#mental-wellbeing — Public Fediverse posts
Live and recent posts from across the Fediverse tagged #mental-wellbeing, aggregated by home.social.
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DATE: September 16, 2026 at 10:00PM
SOURCE: PSYPOST.ORG** Research quality varies widely from fantastic to small exploratory studies. Please check research methods when conclusions are very important to you. **
-------------------------------------------------TITLE: Large genetic study links GLP-1 receptor activation to improved mental well-being
A new study provides evidence that activating the GLP-1 receptor, the biological target of popular weight-loss and diabetes medications, is associated with better mental health and a lower risk of conditions like depression and bipolar disorder. The research also suggests a potential protective effect against substance use disorders, hinting at psychiatric benefits that go beyond simple weight loss. These findings were published in Translational Psychiatry.
The glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor is a protein found on the surface of cells in various parts of the body, including the pancreas and the brain. When activated, it helps regulate blood sugar and sends fullness signals to the brain, reducing appetite. Medications that activate this receptor, known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, have become widely used for managing type 2 diabetes and obesity. Because these drugs act on the central nervous system, scientists have been investigating whether they might also influence mental health.
Early clinical research hinted at potential psychiatric benefits. For instance, an early 2016 clinical study found that the GLP-1 medication liraglutide improved cognitive problems in patients with mood disorders. Following up on that, a 2017 experimental study showed that GLP-1 treatment produced physical changes in brain areas that regulate mood in people with mood disorders. More recently, a 2023 review of clinical trials showed that GLP-1 drugs can reliably reduce symptoms of depression.
These observations prompted researchers to ask whether activating the GLP-1 receptor genuinely protects against psychiatric and substance use disorders, or if the mood improvements were simply a side effect of patients feeling better about losing weight. To answer this, a research team led by Guoyi Yang conducted a large-scale genetic study to isolate the biological effects of GLP-1 receptor activation.
“GLP-1R agonists, such as semaglutide, have transformed how we treat obesity and type 2 diabetes,” said Yang, a postdoctoral researcher at the Division of Translational Medicine and Human Genetics, Department of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. “Concerns were raised about the risk of suicidal ideation and self-injury in people using GLP-1R agonists. In contrast, clinical trials suggested that these medications reduced depressive symptoms. To better understand the psychiatric effects of GLP-1R agonists, we used genetic variants as proxies for GLP-1R activation, the intended target of these drugs, to evaluate whether activating this receptor influences mental health outcomes,” he told PsyPost.
The researchers used a technique called Mendelian randomization. This method acts like a natural clinical trial by looking at genetic variations that people are born with. Because genes are assigned randomly at birth and are not influenced by lifestyle choices or environmental factors, they can help establish whether a specific biological mechanism directly influences an outcome. The team focused on specific genetic variants near the GLP1R gene that mimic the effects of taking a GLP-1 drug.
This approach uses genetics to predict what happens when you intervene on a specific biological target. “Our research uses genetics as a tool to predict the impact of GLP-1R activation – we aren’t saying that GLP-1R activation is only relevant to people with a certain genetic background,” Yang explained. “We hypothesize that the genetic variants that we consider in this paper affect the same mechanism that the drug affects – and so the genetic variants tell us what happens if you intervene on this target using the drug.”
Yang and colleagues identified two sets of these natural genetic proxies. The first set lowers body mass index, which is a common measure of body fat based on a person’s height and weight. The second set lowers glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), which is a measure of average blood sugar levels over several months. They analyzed data from massive genetic databases, including the UK Biobank, which contained information from hundreds of thousands of people of European ancestry. The researchers examined how these GLP-1-activating genetic variants related to a broad spectrum of mental health outcomes.
The mental health outcomes included general well-being, comprising life satisfaction, positive affect, neuroticism, and depressive symptoms. The researchers also looked at diagnosed mental health disorders like major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Finally, they examined the risk of substance use disorders, such as alcohol dependence and cannabis use disorder. To ensure their results were robust, they compared the effects of the specific GLP-1 variants against general genetic variants from across the entire genome that simply lower body weight or blood sugar.
The findings indicate that genetically predicted GLP-1 receptor activation through the body mass index pathway is associated with widespread mental health benefits. Specifically, for every 1-kilogram per square meter decrease in body mass index driven by GLP-1 receptor activation, individuals experienced a 0.06 standard deviation improvement in overall mental well-being. This included higher life satisfaction and lower levels of neuroticism and depressive symptoms.
