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DATE: July 26, 2024 at 08:57AM
SOURCE: SOCIALPSYCHOLOGY.ORG

TITLE: Video Test for Parkinson's Uses AI to Track Disease Progression

URL: http://www.socialpsychology.org/client/redirect.php?from=rss_feed&id=181429&url=https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240723123521.htm

Source: Science Daily - Top Health

A video-processing technique that uses artificial intelligence may help neurologists better track the progression of Parkinson's disease in patients, ultimately enhancing their care and quality of life. The system, developed at the University of Florida, applies machine learning to analyze video recordings of patients performing the finger-tapping test, a standard test for Parkinson's disease that involves quickly tapping the thumb and index...

URL: http://www.socialpsychology.org/client/redirect.php?from=rss_feed&id=181429&url=https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240723123521.htm

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DATE: July 26, 2024 at 08:57AM
SOURCE: SOCIALPSYCHOLOGY.ORG

TITLE: Managing Political Stress in the United States

URL: http://www.socialpsychology.org/client/redirect.php?from=rss_feed&id=181459&url=https://www.apa.org/monitor/2024/10/managing-political-stress

Source: APA Monitor

Americans are feeling increasingly stressed about politics amid an assassination attempt, a late-breaking candidate change, debate drama, and legal battles. In a "deeply negative" snapshot of American politics, a February 2024 Pew poll found that 65% of U.S. adults always or often felt exhausted by politics, and 55% always or often felt angry. Research suggests, however, that the positive aspects of political engagement may lead to greater...

URL: http://www.socialpsychology.org/client/redirect.php?from=rss_feed&id=181459&url=https://www.apa.org/monitor/2024/10/managing-political-stress

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DATE: July 26, 2024 at 11:33AM
SOURCE: SCIENCE DAILY MIND-BRAIN FEED

TITLE: Building bridges between cells for brain health

URL: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240726113357.htm

The brain contains many cell types, from the prominent neurons to the lesser-known microglia. The latter are integral to the brain's immune system and play a crucial role as the brain's cleanup crew. A recent study highlights that microglia establish connections with neurons through tunneling nanotubes. The researchers observed that microglia utilize these tubes to facilitate the clearance of toxic proteins from neurons and to promote neuronal health.

URL: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240726113357.htm

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DATE: July 26, 2024 at 11:33AM
SOURCE: SCIENCE DAILY MIND-BRAIN FEED

TITLE: 'Prelude' to neuromuscular disease SMA may offer chances for better treatment

URL: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240726113318.htm

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a severe neurological disease for which there is presently no cure, although current therapies can alleviate symptoms. In the search for better treatment options, scientists are now drawing attention to previously unnoticed abnormalities in embryonic development. They base their argument on studies of so-called organoids: Laboratory-grown tissue cultures that can reconstruct disease processes.

URL: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240726113318.htm

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DATE: July 26, 2024 at 11:33AM
SOURCE: SCIENCE DAILY MIND-BRAIN FEED

TITLE: Have a seat, doctor: Study suggests eye-level connection makes a difference in hospitals

URL: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240726113335.htm

When doctors sit at hospitalized patients' bedsides, it can have a more positive impact than if they stand, a review of data suggests -- but a new study seeks to find out for sure.

URL: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240726113335.htm

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DATE: July 26, 2024 at 08:00PM
SOURCE: PSYPOST.ORG

** Research quality varies widely from fantastic to small exploratory studies. Please check research methods when conclusions are very important to you. **

TITLE: Anxiety affects walking behavior in threatening situations, VR study shows

URL: https://www.psypost.org/anxiety-affects-walking-behavior-in-threatening-situations-vr-study-shows/

Researchers from the University of Waterloo have conducted a groundbreaking study examining how anxiety affects walking behavior, particularly in situations that evoke a sense of postural threat. The study, published in the journal Experimental Brain Research, found that while simple walking is unaffected by anxiety, more complex walking tasks in anxiety-inducing situations can reveal significant differences based on an individual’s level of trait anxiety.

Walking is generally considered an automatic activity that doesn’t require much thought. However, previous research has shown that cognitive and emotional states can influence walking behavior. For example, trait anxiety—a stable aspect of personality characterized by a tendency to experience fear, worry, or negative emotions—has been linked to slower walking speeds and other gait changes in people with clinical anxiety. Additionally, state anxiety, which is a temporary emotional state triggered by specific situations, can cause people to walk more cautiously, such as when they are on an elevated platform.

Despite these insights, the interplay between trait anxiety, state anxiety, and walking behavior in healthy young adults had not been thoroughly examined. This study aimed to fill that gap by investigating how trait anxiety influences walking behavior during anxiety-provoking situations, particularly when attention is divided by a dual task.

The study involved 30 healthy young adults (13 males, 17 females) with an average age of 23 years. None of the participants had any history of major surgery, trauma, cardiovascular disease, or mental health conditions, ensuring a baseline of healthiness and typical functioning.

Participants first completed a series of questionnaires to assess their levels of trait anxiety, baseline state anxiety, fear of falling, and balance confidence. They then performed a dual task designed to divide their attention by recalling the frequency of numbers heard in an audio track.

Next, participants were fitted with a virtual reality (VR) headset that simulated walking on a plank either at ground level or at an elevated level. This VR environment was designed to induce a sense of postural threat without actual risk. Participants walked on a 6-meter-long pressure-sensitive walkway while their footsteps were recorded. They performed walking tasks under four different conditions: single-task walking at ground level, dual-task walking at ground level, single-task walking at an elevated level, and dual-task walking at an elevated level.

After each trial, participants rated their feelings of anxiety, fear of falling, and balance confidence. The researchers measured gait behavior by analyzing step length variability, overall walking speed, and the time spent with both feet on the ground (double support time).

The results showed that trait anxiety did not significantly affect walking behavior during simple walking tasks at ground level, regardless of whether the participants were also performing a dual task. However, the situation changed dramatically when participants walked on the elevated platform.

Under the elevated condition, those with higher levels of trait anxiety walked more slowly and spent more time in double support compared to their less anxious counterparts. This cautious gait pattern was even more pronounced when participants were required to perform the dual task while walking at the elevated level. Higher trait anxiety levels were associated with increased step length variability, decreased walking speed, and more time in double support when participants were both under postural threat and performing a dual task.

While this study provides valuable insights, it has some limitations. One notable limitation is the inability to fully replicate natural environments within the VR setting. Participants could not see their own limbs as they would in real life, which might affect their walking behavior. Additionally, the study did not collect physiological measures of anxiety, such as heart rate or skin conductance, which could provide a more comprehensive understanding of how anxiety affects walking behavior.

Future research should address these limitations by incorporating physiological measures of anxiety and allowing participants to see their limbs in the VR environment. This could help determine whether visual feedback influences walking behavior under anxiety-provoking conditions. Moreover, it would be beneficial to extend this research to older adults and clinical populations, as they might exhibit different patterns of gait behavior under threat.

The study, “The effects of trait and state anxiety on gait in healthy young adults,” was authored by Pershia Norouzian, Brian C. Horslen, and Kaylena A. Ehgoetz Martens.

URL: https://www.psypost.org/anxiety-affects-walking-behavior-in-threatening-situations-vr-study-shows/

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DATE: July 26, 2024 at 08:16AM
SOURCE: SOCIALPSYCHOLOGY.ORG

TITLE: OpenResearch Completes Largest U.S. Study on Basic Income

URL: http://www.socialpsychology.org/client/redirect.php?from=rss_feed&id=181403&url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-07-22/ubi-study-backed-by-openai-s-sam-altman-bolsters-support-for-basic-income

Source: Google News

Over the past few years, the idea of direct cash transfers to low-income Americans has gained fast traction, with more than 150 studies in 35 U.S. states testing the idea of "basic income." The largest of those studies came from OpenResearch, a project backed by OpenAI Chief Executive Officer and Founder Sam Altman. After three years of providing $1,000 monthly to beneficiaries, the group has released a trio of research papers on its findings.

URL: http://www.socialpsychology.org/client/redirect.php?from=rss_feed&id=181403&url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-07-22/ubi-study-backed-by-openai-s-sam-altman-bolsters-support-for-basic-income

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DATE: July 26, 2024 at 06:00PM
SOURCE: PSYPOST.ORG

** Research quality varies widely from fantastic to small exploratory studies. Please check research methods when conclusions are very important to you. **

TITLE: Study finds strangulation is common during sex among young Australians despite known risks

URL: https://www.psypost.org/study-finds-strangulation-is-common-during-sex-among-young-australians-despite-known-risks/

A new study published in Archives of Sexual Behavior reports that sexual strangulation is a prevalent practice among young Australians, with positive perceptions influenced by beliefs about its safety, social normative factors, and exposure to depictions in pornography.

Dangers of sexual strangulation—a practice often referred to as choking—range from minor injuries like bruising to severe consequences like neurological damage, unconsciousness or even death. In this work, researchers Leah S. Sharman and colleagues examined the prevalence and predictors of positive perceptions toward this practice.

A total of 4702 Australian participants between ages 18-35. Participants provided their demographics, including gender, sexual orientation, relationship status, education status, and ethnicity. They completed survey items assessing their awareness of sexual strangulation, sources of information, and discussions with peers.They responded to questions about their experiences with being choked or choking a partner during sex, the frequency of these experiences, the method used (e.g., one hand, two hands, belt, rope), and the pressure exerted on the neck.

To measure perceptions of sexual strangulation, participants rated their agreement with statements about the safety and normative nature of the practice, as well as their personal enjoyment and desire to engage in it, on a 5-point Likert scale. Those who had engaged in sexual strangulation provided additional details about the context and consequences of their experiences, including whether consent was given, how it was communicated, and any positive or negative outcomes.

The researchers found that 57% of participants reported ever being sexually strangled, with significant gender differences. Women reported the highest prevalence at 61%, followed by transgender or gender diverse individuals at 79%, and men at 43%.

Similarly, 51% of participants reported ever strangling a partner, with men (59%) and transgender or gender diverse individuals (74%) more likely to have engaged in this behavior compared to women (40%). The most frequent method of choking reported was one-handed, followed by two-handed. The pressure applied was most often reported as moderate (level 4 out of 7), with some participants indicating minimal pressure.

Positive perceptions of sexual strangulation were associated with the belief that it could be done safely and social normative factors. Exposure to depictions of strangulation in pornography and prior experiences predicted positive perceptions of both being choked and choking a partner.

Participants who perceived strangulation as an expected part of sex, believed it could be done safely, and discussed it with peers were more likely to have positive perceptions of the practice. Interestingly, the impact of pornography exposure on positive perceptions was mediated by these beliefs and social discussions.

