Health Psychology Research
June 22, 2021
Sahar Derakhshanian, Maxine Zhou, Alexander Rath et al.
21 citations
Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) occurs when major depressive disorder (MDD) does not respond to two adequate trials of antidepressants like SSRIs or SNRIs. MDD involves genetic, pathophysiologic, and environmental factors that disrupt neurotransmitter balance, along with dysregulation of the HPA axis, BDNF, vitamin D, and pro-inflammatory markers. Core symptoms include depressed mood or anhedonia, sleep and appetite changes, worthlessness, guilt, and psychomotor retardation. In 2019, the FDA approved intranasal esketamine (Spravato), an NMDA-receptor antagonist with AMPA-receptor agonist properties, for adult TRD when used with an oral antidepressant. It provides rapid response and is effective and safe. Intravenous ketamine also shows benefits for acute suicidal ideation, depression, and substance use relapse reduction. Off-label uses for ketamine are being studied for PTSD, anxiety disorders, bipolar depression, and substance use disorders.
Health Psychology Research
October 6, 2022
Amber N. Edinoff, Natalie W. Wu, Bryce Bonin et al.
11 citations
The opioid epidemic persists despite declining prescription opioid dispensing, with increased use of illicit opioids like heroin and fentanyl. Established long-term pharmacotherapies for opioid addiction include naltrexone, buprenorphine, and methadone, while naloxone rapidly reverses overdose. Given the epidemic's severity, this narrative review explores alternative medications: ketamine, which shows promise for treating addiction to opioids, alcohol, and cocaine; cannabinoids, with dronabinol reducing withdrawal symptoms at high doses but causing adverse effects like sedation and tachycardia; and noribogaine, a weak MOR antagonist and potent KOR agonist with potential anti-addictive effects. More research is needed to assess these medications' viability for opioid use disorder and withdrawal.
Health Psychology Research
January 16, 2025
Alice Branton, Mahendra Kumar Trivedi, Dahryn Trivedi et al.
3 citations
A randomized, double-blind clinical trial tested whether remote blessing (biofield energy) therapy improves cognitive and motor functions in 117 adults with self-reported neuropsychological impairments. Participants were assigned to a blessing treatment group, a sham control group, or a naïve control group. At 90 and 180 days, the blessing group showed statistically significant improvements in language function, working memory, episodic memory, locomotion, standing balance, dexterity, grip strength, and muscle endurance compared to both control groups. No adverse effects occurred. The authors conclude that remote blessing therapy is safe, non-invasive, and enhances cognitive-motor functions.