Summary: Easy access to porn has emerged as a significant threat to the mental well-being of children and young adults. Children exposed to porn at an early age are more likely to be addicted to porn as adults and have compulsive behavior. In addition, studies suggest that porn addiction causes changes in the brain, the remainder of drug addiction. It means that if porn addiction in children is not controlled, it may result in some permanent changes in their brains, making them susceptible to compulsive behavior and even drug addiction as adults.

Be it drugs, violence, compulsive behavior, or addiction to porn. Researchers now know that different addictions are interrelated. They lead to similar kinds of changes in the brain. Thus, fighting one kind of addiction would help reduce the risk of another kind of addiction.

In recent years, easy access to porn among teens has emerged as a significant concern. It is frightening to think that even young kids can readily watch porn. Moreover, the impact of porn on young minds is not fully understood yet. Nonetheless, it is evident that young brains are not ready to consume porn, and its unlimited access may only cause harm.

As someone has rightly said, just imagine a situation when a child can go to a candy store 24 hours a day and eat as many candies as they like. It is easy to guess that the end result will not be good. Children still lack that self-control like adults. They have limited understanding of what is good for their health and what is not, and thus they are more likely to follow their impulses.
Once the children are allowed to follow their impulses, it may become their habit. They might get addicted to it.

Now just imagine the situation with porn. It is readily available to kids 24 hours a day. A new survey suggests that 80% of teens have seen porn multiple times. What is worrisome is that studies show that some start watching porn quite early.

Impact Of Porn On The Brain

One of the issues in studying the impact of porn on young brains is that exposing children to porn and then scanning the brains are not allowed by law. It is unethical. It means that carrying out clinical studies on young children is not possible.

Nonetheless, it is possible to analyze the brain of young adults. Researchers have studied the brains of those exposed to porn at a young age. They often grow out as adults that are addicted to porn and have impulsive behavior.

Scans of young adults addicted to porn show that they have brain changes that are quite similar to those found in drug addicts. Their reward pathway has changed. It means they start seeking pleasure or reward from watching porn.

Researchers are indeed confused by a few things. First, they are not sure about how many changes in the brain of these young adults are a result of watching porn. After all, it is pretty likely that some were born with certain traits predisposing them to porn addiction.

Another thing that many people argue is that the human brain lights up when it anticipates anything exciting, from ice cream and videogame to sex. However, this is not the case. Experts explain that the way the brains of those addicted to porn light up is quite different. Their response to exposure to something they are addicted to is much stronger. It means that they gain far more pleasure when exposed to these things.

Simply said, those addicted to porn and living with compulsive behavior have greater activity in the reward centers of the brain when compared to relatively healthy people. In addition, studies suggest that most of them are adults who were exposed to porn at quite a young age. Most started watching porn perhaps in their early teenage years.
In individuals addicted to porn, their brain starts processing emotions faster than they can control impulses.

Experts Recommend Using Tech To Block Porn

Experts recommend that parents should talk to their children about porn, especially if they think that they are viewing porn. Additionally, using various tools to block porn is a good idea. There are many apps that can block adult content or explicit images.

One needs to conduct some research, but finding these tools is pretty simple. Most of these tools are available for free. For example, the Family Link app by google for Android phones can not only block porn but can also help limit screen time and much more. There are such apps for almost every platform.

If you think your child is addicted to porn, it may also be suitable to seek the attention of experts who know how to treat various addictions and manage compulsive behavior through telehealth or telemedicine, keeping your privacy intact.

Summary: Researchers know that changes in gut microbiota have an adverse impact on mental health management. These changes are among the significant reasons for the rise of common mental health problems. Using germ-free mice, researchers can now understand the role of different types of gut microbiota in mental health. Additionally, they can also start using gut microbiota to manage mental health issues. It means that science can now progress from developing the understanding to practical application.

Different types of mental illnesses like anxiety, depression, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and various neurodegenerative diseases are rising. However, science has been struggling to explain why these mental health disorders have been rising so briskly in the last few decades. It now appears that most adults are living with one or another common mental health problems.

