Psychology In The Media

In this episode of Psychology In The Media , we break down a 2026 study examining how heavy drinking and alcohol-related blackouts affect cognitive functioning the next day among college students. We explore the psychology and neuroscience of memory, attention, working memory, and cognitive lapses, along with the surprising finding that blackout drinking may be associated with measurable cognitive...

In this episode of Psychology In The Media , we explore a fascinating 2026 study examining why some people with biological signs of Alzheimer's disease experience cognitive decline while others remain stable for years. We break down the concept of preclinical Alzheimer's disease , discuss emerging biomarkers like amyloid and tau, and explore why predicting cognitive decline remains one of...

Why does exercise sometimes make us feel emotionally lighter—even when our problems haven’t changed? In this episode of Psychology In The Media , we break down a fascinating 2026 review by Zhu and Zhang exploring how exercise may influence emotional processing, stress regulation, memory, attention, and even the brain’s reward system. We discuss the psychology behind why movement can help interrupt...

Do social media detoxes actually improve your mental health… or do they just feel like they should? In this episode of Psychology In The Media , we break down a 2025 meta-analysis by Lemahieu and colleagues examining whether temporarily quitting social media improves mood, wellbeing, and life satisfaction. Surprisingly, the research suggests the answer may be more complicated than most people thin...

What happens when a celebrity you love says something you strongly disagree with? In this episode of Psychology In The Media , we break down a fascinating study on cancel culture, parasocial relationships, and emotional reactions to celebrity controversy . Participants were asked to imagine their favorite celebrity making a political statement—and then decide how to respond. We explore why people...

Can children learn a language no one around them speaks? In this episode of Psychology In The Media , we explore a fascinating 2025 study by Gagnon, Ostrolenk, and Mottron examining unexpected bilingualism in minimally verbal autistic children . Surprisingly, many children in the study showed the ability to recognize or use a second language without direct social exposure. We break down what this...

Ever crave something sweet when you’re stressed? You’re not alone—but what if that habit is doing more than you think? In this episode of Psychology In The Media , we break down a 2025 research study exploring the link between sugar intake, depression, and anxiety. We’ll talk about what the data actually shows, why sugar might impact your mental health, and the surprising truth about emotional eat...

Ever notice a toddler grinning when they give away a snack? Turns out, that’s not just adorable—it’s science. In this episode, we dive into a new study showing that toddlers are happier giving to others than receiving for themselves. We’ll explore what this means for human kindness, the ‘warm glow’ of helping, and why giving might feel good from the very start of life. Full Article: Tan, E., de Vo...