The hottest Mental health Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Health & Wellness Topics

Friday Q&A about alcohol: social anxiety; general anxiety; dry November; & alcohol's upsides

Are You Okay? • 499 implied HN points • 03 Nov 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health
  1. Alcohol consumption can temporarily ease social anxiety, but it's important to remember the risks associated with it.
  2. Socializing without alcohol is possible with strategies like informing friends, finding alternatives, and practicing assertiveness.
  3. Some individuals may feel less anxious after drinking alcohol due to its temporary effects, but it's crucial to be aware of the potential connection between anxiety and alcoholism in the family.

A thank you to supporters

Disaffected Newsletter • 439 implied HN points • 26 Nov 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health
  1. Thanks to supporters, there are special consulting rates available for returning clients and Disaffected supporters. You can get a lower price if you're a supporter or returning client.
  2. Consultation focuses on issues like family dynamics or workplace mistreatment. The consultant aims to help people think through their choices and improve their situations.
  3. If someone can't afford the rates, they are encouraged to reach out for a personalized pricing option. The consultant is willing to work with individuals facing financial challenges.

EMDR Blew My Mind. Literally.

Ladyparts • 559 implied HN points • 17 Sep 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health
  1. The author tried EMDR therapy to address recurring PTSD symptoms and found it incredibly helpful in overcoming intrusive memories and functioning better in daily life.
  2. A friend recommended EMDR therapy based on their positive experience with a specialist who helped them cope with traumatic loss, highlighting the transformative potential of this approach.
  3. The author now provides paid content but offers free access to those unable to afford it, showing a commitment to sharing informative, science-based stories while acknowledging the importance of financial support.

Aus Day Weekend

Ben’s Blog 🏉 🧠🧑‍💻 • 21 implied HN points • 13 Jan 26
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health
  1. Reframe struggle as nervous system health, not just a clinical mental health label, so sleep, exercise, routine and community become clear, practical steps people can take.
  2. Everyday social places and hospitality venues can create safety and connection, making them powerful parts of the solution for people who are isolated or struggling.
  3. Early, simple actions—regular shared movement, predictable routines, and honest conversations—can prevent crises and build toward a suicide-free community.

FORMA FISICA

ANDREA CECCHI Newsletter • 275 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health
  1. It's important to prioritize physical health to combat various challenges.
  2. Maintaining physical fitness can help prepare for unexpected events and aid in self-defense.
  3. Adopting a healthy lifestyle, including exercise and proper nutrition, is crucial for overall well-being and resilience.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

What can Colorado learn from Oregon about psilocybin?: 5 Questions for Healing Advocacy Fund’s Colorado director Tasia Poinsatte

The Microdose • 275 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
🏥 Health Politics Mental health
  1. Colorado's psilocybin program is expected to be fully operational by early 2025.
  2. Oregon's program highlighted the importance of allowing licensed professionals to participate in psilocybin services.
  3. Colorado is considering a tiered licensing model and enhanced training requirements for safe facilitation in their psilocybin program.

5 Questions for Oregon’s first licensed psilocybin manufacturer

The Microdose • 550 implied HN points • 17 Apr 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health
  1. Learning to cultivate mushrooms involves trial and error, teaching the importance of embracing mistakes.
  2. The process of growing psilocybin mushrooms includes creating spore prints, inoculating substrate, and waiting for two months to produce fungi.
  3. Challenges for licensed psilocybin manufacturers in Oregon include waiting for testing labs to be established and dealing with high licensing costs.

The Dose (November 1)

Your Local Epidemiologist • 1002 implied HN points • 01 Nov 24
🏥 Health Politics Mental health
  1. The levels of common respiratory viruses like RSV, Covid, and flu are currently low, but keep an eye out for mycoplasma pneumonia if a cough lingers. It's often mild but can be treated with antibiotics.
  2. Many people are feeling stressed about the upcoming elections, which can even lead to health issues like heart problems. It's important to take care of yourself and find ways to manage this stress.
  3. The CDC has lowered the pneumococcal vaccine eligibility to anyone 50 and older, but this could be confusing. It's essential to understand the different vaccines available and make sure you're protected.

