Binaural beats, a form of auditory illusion, caused far apart brain regions to synchronize with each other at a different frequency than the beat. The auditory illusion did not, however, alter mood. Read More
Low-intensity exercise triggers brain networks associated with cognitive control and attention processing, while high-intensity exercise activates networks involved in emotional processing. Read More
Psychedelics, such as psilocybin, provide lasting improvements in mood and feelings of social connectedness, after the effect of the drug has worn off. Read More
Research examines the myths and science behind how the amino acid tryptophan, associated with turkey, affects mood. Read More
Evidence suggests new dog owners experience a reduction in negative mood and feelings of loneliness. Read More
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) affects over 10 million people in the US. Find out the symptoms and treatment options available. Read More
A new study identifies a novel neural network regulating feeding and mood in response to chronic stress. Inhibiting the POMC to ventral tegmental area circuit increases body weight and food intake while reducing depressive symptoms in mouse models. Read More
Finding humor in life can help to improve happiness and reduce stress. Read More
Those who microdose psychedelics report improved mood, greater focus, and increased creativity. A new study looks at the positive outcomes of microdosing and suggests others look at potential long-term negative consequences of using psychedelics. Read More
Middle-school aged children with vitamin D deficiency were twice as likely to develop externalizing behavior problems and mood disorders during adolescence than their peers with higher levels of the vitamin. Read More
Eating dark chocolate can help reduce anxiety and improve symptoms of clinical depression. People who ate dark chocolate in two 24-hour periods had 70% reduced odds of reporting depressive symptoms than those who did not eat chocolate. However, milk chocolate did not produce the same effect. Dark chocolate contains phenylethylamine, a neuromodulator implicated in mood regulation. Read More
Cortisol levels are higher in women who give birth during winter months. The findings shed light on why mental health disorders are more common in those born during colder seasons. Read More
