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(https://www.psypost.org/faces-are-seen-as-more-dominant-when-presented-against-a-red-background/) Faces are seen as more dominant when presented against a red background
Mar 17th 2025, 10:00

Two experiments using pictures of male and female human faces in Japan showed that faces were more likely to be perceived as dominant when presented against a red background than when shown against green or gray backgrounds. This effect was observed for both female and male faces. The research was published in (https://doi.org/10.1177/14747049241284602) Evolutionary Psychology.
Humans perceive a world full of colors and derive significant information from them. They interpret colors through both biological and cultural lenses, associating them with emotions, symbolism, and physiological responses. Colors play a crucial role in human interactions.
Red is often linked to passion, danger, or urgency. It attracts attention and is frequently used to signal prohibition. Blue is commonly associated with calmness, trust, and stability, making it a popular choice in corporate branding and relaxation spaces.
Yellow represents energy, optimism, and warmth but can also indicate caution or warning in certain contexts (e.g., traffic signs). Green is associated with nature, growth, and health, often evoking feelings of balance and renewal. It can also signify permission or indicate that an action is allowed (e.g., green traffic lights). Black symbolizes power, mystery, or mourning, with interpretations varying across cultures. White is frequently connected to purity, cleanliness, and simplicity, though in some cultures, it represents mourning.
Study author Na Chen and her colleagues were particularly interested in how people interpret the color red in human interactions. They conducted a study exploring how placing a picture of a human face against a red-colored background affects the perception of that face’s dominance.
They conducted two experiments using computer-generated images of human faces with varying degrees of dominant features, ranging from highly dominant to completely submissive. The first experiment used images of East Asian female faces, while the second used images of male faces. These faces were presented to participants against red, green, and gray backgrounds. The researchers hypothesized that the color red would interact with facial dominance cues to enhance the perception of dominance in both male and female faces.
Additionally, they conducted two surveys. The first survey aimed to determine whether the observed effect of a red background on dominance judgments extended to simple geometric shapes or was specific to faces. The second questionnaire explored whether the effect of red on dominance was limited to the perceptual color itself or also applied to the semantic representations of color in the background.
Participants in the first experiment included 28 Japanese undergraduate students from Waseda University, with an average age of 20; 14 were female. The second experiment involved another 27 Japanese undergraduate students from the same university.
The results showed that faces were more likely to be perceived as dominant when presented against a red background than when displayed against gray or green backgrounds. This effect was observed for both male and female faces. Furthermore, the surveys revealed that the perception of dominance also increased for shapes presented against a red background, not just for human faces.
“These results suggest that the perception of dominance in both human faces and objects is enhanced by the presence of red, possibly due to evolutionary factors related to the perception of red,” the study authors concluded.
The study sheds light on the way humans interpret color red. However, it should be noted that the study was conducted on two small groups of Japanese undergraduate students. Studies on other cultures and demographic groups might not produce identical results.
The paper, “(https://doi.org/10.1177/14747049241284602) Red Backgrounds Enhance Dominance in Human Faces and Shapes,” was authored by Na Chen, Yidie Yang, Maiko Kobayashi, Koyo Nakamura, and Katsumi Watanabe.

(https://www.psypost.org/traumatic-brain-injury-may-steer-alzheimers-pathology-down-a-different-path/) Traumatic brain injury may steer Alzheimer’s pathology down a different path
Mar 17th 2025, 08:00

