Research and expert insights explain why some people struggle to stop drinking despite negative consequences, highlighting the roles of biology, psychology, environment, and the development of tolerance, and emphasizing the importance of support and behavioral change for those with alcohol use disorder.
Research and expert insights explain why some people struggle to stop drinking despite negative consequences, highlighting the roles of brain wiring, psychological traits, environment, and the development of tolerance, with emphasis on the importance of support and behavioral change for those with alcohol use disorder.
A comprehensive review suggests that most people who believe they are gluten sensitive are actually reacting to other dietary components like FODMAPs or psychological factors, rather than gluten itself. True gluten sensitivity appears to be rare, and symptoms are often influenced by expectations and anxiety. The study recommends targeted testing and dietary adjustments, emphasizing the importance of personalized, evidence-based approaches over unnecessary gluten avoidance.
A Japanese study suggests that emotional eating may reduce the effectiveness of weight loss drugs like Ozempic, as emotional eaters tend to revert to unhealthy habits over time, potentially due to underlying psychological issues. External eaters, however, continue to improve, indicating that behavioral and psychological support might enhance treatment outcomes. Further research is needed to confirm these findings and improve personalized treatment strategies.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) affects 15 percent of Americans, with women being twice as likely to suffer from it compared to men. Experts believe that women's higher susceptibility to IBS may be due to factors such as hormone fluctuations, particularly estrogen and progesterone, which can trigger symptoms and worsen around the time of their menstrual cycle. Additionally, the complex interplay of psychological and physical factors, as well as differences in the brain-gut interaction and gastrointestinal tract movement between men and women, may contribute to the higher prevalence of IBS among women.
The question of whether age is biological or psychological is complex and multifaceted. Biologically, aging is marked by the gradual breakdown of bodily systems, such as the shortening of telomeres and the loss of the Y chromosome in males and menopause in females. However, psychological factors also play a significant role in how we experience and perceive aging. Research suggests that individuals who feel younger may live longer, and a positive outlook can promote longevity. Cognitive decline and social isolation can impact our experience of aging, highlighting the interplay between biology and psychology. While chronological age remains an important indicator for health issues, there is growing recognition of the need to consider psychological factors and interventions to support mental health and wellbeing in the aging process.
A study conducted by Stanford Medicine researchers found that both the ketamine and placebo groups showed significant improvements in depression symptoms, challenging conventional beliefs about ketamine's efficacy. The study administered ketamine or a placebo to participants during surgery to bypass ketamine's psychedelic effects. The unexpected results suggest the strong influence of positive expectations, or the placebo effect, on treatment outcomes. The research also raises the possibility of ketamine's benefits without the need for the associated psychedelic experience. Further studies are needed to understand the psychological factors involved in treatment and to differentiate between the pharmacological and psychological effects of ketamine.
Political scientist Koshel warns that Putin's personal reactions to bad news might cause him to order missile strikes on Ukraine, depending on his mood and reaction to the latest events in the news. Koshel suggests that emotional and psychological factors play a significant role in Putin's decision-making process. The Russian strike on Uman, Cherkasy Oblast, resulted in the death of 20 people, and another missile strike in Dnipro killed a young mother and her two-year-old daughter. Ukrainian defenders managed to shoot down 21 out of 23 Russian missiles.