Xanax (alprazolam) is a medication utilized primarily for the acute management of anxiety disorders – particularly panic disorder. When administered, Xanax crosses the blood-brain-barrier and modulates the activation of GABAA receptor alpha-1 subunits. This GABAergic modulation hyperpolarizes neurons via chloride ion influx and induces negative membrane potentials. The induction of negative membrane potentials makes neurons …
Lamictal (lamotrigine) is an anticonvulsant medication prescribed for the prophylaxis and/or management of epilepsy and bipolar disorder. Research suggests that Lamictal modifies neurochemistry by: inhibiting voltage-gated sodium channels, blocking various calcium channels (L-type; N-type; P-type), antagonizing sigma and 5-HT3 receptors, upregulating GABA signaling, and suppressing the release of glutamate and aspartate. Through the aforementioned mechanisms …
Lithium is a naturally occurring element that’s commonly prescribed in the format of “lithium carbonate” for the prophylaxis and/or management of bipolar disorder. Additionally, lithium is sometimes prescribed as an adjunct to treat refractory cases of major depressive disorder and schizophrenia. Throughout treatment, lithium is understood to modulate numerous aspects of a user’s neurophysiology to …
Trintellix (Vortioxetine hydrobromide), formerly sold under the name Brintellix, is an antidepressant that was jointly developed by the pharmaceutical companies Lundbeck and Takeda. In 2013, Trintellix received FDA approval for the treatment of major depressive disorder in the United States. Trintellix is classified as a “serotonin modulator and stimulator” in that it functions as an …
Coffee is a brewed drink prepared from the roasting of coffee beans, which technically, are seeds of berries produced by the Coffea plant. Specifically, when Coffea plant berries ripen, they are picked, processed, dried, roasted, ground, brewed with boiling water, and served as the beverage we’ve come to know as coffee. Although the Coffea plant …
Data from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) indicates that approximately 78.6 million adults (34.9%) are clinically obese. Healthcare costs of obesity-related medical conditions such as: cardiovascular disease, cancers, diabetes, and stroke (to name a few) – are thought to exceed $190 billion per year, accounting for over one-fifth of all annual medical expenses in …
According to National Health and Nutrition Examination surveys, over 2 out of 3 adults in the United States are overweight and/or obese. Excessive body weight and/or fat is understood to increase risk for numerous morbidities including: cancer, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, sleep apnea, and stroke – and that’s just naming a few. Perhaps troubling is …