1. Objectives: While endocannabinoid system seems to be involved in processes underlying psychosis, research about Cannabinoid Receptor 2 gene (CNR2) is scarce and inconclusive. Some few reports indicate that CNR2 plays a role in psychiatric conditions, including depression or drug addiction (Onaivi et al., 2009). We aimed to evaluate the role of CNR2 and its interplay with cannabis on...
Acute ketamine administration has been widely used in neuroimaging research to mimic psychosis-like symptoms. Within the last two decades, ketamine has also emerged as a potent, fast-acting antidepressant. The delayed effects of the drug, observed 2–48 h after a single infusion, are associated with marked improvements in depressive symptoms. At the systems’ level, several studies have...
The antidepressant actions of the NMDA receptor antagonist ketamine require activity-dependent release of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Our recent study shows a similar requirement for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Previous studies have reported that both BDNF and VEGF activate TRPC3 and TRPC6 via diacylglycerol production, and...
Introduction: The purpose of this paper was to describe pregnant women’s COVID-19 perceptions, mental health and meditation habits compared to non-pregnant women in a sample of meditation mobile app subscribers. Methods: Women completed the “COVID-19 Health and Well-being Survey” which assessed perceptions of COVID-19 (i.e., worry, attention to news, stress from social distancing), perceived...
Mind–body therapies that include meditation (e.g., mindfulness-based therapies, transcendental meditation, mantra meditation, and yoga) have demonstrated efficacy for enhancing mental health in a range of clinical and healthy populations. Of the forms of meditation, empirical research has most commonly focused on mindfulness-based approaches. Existing evidence suggests that, on average, both...
Anxiety and depression have become such a widespread illness. It has been affecting people’s health which can lead to suicidal tendencies. Studies related to depression and stress with the nervous system had been conducted and showed that slow music could be one of the methods to reduce stress. Electroencephalogram (EEG) signal is found to have potentials to detect brainwave signal as in real...
Background: This was the first randomized controlled trial (RCT) designed to compare the efficacy of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) on unmedicated obsessive-compulsive disorder with that of the first-line treatment for OCD (SSRIs) or a placebo, as well as to analyze the treatment acceptability and safety of MBCT. Methods: A total of 123 unmedicated OCD patients with mild to moderate...
Teenagers are highly susceptible to mental health issues and this problem has been exacerbated by the quarantine restrictions of COVID-19. This study evaluated the use of Heartfulness Meditation and Audio Brainwave Entrainment to help teenagers cope with mental health issues. It used 30-min Heartfulness meditation and 15-min brainwave entrainment sessions with binaural beats and isochronic...
The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has led to a mental health crisis on a global scale. Epidemiological studies have reported a drastic increase in mental health problems, such as depression and anxiety, increased loneliness and feelings of disconnectedness from others, while resilience levels have been negatively affected, indicating an urgent need for intervention. The current study is embedded within...
Patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) treated with esketamine nasal spray commonly experience transient symptoms of dissociation. Manifestations of dissociation, such as feelings of detachment from the environment, can cause considerable anxiety for patients. Nonpharmacologic interventions may help clinicians to manage associated anxiety and confusion due to dissociation following...