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An electric headset for treating depression has been recommended as a more widespread treatment for depression after a successful NHS trial. But it’s not yet known what the long term benefits of the device are. An NHS trial has found that an innovative electric headset for treating depression is an effective way of reducing the symptoms, and has recommended its more widespread use within the health service. The headset from Flow Neuroscience was given to patients with depression by their GP to wear for 30 minutes daily for a period of six weeks, as a non-invasive way to manage the condition. The study found that it was an “effective depression treatment”, by using a brain stimulation technique known as transcranial direct current stimulation, or tDCS. The device delivers a weak direct electrical current to the front of the brain, to stimulate the areas responsible for emotional expression. The research found over 58% of people saw improvements within six weeks, and one in three went into remission with no depression symptoms. Flow Neuroscience says it’s the “first and only medically approved at home treatment for depression”, and it can be used alongside other therapies like talking therapies or drugs. It was trialled on patients by Northamptonshire NHS Foundations Trust, but it can also be bought privately for £399. One of those patients is James Maynard, who has struggled with depression prior to using the headset. He told Sky News: “I was just so low, I didn’t really have any goals and would just go through the emotions of day-to-day life. “Going to work, coming home from the children, going to sleep. If I could sleep.” After just a few weeks of wearing the device every day for 30 minutes, he says his symptoms noticeably improved. “I was starting to sleep a bit better. The wife even said I was happier. I wasn’t waking up grumpy. So there was obviously something happening.” Image: James Maynard, who has struggled with depression and is using the headset One of the NHS Trial Leads is Dr Azhar Zafar, who told Sky News that patients report having to use fewer medications as a result of the device. He says: “It’s a new option because for years and years, we will have only the option of medication or a cognitive behavioural therapy. This method of treatment is an additional treatment.” It’s not yet known, however, what the long term benefits of the device are on depression past six weeks. Read more on Sky News:Forest bathers turn to ecotherapyTory candidate sorry for date rape drug jokeAthlete overtaken while celebrating early Follow Sky News on WhatsApp Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News Tap here GP Dr Anita Raja told Sky News that “when it comes to mental health one of the most

PSYCHOTHERAPY vs. ANTIDEPRESSANTS: This important article from Emory University shows that Psychotherapy (CBT) even when it leads to remission, looks very different in the brain from when remission is achieved with anti-depressants. This is a mind-blowing!!! Critical findings from this article: * Psychotherapy works by improving 'top-down control' over depressive thoughts and ruminations. * Anti-depressants probably work via 'bottom-up control' on the brain. * Clinical Lesson learned - If either treatment modality isn't fully successful, consider the other treatment modality. AND - in most patients, COMBINING psychotherapy and antidepressants is the wisest approach, as the brain gets different help from these two interventions, and a top-down and a bottom-up approach may be ideal for the optimum treatment of major depression. Ones again, science proving the powerful effect that psychotherapy approach have! 🙌🏼💪🏼🧠 Link: https://lnkd.in/eWf-GiCf

