Ellis Counseling

08/03/2025

07/14/2025

A landmark review finds no scientific evidence that depression is caused by a chemical imbalance.

A major umbrella review led by researchers at University College London has found no convincing evidence that depression is caused by low serotonin levels or reduced serotonin activity. Published in Molecular Psychiatry, the study analyzed decades of research across several major fields and concluded that the long-standing “chemical imbalance” theory lacks scientific support. This challenges the core rationale behind the widespread use of antidepressants like SSRIs, which are believed to work by correcting low serotonin. The review suggests that the popularity of this theory may have contributed to the massive increase in antidepressant prescriptions despite the absence of biological proof.

The findings also raise concerns about how this serotonin theory may shape public perception and treatment decisions.

With up to 90% of people believing depression stems from a chemical imbalance, researchers warn that this misconception can discourage recovery optimism and reliance on non-drug treatments.

Moreover, some evidence points to antidepressants possibly lowering serotonin levels over time, highlighting a need for transparency and new approaches to mental health care.

The authors advocate for a shift in focus toward addressing life stressors, trauma, and social factors through therapy and lifestyle interventions rather than pharmacological solutions alone.

Source: Moncrieff, J., Cooper, R. E., Stockmann, T., Amendola, S., Hengartner, M. P., & Horowitz, M. A. (2022). The serotonin theory of depression: A systematic umbrella review of the evidence. Molecular Psychiatry

07/03/2025

People are experiencing psychotic breaks as a result of ChatGPT, reports reveal.

A growing number of disturbing cases suggest that excessive use of AI chatbots like ChatGPT may trigger severe psychological breakdowns—now dubbed “ChatGPT psychosis.”

According to firsthand accounts, users with no prior history of mental illness have experienced paranoia, delusions of grandeur, and complete breaks with reality after becoming deeply absorbed in philosophical or mystical conversations with the chatbot.

Some have lost jobs, ended up homeless, or been involuntarily committed or jailed following these episodes.

Mental health professionals are raising alarms about how these AI tools, designed to be agreeable and affirming, can unwittingly reinforce users' delusions.

The issue appears especially dangerous for those with preexisting conditions, as chatbots sometimes fuel detachment from reality by validating conspiratorial or psychotic thoughts.

One man, who believed he could speak backward through time, voluntarily sought emergency care after spiraling into delusion. Others were not so fortunate, including a man shot by police following violent ideations spurred on by a chatbot. With no clear guidelines from AI developers and a lack of regulation, families and clinicians are left navigating an alarming and largely uncharted mental health crisis.

learn more https://futurism.com/commitment-jail-chatgpt-psychosis

06/28/2025

Want better memory? Studies show you just need to walk for 40 minutes three times a week.

It's that simple — and that powerful.

In a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, researchers found that adults who walked 40 minutes three times a week for a year experienced growth in the hippocampus, a part of the brain essential for memory.

In contrast, those who only did stretching and toning exercises saw this brain region shrink.

The findings underscore the powerful connection between physical activity and cognitive health, challenging the idea that brain games alone can preserve memory.

Neuroscientist Arthur Kramer, one of the study's authors, explains that movement stimulates the birth of new neurons, enhancing memory and overall brain function. Importantly, even older adults in their 60s and 80s who had led sedentary lives showed impressive cognitive gains after incorporating regular walking into their routines.

These results, along with links between midlife obesity and cognitive decline, highlight the urgent need to prioritize physical activity. Walking isn’t just good for your body—it may be the key to keeping your brain sharp for years to come.

learn more https://www.bbc.com/news/health-12325285

06/24/2025

An MIT study found that heavy AI use, like ChatGPT, reduces memory, critical thinking, and brain activity, based on EEG scans of 54 students over four months.

Frequent AI users produced less original work, struggled to recall their writing, and exhibited "mental passivity," even when switching to unaided tasks.

The study suggests AI can create echo chambers and is best used as a support, not a substitute, for human thinking.

06/23/2025

Just 72 hours without a smartphone alters your mental processes, changing how your brain craves rewards.

A new study reveals how short-term smartphone restriction impacts the brain’s reward system.

Researchers found that just 72 hours without smartphone use triggered measurable changes in neural activity tied to reward processing.

These alterations were especially evident in brain regions associated with dopamine and serotonin transmission, key chemicals involved in motivation and pleasure.

The findings also highlighted a link between increased activity in the parietal cortex and rising levels of craving during restriction. These results suggest that even brief periods without smartphone access can modulate the brain’s salience and reward networks, underscoring how deeply our devices are integrated into neural circuits related to desire and attention.

learn more https://www.psypost.org/taking-a-break-from-your-smartphone-changes-your-brain-study-finds/

06/22/2025

Forgotten memories are quietly steering your life, new science shows.

Even memories we can’t consciously recall may still shape the decisions we make, according to new research that highlights how deeply embedded past experiences are in our behavior.

A recent study found that when people try to remember something they've forgotten, their brains still activate regions associated with memory. This neural activity subtly influences choices—even if the memory never fully resurfaces.

The findings challenge the traditional notion that memories must be consciously accessed to matter, suggesting instead that they operate more like background software constantly shaping our perceptions and actions.

Experts say this shadowy influence of memory plays a major role in everyday life. “We don’t spend most of our days sitting around remembering the past,” says Yale neuroscientist Nick Turk-Browne. “But our memory has this ever-present influence on our behaviour.” The study supports the idea that memory isn't just about storytelling or conscious recall, but a fundamental system guiding everything from habits to gut feelings. It could also have implications for therapy, learning, and understanding conditions like PTSD, where unremembered experiences may still dictate emotional responses.

learn more on the topic https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/neuroscience/repressed-memory

06/19/2025