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This newsletter explores the topic of personalised treatments for mental illness and the barriers to their inclusion in standardised healthcare. While there are different classes of antidepressants, even drugs within the same class can have different effects on people with the same mental illness. This variation in response can be due to a number of factors, including genetic make-up, environmental influences, and personal circumstances. The development of personalised treatments that take these factors into account could greatly improve outcomes for people with mental illness. However, there are several challenges to implementing this approach, including the need for more research and the high cost of developing personalised treatments. Despite these challenges, personalised medicine has the potential to transform mental health care and improve the lives of millions of people. This article was first published in Subkiton on February 01, 2023 (https://www.subkit.

The process of grieving is not just a personal and emotional journey, but a biological one as well. The body and brain are transformed by grief, making it impossible to simply decide to stop grieving. Recognizing the physical aspects of grief is crucial to fully heal and reduce feelings of sorrow and despair. While supporting someone who is grieving can be emotionally and physically draining, it is important to prioritize self-care and take breaks when needed. However, when spending time with a grieving person, it is vital to hold space for their emotions and validate their unique journey. This newsletter explores the differences between grief and depression, the complexities of complicated grief, the role of grief triggers, and how grief affects both the brain and body. It also delves into the neuroscience behind supporting someone in grief.

In this article, we explore the biology behind the process of attachment formation between a caregiver and a child. The focus is primarily on mothers and their infants or young toddlers, but we anticipate that the science extends to other populations as well. We discuss the biological process of attachment formation and the factors that influence the quality of attachment between a parent and child. While there may be hormonal differences between males and females, both can form strong attachments, and the hormone oxytocin plays a critical role in forming attachments in both caregiver-child and romantic relationships. In the end, what it comes down to is that it is an adult who is personally invested in the wellbeing of a child. This article was first published in Subkiton on November 01, 2022 (https://www.subkit.com/pernillebuelow/posts/the-biology-of-attachment-formation)

The concept of love languages is widely known, but is there any scientific evidence to support their existence? This newsletter explores the science behind the popular concept of love languages and their impact on our mental health. Despite academia's reluctance to study this topic, understanding love languages can help us practice self-reflection and ultimately inspire change. It is a summary of the research on love languages and their neurobiological differences, as well as their influence on the quality of our romantic relationships. This article offers a unique perspective, placing the concept of love languages in the context of brain activity and discussing the practical implications for our mental health. This article was first published in Subkiton on October 14, 2022 (https://www.subkit.com/pernillebuelow/posts/love-languages-the-science-and-your-mental-health).

The type of attachment style formed in infancy with primary caregivers is a strong predictor of mental wellbeing in later life, influencing how individuals develop relationships, trust, self-confidence and emotional regulation. While other factors contribute to the risk of mental health and psychopathology, attachment styles provide a reliable understanding of individual development and help to target interventions to specific needs. Parental attachment style is a strong predictor of infant attachment style and reproduces behaviours that reinforce attachment style. Insecure attachment styles can lead to a vicious cycle of poor mental wellbeing. Longitudinal studies report a higher likelihood of depression and self-harm in adolescence for those with insecure attachment in childhood. This newsletter explores the science of attachment styles, their impact on brain development and function, and their implications for mental health.

In 1989, Gert van Rooyen and Joey Haarhoff abducted and murdered six young girls, with no trace of their bodies ever found. The crimes occurred during a period of social breakdown in South Africa, marked by disillusionment with the Dutch Reform Church and the emergence of vast conspiracy theories. Gert was a known paedophile, and the involvement of his partner Joey can only be explained as a form of active hybristophilia. The couple's religious involvement is also notable, with Gert exhibiting characteristics of a cult leader. The crimes remain horrifying in a country with high rates of violence, rape, and murder.

This is a critical review of the article "How to regulate evolving AI health algorithms" by David W. Bates. The article discusses the challenges of regulating healthcare information technology, specifically AI algorithms, due to their continuously evolving nature. The author argues for updated regulatory approaches that allow for continuous learning and adaptation of these algorithms while prioritizing safety and effectiveness. While the article presents valuable insights into the potential benefits and drawbacks of using AI algorithms in healthcare, it does not fully address potential negative effects and ethical and legal implications. Future studies should explore these issues to develop appropriate regulatory frameworks.

The Old Testament is the history of Israelite people expressed through their prophets. The original charismatic figures, prophets were chosen, rather than born – whether they wanted to or not. Prophets did not have an easy ministry. Their communities were reluctant to abandon hedonistic or sacrilegious lives while incorrect predictions of the future could lead to death. The Babylonian exile was a turning point in the history of the Jewish people. An elite group were forced to leave Jerusalem and make a new life in a distant location and foreign culture. Ezekiel, as one of the exiles and a descendant of a priestly family, is the only prophet to have operated outside the Holy Land. His famous chariot vision turned him to prophesy and the need to convince his flock to return to godly practices. The moral failings of the Israelites, he said, would lead to the destruction of the Temple.

The article discusses the lack of political accountability and cultural repression in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks. The author highlights events such as the invasion of Iraq and Afghanistan, the rise of the Taliban, and the formation of ISIS, which have caused irreparable damage to the affected regions. The author argues that it is necessary to be critical of the homogenization of an entire religion or region, and to acknowledge the diversity of experiences and identities within Muslim countries. The article emphasises the need to understand Muslim women's and men's writings in their own words, about their religious and political beliefs, practices, and perspectives. The author calls for dismantling outdated Orientalist myths and avoiding painting an overly romantic picture of the East.

In 2023, Josha brings a diverse range of publications. Jörg Friedrich explores death and the value of life through Hannah Arendt's quote, while Pernille Bülow proposes group-based activities as a better solution to depression than traditional treatments. Other contributions include Robert M. Kaplan's piece on the "mother of psychosomatic medicine," Sonia López Rendón's examination of privacy violations in social network inquiries, Usman Al-amin's study of tribal signs as cultural identification, and Soham Mukherjee's advocacy for wildlife conservation, including ways to avoid and deal with snakebites and the importance of the Gomti Lake in Gujarat for protecting an endangered freshwater turtle species.