the first onset of depression in teens. Let’s break this down in simple terms.
PROBIOTICS TO TREAT DEPRESSION?
It’s not official yet, but a new study suggests taking probiotics could relieve symptoms of depression.
Remember several months ago, when I wrote about the relationship between your gut and your mental health? I recommended changing what you eat to develop a healthier gut. Well, this new study is along those same lines: Taking a probiotic to treat irritable bowel syndrome (IBS–a gut affliction) can also treat depression and anxiety.
It was just a small study with 44 participants. Each had both IBS and mild to moderate anxiety or depression. Half the participants took a probiotic (Bifidobacterium longum NCC3001, to be specific), while half took a placebo.
In the end, 14 of the 22 probiotic takers reported improvement in their depression symptoms, compared to half that number in the placebo group.
The researchers took it further and scanned the participants’ brains: Those whose depression symptoms had improved also showed changes in areas of the brain associated with mood control.
We need to see a larger version of this study before we start jumping on board, but given the established connection between the gut and the brain, I think it’s a promising area of research.
You Might Also Enjoy...
Almost Three Quarters of Adolescents Experience Depression or Anxiety
A new Australian study found most adolescents have chronic depression or anxiety, with 64% experiencing symptoms at least three times across their adolescent years.
Antidepressants Can Reduce Depression By Acting on the Gut Alone
By increasing serotonin levels in the gut, scientists observed a big reduction in depression and anxiety without the side effects of common antidepressants.
How to Practice Gratitude this Holiday Season
Gratitude benefits us in many ways, but the biggest benefit is how it improves our lives in general. Learn how to practice gratitude this holiday.
Schizophrenia Treatment: iTBS over left DLPFC brings new hope to patients
The new schizophrenia treatment is known as Theta burst stimulation (TBS), a non-invasive brain stimulation technique for altering human behavior and treating neurological diseases.
How to beat winter depression: Seasonal affective disorder treatment
Seasonal affective disorder or winter depression is depression that often becomes apparent during the winter.