New research suggests that adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have an increased risk for substance abuse, from alcohol to marijuana to more illicit drugs. The findings suggest that adults seeking treatment for substance abuse should be screened for ADHD as co-managing both conditions may be necessary for a satisfactory outcome. Alcohol and Alcoholism, August 2021

It’s estimated that postpartum depression can affect up to one in four new dads. A systematic review of 37 studies identified the following factors for paternal postpartum depression: unemployment, lack of support from friends and family, negative life events, high perceived stress, financial strain, and a history of mental illness. Journal of Affective Disorders, October…

The result of a recent study that included over 3,500 children and teens found that participants who lived near woodlands were 16% less likely to develop behavioral or emotional problems over the following two years. The findings add to a growing body of research that regular exposure to nature can provide a number of physical…

A survey of 50 adults suffering from acne revealed that the skin condition can have a negative effect on one’s emotional wellbeing. Study author Dr. John Barbieri explains, “Some felt that their acne made them appear less professional or qualified at work, and many described that having fewer peers with acne in adulthood magnified the…

A review of past studies suggests that stress associated with adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can negatively affect the gut microbiota, which may explain one pathway by which ACEs can affect one’s long-term health. Examples of ACEs include abuse (physical, sexual, emotional); neglect (physical, emotional); witnessing domestic violence, substance abuse, or mental illness in the household;…

New research suggests that 5% of dementia cases occur in individuals under age 65 with 119 cases of early-onset dementia occurring for every 100,000 people globally. Researcher Dr. Stevie Hendriks adds, “We see that the first symptoms in young people are usually not the symptoms you would expect when you think of dementia… Instead of…

New research suggests that going to bed and waking an hour earlier can reduce one’s risk for depression by up to 23%, even though there’s no difference in sleep duration. Additionally, shifting sleep/wake times forward by two hours can lower the risk for depression by nearly 40%. JAMA Psychiatry, May 2021

Using data from The Health Professionals Follow-Up Study, which has monitored the health of over 50,000 male healthcare professionals since 1986, researchers report that individuals with a history of sleepwalking or rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder (RBD) may be up to four times more likely to develop Parkinson’s disease than men without a sleep…

A review of 18 studies found that traumatic brain injury (TBI) may elevate an individual’s risk for stroke over the following five years by up to 86%. International Journal of Stroke, April 2021

An analysis of brain scans and mental health assessments of over 1,200 adults revealed that people with moderate-to-severe sinus inflammation exhibited altered activity in the frontoparietal network in the brain, which is important for problem solving and decision making. JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, April 2021