Medical Bulletin 10/October/2025

Chronic pain, defined as pain lasting three months or more, affects one in five people globally, making it a significant public health concern. Researchers from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) surveyed 141 adults with chronic pain to explore the reasons behind pain-induced comfort eating. The results revealed that 51.8% of participants turned to food “to have a pleasant experience,” while 49.6% cited “distraction,” and 39% aimed “to reduce emotions.”

Dr Amy Burton, a co-author and clinical psychology lecturer, noted the nuanced psychological and biological motivations behind this behavior. “Comfort eating wasn’t just for the purpose of distraction or numbing negative feelings, although those were important too. For many, eating comfort foods provided a nice experience in their day and something to look forward to.”

She added that high-calorie foods might also have a biological effect. “It’s possible that there is a real analgesic property to these foods as well.”

However, nearly 40% of participants met the criteria for obesity, pointing to a potentially harmful cycle. “In the short-term, high-calorie food makes people feel better. It reduces pain symptoms and enhances pain tolerance. Long-term, it can fuel weight gain and inflammation, which increases pressure on joints and makes pain worse; and that can trap people in a spiral that’s very hard to break.” said Professor Toby Newton-John, Head of the UTS Graduate School of Health.

The researchers urge clinicians to incorporate dietary guidance into chronic pain management strategies, not to shame patients, but to offer healthier coping alternatives.

Reference: Roche, C., Burton, A. & Newton-John, T. Eating to Feel Better: The Role of Comfort Eating in Chronic Pain. J Clin Psychol Med Settings 32, 460–467 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10880-025-10064-6

Why Depression Hits Women Harder Than Men?

A study published in Nature Communications has identified over 6,000 gene variants that may explain why depression affects women more than men. The research found that, in addition to the 7,000 variants shared with men, women had 6,133 unique genetic markers linked to major depressive disorder (MDD), providing new insights into the biological basis of this mental health condition.

Depression is one of the most common mental illnesses worldwide, and women are twice as likely to be diagnosed with it compared to men. Until now, the reasons behind this disparity remained unclear.

To identify the reasons, the team screened genetic data from around 130,000 women and 65,000 men with depression across Australia, the Netherlands, the UK, and the US. For comparison, genetic data from nearly 160,000 women and over 130,000 men without depression were also included.

The analysis revealed that all 7,111 causal variants for major depressive disorder in males were shared with major depressive disorder in females, with an additional 6,133 variants unique to major depressive disorder in females and zero variants unique to major depressive disorder in males. This suggests that genetic factors play a larger role in depression risk among women than men.

Interestingly, the genetic variants in women were more strongly associated with metabolic traits. Researcher Jodi Thomas explained that this "may help explain why females with depression more often experience metabolic symptoms, such as weight changes or altered energy levels.”

The findings reinforce the importance of considering sex-specific genetic influences in studying depression and other complex health conditions.

Reference: Thomas, J.T., Thorp, J.G., Huider, F. et al. Sex-stratified genome-wide association meta-analysis of major depressive disorder. Nat Commun 16, 7960 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-63236-1

Your Social Connections Could Slow Down Biological Aging: Study Finds

Building and maintaining deep social connections across a lifetime may do more than boost emotional well-being, it could actually slow biological aging. A new study published in the Brain, Behavior and Immunity – Health reveals that people with greater “cumulative social advantage” exhibit younger biological ages, as measured by epigenetic clocks, than their less-connected peers.

The research, led by Anthony Ong, a psychology professor at Cornell University, drew on data from over 2,100 adults participating in the long-running Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) study. By examining DNA methylation patterns chemical changes that influence gene activity, the team assessed biological age using two leading epigenetic clocks: GrimAge and DunedinPACE. These clocks are considered strong predictors of disease risk and mortality. Adults who reported deeper, long-term social ties were found to have significantly younger biological profiles and lower levels of chronic inflammation.

Unlike previous studies that examined isolated aspects of social life, this research used a broader, multidimensional lens to capture the impact of sustained social support. The researchers found that people with higher social advantage also had reduced levels of interleukin-6, a molecule linked to inflammation and age-related diseases. However, no associations were found with short-term stress markers like cortisol.

“Cumulative social advantage is really about the depth and breadth of your social connections over a lifetime,” Ong explained. “We looked at four key areas: the warmth and support you received from your parents growing up, how connected you feel to your community and neighborhood, your involvement in religious or faith-based communities, and the ongoing emotional support from friends and family.”

“What’s striking is the cumulative effect — these social resources build on each other over time,” Ong said. “Our study shows those returns aren’t just emotional; they’re biological.”

The findings reinforce the idea that meaningful social engagement isn’t just a source of happiness but a key factor in physiological resilience.

Reference: Anthony D. Ong, Frank D. Mann, Laura D. Kubzansky. Cumulative social advantage is associated with slower epigenetic aging and lower systemic inflammation. Brain, Behavior,, 2025; 48: 101096 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbih.2025.101096