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JAMA Health Forum Jun 2024Despite growing interest in psychedelics, there is a lack of routine population-based surveillance of psychedelic microdosing (taking "subperceptual" doses of...
IMPORTANCE
Despite growing interest in psychedelics, there is a lack of routine population-based surveillance of psychedelic microdosing (taking "subperceptual" doses of psychedelics, approximately one-twentieth to one-fifth of a full dose, over prolonged periods). Analyzing Google search queries can provide insights into public interest and help address this gap.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze trends in public interest in microdosing in the US through Google search queries and assess their association with cannabis and psychedelic legislative reforms.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS
In this cross-sectional study, a dynamic event-time difference-in-difference time series analysis was used to assess the impact of cannabis and psychedelic legislation on microdosing search rates from January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2023. Google search rates mentioning "microdosing," "micro dosing," "microdose," or "micro dose" within the US and across US states were measured in aggregate.
EXPOSURE
Enactment of (1) local psychedelic decriminalization laws; (2) legalization of psychedelic-assisted therapy and statewide psychedelic decriminalization; (3) statewide medical cannabis use laws; (4) statewide recreational cannabis use laws; and (5) all cannabis and psychedelic use restricted.
MAIN OUTCOME AND MEASURES
Microdosing searches per 10 million Google queries were measured, examining annual and monthly changes in search rates across the US, including frequency and nature of related searches.
RESULTS
Searches for microdosing in the US remained stable until 2014, then increased annually thereafter, with a cumulative increase by a factor of 13.4 from 2015 to 2023 (7.9 per 10 million to 105.6 per 10 million searches, respectively). In 2023, there were 3.0 million microdosing searches in the US. Analysis at the state level revealed that local psychedelic decriminalization laws were associated with an increase in search rates by 22.4 per 10 million (95% CI, 7.5-37.2), statewide psychedelic therapeutic legalization and decriminalization were associated with an increase in search rates by 28.9 per 10 million (95% CI, 16.5-41.2), statewide recreational cannabis laws were associated with an increase in search rates by 40.9 per 10 million (95% CI, 28.6-53.3), and statewide medical cannabis laws were associated with an increase in search rates by 11.5 per 10 million (95% CI, 6.0-16.9). From August through December 2023, 27.0% of the variation in monthly microdosing search rates between states was explained by differences in cannabis and psychedelics legal status.
CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE
This cross-sectional study found that state-led legislative reforms on cannabis and psychedelics were associated with increased public interest in microdosing psychedelics.
Topics: Hallucinogens; Humans; United States; Cross-Sectional Studies; Cannabis; Legislation, Drug
PubMed: 38941086
DOI: 10.1001/jamahealthforum.2024.1653 -
Alternative Therapies in Health and... Jun 2024Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) refers to direct and deliberate suicidal actions that damage the body but are not recognized by society and culture. Adolescence is the...
BACKGROUND
Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) refers to direct and deliberate suicidal actions that damage the body but are not recognized by society and culture. Adolescence is the transition period when children change into adult roles. At this time, teenagers are in the critical development period of physical and mental intelligence, and all aspects of their development have not yet been fully developed, so there are fierce inner conflicts. If the psychological problems of teenagers do not get timely counseling, it is very likely to choose self-injury suicide behavior, in such an extreme way to vent their bad emotions. The prevalence rate of NSSI among adolescents is much higher than that of other age groups. Studies have shown that psychological nursing is safe and effective, which can alleviate patients' negative emotions and avoid NSSI.
OBJECTIVE
To explore the impact of group psychological nursing with guardian participation on reducing NSSI behaviors and improving psychological well-being among adolescents.
DESIGN
This was a retrospective study.
SETTING
This study was performed in the Departments of the Third Psychiatry, Hangzhou Seventh People's Hospital.
PARTICIPANTS
132 adolescent patients with NSSI admitted to our center from August 2020 to July 2022 were selected as subjects and divided into 2 groups according to the time of admission, with 66 patients in each group.
INTERVENTIONS
Patients in the control group (CG) received drug therapy and commonly used cognitive behavioral therapy. Patients in the observation group (OG) received group psychological nursing with guardian participation. The participation of the guardian strengthens the level of understanding, tolerance and support of both parties, and helps to enhance the strength of family support, which in turn relives negative emotions.
PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES
(1) Ottawa self-injury inventory (OSI) scores were used to assess NSSI behavior severity; (2) Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and self-rating Depression Scale (SDS) scores were used to assess anxiety and depression; (3) General Self-efficacy Scale (GSES) scores were used to assess self-efficacy; (4) Trait Coping Style Questionnaire (TCSQ) scores were used to assess the quality of life; (5) social function Assessment Scale (SSPI) scores were used to assess social function; (6) Adolescent Life Events Scale (ASLEC) scores were used to evaluate the stress intensity of coping with life events; (7) multidimensional sub-health questionnaire assessment (MSQA) scores were used to assess adolescents' physical and psychological sub-health.
RESULTS
Before intervention, there were no significant differences in OSI, SAS, SDS, GSES, TCSO, SSPI ASLEC, and MSQA scores in both groups (P > .05). Compared to before intervention, the scores of OSI, SAS, SDS, GSES, TCSO, SSPI ASLEC and MSQA in both groups were improved after intervention (P < .05). The observation group showed significant improvements across all measures compared to the control group, indicating a reduction in NSSI behaviors and improvements in mental health.
CONCLUSION
Application of group psychological nursing with guardian participation in adolescent patients with NSSI behavior can better reduce NSSI behavior and improve physical and mental health, underline the importance of family support in treating NSSI, which also highlights the importance of family support in the treatment of NSSI.
PubMed: 38940803
DOI: No ID Found -
Annals of Agricultural and... Jun 2024The aim of the study was to determine the risk factors for binge-watching (BW) among Polish medical and non-medical students.
Turn on the screen, turn off the loneliness - analysis of risk factors for binge-watching among Polish medical and non-medical students. A web-based cross-sectional study.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to determine the risk factors for binge-watching (BW) among Polish medical and non-medical students.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
A STROBE-compliant cross-sectional observational study, was carried out in Poland from July 2022 - March 2023. The web-based survey consisted of a personal questionnaire, a Binge-Watching Behaviour Questionnaire, a Scale of Motivation for Watching TV Series, a shortened version of the Ryff Well-Being Scale, and the De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale. Inclusion criteria were being a student and providing informed consent to participate. The study involved 726 respondents (70.5% female) with an average age of 22.41 (SD=3.89), including 308 (44%) medical students.
RESULTS
In the group of Polish medical students, the regression model was well-fitted F(10,287)=30.189; p<0.001, R2=0.496, and the risk factors were escape motivation (β=0.416; p<0.001), psychological well-being (β=-0.165; p=0.003), emotional loneliness (β=0.152; p=0.014), and social loneliness (β=-0.118; p=0.031). Among Polish students of other majors, the regression model was well-fitted F(10,378)=46.188; p<0.001, R2=0.538, and the influence of escape motivation (β=0.456; p<0.001), entertainment motivation (β=0.258; p<0.001), the psychological well-being of students (β=-0.134; p=0.004), and emotional loneliness (β=0.111; p=0.032) was demonstrated.
CONCLUSIONS
Students are in a high-risk group for behavioural addiction known as binge-watching. Emotional loneliness, the desire to escape from everyday life problems, and reduced psychological well-being intensified binge-watching in all the studied groups. Entertainment motivation and social loneliness differentiated the groups of Polish medical and non-medical students in terms of BW risk factors.
Topics: Humans; Poland; Female; Male; Cross-Sectional Studies; Loneliness; Risk Factors; Young Adult; Students, Medical; Adult; Students; Surveys and Questionnaires; Adolescent; Television; Internet
PubMed: 38940111
DOI: 10.26444/aaem/183779 -
Frontiers in Bioscience (Landmark... Jun 2024Alzheimer's disease is characterized by extracellular beta-amyloid plaques, intraneuronal tau neurofibrillary tangles and excessive neurodegeneration. The mechanisms of...
BACKGROUND
Alzheimer's disease is characterized by extracellular beta-amyloid plaques, intraneuronal tau neurofibrillary tangles and excessive neurodegeneration. The mechanisms of neuron degeneration and the potential of these neurons to form new nerve fibers for compensation remain elusive. The present study aimed to evaluate the impact of beta-amyloid and tau on new formations of nerve fibers from mouse organotypic brain slices connected to collagen-based microcontact prints.
METHODS
Organotypic brain slices of postnatal day 8-10 wild-type mice were connected to established collagen-based microcontact prints loaded with polyornithine to enhance nerve fiber outgrowth. Human beta-amyloid(42) or P301S mutated aggregated tau was co-loaded to the prints. Nerve fibers were immunohistochemically stained with neurofilament antibodies. The physiological activity of outgrown neurites was tested with neurotracer MiniRuby, voltage-sensitive dye FluoVolt, and calcium-sensitive dye Rhod-4.
