Psychotherapie Praxis Dr. Saba Khodayarifard

29/03/2026

11/03/2026

05/02/2026

The soil bacterium that mirrors the effects of antidepressant drugs like Prozac is Mycobacterium vaccae (M.vaccae). This harmless, non-pathogenic microbe is found in healthy organic soil and has been shown to stimulate the same parts of the brain that produce serotonin, the “happy” chemical, without the side effects associated with pharmaceutical drugs. 

🗂️How Mycobacterium vaccae Works. M.vaccae interacts with the human body and brain through several biological pathways: 

📑Stimulating Serotonin Release: When humans are exposed to the bacterium—through inhalation, ingestion, or topical contact—it activates a specific group of neurons in the brain that produce serotonin. Specifically, it has been found to activate serotonergic neurons in the interfascicular part of the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRI).

📑Anti-inflammatory Response: The bacterium has long-lasting anti-inflammatory effects on the brain. This is critical because neuroinflammation is a known risk factor for mental health disorders, including anxiety and depression. By dampening this inflammation, M.vaccae helps promote stress resilience.

📑Increasing Serotonin Biosynthesis: In studies, treatment with M.vaccae increased the expression of tph2, an enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of serotonin.

📑Affecting Brain Regions: Increased serotonin levels have been specifically noted in the medial prefrontal cortex, a region of the brain that modulates anxiety and regulates emotional behavior. 

🗂️Method of Exposure and Effects. Humans typically encounter M.vaccae while gardening or spending time in nature. The bacterium can enter the body by: 

📑Inhaling it from the air or soil dust.

📑Ingesting it through water sources or from picking and eating fresh produce like lettuce or carrots.

📑Topical absorption through skin contact or entry through small cuts. 

Research on both mice and humans suggests that these effects can last for up to three weeks after exposure. Beyond mood elevation, studies have indicated that M.vaccae may improve cognitive function and learning abilities; for example, mice exposed to the bacteria were able to navigate mazes twice as fast as those without it.

31/01/2026

The people you spend time with literally physically rewire your brain’s response to stress.

Our nervous systems do not exist in isolation; they are deeply interconnected through a biological process known as co-regulation.

When we interact with others, our autonomic nervous systems begin to synchronize, causing our heart rates, breathing patterns, and stress levels to mirror those around us. This phenomenon, often called 'limbic resonance,' means that being around calm and supportive individuals can actually lower our cortisol levels and improve our vagal tone—the body's ability to recover from stress. Conversely, constant exposure to criticism, hostility, or chaos keeps the body in a persistent state of 'fight-or-flight,' effectively training the brain to remain hyper-vigilant and defensive.

Because our brains are plastic and adapt to repetitive environments, the long-term impact of our social circles is profound. We don't just 'catch' a friend's mood; we internalize their physiological state through a two-step process of unconscious mirroring and biological feedback. To protect your mental and physical well-being, it is essential to proactively manage your social environment. Choosing to spend time with predictable, trustworthy people and setting firm boundaries with those who drain your energy are not just social preferences—they are vital biological necessities for maintaining a regulated nervous system and a sense of internal safety.

source: Red Beard Somatic Therapy. (2023). The Power of Co-Regulation. Red Beard Somatic Therapy.

01/01/2026

https://psycnet.apa.org/fulltext/2026-89350-001.html

A new large-scale study examining nearly 100,000 participants has found that frequent consumption of short-form video content on infinite-scroll platforms is linked to poorer cognitive function and emotional health.

Researchers observed significantly lower performance in attention, basic thinking, and self-control among heavy users, along with higher levels of anxiety, stress, and depression.

The study notes that constant exposure to fast-paced, highly stimulating content may reduce tolerance for slower, more cognitively demanding tasks such as reading or problem-solving.

Researchers stress the findings show correlation, not causation, but warn that excessive short-form video use may contribute to long-term cognitive decline.

13/11/2025

Skin to skin was developed in South America to help premature infants be discharged early from overcrowded hospitals

12/10/2025

Research has revealed that men should abstain from alcohol for at least 3 months before trying to conceive to improve s***m quality and fertility outcomes and to reduce the risk of birth defects and other health issues in their offspring. Paternal drinking, particularly in the weeks or months before IVF treatment, has also been linked to a higher risk of miscarriage!!!

To elaborate, alcohol consumption negatively affects s***m production and health in several ways, with heavy chronic drinking being the most damaging. Studies show that men who consume more than 5 alcoholic drinks per week have a lower total s***m count and concentration.

Alcohol impairs a s***m cell’s ability to swim properly, making it more difficult for it to reach and fertilize an egg. Heavy drinkers are also more likely to have abnormally shaped s***m (poor morphology), which also reduces fertilization chances. Alcohol can also cause DNA damage in s***m cells through oxidative stress, leading to genetic issues and birth defects. Research has also found that alcohol disrupts DNA methylation in s***m, which can alter how genes are expressed in the resulting embryo.

Paternal drinking before conception has also been linked to increased risks for the baby, even if the father stops drinking right before the pregnancy occurs. Fathers who drink in the months before conception have a significantly higher risk of having a baby born with a congenital heart defect.

