Four widely abused drugs—heroin, nicotine, cocaine, and MDMA—modulate the activity of midbrain dopamine and serotonin neurons in mice with distinct potency and timing. Heroin strongly activates dopamine neurons but excites serotonin neurons only at higher doses. Nicotine activates dopamine neurons within seconds and has minimal effect on serotonin neurons. Cocaine and MDMA cause long-lasting suppression of both neuron types, with MDMA more profoundly inhibiting serotonin neurons. These inhibitory effects depend on dopamine and serotonin autoreceptors. The findings suggest that dopamine neuron activity relates more to a drug's reinforcing property, while serotonin neuron activity relates more to its euphorigenic property.
Over 12 months, 216 secondary school educators in mainland China reported reduced emotional exhaustion and depersonalization, while their emotional intelligence remained stable. More daily mindfulness practice was linked to less emotional exhaustion. Interviews with 35 participants revealed themes of heavy burnout, the perceived value of emotional intelligence, mindfulness as a coping strategy, personal coping methods, high self-awareness paired with difficulty regulating emotions, and systemic pressures. Practical barriers limited sustained mindfulness engagement. The findings suggest mindfulness can help reduce emotional exhaustion in educators, but systemic and practical constraints affect its use.