A recent study published in (https://doi.org/10.1093/braincomms/fcaf009) Brain Communications has shed light on how traumatic brain injuries, such as those experienced in combat or accidents, might influence the development of brain changes associated with Alzheimer’s disease later in life. Researchers discovered that while traumatic brain injury did not lead to an overall increase in two key Alzheimer’s proteins in the brain, it did change where these proteins were deposited and how they interacted with each other. This suggests that head injuries could lead to unique patterns of brain aging that differ from typical Alzheimer’s disease.
Traumatic brain injury occurs when an external force impacts the head, potentially causing damage to the brain. The severity can range from mild concussions to more serious injuries involving loss of consciousness and lasting neurological problems. Dementia is a general term for a decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia, characterized by the build-up of specific proteins in the brain: amyloid-beta and tau.
Amyloid-beta is a protein that can clump together to form plaques in the brain. These plaques are thought to disrupt communication between brain cells. Tau is another protein found inside brain cells that can become tangled. These tau tangles also interfere with normal brain function and are closely linked to the death of brain cells. Scientists have long observed that people with a history of traumatic brain injury seem to have a higher risk of developing dementia later in life. 
However, the exact biological reasons for this link have remained unclear. Researchers have been investigating whether the build-up of amyloid-beta and tau, the hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease, might be the missing link between traumatic brain injury and later dementia. Prior studies exploring this connection have produced mixed results, with some finding increased amyloid-beta and tau after brain injury, and others finding no such increase.
To gain a clearer understanding, researchers in this new study focused not just on the overall amounts of amyloid-beta and tau, but also on their specific locations in the brain after traumatic brain injury. They hypothesized that traumatic brain injuries, which can cause damage in specific areas of the brain depending on the type of injury, might lead to different patterns of amyloid-beta and tau build-up compared to the more typical patterns seen in Alzheimer’s disease.
“The buildup of harmful proteins like amyloid-beta and tau in the brain varies across individuals, leading to different clinical profiles in neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s disease,” said study author Hannah de Bruin, a PhD student at Amsterdam University Medical Center.
“Our research focuses on understanding this variability—why these proteins accumulate and spread in distinct ways. Traumatic brain injury, which can result from events like contact sports, military service, or falls, provides a unique opportunity to study this heterogeneity. Since traumatic brain injury can affect different brain regions depending on the type of injury, they create diverse conditions that could help us better understand how protein buildup and interactions differ between individuals.”
The study included 103 male Vietnam War veterans, with an average age of about 67 years. Of these, 65 had a history of traumatic brain injury, while 38 had no history of brain injury and served as the control group. Among those who had experienced a brain injury, 40 had mild injuries and 25 had moderate-to-severe injuries. Most individuals had experienced one or two traumatic brain injuries in their lifetime. The study was conducted decades after these injuries, with an average time gap of about 40 years between the last injury and the brain scans performed for this research.
To measure amyloid-beta and tau in the brain, all participants underwent specialized brain imaging using positron emission tomography (PET) scans. These scans allowed researchers to observe where these proteins were accumulating in the brain. They then compared the distribution patterns of these proteins between individuals with and without a history of traumatic brain injury.
The researchers did not find that individuals with a history of traumatic brain injury had higher overall levels of amyloid-beta or tau compared to those without a history of brain injury. This suggests that traumatic brain injury does not necessarily lead to an increase in these harmful proteins across the entire brain. However, researchers did identify a key difference in how the proteins were distributed.
