PsyPost – Psychology News

A new survey suggests that transgender youth taking gender-affirming testosterone experience lower rates of pelvic pain than those not taking hormones, challenging previous assumptions about the side effects of transitional care.

A popular theory suggests voters reject opposing facts to avoid the emotional pain of being wrong. New research tested this idea and found that managing our feelings does not actually close the partisan divide over basic reality.

A new analysis of health records suggests a modest link between lifetime hallucinogen use and valvular heart disease. While the increased risk is small, the findings highlight the need for more research into the physical safety of psychedelics.

Despite troubling reports of anxiety and depression among users of new weight loss and diabetes medications, a comprehensive genetic and clinical analysis reveals no biological link between the drugs and mental health disorders.

A recent nationwide survey suggests that adults who strongly approve of the National Rifle Association are more likely to justify and express a willingness to participate in politically motivated violence.

A new study suggests that experiencing a mental illness is becoming a distinct political identity, particularly among Gen Z. Those who strongly identify with their mental health conditions are increasingly demanding expanded healthcare, education, and welfare funding.

An intense dislike of the unknown is a major source of anxiety for people with autistic traits. A new study explores how putting complex feelings into words is associated with managing this discomfort.

By measuring brainwaves and startle reflexes on a smartphone, researchers discovered that psychopathic traits like boldness overload attention to ignore threats, while meanness is tied to a biological deficit in emotional processing.

New research shows that psilocybin, the active compound in magic mushrooms, reduces chronic nerve pain in mice. It also significantly enhances the performance of common pain drugs, suggesting the psychedelic might fundamentally rewire how the brain processes pain.

Rising rates of teenage depression are often blamed on growing income inequality. However, a decade-long study of over half a million adolescents reveals that local shifts in the wealth gap have practically zero impact on teen depressive symptoms.

While Americans prefer back-and-forth conversations and dislike when automated systems use emojis, Chinese users appear highly accepting of mental health chatbots regardless of communication style, revealing deep cultural divides in how we interact with technology.

The debate over World Cup icons Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo isn't just about soccer. New research spanning 26 countries reveals that liberals generally prefer Messi, while conservatives favor Ronaldo, especially among younger, politically divided generations.

Shifting your sleep schedule on the weekend might feel good, but a new study found it increases the odds of severe sleep apnea by nearly 40 percent.

A recent study links complementarianism—the conservative Christian belief in strict gender roles—to strong support for national population growth and severe restrictions on birth control and abortion.

Does playing video games make you better at judging distances and visualizing objects? A new study of university students found no link between playing video games and performing well on real-world visual or auditory spatial tasks.

Political anger doesn’t always lead to violence. A new study shows that intense frustration only increases support for undemocratic behaviors when people feel the government is ignoring them, suggesting responsive institutions are vital for a healthy democracy.

Young people who regularly view pornography featuring aggressive themes are more likely to enact those dominant behaviors with their own partners. New research suggests this behavioral connection is associated with lower romantic satisfaction in adolescent relationships.

A new meta-analysis found that MDMA-assisted therapy significantly reduces PTSD symptoms. However, researchers warn the evidence quality is "very low" due to flaws in how the clinical trials were conducted, including a failure to use proper placebos.

A recent study suggests the brains of teenage girls with depression fail to adapt to repeated social rejection. This lack of habituation in the amygdala provides evidence for disrupted social learning during a sensitive developmental period.

New research shows that older adults who get high-quality rest are much less likely to develop depression symptoms over a multi-year period. Improving your daily sleeping habits might offer a powerful way to protect your long-term mental health.