Mental Health News and Research

Latest Mental Health News and Research

Early gut bacteria may help protect babies from respiratory infections

A baby's makeup of gut bacteria - their microbiome - which starts to form as soon as they are born, could help protect against viral infections later in childhood, a new study suggests.

5 Jun 2025

Common antibiotic shows promise in reducing preterm births

A study of almost 1000 pregnant women in Zimbabwe found that a daily dose of a commonly used, safe and inexpensive antibiotic may have led to fewer babies being born early.

5 Jun 2025

UK study shows 'takeaway night' more than just fast food for families

A UK study found that nearly all families occasionally eat takeaway food together, with most using it as a convenient, social treat. However, frequent takeaway consumption is more common in both high- and low-income families, revealing complex socio-economic patterns.

4 Jun 2025

AI and clinicians compared in handling complex medical cases

A University of Maine study compared how well artificial intelligence models and human clinicians handled complex or sensitive medical cases.

4 Jun 2025

Early brain wiring holds clues to infant emotional development

In a comprehensive Genomic Press research article, scientists have uncovered remarkable insights into how the earliest brain connections shape infant emotional development, potentially offering new ways to identify children at risk for future behavioral and emotional challenges.

3 Jun 2025

Whole-class mental health sessions in schools help reduce depression and anxiety

Whole-class mental health sessions in schools have a small but significant effect in reducing depression and anxiety symptoms, according to new analysis led by researchers at UCL (University College London) and Anna Freud.

3 Jun 2025

Pitt researchers challenge a decades-old assumption about brain plasticity

A new study from Pitt researchers challenges a decades-old assumption in neuroscience by showing that the brain uses distinct transmission sites - not a shared site - to achieve different types of plasticity.

3 Jun 2025

Greenspace exposure supports brain development and mental health in adolescents

Researchers have found that greenspace exposure is associated with widespread patterns of structural brain development during early adolescence, which in turn are associated with better academic and mental outcomes.

3 Jun 2025

Understanding barriers to treatment for cannabis use disorder in the United States

As cannabis becomes more potent and widely used in the United States – especially among young adults – concerns about cannabis use disorder are growing. More than 16 million Americans meet the criteria, yet most never receive treatment.

3 Jun 2025

New study stands to improve the rigor and reliability of psychedelic clinical trials

As psychedelics gain traction as potential treatments for mental health disorders, an international study led by researchers at McGill University, Imperial College London, and the University of Exeter stands to improve the rigor and reliability of clinical research.

3 Jun 2025

Researchers show cannabis dependence drives links to psychiatric disorders

Research uncovers genetic connections between cannabis addiction and psychiatric disorders, urging a reevaluation of cannabis legalization and treatment.

2 Jun 2025

New genetically modified fruit fly model sheds light on cocaine addiction

For the first time, researchers have created genetically modified fruit flies that can become addicted to cocaine.

2 Jun 2025

Multiple chatbots simulate group therapy to help women manage premenstrual syndrome

A research team has designed and implemented a group motivational interviewing system using multiple chatbots to support premenstrual syndrome (PMS), a common disorder among women.

2 Jun 2025

Morning coffee helps women stay sharp and strong as they age

Findings from a new study of almost 50,000 women followed for 30 years suggest that a morning cup of coffee might do more than boost energy; it could also help women stay sharp, strong and mentally well as they age.

2 Jun 2025

Role reversal: Millions of kids are caregivers for elders. Why their numbers might grow.

High school senior Joshua Yang understands sacrifice. When he was midway through 10th grade, his mom survived a terrible car crash.

2 Jun 2025

Airline pilots face high rates of anxiety and alcohol misuse, study finds

The mental health of airline pilots is at risk, with alarming rates of depression and alcohol misuse, necessitating urgent action for crew and passenger safety.

2 Jun 2025

Obesity associated with anxiety and cognitive impairment in mice

With rates of obesity and anxiety both on the rise-especially among younger Americans-new research suggests that the two conditions may be connected through interactions between the gut and the brain.

1 Jun 2025

Structural racism and social defeat may drive psychosis in marginalized youth

Prevailing theories about why young people experience psychotic breaks at a young age rely on individual factors like exposure to child abuse, school bullying, or drugs.

30 May 2025

Cross-cultural analysis reveals differences in socio-cognitive abilities of autistic and non-autistic adults

Emerging theories suggest that communication challenges arise from differing perspectives between autistic and non-autistic partners rather than individual socio-cognitive deficits.

30 May 2025

WHO calls on governments to ban flavors in all nicotine products

On World No Tobacco Day, the World Health Organization (WHO) today launches a new publication and calls on governments to urgently ban all flavors in tobacco and nicotine products, including cigarettes, pouches, hookahs and e-cigarettes to protect youth from addiction and disease.

30 May 2025