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Category: Mental

  • IQ May Affect How Well You Understand Speech

    IQ May Affect How Well You Understand Speech

    Sometimes scientific findings reveal connections that seem surprising at first but become more understandable on closer consideration—such as a correlation between lower IQ and difficulty following conversations in noisy settings.
    Image Credits: (natasaadzic/iStock/Getty Images)

    Sometimes scientific findings reveal connections that seem surprising at first but become more understandable on closer consideration—such as a correlation between lower IQ and difficulty following conversations in noisy settings.

    Previous research has shown that neurodiverse individuals may struggle more than others to hear speech in noisy environments. To explore this further, a team of researchers from the University of Washington conducted a study to gather additional data.

    Participants and Key Findings

    The study involved 12 participants with autism and 10 with fetal alcohol syndrome, both conditions associated with challenges in hearing speech amid background noise and encompassing a range of IQ levels. The control group consisted of 27 neurotypical participants matched for age and sex.

    After assessing volunteers’ ability to focus on the details of a computer-generated conversation amid multiple overlapping voices—a challenge known as the cocktail party problem—researchers discovered that individuals with lower IQs generally struggled more with the task.

    Auditory neuroscientist Bonnie Lau from the University of Washington noted, “The link between cognitive ability and speech perception performance went beyond any diagnostic category. This pattern was observed consistently across all three groups.”

    Image Credits: The participants were asked to follow instructions from several overlapping conversations. (Lau et al., PLOS One, 2025)

    Cognitive Factors Underlying Speech-in-Noise Difficulties

    All participants in the study had normal hearing, suggesting that difficulties understanding speech in noisy settings may stem more from cognitive factors than from problems with the ears themselves.

    It’s a logical conclusion: distinguishing one person’s words amid background noise requires separating different sound streams, identifying which ones matter, and focusing on the relevant speech — a complex process of auditory processing.

    To sustain a conversation, a person must focus on and interpret a range of auditory and visual signals, while also responding suitably — such as by smiling or nodding.

    “All of these elements add to the cognitive effort required to communicate in a noisy environment,” explains Lau.

    Although the phenomenon takes its name from a cocktail party, there are many other noisy situations we encounter in everyday life — such as ordering coffee in a crowded café, listening to a teacher in a boisterous classroom, or asking for directions on a busy city street.

    Implications and Practical Applications of the Findings

    The researchers acknowledge that their study involved a relatively small number of participants, but they propose that the findings could help improve experiences for people who struggle in such environments. This might include solutions beyond standard hearing tests — for instance, seating certain students closer to the front of the classroom.

    Previous research has explored ways to address this type of hearing difficulty and even linked it to dementia. However, the key insight from the new study is that hearing challenges don’t always share a single underlying cause.

    “You don’t need to have hearing loss to struggle with listening in a restaurant or other noisy, real-world settings,” says Lau.

    Read the original article on: Sciencealert

    Read more: Scientists Create a Synthetic Leaf that Turns Pollution into Energy

  • Anxiety Could Be Naturally Embedded in The Brain During Pregnancy

    Anxiety Could Be Naturally Embedded in The Brain During Pregnancy

    A new study found that stress experienced during pregnancy can rewire a baby’s brain, increasing the risk of anxiety. Negative conditions before birth alter the development of neurons in the hippocampus, making the child more sensitive to threats later in life.
    Image Credits: Pixabay

    A new study found that stress experienced during pregnancy can rewire a baby’s brain, increasing the risk of anxiety. Negative conditions before birth alter the development of neurons in the hippocampus, making the child more sensitive to threats later in life.

    According to the World Health Organization (WHO), anxiety disorders are the most prevalent mental health condition worldwide. Although reacting to danger is a natural survival mechanism, overreacting to perceived threats is harmful. This raises the question: are these heightened reactions inherent from birth or acquired through experience?

    Prenatal Stress May Rewire the Brain, Increasing Risk of Anxiety Later in Life

    Researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine (WCM) launched a new study to examine whether exposure to adverse conditions during development—such as inflammation and infection—leads to anxiety later in life.

    “Our findings show that prenatal adversity causes lasting changes in the neurons of the ventral dentate gyrus (vDG), connecting the gestational environment to anxiety-like behavior,” said Professor Miklos Toth, MD, PhD, co-corresponding author and Professor of Pharmacology. “This process could help explain why some individuals with innate anxiety exhibit ongoing stress sensitivity and avoidance.”

