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Tag: Anxiety and Depression

  • Kissing Your Spouse Could Transmit Anxiety and Depression, Study Suggests

    Kissing Your Spouse Could Transmit Anxiety and Depression, Study Suggests

    A study of newlywed couples revealed that depression and anxiety may be transmitted between spouses through the oral microbiome, which is shared during close interactions like kissing.
    Kissing newlyweds passed on anxiety and depression via the oral microbiome. Image Credit: Pixabay

    A study of newlywed couples revealed that depression and anxiety may be transmitted between spouses through the oral microbiome, which is shared during close interactions like kissing.

    How Oral Bacteria May Influence Mental and Physical Health

    Researchers are increasingly discovering that, much like the gut microbiome, the oral microbiome—a complex mix of bacteria in our mouths—can influence both physical and mental health. Imbalances in this microbial community have been associated with conditions such as autism spectrum disorder, dementia, Parkinson’s disease, schizophrenia, anxiety, and depression.

    A compelling new study explored whether kissing can transfer the oral microbiome between individuals—and if such microbial exchange could influence mental health.

    “Since bacteria can be transmitted between spouses, this study set out to examine whether sharing oral microbiota among newlywed couples contributes to symptoms of anxiety and depression,” the researchers explained.

    International Study Tracks Microbial and Mental Health Shifts in Newlywed Couples Over Six Months

    The study was conducted by an international team from Iran, India, Italy, and the UK. Researchers initially screened 1,740 couples for insomnia. From that group, 268 couples who had been married for less than six months and were cohabiting were selected. In each pair, one partner was healthy, while the other had insomnia accompanied by anxiety and depression. Oral microbiome samples and salivary cortisol (a stress hormone) levels were collected on the first and 180th days of the study. Participants were instructed to maintain their normal diet, oral hygiene, and exercise routines throughout the research period.

    After six months, the previously healthy spouses of affected partners exhibited higher scores for anxiety and depression, along with worse sleep quality—effects that were more pronounced in women. Though insomniac partners had initially higher cortisol levels, their healthy spouses also showed elevated levels by the end of the study, suggesting they were experiencing physiological signs of stress. Remarkably, the oral microbiome of the healthy spouses shifted over time to more closely resemble that of their affected partners.

    Oral Bacteria Exchange in Couples Linked to Shifts in Mental Health and Stress Markers

    “Close-contact oral microbiota transfer, like that seen between couples in this study, may contribute to the development of depression and anxiety,” the researchers concluded. “We observed that changes in oral bacterial composition were linked to variations in insomnia severity, cortisol levels, and mental health symptoms, supporting earlier findings in this area.”

    The researchers noted that the transfer of oral microbiota between couples is plausible, especially considering other documented forms of physiological synchrony, such as aligned heart rhythms and shared sleep patterns. They believe their findings could inform more holistic, personalized, and preventive approaches to mental health care.

    However, the study had several limitations. It relied on self-reported data to assess insomnia, anxiety, and depression; measured only morning salivary cortisol levels; and did not account for shared lifestyle factors like diet. Budget constraints also limited bacterial sampling to the tonsils and pharynx, rather than analyzing the full oral microbiome.

    Despite these constraints, the study opens the door to compelling questions for future research.

    “As this study only shows a correlation, more investigation is needed to determine whether the relationship is causal,” the researchers said. “If a causal link is confirmed, it could significantly impact future research and mental health strategies.”

    Read the original article on: New Atlas

    Read more: Couples in Which the Woman is The Only Earner Report Lower Life Satisfaction

  • Students Punished at School are More Likely to Suffer From Anxiety and Depression

    Students Punished at School are More Likely to Suffer From Anxiety and Depression

    A University of Minnesota study found that children subjected to exclusionary discipline (ED) at school face a higher risk of developing anxiety and depression. The findings emphasize the importance of rethinking how educators handle students who misbehave, given the negative impact of traditional punishment methods.
    A study found exclusionary discipline adversely affected students’ mental health – possibly more than you’d expect. Credit: Pixabay

    A University of Minnesota study found that children subjected to exclusionary discipline (ED) at school face a higher risk of developing anxiety and depression. The findings emphasize the importance of rethinking how educators handle students who misbehave, given the negative impact of traditional punishment methods.