The researchers also found a reduced risk for severe psychiatric conditions. A 1-kilogram per square meter decrease in body mass index via the GLP-1 pathway was associated with an odds ratio of 0.82 for major depressive disorder, meaning a roughly 18% lower risk. The association with bipolar disorder was even stronger, showing an odds ratio of 0.61, or a 39% reduction in risk. There was also suggestive evidence that this specific biological pathway lowers the risk of ADHD and postpartum depression.
“We were surprised by just how broadly GLP-1R activation seems to benefit mental health, extending to depression, bipolar disorder, and potentially substance use disorders,” Yang said. “The effect on bipolar disorder was striking, showing almost a 40% lower risk (odds ratio of 0.61). These results highlight GLP-1R agonists as promising candidates for future psychiatric therapies.”
Notably, these mental health benefits were much stronger than the effects seen from general, genome-wide genetic variants that just lower body mass index. This suggests that the psychiatric advantages of GLP-1 receptor activation are not entirely explained by weight loss alone. The receptor’s direct activity in the brain, potentially regulating stress responses and neuroinflammation, likely plays an independent role in improving mood. Interestingly, genetic variants that mimicked the blood-sugar-lowering effects of GLP-1 activation did not show these same broad mental health benefits.
The study also provided suggestive evidence that GLP-1 receptor activation is associated with a lower risk of substance use disorders and fewer reported alcohol problems. These findings are in line with research covered by PsyPost in 2025, which examined actual prescription records and hospitalizations rather than genetic proxies, and similarly found evidence linking GLP-1 pathway activity to a lower risk of substance use disorders.
The new results are also consistent with another study covered by PsyPost in 2026. That study, which also used Mendelian randomization to analyze genetic proxies for GLP-1 receptor activation, found no evidence of increased risk for major psychiatric conditions like depression and bipolar disorder, alleviating early concerns that the medications might provoke psychiatric distress.
As with all research, there are a few things to keep in mind when interpreting the results. The Mendelian randomization approach relies on the assumption that the selected genetic variants only affect the outcomes through the GLP-1 receptor. It is possible that these specific genes also influence neighboring biological pathways, which could independently affect mental health. The researchers used statistical tests to check for this, but the possibility cannot be completely ruled out.
“A key limitation of this method (Mendelian randomization) is that it relies on rigorous assumptions that cannot be verified,” Yang pointed out. “While we carefully selected genetic variants in or near GLP1R to mimic the drug target, we cannot rule out the possibility that nearby genes might also play a role. Clinical trials are needed to determine whether these psychiatric benefits directly translate to patients.”
Additionally, looking at genetic variants measures the effect of lifelong exposure to slightly altered GLP-1 receptor activity. This is quite different from an adult taking a concentrated, high-dose medication over a few months or years. While the genetic data suggests that activating this pathway is safe and potentially beneficial for mental health over a lifetime, clinical trials are needed to confirm whether GLP-1 medications produce these exact psychiatric benefits in real-world patients.
“The effect size reflects the lifelong genetic effect of GLP-1R activation in the general population,” Yang noted. “In contrast, patients in the real world usually take GLP-1R agonists for shorter periods. Therefore, our numbers should not be viewed as the exact risk reduction patients will experience when taking these medications.”
Looking ahead, the research team aims to dive deeper into how these medications work in the body. “Our immediate next step is to understand the biological mechanisms underlying these psychiatric effects of GLP-1R activation,” Yang said. “In the long term, our goal is to define the multifaceted effects of GLP-1R agonists across organs and to identify novel, genetically validated drug targets for cardiovascular, kidney, and metabolic diseases.”
You can follow Yang’s work on X (formerly Twitter) at @yanggy_hku.
The study, “Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor activation and mental health: a drug-target Mendelian randomization study,” was authored by Guoyi Yang, Stephen Burgess, and C. Mary Schooling.