Recently, a study titled "The Role of Biofield Energy Treatment on Psychological Symptoms, Mental Health Disorders, and Stress-Related Quality of Life in Adult Subjects: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial," published in the Journal of General and Family Medicine, explored a biofield therapy for supporting mood disorders. This study assessed the safety and efficacy of the Trivedi Effect, a biofield energy attunement, on psychological symptoms and mental health disorders. The researchers conducted a randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, open-label clinical trial. Seventy-seven adults participated in the study. These individuals, who had one or more psychological symptoms, were divided into two groups: a treatment group that received biofield energy attunements and a placebo group that received naive (placebo) attunements. Treatments and measurements were conducted on Days 0, 90, and 180. The results of the study were significant. Participants in the treatment group experienced improvements in a range of psychological symptoms, including: -Anxiety -Depression -Stress -Sleep disturbances -Emotional trauma But the benefits didn't stop at psychological symptoms. The treatment group also showed significant increases in key physiological biomarkers. These included increased levels of: -Vitamins (B12, C, D3) -Neurotransmitters (acetylcholine, noradrenaline, dopamine) -Hormones (oxytocin, 17-β-estradiol, insulin) -Klotho, an anti-aging protein And also lower levels of: -Proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8) -Oxidative stress biomarkers (isoprostane, oxidized LDL) The findings suggest that biofield therapies appears to play a role in supporting health, addressing both psychological and physiological aspects. As significant as these results are, the study did have its limitations. It was conducted at a single center and followed an open-label design, which could introduce bias. The researchers emphasized the need for larger, double-blind studies to further validate their findings and explore the underlying mechanisms. While more research is needed to fully understand and validate these findings, the current results are encouraging. Source: Trivedi MK, Branton A, Trivedi D, Mondal S, Jana S. The role of biofield energy treatment on psychological symptoms, mental health disorders, and stress-related quality of life in adult subjects: A randomized controlled clinical trial. J Gen Fam Med. 2023 Jan 28;24(3):154-163. doi: 10.1002/jgf2.606. PMID: 37261039; PMCID: PMC10227731. #anxiety #depression #healing #biofield #biofieldtherapy #research #wholepersonhealth #energymedicine #energyhealing #mentalhealth

#Psychedelics plus #psychotherapy can trigger rapid changes in the brain − new research at the level of neurons is untangling how https://lnkd.in/gdWvYJqY via @ConversationUS Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy combines the psychology of talk therapy with the power of a psychedelic experience. Researchers have described cases in which subjects report profound, personally transformative experiences after one six-hour session with the psychedelic substance psilocybin, taken in conjunction with psychotherapy. For example, patients distressed about advancing cancer have quickly experienced relief and an unexpected acceptance of the approaching end. How does this happen? Research suggests that new skills, memories and attitudes are encoded in the brain by new connections between neurons – sort of like branches of trees growing toward each other. Neuroscientists even call the pattern of growth arborization. Psychoactive molecules primarily change brain function through the receptors on the neural cells. The serotonin receptor 5HT, the one famously tweaked by antidepressants, comes in a variety of subtypes. Psychedelics such as DMT, the active chemical in the plant-based psychedelic ayahuasca, stimulate a receptor cell type, called 5-HT2A. This receptor also appears to mediate the hyperplastic states when a brain is changing quickly. In addition to being the active ingredient in ayahuasca, DMT is an endogenous molecule synthesized naturally in mammalian brains. As such, human neurons are capable of producing their own “psychedelic” molecule, although likely in tiny quantities. It’s possible the brain uses its own endogenous DMT as a tool for change – as when forming dendritic spines on neurons – to encode pivotal mental states. And it’s possible psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy uses this naturally occurring neural mechanism to facilitate healing. Psychedelics are powerful, and none of the classic psychedelic drugs, such as LSD, are approved yet for treatment. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2019 did approve ketamine, in conjunction with an antidepressant, to treat depression in adults. Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy with MDMA (often called ecstasy or molly) for PTSD and psilocybin for depression are in Phase 3 trials.

📃Scientific paper: Therapeutic effect of an ayahuasca analogue in clinically depressed patients: a longitudinal observational study Abstract: Rationale Studies have suggested mental health improvements following the use of the psychotropic plant concoction ayahuasca in non-clinical and clinical samples. Objectives The present observational study assessed depressive symptomatology in 20 clinically depressed patients (symptom score > 13 on the Beck’s Depression Inventory) before attendance of an ayahuasca ceremony and 1 month and 1 year after. Secondary measures included ratings of altered states of consciousness and ego dissolution during the ayahuasca ceremony as well as global measures of mindfulness, satisfaction with life, depression, anxiety, and stress. Results Twenty participants completed baseline and 1-day follow-up, 19 completed measures at 1-month follow-up, and 17 completed measures at 1-year follow-up. BDI scores reduced from baseline ( M  = 22.7) to all post-ceremony measures ( M s 11.45, 12.89, and 8.88, for 1-day, 1-month, and 1-year follow-up, respectively). After 1 day, 12/20 participants were in remission (BDI < 13). Remission rates after 1 month and 1 year were 13/19 and 12/17, respectively. Three participants remained mildly depressed (BDI 14–19) at the 1-month and 1-year follow-up. Two participants did not respond and remained at a moderate/severe level of depression at 1-year follow-up. Reductions on the secondary mental health measures and increases in mindfulness and satisfaction with life were found up to 1 year post-ceremony. Improvements in clinical depression and mental healt... Discover the rest of the scientific article on es/iode ➡️https://etcse.fr/kHfjr