The study also identified several negative consequences of sexual strangulation, although these were less frequently reported compared to positive outcomes. These included physical injuries such as bruising and sore throats, as well as more severe consequences like neurological damage.

A limitation of this study is its reliance on self-reported data, which may be subject to recall and social desirability bias.

The study, “Prevalence of Sexual Strangulation/Choking Among Australian 18–35 Year‐Olds,” was authored by Leah S. Sharman, Robin Fitzgerald, and Heather Douglas.

URL: https://www.psypost.org/study-finds-strangulation-is-common-during-sex-among-young-australians-despite-known-risks/

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DATE: July 26, 2024 at 04:00PM
SOURCE: PSYPOST.ORG

** Research quality varies widely from fantastic to small exploratory studies. Please check research methods when conclusions are very important to you. **

TITLE: We apply human biases to illusory faces in inanimate objects

URL: https://www.psypost.org/we-apply-human-biases-to-illusory-faces-in-inanimate-objects/

Have you ever seen a face in a cloud or a power outlet? This common phenomenon, known as face pareidolia, is when we perceive faces in inanimate objects. Recent research published in the journal Emotion reveals that our brains process these illusory faces with the same biases we apply to human faces. The study demonstrates that these illusory faces not only elicit similar behavioral responses as real faces but also influence our perceptions of emotion and gender in significant ways.

The face pareidolia illusion is a fascinating area of study because it helps scientists understand the underlying mechanisms of face detection and evaluation. This knowledge is crucial for understanding how our brains work in normal circumstances and how these processes might be disrupted in neurodegenerative and psychiatric conditions.

Previous research has shown that people can reliably categorize the emotional expressions of illusory faces and that adaptation to facial expressions transfers from real to illusory faces. However, it was still unclear whether illusory faces could drive the same behavioral biases as human faces, such as the well-known “happy face advantage.” This advantage refers to the quicker and easier recognition of happy faces compared to other emotional expressions.

The researchers recruited 93 undergraduate students to participate in the study, although data from eight participants were excluded due to a high error rate in their responses. The final sample included 85 participants, predominantly female, with an average age of 19 years.

Participants were shown images of inanimate objects with illusory faces that had been previously categorized as expressing either happy or angry emotions and as appearing male or female. The participants’ task was to recognize the emotional expression (happy or angry) of these faces. T

The study was conducted remotely using computer software, and participants’ response times and error rates were recorded. Additionally, participants rated the stimuli on pleasantness and femininity using a 7-point Likert scale and categorized the emotional expressions of the faces from a broader range of emotions.

Participants were faster and more accurate in recognizing happy expressions in faces perceived as female compared to those perceived as male. Conversely, they were quicker and made fewer errors when recognizing angry expressions in faces perceived as male. This interaction between perceived emotion and perceived gender suggests that our brains apply similar socioevaluative processes to illusory faces as they do to real human faces.

Specifically, the happy face advantage was observed only for faces that appeared feminine, indicating that the bias towards happy expressions is stronger when the face is perceived as female. This pattern aligns with previous findings using real human faces, where happy expressions are more easily detected in female faces, and angry expressions are more readily recognized in male faces. These biases likely stem from socioevaluative mechanisms that process socially relevant information in faces, associating positive emotions with positively evaluated social categories.

Despite its insightful findings, the study has limitations. The sample size was relatively small and predominantly female, which could influence the generalizability of the results. Additionally, the study’s reliance on self-reported data and remote testing conditions may introduce variability in the participants’ responses.

Future research could explore a more diverse sample to see if these findings hold across different demographics. Investigating the neural mechanisms behind these biases using neuroimaging techniques could provide deeper insights into how our brains process illusory faces. Understanding the developmental origins of these biases and how they evolve over time would also be valuable, particularly in distinguishing between innate and learned aspects of face perception.

“The current findings are consistent with the hypothesis that once erroneously detected as faces, inanimate objects with illusory facial features engage the same mechanisms responsible for recognizing facial expressions and gender in human faces,” the researchers concluded. “It will be necessary to characterize our behavioral response toward both real and illusory faces to obtain a full understanding of the mechanisms underlying human social intelligence and their developmental origins.”

The study, “The Face Pareidolia Illusion Drives a Happy Face Advantage That Is Dependent on Perceived Gender,” was authored by Ottmar V. Lipp and Jessica Taubert.

URL: https://www.psypost.org/we-apply-human-biases-to-illusory-faces-in-inanimate-objects/

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DATE: July 26, 2024 at 02:00PM
SOURCE: PSYPOST.ORG

** Research quality varies widely from fantastic to small exploratory studies. Please check research methods when conclusions are very important to you. **

TITLE: New research suggests estrogen and progesterone could play role in opioid addiction and relapse

URL: https://www.psypost.org/new-research-suggests-estrogen-and-progesterone-could-play-role-in-opioid-addiction-and-relapse/

As opioid overdose deaths in the U.S. rose dramatically from 2014 to today, both Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Camden, New Jersey, cemented reputations as hotspots of the crisis.

In Philadelphia, over 1,170 people died of opioid overdoses in 2022, the last year for which complete data is available. More than 300 more died just over the bridge in Camden County.

Research indicates that for many people with opioid use disorder, misuse starts with prescription painkillers.

As neuroscientists who study the effects of addictive drugs on the brain, we are working to better understand why some people are at greater risk for developing opioid dependence and addiction when taking prescribed opioids.

We are also striving to discover better treatments that can reduce drug cravings and prevent relapses in recovering users.

Sex differences and opioid addiction

There is some evidence that biological sex may play a role in both opioid addiction liability and relapse vulnerability.

For example, findings indicate that women are more likely than men to be prescribed prescription opioids and to use them. They also transition faster from initial use to more compulsive misuse.

Moreover, some studies have found that when trying to stay clean, women self-report stronger cravings for opioids than men and may experience more severe withdrawal symptoms. This suggests that women may also be at a greater risk for relapse.

What might underlie these sex differences in opioid misuse and relapse susceptibility? One possible factor is the difference between men and women in the levels of the major sex hormones: testosterone, estrogen and progesterone.

Because estrogen and progesterone levels fluctuate naturally across the menstrual cycle in women – as well as during different stages of life such as pregnancy and menopause – we are examining whether opioid use and cravings vary as levels of these hormones change.

Hormones and drug cravings

To unravel the relationship between hormonal fluctuations and opioid rewards, many researchers have turned to rodent models. Rats in particular serve as an excellent model organism because their reproductive cycle, referred to as the estrous cycle, is brief – lasting four to five days. Also, the pattern of fluctuations in rat estrogen and progesterone levels is similar to that observed across the human menstrual cycle.

In the Loweth lab, we have found that levels of cocaine cravings vary across the estrous cycle. Specifically, cocaine cravings increase around the time of ovulation, after estrogen and progesterone levels have peaked.

In humans, cocaine cravings are also stronger around the time of ovulation, when estrogen levels are elevated.

However, much less is known about whether these hormonal fluctuations similarly affect opioid rewards or cravings.

Hormones and pain relief

To date, most of what we know regarding hormonal influences on opioid drugs in humans comes from studies focused on their pain-relieving effects.

Although there are some conflicting reports, the data seem to suggest that opioid-induced pain relief is greatest in women during the phase of the menstrual cycle leading up to ovulation. This is when estrogen levels are increasing and progesterone levels are low.

Opioid drugs relieve pain by binding to and activating proteins called opioid receptors at various nodes in the brain and spinal cord. The brain also makes its own natural version of opioids, called endogenous opioids. Research indicates that increasing estrogen levels can increase both the number of opioid receptors and the levels of certain endogenous opioids in various parts of the brain.

These changes could contribute to differences in opioid-induced pain relief across the menstrual cycle.

Hormones and opioid rewards and cravings

We and other researchers are working to determine whether estrogen and progesterone levels also influence the rewarding effects of prescription opioids, or cravings for these drugs.

In one set of studies, scientists trained rats to press a lever in order to receive intravenous infusions of heroin. The researchers found that the rats took less heroin during a phase of the estrous cycle leading up to ovulation, when levels of estrogen and progesterone were elevated.

Follow-up studies later revealed that the rise in estrogen, but not progesterone, was responsible for this reduction in heroin intake.

Newer evidence suggests that this phenomenon may extend to prescription opioids. In the Manvich lab, we have discovered that the rewarding effects of the prescription opioid painkiller oxycodone are similarly reduced during cycle stages surrounding ovulation in which estrogen and progesterone levels are rising or have just fallen from peak levels.

Meanwhile, unpublished studies from the Loweth Lab found similar reductions in oxycodone craving across the rat estrous cycle. However, another recent study using slightly different methods found no impact of the estrous cycle on oxycodone cravings.

Such discrepancies highlight the need for further research to tease apart precisely how and when hormones affect the risk for former users of prescription opioids to experience a relapse.

This information could play an important role in how health care providers prescribe opioid medications – perhaps taking both biological sex and hormonal status into account – in order to minimize the risk of transitioning to prescription opioid misuse.

Ultimately, such efforts could reduce the incidence of opioid addiction and help combat the ongoing opioid crisis.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

URL: https://www.psypost.org/new-research-suggests-estrogen-and-progesterone-could-play-role-in-opioid-addiction-and-relapse/

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DATE: July 26, 2024 at 12:00PM
SOURCE: PSYPOST.ORG

** Research quality varies widely from fantastic to small exploratory studies. Please check research methods when conclusions are very important to you. **

TITLE: College students who exercise and eat healthy tend to have less anxiety

URL: https://www.psypost.org/college-students-who-exercise-and-eat-healthy-tend-to-have-less-anxiety/

A recent study published in Frontiers in Psychology has found that physical activity, combined with healthy lifestyle habits and proper dietary nutrition, is associated with reduced anxiety levels in college students.

Anxiety disorders are a common mental health issue among college students, with increased vulnerability to conditions such as substance abuse and obesity.

Previous studies have demonstrated that physical activity can help alleviate anxiety. Compared to medications, it is a favorable intervention as it is low cost, with high compliance, and minimal side effects.

Research has also alluded to diet and lifestyle habits (such as adequate sleep and regular relaxation) as having strong links with anxiety. Hence, this current study aimed to better understand how physical activity, lifestyle habits, and dietary nutrition interact to influence anxiety levels.

Based in Thailand’s Silpakorn University, the researchers Dezhuo Sun, Xiangfei Zhu and Zhonghan Bao surveyed 498 college students (236 males and 262 females, between 18 and 20 years old) from three universities in Fujian, China.

