The discovery of antidepressants was literally a happy accident. In 1952, scientists were trying to treat tuberculosis with a drug called isoniazid, and their patients became inexplicably euphoric. By the end of the 1950s, almost half a million psychiatric patients were being treated with isoniazid, the world’s first prescription antidepressant. …
According to a new study “Distinct neural mechanisms for the prosocial and rewarding properties of MDMA,” published in Science Translational Medicine, MDMA (ecstasy) could improve trust between patient and therapist, thereby enhancing treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder. Researchers from Stanford University School of Medicine differentiated two molecular pathways, one responsible…
According to the National Survey of Drug Use and Health, cannabis use is growing the fastest among older adults. However, a new study “Qualitative Analysis of Cannabis Use Among Older Adults in Colorado” says that many of these individuals report challenges to getting medical marijuana, including fear of stigma from…
A fast-acting psychedelic drug could help treat depression and anxiety. This, from a Johns Hopkins University study that surveyed 362 adults. Researchers found that the use of a synthetic psychedelic, 5-MeO-DMT, is associated with improvements in depression and anxiety when taken in a controlled setting. Approximately 80% of those surveyed…
New research says that a fast-acting psychedelic drug could help treat depression and anxiety. Researchers investigated whether administration of this psychedelic in a controlled group setting might affect self-reported feelings of depression and anxiety. The team controlled the dose and ensured that participants had support during and after use of…
While it’s understandable to feel uncertain about taking medication to treat your mental health condition, it’s important to consider doing so as a viable treatment option. Be open with your doctor about your symptoms, so they can help you weigh your treatment options and ultimately decide whether medication is the…
Abilify (or aripiprazole) is an antipsychotic drug that is used to treat a variety of conditions, such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, Tourette’s disorder, and autism spectrum disorder. This medication is also sometimes used along with other medications to treat depression. Abilify works by restoring the balance balance of neurotransmitters, which…
Zoloft, or sertraline, is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) used to treat a multitude of mental illnesses, such as depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and social anxiety disorder. This medication works by restoring a chemical imbalance in the brain and offers many benefits, as it may improve…
Zyprexa (or olanzapine) is an atypical antipsychotic, which is used to treat certain mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. It is also sometimes used along with another medication to effectively treat depression. Zyprexa works by restoring a chemical imbalance in the brain, which then helps decrease hallucinations, helps…
Cymbalta (or duloxetine) is a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), which fixes imbalances of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain. It is primarily used to treat depression and anxiety, but may also successfully relieve nerve pain in those with diabetes or ongoing pain due to conditions like arthritis, chronic back pain,…
Xanax (alprazolam) is a benzodiazepine typically used to treat anxiety and panic disorders, which works by enhancing the effects of a natural chemical in our bodies called GABA and, in turn, producing a calming effect. This medication has anxiolytic, sedative, hypnotic, skeletal muscle relaxant, anticonvulsant, amnestic, and antidepressant properties, and…
Celexa or Citalopram (its generic name) is an antidepressant drug and one of many selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which works by restoring the balance of serotonin in your brain. This medication is approved to treat depression and its harmful symptoms—such as tiredness and feelings of hopelessness—but is also sometimes…