    The ventral dentate gyrus (vDG), a part of the hippocampus, actively regulates emotional processing and stress responses, linking it closely to anxiety. To study this, researchers used a mouse model to replicate an adverse prenatal environment, specifically maternal immune activation, which simulates infection or inflammation during pregnancy, and observed its impact on the vDG cells.

    Prenatal Stress May Rewire the Brain, Increasing Risk of Anxiety Later in Life

    They used a range of techniques—conducting behavioral tests, recording neuronal firing and communication through electrophysiology, analyzing DNA methylation to track gene regulation changes, sequencing RNA to identify activated or suppressed genes in specific neurons, and applying fiber photometry to monitor real-time neural activity in both safe and threatening situations.

    Mouse offspring exposed to stressful or adverse conditions during pregnancy exhibited increased anxiety-like behaviors. In these mice, the researchers found that ventral dentate granule cells (vDGCs) experienced decreased inhibition, resulting in heightened excitability. The stressful prenatal environment altered gene expression in the offspring’s neurons by modifying chemical markers on their DNA (DNA methylation). These changes primarily impacted genes involved in neuronal connectivity and communication.

    Dense bands of neurons (stained teal) in the two blades of the vDG. Cells stained pink were overactivated when the mouse entered a threatening environment, indicating avoidance behavior and heightened anxiety
    Weill Cornell Medicine/Nicole Politowska

    When the mice were placed in stressful or anxiety-inducing situations, the brain cells with these changes became the most active. In these cells, many genes related to neural connections were functioning differently than usual. Real-time observations of the ventral dentate granule cells (vDGCs) revealed that mice exposed to adversity showed heightened activity during shifts from safe to threatening environments, indicating an increased perception of threat.

    “Overall, these epigenetic modifications cause specific neurons in the vDG to react differently in adulthood when encountering unsafe environments,” explained Kristen Pleil, PhD, Associate Professor of Pharmacology at WCM and the study’s co-corresponding author. “These neurons become overactive, leading the mice to interpret their surroundings as more dangerous than they really are.”

    Study Limitations Acknowledge Need for Research, But Strengthen Prenatal Stress–Anxiety Link

    The study has some limitations. Because the researchers conducted the study on mice, the findings may not translate directly to humans. The effects varied among neurons, with only about 10% to 30% of cells showing significant methylation changes. Additionally, the study did not definitively establish which methylation changes led to specific transcriptomic alterations, a question that requires further investigation. The research focused on the ventral dentate gyrus (vDG), though other parts of the hippocampus might also play a role.

    Despite these limitations, the study supports the notion that maternal inflammation or stress during pregnancy can increase the risk of anxiety disorders in offspring later in life. The researchers suggest that their work offers one of the clearest mechanistic connections so far between the prenatal environment, epigenetic modifications, and psychiatric conditions.

    “A mouse’s ventral dentate gyrus (vDG) contains nearly 400,000 cells, yet only a few thousand are affected during pregnancy,” Toth explained. “Our next goal is to uncover why these specific cells undergo epigenetic programming.”

    Read the original article on: New Atlas

    Read more: Pregnancy-Simulating Robot Debuts in China

  • Sleepiness Might Result from Excessive Brain Activity

    Sleepiness Might Result from Excessive Brain Activity

    Sleep deprivation makes staying awake and focusing nearly impossible. A new study using fruit flies may have uncovered the cellular origin of this biological shutdown, offering deeper insights into why we need rest.
    Image Credits: Pixabay

    Sleep deprivation makes staying awake and focusing nearly impossible. A new study using fruit flies may have uncovered the cellular origin of this biological shutdown, offering deeper insights into why we need rest.

    Scientists at the University of Oxford have identified mitochondria the energy-producing structures in our cells as key players in signaling the urgent need for sleep.

    Mitochondrial Overload May Signal Brain Fatigue

    Researchers say these tiny powerhouses create a metabolic overload in neurons that regulate sleep, signaling when the brain is depleted. Sleep then helps reset this overload, keeping the brain functioning properly.

    “We wanted to uncover the purpose of sleep and why we feel compelled to sleep in the first place,” explains physiologist Gero Miesenböck. “Even after years of study, a definitive physical trigger had yet to be found.”