Surveys were administered to collect data on demographics, physical activity levels, lifestyle habits, and dietary nutrition. The students were asked a variety of questions such as, “Can you do more vigorous exercise for 30 minutes at least three times a week?“, “Do you have a regular start time each day?”, “Do you consciously choose light and less salty foods?”, and ““In the past two weeks, you have not felt nervous, anxious, or eager?”

Following data analysis, the findings revealed that both dietary nutrition and lifestyle habits play significant roles in mediating the effects of physical activity on anxiety.

Physical activity alone accounted for 36.93% of the reduction in anxiety levels. “Physical exercise is effective in increasing cerebral blood flow, … inhibiting the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and effectively stimulating the central nervous system, thereby alleviating anxiety and other negative emotions.”

Moreover, both dietary nutrition and lifestyle habits independently accounted for 24.9% of the total effect.

A mechanism for this was proposed: “A healthy diet provides the body with the nutrients … which play an important role in the synthesis and regulation … of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, which in turn regulate mood and reduce anxiety symptoms.

“A regular schedule and adequate sleep can help maintain the body’s biological clock and rhythms, increase the body’s resistance and coping ability, and reduce stress and anxiety,” the researchers added.

The authors concluded, “when college students face mental health issues such as anxiety, most choose to self-manage and self-heal rather than directly seek professional counseling or medication, which may be related to the high cost of treatment and low levels of anxiety. This makes the conclusions of this study all the more important. … This type of conditioning is not only affordable, but also an important reference for the self-management and rehabilitation of college students with anxiety disorders.”

The study has some limitations that should be noted. The sample was limited to freshmen and sophomores, which may not be representative of all college students. Additionally, the cross-sectional nature of the data means that causal relationships cannot be inferred. The questionnaires utilized were simplified to prioritize high response rates, which may have affected the comprehensiveness of the data collected.

The study, “The relationship between physical activity and anxiety in college students: exploring the mediating role of lifestyle habits and dietary nutrition,” was authored by Dezhuo Sun, Xiangfei Zhu, and Zhonghan Bao.

URL: https://www.psypost.org/college-students-who-exercise-and-eat-healthy-tend-to-have-less-anxiety/

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DATE: July 25, 2024 at 03:46PM
SOURCE: SCIENCE DAILY PSYCHOLOGY FEED

TITLE: How epigenetics influence memory formation

URL: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240725154641.htm

In an important study for understanding how memories are made, cientists show that the flexibility of chromatin -- packaged DNA inside the cell -- plays a crucial role in 'deciding' which neurons are involved in forming a specific memory.

URL: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240725154641.htm

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DATE: July 25, 2024 at 03:46PM
SOURCE: SCIENCE DAILY MIND-BRAIN FEED

TITLE: How epigenetics influence memory formation

URL: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240725154641.htm

In an important study for understanding how memories are made, cientists show that the flexibility of chromatin -- packaged DNA inside the cell -- plays a crucial role in 'deciding' which neurons are involved in forming a specific memory.

URL: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240725154641.htm

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DATE: July 26, 2024 at 12:02PM
SOURCE: PSYCHIATRIC TIMES

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Adolescents who are addicted to the internet experience brain changes that could lead to additional addictive behavior and tendencies. https://t.co/CWkUOJUSx3 https://t.co/vvZ9mGtjsO

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DATE: July 26, 2024 at 10:45AM
SOURCE: PSYCHIATRIC TIMES

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An understanding of evolving risk factors and pathophysiology is vital to optimal clinical management of anxiety and traumatic stress. https://t.co/fcGCbogLiG

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DATE: July 26, 2024 at 08:00AM
SOURCE: PSYPOST.ORG

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TITLE: Online trolls enjoy trolling, but not being trolled

URL: https://www.psypost.org/online-trolls-enjoy-trolling-but-not-being-trolled/

A recent study has explored the intriguing relationship between dark humor, online trolling, and certain dark personality traits. The findings reveal that individuals who enjoy dark humor often possess traits such as sadism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy. Furthermore, these traits are linked to a greater propensity for online trolling. Online trolls enjoyed trolling others, but did not like being trolled themselves. The research was published in Behavioral Sciences.

The rise of social media has provided individuals with new ways to express humor but also to engage in antisocial behaviors online. A survey in the UK found that 75% of individuals between 13 and 36 years of age shared memes online, while over 25% reported being victims of online trolling.

Memes are pieces of media that are “passed very quickly from one internet user to another, often with slight changes that make them humorous.” One reason for their popularity is their ability to communicate about controversial and taboo topics humorously, typically by individuals who are not affected by the topic.

Online trolling is another behavior that has caught the attention of researchers. Trolling involves behaving in a deceptive or disruptive manner on the internet with no apparent instrumental purpose. Trolls typically do not gain any material benefit from their behaviors but engage in trolling for personal enjoyment or to provoke reactions from others.

Study authors Sophie Voisey and Sonja Heintz hypothesized that enjoying dark humor online might be associated with Dark Tetrad personality traits. They also sought to explore the relationship between the enjoyment of dark humor, Dark Tetrad traits, and online trolling abilities, behavior, and enjoyment. They believed that individuals with heightened Dark Tetrad personality traits would be better at online trolling and that dark humor enjoyment and ability would be associated with enjoyment of trolling and the ability to troll.

The Dark Tetrad traits encompass four personality traits associated with malevolent behaviors and attitudes: narcissism, Machiavellianism, psychopathy, and sadism. Narcissism is characterized by an excessive preoccupation with oneself, including a need for admiration and a lack of empathy for others. Machiavellianism is defined by manipulative and deceitful behavior, often driven by a focus on personal gain and strategic advantage. Psychopathy is marked by impulsivity, a lack of remorse or guilt, and a propensity for antisocial and violent behavior. Sadism involves deriving pleasure from inflicting pain, suffering, or humiliation on others.

The study involved 165 students from the University of Plymouth in the UK. They received course credit for their participation. These students completed assessments of the Dark Tetrad traits (using the Short Dark Tetrad), online trolling trait (measured by the Global Assessment of Internet Trolling-Revised), online trolling enjoyment (rating how much they enjoy being trolled in an online game), and online trolling ability (writing down ways they could troll players in an online game). Additionally, they were assessed on the dark humor trait (using the Dark Humor Scale), dark humor enjoyment (rating memes), dark humor ability (producing punchlines for blank meme templates), and humorous temperament (using the State-Trait Cheerfulness Inventory Trait Version).

The results revealed that individuals with a higher tendency towards dark humor also exhibited higher levels of all four Dark Tetrad traits: narcissism, Machiavellianism, psychopathy, and sadism. Those who found dark humor particularly enjoyable showed more pronounced traits of Machiavellianism and sadism. Additionally, the ability to create dark humor was more pronounced in individuals with higher levels of narcissism and sadism.

Participants with a strong interest in dark humor were also more likely to engage in online trolling. They enjoyed trolling others more, but their dark humor traits, enjoyment, or abilities were weakly associated, if at all, with how much they enjoyed being trolled themselves. Among the Dark Tetrad traits, only sadism was strongly associated with online trolling, indicating that online trolls tend to have more pronounced sadistic traits. However, all four Dark Tetrad traits were linked to how much participants enjoyed trolling others in return.

“Findings indicated that the Dark Tetrad traits, particularly sadism and Machiavellianism, were related to certain elements of dark humor. This illustrates the potential dark psychological motivations behind the appreciation and use of dark humor. Moreover, online trolling appeared to be underpinned by certain aspects of dark humor,” the study authors concluded.

“This research also allowed for deeper insights into online trolls. Interestingly, online trolls did not appear to enjoy being trolled, but they enjoy trolling, highlighting a disconnect between the two experiences. Overall, these results indicate that dark humor may be fueled by dark motivations (e.g., sadistic/Machiavellian ones) and that online trolling is related to darker forms of humor.”

The study sheds light on the personality underpinnings of dark humor and online trolling. However, the study was conducted on a relatively small and homogeneous group of university students. It is possible that findings might differ in other age and demographic groups.

The study, “Do Dark Humour Users Have Dark Tendencies? Relationships between Dark Humour, the Dark Tetrad, and Online Trolling,” was authored by Sophie Voisey and Sonja Heintz.

URL: https://www.psypost.org/online-trolls-enjoy-trolling-but-not-being-trolled/

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DATE: July 26, 2024 at 06:00AM
SOURCE: PSYPOST.ORG

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TITLE: An intriguing connection between finger ratios and narcissism has been discovered

URL: https://www.psypost.org/an-intriguing-connection-between-finger-ratios-and-narcissism-has-been-discovered/

New research suggests that prenatal exposure to different levels of testosterone and estrogen, as estimated through 2D:4D finger length ratios, is linked to narcissistic traits in adulthood. The study, published in the journal Personality and Individual Differences, highlights a potential biological basis for gender differences in narcissism.

The 2D:4D ratio refers to the comparative lengths of the index finger (second digit) and the ring finger (fourth digit). This ratio is considered a marker of prenatal hormone exposure, with lower ratios indicating higher prenatal testosterone levels and higher ratios indicating higher prenatal estrogen levels.

Men typically have lower 2D:4D ratios than women, which aligns with the higher testosterone exposure that is typical in male fetal development. This ratio has been linked to various biological and psychological traits, reflecting how prenatal hormone exposure influences development.

Narcissism, a personality trait characterized by grandiosity, self-importance, and a lack of empathy, has also been examined in relation to 2D:4D ratios. Some studies have suggested a link between lower 2D:4D ratios and higher narcissism levels, particularly in women, while others have found no significant correlations. Most of these studies, however, measured narcissism as a unidimensional construct within the “Dark Triad,” which also includes psychopathy and Machiavellianism, potentially overlooking nuances in how narcissism manifests in different forms.

The motivation behind the new study stems from the need to address these inconsistencies and provide a more nuanced understanding of the relationship between 2D:4D ratios and two dimensions of narcissism: grandiose narcissism and vulnerable narcissism.

Grandiose narcissism is characterized by traits such as dominance, self-assurance, and an inflated sense of self-importance, often accompanied by a need for admiration and a tendency to exhibit aggressive or competitive behaviors. Vulnerable narcissism, on the other hand, involves a more fragile self-esteem, emotional instability, and sensitivity to criticism, with individuals often oscillating between feelings of superiority and inferiority and displaying defensive, withdrawn, or hostile behaviors.

By distinguishing between grandiose and vulnerable narcissism, the researchers aimed to explore whether prenatal hormone exposure differentially influences these two dimensions of narcissism in men and women. Given the distinct gender differences in narcissism — men generally exhibiting more grandiose traits and women more vulnerable traits — the study sought to examine these associations in a gender-specific manner.

