Psychology

Rethinking the cortisol awakening response: Is waking up that stressful?

Health, Psychology / /

For decades, scientists have believed that waking up triggers a surge in cortisol — a hormone that helps regulate stress, metabolism, and immune function. This phenomenon, known as the  “cortisol awakening response” (CAR) has been widely used in research on mental health conditions like PTSD, depression, and schizophrenia, as well as chronic illnesses such as […]

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Does sibling order matter?

Psychology / /

Oldest siblings are overachieving leaders, youngest are the rebellious attention seekers, and the middle children are the forgotten diplomats. Are the stereotypes true? Research shows mixed evidence on whether birth order impacts personality.  Despite genetic similarities, some scientists believe the differences between siblings arise from their birth order. The concept of sibling order has been

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How puzzles shape our understanding of learning

Psychology / /

Everyone has their own morning ritual. For avid New York Times fans, playing the Wordle, Connections, Mini Crossword, and Strands is a cherished routine. Puzzles and word games are fun, interactive ways to activate neural networks and keep our brains engaged.  A recent article published in Northeastern Global News by Erin Kayata dives into whether

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Gut instincts: The hidden connection between your microbiome and mental health

Health, Psychology / /

The phrase “gut microbiome” has quickly become a buzzword — something social media influencers claim will revolutionize lives. There are countless Instagram videos of people drinking kombucha, spooning sea moss, or stocking up on fermented foods, hoping to heal their gut and enhance their mood. Emerging evidence suggests there might be more to the hype

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The psychology of building a stock portfolio

Psychology / /

For many, the stock market is an exclusive hobby for financial experts and seasoned professionals, leaving ordinary people hesitant to get involved. The difficulty of investing and the psychological barriers often discourage people from investing in stocks. For instance, quantum stocks recently plunged after Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said that quantum computing technology was 15

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Nepotism: Innate talent or inequity?

Psychology / /

Lily-Rose Depp, Zoe Kravitz, Gracie Abrams. As the new generation of celebrities emerges, the public has noticed that some of these names outdate their holders. This familiarity stems from their lineage, specifically predecessors who have made significant contributions that have drawn external attention. The continuous emergence of these celebrities poses the question: “is fame genetic

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Smelling fear

Psychology / /

Many animals are known to sense fear and other emotions. As it turns out, humans can smell fear in one another too. We can unconsciously identify stress or fear in our peers through the smell of a chemical pheromone released in sweat. Pheromones are chemicals secreted by an animal that can be picked up on

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