    “Our results suggest the key may be in aerobic metabolism—the same process that powers our bodies.”

    The researchers focused on sleep-regulating neurons in fruit flies, whose biological systems are similar enough to humans to serve as effective research models. They compared well-rested flies with sleep-deprived ones and observed notable differences in gene expression and neural activity.

    Image Credits: Mitochondria store chemical energy for transport in the form of ATP (adenosine triphosphate). (Sarnataro et al., Nature, 2025)

    Overworked Mitochondria Signal Urgent Need for Sleep in Deprived Brains

    In sleep-deprived brains, mitochondria become overworked and start leaking electrons, leading to a rise in damaging byproducts. Sleep-regulating neurons detect these harmful molecules and respond by ramping up activity, signaling that the body urgently needs rest.

    “You really want to avoid excessive electron leakage from your mitochondria,” explains neuroscientist Raffaele Sarnataro. “Such leaks produce reactive compounds that can harm cells.”

    When scientists genetically modified fruit flies to produce more electrons in their sleep-related brain cells, the flies ended up sleeping more. Conversely, flies that generated fewer electrons slept less.

    Of course, other factors also influence sleep, like daily caffeine intake or your circadian rhythm—the internal clock that tells your body when it’s time to rest. But this discovery provides a concrete cellular mechanism behind sleep and underscores why it’s biologically essential.

    Sleep-Mitochondria Link Offers Hope for Alzheimer’s

    New insights into sleep can aid in treating sleep disorders and neurological conditions such as Alzheimer’s, which are strongly connected to sleep quality and its protective role in the brain. The link between sleep and mitochondria could offer promising directions for future research.

    The study also helps connect the dots between metabolism, sleep, and aging. Smaller animals often sleep more but have shorter lifespans, and mitochondrial activity—and the resulting cellular waste—might help explain that pattern.

    “This research helps solve a fundamental question in biology,” says Sarnataro. “Why do we need sleep? The answer seems rooted in how our cells turn oxygen into energy.”

    Read the original article on: Sciencealert

    Read more: Excessive Daytime Sleepiness May Indicate Early Signs of Dementia

  • Four-Day Workweek Leads to Healthier, More Content Employees

    Four-Day Workweek Leads to Healthier, More Content Employees

    A new global study revealed that a four-day workweek with full pay greatly boosted employee well-being—reducing burnout, enhancing mental health, and increasing job satisfaction—particularly among those who cut back their hours the most.
    Working a four-day week without a pay decrease significantly improved worker well-being. Image Credit: Pixabay

    A new global study revealed that a four-day workweek with full pay greatly boosted employee well-being—reducing burnout, enhancing mental health, and increasing job satisfaction—particularly among those who cut back their hours the most.

    One silver lining of the COVID-19 restrictions was a renewed focus on work-life balance. In response, countries like Iceland, Spain, the UK, Japan, Belgium, and the UAE have since tested or implemented four-day workweek models.

    A major international study led by Boston College explored the effects of switching to a four-day workweek without reducing pay—and the results likely won’t surprise many.

    Six-Month Trial Across Six Countries Shows Flexible Four-Day Week Boosts Productivity

    The study included 2,896 employees from 141 companies across six countries (the U.S., U.K., Canada, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand), compared with 12 control companies that maintained a standard workweek. Over a six-month trial, participating companies restructured operations to cut unnecessary tasks like meetings, allowing staff to work roughly 80% of their original hours while still earning full pay. Companies were free to choose how to implement the reduced hours, so not all workers followed a strict four-day schedule.

    Researchers assessed employee well-being by measuring burnout, job satisfaction, mental and physical health, and factors like work demands, schedule flexibility, sleep quality, fatigue, and exercise. They found that average weekly hours for the four-day group dropped from about 39 to 34, while the control group stayed at 39–40 hours. Compared to the control group, those with reduced hours experienced lower burnout, better mental health, higher job satisfaction, and modest improvements in physical health.

    Notably, the study showed that individual reductions in work hours had the strongest link to well-being gains, while company-wide changes were beneficial but didn’t show the same clear dose-response pattern.