The study involved 400 participants, predominantly university students aged 18 to 44, with a significant majority being women (312 women and 88 men). The researchers conducted the study in supervised group sessions, where participants completed a paper-and-pencil questionnaire and had both hands scanned to measure their 2D:4D ratios. The scanning was done using a high-resolution “Brother” scanner, and the distances between the base of the metacarpal bone and the fingertip of each finger were measured with digital calipers.

To assess narcissism, researchers used two distinct scales. Grandiose narcissism was measured using the Narcissistic Admiration and Rivalry Questionnaire (NARQ), which includes subscales for admiration (self-promotion and self-enhancement) and rivalry (competitive and aggressive traits). Vulnerable narcissism was measured using the vulnerability subscale from the Brief Pathological Narcissism Scale (BPNI), capturing aspects like contingent self-esteem and emotional defensiveness.

As expected, women generally had higher 2D:4D ratios than men, reflecting higher prenatal estrogen exposure. In terms of narcissistic traits, men scored higher on grandiose narcissism, while women scored higher on vulnerable narcissism, consistent with prior research.

In women, a lower 2D:4D ratio (indicating higher prenatal testosterone exposure) was associated with higher grandiose narcissism. This suggests that prenatal testosterone may contribute to traits like dominance and self-assurance in women.

In men, a higher 2D:4D ratio (indicating higher prenatal estrogen exposure) was linked to higher vulnerable narcissism, indicating that prenatal estrogen may influence traits like emotional instability and sensitivity to criticism in men.

These findings are significant because they demonstrate that prenatal hormone exposure can influence the development of different forms of narcissism in gender-specific ways. The study adds to the growing body of evidence suggesting that biological factors, such as prenatal hormone exposure, play a role in shaping complex personality traits.

“By separating the women and men in our sample, we provide evidence of relationships between narcissism and prenatal estrogen/testosterone exposure (which is assumed to result in ‘feminized/masculinized’ fetal development and subsequent brain structure) that are specific to each gender… It also fits well with the theoretical discussion by Green et al. (2022), who described grandiose narcissism as more stereotypically masculine and vulnerable narcissism as more stereotypically feminine,” the researchers wrote.

But the study includes some caveats to consider. The sample included significantly more women than men, which could impact the generalizability of the findings. Additionally, while the 2D:4D ratio is a useful proxy for prenatal hormone exposure, it is not a direct measure, and other factors might also contribute to narcissistic traits.

Future research should aim to replicate these findings in larger, more balanced samples. Exploring other biological markers and integrating psychological and social factors could provide a more comprehensive understanding of the development of narcissism.

The study, “Vulnerable women and grandiose men? A 2D:4D study on the links between narcissism and prenatal estrogen/testosterone exposure in women and men,” was authored by Tobias Altmann and Marcus Roth.

URL: https://www.psypost.org/an-intriguing-connection-between-finger-ratios-and-narcissism-has-been-discovered/

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DATE: July 25, 2024 at 07:39PM
SOURCE: SCIENCE DAILY PSYCHOLOGY FEED

TITLE: New drug shows promise in clearing HIV from brain

URL: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240725193914.htm

An experimental drug originally developed to treat cancer may help clear HIV from infected cells in the brain, according to a new study. By targeting infected cells in the brain, drug may clear virus from hidden areas that have been a major challenge in HIV treatment.

URL: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240725193914.htm

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DATE: July 23, 2024 at 12:32PM
SOURCE: SCIENCE DAILY PSYCHOLOGY FEED

TITLE: Blood pressure high for years? Beware of stroke risk

URL: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240723123259.htm

Years of high systolic blood pressure are linked to a greater risk for the two most common types of stroke. The results suggest that early diagnosis and sustained control of high blood pressure over the lifespan are critical to preventing stroke, especially in Black and Hispanic patients who are more likely to have uncontrolled hypertension.

URL: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240723123259.htm

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DATE: July 25, 2024 at 07:39PM
SOURCE: SCIENCE DAILY MIND-BRAIN FEED

TITLE: New drug shows promise in clearing HIV from brain

URL: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240725193914.htm

An experimental drug originally developed to treat cancer may help clear HIV from infected cells in the brain, according to a new study. By targeting infected cells in the brain, drug may clear virus from hidden areas that have been a major challenge in HIV treatment.

URL: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240725193914.htm

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DATE: July 23, 2024 at 12:32PM
SOURCE: SCIENCE DAILY MIND-BRAIN FEED

TITLE: Blood pressure high for years? Beware of stroke risk

URL: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240723123259.htm

Years of high systolic blood pressure are linked to a greater risk for the two most common types of stroke. The results suggest that early diagnosis and sustained control of high blood pressure over the lifespan are critical to preventing stroke, especially in Black and Hispanic patients who are more likely to have uncontrolled hypertension.

URL: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240723123259.htm

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DATE: July 25, 2024 at 03:47PM
SOURCE: SCIENCE DAILY PSYCHOLOGY FEED

TITLE: Size doesn't matter for mammals with more complex brains

URL: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240725154746.htm

Mammals that have evolved more developed brains tend to have a smaller size difference between males and females of that species, according to new research.

URL: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240725154746.htm

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DATE: July 25, 2024 at 03:47PM
SOURCE: SCIENCE DAILY MIND-BRAIN FEED

TITLE: Size doesn't matter for mammals with more complex brains

URL: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240725154746.htm

Mammals that have evolved more developed brains tend to have a smaller size difference between males and females of that species, according to new research.

URL: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240725154746.htm

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DATE: July 22, 2024 at 03:51PM
SOURCE: SCIENCE DAILY PSYCHOLOGY FEED

TITLE: New tools reveal neuropeptides, not neurotransmitters, encode danger in the brain

URL: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240722155157.htm

Scientists created new tools to study brain messenger proteins called neuropeptides in the brains of behaving animals, discovering they are the primary messengers in the fear circuit in mouse brains, and that multiple neuropeptides work together to achieve this--explaining why some clinical trials that target just one neuropeptide have failed. The new tools and findings can be used to direct drug development for fear-related neurological disorders like PTSD and anxiety, design better painkillers, and uncover new information for other neural circuits in the brain.

URL: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240722155157.htm

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DATE: July 22, 2024 at 03:51PM
SOURCE: SCIENCE DAILY MIND-BRAIN FEED

TITLE: New tools reveal neuropeptides, not neurotransmitters, encode danger in the brain

URL: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240722155157.htm

Scientists created new tools to study brain messenger proteins called neuropeptides in the brains of behaving animals, discovering they are the primary messengers in the fear circuit in mouse brains, and that multiple neuropeptides work together to achieve this--explaining why some clinical trials that target just one neuropeptide have failed. The new tools and findings can be used to direct drug development for fear-related neurological disorders like PTSD and anxiety, design better painkillers, and uncover new information for other neural circuits in the brain.

URL: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240722155157.htm

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DATE: July 25, 2024 at 04:00PM
SOURCE: PSYPOST.ORG

** Research quality varies widely from fantastic to small exploratory studies. Please check research methods when conclusions are very important to you. **

TITLE: How culture shapes hand gestures: Comparing Italian and Swedish storytelling

URL: https://www.psypost.org/how-culture-shapes-hand-gestures-comparing-italian-and-swedish-storytelling/

When talking, we commonly use our hands to stress, re-enact, or signal breaks or new information. But is it true that some cultures gesture more than others? A team of researchers has set out to learn if the stereotype that Italians gesture more than Swedes is true – and found it is. The team’s results, however, also showed that speakers coming from different cultures tended to use different types of gestures when they tell a story. This may mean that members of certain cultures construct stories differently than members of others.

When we talk, we often use our hands in addition to words. Gesturing is a phenomenon that has been observed across languages and cultures. Some cultures are typically thought to use more gestures than others.

To find out if the deeply rooted stereotype of Italians gesturing more than other cultures is true, researchers in Sweden have examined the differences in gesture rate and function between Italians and Swedes who were telling a story to a friend.

“We show that Italians do gesture more than Swedes, which was expected,” said Dr Maria Graziano, the first author of the Frontiers in Communication article and associate professor at Lund University Humanities Lab. “More interestingly, we demonstrate that people from different cultures use gestures differently, due to varying rhetorical styles and different ways of constructing a story.”

Talking hands

Together with Prof Marianne Gullberg, a psycholinguist at the same lab, Graziano had 12 Italian and 12 Swedish participants retell the story of a 90-second clip from the cartoon ‘Pingu’ to a friend who had not watched the cartoon. Researchers who study gestures commonly use cartoons because the characters often do not speak, and viewers can retell the story using their own words without input from the source.

As expected, the findings showed that Italian speakers did gesture more frequently overall. Per 100 words, Italians used an average of 22 gestures, whereas Swedes used just 11.

Example gestures from the study. In image 5, a Swedish speaker produces a representational gesture with her palms pointing down, fingers bending slightly around a loose, round shape. The gesture represents the action of pressing the molds for shaping the dough. Image: Dr Maria Graziano.

In addition to gesture frequency, the researchers observed who used which gestures to what end. “When we tell stories we combine several kinds of information: we introduce characters and events, describe actions, and explain why. We check that our listener understands what we’re saying. And if we are telling a story based on cartoon, we refer to the act of watching, too,” Graziano explained. “When we describe an action, it is more likely that we produce a gesture that represents that action; while if we talk about characters or settings, it is more likely that we make a gesture that ‘offers’ this information to the listener.”

Read and download the original article

Italians tended to use more pragmatic gestures – those that mainly comment on the story and present new parts of it to the listener. Swedes, instead, tended to use more representational gestures, which mostly represent the events and actions of the story. “This indicates that Italians and Swedes adopt different rhetorical styles in telling a story and that they conceptualize it in a different way,” Graziano pointed out.

Example gestures from the study. In images 3 and 4, an Italian speaker opens her hands, with the palms facing up with a slight inward rotation and brings her hands up and down in the space immediately in front of her. The gestures follow each other rapidly. This pragmatic gesture is used to present what she is saying to the listener. Image: Dr Maria Graziano.
How cultures think about stories

Currently, it is unclear why Swedes and Italians may conceptualize narratives differently. A possible explanation is that some cultures attribute different values to narration than others, which could lead to varying ways of organizing speech content and impact gesturing. This, however, needs to be confirmed by further studies, the researchers pointed out.

Future studies should also include more participants, including participant pairs who do not know each other, as familiarity may impact rhetorical choices made by speakers. Taking an approach that looks closely at both the content of the speech and the function of gestures can also help understand why cultures differ in narrative production, the researchers said.

