Tag

Mood

All articles tagged with #mood

science15 days ago•8 min saved

Invisible Bassline: Infrasound May Elevate Stress and Irritability

A Frontiers study shows that exposure to infrasound around 18 Hz—below the hearing range—can raise saliva cortisol and increase irritability even when people can’t consciously detect the sound, suggesting that low-frequency vibrations from ventilation or basements could contribute to “haunted” feelings. The effects occurred with brief exposure and were not linked to belief about the sound, but the researchers caution that larger, more diverse studies are needed to understand health impacts and implications for building design and noise regulations.

via SciTechDaily|

#cortisol #environmental-noise #infrasound

science20 days ago•6 min saved

Coffee Rewires the Gut-Brain Link, Boosting Mood and Memory, Study Finds

A Nature Communications-backed study from APC Microbiome Ireland (University College Cork) shows habitual coffee consumption reshapes the gut microbiome and influences mood and cognitive function. Both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee yielded benefits: decaf users showed improvements in learning and memory, likely due to polyphenols, while caffeinated coffee was linked to reduced anxiety and heightened alertness. In a 62-participant study (31 coffee drinkers vs. 31 non-drinkers) with a two-week coffee withdrawal followed by blinded reintroduction (half decaf, half caffeinated), researchers observed shifts in gut metabolites and the enrichment of bacteria such as Eggertella sp and Cryptobacterium curtum among coffee drinkers, suggesting a microbiota–gut–brain mechanism with potential long-term health implications.

via SciTechDaily|

#coffee #cognition #gut-brain-axis

science22 days ago•6 min saved

Coffee's Hidden Helpers: Regular and Decaf Brew Shape Your Gut and Mood

A Nature Communications study from APC Microbiome Ireland finds regular coffee consumption reshapes the gut microbiome, lowers inflammatory markers, and improves mood, with both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee exerting distinct, caffeine-independent effects; a two-week abstinence altered some responses and reintroduction produced rapid microbiome changes, highlighting coffee’s complex mix of bioactive compounds that influence the gut-brain axis as part of a balanced diet.

via WIRED|

#coffee #gut-brain-axis #gut-microbiome

science28 days ago•8 min saved

Low-frequency hum heightens irritability and stress hormones, study shows

Canadian researchers report that exposure to infrasound around 18 Hz (about 75–78 dB) can increase irritability and make audio seem sadder, even when the sound is not consciously detectable; the exposure also raises salivary cortisol, a stress marker, with effects persisting after mood was accounted for. The study, using 36 undergraduates in a 2×2 design (calming vs horror audio with infrasound on/off), strengthens prior mixed results by tightly controlling sound exposure and measuring both psychological and physiological responses.

via Boing Boing|

#cortisol #infrasound #mood

science1 month ago•5 min saved

Decaf or Caffeinated, Coffee May Boost Mood and Brain Power

A study from University College Cork found that both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee can improve mood and cognitive performance and alter the gut microbiome. Caffeine was linked to reduced anxiety and better attention, while decaf boosted sleep, physical activity, and memory; both forms triggered gut microbiome shifts, indicating coffee's effects extend beyond caffeine via the gut-brain axis. The findings rely on self-reported mood and were published in Nature Communications.

via ScienceAlert|

#caffeine #coffee #cognition

health1 month ago•22 min saved

Brewing up a gut-brain link: coffee may shift gut bacteria and mood

A small study of 62 participants found habitual coffee drinking alters gut microbiota and is associated with mood and cognitive effects: caffeinated coffee linked to lower anxiety and improved focus, while decaf correlated with better learning and episodic memory; non-caffeine components like polyphenols may drive these benefits. The study compared three-to-five cup daily drinkers to non-drinkers and relied on self-reported data, noting the results are limited by small sample size and potential dietary confounds. Findings were published in Nature Communications.

via New York Post|

#brain-health #coffee #gut-health

health1 month ago•5 min saved

Coffee reshapes gut microbiome, linked to calmer mood and sharper thinking

A Nature Communications study with 62 participants suggests habitual coffee consumption (three to five cups daily) alters the gut microbiome and is linked to lower stress, depression, and impulsivity. Both caffeinated and decaf coffee showed mood benefits, with caffeine intake tied to reduced anxiety and better focus, and decaf linked to improved learning and episodic memory—potentially due to non-caffeine components like polyphenols. Microbiome changes included higher levels of beneficial bacteria such as Eggerthella and Cryptobacterium curtum. The findings are limited by a small, self-reported sample and lack of control for other dietary factors, so conclusions should be cautious; study published in Nature Communications.

