CureusNovember 1, 2023Maninder Sohi, Lakshit Jain, Michael Ang-Rabanes et al.
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is associated with both insomnia and hypersomnia, but it predominantly decreases sleep continuity and leads to a decrease in rapid eye movement (REM) latency, an increase in REM sleep duration, and an increase in REM density. Some of these changes persist even when MDD is treated and can be associated with a recurrence of MDD. Antidepressants can potentially...
CureusNovember 2023Sultan M Alshahrani, Razan A Albrahim, Jana K Abukhlaled et al.
Background and aim Parasomnias are a group of sleep-related movements or emotions like sleepwalking, sleep talking, teeth grinding (Bruxism), nocturnal enuresis (sleep enuresis), sleep terrors (night terrors), sleep-related eating disorder (SRED), nightmare disorder, REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD), and confusional arousals. Parasomnias are more common in children than in adults. This study...
CureusSeptember 6, 2023Naveen Gowrapura Halappa, Kamlesh Jha, U Vijayabanu et al.2 citations
BACKGROUND: Athletes are vulnerable to musculoskeletal injuries and psychiatric conditions. Previous studies have reported the benefits of yoga on cognitive functions among healthy children, adults, and the elderly. This pilot study aimed to test the neurocognitive functions among athletes with/without yoga intervention. METHODS: A non-randomized, two-armed parallel-group, single-blind...
Background Psilocybin has been studied for its potential therapeutic benefits, particularly for the treatment of psychiatric disorders such as anxiety, depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. While more research is needed as psilocybin-assisted therapy becomes more prevalent, future pharmacists will probably be involved at some level. At present, pharmacists receive minimal training on...
Hallucinogen-persisting perception disorder (HPPD), also known as acute hallucinogen-induced psychosis or informally known as "flashbacks," is an unusual condition experienced by patients due to the use of different hallucinogenic substances. Hallucinogen-persisting perception disorder causes many symptoms, predominantly persistent visual perception distortion instead of intermittent...
Mental health disorders are among the most common health conditions in the United States. Traditional clinical treatments rely on psychiatric counseling and, in many cases, prescription medications. We propose an innovative model, Interventional Mental Health, which employs a combination of modalities through a multifaceted approach to treat conditions that have exhibited limited responsiveness...
Background Stress leads to immune system dysregulation and dyshomeostasis at the gene level. Mind-body practices are known to influence genomic expression, leading to better health and quality of life. Objective To assess the effect of Advanced Meditation Program (AMP) on the mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory and antioxidative genes among those already practicing Sudarshan Kriya Yoga (SKY)....
Introduction This study examined the effect of 10-minute daily meditation app usage for 30 days on adult anxiety and mental well-being during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods Participants were randomized into intervention (10 minutes of daily usage of the Insight Timer app) or control groups. Participants completed surveys to assess anxiety and well-being pre- and post-study....
CureusJuly 1, 2023A. Banjongjit, Panee Sutamnartpong, Piyanut Mahanupap et al.
Cerebral venous thrombosis can result from hypercoagulation, either genetic or acquired. Hyperhomocysteninemia was previously thought to be linked with thrombophilia, although this is still controversial to this present day. In recent years, there has been a notable surge in the recreational use of nitrous oxide, which could potentially lead to hyperhomocysteinemia. We present a case of a...
CureusJuly 1, 2023Martin Leczycki, P. Zaki, Eduardo D. Espiridion
“Moon rock” cannabis is a type of new and highly potent preparation of cannabis, which is made of a strain of cannabis dipped in hash oil and sprinkled with kief crystals, effectively increasing the concentration of δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive compound in cannabis, well beyond what is naturally found in the cannabis plant. The use of increasingly potent forms of...
CureusJuly 1, 2023Muhammad Ali Muzammil, Abdul-Rehman Syed, Muhammad Haris Farooq et al.
Sleep paralysis is a prevalent phenomenon characterized by suffocation, immobility, and hallucinations. Its causes remain unknown, although the neurotransmitter imbalance is suggested as a potential factor. This condition is closely associated with hallucinations and a sense of intrusion, often observed in patients with narcolepsy, hypertension, and seizures. A cross-sectional study was...
