Category: Neurobiology
Lavender – a natural anti-anxiety agent
Lavender is known as a plant that has a calming effect and this is confirmed by scientific research. Most data indicate its beneficial effect in times of stress, but it may also help some people suffering from anxiety disorders. It may also improve sleep quality and reduce depressive symptoms that co-occur with anxiety.
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SSRI antidepressants reduce the ability to reinforcement learning
Approximately 40-60% of patients taking SSRIs experience the so-called emotional blunting, i.e. they feel both negative and positive emotions less strongly. The latest research indicates that the reason may be a weakening of sensitivity to feedback, including rewards.
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Salt – how it affects the brain and why we need it
Almost 40% of table salt is sodium. It is the largest source of sodium in our diet. Its excess is unhealthy for many organs, but too little salt is equally harmful. Without sodium, our brain cannot function.
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When the blind man regains the sight…
It seems obvious to us that when we look at an object, e.g. a cup or a chair, we can recognize what it is. We are also able to determine whether we have seen a given thing before or not. For people who were blind from birth or lost their sight very early and regained […]
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Will short-term stress help treat depression and PTSD?
It probably comes as no surprise to anyone that stressful situations, if repeated often or are very intense, can lead to the development of disorders such as depression or post-traumatic disorder. It turns out, however, that stress can also be one of the ways to treat such mental problems.
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When the day is too long, i.e. non-24-hour sleep-wake disorder
A non-24-hour sleep-wake disorder (non-24), also known as a free-running rhythm, is one type of circadian rhythm sleep disorders (CRSD). People with this disorder live as if the day had not 24 hours, but, for example, 25 hours. If they can live in harmony with their rhythm, they go to sleep every day and wake […]
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Staying at high altitude can cause permanent brain damage
Mountaineers climbing at high altitudes often suffer from altitude sickness, mainly caused by low pressure and hence less oxygen availability. Its symptoms disappear after descending to a lower altitude, but sometimes long-term or even permanent brain dysfunction and damage may occur.
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Music during work – helps or disturbs?
Some people like to listen to music while working, while others prefer to work in silence and say that music makes it difficult to concentrate. How is it actually? As with everything in psychology – it depends ;)
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What diet for insomnia?
By entering “insomnia diet” or “food for insomnia” on Google, you can find a lot of advice: lots of carbohydrates and little protein, omega-3 fatty acids, fish, milk, almonds, walnuts, honey sandwiches, cheese, cabbage … and what does scientific research say about it? As it turns out after reviewing them, not much …
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Smog can negatively affect brain development in children
Air pollution has a negative impact not only on the respiratory and circulatory systems, but also on the nervous system, and children are particularly vulnerable. Pollution causes inflammation of the nerve tissue and may increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease later in life.
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