PsyPost

How viral infections disrupt memory and thinking skills Lingering inflammation from viruses like COVID-19 or HIV can take a lasting toll on the brain. New research shows exactly how specific immune system imbalances lead to memory lapses and slowed thinking.

How viral infections disrupt memory and thinking skills

Everyday mental quirks like déjà vu might be natural byproducts of a resting mind A recent study published in Consciousness and Cognition finds that mental experiences like déjà vu and sudden memories are not rare glitches. Instead, they are natural background processes that emerge when the mind is not fully occupied.

Everyday mental quirks like déjà vu might be natural byproducts of a resting mind

New analysis shows ideology, not science, drove the global prohibition of psychedelics Archival records reveal that the 1971 global ban on psychedelics was fueled by Cold War politics and media sensationalism, not medical science. This historical analysis suggests international drug laws should be updated to reflect actual scientific evidence.

New analysis shows ideology, not science, drove the global prohibition of psychedelics

People with psychopathic traits don’t lack fear—they actually enjoy it A new study reveals that people with high psychopathic traits don't lack fear. Instead, their hearts race during scary situations, but their brains uniquely interpret this physical arousal as an exciting, positive thrill rather than a threat.

People with psychopathic traits don’t lack fear—they actually enjoy it

Scientists use “dream engineering” to boost creative problem-solving during REM sleep A recent study published in Neuroscience of Consciousness provides evidence that dreaming about a specific problem helps people find solutions. Researchers used sound cues during sleep to successfully guide dream content toward unsolved puzzles.

Scientists use “dream engineering” to boost creative problem-solving during REM sleep

Therapists test an AI dating simulator to help chronically single men practice romantic skills A recent study published in the Archives of Sexual Behavior suggests that artificial intelligence could help men facing chronic singlehood. Researchers found that practicing romantic skills with a guided conversational program reduced feelings of loneliness and psychological distress.

Therapists test an AI dating simulator to help chronically single men practice romantic skills

Women with tattoos feel more attractive but experience the same body anxieties in the bedroom Many young women with body art report feeling highly attractive. However, a recent survey shows this aesthetic confidence is not associated with higher sexual functioning or less anxiety about physical appearance during intimacy.

Women with tattoos feel more attractive but experience the same body anxieties in the bedroom

Misophonia is strongly linked to a higher risk of mental health and auditory disorders A new nationwide study reveals that misophonia rarely occurs in isolation. Approximately 65% of individuals with severe sound sensitivity also suffer from other psychological conditions, with depression and anxiety being the most common.

Misophonia is strongly linked to a higher risk of mental health and auditory disorders

Brain scans reveal the unique brain structures linked to frequent lucid dreaming A new neuroimaging study suggests that people who frequently control their dreams share distinct structural brain patterns. These networks bridge the areas responsible for self-reflection, visual imagery, and cognitive control.

Brain scans reveal the unique brain structures linked to frequent lucid dreaming

Black Lives Matter protests sparked a short-term conservative backlash but ultimately shifted the 2020 election towards Democrats New research shows the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests didn't just mobilize existing voters. By shifting public attitudes on racial inequality, the massive demonstrations significantly increased local Democratic support in the presidential election.

Black Lives Matter protests sparked a short-term conservative backlash but ultimately shifted the 2020 election towards Democrats

Massive global study links the habit of forgiving others to better overall well-being A recent study published in npj Mental Health Research found that a general tendency to forgive others is associated with small but broad improvements in a person's overall well-being. These positive links appeared across multiple cultures.

Massive global study links the habit of forgiving others to better overall well-being

Neuroscientists have pinpointed a potential biological signature for psychopathy A recent study suggests that high psychopathic traits are linked to reduced thickness in brain regions responsible for processing emotions. This neural pattern appears consistently, regardless of a person's criminal history.

Neuroscientists have pinpointed a potential biological signature for psychopathy

Supportive relationships are linked to positive personality changes A new longitudinal study of university students found that having non-controlling, supportive relationships is associated with slight increases in well-being, agreeableness, conscientiousness, and openness to experience over the course of an academic year.

Supportive relationships are linked to positive personality changes

Brain-controlled assistive robots work best when they share the workload with users Researchers have developed a collaborative brain-robot interface for people with severe motor impairments. Their findings suggest that a "shared autonomy" approach provides the best balance of task success, ease of use, and personal independence.

