Best Practices in Health

Ketamine

Can Ketamine Improve Treatment-Resistant Depression?

William A. Haseltine Ph.D. on May 7, 2024

A new study explores ketamine's impact on the brain and provides hope for those suffering from treatment-resistant depression.

A new study explores ketamine's impact on the brain and provides hope for those suffering from treatment-resistant depression.

Stress

Stress and Intimacy: Perception Colors Behaviors

William A. Haseltine Ph.D. on May 6, 2024

A recent study finds that perceiving stress as a challenge rather than a threat fosters intimacy and satisfaction in a relationship.

A recent study finds that perceiving stress as a challenge rather than a threat fosters intimacy and satisfaction in a relationship.

Stress

Stress Contagion: Does Observing Others’ Anxiety Affect You?

William A. Haseltine Ph.D. on April 14, 2024

Observing stress in others elevates our stress levels, impacting physiology and behavior.

Observing stress in others elevates our stress levels, impacting physiology and behavior.

Workplace Dynamics

Heartfelt Appreciation: How Thanks Can Heal Your Heart

William A. Haseltine Ph.D. on April 12, 2024

A recent study finds workplace appreciation is linked to lower heart disease risk. Positive recognition by colleagues boosts heart health, addressing stress.

A recent study finds workplace appreciation is linked to lower heart disease risk. Positive recognition by colleagues boosts heart health, addressing stress.

Neuroscience

Are You Blind and Deaf to Your Feelings?

William A. Haseltine Ph.D. on March 23, 2024

Even without sight or sound, the brain processes emotions. Neuroimaging reveals insights for diverse interventions in sensory impairments and emotional understanding.

Even without sight or sound, the brain processes emotions. Neuroimaging reveals insights for diverse interventions in sensory impairments and emotional understanding.

Genetics

Decoding Nature and Nurture: Insights From Twin Studies

William A. Haseltine Ph.D. on March 15, 2024

Genetics may play a greater role in distinguishing between disgust and fear than previously known, according to new research.

Genetics may play a greater role in distinguishing between disgust and fear than previously known, according to new research.

Gut-Brain Axis

What to Do About Your Anxiety: The Answer May Be in Your Gut

William A. Haseltine Ph.D. on February 27, 2024

Groundbreaking research on the gut-brain axis and social anxiety reveals the crucial role of the microbiome in mental health.

Groundbreaking research on the gut-brain axis and social anxiety reveals the crucial role of the microbiome in mental health.

Dopamine

Is It Worth the Chance? How Your Brain Weighs the Options

William A. Haseltine Ph.D. on February 26, 2024

Exploring dopamine's role in addiction and consumer behavior helps us understand how it shapes our motivations and influences decision-making.

Exploring dopamine's role in addiction and consumer behavior helps us understand how it shapes our motivations and influences decision-making.

Emotions

Understanding Your Feelings: A Study of Emotional Language

William A. Haseltine Ph.D. on February 20, 2024

A new study discovers emotional hubs in language reveal universal human connections, enhancing communication and empathy across cultures.

A new study discovers emotional hubs in language reveal universal human connections, enhancing communication and empathy across cultures.

Scent

Sniffing Female Tears Reduces Male Aggression

William A. Haseltine Ph.D. on January 11, 2024

A new study finds that perceptually odorless female tears emit a chemical signal that reduces male aggression.

A new study finds that perceptually odorless female tears emit a chemical signal that reduces male aggression.

Mild Cognitive Impairment

Early Cognitive Decline is Dramatically Underdiagnosed

William A. Haseltine Ph.D. on December 8, 2023

A new study from the University of Southern California suggests that over 90% of the 8 million Americans expected to have mild cognitive decline remain undiagnosed.

A new study from the University of Southern California suggests that over 90% of the 8 million Americans expected to have mild cognitive decline remain undiagnosed.

Emotions

Exploring Emotion Recognition With Brain-Machine Interfaces

William A. Haseltine Ph.D. on November 21, 2023

Understanding emotion is among the most difficult challenges of daily life. We all perceive feelings differently. We may soon better understand emotion on a scientific level.

Understanding emotion is among the most difficult challenges of daily life. We all perceive feelings differently. We may soon better understand emotion on a scientific level.

Moral Injury

How Moral Injury Affects Our Healthcare Workers

William A. Haseltine Ph.D. on November 17, 2023

The impact of moral injury on our healthcare workers is alarming. We need systematic action to address the stressors that are beyond the control of physicians.

The impact of moral injury on our healthcare workers is alarming. We need systematic action to address the stressors that are beyond the control of physicians.

Therapy

Solving the Mental Health Provider Shortage

William A. Haseltine Ph.D. on September 22, 2023

The scarcity of mental health professionals in the United States threatens people's ability to get timely and effective care.

The scarcity of mental health professionals in the United States threatens people's ability to get timely and effective care.

Psychiatry

Empath Units: A New Approach to Psychiatric Emergency Care

William A. Haseltine Ph.D. on September 20, 2023

EmPATH units combine the calming, supportive atmosphere of community crisis clinics with the capacity to admit even the most acute psychiatric patients.

EmPATH units combine the calming, supportive atmosphere of community crisis clinics with the capacity to admit even the most acute psychiatric patients.

Anxiety

Could Half the Population Have Mental Health Issues by 75?

William A. Haseltine Ph.D. on September 19, 2023

A global study has found one in two people will develop a mental health disorder, highlighting the need for earlier interventions to improve mental health in young people.

A global study has found one in two people will develop a mental health disorder, highlighting the need for earlier interventions to improve mental health in young people.

Health

How Heat Can Affect Your Mental Health

William A. Haseltine Ph.D. on August 4, 2023

Common side effects of heat on mental health include listlessness, changes in sleep patterns, heightened irritability, anger, anxiety, depression, and stress.

Common side effects of heat on mental health include listlessness, changes in sleep patterns, heightened irritability, anger, anxiety, depression, and stress.

Recent studies suggest that correcting hearing loss could be a promising approach to lowering the risk of cognitive decline and dementia.

Neuroscience

How Optical Illusions Work

William A. Haseltine Ph.D. on July 6, 2023

The cause of optical illusions has long been a topic of debate. New studies suggest our eyes and visual neurons play a significant role.

The cause of optical illusions has long been a topic of debate. New studies suggest our eyes and visual neurons play a significant role.

Loneliness

How Loneliness Can Impact Our Health and Lifespan

William A. Haseltine Ph.D. on June 27, 2023

Lonely individuals are at a higher risk of developing serious health conditions. New research also shows links between prolonged loneliness and longevity.

Lonely individuals are at a higher risk of developing serious health conditions. New research also shows links between prolonged loneliness and longevity.