Essential Reads

Depression

Divide by Two: A Formula for Moving Through Depression

David Prucha LPC on July 8, 2025 in The Psychology of Workplace Violence

What if the way out of depression isn’t doing more, but doing less, on purpose? Learn how small, quiet steps can help you find your way back to yourself.

What if the way out of depression isn’t doing more, but doing less, on purpose? Learn how small, quiet steps can help you find your way back to yourself.

Neuroscience

Why Fireworks Can Be Bad for Our Brains

Austin Perlmutter M.D. on July 8, 2025 in The Modern Brain

Fireworks dazzle—but their air pollution plume can spike by 600%, impair thinking, fuel depression, and even boost violence. Our brains deserve a new kind of celebration.

Fireworks dazzle—but their air pollution plume can spike by 600%, impair thinking, fuel depression, and even boost violence. Our brains deserve a new kind of celebration.

Postpartum Depression

Can Gut Microbes Improve Postpartum Depression?

Scott C. Anderson on July 7, 2025 in Mood by Microbe

A common microbe, found in yogurt, could improve mothers' moods after birth, research suggests—potentially helping ward off postpartum depression.

A common microbe, found in yogurt, could improve mothers' moods after birth, research suggests—potentially helping ward off postpartum depression.

Aging

Why the Golden Bachelor's Age Preference Hit a Nerve

Sherry Pagoto Ph.D. on July 7, 2025 in Shrink

"Golden Bachelor" fans are up in arms about its new star's refusal to date women over 60. The research on age-gap relationships shows they have a point.

"Golden Bachelor" fans are up in arms about its new star's refusal to date women over 60. The research on age-gap relationships shows they have a point.

Animal Behavior

Mental Health in Animals: What's a Good Life or a Bad Life?

Marc Bekoff Ph.D. on July 6, 2025 in Animal Emotions

In a new book, experts focus on a wide array of animals, their emotional ups and downs, and what contributes to a high-quality life.

In a new book, experts focus on a wide array of animals, their emotional ups and downs, and what contributes to a high-quality life.

Mental Health Stigma

Uncovering the Role of Self-Stigma in Clinical Depression

Grant Hilary Brenner MD, DFAPA on July 6, 2025 in ExperiMentations

Self-stigma is an under-recognized factor in depression. Addressing self-stigma may aid recovery and growth.

Self-stigma is an under-recognized factor in depression. Addressing self-stigma may aid recovery and growth.

Conformity

When Community Pressures You to Conform

Hans Rocha IJzerman Ph.D. on July 4, 2025 in Body, Meet Mind

When community ties feel overwhelming, here’s how to protect your peace without cutting off the people you love.

When community ties feel overwhelming, here’s how to protect your peace without cutting off the people you love.

Sex

Sexual Performance Anxiety: Going for the A+ Grade in Bed

Lucia F. O'Sullivan Ph.D. on July 4, 2025 in At First Blush

With a steady diet of sexualized media and the transparency of celebrity sexual lives, it's no wonder many strive to be exceptionally good sexually. But you're trying too hard.

With a steady diet of sexualized media and the transparency of celebrity sexual lives, it's no wonder many strive to be exceptionally good sexually. But you're trying too hard.

Altruism

Volunteers Volunteer! And It Makes Us Feel Good

Nancy Darling Ph.D. on July 4, 2025 in Thinking About Kids

When I say I'm raising my puppy to be a service dog and will give him away, people always ask me how I could do that? The answer is, because that's what altruism is.

When I say I'm raising my puppy to be a service dog and will give him away, people always ask me how I could do that? The answer is, because that's what altruism is.

Leadership

Authoritarianism and Perceived Threat: Old Question, New Data

Noam Shpancer Ph.D. on July 3, 2025 in Insight Therapy

Research examines what lies at the root of authoritarianism.

Research examines what lies at the root of authoritarianism.

Compassion Fatigue

Veterinary Social Work: A Lifeline for Animal Caregivers

Katherine Compitus on July 3, 2025 in Zooeyia

Behind every rescued animal is a caregiver at risk. Veterinary social workers are stepping in to save the lives of those who save animals.

Behind every rescued animal is a caregiver at risk. Veterinary social workers are stepping in to save the lives of those who save animals.

Fear

A "Jaws"-Eye View: Predators and the Function of Fear

Troy Rondinone Ph.D. on July 3, 2025 in The Asylum

This year "Jaws" celebrates its 50th anniversary. Its success reflects the enduring importance of our most ancient fear: being hunted.

This year "Jaws" celebrates its 50th anniversary. Its success reflects the enduring importance of our most ancient fear: being hunted.

Relationships

Gen Z, Romantasy, Anime Porn and Chatbots

Marianne Brandon Ph.D. on July 2, 2025 in The Future of Intimacy

AI can appear to offer sexually what humans aren’t providing right now: safety, non-judgement, and privacy.

AI can appear to offer sexually what humans aren’t providing right now: safety, non-judgement, and privacy.

Evolutionary Psychology

What Is It About Breasts? Science Explores the Big Question

Noam Shpancer Ph.D. on July 2, 2025 in Insight Therapy

Are breasts arousing because they're covered, or covered because they're arousing?

Are breasts arousing because they're covered, or covered because they're arousing?

Personality

Why You Might Not Want to Trust a Personality Test

Susan Krauss Whitbourne PhD, ABPP on July 1, 2025 in Fulfillment at Any Age

A new study shows the Barnum effect in personality is alive and well.

A new study shows the Barnum effect in personality is alive and well.

Mating

Romantic First Impressions Emphasize Perception, Not Reality

Wendy L. Patrick, J.D., M.Div., Ph.D. on July 1, 2025 in Why Bad Looks Good

Looking for a potential paramour? You may actually perceive what you want to see.

Looking for a potential paramour? You may actually perceive what you want to see.

Neuroscience

The Myth of the Human Brain

Eric Haseltine Ph.D. on June 30, 2025 in Long Fuse, Big Bang

The neuroanatomy of your unconscious mind lies in an unexpected place.

The neuroanatomy of your unconscious mind lies in an unexpected place.

Identity

You Don’t Owe Your Parents Your Life

Nahid Fattahi on June 30, 2025 in Multicultural Mental Health

Many first-gen children carry an unseen burden: the belief that their success must repay their parents’ sacrifices. Here’s how it quietly shapes identity and mental health.

Many first-gen children carry an unseen burden: the belief that their success must repay their parents’ sacrifices. Here’s how it quietly shapes identity and mental health.

Suicide

Why So Many Suicidal People Don't Seek Help

Konrad Michel M.D. on June 29, 2025 in The Suicidal Mind

Each year, thousands of people die by suicide without seeking help before their death. Sometimes, that's because help is inaccessible—but more often, it's because of this.

Each year, thousands of people die by suicide without seeking help before their death. Sometimes, that's because help is inaccessible—but more often, it's because of this.

Relationships

You Can't Buy Love—But You Can Buy Quality Time

Charlie Huntington M.A., Ph.D., LPCC on June 29, 2025 in Closer Encounters

You know you need to "make time for" your relationship. But how should you do it? Recent research suggests making time-saving purchases to free up quality time together.

You know you need to "make time for" your relationship. But how should you do it? Recent research suggests making time-saving purchases to free up quality time together.