It is pretty easy to guess that it has much to do with a fast-changing environment. These diseases used to be rare just a century back. So, it means that fast-changing environmental factors and lifestyles predispose humans to mental health issues.

However, perhaps the bigger question remains: What kind of environmental and lifestyle changes are causing a rise in mental health issues, what is the role of various such changes, and what is the underlying mechanism? 

It is not easy to understand, as tens of factors are implicated in the rise of mental health issues. One such factor contributing to the increase in mental health issues is dysbiosis or severe changes in the gut microbiota. It has been seen that painkiller addiction helps in the rise of such cases as well. 

Studies show that changes in gut microbiota may affect physical and mental health. But, understanding what changes cause these health disorders is challenging. There are trillions of microorganisms living in the gut, and health disorders occur due to minor changes in their population. Therefore, understanding these small changes in the population of gut microbiota is very challenging. Nonetheless, researchers have been making some progress.

To understand how gut microbiota influences mental and physical health, researchers use so-called germ-free mice. These are mice that lack any kind of gut microflora. Then by introducing gut microflora in these mice, researchers can see the impact of different types of microbiota on mental and physical health. This helps us understand how and what changes in the gut microbiota are harmful and suggests ways of normalizing gut microbiota.

Researchers now know that gut microbiota produces neurotransmitters, short-chain fatty acids, bile acids, vitamins, lactate, and many other bioactive compounds, thus impacting health. They are now also learning to appreciate the importance of various bioactive compounds produced by gut microbiota, modulating their levels by tweaking the gut microbiota.

In the future, researchers think that understanding how to use microbiota to alter the production of various bioactive compounds may help manage most mental health disorders, from depression, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), to autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

There are many good things about such a therapy. First, it is a more natural way to treat mental health disorders. Such methods may work slowly, but they can provide prolonged relief without causing any significant side effects.

Moreover, it is vital to understand that though there are hundreds of medications to treat mental health disorders, they work only in a small number of cases. Additionally, these drugs cause severe side effects.

Just take the example of depression. There are tens of drugs to treat the condition. Yet, these drugs barely work in less than half of all cases. It means that medications almost completely fail to help in more than 50% of the cases. Even worse, they have many side effects, they help slowly, and people must take these medications for long, sometimes even lifelong.

Unlike medical drugs, novel therapies like using gut microbes may provide prolonged relief. Moreover, once the healthy gut population has been reinstated, one can start living without the need to take any medications. Thus, such an approach is not only safe, but it also helps mental health management. 

It is therefore suggested to take expert help in case of common mental health problems. Telehealth addiction treatment offered by Addictionology Center helps you in mental health management right in the comfort of your home. 

Summary: Opioid overdose-related deaths are rising in the US. Statistics show that most such deaths occur due to synthetic opioid overdose and opiate abuse, as these drugs are more potent than popular street drugs like heroin. For example, fentanyl is 50 times more potent than heroin. However, in recent years, overdose-related cases due to a new kind of opioid called Isotonitazene have been rising. This new kind of opioid is 20 times more potent than fentanyl.

Illicit drug manufacturers are becoming more complex and innovative and thus keep coming up with new drugs that are potent and cheaper to produce. The pharmaceutical industry has created most synthetic opioids with the right intention. Unfortunately, however, many of these medications have become drugs of abuse. What is worrisome is that synthetic opioids are far more potent than natural opioids.

Just take the example of fentanyl, which is a legal opiate that doctors prescribe for specific medical conditions. However, fentanyl has also become a popular drug of abuse as it is 50 times more potent than popular street drugs like heroin. However, higher potency also means a significantly higher overdose risk. Now, it appears that drug 20 times more potent than fentanyl is circulating in the illicit drug market. One need not be an expert to guess about the potential risks of such a potent drug. This drug is called Isotonitazene or commonly known as just ISO. It is a relatively new drug that has already flooded the market. Unfortunately, its rise has been exponential, and this is quite problematic.

