Addiction

woman waking up with hangover depression after drinking opening curtains

What causes hangover depression? Plus 6 feel-better tips

Medical Review by Jennie Stanford, MD, FAAFP, DipABOM Summary  While “hangover depression” isn’t a clinical diagnosis, understanding how alcohol impacts brain chemistry and sleep can shed light on its effects. Alcohol initially acts as a stimulant, increasing levels of dopamine and serotonin, which enhance mood temporarily. However, as alcohol suppresses

older woman on hike wondering how marijuana impacts anxiety

Marijuana & anxiety: how weed impacts mental health

If you’re interested in using marijuana for anxiety, it’s important to understand both the benefits and the potential risks. Cannabis is the most widely used illicit substance globally, and anxiety is the most prevalent mental health condition. But does weed help with anxiety? We’ll help you understand what the research says to

woman in park using social media on phone impacting her mental health

Social media, mental health, & the need to connect

As more and more communications take place on social media, people wonder about its impact on mental health and emotional wellbeing. Let’s look at some questions many of us have grappled with throughout the pandemic: What kinds of connection do humans need for positive mental health? And what impact does social

older woman wakes up refreshed after using CBD oil for sleep

CBD oil for sleep: here’s how to use it safely

If you’re experiencing sleep difficulties like insomnia, you may be considering CBD oil or other CBD products to help. Most of us could use better sleep. By now, you’ve probably heard about the potential benefits of CBD (cannabidiol), one of the compounds found in cannabis. If you want to try

people hugging during recovery group showing that addiction is a disease

Why addiction is a disease & how to make recovery last

Addiction is serious, but lasting recovery is possible with the right support and treatment. Some people see addiction as a weakness or personal failure, which can lead to stigmatization and shame. But here’s something many people may not know: addiction is not a character flaw or moral issue. From a