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This article begins with the famous Harlow experiment on touch, then discusses how hugs reduce stress and increase happiness. Learn what happens when you’re hugged by strangers and loved ones. The article then discusses how hugs increase your sense of well-being, affect conflict, and boost immunity. It concludes with the benefits of self-hugging. The Famous Wire Mother Experiment Harry Harlow designed a study in which he took rhesus monkeys from their biological mothers....

According to a survey by the Workplace Bullying Institute, 30% of workers have directly experienced bullying while at work. People who work remotely were more likely to report such bullying, with 43.2% responding that they had been bullied on the job. Workplace bullying has a negative impact on the health and well-being of employees. It can also damage workplace productivity and performance. This article discusses some of the signs and effects of workplace bullying....

But the reality is that these “shadowlosses” can feel less deserving of that grief. The term shadowloss, coined by Cincinnati-based thanatologist Cole Imperi, describes losses in life, rather than of life and can include experiences like divorce, infertility, estrangement, getting fired unexpectedly, getting ghosted or a significant medical diagnosis. These events can threaten well-being and derail current or future plans. During a time of global grieving, it’s tough to refrain from comparing what we’ve lost....

The study, a comprehensive review of published research on contraceptives for women with psychiatric disorders, found that hormonal birth control, such as the pill, IUD, and vaginal ring, don’t cause depression and anxiety disorders. Anxiety and Depression in Women “Basic contraceptive knowledge is a critical component of health care for female patients, and here we focus on women with psychiatric disorders,” says corresponding author Katherine Wisner, MD, the Norman and Helen Asher Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and Obstetrics and Gynecology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and the director of the Asher Center for the Study and Treatment of Depressive Disorders....

Self-esteem is about more than just generally liking yourself—it also means believing that you deserve love and valuing your own thoughts, feelings, opinions, interests, and goals. It can also play a role in how you allow others to treat you. Having self-esteem not only impacts how you feel about and treat yourself, but it can even affect your motivation to go after the things you want in life and your ability to develop healthy, supportive relationships....

Remote learning, working from home, financial distress, media stories about death tolls, lack of social interaction, and ongoing uncertainty were just a few of the major stressors people faced over the past year. But the truth is everyone’s experience has been unique. Fortunately, the tough times also taught us some important lessons about mental health. Carrying those lessons forward into the “new normal” may help us remember to be proactive about caring for our psychological well-being....

While introverts make up an estimated 25% to 40% of the population, there are still many misconceptions about this personality type. It is also important to note that being an introvert does not mean that you are socially anxious or shy. If you’re not sure whether you’re an introvert or an extrovert, taking an introvert vs. extrovert test may help you get a better idea of which category suits your personality....

In the past six years alone, there have been Islamophobic immigration bans, men credibly accused of sexual assault gaining high office, unchecked racist police violence, regular mass shootings everywhere from grocery stores to schools, delayed action against a deadly pandemic, a president-backed insurrection, proposed and enacted laws against transgender people, and the removal of people’s control over their own pregnant bodies. Even more devastating: The above is only a tiny sample of the terrible events that have occurred....

Although many products purport to increase sexual desire and pleasure, the effectiveness of aphrodisiacs has not yet been firmly established. Research has often failed to show the effectiveness of some substances and, in some cases, has even shown that some substances may have adverse side effects. For example, the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health reports that Yohimbe, a compound derived from the bark of the African yohimbine tree that has been used as an aphrodisiac, has been linked to heart attacks, seizures, high blood pressure, and stomach problems....

Evidence suggests that psychedelics are generally not addictive. However, some psychedelics may lead to tolerance. They can also have other health risks. This article discusses whether any psychedelics pose the risk for addiction, how these substances work, and why they may have some potential in treating mental health conditions. It also covers other potential health risks. Are Psychedelics Addictive? Psychedelics are generally not considered addictive. This means that people do not become physically dependent on them and do not engage in compulsive drug-seeking behavior....

Those with SAD are capable of forming relationships but are impaired by anxiety; on the other hand, people with ASD have difficulty with the nuts and bolts of communication that make relationships possible. Symptoms Social anxiety disorder is characterized by fear and anxiety of social interactions or performance situations. Your ability to function is limited by your anxiety in those circumstances. Asperger’s disorder, now known as autism spectrum disorder, does not require the presence of anxiety....

Smoking Pot by the Numbers It isn’t surprising that many teens try pot as it is popularly considered less dangerous than “harder” drugs (like cocaine or heroin), and marijuana is used recreationally by many adults. In fact, the National Institute on Drug Abuse states that pot is one of the most commonly used drugs by Americans. And according to the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 2.5% of the world’s population uses the substance....

How can you determine if these reports are credible or not? In order to become a wise consumer of psychology research, you need to learn how to evaluate the various research reports you come into contact with each day. By understanding how to identify trustworthy information, you can become an informed psychology consumer. Learning more about how to identify good sources can help you better separate authoritative and accurate sources from the false and sensationalized....

Through two studies with full-time first-year MBA students at a large American university, researchers found that individuals had been more likely to rely on social capital than human capital when forming teams. Especially when many workplaces are shifting to remote operations as a result of the pandemic restrictions, this research can better inform recommendations for team-building practices when collaborating online. Understanding the Research In Study 1, researchers considered challenging voice as “improvement-oriented communication” that develops new ideas and questions the status quo, and supportive voice as “affirming communication” that reinforces social bonds and maintains harmony, to explore a human capital pathway....

When you decide to quit, untangling the associations you’ve built up over a lifetime of smoking takes conscious effort. By making a pros and cons list, you can begin to step out from behind the smokescreen that nicotine addiction forces people to live behind, and you can begin to uncover the truth about your relationship with smoking. What Real Smokers Say For many people, smoking becomes a source of comfort, companionship, and stress relief....

Meet Mark Goulston Dr. Mark Goulston is a psychiatrist, bestselling author, and executive coach who spent many years of his career working with patients who were experiencing thoughts of suicide. While he has written many books, some of my personal favorites are “Just Listen,” “Get Out of Your Own Way,” and “Talking to Crazy.” Why Mark Goulston Is Mentally Strong Dr. Goulston shares that one of the reasons he is so passionate about mental health is from his own experience in medical school....

While experts still don’t agree about which behaviors should be considered “real” addictions, there’s no question that certain behaviors can cause serious problems in a person’s life when they become pervasive, invasive, and distressing. But what happens when it is a persistent pursuit of becoming better, stronger, happier, and more productive? Is the relentless pursuit of self-improvement ever a bad thing? Wanting to be better and do better is, after all, what often motivates us to take action in the first place....