It is a drug first identified in the illicit drug market in just 2019. In 2021, The Washington Post first reported an estimated close to 500 overdoses in the District of Columbia over the period of 12 months. The rise of this new synthetic drug is worrisome since CDC’s data show that more than 75% of overdose-related deaths occur due to synthetic opioids. Opioid addiction treatment is crucial in addressing this issue.”

This new opioid has become popular in such a short time that DEO has to offer a special warning about ISO. Basically, though the drug is new but not the phenomenon, illicit drug producers are always looking for drugs that are new, easy to produce, and potent so that they can maximize their profits. Not only that, new drugs have other benefits like Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and other legal bodies are not aware of the substance. Thus, a lower risk of being caught with such new drugs and an even lower risk of being persecuted. 

The law cannot persecute someone for possessing a substance that is not on a list of illegal drugs. Of course, illicit drug traders know that agencies will catch up quickly. However, they also know that they can make a lot of money in a short time. For example, though DEA now knows well about Isotonitazene, identifying the drug still remains a challenge. There are still no rapid tests available for use by the agencies. Just take the example of fentanyl. DEA or other agencies know quite well how to identify the drug. Not only that, but they also have rapid test strips to confirm. However, things are different for Isotonitazene, and thus detecting it is still challenging.

Researchers say that these days one can readily buy various chemicals online that are labeled as “not for human consumption.” Many organizations sell these chemicals for scientific studies. However, some illicit drug makers can get hold of such substances and even learn to produce them, which results in the introduction of new drugs to the market. Of course, it is better to avoid substance use altogether to stay safe. However, for those with substance abuse disorder, it is better to avoid using new substances, as using such substances poses a much greater threat.

The Bottom Line

Addictionology Center offers a dedicated opioid addiction treatment for its patients depending upon their condition and medical history. With its comprehensive approach, our Telemedicine Addiction treatment program helps to get the best of treatment right in the comfort of your home. Schedule an appointment today to get in touch with the experts.

Summary: Opioids are not prescribed in pregnancy. However, so many people are living with opioid use disorder (OUD). Thus, it is no surprise that many pregnant women are exposed to opioids. Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) causes many pregnancy-related complications like increased risk of preterm birth. However, now a study shows that opioid exposure during pregnancy also results in a smaller fetal brain. Thus, OUD may have long-term implications for children born to women living with OUD.

Doctors are unlikely to recommend opioids during pregnancy. However, about 2.7 million people are living with opioid use disorder symptoms (OUD) in the US alone. The vast majority of them are addicted to prescription opioids and some to street drugs1. Hence, many fetuses are exposed to opioids in their early life.

Fetuses, that is, unborn offspring, differ from adults. It is a stage when an organism is growing fast, and body structures are still forming. Thus, a kind of side effects would also differ in pregnancy. Opioid exposure not only harms women’s health but may also cause significant harm to fetal development.

There are many studies focused on the harm of OUD during pregnancy. Studies show that it results in preterm birth, stillbirths, higher maternal mortality, and more. However, there are still very few studies regarding the impact of opioid exposure during pregnancy and fetal brain development.

The new study published in the American Journal of Roentgenology found that opioid exposure leads to poor fetal brain development. Thus, women exposed to opioids during pregnancy have fetuses with smaller brains compared to those not exposed to opioids.

The study was done at multiple centers in the US. Doctors included those women in the study who had to undergo MRI in their third trimester. During the investigation, they marked the women as either opioid exposed or not exposed to opioids. 

A total of 28 fetal scans were of opioid-exposed women, and 37 fetal scans were of unexposed. When they corrected for fetal age and other confounding factors, they found that fetuses exposed to opioids had significantly smaller brain sizes than those unexposed. They also found increased amniotic fluid volume (29% vs. 8%) and a considerably higher risk of breech position.

This study shows the magnitude of the problem of health threats posed by OUD. However, it should not be viewed merely as a condition causing overdose deaths or few pregnancy complications. Its harms may be even graver, and many harms are challenging to measure.

Smaller brain size is just one thing. However, it is quite challenging to measure how due to OUD, each year, hundreds of children are being born that may experience various disabilities later in their life.