Re-post: A Goodbye Love Letter to Madonna Ciccone

Disaffected Newsletter • 1478 implied HN points • 31 Dec 22
🎭️ Culture Mental health
  1. Madonna has always stood out for her bold and sexual persona, challenging societal norms and expectations for women. This often led to criticism, especially from other women who were jealous or saw her as a threat to feminist ideals.
  2. The personal struggles and traumas she faced growing up shaped her identity and art, revealing a complex character with deep insecurities. Her experiences resonate with many, especially those who relate to her feelings of abandonment and longing for love.
  3. As Madonna ages, her performances have shifted, revealing a sense of vulnerability and loss of the strong icon she once was. This change highlights the emotional challenges of growing older in the spotlight, leaving fans wishing for a more empowered version of her.

The Anxious Generation is Almost Here

After Babel • 2390 implied HN points • 11 Dec 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health
  1. The book discusses the impact of overprotection in the real world and underprotection in the virtual world on children.
  2. The book suggests actions like making schools phone-free and holding social media companies accountable are needed for a healthier childhood.
  3. The book aims to empower teachers, parents, and Gen Z to understand the issues and work together to reclaim a more grounded, less digitally dependent life.

The Problem with the Edmonton Obesity Staging System – Part 1

Weight and Healthcare • 539 implied HN points • 27 Sep 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health
  1. The Edmonton Obesity Staging System focuses on categorizing fat people based on weight-related health issues, despite lacking evidence of the benefits of aggressive weight management.
  2. Critics argue that the system pathologizes bodies solely based on size and overlooks other factors like weight stigma, healthcare inequalities, and weight cycling.
  3. The system's stages imply that health issues are directly tied to obesity but fail to address the fact that these issues affect people of all sizes, suggesting a need for a shift in focus toward holistic health support.

Friday Q&A: a mental health roundup

Are You Okay? • 539 implied HN points • 28 Jul 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health
  1. As people age, they may encounter different life changes and challenges that can contribute to feelings of anxiety, such as health issues, social isolation, and economic worries.
  2. Anxiety is a complex condition influenced by genetics, life experiences, health status, and lifestyle choices. Seeking help from medical professionals and engaging in self-care practices can help improve overall mental health.
  3. Despite alcohol temporarily reducing anxiety symptoms for some individuals, there is a connection between alcohol and anxiety, especially in those with a family history of alcoholism and anxiety disorders.

Psychedelic-assisted therapy and tribal health: 5 Questions for Indigenous scholar Marlena Robbins

The Microdose • 530 implied HN points • 27 Feb 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health
  1. Access to psychedelics on tribal land faces government regulations and limits on self-care.
  2. Bridging traditional Indigenous ceremony with Western science shows the importance of incorporating cultural practices.
  3. Psychedelic-assisted therapy administered through tribes provides culturally informed care, understanding unique ethnic perspectives.

What you are, you have to be

Disaffected Newsletter • 1298 implied HN points • 07 Feb 23
🎶 Music Mental health
  1. The lack of love and acceptance in childhood can deeply affect people's emotional health and relationships as adults. People can often seek out partners that remind them of this unfulfilled need for love.
  2. When you fall for someone who is a narcissist, it often feels exciting at first, but it can lead to pain because they cannot truly love you back. It’s important to recognize this dynamic and understand your own worth.
  3. To live a fulfilling life, you have to embrace who you truly are. Trying to please someone who doesn’t see you as a whole person can lead to self-disrespect and unhappiness.

How To Turn Yourself Into A Lion

Everything Is Amazing • 1914 implied HN points • 07 Mar 24
🔬 Science Mental health
  1. Staring at illusions can trick your brain into seeing things that aren't really there, which can be similar to a psychedelic experience without the drugs.
  2. Intense staring at mirrors or a stranger's face can lead to hallucinatory experiences, revealing how our minds fill in gaps when visual information is lacking.
  3. Regularly staring at screens can contribute to eye problems, but taking breaks to look at far distances can help relax eye muscles and prevent vision issues.

