Memory can make learning difficult, but the good news is that you can work to improve your memory. There are three main types of memory: working memory, short-term memory, and long-term memory.  Working memory and short-term memory allow you to store and use temporary information, while long-term holds your lifelong…

Modern advice columnists answer questions about sex, relationships, work, mental health, and existence itself.  Your probability of taking someone’s advice is determined by a number of cognitive and social factors, like their reputation and your emotions. People–especially people with low motivation–frequently just need a listener, not an advice-giver.  We can…

More than 4.5 million people left their jobs at the end of last year as part of the Great Resignation. Many of these individuals were essential workers in the food service, healthcare, and education sectors.  The Reddit forum r/antiwork has become a sounding board for those who feel trapped in…

Ah, sleep. That tiny little window we get each night to rest and recharge. Only, not all of us get to experience that window as restfully as we’d like to.  Some of us dread tucking into bed at night because we know what’s coming: a tossy-turny, stressful sleep inundated with…

Do you remember the last time you rode a roller coaster? Unfortunately for me, it has been over 20 years. I have developed vertigo as I have gotten older, and I’m scared to go on one now. However, I can still remember the nervous butterflies as the ride creaked higher…

Individuals with sexual masochism are sexually aroused when they are beaten, bound, or otherwise made to suffer — and they suffer significantly in important areas of life because of these sexual desires/behaviors. Those who experience these sexual desires and exhibit these behaviors but do not suffer as a result are…

Instagram and TikTok are two of the most popular apps for Gen Z and Millenials — but what are the negative effects and do they outweigh the positives? When 85% of our mental processes rely on our sense of sight, Instagram’s carefully cultivated news feeds and filtered photos can negatively…

Many couples choose to stop sharing a bed (i.e., get a sleep divorce) because their partner disturbs their sleep. But humans have a long history of sharing beds, and society can judge couples sleeping apart.   Sleep studies show that we all get more rest when we sleep alone.  Yet sleep…

Human beings evolved moral emotions through living in complex societies where everyone benefits from phenomena like empathy and reciprocity. As far as morality is concerned, there’s a natural progression from sharing mammoth meat around a campfire to posting on the Reddit forum Am I the A**hole? (AITA).  We like AITA…

Dreams are puzzling and cause us to question their root cause — especially when they’re violent and they keep us up at night. As it turns out, there are several common causes of violent dreams, one being the fear of violence. Another common source of violent dreams is your thinking…

A winter snowstorm struck the East Coast, leaving hundreds of thousands without power, including myself.  After facing difficult feelings of loneliness and boredom, I pulled together tips for what to do for your mental health when the power goes out. First, stop fixating on when the power will come back…

Character bonding is when we start to emulate the personality traits of fictional characters that we admire and/or feel drawn to. There’s nothing inherently harmful about character bonding; just remember that there is a distinction between them and you.  While people may be drawn towards different fictional characters based on…