Summary: Visualizing breathing patterns can improve interoceptive awareness and mental well-being. Researchers used a spherical object on screens and spatial audio to mirror users’ breaths, significantly enhancing their bodily awareness…
Category: Psychology
Anxiety Raises Dementia Risk – Neuroscience News
Summary: A new study reveals that chronic and new anxiety are linked to a higher risk of dementia, while resolved anxiety shows no such association. Following 2,132 Australian individuals for…
Alcohol Use Linked to Increased Bipolar Disorder Symptoms
Summary: Research reveals that increased alcohol consumption in individuals with bipolar disorder can exacerbate their symptoms over time. Contrary to the belief that alcohol acts as self-medication, the study shows…
Brain Coupling May Predict Psychosis
Summary: Individuals with the 22q11.2DS genetic deletion show unique patterns of brain activity and structure, which could predict their risk of psychosis. By studying brain “coupling” from childhood to adulthood,…
Dogs Detect Human Stress Smell, Affecting Their Mood and Choices
Summary: New research finds that dogs exposed to human stress odors make more ‘pessimistic’ choices, indicating a negative emotional state. The study shows how human stress affects dogs’ learning and…
Mindfulness Can Induce Altered States of Consciousness
Summary: Mindfulness training can lead to altered states of consciousness, such as disembodiment and unity. Researchers found that participants were twice as likely to experience these states compared to a…
Mind-Bending: Psilocybin Reshapes Brain Networks for Weeks
Summary: A new study reveals that psilocybin, the active compound in magic mushrooms, temporarily disrupts brain networks involved in introspective thinking, like daydreaming and memory. These changes persist for weeks,…
Overestimation of Opponents’ Immorality Fuels Political Divide
Summary: A study reveals that Democrats and Republicans overestimate how much the opposing party approves of clearly immoral acts like theft or animal abuse. This “basic morality bias” is evident…
Reflective Thinking Boosts Teen Brain Resilience to Violence
Summary: Teens who engage in “transcendent thinking” can counteract the negative effects of violence exposure on brain development. This type of thinking involves considering broader ethical and societal implications of…
Beta Brain Waves: A Novel Brain Signature for Depression
Summary: A new study identifies beta frequency neural activity in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) as crucial for recognizing rewards and shaping behavior. This neural signature is altered in patients…
