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anxiety

·May 24, 2025·2 min read

Married Minds: Oral Microbiota May Mediate Shared Anxiety

A new study suggests that oral microbiota transmission between newlywed couples may influence the onset of depression and anxiety symptoms. Researchers observed that healthy spouses of partners with insomnia, depression, and anxiety developed similar mental health symptoms and microbiota profiles within six months of marriage.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 20, 2025·4 min read

Body’s Own Cannabinoids May Help Control Trauma-Linked Fear

A new study reveals that a natural cannabinoid in the body, 2-AG, plays a crucial role in regulating fear responses, particularly in individuals with PTSD and anxiety. Researchers found that lower levels of 2-AG in both mice and humans were linked to exaggerated or overgeneralized fear reactions to non-threatening stimuli. This suggests that 2-AG helps the brain distinguish real threats from harmless cues, acting as a natural filter for fear.

This shows a person in the lotus position. The brain and lungs are highlighted.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 17, 2025·5 min read

Your Brain Loves Deep Breathing, Science Explains Why

Breathwork, or the practice of intentionally controlling one’s breathing, has been shown to calm brain activity, reduce anxiety, and even ease symptoms of depression. Deep, slow breathing engages neural circuits that regulate emotional states, producing a measurable calming effect.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 17, 2025·6 min read

Calm Your Mind: Choose Mindfulness by Anxiety Type

Mindfulness is well known for its calming effects, but researchers now propose that different types of mindfulness practices may be more effective for specific types of anxiety. A new framework suggests that focused attention meditation may benefit those who worry chronically, while open monitoring may help individuals with hypervigilance and physical symptoms.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 8, 2025·6 min read

New Relief for Panic Disorders

A focused four-day treatment for panic disorder has shown impressive and lasting results, according to new research. Originally developed in Bergen and called Bergen 4-Day Treatment (B4DT), this method delivers rapid relief, with nearly 90% of patients reporting major improvement one week after therapy.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience Psychology

·May 7, 2025·4 min read

Knowing Alzheimer’s Risk Lowers Anxiety, But Motivation Fades

A new study shows that learning about amyloid beta buildup — a risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease — does not increase emotional distress, but motivation to maintain healthy habits declines over time. Healthy adults who learned they had no amyloid buildup reported reduced depression, anxiety, and memory concerns, yet also lost motivation to continue positive lifestyle changes.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 7, 2025·5 min read

Dopamine’s Hidden Role in Anxiety Revealed

Dopamine receptors in the ventral hippocampus play a critical role in balancing approach and avoidance behaviors, expanding understanding beyond dopamine’s known functions in reward and motivation. By studying D1 and D2 receptor-expressing neurons in mice, researchers found these receptors govern opposing emotional responses under stress.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 6, 2025·8 min read

Teens With Mental Health Conditions Use Social Media Differently

Adolescents with mental health conditions report distinct and often more negative experiences on social media compared to their peers. Those with internalising conditions like anxiety and depression were more likely to compare themselves to others, struggle with self-control, and experience mood changes tied to likes and comments.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 4, 2025·4 min read

Music Mindfulness Eases Anxiety and Depression

Mindfulness exercises paired with music were found to engage both neural and cardiac systems, potentially reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression. A recent study showed that live and virtual music mindfulness sessions lowered stress and altered states of consciousness, though only live sessions fostered social connection.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 3, 2025·4 min read

Shared Brain Circuit Links Insomnia, Anxiety, and Depression

A large brain imaging study suggests that insomnia, depression, and anxiety—often co-occurring—share overlapping brain abnormalities. Researchers found reduced cortical surface area, smaller thalamic volume, and weaker brain connectivity across all three disorders, while each also displayed unique neural patterns.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·April 30, 2025·7 min read

Girls With ADHD Face Higher Risk of Anxiety

A new study reveals that in girls, symptoms of inattentive-type ADHD significantly increase the likelihood of developing anxiety during adolescence. Inattention and anxiety appear to reinforce each other in girls, but not in boys, where hyperactivity is the more predictive factor.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·April 29, 2025·4 min read

Anxiety and Depression Linked to Persistent Low Self-Belief

New research reveals that individuals with anxiety and depression tend to focus more on their moments of low confidence rather than successes, fueling persistent low self-belief. Despite performing just as well as others and responding positively to feedback, these individuals build an overly negative self-image by discounting their confident performances.