    Dropping work hours was a significant predictor of burnout and job satisfaction
    Depositphotos

    Better Sleep, Energy, and Job Confidence Drive Four-Day Week Gains

    Three key factors largely explained the benefits observed in the study: improved work ability (how competent employees felt in their roles), better sleep, and reduced fatigue. Additional contributors included modest gains in schedule flexibility, physical activity, and workplace support. Interestingly, while individual workers felt reduced job demands, company-wide demands slightly increased, likely due to busier workdays compressed into fewer hours.

    “Even after accounting for these factors, reduced work hours still strongly predicted better well-being, particularly lower burnout and greater job satisfaction,” the researchers noted. “Other factors may be at play, such as a boost in intrinsic motivation or the positive effects of organizational change, though these weren’t measured.”

    Experts Hail Study as a Milestone in Four-Day Workweek Research

    Experts have praised the study for its robust methodology. Dr. Dougal Sutherland, a clinical psychologist and CEO of Umbrella Wellbeing in New Zealand, noted, “Past research has generally supported the four-day workweek, but often lacked proper controls or consistent data. This study raises the bar with its large sample and well-structured design, showing that employee well-being improved over six months alongside perceived increases in productivity, rest, and energy.”

    He emphasized that the trial’s success likely hinged on preparation: participating companies were coached beforehand to streamline operations and cut unnecessary tasks. Without this kind of structural support, simply reducing hours might not lead to the same results.

    Still, the study has limitations. It wasn’t randomized—companies volunteered to join, which may introduce bias. Most were small businesses from wealthy, English-speaking nations, and all control firms were U.S.-based nonprofits or social service organizations. The reliance on self-reported data could also be influenced by participants’ expectations. And since the study lasted only six months, longer-term effects remain unknown.

    Despite these caveats, the research strongly suggests that a four-day workweek with full pay can meaningfully improve employee well-being—particularly mental health and job satisfaction—when paired with thoughtful organizational changes.

    Read the original article on: New atlas

    Read more: Natural Compound Replicates Exercise’s Anti-Aging effects – Without the Need for a Workout

  • Monday Anxiety is Real and New Research Provides Biological Evidence to Back it up

    Monday Anxiety is Real and New Research Provides Biological Evidence to Back it up

    Mondays leave a distinct stress-response mark on your body, new research finds. Image Credit: Pixabay

    For the first time, scientists have identified a unique biological cause of “Monday dread” that occurs regardless of employment status and isn’t observed on other days of the week. Even more concerning, for some individuals, the stress triggered on Mondays may significantly increase their risk of heart problems.

    Researchers at the University of Hong Kong (HKU) discovered that Mondays—often marking the beginning of the workweek—have a distinct effect on the body’s stress response, potentially leading to long-term health issues. This impact can be tracked through elevated cortisol levels found in hair samples.

    Mondays Trigger Deep-Rooted Stress Response That Lingers, Especially in Older Adults, Study Finds

    “Monday acts as a cultural ‘stress amplifier,’” said Professor Tarani Chandola from the Department of Sociology at HKU’s Faculty of Social Sciences. “For some older adults, the shift into a new week triggers a biological chain reaction that can persist for months. This isn’t just about work—it’s about how deeply Mondays are wired into our stress biology, even after retirement.”

    The study analyzed data from 3,511 adults aged 50 and above, taken from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA, Wave 6, 2012–2013). All participants recorded their stress levels on a Monday during the survey and provided hair samples, which were used to measure long-term exposure to stress hormones—specifically cortisol and its byproduct cortisone. Because the hair samples were approximately 2 cm long and taken from the scalp, they reflected hormone levels over the past two to three months.

    The researchers also accounted for factors like age, sex, BMI, smoking habits, medications, and socioeconomic status.

    Monday Anxiety Linked to Chronic Stress in Older Adults—Regardless of Employment Status

    The results revealed that older adults who reported the highest anxiety on Mondays had significantly elevated levels of stress hormones in their hair, suggesting a prolonged, chronic stress state. This pattern was consistent among both employed and retired individuals, indicating that the stress effect of Mondays exists independently of work status.

    Previous research has linked Mondays with a spike in severe heart attacks. While that earlier study isn’t directly connected to this one, the elevated biological stress identified here may help explain the physiological mechanisms that contribute to increased cardiovascular risk at the start of the week.

