Essential Reads

How the Brain Creates Cravings for Social Intimacy

By Gary Wenk Ph.D. on July 02, 2022 in Your Brain on Food

Loneliness, yearning for a deceased loved one, and our cravings for food and close personal connections are controlled by the same brain regions.

Loneliness, yearning for a deceased loved one, and our cravings for food and close personal connections are controlled by the same brain regions.

Social Isolation Is Worse Than Loneliness

By Noam Shpancer Ph.D. on July 01, 2022 in Insight Therapy

When it comes to your health, it’s not how lonely you feel—it’s how isolated you are.

When it comes to your health, it’s not how lonely you feel—it’s how isolated you are.

7 Improv-Inspired Lessons for Staying Sane Online

By Clay Drinko, Ph.D. on July 01, 2022 in Play Your Way Sane

Tired of the online vitriol? Here are 7 improv-inspired netiquette tips for more civil online exchanges.

Tired of the online vitriol? Here are 7 improv-inspired netiquette tips for more civil online exchanges.

Why We Are All Crooked Bankers

By Carlos Alós-Ferrer Ph.D. on July 01, 2022 in Decisions and the Brain

Are bankers and managers psychologically different? The roots of corporate scandals are in all of us.

Are bankers and managers psychologically different? The roots of corporate scandals are in all of us.

How to Teach Students, and Treat Clients, in Hostile Countries

By David Scharff M.D. on June 30, 2022 in A Psychoanalytic Exploration

How can we work with people whose home countries are at odds with our own? One well-traveled psychotherapist shares his thoughts.

How can we work with people whose home countries are at odds with our own? One well-traveled psychotherapist shares his thoughts.

Are You a Slave to Your Success?

By Arthur C. Brooks, Ph.D. on June 30, 2022 in Your Best Life

Kick your addiction to success.

Kick your addiction to success.

The Unexpected Value of Boredom for Well-Being and Creativity

By Jeffrey Davis M.A. on June 30, 2022 in Tracking Wonder

Why cultivating a practice of deliberate boredom can help you reconnect with your creativity and what matters most.

Why cultivating a practice of deliberate boredom can help you reconnect with your creativity and what matters most.

How Pet Owners Cross the Line Into Animal Hoarding

By Wendy Lyons Sunshine, MA on June 29, 2022 in Tender Paws

Some pet owners refuse to admit that animals in their care are suffering. What has gone wrong? And what can be done to help?

Some pet owners refuse to admit that animals in their care are suffering. What has gone wrong? And what can be done to help?

When Holding Hands Isn't So Simple

By Karen L. Blair Ph.D. on June 29, 2022 in Inclusive Insight

What do you think of before reaching for your partner's hand in public? For most, the answer is "not much," but those in same-sex relationships consider safety first.

What do you think of before reaching for your partner's hand in public? For most, the answer is "not much," but those in same-sex relationships consider safety first.

Social Perception After Facial Paralysis

By Michael Reilly, MD, and Keon Parsa, MD on June 29, 2022 in Dissecting Plastic Surgery

Facial paralysis has a negative impact on social perception. Here's why—and what to do to mitigate the risks and consequences.

Facial paralysis has a negative impact on social perception. Here's why—and what to do to mitigate the risks and consequences.

How Estrangement Can Echo Through Generations

By Fern Schumer Chapman on June 29, 2022 in Brothers, Sisters, Strangers

When estrangement echoes through generations, adults and children lose family members and suffer the lingering consequences of ostracism and isolation.

When estrangement echoes through generations, adults and children lose family members and suffer the lingering consequences of ostracism and isolation.

The 5 Types of Friends Every Adult Needs

By Camille S. Johnson Ph.D. on June 29, 2022 in It's All Relative

Every meal should hit the five tastes of sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami. Your friendship circle should do the same.

Every meal should hit the five tastes of sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami. Your friendship circle should do the same.

How to Get Past the People Who Always Stand in Your Way

By Susan Krauss Whitbourne Ph.D. on June 28, 2022 in Fulfillment at Any Age

Some people only want what’s best for you, while others may block your every move. A new paper zeroes in on the factors that can get you past these stubborn souls.

Some people only want what’s best for you, while others may block your every move. A new paper zeroes in on the factors that can get you past these stubborn souls.

What a Low Handicap Says About Your Leadership

By Emilia Bunea Ph.D. on June 28, 2022 in To Manage Is Human

Can business leaders afford to practice golf (or any other hobby) seriously?

Can business leaders afford to practice golf (or any other hobby) seriously?

The What, How and Why of Cultural Intelligence

By Marianna Pogosyan Ph.D. on June 28, 2022 in Between Cultures

Drawing on our various intelligences, cultural intelligence allows us to find solutions, adapt to our environment, and learn from each other.

Drawing on our various intelligences, cultural intelligence allows us to find solutions, adapt to our environment, and learn from each other.

The Protective Power of Delusions

By Justin Garson Ph.D. on June 27, 2022 in The Biology of Human Nature

Some psychiatrists think delusions can protect us from painful experiences, or give us a sense of clarity in a confusing world.

Some psychiatrists think delusions can protect us from painful experiences, or give us a sense of clarity in a confusing world.

How Do You Know If You're Really Sick?

By Dustin W. Ballard MD, MBE on June 27, 2022 in Standing Strong

Many healthy people seek care for nothing, while many sick people refuse to get the care they need. How do our brains tell when we're truly unwell?

Many healthy people seek care for nothing, while many sick people refuse to get the care they need. How do our brains tell when we're truly unwell?

What Do We Do to Help Others Feel Better?

By Carolyn MacCann Ph.D. on June 27, 2022 in Dealing With Emotions

We do more, listen more, and empathize more for close friends than others.

We do more, listen more, and empathize more for close friends than others.

Overturning Roe v. Wade Could Increase Maternal Mental Illness

By Charles Hebert M.D. on June 26, 2022 in Health Examined

The miscarriage, stillbirth, and mental illness implications of the SCOTUS decision.

The miscarriage, stillbirth, and mental illness implications of the SCOTUS decision.

The Trouble with Trying to Achieve Perfect Sleep

By Elizaveta Solomonova Ph.D. on June 25, 2022 in Mind States

Are you relying on apps to help you sleep? Good sleep may not be what your app thinks it is.

Are you relying on apps to help you sleep? Good sleep may not be what your app thinks it is.