Advancing Psychiatry

Psychosis

Cat Ownership and Schizophrenia: A New Perspective

Christopher M Palmer M.D. on February 22, 2024

While cat ownership has been identified as a potential risk factor, it is essential to view this in the broader context of the multifactorial nature of mental health disorders.

While cat ownership has been identified as a potential risk factor, it is essential to view this in the broader context of the multifactorial nature of mental health disorders.

Addiction

The Brain on Opioids: Metabolic Disruptions in Addiction

Christopher M Palmer M.D. on November 19, 2023

A new study finds impaired brain metabolism in people with heroin addiction, paving the way for new, innovative treatment strategies.

A new study finds impaired brain metabolism in people with heroin addiction, paving the way for new, innovative treatment strategies.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

The Crisis in Veterans' Mental Health and New Solutions

Christopher M Palmer M.D. on November 10, 2023

Our veterans are struggling. Suicides increased 10-fold from 2006 to 2020. Integrating mental health and metabolic treatment strategies offers hope.

Our veterans are struggling. Suicides increased 10-fold from 2006 to 2020. Integrating mental health and metabolic treatment strategies offers hope.

Hormones

Contraceptives and Mental Health

Christopher M Palmer M.D. on October 24, 2023

Many women experience a worsening of mental health every month due to their contraceptive pill schedule.

Many women experience a worsening of mental health every month due to their contraceptive pill schedule.

Depression

Depression in Parents May Influence Children's Weight

Christopher M Palmer M.D. on October 21, 2023

The skyrocketing rates of obesity and mental illness are related. Integrating treatment and prevention strategies offers hope for better solutions.

The skyrocketing rates of obesity and mental illness are related. Integrating treatment and prevention strategies offers hope for better solutions.

Depression

The Link Between Depression, Metabolism, and Mortality

Christopher M Palmer M.D. on October 15, 2023

While most people think of depression as a psychological problem, it can sometimes represent a metabolic problem.

While most people think of depression as a psychological problem, it can sometimes represent a metabolic problem.

Health

Brain Energy: The Metabolic Theory of Mental Illness

Christopher M Palmer M.D. on November 14, 2022

Why are mental disorders increasing and why are they so hard to treat? Decades of research suggest that mental disorders may really be metabolic disorders of the brain.

Why are mental disorders increasing and why are they so hard to treat? Decades of research suggest that mental disorders may really be metabolic disorders of the brain.

Sleep

Craving Sweets? You Might Need More Sleep

Christopher M Palmer M.D. on January 15, 2022

Trying to lose weight? There's more to the story than just eating less. Research shows that sleep deprivation may play a critical role in a healthy diet.

Trying to lose weight? There's more to the story than just eating less. Research shows that sleep deprivation may play a critical role in a healthy diet.

Diet

A Mother’s Diet May Affect Her Child’s Mental Health

Christopher M Palmer M.D. on September 28, 2021

Could eating a lot of junk food during pregnancy adversely affect your baby's health? Evidence suggests that it might.

Could eating a lot of junk food during pregnancy adversely affect your baby's health? Evidence suggests that it might.

Ketogenic Diet

The Ketogenic Diet May Play a Role in Treating Alcoholism

Christopher M Palmer M.D. on April 10, 2021

Can a diet play a role in the treatment of alcoholism? New research from renowned scientists suggests it might.

Can a diet play a role in the treatment of alcoholism? New research from renowned scientists suggests it might.

Diet

Changing a Child’s Diet Might Help Prevent Mental Illness

Christopher M Palmer M.D. on January 31, 2021

Do you let your kids eat what they want? New research suggests this might put them at risk for a serious mental disorder.

Do you let your kids eat what they want? New research suggests this might put them at risk for a serious mental disorder.

Health

“Don’t Waste These Difficult Days”

Christopher M Palmer M.D. on March 21, 2020

Finding your sense of meaning and purpose is essential in getting through the chaos and stress of this pandemic.

Finding your sense of meaning and purpose is essential in getting through the chaos and stress of this pandemic.

Health

The Mental Health Survival Guide to the Pandemic: Threats

Christopher M Palmer M.D. on March 15, 2020

In Part 2 of this series, we review the near-term threats to mental health—mindless activity, losing a sense of meaning and purpose, substance use, loneliness, and depression.

In Part 2 of this series, we review the near-term threats to mental health—mindless activity, losing a sense of meaning and purpose, substance use, loneliness, and depression.

Health

The Mental Health Survival Guide to the Pandemic

Christopher M Palmer M.D. on March 15, 2020

Worried about the coronavirus and the economy? You're not alone. Read more about the mental health risks of this pandemic, social distancing, and the economy.

Worried about the coronavirus and the economy? You're not alone. Read more about the mental health risks of this pandemic, social distancing, and the economy.

Diet

Making Sense of Nutritional Psychiatry

Christopher M Palmer M.D. on September 23, 2019

Can nutrition and diet affect your brain? Making sense of the hype, the wild claims, and the misinformation, along with the science.

Can nutrition and diet affect your brain? Making sense of the hype, the wild claims, and the misinformation, along with the science.

Burnout

Are Americans Addicted to Screens—or Just Burned Out?

Christopher M Palmer M.D. on June 28, 2019

People are on their phones or on computers more than ever. But spending more time sitting in front of screens comes with clear risks to their health and happiness.

People are on their phones or on computers more than ever. But spending more time sitting in front of screens comes with clear risks to their health and happiness.

Addiction

Six Steps to Stop an Addiction to Sugar and Junk Food

Christopher M Palmer M.D. on June 11, 2019

Are you addicted to junk food? Is that even possible? It's a controversial issue, but worth taking a look at for yourself.

Are you addicted to junk food? Is that even possible? It's a controversial issue, but worth taking a look at for yourself.

Ketogenic Diet

Chronic Schizophrenia Put Into Remission Without Medication

Christopher M Palmer M.D. on April 6, 2019

Two women battled schizophrenia for decades, and finally won—using an old epilepsy treatment. They both lost weight, are off medications, and are symptom-free years later.

Two women battled schizophrenia for decades, and finally won—using an old epilepsy treatment. They both lost weight, are off medications, and are symptom-free years later.

Ketogenic Diet

The Ketogenic Diet May Help Stop Seizures

Christopher M Palmer M.D. on March 26, 2019

The ketogenic diet is the latest diet craze, but it turns out that it's not new at all. It's been around for almost 100 years, and can have profound effects on the brain.

The ketogenic diet is the latest diet craze, but it turns out that it's not new at all. It's been around for almost 100 years, and can have profound effects on the brain.

Ketogenic Diet

Exercise and Fasting Linked to Brain Detox

Christopher M Palmer M.D. on March 19, 2019

Exercise and fasting were found to clean out toxic proteins associated with Alzheimer's Disease and Parkinson's Disease.

Exercise and fasting were found to clean out toxic proteins associated with Alzheimer's Disease and Parkinson's Disease.