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#psychology #counseling #socialwork #psychotherapy @psychotherapist @psychotherapists @psychology @socialpsych @socialwork @psychiatry #mentalhealth #psychiatry #healthcare #depression #psychotherapist #GLP1R #MentalHealth #Depression #BipolarDisorder #SubstanceUseDisorders #GLP1Receptor #WeightLossDrugs #MentalWellbeing #Pharmacogenetics #MendelianRandomization
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How a career pivot made me feel better about the world
When Bruce Cherry hit a dead patch in his career, he found green shoots of hope in an unexpected vocation.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09-14/perspective-bush-regeneration-healed-me/106868924
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Making friends as an adult is hard. A 'friendship cupid' helped me
By Laura PettenuzzoIt's been hard for me to make friends as an adult. My ever-present anxiety tells me it would be far safer to stay silent and isolated than to reach out and risk rejection.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09-08/perspective-on-friendship-cupids/106995546
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The grassroots queer clubs popping up in regional Queensland
By Nykayla DuxWith the help of social media, grassroots LGBTQIA+ clubs are spreading in regional Queensland, despite no dedicated venues.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09-08/regional-queer-community-building-safe-spaces/107111002
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Einzelgänger’s Fabulous Video Essays on Calm & Philosophy 🪷
The YouTube channel Einzelgänger is soothing us of late. It’s headed by an anonymous Dutch narrator who has revealed little about himself over the years, preferring to dish out his philosophical insights minus the attention seeking.
His video essays explore practical philosophy lessons alongside human psychology and wider questions on the human condition. All of it is contemplative but learned, challenging social norms in our hard-right capitalist society to help people overcome tedious social burdens.
YouTube’s Einzelgänger is a Pathway to Calmness
The core of the channel is stripping away the sense of excess and glory many people expect from this hard-right capitalist society we live in. An economy where wealth and status are celebrated as having succeeded in life.
A note on the channel name, einzelgänger in German means “loner” or “lone wolf”. The channel does celebrate personal agency and remaining unconcerned with the wailing mania of modern life.
Namely, the expectation of wealth, status, fame, and ATTENTION.
The host challenges modern, lingering notions by turning to various philosophers. Epictetus, Aristotle, Laozi, Socrates, Marxism, Kant etc. Sometimes they get the basis for a whole video, other times an overarching analysis of how their opinions apply to our era. It’s curious how we can separated by millennia from these people, but their wise words still ring true.
For example, Greek stoic philosopher Epictetus taught that inner peace comes from a focus on what you can control, then accepting what you can’t:
“Any person capable of angering you becomes your master; he can anger you only when you permit yourself to be disturbed by him.”
Taoism, existentialism, stoicism etc. They’re all covered on the channel. If you factor what Lao Tzu wrote in Tao Te Ching you get the general gist of the assuring essays:
“Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are.”
These are all concepts we’ve channelled over the years on Professional Moron. In amongst the absurdist satire and social commentary, we’ve brainwashed you all with propaganda about ignoring social conventions and yearning for stupid things (i.e. wealth, lots of stuff, and power).
Einzelgänger takes things even further, using his well read brain to consider his own philosophies as applied to the expectations of western society. See below.
Bringing the Reality of Life to YouTube
It’s common on YouTube channels for the creator to be very goddamn annoying. Clickbait, ragebait hyperbole is one way to try and quickly get a reputation. Many will start their videos with a heightened persona (“HI GUYSSS!!!“) and surface act their way through videos with shrill intonations.
Einzelgänger isn’t about any of that, there’s a very stoic approach to his work.
Take his recent social commentary essay on a childfree existence. Over 20 minutes he calmly makes his point, highlighting his mental health struggles, and probable autistic traits. Nothing flashy, just well argued and clearly explained whilst considering both sides of the argument.
This is a big one right now as Conservatives are in uproar about childfree people. They yearn for “traditional values”, yet vote for an economic system that rips families apart, creates mass poverty, and ensures younger generations can’t afford children. Then they blame feminism.
But it is the ideal way to debate. Consider the argument, respond calmly, weigh up the situation, push on.
You can have a temper tantrum later, if you want, and go online and call some left-wingers “libtards”. Up to you. But it’s this graciousness in thought Einzelgänger has that’s so sorely lacking in the social media era. Where the likes of Elon Musk respond to arguments on X with AI generation content or laughing crying emojis to try and make it look like he’s not upset. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
To reach a point in society where someone so inherently vile is considered “normal” as he has 14 kids is kind of a problem. Besides, we’re raising a pet cat (Susan). Thus, we’re doing our bit.
Finding Peace in the Mayhem of Life
Einzelgänger isn’t pining over the past here and yearning for simpler times, the channel is essentially a self-help platform for burned out people. He’s aware the wisdom of smart people from the past can guide our moral conscience today, as you can see with another slice of Taoist philosophy above.
