Migraine and depression are closely interconnected, and this bond is much more complicated than simply "chronic pain impairs mood". New studies show that if a person suffers from migraines, then his risk of depression increases 2.5 times! But the most interesting thing is that this connection is bilateral: depression also increases the likelihood of migraine, and also contributes to the fact that headaches become chronic and more difficult to treat.

Our brain constantly creates beliefs - about itself, about the world, about the future. They help us navigate reality. But in depression, this mechanism fails: negative thoughts are fixed, and it seems that it is impossible to change them.

And what if there was a way to restart this process?

In a world where brain injuries and strokes remain one of the main causes of disability, the search for new treatments is not just relevant but critical. Traditional rehabilitation methods have their restrictions, and pharmacological approaches often do not produce the expected result or are accompanied by significant side effects. However, a new player appears on the horizon, who began to be considered not only as a means of expanding consciousness, but also as potential therapeutic tools.

In recent years, psychedelics have gained renewed attention as potential tools for the treatment of various mental disorders, particularly among veterans who face unique psychological challenges. Article “Research and Implementation of Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy in the Veterans Health Administration” (Research and Implementation of Psychedelic Therapy in the Veterans Health Care System), published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, offers an in-depth review of how these substances can be integrated into the health care system of veterans suffering from PTSD. disorder (PTSD), depression and other mental disorders.

Researchers from Arizona University have revealed a new understanding of one of the most common complications faced by patients with Parkinson's disease: uncontrolled movements that occur after years of treatment.

Parkinson's disease - a neurological disorder of the brain, which affects human movements - develops when the level of dopamine, the chemical in the brain responsible for the movement of the body begins to decrease.

To prevent dopamine loss, a drug called Levodopa is introduced, which is later converted to dopamine into a brain. However, prolonged treatment with levodopa causes involuntary and uncontrolled movements known as dyskinesia caused by levodopa.

A study published in a journal Brain, It has found new discoveries about the nature of dyskinesia caused by levodopa, and how ketamine, anesthetic, can help solve this complex condition.

In November 2024 TV channel Public filmed a report about ketamine therapy at the Expio clinic and the prospects for the development of psychedelic medicine in Ukraine.

Watch this story on our YouTube channel.

Depression is the most common mental illness in the United States, affecting 30 percent of Americans at some point in their lives. But despite half a century of research, ubiquitous advertising, and blockbuster sales, antidepressants just aren't very effective. They treat depression as if it were caused by a chemical imbalance: add more of one key ingredient, or deepen another, and you're done.

At the same time, the treatment can be extremely ineffective. According to the 2006 STAR*D study, the largest clinical trial of antidepressants, less than a third of depressed patients respond to the drug within 14 weeks. After six months and several drugs, only half of the patients recovered. Thirty-three percent do not respond to any drug at all. When the pills work, they're slow — a deadly risk, given that people with mood disorders kill themselves more often than anyone else.

In November, a correspondent of the broadcasting service of the British troops visited the Expo center (British Forces Broadcasting Service) Anna King.

BFBS is a registered charity that has been a pioneer in armed forces broadcasting and communications for over 80 years, bringing the best of British television, sport and music to military families around the world. It is a pioneering military charity that aims to entertain, inform, connect and advocate for the UK Armed Forces, their families and veterans.
BFBS broadcasts in more than 20 countries worldwide and has permanent studios in 10 countries, including Bahrain, Cyprus, the Falkland Islands and Canada.

See the BFBS website a report entitled "Inside a Ukrainian ketamine clinic where soldiers suffering from PTSD are treated" (in English).

Imagine being offered a choice: to be alone with your thoughts for 15 minutes or to receive electric shocks several times during that time. What will you choose?

At first glance, the answer is obvious – pain seems like a much worse alternative. But a study published in the journal Science in 2014, shows that for many people, the silence of their own thoughts can be even worse. In this experiment, a quarter of the women and two-thirds of the men chose the electric shock over sitting quietly with their own thoughts. One of the experiment participants even electrocuted himself 190 times in those 15 minutes.

These impressive results confirm a simple but troubling truth: most people do not know how to be effectively alone with their inner world. And while this may seem like a small thing, the problem is actually deeper. It is directly related to our mental health and how we cope with life's challenges.

On October 15-17, 2024, the 2nd annual event took place International Health Summit, jointly organized by August Mission and MedGlobal, became a landmark event for medical professionals, researchers, medical companies and experts from the international community.

The participants learned about advanced technologies, the latest treatment methods and best practices implemented by Ukrainian doctors today, based on the best experience of doctors and hospitals around the world. Experts in this field shared their experience and opinions on current and future needs in the field of health care in Ukraine, and also talked about rehabilitation projects.