Summary: Researchers report that eating triggers dopamine release in the human brain at two distinct times—first when food is tasted and again after it reaches the stomach. Source: Cell Press. New research from the Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research in Germany shows that dopamine, a key neurotransmitter involved in pleasure and motivation, is released … Read more

Most therapeutic approaches benefit when clients complete structured homework or take-home exercises between sessions. These activities help translate insights from sessions into everyday change, reinforce new skills, and accelerate progress toward treatment goals. Research has repeatedly shown that homework is a reliable mechanism for producing clinical improvement across many conditions (for example, in depression and … Read more

Summary: New research identifies a relationship between repetitive behaviors common in autism and gastrointestinal (GI) problems. The study also reports that greater overall autism symptom severity is linked to more severe constipation, stomach pain, and other GI issues, while social and communication challenges showed no clear connection to GI symptoms. Source: Ohio State University Researchers … Read more

Summary: Regular physical activity improves sleep quality—especially among women—according to a recent study. Source: Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology Good-quality sleep is essential for both physical and emotional health. Sleep supports recovery, cognitive function, and long-term health. Adequate sleep is linked to better outcomes across a range of conditions, including cardiovascular and metabolic … Read more

Much of our wellbeing depends on the everyday choices we make. While we cannot control every aspect of health, we can influence many outcomes through lifestyle, habits, and deliberate behavior change (Normand & Bober, 2020). Health and wellness coaching helps individuals and groups identify meaningful goals, build motivation, and make sustainable changes that support overall … Read more

Summary: Researchers report a convolutional neural network that analyzes FDG-PET brain scans to identify biological signs of Alzheimer’s disease years before clinical symptoms appear. Source: RSNA. Artificial intelligence enhances brain imaging’s ability to predict Alzheimer’s disease, a study in Radiology finds. Early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease is critical because treatments and lifestyle interventions are most … Read more

When people ask us to do things that conflict with our needs, we have to ask: why aren’t we standing up for ourselves? Are we saying yes because we truly agree, or because we’re trying to prove our worth and don’t know how to be assertive (Shaw, 2020)? Sometimes we don’t voice our concerns or … Read more

Summary: Parkinson’s disease commonly begins on one side of the body, and new research shows that which side is affected first predicts distinct patterns of non-motor progression. Patients whose motor symptoms start on the right side tend to experience greater overall cognitive decline and an elevated risk of dementia. By contrast, those with left-side onset … Read more

Summary: Researchers have identified a cellular pathway involving the protein Rab35 that restricts glioblastoma growth and invasiveness. The study suggests restoring Rab35 activity could offer a new therapeutic approach for this aggressive brain cancer. Source: Rockefeller University Press Rab35 and Arf5 pathway limits glioblastoma growth, McGill study shows Scientists at McGill University have uncovered a … Read more

Haven’t we all felt it? That nagging sense that we’ve tricked others about our abilities and don’t truly belong. Often it’s less about what we claim and more about what we fail to accept about our own competence. Imposter syndrome involves persistent self-doubt and a fear of being exposed as a fraud. It can undermine … Read more