MentalHealthDaily

Effects of Pramipexole on Reward Learning: Possible Depression Treatment? (2023 Study)

by GLOOM

In a significant stride toward understanding and treating depression, a 2023 study meticulously investigates the effects of pramipexole, a dopamine D2-like agonist, on reward learning. By exploring its impact on healthy volunteers through rigorous behavioral and neural assessments, the research offers groundbreaking insights into how this drug (occasionally used in depression) could revolutionize therapeutic strategies …

Cognitive Enhancement Effects of Caffeine, Methylphenidate, Modafinil (Study)

by GLOOM

In the pursuit of peak mental performance, scientific studies have explored the effects of stimulants like methylphenidate, modafinil, and caffeine on cognitive functions such as memory and attention. Recent research utilizing advanced neuroimaging techniques has begun to unravel the intricate ways these substances modulate brain activity and connectivity, offering insights into their potential as cognitive …

Parkinsons Disease Diagnosis Years in Advance? Retinal Thinning via Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)

by GLOOM

Recent research provides evidence that Parkinson’s disease (PD) is associated with thinning of specific retinal layers that can be detected years before diagnosis. Key facts: Individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD) had thinner retinal ganglion cell and inner plexiform layers compared to controls. Thinning of the inner nuclear layer, which contains dopamine cells, was also seen …

Phentermine For ADHD: An Uninvestigated Treatment

by GLOOM

Phentermine is an anorectic medication utilized principally for the short-term treatment of obesity as an adjunct to caloric restriction, dietary modifications, and physical exercise. It is formally classified as a psychostimulant due to the fact that it increases mental and physical arousal [via sympathomimetic mechanisms]. Specifically, phentermine facilitates central and peripheral catecholamine release (primarily of …

Impulse Control Disorder (ICD): Causes, Symptoms, Treatment

by GLOOM

Impulse control disorder (ICD) is an overarching classificatory label given to psychiatric disorders characterized by inability to resist impulses (or urges) that yield deleterious implications. Examples of impulse control disorders include: compulsive gambling, incessant sexual encounters, and binge shopping. If unrecognized and/or unaddressed for an extended duration, an impulse control disorder may ruin a person’s: …

Adderall Tolerance: Causes & How To Prevent It

by GLOOM

Nearly all individuals taking Adderall can attest to the fact that its psychostimulatory effect is most potent after an initial “first-time” dosage. Thereafter, its efficacy is generally maintained for weeks, or perhaps months after the initial dosage with favorable results. However, eventually Adderall users may notice that its therapeutic psychostimulation seems to have dwindled and/or …

Hydrafinil (Fluorenol): A Modafinil Analogue with Questionable Safety

by GLOOM

Hydrafinil (Fluorenol) is an unregulated research chemical originally synthesized by Cephalon Pharmaceuticals (now owned by Teva) as a eugeroic (wakefulness-promoting agent). After its synthesis, fluorenol was one of several agents to be considered as a hypothetical successor to the popularized and FDA-approved drug, Provigil (Modafinil). Comparative data from animal trials indicated that fluorenol exhibited ~39% …