Summary: As daylight fades, many experience fatigue or low mood—but for millions, these symptoms signal seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a serious form of depression. Reduced sunlight disrupts serotonin, melatonin, and…
Tag: neuroscience
How Chocolate’s Puckering Taste May Stimulate the Brain
Summary: Japanese researchers have uncovered how the astringent “bite” of cocoa flavanols can activate the brain—even though little of the compound enters the bloodstream. In mice, the sensation of astringency…
Rotating Brain Waves Help the Mind Refocus After Distraction
Summary: Neuroscientists have discovered that when the brain is distracted, coordinated “rotating” waves of neural activity help it steer back to focus. Using electrical recordings in animals, the team found…
Human Mind Prefers Simple Explanations Over Complex Truths
Summary: New research shows that people tend to prefer simple explanations even when complex ones are more accurate. The study found that individuals focus mainly on visible or known causes…
Common Antidepressant Eases Core Symptoms Within Two Weeks
Summary: A new analysis of the PANDA clinical trial reveals that sertraline, one of the most prescribed antidepressants, improves key emotional symptoms of depression—such as sadness, self-loathing, and suicidal thoughts—within…
Toddler Gut Bacteria Linked to Childhood Anxiety and Depression
Summary: A new study suggests that a child’s gut microbiome at age 2 may influence their emotional health years later. Researchers found that higher levels of bacteria from the Clostridiales…
$2 Saliva Test Could Help Detect Depression and Schizophrenia
Summary: Scientists have developed a portable biosensor that can detect levels of BDNF, a protein linked to mental health conditions such as depression, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder. The flexible, low-cost…
When Using AI, Users Fall for the Dunning-Kruger Trap in Reverse
Summary: A new study reveals that when interacting with AI tools like ChatGPT, everyone—regardless of skill level—overestimates their performance. Researchers found that the usual Dunning-Kruger Effect disappears, and instead, AI-literate…
Daily Light and Sound Therapy May Slow Alzheimer’s Decline
Summary: A long-term study found that daily 40Hz light and sound stimulation may help slow cognitive decline in people with late-onset Alzheimer’s disease. After two years of treatment, participants maintained…
Brain Cells That May Prevent Schizophrenia Symptoms Identified
Summary: Researchers have identified a rare type of brain cell whose overactivity may contribute to schizophrenia-like symptoms, such as cognitive deficits and disrupted sleep. When scientists reduced the activity of…
