Category: Anxiety & Depression

Diet for Depression: What Foods Lessen Depression Symptoms?

Depression is a common mental health issue, and while it can’t be cured through diet, a diet for depression can play a part in managing symptoms. Research suggests that what a person consumes can affect mental health. It is believed that many different factors contribute to depression. A recent study published in BMC Medicine showed…


Solving Anxiety

Nearly 20 percent of the population suffers from an anxiety disorder, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) or social phobia. While there are serious concerns about diagnostic inflation—that is, the expanding definition of behaviors that may not actually reflect a mental illness—some researchers argue that the rise in these disorders is more than just psychiatric overreach….


Is Anxiety the Real Cause of Your Poor Digestion?

There is a well-known link between anxiety and digestion. When we become stressed or anxious, our digestive system takes notes and changes to cope with the stress. Regardless of how you feel you’re handling the stress, your digestive system may tell you otherwise. Digestive issues are quite common nowadays, but how can you tell if…


When You Use Food to Check out on Feelings

Most of us have heard the term “freshman 15,” referring to the 15 pounds many college students put on in their first year away from home. But a similar phenomenon occurs for many adults over the wintertime. When we have to stay inside, we humans go through our own hibernation process, which often results in…


Music Proven to Soothe the Soul: Research Study Proposes Music Could Prevent 800,000 Avoidable Deaths

University of New South Wales (UNSW) researchers have found that music could prevent an estimated 800,000 avoidable deaths annually, after unearthing clear evidence that musical engagement improves overall wellbeing and health, decreasing anxiety and improving mood. Matt McCrary, Adjunct Lecturer at UNSW’s Prince of Wales Clinical School and co-author of the study publishing music’s effect…


Fish Oil and Depression

Can Omega-3 Fatty Acids Stabilize Mood and Combat Depression? We all have fat on the brain. Amazingly enough, more than half of the brain’s dry weight comes from fat. Some of these fats are the key building blocks of cell membranes and play essential roles in the brain’s function. Omega-3 fatty acids, for example, help…


The Epidemic No One Wants to Talk About

Katie Meyer had her whole life ahead of her. A senior at one of the most prestigious universities in the world—Stanford—the 22-year-old was also a soccer star. A goalkeeper and captain of her team, Meyer’s excellence on and off the field helped Stanford defeat North Carolina 5–4 to win the women’s College Cup national championship…


How to Boost Brain BDNF Levels for Depression Treatment

There is accumulating evidence that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) may be playing a role in human depression. BDNF controls the growth of new nerve cells, and “so, low levels [may explain the] atrophy of specific brain areas… [you see] among depressed patients.” That may be one of the reasons exercise is so good for our…


7 Top Reasons to Try Acupuncture

Will a time-tested intervention such as acupuncture point your health in the right direction, or is it a useless stab at well-being? A centuries-old practice that takes off from traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture has been widely studied for its potential against chronic pain. In one of the largest studies to date, a meta-analysis involving almost…


Natural Ways to Improve Anxiety

Anxiety is the most common mental illness in the United States, estimated to affect over 40 million adults, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America. In addition to pharmaceutical interventions, many other therapies can help people improve their neurophysiology and overall mental health. Common symptoms of anxiety include: Restlessness, feeling on edge Easily…