Latest

Psychology News

These research articles involve many aspects of psychology such as cognitive psychology, depression studies, mental health, stress, happiness and neuropsychology, Scroll below for more specific categories.

Emotional Regulation Offers a New Path to Relief

A new study shows that improving emotional processing can significantly reduce chronic pain and improve quality of life. Researchers developed Pain and Emotion Therapy, an online intervention teaching emotional regulation, which led to notable pain reduction in participants.

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.

Physical Activity Protects Teens From Depression

A long-term study shows that teenagers who maintain or increase physical activity levels are less likely to develop symptoms of depression. Researchers tracked 873 participants from ages 6 to 18, measuring activity levels with accelerometers and assessing mental health through clinical interviews.

Vagus Nerve Stimulation Erases PTSD

A pioneering clinical study found that pairing vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) with traditional therapy eliminated PTSD diagnoses in all participants up to six months post-treatment. The trial combined prolonged exposure therapy with brief bursts of VNS via an implanted device, enhancing neuroplasticity and sustaining remission.

Stressful Neighborhoods May Numb Kids’ Brains to Joy and Loss

Children raised in disadvantaged neighborhoods may show blunted brain responses to rewards and losses, especially if they have a family history of depression. New research reveals that community-level stress, not just personal trauma, can dampen neural reactions tied to motivation and emotional engagement.

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.

Setting and Mindset Shape Ayahuasca’s Mental Health Effects

New research highlights how ayahuasca’s long-term mental health outcomes depend heavily on individual mental health history and the environment in which it is used. While the psychedelic has shown promise in easing anxiety and depression, adverse mental states—such as feelings of disconnection or hopelessness—were more common among users with pre-existing conditions or those in unsupportive, non-traditional settings. Interestingly, some negative experiences, like visual distortions, were linked to positive outcomes later on, suggesting that so-called adverse effects may hold therapeutic value.

Why Alcohol Hits Women Harder

Alcohol use among women has surged to match men’s rates, but women face far greater health risks even at lower consumption levels. A growing body of research is uncovering key neurobiological sex differences that influence why and how women drink, with stress being a more prominent motivator for women.

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.

This shows people walking and chatting in a park.

Daily Chats and Nature Boost Mental Health

A new study reveals that simple daily behaviors, such as chatting with friends, spending time in nature, and engaging in mentally stimulating activities, are strongly linked to improved mental well-being. People who connected socially every day scored notably higher on mental health measures than those who did so rarely.

Brain-Body Links in Emotion and Health

Researchers have developed D-PSCAN, a novel imaging technique that enables high-resolution, minimally invasive observation of the brainstem’s nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS) in living animals. The NTS, a vital relay for signals from organs via the vagus nerve, plays a key role in emotion regulation and overall mental health.

Happiness Is as Unique as You Are

A large international study shows that happiness does not stem solely from either external circumstances or internal attitudes, but varies widely between individuals. Some people’s happiness is shaped mostly by life domains like income and relationships, while others draw happiness from internal qualities, or a mix of both.