It shows how OUD may influence generations to come. Children born to parents living with OUD may have numerous mental health issues, neurodevelopmental issues, a higher risk of physical ailments, and more.

This study has just explored the tip of the iceberg. Nonetheless, it is a study in the right direction. It shows that statistics regarding drug addiction, related disabilities, and mortality do not show a complete picture.

It also shows the vitality of treating OUD symptoms in young adults. By treating these disorders, we are helping young adults and doing a great service to the coming generation. 

Additionally, it also shows that clinicians should be careful prescribing opioids to young adults, especially women of childbearing age. There is also a need to increase awareness regarding health threats posed by opioid abuse in young adults, especially those planning to have a child.

Additionally, this study should form the basis for further studies into the topic. There is also a need to explore health issues in children born to parents living with OUD. This will help provide timely help to these children.

Summary: Almost 40% of US children are overweight or obese. However, childhood obesity remains a neglected topic, as, unlike adults, children do not develop severe diabetes or cardiovascular problems. Nonetheless, it is worth understanding that childhood obesity means a greater risk of obesity and related disorders in early adulthood. Thus, if we want to tackle obesity in adults, we need to start early. We need to start managing childhood obesity.

70% of adults in the US are either obese or overweight. However, obesity is now also increasing at an alarming rate in children and young adults. It means that to counter obesity and related disorders, we need to counter obesity in children. Obesity is already a severe problem in children and young adults. Studies suggest that 21-24% of American children and adolescents are overweight, and 16-18% are obese. It means that approximately 40% of children are either overweight or obese, and the number is increasing.

Childhood obesity significantly increases the risk of diabetes, hypertension, reproductive function, liver and kidney diseases, heart disease, and more. In addition, childhood obesity is the reason why health disorders like diabetes or heart problems are becoming common in young adults. Therefore, researchers say that it is time to start considering childhood obesity as a major health concern. Effective opioid addiction treatment can help mitigate the risk factors associated with obesity and related disorders, and more research is needed to understand the link between opioid addiction and childhood obesity. 

Childhood obesity is quite challenging to understand. After all, there are massive individual differences in children. Though there are many reasons for childhood obesity like genetics, environmental factors, eating habits, lifestyle, and more, the cause of childhood obesity remains unidentified in more than 90% of cases.

So, what is childhood obesity?

Obesity in children has been neglected as it is more difficult to define. In adults, obesity is defined after analyzing the data, which shows an increase in acute and chronic ailments related to specific body mass. However, children do not develop those kinds of health issues. Though, of course, as an adult, they will develop those health problems much earlier.

There is a different understanding of obesity in children. Nonetheless, experts think that overweight children are those with 20% higher mass which is normal for their height. Above 50% is obesity. Therefore, a child is severely obese with 80-100% higher body mass than normal for that height. It means that BMI can also be used in children to understand obesity, though one may need to take BMI readings for longer, like a couple of years, before making final conclusions. Nonetheless, studies confirm that those with BMI above 30 kg/m2 are obese. These findings have been confirmed by body scans.

What causes obesity in childhood?

Here it is vital to understand that in just about 10% of the cases, there is a known cause like genetic disorder like Cohen syndrome, Turner Syndrome, or Down’s syndrome. In addition, some are obese due to hormonal issues like growth hormone deficiency, hypothyroidism, high cortisol levels, and so on.

However, perhaps the most significant cause is either excessive energy intake or reduced energy expenditure. It means either consuming too much food high in calories or not engaging much in physical activities.

Of course, things are not as simple, as it has much to do with an altered lifestyle. Thus, researchers think children are now prone to ghrelin/leptin hormone pathway dysfunction, resulting in appetite control dysfunction. Studies suggest that it is the cause of obesity in about 10% of obese individuals. 

Quite often, obesity runs in families. However, it is not related to genetics. Instead, it is associated with lifestyle choices like watching too much television, not engaging in exercise, and so on. 

Unlike adults, obese children are relatively healthy. Nonetheless, these are individuals at a higher risk of various health disorders. Those who are obese in childhood are less likely to lean in adulthood. They start developing issues like insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and hypertension early. Once young adults have developed these issues, they are even less likely to lose body weight.

