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Understanding Violence as a Spectrum Violence is often discussed in silos, suicide on one side, interpersonal violence on the other. In reality, they exist along a shared behavioral and psychological continuum. Public health frameworks, including those from the CDC, define violence broadly to include both self-directed violence (suicide and attempts) and violence toward others (homicide, assault, mass violence). This unified lens matters because many risk factors overlap: Tra

“Medical authority” is something that continues to be debated in healthcare as new research emerges, long-held assumptions are challenged, and clinical guidelines evolve. Few areas illustrate this better than hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), where shifting evidence has significantly changed how these treatments are viewed over time. What was once considered broadly risky is now understood in a much more nuanced way dependent on tim

Modern medicine has delivered extraordinary advances in the treatment of disease. From antibiotics to psychotropics, prescription drugs have saved and continue to save millions of lives. But as prescribing rates rise, an uncomfortable question persists: Are we treating symptoms while overlooking underlying causes? The Symptom–Solution Gap In many cases, medications are prescribed to manage outward symptoms, anxiety, depression, inflammation, and hypertension without fully add

Stress is a natural and necessary part of life. In short bursts, it sharpens focus, improves reaction time, and helps you respond to challenges. But when stress becomes chronic, it shifts from helpful to harmful, affecting not just your physical health, but also the structure and function of your brain. The Biology of Stress At the core of the stress response is a powerful system known as the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis . When you perceive a threat, your brain s

In the 1980s, the United States launched a major public health campaign that would reshape how Americans eat: the push toward a low-fat diet . Fat was labeled the enemy, blamed for heart disease, weight gain, and poor health outcomes. Grocery store shelves quickly filled with “low-fat” and “fat-free” alternatives, and dietary guidelines reinforced the message. But over the next three decades, something unexpected happened. In the 1980s , U.S. obesity rates were approximately

The field of Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management (BTAM) is undergoing a significant transformation. As patterns of violence evolve and scientific understanding advances, there is a growing shift toward prevention-focused, multidisciplinary approaches that emphasize early identification and long-term intervention. Moving Beyond Static Risk Models Traditional frameworks that categorize violence as either reactive/impulsive or predatory/planned often overlook more nuance

Sugar is everywhere, hidden in processed foods, beverages, and even items marketed as “healthy.” While most people associate sugar with weight gain or diabetes (or cavities, if you’re a dentist), its effects on the brain are just as significant and often overlooked. Emerging research across neuroscience and behavioral health shows that sugar doesn’t just fuel the body; it actively shapes how we think, feel, and behave. Sugar and the Brain: A Neurological Response When we co

When discussing brain health, we often hear about neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin. But one of the most important molecules protecting the brain rarely gets the attention it deserves is Glutathione. Glutathione is often called the body’s master antioxidant and plays a critical role in protecting brain cells, regulating inflammation, and maintaining healthy neurological function. What Is Glutathione? Glutathione is a powerful antioxidant found in nearly every ce

The 2025 Homeland Threat Assessment released by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security reinforces a critical reality: the threat landscape in the United States remains complex, evolving, and increasingly decentralized. While much of the report focuses on terrorism, cyber threats, and geopolitical tensions, one underlying theme deserves greater attention, the growing intersection between behavioral health challenges and targeted violence . A Shift Toward the Individual Acto

In the late 1990s, a major public health decision changed the way many Americans consume vitamin B9. To reduce the risk of neural tube defects in newborns, the U.S. mandated that folic acid be added to enriched grain products such as bread, cereal, pasta, and rice. The policy was successful in achieving its primary goal, rates of neural tube defects dropped significantly. However, an important distinction often gets overlooked in conversations about nutrition and health: fo

In prevention and whole-person health, we are increasingly moving away from the belief that genes determine our destiny. Genes do not “break,” nor are they necessarily permanent in their effects. Instead, they can become dysregulated through single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) , which interact with lifestyle, environmental exposures, and behavioral factors. There are seven highly influential genes that act like biological “switches” for how we respond to stress, toxins, fo

For decades, genetics was viewed as destiny. If a disease “ran in the family,” it seemed inevitable. But advances in environmental health and molecular biology have transformed that narrative. Today, we understand that our genes are not static scripts, they are dynamic systems influenced by the world around us. At the heart of this shift is the concept of the exposome : the totality of environmental, social, and lifestyle exposures that shape our biology across the lifespan.

Behavioral challenges, whether in schools, workplaces, or communities, are often interpreted through psychological, social, or environmental lenses. But there’s another layer we are just beginning to understand: biology. Specifically, some parasitic infections can influence the brain and contribute to changes in behavior and cognition in negative ways. What the Research Says Brain-Invading Parasites and Behavioral Change One of the most studied examples is Toxoplasma gondii

When we talk about behavior in schools and communities, we usually focus on environment, relationships, stress, trauma, and social context. All of those matter. But there is another powerful driver that is often overlooked in behavioral conversations: hormones. Hormones are chemical messengers that help regulate how the brain and body respond to stress, sleep, growth, threat, connection, and emotion. When they are out of balance or rapidly changing they can significantly affe

For decades, violence risk assessment has relied heavily on behavioral history, criminal records, and psychiatric diagnoses. While these factors remain essential, emerging research shows they are only part of the picture . A growing body of evidence, including a key forensic psychiatry review published in Behavioral Sciences & the Law , demonstrates that neurobiology and psychiatric comorbidity play a critical role in violent behavior . This shift has important implications f

How might underlying biological factors such as brain injury, medical conditions, sleep disruption, substance use, or chronic stress influence an individual’s behavior, emotional regulation, and decision-making in ways that could be misinterpreted as purely behavioral or disciplinary issues? I’m glad you asked! To ensure Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management (BTAM) teams conduct comprehensive, multidisciplinary assessments that account for biological, medical, and neur

Behavioral health conditions are often approached through the lens of psychology, psychiatry, and social factors, and for good reason. Trauma, environment, genetics, and life experiences all play critical roles in mental and emotional well-being. However, one foundational contributor is frequently overlooked or minimized: nutrition . The brain is a metabolically demanding organ. It requires a continuous supply of vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, and amino acids to regulate mo

When most people hear the word “creatine,” they think of bodybuilders or athletes looking to bulk up. But a growing body of research says: wait, there may be more to it than just muscle gains. The 2022 review by Forbes and colleagues looked at the effects of creatine supplementation on brain function and health (not just muscles). It examines how creatine (and a related compound called GAA) may influence cognitive performance, mood, the brain’s energy systems, and recovery a

When we think about blood pressure, we often focus on the heart. But the brain may be the organ most affected by how well, or poorly, blood pressure is regulated. The brain depends on a constant, well-controlled blood supply to deliver oxygen and nutrients while removing metabolic waste. Even modest disruptions in blood pressure can influence cognition, mood, and long-term brain health How Blood Pressure Supports the Brain Although the brain represents only about 2% of total

As the calendar turns, millions of people commit to New Year’s resolutions centered on healthier living, eating better, exercising more, reducing stress, and improving mental well-being. In fact, over 60% of adults set health-related resolutions each year , with physical health and mental wellness consistently ranking at the top. Yet by February, nearly 80% of resolutions have already been abandoned . What if one simple practice could improve both physical and mental health a