Healthy Brain, Happy Life

Estrogen

Do Estrogen and Progesterone Influence Addictive Behavior?

Claire Wilcox M.D. on March 11, 2023

Women progress more quickly to addiction, and hormones may be playing a role.

Women progress more quickly to addiction, and hormones may be playing a role.

Burnout

The Doctor Shortage Crisis

Claire Wilcox M.D. on March 9, 2023

Why can’t I get a doctor's appointment? Because they are leaving the profession in droves.

Why can’t I get a doctor's appointment? Because they are leaving the profession in droves.

Psychopharmacology

Old Medication, New Use: Can Prazosin Curb Drinking?

Claire Wilcox M.D. on March 3, 2023

Are you trying to cut back or quit drinking, but finding it hard? There's a new medication that's especially good for people with high cardiovascular parameters.

Are you trying to cut back or quit drinking, but finding it hard? There's a new medication that's especially good for people with high cardiovascular parameters.

Mindfulness

Keeping Our Brains Sharp

Claire Wilcox M.D. on December 19, 2022

Trying to keep your brain from aging so fast? New research says eating real food and avoiding the junk might have a tangible impact.

Trying to keep your brain from aging so fast? New research says eating real food and avoiding the junk might have a tangible impact.

Psychopharmacology

How Fentanyl Is Forcing Providers to Go Rogue

Claire Wilcox M.D. on December 12, 2022

Wondering about the opioid epidemic and how fentanyl is changing everything? Here are some ways it is changing medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder.

Wondering about the opioid epidemic and how fentanyl is changing everything? Here are some ways it is changing medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder.

Eating Disorders

2 Exciting New Treatments for Binge-Eating Disorder

Claire Wilcox M.D. on December 2, 2022

A new study highlights two new potential treatments for binge-eating disorder.

A new study highlights two new potential treatments for binge-eating disorder.

Addiction

What Would Happen If "Food Addiction" Was Made Official?

Claire Wilcox M.D. on August 19, 2022

Should the medical and psychiatric community accept food addiction and make it a diagnosis? There are risks—but the benefits may outweigh the harms.

Should the medical and psychiatric community accept food addiction and make it a diagnosis? There are risks—but the benefits may outweigh the harms.

Addiction

Can People Really Be Addicted to Food?

Claire Wilcox M.D. on August 13, 2022

A recent study lends support to the theory that food addiction is an addictive disorder.

A recent study lends support to the theory that food addiction is an addictive disorder.

Anxiety

A Secret Weapon for Stopping Benzodiazepines Safely

Claire Wilcox M.D. on August 6, 2022

Stopping benzodiazepine use can be good for your health, but challenging to do alone. Getting psychological support may be key to your success, new research finds.

Stopping benzodiazepine use can be good for your health, but challenging to do alone. Getting psychological support may be key to your success, new research finds.

Aging

8 Things to Consider Before You Retire

Claire Wilcox M.D. on June 6, 2022

Thinking of retiring soon? Here are some things that might affect the ease of your transition.

Thinking of retiring soon? Here are some things that might affect the ease of your transition.

Why is the drug overdose problem so bad? Here are some innovative ways that researchers, public health officials, and clinicians might be able to help.

Vaping

E-Cigarettes: Godsend for Smoking-Cessation or Trojan Horse?

Claire Wilcox M.D. on May 26, 2022

Are you someone who thinks that the benefits of e-cigarettes outweigh harms because they help people quit smoking? A recent study might make you reconsider.

Are you someone who thinks that the benefits of e-cigarettes outweigh harms because they help people quit smoking? A recent study might make you reconsider.

Ketamine

Can Ketamine Be Used to Treat Addictions?

Claire Wilcox M.D. on March 24, 2022

Are you curious about whether ketamine can help you, a loved one, or a patient reduce or stop using a substance they've lost control over?

Are you curious about whether ketamine can help you, a loved one, or a patient reduce or stop using a substance they've lost control over?

Addiction

The Joys of Using Motivational Interviewing in Therapy

Claire Wilcox M.D. on March 12, 2022

A motivational interviewing advocate and addiction psychiatrist lists several ways that motivational interviewing has been of great value to her in her practice

A motivational interviewing advocate and addiction psychiatrist lists several ways that motivational interviewing has been of great value to her in her practice

Burnout

Healthcare Worker Burnout Is Undermining Patient Care

Claire Wilcox M.D. on March 1, 2022

Something needs to be done about provider burnout to combat demoralization and revive health care.

Something needs to be done about provider burnout to combat demoralization and revive health care.

At first, you may not know which path to take to solve your food problems. But, have hope! With effort and persistence, you can find the approach that fits you best.

Are you tired of putting yourself last? Perhaps it's time to learn to take risks, be self-centered, and stand your ground more often.

Sociopathy

Are People-pleasing and Sociopathy Opposite Ends of the Same Spectrum?

Claire Wilcox M.D. on October 22, 2021

Are sociopaths and people-pleasers opposite sides of the same coin?

Are sociopaths and people-pleasers opposite sides of the same coin?

Depression

Can Marijuana Help With Depression?

Claire Wilcox M.D. on September 11, 2021

The use of cannabis may not help at all with depression and could make it worse.

The use of cannabis may not help at all with depression and could make it worse.

Addiction

The 'Food Addiction' Label and Weight Stigma

Claire Wilcox M.D. on August 1, 2021

How will the "food addiction" model of overeating affect society's views of people with obesity and the self-esteem of those who struggle with weight?

How will the "food addiction" model of overeating affect society's views of people with obesity and the self-esteem of those who struggle with weight?