When it comes to developing new pain drugs, the placebo effect is a powerful but baffling force. It’s well known that expectation alone can be enough to provide pain relief, even if the “treatment” is a sham with no real medical benefit. Though the relief provided by a placebo can be enough to make clinical trials for new pain medications fail, how our brains produce such strong pain relief through belief alone is largely a mystery.

The brain regions responsible for the placebo effect have been mapped in mice

Chronic pain, particularly neuropathic pain resulting from nerve damage, significantly impacts quality of life for many individuals. Conventional treatments, such as opioids, often come with severe side effects like addiction, tolerance, and constipation, making them less ideal for long-term management. Recent research published in the journal PAIN explores an alternative:...

Cannabis terpenes offer new hope for neuropathic pain relief

Inside your skull, your brain hums along with its own unique pattern of activity, a neural fingerprint that’s yours and yours alone. A heavy dose of psilocybin temporarily wipes the prints clean. The psychedelic drug psilocybin dramatically changes how collections of nerve cells work in the brain, eliminating normal...

Psilocybin temporarily dissolves brain networks

Blanco, TX

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Brigid Pfeifer

There were a number of celebrities who passed away within the past week, including two notable actresses: Shelley Duvall and Shannen Doherty. Shelley Duvall passed away on Thursday July 11th at her home in Blanco, Texas. The cause of death was complications from diabetes and news of her death was confirmed by her partner Dan Gilroy.

Two Beloved Hollywood Actresses Have Passed Away This Week

Developed by Vertex Pharmaceuticals, suzetrigine is a promising new class of pain medicine that has been gaining attention for its innovative mechanism of action and reported efficacy; suzetrigine might offer hope for those struggling with acute pain issues who want to avoid opioids and NSAIDs. The reliance on opioids and...

A New Class of Medicine for Pain Relief On The Horizon

I’ve always adored cinnamon. Its aroma warms the cockles of my heart, and its flavor makes me feel as if I’m wrapped up in an old fairy tale. However, I was floored when I reviewed some of the latest research regarding the effects of cinnamon on brain health.

Cinnamon versus brain cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and insomnia

A recent study published in the journal Translational Psychiatry has uncovered that a single dose of a common antidepressant, specifically a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, can change how the brain processes internal bodily sensations. This effect is particularly evident when individuals are anxious, revealing a nuanced interaction between serotonin, interoception (the sensing of internal bodily states), and anxiety.

Antidepressants affect how the brain processes internal sensations, study finds

LiveScience

A new mouse study uncovered a previously unknown route between the brain and peripheral nerves that could explain the link between aura symptoms and migraine headaches.

'This is what drives the migraine headache': Scientists uncover 'missing link' in why some migraines happen

New York City, NY

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Cheryl E Preston

Yesterday was the third time this year that an ad stating Chelsea Clinton lives in a beautiful Virginia home popped up on my laptop. My computer did not warn me this was a dangerous site, so this time, I clicked on the link.

Chelsea Clinton is rumored to be living in Virginia but probably still in NYC

The Healthy 

In a July 2023 Gallup survey, 62% of US adults reported drinking alcohol, while just under 20% of that group reported sometimes drinking more than they should. The link between alcohol consumption and brain health is a growing concern, especially considering projections that dementia rates could triple by 2050. Is alcohol part of the growing dementia problem—and if so, is the damage to your brain too far gone to try to correct?

Alcohol and Dementia: Can You Reverse Drinking’s Damage to Your Brain? Here’s an Expert Neurology Doctor’s Answer

Virginia State

History Facts lists eight names US parents no longer give their newborns, which you may no longer hear in Virginia. The girls' names are Doris, Gertrude, Mildred, and Judith. I know or have known women with all four names, but they are either baby boomers or boomer parents' ages and someone's grandma or great aunt. Consider the ages of females in Virginia you know with these names.

Eight names parents in Virginia may no longer be giving to their newborns

The Mirror US

Although there is currently no known cure for Alzheimer's, there are treatments that can lessen its symptoms, including disorientation and memory loss, and some may even stop the disease's progression

New Alzheimer's treatment could reverse brain disease and restore memory, study finds

San Diego, CA

An unusually large brain may be the first sign of autism — and visible as early as the first trimester, according to a recent study conducted by UCSD. Some children with profound autism face lifelong challenges with social, language, and cognitive skills, including the inability to speak. In contrast, others exhibit milder symptoms that may improve over time.

Scientists Have Uncovered Autism’s Earliest Biological Signs

The US Sun

A SINGLE-dose nasal spray treatment could 'wash away' build ups of toxic proteins associated with Alzheimer’s disease from brain cells and improve memory, scientists say. The study - performed on mice - paves the way for new treatments against Alzheimer's and dementia, researchers at the University of Texas Medical Branch said.

Single-dose nasal spray ‘washes the brain’ of toxic Alzheimer’s proteins – paving the way for breakthrough treatment

South Carolina State

Explore Beaufort SC

The mantis shrimp is one tough customer. Beautiful and deadly are two words you don’t typically use to describe shrimp, but the mantis shrimp is definitely in a class of its own; earning a reputation as the ‘savage boxer of the sea’ and one of the most fearsome creatures in the ocean. And, they're right at home here in South Carolina.

Savage Boxer of the Sea: The Deadly Beauty of Mantis Shrimp

Sleep disorders affect millions worldwide, disrupting daily life and overall health. Ever wondered why some people struggle to get a good night's rest? Insomnia, sleep apnea, and narcolepsy are just a few conditions that can make sleep elusive. These disorders can lead to serious health issues like heart disease, diabetes, and depression. Understanding the causes and symptoms of sleep disorders is crucial for finding effective treatments. From lifestyle changes to medical interventions, there are various ways to tackle these issues. Let's dive into 12 essential facts about sleep disorders that everyone should know.

12 Facts About Sleep Disorders

Chicago, IL

Foodie in Chicago

Shortly before 3 AM, people in the Chicago area may have felt their houses shake as a 3.4-magnitude earthquake occurred about 60 miles west of the city. (CHICAGO) The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported a 3.4-magnitude earthquake around Somonauk, IL. Somonauk is in DeKalb and LaSalle Counties, 64 miles west of Chicago.

Did You Feel the Earthquake?

Roanoke, VA

Daily Detroit News reports that bedbugs can be transported during travel, and studies suggest that residents in the Commonwealth are hesitant to report or talk about bedbug infestations.

Richmond, Roanoke, and Norfolk, Virginia, are alleged to have a high level of bedbugs

Ronkonkoma, NY

The New York Post reveals that two men who died in a plane crash at MacArthur Airport were from Virginia. The men had been visiting friends in Long Island and were returning home when the tragedy occurred.

Life partners from Virginia have been identified as the victims of a New York plane crash

Columbus, OH

(HealthDay News) — Gut microbiome change is associated with cognitive decline during chemotherapy for patients with breast cancer, according to a study published online in the August issue of Brain, Behavior, and Immunity. Lauren D. Otto-Dobos, PhD, from the Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research at the Ohio State University...

Chemo tied to gut microbiome changes and associated cognitive decline

NewsBreak

Neuroscientists discover brain circuitry of placebo effect for pain relief

The placebo effect is very real. This we’ve known for decades, as seen in real-life observations and the best double-blinded randomized clinical trials researchers have devised...

Neuroscientists discover brain circuitry of placebo effect for pain relief

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