Over the past five decades, there has been a global surge in the use of psychiatric medications, coinciding with a nearly tripled prevalence of obesity and associated metabolic diseases. Is there a connection? Medications prescribed for severe mental illnesses like depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia often incur significant metabolic side effects, such as heightened appetite, […]
Schizophrenia
A Look at Microbes in Schizophrenia
Marked by delusions and hallucinations, schizophrenia is not uncommon. More than 50 million people or 1% of humans suffer with this devastating psychiatric disorder. What causes schizophrenia? Researchers believe that a combination of genetics, brain chemistry and environment contributes to development of the disorder. The gut-brain axis may be one pathway. Risk factors for schizophrenia Family […]
Messy Microbes in Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a brain disorder in which people hear imaginary voices, commands or threats. It is terrifying disease for which there is no known cure, only management with meds and other therapies. (Developing countries may have better rates of recovery–a fascinating node of exploration.) As much as one to three percent of the global population […]