Essential Reads

Addiction

Carfentanil Was an Elephant Sedative. Now It's a Human Drug Problem

Mark S. Gold M.D. on March 5, 2026 in Addiction Outlook

Once used by vets to anesthetize elephants, carfentanil is now an extremely dangerous illicit drug often disguised as an oxycodone tablet—and it's 100 times stronger than fentanyl.

Once used by vets to anesthetize elephants, carfentanil is now an extremely dangerous illicit drug often disguised as an oxycodone tablet—and it's 100 times stronger than fentanyl.

Moral Injury

Not All Moral Domains Are Created Equal

Hal McDonald Ph.D. on March 5, 2026 in Time Travelling with Apollo

Some moral infractions make us more inclined to hate the sinner than the sin.

Some moral infractions make us more inclined to hate the sinner than the sin.

Artificial Intelligence

Are You a Doomer, a Zoomer, or a Tuner?

Grant Hilary Brenner MD, DFAPA on March 5, 2026 in ExperiMentations

A fictional AI scenario moved markets in just a few hours. This is what your reaction reveals about your thinking — and what to do differently next time.

A fictional AI scenario moved markets in just a few hours. This is what your reaction reveals about your thinking — and what to do differently next time.

Happiness

Clarifications on Indonesia's Flourishing Ranking

Tyler J. VanderWeele Ph.D. on March 4, 2026 in Human Flourishing

Indonesia was ranked the world’s “most flourishing” nation. But there's a distinction between happiness and flourishing.

Indonesia was ranked the world’s “most flourishing” nation. But there's a distinction between happiness and flourishing.

Parenting

Raising Emotionally Balanced Boys

Glenn R. Schiraldi Ph.D. on March 4, 2026 in Hidden Wounds

How parents can prepare for the common struggles facing boys today.

How parents can prepare for the common struggles facing boys today.

Trauma

Women, Trauma, and a Long-Standing Question About PTSD Risk

Abigail Powers Lott Ph.D., ABPP on March 3, 2026 in Science, Therapy, and Whole-Body Health

Women are more likely than men to develop PTSD. Social factors and trauma type play important roles. But researchers have long wondered about the role of biology.

Women are more likely than men to develop PTSD. Social factors and trauma type play important roles. But researchers have long wondered about the role of biology.

Anxiety

Relaxation or Exercise for Panic Disorder: Which Is Better?

Bonnie Zucker Ph.D. on March 3, 2026 in Liberate Yourself

Exercise or relaxation—which truly lowers panic attacks? New research suggests one clearly outperforms the other, and the reason reveals a powerful key to lasting relief.

Exercise or relaxation—which truly lowers panic attacks? New research suggests one clearly outperforms the other, and the reason reveals a powerful key to lasting relief.

Creativity

How Creativity Helps the Brain Make Meaning After Disruption

Elizabeth Mateer Ph.D. on March 2, 2026 in The Architecture of Identity

When life ruptures your sense of self, creativity is how the brain rewrites the story. Here's the neuroscience behind why it works.

When life ruptures your sense of self, creativity is how the brain rewrites the story. Here's the neuroscience behind why it works.

Genetics

A Genetic Map Redraws the Borders of Mental Illness

William A. Haseltine Ph.D. on March 2, 2026 in Best Practices in Health

Genetic data show that 14 psychiatric diagnoses cluster into five families of shared risk, explaining why conditions like depression and anxiety often occur together.

Genetic data show that 14 psychiatric diagnoses cluster into five families of shared risk, explaining why conditions like depression and anxiety often occur together.

Online Therapy

Verifying Locations of Patients Participating in Tech-Assisted Services

Allan E. Barsky PhD, MSW, JD on March 1, 2026 in Agens Scientiam

A client needs mental-health services, but is in a state where their therapist is not licensed when services need to be provided. If the therapist responds, could it be illegal?

A client needs mental-health services, but is in a state where their therapist is not licensed when services need to be provided. If the therapist responds, could it be illegal?

Family Dynamics

Texts, Tracking, and the First Year of College

America Edwards, Ph.D. on February 28, 2026 in The Ties That Connect Us

From texting to location sharing, 126 mother–daughter pairs described how they maintain connection during the first year of college.

From texting to location sharing, 126 mother–daughter pairs described how they maintain connection during the first year of college.

Meta-Analysis

AI in, Garbage Out: Is Meta-Analysis in Danger?

Sebastian Ocklenburg, Ph.D. on February 28, 2026 in The Asymmetric Brain

Psychologists often integrate research findings using meta-analysis to generate robust insights. But a rise in fake AI-generated publications threatens this important method.

Psychologists often integrate research findings using meta-analysis to generate robust insights. But a rise in fake AI-generated publications threatens this important method.

Sex

Are Women Less Sexually Satisfied Than Men?

Robert P. Burriss Ph.D. on February 27, 2026 in Attraction, Evolved

Psychologists pooled data from 37 studies to answer a question that has left many wondering. Here's what they found.

Psychologists pooled data from 37 studies to answer a question that has left many wondering. Here's what they found.

Evolutionary Psychology

One of Science’s Most Enduring Riddles: What Is Life?

Thomas R. Verny M.D. on February 27, 2026 in Explorations of the Mind

The transition from non-life to life was very likely aided by an asteroid hitting Earth, prebiotic chemistry, molecular self-replication, and the emergence of membranes.

The transition from non-life to life was very likely aided by an asteroid hitting Earth, prebiotic chemistry, molecular self-replication, and the emergence of membranes.

Social Life

Is It Wrong to Flatter?

Joachim I. Krueger Ph.D. on February 27, 2026 in One Among Many

Does flattery work? It's time for some game theory.

Does flattery work? It's time for some game theory.

Adolescence

The Most Dangerous Books in Society

Todd B. Kashdan Ph.D. on February 26, 2026 in Curious?

Research reveals that banned books don't harm kids, they create better citizens.

Research reveals that banned books don't harm kids, they create better citizens.

Addiction

A Global Glut in Cocaine Shocks the World

Mark S. Gold M.D. on February 26, 2026 in Addiction Outlook

Cocaine has roared back worldwide, thanks to escalated coca cultivation and user demand. It has brought with it global overdose deaths.

Cocaine has roared back worldwide, thanks to escalated coca cultivation and user demand. It has brought with it global overdose deaths.

Fear

What We Get Wrong About Death

Jordan Grumet M.D. on February 25, 2026 in The Regret-Free Life

Most people fear a dramatic, painful end. Hospice experience reveals a quieter truth that may ease anxiety and change how you think about death.

Most people fear a dramatic, painful end. Hospice experience reveals a quieter truth that may ease anxiety and change how you think about death.

Boredom

For the Love of Boredom

James Danckert, Ph.D. on February 25, 2026 in Modern Boredom

Boredom is prone to myth-making — much like the story of Phineas Gage. This matters. If we believe certain myths about boredom, it could lead us astray in how we respond.

Boredom is prone to myth-making — much like the story of Phineas Gage. This matters. If we believe certain myths about boredom, it could lead us astray in how we respond.

Relationships

Are You Relationship Material?

Kelly Campbell Ph.D. on February 25, 2026 in More Than Chemistry

Before you commit your future to someone, there are three psychological tests worth passing, and they have less to do with chemistry than you might think.

Before you commit your future to someone, there are three psychological tests worth passing, and they have less to do with chemistry than you might think.