Tag: Neurobiology

In recent decades, research has shown that the 'cuddle hormone' oxytocin, known for its role in social bonding and empathy, can be influenced by certain psychoactive compounds. Understanding what drugs trigger oxytocin, and how, offers insights into both its therapeutic potential and the complex neurochemistry of human behavior.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), opioids flood the brain with dopamine, creating an intense feeling of pleasure. This intense high is what is known as **opioid-induced euphoria**, a powerful effect that drives the cycle of addiction for many users.

According to preclinical studies, the atypical antipsychotic olanzapine can produce a significant, dose-dependent increase in extracellular acetylcholine (ACh) release in brain regions such as the hippocampus. This effect runs counter to the drug's known anticholinergic properties, presenting a pharmacological paradox that explains both its therapeutic benefits and some side effects.

Anhedonia is a common feature during withdrawal from stimulant use, particularly for substances like cocaine and amphetamines. Research indicates that long-term stimulant use significantly alters the brain's reward system, affecting how pleasure is perceived and experienced.

In clinical trials for major depression, the placebo effect accounts for a larger portion of the total benefit than the active drug itself, according to one meta-analysis. This startling fact highlights the powerful psychological and physiological phenomenon that explains exactly what does the placebo pill do and why it is so important for modern medicine.

While most people tolerate the antihistamine cetirizine (Zyrtec) with no issues, a small number of users report experiencing mental health side effects such as anxiety, depression, and mood changes. These rare but documented psychiatric effects raise the question: can Zyrtec affect your mental health? Exploring the complex interplay between antihistamines and brain chemistry reveals how this common allergy medication can potentially influence mood and cognition.

In some clinical trials, around one-third of people taking placebos report relief from their symptoms, including pain and headaches. This phenomenon, driven by patient belief and expectation, reveals the powerful science behind the fake pill that makes people think they get the effect.

In Canada, Foquest was the first methylphenidate product approved with a 16-hour duration of action, offering a once-daily solution for managing ADHD symptoms. As a central nervous system stimulant, **Foquest** uses a unique multi-layer bead technology to provide sustained release of medication throughout the day.

According to one review, placebo treatments have produced improvement in symptoms for approximately 35% of patients in certain studies. But **what is a placebo** exactly? A placebo is an inactive substance or procedure that is designed to resemble an actual treatment but has no inherent therapeutic effect on its own.