This risk is even greater for binge drinkers. Emerging research suggests that male alcohol consumption can increase the risk of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (previously blamed solely on a woman’s alcohol use during pregnancy) and other alcohol-related developmental problems, such as facial defects and brain abnormalities. A 2022 study found an association between paternal preconception alcohol consumption and an increased risk of behavioral issues in children, including anxiety, sleep problems and rule-breaking behaviors.

PMID: 35010587

12/10/2025

A groundbreaking 2025 study published in Science Advances has revealed that while women experience a decline in the number of eggs as they age, the quality of those eggs at the DNA level remains surprisingly stable. In contrast, men’s s***m accumulates genetic mutations over time, making older fathers more likely to pass on DNA errors that can contribute to developmental and neurological conditions in their children.

Researchers found that these s***m mutations increase steadily with age, particularly after 40, while eggs showed minimal DNA damage accumulation. This challenges decades of assumptions about female fertility and aging — and flips the traditional “biological clock” narrative on its head.

The implications are significant: men’s age can influence conception success, pregnancy outcomes, and long-term child health just as much as women’s.

In essence, time affects both sexes — just in very different ways.

02/10/2025

For years, many believed motivation came first, that you needed to feel inspired before taking action. Neuroscience is now turning that idea upside down. New research shows that effort doesn’t come from motivation; instead, motivation comes from effort. When you push yourself to act, even in small steps, your brain rewards you with dopamine, the chemical linked to pleasure, focus, and drive. That dopamine surge makes you feel accomplished, which in turn fuels more action.

It’s a cycle that starts not with inspiration but with movement. For example, dragging yourself to the gym may feel impossible at first, but once you begin, the brain releases dopamine, making you want to continue. The same applies to studying, working on projects, or even daily chores. Action activates the brain’s reward system, and each completed effort makes the next step easier.

This discovery flips the way we think about productivity. Waiting for motivation before acting often leaves us stuck, but starting with action, even tiny, simple actions, kickstarts the brain’s chemical engine. Neuroscience proves that discipline and effort create the spark, while motivation grows as a natural byproduct.

In a world full of distractions, this insight is powerful. It means you don’t need to wait for the perfect moment or the right mood. Start moving, and your brain will follow. Every action you take plants the seed for more energy, more focus, and greater success. The secret isn’t waiting to feel ready,it’s acting first and letting the brain reward you for it.

25/09/2025

A Cambridge study finds over-activity in one brain area triggers depression, anxiety, and heart disease.

A single brain region may hold the key to understanding why depression, anxiety, and even heart disease often go hand in hand. Researchers at the University of Cambridge have identified the subgenual anterior cingulate cortex (sgACC) as a central hub where over-activity can trigger a cascade of physical and emotional symptoms.

When this region becomes hyperactive, it not only heightens threat responses—like anxiety and fear—but also suppresses the brain's reward circuits, leading to symptoms such as anhedonia, or the inability to feel pleasure.

Notably, sgACC over-activity also activated the cardiovascular stress system, increasing heart rate and cortisol, linking it to the physical toll of mental illness.

The study, conducted in non-human primates, revealed that while certain symptoms like lack of motivation could be reversed by ketamine, others—like anxiety responses—were unaffected, suggesting that different symptoms of depression and anxiety are driven by distinct neural circuits. Brain scans showed sgACC over-activity ramps up the amygdala and hypothalamus (stress response centers) while dialing down areas responsible for emotion regulation. This discovery could pave the way for more targeted mental health treatments, recognizing that not all symptoms respond equally to the same therapy. In short, the sgACC appears to sit at the intersection of emotional distress and physical health—highlighting the need for personalized, symptom-specific interventions.

Source: Alexander, L., Wood, C.M., Gaskin, P.L.R., et al. Over-activation of primate subgenual cingulate cortex enhances the cardiovascular, behavioral and neural responses to threat. Nature Communications.

21/09/2025

Artificial sweeteners are dangerous. Period.

🚨 Your "sugar-free" choices may be harming your brain.

New research reveals a 62% faster decline in memory and thinking linked to common artificial sweeteners like aspartame and saccharin.

A new study published in Neurology has raised fresh concerns about the long-term cognitive effects of artificial sweeteners.

Tracking over 12,000 Brazilian adults for an average of eight years, researchers found that individuals who consumed the most sugar substitutes—including aspartame, saccharin, and xylitol—experienced a 62% faster decline in memory and thinking skills compared to those who consumed the least.

Alarmingly, the fastest rates of decline were seen in participants under 60 and those with diabetes, suggesting that midlife may be a particularly vulnerable period for brain health when it comes to sweetener exposure.

While the study did not establish a direct cause, the strong association points to potential risks of frequent artificial sweetener use—especially in sugar-free processed foods. Experts urge caution and suggest focusing on whole foods and reducing reliance on artificially sweetened products. As the science continues to evolve, these findings highlight a need for greater awareness about how everyday dietary choices may impact brain function over time.

Source: Suemoto, C. K., et al. (2024). Artificial sweetener consumption and cognitive decline: A cohort study. Neurology, American Academy of Neurology.

09/09/2025