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Psychologists clash over the safety and effects of the cry it out parenting strategy Few parenting topics spark as much debate as the "cry it out" method. While some experts warn it causes psychological harm, a study in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry argues it does not negatively affect infant development.

Psychologists clash over the safety and effects of the cry it out parenting strategy

Exploring the motivations for cannabis use during sex Exploring the overlooked aspects of substance-related sexuality, a new analysis of young adults demonstrates how cannabis serves to heighten physical pleasure and intimacy.

Exploring the motivations for cannabis use during sex

A single dose of cocoa flavanols improves cognitive performance during aerobic exercise Physical exertion combined with deep concentration can severely slow down human reaction times. A recent trial reveals that taking a dietary supplement derived from cocoa plants helps active individuals retain their mental sharpness during taxing workouts.

A single dose of cocoa flavanols improves cognitive performance during aerobic exercise

Standard mental health therapies often fall short for autistic adults, study suggests A large dataset analysis indicates that standard psychological therapies frequently fail to help autistic patients with depression and anxiety. Researchers found that adapting care to fit neurodivergent needs is necessary to improve patient outcomes.

Standard mental health therapies often fall short for autistic adults, study suggests

Black employees struggle to thrive under managers perceived as Trump supporters A new study published in the Human Resource Management Journal shows that Black employees feel less included and less able to excel when their managers support Donald Trump. This effect is especially strong for younger workers.

Black employees struggle to thrive under managers perceived as Trump supporters

The psychological drive for structure predicts conspiracy thinking Why do analytical people fall for conspiracy theories? A new study reveals that individuals who crave strict rules and predictable patterns are easily drawn to the artificial sense of order that conspiratorial narratives provide.

The psychological drive for structure predicts conspiracy thinking

Fascinating new research reveals your heart rate drops when your brain misperceives the world A new study reveals that your heart rate slows down more when you make a visual mistake than when you see things correctly. This suggests our bodies physically react to perceptual errors in real-time.

Fascinating new research reveals your heart rate drops when your brain misperceives the world

Scientists discover psychedelic drug 5-MeO-DMT induces a state of “paradoxical wake” A new study in Communications Biology provides evidence that a psychedelic drug induces a hybrid sleep-wake state in active mice. This unusual brain activity suggests a potential mechanism for how psychedelics might help remodel neural connections.

Scientists discover psychedelic drug 5-MeO-DMT induces a state of “paradoxical wake”

Sexsomnia: How common is sleep sex? Sleep sex is a real medical condition. Explore sexsomnia symptoms, risk factors, brain wave research, and potential management strategies.

Sexsomnia: How common is sleep sex?

Children of divorce develop stronger morals but face hidden emotional struggles A new study reveals a striking paradox: children who experience parental loss or divorce often develop exceptional moral maturity. However, this forced ethical growth masks deep emotional struggles, including anxiety, depression, and a lack of social support.

Children of divorce develop stronger morals but face hidden emotional struggles

Altering gut bacteria with antibiotics reduces inflammation from traumatic brain injuries Researchers discovered that clearing out certain digestive bacteria with antibiotics helps calm the immune system. This temporary microbial shift protected mice from severe brain swelling and cellular death following repeated head injuries.

Altering gut bacteria with antibiotics reduces inflammation from traumatic brain injuries

Asexual women tend to prioritize different traits in a partner compared to heterosexual women A recent paper in the Archives of Sexual Behavior suggests asexual women tend to prioritize emotional closeness over sexual experience in partners. This provides evidence that human relationship goals follow different paths when sexual attraction is absent.

Asexual women tend to prioritize different traits in a partner compared to heterosexual women

The psychological reason why dark humor isn’t for everyone Humor is often called the best medicine, but a new study reveals the prescription matters. While lighthearted comedy universally reduces anxiety, exposure to dark humor actually spikes stress levels in people who don’t naturally prefer it.

The psychological reason why dark humor isn’t for everyone

Broad claims about gender and behavior fall apart when studies include ethnically diverse samples Behavioral economics relies heavily on studies of Western, educated people. A recent analysis provides evidence that ignoring racial diversity within the United States has led to flawed generalizations about how different groups make decisions.

Broad claims about gender and behavior fall apart when studies include ethnically diverse samples

New research on acquired aphantasia pinpoints specific brain network responsible for visual imagination People who lose their visual imagination after a stroke share damage to a single neural circuit. A new analysis maps these rare injuries to pinpoint the exact brain network that generates our internal visual world.

