Mexico Legalizes Possessing Small Amounts of Drugs; Encourages Treatment AddictionBy Promises Behavioral HealthAugust 21, 2009Mexico enacted a controversial law today that decriminalizes possession of small amounts of marijuana, cocaine, heroin, and other drugs while encouraging government-financed treatment for addiction free of charge. The Associated Press reports that the law sets out maximum “personal use” amounts for drugs, also including LSD and methamphetamine. People detained with those quantities will no… Details
New Research Identifies Greater Hope for Schizophrenia Patients News and ResearchBy Promises Behavioral HealthAugust 19, 2009While schizophrenia can often be the butt of tasteless jokes, in reality it is a devastating disease for victims and their families. While there is no biochemical test that can identify this disorder, scientists believe that it is caused by the interaction of both genetic and environmental factors. A recent Science Daily piece recently examined… Details
Cocaine Found in up to 90 Percent of US Paper Money AddictionBy Promises Behavioral HealthAugust 18, 2009Up to 90 percent of US paper money contains traces of cocaine, according to researchers in what is described as the largest, most comprehensive analysis to date of cocaine contamination in banknotes. The scientists found the most cocaine in large cities such as Baltimore, Boston, and Detroit. In fact, they found traces of cocaine in… Details
Age Can be a Good Thing for Mental Health News and ResearchBy Promises Behavioral HealthAugust 14, 2009While many people report aging as something they hope to avoid as long as possible, most have come to terms with the reality it is inevitable. The good news, according to researchers speaking at the American Psychological Association meeting, aging can be a good thing when it comes to mental health. A recent USA Today… Details
Emotional State Directly Relates to Pain Levels in RA Patients HealthBy Promises Behavioral HealthAugust 13, 2009It is a well-known fact a person’s emotional state can directly impact their health. The same is also true in the reverse as the physical state can play havoc on mental health. In the case of patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), depression is extremely likely. Science Daily recently published a release showing severe chronic pain… Details
Lack of Sunlight Linked to Depression Mood DisordersBy Promises Behavioral HealthAugust 12, 2009Sunlight is often labeled as something to avoid as it is blamed for causing skin cancer. While it is true that overexposure to sunlight can be a contributor to melanoma, a lack of sunlight is associated with reduced cognitive function among depressed people. Science Daily recently published a release examining the writings of researchers in… Details
Poll: Obesity and Substance Abuse are Top Two Problems for Kids News and ResearchBy Promises Behavioral HealthAugust 11, 2009Obesity continues to outrank all other health problems as the number one concern for children in the United States. According to a report by the University of Michigan’s C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll on Children’s Health, 42 percent of adults believe childhood obesity is a big problem. This number increased from 35 percent in… Details
Weight Loss May Improve Symptoms of Depression Mood DisordersBy Promises Behavioral HealthAugust 7, 2009Depression can be a complicated condition. It can cause weight gain, while weight gain can cause depression. For those who struggle with depression or weight gain, the other challenge is likely to soon follow. Science Daily published a release highlighting research to be presented at the Annual Meeting of the Society for the Study of… Details
Nicotine Addiction Can Cause Darker Skin AddictionBy Promises Behavioral HealthAugust 6, 2009A new study determined that African Americans may be more predisposed to developing nicotine addiction than those with paler skin. The research also reveals that obtained darker skin (that obtained from prolonged sun exposure, not through genetics) is especially linked with tobacco addiction. Researchers from Pennsylvania State University also said they identified a statistical correlation… Details
Babies Can Remember Traumatic Events for Years News and ResearchBy Promises Behavioral HealthAugust 5, 2009Most people are under the impression that infants younger than six months old do not remember traumatic events that happen to them or to their loved ones; however, this has recently been disproved. Judy Siegel-Itzkovich of the Jerusalem Post reports that a professor of infant mental health announced to an audience of 300 at a… Details
