Agnes Simone Agnes Simone

The Case for Lavender: Evidence Behind Silexan for Anxiety

Lavender oil has gained attention for its potential calming effects. In this post, I’ve summarized the key findings from the best study to date examining the oral lavender oil preparation Silexan in people with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).

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Agnes Simone Agnes Simone

GLP-1 Medications & Mental Health: What This New Study Really Found

Summarizing this JAMA Psychiatry article Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists and Mental Health: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis, published in 2025. GLP-1 medicines (like semaglutide and liraglutide) did not increase psychiatric side effects versus placebo. On average, mood didn’t worsen, and people showed small improvements in well-being and eating patterns.

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Agnes Simone Agnes Simone

Do Supplements Really Work for Mental Health?

Supplements are everywhere. Some supplements are helpful, but mostly only if you’re deficient or have a specific medical need. Most are driven by marketing, not science, and can interact with medications, give a false sense of security, or just cost you a lot of money.

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Agnes Simone Agnes Simone

BFRBs Behind the Behavior: Hair Pulling and Skin Picking Explained

Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors, or BFRBs, are mental health conditions where a person repeatedly engages in behaviors that cause damage to their body. The two most well-known types are trichotillomania (hair pulling disorder) and excoriation disorder (skin picking disorder).

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Agnes Simone Agnes Simone

Understanding the Different Subtypes of OCD

When most people think of OCD, they picture excessive handwashing, checking locks repeatedly, or organizing items until they feel “just right.” While these can be part of OCD, they are only a small slice of a much broader and more complex condition.

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Agnes Simone Agnes Simone

The Link Between Vitamin D and Depression

Vitamin D receptors are found throughout the brain, including in areas involved in mood regulation. It also plays a role in the synthesis of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine, which are critical to our emotional balance.

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