In people who had experienced traumatic brain injury, amyloid-beta and tau were more likely to be found in the frontal and parietal regions of the brain. These are areas that are particularly vulnerable to damage from traumatic brain injury. In contrast, in people without a history of traumatic brain injury, these proteins were more concentrated in the temporal region of the brain, which is where they typically accumulate in Alzheimer’s disease. This finding suggests that traumatic brain injury may alter the typical pattern of how these proteins spread over time.
Additionally, the relationship between amyloid-beta and tau appeared to be different in individuals with traumatic brain injury. In Alzheimer’s disease, amyloid-beta and tau tend to accumulate together in specific brain regions, with amyloid-beta often triggering the spread of tau. However, in individuals with a history of traumatic brain injury, this relationship was weakened in the temporal regions (which are typically the first areas affected in Alzheimer’s disease) and was instead stronger in the frontal regions. This suggests that traumatic brain injury may not only change where these proteins accumulate but also how they interact with each other.
“We found that a history of traumatic brain injury was not necessarily associated with higher overall levels of amyloid-beta and tau on PET imaging, but their distribution and relationships varied,” de Bruin told PsyPost. “Specifically, these proteins were more concentrated in brain regions typically affected by traumatic brain injury, such as the frontal and parietal lobes, rather than in the temporal regions, which are more commonly related to early Alzheimer’s disease. Additionally, amyloid-beta and tau showed stronger associations in these areas related to traumatic brain injury. This suggests that traumatic brain injury may influence both the location and dynamics of these proteins, contributing to distinct neurodegenerative trajectories.”
“As with every study, there are some important caveats to consider,” she noted. “Our sample size was relatively small (103 participants), so future research with larger groups is needed to confirm our findings. Additionally, since this was a cross-sectional study, we could not track how the relationship between traumatic brain injury and amyloid-beta and tau might develop over time. 
“Another point to consider is that amyloid-beta and tau levels in our participants were generally low, so it would be valuable to examine whether the same findings hold true in a cohort with higher levels. And lastly, while PET imaging is a well-established method for visualizing amyloid-beta and tau in living individuals, post-mortem examination remains the gold standard for detecting these proteins with certainty.”
Moving forward, the researchers are interested in exploring how the brain’s communication networks, or functional connectivity, might influence the spread of tau protein in Alzheimer’s disease, particularly in the context of traumatic brain injury. Understanding these mechanisms could lead to better predictions of disease progression and potentially inform the development of more targeted treatments for individuals with a history of head injury.
“We are currently working on new projects that explore functional connectivity—essentially, how different regions of the brain communicate with each other—as a potential predictor of how tau spreads in Alzheimer’s disease,” de Bruin explained. “This is particularly important because tau is the protein most closely linked to neurodegeneration and cognitive decline. We believe that tau spreads through the brain by following the connections of the regions where it first emerges, driving how the disease biologically develops and, in turn, how it clinically manifests. The ultimate goal is that our research findings will improve predictions of disease progression and inform clinical trial designs, eventually leading to the development of more effective treatments.”
The study, “(https://doi.org/10.1093/braincomms/fcaf009) Amyloid-β and tau deposition in traumatic brain injury: a study of Vietnam War veterans,” was authored by Hannah de Bruin, Colin Groot, Suzie Kamps, Everard G B Vijverberg, Anna Steward, Amir Dehsarvi, Yolande A L Pijnenburg, Rik Ossenkoppele, and Nicolai Franzmeier for the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI).

