Psychology

Teen binge drinking disrupts brain development, affecting white and grey matter, functional connectivity, and neurodevelopmental processes like myelination.

Higher stress during pregnancy is linked to increased inflammation in children at age 9 and more severe anxiety and depression in adolescence.

A recent study found associations between cognitive-behavioral therapy for hoarding disorder, reduced maladaptive beliefs about possessions, and changes in brain activity during discarding tasks.

VR-based biofeedback effectively reduces depression and anxiety symptoms, matching conventional methods while enhancing user engagement through immersive environments, with potential for broader psychological and therapeutic benefits.

Recent research reveals differences in what men and women envy about each other, uncovering insights into societal and biological dynamics—and even identifying a new type of envy rooted in burdens one sex avoids.

New research suggests that while left-leaning individuals report higher prosocial tendencies, the connection between political orientation and actual acts of generosity is surprisingly nuanced and depends on how prosociality is measured.

Music therapy improves dementia care by reducing anxiety, agitation, and depression, enhancing mood, memory, and cognitive function. Familiar songs trigger emotional and physical responses, potentially strengthening neural connections and supporting overall wellbeing.

Emotional and cognitive improvements in depression treatment often occur simultaneously, while behavioral changes, like increased activities and social interactions, typically follow emotional gains, suggesting mood shifts may drive broader recovery processes.

A recent study found that conspiracy beliefs slightly decrease with age. Younger individuals tend to have stronger beliefs, linked to lower self-esteem, political dissatisfaction, and a preference for activism.

Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy improved interpersonal sensitivity, hostility, obsession-compulsion, and somatization in cancer patients without causing lasting phobia, paranoia, or psychosis, suggesting its potential as a multidimensional treatment for complex psychiatric distress.

New research suggests political polarization subtly influences everyday choices, driven by social identity concerns and reputational motivations.

Research shows that ambient darkness reduces women's willingness to engage with physically strong men, associating strength with potential threat rather than protection. This highlights how environmental cues influence social preferences.

During the 2020 U.S. election, online hate networks became more interconnected and reached billions in mainstream communities, spreading hate speech further and strengthening their structure through shared content and interactions.

Depressed individuals show blunted emotional responses to positive surprises but react similarly to non-depressed individuals to negative outcomes.

A recent study found 92% of TikTok’s #adhdtest videos were misleading, attracting nearly all user engagement, while accurate content struggled to gain attention, highlighting the platform’s role in spreading misinformation.

Breakdancers can develop a cone-shaped scalp mass, "headspin hole," from repetitive head-spinning, caused by connective tissue thickening to protect the skull.

Prenatal exposure to the synthetic cannabinoid WIN caused sex-specific respiratory control changes, fragmented sleep, and heightened cardiovascular risks in rats, highlighting potential long-term health concerns for offspring from cannabis use during pregnancy.

Women with histories of sexual trauma report more frequent Duty Sex, lower sexual satisfaction, and higher sexual pain. These patterns persisted even after accounting for sexual dysfunction.

A study published in Current Psychology analyzed suicidal expressions among incel forum users who posted on r/SuicideWatch, identifying six psychological stressors.

Recent research found that mindfulness meditation creates a unique state of relaxed alertness, marked by specific brainwave changes linked to focus and awareness, distinct from simple relaxation, and unrelated to changes in physiological arousal.

A study found no significant difference in relationship quality between couples who met online or in person, suggesting that dating apps are as effective as traditional methods for forming meaningful, satisfying romantic relationships.

A study found that taking 200 mg of decaffeinated whole coffee cherry extract improves memory, focus, and self-control within an hour, with long-term use enhancing accuracy. Results suggest potential brain health benefits for middle-aged adults.

Researchers observed that amyloid-beta and tau proteins are associated with a transition from hyperactivity to slower brain activity, which aligns with declines in attention and memory, suggesting potential early indicators of Alzheimer’s disease progression.

Women with ADHD engage in riskier decision-making than men with ADHD, likely due to reduced sensitivity to bodily responses. This difference highlights the importance of considering sex-specific factors in ADHD diagnosis and treatment.

Dehumanization of opponents and a "need for chaos" emerged as key drivers of support for partisan violence, underscoring that psychological factors are more influential predictors than ideological beliefs.

Recent research found that brief bouts of stair climbing improved cognitive flexibility, mood, and energy levels, with more intense climbing yielding faster cognitive responses.

Scientists found disrupted brain connectivity in youth depression, especially in networks tied to introspection and attention. These changes, linked to symptom severity, could help improve diagnosis and treatment by identifying specific neural markers of depression.

A recent study found that masculine honor predicts justification of Mafia-aligned behaviors, strengthened by territorial identity and weakened by national identity.

Hangxiety, or hangover anxiety, is the intense worry or dread some people feel after drinking alcohol. It stems from brain chemical imbalances, dehydration, or regret over actions while intoxicated, and is worsened by pre-existing anxiety or heavy drinking.

A new study found that in depression, higher levels of gut proinflammatory bacteria are linked to abnormal hippocampal brain activity, suggesting a connection between gut health and brain function through the gut-brain axis.