Higher levels of stress can diminish altruistic behaviors, researchers report.
Women who hug their partners before a stressful event have a lower biological stress response and reduced cortisol levels compared to women who do not embrace their partners.
The stress hormone cortisol reduces altruistic behaviors and alters brain activity in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in people with higher levels of empathy.
Mothers who use cannabis during pregnancy to relieve stress may be putting their children at risk of developing anxiety and stress later in life. Researchers found placental tissue revealed cannabis use in mothers was associated with lower expression of immune-activating genes. Cannabis suppression of placental immune-gene networks predicted higher anxiety in children.
Many people claim meditation helps to relieve their daily stresses. A new study provides objective evidence which supports the claims. Researchers found cortisol levels from hair samples decreased by 25% following a six-month meditation training program.
Reinterpreting stress response as performance-enhancing makes people less anxious and improves general wellbeing, researchers report.
Researchers explain how stress impacts physical and mental health, and provide strategies to mitigate the effects.
A new study reveals what goes on in the brain when a person embarks on a musical collaboration project.
Study reveals women who gave birth to girls had higher levels of cortisol in hair samples in the weeks before and at the point of conception.
A recent study found 42% of participants gained, on average, 29 lb of unwanted weight during the pandemic, with people gaining 1.5lb per month. Researchers say a combination of stress, hormones, and dwindling motivation to exercise during the lockdowns may be to blame.
Sexual activity before sleep increases oxytocin and reduces the stress-related hormone cortisol. Researchers say sexual activity at bedtime can help reduce symptoms of insomnia and reduce sleep disruptions.
A new wearable sensor can measure cortisol levels in a person's sweat.
