Summary: A new study reveals that hormonal contraceptives may shape both emotional responses and memory processing in women. Compared with naturally cycling women, users of hormonal birth control had stronger…
Category: PTSD
Highly Sensitive People Face Greater Mental Health Risks
Summary: A large-scale meta-analysis of 33 studies has shown that highly sensitive individuals are more prone to common mental health problems, including depression, anxiety, PTSD, and avoidant personality disorder. Sensitivity…
Old Injuries Rewire the Brain to Feel Fear and Pain Forever
Quick Q&A Q: Can past injuries increase sensitivity to future pain or stress?A: Yes — this study shows that old injuries can prime the brain to overreact to new stressors,…
Mother’s Role in Buffering Child PTSD
Summary: A mother’s ability to regulate her response to trauma can significantly lessen PTSD symptoms in her children, particularly in high-stress regions. The research observed 131 mothers and young children…
Brain Control of Escape Behavior May Unlock Anxiety Treatments
Summary: Researchers discovered how the brain controls sensitivity to threats, influencing escape behavior in mice. The study found that inhibitory neurons in the periaqueductal gray (PAG) regulate both the initiation…
Unlocking Fear’s Roots in the Brain
Summary: Researchers provide new findings on how the brain’s response to stress can lead to generalized fear, a condition that can severely impact mental health and contribute to disorders like…
Daily Uplifts Boost Mood After Traumatic Loss
Summary: Researchers discovered that engaging in simple activities, termed “uplifts,” can significantly enhance emotional well-being following the traumatic loss of a loved one. Analyzing daily diary surveys from 440 adults…
Psychoactive Ibogaine and Magnesium Show Promise for PTSD
Summary: Ibogaine, a plant-based psychoactive drug combined with magnesium, effectively reduces PTSD, anxiety, and depression in veterans with traumatic brain injuries (TBI). The study, involving 30 U.S. special forces veterans,…
Microbiome and Diet Could Mitigate PTSD Symptoms
Summary: Researchers explored the potential link between the Mediterranean diet, the gut microbiome, and PTSD symptoms. Their study, involving 191 participants, revealed that those following a Mediterranean diet exhibited fewer…
Predicting PTSD: Brain Scans Unravel Trauma’s Long-term Effects
Summary: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects 2% to 10% of trauma survivors, manifesting as intense anxiety from emotional disbalance. Researchers employed brain scans on 104 trauma survivors to determine which…
