anxiety

A systematic review of animal research suggests that caffeine can reduce anxiety and depressive-like behaviors by acting as a brake on the brain's immune system and lowering neuroinflammation.

What if anxiety is more than a symptom to eliminate? Psychodynamic therapy explores its emotional history, changing how we relate to fear and uncertainty.

A new systematic review published in Frontiers in Psychiatry brings together 68 studies from the first two years after the October 7 attacks, offering insights that extend far beyond Israel into how prolonged conflict, cumulative exposure and continuing threat can shape post-traumatic stress, anxiety, depression and addiction-related outcomes.

BackgroundComputed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are essential diagnostic tools but often provoke significant anxiety in patients, which may compromise image quality and patient cooperation. Non-pharmacological interventions such as music have been proposed as feasible alternatives to anxiolytic medications. However, the evidence supporting music interventions in radiology …

West Virginia University researchers say driving anxiety, one of the most common phobias, is triggered by a variety of circumstances that can lead to panic attacks and an avoidance of the open road during the summer traveling season and at other times of the year.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the synergistic effect of serum Galectin-3 (Gal-3) and Th1/Th2 level-related cytokines, and its association with severe anxiety and depression symptoms in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), aiming to provide potential indicators for clinical stratified assessment.MethodsThis study was a cross-sectional study. A total of 115 patients with COPD who were…

ObjectivePosttraumatic embitterment disorder (PTED) has been proposed as a clinical construct characterized by persistent feelings of injustice, resentment, helpless anger, and intrusive embitterment-related cognitions following negative life experiences perceived as unjust, humiliating, or irreversible. The present study aimed to determine the frequency and clinical distribution of clinically re…

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-intoxicating phytocannabinoid primarily derived from hemp (cannabis sativa L.) that has been investigated for its potential anxiolytic effects. Prior functional neuroimaging studies suggest that CBD may affect brain regions associated with stress and anxiety. However, it remains unclear if there is a consistent pattern of modulation within these regions and if there is …

A nationwide Icelandic study found that 6.9% of women aged 18-69 reported trauma-associated sleep disturbances in the past month. These symptoms were most common after sexual or physical violence, recent or repeated trauma, and were strongly linked to PTSD, anxiety, depression, and general sleep problems.

A study led by researchers at King’s College London and QIMR Berghofer medical research institute analysed genetic data on anxiety symptoms in 693,869 people of European ancestry, revealing new insight into the genetic pathways involved in the condition.

Ethnopharmacological RelevanceBunium persicum is a valued traditional Persian medicinal spice used as a calming and anxiolytic agent. However, the bioactive metabolites responsible for its antioxidant and anxiolytic effects, and their underlying mechanisms, remain largely unexplored.Aim of the StudyThis study evaluated the antioxidant and anxiolytic potential of hydroalcoholic extracts and solven…

A new study finds that an inability to properly digest fructose alters the gut microbiome, triggering low-grade inflammation. This digestive disruption may contribute to anxiety and depressive behaviors by alarming the brain's immune system.

BackgroundBreast cancer patients experience significant psychological distress and marital strain during treatment. Psychological resilience may protect marital adjustment through emotional pathways, yet evidence of serial mediation mechanisms remains limited in nursing research.ObjectiveTo examine anxiety and depression as serial mediators between psychological resilience and marital adjustment.…

ObjectiveUsing a systematic review and multi-level meta-analysis, this study quantified the effects of virtual reality (VR) interventions on anxiety symptoms among women undergoing gynecological examinations or surgeries. Furthermore, it examined potential sources of effect heterogeneity and the relationship between intervention parameters and therapeutic efficacy, thereby providing an evidence-b…

Nature Human Behaviour, Published online: 28 May 2026; doi:10.1038/s41562-026-02434-3 A global analysis of more than 3,800 studies that involved over 10 million people shows that contact with nature reduces symptoms of anxiety and depression while promoting relaxation. The findings strengthen the case for integrating natural environments into mental-health strategies and urban planning policies, …

Nature Human Behaviour, Published online: 28 May 2026; doi:10.1038/s41562-026-02433-4 This systematic overview and second-order meta-analysis shows that nature-based interventions effectively reduce anxiety and depression while enhancing relaxation and positive affect.

BackgroundLarge-scale earthquakes are associated with high and persistent rates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety. Although Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) are both guideline-recommended treatments for PTSD, direct randomized comparisons—particularly in post-disaster settings and via remote delivery—remain…

BackgroundTinnitus is closely associated with psychological factors including anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances. However, how these variables interact to influence tinnitus severity remains poorly understood, warranting further exploration.MethodsThis retrospective study analyzed data from 285 patients with tinnitus, utilizing the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI), Self-Rating Depressio…