From PsyPost

  • The hidden psychological risk of outsourcing decisions to AI

    As artificial intelligence creeps further into people’s daily lives, so do worries about it. At the most alarmist are concerns about AI going rogue and terminating its human masters. But behind the calls for a pause on the development of AI is a suite of more tangible social ills. Among them are the risks AI poses to people’s privacy and dignity and the inevitable fact that, because the algorithms under AI’s hood are programmed by humans, it is just as biased and discriminatory as many of us....

  • Researchers uncover inflammatory pathways connecting depression and coronary artery disease

    In a new study published in Nature Mental Health, researchers from Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Massachusetts General Hospital have discovered potential genetic links between coronary artery disease, major depression, and cardiomyopathy — a condition that affects the heart muscle. The findings suggest that these links are mediated by inflammatory pathways and that medications used for coronary artery disease and depression might, together, help reduce inflammation and the risk of...

  • Anxiety sensitivity is linked to poorer sexual well-being

    A recent study published in the journal Sexual and Relationship Therapy has revealed that individuals with high anxiety sensitivity—fear of arousal-related body sensations such as a rapid heartbeat—are more likely to experience sexual pain, decreased sexual satisfaction, and increased sexual distress. This finding suggests that anxiety sensitivity, which is already recognized as a risk factor across various psychological domains, also plays a significant role in sexual well-being. Anxiety...

  • Study links high intake of advanced glycation end products to depressive symptoms and poorer sleep quality

    A study involving university students in Turkey revealed that a higher dietary intake of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) correlates with more severe symptoms of depression and increased sleep disturbances. This association remained consistent even after adjusting for factors such as age, gender, body mass index, and smoking habits. The paper was published in the Journal of Affective Disorders. Advanced glycation end products or AGEs are harmful compounds that form when proteins or fats...

  • Therapists report significant psychological risks in psilocybin-assisted treatments

    In recent years, interest in psychedelic-assisted therapy has grown due to its potential to treat various psychological disorders such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. However, a new study published in the Journal of Psychedelic Studies raises important concerns. It suggests that while there may be benefits, there are also significant risks. The study focuses on the negative effects reported by therapists who facilitate such treatments, highlighting that the impacts...

  • Decision-making deficits predict social difficulties in children with ADHD

    Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is often linked with difficulties in social interactions. Recent research published in Scientific Reports has shed light on how decision-making deficits, particularly impulsivity and the inability to delay gratification, play a crucial role in the social challenges faced by children and adolescents with ADHD. The study reveals that these decision-making challenges are consistent over time and significantly predict social difficulties. Previous...

  • Attachment styles predict experiences of singlehood and well-being, study finds

    A new study published in the Journal of Personality examined the link between attachment profiles, singlehood, and psychological well-being. Despite the universal desire for romantic companionship, a growing number of people are choosing to live alone, with a significant increase in solo living from 7.6% in 1967 to 14.4% in 2020 in the United States. Further, around 35% of U.S. adults are not in a romantic relationship. In their new study, Christopher A. Pepping and his colleagues examined...

  • Study reveals high rates of binge drinking among sports bettors

    A new study finds evidence of a troubling connection between sports gambling and risky alcohol consumption. The findings, published in JAMA Network Open, suggest that individuals who bet on sports, esports, and daily fantasy sports are significantly more likely to engage in binge drinking compared to those who do not gamble or who gamble on other activities. As sports betting becomes more accessible through mobile apps and websites, its correlation with risky behaviors, particularly excessive...

  • Alzheimer’s risk associated with stressful life events during childhood and midlife, study finds

    Alzheimer's disease, a major cause of dementia, currently affects approximately 50 million people worldwide, a number expected to triple by 2050. A recent study published in the Annals of Neurology explores the relationship between stressful life events and the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, focusing on how the timing and nature of these stressors might influence disease onset. The study finds that not all stressful events are equally impactful, with midlife or childhood stressors...

  • Nucleus accumbens seems to play key role in relationship between stress and depression

    Individuals with stronger depressive symptoms and those who experienced stressful life events tend to show alterations in volume of the nucleus acumbens, according to new research. Additional changes in the volume and functional connectivity of specific brain regions were also observed. The study was published in Psychological Medicine. Depression is a mood disorder characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a lack of interest or pleasure in previously enjoyed...

  • New study untangles the links between pornography genres and sexual wellbeing in young adults

    Recent research published in The Journal of Sex Research has uncovered intriguing findings about how different types of pornographic content are related to sexual satisfaction and function among young adults. The findings indicate that while pornography themed around passion and romance is linked to higher sexual satisfaction, content focusing on power, control, and rough sex tends to be linked to lower sexual satisfaction and function, particularly among cisgender men. Pornography is widely...