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Level A1 – BeginnerCEFR A1
2 min
73 words
- Researchers recently studied people with depression and inflammation levels.
- They chose people who had high levels of inflammation.
- People took anti-inflammatory medicine or a placebo pill daily.
- The medicines helped reduce general depressive symptoms in many.
- The medicines also helped with anhedonia and low pleasure.
- Researchers did not find more serious medicine side effects.
- The study links the immune system and mental health.
- This work suggests a new approach to treat depression.
Difficult words
- inflammation — body reaction with pain, heat, or swelling
- placebo — a pill that has no active medicineplacebo pill
- anhedonia — not feeling pleasure or interest in activities
- immune system — body organs and cells that fight infections
- symptom — a sign or feeling that shows an illnesssymptoms
- anti-inflammatory — a medicine that reduces swelling and inflammationanti-inflammatory medicine
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Have you ever felt low pleasure in activities?
- Would you try a new medicine if a doctor suggested it?
- Do you think the immune system can affect mood?
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