Howard Smith MD, AMJun 4
Boosting Your Mood May Boost Your Ear Ringing. Serotonin, the neurotransmitter targeted by many antidepressants, and medications that boost it may actually amplify tinnitus. References on my website. #Tinnitus #HearingHealth #BrainHealth #DepressionResearch #MedicalNews
https://www.instagram.com/p/DZLOYqRuFKU/
Howard G. Smith MD, AM on Instagram: "Boosting Your Mood May Boost Your Ear Ringing According to new peer-reviewed research published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, Chinese scientists report that serotonin, the neurotransmitter targeted by many antidepressants, may actually amplify tinnitus. In their study, otolaryngology and hearing researchers show that a specific serotonin-driven brain circuit is connected directly to the auditory system. Using advanced light-based brain stimulation in mice, they find that increasing serotonin activity triggers tinnitus-like behaviors. When they turn that circuit off, the tinnitus-like effects become significantly weaker. This study confirms observations by some patients that tinnitus seems to worsen while taking SSRIs. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors are a common class of antidepressants used to treat depression and anxiety. They include Zoloft, Lexapro, Prozac, Celexa, and Paxil. This research may help explain why they might trigger ear ringing. The researchers stress that people should not stop prescribed medications on their own. As always, you should work with your medical team to balance mental health benefits with any potential impact on your tinnitus symptoms. The references for this report are available on my website. #Tinnitus #HearingHealth #BrainHealth #DepressionResearch #MedicalNews"

0 likes, 0 comments - drhowardsmithreports on June 4, 2026: "Boosting Your Mood May Boost Your Ear Ringing According to new peer-reviewed research published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, Chinese scientists report that serotonin, the neurotransmitter targeted by many antidepressants, may actually amplify tinnitus. In their study, otolaryngology and hearing researchers show that a specific serotonin-driven brain circuit is connected directly to the auditory system. Using advanced light-based brain stimulation in mice, they find that increasing serotonin activity triggers tinnitus-like behaviors. When they turn that circuit off, the tinnitus-like effects become significantly weaker. This study confirms observations by some patients that tinnitus seems to worsen while taking SSRIs. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors are a common class of antidepressants used to treat depression and anxiety. They include Zoloft, Lexapro, Prozac, Celexa, and Paxil. This research may help explain why they might trigger ear ringing. The researchers stress that people should not stop prescribed medications on their own. As always, you should work with your medical team to balance mental health benefits with any potential impact on your tinnitus symptoms. The references for this report are available on my website. #Tinnitus #HearingHealth #BrainHealth #DepressionResearch #MedicalNews".

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Howard Smith MD, AMMay 14
When you get a gut feeling you are sad, it’s because the two are linked. A study from Harvard Medical School links the two. #GutHealth #DepressionResearch #BrainHealth #Harvard #MentalHealthScience
https://www.instagram.com/p/DYVOQoVs-UH/
Howard G. Smith MD, AM on Instagram: "When you get a gut feeling you are sad, it’s because the two are linked. How so. Molecular biochemists at the Harvard Medical School now report in the Journal of the American Chemical Society that, when a common gut bacterium called Morganella morganii interacts with a contaminant found in everyday products, they spark inflammation that leads to depression. A sugar molecule produced by the bacterium combines with a pollutant called DEA, diethanolamine, found in some shampoos and cosmetics as well as in agricultural and industrial products, to create a new molecule that activates the immune system. This activation increases inflammatory proteins like IL-6 which is associated with major depressive events. While this discovery could trigger new tests and treatments for depression, it definitely opens the door to studying the complex ways in which gut microbes affect our brains and immune systems. The references for this report are available on my website. #GutHealth #DepressionResearch #BrainHealth #Harvard #MentalHealthScience"

0 likes, 0 comments - drhowardsmithreports on May 14, 2026: "When you get a gut feeling you are sad, it’s because the two are linked. How so. Molecular biochemists at the Harvard Medical School now report in the Journal of the American Chemical Society that, when a common gut bacterium called Morganella morganii interacts with a contaminant found in everyday products, they spark inflammation that leads to depression. A sugar molecule produced by the bacterium combines with a pollutant called DEA, diethanolamine, found in some shampoos and cosmetics as well as in agricultural and industrial products, to create a new molecule that activates the immune system. This activation increases inflammatory proteins like IL-6 which is associated with major depressive events. While this discovery could trigger new tests and treatments for depression, it definitely opens the door to studying the complex ways in which gut microbes affect our brains and immune systems. The references for this report are available on my website. #GutHealth #DepressionResearch #BrainHealth #Harvard #MentalHealthScience".