RESULTS
Immunohistochemical staining revealed newly formed nerve fibers extending along the prints derived from the brain slices. While collagen-only microcontact prints stimulated nerve fiber growth, those loaded with polyornithine significantly enhanced nerve fiber outgrowth. Beta-amyloid(42) significantly increased the neurofilament-positive nerve fibers, while tau had only a weak effect. MiniRuby crystals, retrogradely transported along these newly formed nerve fibers, reached the hippocampus, while FluoVolt and Rhod-4 monitored electrical activity in newly formed nerve fibers.
CONCLUSIONS
Our data provide evidence that intact nerve fibers can form along collagen-based microcontact prints from mouse brain slices. The Alzheimer's peptide beta-amyloid(42) stimulates this growth, hinting at a neuroprotective function when physiologically active. This "brain-on-chip" model may offer a platform for screening bioactive factors or testing drug effects on nerve fiber growth.
Topics: Animals; Amyloid beta-Peptides; Mice; Nerve Fibers; Brain; tau Proteins; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Peptide Fragments; Alzheimer Disease; Mice, Inbred C57BL
PubMed: 38940051
DOI: 10.31083/j.fbl2906232 -
Sheng Li Xue Bao : [Acta Physiologica... Jun 2024The role of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) in regulating oxidative stress and immune responses has been increasingly recognized. However, its involvement in...
The role of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) in regulating oxidative stress and immune responses has been increasingly recognized. However, its involvement in depression and the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the effect of 6-formylindolo[3,2-b]carbazole (FICZ), an endogenous AhR ligand, on a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced depression model and the underlying mechanism. After being treated with FICZ (50 mg/kg), male C57BL/6J mice received intraperitoneal injection of LPS and underwent behavioral tests 24 h later. The levels of inflammatory cytokines, including IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α, were measured in the hippocampus and serum using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The expression levels of CYP1A1, AhR and NLRP3 were analyzed using qPCR and Western blot. The results showed that, compared with control group, LPS alone significantly down-regulated the expression levels of CYP1A1 mRNA and AhR protein in the hippocampus of mice, reduced glucose preference, prolonged immobility time in forced swimming test, increased IL-6 and IL-1β levels in the hippocampus, increased serum IL-1β level, and up-regulated NLRP3 mRNA and protein expression levels in mouse hippocampus, while FICZ significantly reversed the aforementioned effects of LPS. These findings suggest that AhR activation attenuates the inflammatory response associated with depression and modulates the expression of NLRP3. The present study provides novel insights into the role of AhR in the development of depression, and presents AhR as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of depression.
Topics: Animals; Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon; Male; Mice; Lipopolysaccharides; Depression; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A1; Hippocampus; Carbazoles; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein; Interleukin-1beta; Interleukin-6; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; Behavior, Animal; Cytokines
PubMed: 38939930
DOI: No ID Found -
Annals of Ibadan Postgraduate Medicine Apr 2024
PubMed: 38939890
DOI: No ID Found -
Annals of Ibadan Postgraduate Medicine Apr 2024Knowledge on the clinical presentation of dementia is essential for appropriate care, especially in Low-and-Middle-Income Countries where these cases are on a sharp rise...
BACKGROUND
Knowledge on the clinical presentation of dementia is essential for appropriate care, especially in Low-and-Middle-Income Countries where these cases are on a sharp rise and can also aid early detection of other underlying conditions.This study sought to provide a broad and updated socio-demographic, clinical profile, pattern of diagnosis and treatment features of people diagnosed with dementia in this setting.
METHOD
A retrospective cohort study which reviewed the medical case records of all older adults with dementia receiving treatment at the psychogeriatric and the neurology clinic of the Geriatric Centre (N=192). A proforma was designed to collect information from the case records.
RESULTS
The mean (±SD) age of the participants was 74.0(±7.2) years, 97.9% lived with other persons, 50.0% had at least one comorbidity and 52.6% presented late for treatment. Overall, hypertension (64.1%) and diabetes (22.4%) were the most common comorbidity, 55.2% had complaints bordering on behavioural problems; irrational speech (31.3%) being the most common, while 91.7% had forgetfulness as a cognitive symptom.
CONCLUSION
A high rate of comorbidities, as well as late presentation was common among the participants. Our findings appraise the clinical importance of detailed knowledge of the patterns and profiles of older adults with dementia for early presentation and treatment.
PubMed: 38939888
DOI: No ID Found -
MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDERS IN PAEDIATRIC SURGICAL PATIENTS: AN OVERVIEW OF THE NIGERIAN ADOLESCENTS.Annals of Ibadan Postgraduate Medicine Apr 2024Less than three decades ago, depression was seen as a predominantly adult disorder as children were considered too developmentally immature to experience depressive...