To sum up, if we want to reduce obesity in adults and minimize the risk of obesity-related disorders, we should start countering childhood obesity.

Summary: Alcohol use disorder is a significant problem in the US and is associated with significant mortality. However, there are very few medications to treat alcohol use disorder. Now a new study suggests that one of the commonly available medications used to treat hypertension may help reduce alcohol cravings. A recent study found that those who used this medication to manage heart issues or hypertension reported significantly reduced alcohol intake. The drug was especially good for reducing alcohol intake in those with the highest alcohol intake.

Excessive alcohol consumption is a significant problem in the US. It causes 380 deaths a day or 140,000 deaths each year. Yes, these numbers are massive. Moreover, many of those who die due to excessive alcohol use are relatively young adults. Additionally, millions of lives are affected by excessive alcohol consumption. 

Though most are able to drink alcohol responsibly, nonetheless, alcohol use disorder is a significant issue in the US and globally. Alcohol is readily and legally available, and more than 80% of adults use alcohol now and then. Thus, no surprise that many use alcohol excessively.

Despite alcohol use disorder being an age-old problem, it has received relatively little attention. However, many people living with the condition require medical treatment for painkiller addiction help. Regretfully, very few drugs are moderately effective in the condition. Thus, doctors may use medications affecting alcohol metabolism, making alcohol consumption unpleasant. Or they might use drugs that reduce alcohol cravings. However, most medicines used to treat alcohol use disorders are moderately effective. Unfortunately, some of them have unpleasant side effects. Thus, researchers are looking for safer and more effective remedies, and it appears that one such remedy may be one of the popular heart medicine.

This popular heart medicine is called spironolactone. It is a diuretic used to manage hypertension. It has been in clinical use for a long, and thus it has a proven safety track record. However, now animal studies and clinical trials suggest that it may be quite good for treating alcohol use disorder, as it reduces alcohol cravings. The findings of the latest study were published in Molecular psychiatry2.

Spironolactone is an exciting drug in many ways, and studies have shown that it has many other health effects. That is why doctors are also exploring it for other brain disorders. It is even used to manage hair loss and many other health issues.

Researchers found that when mice were given spironolactone, they had a reduced urge to drink alcohol. Similarly, studies show that when spironolactone is prescribed for treating high blood pressure, people also report reduced alcohol intake due to a reduced urge to use alcohol.

Studies suggest that this may have something to do with its influence on mineralocorticoid receptors. These receptors are located throughout the brain and other organs that play an important role in fluid and electrolyte balance. It appears that expression or, rather, overexpression of these receptors in the brain has something to do with alcohol use disorder. Consequently, blocking these receptors appears to reduce alcohol urges or cravings in those living with alcohol use disorder.

In the study, researchers analyzed US Veterans Affairs healthcare system data and found that those taking spironolactone reported reduced alcohol intake. Interestingly, researchers found that those with the highest alcohol intake were more likely to reduce their intake after treatment with spironolactone.

Researchers say that these findings are highly encouraging. It is well-known that spironolactone is a nonselective mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) antagonist. Furthermore, it appears to modulate alcohol-seeking behavior by acting on these receptors in the brain.

Investigators also found that spironolactone independently reduced alcohol intake. In addition, its dose-dependently reduced alcohol self-administration. 

Researchers say that there is strong evidence from studies in rodents and clinical trials that it works. Thus, there is an urgent need to further test this drug for treating alcohol use disorder. Since the drug is already approved for treating other health conditions, it can be readily introduced for alcohol use disorder management. Repurposing a drug already in clinical use is much easier than developing some new treatment.

Summary: TKA is a major surgical intervention requiring prolonged use of painkillers post-surgery. Additionally, doctors also need to use anxiolytics and antidepressants to manage emotional distress in many patients. A new study shows that those requiring psychotropics are also more likely to require longer opioid use due to a greater pain score.

