I would like to introduce readers to several meditative techniques called Integrative Body-Mind Training (IBMT), nature exposure, and mindfulness, as well as discuss their use in attention state training. My review of current research with these intriguing alternative therapies finds that they may also be quick and effective treatments for anxiety, depression, and anger. ...

Today brings about the second installment of the The Scientist Research News Update. I have been very pleased with the reception of our "Research News Update" series, and I will keep them coming! Here are the most recent The Scientist reviews of new research that includes the EEG and sleep, a new genetic treatment, tumors and depression, a new leader at NIH, and NIH to investigate rare diseases. ...

There has been increasing interest of late in very slow electroencephalographic (EEG) activity. While this sort of activity has been recorded and studied for many years, and used in biofeedback protocols in several applications, it is only recently gaining popularity as another tool with potential mainstream application to clinical neurofeedback. Whatever the tool, before embarking on a new clinical path, a ...

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Mental Health (NIMH) have been somewhat quiet lately with the research news. For today's NIH/NIMH Research News Update, I rounded up several interesting new announcements/studies that include: potassium linked to schizophrenia, increased funds for suicide prevention, and ADHD medication linked to improved school performance. ...

Researchers* acquired data during March 1, 2003 to December 31, 2004 from the The Organized Program to Initiate Lifesaving Treatment in Hospitalized Patients with Heart Failure (OPTIMIZE-HF) to further explore the connection between depression and heart failure. Data from the medical charts of 48,612 patients (mean age = 73) from 259 hospitals were included. The authors* provide a good overview of the widel ...

An interesting few weeks of updates over at Science Daily. Examples of today's highlighted research topics include that increased food intake (rather than reduced physical activity) is responsible for the obesity epidemic, narcolepsy is now an autoimmune disorder, warnings about pet therapy dogs, childhood obesity may be linked to allergies, Autism and new brain abnormalities discovered, childhood ADHD and ...

I want to introduce a new topic to our readers. I regularly track several key websites who publish fairly constant news updates about important ongoing mental health scientific research. Due to this volume, key stories are significantly delayed or never written about here. Hence, I have created a new section entitled, "NIH/NIMH Research News Update" that will be regularly updated. The Behavioral Medicine Re ...

As if there were not already enough evidence and reasons to avoid tobacco products, a recent study* revealed that cigarette smoking increased the chance of Major Depression Disorder (MDD) in women.  Researchers compared cigarette use in 165 persons with MDD with over 800 persons without MDD in a case-controlled and retrospective design (uses accumulated data/records) that spanned 10 years.  Exposure to smok ...

What is neurofeedback? Neurofeedback, also as "neurotherapy" and "EEG biofeedback," has been around since 1960's. In short, neurofeedback teaches self-regulation of deviant brainwave activity. Media attention over the past few years increased due to interest from parents who seek drug free solutions for child behavior problems, especially attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). ...

No better way to kick off a new research website than with controversial research. Let's start first with the concept of a "placebo effect." The placebo effect is very common in most forms of healthcare. When people who are ill (mentally or physically) believe that they will get better - guess what - they do. These are real changes though the placebo effect may wear off over time. ...