That guilt-free treat may not be as innocent as it seems. A new study suggests that alternative sweeteners commonly found in sugar-free and low-calorie foods and beverages may interfere with the growth of bacteria that help keep the gut healthy. But the effects aren’t always straightforward. Researchers found more than 100 cases where these ingredients … Read more
After more than a century, is it time to ditch springing forward and falling back — and finally “lock the clock”? This week, the House of Representatives passed the “Sunshine Protection Act,” which would make daylight saving time (DST) — the time we use in the summer — permanent, meaning no more twice-a-year clock changes. … Read more
A right ray of sunshine? Meh. While most people find warm, sunny weather a welcome relief after brutal arctic winters with record-breaking blizzards, not everyone looks forward to those clear-sky, 80-degree days. In fact, some people are pretty miserable in the summer — tired, touchy and impatiently waiting for cooler temps and shorter days to … Read more
Doctor calls creatine ‘promising but not definitive’ as a complement to depression care. A systematic review, published in Genomic Press’ Brain Medicine, found that creatine monohydrate may be beneficial as an add-on treatment for major depressive disorder, although the evidence remains preliminary. The Canada-based researchers analyzed data from five randomized controlled trials, evaluating the impact of … Read more
Can depression and anxiety be contagious? A new study from Finland suggests the answer is yes — but surprisingly, it’s not just because having sad friends makes you feel sad, too. It’s possible that emotional distress can spread even through online interaction. Drazen – stock.adobe.com Publishing in JAMA Psychiatry, researchers looked at over 600,000 young … Read more
More men than ever are on testosterone. But experts say boosting this sex hormone may not solve your woes. “Signs and symptoms of low testosterone are often very generalizable and can be due to something else, either in addition to or separately from having low testosterone,” Dr. Justin Dubin told The Post. Part of the … Read more
Definium Therapeutics said a single dose of its LSD-based experimental pill significantly reduced symptoms of major depression in patients in a late-stage trial, sending its shares soaring 55% to a more than four-year high on Monday. The experimental drug helped patients record significantly lower scores on a standard depression scale than those on placebo after six weeks, … Read more
New baby, new emotions. Over 80% of new mothers experience the “baby blues” shortly after childbirth due to changing hormones, exhaustion and stress. The “baby blues” are characterized by rapid mood shifts — from joy to tears — but they usually resolve within two weeks and don’t impair daily function. Postpartum depression and anxiety are … Read more
Talk about a gut-brain connection. Scientists have long known about the link between our stomachs and our brains, warning that our diets and gut health have a large impact on mood and mental health. And a new study published Monday may have found a way to flush the brain fog and attention issues that accompany … Read more
A common antidepressant medication taken by millions has been voluntarily recalled by the distributor after high levels of a cancer-causing chemical may have been detected. According to the FDA, nearly 370,000 bottles of Duloxetine delayed-release capsules are being recalled by manufacturer Towa Pharmaceutical and distributor Breckenridge Pharmaceutical Inc. due to levels of N-nitroso-duloxetine that exceeded … Read more
New evidence shows glowing results for a menopause medication that avoids the risks associated with traditional hormone therapy. “The magnitude of the effect was interesting,” senior author Dr. Pauline M. Maki told The Post. “I didn’t anticipate it, though, because it’s a hard level of symptoms to improve.” Most women going through menopause experience hot … Read more
You really can feel down in the mouth. We tend to think of depression as something that exists in the mind, but the reality is that it affects the whole body — and the whole body can have an impact on depression, including your teeth and gums. “Poor oral hygiene can lead to gum disease. … Read more
DEAR ABBY: I am worried about my 26-year-old son, “Caleb.” He’s severely overweight. Let me be clear: I love him regardless of his weight, but I think he binge eats to cope with anxiety and depression. A mutual love of eating was how my son and his late mom bonded. For example, when his favorite … Read more
Not all medications are medical marvels — some may do more harm than good. A 26-year-old man reported sexual side effects like orgasm troubles after taking a hair loss drug popular among millions of men, according to a new case study. Even after discontinuing it, his symptoms persisted for a year and a half. Finasteride … Read more
An insightful new technology has been developed for treating depression. While millions of adults in the US use antidepressants like Prozac, the side effects — like weight gain or sexual dysfunction — can make the medications an uncomfortable option. However, a new, drug-free treatment delivered eye-opening results that were as effective as one of the … Read more
Too little, too much, or just right. Everyone can feel the effects of a bad night’s sleep, and how long you let your head hit the pillow plays an important role in how your brain ages. Scientists have now found that the amount of sleep you get each night doesn’t just result in brain fog … Read more
Twelve-time Olympic medal winning swimmer Ryan Lochte stunned fans this week by announcing he has taken a $30,000-a-year assistant coaching gig with Missouri State University. It’s been a rocky few years for the champion after battling depression so crippling some days he couldn’t even get out of bed, he told The Post in an exclusive … Read more
DEAR ABBY: I have a friend I have known for a very long time. We bonded 10 years ago over common interests and mutual friends. Over the years, they have suffered from anxiety, depression, and OCD. In addition, they are also narcissistic, but it has never been a problem before. I have spent many a … Read more
Genius anxiety hack or just a hack that should be sacked? Some 19% of adults have an anxiety disorder, with Gen Zers notably packing panic pouches to calm themselves down. Those struggling with anxiety are reaching for any relief they can find — even if it means testing their own solutions. An over-the-counter one-two punch … Read more
Feeling lonely may take a toll on older adults’ memory — but it may not speed up cognitive decline, according to a new study. Researchers from Colombia, Spain and Sweden analyzed data from more than 10,000 adults ages 65 to 94 across 12 European countries and found those who reported higher levels of loneliness did … Read more