The technical definition of a drug is “any chemical substance that affects the central nervous system.” Determining the most addictive drugs has been a challenge for researchers and results have been controversial throughout the years. Additionally agreeing on a proper definition for “addiction” and criteria by which it can be measured is somewhat difficult. The …
When thinking of the term “addiction” many people associate it with drugs. Thinking of an “addict” often brings forth images of someone in the streets looking for their next fix of heroin or cocaine. While addiction to illicit drugs is a common problem, the term “addiction” is not limited to only illicit street drugs. In …
Addiction is defined as repeatedly engaging in a particular behavior or using a substance to experience pleasure, regardless of the consequences. Some believe that addiction can be a result of environmental experiences and/or various psychological conditions. When most people think of addiction, they think of gambling, illicit drugs (e.g. cocaine), alcohol, and sex. One reason …
A new meta-analysis recently showed that the antidepressant Paxil (Paroxetine) is only slightly more effective than a placebo for both depression and anxiety disorders. Prior to this finding, it was assumed that all SSRI antidepressants were significantly more effective than a placebo, hence getting approval to treat depression. In the article I wrote entitled “Do …
Experiencing a panic attack can be a frightening experience that results in physical symptoms (such as sweating and palpitations) and mental symptoms (such as fear of losing control or dying). A majority of panic attack sufferers are able to find relief with various types of therapy such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and psychoanalytic therapy. …
A panic attack is defined as a sudden (or unexpected) surge of anxiety or fear. During this surge of fear, a person typically experiences a combination of cognitive and physical symptoms related to severe anxiety. These symptoms can include things like: fear of losing control, palpitations, hyperventilation, chest pain, and sweating. The experience may become …
Brain freeze is an uncomfortable sensation that feels like the inside of your head (or brain) has frozen after consuming a cold beverage or food such as ice cream. Some people also use the term “ice cream headache” as a synonymous term to describe brain freeze. This is due to the fact that most early …