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Seroquel (Quetiapine) For Anxiety Disorders: An “Atypical” Treatment

Seroquel (Quetiapine) is an atypical antipsychotic engineered in the early 1990s by the pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca.  It was first approved by the FDA in 1997 for the treatment of schizophrenia, and was sequentially approved by the FDA in 2004 for the management of bipolar mania.  Seroquel would also receive subsequent FDA approval in 2009 as …

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Lithium For Anxiety Disorders: An Unconventional, Underinvestigated Intervention

Elemental lithium was first discovered by Johann August Arfvedson in 1817 and was later isolated via electrolysis of lithium oxide (Li2O) through a joint effort of William Thomas Brande and Sir Humphrey Davy.  In the 19th century, scientists discovered that lithium was capable of dissolving uric acid crystals isolated from kidneys, and for this reason, …

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Magnesium For Depression: An Underexplored Treatment

Magnesium is regarded as an essential mineral for humans and functions as a cofactor in upwards of 300 biochemical processes throughout the body.  For example, magnesium is implicated in: ATP production, blood pressure regulation, bone development, glucose modulation, heart rhythm normalization, muscle and nerve function, plus protein synthesis.  Knowing that magnesium is essential for optimal …

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Transcranial Photobiomodulation For Depression: Near-Infrared Light & Laser Therapy

Photobiomodulation involves the targeted administration of light frequencies to modulate biological function for the treatment of medical conditions and/or to expedite healing in the aftermath of a physical injury.  It was Niels Ryberg Finsen who was among the first to showcase the potential of photobiomodulation when he proved that sunlight rays were capable of killing …

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Autism, Gut Bacteria, & Probiotics for Treatment: A Complex Puzzle

Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder associated with poor social skills, deficits in verbal and non-verbal communication, and frequent engagement in repetitive behaviors.  On average, it affects boys more frequently (~5-fold) than girls and signs of the disorder become noticeable in early childhood [between ages 1 and 3].  Estimates suggest that over 21 million individuals throughout …

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Acupuncture For Weight Loss: Does It Really Work?

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 …

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Hypnosis For Weight Loss: Does It Really Work?

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 …

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