(https://www.psypost.org/brain-region-identified-as-key-controller-of-aggression/) Brain region identified as key controller of aggression
Mar 17th 2025, 06:00

Scientists have discovered that a specific area within the brain, known as the cortical amygdala, plays a pivotal role in determining whether male mice behave aggressively or in a friendly manner. This region becomes active when male mice detect scents from other males and when they engage in aggressive actions. Researchers found that reducing the activity of this brain area lessened aggressive behaviors and encouraged more sociable interactions. This work, published in (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-08540-4) Nature, is the first to pinpoint a single brain area capable of halting aggressive social behavior and encouraging pro-social actions.
Researchers at Mount Sinai were interested in this topic because aggression is a fundamental behavior across species, and studying it in detail could reveal general principles about how the brain controls behavior. 
“Aggression is a highly conserved behavior of great importance throughout the animal kingdom, explained study author Antonio Aubry, an instructor at the Icahn School of Medicine. “Thus, by studying the neurobiology of aggression, it has the potential to uncover general principles regarding the relationship between the brain and behavior across a diverse number of species. In humans, aggression is a symptom in numerous psychiatric disorders and can induce psychiatric conditions in victims of aggression. Therefore, a deeper understanding of the neurobiology of aggression has potential to inform therapeutic interventions across many neuropsychiatric disorders.”
To investigate this, the research team conducted a detailed analysis of brain activity in male mice. They used a method to make the brains transparent, allowing them to visualize activity across the entire brain at a cellular level. They looked specifically for cells that were active after male mice had interacted with another male mouse in a standard test of aggression, called the resident-intruder test. Using advanced computer analysis, they mapped the activity patterns across the entire brain. This analysis revealed a network of interconnected brain regions that were particularly active in aggressive male mice, but not in non-aggressive male mice or in female mice.
Within this network, one region stood out: the posterolateral cortical amygdala. This area is part of the olfactory cortex, which is involved in processing smells. The researchers discovered that this cortical amygdala region acts as a central hub within the aggression network, having strong connections to other regions within the network. They observed that specific cells in this area, which respond to the hormone estrogen, were highly active both when mice were exposed to smells from other male mice and when they were exhibiting aggressive behavior.
“We performed a brain-wide screen of neural activity and discovered that the posterolateral cortical amygdala (COApl) is a key region in shaping the outcome of social interactions in mice,” Aubry told PsyPost.
To further investigate the role of the cortical amygdala, the scientists used several techniques to manipulate its activity. They used tools to temporarily reduce or increase the activity of these specific cells in the cortical amygdala of male mice. When they reduced the activity of these cells, they observed a significant decrease in aggressive behavior. Mice spent less time attacking other males and more time simply investigating them in a friendly manner. 
“When mice transition from investigating an animal to attacking, activity in a population of cells which express estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1) is heightened,” Aubry explained. “When we inhibit activity of ESR1 expressing in the COApl, mice engage in more pro-social interaction and less aggression.”
Remarkably, reducing the activity in this brain region didn’t seem to affect the mice’s general sense of smell or their ability to tell the difference between male and female mice based on scent. This suggested that the cortical amygdala is specifically involved in controlling the aggressive aspect of social behavior, rather than just processing smells in general.
“We were surprised that the COApl increased pro-social interaction,” Aubry said. “It was thought that inhibiting the COApl would decrease both aggression and social interaction because this region is part of the olfactory system, which mice use to detect odor cues from other mice. However, we found that mice had no problem detecting the presence of other mice.”
To understand how this brain region exerts its influence, they examined its connections to other brain areas. They found that the cortical amygdala communicates with regions like the ventromedial hypothalamus and the central amygdala, which are known to be involved in aggression. By specifically inhibiting the connections from the cortical amygdala to these downstream regions, they were able to replicate the effect of directly inhibiting the cortical amygdala itself, reducing aggressive behavior.
These findings indicate that the cortical amygdala acts as a key control center for aggression in male mice. It appears to be sensitive to olfactory cues, particularly those from other male mice, and plays a critical role in the transition from social investigation to aggressive actions. By manipulating this single brain region, researchers were able to shift mice between aggressive and pro-social behaviors.
The researchers acknowledge that the whole-brain activity mapping technique they used provides a broad overview but lacks fine-grained detail. It does not capture the precise timing of nerve cell activity or differentiate between specific types of nerve cells. “We view the information gained from this technique as a rough map of the territory to use a guide for more in-depth studies,” Aubry said.
Looking ahead, the research team plans to further investigate how the cortical amygdala fits into the larger brain network that governs aggressive behavior. “Future research will be aimed at understanding how the COApl fits in a broad network of brain regions which enable aggressive behavior,” Aubry explained. “For example, which regions that receive inputs from the COApl are active during aggressive behavior? How are the regions affected when we manipulate the COApl?”
The study, “(https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-024-08540-4) A crucial role for the cortical amygdala in shaping social encounters,” was authored by Antonio V. Aubry, Romain Durand-de Cuttoli, Elizabeth Karpman, Rachel L. Fisher-Foye, Lyonna F. Parise, Flurin Cathomas, C. Joseph Burnett, Yewon Yang, Chongzhen Yuan, Alexa R. LaBanca, Kenny L. Chan, Kion T. Winston, Hsiao-yun Lin, Farah Dackour, Arman A. Tavallaei, Johana Alvarez, Tadaaki Nishioka, Hirofumi Morishita, Robert C. Froemke, Long Li, and Scott J. Russo.

(https://www.psypost.org/social-medias-disturbing-role-in-delusion-amplification-highlighted-in-new-psychology-research/) Social media’s disturbing role in “delusion amplification” highlighted in new psychology research
Mar 16th 2025, 18:00

