A single dose of psilocybin gave smokers six times better odds of quitting than the patch
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM A new clinical trial from Johns Hopkins University produced results that surprised even the researchers behind it. Participants who took a single dose of psilocybin, the active compound in magic mushrooms, had more than six times greater odds of being Read More...
Breaking up with your vape: a step-by-step guide to quitting permanently
Vaping may have appeared like a better option than smoking at first, but it's time to acknowledge the health consequences. Vaping can have serious repercussions, ranging from exacerbating asthma symptoms to causing shortness of breath and exhaustion. Volunteer spokesperson and board member for Read More...
Sesame Workshop introduces tools to help kids understand addiction in families
Tevis Simon's childhood was fraught with uncertainty. She grew up in West Baltimore in the 1980s, a community that received little attention from the city and government investment, and her existence was overshadowed by her mother's opioid addiction. She never knew which version of her mother she Read More...
New implant cools nerves and cuts pain, reducing opioid need
In response to the ongoing opioid epidemic, medical researchers are developing viable alternatives to pain management. While opioids have proven effective at managing pain, they come with a dangerous risk of addiction. Doctors and researchers are seeking medical alternatives to reducing pain, Read More...
13 strategies to help you kick your smoking habit
Quitting any habit is difficult, and smoking is no exception! Start the summer season off on the right foot by integrating these 13 tips for your smoke-free program. Find your reason Establish the personal why behind your reason for quitting in the first place, and don’t lose sight of its Read More...
This atlas maps out the area of the brain associated with substance disorders
As we have reiterated many times at The Optimist Daily, the brain is an extremely complex organ shrouded in mystery. Incredible and interesting breakthroughs are always being made on this front, including how our brains interpret smell, how they communicate with our organs, and the regions involved Read More...
Scientists discover decision-making brain cells
Our most complex organ, the brain, is a puzzle that scientists are still trying to piece together. Here at The Optimist Daily we like to keep our readers up to date with the latest discoveries on the neurological front, like pinpointing the singing regions of the brain or how zebrafish brains Read More...
An effective treatment for gaming and internet addiction in teens
Everyone loves playing games. Whether that be a physical sport, board games, or video games, there is something innately human about wanting to play them. But for some, these hobbies can become addictive. The World Health Organization now recognizes being addicted to video games as a disease. Read More...
Zebrafish brains reveal new information about our memories
It seems like we're writing about fish a whole lot lately! Last week, we featured an article about goldfish learning to drive. This week, zebrafish, a species studied for their relatively long lifespans, are helping us understand how memories are made! Let's talk synapses! Signals in the brain Read More...
Ketamine as an effective tool in treating alcoholism
In a follow up from a story published earlier this month on ‘How ketamine can help fight depression,’ we are going to report on new data published from a recent clinical trial. This time instead of depression, doctors administered this drug to people suffering from alcoholism. The clinical Read More...