CureusJune 7, 2023Michael F. Barton, James E. Groves, Borna Guevel et al.4 citations
PURPOSE: The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to evaluate the effect of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) on post-surgical pain in patients undergoing a total hip replacement (THR) or total knee replacement (TKR). METHODS: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA)...
This article discusses the power of meditation and how beneficial it is for the body. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has shown many positive brain changes and improved several brain functions. Meditation has several benefits improving the immune system and inflammatory processes by decreasing cytokine; appropriate telomere shortening also has helped healthy aging. Regarding physical health,...
Introduction A mindfulness intervention is a mind-body complementary health approach that focuses on the relationships between mind, body, brain, and behavior. Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and similar mindfulness programs have been shown to decrease drug craving and relapse and improve emotional regulation, stress, pain, and anxiety. To our knowledge, a very limited number of...
Intravenous ketamine infusions in subanesthetic doses have been shown to rapidly alleviate depressive symptoms. However, the efficacy of ketamine as an anesthetic during electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) for major depression has not yet been answered by a large randomized control trial (RCT). This scoping review aims to examine the available literature to determine whether the dose of ketamine...
CureusMay 7, 2023Suhwoo Bae, Michael Vaysblat, Ilja Dejanovic et al.6 citations
Recreational drug use is a significant public health concern in various countries. It is well understood that usage of psychedelics/hallucinogens, such as lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), ecstasy, phencyclidine (PCP), and psilocybin-containing mushrooms, has increased significantly over the last few decades, particularly in adolescents and young adults, yet the effects of these recreational...
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a chronic, recurrent condition that demonstrates significant heterogeneity in treatment response to first-line agents. Ketamine may have a therapeutic role in substance use disorders; however, research on this topic is limited. The objective of this systematic review is to qualitatively synthesize the current evidence of ketamine treatment for alcohol use disorder...
Background Psilocybin use, along with other psychedelics, has seen an increased interest among professionals in the medical community due to its potential therapeutic benefits for psychiatric disorders, substance use disorders (SUD), and palliative care. While it is certain that more research is necessary as psychedelic-assisted therapy becomes more prevalent, it will most likely be future...
CureusApril 2023Mohamad K Moussa, Mary Ann Kirkconnell Hall, Joyce Akwe
In the United States, cannabis use is rising, including among older adults, as is unintentional ingestion. We describe the case of a 94-year-old woman admitted with altered mental status, diarrhea, and hallucinations. She lived with her family, who had noticed recent confusion with weakness, poor oral intake, and loose bowel movements. In the emergency room, her vital signs revealed mild...
CureusApril 2023Asila A Ferguson, Aujala Irfan Khan, Baraa Abuzainah et al.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a neuropsychiatric disorder that affects approximately 2% of the human population. Traditional treatment of OCD includes selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) or serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SRI) treatment along with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Nearly 25%-30% of OCD patients do not respond to SSRIs. Glutamatergic agents are currently being...
CureusApril 1, 2023Shelby Ploucher, Sarina Koilpillai, Murali K. Iyyani et al.
The recreational and medicinal uses of cannabis are increasing worldwide. Given the recent legalization of marijuana in some regions of the United States, the use of edible formulations has become increasingly popular, especially among the elderly. These new formulations can be up to 10 times more potent than previously available preparations and have been associated with a variety of...
With attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) being a prevalent disorder in childhood, it is essential to acknowledge the different adverse effects the disorder can have on the quality of life in children. Therefore, this systematic review focuses mainly on children. Medical therapy, especially stimulants, can have many side effects. Our systematic review aims to evaluate the potential...
Background Pain among young adult patients with sickle cell disease (PWSCD) is a highly significant public health problem associated with reduced quality of life. Due to issues uniquely affecting PWSCD, including distrust of research, challenging life situations, debilitating pain, stigma, and logistical challenges (e.g., child or elder care and transportation), SCD researchers often find it...
Background Meditation is a mental practice with health benefits and may increase activity in the prefrontal cortex of the brain. Heartfulness meditation (HM) is a modified form of rajyoga meditation supported by a unique feature called "yogic transmission." This feasibility study aimed to explore the effect of HM on electroencephalogram (EEG) connectivity parameters of long-term meditators...