Clinical Depression Causes Early Malfunction in Brain’s Reward Center Mood DisordersBy Promises Behavioral HealthAugust 25, 2009Clinically depressed people are less capable of finding pleasure in activities they used to enjoy, a recent study shows. Research published in the August 26 issue of the NeuroReport shows reduced brain function in the reward center of the brain in depressed individuals, when compared to healthy subjects. To investigate the effects of depression on…
The Health Benefits of Pet Ownership News and ResearchBy Promises Behavioral HealthAugust 24, 2009By Leslie Thompson They’re members of your family. Best friends and confidants. They act as your alarm clock in the morning and a security guard at night. They’re your pets and then some. Ask any pet owner about the role their pet plays in their life and expect to pull up a chair and stay…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
