A randomized, double-blind trial tested a neurofeedback wearable device for stress reduction. Participants with psychological stress, depression, or sleep disturbances used either neurofeedback-assisted meditation or non-assisted meditation for 12 minutes twice daily over two weeks. The neurofeedback group showed a significantly greater reduction in perceived stress scores compared to the control group. State anxiety tended to improve more with neurofeedback, though not significantly. Depressive mood and sleep improved in both groups without significant differences. Stress hormones and brainwave measures did not differ between groups. Device satisfaction was significantly higher in the neurofeedback group. Neurofeedback-assisted meditation can enhance subjective stress relief beyond meditation alone.
Sigma-1 receptors (S1Rs) may be a target and mediator of antidepressant activity. They regulate neurotransmitter release (including monoamines and glutamate), influence intracellular calcium levels, and affect immune inflammatory responses. In August 2022, the FDA approved dextromethorphan-bupropion, the first antidepressant whose hypothesized mechanism includes activity at S1Rs. The review synthesizes preclinical and clinical data on S1R physiology, pathophysiology, and function. Modulating sigma-1 systems is relevant to current FDA-approved treatments for major depressive disorder and may inform future therapeutic development. Whether sigma-1 modulation uniquely targets difficult-to-treat symptoms like anhedonia remains unknown.