Tag: premium-only

9 Mind-Bending Studies That Suggest Consciousness Isn’t What You Think (P)

Think you’re in total control of your mind? These fascinating studies suggest consciousness is far less reliable than it feels.

Consciousness is often assumed to be the command centre of the mind -- the place where decisions are made and reality is experienced as it truly is.

But a growing body of research suggests something far stranger, and scientists are beginning to question how much control and awareness we actually have.

Even basic features of experience -- inner speech, mental imagery, and the sense of self -- vary dramatically between individuals, hinting that consciousness may be far less uniform, and far less reliable, than it feels.

Here are nine studies that question what consciousness is, when it begins and how much of it we truly experience at all.

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15 Human Behaviours That Spread Like Viruses Between People (P)

How other people unconsciously change your mind, mood and behaviour.

Humans are natural imitators.

Psychologists call it the ‘chameleon effect’: our unconscious tendency to copy the behaviours, emotions and habits of the people around us.

Classic experiments have found that people automatically mimic the gestures and mannerisms of complete strangers they have only just met — from smiling and face-touching to subtle movements like foot waggling.

We do it instinctively, partly to fit in and strengthen social bonds.

But research suggests this tendency goes far deeper than simple mimicry.

The 15 studies below reveal how emotions, behaviours, attitudes and even personality traits can spread from person to person in surprisingly powerful ways — often without anyone realising it is happening.

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10 Psychological Traits That Shape Your Heart Health (P)

The thoughts, feelings and coping styles that could be affecting your heart health.

For decades, heart disease was viewed mainly as a physical problem driven by factors like diet, smoking, cholesterol and lack of exercise.

But research increasingly shows that the mind also plays a major role in cardiovascular health.

Studies have linked emotional states, personality traits and coping styles to heart health.

These 10 studies reveal the traits that protect the heart -- and those that quietly raise cardiovascular risk over time.

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10 Powerful Ways Positivity Can Transform Your Life (P)

Far from being a luxury, cultivating joy, meaning and connection is a powerful route to a better life.

Positive emotions do more than lift your mood -- they can change your life.

Research shows that feeling more positive has powerful, far-reaching effects on mental health, relationships, creativity and brain health.

The more we cultivate these emotions, the more we benefit.

These 10 studies illustrate just how wide-ranging those benefits are to how we think and feel -- and our longevity.

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The Science Of Heartbreak: 9 Insights Into Breakups & Moving On (P)

Who suffers most, how long recovery really takes and what actually helps people move on.

Breakups are often described as one of life’s most painful experiences.

By their 30s, people experience an average of three breakups -- and at least one usually affects them deeply.

Researchers have uncovered who suffers most, how long recovery really takes and what actually helps people move on.

Here are the findings from 9 studies exploring the psychology of breakups and recovery.

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Why We Struggle To Foresee Our Own Decisions — Even After Repeated Experience (P)

Most people believe they can predict what they will do next. The evidence suggests otherwise.

Most people believe they can predict what they will do next. The evidence suggests otherwise.

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11 Ways Vitamin D Shapes Your Brain — From Before Birth To Old Age (P)

From childhood to old age, studies are uncovering surprising links between vitamin D and mental health and cognition.

Vitamin D is best known for supporting bones, but scientists frequently link it to the brain and mental health.

Low levels have been linked to a wide range of psychological problems, from neurodevelopmental disorders to mental illness and cognitive decline.

Yet many people -- especially in northern climates -- do not get enough, particularly between October and March when sunlight is scarce.

Here are 11 studies revealing some of the surprising ways vitamin D may influence the mind and brain across the lifespan.

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Perfectionism: 11 Studies Reveal Its Origins, Costs & How To Cope (P)

The drive to be perfect is rising. So is the damage it causes. Find out what research says — and how to break free.

Perfectionism involves being highly self-critical, constantly striving to meet the standards set by others — typically parents or mentors — and doubting whether one's own efforts are ever good enough.

Unfortunately, striving to appear flawless and achieve perfection in everything can damage both mental and physical health.

Despite having higher IQs, perfectionists can suffer psychologically and physically because they are under continuous stress.

These 11 studies explore how the relentless pursuit of impossible standards often masks deep-seated anxieties -- and how perfectionists can cope with them.

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16 Ways Sleep Deprivation Affects Your Mind (P)

From planning to eating and connecting with others, sleep deprivation affects far more than most people realise.

In January 1964, American teenager Randy Gardner set what was then the record for the longest scientifically documented period of intentional sleep deprivation.

Without the aid of stimulants, he managed to stay awake for 264.4 hours, or 11 days and 24 minutes.

Part of his motivation was to show that the symptoms of sleep deprivation were not as severe as people thought.

He was wrong: he experienced paranoia, hallucinations, mood swings and a range of psychological problems, many of which are described below.

But he didn’t notice many of these problems himself -- which is part of how sleep deprivation catches people out.

Here are 16 of the most striking ways a lack of sleep affects the mind and brain.

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24 Proven Techniques To Be More Creative (P)

Creativity is not just talent, it is also technique. Here are 24 ways to boost innovation.

Creativity can feel like magic: ideas may come at the edge of sleep, while in the shower or when we least expect.

Sometimes they spring up after we stop trying, other times they hide behind a sarcastic remark or a second guess.

But, psychologists have found we can help along these seemingly random or natural processes in a number of ways.

Comprehensively updated in May 2026, here are 24 techniques for increasing creativity: both the generation and selection of innovative ideas.

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