For many, social media is a tool for communication and self-expression. But for those vulnerable to psychiatric disorders, it may become something far more insidious. A new study published in (https://bmcpsychiatry.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12888-025-06528-6) BMC Psychiatry suggests that social media can act as an incubator for delusional thinking, reinforcing distorted self-perceptions and encouraging excessive mentalistic cognition. The study introduces a new conceptual model, “Delusion Amplification by Social Media,” which suggests that the disembodied nature of online interactions may contribute to an unstable sense of self and encourage excessive mentalistic cognition.
With social media deeply embedded in modern life, researchers have sought to understand how digital interactions affect mental health. Unlike traditional face-to-face communication, social media allows individuals to engage in social interactions where physical, spatial, and temporal cues are detached. This separation from embodied experiences has raised questions about how the brain processes virtual interactions and whether these experiences might intensify certain psychiatric symptoms.
Previous research has linked social media use with anxiety and depression, but few studies have examined its effects on disorders involving psychotic traits and distorted self-perception. Researchers at Simon Fraser University wanted to explore whether heavy social media users—particularly those with psychiatric conditions—might be using these platforms to construct and sustain a delusional self-image. They hypothesized that the selective presentation of identity online, combined with social validation mechanisms like “likes” and “followers,” could contribute to a distorted sense of reality in vulnerable individuals.
To investigate the relationship between social media use and psychiatric disorders, the researchers conducted a systematic review of all available studies on the topic. They analyzed data from 2,623 academic papers published between 2004 and 2022. Of these, 155 studies met the criteria for inclusion. The review focused on psychiatric disorders related to social cognition, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, body dysmorphia, eating disorders, narcissistic personality disorder, borderline personality disorder, and erotomania.
The researchers identified studies that examined how individuals with these disorders use social media, including the frequency of use, types of engagement (e.g., posting, lurking, commenting), and the effects on their symptoms. They also reviewed case reports of individuals whose psychotic symptoms were triggered or worsened by social media interactions.
The study found that social media use is disproportionately high among individuals with psychiatric disorders involving delusional thinking. The strongest associations were found in individuals with narcissism, body dysmorphia, and eating disorders, who tend to rely on social media to construct and validate their self-image. These individuals often engage in behaviors such as excessive selfie-taking, obsessive comparison to others, and compulsive monitoring of feedback from online audiences.
For example, individuals with narcissistic personality disorder were found to be more likely to post self-promotional content, seek admiration through likes and followers, and curate an idealized version of themselves online. Similarly, those with body dysmorphia and eating disorders were found to use social media as a tool for self-surveillance, often engaging in appearance-related comparisons that reinforce their distorted body image.
Psychotic spectrum disorders, including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, were also linked to problematic social media use. Individuals with schizophrenia were found to be at risk of developing online-related delusions, such as paranoia about being watched or controlled through social media algorithms. Some case reports described patients who believed their thoughts were being broadcasted online or that they were being stalked through digital platforms.
Erotomania, a disorder characterized by delusional beliefs about being loved by someone (often a celebrity or public figure), was found to be facilitated by social media. The ability to follow, interact with, or message high-status individuals online may create the illusion of a personal relationship, leading to obsessive behaviors and misinterpretation of social cues.
The researchers proposed a model called “Delusion Amplification by Social Media,” which explains how social media environments encourage distorted self-perceptions. According to this model, individuals with an unstable sense of self may turn to social media to craft a more coherent or idealized identity. However, because social media interactions lack real-world grounding and accountability, these self-perceptions can become increasingly detached from reality. The virtual world allows users to maintain their delusions without real-life contradictions, reinforcing distorted beliefs over time.
Interestingly, the study also found that individuals with autism spectrum disorder, who typically have reduced social cognition, were less likely to engage with social media compared to neurotypical individuals. Those who did use social media tended to prefer platforms with less social interactivity, such as YouTube, where they could engage in solitary activities rather than direct social exchanges.
“Social media is creating conditions where delusions can more easily be generated and sustained due to the presence of platforms and apps that cater to the disorder’s causes, plus the absence of effective reality-checking,” says Bernard Crespi, a professor of biological sciences and Canada Research Chair in Evolutionary Genetics and Psychology. “This research has important implications for the causes and symptoms of mental illnesses, and how they can be exacerbated by online social platforms.”
While the study provides strong evidence that social media can amplify delusional thinking in certain psychiatric disorders, the researchers acknowledged several limitations. Most notably, the studies included in the review were observational, meaning they could not establish a direct causal link between social media use and mental health symptoms. It is unclear whether individuals with psychiatric disorders are drawn to social media because of their symptoms or if social media use actively worsens their conditions.
Another limitation is that different social media platforms function in unique ways, and not all may contribute equally to psychiatric symptoms. Future research should investigate how specific platforms—such as Instagram (which is image-heavy) versus Twitter (which is text-based)—differently impact mental health outcomes.
Additionally, more longitudinal studies are needed to determine whether prolonged social media use leads to worsening psychiatric symptoms over time. Controlled experiments could also help researchers understand whether reducing social media use can mitigate delusions and improve self-perception in individuals with psychiatric conditions.
The study, “(https://bmcpsychiatry.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12888-025-06528-6) I tweet, therefore I am: a systematic review on social media use and disorders of the social brain,” was authored by Nancy Yang and Bernard Crespi.

