OCD Brains Work Harder to Stay on Track

Summary: Getting dressed in the morning seems like a simple sequence, but for those with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), the brain may be working overtime just to keep from “getting stuck.”…

Teen Cannabis Use Doubles Psychosis and Bipolar Risk

Summary: A massive study of over 460,000 adolescents has confirmed that even occasional cannabis use during teenage years is a major risk factor for severe mental illness. The research followed…

Single DMT Dose Provides Lasting Relief from Depression

Summary: While psychedelic research often focuses on hours-long “trips” with psilocybin or LSD, a landmark Phase IIa trial has proven that a much shorter experience can be just as potent.…

How the Brain Distinguishes Instant Treats from Long-Term Triumphs

Summary: Researchers have unveiled new insights into a specific brain signal known as “Reward Positivity,” which may bridge the gap between simple pleasure and complex goal-setting. This electrical burst, occurring…

Early Screen Time Linked to Long-Term Brain Changes, Teen Anxiety

Summary: New research following children for more than a decade links high screen exposure before age two to accelerated brain maturation, slower decision-making, and increased anxiety by adolescence. Infants with…

Depression Quietly Damages the Heart Through Stress Circuits

Summary: Depression and anxiety may heighten cardiovascular disease risk through chronic stress pathways in the brain and body. In a large analysis of more than 85,000 adults, those with depression…

Stress Levels Predict Cannabis Use

Summary: New research shows that rats with naturally higher baseline stress hormone levels are significantly more likely to self-administer cannabis vapor. Over several weeks, rats were allowed to nose-poke for…

Anti-Inflammatory Treatments Show Promise for Depression

Summary: A new analysis shows that anti-inflammatory medications may help reduce symptoms for a subset of people with depression who also have chronic, low-grade inflammation. By reviewing randomized controlled trials…

PTSD Linked to Accelerated Brain Aging

Summary: A new study using advanced deep-learning brain age estimation shows that World Trade Center responders with PTSD exhibit signs of accelerated brain aging. Using BrainAgeNeXt, a model trained on…

Cognitive Profiles in Schizophrenia Are Being Ignored

Summary: A major scientific review reveals a deep knowledge gap in how cognition is affected when schizophrenia and personality disorders occur together. Despite the high prevalence and severe outcomes tied…