Brain-controlled assistive robots work best when they share the workload with users

Common airborne chemicals are linked to suicidal thoughts in a new public health study Researchers found a positive association between the presence of common environmental pollutants in the human body and thoughts of self-harm. The findings suggest that everyday chemical exposure could negatively affect our mental well-being.

Common airborne chemicals are linked to suicidal thoughts in a new public health study

New research sheds light on the psychological recipe for a grudge New research reveals that holding a grudge requires a specific emotional mix of hurt feelings and anger. Together, these emotions cause victims to view their offender as highly immoral, creating a psychological shield against future harm.

New research sheds light on the psychological recipe for a grudge

Eating ultra-processed foods is not linked to faster mental decline, study finds While ultra-processed foods are often tied to health issues, a decade-long study suggests they do not speed up cognitive decline. Researchers found that overall diet quality plays a bigger role in maintaining memory and focus in older adults.

Eating ultra-processed foods is not linked to faster mental decline, study finds

Hypocrisy and intolerance drive religious doubt among college students Young adults often question their faith when they see religious intolerance. A recent study shows that while these doubts can cause anxiety, they also encourage a flexible, open-minded search for meaning and greater intellectual humility.

Hypocrisy and intolerance drive religious doubt among college students

A single dose of DMT reverses depression-like symptoms in mice by repairing brain circuitry A recent study in Translational Psychiatry shows that one dose of DMT reversed loss of pleasure and cognitive deficits in stressed mice. The psychedelic promoted new brain cell growth, highlighting its potential as a rapid-acting antidepressant.

A single dose of DMT reverses depression-like symptoms in mice by repairing brain circuitry

Apocalyptic views are surprisingly common among Americans and predict responses to existential hazards Many people expect the world to end soon. A new study reveals that these apocalyptic narratives consistently predict how individuals perceive and plan to respond to real global hazards like climate change and artificial intelligence.

Apocalyptic views are surprisingly common among Americans and predict responses to existential hazards

A psychological need for certainty is associated with radical right voting How we handle uncertainty might shape our politics. Research in Personality and Individual Differences indicates that a lower tolerance for ambiguity is associated with right-wing authoritarianism and populist attitudes, which tends to predict radical right voting.

A psychological need for certainty is associated with radical right voting

Blocking a common brain gas reverses autism-like traits in mice Scientists have mapped a direct link between a common brain gas and the hyperactive cell growth often seen in autism. Protecting a specific protein from this gas normalized behavior in animal models and human cell cultures.

Blocking a common brain gas reverses autism-like traits in mice

New psychology research sheds light on why empathetic people end up with toxic partners A speed-dating study published in Personal Relationships suggests that opposites do not necessarily attract regarding extreme personalities. Evidence indicates that highly kind individuals never actually seek out malicious partners, but they simply fail to reject them.

New psychology research sheds light on why empathetic people end up with toxic partners

Cognitive deficits underlying ADHD do not explain the link with problematic social media use Young adults with ADHD symptoms often struggle with social media and gaming addiction. However, a new study reveals that core ADHD cognitive deficits—like poor impulse control and time blindness—don't actually explain this link.

Cognitive deficits underlying ADHD do not explain the link with problematic social media use

Scientists identify brain regions associated with auditory hallucinations in borderline personality disorder A recent study in Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging suggests that hearing voices in borderline personality disorder is tied to reduced gray matter in specific brain regions. This provides evidence for shared physical mechanisms of hallucinations across mental health conditions.

Scientists identify brain regions associated with auditory hallucinations in borderline personality disorder

People with the least political knowledge tend to be the most overconfident in their grasp of facts People often misjudge their understanding of verifiable political facts. A new study published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology: Applied provides evidence that individuals with the least actual knowledge tend to display the highest levels of overconfidence.

People with the least political knowledge tend to be the most overconfident in their grasp of facts

How the wording of a trigger warning changes our psychological response A recent psychology study found that while trigger warnings don't reduce emotional distress, their wording drastically changes our cognitive response. Vague warnings leave the brain guessing, inadvertently causing a spike in intrusive memories days later.

How the wording of a trigger warning changes our psychological response

Dating and breakups take a heavy emotional toll on adolescent mental health Adolescence brings sudden emotional changes, and romantic relationships often add unexpected stress. Researchers tracking middle and high school students in China discovered that starting a new relationship elevated the chances of future suicidal actions.

Dating and breakups take a heavy emotional toll on adolescent mental health