Cell on the Self

Happiness

What Happiness Frameworks Keep Getting Wrong

Laura Bilbao Broch MSc on September 9, 2026

Freud tells you why. CBT tells you how. Buddhism tells you to let go. But none, one expert argues, tell you whether what you’re doing right now will make you happier later.

Freud tells you why. CBT tells you how. Buddhism tells you to let go. But none, one expert argues, tell you whether what you’re doing right now will make you happier later.

Motivation

You Don’t Have to Wait for Life to Calm Down

Laura Bilbao Broch MSc on September 2, 2026

Most people have a version of this thought: I’ll start living for what matters once things ease up. New research suggests this reasoning is built on a false assumption.

Most people have a version of this thought: I’ll start living for what matters once things ease up. New research suggests this reasoning is built on a false assumption.

Autism

What Happens When You Stop Fighting Yourself

Laura Bilbao Broch MSc on August 28, 2026

Bianca Toeps is a published author, web developer, and autistic woman living in Japan. She has a theory about why fighting yourself never works, and it comes from physics.

Bianca Toeps is a published author, web developer, and autistic woman living in Japan. She has a theory about why fighting yourself never works, and it comes from physics.

Depression

Your Father’s Depression Reaches You Differently

Laura Bilbao Broch MSc on August 22, 2026

Most people assume a father’s depression shapes his children through behavior and example. A new review suggests the biology runs far deeper and starts far earlier.

Most people assume a father’s depression shapes his children through behavior and example. A new review suggests the biology runs far deeper and starts far earlier.

Artificial Intelligence

Why People Are More Honest With AI Than Their Own Boss

Laura Bilbao Broch MSc on August 19, 2026

A new study found people are significantly more willing to speak honestly to an algorithmic leader than a human one. The reason isn’t what anyone expected.

A new study found people are significantly more willing to speak honestly to an algorithmic leader than a human one. The reason isn’t what anyone expected.

AuDHD

When Your Mother’s Diagnosis Unlocks Your Own

Laura Bilbao Broch MSc on August 16, 2026

Jordan Davis was a good student, articulate and high-achieving. She was also told that she was rude. A late autism diagnosis in her mother provided the key to understanding why.

Jordan Davis was a good student, articulate and high-achieving. She was also told that she was rude. A late autism diagnosis in her mother provided the key to understanding why.

Depression

Depression Doesn’t Just Affect the Thinking Brain

Laura Bilbao Broch MSc on August 12, 2026

For decades, depression has been tied to the thinking brain and the networks that govern mood and memory. A major new study significantly complicates that story.

For decades, depression has been tied to the thinking brain and the networks that govern mood and memory. A major new study significantly complicates that story.

Depression

Your Mood Has Lifted. Why Is Your Brain Still Foggy?

Laura Bilbao Broch MSc on August 7, 2026

For many people who’ve had depression, mood eventually improves. Brain fog is another matter. A small clinical trial suggests the two problems may have different biological roots.

For many people who’ve had depression, mood eventually improves. Brain fog is another matter. A small clinical trial suggests the two problems may have different biological roots.

Default Mode Network

Why Some Conversations Click and Others Don’t

Laura Bilbao Broch MSc on August 3, 2026

We’re told that deep questions lead to real connection. A newly published study put two strangers in a room, scanned their brains simultaneously, and found that’s only part of the story.

We’re told that deep questions lead to real connection. A newly published study put two strangers in a room, scanned their brains simultaneously, and found that’s only part of the story.

Cognition

When Language Disappears, Thought Remains

Laura Bilbao Broch MSc on July 30, 2026

In 2024, Frank Muldowney learned he had aphasia, nearly 40 years after losing language following brain surgery at 19. What he experienced is now being confirmed by neuroscience.

In 2024, Frank Muldowney learned he had aphasia, nearly 40 years after losing language following brain surgery at 19. What he experienced is now being confirmed by neuroscience.

Cognition

Why Bilingual Brains Switch Languages Without Asking

Laura Bilbao Broch MSc on July 27, 2026

Bilingual people often find themselves speaking in one language when a word from another shows up unexpectedly mid-sentence. New neuroscience explains what’s going on in the brain, and it isn’s confusion.

Bilingual people often find themselves speaking in one language when a word from another shows up unexpectedly mid-sentence. New neuroscience explains what’s going on in the brain, and it isn’s confusion.

Artificial Intelligence

Can You Trust the Mental Health Advice You’re Reading?

Laura Bilbao Broch MSc on July 23, 2026

Most of us can only spot AI-generated text about half the time. A psychologist who specialises in mental health communication shares the concrete signals worth learning.

Most of us can only spot AI-generated text about half the time. A psychologist who specialises in mental health communication shares the concrete signals worth learning.

Depression

Why “Likes” Hit Harder When You’re Depressed

Laura Bilbao Broch MSc on July 21, 2026

Depression is supposed to blunt your response to reward. A new study followed 17 million posts and found that on social media, the opposite happens.

Depression is supposed to blunt your response to reward. A new study followed 17 million posts and found that on social media, the opposite happens.

Social Life

Why Bad Intentions Feel More Real to Us Than Good Ones

Laura Bilbao Broch MSc on July 19, 2026

A one-word change in a 2003 study flipped people's verdict on intent almost completely. The same bias may be shaping how you read your closest relationships.

A one-word change in a 2003 study flipped people's verdict on intent almost completely. The same bias may be shaping how you read your closest relationships.

Loneliness

What Loneliness Can Do to Our Memory

Laura Bilbao Broch MSc on July 16, 2026

This memory gap helps explain why loneliness tends to become chronic.

This memory gap helps explain why loneliness tends to become chronic.

Relationships

Why You Can't Help Sharing the Things You Love

Laura Bilbao Broch MSc on July 14, 2026

You've sent a song to someone at 11 p.m. You've pressed a book into a friend's hands. A new study suggests you weren't showing off. You were trying to give something away.

You've sent a song to someone at 11 p.m. You've pressed a book into a friend's hands. A new study suggests you weren't showing off. You were trying to give something away.

Friends

Turns Out You and Your Best Friend Aren’t Two Peas in a Pod

Laura Bilbao Broch MSc on July 11, 2026

We assume our closest friends share our personality almost point for point. A study following real friend groups found that the assumption is mostly an illusion.

We assume our closest friends share our personality almost point for point. A study following real friend groups found that the assumption is mostly an illusion.

Parasocial Relationships

Healing in Public: When Heartbreak Has an Audience

Laura Bilbao Broch MSc on July 9, 2026

I've followed a creator’s videos on and off for years. It wasn't until she started talking about grief that I understood why I kept coming back. Here’s what research says about it.

I've followed a creator’s videos on and off for years. It wasn't until she started talking about grief that I understood why I kept coming back. Here’s what research says about it.