    Monday Anxiety Tied to Stress System Disruption That Elevates Long-Term Health Risks

    Researchers linked Monday anxiety to disruptions in the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, the body’s main stress response system. Normally, cortisol rises in response to stress and then returns to normal, but in chronic stress or conditions like PTSD, this system stays overactive, keeping cortisol levels high—raising the risk for heart disease, obesity, anxiety, and cognitive issues.

    The study found that people who felt anxious specifically on Mondays had 23% more cortisol in their hair than those anxious on other days. The most affected—about 10% of participants—had both high cortisol and greater Monday anxiety, suggesting that only those under chronic physiological stress show long-term biological effects.

    While prior research noted higher cortisol on weekdays, this study is the first to tie Monday-specific anxiety to long-term hormone buildup. Though more research is needed to track daily cortisol changes, the findings offer strong biological evidence that Monday anxiety is real—especially for older adults—and point to the need for targeted support for those at highest risk.

    Read the original article on: New Atlas

    Read more: Monday Broke Sunday’s Record as the Hottest Day on Earth

  • Your Stress Might Be an Overlooked Risk Factor for Developing Dementia Later in Life

    Your Stress Might Be an Overlooked Risk Factor for Developing Dementia Later in Life

    The likelihood that an American will develop dementia during their lifetime may be significantly higher than once believed.
    Image Credit: Pixabay

    The likelihood that an American will develop dementia during their lifetime may be significantly higher than once believed.

    A 2025 study that followed a large group of U.S. adults over more than 30 years found that, on average, individuals had a 42% chance of developing dementia between the ages of 55 and 95. This risk was even greater for women, Black adults, and those with genetic predispositions.

    As the American population ages, there is growing focus on how to prevent cognitive decline. Yet, one often-overlooked factor in this conversation is the impact of chronic stress on brain health and dementia risk.

    Researchers Explore How Chronic Stress Elevates Dementia Risk and Impacts Healthy Aging

    As professors at Penn State’s Center for Healthy Aging specializing in health psychology and neuropsychology, we examine how long-term psychological stress can increase dementia risk and influence how well people age.

    Recent studies indicate that today’s middle-aged and older adults in the U.S. report more frequent stress than earlier generations. A major contributor to this trend is rising economic and job insecurity, particularly in the aftermath of the 2007–2009 Great Recession and continued changes in the workforce.

    Financial strain can impact health. (Westend61/Getty Images)

    Many individuals continue working later in life out of financial need, as increased life expectancy and rising costs make it more difficult to afford basic necessities during retirement.

    As a result, understanding how stress affects cognitive aging may be more crucial now than ever before.

    While everyone encounters some level of stress in daily life, certain individuals face stress that is more intense, frequent, or long-lasting. This type of chronic stress is most strongly associated with negative health outcomes.

    In a recent review paper, our team highlighted how chronic stress plays a hidden yet significant role in cognitive aging—that is, how quickly mental performance declines over time.

    How Stress Deeply Shapes Cognitive Health Through Interconnected Mind-Body Responses

    The influence of stress on cognitive health in later life is profound. That’s partly because psychological, behavioral, and biological responses to everyday stress are deeply interconnected and can reinforce one another.

    For example, living alone—especially for older adults—can be a source of ongoing stress. Social isolation also makes it harder to maintain a healthy lifestyle or recognize and respond to early signs of cognitive decline.

    Additionally, stressful experiences and how people respond to them can disrupt sleep and reduce engagement in health-promoting behaviors such as regular physical activity and nutritious eating. Poor sleep and lack of exercise, in turn, can reduce resilience to future stress.

    The encouraging news is that there are many ways to help slow or prevent dementia, and our review indicates that these strategies can be even more effective when the impact of stress is taken into account.

    Practical Ways to Manage Stress for Better Brain Health

    No matter your age—whether you’re young, middle-aged, or older—it’s never too early or too late to consider how stress affects brain health and aging. Here are some practical steps you can take to better manage stress:

    • Adopt healthy lifestyle habits that support aging well, such as eating a balanced diet, staying physically active, and getting sufficient sleep. Even modest improvements in these areas can have a significant impact.
    • Make mental health a priority whenever possible. Simple actions like sharing your concerns with others, seeking support from loved ones, or spending time outdoors can be highly beneficial.
    • Talk to your doctor if you’re advised to follow a new health plan or if there are signs of cognitive issues. Ask what resources or recommendations they have for managing related stress.
    • Address social isolation, either for yourself or someone you care about. Small changes—like one extra daily interaction, a quick message, or a short conversation with someone in your community—can make a meaningful difference.
    The same behaviors that keep your heart healthy are also beneficial for your brain.

