What Works and Why?

Evolutionary Psychology

Brain Health and Mental Capacity Depend on Physical Activity

Sarah Gingell Ph.D. on September 20, 2025

Physical activity, thinking skills, and emotional regulation are evolutionarily intertwined, yet an "evolutionary bug" makes us lazy. Explore the links and learn how to fight back.

Physical activity, thinking skills, and emotional regulation are evolutionarily intertwined, yet an "evolutionary bug" makes us lazy. Explore the links and learn how to fight back.

BDSM

What We Can Learn About Ourselves From BDSM

Sarah Gingell Ph.D. on August 21, 2023

Internal conflict and self-judgment are often at the heart of strong judgments of others. The BDSM community can teach us something about self-acceptance and self-exploration.

Internal conflict and self-judgment are often at the heart of strong judgments of others. The BDSM community can teach us something about self-acceptance and self-exploration.

Leadership

Are You Struggling to Make the Changes You Want?

Sarah Gingell Ph.D. on November 19, 2021

Stuckness suggests a conflict in our mental "management committee." Identifying and restructuring the roles played by conflicting wants and fears helps us move forward.

Stuckness suggests a conflict in our mental "management committee." Identifying and restructuring the roles played by conflicting wants and fears helps us move forward.

Neuroscience

How Does Psychotherapy Change Our Brains?

Sarah Gingell Ph.D. on November 2, 2020

Good psychotherapy produces physical changes in the brain that allow for better functioning, integration, and regulation of neural systems, especially when we are under stress.

Good psychotherapy produces physical changes in the brain that allow for better functioning, integration, and regulation of neural systems, especially when we are under stress.

Child Development

Why Does Anyone Need Therapy?

Sarah Gingell Ph.D. on October 12, 2020

Have we evolved to need therapy? Not exactly. But pairing an imaginative neocortex with a primitive, defensive limbic system, will always challenge us given modern world demands.

Have we evolved to need therapy? Not exactly. But pairing an imaginative neocortex with a primitive, defensive limbic system, will always challenge us given modern world demands.

Gratitude

The Problem With Gratitude

Sarah Gingell Ph.D. on June 9, 2020

Gratitude can undoubtedly make us feel happier. However, there are good reasons why gratitude can feel difficult or uncomfortable for many of us, without signifying ingratitude.

Gratitude can undoubtedly make us feel happier. However, there are good reasons why gratitude can feel difficult or uncomfortable for many of us, without signifying ingratitude.

Diet

Brief Exposure to Junk Food Affects Appetite and Memory

Sarah Gingell Ph.D. on February 21, 2020

New research confirms that even brief exposure to a poor "Western diet" impairs hippocampal function in humans, making junk food itself more appealing.

New research confirms that even brief exposure to a poor "Western diet" impairs hippocampal function in humans, making junk food itself more appealing.

Stress

Why Your Partner Overreacts (And You Do, Too)

Sarah Gingell Ph.D. on December 23, 2019

Is your partner driving you mad? Learn to manage relationship triggers this holiday season.

Is your partner driving you mad? Learn to manage relationship triggers this holiday season.

Placebo

Con or Cure? The Tangled Science of Placebos and Drugs

Sarah Gingell Ph.D. on June 5, 2019

Medicine has typically seen the placebo effect as a nuisance. However, belief and expectation can trigger psychological and biological effects that underpin healing.

Medicine has typically seen the placebo effect as a nuisance. However, belief and expectation can trigger psychological and biological effects that underpin healing.

Anxiety

Ancient Brains and Modern Anxiety

Sarah Gingell Ph.D. on March 29, 2019

We don’t see the world as it is, but as we are—and we are prone to look on the dark side. Managing this evolutionary survival tendency can reduce anxiety and modern angst.

We don’t see the world as it is, but as we are—and we are prone to look on the dark side. Managing this evolutionary survival tendency can reduce anxiety and modern angst.

Health

Can My Dentist Cure Depression?

Sarah Gingell Ph.D. on February 23, 2019

Managing inflammation may be the key to mental health. Your dentist may be able to help, but reducing stress, and improving sleep, diet and exercise will also reduce inflammation.

Managing inflammation may be the key to mental health. Your dentist may be able to help, but reducing stress, and improving sleep, diet and exercise will also reduce inflammation.

Stress

How Cold Water Swimming Improves Stress Management

Sarah Gingell Ph.D. on January 15, 2019

Research suggests that cold water swimming can reset and build our abilities to cope with life's stresses.

Research suggests that cold water swimming can reset and build our abilities to cope with life's stresses.

Bullying

Overcoming Obstacles to Change: Part 3

Sarah Gingell Ph.D. on September 18, 2018

To err is human. It's how we respond that affects our capacity for change.

To err is human. It's how we respond that affects our capacity for change.

Stress

Overcoming Obstacles to Change: Part 2

Sarah Gingell Ph.D. on September 18, 2018

Work with your brain to make changes that stick.

Work with your brain to make changes that stick.

Smoking

Overcoming Obstacles to Change: Part 1

Sarah Gingell Ph.D. on June 20, 2018

Changing for the better is hard. Identifying the true purpose of an unwanted behavior is the key to progress.

Changing for the better is hard. Identifying the true purpose of an unwanted behavior is the key to progress.

Health

Why Exercise Is So Crucial for Maintaining Mental Health

Sarah Gingell Ph.D. on March 22, 2018

Neuroscientific findings support the view that a healthy mind really does depend on a healthy body. The right exercise can both treat and prevent mental ill-health.

Neuroscientific findings support the view that a healthy mind really does depend on a healthy body. The right exercise can both treat and prevent mental ill-health.