(https://www.psypost.org/live-music-experiences-create-lasting-happiness-by-fostering-collective-effervescence-study-finds/) Live music experiences create lasting happiness by fostering collective effervescence, study finds
Mar 16th 2025, 16:00

Attending live music events can provide more than just entertainment—it can create a deep sense of connection and meaning that lasts well beyond the concert itself. New research published in (https://doi.org/10.1177/01461672241288027) Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin suggests that live music enhances wellbeing through a psychological phenomenon known as collective effervescence. This heightened sense of unity and shared experience makes live music events feel sacred and contributes to lasting happiness, even a week after the event.
The researchers conducted this study to explore why live music experiences feel so powerful and whether they offer psychological benefits beyond simple enjoyment. While past research has suggested that music can promote social bonding and reduce stress, the exact mechanisms behind these effects were unclear.
The researchers hypothesized that collective effervescence—a sense of connection and transcendence that occurs in large, emotionally synchronized groups—could explain why live music events are so memorable and meaningful. They also wanted to examine whether specific aspects of the concert experience, such as feeling a personal connection to the artist, being deeply absorbed in the lyrics, or attending with friends, contribute to this effect.
To test these ideas, the researchers conducted four studies with a total of 789 participants, including both university students and members of the general public. The first study asked participants to recall group experiences where they felt a strong sense of connection and meaning. The researchers found that music was a key component of these experiences, suggesting that live music is a natural setting for collective effervescence to occur.
The second study had participants describe a past live music experience and answer questions about how they felt during the event. The researchers measured participants’ feelings of collective effervescence alongside other related emotional states, such as awe, emotional synchrony, and flow (a sense of being fully immersed in an activity). They found that collective effervescence was the strongest predictor of both enjoyment and meaning during the event, even when accounting for these other emotional states.
The third and fourth studies focused on identifying the specific elements of live music events that contribute to collective effervescence and examining how these experiences affect wellbeing over time. Participants were surveyed one week after attending a live music event and reported their levels of happiness and life meaning.
The results showed that collective effervescence experienced at the event was directly linked to greater happiness even a week later. The study also found that people who felt a parasocial bond with the artist (a one-sided emotional connection, like feeling personally invested in a celebrity), deeply immersed themselves in the lyrics, or attended with friends were more likely to experience collective effervescence. These factors contributed to the long-lasting psychological benefits of the event.
One of the study’s most significant findings was that collective effervescence uniquely predicted long-term happiness. While past research has shown that positive experiences can boost mood temporarily, this study suggests that live music can have a deeper, more enduring impact by creating feelings of connection and transcendence. The sense that “something special” is happening during a concert appears to be a key driver of its psychological benefits.
The researchers acknowledge several limitations to their study. Because the data was based on participants’ recollections rather than real-time measurements, memory biases could have influenced the results. Additionally, the study was correlational, meaning it cannot prove that collective effervescence directly causes increased happiness. Future research could use experimental methods, such as manipulating concert conditions, to establish causal links. The researchers also suggest studying other types of group events—such as festivals, protests, or religious ceremonies—to see if they produce similar effects.
Despite these limitations, the findings highlight the unique psychological benefits of live music. The study suggests that people who want to enhance their wellbeing should consider attending live music events, especially those featuring artists they feel connected to or music with lyrics that deeply resonate with them. Bringing friends along and fully immersing in the experience can also heighten the positive effects.
For music lovers, these findings may confirm what they already feel instinctively—there’s something special about being lost in a crowd, singing along to a favorite song, and feeling completely in sync with the energy of a live performance. This research suggests that those moments of shared connection don’t just feel good in the moment—they can leave a lasting imprint on happiness and meaning in life.
The study, “(https://doi.org/10.1177/01461672241288027) Let the Music Play: Live Music Fosters Collective Effervescence and Leads to Lasting Positive Outcomes,” was authored by Nicole Koefler, Esha Naidu, Shira Gabriel, Veronica Schneider, Gabriela S. Pascuzzi, and Elaine Paravati.