He also has a Substack blog (Journey of Ideas) should you wish to read his words, rather than hear them.
In a September 2026 post Why We’re All Burning Out, he turns to Korean-born German philosopher Byung-Chul Han for insights. Han is noted for his criticisms of digital capitalism, hustle culture, and achievement obsessed economic system.
“The insidious thing about the achievement society is that, as members of it, we think we’re free, but, as Han makes clear, we’re not. The achievement society also has its own forms of confinement, but they’re so hidden and paradoxical that most people don’t even realize they exist. The real Matrix is today’s society: a celebrated illusion of freedom and boundless opportunity that, in reality, is one of the most ingenious prisons ever created. And the ‘freedom’ we fight for (and some are even willing to die for) is illusory. We’re not free.
One of the fundamental differences between disciplinary and achievement societies is what Han calls the ‘negativity of Should’ versus the ‘positivity of Can.’ In the case of ‘Should,’ there’s an external force telling us what to do, placing restrictions upon us, and imposing rules …
An essential difference between ‘Should’ and ‘Can’ is that the latter involves an internal motivator. Han describes this as ‘carrying a work camp inside.’ We have become our own masters. Instead of being put into prison camps where a bunch of sadistic guards force us to work, we embody the camp as we push ourselves to work; we’re both the guard and the prisoner. Intrinsic motivation is more effective than extrinsic motivation.”
It’s thought provoking stuff and will annoy anyone who has sold their soul to capitalism. For anyone who hasn’t (such as if you’ve experienced a long bout of unemployment in a system that just doesn’t work), in this content you’ll find the reassurances you need to understand you aren’t a failure.
All it takes is to be content, cool, and self-aware enough to be a positive force to those around you. Even if this means, in capitalism’s eye, you’re a pathetic loser. It’s the Einzelgänger way of things.
#calm #Einzelgänger #History #Life #Lifestyle #loner #mentalHealth #mentalWellbeing #Philosophy #relaxing #socialCommentary #solitude #wellbeing #wisdom -
I think that this #Monday needs more #RainbowMagic, a nice green guy, and people you want to sing with 💚 🐸 🌈 https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=v8enlTBXR5Y
#mondayMotivation #Kermit #rainbow #community #choir #RainbowConnection #hope #UnityInDiversity #mentalWellbeing #singing #resist #bestFrogEver
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I was addicted to optimising my life, but it didn't make me happier
I was hooked by the idea that my lack of happiness and fulfilment in the present moment could be fixed if I just got better at my life.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09-07/optimising-perspective-lifestyle/106962380
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Every flower that ever bloomed went through a lot of dirt to get there.
#resilience #mentalhealth #ymhc #motivation #inspiration #positivevibes #mentalwellbeing #mentalwellness #hope -
'I was the void': What happens when meditation goes wrong
By Fiona Pepper and Sharon GordonIn recent years, there has been a huge uptake in meditation, promoted to improve mental and physical health. But it can be harmful for some people.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/health/2026-09-06/when-meditation-goes-wrong/106692856
#MentalHealth #MentalWellbeing #Psychosis #FionaPepper #SharonGordon
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When you shine you remind others that they can shine too. By Art of Brilliance
#motivation #inspiration #positivevibes #mentalwellbeing #mentalhealth #mentalwellness #hope #ymhc -
DATE: September 1, 2026 at 08:58AM
SOURCE: SCIENCE DAILY MIND-BRAIN FEEDTITLE: Mindfulness may lower blood pressure in just 8 weeks
URL: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/09/260901010721.htm
Mindfulness, gratitude, and optimism training may improve blood pressure, inflammation, and other heart-health measures within just eight to 12 weeks. The strongest programs paired daily practice with regular reinforcement, suggesting that improving psychological well-being could become another tool for protecting cardiovascular health.
URL: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/09/260901010721.htm
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Private, vetted email list for mental health professionals: https://www.clinicians-exchange.org
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#psychology #counseling #socialwork #psychotherapy @psychotherapist @psychotherapists @psychology @socialpsych @socialwork @psychiatry #mentalhealth #psychiatry #healthcare #depression #psychotherapist #Mindfulness #BloodPressure #HeartHealth #CardiovascularWellness #MentalWellbeing #Gratitude #Optimism #StressReduction #HealthyHabits #8WeeksChallenge
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Inquiry targets 'staggering' male suicide rates and harmful algorithms
By Rachael MerrittSA's health minister says the rise of the 'manosphere' and influential social media influencers is impacting young men.
