Brain games, crosswords and math puzzles are often promoted as ways to sharpen memory, but neurologists warn that generic exercises may not address the specific cause of mental fog. Dr. Rhonda Voskuhl, a professor of neurology at UCLA and co-founder of Cleopatra RX in Los Angeles, says brain exercises only work if they target the … Read more
Reminding yourself to smile often can not only make more friendships but it can also make you feel better. And rather than wait for a reason to smile, just making the physical change of literally turning that frown upside down could impact emotions, according to experts. Research backs up the fact that smiling goes a … Read more
Fiction writers are constantly exhorted: Write what you know! To explore something all too real — the distorted way mental illness is regarded today — author Freddie DeBoer picks up that venerable admonition and runs with it. In his new book “All in Your Head: Illness as Identity, Trauma as Fashion, and the Desire to … Read more
Austin, Texas, is known for keeping things weird, but last week, the city got downright trippy when 600 people descended on it to expand their minds. There were neuroscientists and researchers, wellness gurus and biohackers, seasoned psychonauts who’d journeyed to South America to take ayahuasca with a shaman — and enough women who looked like … Read more
DEAR ABBY: I’m 34 years old and have been diagnosed with schizoaffective bipolar disorder. I have been in treatment for years with a psychiatrist and a therapist, and I take my medication daily as instructed. I do not drink or use drugs. I am committed to my mental health to prove that people like me … Read more
A new analysis of 44 studies has linked “doomscrolling” to higher levels of anxiety and psychological distress — but for some, information overload may also contribute to a phenomenon one neurologist calls “helicopter brain.” The research, published in Frontiers in Psychology, found associations between excessive consumption of negative online content and poorer mental health, although … Read more
New research shows that U.S. alcohol use has declined for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, but drinking remains above pre-pandemic levels — with one particular group showing a sharp increase in heavy intake. A study led by the University of Southern California/Keck Medicine found that among adults ages 50 to 64, alcohol use … Read more
Patrick Clancy says a therapy treatment he used to cope with the trauma of losing his children worked “like a miracle.” Speaking in extended clips from the latest episode of “60 Minutes,” the 36-year-old said that EMDR, a trauma-focused psychotherapy, helped him face what he was dealing with “head on.” “It’s unpleasant but they get you … Read more
This story might get under your skin. A man’s hospital visit took a bizarre turn when testing revealed multiple “foreign bodies” lodged in his heart, abdomen, pelvis, bladder and even his penis. The most disturbing part? Doctors think he put them there himself. Surgeons operated on a patient after doctors discovered multiple foreign objects in … Read more
Suicide is notoriously difficult to predict. Warning signs may be subtle, fleeting or easy to mistake for ordinary changes in mood or behavior. For Americans aged 10 to 34, suicide is the second-leading cause of death, and it’s the fourth-leading cause among individuals between the ages of 35 and 44. To intervene early and save … Read more
Everyone may be worried about AI coming for our jobs, but the toll this technology takes on the young people shouldn’t be ignored. While the European Union recently banned health-threatening AI tech, the US is behind on comprehensive federal rules governing artificial intelligence. And new research has found an alarming link between AI chatbot use … Read more
On paper, Meg Sexton was thriving. The recent college graduate was working in event planning and fund-raising by day, and taking classes for her Ph.D. in higher education and leadership by night. She trained for marathons — regularly running over 80 miles a week — and nurtured a relationship with her now-husband, too. But on … Read more
The average American hits their energy wall before 3 p.m. on any given day, according to new research. A survey of 2,000 U.S. adults revealed that by 2:48 p.m., their energy typically begins to fade, though one in five (21%) say it wanes before noon. In fact, 82% of those polled feel like they’re operating … Read more
New research has revealed that more than half of Americans admit they regularly fail to step outside during an in-office workday. A survey of 2,000 hybrid workers explored the realities of the daily grind and uncovered that beyond their morning and evening commute, 56% stay trapped indoors. On top of that, 85% of workers skip … 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
Stay-at-home mom Bari Sinoyannis thought she was buying a natural, plant-based alternative to pain relievers when she picked up kratom powder at a North Carolina smoke shop in 2022. “The fact that it’s labeled as a natural alternative to pain medication was why I fell for it. I was like, you know what? I’m gonna … Read more
The old saying that laughter is the best medicine may be true, according to new research that suggests it is also a vital catalyst for children’s development. Laughter and play are fundamental to healthy brain growth, emotional well-being and social bonding, according to Jacqueline Harding, Ph.D., an early childhood expert at Middlesex University in London. In her book, “The … Read more
DEAR ABBY: My wife and I have scheduled a long road trip with another couple. All four of us are retired with a zest to explore. We share common interests, enjoy each other’s company and intend to share the driving. The catch is, we recently experienced the erratic driving of the other gentleman, and my … Read more
The days of wanting to climb the corporate ladder seem to be gone. A new study suggests that burned-out, stressed employees are turning down higher-paying promotions because they don’t want to deal with all the added stress and anxiety that come with it. AI career tool Kickresume recently surveyed 1,028 respondents to find out their views … 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