    Read the original article on: Science Alert

    Read more: Study Finds Traffic Noises Boosts Stress and Anxiety Levels

  • The Unspoken Downsides of Meditation and Mindfulness

    The Unspoken Downsides of Meditation and Mindfulness

    Because mindfulness can be practiced at home for free, it is often seen as an ideal remedy for stress and mental health challenges.
    Credit: Pixabay

    Because mindfulness can be practiced at home for free, it is often seen as an ideal remedy for stress and mental health challenges.

    Rooted in Buddhist traditions, mindfulness meditation involves focusing on present-moment awareness of sensations, thoughts, and emotions.

    Ancient Texts Acknowledge Meditation’s Potential Downsides

    The earliest recorded evidence of meditation’s potential downsides dates back over 1,500 years to India. The Dharmatrāta Meditation Scripture, written by a Buddhist community, describes various meditation practices and mentions symptoms of depression and anxiety that can arise afterward.

    It also details cognitive disturbances linked to psychosis, dissociation, and depersonalization—a state where individuals feel detached from reality.

    In the past eight years, scientific interest in this topic has grown, revealing that negative effects are not uncommon.

    A 2022 study of 953 regular meditators in the U.S. found that over 10% experienced adverse effects that significantly disrupted their daily lives for at least a month.

    A 2020 review of more than 40 years of research identified anxiety and depression as the most frequent negative effects, followed by psychotic or delusional episodes, dissociation or depersonalization, and intense fear or terror.

    (Egoitz Bengoetxea Iguaran/Canva Pro)

    Studies have shown that negative effects from meditation can occur even in individuals with no prior mental health issues. These effects can arise after moderate exposure and may lead to persistent symptoms.

    The Western world has been aware of these risks for decades.

    Early Warnings from Cognitive-Behavioral Science

    In 1976, cognitive-behavioral scientist Arnold Lazarus warned that indiscriminate use of meditation could trigger “serious psychiatric problems such as depression, agitation, and even schizophrenic decompensation.”

    While mindfulness has documented benefits, many coaches, apps, books, and online resources fail to mention its potential risks.

    Professor of management and Buddhist teacher Ronald Purser argued in his 2023 book McMindfulness that mindfulness has been commercialized into a form of “capitalist spirituality.”

    (dmitrynaumov/Canva Pro)

    In the U.S., the meditation industry is valued at $2.2 billion (£1.7 billion). Leaders in the mindfulness market should be well aware of its potential drawbacks.

    Jon Kabat-Zinn, a leading figure in the mindfulness movement, acknowledged in a 2017 Guardian interview that “90 percent of the research [on its benefits] is subpar.”

    A Grand Vision for Mindfulness

    In the foreword to the 2015 UK Mindfulness All-Party Parliamentary Report, he suggested that mindfulness meditation could ultimately reshape individuals, communities, societies, and even humanity as a whole. This almost religious conviction in mindfulness’ transformative power is common among its advocates. Many atheists and agnostics who practice it also believe it can foster greater peace and compassion globally.

    Despite this enthusiasm, media coverage of mindfulness has been somewhat one-sided.

    In 2015, my book with clinical psychologist Catherine Wikholm, The Buddha Pill, included a chapter summarizing research on meditation’s negative effects. This received significant media attention, including a New Scientist article and a BBC Radio 4 documentary.

    Yet in 2022, the most expensive meditation study ever conducted—an $8 million project funded by the Wellcome Trust—received surprisingly little media coverage.

    Between 2016 and 2018, researchers studied over 8,000 children aged 11 to 14 across 84 UK schools. The findings revealed that mindfulness did not enhance mental well-being compared to a control group and may have even negatively impacted children already at risk for mental health issues.

    (Monkey Business Images/Canva Pro)

    Ethical Concerns in Mindfulness Promotion

    Is it ethical to promote mindfulness apps, offer meditation classes, or incorporate mindfulness into clinical practice without disclosing potential adverse effects? Considering the growing evidence of their frequency and diversity, the answer should be no.

