Nostalgic foods and scents like fresh-cut grass and hamburgers grilling bring comfort, connection and well-being

Once thought to be an unhealthy experience, researchers now know that feelings of nostalgia can promote greater social connectedness and a deeper sense of meaning and purpose.

Chelsea Reid, Associate Professor of Psychology, College of Charleston • conversation
June 17, 2025 • ~9 min

Living on Mars: are there lessons from prisons?

From confinement to food, lessons learned behind bars could be key to surviving on the red planet.

Lucy Berthoud, Professor of Space Systems Engineering, University of Bristol • conversation
June 13, 2025 • ~8 min

Living on Mars: are there lessons from the terrible conditions of prisons?

From confinement to food, lessons learned behind bars could be key to surviving on the red planet.

Lucy Berthoud, Professor of Space Systems Engineering, University of Bristol • conversation
June 13, 2025 • ~8 min

Chronic stress contributes to cognitive decline and dementia risk – 2 healthy-aging experts explain what you can do about it

Even small lifestyle changes – such as more social interaction and a better diet – can help reduce stress.

Martin J. Sliwinski, Professor of Human Development and Family Studies, Penn State • conversation
May 28, 2025 • ~10 min

Making eye contact and small talk with strangers is more than just being polite − the social benefits of psychological generosity

A social psychologist recommends ways to connect with others as you move through public spaces – with benefits for your own well-being as well as for the social fabric of your community.

Linda R. Tropp, Professor of Social Psychology, UMass Amherst • conversation
May 21, 2025 • ~9 min

Forget chatbots: research suggests reading can help combat loneliness and boost the brain

People who read report a deeper understanding of others’ experiences and beliefs.

Christelle Langley, Postdoctoral Research Associate, Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Cambridge • conversation
May 14, 2025 • ~7 min

Being alone has its benefits − a psychologist flips the script on the ‘loneliness epidemic’

Americans are spending more of their time alone. Contrary to national fears of a loneliness crisis, many of them find solitude essential for their well-being.

Virginia Thomas, Assistant Professor of Psychology, Middlebury • conversation
April 4, 2025 • ~9 min

Teenagers turning to AI companions are redefining love as easy, unconditional and always there

Young people have led makeovers of the concept of love before. But relationships with AI chatbots leave out the compromises and effort of real relationships.

Anna Mae Duane, Professor of English, University of Connecticut • conversation
Feb. 12, 2025 • ~9 min

Loneliness and social isolation are linked to specific proteins – new research

People who feel lonely tend to have higher levels of five key proteins.

Jianfeng Feng, Professor of Science and Technology for Brain-Inspired Intelligence/ Computer Science, Fudan University • conversation
Jan. 6, 2025 • ~6 min

Sex machina: inside the wild west world of human-AI relationships, where the lonely and vulnerable are most at risk

A growing number of people (mostly men) find AI relationship apps addictive and alluring. So what are the likely effects of this technology on us as human beings?

James Muldoon, Associate Professor in Management, University of Essex • conversation
Oct. 9, 2024 • ~33 min

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