Psychopharmacology News and Research

RSS

Psychopharmacology is the study of drug-induced changes in mood, sensation, thinking, and behavior.

Digital phenotyping and machine learning can help assess severe mental illness

Digital phenotyping approaches that collect and analyze Smartphone-user data on locations, activities, and even feelings - combined with machine learning to recognize patterns and make predictions from the data - have emerged as promising tools for monitoring patients with psychosis spectrum illnesses, according to a report in the September/October issue of Harvard Review of Psychiatry

16 Sep 2020

Language used to describe alcohol intoxication may give insight into drinking habits

People have always used different words to describe the inebriating effects of alcohol, from "blotto" in the 1920s to "honkers" in the 1950s. Now, new Penn State research suggests the language young adults use to describe the effects they feel from drinking may give insight into their drinking habits.

20 Aug 2020

Genetic discoveries show promise for developing new treatment targets for schizophrenia

In recent years, genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified many different genetic variants associated with schizophrenia.

22 May 2020

Virtual reality can help alleviate psychological impact of coronavirus pandemic

A new article discusses the psychological stresses imposed by the coronavirus pandemic and suggests that virtual reality can help alleviate the psychological impact of the need for social isolation.

21 Apr 2020

Study analyzes effects of social grooming on incivility in COVID-19

A new study analyzing tweets about COVID-19 found that users with larger social networks tend to use fewer uncivil remarks when they have more positive responses from others.

20 Apr 2020

Depressive disorders in patients with HIV/AIDS often go unrecognized or untreated

People living with HIV/AIDS are at increased risk of depressive disorders. But all too often, these conditions go unrecognized or untreated, suggests a literature review in the May/June issue of Harvard Review of Psychiatry.

7 Apr 2020

First-of-its-kind trial identifies a viable target for treating anhedonia

A first-of-its-kind trial has demonstrated that a receptor involved in the brain's reward system may be a viable target for treating anhedonia (or lack of pleasure), a key symptom of several mood and anxiety disorders.

31 Mar 2020

Accurate and informative labeling of CBD products is a critical public health issue

The need for accurate and informative labeling of hemp and hemp-derived cannabidiol (CBD) products is a critical public health issue.

25 Mar 2020

Using cannabinoids for management of acute pain

A new systematic review and meta-analysis showed a small but significant reduction in subjective pain scores for cannabinoid treatment compared to placebo in patients experiencing acute pain.

23 Mar 2020

Paid maternity leave associated with mental and physical health benefits for mothers, children

Paid maternity leave has major mental and physical health benefits for mothers and children - including reduced rates of postpartum depression and infant mortality, according to a report in the March/April issue of Harvard Review of Psychiatry.

9 Mar 2020

Marijuana use increases false memories finds study

A new study published this week has revealed that the use of marijuana or cannabis can implant false memories. The study titled, "Cannabis increases susceptibility to false memory," was published in the latest issue of the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

11 Feb 2020

A single dose of magic mushroom compound reduces anxiety and depression among cancer patients

Magic mushrooms are wild or cultivated mushrooms containing psilocybin, which is a naturally occurring hallucinogenic and psychoactive compound. A single dose of psilocybin provides long-term relief of anxiety and depression in cancer patients, a new study found.

29 Jan 2020

Psychedelic drug has enduring antianxiety and antidepressant effects in cancer patients

Following up on their landmark 2016 study, researchers at NYU Grossman School of Medicine found that a one-time, single-dose treatment of psilocybin, a compound found in psychedelic mushrooms, combined with psychotherapy appears to be associated with significant improvements in emotional and existential distress in cancer patients.

28 Jan 2020

Harnessing biology and technology to develop much-needed treatments for depression

New research into the biology of depression, along with new and evolving technologies, provides the basis for developing the next generation of treatments for major depressive disorder, according to the special January/February issue of Harvard Review of Psychiatry.

9 Jan 2020

Novel tool for assessing children's overall addiction to digital devices

A new study developed and validated a tool for assessing children's overall addiction to digital devices. The study, which found that more than 12% of children ages 9-12 years were at risk of addiction to digital devices for uses including video gaming, social media, and texting, is published in Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, a peer-reviewed journal from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers.

9 Dec 2019

Giving a shot of ketamine could help heavy drinkers reduce alcohol intake

A one-off dose of ketamine could help heavy drinkers reduce their alcohol intake, finds a new UCL experimental study.

26 Nov 2019

Off-site integrated care can help provide mental health services for children, adolescents

Three models of off-site integrated care can help to meet the growing need for mental health services in children and adolescents, according to a report in the November/December issue of Harvard Review of Psychiatry.

19 Nov 2019

Relevant social stimulus may diminish the preference to drugs

Researchers of the Faculty of Psychology of the University of Malaga (UMA), specialized in addictive disorders, have demonstrated in an animal model that the presence of a relevant social stimulus reduces interest in cocaine.

15 Nov 2019

Cannabis could help in PTSD

A new study from Canada, published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology, suggests that many people with PTSD may be getting help with their condition from the use of cannabis. For the first time ever, this research documents how cannabis use is related both to PTSD and to mental health outcomes in the general population.

6 Nov 2019

Cannabis may help individuals cope with the effects of PTSD

Cannabis may be helping Canadians cope with the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder, new research suggests.

5 Nov 2019