mental health Archives

“Disclosure Day” in Real Life? Scientists and Mental Health Advocates Update Rules for Alien Contact as “Disclosure” Debate Grows

Chrissy Newton·June 11, 2026

Scientists and public health advocates are urging for preparedness in advance of confirmation of the discovery of extraterrestrial life.

Frequent Exposure to News Involving Gun Violence is Linked to Depression, Researchers Find

Chrissy Newton·May 14, 2026

Researchers at Rutgers University have found that frequent exposure to real-world gun violence through the media may affect our mental health.

Five Psychedelics, One Pattern: Largest Brain Imaging Study of Psychedelics To Date Reveals a Surprising Neural Signature

Austin Burgess·April 17, 2026

The largest brain imaging analysis of psychedelics to date, recently published in Nature Medicine, has identified two patterns of brain activity that appear across five different drugs.

Psilocybin Shows Breakthrough Potential for Quitting Smoking, Beating Nicotine Patches in Clinical Trial

Tim McMillan·April 6, 2026

Psilocybin therapy shows promise for quitting smoking, outperforming nicotine patches in a new clinical trial study.

AI Therapists May Be Doing More Harm Than Good, Study Warns

Tim McMillan·March 23, 2026

Study finds AI therapists may reinforce harmful beliefs, show bias, and fail in crises, raising serious mental health concerns.

Clinicians Push Back on Common Myths About Dissociation

Austin Burgess·February 3, 2026

A new clinical handbook, Working with Dissociation in Clinical Practice, by Helena Crockford, Melanie Goodwin, and Paul Langthorne, explains that dissociation is more than a brief loss of focus or a rare mental health condition.

Some Brains ‘Switch Gears’ More Efficiently Than Others—New Research Reveals Why

Austin Burgess·January 8, 2026

The brain’s ability to switch between fast and slow processes depends on communication between regions, new research reveals.

A Surprising Antidepressant? How Laughing Gas Is Emerging as a Rapid Treatment for Severe Depression

Tim McMillan·December 9, 2025

New research shows Laughing Gas can ease depression within hours, though questions remain about its safety and lasting benefits.

No, Your Gut Microbiome Doesn’t Contribute to Autism—New Study Dismantles Decades of Misleading Claims

MJ Banias·November 14, 2025

A comprehensive analysis has found no scientific evidence supporting the hypothesis that the gut microbiome causally contributes to autism.

Microsoft and INBRAIN Neuroelectronics Partner to Advance AI-Driven Brain-Computer Interface Therapeutics

Chrissy Newton·November 12, 2025

Spanish brain-computer interface (BCI) company INBRAIN Neuroelectronics has announced its collaboration with Microsoft to explore AI applications for real-time brain-computer interface therapeutics.

Scientists Are Putting $14.2M Behind an Ambitious New Effort to Map the Body’s “Hidden” Sixth Sense

Tim McMillan·October 28, 2025

NIH invests $14.2 million to map interoception, the body’s hidden sixth sense, revealing how the brain monitors vital internal signals.

Sweeping U.S. Study Finds Little Evidence of Smartphones Harming Mental Health

Tim McMillan·October 21, 2025

Large U.S. study finds smartphones have little impact on mood, revealing a complex and often overstated link to mental health.

You’re Welcome, Couch Potatoes. Binge-Watching TV is Actually Good for You

Christopher Plain·September 1, 2025

Binge-watching TV which has often been considered a negative behavior may have positive mental health benefits including helping with stress.

New Research Probes Link Between Claims of Past Life Memories, Trauma, and Spiritual Beliefs

Christopher Plain·August 9, 2025

New research is exploring potential links between claims of past life memories, trauma, and spiritual beliefs.

Researchers Discover “Doubling-Back Aversion” —The Hidden Bias Sabotaging Smart Decisions

Tim McMillan·July 21, 2025

A new study reveals how Doubling-Back Aversion leads people to reject smarter choices just to avoid undoing past progress.

Psilocybin Therapy Offers “Paradigm-Changing Alternative” to Conventional Treatment for Depression, Clinical Trials Show

Tim McMillan·June 16, 2025

A single dose of psilocybin shows lasting relief from depression and anxiety in cancer patients, in latest clinical trials.

Out-of-Body Experiences Could Be Coping Mechanisms Instead of Pathology, New Research Suggests

Christopher Plain·June 14, 2025

Scientists studying out-of-body experiences suggest they may be symptoms of these past experiences and not a cause of poor mental health.

