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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.

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Hormonal Contraceptives Influence Memory of Emotional Events

A new study reveals that hormonal contraceptives may shape both emotional responses and memory processing in women. Compared with naturally cycling women, users of hormonal birth control had stronger emotional reactions and remembered fewer details of negative events when using regulation strategies like distancing or reinterpretation.

Brain Cells Behind Depression Identified

Researchers analyzing post-mortem brain tissue found two cell types altered in people with depression: excitatory neurons that regulate mood and stress, and microglia that manage inflammation. The findings highlight how depression is tied to measurable brain changes, not just emotional symptoms.

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The Midlife “Unhappiness Hump” Has Vanished, But at a Cost

A new large-scale study finds that the long-observed “unhappiness hump,” where mental distress peaked in midlife, has disappeared. Instead, younger people now report the highest levels of anxiety, depression, and stress, with ill-being declining across the lifespan.

Cannabis Linked to Reduced Insomnia and Anxiety

A new study suggests cannabis-based medical products may help people with insomnia sleep better over the long term. Across 124 patients followed for up to 18 months, participants consistently reported improved sleep quality, less anxiety and depression, and a better overall quality of life.

This shows a person listening to music in a meditative pose, surrounded by psychedelic swirls.

Breathwork and Music Trigger Psychedelic-Like Bliss in the Brain

New research shows that practicing breathwork while listening to music can induce profound altered states of consciousness similar to those caused by psychedelics. Using self-reports and brain imaging, scientists found that HVB both activated the body’s stress response and increased blood flow to emotion-processing regions like the amygdala and hippocampus.

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Music Goosebumps Expose Unexpected Patterns in Belief

Aesthetic chills—goosebumps from music or art—are not just fleeting sensations but windows into human psychology. A large-scale study of over 8,000 people revealed that chills are tied to insight, self-transcendence, and even political leanings.

Brain Map Reveals How Stress and Social Control Interconnect

A new study has identified a key brain hub in the medial prefrontal cortex that regulates stress responses and social behavior, offering critical insights into psychiatric conditions. Using advanced imaging and AI mapping in mice, scientists charted how these regions integrate sensory and bodily signals to control emotional stability.

Big Five No More? New Study Uncovers Hidden Personality Traits

For 40 years, the Big Five personality model has dominated psychology, but new research suggests it may be incomplete. Using taxonomic graph analysis, researchers mapped personality from the ground up, uncovering new meta-traits and traits not captured by the Big Five.

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Belief in Success and Meaning in Life Boost Well-Being

New research shows that meaning in life and self-efficacy—the belief in one’s ability to succeed—are critical for well-being, regardless of sex. Men reported higher levels of passion and self-efficacy, but both men and women were otherwise similar in grit, mindset, and emotional balance.

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High-THC Cannabis Linked to Psychosis and Addiction

A systematic review of nearly 100 studies found that high-THC cannabis products are linked to negative mental health outcomes, particularly psychosis, schizophrenia, and cannabis use disorder. While some therapeutic research hinted at benefits for anxiety and depression, results were inconsistent and often showed potential harm.

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Brain Activity Pattern Linked to Self-Preoccupation and Anxiety

A new study identifies a brain activity pattern that signals self-preoccupied thinking, a trait associated with anxiety and depression. In experiments, the pattern appeared during mental breaks and predicted when people would soon turn their thoughts inward.

Personality Tests Like Myers-Briggs Can Mislead More Than Reveal

Personality tests like Myers-Briggs promise insight and self-discovery but often fall short of scientific reliability. Their appeal lies in fulfilling our psychological drive for identity and belonging, but many rely on vague descriptions that exploit the Barnum effect—similar to horoscopes.