A woman on TikTok is bravely sharing her experience living with schizophrenia. Last week, she detailed her hallucinatory symptoms in a post that went viral with more than 5.1 million views on the social media app. She employs her video editing skills to demonstrate the phenomenon — which she describes as seeing “black masses” rather … Read more
There are plenty of things that can go wrong in your brain, but one neurologist recently revealed “the most terrifying neurological condition” he’s ever seen. People with the super rare condition can feel totally normal on the inside — but on the outside, their lives are changed forever. “As a neurologist, I see a lot … Read more
Yoga in a bottle? Scientists have identified the specific part of the brain that controls conscious slow breathing and meditation techniques — and said the breakthrough could create a whole new class of anti-anxiety drugs they’re dubbing the “yoga pill.” The pill could make a person suffering from a panic attack or anxiety automatically slow … Read more
There’s more than one way to play. There’s a lot more to sex than the ‘ole in-out. Research shows that a good orgasm has the power to rewire the brain, releasing feel-good chemicals to enhance bonding between partners, including dopamine and oxytocin, while also boosting mental health. Sexologist and journalist Jessica Toscano shared the secrets … Read more
First there was “the dress,” then there was the sneakers, now there’s a debate over the color blue. If you’ve ever argued with a friend over whether something is blue or green, you’re not alone. A new test called “Is my blue your blue?” reveals how different — or similar — your color perceptions are … Read more
A rare, fatal disease called SPG50 affects fewer than 100 people in the world — and one of them is Naomi Lockard, a 3-year-old in Colorado. An experimental genetic therapy has shown promise in stopping the disease’s progression — but it is far too expensive for most families to afford. Rebekah Lockard, the girl’s mother, is on … Read more
Not all vices are created equally. New research published in Human Brain Mapping shows that pornographic images trigger the reward centers of the brain more than the prospect of money or gaming in healthy adult men. The study explored how the human brain becomes conditioned to receive internet-related stimuli, particularly pornography, gambling and video gaming — … Read more
A chiropractic neurologist revealed a simple exercise that could alleviate one of the worst, most common but surprising symptoms of anxiety — “air hunger.” Medically referred to as dyspnea, air hunger is the feeling of shortness of breath people feel when they struggle to breathe, have a tightness in the chest and feel as if … Read more
Coffee lovers know that drinking a caffeinated beverage first thing in the morning can fill their cup in more ways than one. In curating your overall coffee experience, the mug from which you drink it is just as important as the way you brew it, according to coffee experts and journalists Jordan Michelman and Zachary Carlsen, who write … Read more
The secret to curing depression is right under your nose, according to a new study. Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh learned that smells are more effective than words in evoking positive memories, which could help people with depression get out of negative thought patterns. Researchers exposed 32 people between the ages of 18 and … Read more
Breakthrough research shows that a simple blood test can flag symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) up to 15 years in advance, according to a Times of London report. Neurological scientists from Sweden’s University of Gothenburg have found ways to simply test for the residue of a protein known as phosphorylated Tau 217 (pTau 217), which is … Read more
Medical experts have found that taking a daily multivitamin can ward off cognitive decline by up to two years, according to a new study out of Massachusetts General Hospital. Cognitive decline is one of the first and primary symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s and dementia diseases, which combined affect 55 million people worldwide, according to the … Read more
At one point in her life, Amber Pearson spent eight hours a day acting out her obsessive thoughts. She washed her hands until they bled, repeatedly checked the locks on her doors and ate separately from her family due to an intense fear of food contamination. Pearson, 34, has OCD, or obsessive-compulsive disorder, that neither therapy … Read more
Type-A personality? Some blood transfusion recipients have reported changes in their mood, behavior, and even memories after undergoing the procedure. Researchers from the University of Geneva noted that six of seven study participants “acknowledged the possibility that transfusions might induce changes in behavior or values.” “Three patients acknowledged that their transfusion might have changed their … Read more
The eyes are the window to the soul — especially the left one, according to a neuroscientist. Dr. Tara Swart, senior lecturer at Massachusetts Institute at Technology (MIT), said looking in your date’s left eye can strengthen an emotional connection. Swart used a mother holding her baby as an example of how emotional bonds are … Read more
AI-driven technology being used by optometrists in the United Kingdom is able to spot Parkinson’s disease through eye scans with an average seven years of warning, according to researchers from London’s Moorfields Eye Hospital. “This is the first time anyone has shown these findings several years before diagnosis,” according to a release on the breakthrough … Read more
Could using television as a babysitter have adverse effects on a child? It’s possible, says a new study that finds the more time toddlers spend looking at screens — televisions, computers, tablets or smartphones — the more likely they are to have developmental delays. These delays could be in communication, fine-motor, problem-solving or personal and … Read more
Thanks to Pink Floyd, scientists have made a new breakthrough, adding “another brick in the wall of our understanding of music processing in the human brain.” New research published Tuesday in the journal PLoS Biology showed that scientists can train a computer to recreate a song based solely on the brain activity of someone listening … Read more
Long-term use of popular acid reflux drugs has been linked to a higher risk of dementia, according to a new study. Published Wednesday in the journal for the American Academy of Neurology, the report examined patients who take medications called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), such as omeprazole (Prilosec), esomeprazole (Nexium) and lansoprazole (Prevacid). Acid reflux occurs … Read more
The average life expectancy in the U.S. has dipped to 76.4 years, according to December data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) — but many medical professionals believe people can extend their longevity by adopting certain lifestyle habits. Dr. Brett Osborn, a board-certified neurosurgeon in West Palm Beach, Florida, is also the founder … Read more