MentalHealthDaily

Stop-Signal Task Links Cannabis Use to Decision Efficiency, Not Inhibition

by GLOOM

MHD featured image for stop-signal task modeling, evidence accumulation, and cigarette-plus-cannabis use.

A 2026 IMAGEN stop-signal task analysis found that evidence accumulation, response caution, and go-failure probability predicted cigarette-plus-cannabis use at ages 19 and 23, while inhibition parameters showed no apparent substance-use association.1 The calibrated reading is direct: conventional “poor inhibition” language may be too crude when the cigarette-plus-cannabis signal sits in general decision-making efficiency instead. Research …

Subcortical Connectivity Differs in Schizophrenia, Bipolar, Depression

by GLOOM

MHD featured image for subcortical connectivity patterns across schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression.

A 2026 resting-state fMRI study of 800 adults found intra-thalamic hypoconnectivity across schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depression, but schizophrenia showed far broader subcortical dysconnectivity than bipolar disorder or depression.1 The calibrated read is that these diagnoses may share a thalamic vulnerability while diverging in striatal and limbic circuitry. Research Highlights Shared thalamic deficit: In …

Digital Mindfulness for GAD: Machine Learning Predicted App Engagement

by GLOOM

MHD featured image for digital mindfulness engagement prediction in generalized anxiety disorder.

A 2026 machine-learning analysis of 110 adults with generalized anxiety disorder predicted 2-week digital mindfulness engagement with R2 = 82.1% in a top-10 predictor model, and the model favored mindfulness prompts over self-monitoring prompts for engagement (d = 1.447, p < .001).1 The calibrated read is that engagement with brief app-based mindfulness may be matchable, …

Early Mental Illness Severity Tracks Genetics and Brain Volume in PRONIA

by GLOOM

MHD featured image for transdiagnostic early mental illness severity, genetics, and brain volume.

A 2026 PRONIA preprint involving 727 discovery-sample participants found that early mental illness severity cut across psychosis risk, recent psychosis, and recent depression: groups with higher symptom severity also had poorer functioning, higher schizophrenia and depression polygenic risk, and lower gray matter volume. Research Highlights Severity crossed diagnostic labels: Ye et al. stratified 727 participants …

Body Dysmorphic Disorder and Perfectionism: r = 0.32 Meta-Analysis

by GLOOM

MHD featured image for body dysmorphic disorder and perfectionism meta-analysis.

A 2026 meta-analysis of 34 studies involving 13,107 participants found that body dysmorphic disorder symptoms and perfectionism were moderately correlated: r = .32, 95% CI 0.28 to 0.36, p < .001. The result supports perfectionism as a useful clinical clue in body dysmorphic disorder, but the estimate dropped to r = .09 after depression adjustment …

PTSD Social Function Therapy Improved Family Function in Older Veterans

by GLOOM

MHD featured image for PTSD social-function group therapy in older veterans.

A 2026 pilot randomized trial involving 36 older U.S. veterans with PTSD symptoms found that a structured social-function group therapy produced stronger signals for romantic and family functioning than a support group, with condition-by-time effects of eta-squared = 0.072 and eta-squared = 0.112. The same trial did not show a specific advantage for friendships and …

Latin American Drug Checking Services Face Legal and Funding Barriers

by GLOOM

A 2026 survey of 38 drug checking services found that Latin American programs faced a different operating reality than US programs: funding was a major barrier more often (80% vs. 54%), drug checking equipment was legally permitted less often (44% vs. 75%), and law enforcement confiscation of checking supplies was reported more often (38% vs. …