    Although this study focuses on a single U.S. state, exclusionary discipline (ED) is widespread worldwide, and roughly one-fifth of the global population is in school. As a result, hundreds of millions of young people across the globe may experience the negative mental health effects of ED.

    Study Analyzes Data from Over 82,000 Minnesota Students

    The study analyzed data from over 82,000 8th, 9th, and 11th-grade students in Minnesota public schools, collected in 2019. These students had all taken part in the Minnesota State Survey, an anonymous survey conducted every three years to gain insights into students’ experiences in the state’s educational system. Notably, this survey has been administered every three years since 1989.

    The research team examined how students’ experiences with exclusionary discipline—such as suspensions, expulsions, and detentions—impacted their mental health. They used tools like the Patient Health Questionnaire-2 to assess depression symptoms and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale-2 to measure anxiety levels.

    Study Finds 1 in 10 Students Face Exclusionary Discipline

    The study found that 1 in 10 students experienced exclusionary discipline (ED), with higher rates among males, nonbinary children, children of color, those in special education, and youth living in poverty.

    Among students subjected to ED, the research showed a 64% increase in the likelihood of developing depression symptoms and a 49% higher chance of experiencing anxiety symptoms.

    The team noted that students facing ED reported feelings such as “little interest or pleasure in doing things,” “feeling down, depressed, or hopeless,” “feeling nervous, anxious or on edge,” and “inability to stop or control worrying.”

    Youth Anxiety and Depression Linked to Exclusionary Discipline

    As the Population Reference Bureau highlights, anxiety and depression in youth can lead to academic struggles, substance abuse, and suicidal behavior. Students facing exclusionary discipline (ED) may also be at a higher risk of dropping out, having difficulty finding or keeping jobs, and engaging in criminal behavior.

    While these findings are concerning, it’s important to note that various protective factors can help mitigate the negative impact of ED on mental health. These include:

    • Extracurricular youth development opportunities
    • Strong parent connections
    • Caring friends
    • A trusted adult to talk to at school
    • Positive teacher-student relationships
    • Feeling safe at school

    Consistently ensuring students have access to these factors can enhance their emotional well-being.

    The researchers emphasize that the key takeaway is the need for new disciplinary approaches. They argue that “disciplinary frameworks that view student misbehavior as a coping mechanism and implement trauma-informed, restorative practices and support systems are likely to benefit both students and schools.”

    Read the original article on: New Atlas

    Read more: Mental Health Correlates with Adverse Pregaming Effects in Students

  • How Your Food Choices Can Contribute to Anxiety and Depression

    How Your Food Choices Can Contribute to Anxiety and Depression

    The familiar "sugar high" after enjoying a sweet treat is a well-known example of how food can positively impact mood.
    Credit: Depositphotos

    The familiar “sugar high” after enjoying a sweet treat is a well-known example of how food can positively impact mood.

    Conversely, the experience of feeling “hangry“—where hunger leads to anger or irritability—demonstrates how our diet, or lack thereof, can also trigger negative emotions.

    Recent research indicates that fluctuations in blood sugar levels play a role in the link between diet and mood. Blood sugar impacts our hormones and nervous system, potentially contributing to anxiety and depression.

    Mental health is complex, shaped by various social, psychological, and biological factors unique to each person.

    However, numerous randomized controlled trials have shown that diet is a significant biological factor influencing the risk of depression and anxiety, particularly in women.

    Integrating Nutrition into Mental Health Treatment

    As a family medicine resident with a Ph.D. in nutrition, I’ve observed that while antidepressant medications are effective for some patients, they aren’t for others. Therefore, I believe that mental health treatment strategies should address all risk factors, including nutrition.

    Many randomized controlled trials that have established the connection between diet and mental health have focused on the Mediterranean diet or a slightly modified version of it.

    This diet is generally rich in vegetables—particularly dark green, leafy ones—fruits, olive oil, whole grains, legumes, and nuts, with moderate portions of fish, meat, and dairy. One key feature of the Mediterranean diet that may contribute to its positive impact on mood is its low glycemic index.

