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Psychology

This shows a brain with the striatum highlighted.

·August 14, 2025·5 min read

Brain Circuit Model Reveals How Striatum Shapes Everyday Decisions

Researchers have developed a computational framework that maps how the striosomal compartment of the striatum governs everyday decision-making. By integrating biology, decision theory, and mathematical modeling, the study reveals that different levels of striosomal activity can push individuals toward impulsive, balanced, or overly complex decisions.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience Psychology

·August 12, 2025·4 min read

When Gut Rhythms Over-Sync With the Brain, Mental Strain Rises

A large-scale study has found that unusually strong coordination between brain activity and the stomach’s slow, rhythmic waves may signal greater mental distress. Using fMRI and electrogastrography on more than 240 people, researchers observed that higher synchronization was associated with elevated anxiety, depression, and stress.

This shows the outline of a sad child, a child looking into the mirror and an ominous adult in the background. There are chains tying the child to the adult.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·August 11, 2025·5 min read

Early Abuse Shapes Adult Sexual Behavior

A new study has found that sexual narcissism mediates the link between childhood trauma and compulsive sexual behavior. Researchers compared individuals with and without compulsive sexual behavior, measuring trauma history, sexual narcissism, and hypersexuality.

This shows two people working and listening to music at the same time.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·August 10, 2025·6 min read

When Music Meets Attention: How Background Tunes Shape Focus

A new study compared background music listening habits between young adults with and without ADHD, revealing distinct patterns in when and what they listen to. ADHD-screened participants reported more frequent music use during both less demanding tasks and while studying, with a stronger preference for stimulating tracks.

This shows a woman in a meditative pose with a small device on her ear. She looks at peace and is surrounded by waves.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·August 10, 2025·5 min read

Electric Ear Stimulation Boosts Power for Self-Compassion

A new study finds that stimulating the vagus nerve via a small electrical pulse to the outer ear can amplify the benefits of self-compassion meditation. Participants who received stimulation alongside meditation training saw larger immediate boosts in self-kindness and gradual increases in mindfulness over time.

This shows a child listening to music, surrounded by emotional emojis.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·August 8, 2025·5 min read

Music May Help Kids Understand Emotions, Even Without Empathy

Music plays a powerful role in how we perceive and express emotion—and a new study finds that even very young children can match emotions in music to facial expressions. Researchers studied 144 children aged 3 to 5 and found that emotion recognition improves with age.

This shows a brain surrounded by fruits.

Featured Neuroscience

·August 5, 2025·6 min read

Promise of Reward Changes How We Pay Attention

A new study reveals that our brains treat sensitivity and decision bias as separate processes when rewards are at stake. Using eye-tracking and EEG during a visual task, researchers found that attention-related brain regions ramp up when we focus on potential rewards, but only when it boosts sensitivity—not bias.

This shows a woman with two french bulldogs.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·August 5, 2025·6 min read

Do Dog Faces Shape Behavior?

Short-nosed dog breeds like Pugs and French Bulldogs are often perceived as calm, affectionate companions—but their behavior is influenced by more than just head shape. A new study of over 5,000 dogs reveals that small body size, lack of training, and pampering by inexperienced owners contribute to many of their less favorable behaviors.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·August 4, 2025·4 min read

How Kids Learn What Emotions Really Mean

A new study reveals that children’s ability to understand emotions develops through a cognitive shift between ages 5 and 10. While younger kids perceive emotional expressions instinctively through visual cues, older children increasingly depend on conceptual knowledge to grasp emotional nuance.

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

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·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 person smiling, surrounded by positive looking avatars.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·August 1, 2025·4 min read

Empathy Can Be Emotionally Conditioned

Empathy isn't just innate — it can be trained by associating another person’s happiness with personal rewards. In this study, participants observed a character experiencing good and bad moments, which were paired with gains or losses in their own rewards.

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Psychology

Brain Circuit Model Reveals How Striatum Shapes Everyday Decisions

When Gut Rhythms Over-Sync With the Brain, Mental Strain Rises

Early Abuse Shapes Adult Sexual Behavior

When Music Meets Attention: How Background Tunes Shape Focus

Electric Ear Stimulation Boosts Power for Self-Compassion

Music May Help Kids Understand Emotions, Even Without Empathy

Promise of Reward Changes How We Pay Attention

Do Dog Faces Shape Behavior?

How Kids Learn What Emotions Really Mean

Brain Reward Signals Blunted by Genetic Depression Risk

Fat Molecule May Control How You Feel Emotion

Empathy Can Be Emotionally Conditioned

Psilocybin Replaces Lost Synapses in Depressed Brains

Neural Chip Powers Adaptive DBS for Depression

Genetic Blueprint of Personality Revealed

Ultra-Processed Foods Sensitize Children’s Brain Reward Circuits

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