🌿 Embracing #Psilocybin #Therapy: Clarifying the True Therapeutic Mechanism Recent studies have brought to light the powerful therapeutic potential of #psilocybin and other serotonergic agents. However, there's a growing misconception in the term "psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy" (PAT). A recent article from the American Journal of Psychiatry emphasizes that the fundamental therapeutic benefit of psilocybin does not necessarily lie in its combination with psychotherapy. Rather, psilocybin itself acts as a potent treatment, providing substantial therapeutic effects independently. 🔹 Key Points: Psilocybin as a Catalyst: While traditionally viewed as an adjunct to psychotherapy, evidence suggests that psilocybin's primary role is as a standalone catalyst, fundamentally altering brain mechanisms to alleviate mental health conditions. Safety over Psychotherapy: The psychological support in psilocybin studies primarily aims to ensure safety during the psychedelic experience. This support, although crucial, does not equate to traditional psychotherapy in terms of therapeutic efficacy. Reevaluation Needed: The emphasis on "psychedelic-assisted therapy" may obscure the real potential of psilocybin as a direct treatment. Regulatory bodies should focus on the drug's defined efficacy and safety rather than its combination with psychotherapy. This distinction is vital as we continue to explore and validate psilocybin's therapeutic potential. By understanding the true mechanism, we can better harness its benefits, ensuring safe and effective treatment options for those in need. Maybe therapy business models (as with pharma-co's) or even professional mental health 'ego's' have a role to play in this perspective. An interesting part of the psychedelic dialogue. The research: https://lnkd.in/espWq_W9 Research with veterans show that even without therapy after 2 psilocybin sessions the results were impressive: Reduction of PTSD after 4 weeks 31% 29% drop in anxiety over 8 weeks Depression dropped by 18% over 8 weeks Improvement in wellbeing after 8 weeks 11% 34% change in relationships, perception of closeness More data: https://lnkd.in/esSmcaU6 For your own experience, visit PsychedelicInsights.com

Cognitive improvement in late-life depression treated with Vortioxetine and Duloxetine 🧠 - RCT 📚 Impact of Age at Depression Onset Key Messages: 👉Vortioxetine and Duloxetine improved cognitive performance of elderly depressed patients with first onset after 50. 👉Patients with first depressive onset before 50 showed earlier symptomatic change than those with first onset after 50. 👉Vortioxetine and duloxetine showed direct treatment effect on improving cognition in patients with first episode after 50. Clinical Insights:💡 👉Cogntive symptoms are responsible for a significant proportion of residual illness burden in MDD 👉Cognition in depression is not limited to memory or attention and concentration only. Its a broader construct that involves emotional control, cognitive-affective biases and self referential cogntions 👉A recent study showed that 1/4 of patients have a cognitive subtype of depression that has poor response to SSRIs and some other ‘standard ADs’ “The cognitive biotype was further distinguished by poor social and occupational function, adding specificity to evidence that cognitive impairment is a major contributor to disability in depression” 👉Consider the age at depression onset when choosing treatment for cognitive improvement in elderly patients. 👉Vortioxetine and duloxetine may be more effective for cognitive enhancement in patients with late-onset depression. 👉Interestingly both Vortioxetine and Duloxetine are the two medications in the RANZCP mood disorder guidelines to address the cognitive symptom dimension of depression. Paper 👉 Cognitive improvement in late-life depression treated with vortioxetine and duloxetine in an eight-week randomized controlled trial: The role of age at first onset and change in depressive symptoms Xue et al, 2024 Below is an image from the 🎓 course on Addressing Cognition in MDD - in development. To learn more about the ACE model and psychopharmacology to target cognition visit the 🎓courses. #cognition #vortioxetine #duloxetine