“I hope that this study helps people consider gestures from a different perspective and go beyond stereotypical and folkloristic views. Gestures are produced in all languages and cultures, and they are not a mere embellishment of speech; they are closely related to what we are saying and how we want to say it,” Graziano concluded.

URL: https://www.psypost.org/how-culture-shapes-hand-gestures-comparing-italian-and-swedish-storytelling/

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DATE: July 25, 2024 at 03:43PM
SOURCE:
NEW YORK TIMES PSYCHOLOGY AND PSYCHOLOGISTS FEED

TITLE: The Chimps Who Learned to Say ‘Mama’

URL: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/25/science/chimpanzee-speech-mama.html

Old recordings show captive chimps uttering the word, which some scientists believe may offer clues to the origins of human speech.

URL: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/25/science/chimpanzee-speech-mama.html

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DATE: July 25, 2024 at 02:00PM
SOURCE: PSYPOST.ORG

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TITLE: Abstinence-only sex education linked to higher pornography use among women

URL: https://www.psypost.org/abstinence-only-sex-education-linked-to-higher-pornography-use-among-women/

A recent study published in the Archives of Sexual Behavior has found a relationship between the type of sexuality education women receive and their subsequent use of pornography. Women who were taught abstinence-only education reported higher frequencies of pornography use compared to those who received comprehensive sexuality education. This finding adds to the ongoing conversation about the effectiveness and impacts of different sexuality education approaches.

The researchers aimed to explore how different forms of sexuality education influence women’s engagement with pornography. Understanding this relationship can help policymakers and educators improve sexuality education programs to better support healthy sexual development and mitigate potential negative impacts of pornography use. The study also sought to fill gaps in the literature regarding the specific effects of abstinence-only versus comprehensive sexuality education on adult behaviors.

The study employed a quantitative approach, surveying 866 women aged 18-34 who attended public schools in the United States. Participants were recruited through Qualtrics Online Panels and were asked about their pornography use and the type of sexuality education they received during high school. The survey included detailed questions about the frequency and types of pornography consumed, as well as demographic information.

Participants were divided into two groups based on the type of sexuality education they received: abstinence-only sexuality education and comprehensive sexuality education. Abstinence-only programs typically emphasize waiting until marriage for sexual activity and often exclude information on contraception and safe sex practices. In contrast, comprehensive sexuality education covers a broad range of topics, including contraception, safe sex, consent, and sexual orientation, aiming to provide medically accurate and inclusive information.

The researchers found that both groups reported similar rates of hardcore pornography use, suggesting that the type of sexuality education does not significantly impact the consumption of highly explicit content. However, significant differences emerged when the researchers examined overall frequencies of general pornography use. Women who received abstinence-only education reported using pornography more often compared to their counterparts who received comprehensive education.

The researchers also found that a significant portion of women, 36.38%, were first exposed to pornography between the ages of 12 and 15, while 25.17% encountered it between 16 and 18 years old. Troublingly, 5.66% were exposed as early as ages 4 to 8.

These findings have important implications for sexuality education policies and practices. The higher frequency of pornography use among women who received abstinence-only education suggests that these programs may not adequately address the informational needs of young people. As a result, these individuals may seek out pornography to learn about sex, which can lead to distorted perceptions of sexual behavior and relationships.

“The alarming exposure of girls to pornography prior to adulthood, notably before adolescence, highlights an educational gap,” the researchers wrote. “This reliance on unregulated sources for sexual information should concern both researchers and policymakers… Policymakers should focus on inclusive and comprehensive sexuality education that addresses youth interests and needs, aiming to prevent reliance on unreliable sources like pornography. Such education should prioritize sexual consent and safety in the digital age.”

The researchers controlled for age and religiosity. But the study, like all research, includes some caveats. The cross-sectional design only captures data at one point in time, which prevents establishing causality between sex education type and pornography use. In addition, the reliance on self-reported data can introduce biases such as underreporting or overreporting due to social desirability or memory recall issues.

The study, “Women’s Pornography Use Patterns and Sexuality Education in U.S. Public Schools,” was authored by Julie Fraumeni-McBride and Brian J. Willoughby.

URL: https://www.psypost.org/abstinence-only-sex-education-linked-to-higher-pornography-use-among-women/

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DATE: July 25, 2024 at 02:01PM
SOURCE: PSYCHIATRIC TIMES

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DATE: July 25, 2024 at 12:00PM
SOURCE: PSYPOST.ORG

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TITLE: New research sheds light on cannabinoids’ impact on anxiety during alcohol withdrawal

URL: https://www.psypost.org/new-research-sheds-light-on-cannabinoids-impact-on-anxiety-during-alcohol-withdrawal/

Anxiety disorders are common in the United States, affecting about 15% of individuals each year. These disorders often occur alongside alcohol use disorders, creating a challenging combination that leads to poor treatment outcomes and high relapse rates. Chronic alcohol use and withdrawal can increase anxiety and stress sensitivity, which further drives alcohol consumption in a harmful cycle.

A recent study published in Frontiers in Neuroscience explored the potential of cannabinoids, specifically cannabidiol (CBD) and a CBD to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) mix, to manage anxiety during alcohol withdrawal in mice. The findings suggest that the timing of cannabinoid use during alcohol withdrawal is critical in determining its effects on anxiety.

The study aimed to investigate whether cannabinoids could alleviate anxiety during alcohol withdrawal, potentially reducing relapse rates in people with alcohol use disorders. Previous research has shown that cannabinoids have therapeutic potential for anxiety and stress-related disorders.

However, the effects of cannabinoids on alcohol withdrawal-induced anxiety were not well understood. Given that many individuals using cannabis consume mixtures of CBD and THC, the researchers sought to determine how these cannabinoids, alone and in combination, affect anxiety during alcohol withdrawal.

“In recent years, cannabinoids such as CBD and THC have been discussed as potential therapeutics for improving various mental health disorders, including alcohol use disorder,” said study author Yuval Silberman, an associate professor of neural and behavioral sciences and associate dean for interdisciplinary research at Penn State College of Medicine.

“There are numerous potential reasons why cannabinoids could reduce alcohol use. We sought to examine two potentially interactive reasons, reduction in alcohol-withdrawal induced anxiety-like behavior and alterations to alcohol’s known effects on modulation of neuroimmune cell activity.”

To explore this, the researchers used a sample of 248 adult male and female mice. These mice were exposed to chronic intermittent ethanol vapor to induce alcohol dependence, a well-established model for studying alcohol withdrawal. The mice were divided into groups and subjected to either 4-hour or 24-hour withdrawal periods following their last exposure to ethanol vapor.

The researchers then treated the mice with either a vehicle solution, 10 mg/kg of CBD, or a 3:1 mixture of CBD to THC. Thirty minutes before behavioral testing, the mice were either left unstressed or exposed to a 30-minute restraint stress. Following this, the mice underwent an open field test, which measures anxiety-like behavior by observing the amount of time the mice spend in the center of the field versus the edges.

To understand the neurobiological mechanisms behind the observed behaviors, the researchers also analyzed plasma levels of CBD and THC and conducted immunohistochemical analyses of brain tissues to assess changes in neuroimmune cell activity in the central amygdala, a brain region crucial for regulating anxiety and alcohol intake.

The behavioral results indicated that mice in 4-hour withdrawal were more anxious, spending less time in the center of the open field, while mice in 24-hour withdrawal were less anxious, spending more time in the center. At the 4-hour withdrawal mark, both CBD and the CBD mixture increased anxiety-like behaviors. But treatment with the CBD mixture at 24-hour withdrawal increased the time spent in the center, suggesting reduced anxiety.

“Timing matters,” Silberman told PsyPost. “We looked at two short term alcohol withdrawal timepoints (4 hours and 24 hours) and found that CBD and CBD:THC increased anxiety at 4-hour withdrawal, while CBD reduced anxiety-like behavior at the 24-hour withdrawal time point. Cannabinoid effects may be distinct when used singly or in combination. CBD and CBD:THC mixtures appeared to have different effects dependent on timing of withdrawal. This has strong implications for future treatment development.”

The researchers also found changes in neuroimmune cell activity in the central amygdala. At the 4-hour withdrawal mark, there was a decrease in the number of astrocytes and microglia, key neuroimmune cells. Interestingly, CBD and the CBD mixture appeared to normalize these changes, suggesting a potential mechanism by which these cannabinoids could influence anxiety during alcohol withdrawal.

Plasma analysis revealed that mice in 24-hour withdrawal had higher THC concentrations and faster CBD metabolism compared to control mice. This difference in cannabinoid metabolism might contribute to the observed behavioral effects, particularly the reduction in anxiety seen with the CBD mixture at 24-hour withdrawal.

“Our data showed that mice undergoing alcohol withdrawal achieve higher plasma CBD and THC levels than mice that have not had alcohol exposure even though they were all given the same doses originally,” Silberman explained. “This may, in part, explain our findings regarding timing of withdrawal and cannabinoid exposure.

“Furthermore, it appears that CBD is preferentially metabolized over THC in alcohol exposed mice, which has some very important implications regarding use of cannabinoids after alcohol intake. A better understanding of this phenomenon could provide for improved therapeutic strategies in the future.”

But as with all research, there are some caveats to consider.

“These studies were performed in mice with a well validated but short-term passive alcohol exposure and dependence model,” Silberman noted. “Replicating these studies in longer term, active alcohol self-administration models may provide for different results. The cannabinoids were given via intraperitoneal injection and only at one time point. Alternative routes of administration and multiple cannabinoid exposures may produce different results as well.”

The findings of this study highlight the complexity of cannabinoid effects on anxiety during alcohol withdrawal and suggest several avenues for future research. For instance, future studies could also continue to explore how these cannabinoids are metabolized to better understand how they are processed by the body during different stages of alcohol withdrawal.

“We are very interested in the CBD and THC metabolism differences between alcohol withdrawal and control mice,” Silberman said. “We think this key finding opens the door to mechanistic insights that will be critically important for future potential therapies involving cannabinoids.”

“This work was a collaboration between numerous labs that would not have been possible without the support of the Penn State Center for Cannabis and Natural Product Pharmaceuticals (CCNPP). The relatively new CCNPP, having been officially started at Penn State in 2023, has already been highly successful in engaging and growing research around cannabis and natural products at Penn State. For more information visit Medical Marijuana Academic Clinical Research Center Penn State College of Medicine Research (psu.edu).”

