Financial stress doesn’t just impact your wallet—it can seriously affect your heart health too.

Recent research has found that financial stress is associated with a 19% higher risk of developing major cardiovascular diseases like heart attacks, strokes, and even cardiovascular-related death.

This meta-analysis, published in Current Problems in Cardiology, sheds light on how financial pressure impacts heart health and why managing stress is critical for preventing heart disease.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death worldwide, including conditions such as coronary artery disease, hypertension, stroke, and heart failure.

Commonly, the buildup of fatty deposits in the arteries, known as atherosclerosis, causes many of these conditions.

However, factors like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, obesity, and lack of exercise are also major contributors. Recent research now points to another important factor: financial stress.

Contrary to popular belief, new research published in Social Psychological and Personality Science suggests that narcissistic folks may not be as self-deceptive about their social reputation as previously thought.

The study found that those high in narcissistic admiration tend to have a relatively accurate understanding of how they are perceived by others, particularly in areas that enhance social standing, such as intelligence and attractiveness.

Do you often find yourself scrolling through online stores late at night, adding gadgets or clothing to your cart as a way to unwind?

You're not alone—and there's scientific research that can help you understand why night owls like yourself may be more inclined to compulsive nighttime spending.

In fact, recent studies on chronotypes (your internal body clock) suggest that night owls derive more happiness from material purchases compared to experiences.

But there's more to it.

Recognizing these tendencies can offer you an opportunity to fine-tune your spending habits, giving you greater control over impulsive decisions.

Let’s review new research on chronotypes and limbic capitalism to gain insight into unnecessary spending—and how being aware of your nighttime shopping habits could transform your relationship with money.

Imagine a world where we could understand the emotional significance of our spontaneous thoughts—those fleeting moments of joy, fear, or self-reflection that occur even when we’re not consciously focused on them.

A pioneering study led by researchers from South Korea’s Center for Neuroscience Imaging Research and Dartmouth College has taken a bold step in that direction by using a combination of artificial intelligence (AI) and functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) to decode the emotional relevance of thoughts in real-time.

But as we dive into the nuances of this study, we must also consider the implications of what’s happening beneath the surface: limbic capitalism, the practice of monetizing our emotional responses.

When we think of hoarding, images of cluttered rooms packed with objects come to mind—newspapers stacked to the ceiling, boxes of unused items, and a refusal to let go.

But what if this same concept applied to our emotions?

Emotional hoarding is an emerging idea that draws parallels to physical hoarding, but instead of collecting material objects, people accumulate unresolved feelings, grudges, and unprocessed emotions. Much like physical hoarding, emotional hoarding can disrupt lives, harm relationships, and cause significant stress.

In this blog post, we’ll dive into the science behind emotional hoarding, compare it to the well-studied phenomenon of physical hoarding, and explore how both forms of accumulation affect our mental and relational health. Could clearing out our emotional clutter be as crucial as decluttering our homes? Let’s find out.

A groundbreaking study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry reveals something significant: women are more genetically prone to developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) than men.

This research, led by scientists from Virginia Commonwealth University and Lund University, is the largest twin-sibling study on PTSD to date.

The findings suggest that while both men and women are genetically susceptible, women inherit a stronger genetic predisposition to the disorder.

In this post, we’ll break down everything you need to know about PTSD, genetic risk factors, and how this new study could influence future treatments.

Gaslighting—once an unfamiliar psychological term—has become widely recognized as one of the most damaging forms of emotional manipulation in relationships. But how do you know if it’s happening to you?

A groundbreaking new tool, the Gaslighting Relationship Exposure Inventory (GREI), has been developed to help folks assess whether they're experiencing gaslighting behaviors in their romantic relationships.

According to a recent study published in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, the GREI is the first scientifically validated tool that reliably measures gaslighting behaviors.

When we discuss someone like Donald Trump through the lens of "textbook narcissism," we’re referring to a set of well-documented patterns that shape how folks with narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) react to stress, failure, or challenges to their grandiose self-image.

One of the most dramatic consequences of these challenges is what's called narcissistic collapse—a state where the individual's usual defenses begin to unravel, leaving them emotionally exposed and vulnerable. This is a moment of reckoning, both for the person themselves and for those observing them.

For Donald Trump, as the external pressures mount—whether through legal battles, political losses, or shifts in public opinion—his likely arc of behavior for the rest of the year might follow certain key psychological patterns.

These behaviors are grounded in well-established social science research on narcissism and personality disorders, and they provide us with a deeper understanding of how someone in his position might respond to a world that feels increasingly hostile.

Toxic male behaviors in relationships can often be masked by societal norms that glorify dominance and emotional suppression in men.

In many cultures, especially in America, traditional ideas of masculinity can pressure men to act in ways that are harmful to their partners and relationships. These behaviors, though sometimes subtle, have far-reaching emotional consequences.

By recognizing and understanding the warning signs of toxic male behavior, we can better protect emotional well-being and foster healthier relationship dynamics.

Navigating relationships can feel like walking through a minefield when you’re dealing with a toxic partner. Toxic behaviors often creep in slowly, disguised as love, care, or concern.

But beneath the surface, they erode trust, respect, and emotional safety. If you’ve ever found yourself constantly doubting your own actions, feeling manipulated, or wondering why your relationship feels like an emotional rollercoaster, you might be dealing with a toxic dynamic.

In this guide, we’ll dive deep into the red flags that often indicate toxicity, using a mix of humor, real-life examples, and research-backed insights to help you spot the warning signs before they wreak havoc on your emotional well-being.

A new study published in Personal Relationships explores how perceptions of a romantic partner’s drinking habits are related to relationship satisfaction and mental health among young adults.

The study finds that when young men perceive their partner as having problematic drinking behavior, they are more likely to report increased symptoms of depression.

The findings also suggest that men’s mental health and relationship satisfaction are more impacted by the quantity and nature of drinking within the relationship than women’s.

Hoovering is a manipulative tactic used by folks—often those with narcissistic tendencies or other toxic personality traits—to regain control or re-enter a relationship after a breakup or period of separation.

The term is derived from the vacuum brand "Hoover," symbolizing how the person attempts to "suck" their former partner back into the relationship.Hoovering is rooted in control and manipulation, and understanding the psychological dynamics at play can help you see through the tactics.

Toxic humans, particularly those with narcissistic tendencies, thrive on validation and control.

They experience what’s known as narcissistic supply—a need for attention, adoration, and emotional engagement from those around them. When you break free and go no contact, you cut off this supply, leaving them feeling powerless or abandoned.

Hoovering is a way to reclaim that power. It often taps into emotional vulnerabilities, triggering feelings of guilt, nostalgia, or responsibility in the person who has been manipulated.

Research shows that toxic relationships, especially those with narcissists, can create something known as trauma bonds—emotional attachments that form during cycles of abuse and reconciliation (Carnes, 1997).