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Mental Health Archive

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Can medication help us combat Alzheimer’s disease?

Aducanumab is a newly approved drug for Alzheimer’s disease with the potential to reduce amyloid-beta plaque buildup in the brain. There are other medications being studied to see if they can reduce amyloid-beta, such as a monoclonal antibody that targets amyloid-beta before it forms plaques, and a monoclonal antibody that takes aim at plaque that has already formed. Other experimental approaches try to prevent tau tangles in brain cells, reduce brain inflammation, or reduce the amount of amyloid-beta that is produced.

Poverty, homelessness, and social stigma make addiction more deadly

Addiction can affect anyone, but social determinants of health — the factors that influence a person's circumstances in life — can have a negative impact on a person's efforts to overcome addiction.  Poverty, employment status, education level, and systemic racism can make it harder for people to reach and maintain recovery.

Easily distracted? Try meditation

Attention control is an essential for time management and productivity, but to stay focused on a task, you need to be able to keep distractions from derailing your progress. Mindfulness meditation can calm a wandering mind, and can be used to train your brain to increase attention, focus, and concentration.

Harvard Health Ad Watch: Can a wearable device reduce stress?

Stress can affect sleep, mood, and appetite, and the long-term effects of chronic stress have been linked to health issues like cardiovascular disease, obesity, and Alzheimer's disease. A wearable device claims that it can reduce stress and build the wearer's resistance to stressful situations — but how does it work, and can any of its claims be proven?

Pain, anxiety, and depression

Pain, anxiety, and depression often coincide because the parts of the brain and nervous system that handle sensations and touch interact with those that regulate emotions and stress.

Long-lasting healthy changes: Doable and worthwhile

Abundant research shows that healthy lifestyle factors protect people against serious health problems like diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, cancer, and more. Even small steps toward a healthier lifestyle can make a big difference in our lives––here's practical advice for making healthy changes stick.

Music and health

Researchers are exploring the many ways in which music may influence health, from stress relief to athletic performance.

Waking up one hour earlier than usual may reduce depression risk

New research suggests that people who wake up an hour earlier than usual, without sleeping less, may reduce their risk of major depression.

How can I help my partner with dementia who resists help?

Caring for someone can be stressful, and this can be even more challenging if a loved one is not ready to accept help. Caregivers who find themselves in this situation should take steps to enlist others' help to ease their burden and should take time for themselves to reduce their stress levels and protect their mental health.

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