INTRODUCTION
Less than three decades ago, depression was seen as a predominantly adult disorder as children were considered too developmentally immature to experience depressive disorders, and adolescent low mood was considered as part of 'normal' teenage mood swings. Major depressive disorder in children and adolescents is a serious psychiatric illness especially in paediatric surgical patients. This may be due to their altered metabolic rate and heighten metabolic response to trauma which has significant implications for the psychological development of the child, yet it remains under-recognized and undertreated. The well-being of the care givers is also not left out as the care givers are inundated with the task of sourcing and providing finance for hospital care., in addition to the stress of providing care for the patient. This may result in loss of man hour, sleeplessness, and physical exhaustion associated with caring for these ill children which can ultimately significantly increase the risk of them having depressive episode. The aim of this commentary is to highlight the fact that paediatric surgical patients are not exempt to having a major depressive disorder and the care givers should also be evaluated during hospital admission of their wards.
METHODOLOGY
This is a commentary on depressive disorders among Nigerian paediatric surgical patients. Related publications on children and adolescents presenting to hospital were searched using the domain - Depression in Nigerian adolescent, Paediatric surgery patients on PubMed, Google Scholar, and MEDLINE to appraise this review.
CONCLUSION
Mood disorders, especially depression in children and adolescents have been studied increasingly over the last two decades and surgical conditions worsen the outlook, culminating in increased knowledge about the presentation, and treatment. Despite this, it is still often missed or misdiagnosed because it sometimes presents with uncharacteristic symptoms. Prevalence of depressiion among paediatric surgical patient were found to be between 46-82% in this review among Nigerian patients.
PubMed: 38939881
DOI: No ID Found -
JACC. Advances Jan 2024Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with increased rates of incident ischemic heart disease (IHD) in women.
BACKGROUND
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with increased rates of incident ischemic heart disease (IHD) in women.
OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this study was to determine mechanisms of the PTSD-IHD association in women.
METHODS
In this retrospective longitudinal cohort study, data were obtained from electronic health records of all U.S. women veterans who were enrolled in Veterans Health Administration care from January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2017. Propensity score matching was used to match women with PTSD to women without PTSD on age, number of prior Veterans Health Administration visits, and presence of various traditional and nontraditional cardiovascular risk factors at index visit. Cox regression was used to model time until incident IHD diagnosis (ie, coronary artery disease, angina, or myocardial infarction) as a function of PTSD and potential mediating risk factors. Diagnoses of IHD, PTSD, and risk factors were defined by International Classification of Diseases-9th or -10th Revision, and/or Current Procedural Terminology codes.
RESULTS
PTSD was associated with elevated rates of developing each risk factor. Traditional risk factors (hypertension, hyperlipidemia, smoking, diabetes) accounted for 24.2% of the PTSD-IHD association, psychiatric risk factors (eg, depression, anxiety, substance use disorders) accounted for 33.8% of the association, and all 13 risk factors accounted for 48.5% of the association.
CONCLUSIONS
Traditional IHD risk factors explained a quarter of the PTSD-IHD association in women veterans, and over half of the risk of IHD associated with PTSD remained unexplained even when adjusting for a wide range of risk factors. To be actionable, factors underlying the remaining PTSD-IHD association warrant timely investigation.
PubMed: 38939802
DOI: 10.1016/j.jacadv.2023.100744 -
JACC. Advances Apr 2024Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is on the rise globally and, along with mental health conditions, will represent the largest public health burden, especially in a world... (Review)
Review
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is on the rise globally and, along with mental health conditions, will represent the largest public health burden, especially in a world impacted by climate change. Behavior, psychological mechanisms, and CVD are closely correlated. Evidence-based psychological interventions targeting behavior and psychological mechanisms exist across the CVD spectrum. This statement proposes the development of a subspecialty "cardiovascular psychology" to develop integrated pathways of behavioral care delivered to CVD populations. Scope of practice is discussed as it relates to diagnosing and treating comorbid health disorders, behavioral change interventions, pain management, lifestyle and wellbeing, neuropsychological assessment, and cognitive rehabilitation. An agenda on reforms for financials, training pathways, and diversification of the workforce is presented. Finally, normalizing the integration of behavioral health as part of CVD treatment is a shared responsibility across professional organizations and the community to realize value-based CVD care.
PubMed: 38939655
DOI: 10.1016/j.jacadv.2024.100910