Summary: A new large-scale study finds that the long-observed “unhappiness hump,” where mental distress peaked in midlife, has disappeared. Instead, younger people now report the highest levels of anxiety, depression,…
Category: neurobiology
Cannabis Linked to Reduced Insomnia and Anxiety
Summary: A new study suggests cannabis-based medical products may help people with insomnia sleep better over the long term. Across 124 patients followed for up to 18 months, participants consistently…
Breathwork and Music Trigger Psychedelic-Like Bliss in the Brain
Summary: New research shows that practicing breathwork while listening to music can induce profound altered states of consciousness similar to those caused by psychedelics. Using self-reports and brain imaging, scientists…
Big Five No More? New Study Uncovers Hidden Personality Traits
Summary: For 40 years, the Big Five personality model has dominated psychology, but new research suggests it may be incomplete. Using taxonomic graph analysis, researchers mapped personality from the ground…
Belief in Success and Meaning in Life Boost Well-Being
Summary: New research shows that meaning in life and self-efficacy—the belief in one’s ability to succeed—are critical for well-being, regardless of sex. Men reported higher levels of passion and self-efficacy,…
How Stress Types Differently Impact Brain and Behavior
Summary: Stress is a universal experience, but not all stress affects the brain in the same way. A new study in rats reveals that acute stress provokes anxiety-like behaviors, especially…
Education Gap Is Speeding Up Aging in Millions of People
Summary: A new study reveals that Americans with less education are aging faster than those with more schooling, and the divide has widened over the past three decades. Biological age—measuring…
“Eureka!”: Surprising Brain Clues Predict When Inspiration Will Hit
Summary: A new study has shown that the brain leaves subtle traces of creativity minutes before an “aha!” moment. By filming mathematicians solving difficult problems, researchers found that behavior grew…
Highly Sensitive People Face Greater Mental Health Risks
Summary: A large-scale meta-analysis of 33 studies has shown that highly sensitive individuals are more prone to common mental health problems, including depression, anxiety, PTSD, and avoidant personality disorder. Sensitivity…
