Caffeine can be a legal way to enhance athletic performance, though studies have shown mixed results. Genetic variation may be the reason caffeine does not work the same for everyone. Many studies have shown that caffeine can increase a person’s athletic performance, but these studies have also shown that these effects are not universal throughout the participants. A new study examines the link between caffeine’s effects and genetic differences between people. Caffeine may give you an extra edge in sports. Dr. Christopher J. Womack, PhD, a researcher and professor at Jam...

As the search continues for environmental factors that may contribute to the increasing autism cases, researchers are looking in every nook and cranny for possible associations.

It isn’t easy to deal with a bully, and young children are often the victims. These young bullies probably don’t understand the effects, but the victims of bullying are more likely to hurt themselves. According to a new study the victims of bullying are up to three times more likely to do harm to themselves by age 12. Talk to teachers and your child about bullying The study was led by Helen Fisher, PhD, of the Institute of Psychiatry at King’s College London. “Bullying by peers is a major problem during the early school years. This study found that before 12 years of...

Recent discoveries about the roles of cellular proteins and steroids in the brain may lead to new developments in the design of anti-depressants for depression and PTSD. Researchers isolate the chemicals in the brain that respond to stress. Findings may possibly pinpoint why some subjects show symptoms of mental illness, and others don’t after exposure to stress. Talk to your doctor if you’re experiencing depression or PTSD Dr. Oliver Berton PhD., Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, and a team of researc...

In 2008, cocaine abuse was responsible for 482,188 ER visits in the U.S. alone. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration claims 1.5 million Americans over the age of 12 used cocaine in 2010.

Ex-smokers who notice the warning labels on cigarette packs are less likely to start smoking again.  How much of a difference do these really warning labels make for ex-smokers? A four-country survey asks ex-smokers about cigarette warning labels over the course of 5 years to determine if they make any impact on whether or not they return to the smoking life. Warning labels may not be 100 percent effective, but they do appear to make a difference. Encourage people to notice warning labels on cigarette packs. Researchers from the VicHealth Centre for Tobacco Control, The Can...

It is not easy being obese. Children who are overweight have it especially difficult because little kids can be pretty mean. In fact, little bullies can actually make the weight problem worse. A new study shows that overweight and obese children may be liked less in school. The overweight children could respond to the negative social atmosphere by becoming less active and eating more. Limit TV and videogames: keep your child active! The study was led by Amanda Harrist , PhD, of Oklahoma State University. “If overweight children are disliked at school, they may be less like...

Do you get stressed if you can't work? Do you work so much that your health, hobbies, family and family fall by the wayside? A new assessment may classify you a workaholic. A group of researchers from the United Kingdom and Norway have developed a scale for work addiction that is designed to help clinicians and people in general determine whether they have an unhealthy relationship with working. Balance your work and play time. Cecilie Schou Andreassen , of the Department of Psychosocial Science at the University of Bergen in Norway, and colleagues developed the Bergen Work A...

A new look at data from anti-smoking ads may influence how campaigns are targeted in the future. There's no doubt that smoking is bad, but what is the best way to get the message across?

Because of problems with social interaction shared by most children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders ( ASD ), they tend to lead more solitary lives and report higher instances of being the targets of bullies.