 

Knee osteoarthritis, a common condition in the United States affecting millions of people, can be treated with various methods, including opioid addiction treatment. It is characterized by the degeneration of cartilage in the knee joint, leading to pain and disability that can significantly impact a person’s quality of life, making it difficult to perform everyday activities such as walking, climbing stairs, and participating in physical activities.

 

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA), also known as knee replacement surgery, is a common treatment option for individuals with severe knee osteoarthritis. TKA involves removing the damaged parts of the knee and replacing them with artificial components, which can significantly reduce pain and improve mobility. However, TKA is typically only recommended for patients who have not responded to less invasive treatments, such as physical therapy, weight management, and pain management.

 

TKA is a major surgical intervention. However, it also provides significant relief to the patient once the joint has healed after the surgery. In addition, TKA ultimately results in lower dependence on painkillers, as most are able to live without painkillers. Generally, patients need opioids for the first three months after the intervention. Opioids, though highly effective in controlling postoperative pain, are not an excellent choice. They slow down healing processes. Additionally, though minimal, but there is still a risk that prolonged opioid therapy in the post-surgical phase may increase the risk of opioid dependence in some.

 

However, it is worth understanding that pain is not the sole concern of those who undergo TKA. Most patients also require treatment for mental health issues, for emotional distress. Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) can also cause significant anxiety and depression in some patients. The reasons for this can be diverse and interrelated but generally stem from the patient’s concerns about the outcome of the surgery, the recovery process, and the ability to return to normal activities.

 

Chronic pain, which is a common symptom of knee osteoarthritis, can lead to depression and anxiety. In addition, the physical limitations imposed by the pain and disability associated with knee osteoarthritis can also contribute to feelings of hopelessness and depression.  All this means that doctors frequently use psychotropics in TKA patients to manage pain and mental health issues. Moreover, many patients report better pain relief when they are provided drugs like anxiolytics or antidepressants along with opioids.

 

However, now some researchers warn against the frequent use of anxiolytics or antidepressants in TKA patients. Since new studies show that using these drugs may result in longer opioid use in patients. Not only that the patients use opioids for longer, they even had higher pain scores when psychotropics were used along with opioids. Although, it does not seem to have any influence on readmission rates or emergency department visits.

 

It means that using psychotropics in TKA patients along with opioids has limited health benefits and must be used with great care. Overall, researchers found that patients on these medications require more aggressive pain control after surgery. Moreover, these issues were seen even in patients prescribed anxiolytics or antidepressants for other reasons, and they did not experience anxiety or depression. Of course, it is not possible to treat all the patients without these drugs. Nonetheless, the study shows that those living with mood disorders are more likely to experience prolonged post-TKA pain and recover slower.

 

By Gurpreet Singh Padda, MD, MBA, MHP

Summary: Psychedelics like magic mushrooms or LSD produce a unique experience. They are hallucinogenic. They are known to help with many health conditions like depression and other issues. However, there are safety concerns regarding their clinical use. Researchers in the new study found that VR technology can provide a similar kind of self-transcendent experience in a safe and more controlled manner.

In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in psychedelics like magic mushrooms or LSD. Though these are substances of abuse, it appears they might also help manage various health conditions when used under medical supervision.

Psychedelics are especially good for managing mental health disorders like depression. They might also boost mental abilities. Additionally, psychedelic experience may be beneficial even in some physical health disorders.

However, using psychedelics in clinical practice is challenging, and chances are slim that they would find wider use. These are highly controlled substances. Not only that but carrying out psychedelic therapy is also quite challenging. Additionally, once the psychedelic experience begins, a therapist has little control over it. It means that psychedelics do not work as expected in many instances.

Nonetheless, these limitations of psychedelics do not mean neglecting their benefits. Science just needs to find a safe way to induce a similar mental state. There could be many ways of doing so, like creating safer psychedelics. However, now researchers think that VR technology may be a much better way of safely inducing psychedelic-like effects.

Studies suggest that during a psychedelic experience, few things occur. They say this experience is similar to those reported by some post-stroke patients. In the state, one cannot clearly define the boundaries of the body. One loses the sensation of where the body begins and where it ends. However, this also provides strange kinds of sensations like arms and legs merging with the wall, and so on. It reduces egoic identity, and one descends into a so-called “self-transcendent experience” (STEs).

