The Midlife “Unhappiness Hump” Has Vanished, But at a Cost

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,…

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…

Negative Expectations Worsen Pain More Than Positive Ones Ease It

Summary: New research shows that negative expectations, known as nocebo effects, exert a stronger and longer-lasting impact on pain perception than positive expectations, or placebo effects. In a two-session study,…

Depression Speeds Up Physical Illness

Summary: Adults with a history of depression develop long-term physical conditions about 30% faster than those without, according to a large study. Researchers analyzed data from over 172,000 participants and…

Long COVID Impairs Exercise Capacity and Cognition for Years

Summary: A study of nearly 1,000 people with post-COVID-19 syndrome (PCS) revealed that two-thirds still experienced significant symptoms, including reduced exercise capacity and cognitive performance, two years after infection. Persistent…

Do Accents Influence Guilt Perceptions?

Summary: Accents influence perceptions of guilt, with those judged as “lower status” being considered more likely to commit crimes. Researchers analyzed responses from 180 participants who rated voices from 10…

Less Obesity and Depression in NPD Individuals

Summary: A comprehensive study across 38 states in the U.S. has revealed a surprising link between narcissism and positive health outcomes, including lower obesity and depression rates. States with higher…

Emotional Processing Influenced by Culture and Language

Summary: Recent research reveals that recognizing emotions through body language is not purely instinctual but culturally learned. Scientists in the US discovered that emotion category words like ‘disgust’ influence how…

Women’s Tears Chemical Diminish Male Aggression

Summary: A new study reveals that women’s tears contain chemicals that significantly reduce aggression in men. The study, which builds on known effects in rodents, employed a two-person game designed…