Psychology

Get to know your own mind—and improve your mental health—with the latest findings on human brains and behavior.

Latest in Psychology

Man with his head down on his desk in front of laptop from stress

The 100 life decisions people dread most, according to psychologists

a catering table set up with large plates of food

Gastronomists study 100 years of menus to reveal food’s political power

By Laura Baisas

Playful young woman hiding face under blanket while lying in cozy bed, pretty curious girl feeling shy peeking from duvet, covering with white sheet, head shot close up. Top view

4 research-backed ways to beat the winter blues in the colder months

By Gio Dolcecore / The Conversation

A vintage photo collage featuring an oval cut-out image of seven people—three men and four women, who appear to be young college students—dressed in 1920s-era clothing. They are standing close together and looking at the camera. The background is a texture of yellowed, old newsprint with blurred text about a sleep experiment.

In 1925, seven students went 60 hours without sleep—for science

By Bill Gourgey

A close-up photograph of a young girl's face peering out from under a large, white duvet or blanket. She is lying in bed, holding the blanket close to her chin, and has a frightened expression. The background is dark, emphasizing the light on her face.

Why you ‘see’ things in the dark, according to an ophthalmologist

By Diana Hubbell

A panoramic, dark, and eerie photograph of a dense forest shrouded in thick fog or mist. The trees are tall and silhouetted, with a single, dark, cloaked figure standing in a patch of brighter light at the center of the path, creating a spooky and mysterious atmosphere.

What Americans fear most in 2025

Group of people speaking in conference room, out of focus image

Men speak with a vocal fry just as much as women

A photograph of a young couple sitting close together in a dark movie theater, looking scared or startled during a film. The man on the left has his hands covering part of his face, grimacing, while the woman next to him is covering her face with one hand. They are sharing a large bucket of popcorn.

Is fear contagious?

By Sarah Philip

Woman leaning back in office chair at desk looking out window

Deep sighs are not only satisfying—they’re healthy

Dubai chocolate is a dessert prepared with milk and dark chocolate, roasted shredded wheat, pistachio paste and tahini.

Why foods like Dubai chocolate go viral

A macro, close-up photograph of human skin texture showing small hairs standing straight up, a phenomenon known as goosebumps or gooseflesh. The skin tone is light, and the background is a solid, clear blue sky.

Why you get goosebumps when you’re scared—or inspired

By RJ Mackenzie

a brown dog holds a plush monkey

Dogs really can be addicted to their toys

By Laura Baisas

Empty dentist office showing tools and chair

Extreme fear of the dentist linked to childhood trauma

A close-up shot of a hand holding a wooden mallet with a red, fuzzy end, positioned over a bronze singing bowl. The bowl is resting on a light-colored surface, and the background is softly blurred with warm, glowing fairy lights, suggesting a relaxing, indoor setting.

I tried a sound bath to see if it actually made me calmer

By Mack DeGeurin

A blue, semi-transparent anatomical illustration of a human torso, neck, and shoulders from the front. The main focus is on the spine and nervous system, which are highlighted with glowing red lines running down the center of the back and branching out into the chest. The background is solid black.

Does vagus nerve stimulation work? A scientific cure-all explained.

By Clarissa Brincat

a graphic of the brain with several multi-colored balls inside

Why some memories stick while others fade

By Laura Baisas

a black and white dog surrounded by dog toys

Dogs can learn and remember how toys work

By Laura Baisas

a backyard version of fenway park complete with a green monster, signs, and scoreboard

A dedicated son brings Fenway Park to his dad’s backyard

By Laura Baisas

a young man using his smartphone in the toilet while sitting with a roll of toilet paper placed in a toilet paper holder in the foreground

Bathroom doomscrolling may increase your risk of hemorrhoids

Mother and child orangutan in tree nest

Baby orangutans spy on mom to build cozy treehouse nests