📃Scientific paper: Effectiveness of noninvasive brain stimulation in the treatment of anxiety disorders: a meta-analysis of sham or behaviour-controlled studies Abstract: BACKGROUND: The possibility of using noninvasive brain stimulation to treat mental disorders has received considerable attention recently. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) are considered to be effective treatments for depressive symptoms. However, no treatment recommendation is currently available for anxiety disorders, suggesting that evidence is still limited. We conducted a systematic review of the literature and a quantitative analysis of the effectiveness of rTMS and tDCS in the treatment of anxiety disorders. METHODS: Following PRISMA guidelines, we screened 3 electronic databases up to the end of February 2020 for English-language, peer-reviewed articles that included the following: a clinical sample of patients with an anxiety disorder, the use of a noninvasive brain stimulation technique, the inclusion of a control condition, and pre/post scores on a validated questionnaire that measured symptoms of anxiety. RESULTS: Eleven papers met the inclusion criteria, comprising 154 participants assigned to a stimulation condition and 164 to a sham or control group. We calculated Hedge’s g for scores on disorder-specific and general anxiety questionnaires before and after treatment to determine effect size, and we conducted 2 independent random-effects meta-analyses. Considering the well-known comorbidity between anxiety and depression, we ran a third meta-analysis analyzing outcomes for depression ... Discover the rest of the scientific article on es/iode ➡️https://etcse.fr/wMq5

Spasmodic dysphonia Spasmodic dysphonia is a voice disorder. It causes involuntary spasms in the muscles of the voice box or larynx. This causes the voice to break and have a tight, strained or strangled sound. Spasmodic dysphonia can cause problems ranging from trouble saying a word or two to being not able to talk at all. There are 3 types of spasmodic dysphonia: Adductor spasmodic dysphonia. This is the most common type. It causes sudden involuntary spasms that trigger the vocal cords to stiffen and slam closed. The spasms interfere with vibration of the vocal cords and with making sound. Stress can make spasms worse. Speech sounds are strained and full of effort. Spasms, generally, do not happen when whispering, laughing, singing, speaking at a high pitch or speaking while breathing in. Abductor spasmodic dysphonia.  This type is less common and causes sudden involuntary spasms that trigger the vocal cords to open. Vibration can’t happen when cords are open so making sound is difficult. Also, the open position lets air escape during speech. Speech sounds are weak, quiet and breathy. Spasms do not happen when laughing or singing. Mixed spasmodic dysphonia. This is very rare and is a mix of symptoms of both types of dysphonia. Causes: The exact cause of spasmodic dysphonia is not known. A central nervous system disorder is thought to cause most cases. It may happen along with other movement disorders. Researchers think it may be caused by a problem in the basal ganglia of the brain. This is the area that helps coordinate muscle movement. Spasmodic dysphonia may be inherited. It may start after a cold or the flu, injury to the voice box, a long period of voice use, or stress. Symptoms: Symptoms of spasmodic dysphonia vary depending on whether the spasms cause the vocal cords to close or to open. Speech that is strained or difficult, weak, quiet or breathy may be due to spasmodic dysphonia. Diagnosis; A Speech-language pathologist may test voice production and quality. An otolaryngologist, a health care provider who specializes in the ear, nose and throat, can diagnose the disorder. Along with a complete medical history and physical exam, checking the vocal folds using fiberoptic nasolaryngoscopy may be done. A neurologist may check for underlying neurological problems. Treatment The goal of treatment is to reduce symptoms of the disorder. Injecting Botox directly into the affected muscles of the voice box is a common therapy that is successful. Speech therapy is also a key part of treatment. Some centers offer a surgery to cut one of the nerves of the vocal fold. #RaiseAgainstAutism #PinnacleSaysItAll #PinnacleBloomsNetwork #1AutismTherapyCentresNetwork