If you experience depression solely in the winter months, you may have a condition known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD), also referred to in layman’s terms as “seasonal depression.” Throughout human evolution, it was speculated that mood changes occurred during inclement conditions such as winter months due to the fact that in these conditions, it …
Neurofeedback is a training technique that helps you learn how to consciously change the electrical activity (brain waves) in your brain. All electrical oscillations influence your state of consciousness, arousal, and ability to function. Neurofeedback is based on the idea that many individuals, particularly those with psychological conditions (e.g. ADHD) have suboptimal brain waves in …
Most people associate meditation with laser-like focus, expanded internal awareness, emotional stability, and cognitive enhancement. Plus there is mounting evidence to suggest that many of these claims are valid, just read all of the scientific benefits of meditation. The new wave of meditation science, coupled with development of meditation apps (e.g. Headspace), and celebrities attributing their success …
Vyvanse (Lisdexamfetamine) is a drug developed by Shire Pharmaceuticals as a successor to Adderall. Vyvanse was first approved for the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in 2007. In 2015, Vyvanse was approved for binge eating disorder and was found to successfully minimize appetite and number of binge eating episodes per week compared to a placebo. …
Everyone’s heard that low serotonin levels are associated with depression. While the serotonin theory of depression may be valid for some people, clearly not everyone with depression has low serotonin. However, we do know that for the majority of people, SSRIs (selective-serotonin reuptake inhibitors) help treat depression. This has lead many people to wrongfully conclude …
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that is involved in many necessary brain functions. It is released when we get rewarded and is linked to feelings of pleasure. The pleasure associated with the release of dopamine is what makes certain behaviors addictive. Any behavior that induces a sense of pleasure such as: gambling and winning, doing certain …
Gluten is defined as a protein composite (gliadin and glutenin) found in grains such as: barley, rye, and most commonly, wheat. The word gluten is derived from the Latin word “gluten” which roughly translates to “glue.” Gluten is what gives grain-based products a chewy texture and allows these products to maintain a specific shape. In …