BACKGROUND: School readiness depends not only on early academic skills but also on the development of attention, emotional regulation, and self-regulatory competencies in early childhood. However, empirical evidence for theoretically grounded mindfulness programs and their implementation by both researchers and teachers in preschool settings remains limited. This study examined the...
This study examines the Vajra Exorcism Dance—commonly known as “Beating the Devils” (tiao buzha)—as performed at Yonghegong Lamasery in Beijing, positioning it as a quintessential example of monastic Nuoxi in which ritual form serves as the active embodiment of doctrinal content. By situating the performance within its historical, religious, and socio-political contexts, this paper argues that...
The treatment of treatment-resistant depression (TRD) remains a clinical challenge. Pharmacologically, several augmentation options exist. The aim of this study was to present a mechanistically informed and clinically oriented decision-making framework for the established strategies of lithium, quetiapine, and esketamine. We conducted a narrative, non-systematic review, performing a targeted...
The climate crisis is arguably one of today’s greatest challenges and the Buddhist doctrine offers a foundation for a comprehensive approach to environmental activism, grounded in core principles such as mindfulness, compassion, and dependent origination (pratītyasamutpāda). Consequently, many Buddhists have turned to environmental activism, trying to find their own ways of expression. This...
Ketamine produces rapid antidepressant effects in a subset of patients with treatment-resistant depression, yet neuroimaging findings have been difficult to integrate because studies differ in imaging modality, analytic approach, task context, and post-infusion timing. To address this, we conducted a multimodal synthesis of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and positron emission...
The integration of psychedelics and music in therapeutic settings is gaining recognition for its potential to enhance mental health outcomes. This review synthesizes current evidence on the neurobiological mechanisms underlying this synergy, focusing on receptor-level pathways (e.g., 5-HT2A receptor agonism, BDNF-TrkB signaling) and neural circuit dynamics (e.g., default mode network...
Background and hypothesis Cannabis use initiation during adolescence has increased globally, raising concerns about neurodevelopmental consequences during this critical period when the brain undergoes extensive remodeling in cannabinoid receptor-rich regions. Study design This systematic review examines neurodevelopmental consequences of adolescent cannabis use, focusing on structural brain...
Distinguishing substance-induced psychotic disorders (SIPD) from primary psychotic disorders with concurrent substance use remains a critical diagnostic challenge for treatment planning and prognostic counseling. To systematically review the clinical phenomenology of SIPD, identify distinguishing symptom patterns, and examine relationships between phenomenology and outcomes. A systematic search...
Abstract Mindfulness-based interventions effectively reduce stress and anxiety, yet the neural mechanisms underlying contemplative practices and their optimal implementation parameters remain poorly understood. A critical barrier to real-world application is the absence of validated minimally invasive neural recording technologies. Here, we simultaneously recorded full-coverage scalp and...
This essay departs from an apparent paradox at the center of contemporary clinical psychology: controlled studies consistently demonstrate that psychotherapy conducted through digital means yields clinical outcomes equivalent or comparable to face-to-face modalities across a wide range of mental disorders. Yet phenomenology and enactivism maintain that genuine human bonding requires embodiment,...