Living with misophonia

Trickle-Down Wellness • 294 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health
  1. Misophonia is a disorder where certain sounds trigger strong emotional reactions.
  2. Research is emerging on misophonia, with potential therapeutic options like cognitive behavioral therapy.
  3. Coping mechanisms, like reframing reactions and environmental awareness, are essential for managing misophonia triggers.

The first mistake when you wake up to Cluster B

Disaffected Newsletter • 1119 implied HN points • 21 Mar 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health
  1. It can be hard to recognize when someone has a Cluster B personality disorder. Often, the person themselves doesn't see anything wrong and believes others are the problem.
  2. When dealing with someone who has a Cluster B disorder, being honest about your feelings may backfire. They are unlikely to accept criticism and could react negatively.
  3. Setting firm boundaries is important when you're dealing with difficult relationships. Sometimes, taking strong action is necessary to protect your own well-being.

MR WRONG: Tunnel vision

INDIGNITY • 294 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health
  1. The article discusses the experience of getting a colonoscopy procedure for health reasons.
  2. Colonoscopies play a vital role in detecting health issues such as polyps that can turn cancerous.
  3. The process of preparing for a colonoscopy involves detailed dietary restrictions and medical procedures to ensure optimal results.

Don't Panic, It's Just Cancer

Daniel Golliher • 314 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health
  1. The author shares their experience with Hodgkin's lymphoma and emphasizes the importance of psychological well-being during cancer treatment.
  2. Reading about other people's experiences with cancer can provide reassurance and guidance for those going through similar journeys.
  3. Writing about personal experiences can help others facing similar challenges feel supported and understood.

What To Do When Weight Stigma Makes You Want To Avoid The Doctor

Weight and Healthcare • 519 implied HN points • 07 Jun 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health
  1. Weight stigma in healthcare can lead to higher-weight individuals avoiding going to the doctor altogether.
  2. It's important to advocate for yourself when facing weight stigma in medical settings and not let it deter you from seeking care.
  3. Bringing along an advocate and practicing how to deal with weight stigma in advance can help improve the healthcare experience.

Friday Q&A: dismissed by doctors; ADHD vs. inattention; vaccines before visiting baby; & osteoporosis meds

Are You Okay? • 519 implied HN points • 23 Jun 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health
  1. Medical tests may not always show the full extent of a person's suffering. It's important to communicate to your doctor how your symptoms impact your daily life.
  2. Distinguishing between normal inattention and ADHD can be tricky. Look for consistent patterns of behavior and consider seeking professional advice if unsure.
  3. Advocating for yourself and ensuring your story is heard in medical settings is crucial. Ask questions, seek clarity, and don't hesitate to communicate your concerns.

Why do I forget jobs I have completed?

Brain Pizza • 728 implied HN points • 31 Dec 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health
  1. People often forget what they did at work, even if they were busy. This can make it hard to recall specific tasks later.
  2. Our brains sometimes have trouble accessing completed tasks from memory. It's like they get filed away and are hard to find when we need them.
  3. The Zeigarnik Effect explains that we tend to remember unfinished tasks better than completed ones. This means we might focus more on what’s still left to do rather than what has already been accomplished.

Applying The Bradford Hill Criteria To Social Media Use and Adolescent Mental Health

After Babel • 787 implied HN points • 17 Dec 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health
  1. Heavy social media use is linked to poor mental health in teens, like depression and anxiety. This effect is often stronger in vulnerable groups, especially girls.
  2. The Bradford Hill criteria help us explore if social media actually causes mental health issues instead of just being correlated. It's a framework to understand more about how risks might affect health.
  3. Not all social media use is harmful; some might even be okay. The key is moderation and understanding the potential risks, especially for those who might be more affected.