STE is a special state of mind in which the sense of self-identity diminishes temporarily, and one achieves the so-called oneness with other people and the environment. It is a kind of feeling that sometimes happens when reading a book. However, this kind of experience is much weaker when reading a book.

However, the kind of experience that occur due to psychedelics is much more intense. It is a feeling of oneness with the cosmos. It is a kind of mystic experience, almost like an encounter with God. 

Researchers say that those who had such kind of experience while taking psilocybin describe it as the most wonderful thing that ever happened to their lives.

It means that there is simply a need to find a safer way of providing such experiences. Now researchers think that perhaps the best way of doing this is by using VR technology. 

In a new program, researchers used VR experience for a group of people to create oneness with the environment and each other. They called this experience Isness. In the study, five participants experienced VR together. They were either located near each other or away. 

VR is unique in a way that it allows even people in remote locations to join each other in such an experience or a trip. Moreover, the VR program safely generates a program enabling participants to descend into self-transcendence. The VR programs help to dimmish the conventional boundaries between people, which they generally maintain from each other. 

Researchers say that in this way, VR provides an entirely new kind of experience in which their bodies fluidly merge with each other. As a result, all experience is quite blurry but unique and spiritual.

It is among the first studies to show that VR can be used for self-transcendent experiences. Thus, there is a further need to explore the technology and its benefits in other health conditions.

Summary: Cases of PTSD are on the rise globally, yet there are very few effective treatments for the condition. To date, psychotherapy is the most effective way of managing the condition. New studies show that MDMA or psilocybin may significantly increase the effectiveness of psychotherapy. It appears that these substances, when used as medications or part of PTSD treatment, make individuals more receptive to psychotherapy, thus helping rewire the brain faster.

Due to covid and various international conflicts like the Ukraine war, PTSD is on the rise in the US and globally. However, it is among the conditions that are still not treated effectively with existing drug therapy. Moreover, even if medications help, they take a long time to show results. Thus, there is a need to find medications that act fast, are effective, and are safe for managing the condition.

Researchers are testing many treatments. However, it appears that MDMA (“ecstasy”) and psilocybin (“magic mushroom”) are now among the most promising remedies. These remedies appear to act fast and are especially good for managing PTSD when combined with psychotherapy. A recent study regarding their promising role in PTSD management has been published in the journal European Neuropsychopharmacology. 

These therapies are not to replace psychotherapy. Instead, they work better when combined with them. Psychological counseling remains the most effective and safe way to manage PTSD. However, combining it with MDMA or psilocybin may result in significantly better results.

It appears that due to some inherent qualities, some people are prone to PTSD. Those affected by the condition develop severe issues like nightmares, intrusive thoughts, mood swings, avoidance, and various other physical and emotional reactions. In addition, they sometimes find it difficult to control these physical and emotional responses, causing significant disability. 

Researchers say psychotherapy remains the treatment of choice, as it is the only way to rewire their brains. However, psychotherapy is a prolonged and often quite expensive process. In addition, it means that using it on a massive scale is quite challenging. 

Of course, there are many other drugs in development. However, researchers say that MDMA and psilocybin are among the most promising agents. Here it is vital to understand that these drugs mainly work by increasing the action of psychotherapy and not due to their hallucinogenic properties. They may help individuals become more receptive to psychological instructions. In addition, they ensure better and faster brain rewiring. 

Researchers have already done 4 larger clinical studies. In all the studies, they found that combining psychotherapy with psychedelics was better than psychotherapy alone1.

Of course, “ecstasy” and “magic mushroom” are still the substance of abuse. Thus, their use in medicine is not legal. However, now things are changing fast, as regulatory agencies realize their benefits in PTSD. Hence, it is expected that MDMA may get approval for managing PTSD in a couple of years.

Clinicians are very excited about the perspectives of MDMA approval for clinical use, as they think that it will revolutionize PTSD treatment. Not only that, but it will also open doors for testing these therapeutic approaches in other mental health conditions. For example, there is already sound evidence that psychedelics are quite good for managing depression when used along with psychotherapy.