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Psychotherapy Commission ACPEApr 14

The article examines whether psychedelic therapy and traditional antidepressants yield similar improvements in depression when both are studied under open-label conditions, suggesting that study design and expectations may account for some previously observed advantages of psychedelics. It also discusses methodological issues like functional unblinding and the implications for interpreting treatment effectiveness.

This topic is of interest to psychology readers because it highlights how study design, expectations, and placebo-related factors can influence observed treatment outcomes, underscoring the complexity of evaluating novel therapies within mental health research.

Article Title: Psychedelic therapy and traditional antidepressants show similar results under open-label conditions

Link to PsyPost Article: https://www.psypost dot org/psychedelic-therapy-and-traditional-antidepressants-show-similar-results-under-open-label-conditions/

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#psychedelictherapy #depressionresearch #clinicaltrials #openlabel #blindingissues

Scientific WorldMar 13
Scientists are exploring how mitochondrial function and cellular energy may play a surprising role in mood disorders. Discover the latest research, what it means for understanding mental health, and why this energy connection could change the way we think about depression.
#BrainHealth #MentalHealthAwareness #DepressionResearch #Neuroscience #CellEnergy #MitochondriaMatters
https://www.scientificworldinfo.com/2026/03/could-depression-begin-with-energy-problem-in-brain-cells.html
Could Depression Begin with an Energy Problem in Brain Cells?

Depression is often explained through chemical imbalances or emotional stress, but new research suggests something deeper may be happening i...

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Psychotherapy Commission ACPEFeb 2

Chronic stress can damage the gut’s protective lining, triggering inflammation that may worsen depressive symptoms. The material emphasizes the gut–brain axis as a mechanism underpinning mood disorders, a topic of particular significance to psychotherapists, social workers, and other mental health professionals. Moreover, the finding that Reelin levels decline under stress and can be restored with a single injection—accompanied by antidepressant-like effects in preclinical models—highlights a tangible biological target at the gut–brain interface for future inquiry and collaboration between disciplines.

Article Title: Scientists discover protein that could heal leaky gut and ease depression

Link to Science Daily Mind-Brain News: https://ift dot tt/UqYFBak

#GutBrainAxis #ReelinProtein #DepressionResearch #ChronicStress #MentalHealthScience

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CSBJNov 13, 2025

🧠 Could gut metabolites hold the key to enhancing antidepressant effects?

🔗 Does isovaleric acid play a key role in the interaction between probiotics and antidepressants? A secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial. Computational and Structural Biotechnology Journal, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.csbj.2025.05.035

📚 CSBJ: https://www.csbj.org/

#GutBrainAxis #MentalHealth #Probiotics #DepressionResearch #Psychobiotics #Microbiome

GeekooJun 19, 2025

New study finds a surprising connection between oral bacteria and depression—your mental health might start in your mouth. #MentalHealth #OralMicrobiome #DepressionResearch

https://geekoo.news/depression-may-start-with-the-bacteria-in-your-mouth/

Depression May Start With the Bacteria in Your Mouth | Geekoo

The microbes in your mouth might influence your mood. Scientists say oral diversity could be key to understanding depression.

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Show threadIgor D. Bandeira May 7, 2025

Our study explores innovative strategies to prolong the antisuicidal effects of ketamine in individuals with treatment-resistant depression, a critical step toward improving outcomes for patients in crisis.

This recognition not only supports early-career researchers like myself, but also strengthens our collective mission to advance evidence-based care for depression and suicidality.

#ADAA2025 #SuicidePrevention #DepressionResearch #CareerDevelopment #ClinicalTrials #MentalHealthResearch

🐦‍🔥nemo™🐦‍⬛ 🇺🇦🍉Jul 2, 2024

🧠 Breakthrough in depression research! 🔬 Stanford Medicine identifies 6 distinct depression "biotypes" using fMRI & machine learning. This could revolutionize treatment by predicting responses based on brain patterns. A step towards personalized mental health care! 🎯💊

#DepressionResearch #MentalHealth #PrecisionMedicine

https://med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2024/06/depression-biotypes.html

Six distinct types of depression identified in Stanford Medicine-led study

Brain imaging, known as functional MRI, combined with machine learning can predict a treatment response based on one’s depression “biotype.”

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