The study, “Effects of cannabidiol, with and without ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol, on anxiety-like behavior following alcohol withdrawal in mice,” was conducted by Mariam Melkumyan, Vibha M. Annaswamy, Alexandra M. Evans, Opeyemi F. Showemimo, Zari E. McCullers, Dongxiao Sun, Terrence E. Murphy, Kent E. Vrana, Amy C. Arnold, Wesley M. Raup-Konsavage, and Yuval Silberman.

URL: https://www.psypost.org/new-research-sheds-light-on-cannabinoids-impact-on-anxiety-during-alcohol-withdrawal/

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DATE: July 25, 2024 at 06:00AM
SOURCE: PSYPOST.ORG

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TITLE: Abortion restrictions tied to elevated mental distress among both men and women

URL: https://www.psypost.org/abortion-restrictions-tied-to-elevated-mental-distress-among-both-men-and-women/

A new study published in Science Advances has found a troubling link between recent abortion restrictions in the United States and elevated levels of mental distress, particularly among people of lower socioeconomic status. The study’s findings suggest that legislative changes, enacted after the Supreme Court’s Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision, may have far-reaching consequences on mental health.

The Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, delivered on June 24, 2022, overturned the constitutional right to abortion access, returning regulatory control to individual states. This landmark decision led to a patchwork of abortion laws across the country, with some states imposing severe restrictions or outright bans.

“There has been intense practical and academic interest in the after effects of the Dobbs decision, which in essence returned control of abortion access to state legislatures,” said study author Brad N. Greenwood, the Maximus Professor of Business at George Mason University’s Costello College of Business.

“At the same time, there is both extraordinary misinformation about the implications of abortion for the mental health of women and a long body of scholarship (see, for example, the Turnaway Study) which suggests that denying women access to abortion services can harm mental health. The goal of this paper was to see: i) if those effects persist when state legislatures curb access to reproductive care in the form of abortion access and ii) if so, which parts of the population are affected to a greater or lesser degree.”

The researchers utilized data from the national Household Pulse Survey (HPS), conducted by the United States Census Bureau. The HPS is a detailed survey originally designed to assess the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic but has since been expanded to include other areas such as financial well-being, education, and mental health.

Participants included in the study were at least 18 years old, had a fixed address, and access to the internet. The sample covered survey waves 34 to 58, from July 2021 to June 2023, with over 60,000 respondents per wave and a response rate between 5% and 7%. This timeframe provided a balanced view around the period when most state-level abortion restrictions were enacted.

The researchers focused on four key mental health outcomes: anxiety, disinterest in activities, worry, and feelings of depression. Respondents rated their experiences with these feelings on a four-point scale over the past two weeks. For analysis, the researchers coded frequent experiences of these feelings as indicators of significant mental distress.

To identify the impact of abortion restrictions, the researchers employed a difference-in-differences design. This method compared mental health outcomes before and after the enactment of abortion restrictions across different states, controlling for various demographic factors such as age, sex, marital status, race, education, and income.

The researchers found increases in reports of anxiety and disinterest in states that enacted abortion restrictions. These increases were modest but notable: a 0.35 to 0.7 percentage point rise in the average prevalence of these mental health concerns, translating to an approximate 3% relative increase over the baseline.

Further analysis showed that the negative mental health impacts were particularly pronounced among individuals of lower socioeconomic status. For those with household incomes below $25,000, the institution of abortion restrictions was associated with increased anxiety, disinterest, worry, and feelings of depression. In contrast, these effects were less severe for individuals with higher incomes, suggesting that financial resources may mitigate some of the mental health impacts of these legislative changes.

“Our findings indicate that people living in states which restrict access to abortion services in the wake of Dobbs, either through more restrictive gestational limits or outright bans, are more likely to self-report mental health problems than people living in non-restricting states,” Greenwood told PsyPost. “Moreover, these effects appear to affect the socioeconomic lower class to a greater degree. Finally, the effects exist for the duration of the sample, which opens the door to the possibility that these effects persist in the long term.”

Interestingly, the study found no significant differences in the mental health impacts of abortion restrictions across other demographic factors such as sex, race, marital status, or sexual orientation. This suggests that the negative effects of these restrictions may be experienced broadly across various segments of the population, though the financial burden appears to be a key moderator.

“One of the things we expected to see was a significant differences across the sexes,” Greenwood said. “However, the results indicated no significant differences across sex assigned at birth, race, sexual orientation, age, or marital status. And while absence of evidence should be interpreted cautiously, the fact that we observed no significant differences was striking and unexpected.”

This study highlights the need for further investigation into the broader mental health impacts of restrictive abortion laws. While the current findings are significant, several questions remain unanswered.

Future research could explore the specific mechanisms driving the observed mental health impacts. For instance, it is unclear whether the distress arises primarily from increased travel costs to access abortion services, the financial and emotional burden of carrying an unwanted pregnancy to term, or broader perceptions of diminishing individual rights.

In addition, while this study provides valuable insights into the mental health impacts of abortion restrictions, it relies on self-reported data. Future research could benefit from incorporating clinical assessments and diagnoses to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the mental health consequences.

“As with any secondary empirical investigation, there are obvious limitations with what we can do with the data that are available to us,” Greenwood said. “States do not implement abortion restrictions at random and the available data only permit us to observe self-reported mental health (i.e. we cannot observe clinical diagnosis). This underscores the need for continued empirical research on the subject to understand how abortion restriction affects not just mental health, but other downstream outcomes.”

The study, “The impact of abortion restrictions on American mental health,” was authored by Michaela R. Anderson, Gordon Burtch, and Brad N. Greenwood.

URL: https://www.psypost.org/abortion-restrictions-tied-to-elevated-mental-distress-among-both-men-and-women/

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DATE: July 25, 2024 at 10:30AM
SOURCE: PSYCHIATRIC TIMES

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DATE: July 25, 2024 at 10:00AM
SOURCE: PSYPOST.ORG

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TITLE: Secularists revealed as a unique political force in America, with an intriguing divergence from liberals

URL: https://www.psypost.org/secularists-revealed-as-a-unique-political-force-in-america-with-an-intriguing-divergence-from-liberals/

Over the last few decades, America has witnessed a substantial decline in religiosity. Although the United States remains relatively religious compared to other nations, it is markedly less religious today than it was thirty years ago. However, a recent study published in Advances in Political Psychology uncovers an important nuance: secularism is distinct from mere nonreligiosity. The findings reveal that secularists form a unique group within the American electorate, suggesting a more nuanced understanding of secular trends is essential for grasping contemporary political dynamics.

While the increase in nonreligiosity, often termed “the rise of the nones,” has been widely documented, the new study sought to delve deeper into the distinctions between secularism and nonreligiosity. By doing so, the researchers aimed to clarify the political implications of these trends and how they might shape the future of American politics.

The researchers drew on data from several large-scale surveys, including the General Social Survey, Gallup Poll, Pew Research Center, and the Public Religion Research Institute. These data sources provided a robust foundation for examining trends in secularization and religiosity in the United States over the past several decades.

The study’s findings provide evidence that secularism is not simply the absence of religion but a distinctive identity characterized by specific beliefs and orientations. Unlike nonreligiosity, which denotes a lack of religious affiliation or belief, secularism involves an active identification with principles grounded in empirical evidence and rational thought. Secularists, therefore, are defined by what they believe in rather than what they lack.

For instance, secularists exhibited strong opposition to conspiracy theories. The researchers found that secularists are less likely to believe in various conspiracy theories compared to nonreligious individuals. This skepticism towards conspiracy theories is consistent with secularists’ reliance on empirical evidence and rational thought.

By contrast, nonreligiosity did not show a consistent relationship with opposition to conspiracy theories. This highlights the importance of the affirmative secular identity, which actively seeks evidence-based explanations and rejects unsubstantiated claims.

One of the most significant findings of the study is the strong association between secularism and liberal political attitudes. Secularists are more likely to support Democratic candidates and align with liberal policies compared to their nonreligious counterparts. This tendency is evident across various policy areas, including social welfare, environmental protection, and immigration.

The study also reveals that secularists are staunch supporters of core democratic values. Secularists exhibit strong support for participatory democracy, advocating for the inclusion of all individuals in the political process and the removal of barriers to voting. They also emphasize the importance of freedom of expression, opposing censorship and supporting the right to express even unpopular or controversial ideas.

“We suspect that having traditionally been the subject of political intolerance, secularists — particularly atheists — are highly supportive of extending political rights and civil liberties to other groups, even groups they dislike,” the researchers remarked.

Interestingly, the researchers found that liberals, particularly those identifying as very liberal, are generally unsupportive of allowing disliked groups such as “MAGA supporters,” “racists,” or “Muslim extremists” to hold rallies, teach, or have their books in local libraries. On the other hand, secularists, despite having similar disliked groups, are more likely than nonsecularists to extend civil liberties to these groups, demonstrating a higher level of political tolerance.

“It is striking that when the American right accuses secular liberals of trying to censor it or ‘cancel’ it for expressing ideas they find distasteful, they are only half right. Ideological liberals do appear to support censoring and limiting the expression of some types of ideas and certain kinds of groups,” the researchers explained.

“However, when ideology and partisanship are held constant, secularists are just the opposite. They oppose censorship and limits on freedom of expression, and they support allowing all groups—even groups they find dangerous or distasteful—to have a societal forum for expressing their perspectives.”

Despite their strong secular identity and political engagement, secularists exhibit relatively low levels of participation in organized secular activities. The study found that while religious individuals often engage in regular communal activities, such as attending services and participating in church-related events, secularists do not have a comparable level of organized social engagement.

This finding suggests that secularism functions primarily as a psychological and ideological identity rather than a social movement with formal structures and regular communal activities. The lack of organized secular behavior highlights the individualistic nature of secularism, where personal beliefs and identities take precedence over collective action.

“In American politics, religion has long mattered,” the researchers concluded. “The contours of American public opinion have been shaped by the nuances of religiosity, and religious appeals by candidates are commonplace. Now, secularism matters too—although its presence in the electorate remains largely hidden. However, as current trends continue, secularism will only be ignored at politicians’ peril. No understanding of the American electorate is complete without attention to the secular voter.”

The study, “The secular voter: Secularism and political attitudes in the United States,” was authored by Geoffrey C. Layman, David E. Campbell, and Levi G. Allen.

