Mental Health
Oxytocin has opposite effects on men’s generosity depending on a their childhood experiences
Childhood adversity might alter how the brain responds to social hormones. A study in Translational Psychiatry suggests oxytocin temporarily increases altruism in adults with diff…
How physical stress symptoms shape the emotional content of women’s dreams
Women experiencing physical symptoms of stress, like headaches or muscle pain, report more negative dreams. A new psychological survey explores how daytime physical discomfort and…
New study shed light on how estradiol influences memory networks in middle-aged women
New research published in Brain Imaging and Behavior suggests that estradiol influences how brain areas communicate during memory tasks in middle-aged women. The findings provide …
What psychological science actually says about pornography and addiction
The term “porn addiction” is ubiquitous, but clinical realities are far more complex. Current research suggests underlying mental health conditions, emotional dysregulation, and e…
A father’s absence is linked to early puberty, but only if it happens during a crucial developmental window
Children growing up without a father in the home during their first year may experience earlier signs of puberty. A recent study published in the Biology of Sex Differences sugges…
Brain scans reveal biological divides based on subtle political differences
A recent brain imaging study found that people with even slightly different political views process information using different neural patterns. Listening to political statements …
Gen Z Americans are more willing to use blockades and violence to stop public speakers
A new survey reveals that Gen Z is significantly more likely than older generations to support using shoutdowns, blockades, and violence to silence public speakers, regardless of …
University teachers with a strong sense of purpose report higher job satisfaction
College instructors who view their profession as a profound personal calling report higher levels of engagement in their daily work, a relationship heavily influenced by their loy…
Scientists discover an epigenetic mechanism that links childhood trauma to adult stress sensitivity
A recent study indicates how early-life trauma leaves a lasting mark on the brain. By altering how DNA is packaged in dopamine neurons, early adversity primes the brain for future…
Brain imaging reveals why some people struggle to resist sweet foods
A recent brain imaging study reveals that people who rapidly remove the reward chemical dopamine after a sugar spike may have a harder time controlling their cravings for sweet fo…
Researchers identify two key factors driving prejudice against asexual individuals
People on the asexual spectrum are often viewed as lacking emotional depth. A recent study suggests this prejudice stems from rigid societal expectations around sex and romance, w…
New study tracks oxytocin spikes in MDMA therapy trials
A new meta-analysis reveals that the psychoactive drug MDMA triggers a sustained release of the social hormone oxytocin. This biological mechanism may explain the drug's ability t…
Negative social media posts correlated with changes in the brain’s fear network during the COVID-19 lockdown
A recent study suggests that collective emotional stress during the COVID-19 lockdown was associated with changes in the brain. Researchers found that negative public mood on soci…
Severe e-scooter crashes result in higher rates of traumatic brain injuries than motorcycle accidents
An analysis of UK trauma data indicates severe e-scooter accidents result in distinct injury patterns. Compared to motorcyclists and cyclists, injured e-scooter riders suffer sign…
People who imagine their future without anyone else in it aren’t loners by nature — new research suggests it’s a learned defense that quietly collapses the moment the imagined future turns stressful
A recent psychological study reveals that our deeply ingrained relationship habits dictate how we mentally simulate the future. Anxiously attached individuals imagine highly socia…
Morning sunlight exposure is linked to earlier sleep schedules
Exposure to natural sunlight early in the day is associated with an earlier sleep schedule and better overall rest. A recent survey of adults in Brazil highlights how morning ligh…
Compulsory GCSE resits in England harm teenagers’ mental wellbeing, study finds
UCL researchers warn repeated exam attempts may dent students’ confidence and raise risk of dropping outForcing teenagers who fail GCSEs into multiple resits has a negative impact…
Childhood ADHD is linked to distinct developmental changes in brain white matter
Using data from a massive long-term study, researchers found that 9-year-olds with ADHD have altered white matter microarchitecture. These early differences in nerve organization …
The complex science of positive affirmations, and why they occasionally backfire
The internet frequently touts positive affirmations as a universal remedy for distress. However, scientific evidence indicates that while these mantras offer modest benefits for c…
New research shows the unexpected benefits of a fixed mindset for social anxiety
For those struggling with social anxiety, the belief that first impressions can't be changed might actually be a relief. New research shows that adopting a fixed mindset about soc…
How the use of artificial intelligence harms college students’ ability to learn
College students who rely on automated answers without critical reflection show a diminished ability to learn independently. A new survey suggests this habit lowers academic self-…
Emotional intelligence predicts whether envy leads to self-improvement or hostility
A new study suggests that individuals with higher emotional intelligence are more likely to channel feelings of envy into self-improvement. The findings indicate that emotion regu…
Brain’s cannabinoid system links persistent anxiety to stronger alcohol reward learning
Mice with persistent anxiety are quicker to learn about alcohol-related rewards than their less anxious peers. A new study reveals this connection is controlled by the brain’s end…
The human brain reorganizes itself at four distinct ages
A large study of brain scans from over 4,000 people has identified four distinct ages when the brain's structural network shifts its developmental trajectory. These turning points…