(https://www.psypost.org/could-your-oral-bacteria-predict-dementia-risk-scientists-uncover-surprising-brain-health-links/) Could your oral bacteria predict dementia risk? Scientists uncover surprising brain-health links
Mar 16th 2025, 14:00

Could the bacteria in your mouth predict whether you are at risk of dementia? Emerging research suggests that the bacteria living on your tongue and gums may affect how the brain works and how it changes as we age. In turn, this could affect whether someone ages normally or develops dementia.
Scientists are uncovering surprising connections between (https://www.psypost.org/the-oral-brain-axis-new-research-uncovers-surprising-links-between-the-bacteria-in-your-mouth-and-mental-health-symptoms/) the oral microbiome, which is the bustling ecosystem of bacteria in our mouths, and brain health. A (https://academic.oup.com/pnasnexus/article/4/1/pgae543/7960038) new study my colleagues and I conducted suggests that certain bacteria may help memory and thinking skills, while others could be early warning signs of a decline in brain function.
This raises the possibility that diet and treatments that change our oral bacteria could one day play a role in helping to preserve brain health as we age.
For our investigation, we analysed saliva samples from 115 adults over 50 years old. Among these people, 52% had healthy brain function, and the other 48% had early signs of decline in memory and other brain functions.
We examined the bacteria in these samples and showed that people who had large numbers of two groups of bacteria called Neisseria and Haemophilus performed better in brain health tests. In particular, people with these bacteria had better memory, and better ability to pay attention and perform complex tasks.
These people also had higher levels of the ion nitrite in their mouths. Nitrite is made by bacteria when they break down nitrate, which is a natural part of a vegetable-rich diet.
Bacteria can also break down nitrite to produce nitric oxide, which improves circulation, including blood flow to the brain. This suggests that eating lots of nitrate-rich vegetables, such as leafy green spinach and rocket, could boost levels of healthy bacteria and help improve brain health, which might be especially important as people age.
We are now investigating whether nitrate-rich beetroot juice can improve brain function in older adults by hijacking bacteria in the mouth.
On the other hand, a different group of bacteria may be causing more harm than good. Our study found two groups of bacteria that are potentially linked to worse brain health.
One group called Porphyromonas, which is often associated with gum disease, was more common in people with memory problems than people who were healthy.
A second group called Prevotella was linked to low nitrite, which in turn could mean poorer brain health. Prevotella was also more common in people who carry the gene APOE4, which is associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer’s.
These findings suggest that some bacteria might play a detrimental role in changes in brain health as people age. It also raises the question of whether routine tests to measure levels of these bacteria could be used to detect very early signs of declining brain health as part of dental checkups in the future.
Profound implications
The implications of this research are profound. If certain bacteria support brain health while others contribute to decline, then treatments to change the balance of bacteria in the mouth could be part of a solution to prevent dementia.
Encouraging the growth of nitrite-producing bacteria like Neisseria, while reducing Prevotella and Porphyromonas, could help maintain brain function as we age. This could be achieved through dietary changes, probiotics, oral hygiene routines, or even targeted treatments that reshape the microbiome.
While we’re still in the early stages of understanding the intricate links between the mouth bacteria and the brain, our findings provide a strong rationale for further research.
If future studies confirm that the oral microbiome plays a role in maintaining a healthy brain, then by paying closer attention to the bacteria in our mouths we may unlock new possibilities for detecting and potentially delaying dementia.
In the meantime, the best advice is to keep your teeth clean, see the dentist regularly and eat food with lots of nitrate, like leafy green vegetables, to keep feeding the good bacteria in your mouth.
 
This article is republished from (https://theconversation.com) The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the (https://theconversation.com/bacteria-in-your-mouth-may-hold-clues-to-your-brain-health-and-dementia-risk-new-study-248625) original article.

