MentalHealthDaily

Are Mystical Experiences Required for the Antidepressant Effects of Ketamine & Psychedelics?

by GLOOM

The intersection of mental health treatment and pharmacology is witnessing a remarkable shift with the growing interest in ketamine and classic psychedelics like psilocybin for their rapid and sustained antidepressant effects. Unlike traditional antidepressants, these substances offer hope for those with treatment-resistant depression by potentially transforming treatment paradigms. However, it remains somewhat unclear as to …

Tianeptine Trends in the U.S.: Antidepressant, Nootropic, Street Drug (“Gas Station Heroin” & ZaZa)

by GLOOM

Tianeptine is an atypical antidepressant that has been approved in several countries for treating depression but is not authorized for medical use in the United States. Despite this, it has found a significant market in the U.S. as a nootropic, often sold under names like ZaZa or Tianna Red, and has been nicknamed “gas station …

Ketamine Increases Amygdala Volume in Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD) (2024 MRI Study)

by GLOOM

Depression is a complex mental health condition that significantly affects an individual’s emotional and physical well-being. Recent advances in neuroimaging have provided deeper insights into how major depressive disorder (MDD) alters brain structures, particularly the hippocampus and amygdala, and how treatments like ketamine can potentially reverse these changes. A new study using 3T and 7T …

Nortriptyline-Induced “Room Tilt Illusion”: A Rare Adverse Event of Antidepressants (2024 Case Report)

by GLOOM

Room Tilt Illusion (RTI) presents a perplexing challenge to both patients and physicians, transforming the familiar into the surreal as surroundings appear rotated or flipped. This rare condition, often linked to neurological or vestibular disorders, has recently been observed as an adverse effect of the antidepressant nortriptyline, used in treatment-resistant depression. A case report highlights …

Empagliflozin for Depression: Effective Adjunct with SSRIs (2024 Clinical Trial)

by GLOOM

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) impacts millions globally, making it a significant public health challenge. Traditional treatments like Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) don’t work for everyone, highlighting the need for innovative approaches. Recent clinical trials exploring the use of empagliflozin, a medication originally used to lower blood sugar in diabetes patients, have shown promising results …

Pharmaceutical & Recreational Drug Use During & After COVID-19 Pandemic (2020-2023 in Latvia) (2024 Study)

by GLOOM

The COVID-19 pandemic has undeniably transformed various facets of human life, including our health behaviors and substance consumption patterns. Through the lens of wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE), a study conducted in Riga, Latvia, from December 2020 to July 2023, sheds light on how the pandemic and subsequent restrictions have impacted the use of pharmaceuticals and recreational …

Myo-Inositol for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): Targeting BATF2 for Epigenetic & Transcriptomic Changes (2024 Study)

by GLOOM

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains one of the most challenging conditions for modern neurology, carrying a wide range of long-term consequences that can significantly impair an individual’s quality of life. In a new study, researchers analyzed the epigenetic landscape post-TBI, revealing significant DNA methylation changes in the hippocampus—a crucial area for memory and learning. The …