Beautifully Balanced Hypnotherapy

25/08/2025

Hypnotherapy can be used for fertility enhancement

KAREN McAULEY spent years trying for a second child, although there was no medical reason to stop her conceiving. Then her doctor recommended an unusual remedy - hypnosis - and she became pregnant within months.

25/08/2025

“Sometimes, thought Pooh, the world feels rather rainy, and no matter how hard you try, the cloud seems to follow you wherever you go. It can be a little lonely, sitting in the puddles with your fur all wet, wondering if the sun has forgotten you. But then along comes someone who sees you—not the raincloud, not the muddle, but you. And they bring with them not magic to stop the storm, but something far better: a hand to hold, a smile to share, and an umbrella to remind you that you don’t have to weather the rain alone. Christopher Robin didn’t chase the cloud away, but by standing there, by holding the umbrella steady, he made the storm feel smaller, and Pooh’s heart feel lighter. And Pooh realized then that friendship is not about fixing every sadness, but about sitting beside someone in the downpour and saying, ‘I’ll be here until it passes.’ For even the heaviest rain, thought Pooh, cannot last forever, but kindness—oh, kindness stays, and keeps you warm long after the storm has gone.” — Winnie the Pooh

12/08/2025

16/07/2025

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

Post credit: Hashem Al-Ghaili

26/05/2025

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In need of a confidence boost?
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