URL: https://www.psypost.org/secularists-revealed-as-a-unique-political-force-in-america-with-an-intriguing-divergence-from-liberals/

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DATE: July 25, 2024 at 09:00AM
SOURCE: NIH DIRECTORS BLOG

TITLE: Epigenetic Editor Silences Toxic Proteins in the Mouse Brain, Offering Promising Path to Treat Deadly Prion Diseases

URL: https://directorsblog.nih.gov/2024/07/25/epigenetic-editor-silences-toxic-proteins-in-the-mouse-brain-offering-promising-path-to-treat-deadly-prion-diseases/

Credit: Donny Bliss/NIH

Prion diseases are fatal neurodegenerative disorders caused by a malfunction of the prion protein in the brain. Exposure to a misfolded version of the protein triggers normal proteins of the same type in the brain to misfold, forming clumps that produce infectious disease and fatal brain damage over time. There are currently no treatments, preventive vaccines, or cures for prion diseases, which can be acquired, like mad cow disease, or inherited, like fatal familial insomnia. But an encouraging new study in mice suggests a potentially promising path for developing a treatment for people with these deadly conditions.

Findings from an NIH-supported study reported in Science show that the key to this approach is a molecular tool capable of silencing prion protein throughout the brain using epigenetic editing.1 Unlike gene editing approaches, which change the sequence of genes, epigenetic editing can turn gene expression off with the addition of a chemical tag that prevents genes from being translated into proteins. Such a strategy may be able to deliver modifying tools to the brain or other parts of the body to silence specific toxic or disease-causing genes, including the one encoding the prion protein, without the risks associated with altering DNA sequences.

Earlier findings in mouse studies have shown that reducing prion protein levels can halt disease progression. However, attempting this with gene editing approaches has been a challenge. In the new study, researchers led by Jonathan Weissman at the Whitehead Institute and Sonia Vallabh at the Broad Institute, both in Cambridge, MA, pursued an epigenetic approach to this problem as a potentially more feasible and safer option than gene editing. To do it, they first had to develop an epigenetic silencer that was compact enough for delivery into cells using an adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector, which is the preferred way to get therapeutic payloads into the central nervous system, including the brain.

They call their programmable epigenetic silencer “CHARM,” short for Coupled Histone tail for Autoinhibition Release of Methyltransferase. To target a gene with the needed specificity, CHARM uses a guide protein to direct the tool to a target site in DNA. The tool also recruits enzymes that are naturally present in cells to deliver a silencing methyl group. The researchers engineered their tool to include parts that successfully switch the methyltransferase enzyme on to do its work of silencing the prion gene in just the right spot.

To get the molecular tools into the brain, the researchers built on a previous NIH-supported advance made by a team including study co-author Benjamin Deverman, also at the Broad Institute, that improves the delivery of therapeutic molecular tools such as CHARM into the brain. As reported in Science, the researchers showed they could shuttle an AAV across the blood-brain barrier using a receptor that normally brings iron into the brain.2

The latest study shows that, when delivered to the mouse brain using this new AAV, CHARM efficiently silences the prion gene in most neurons without altering the underlying DNA sequence. As a result, prion protein levels dropped by more than 80%. That’s important given that earlier studies have shown that reducing prion protein by as little as 20% can improve symptoms. The researchers also engineered their CHARM editors such that they turn themselves off after silencing the target gene to limit the possibility of unwanted effects.

This study was supported in part by the NIH Common Fund as part of the NIH Somatic Cell Genome Editing (SCGE) Program. The researchers report they are now fine-tuning their tool to make it more effective, safer, and easier to manufacture in quantities that are necessary for future testing in clinical trials enrolling people with degenerative and otherwise fatal prion diseases. It’s likely to be a long road, but if all goes well, this impressive work could one day enable effective treatments for people with prion diseases. This approach may also hold promise for treating other neurodegenerative conditions that involve the accumulation of toxic protein aggregates in the brain.

References:

[1] Neumann EN, et al. Brainwide silencing of prion protein by AAV-mediated delivery of an engineered compact epigenetic editor. Science. DOI: 10.1126/science.ado7082 (2024).

[2] Huang Q, et al. An AAV capsid reprogrammed to bind human transferrin receptor mediates brain-wide gene delivery. Science. DOI: 10.1126/science.adm8386 (2024).

NIH Support: Common Fund Somatic Cell Genome Editing Program, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering

URL: https://directorsblog.nih.gov/2024/07/25/epigenetic-editor-silences-toxic-proteins-in-the-mouse-brain-offering-promising-path-to-treat-deadly-prion-diseases/

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DATE: July 25, 2024 at 08:00AM
SOURCE: PSYPOST.ORG

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TITLE: People with this socio-cognitive skill tend to leave more positive first impressions

URL: https://www.psypost.org/people-with-this-socio-cognitive-skill-tend-to-leave-more-positive-first-impressions/

A new study published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology: General reports that individuals with stronger theory of mind skills leave more positive first impressions.

Building social connections is an important part of human survival, health, and happiness. While social structures like family and community provide a foundation, the expansion of social networks hinges on the ability to connect with new others. Theory of mind, the everyday skill of imputing mental states to others, is a critical cognitive skill facilitating smoother social interactions. This skill is associated with various social outcomes, including larger social networks, higher relationship satisfaction, and greater social competence.

There is substantial research on theory of mind across various disciplines. However, there is little research on its role in forming new social connections. In this work, Chloe C. Hudson and colleagues examined how individual differences in theory of mind accuracy and motivation influence first impressions through observable behaviors during social interactions.

A total of 334 young adult participants were recruited from first- and second-year psychology courses and through advertisements placed around campus. Participants were paired with a peer for a first-time meeting. They completed several measures assessing theory of mind accuracy and motivation.

The Reading the Mind in the Eyes Task involved viewing 36 photographs of the eye region of faces, each surrounded by four mental state adjectives (e.g., cautious, insisting, bored, and aghast). Participants were instructed to choose the adjective that best described the photograph as quickly as possible. The Adult False Belief Task included 13 videos with two animated characters interacting with three boxes, where participants had to infer which box a character would choose based on their beliefs. The Mind-Reading Motivation Scale, a 13-item self-report questionnaire, assessed participants’ motivation to understand others’ thoughts and emotions.

The primary interaction task involved a cooperative Lego-building activity, where each pair was instructed to build a Lego model within seven minutes. Participants were told they could only touch two of the four colors of Lego pieces, necessitating cooperation. The interactions were videotaped and later coded for behavioral manifestations of theory of mind by independent raters.

Cognitive sensitivity was measured using an 11-item coding scheme assessing behaviors such as clear verbal directions, positive nonverbal directions, and sensitivity to the partner’s mental states. Pragmatic conversational skills were rated using the Conversational Skills Rating Scale, which evaluated features like speaking rate, vocal variety, volume, and humor.

The researchers found that participants with higher theory of mind accuracy and motivation were rated as more cognitively sensitive by third-party observers. Cognitive sensitivity, in turn, was positively correlated with more favorable first impressions from their interaction partners. Participants who demonstrated higher theory of mind skills exhibited behaviors that reflected clear communication, appropriate humor, and responsiveness to their partners’ needs.

Theory of mind accuracy was significantly associated with paralinguistic features, such as volume and clarity of speech, but not with discourse management, which includes behaviors like topic initiation and use of humor. Conversely, theory of mind motivation was significantly linked to discourse management but not paralinguistic features. These findings highlight the distinct roles of theory of mind accuracy and motivation in shaping different aspects of social interactions.

An important mediating factor was cognitive sensitivity, which was a key predictor of positive first impressions, suggesting that individuals who are better at understanding and responding to their partners’ mental states are more likely to leave a favorable impression. While pragmatic conversational skills were related to theory of mind, they did not significantly predict first impressions, indicating that cognitive sensitivity might be a more crucial factor in initial social encounters.

A limitation outlined by the authors is the homogeneity of the sample, which comprised primarily undergraduate students from a suburban Canadian university, limiting the generalizability of the findings.

The study, “How Theory of Mind Leads to Positive First Impressions,” was authored by Chloe C. Hudson, Mark A. Sabbagh, and Kate L. Harkness.

URL: https://www.psypost.org/people-with-this-socio-cognitive-skill-tend-to-leave-more-positive-first-impressions/

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DATE: July 25, 2024 at 07:00AM
SOURCE: PSYPOST.ORG

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TITLE: Women who rarely have sex are at an increased risk of dying, study finds

URL: https://www.psypost.org/women-who-rarely-have-sex-are-at-an-increased-risk-of-dying-study-finds/

A recent study, based on data from the 2005–2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), has found that women who rarely engage in sexual activity have a 70% higher risk of dying compared to those who have sex at least once per week. Additionally, individuals with depression who had sex much less than once per week had a 197% higher risk of dying than those who had sex around once per week. These findings were published in the Journal of Psychosexual Health.

Frequent sex has been shown to offer numerous health benefits. It helps reduce stress and improve mood through the release of endorphins and oxytocin. It can also boost the immune system, making the body more resistant to infections and illnesses.

Regular sexual activity promotes cardiovascular health by increasing heart rate and circulation. It enhances sleep quality due to the release of the hormone prolactin, which is associated with relaxation. Frequent sex can also improve intimacy and strengthen relationships, contributing to overall emotional well-being.

A previous study highlighted that the critical frequency of sex seems to be one intercourse per week when relationship duration, gender, and age are considered. Frequencies greater than once per week do not appear to produce greater well-being outcomes, but there is a significant difference in well-being between individuals having sex once per week and those having it less frequently.

Another study reported that decreased sexual activity was related to adverse health outcomes for both men and women, and a relationship between erectile dysfunction and cancer in older men was also found.

The current study, led by Srikanta Banerjee and his colleagues, aimed to explore the relationship between sexual frequency and all-cause mortality, i.e., the likelihood that a person will die. They analyzed data from the NHANES, a program of the National Center for Health Statistics designed to evaluate the health of adults in the United States using consolidated data from interviews and physical exams.

The study sample included 14,542 noninstitutionalized U.S. adults aged between 20 and 59 years, with an average age of 46 years. The researchers used data on all-cause mortality (whether the study participant died during the follow-up period, by December 2015), depression (measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire 9), sexual frequency (participants were asked, “In the past 12 months, about how many times have you had vaginal or anal sex?”), obesity, and various demographic factors.

The results showed that younger participants tended to have sex more often. Individuals with low frequencies of sex tended to have elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, an indicator of inflammation, were more likely to have never smoked, to be more educated, and to be depressed. Black participants were slightly more often among those with high sex frequencies, while Hispanic and White participants were more frequent in the group having sex rarely. Overall, 95% of participants aged 20-59 years had sex more than 12 times per year, and 38% had sex more than once per week.

Women who had sex rarely were 70% more likely to have died during the follow-up period compared to women who had sex more often. The researchers examined the link between frequency of sex and death separately among individuals who had sex less often than once per week and those who had it more than once per week.

Among individuals having sex less than once per week, participants with depression and low sexual frequency (i.e., had sex much less than once per week) were 197% more likely to die than those who had depression and high sexual frequency (i.e., had sex once per week or close to that).

