TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) is a neurostimulation technique that uses magnetic field generators (in the form of coils) to emit targeted electrical currents that stimulate the cortex. TMS is believed to improve neurological functioning via stimulating activity in hypoactive regions of the brain that are contributing to a particular pathology. For example, individuals with depression …
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), depression is projected to become the number one global disease burden by 2030. Present-day statistics suggest that depression affects over 350 million people worldwide. Among those who are depressed, seeking professional psychiatric treatment is often helpful. An estimated 66% of all individuals who seek treatment are able to …
Most pharmacological-based treatments for depression aim to increase levels of various neurotransmitters, particularly serotonin (5-HT). It is thought that approximately 2 out of 3 individuals that seek treatment with standard antidepressants such as SSRIs and SNRIs are able to attain therapeutic relief. For a certain percentage of these individuals, the benefits of using pharmaceutical interventions …
We all know that getting enough sleep promotes healthy brain function and optimal cognitive performance. Most sources recommend getting approximately 8 hours of sleep per night, but the amount of sleep it takes for you to feel refreshed should be individualized. Someone who is training for a marathon will generally need more sleep (over 8 …
Despite the fact that pharmaceutical companies continue to promote the concept of “chemical imbalances” as the root cause of depression, this is a vast oversimplification of an infinitely more complex condition. While a chemical imbalance may be one of the primary contributing factors to a person’s depression, what causes the chemicals (neurotransmitters) to become imbalanced …
It seems as though society is on the verge of ushering in a new generation of treatment modalities for depression and other psychiatric conditions. While most people turn to pharmaceutical drugs for major depressive disorder, approximately 1 out of 3 people fail to get sufficient symptomatic relief. To make matters worse, many end up trying …
Perhaps you’ve heard of the fictional story “Flowers for Algernon” about a laboratory mouse named Algernon. The mouse undergoes a nootropic-esque surgical procedure that dramatically amplifies his intelligence. The experiment is deemed so successful, that scientists decide to test the procedure in a human character named Charlie Gordon. Prior to the artificial enhancement of Charlie’s …