Mental Health
Amygdala volume increases with age, more strongly in boys
A new neuroimaging study reveals that the amygdala—the brain's emotion center—grows significantly from the fetal stage to early childhood. This growth is steeper in boys, and earl…
Brain imaging study links childhood trauma to chronic procrastination in adulthood
Childhood trauma can leave a lasting mark on brain development. A new study reveals how these early neurobiological changes elevate anxiety and reduce self-control, paving the way…
A surprising shift in sniffing and odor perception could be a key sign of Parkinson’s disease
A novel test measuring how people describe and physically sniff odors can accurately distinguish Parkinson's disease from other causes of smell loss. The findings suggest the dise…
University of Michigan to switch to pass/fail grades for first-semester students
School said it is pivoting away from letter-grading system to ‘curb the mental health crisis’ among college studentsThe University of Michigan will pivot to a pass-or-fail-style g…
Narcissism and psychopathy linked to entrepreneurial mindsets
Individuals who score higher in dark personality traits like narcissism and psychopathy also report a stronger internal drive to start their own businesses. The findings suggest t…
Believing the world is unfair may explain why some who experience adversity are drawn to conspiracy theories
New research published in the British Journal of Psychology suggests that experiencing personal hardship does not directly cause conspiracy beliefs. Instead, adversity tends to fo…
Study links short-form video addiction to a decline in teenagers’ academic coping skills
A one-year study tracking high school students suggests addictive use of short-form videos limits teenagers' ability to focus on the future. This shortened perspective makes it ha…
Cognitive abilities help explain regional brain aging patterns in anxiety and depression
A new study suggests that the advanced brain aging often seen in people with anxiety and depression is partly explained by differences in cognitive skills like memory and processi…
MPs shouldn’t face abuse. Neither should their staff – but here’s what we deal with every day | Estelle Warhurst
Some constituents are traumatised, others violent. It’s time the House of Commons protected the people who work at the grassroots of our democracyBefore most people have finished …
Matilda in pieces: what one mother’s suicide reveals about the carers broken by the system
Parent-carers of disabled children are exposed to chronic levels of extreme stress and often reach crisis point before help is available – then they face a ‘fight for basic suppor…
The myth of Anthony Bourdain: how the bad boy chef became a hero to boozehounds and bullies
The author of Kitchen Confidential has inspired a new movie, Tony, about his days as a dishwasher. But do today’s chefs still admire his self-sabotaging rock’n’roll spirit – or ha…
Social isolation harms the aging brain independently of loneliness
New research reveals that physical social isolation harms the aging brain independently of subjective feelings of loneliness. Simulated public health interventions show that recon…
Who do teens crush on? A new study reveals the social math of adolescent attraction
A study of nearly 2,000 Dutch high schoolers reveals that when it comes to being someone's crush, a strong network of friends and one-on-one interactions matter far more than a wi…
Psychopathic individuals more tolerant of online dating deception, study finds
A new study reveals that people with psychopathic traits are much more likely to excuse blatant deceptions on dating apps, such as lying about relationship status, age, or even ge…
Introverts experience greater mood elevations from antidepressant placebos than extraverts
A new study indicates that introverts and individuals with lower natural joy experience the greatest mood boosts from dopamine-altering drugs and antidepressant placebos. The find…
Fear of missing out on AI is linked to anxiety and depression
A new study finds that as artificial intelligence advances, the fear of falling behind is creating a measurable psychological burden. Fortunately, building practical competence wi…
At the end of a long day I made a mistake at work. No patient was harmed and yet it weighs on me | Ranjana Srivastava
My patients’ needs are varied and complex. Each interaction leaves a residue until the individual concerns blur into a dense mass, most requiring medical oversightThe other day, I…
Scientists discover a previously unknown cognitive benefit of aerobic exercise
Scientists have found that a brief session of moderate cycling protects the brain's automatic recalibration process. The study highlights how acute exercise helps the nervous syst…
Messy is chic again. But is the world ready for my kind of crumpled grubbiness? | Emma Beddington
All my clothes are stained and creased and my house is cluttered, so I should be thrilled by this moment. But it’s naive to think we are about to be tolerant of the real mess of l…
Water Colour review – an elegant, expertly handled study of depression
Traverse theatre, EdinburghMilly Sweeney’s award-winning two-hander about an art student and a kitchen porter draws power from its clever structure and light touchIt is rare to co…
Millions in England face longer waits for mental health care as NHS providers plan cuts
Exclusive: Seven in 10 survey respondents expect services to be reduced or shut, while more than half anticipate job lossesMillions of adults and children in England face being fo…
What can Dublin teach us? Milburn goes on a quest to solve youth jobs crisis
The former UK minister discovers how apprenticeships and support networks helped slash Ireland’s Neet rateEnglish primary schools to be told to identify children at risk of future…
The Guardian view on mental health: the new secretary of state should make it a priority | Editorial
Parity for people with physical and psychological ailments has been promised for years. New neighbourhood clinics are a step in the right directionThe rise in children and young p…
‘Terrifying’, ‘creepy’, ‘abusive’: dozens of women who worked for convicted rapist Ralph Carr speak out
Exclusive: They came to him young, dreaming of a career in the music industry. Now former employees have come forward, accusing the Melbourne talent manager of intimidating behavi…