Summary: Researchers have discovered that nondeceptive placebos—placebos given with the full knowledge that they are placebos—can effectively manage stress, even when administered remotely. In a two-week randomized controlled trial, participants…
Category: stress
Hurts to Think: The Unpleasant Truth About Mental Effort
Summary: New research suggests that mental exertion is often associated with unpleasant feelings such as stress and irritation, challenging the notion that people enjoy mentally demanding tasks. A meta-analysis of…
Stress and Trauma Risk Factors for Alzheimer’s
Summary: Researchers linked midlife stress and childhood trauma to an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease and neuroinflammation. Analyzing 1,290 volunteers, researchers found that stressful life events, especially during midlife, correlate…
Adolescent Stress Alters Brain Genes, Affecting Adult Behavior
Summary: A new study reveals that excessive stress during adolescence can lead to long-lasting changes in gene expression in the brain, particularly those related to bioenergy functions. This research indicates…
Music’s Healing Notes: Traits Trump Genre for Stress Relief
Summary: Specific characteristics of music, rather than genre, play a crucial role in stress recovery. The research, involving 470 participants, identified that stress-relieving songs often share common features, regardless of…
Memory’s Dynamics: How Stress Sharpens Subsequent Recall
Summary: Researchers discovered a fascinating aspect of human memory: our recall becomes sharper following negative experiences. The study utilized image-based experiments with participants to understand memory recall patterns. Participants remembered…
TV Quiz Shows Shed Light on Human Physiology Under Stress
Summary: Cognitive scientists used the British TV show “Mastermind” to study human physiology under high-stress conditions, impossible to replicate in a lab. Analyzing contestants’ blinking patterns, the researchers gained insights…
Depression and Negative Mental States Affect Heart Health
Summary: Emerging research underscores the profound connection between mental health and heart disease, with depression and anxiety hastening the onset of cardiovascular risk factors. Findings from two preliminary studies suggest…
Post-Pandemic America: Unmasking the Silent Stress Surge of Collective Trauma
Summary: The aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic has instigated a silent surge in stress and mental health issues among Americans. Alarmingly, adults aged 35-44 exhibited the most significant hike in…
The Two Faces of Stress: Nurturing Resilience and Recognizing Overload
Summary: Stress, a reaction to demands, isn’t universally negative; it has its benefits. The positive side, eustress, can foster well-being and resilience. Researchers clarify that the difference between helpful and…
