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mental health

This shows the outline of two heads and brains. One brain is foggy, as though representing depression.

·August 3, 2025·5 min read

Brain Reward Signals Blunted by Genetic Depression Risk

A new imaging study reveals that young adults with a higher genetic risk for depression show diminished brain activity when processing rewards and punishments. Using data from nearly 900 healthy twins and siblings, researchers found altered activation in brain regions linked to attention and decision-making—well before any symptoms of depression appeared.

This is a visual representation of the 5-HT1A serotonin receptor.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·August 2, 2025·6 min read

Fat Molecule May Control How You Feel Emotion

Scientists have uncovered how the brain’s 5-HT1A serotonin receptor—vital in mood regulation—functions at the molecular level. This receptor, a common target of antidepressants and psychedelics, prefers certain signaling pathways no matter the drug, but drugs can still vary in how strongly they activate them.

This shows a map of the US and a couple behind shattered glass.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·August 1, 2025·4 min read

Murder-Suicide Rates in U.S. Higher Than Previously Estimated

New research reveals that murder-suicide incidents in the U.S. are more frequent than previously documented, with an average of 820 related deaths per year. Most incidents involve current or former intimate partners, and nearly all suicides were carried out with firearms.

This shows a Brain surrounded by glial cells.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·August 1, 2025·6 min read

New Drug Targets Brain Glial Cells to Reverse PTSD Symptoms

A new study reveals that astrocyte-derived GABA, not neuronal activity, plays a central role in PTSD by impairing the brain’s ability to extinguish traumatic memories. Researchers found this excess GABA originates from the enzyme MAOB in astrocytes and disrupts fear regulation in the medial prefrontal cortex.

This shows a dad and child surrounded by money and dark clouds, implying financial assets do not really affect mental health outcomes.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·July 31, 2025·6 min read

Poverty Isn’t the Key Driver in Family Mental Health Struggles

A large-scale longitudinal study challenges the assumption that poverty amplifies the link between parental distress and child mental health problems. Using advanced statistical modeling, researchers found that financial hardship did not influence the reciprocal relationship between parents’ and children’s mental health.

This shows a split image of a woman's face. On one side she is giving a blank stare, on the other is oxytocin molecules and a lighter expression on her face.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·July 30, 2025·8 min read

Oxytocin May Treat the Social Deficits of Psychopathy

Psychopathy impairs the ability to recognize and respond appropriately to emotional facial expressions, often disrupting empathy and social behavior. A new review explores whether oxytocin—a neuropeptide known to promote social bonding—can help compensate for these deficits.

This shows a brain and online forum chat bubbles.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·July 29, 2025·6 min read

Online Hate Speech Resembles Mental Health Disorder Language

A new study using AI tools found that posts in online hate speech communities closely resemble the speech patterns seen in forums for certain personality disorders. While it doesn’t imply that people with psychiatric diagnoses are more prone to hate, the overlap suggests that online hate speech may cultivate traits like low empathy and emotional instability.

This shows a developing brain and neurons branching out.

Autism Featured Genetics Neuroscience Psychology

·July 25, 2025·5 min read

Could Mental Illness Begin Before You’re Born?

A groundbreaking study has revealed that genes linked to mental and neurodegenerative disorders, such as autism, depression, and Parkinson’s, begin influencing brain development during the earliest fetal stages. These genes are already active in neural stem cells—the progenitors that form the brain—long before symptoms arise.

Featured Neuroscience Pain Psychology

·July 25, 2025·5 min read

Old Injuries Rewire the Brain to Feel Fear and Pain Forever

A new study reveals that even after healing, injuries can leave behind a hypersensitive nervous system that overreacts to future stress. Mice previously injured showed intense fear and renewed pain when exposed to a predator scent, despite no new harm.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·July 23, 2025·6 min read

What Drives Women to Kill? Emotion & Threat, Not Psychopathy

Women who commit lethal violence rarely display psychopathy, instead acting out of provocation and perceived threats. A 15-year Swedish study of 175 cases found that about half of the women had a severe mental disorder, and these women showed slightly more short-term planning but still high emotional arousal.

Featured Neuroscience

·July 23, 2025·4 min read

“Neurobiotic Sense” Tells Brain When You’ve Had Enough

Scientists have discovered a “neurobiotic sense” — a newly identified system where the gut sends real-time signals from microbes to the brain to help regulate appetite. Specialized cells called neuropods in the colon detect a bacterial protein, flagellin, and signal the brain via the vagus nerve to suppress eating.

This shows the outline of a head and neurons.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·July 23, 2025·4 min read

Emotional Pain Brain Circuit Drives Cocaine Relapse

A new study reveals that a brain circuit driving negative emotions during cocaine withdrawal plays a key role in relapse. Researchers found that this “anti-reward” network becomes hyperactive during abstinence, amplifying distress and pushing users back toward the drug.

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mental health

Brain Reward Signals Blunted by Genetic Depression Risk

Fat Molecule May Control How You Feel Emotion

Murder-Suicide Rates in U.S. Higher Than Previously Estimated

New Drug Targets Brain Glial Cells to Reverse PTSD Symptoms

Poverty Isn’t the Key Driver in Family Mental Health Struggles

Oxytocin May Treat the Social Deficits of Psychopathy

Online Hate Speech Resembles Mental Health Disorder Language

Could Mental Illness Begin Before You’re Born?

Old Injuries Rewire the Brain to Feel Fear and Pain Forever

What Drives Women to Kill? Emotion & Threat, Not Psychopathy

“Neurobiotic Sense” Tells Brain When You’ve Had Enough

Emotional Pain Brain Circuit Drives Cocaine Relapse

How Kids Learn What Emotions Really Mean

Cycling Boosts Brain Function in Parkinson’s Disease

Brain Reward Signals Blunted by Genetic Depression Risk

Fat Molecule May Control How You Feel Emotion

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