DATE: May 06, 2025 at 08:00PM
SOURCE: PSYPOST.ORG

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TITLE: A neuroscientist explains how cancer hijacks the brain’s motivation circuit

URL: https://www.psypost.org/a-neuroscientist-explains-how-cancer-hijacks-the-brains-motivation-circuit/

A cruel consequence of advanced cancer is the profound apathy many patients experience as they lose interest in once-cherished activities. This symptom is part of a syndrome called cachexia, which affects about 80% of late-stage cancer patients, leading to severe muscle wasting and weight loss that leave patients bone thin despite adequate nutrition.

This loss of motivation doesn’t just deepen patients’ suffering, it isolates them from family and friends. Because patients struggle to engage with demanding therapies that require effort and persistence, it also strains families and complicates treatment.

Doctors typically assume that when late-stage cancer patients withdraw from life, it is an inevitable psychological response to physical deterioration. But what if apathy isn’t just a byproduct of physical decline but an integral part of the disease itself?

In our newly published research, my colleagues and I have discovered something remarkable: Cancer doesn’t simply waste the body – it hijacks a specific brain circuit that controls motivation. Our findings, published in the journal Science, challenge decades of assumptions and suggest it might be possible to restore what many cancer patients describe as most devastating to lose – their will to engage with life.

Untangling fatigue from physical decline

To unravel the puzzle of apathy in cancer cachexia, we needed to trace the exact path inflammation takes in the body and peer inside a living brain while the disease is progressing – something impossible in people. However, neuroscientists have advanced technologies that make this possible in mice.

Modern neuroscience equips us with a powerful arsenal of tools to probe how disease changes brain activity in mice. Scientists can map entire brains at the cellular level, track neural activity during behavior, and precisely switch neurons on or off. We used these neuroscience tools in a mouse model of cancer cachexia to study the effects of the disease on the brain and motivation.

We identified a small brain region called the area postrema that acts as the brain’s inflammation detector. As a tumor grows, it releases cytokines − molecules that trigger inflammation − into the bloodstream. The area postrema lacks the typical blood-brain barrier that keeps out toxins, pathogens and other molecules from the body, allowing it to directly sample circulating inflammatory signals.

When the area postrema detects a rise in inflammatory molecules, it triggers a neural cascade across multiple brain regions, ultimately suppressing dopamine release in the brain’s motivation center − the nucleus accumbens. While commonly misconstrued as a “pleasure chemical,” dopamine is actually associated with drive, or the willingness to put in effort to gain rewards: It tips the internal cost-benefit scale toward action.

We directly observed this shift using two quantitative tests designed with behavioral economics principles to measure effort. In the first, mice repeatedly poked their noses into a food port, with progressively more pokes required to earn each food pellet. In the second task, mice repeatedly crossed a bridge between two water ports, each gradually depleting with use and forcing the mice to switch sides to replenish the supply, similar to picking berries until a bush is empty.

As cancer progressed, mice still pursued easy rewards but quickly abandoned tasks requiring greater effort. Meanwhile, we watched dopamine levels fall in real time, precisely mirroring the mice’s decreasing willingness to work for rewards.

Our findings suggest that cancer isn’t just generally “wearing out” the brain − it sends targeted inflammatory signals that the brain detects. The brain then responds by rapidly reducing dopamine levels to dial down motivation. This matches what patients describe: “Everything feels too hard.”

Restoring motivation in late-stage disease

Perhaps most exciting, we found several ways to restore motivation in mice suffering from cancer cachexia − even when the cancer itself continued progressing.

First, by genetically switching off the inflammation-sensing neurons in the area postrema, or by directly stimulating neurons to release dopamine, we were able to restore normal motivation in mice.

Second, we found that giving mice a drug that blocks a particular cytokine − working similarly to existing FDA-approved arthritis treatments − also proved effective. While the drug did not reverse physical wasting, it restored the mice’s willingness to work for rewards.

While these results are based on mouse models, they suggest a treatment possibility for people: Targeting this specific inflammation-dopamine circuit could improve quality of life for cancer patients, even when the disease remains incurable.

The boundary between physical and psychological symptoms is an artificially drawn line. Cancer ignores this division, using inflammation to commandeer the very circuits that drive a patient’s will to act. But our findings suggest these messages can be intercepted and the circuits restored.

Rethinking apathy in disease

Our discovery has implications far beyond cancer. The inflammatory molecule driving loss of motivation in cancer is also involved in numerous other conditions − from autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis to chronic infections and depression. This same brain circuit might explain the debilitating apathy that millions of people suffering from various chronic diseases experience.

Apathy triggered by inflammation may have originally evolved as a protective mechanism. When early humans faced acute infections, dialing down motivation made sense − it conserved energy and directed resources toward recovery. But what once helped people survive short-term illnesses turns harmful when inflammation persists chronically, as it does in cancer and other diseases. Rather than aiding survival, prolonged apathy deepens suffering, worsening health outcomes and quality of life.

