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Psychedelic drugs, such as psilocybin (magic mushrooms) and LSD, have long been a point of interest for researchers investigating potential therapies for the treatment of addiction, depression, and PTSD. Key Takeaways Microdosing is the practice of consuming low, sub-hallucinogenic doses of a psychedelic drug and is said to positively impact mood, focus and creativity.A recent placebo-controlled study examined the experience of microdosing and suggests that these anecdotal benefits can be explained by the placebo effect....

People procrastinate for many reasons, but the immediate goal is to bring a temporary sense of relief. The problem with procrastination is just that; the relief is temporary, and it is eventually replaced with anxiety about being behind in what you need to get done. If you suffer from social anxiety disorder (SAD), you probably procrastinate out of fear of disapproval or failure. Perhaps you put off making phone calls, delay discussing difficult issues at work, or get behind scheduling health appointments, haircuts, or any other task that involves interacting with people....

Knowing the differences between schizoaffective disorder vs. schizophrenia can be difficult, especially since both include the core psychotic symptoms of hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking. But they are two different disorders, each with its own diagnostic criteria and treatment. For instance, prominent mood features are required for the diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder, but not for the diagnosis of schizophrenia. Learn more about key differences in schizoaffective disorder vs. schizophrenia, including those related to their symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment....

While many kids now avoid traditional cigarettes, some are turning to electronic cigarettes (or e-cigarettes), particularly because so many other kids are using them. Vaping has become very popular among teens, even though it’s illegal for those under 21. The 2018 National Youth Tobacco Survey found that more than 3.6 million youth have used e-cigarettes—more than smoke cigarettes. However, while vaping is marketed as safer than combustible cigarettes, the scientific evidence is clear that e-cigarettes are harmful and habit-forming....

Taking a breastfeeding class is a fairly common occurrence these days. Mothers and fathers know that they need help with breastfeeding basics and take a class to prepare themselves for breastfeeding the new baby. The problem is that many breastfeeding classes are available, and not all of them actually teach what you have signed up for. Here is a look at some of the major categories of knowing if your class will meet your breastfeeding needs....

If you have plantar fasciitis, staying comfortable while being active can be difficult. The painful condition occurs when excessive stress and pressure cause the connective tissue at the bottom of your foot to stretch and become inflamed. Symptoms improve if you give yourself a break, but may return as soon as you start walking again. That’s why finding a good pair of shoes is a must. Finding the right pair of cushioned and supportive shoes is a proactive way to help with the pain....

Proper clothing and gear when you exercise is always important. And that’s true whether you’re playing a sport, working up a sweat at the gym, or walking outside. If you plan to commute on foot or walk for fitness year-round, it’s worth having some cold-weather walking gear on hand to keep you safe, warm, and dry. “Plus,” says Tami Smith, ACE-certified fitness instructor and owner of Fit Healthy Momma, without the right gear, your chances of actually seeing your workout through are slim....

Are you considering online therapy? The internet has opened up new avenues for mental health treatment, but there are some pros and cons you should consider before you decide if online therapy is right for you. Subscribe Now: Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Google Podcasts Press Play for Advice On Online Therapy Hosted by Editor-in-Chief and therapist Amy Morin, LCSW, this episode of The Verywell Mind Podcast shares the pros and cons of online therapy....

VATER syndrome is a set of birth defects that often occur together. It is not a disease per se but is rather a condition classified as a “non-random association.” The term “VATER” is an acronym referring to the five different organ systems in which a child may have congenital malformations: vertebrae (spine), anus, trachea, esophagus, and renal (kidneys). A child diagnosed with VATER syndrome will not necessarily have all of these defects but must have at least three for the condition to be diagnosed....

Does your child ignore you when you call? Do you have to repeat yourself over and over? Do you tell your child to get ready to go somewhere and then find that he or she is still in pajamas? Gifted kids often seem to be in their own little worlds. They can be so engrossed in an activity or thought that they seem to be unaware of the world around them....

If you are the parent of a baby or toddler, this may be a familiar scenario: A nasty cold or flu has left your little one burning up with a fever all day. The pediatrician has assured you that with some TLC and perhaps some fever medication, the temperature would return to normal as soon as the infection clears. Now that it’s bedtime, though, you’re not sure what to do. Generally, it’s best not to wake your child up to check their fever at night....

Sexual dysfunction refers to a challenge that occurs during any stage of sexual activity. This may be a problem that affects the desire for a partner, arousal, penetration, the act of sex itself, or achieving orgasm during intimacy. In this guide, we’ll be examining the different types of sexual dysfunction, possible causes of these hurdles, as well as known treatment methods for managing issues during sexual activity. Instances of sexual dysfunction are fairly common, with both men and women experiencing unique challenges that can affect satisfaction during intercourse....

Preparing to give birth under normal circumstances can be stressful and a little frightening, but when you throw a viral pandemic—like the one happening right now with COVID-19—into the mix, things start to feel really intense. Key Takeaways Labor and delivery protocols are changing (and will keep evolving) as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. Experts are working on guidelines for hospitals, clinics, and healthcare providers to ensure people who are pregnant can safely access the care they need and that the healthcare workers providing care are protected from COVID-19....

While new research on nutrition seems to come out every day and low carb diet books top the bestseller lists, many people continue to struggle with maintaining a nutritious diet and staying fit. This is because, even if we know what we’re supposed to be eating, there are additional factors that influence how much and what type of food we consume. One of these factors is stress, which is linked to increased emotional eating....

Aichmophobia is the fear of sharp objects. This phobia of sharp things encompasses a wide range of specific fears. Some people are afraid of cutting or stabbing themselves, and others fear injuring someone else. Trypanophobia, the fear of medical needles, is sometimes considered a subset of aichmophobia, but the two phobias are quite different. While those with aichmophobia are afraid of working with sharp tools, trypanophobia is specific to medical procedures....

Delays and alternatives are two important tools for recovery from bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder and variants thereof. Please note that these tools are appropriate for patients who have already worked to establish a regular eating pattern, which most commonly means eating three meals plus two to three snacks per day. For many patients with eating disorders, binges and purges typically follow negative emotions such as anxiety, sadness, anger, or boredom....

What Is an Anxiety Attack? An anxiety attack is a sudden and intense episode of fear and anxiety. Anxiety attacks can occur unexpectedly for no apparent reason, but they can also be linked to specific triggers. “Anxiety attack” is not a formal, clinical term. Many often use the term colloquially to describe all sorts of anxious responses. People may use it to describe a range of sensations, from worries about an upcoming event to intense feelings of fear that would meet the diagnostic criteria for a panic attack....

There is nothing quite as comforting as a nice hot cup of tea. One of the most popular teas to drink during pregnancy is peppermint tea, likely because of the fact that it soothes many of the digestive symptoms that tend to plague pregnant people, like nausea, vomiting, constipation, and heartburn. If peppermint tea is something you’ve been craving in pregnancy, you might be wondering whether or not it’s a good option....

College brings with it a number of challenging situations with which young adults must contend: living away from parents, living with unfamiliar peers, lack of personal space and privacy, institutional foods, increased independence, the presence of drugs and alcohol, social pressure to fit in, increased academic pressure, and sororities and fraternities. The college party culture has been identified as problematic. Binge drinking, which seems deeply woven into campus culture and considered “normal behavior," has become a major concern....

The pandemic has had a substantial impact on mental health in the US. An October 2021 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report found that there was only a 1.1% rise in mental health treatment in 2020. Key Takeaways In 2020, 20.3% of adults in the US received mental health treatment.16.5% of adults in the US had taken prescription medication for mental health in 2020.In the US, in 2020, 10....