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,…

High-THC Cannabis Linked to Psychosis and Addiction

Summary: A systematic review of nearly 100 studies found that high-THC cannabis products are linked to negative mental health outcomes, particularly psychosis, schizophrenia, and cannabis use disorder. While some therapeutic…

Personality Tests Like Myers-Briggs Can Mislead More Than Reveal

Summary: Personality tests like Myers-Briggs promise insight and self-discovery but often fall short of scientific reliability. Their appeal lies in fulfilling our psychological drive for identity and belonging, but many…

Music After Learning Boosts Memory, But Only at the Right Emotion Level

Summary: A new study reveals that listening to music immediately after an experience can enhance memory—if the emotional response is just right. Researchers found that volunteers who experienced moderate arousal…

New Drug Aims to Block Pain Without Addiction Risks

Summary: Chronic pain affects millions, but opioid medications bring high risks of dependence and side effects. Researchers have now pinpointed specific neurons in the amygdala that make pain feel unpleasant,…

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…

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…

Experimental Drugs Reverse Autism Symptoms

Summary: Researchers have identified hyperactivity in the reticular thalamic nucleus as a driver of autism-like behaviors in mice. This brain region, which gates sensory information, was found to be overactive…

“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…