Exercise for Depression and Anxiety: 2025 Evidence Synthesis
Exercise reliably reduces depression and anxiety symptoms — but the cardio-vs-resistance gap and antidepressant parity claims are overstated.
antidepressants
Ketamine Increases Amygdala Volume in Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD) (2024 MRI Study)
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)
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 …
Pharmaceutical & Recreational Drug Use During & After COVID-19 Pandemic (2020-2023 in Latvia) (2024 Study)
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 …
Xylopic Acid for Depression: May Increase Efficacy of Select Antidepressants via Synergistic Effect (2024 Study)
In a new study, researchers discovered the synergistic antidepressant-like effects of xylopic acid (XA), a natural compound extracted from the dried fruits of Xylopia aethiopica, when combined with conventional antidepressants in mice. The study meticulously explored the interaction between XA and antidepressants like fluoxetine, sertraline, imipramine, and ketamine, revealing a promising potential for enhancing antidepressant …
Abnormal Brain EEG Activity Doesn’t Predict Antidepressant Efficacy in Depression (2023 Study)
Depression is a multifaceted mental health condition that presents significant challenges in both diagnosis and treatment. Recent studies have explored the potential of electroencephalography (EEG) as a predictive tool for treatment outcomes in major depressive disorder (MDD), with particular focus on the response to antidepressants like escitalopram. Highlights: EEG Abnormalities & Antidepressant Response: Contrary to …
Natural Plant Polysaccharides for Depression: Antidepressant Mechanisms & Effects (2024 Review)
Depression is a complex mental health disorder that affects millions of people worldwide, presenting a significant challenge for current medical treatments due to various side effects and drug resistances associated with conventional antidepressants. In response, researchers have turned their attention to natural plant polysaccharides, which have shown promising antidepressant effects through diverse mechanisms. This exploration …