Digital Detox: Doing This With Your Smartphone Can Significantly Boost Mental Health, New Study Finds

Tim McMillan·February 20, 2025

New research shows how blocking mobile internet can significantly boost one's mental health, focus, and well-being.

Could Your Voice Reveal Insights Into Your Mental Health? New Screening Tools are Making it Possible

Chrissy Newton·February 4, 2025

Researchers have developed an automated screening tool that can reliably diagnose mental health issues using voice analysis.

Communities Impacted by Mass Shootings See a Rise in Alcohol Consumption, Study Reveals

Chrissy Newton·January 23, 2025

A new study highlights a correlation between increased alcohol sales in communities and the aftermath of gun violence.

Mystical Feelings of Awe Amplify Ketamine’s Antidepressant Effects, Research Reveals

Tim McMillan·January 13, 2025

New research involving ketamine continues show that having a mystical experience is key to the effectiveness of psychedelic therapy.

Largest-Ever Study on Ayahuasca Reveals Its Potential to Boost Mental Health and Well-Being

Tim McMillan·January 2, 2025

Largest-ever study on ayahuasca sheds light on its potential benefits as a psychedelic therapy and ability to improve mental health.

Virtual Reality Could Revolutionize Police Training for Encounters That Lead to Mental Health Crises. Here’s How.

Tim McMillan·November 26, 2024

New research reveals VR training can successfully improve law enforcement responses to individuals experiencing a mental health crisis.

Athletes Excel at Mental Gymnastics: Study Reveals Link Between Sports and Working Memory

Tim McMillan·November 25, 2024

A new meta-analysis shows that athletes have significantly superior working memory compared to their sedentary counterparts.

Debunking Myths: Autism Doesn’t Increase or Protect Against Conspiracy Beliefs, New Research Shows

Tim McMillan·October 29, 2024

New research finds that people with autism are no more susceptible to conspiracy beliefs than the general public.

Suicide Risk Is Highest on This Day of the Week, New 50-Year Survey Reveals

Christopher Plain·October 28, 2024

A survey of five decades of data found that the risk of suicide increased on one particular day of thew week and one day of the year.

High-Potency Cannabis Use May Have an Unexpected Effect on DNA and Psychosis

Christopher Plain·October 17, 2024

High-potency cannabis may cause changes to human DNA expression resulting in a user's first experience with psychosis.

Lucid Dreaming Breakthrough: Startup Claims First-Ever Two-Way Dream Communication

Chrissy Newton·October 8, 2024

REMspace, a California-based neurotech startup, claims to have achieved the first two-way communication between individuals during lucid dreaming.

New Study Confirms: Critical Thinking Is Mentally Draining and Inherently Unpleasant

Tim McMillan·September 30, 2024

Science confirms what many have already suspected —critical thinking mentally draining and often unpleasant.

COVID-19 Lockdowns Sparked Premature Brain Aging in Teens, New Research Finds

Tim McMillan·September 12, 2024

New research finds COVID-19 lockdowns caused unusually accelerated brain aging in teenagers, potentially effecting long-term mental health.

New Research Shows Dungeons & Dragons Can Help People with Autism “Conquer” Social Situations and Find Their “Inner Hero”

Christopher Plain·September 10, 2024

A new study found that playing Dungeons and Dragons can have significant social benefits for people with autism.

Playing Video Games Can Boost Satisfaction and Improve Mental Wellness, New Research Shows

Tim McMillan·August 21, 2024

Contradicting previous studies, new research finds that playing video games can improve life satisfaction and mental health.

Good News, Nerds! Playing Dungeons and Dragons is Probably Good for You

Christopher Plain·July 17, 2024

A new study has found that playing the fantasy role-playing game Dungeons and Dragons can improve your overall mental health.

New Study Challenges the Safety of Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy, Highlighting Risks Alongside Benefits

Tim McMillan·April 30, 2024

New research from Sweden and Iceland highlights the potential short-term and long-term risks of psychedelic assisted therapy.

Psychedelic Therapy Breakthrough: FDA Awards First-Ever ‘Breakthrough’ Status to LSD-Based Drug for the Treatment of Anxiety

Tim McMillan·March 8, 2024

The FDA's historic nod to LSD-based drugs for mental health could revolutionize treatment for anxiety and depression.

mental health

Researchers See Five-Fold Increase in Psychosis with Regular Use