complementary-treatments - Page 1

In the News: Aducanumab (Aduhelm)

November 5, 2021

Rehan Aziz, MD. Associate professor of psychiatry and neurology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. Dr. Aziz has disclosed no relevant financial or other interests in any commercial companies pertaining to this educational activity.

When the FDA approved aducanumab (Aduhelm) in Alzheimer dementia, the decision came with a heavy dose of controversy. Rehaz Aziz, MD, considers where this novel therapy fits in practice.

Light Therapy: Good for What Ails You?

September 28, 2021

Edmund S. Higgins, MD.

Edmund S. Higgins, MD. Clinical associate professor, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina. Dr. Higgins has disclosed no relevant financial or other interests in any commercial companies pertaining to this educational activity.

The health benefits of light therapy are expanding its use beyond winter depression. Here we explore those promises and pitfalls, including ADHD, PTSD, bipolar depression, binge eating, sleep disorders, dementia, sexual dysfunction, traumatic brain injury, diabetes, and arthritis.

RESEARCH UPDATE

Omega-3s and Metabolic Risks in Schizophrenia

September 28, 2021

Batya Swift Yasgur, MA, LSW, and Chris Aiken, MD.

Batya Swift Yasgur, MA, LSW, and Chris Aiken, MD. The authors have disclosed no relevant financial or other interests in any commercial companies pertaining to this educational activity.

Omega-3s are helpful for negative symptoms in schizophrenia, and this study suggests they may have metabolic benefits as well.

Shining a Light on PTSD

June 29, 2021

Edmund S. Higgins, MD.

Edmund Higgins, MD Dr. Higgins has disclosed no relevant financial or other interests in any commercial companies pertaining to this educational activity.

This first-of-its-kind study looked at lightbox in PTSD with a randomized, placebo-controlled design.

EXPERT Q&A

Probiotics in Psychiatry

December 31, 2020

Ted Dinan, MD, PhD

Ted Dinan, MD, PhD
Professor of psychiatry at University College Cork, Ireland. Dr. Dinan’s research focuses on depression, irritable bowel syndrome, and the influence of the gut microbiota on brain function. He has published over 500 scientific papers and numerous books, including 2019’s The Psychobiotic Revolution. Dr. Dinan has disclosed that he has no relevant financial or other interests in any commercial companies pertaining to this educational activity.

The gut microbiome is one of the newest entries in the list of causes of depression. Ted Dinan explains how the bacteria in the GI tract influence the brain, and whether a probiotic or a lifestyle change is the best way to address it.

Smartphone Apps as Adjuncts for Substance Use Treatment

December 10, 2020

Rehan Aziz, MD.

Rehan Aziz, MD. Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Neurology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. Dr. Aziz has disclosed that he has no relevant financial or other interests in any commercial companies pertaining to this educational activity.

Smartphone apps are a useful, patient-centered resource for continued substance use treatment. We’ll explore the two current FDA-cleared SUD treatment apps as well as other popular ones on the market to help you determine the best approach for discussing these apps with your patients.

EXPERT Q&A

Alternative Therapies for SUDs

December 10, 2020

Steven Novella, MD

Steven Novella, MD
Assistant Professor of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine. Dr. Novella has disclosed that he has no relevant financial or other interests in any commercial companies pertaining to this educational activity.

Not all alternative therapies are created equal. In this interview with Dr. Steven Novella, we discuss the prevalence of alternative therapies among patients with substance use disorders (SUDs) as well as the state of evidence for (or against) commonly utilized forms of complementary and alternative treatments for SUDs.

Silexan: A Novel Anxiolytic

July 30, 2020

Chris Aiken, MD.

Chris Aiken, MD. Editor-in-Chief of TCPR. Practicing psychiatrist, Winston-Salem, NC. Dr. Aiken has disclosed that he has no relevant financial or other interests in any commercial companies pertaining to this educational activity.

This German medication outperformed paroxetine in generalized anxiety disorder and is available over the counter in the U.S.

Micronutrients in Mental Health

November 15, 2019

Julia Rucklidge, PhD

Julia Rucklidge, PhD

Professor, University of Canterbury, New Zealand Dr. Rucklidge has disclosed that she has no relevant financial or other interests in any commercial companies pertaining to this educational activity.

Vitamins like B12 and folate have mental benefits, but what happens when you combine dozens of vitamins and nutrients in a single pill? We were skeptical, but the studies were positive, so we invited Julia Rucklidge to explain how these “micronutrients” work in ADHD, depression, autism, and general mental health.

A Practical Guide to Light Therapy

November 15, 2019

Chris Aiken, MD.

Chris Aiken, MD. Editor-in-Chief of The Carlat Psychiatry Report. Practicing psychiatrist, Winston-Salem, NC.

Few natural therapies perform well when stacked head-to-head with medication. Light therapy is an exception. When used correctly, it can treat winter and non-winter depression and augment antidepressants. Learn which lightboxes work, how to use them, and a new light therapy protocol for bipolar depression.