Throughout the course of their lives, humans can establish meaningful social connections with others, empathizing with them and sharing their experiences. People's ability to manage, perceive and understand the emotions experienced by both themselves and others is...
Psychology & Psychiatry
Neurosteroids identified as potential therapy for treatment-resistant depression
Depression, characterized by persistent sadness, hopelessness and a lack of interest in previously enjoyed activities, is one of the most common mental health disorders. Recent estimates by the World Health Organization (WHO) suggest that approximately 5% of the...
Assessing smartphone apps for stress relief: Mindfulness and problem-solving therapy may be more effective
The levels of stress experienced by people living in many countries worldwide, particularly by those inhabiting urban areas, have risen exponentially over the past decades. This has led to the development of numerous technological tools designed to improve users'...
Machine learning finds combined biological and psychosocial data improve chronic pain prediction
Chronic pain conditions, long-lasting medical conditions characterized by persistent pain in specific areas of the body, are often difficult to diagnose and treat. Understanding the biological markers (i.e., genes and brain patterns), psychological characteristics and...
Reactivation of specific memories can indirectly strengthen related ones, study finds
Most humans can recall specific events and past experiences for long periods of time. This capability, referred to as episodic memory, is known to be in great part supported by the activity of neurons in the hippocampus and medial temporal lobe.
Exposure to gun violence linked to widespread psychological distress in US adults
Psychology research has consistently emphasized the adverse effects of enduring or witnessing violent acts, showing that exposure to different forms of violence can increase the risk of developing various mental health conditions. Many of the most gruesome violent...
The words of health care providers during prenatal care visits can influence how parents see their children
Pregnancy is often a unique experience, marked by anticipation and mental representations of what will happen after a baby's birth. Understanding how people's experiences while pregnant influence their parenting skills and how they perceive their children after birth...
Psilocybin better preserves depressed patients’ emotional response to music than standard drug, study finds
Depression is among the most widespread mental health disorders worldwide, typically characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, a lack of interest in daily activities and dysregulated sleep and/or eating habits. There are now a wide range of pharmacological...
Distinct neuron populations in the hypothalamus encode states associated with predator-related threats
The ability to detect imminent threats and execute behaviors aimed at protecting oneself, such as hiding, running away or defending oneself, is central to the survival of most animal species. A region of the mammalian brain known to play a key role in threat response...
A comprehensive look at what happens in the brain when we’re reading
Reading is a highly valuable skill that allows humans to acquire new knowledge, pursue an education and complete a wide range of real-world tasks. Many past psychology and neuroscience studies set out to better understand the neural underpinnings of reading and the...