Pure Science

PsyPost

For decades, researchers have worked to untangle the biological causes of neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease. A primary focus has been the accumulation of misfolded proteins that clump together in the brain and damage...

PsyPost

A new case study provides biological evidence that a post-menopausal woman can induce orgasms solely through the use of pelvic floor muscle exercises, without any direct genital stimulation. The findings indicate that these non-genitally...

PsyPost

A new, comprehensive analysis confirms that physical activity is a highly effective treatment for depression and anxiety, offering benefits comparable to therapy or medication. The research suggests that specific types of exercise, such as...

PsyPost

A study in Germany found that individuals with higher polygenic risk scores for anhedonia showed specific patterns of brain activity when processing anticipated monetary rewards. More specifically, they showed decreased activation in the...

PsyPost

New research indicates that daily consumption of sodas and sports drinks may hinder the cognitive abilities of adolescents. A recent analysis suggests that these sugary beverages disrupt sleep patterns, which in turn leads to difficulties...

PsyPost

New research published in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships provides evidence that a specific mental exercise can help couples resolve conflicts more effectively than simple positive thinking. The study indicates that a...

PsyPost

PsyPost’s PodWatch highlights interesting clips from recent podcasts related to psychology and neuroscience. On Saturday, February 7, the Modern Wisdom podcast, hosted by Chris Williamson, released episode 1056 featuring Dr. Paul Eastwick,...

PsyPost

A team of researchers in Japan has developed an artificial intelligence tool called YORU that can identify specific animal behaviors in real time and immediately interact with the animals’ brain circuits. This open-source software,...

PsyPost

Research published in the BMJ has revealed that retail sales of emergency contraception rise sharply after the New Year holiday in the United States. The holiday was found to be linked to a surge in demand for emergency contraception,...

PsyPost

An analysis of data from the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) study found that religiosity may protect against depression and stress by fostering feelings of gratitude and social support. The research was published in the Journal of...

PsyPost

Declining birth rates present a demographic challenge for nations across the globe, particularly in East Asia. A new study published in Frontiers in Psychology suggests that playing life simulation video games may influence a player’s...

PsyPost

A new study published in Injury Epidemiology provides evidence that the 2024 United States presidential election prompted specific groups of Americans to change their behaviors regarding firearms. The findings suggest that individuals who...

PsyPost

A new study published in Sexual and Relationship Therapy provides evidence that a person’s tendency to engage in sexual fantasy influences what they prioritize in a romantic kiss. The findings suggest that the mental act of imagining...

PsyPost

New research suggests that the distinctive cognitive traits associated with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD, may provide a specific advantage in how people tackle creative challenges. A study conducted by psychologists...

PsyPost

A new study published in the journal Personal Relationships suggests that single people who feel their basic psychological needs are met tend to experience higher life satisfaction and fewer depressive symptoms. The findings indicate that...

PsyPost

A new study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders has found that depression itself may not directly speed up biological aging. Instead, body fat distribution, particularly around the waist, appears more strongly linked to faster...

PsyPost

New research suggests a bidirectional relationship exists between how much time children spend sitting and their mental health, creating a cycle where inactivity feeds feelings of depression and vice versa. This dynamic appears to extend...

PsyPost

A qualitative study in Scotland examined the links between financial instability, employment insecurity, and suicidality. Results indicated that financial stressors create a cycle of unmet basic needs, powerlessness, and social isolation....

PsyPost

Recent research provides new evidence regarding the safety of COVID-19 vaccinations during pregnancy. The study, presented at the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) 2026 Pregnancy Meeting, indicates that receiving an mRNA vaccine...

PsyPost

New research provides evidence that the best way to spend time with a romantic partner depends on their specific emotional needs. A study published in Social Psychological and Personality Science suggests that people with avoidant...

PsyPost

Toddlers who consume a diet high in processed meats, sugary snacks, and soft drinks may have lower intelligence scores by the time they reach early school age. A new study published in the British Journal of Nutrition suggests that this...

PsyPost

New research suggests that simply labeling an artwork as created by artificial intelligence can reduce how much people enjoy and value it. This bias appears to affect not just how viewers interpret the meaning of the art, but even how they...

PsyPost

PsyPost’s PodWatch highlights interesting clips from recent podcasts related to psychology and neuroscience. In a recent episode of the Hidden Brain podcast titled “Coming Clean,” released on Monday, February 9, experts discussed the...

PsyPost

A new study published in Adaptive Human Behavior and Physiology suggests that a woman’s age and reproductive status may influence her preferences for male physical traits. The research indicates that postmenopausal women perceive certain...

PsyPost

A new study published in the Journal of Psychopathology and Clinical Science offers a nuanced look at how genetic risk for depression interacts with social and economic life circumstances to influence mental health over time. The findings...