A Disturbing Lack of Faith

Disaffected Newsletter • 659 implied HN points • 06 Aug 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Mental health
  1. The legal actions against Trump are seen as extreme and unfair, based on opinions rather than real crimes.
  2. Sinéad O'Connor's passing highlights the struggles of those with Borderline Personality Disorder, showing the dual nature of her life as both a victim and a strong figure.
  3. Recent cultural events reflect tensions around gender and identity, with some individuals pushing back against current norms in schools and policing.

Money, Sex, and In-laws

Polymathic Being • 56 implied HN points • 07 Dec 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health
  1. Money: Be transparent and treat finances as a team—talk about values, set shared goals, and avoid secret spending or "my money vs your money" dynamics.
  2. Sex: Talk openly about needs and create intentional intimacy beyond the act itself. Emotional availability and mutual respect help keep desire and connection alive.
  3. In-laws: Make your spouse the primary relationship and set kind, clear boundaries with parents to avoid enmeshment. Decide as a team and protect your marriage's autonomy.

The family formation theory of everything

Sex and the State • 36 implied HN points • 24 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Mental health
  1. Family formation has fallen mainly among the bottom half because the male-breadwinner norm persists while bottom-half male wages have stagnated, making marriage and children less affordable or attractive.
  2. Job quality for the bottom half has gotten worse—unstable schedules, insecure work, and little to no benefits—which makes starting and sustaining a family much harder even when pay exists.
  3. The decline in marriage, especially among men, drives loneliness and mental/brain harms that increase deaths of despair, social dysfunction, and susceptibility to authoritarian and conspiracy-minded politics.

Are High-Dose Antipsychotics More Deadly Than Fentanyl in Kids?

The Frontier Psychiatrists • 294 implied HN points • 15 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health
  1. Antipsychotic medications can increase the risk of metabolic syndrome and other adverse outcomes in individuals with depression.
  2. Youth treated with higher-dose antipsychotic medications are at risk of increased mortality, especially among vulnerable children.
  3. Treating young adults with high-dose antipsychotic medications can result in significantly more deaths compared to fentanyl, emphasizing the need for better options for vulnerable youth.

Dispatches from Denver: Day 4 at Psychedelic Science 2023

The Microdose • 511 implied HN points • 24 Jun 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health
  1. Attendees at the Psychedelic Science conference were surprised by the diverse perspectives and energy surrounding the use of psychedelics for mental health treatment and personal growth.
  2. Discussions at the conference highlighted the importance of patents in the development and innovation of psychedelic drugs, while also emphasizing the need for fair patent practices.
  3. Indigenous voices expressed feelings of marginalization and concerns about being excluded from conversations and decision-making in the psychedelic community.

Smarter thinking in everyday life

Brain Pizza • 662 implied HN points • 16 Jan 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health
  1. Understanding how your brain works helps you deal with daily problems better. This means recognizing your own thinking patterns can improve your decision-making.
  2. By knowing common biases and habits, you can improve how you think and behave. This helps you make better choices and reach your goals more effectively.
  3. Small changes in your thinking can lead to big improvements in life. Using these insights helps you shape your actions and make smarter decisions daily.

Are drugs good? Are side effects bad? It depends on what you're trying to do.

Trevor Klee’s Newsletter • 895 implied HN points • 01 Nov 24
🏥 Health Politics Mental health
  1. The good or bad nature of drugs really depends on what you're trying to achieve with them. It's important to consider the purpose behind using any drug.
  2. Different drugs can have different effects. For example, psychedelics can be helpful for depression but dangerous for someone who is unstable. It's all about context.
  3. Drugs should be viewed as tools that work in specific ways. We need to determine if those effects match what we want for our health or goals.

The Harm of Weight Stigma

Weight and Healthcare • 678 implied HN points • 08 Mar 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health
  1. Weight stigma can have significant negative impacts on physical and mental health, including increased risk for conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, and poor health behaviors.
  2. Perceived weight discrimination is linked to psychiatric disorders, risk of suicidality, and even an increase in mortality risk, demonstrating the serious harm caused by weight stigma.
  3. Healthcare practitioners, including doctors and nurses, may exhibit weight bias which can lead to barriers in accessing healthcare and biased treatment, affecting the well-being of higher-weight individuals.