When the same analysis was done on individuals having sex more than once per week, there was no association between the frequency of sex and the risk of death. This supports the idea that having sex at least once per week might be critical for achieving the sex-related health benefits.

“In an ethnically diverse population, we found that low sexual frequency can lead to three times increased overall mortality, even after controlling for health and demographic factors. Consistent with our findings, sexual activity is important for overall cardiovascular health possibly due to reduction of heart rate variability and blood flow increase. Public health interventions should be designed taking into consideration sexual health,” the study authors concluded.

The study sheds light on the links between how often a person has sex and the likelihood of dying. However, it is important to note that the study design does not allow for cause-and-effect conclusions. While it is possible that having sex improves health, it is also possible that people in poor health are less able to have sex, creating the association. Additionally, the study did not examine other aspects of sexual health, such as sexual satisfaction or the quality of sexual relationships, which could also play significant roles in overall well-being. Future research could benefit from exploring these additional dimensions of sexual health to provide a more comprehensive understanding.

The study,“Connection Between Depression, Sexual Frequency, and All-cause Mortality: Findings from a Nationally Representative Study,” was authored by Srikanta Banerjee, Peter Anderson, and W. Sumner Davis.

URL: https://www.psypost.org/women-who-rarely-have-sex-are-at-an-increased-risk-of-dying-study-finds/

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DATE: July 25, 2024 at 05:02AM
SOURCE:
NEW YORK TIMES PSYCHOLOGY AND PSYCHOLOGISTS FEED

TITLE: Simone Biles Sticks the Landing

URL: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/25/opinion/simone-biles-olympics-paris.html

She may yet add to her impressive Olympic legacy in Paris. But by changing the way we talk about mental health, Simone Biles has scored a different victory.

URL: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/25/opinion/simone-biles-olympics-paris.html

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DATE: July 24, 2024 at 12:14PM
SOURCE: SOCIALPSYCHOLOGY.ORG

TITLE: Video Shows Uncontacted Indigenous People Emerging From Amazon Forest

URL: http://www.socialpsychology.org/client/redirect.php?from=rss_feed&id=181333&url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2024/07/17/mashco-piro-indigenous-tribe-peru-amazon-rain-forest/74445685007/

Source: Google News - Health

New photos and rare video footage of an uncontacted indigenous tribe in the Peruvian Amazon show people emerging from a rain forest—perhaps due to encroaching logging operations. The Mashco Piro people, which human rights group Survival International says is the largest uncontacted tribe in the world, were given a territorial reserve in 2002. But the Peruvian government also gave concessions to several logging companies within the tribe's...

URL: http://www.socialpsychology.org/client/redirect.php?from=rss_feed&id=181333&url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2024/07/17/mashco-piro-indigenous-tribe-peru-amazon-rain-forest/74445685007/

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DATE: July 24, 2024 at 05:15PM
SOURCE: SCIENCE DAILY MIND-BRAIN FEED

TITLE: Daily rhythms depend on receptor density in biological clock

URL: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240724171542.htm

Tweaking the numbers of receptors in a key brain area changes the daily rhythms of rest and wake in mice.

URL: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240724171542.htm

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DATE: July 24, 2024 at 05:15PM
SOURCE: SCIENCE DAILY MIND-BRAIN FEED

TITLE: Preventing brain damage in preterm babies

URL: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240724171528.htm

An interdisciplinary team of physicians and scientists show for the first time that a blood protein called fibrin blocks an essential biological process that drives brain development in early life. They identified a root cause of developmental delays that result from brain bleeds in premature infants, opening a path for new therapeutic strategies to counter long-term health risks.

URL: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240724171528.htm

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DATE: July 24, 2024 at 05:15PM
SOURCE: SCIENCE DAILY MIND-BRAIN FEED

TITLE: Researchers are closing in on a mouse model for late-onset Alzheimer's

URL: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240724171505.htm

Researchers are working to create the first strain of mice that's genetically susceptible to late-onset Alzheimer's, with potentially transformative implications for dementia research.

URL: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240724171505.htm

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DATE: July 24, 2024 at 12:31PM
SOURCE: SCIENCE DAILY MIND-BRAIN FEED

TITLE: Neuroscientists discover brain circuitry of placebo effect for pain relief

URL: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240724123119.htm

Researchers have discovered a novel pain control pathway that links the cingulate cortex in the front of the brain, through the pons region of the brainstem, to cerebellum in the back of the brain.

URL: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240724123119.htm

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DATE: July 24, 2024 at 05:15PM
SOURCE: SCIENCE DAILY MIND-BRAIN FEED

TITLE: Targeted Alzheimer's research and drug discovery

URL: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240724171502.htm

Researchers offer the first comprehensive ranking of the relative role and significance of every known gene and protein in the development of Alzheimer's Disease.

URL: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240724171502.htm

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NYU Information for Practice puts out 400-500 good quality health-related research posts per week but its too much for many people, so that bot is limited to just subscribers. You can read it or subscribe at @PsychResearchBot

Since 1991 The National Psychologist has focused on keeping practicing psychologists current with news, information and items of interest. Check them out for more free articles, resources, and subscription information: https://www.nationalpsychologist.com

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DATE: July 24, 2024 at 05:15PM
SOURCE: SCIENCE DAILY PSYCHOLOGY FEED

TITLE: Preventing brain damage in preterm babies

URL: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240724171528.htm

An interdisciplinary team of physicians and scientists show for the first time that a blood protein called fibrin blocks an essential biological process that drives brain development in early life. They identified a root cause of developmental delays that result from brain bleeds in premature infants, opening a path for new therapeutic strategies to counter long-term health risks.

URL: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240724171528.htm

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NYU Information for Practice puts out 400-500 good quality health-related research posts per week but its too much for many people, so that bot is limited to just subscribers. You can read it or subscribe at @PsychResearchBot

Since 1991 The National Psychologist has focused on keeping practicing psychologists current with news, information and items of interest. Check them out for more free articles, resources, and subscription information: https://www.nationalpsychologist.com

EMAIL DAILY DIGEST OF RSS FEEDS -- SUBSCRIBE: http://subscribe-article-digests.clinicians-exchange.org

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DATE: July 24, 2024 at 12:31PM
SOURCE: SCIENCE DAILY PSYCHOLOGY FEED

TITLE: Neuroscientists discover brain circuitry of placebo effect for pain relief

URL: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240724123119.htm

Researchers have discovered a novel pain control pathway that links the cingulate cortex in the front of the brain, through the pons region of the brainstem, to cerebellum in the back of the brain.

URL: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240724123119.htm

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Unofficial Psychology Today Xitter to toot feed at Psych Today Unofficial Bot @PTUnofficialBot

NYU Information for Practice puts out 400-500 good quality health-related research posts per week but its too much for many people, so that bot is limited to just subscribers. You can read it or subscribe at @PsychResearchBot

Since 1991 The National Psychologist has focused on keeping practicing psychologists current with news, information and items of interest. Check them out for more free articles, resources, and subscription information: https://www.nationalpsychologist.com

EMAIL DAILY DIGEST OF RSS FEEDS -- SUBSCRIBE: http://subscribe-article-digests.clinicians-exchange.org

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DATE: July 24, 2024 at 05:15PM
SOURCE: SCIENCE DAILY MIND-BRAIN FEED

TITLE: Stroke recovery: It's in the genes

URL: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240724171553.htm

New research has found that specific genes may be related to the trajectory of recovery for stroke survivors, providing doctors insights useful for developing targeted therapies.

URL: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240724171553.htm

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Unofficial Psychology Today Xitter to toot feed at Psych Today Unofficial Bot @PTUnofficialBot

NYU Information for Practice puts out 400-500 good quality health-related research posts per week but its too much for many people, so that bot is limited to just subscribers. You can read it or subscribe at @PsychResearchBot

Since 1991 The National Psychologist has focused on keeping practicing psychologists current with news, information and items of interest. Check them out for more free articles, resources, and subscription information: https://www.nationalpsychologist.com

EMAIL DAILY DIGEST OF RSS FEEDS -- SUBSCRIBE: http://subscribe-article-digests.clinicians-exchange.org

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It's primitive... but it works... mostly...

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DATE: July 24, 2024 at 05:15PM
SOURCE: SCIENCE DAILY MIND-BRAIN FEED

TITLE: Does your body composition affect your risk of dementia or Parkinson's?

URL: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240724171545.htm

People with high levels of body fat stored in their belly or arms may be more likely to develop diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's than people with low levels of fat in these areas, according to new research. The study also found that people with a high level of muscle strength were less likely to develop these diseases than people with low muscle strength.

URL: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240724171545.htm

Private, vetted email list for mental health professionals: https://www.clinicians-exchange.org

Unofficial Psychology Today Xitter to toot feed at Psych Today Unofficial Bot @PTUnofficialBot

NYU Information for Practice puts out 400-500 good quality health-related research posts per week but its too much for many people, so that bot is limited to just subscribers. You can read it or subscribe at @PsychResearchBot

Since 1991 The National Psychologist has focused on keeping practicing psychologists current with news, information and items of interest. Check them out for more free articles, resources, and subscription information: https://www.nationalpsychologist.com

EMAIL DAILY DIGEST OF RSS FEEDS -- SUBSCRIBE: http://subscribe-article-digests.clinicians-exchange.org

READ ONLINE: http://read-the-rss-mega-archive.clinicians-exchange.org

It's primitive... but it works... mostly...

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DATE: July 24, 2024 at 12:30PM
SOURCE: SCIENCE DAILY MIND-BRAIN FEED

TITLE: Language affects how quickly we perceive shades of color

URL: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240724123040.htm

People who speak a language that has multiple words for different shades of colour perceive the shades more quickly.

URL: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240724123040.htm

Private, vetted email list for mental health professionals: https://www.clinicians-exchange.org

Unofficial Psychology Today Xitter to toot feed at Psych Today Unofficial Bot @PTUnofficialBot

NYU Information for Practice puts out 400-500 good quality health-related research posts per week but its too much for many people, so that bot is limited to just subscribers. You can read it or subscribe at @PsychResearchBot

Since 1991 The National Psychologist has focused on keeping practicing psychologists current with news, information and items of interest. Check them out for more free articles, resources, and subscription information: https://www.nationalpsychologist.com

EMAIL DAILY DIGEST OF RSS FEEDS -- SUBSCRIBE: http://subscribe-article-digests.clinicians-exchange.org

READ ONLINE: http://read-the-rss-mega-archive.clinicians-exchange.org

It's primitive... but it works... mostly...

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