How light therapy works Light of different intensities and colors is used in conventional biomedicine and many nonconventional systems of medicine to treat both medical and psychiatric disorders. Diverse mechanisms of action are probably involved, including regulation of melatonin and … Continue reading
L-theanine increases brain levels of several neurotransmitters The amino acid l-theanine found in green tea is widely used in China, Japan, and other Asian countries to treat anxiety and depressed mood. Animal studies confirm that l-theanine increases brain levels of … Continue reading
Meditation practices are widely employed to reduce anxiety and to maintain optimal psychological and spiritual health. Meditation has been extensively studied as a treatment of anxiety. Beneficial physiological effects of meditation include decreased oxygen consumption, respiratory rate and blood pressure, … Continue reading
Dementia and mild cognitive impairment: overview Dementia is a chronic condition characterized by severe persisting impairments of short-term and long-term memory and severe deficits in other areas of cognitive functioning such as abstract reasoning, language, impaired capacity to perform routine … Continue reading
Depression: overview Depressed mood has many psychological and biological causes. Some people are born with genetic factors that significantly increase their risk of developing severe depressed mood. Known medical causes of depression include thyroid disease, heart problems and anemia. When … Continue reading
Insomnia: overview Sleep and wakefulness are regulated by many neurotransmitters including the brain’s principle inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma-amino-butyric acid (GABA). Changing brain levels of GABA and other neurotransmitters are believed to be related to normal changes in sleep with healthy aging. … Continue reading
Anxiety: overview Generalized anxiety is a chronic condition characterized by both psychological or physical symptoms such as feelings of tension, excessive worrying, and heightened arousal that significantly interfere with work, going to school, being in a relationship or functioning in … Continue reading
Psychosis has many complex causes Symptoms of psychosis may be temporary or chronic and moderate or severe in their intensity. Schizophrenia and other chronic psychotic disorders are characterized by so-called ‘positive’ and ‘negative’ symptoms. Positive symptoms include auditory hallucinations, paranoia … Continue reading
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has enormous psychological and social consequences Approximately one third of the world’s population experiences chronic symptoms of inattention, distractibility, impulsivity or hyperactivity that meet requirements for a diagnosis of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. ADHD is the most … Continue reading
Overview Alcohol and nicotine are the most widely abused substances in all countries resulting in untold personal suffering and enormous economic and social costs. A significant percentage of smokers are also alcoholics and also use illegal drugs. Methamphetamine (‘speed’), cocaine … Continue reading
