News

Nootropics

Why Stimulants Work and Why We Should Be Cautious

Sam Goldstein Ph.D. on April 26, 2025 in Common Sense Science

Stimulants enhance ancient survival systems, helping many focus better. However, misuse and increasing demand pose risks of shortages and dependence, necessitating wise and careful use.

Stimulants enhance ancient survival systems, helping many focus better. However, misuse and increasing demand pose risks of shortages and dependence, necessitating wise and careful use.

Bipolar Disorder

Scientists Discover Possible Key to Bipolar Mood Swings

Ed Ergenzinger J.D., Ph.D. on April 25, 2025 in Night Sweats and Delusions of Grandeur

Novel brain mechanism behind bipolar mood swings may unlock new targets for treatment.

Novel brain mechanism behind bipolar mood swings may unlock new targets for treatment.

Nootropics

Getting High the Cali Sober Way

Mark S. Gold M.D. on April 25, 2025 in Addiction Outlook

Young adults are buying alcohol-free drinks offering a natural calm or high. These drinks may include adaptogens, herbs, mushrooms, nootropics, CBD, THC, and other ingredients.

Young adults are buying alcohol-free drinks offering a natural calm or high. These drinks may include adaptogens, herbs, mushrooms, nootropics, CBD, THC, and other ingredients.

Fear

Nothing to Fear but Fear Itself? Why Women Fear Crime

Nicole Rader Ph.D. on April 25, 2025 in Crimes and Fears

Women on TikTok debated being in the woods with a bear or a man...and the bear won. The debate signifies the fear of crime for women, especially their fear of strange men.

Women on TikTok debated being in the woods with a bear or a man...and the bear won. The debate signifies the fear of crime for women, especially their fear of strange men.

Environment

Shedding Light on Hidden Worlds That Come Alive After Dark

Marc Bekoff Ph.D. on April 25, 2025 in Animal Emotions

In his beautifully illustrated book, Charles Hood opens our senses and shares his global nocturnal travels with night-feeding dolphins chasing squid, jaguars, bears, and much more.

In his beautifully illustrated book, Charles Hood opens our senses and shares his global nocturnal travels with night-feeding dolphins chasing squid, jaguars, bears, and much more.

Body Image

Midlife Body Weight Shaped by High School Experiences

Kevin Bennett Ph.D. on April 24, 2025 in Modern Minds

New research shows that the social and academic environments of high school can leave a lasting imprint on adult body weight.

New research shows that the social and academic environments of high school can leave a lasting imprint on adult body weight.

Motivation

Cancer Can Force the Brain to Surrender

Hamid Zand Ph.D. on April 24, 2025 in The Behavioral Microbiome

Dopamine maintains hope and motivation for life. Inflammation-associated compounds disrupt dopamine release, causing apathy.

Dopamine maintains hope and motivation for life. Inflammation-associated compounds disrupt dopamine release, causing apathy.

Social Life

The Real Reason Why We Wait to Eat When Dining With Others

Janina Steinmetz Ph.D. on April 24, 2025 in The Social Consumer

When dining with others, we won’t touch our food until everyone else has theirs as well. Is it time to retire this norm?

When dining with others, we won’t touch our food until everyone else has theirs as well. Is it time to retire this norm?

Awe

Think Big, Feel Small, Live Well

Hal McDonald Ph.D. on April 23, 2025 in Time Travelling with Apollo

Feeling small in the presence of something really, really big has some surprising wellness benefits.

Feeling small in the presence of something really, really big has some surprising wellness benefits.

Gut-Brain Axis

How One Bad Bite Can Ruin a Food Forever

William A. Haseltine Ph.D. on April 23, 2025 in Best Practices in Health

Food poisoning can ruin your favorite meal and leave a lasting impact. A recent study found specialized brain cells that remember which foods make you sick.

Food poisoning can ruin your favorite meal and leave a lasting impact. A recent study found specialized brain cells that remember which foods make you sick.

Emotions

A Wearable Sticker Can Detect True Emotions

Kevin Bennett Ph.D. on April 22, 2025 in Modern Minds

What if your body could tell the truth—even when your face couldn’t? A new wearable device may be the future of emotional transparency.

What if your body could tell the truth—even when your face couldn’t? A new wearable device may be the future of emotional transparency.

Procrastination

A Surprising Reason Why Students Procrastinate

Wang Xijing, Ph.D. on April 22, 2025 in Shattering Social Barriers

Procrastination isn’t merely a time management flaw. It can be a silent rebellion against the perception that society’s ladder is rigged.

Procrastination isn’t merely a time management flaw. It can be a silent rebellion against the perception that society’s ladder is rigged.

Singlehood

Teen Boys and Girls Agree on What Is Most Important in Life

Bella DePaulo Ph.D. on April 22, 2025 in Living Single

Teens and adults see enjoyable work as far more important than marriage for a fulfilling adult life.

Teens and adults see enjoyable work as far more important than marriage for a fulfilling adult life.

Cognition

Is There a Better Way to Fight Misinformation?

Matthew Facciani, Ph.D. on April 21, 2025 in Misguided

What if the best way to counter misinformation isn’t arguing facts, but offering better truths instead?

What if the best way to counter misinformation isn’t arguing facts, but offering better truths instead?

Emotional Intelligence

Emotional Knowing in Relationships

Holly Parker, Ph.D. on April 21, 2025 in Your Future Self

Offering useful support isn't random. What might improve the likelihood that you’ll be able to greet your partner with what they need and vice versa?

Offering useful support isn't random. What might improve the likelihood that you’ll be able to greet your partner with what they need and vice versa?

Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intimacy and Empathy: Does Authenticity Matter?

Marlynn Wei M.D., J.D. on April 20, 2025 in Urban Survival

New research shows that people find AI responses more compassionate and understanding than responses by human crisis experts. Does authenticity matter anymore?

New research shows that people find AI responses more compassionate and understanding than responses by human crisis experts. Does authenticity matter anymore?

Relationships

9 Basic Elements in the Chemistry of Romantic Attraction

Susan Krauss Whitbourne PhD, ABPP on April 19, 2025 in Fulfillment at Any Age

Romantic attraction is notoriously difficult to translate into objective terms. A new study of couples in love suggests 9 elements that could provide a start.

Romantic attraction is notoriously difficult to translate into objective terms. A new study of couples in love suggests 9 elements that could provide a start.

Artificial Intelligence

AI Romantic and Sexual Partners — More Common Than You Think

David J. Ley Ph.D. on April 18, 2025 in Women Who Stray

Many young people are using AI for sex and romantic purposes, and some report they find it more appealing and comfortable than dealing with real people.

Many young people are using AI for sex and romantic purposes, and some report they find it more appealing and comfortable than dealing with real people.

Online Therapy

Does Online Therapy Work For Kids?

The Bronfenbrenner Center for Translational Research on April 18, 2025 in Evidence-Based Living

A growing body of research demonstrates that online interventions are effective at treating depression among young people.

A growing body of research demonstrates that online interventions are effective at treating depression among young people.

Aging

How Digital Tools May Protect the Aging Mind

John Nosta on April 17, 2025 in The Digital Self

Participation is the new smart: Digital engagement may protect the aging brain, not through screen time, but by crossing a cognitive threshold.

Participation is the new smart: Digital engagement may protect the aging brain, not through screen time, but by crossing a cognitive threshold.

Behavioral Economics

The Surprising Power of Disclosure

Alain Samson Ph.D. on April 17, 2025 in Consumed

Are defaults with disclosure a win-win for ethics and effectiveness?

Are defaults with disclosure a win-win for ethics and effectiveness?

Animal Behavior

Scientific Proof That Pets Can Make You Happy

Sebastian Ocklenburg, Ph.D. on April 16, 2025 in The Asymmetric Brain

How much does owning a pet increase life satisfaction? A new study shows that converted to money it has a value of more than 90,000 US dollars.

How much does owning a pet increase life satisfaction? A new study shows that converted to money it has a value of more than 90,000 US dollars.

Artificial Intelligence

Auctioning AI: Ai-Da's Historic Million-Dollar Moment

Shirley M. Mueller M.D. on April 16, 2025 in The Mind of a Collector

The sale of A.I. God, Portrait of Alan Turing represents a significant moment in art history, challenging traditional notions of creativity and authorship.

The sale of A.I. God, Portrait of Alan Turing represents a significant moment in art history, challenging traditional notions of creativity and authorship.

Autism

Autism, Inflammation, and the Gut-Brain Axis

Scott C. Anderson on April 15, 2025 in Mood by Microbe

Autism has a genetic component, but symptoms also depend on gut health and the gut-brain axis. New research shows that improving gut health can improve autism symptoms.

Autism has a genetic component, but symptoms also depend on gut health and the gut-brain axis. New research shows that improving gut health can improve autism symptoms.

Neuroticism

How to Navigate Life With a Neurotic Partner

Susan Krauss Whitbourne PhD, ABPP on April 15, 2025 in Fulfillment at Any Age

The trait of neuroticism is known to affect a wide range of mental health outcomes. A new review study of couple personalities shows it’s also not very good for relationships.

The trait of neuroticism is known to affect a wide range of mental health outcomes. A new review study of couple personalities shows it’s also not very good for relationships.

Artificial Intelligence

The Future of Instant Communication Through AI

William A. Haseltine Ph.D. on April 15, 2025 in Best Practices in Health

Researchers found a way to convert brain signals into fluent, real-time speech. Using electrodes, thoughts can be transformed into words without moving your mouth.

Researchers found a way to convert brain signals into fluent, real-time speech. Using electrodes, thoughts can be transformed into words without moving your mouth.

Psychedelics

A New Form of LSD to Treat Schizophrenia

R. Douglas Fields Ph.D. on April 14, 2025 in The New Brain

Researchers have modified LSD to treat schizophrenia without hallucinogenic effects.

Researchers have modified LSD to treat schizophrenia without hallucinogenic effects.

Procrastination

The Emotional Cost of Procrastinating on Your Taxes

Simone Tang, Ph.D. on April 14, 2025 in Heads of Business

Why does the average person file their taxes at the last minute? Often, they're driven by anxiety rather than laziness—and these techniques could help them break free.

Why does the average person file their taxes at the last minute? Often, they're driven by anxiety rather than laziness—and these techniques could help them break free.

Memory

What Do Babies Remember?

William A. Haseltine Ph.D. on April 14, 2025 in Best Practices in Health

A study has captured signs of early memory formation in babies as young as three months old. Understanding how babies learn and remember may help answer why we forget being babies.

A study has captured signs of early memory formation in babies as young as three months old. Understanding how babies learn and remember may help answer why we forget being babies.

Dark Tetrad

When Two Dark Personalities Argue, Sparks Fly

Susan Krauss Whitbourne PhD, ABPP on April 12, 2025 in Fulfillment at Any Age

People with dark personalities like to think they rule the world. New research on conflict styles suggests how bad things can get when these two dominating types collide.

People with dark personalities like to think they rule the world. New research on conflict styles suggests how bad things can get when these two dominating types collide.