    The glycemic index ranks foods and diets based on how they affect blood sugar levels. Since fluctuations in blood sugar can impact mood, diets with a high glycemic index—those that cause sharp spikes in blood sugar—have been linked to an increased risk of depression and, to a lesser extent, anxiety.

    High glycemic index carbs include foods like white rice, white bread, crackers, and baked goods, which may raise the risk of depression and anxiety.

    On the other hand, low glycemic index carbs, such as parboiled rice and al dente pasta, are absorbed more slowly, causing smaller blood sugar spikes and are associated with a reduced risk of these mental health issues.

    Explaining the Diet-Mental Health Link

    Several scientific mechanisms have been suggested to explain the relationship between diet and mental health. One likely explanation is how blood sugar fluctuations influence our hormones, which in turn can impact mood.

    Whenever we consume sugar or carbohydrates like bread, rice, pasta, potatoes, and crackers, the resulting spike in blood sugar triggers a series of hormones and signaling molecules.

    One example is dopamine, the brain’s pleasure signal, which explains why we might experience a “sugar high” after eating desserts or baked goods. Dopamine is the body’s way of rewarding us for obtaining the calories needed for survival.

    Insulin is another hormone activated by consuming carbs and sugar. Its role is to lower blood sugar levels by transporting the sugar into our cells and tissues to be used for energy.

    However, when we consume too much sugar, too many carbs, or high glycemic index carbs, the rapid rise in blood sugar leads to a significant increase in insulin, which can cause blood sugar levels to drop below their initial point.

    This drop triggers the release of adrenaline and noradrenaline, hormones that restore blood sugar to the proper level by sending glucose into the bloodstream.

    Adrenaline’s Impact on Emotions

    But adrenaline does more than just regulate blood sugar; it also impacts our emotions, potentially causing anxiety, fear, or aggression. This demonstrates how diet influences mood by affecting blood sugar levels, which in turn trigger hormones that shape how we feel.

    Interestingly, the adrenaline spike from consuming sugar and carbs happens four to five hours after eating, causing dopamine to boost mood initially, but adrenaline may bring negative feelings later.

    Reactions vary, as the same meal can affect people differently based on factors like sex, genetics, activity level, and gut microbiome.

    While mental health is complex and can’t be fully managed by diet alone, a poor diet can worsen one’s experience. This is especially important for women, who are more sensitive to the effects of the glycemic index and diet.

    Unfortunately, simple fixes like replacing sugar with artificial sweeteners aren’t viable. Research indicates that among all processed foods, artificial sweeteners and diet drinks have the strongest link to depression.

    Beyond Reducing Sugar

    The most straightforward method to stabilize blood sugar levels is to reduce sugar and carbohydrate intake. However, this isn’t the only approach. Research has shown that making simple adjustments can significantly reduce blood sugar fluctuations. Strategies for stabilizing blood sugar and improving mood include:

    Incorporate low glycemic index carbohydrates like parboiled rice, whole grain bread, and al dente pasta as dietary staples, and be mindful of your intake of high glycemic index carbs. I provide my patients with a guide to help them understand the glycemic index of various carbohydrates.

    Consume carbohydrates earlier in the day—such as at breakfast or lunch—rather than later, like at dinner or as a nighttime snack. Our hormones follow a circadian rhythm, and carbs eaten earlier produce a smaller blood sugar spike compared to those eaten later.

    Avoid eating carbohydrates alone, like snacking on crackers or eating a bowl of rice. Combine carbs with proteins (such as beans, nuts, meat, or fish) or healthy fats (like olive oil or avocado). This nutrient combination slows carbohydrate digestion and results in a smaller blood sugar spike.

    Eat carbohydrates at the end of your meal, after consuming vegetables and protein. Changing the order of food intake can significantly reduce the blood sugar spike that follows.

    Start your meal with a salad dressed in olive oil and vinegar. The vegetables, vinegar’s acid, and olive oil work together to slow carbohydrate absorption and minimize the resulting blood sugar spike.

    Read the original article on: Science Alert

    Read more: Junk Food Harms Developing Brains, Affecting Long-Term Memory