Why Teenage Songs Define Us: The Science of Musical Memory

Summary: A global study reveals that our most emotionally resonant music tends to come from our teenage years—typically peaking around age 17. This “reminiscence bump” marks the period when our…

Child Abuse Leaves Lasting Biological Scars on the Brain and DNA

Summary: New research reveals that child maltreatment leaves measurable biological “scars” on DNA, altering brain structure and function. Using a genome-wide epigenetic analysis, scientists identified four key methylation sites—ATE1, SERPINB9P1,…

Feeling the Music: Touch Amplifies Emotional Power of Sound

Summary: A new study shows that combining touch with hearing profoundly intensifies emotional responses to music. Using a custom-built device that transforms sound into tactile vibrations, researchers found that people…

Skin Problems Signal Depression and Suicide Risk

Summary: New research reveals that mental health patients experiencing their first episode of psychosis are more likely to have skin conditions, and that these patients face significantly higher risks of…

What Happens After a Near-Death Experience?

Summary: New research reveals that people who have near-death experiences often undergo profound shifts in perspective, purpose, and priorities, but many struggle to integrate these changes into daily life. In…

Genes Linked to Cannabis Use Reveal Ties to Mental Health

Summary: Researchers analyzing data from over 130,000 participants have identified specific genes associated with cannabis use and its frequency, revealing strong links to psychiatric, cognitive, and physical health traits. The…

ADHD May Make You More Creative

Summary: People with ADHD tend to be more creative, and this advantage may stem from a greater tendency for their minds to wander. The study is the first to directly…

EEG Test May Reveal Who Loses Libido on Antidepressants

Summary: A new study reveals that serotonin levels in the brain, measured using a simple EEG-based test, can predict who will experience sexual side effects from SSRI antidepressants. Researchers found…

Can Animals Feel? A New Roadmap for Consciousness

Summary: A philosophy scholar has developed a practical “decision tree” to help scientists and ethicists evaluate which creatures may be conscious. The new framework clarifies decades of debate about whether…

Social Inference Could Be the Key to Healing Schizophrenia

Summary: Researchers have identified a brain function that could transform how schizophrenia is treated—by focusing on social inference, the ability to interpret social cues and intentions. The study found that…