Summary: After roughly 14,000 years of domestication, dogs show stronger social cognition and people-reading abilities than wolves. Source: Duke University You’ve seen it: you point and say “go find the ball,” and your dog immediately heads to the right spot. That seemingly simple skill—understanding human gestures—is actually a sophisticated cognitive ability and is uncommon across … Read more

Summary: Researchers share clear findings about sleep and correct common misconceptions about sleep problems. Source: Baylor. On average, you will spend roughly one third of your life asleep or trying to fall asleep. For many people, that adds up to more than 25 years spent in bed. Given how much time we devote to sleep, … Read more

Counseling, therapy, and psychology are often misunderstood and carry social stigma. In reality, effective therapy centers on a relationship: developing skills, learning techniques, and reshaping how we see ourselves and the world. Quality counseling reduces distress, strengthens resilience, boosts self-esteem, and improves daily functioning. The more successful the therapeutic process, the clearer it becomes that … Read more

Cannabidiol Reduces Drop Seizures in Lennox‑Gastaut Syndrome — Phase 3 Trial Results Summary: A randomized phase 3 trial published in The Lancet found that adding a pharmaceutical formulation of cannabidiol to existing anti‑epilepsy treatments significantly reduced the frequency of drop seizures in people with treatment‑resistant Lennox‑Gastaut syndrome. Source: The Lancet. Key finding Treatment with a … Read more

Our strengths are one of our greatest resources in life. We can hide them out of fear or we can notice, develop, and apply them for our own good and the benefit of others (Jones-Smith, 2014). When we use our signature strengths we feel most like ourselves: energized, engaged, and deeply satisfied by what we … Read more

Potential target for treating autism, schizophrenia, and other brain disorders Researchers at Columbia University Medical Center (CUMC) have identified the small hippocampal subregion CA2 as essential for social memory—the ability of an animal to recognize and remember another of its species. Understanding CA2’s role may help explain altered social behaviors seen in conditions such as … Read more

Summary: In a nationwide Finnish study, people with Alzheimer’s disease who used antipsychotic medications had a 29% higher risk of head injury and a 22% higher risk of traumatic brain injury (TBI) compared with matched patients who did not use these drugs. Source: Wiley Key finding: Use of antipsychotic medications was associated with a statistically … Read more

Decisions, decisions! Choosing a path to become a counselor can feel overwhelming. Picking the right counseling course is like steering a ship at night—without a clear guide, it’s hard to know which direction will lead to the career you want. This article highlights top courses, degrees, and online programs to consider as you plan a … Read more

Summary: Although consumption of healthier foods like legumes and fruit increased in many places, improvements in overall dietary quality were undermined by rising intake of unhealthy items such as processed meats, sugar-sweetened beverages, and excess sodium. Source: Tufts University On a 0 to 100 scale measuring adherence to recommended diets—where 0 represents a very poor … Read more

A new University of Florida study indicates that a promising brain-imaging technique could improve diagnosis for the millions of people affected by movement disorders such as Parkinson’s disease. Using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), researchers found they could distinguish among different movement disorder diagnoses with a high degree of accuracy, a result that could help clinicians … Read more