While translating these findings into therapies for people requires more research, our discovery reveals a promising target for treatment. By intercepting inflammatory signals or modulating brain circuits, researchers may be able to restore a patient’s drive. For patients and families watching motivation slip away, that possibility offers something powerful: hope that even as disease progresses, the essence of who we are might be reclaimed.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

URL: https://www.psypost.org/a-neuroscientist-explains-how-cancer-hijacks-the-brains-motivation-circuit/

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DATE: May 06, 2025 at 06:00PM
SOURCE: PSYPOST.ORG

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TITLE: Women’s attitudes toward masturbation predict key outcomes

URL: https://www.psypost.org/womens-attitudes-toward-masturbation-predict-key-outcomes/

A new study published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine suggests that young women who feel empowered and satisfied during masturbation tend to report better sexual function and more positive perceptions of their own genitals. In contrast, those who experience shame or guilt during masturbation show lower levels of sexual desire, satisfaction, and genital self-image.

The authors of the new study sought to better understand the emotional and psychological factors linked to female masturbation and how these factors might relate to broader aspects of sexual well-being. Cultural shifts have encouraged women to explore their own bodies, yet masturbation remains a sensitive topic.

Past research has pointed to potential benefits of masturbation, such as increased self-esteem, better sexual responsiveness, and improved body image. However, few studies have focused specifically on how emotional reactions to masturbation relate to sexual function and genital self-image, particularly among young women.

To address this gap, the researchers surveyed female undergraduate students in Brazil. Participants were recruited through social media platforms including Instagram and WhatsApp and were eligible if they were over 18 and currently enrolled in university. A total of 113 women completed the online survey, although three were excluded because they did not meet the inclusion criteria.

The survey took about 15 minutes to complete and consisted of several parts. It included questions about demographic information, relationship status, and medication use. It also included a detailed section on masturbation habits, such as how often participants masturbated, what techniques they used, and how they felt during the activity. Feelings like empowerment, satisfaction, guilt, and shame were rated on a 5-point scale. The researchers used two standardized tools to assess sexual health and genital self-image: the Female Sexual Function Index, which measures aspects like desire, arousal, and satisfaction, and the Female Genital Self-Image Scale, which evaluates how positively a woman views her genitals.

About three-quarters of participants reported masturbating at least once a month, and around 10% said they did so nearly every day. The majority reported initiating masturbation between the ages of 10 and 16. Clitoral stimulation was the most common technique, and most women (over 80%) reported that they frequently or always achieved orgasm through masturbation.

One of the most consistent patterns in the results was that positive feelings during masturbation—particularly empowerment and satisfaction—were associated with better scores on both the sexual function and genital self-image scales. Women who felt powerful when masturbating tended to score higher in the domains of desire, orgasm, and satisfaction. In contrast, those who reported feeling ashamed or guilty during masturbation scored lower in these areas, suggesting that emotional experiences during self-pleasure may play a more meaningful role in sexual well-being than how often someone masturbates.

Interestingly, the frequency of masturbation was only weakly related to most aspects of sexual function. The only clear link was found in the domain of sexual desire, where women who masturbated daily or more reported higher levels of desire. Other domains such as arousal and satisfaction did not show strong associations with how frequently women masturbated. This finding supports the idea that frequency alone may not determine sexual health; rather, the context and emotional meaning of the activity may be more important.

The study also looked at other factors that might be related to sexual well-being. Being in a stable relationship was associated with higher scores on the sexual function index, compared to being single or in a casual relationship. This supports previous research suggesting that stable partnerships may offer emotional security and sexual fulfillment, which in turn contribute to better sexual functioning.

One notable finding was the link between the use of psychiatric medications and lower sexual function. About 20% of the participants reported using medications for mental health, and these women tended to score lower on the sexual function index. This is consistent with prior research indicating that many psychiatric drugs, especially antidepressants, can have side effects that interfere with sexual desire and responsiveness.

The study also explored the use of sex toys, particularly vibrators. While vibrators were commonly used among women who masturbated daily, their use was associated with lower reported sexual satisfaction. The authors suggest this may not reflect the effects of vibrators themselves, but rather that women who use them more frequently may be doing so to compensate for dissatisfaction in other areas of their sexual lives.

Negative feelings during masturbation were not common, but when present, they appeared to be meaningful. Around 17% of participants reported feeling shame, and 10% reported guilt. Those who felt shame had notably lower scores in desire, arousal, orgasm, satisfaction, and genital self-image. These findings echo other studies showing that shame and guilt related to sexual activity can diminish overall sexual health and satisfaction.

Motivations for masturbation varied among participants. The most frequently reported reason was to achieve sexual satisfaction when a partner was not available. Other common motivations included stress relief, pleasure, and increased sexual awareness.

A significant relationship was also found between positive genital self-image and sexual function. Women who reported more positive feelings toward their genitals tended to have higher levels of satisfaction, arousal, and orgasm. This connection between body image and sexual responsiveness highlights the psychological dimensions of sexual health.

