It is estimated that 40% of U.S. adults are obese – and this figure is projected to continue growing. One potential reason for weight gain and a possible catalyst for obesity is use of pharmaceutical drugs (i.e. medications). Medication-induced weight gain poses a significant challenge in healthcare, affecting both patient well-being and treatment adherence. Key …
If you’re taking a psychiatric drug, you probably hope that you’re taking the one with the lowest overall risk. Sure you want the drug to be therapeutic and alleviate your symptoms, but you also don’t want to take a drug with a rapid tolerance onset, debilitating side effects, and crazy withdrawal symptoms. Many dangerous psychiatric …
Everyone wants to take drugs, eat foods, and supplements for short-term gain, but most are not prepared to face the long-term consequences. Most people are okay with binging on carbohydrates (e.g. chips, pretzels, pastas), sugary treats (e.g. ice cream), and alcohol – but are totally unaware that there’s a biological consequence for each of their …
Psychosis is a condition that is commonly associated with the mental illness schizophrenia. It is defined as a detachment from reality and hallmark symptoms include delusions (beliefs that aren’t based in reality) and hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling stimuli that aren’t real). Those with psychosis are usually admitted to a psychiatric ward and/or hospital and …
Dopamine is a popular neurotransmitter that is believed to play a primary role in motivation, pleasure, and mood. When a person experiences pleasure from activities like having sex, watching porn, using drugs, or even intense physical exercise – dopamine is at work. Additionally, dopamine plays a vital role in motor control and cognitive function. Increasing …
Are there certain foods that you are unable to stop eating? Research conducted by Connecticut College shed some light on the addictive nature of sugary foods. For their particular study, they decided to use “America’s Favorite Cookie,” the Oreo. Their findings weren’t that surprising to people who already know the fact that Oreos and other …
Nightmares are defined as highly unpleasant dreams that often provoke an uncomfortable emotional response within the brain. Common emotional responses include feelings of: fear, terror, horror, and depression. Some nightmares can be so intense that a person wakes up in a pool of sweat or with a rapid, pounding heart. In other cases, a person …