Music and Nature Work in Harmony to Ease Stress and Lift Mood

Summary: The viral phrase “touch grass” may be more than internet humor—science shows that engaging with nature and music can significantly boost emotional and physical well-being. A new review found…

Navigating mental illness in the workplace can be tricky, but employees are entitled to accommodations

Mental health challenges can affect anyone, regardless of background or circumstance, and they are becoming more common across the United States. In 2022, a national survey found that about 60…

Parenting Styles Shape Teen Anxiety

Summary: A new study shows that both mothers and fathers significantly shape their adolescent children’s social anxiety, but in different ways. Warmth, affection, and acceptance from either parent reduce anxiety,…

Simple Hair Test May Spot Mental Health Risks in Kids

Summary: Long-term stress, measured through hair cortisol, may help predict mental health risks in children living with chronic physical illnesses. In a four-year study of 244 children, researchers found that…

Adding more green space to a campus is a simple, cheap and healthy way to help millions of stressed and depressed college students

Stress on college students can be palpable, and it hits them from every direction: academic challenges, social pressures and financial burdens, all intermingled with their first taste of independence. It’s…

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…

Brain Study Reveals Circuit Controlling Depression and Anxiety

Summary: A new study identifies brain area 46 in the marmoset dorsolateral prefrontal cortex as a key regulator of mood-related behavior. When this region was inactivated, the animals showed less…

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…

Inflammation Influences Cannabis’s Effects on Anxiety and Sleep

Summary: A new study shows that inflammation levels influence how cannabis affects anxiety and sleep quality. Researchers found no overall change in inflammatory markers after 4 weeks of cannabis use,…