If approved, doctors will have a potent tool in their hands to rewire patients’ brains. 

Moreover, it is worth understanding that MDMA was created by a pharmaceutical company a long time ago. However, when it was created, doctors tested it for other health conditions, in which MDMA did not work well. 

Additionally, it appears that doctors and regulatory agencies are now changing their attitudes toward MDMA. Though its uncontrolled use may pose a health risk, when used under medical supervision or in the clinics, it is a highly safe way to manage various mental health issues.

Summary: The number of people living with dementia is increasing every year. An increasing number of studies show that this rise in dementia has much to do with poor metabolic health. Now a new study analyzing the health records of more than 26 thousand people in the UK found that those living with adverse metabolic markers were also more likely to have less gray matter and hippocampal volume, and thus more significant dementia risk.

Every research just strengthens the age-old notion that a “healthy brain resides in a healthy body.” Our ancestors have known this by observations. However, now science is providing evidence that there is a direct relationship between metabolic health and brain health. Unlike olden times, modern diagnostic methods have enabled us to develop a better understanding.

Health experts never had a doubt that the rise of brain disorders, especially dementia, has much to do with lifestyle choices and metabolic health. However, knowing is one thing, but proving another. One cannot act on assumptions or even observations. Medical or health interventions must be based on firm scientific evidence.

WHO data suggests that there are almost 55 million people living with dementia globally, and Alzheimer’s is the leading cause of dementia.

There are many factors suggesting that this high prevalence of dementia in modern times has much to do with lifestyle choices and metabolic disorders. Firstly, human genes have not changed much in the last century, but the prevalence of dementia has risen considerably. Secondly, people in developed nations like the US or UK are more likely to develop dementia than those living in developing countries like India or Nigeria.

While the discussion of brain health is important, it is also crucial to address the opioid epidemic and its effects on brain health. Studies have shown that long-term opioid use can lead to decreased brain function and an increased risk of developing dementia. This is why the use of Suboxone in opioid addiction treatment is crucial in not only helping individuals overcome their addiction but also in reducing the risk of developing brain disorders. By utilizing a combination of behavioral therapy and medication-assisted treatment, individuals can receive the support they need to overcome addiction and protect their brain health.

These differences in dementia’s prevalence in various nations cannot be explained solely based on the higher life expectancy in the developed world. However, if we look closely, it is easy to see that apart from dementia, the prevalence of metabolic disorders like obesity and dyslipidemia is also higher in developed nations.

Now a new study suggests that the risk of dementia is proportional to metabolic health. So higher the metabolic changes in the body, the greater is dementia’s risk.

In the new study, researchers analyzed the data of 26,339 individuals in the UK Biobank. They found that obesity, liver and kidney stress, and inflammation significantly impacted brain health2.

What the study did was analyze six metabolic profiles and 39 cardiometabolic markers and then compare them with MRI brain scans, measuring brain volume, looking for brain lesions, iron accumulation, and other early risk factors for dementia.

They found that obese people and individuals living with significant adverse changes in metabolic profile also had adverse MRI profiles showing lower gray matter and hippocampal volumes, a greater burden of brain lesions, and iron accumulation.

The study also found that people with the highest Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR), which shows how much energy the body needs when resting to support its basic functions, also had a higher risk of brain disorder. But, again, it is because BMR tends to be higher in obese individuals.

These findings are important in the way that, to date, there are no reliable early biomarkers of dementia risk. Though, researchers know quite well that dementia begins decades before its diagnosis.

It means that using the study findings, health experts can predict the risk of dementia in people. Not only that, the right time to prevent dementia is at a young age. One of the reasons why health measures, supplements, and lifestyle changes fail to prevent dementia is that many people start using these measures quite late.

Most people are diagnosed with dementia in their 60s or even later. However, changes in the body leading to dementia start occurring in people in their 30s. It means that if we want to reduce our dementia risk, we must take measures at a young age. Once specific changes have occurred in the brain, they are almost impossible to reverse.