(https://www.psypost.org/spiritual-intimacy-linked-to-higher-relationship-satisfaction-and-commitment-in-dating-couples/) Spiritual intimacy linked to higher relationship satisfaction and commitment in dating couples
Mar 16th 2025, 12:00

Romantic relationships often involve sharing personal thoughts, fears, and dreams, but what about spiritual beliefs? New research published in Psychology of Religion and Spirituality suggests that couples who engage in open and supportive discussions about their spiritual or religious experiences tend to report greater relationship satisfaction and commitment. These conversations may create a unique bond that goes beyond emotional intimacy alone.
The researchers conducted this study to address a gap in social science research regarding how religious and spiritual factors influence dating relationships. While prior studies have examined individual religiosity—such as the frequency of attending religious services or the general importance of religion—findings have been inconsistent.
Some studies suggest that greater individual religiosity enhances relationship satisfaction, while others find no effect or even report associations with behaviors such as emotional or sexual intimacy outside a committed partnership. Given these mixed findings, the researchers sought to examine a more specific relational dynamic: whether sharing spiritual experiences and listening supportively, rather than simply identifying as religious, plays a meaningful role in relationship quality.
To investigate this question, the researchers recruited 207 students from a university in the midwestern United States who were in dating relationships. The average length of these relationships was about 19 months. Most participants were female (83%), White (85%), and heterosexual (80%). Just over half identified as theists, while the rest were atheists, agnostics, or held other beliefs.
Participants completed surveys designed to measure several key aspects of their romantic relationships. To assess spiritual intimacy, they responded to questions about how often they and their partner shared spiritual or religious experiences, doubts, or struggles and how supportive and understanding their partner was in these conversations.
Emotional intimacy was measured separately to determine how comfortable participants felt being vulnerable with their partner in a broader sense. This included sharing personal thoughts, emotions, and insecurities, as well as their perception of how warmly and supportively their partner responded. This allowed researchers to examine whether spiritual intimacy provided unique benefits beyond general emotional closeness.
To gauge relationship satisfaction, participants completed a standardized questionnaire that asked about their overall happiness in the relationship, how well their partner met their needs, and whether they felt their relationship was fulfilling. Commitment was also assessed using a scale that measured how dedicated participants felt to their current relationship and their desire to maintain it over time. Higher scores indicated a stronger sense of investment in the partnership and a lower likelihood of considering alternatives.
In addition to these measures, the researchers gathered demographic and background information, including religious attendance, whether participants and their partners shared similar religious views, the length of their relationship, whether they lived together, and their age, sex, and ethnicity.
The findings revealed that greater spiritual intimacy was associated with higher levels of emotional intimacy, relationship satisfaction, and commitment. These associations remained significant even after accounting for religious attendance, whether partners shared religious beliefs, and other background factors.
When the researchers further analyzed the data to determine whether emotional intimacy alone could explain the benefits of spiritual intimacy, they found that spiritual intimacy still had unique effects on relationship satisfaction and commitment. This suggests that being able to openly share and discuss religious or spiritual experiences with a romantic partner fosters a deeper connection that goes beyond general emotional closeness.
One possible explanation for these findings is that spiritual discussions often involve deeply personal beliefs about purpose, existence, and morality, which can create a profound sense of vulnerability and trust between partners. The ability to share these experiences without fear of judgment may help individuals feel that they have found a uniquely supportive and understanding partner. Prior research on married couples has found that spiritual intimacy is associated with better communication and long-term relationship satisfaction, and this study suggests that similar benefits extend to dating relationships as well.
Despite these insights, the study has some limitations. The sample was largely composed of young, college-aged participants from a relatively homogenous demographic background, which may limit how well the findings apply to a broader population.
Another limitation is the cross-sectional and correlational nature of the study, meaning that while spiritual intimacy was linked to greater relationship satisfaction and commitment, it is unclear whether spiritual intimacy directly causes these improvements or if more satisfied couples are simply more likely to engage in spiritual sharing. Future research could explore spiritual intimacy in more diverse populations, employ longitudinal designs to assess changes over time, and investigate how it affects long-term relationship outcomes.
The study, “Spiritual Intimacy and the Quality of Dating Relationships,” was authored by Daniel D. Flint and Annette Mahoney.

Forwarded by:
Michael Reeder LCPC
Baltimore, MD

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