    Many meditation and mindfulness instructors believe these practices are entirely beneficial and are unaware of potential adverse effects.

    A common experience among those who suffer negative effects is that their concerns are dismissed. Instructors often advise them to continue meditating, assuming the issues will resolve on their own.

    Research on how to practice meditation safely is still in its early stages, leaving little clear guidance. A broader challenge is that meditation involves altered states of consciousness, and psychology lacks comprehensive theories to fully explain these experiences.

    However, resources are available. Some websites, created by meditators who have faced serious adverse effects, provide firsthand insights, while academic handbooks now include dedicated sections on the topic.

    In the U.S., a clinical service led by a mindfulness researcher specializes in supporting individuals who experience acute or long-term issues from meditation.

    Until more is understood, meditation should not be promoted as a universal wellness tool without acknowledging its potential risks.

    Read the original article on: Science Alert

    Read more: Proteins Linked to Loneliness in Your Blood May Threaten Your Health

  • Research Shows That the Brain Segments the Day into Chapters, Similar to a Book

    Research Shows That the Brain Segments the Day into Chapters, Similar to a Book

    Credit: Depositphotos

    Life often resembles a novel, brimming with romance, mystery, and a hint of fantasy. It’s no surprise, then, that our brains categorize narratives into distinct segments, much like chapters in a book.

    A recent study by Columbia University researchers expands our understanding of this ‘chapterization‘ process. It confirms that transitions between different places or activities trigger significant changes in brain activity, marking the start of new sections. While it’s clear that segmentation aids in making sense of life’s continuous flow, the study clarifies how the brain defines these chapters.

    The findings reveal a personalized mechanism influenced by our individual priorities and values. “We aimed to challenge the notion that shifts in brain activity merely respond to external changes,” explains Christopher Baldassano, an associate professor of psychology at Columbia. “Our research shows that the brain actively organizes our experiences into meaningful chunks(segments).”

    Exploring the Impact of Context on Narrative Segments

    For instance, traveling from a bus station to a coffee shop may not mark a new chapter if we remain engaged in a conversation during that transition. To investigate this further, the research team created 16 short audio narratives set in one of four locations—such as a restaurant or an airport—combined with scenarios like a breakup or a business deal.

    A total of 415 participants were invited to listen to various narratives while their brain activity was monitored, or they were prompted to indicate when a new part of the story began by pressing a button.

    Importantly, the researchers also primed participants to focus on different story elements—such as the proposal or the food orders during a marriage proposal at a restaurant. This priming influenced how the brain defined new chapters, demonstrating that our neurological organization adapts based on what we deem significant at the moment. Factors like current priorities, goals, and past experiences all play a role in this process.

    Moving forward, the researchers aim to explore how expectations about future events affect our memory and how different parts of our experiences are recorded. There’s much more to uncover.

    “The results highlight how past experiences, shaped into event scripts, alter our current perceptions for a realistic experience,” the researchers state in their published paper.

    Read Original Article On: Science Alert

    Read More: Scitke

  • Pair Mindfulness with Exercise for a Mental Health Boost in 2024

    Pair Mindfulness with Exercise for a Mental Health Boost in 2024

    Pair mindfulness with exercise for a mental health boost in 2024
    Credit: University of Bath

    To kick off 2024 with a fresh routine to enhance fitness and well-being, a recent University of Bath study proposes that integrating mindfulness with exercise could be a crucial factor for success. Published in the academic journal Mental Health and Physical Activity, the study indicates that lifestyle changes incorporating both physical activity and mindfulness are particularly effective in uplifting mood and promoting overall health and well-being.

    Physical activity and practicing mindfulness

    Both engaging in physical activity and practicing mindfulness have well-established psychological benefits. This study, among the first to delve into the combination of these practices, reveals an augmentation of positive effects. The research indicates that mindfulness plays a role in motivating individuals to initiate exercise, aiding in surmounting challenges like minor pain, discomfort, or feelings of failure during strenuous physical activity. An analysis of existing research demonstrates the high effectiveness of mindfulness in reducing worry, stress, and anxiety, contributing to healthier and happier lives for individuals with or without health issues.

