Tuesday, May 27, 2008
New research suggests that religious leaders may have been sitting on a potential treatment for depression all along. Even hippies seem to have caught on to the healing powers of incense long before the academic world.
A team of researchers from John Hopkins University and the Hebrew University in Jerusalem studied the psychoactive effects of burning incense. Researcher, Raphael Mechoulam "found that incensole acetate, a Boswellia resin constituent, when tested in mice lowers anxiety and causes antidepressive-like behavior". Specifically, this constituent activates the TRPV3 protein in areas of the brain that are associated with emotions and nerves. These areas are the same as those already being activated by current medication in use for the treatment of depression and anxiety. Evidently, mice bred without this protein were not affected by the incense.
Although, the idea seems rather harmless in comparison to many of the medications on the market at this time, I have to wonder whether or not this might be a better alternative to medication. I am not convinced that this treatment holds much weight when considering the possible health risks associated with daily doses of incense inhalation in order to sufficiently reduce anxiety and depression.
© www.mentalhealthblog.com
Anti-Depressants, Anxiety, Depression, Medication, Research
6 comments
6 comments:
Well, an interesting post. I like the idea, that incense burning is good against depression. Thank you
LOL, after I got out of the hospital i did this for a while... it did seem to work, but I have the wrong incense. I bought one, i guess as a guy when you see incense with the word sex on it you will causes it has to be good... well the depression got under control and now we have four kids... what the one you have to burn for stress?
Chato
http://mentalhealthhumor.today.com/
The article didn't really specify what kind of incense. I assume the more calming aromas would be best. But, like I said, I'm not sure how much faith I put into this theory.
Incense can be calming and relaxing for depression.
Check out my blog about mental health at http://truthtopics.blogspot.com/
Very interesting blog and worth following up on. Thanks!
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