Category: Addiction
Is the Use of Psilocybin for the Treatment of Mental Health Disorders Haram (Forbidden) or Halal (Permissible) in Islam?
Key Findings: Recent studies show that psilocybin may be effective in treating depression, anxiety, trauma, eating disorders, and addiction, often outperforming other treatments. Psilocybin’s mind-altering effects conflict with Quranic …
Treating PTSD in Veterans: How Mystical Experiences During Ibogaine Therapy May Promote Brain Reset and Symptom Relief – Insights from Recent Research
Key Takeaways Mystical experiences predict better outcomes: In a 2025 study, veterans with more intense mystical feelings (unity, sacredness, transcendence) during magnesium-ibogaine treatment showed larger, sustained reductions in PTSD …Alcohol’s Pull: What Drunken Monkeys Reveal About Evolution and Human Addiction
Key Takeaways Wild spider monkeys regularly consume naturally fermented fruits with 1–2% alcohol content. This behavior supports the “drunken monkey hypothesis,” suggesting humans may have evolved a preference for …
Anxiety Disorders Explained: A Complete Guide to Types, Symptoms, Causes, Risk Factors, Diagnosis, Treatment Options, Panic Attacks, Long-Term Outlook, and Where to Get Help
Anxiety is not always a disorder. Worry before an examination, nervousness before a medical test, or fear during a genuinely dangerous situation can all be normal responses. An anxiety …
Is Marijuana Good or Bad for You? Synthesizing Conflicting Evidence on Pain, Epilepsy, Mental Health, Psychosis, Cognition, and Heart Risks
Key Takeaways The strongest evidence for benefit comes from purified CBD, which significantly reduces seizures in hard-to-treat epilepsies like Dravet and Lennox-Gastaut syndromes. For chronic pain, certain high-THC to …
Recognizing Manipulation: A Psychological Guide to Identifying Cult-Like Dynamics and Echo Chambers
Key Takeaways Cults use thought reform to control beliefs through isolation and coercion. Social media algorithms create echo chambers, amplifying extreme content for profit. Research-based self-assessment questionnaires can help …
The Political and Psychological Costs of Social Media Algorithms: Evidence-Based Strategies to Mitigate Algorithm-Driven Addiction, Echo Chambers, Polarization, and Misinformation
Key Takeaways: Algorithms fuel compulsive use by exploiting psychological triggers, keeping users hooked for longer. Engagement is profit-driven, with design features like infinite scroll built to maximize ad revenue. …
As War with Gaza and Iran Escalates, 19-Year Study Warns of Another Surge in Benzodiazepine Use—and a Growing Psychological Toll in Israel
Key Takeaways Benzodiazepine use in Israel has historically spiked during times of war, and it’s likely rising again during the current Gaza and Iran conflicts. A 19-year study shows …