The Asymmetric Brain

Shyness

Millennials or Gen Z: Who Shows Greater Shyness?

Sebastian Ocklenburg, Ph.D. on May 13, 2023

Have you ever wondered whether Millennials or Generation Z are shyer? A new scientific study provides an answer.

Have you ever wondered whether Millennials or Generation Z are shyer? A new scientific study provides an answer.

Depression

Getting More Hugs Is Linked to Fewer Symptoms of Depression

Sebastian Ocklenburg, Ph.D. on April 30, 2023

Can getting hugged make us feel better? A new study investigated the association between positive touch and depression, stress, and anxiety.

Can getting hugged make us feel better? A new study investigated the association between positive touch and depression, stress, and anxiety.

Stress

3 Important Findings About Hugs and Happiness

Sebastian Ocklenburg, Ph.D. on April 15, 2023

How does getting a hug from a loved one make you feel? A new study investigated the association between hugging and mood.

How does getting a hug from a loved one make you feel? A new study investigated the association between hugging and mood.

Relationships

Where in the World Do People Hug and Kiss the Most?

Sebastian Ocklenburg, Ph.D. on April 8, 2023

Hugging, kissing, and other affectionate touch are essential parts of romantic relationships, but people differ quite a bit in how much they hug and kiss their partners.

Hugging, kissing, and other affectionate touch are essential parts of romantic relationships, but people differ quite a bit in how much they hug and kiss their partners.

Grief

"I Can't Live Without Her": Why Grieving Men Die

Sebastian Ocklenburg, Ph.D. on April 7, 2023

People who lose their spouse have an increased chance of also dying. A new study investigated whether men and women experience differences with this effect.

People who lose their spouse have an increased chance of also dying. A new study investigated whether men and women experience differences with this effect.

Psychosis

Schizophrenia and Brain Asymmetry: New Insights

Sebastian Ocklenburg, Ph.D. on April 2, 2023

Schizophrenia is a devastating disorder affecting 1% of Americans. A new study offers breakthrough insights into changes in brain structure in schizophrenia.

Schizophrenia is a devastating disorder affecting 1% of Americans. A new study offers breakthrough insights into changes in brain structure in schizophrenia.

Anger

Does Having a Baby Actually Make Parents Happy?

Sebastian Ocklenburg, Ph.D. on March 16, 2023

Do you think that having a baby is a guarantee of being happy? A new study shows surprising results on parenthood and happiness.

Do you think that having a baby is a guarantee of being happy? A new study shows surprising results on parenthood and happiness.

Left Brain - Right Brain

How Common Is It for People to Confuse Left and Right?

Sebastian Ocklenburg, Ph.D. on February 18, 2023

Have you ever confused left and right when driving in your car? A study investigated how common left-right confusion really is.

Have you ever confused left and right when driving in your car? A study investigated how common left-right confusion really is.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Left-Handedness and Mixed-Handedness in PTSD

Sebastian Ocklenburg, Ph.D. on January 8, 2023

Mixed-handedness is more common in schizophrenia than in the general population. A new study investigated whether there also is a link between mixed-handedness and PTSD.

Mixed-handedness is more common in schizophrenia than in the general population. A new study investigated whether there also is a link between mixed-handedness and PTSD.

Psychosis

Hallucinations Are Far More Common Than Most People Think

Sebastian Ocklenburg, Ph.D. on December 31, 2022

Is it normal for a mentally healthy person to hallucinate? A new study provides a surprising answer.

Is it normal for a mentally healthy person to hallucinate? A new study provides a surprising answer.

Grief

5 Reasons We Want to Be Remembered

Sebastian Ocklenburg, Ph.D. on December 30, 2022

Have you ever wondered whether others will remember you after your death? A new scientific article highlights 5 reasons why many people wish to leave a lasting legacy.

Have you ever wondered whether others will remember you after your death? A new scientific article highlights 5 reasons why many people wish to leave a lasting legacy.

Loneliness

Lonely Leftie: Left-Handed in a Family Full of Right-Handers

Sebastian Ocklenburg, Ph.D. on December 27, 2022

How likely is it that a left-hander is born into a completely right-handed family? Scientific studies reveal the answer.

How likely is it that a left-hander is born into a completely right-handed family? Scientific studies reveal the answer.

Left Brain - Right Brain

Messi Magic: Left-Footedness in Professional Soccer Players

Sebastian Ocklenburg, Ph.D. on December 19, 2022

Is left-footedness more common among professional soccer players like Lionel Messi compared to others? Research has the answer.

Is left-footedness more common among professional soccer players like Lionel Messi compared to others? Research has the answer.

Neurodiversity

Left-Handedness and Neurodiversity: A Surprising Link

Sebastian Ocklenburg, Ph.D. on December 18, 2022

Is neurodiversity linked to left-handedness? Studies show a clear picture.

Is neurodiversity linked to left-handedness? Studies show a clear picture.

Neurodiversity

Can You Be Left-Handed But Right-Footed?

Sebastian Ocklenburg, Ph.D. on December 17, 2022

Some people are left-handed and right-footed, but how common is this combination?

Some people are left-handed and right-footed, but how common is this combination?

Addiction

Huffing: The Dangerous Trend of Computer Duster Drug Abuse

Sebastian Ocklenburg, Ph.D. on November 10, 2022

What is huffing? Studies reveal that the dangerous practice of abusing computer duster as drug get more common in the U.S.

What is huffing? Studies reveal that the dangerous practice of abusing computer duster as drug get more common in the U.S.

Anxiety

6 New Insights on Climate Change and Mental Health

Sebastian Ocklenburg, Ph.D. on October 30, 2022

Climate change has catastrophic effects on natural systems. A new report highlights how negatively it affects mental health in humans.

Climate change has catastrophic effects on natural systems. A new report highlights how negatively it affects mental health in humans.

Addiction

Why Do Some People Enjoy Watching Other People Eat?

Sebastian Ocklenburg, Ph.D. on October 23, 2022

Many people enjoy watching Mukbang videos in which the host eats large quantities of food. New psychological studies shed light on the phenomenon.

Many people enjoy watching Mukbang videos in which the host eats large quantities of food. New psychological studies shed light on the phenomenon.

Parenting

No Dad Joke: Fatherhood Shrinks the Brain

Sebastian Ocklenburg, Ph.D. on September 13, 2022

Our brains are highly plastic and can adapt to changing life circumstances. A new study investigated how fatherhood changes the brain.

Our brains are highly plastic and can adapt to changing life circumstances. A new study investigated how fatherhood changes the brain.

Stress

How Nature Nurtures the Brain

Sebastian Ocklenburg, Ph.D. on September 7, 2022

Can a one-hour walk in nature change your brain? The fascinating insights of a new neuroscientific study suggest so.

Can a one-hour walk in nature change your brain? The fascinating insights of a new neuroscientific study suggest so.