In fairness, Peter D. Kramer does not advocate cosmetic pharmacology but warns about it as an ethical risk. He discusses SSRI side effects in this interview as part of that concern. He is often mistaken for the problem he cautioned against, as many blamed messengers are.

#CovidVaccine lowered risk of post-#COVID mental illness in new study of 18 million people followed for up to 2 years: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39167370 Vaccination = milder illness, and allows more social contact Caveat: Association study Thanks Tyler Black, MD #longCOVID #VaccinesWork

A simple memory boost: Overnight #Aromatherapy. It raised #memory 226% in this RCT in older adults, building on earlier studies: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37554295 How to do it: chrisaikenmd.com/memorytraining #psychiatry #neurology #brainhealth

Will #MDMA-therapy get 2nd chance after its recent U.S. FDA rejection in #PTSD? Additional trials may tip the balance. 20 are underway, many through companies other than Lykos (which launched 1st approval attempt): medscape.com/viewarticle/fd… (thanks Michael Ostacher, MD, MPH) #psychedelics

Researchers recreated a Pink Floyd song from recordings of brain electrodes while subjects listened to "Another Brick in the Wall, Part 1" ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/P… It opens the door for EEG-guided communication devices for people who've lost the ability to speak #Neurology

Just cleared by the FDA: #CBT app (DaylightRx) for generalized anxiety disorder. Large effect size (1.08) in trial of 256: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32725848 OK, so why did this work, while the approved #depression app (Rejoin) failed in its controlled trial? 1. This used wait list as

I agree with Feras here, that #anxiety probably responds better to #CBT #therapy than #depression, but this meta-analysis comparing them concludes the opposite, with effect sizes of #CBT by disorder: > Anxiety (GAD) = 0.64 > Panic Disorder = 0.64 > Depression = 0.77 Anyone have

B-vitamins are lower in depression, and even lower in #depression with cognitive impairment: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37642170 Does not prove causation, but these B-vitamins improved depression in RCTs: B12, B6, methylfolate. How to use them: chrisaikenmd.com/supplements #naturalhealth

New GABA Neurosteroids: > Brexanalone/zuranolone (approved #postpartum dep) > Ganaxolone (approved epilepsy, trials underway in #depression/#PTSD) > Sepranolone (investigational; positive trials premenstrual dysphoric d/o) Also studies in #dementia; from: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39219949

Some therapies focus on how PTSD symptoms affect life now. Others focus on the #trauma itself. Each has pros and cons. Learn when to recommend them, and how to prevent #PTSD after a trauma in our new podcast: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pts… #therapy #psychology #psychiatry #anxiety

What works for treatment resistant #depression in old age? > Venlafaxine > Augmentation w/ lithium, bupropion, aripiprazole, ECT Therapy, medit. diet, exercise, TMS recommended but not yet proven: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37596380 How to use #lithium in old age: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bip…

How do people w/ #opioid use d/o experience treatment? > Felt more stigma at addictions ctr vs general medical care > Mixed feelings about counseling, but liked having option > Preference for methadone over buprenorphine From: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39235576 #OpioidCrisis #Psychiatry

For #trichotillomania (#hairpulling) > Behavioral therapy = 1st line > Meds = mixed evidence; best support for memantine (20–30 mg/d), NAC (1200-2400 mg/d), clomipramine (50–250 mg/d), olanzapine (2.5–20 mg/d). From pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39230087 How to use NAC chrisaikenmd.com/supplements

For schizophrenia with violence/aggression, a new algorithm proposes moving clozapine up, and starting with olanzapine in that population (I'd also suggest #clozapine for suicidal features). From Mayo Clinic team: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/P… What do you think? #psychiatry

#Mindfulness app (Headspace) reduced #depression (3 pt on HAM-D) & blood pressure in RCT of 83 after discharge from #psychiatry hospital: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39230745 But control was treatment as usual Good #mentalhealth apps: chrisaikenmd.com/apps Art Jason Chatfield, New Yorker