A study from England involving more than 6,000 young people found that those who performed well academically were more likely to drink and smoke cannabis but less likely to smoke cigarettes than study subjects who did not perform as well. The caveat: These behaviors continue into later life and pose health concerns. The longitudinal study […]

It’s no secret that gay teens often receive a disproportionate amount of abuse and discrimination, sometimes in the form of bullying, harassment and even violence. The stress and trauma that many LGBT teens face can have devastating effects on their mental and physical health, sometimes leading to behavioral health disorders that can linger long after […]

For many years, people have fought to have advertisements for beer and hard liquor removed from anywhere children are likely to congregate – schools, playgrounds, libraries and residential neighborhoods. Since marijuana has become legal for recreational use in certain areas, that fight has now come to include banning the advertising of marijuana use on billboards […]

“When spider webs unite they can tie up a lion.” – Ethiopian Proverb “We now know that there is not one autism but many types, caused by different combinations of genetic and environmental influences,” according to Autism Speaks. When the network of autism disorders is overlapped by the multifaceted entanglements that trap many individuals in […]

Working memory is the ability to concentrate on a task without simple distractions. Individuals with poor working memories often have trouble with impulse control. Researchers at the University of Oregon recently discovered that a combination of poor working memory and lack of impulse control in adolescents can put them at the risk for developing addictions […]

The teen years usually tend to be tumultuous for various reasons, including biological and social ones. Issues like new friends, new schools and the eternal struggle to fit in can contribute to teen moodiness. However, it is important to remember teen moodiness isn’t always what it looks like. In such a situation, there is a […]

  The structure of the brain gives an insight into why people behave in a particular manner. In fact, personality may also be linked to the shape of the brain. The neural correlates of the five-factor model (also referred to as the “Big Five”) personality traits were analyzed in a recent study, published in the […]

Social media platforms provide users with a mixture of anonymity and fame, where they can have their voices heard throughout the world and yet avoid any repercussions for their words and deeds online. This type of power has caused many social media platforms to become havens for abuse and harassment. One social media platform, Twitter, […]

  Bipolar disorder is a serious brain illness characterized by mood swings. Approximately 50 percent people with bipolar disorder attempt suicide during their lifetime and as many as 20 percent may die by suicide. A recent study on adolescents and teens with bipolar disorder showed that there are distinct differences in the brains of those […]

Instagram photos may reveal much more about you than your social life. In fact, the photos posted on Instagram may provide useful clues that could help in detecting whether or not a person has a mental illness, even earlier than he or she is diagnosed, according to a new study. The use of technology and […]