New research on acquired aphantasia pinpoints specific brain network responsible for visual imagination

X’s feed algorithm shifts users’ political opinions to the right, new study finds Feed algorithms are not politically neutral. According to a recent study published in the journal Nature, using the algorithmic feed on X shifted users' political views toward conservative positions and permanently altered their online environment.

X’s feed algorithm shifts users’ political opinions to the right, new study finds

Self-interest, not spontaneous generosity, drives equality among Hadza hunter-gatherers A new study published in PNAS Nexus suggests that the famous equality seen in some hunter-gatherer societies might be driven more by self-interest and demanding a fair share than by a natural desire to be generous.

Self-interest, not spontaneous generosity, drives equality among Hadza hunter-gatherers

Entitled and exploitative people are more likely to treat others as objects, study finds What kind of person views others as easily replaceable objects? A recent study uncovers the core personality traits behind objectification, highlighting the roles of selfishness, low agreeableness, and a surprising lack of intellectual openness.

Entitled and exploitative people are more likely to treat others as objects, study finds

Brain scans of Buddhist monks reveal how different meditation styles alter consciousness By measuring the magnetic fields of the brain, researchers found that different contemplative practices uniquely change how our minds balance strict order and total chaos. These shifts make neural activity more adaptable and less predictable over time.

Brain scans of Buddhist monks reveal how different meditation styles alter consciousness

Republican rhetoric on mass shootings does not change public opinion on gun reform New research shows that changing how lawmakers discuss mass shootings has little effect on voter beliefs. Most Americans already support various firearm restrictions, and their entrenched views do not shift when politicians alter their public messaging.

Republican rhetoric on mass shootings does not change public opinion on gun reform

Psychologists test the popular belief that you must love yourself to love a partner Popular advice claims you must love yourself before loving someone else. New research reveals that specific habits of self-care actually do foster better intimacy and commitment in romantic relationships.

Psychologists test the popular belief that you must love yourself to love a partner

Multiple childhood traumas linked to highly interconnected addictive behaviors in adulthood Experiencing multiple childhood traumas doesn't just increase the risk of a single addiction. A new study suggests it creates a dense, interconnected web of overlapping substance and behavioral addictions that reinforce one another in adulthood.

Multiple childhood traumas linked to highly interconnected addictive behaviors in adulthood

War leaves most adults in Gaza with severe mental health conditions Most adults in the Gaza Strip are experiencing severe anxiety, depression, and trauma. New research highlights an urgent need for widespread psychiatric support.

War leaves most adults in Gaza with severe mental health conditions

Childhood ADHD medication is linked to slight changes in adult height and weight A large study reveals that using methylphenidate to treat childhood behavioral conditions is associated with minor changes in adult body mass and height.

Childhood ADHD medication is linked to slight changes in adult height and weight

Growing up with solid cooking fuels linked to long-term brain health risks Breathing indoor air pollution during childhood tends to be linked to worse memory in older adulthood. A new study suggests that improving access to clean energy early in life might help protect the brain as it ages.

Growing up with solid cooking fuels linked to long-term brain health risks

Your relationship dynamic plays a bigger role in jealousy than your personality, new study shows A new study published in Personal Relationships suggests that a person's level of relationship jealousy remains fairly steady over time with a specific partner, but can shift significantly when they enter a new relationship.

Your relationship dynamic plays a bigger role in jealousy than your personality, new study shows

Problematic TikTok use correlates with social anxiety and daily cognitive errors Researchers observed a link between a constant fear of missing out, addictive TikTok habits, and everyday memory errors. These findings suggest that short video platforms share a unique relationship with how our minds maintain focus.

Problematic TikTok use correlates with social anxiety and daily cognitive errors

Psychology study shows how a “fixed mindset” helps socially anxious people New research suggests a surprisingly simple way to ease social anxiety: assume first impressions are permanent. A study found that believing others' opinions won't easily change reduces mental exhaustion and helps socially anxious people navigate interactions with ease.

Psychology study shows how a “fixed mindset” helps socially anxious people

Dark personality traits are linked to the consumption of violent pornography Individuals who exhibit dark personality traits spend more time consuming violent pornography. A recent study suggests this behavior creates a reinforcing cycle where aggressive media normalizes antisocial tendencies in viewers.

Dark personality traits are linked to the consumption of violent pornography

Why most people fail to spot AI-generated faces, while super-recognizers have a subtle advantage Most people struggle to tell real faces from computer-generated ones. However, a British Journal of Psychology study provides evidence that highly skilled face recognizers have a slight advantage because they subconsciously detect unnatural facial averageness.

Why most people fail to spot AI-generated faces, while super-recognizers have a subtle advantage