PsyPost

PsyPost’s PodWatch highlights interesting clips from recent podcasts related to psychology and neuroscience. In a recent episode of the Huberman Lab podcast, released on Thursday, February 12, Dr. Andrew Huberman explores the biological...

PsyPost

Scientists exploring new ways to address psychopathic traits have found that gentle electrical or magnetic stimulation of the brain may slightly improve empathy and prosocial behavior. A new study published in Progress in...

PsyPost

A recent study published in the Journal of Sleep Research suggests that evening screen use might not be as physically stimulating for teenagers as many parents and experts have assumed. The findings provide evidence that most digital...

PsyPost

New research suggests that the path to alcohol dependence may differ depending on when the condition begins. A study published in Drug and Alcohol Dependence identifies distinct roles for genetic variations and childhood experiences in the...

PsyPost

A study in Sexual and Relationship Therapy found that men are more open to casual sex and infidelity than women. The research also highlights a strong link between relationship dissatisfaction, the desire for uncommitted sex, and the...

PsyPost

A study published in the journal Psychopharmacology has found that the increase in motivation people experience from methamphetamine is separate from the drug’s ability to produce a euphoric high. The findings suggest that these two common...

PsyPost

Most adults in the United States experience the intense rush of passionate love only about twice throughout their lives, according to a recent large-scale survey. The study, published in the journal Interpersona, suggests that while this...

PsyPost

A new study published in the Journal of Applied Psychology suggests that generative artificial intelligence can boost creativity among employees in professional settings. But the research indicates that these tools increase innovative...

PsyPost

A new study published in Evolution and Human Behavior suggests that modern women may not chemically signal fertility through vulvar body odor, a trait commonly observed in other primates. The findings indicate that men are unable to detect...

PsyPost

Living in a modern environment often means enduring a constant hum of background noise and physical vibration. From the rumble of heavy traffic to the oscillation of industrial machinery, these invisible stressors can gradually erode...

PsyPost

According to a large study published in Evolutionary Psychology, people consistently perceive family members as kinder when there is greater certainty of biological relatedness. Humans often assume that kindness within families is driven...

PsyPost

A specific regimen of computer-based brain exercises focused on visual processing speed may lower the long-term risk of receiving a dementia diagnosis. A new analysis of data spanning two decades suggests that older adults who engaged in...

PsyPost

New research published in Aggression and Violent Behavior indicates that a history of childhood trauma may not effectively predict which incarcerated youth will engage in the most frequent and violent misconduct. The study suggests that...

PsyPost

An experimental study conducted in China found that a 5-week emotion-targeted mindfulness training improved participants’ working memory accuracy for faces displaying emotions, with the exception of faces displaying fear. The improvements...

PsyPost

New research published in the journal Developmental Science provides evidence that the amount of time toddlers spend watching videos is associated with the specific types of words they learn, distinct from the total number of words they...

PsyPost

Recent experimental findings suggest that the hippocampus, the brain region primarily associated with memory and navigation, actively reorganizes its neural patterns to anticipate future events. Researchers observed that as mice learned to...

PsyPost

A new study published in Psychology of Popular Media suggests that human romantic attraction to fictional characters may operate through the same psychological mechanisms that drive relationships between real people. The research offers...

PsyPost

A new scientific commentary suggests that annual influenza vaccination could serve as a practical and accessible strategy to help delay or prevent the onset of dementia in older adults. By mitigating the risk of severe cardiovascular...

PsyPost

New research suggests that the way adolescents use social media is not a uniform experience but rather splits into distinct personality-driven profiles that yield varying social results. The findings indicate that digital platforms largely...

PsyPost

A new analysis of long-term dietary habits suggests that your daily cup of coffee or tea might do more than just provide a morning jolt. Researchers have determined that moderate consumption of caffeinated beverages is linked to a lower...

PsyPost

A longitudinal study in Christchurch, New Zealand found that individuals who displayed the most severe ADHD symptoms as adolescents were at an elevated risk of developing substance use disorder, depression, and suicidal ideation in early...

PsyPost

When people feel physically closer to someone who could be harmed, they are less willing to sacrifice that person for the greater good, according to a new finding reported in Cognition & Emotion. Moral dilemmas, situations where any...

PsyPost

New research published in the journal Physiology & Behavior provides evidence that sexual activity shortly before high-intensity exercise does not harm athletic performance. The study suggests that masturbation-induced orgasm 30...

PsyPost

A new study published in PNAS Nexus has found that specific patterns of brain activity can predict the success of persuasive messages across a wide variety of contexts. By analyzing neuroimaging data from over 500 individuals, researchers...

PsyPost

New research suggests that the size of a country’s cosmetics industry may be directly linked to how much fathers contribute to childcare and the level of economic inequality within that society. The findings propose that in cultures where...