#Men #MentalHealth #MentalWellbeing #StateandTerritoryGovernment #RachaelMerritt
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DATE: September 1, 2026
SOURCE: SOCIALWORKER.COMTITLE: September Self-Care Awareness Month: Celebrating a Decade of Self-Care, A-Z!
In September 2026, we are celebrating Self-Care Awareness Month AND the 10-year anniversary of our Self-Care, A-to-Z blog! Download our calendar for daily doses of social worker self-care this month.
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Private, vetted email list for mental health professionals: https://www.clinicians-exchange.org
Unofficial Psychology Today Xitter to toot feed at Psych Today Unofficial Bot @PTUnofficialBot
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#psychology #counseling #socialwork #psychotherapy @psychotherapist @psychotherapists @psychology @socialpsych @socialwork @psychiatry #mentalhealth #psychiatry #healthcare #depression #psychotherapist #SelfCareAwarenessMonth #SelfCareAtoZ #MentalHealthMatters #SelfCare decade? #SelfCareCalendar #SocialWorkerSelfCare #MentalWellbeing #CelebratingTenYears #SelfCareTips #WellnessMonth
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You may have heard of 'quiet quitting', but what about 'career minimalism'?
By Anna Chisholm"Career minimalism" may have found its way to your algorithm, but this is what experts say about the rewards and risks.
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Why the NT struggles with mental health and suicide prevention
By Tilda CollingThe Northern Territory is in the midst of a mental health crisis. With support services struggling to keep up with demand, could bolstering the workforce with lived experience help?
#MentalWellbeing #SupportServices #Suicide #MentalHealth #PublicHealth #Depression #Anxiety #HealthPolicy #GovernmentFunding #Psychiatry #TildaColling
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Congratulations to everyone who made it through darks times and bad days to see better days today and ahead.
#motivation #inspiration #positivevibes #mentalwellbeing #mentalhealth #hope #ymhc -
Depression usually gets the blame for chronic stress damage in the body.
Data from two large groups of adults points somewhere else entirely.
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5 positive affirmations for eating disorders. https://ymhc.ngo/workbooks
#mentalwellbeing #mentalhealth #mentalwellness #hope #ymhc #resilience #selfcare #healthyhabits #kindness -
What's the most interesting documentary you've ever watched?
#mentalhealth #mentalwellbeing #ymhc #community -
You will probably never feel ready to start... because confidence builds after we take action, not before it. By Amanda E. White
#motivation #inspiration #positivevibes #mentalwellbeing #mentalhealth #mentalwellness #hope #ymhc #resilience #strengthbased #wellness #selfcare -
Animal naps I envy. By @explodinglobstercomics
#mentalhealthhumor #funnymemes #copingwithhumor #humorheals #ymhc #selfcare #wellness #rest #mentalwellbeing -
A gentle reminder. You have gotten through hard moments before.
#motivation #inspiration #hope #mentalwellbeing #mentalhealth #ymhc -
Tasmania warned of 'stress, burnout' as justice staff wellbeing service axed
By Lucy MacDonaldBudget pressures are being blamed for the axing of a wellbeing service for Tasmania's justice department employees, with opponents denouncing the move, which they say will lead to high staff turnover and psychological injury.
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The window of tolerance. Dr. Dan Siegel.
#mentalhealth #mentalwellbeing #ymhc #emotionalregulation #feelings #trauma #traumahealing -
The power of "and" is a concept that replaces limiting "either/or" choices with inclusive thinking, letting two seemingly opposing ideas coexist.
#ymhc #mentalhealth #mentalwellbeing #healthyhabits #feelings #copingskills #resilience -
They put food on our tables, but 9 out of 10 farmers feel undervalued
By Lauren Bohane and Emily MiddletonA national survey finds many farmers are considering leaving the industry, while one in three feel their mental health has deteriorated over the last year.
#MentalHealth #Farmers #Agriculture #LivestockFarming #DairyFarming #MentalWellbeing #LaurenBohane #EmilyMiddleton
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Wellbeing report finds nine out of 10 farmers feel undervalued
By Lauren Bohane and Emily MiddletonA national survey finds many farmers are considering leaving the industry, while one on three felt their mental health had deteriorated over the last year.
#MentalHealth #Farmers #Agriculture #LivestockFarming #DairyFarming #MentalWellbeing #LaurenBohane #EmilyMiddleton