    So, psychologist Masha Remskar from the University of Bath led the study, supported by the Medito Foundation—a mindfulness non-profit dedicated to building a more mindful world. Medito has developed a free mindfulness meditation app, collaborating with Bath to enhance mental well-being and promote physical activity. Building on the research findings, the team has launched the first of two mindfulness audio courses designed to help individuals establish an exercise routine.

    Pair mindfulness with exercise for a mental health boost in 2024: The psychological strengths

    Later in 2024, they plan to release a second guide focused on sustaining exercise habits. Masha Remskar emphasizes the potential of mindfulness to cultivate the psychological strengths necessary for exercise, fostering a deeper connection with one’s body and enhancing the appeal of physical activity. The approach encourages a shift in thinking about lifestyle, fostering acceptance and reducing self-judgment, ultimately contributing to the development of healthy habits. Remskar underscores the significant potential of mindfulness in unlocking the positive benefits associated with exercise, particularly as individuals embark on resolutions for a healthier 2024.

    Therefore, Steven Yorke, co-founder of Medito, emphasized the accessibility of mindfulness mobile apps for enhancing mental well-being. While some companies erect paywalls, restricting access to mindfulness benefits, Medito remains committed to offering meditation and mindfulness free of charge.

    Yorke underscored the collaboration with the University of Bath as an opportunity to broaden the range of mindfulness meditations available through the Medito app. The commitment to being at the forefront of mindfulness science aligns with the mission of making mindfulness accessible to everyone. Looking ahead, the team is gearing up for a larger trial to assess the effectiveness and identify optimal intervention moments for the combined practice of exercise and mindfulness.

    Read the original article on ScienceDaily.

    Read more: Benefits of Sleeping in Complete Darkness.

  • Benefits of Sleeping in Complete Darkness

    Benefits of Sleeping in Complete Darkness

    A Father holding his baby son.
    Most adults need 7 or more hours of good-quality sleep on a regular schedule each night. Credit: Pexels

    There are several benefits associated with sleeping in the dark, such as a high increase in our body immunization, low-stress levels, and more creativity, we can as well include:

    1. Improved sleep quality: Exposure to light at night can interfere with the body’s natural sleep-wake cycle and disrupt sleep. Sleeping in a dark environment can help regulate the body’s production of melatonin, a hormone that helps to regulate sleep.
    2. Increased production of melatonin: Melatonin is produced by the pineal gland in the brain in response to darkness. Sleeping in a dark environment can increase the body’s production of melatonin, which can help regulate sleep.
    3. Reduced risk of depression: Exposure to light at night can disrupt the body’s circadian rhythm, which has been linked to an increased risk of depression. Sleeping in the dark can help regulate the body’s circadian rhythm and reduce the risk of depression.
    4. Better hormonal balance: Exposure to light at night can disrupt the body’s hormonal balance, which can lead to a variety of health problems. Sleeping in the dark can help regulate the body’s hormonal balance and improve overall health.
    5. Improved cognitive function: Sleep plays a crucial role in cognitive function, and sleeping in the dark can help improve the quality and duration of sleep, leading to improved cognitive function during waking hours.

    Overall, sleeping in the dark can help regulate the body’s natural sleep-wake cycle, improve sleep quality, and lead to a variety of health benefits.

    Can a Person Sleep For 6 Hours Per Night and Still Be Healthy?

    The amount of sleep a person needs can vary depending on various factors such as age, genetics, and lifestyle. While the recommended amount of sleep for adults is 7-9 hours per night, some people may feel rested and healthy with less sleep, such as 6 hours per night.

    However, it’s important to note that consistently getting less than the recommended amount of sleep can have negative effects on your health, including an increased risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. Lack of sleep can also impair cognitive function, affect mood and mental health, and lead to accidents or injuries.

    Additionally, it’s important to consider the quality of sleep, not just the quantity. Sleeping for 6 hours but experiencing frequent awakenings or disturbances may not provide the same restorative benefits as uninterrupted sleep for 7-9 hours.

    In summary, while some individuals may function well with 6 hours of sleep per night, it’s important to prioritize adequate and quality sleep for overall health and well-being. It’s recommended to speak with a healthcare provider if you have concerns about your sleep habits or if you experience persistent daytime fatigue or other sleep-related symptoms.

    Read more: Getting More Sleep Lowers Caloric Intake, a Game Changer For Weight Loss.