Mental Health

Researchers discovered a unique feature of the human brain’s communication networks: the transmission of information via multiple parallel pathways, a trait not observed in macaques or mice. This finding emerged from a study using diffusion and functional MRI data, combined with information and graph theory. The team mapped “brain traffic”…

Researchers uncovered a crucial role of the ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (VLPFC) in processing social cues, expanding our understanding of this brain region beyond working memory and multisensory integration. Using a novel approach, the study found that while individual neurons in the VLPFC of macaques showed complex responses to social stimuli,…

BY TAMAR MAKIN & JOHN KRAKAUER The human brain’s ability to adapt and change, known as neuroplasticity, has long captivated both the scientific community and the public imagination. It’s a concept that brings hope and fascination, especially when we hear extraordinary stories of, for example, blind individuals developing heightened senses that enable them…

By David Robson To achieve a goal, a drive to do so is key. Yet not all motivation is created equal – and some factors driving a desire to succeed can even be harmful. At the start of a new year, many of us are naturally thinking of our goals…

Scientists illuminated a compelling link between experiencing science spiritually and enhanced wellbeing, akin to the psychological uplift often linked to religious beliefs. The research delves into the “Spirituality of Science,” exploring its association with profound feelings of transcendence, awe, and interconnectedness, thus positioning science as a potent source of meaningful,…

On February 4, 2019, before he was wheeled into the operating room, Tyler Hajjar, then age 28, hugged his mother and quipped, “It’s just brain surgery.” Hajjar, a resident of Johns Creek, Ga., had traveled to Emory University in Atlanta to outfit his brain with a device that might reset…

Researchers revealed that certain personality traits, such as conscientiousness, extraversion, and positive affect, can reduce the likelihood of a dementia diagnosis. This comprehensive analysis involved over 44,000 people, with 1,703 developing dementia. Surprisingly, the researchers found no correlation between these protective personality traits and brain pathology in deceased individuals, suggesting…

A comprehensive study analyzing data from two million individuals across 168 countries, challenges the widely held belief about the negative psychological impact of internet technologies. Researchers found only small and inconsistent changes in global well-being and mental health over the last two decades, despite extensive internet adoption. The study, which…

Happiness may seem a luxury at a time of real worries about our physical safety and our job security. But it’s important to our health in both the short and long term, and affects our productivity too. But what does happiness really consist of? And how do you get there?…

Recovering from narcissistic abuse can be challenging and stressful. Although it may take time, healing is possible through some of these methods. Narcissistic abuse is psychological and emotional abuse associated with narcissistic personality disorder (NPD). People with NPD may display behavior that is regarded as self-centered which can reflect a need for…