via Fox News|

#caffeine #coffee #cognition

science1 month ago•22 min saved

Six-week Facebook break boosts mood, Stanford study finds

A Stanford-led study of about 36,000 Facebook and Instagram users found that a six-week break from Facebook significantly improved emotional well-being—especially for users over 35, undecided voters, and those without a college degree—while Instagram boosts were smaller and not always statistically robust; most of the time freed from scrolling was redirected to other apps, suggesting mood gains came from the platforms themselves rather than from reduced overall screen time.

via New York Post|

#facebook #instagram #mental-health

health-and-wellness1 month ago•54 min saved

Glp-1 drugs and 'Ozempic personality': when weight loss comes with emotional blur

The Washington Post report highlights reports of emotional flattening and reduced motivation—often called 'Ozempic personality'—among some GLP-1 drug users (e.g., Ozempic/Wegovy). While many patients see weight loss and mood benefits, clinicians have documented anecdotes of dulled joy and motivation that sometimes improve when doses are lowered. The exact cause is unclear, with hypotheses ranging from pharmacological effects on dopamine-related reward pathways to psychological and lifestyle factors. Large studies show associations with mental-health changes and potential overall benefits in some cases, but causation isn’t established. Safety and personalized care remain the priority as researchers gather more data.

via The Boston Globe|

#anhedonia #dopamine #glp-1

health1 month ago•3 min saved

GLP-1 Weight-Loss Drugs Linked to Mood Improvement, Not Ozempic Stereotypes

Randomized trials of GLP-1 obesity medications show mood improvement in most patients with no increase in suicidality; experts, including Dr. Angela Fitch, emphasize that mood benefits do not imply a ‘Ozempic personality’ and that comprehensive care (counseling, behavioral management, exercise) is needed, while the market remains driven by metabolic benefits.

via Seeking Alpha|

#glp-1 #health #mood

health2 months ago•6 min saved

How a Workout Can Rewire Your Mood, Molecule by Molecule

Regular exercise improves anxiety and depression symptoms and uplifts mood, with effects visible in both the short and long term. Beyond feel-good stories, exercise boosts brain chemistry: it raises endocannabinoids and endorphins and shifts tryptophan metabolites in the kynurenine pathway toward protective, brain-friendly compounds like kynurenic acid, while potentially lowering harmful quinolinic acid. These immediate and sustained changes have been seen across ages and even in people with metabolic conditions such as type 2 diabetes. While the exact molecular mechanisms are still under study, staying active—including group activities—offers a potent, accessible tool for mental health alongside traditional treatments.

via ScienceAlert|

#exercise #health #kynurenine-pathway

science3 months ago•5 min saved

Probiotic delivery matters: capsules boost memory, powder supports mood in older adults

A randomized trial in adults aged 60–80 shows that how probiotics are prepared alters their brain effects: encapsulated bacteria survive digestion longer and enhance memory, attention, and orientation, while non-encapsulated powder more strongly improves mood and reduces anxiety/depression. MRI-based brain connectivity differences between the two forms suggest the delivery method can personalize brain health strategies for aging, targeting cognition or emotional well-being.

via Neuroscience News|

#cognition #encapsulation #gut-brain-axis

science4 months ago•6 min saved

How Detecting Hunger Shapes Our Mood: The Science Behind Hangry

A month-long study with 90 healthy adults using continuous glucose monitors and smartphone mood checks found that mood worsens primarily when people perceive hunger, not simply when blood sugar drops. Those with higher interoceptive accuracy—better awareness of internal bodily states—showed fewer mood swings. Hunger signals involve the hypothalamus and insula, and improving interoception through attention to body cues and exercise may help stabilize moods and prevent impulsive eating. The piece, republished from The Conversation, also notes the everyday relevance for parents managing kids' meals.

via ScienceAlert|

#brain #hangry #hunger

health4 months ago•6 min saved

Seven Quiet Signals Your Gut May Be Out of Balance

The article lists seven subtle signs that your gut microbiome may be out of balance: skin issues like acne or eczema; unexplained weight changes; sleep disruption; persistent fatigue; mood shifts such as anxiety or depression; trouble focusing; and more frequent illnesses. It explains how the gut communicates with the brain and skin (gut–brain and gut–skin axes) to influence mood, sleep, metabolism, and immunity, while noting that many links are associations rather than proven causes and that research in this area is evolving.

via SELF Magazine|

#dysbiosis #gut-microbiome #health

lifestyle4 months ago•26 min saved

Meal timing fails to improve sleep, large TRE study finds

A 12-week trial of nearly 200 adults with overweight/obesity compared early, late, and flexible daily eating windows. Sleep duration, sleep quality, and mood were similar across all groups; the only notable difference was about 12 minutes more total sleep for early TRE vs usual care. The findings suggest that shifting dinner time alone is unlikely to meaningfully boost sleep, and practical decisions should be guided by personal schedules and hunger patterns rather than expecting a sleep payoff.

via Earth.com|

#circadian-rhythms #lifestyle #mood