https://medicalxpress.com/mental-health-news/ en-us Latest health news and information about Psychology and Mental Health A class of flu drugs may reduce cognitive decline and premature aging in people living with chronic viral infection, reports a new study led by Northwestern University that began with blood samples from people with HIV and extended into preclinical drug trials. The findings point to a potential new therapy for cognitive problems in people with HIV, with broader implications for other aging-related diseases, such as dementia. The study is published in Med. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-06-flu-drugs-cognitive-decline.html Fri, 05 Jun 2026 11:00:03 EDT news699781862 If you've had therapy, particularly if you got it through a public health care system like the NHS in the UK or Medicare in Australia, there's a good chance it was cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Even with private health insurance, if you want therapy, the one you are most likely to be recommended is CBT. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-06-weve-therapy-pill-patients-paying.html Fri, 05 Jun 2026 10:40:02 EDT news699873210 A new study from Bradley Hospital researchers shows that cannabis use during adolescence is associated with differences in brain regions involved in motivation and reward, which support healthy development. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-06-teen-cannabis-disrupt-dopamine-brain.html Thu, 04 Jun 2026 14:40:04 EDT news699802082 An interactive robotic plushie called "Purrble" could improve depressive symptoms in LGBTQ+ teens. The research, published in Nature Medicine, also found that participants were twice as likely to see improvements in symptoms of anxiety, and more likely to see improvements to their emotional regulation. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-06-robotic-plushie-significantly-ease-depression.html Thu, 04 Jun 2026 13:40:04 EDT news699795913 Women are twice as likely as men to develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)—and new research may offer a biological clue as to why. A Virginia Tech study found that the female brain forms fear memories using a molecular process not seen in the male brain. The findings suggest that treatments for PTSD may need to be tailored differently for men and women, said the study's lead researcher, Timothy Jarome, an associate professor of neurobiology in the School of Animal Sciences located within the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-06-memories-differently-male-female-brains.html Thu, 04 Jun 2026 12:20:09 EDT news699792241 When a person goes through a traumatic experience, they often find themselves thinking that what happened could have been different or even avoided. This process, known as counterfactual thinking, is an automatic psychological response to adverse events. Now, a study published in the journal Scientific Reports explores how this type of thinking affects women who have suffered an early pregnancy loss. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-06-early-pregnancy-loss-affects-week.html Thu, 04 Jun 2026 12:00:01 EDT news699790561 Becoming a mother changes the brain not just temporarily, but for life. Pregnancy and the postpartum period trigger lasting changes in the maternal brain through the brain chemical dopamine, producing long-term benefits to learning, memory, and maternal behavior, a process disrupted by chronic postpartum stress. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-06-motherhood-lifelong-brain-dopamine-linked.html Thu, 04 Jun 2026 10:40:06 EDT news699787921 New research by Georgetown scientists shows how the brain rewires itself to automate learned tasks. The findings challenge a long-held understanding of how humans master complex skills, suggesting that true multitasking is really possible. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-06-brain-true-multitasking-intensive.html Thu, 04 Jun 2026 00:00:02 EDT news699698529 From responding to the ping of your phone notification to reaching for a snack at the end of the day, many everyday behaviors begin as mindful choices and end up feeling almost automatic. Now a study from Johns Hopkins University, published in Nature Communications, suggests that such shifting may not always happen slowly. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-06-habits-faster-previously-thought.html Wed, 03 Jun 2026 19:00:06 EDT news699723781 A new study suggests that the weather may have an effect on how people feel. Published in the Journal of Affective Disorders, the research found that daily outdoor temperatures are linked to changes in mood, energy levels and sleep quality, adding to a growing body of research examining how environmental factors influence mental health. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-06-temperature-emotional-seasons.html Wed, 03 Jun 2026 18:40:05 EDT news699723301 Postpartum and perinatal depression are known challenges for those going through pregnancy, but there has been less focus on the more prevalent disorder of anxiety. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-06-anxiety-pregnancy-priority.html Wed, 03 Jun 2026 15:20:01 EDT news699707941 New research from the George Washington University has yielded some unexpected insights into how autistic and non-autistic people learn about one another's preferences. The study indicates that both groups rely on similar learning strategies; however, key differences may help us understand how autistic and non-autistic peers understand one another. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-06-insights-autistic-people.html Wed, 03 Jun 2026 13:20:08 EDT news699710035 The mental health crisis among young people is on the rise. Unfortunately, limited access to professional help still remains one of the largest roadblocks to effectively dealing with mental health issues. Soon after AI chatbots entered the market, many people began turning to tools like ChatGPT or Google Gemini for more than just information. They started leaning on these generative AI models for emotional reassurance and everyday psychological support. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-06-teens-ai-chatbots-mental-health.html Wed, 03 Jun 2026 11:40:02 EDT news699700280 Humans and other animals can learn new skills and behaviors from others they interact with. This process, referred to as social learning, has been widely investigated in the past, particularly in the context of responses to threatening stimuli or social norms. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-06-wrong-mouse-swap-exposes-social.html Wed, 03 Jun 2026 09:46:53 EDT news699698727 There is a disconnect between what we think happens when we make a decision and what actually happens in the brain during that process, suggests Indiana University Professor of Psychological and Brain Sciences Tom James. In both prevailing scientific theories and common-sense views, decisions have long been defined as an intermediate stage between perceptions and actions, with each stage of this linear causal sequence corresponding to a discrete brain function, from sensory to cognitive to motor. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-06-brain-cognitive-neuroscientist-theories-decision.html Wed, 03 Jun 2026 09:40:01 EDT news699697201 University of Oregon neuroscientists have identified a group of brain cells that essentially act as a "disappointment meter," announcing when reality is falling short of expectations. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-06-brain-cells-fine-tuned-disappointment.html Tue, 02 Jun 2026 19:00:05 EDT news699639061