Some Assembly Required

Psychedelics

When It Comes to Microdosing Psychedelics, Users Best Beware

Dan Mager MSW, LCSW on March 30, 2026

Many of those who microdose psychedelics do so to feel less anxious or depressed, or enhance mental sharpness and boost creativity. But the data don’t support such hopes.

Many of those who microdose psychedelics do so to feel less anxious or depressed, or enhance mental sharpness and boost creativity. But the data don’t support such hopes.

Chronic Pain

Gabapentin for Chronic Pain, a Safe Alternative to Opioids?

Dan Mager MSW, LCSW on February 24, 2026

Though increasingly prescribed in the U.S., a 2025 study linked gabapentin prescriptions for chronic low back pain with increased risks for cognitive impairment and dementia.

Though increasingly prescribed in the U.S., a 2025 study linked gabapentin prescriptions for chronic low back pain with increased risks for cognitive impairment and dementia.

ADHD

ADHD Medications Work Differently Than Previously Thought

Dan Mager MSW, LCSW on January 20, 2026

It has long been assumed that psychostimulants help those with ADHD by acting on the brain’s attention circuitry. However, new research finds that this is not the case.

It has long been assumed that psychostimulants help those with ADHD by acting on the brain’s attention circuitry. However, new research finds that this is not the case.

Happiness

Engaging In Rituals Can Strengthen Connection and Well-Being

Dan Mager MSW, LCSW on December 27, 2025

No matter your stage of life, it’s always possible (and healthy) to add more meaning and purpose to your experiences. Rituals are a powerful vehicle for actualizing this.

No matter your stage of life, it’s always possible (and healthy) to add more meaning and purpose to your experiences. Rituals are a powerful vehicle for actualizing this.

Ketamine

New: Ketamine Found to Be Effective for Chronic Pain

Dan Mager MSW, LCSW on November 21, 2025

New research contributes valuable data that may help low-dose ketamine infusions become more widely accepted as a safe and effective intervention for those with chronic pain.

New research contributes valuable data that may help low-dose ketamine infusions become more widely accepted as a safe and effective intervention for those with chronic pain.

Artificial Intelligence

When AI Therapy Goes Wrong

Dan Mager MSW, LCSW on October 11, 2025

As more people turn to chatbots for mental health support, a growing body of evidence highlights the limitations—and the dangers—of AI "therapists."

As more people turn to chatbots for mental health support, a growing body of evidence highlights the limitations—and the dangers—of AI "therapists."

Addiction

Recovery and the Process of Change

Dan Mager MSW, LCSW on September 1, 2025

Motivation for change has value, but the importance of motivation can be overrated. People merely need to be open to the possibility of change and actively engage in the process.

Motivation for change has value, but the importance of motivation can be overrated. People merely need to be open to the possibility of change and actively engage in the process.

Addiction

Mindfulness-Oriented Therapy Reduces Craving for Opioids

Dan Mager MSW, LCSW on August 23, 2025

Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement can help effectively rewire the brain’s response to natural, healthy pleasure, improving emotional balance and reducing opioid cravings.

Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement can help effectively rewire the brain’s response to natural, healthy pleasure, improving emotional balance and reducing opioid cravings.

Internet Addiction

Problematic Screen Use, Not Total Time, Impairs Youth Mental Health

Dan Mager MSW, LCSW on July 27, 2025

Screen time is a useful metric as it’s easier to measure, but the relationship kids and teens have with screen media matters more than the total amount of time they spend on it.

Screen time is a useful metric as it’s easier to measure, but the relationship kids and teens have with screen media matters more than the total amount of time they spend on it.

Dementia

Alcohol Use Can Dramatically Increase the Risk of Dementia

Dan Mager MSW, LCSW on June 20, 2025

A new study published in the journal "Neurology" found that a certain number of drinks each week increases the chances of micro brain injuries that can increase risks for dementia

A new study published in the journal "Neurology" found that a certain number of drinks each week increases the chances of micro brain injuries that can increase risks for dementia

Chronic Pain

Psychotherapy for Chronic Pain Linked to Brain Changes

Dan Mager MSW, LCSW on May 26, 2025

If you have chronic pain, it’s certainly not all in your head. However, it is influenced by what’s in your head, specifically your thoughts and how you think about your pain.

If you have chronic pain, it’s certainly not all in your head. However, it is influenced by what’s in your head, specifically your thoughts and how you think about your pain.

Psychedelics

Psychedelics May Reduce Chronic Pain and Related Opioid Use

Dan Mager MSW, LCSW on April 28, 2025

Recent research indicates that the use of psychedelics has the potential to significantly reduce the experience of chronic pain, as well as associated substance use.

Recent research indicates that the use of psychedelics has the potential to significantly reduce the experience of chronic pain, as well as associated substance use.

Trauma

Supporting Children Through the Trauma of the CA Wildfires

Dan Mager MSW, LCSW on March 21, 2025

When children experience trauma, it is important for parents and other adults to be informed and know how to help if and when they show signs of traumatic stress.

When children experience trauma, it is important for parents and other adults to be informed and know how to help if and when they show signs of traumatic stress.

Addiction

New Weight Loss Medications May Help Treat Addiction

Dan Mager MSW, LCSW on February 2, 2025

New research suggests that Ozempic and similar weight loss medications have the potential to be as big a game changer in addiction treatment as they have been in reducing obesity.

New research suggests that Ozempic and similar weight loss medications have the potential to be as big a game changer in addiction treatment as they have been in reducing obesity.

Motivation

How to Make Your New Year's and Other Goals More Successful

Dan Mager MSW, LCSW on January 21, 2025

Achieving New Year’s resolutions and other goals that require sustained change involves the development of habits—and this process is more complex than people may realize.

Achieving New Year’s resolutions and other goals that require sustained change involves the development of habits—and this process is more complex than people may realize.

Self-Talk

Give Yourself the Gift of Self-Compassion for the Holidays

Dan Mager MSW, LCSW on December 16, 2024

The holidays don’t have to feel like a celebration. You can give yourself permission to be wherever you are emotionally and let go of the need to meet the expectations of others.

The holidays don’t have to feel like a celebration. You can give yourself permission to be wherever you are emotionally and let go of the need to meet the expectations of others.

Stress

Post-Election Stress Is Real and Shows Up in Multiple Ways

Dan Mager MSW, LCSW on November 13, 2024

For many people, post-election stress is fueled by uncertainty about what will happen. But there are specific actions you can take to respond skillfully to post-election stress.

For many people, post-election stress is fueled by uncertainty about what will happen. But there are specific actions you can take to respond skillfully to post-election stress.

Chronic Pain

Why Women May Experience Pain Differently Than Men

Dan Mager MSW, LCSW on October 23, 2024

Different pathways to pain relief may require new treatments.

Different pathways to pain relief may require new treatments.

Addiction

My Personal Recovery Story

Dan Mager MSW, LCSW on September 23, 2024

A Personal Perspective: Recovery provides a pathway to heal from the damage of active addiction and achieve mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual balance.

A Personal Perspective: Recovery provides a pathway to heal from the damage of active addiction and achieve mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual balance.

Social Media

What Exactly Is Doomscrolling and How Does It Affect Us?

Dan Mager MSW, LCSW on August 19, 2024

Doomscrolling is linked with negative changes in how we view other people and our overall sense of safety and life, making us more anxious, stressed out, and distrustful.

Doomscrolling is linked with negative changes in how we view other people and our overall sense of safety and life, making us more anxious, stressed out, and distrustful.