Everyone’s worried AI will take their job. Europe is more concerned it could take a toll on our health. While the US still lacks comprehensive federal rules governing artificial intelligence, the European Union is rolling out sweeping regulations this week designed to protect people from AI systems that manipulate, exploit or harm users. The EU … Read more
Is it just a slammed bedroom door — or something more? Moodiness is often considered part of the teenage years, but for some adolescents, persistent irritability, withdrawal or changes in behavior may signal something deeper. Research shows that about 1 in 5 young Americans experiences clinical depression, yet the condition can be difficult for parents … Read more
Aaisha Alvi was sitting in a doctor’s office when she first heard the command. “Stab Lina! Stab Lina! Stab Lina!” At the same time, she saw a vision of a long carver knife plunging into her 4-year-old daughter Lina’s chest again and again. “I didn’t want to do what the voice was telling me, but … Read more
Sugar-free foods and beverages may help your waistline, but they could come at a cost to your brain. A study from the University of São Paulo in Brazil suggests that artificial sweeteners may speed up cognitive decline — with two groups appearing to face the greatest risk, including people with a disease affecting more than … Read more
It’s a trip doctors hope leads to a breakthrough. A small new study suggests that magic mushrooms may one day offer a new treatment for anorexia nervosa, a serious eating disorder marked by severe food restriction, an intense fear of gaining weight and a distorted body image. That could be a major breakthrough, as anorexia … Read more
A right ray of sunshine? Meh. While most people find warm, sunny weather a welcome relief after brutal arctic winters with record-breaking blizzards, not everyone looks forward to those clear-sky, 80-degree days. In fact, some people are pretty miserable in the summer — tired, touchy and impatiently waiting for cooler temps and shorter days to … Read more
Caitlyn Ecock used to feel like just another cog in the machine. Inside the cardiac procedures unit at NYU Langone Hospital-Brooklyn, the 28-year-old had grown accustomed to darting between patients, checking vitals, prepping them for surgery and keeping the department moving amid a constant flow of activity. But somewhere in the middle of the chaos, … Read more
Can depression and anxiety be contagious? A new study from Finland suggests the answer is yes — but surprisingly, it’s not just because having sad friends makes you feel sad, too. It’s possible that emotional distress can spread even through online interaction. Drazen – stock.adobe.com Publishing in JAMA Psychiatry, researchers looked at over 600,000 young … Read more
It’s an exclusive club no one wants to be a member of. That’s how several people explained why they were at a “Grief, Sweat, & Tears” event this spring, at which about 25 men and women met up for a double-header barre and spin class. When everyone gathered in the lobby to chat afterward, sweaty … Read more
New baby, new emotions. Over 80% of new mothers experience the “baby blues” shortly after childbirth due to changing hormones, exhaustion and stress. The “baby blues” are characterized by rapid mood shifts — from joy to tears — but they usually resolve within two weeks and don’t impair daily function. Postpartum depression and anxiety are … Read more
The manosphere may be online, but its influence is showing up in real life. A new study has identified what researchers call the “M factor,” a syndrome categorized by a cluster of attitudes linked to misogyny, male supremacy, violence and opposition to gender equality. “The M factor reflects an attitude that sees ‘true masculinity’ as … Read more
New evidence shows glowing results for a menopause medication that avoids the risks associated with traditional hormone therapy. “The magnitude of the effect was interesting,” senior author Dr. Pauline M. Maki told The Post. “I didn’t anticipate it, though, because it’s a hard level of symptoms to improve.” Most women going through menopause experience hot … Read more
You really can feel down in the mouth. We tend to think of depression as something that exists in the mind, but the reality is that it affects the whole body — and the whole body can have an impact on depression, including your teeth and gums. “Poor oral hygiene can lead to gum disease. … Read more
From shedding pounds and treating sleep apnea to lowering the risk of heart attacks, GLP-1s have rapidly evolved beyond their original purpose of treating Type 2 diabetes. Drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy are now being studied for a growing list of possible benefits, with early research pointing to possible effects on substance use disorders, neurodegenerative … Read more
It’s easy to get caught up in tending to your weight or the look of your biceps — but don’t forget about gains for your brain. “The brain is a part of our body. The same things that create wellness within our body create wellness within our brain,” Dr. Randy D’Amico, director of the Brain … Read more
Sometimes, seeing isn’t believing. Across the country, Americans are losing weight faster than ever thanks to blockbuster obesity drugs like Wegovy and Zepbound, with roughly one in eight US adults now turning to GLP-1s to slim down. But for some users, the dramatic physical changes come with an unexpected psychological twist. Users of GLP-1 drugs … Read more
Cameron West, who lives with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), revealed childhood sexual abuse by his grandmother. Rikki, West’s wife, helped manage his breakdown and supported their family through his 24 alters. West’s 1999 book, “First Person Plural,” a bestseller, is reissued with a new epilogue. Cameron West’s eyes go somewhere else for a moment. He’s … Read more
Bionic brain rot? New research suggests that AI can compromise cognitive function and problem-solving abilities in as little as ten minutes. While the long-term effects of AI have yet to be established, a new study reveals that the technology can seriously impair brain performance in a relatively short period. The study evaluated the effects of … Read more
A new autism diagnostic tool could enable earlier detection — and it’s as simple as going to the bathroom. The breakthrough screening developed by researchers at Arizona State University evaluates urine for certain compounds that may identify children with autism. And with autism diagnoses skyrocketing 175% between 2011 and 2022, spotting the developmental disorder sooner, … Read more
Oh, Monday mournin’. The first day of the workweek has long been maligned because it marks the startling shift from the weekend unwind to the weekday grind. It’s no coincidence that stress, heart attacks and even suicides have been shown to spike on Mondays, with the trend known as the “Monday effect.” But then again, … Read more