Top psych stories of 2021: Omega-3 slows stress-linked aging, CBD aids health care workers

Healio Psychiatry’s five most-viewed stories of the year highlight a study on omega-3 supplementation and stress-related accelerated aging, research into the benefits of cannabidiol for frontline health care workers and data on the link between OCD and increased risk for dementia/Alzheimer’s disease.

Omega-3 supplementation may slow stress-related accelerated aging

Omega-3 supplementation may slow accelerated aging by altering the body’s response during and after a stressful event, according to study results published in Molecular Psychiatry. Read more.

CBD eases emotional exhaustion, burnout symptoms in study of frontline health care workers

Cannabidiol may help reduce emotional exhaustion and burnout symptoms among frontline health care professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to results of a randomized clinical trial published in JAMA Network Open. Read more.

OCD increases risk for any dementia, Alzheimer’s disease

Obsessive-compulsive disorder independently increased risk for subsequent dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia, according to results of a nationwide longitudinal study published in Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. Read more.

Cannabis ‘not harmless’ given link between overuse, schizophrenia

The proportion of schizophrenia cases linked to cannabis use disorder increased three- to fourfold in the past 2 decades, according to results of a nationwide prospective cohort study published in JAMA Psychiatry. Read more. 

High sugar intake may increase risk for Alzheimer’s disease

Total sugar intake may affect cognitive function over time, with higher amounts potentially increasing risk for Alzheimer’s disease , according to study results presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference. Read more.