Dementia is not an inevitable consequence of ageing. It’s thought that around 40% of dementia cases30367-6/fulltext) could be prevented (or at least delayed) by changing certain lifestyle habits. There are now 12 known modifiable risk factors30367-6/fulltext) associated with greater risk of dementia. By focusing on these factors and taking proactive steps early and consistently throughout your life, you can profoundly impact your brain health and overall wellbeing30367-6/fulltext) – and also reduce your risk of developing dementia later in life. Here are six of the most important lifestyle cha...
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Amid the hustle and bustle of modern life, could the simple act of crafting help protect our mental health? A new study published in Frontiers in Public Health provides evidence that indulging in creative activities like arts and crafts could offer a boost to our overall sense of wellbeing. In fact, the impact of crafting on an individual’s sense of life satisfaction was found to be more significant than being employed, highlighting its potential as a valuable tool in promoting public mental health. The researchers, led by Helen Keyes of Anglia Ruskin University, were motivated by the need to ...
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In a new study that could pave the way for new treatments targeting age-related cognitive decline, researchers have discovered that low-dose, long-term administration of a key cannabis component can reverse aging processes in the brain and has an anti-aging effect overall. The study, conducted by teams from the University Hospital Bonn (UKB) and the University of Bonn in collaboration with Hebrew University in Israel, focused on the effects of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary psychoactive component of cannabis, on aging mice. The results, published in the journal ACS Pharmacology & Tran...
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In a new study published in Scientific Reports, researchers have provided the most extensive analysis to date of how classic psychedelics (such as LSD and psilocybin) and the drug MDMA (often known as ecstasy) affect cognitive functions during and after use. The findings reveal that these substances have distinct impacts on the brain, with psychedelics impairing attention and executive function, while MDMA primarily disrupts memory. Interestingly, the study also suggests that psychedelics might boost creativity and executive function after the drug’s immediate effects have worn off—an effect n...
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An analysis of data from multiple studies in the United States revealed that politically dissimilar couples are very rare. The share of couples where one partner supported the Democratic Party while the other supported the Republican Party was only 8%. Political dissimilarity with a romantic partner was most frequent among supporters of Independents, with around 44% of Independents having a partner who supported either the Democratic or Republican Party. The paper was published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. The two main political parties in the United States are the Demo...
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Recent research published in the Journal of Rational-Emotive & Cognitive-Behavior has uncovered a connection between certain dark personality traits and irrational beliefs related to work. Therapy. The study found that traits like Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy, often referred to as the “Dark Triad,” are linked to specific irrational beliefs about work. For instance, people with Machiavellian traits tend to have irrational fears about failure. Work plays an important role in shaping our identities, self-esteem, and social standing. But for some people, the way they think about w...
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Psychedelic treatments have sparked considerable interest in recent years, with several studies suggesting their potential to treat depression. However, how these substances compare to traditional antidepressants has been a subject of ongoing debate. A recent systematic review and meta-analysis published in The BMJ sheds light on this topic, focusing on the effectiveness of psychedelics, particularly psilocybin, compared to the commonly prescribed antidepressant, escitalopram. The study’s findings reveal that among the psychedelics analyzed, only high-dose psilocybin showed greater effectivene...
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A new study published in Evolutionary Behavioral Sciences sheds light on the reasons why some women engage in tanning behaviors, even when they are aware of the potential health risks. The researchers found that women’s attitudes toward tanning and the time they spend in the sun with the intention of tanning are influenced by how they see themselves as romantic partners and by their rivalry with other women. Why did the researchers decide to explore this issue? At the heart of the study is an effort to understand why women often engage in behaviors that can enhance their physical attractivenes...
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An analysis of a vast number of Facebook posts from the United States, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Belgium, France, and Germany reveals that posts from alternative and hyper-partisan media, as well as those from populist politicians and parties, tend to elicit elevated levels of angry reactions. An interesting exception to this pattern is former U.S. President Donald Trump, who, despite being classified as a populist, consistently elicited more positive emotions, including “love,” even when delivering messages that could be seen as antagonistic. These findings were recently published in t...
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People who exhibit traits like narcissism, Machiavellianism, psychopathy, and sadism often believe they are morally superior to others, even when evidence suggests otherwise, according to new research published in the journal Personality Disorders: Theory, Research, and Treatment. The study found that individuals with higher levels of these “Dark Tetrad” traits tend to see themselves as better than the average person in terms of moral character, despite also showing tendencies towards immoral behavior. This disconnect between self-perception and reality may help explain why such individuals ar...
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