The study has several limitations. Because it was conducted online and relied on voluntary participation, there may be a bias toward women who feel more comfortable discussing masturbation. The use of self-report measures can also lead to inaccuracies due to memory errors or social desirability. In addition, the Female Sexual Function Index is not well-suited for women who have not been sexually active in the past four weeks, which may limit its accuracy in some cases. The cross-sectional nature of the study also means it cannot determine cause-and-effect relationships. Finally, although the sample included women of different ages, most were university students, which may not reflect the broader population.

Despite these limitations, the study offers new insights into how emotional responses to masturbation relate to sexual function and genital self-image among young women. The findings suggest that how a woman feels about masturbation may matter more than how often she does it. Promoting positive attitudes and reducing stigma surrounding female masturbation could play a role in enhancing sexual well-being.

The study, “Masturbation, sexual function, and genital self-image of undergraduate women: a cross-sectional study,” was authored by Renata Fernandes Soares, Gabriela Tomedi Leites, Tatiane Gomes de Araujo, Gabriela Paludo Pedreti, Taís Marques Cerentini, and Patricia Viana da Rosa.

URL: https://www.psypost.org/womens-attitudes-toward-masturbation-predict-key-outcomes/

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DATE: May 06, 2025 at 04:00PM
SOURCE: PSYPOST.ORG

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TITLE: Daily use of cannabis is strongly associated with chronic inflammation, study finds

URL: https://www.psypost.org/daily-use-of-cannabis-is-strongly-associated-with-chronic-inflammation-study-finds/

Recent research has found that individuals who use cannabis daily or nearly daily tend to have elevated levels of soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR), a marker of chronic inflammation. In contrast, less frequent cannabis use was not associated with increased levels of this inflammation indicator. The research was published in Psychological Medicine.

Cannabis is a plant genus that includes species such as Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica, and Cannabis ruderalis. It is widely known for its psychoactive properties, primarily due to compounds called cannabinoids—especially tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Another major cannabinoid, cannabidiol (CBD), is non-psychoactive and is often used for therapeutic purposes.

Cannabis can be consumed in a variety of forms, including smoking, vaporizing, edibles, and oils. It has a long history of both recreational and medicinal use, with applications in pain relief, anxiety, nausea, and epilepsy. Legal status varies around the world, with some countries fully legalizing it, others permitting only medical use, and many maintaining strict prohibitions.

Long-term or heavy cannabis use has been linked to cognitive impairment, dependence, and mental health issues. More recently, researchers have proposed that frequent cannabis use may contribute to chronic inflammation in the body. This inflammation could in turn play a role in the development of psychosis and other serious mental illnesses associated with cannabis use.

Study author Emmet Power and his colleagues sought to investigate whether cannabis use—particularly daily or near-daily use—is associated with immune system activity and inflammation.

To do this, the researchers examined levels of four biomarkers: interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα), C-reactive protein (CRP), and soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR). These markers are involved in immune and inflammatory responses, and elevated levels can indicate infection, chronic inflammation, or increased risk for conditions such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, or sepsis.

The researchers used data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC), a long-term cohort study that enrolled 14,541 pregnant women living in a specific region of southwest England with expected delivery dates between April 1, 1991, and December 31, 1992. The study initially gathered health-related data from the parents and later continued collecting data from the children themselves.

When the children reached age 24, 3,257 of them were still participating. For the current analysis, the researchers used data from 914 participants in this group. Among them, 22% met criteria for major depressive disorder, 29% for anxiety, and 10% had experienced psychotic symptoms in the previous six months.

Participants provided blood samples, allowing researchers to assess biomarker levels. They also answered a single question about how often they used cannabis and provided additional health and demographic information.

The results showed that just under 5% of participants used cannabis daily, 7% used it weekly or monthly, and 21% reported using it less than once a month. Cannabis use was not associated with IL-6, CRP, or TNFα levels.

However, daily or near-daily cannabis use was strongly associated with elevated suPAR levels. In other words, people who used cannabis frequently tended to have higher levels of this particular marker of inflammation. Less frequent cannabis use did not show this association.

“In summary, our study found that daily/near daily cannabis use is strongly associated with elevated levels of suPAR, a marker of chronic inflammation, at age 24. The relationship between cannabis use and elevated suPAR in particular raise intriguing questions about mechanisms that may underpin the relationship between cannabis exposure; psychotic disorder; and potential roles of frequent cannabis use in oxidative stress, and potential role in chronic diseases in multiple systems,” the study authors concluded.

The study sheds light on the links between cannabis use and immune system activity. However, it should be noted that the design of this study does not allow any causal inferences to be derived from the results.

The paper, “Cannabis use in youth is associated with chronic inflammation,” was authored by Emmet Power, David Mongan, Colm Healy, Subash Raj Susai, Melanie Föcking, Stanley Zammit, Mary Cannon, and David Cotter.

URL: https://www.psypost.org/daily-use-of-cannabis-is-strongly-associated-with-chronic-inflammation-study-finds/

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TRIGGER WARNING: Military Psychology

DATE: May 06, 2025 at 01:35PM
SOURCE: THE CENTER FOR DEPLOYMENT PSYCHOLOGY

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