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How has neuroscience changed the way we view mental health treatments and therapies?

Jaheem Streets

Well, my dear fellow social media users, let’s talk about neuroscience and how it has revolutionized the way we treat mental health. Before we get into the juicy bits, let me start off by saying that this topic is not a joke. Mental health is serious business and we need to talk about it more often.

Now, let's dive into the deep end of neuroscience. Neuroscience is basically the scientific study of the nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. Over the years, neuroscientists have made some outstanding discoveries about the way our brains function, and how certain mental illnesses like depression, anxiety, or even schizophrenia can be caused by imbalances in certain brain chemicals.

Before we knew about this, mental health treatments were a bit haphazard, to say the least. They ranged from talking therapies, to hardcore psychiatric medication (think One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest), to treatments that could only be described as quackery. Now, however, we’ve come a long way.

Neuroscience has given us a deeper understanding of how our brains work and the chemical processes that take place within it. It has allowed us to develop a range of targeted treatments that are specifically tailored to individuals based on their unique brain chemistry and physiology.

One of the biggest breakthroughs has been the development of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), which are a type of antidepressant medication. Essentially, SSRIs work by increasing the levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin in the brain. Low levels of serotonin have been linked to depression, so increasing it can help reduce the symptoms of depression.

Other treatments have been developed that target specific parts of the brain, like Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) which is used to treat Parkinson's disease and dystonia. DBS involves implanting small electrodes into the brain to deliver a steady stream of electrical impulses, which helps to reduce the symptoms of the disease.

Of course, there are still many challenges to face when it comes to treating mental health conditions. Every individual is different and what works for one person might not work for another. But thanks to the incredible advances that have been made in neuroscience, we're now better equipped than ever to help people suffering from mental health conditions.

At the end of the day, mental health is just as important as physical health. We all need to start talking more openly about it and breaking down the stigma that surrounds it. So, let's use the power of social media to spread the word and encourage others to speak up. Who knows, we might just end up changing someone's life in the process.