Behavioral Health

A potential new weapon in the battle against addiction

New research revealed that FDA-approved drugs to treat diabetes and obesity may reduce cocaine relapse and help addicts break the habit. Such medications work by targeting receptors for glucagon-like peptide 1, a hormone in the brain.

Michele W. Berger

The human story of coal’s downturn

A forthcoming report from the Kleinman Center for Energy Policy will offer a range of strategies to directly impact the economic and mental health crisis in coal country.

Being hungry shuts off perception of chronic pain

Finding food is a necessary survival skill, but so is avoiding pain. Research led by J. Nicholas Betley and postdoctoral researcher Amber Alhadeff showed that being hungry activates a neural pathway that inhibits the sensing and responding to chronic pain. The findings offer up new targets for treating pain.

Katherine Unger Baillie



In the News


Consumer Reports

Best CPAP alternatives

Richard Schwab of the Perelman School of Medicine says that obstructive sleep apnea causes breathing to pause during sleep when something like the tongue or relaxed throat muscles blocks the airway.

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National Geographic

This day of silence brings a fresh start for Bali’s new year

Mathias Basner of the Perelman School of Medicine says that human bodies interpret noise as a stressor, which can initiate increased levels of stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline in the blood.

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ABC News

Struggling to keep your New Year’s resolutions? Here’s how to keep yourself on track

According to a 2012 study conducted by the Perelman School of Medicine, 65% of dieters return to their pre-diet weight within three years and only 5% of people who lose weight on a restrictive diet, such as liquid or no-carb, manage to keep the weight off.

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Yahoo! Life

Many believe suicide rates increase in December. Research shows it’s the opposite. Here’s why

A study conducted by the Annenberg Public Policy Center found that the winter holiday months typically have lower daily suicide rates than the rest of the year, with December showing the lowest incidences of suicides of the year.

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Fortune

Millennials and Gen Xers might be the unluckiest caregivers in history. Here’s how their crisis is affecting every workplace

A report by Mary Naylor of the School of Nursing found that many employed caregivers miss work, reduce their work hours, refuse promotions, or leave the workforce altogether to meet family responsibilities.

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The Wall Street Journal

Is that food ultra-processed? How to tell

Christina A. Roberto of the Perelman School of Medicine compares ultra-processed and less-processed versions of several common foods, including oatmeal and crackers.

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