Let’s discuss humanity’s oldest pissing match; that perennial, age-old showdown: science versus religion.

Is it an epic battle where the Big Bang subordinates Genesis, or are they just two awkward neighbors who secretly enjoy borrowing sugar from each other?

A recent study published in Psychology of Religion and Spirituality decided to dive into this intellectual soap opera.

What they found was fascinating, with a side of irony: religious folks often think science and religion play nice together, while hardcore science enthusiasts are convinced they’re sworn enemies.

Let’s break it down, because it’s more complex than a Sunday sermon on quantum physics.

While holiday songs like "I’ll Be Home for Christmas" and "White Christmas" evoke deep yearnings for home, they often leave one critical question unanswered: What about those who have no true home to return to?

For the unattached, the transient, or the emotionally estranged, the holidays may magnify a profound sense of placelessness.

If home is the heart of the holidays, what happens to those who exist without an anchor in the world?

The recent discovery of dopamine and serotonin’s opposing roles in shaping learning and decision-making, revealed by Stanford’s Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute, is a breakthrough that goes beyond neuroscience.

It speaks to the heart of our collective struggles in relationships, families, and even society at large.

Against the backdrop of Cultural Narcissism—a phenomenon marked by excessive self-focus, impulsivity, and instant gratification—this research offers a profound lens to explore how neurobiology influences our relational and societal dynamics.

Grieving the loss of a loved one is one of life’s most profound challenges, often leaving us grappling with complex emotions that can threaten our mental well-being.

However, recent research suggests that connecting with nature and experiencing the emotion of awe can play a transformative role in mitigating the mental health impacts of complicated grief.

This insight connects deeply with notions of transcendence—a sense of being part of something larger than oneself—and aligns with the reflections of Christian mystics who saw nature as a pathway to divine communion.

A study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health delves into these connections, showing how nature’s ability to inspire awe may offer a lifeline for those navigating the labyrinth of loss.

As we reel in the years and our horizon narrows, life offers us an invitation to reconcile its sweetness and its sorrows.

This perspective, often called the bittersweet mindset, is not just poetic; it’s deeply rooted in psychological and physiological research.

Embracing life’s dualities can lead to greater emotional well-being, cognitive flexibility, and even a longer lifespan. Let’s explore what science says about the bittersweet mindset, especially in the context of growing older.

David Whyte writes:

The need for intimacy in a human life and in a human social life is as foundational as our daily hunger and our never-ending thirst, and needs to be met in just the same practical way, every day, just as necessarily and just as frequently: in touch, in conversation, in listening and in seeing, in the back and forth of ideas; intimate exchanges that say I am here and you are here and that by touching our bodies, our minds or our shared work in the world, we make a world together… Intimacy is our evolutionary inheritance, the internal force that has us returning to another and to the world from our insulated aloneness again and again, no matter our difficulties and no matter our wounds.

When you think of strength sports like Olympic weightlifting, powerlifting, CrossFit, and strongman, you might picture hulking dudes shouting "One more rep!" as chalk clouds the air.

But here’s a plot twist: women are increasingly stepping onto the platforms and into the gym racks, smashing stereotypes and redefining what it means to be strong.

A recent study published in Sex Roles dives deep into the world of these powerhouse women, and spoiler alert: it’s a mix of grit, glory, and some occasional side-eye at outdated gender norms.

If you’re familiar with the term “stimming,” you might associate it with autism or other forms of neurodivergence.

However, folks like me with complex PTSD (C-PTSD) may also engage in stimming behaviors as part of their journey to regulate emotions and cope with trauma.

Far from being a “problem,” stimming often serves as an adaptive strategy to navigate the challenges of living with C-PTSD.

So, why do some people with C-PTSD stim?

Let’s explore the science, the behaviors, and how they can be understood as part of a trauma survivor’s path to healing.

Ever wish you could trade places with someone of the opposite sex, even for a day? Turns out, you're not alone.

A new study published in Frontiers in Psychology unpacks the age-old question of what men and women envy in each other. Spoiler alert: it's not just about the grass being greener—it's also about wishing the other side had a few more weeds.

The research, led by Michaela Krakovská and her team at the University of Ostrava, dives deep into envy across the gender divide and even unveils a brand-new flavor of envy: "ablative envy."

Think of it as the reverse Uno card of envy—wishing you didn't have to deal with something the other side doesn’t either.

Ever wonder why that brooding, muscular guy at the gym might suddenly seem less appealing in a dimly lit parking lot?

Turns out, women’s interest in physically strong men isn’t a fixed preference but something that adapts to environmental cues—like whether it’s light or dark.

Strength in men has always been a mixed bag.

On one hand, a broad chest and Herculean biceps signal protection and robust genetics. On the other, strength can hint at aggression, especially in uncertain situations. It’s like buying a sports car—great for speed, but tricky in a snowstorm.

For women, navigating this tradeoff has been crucial throughout evolutionary history.

So when the environment changes—say, when it gets dark—so does the calculus. Let’s jump in!

As a marriage and family therapist, I often see folks and families striving for meaningful, fulfilling lives—but many get stuck.

Why?

They’ve bought into a dangerous myth: that success or happiness comes only through pushing harder, achieving more, or toughing it out alone. This couldn’t be further from the truth.

High standards are essential, yes—but without high support, they can backfire spectacularly, leaving you exhausted, disconnected, and struggling to find joy.

It’s time to rethink how we approach growth, resilience, and success, not just for ourselves but for our relationships.

Anxiety—our good ol’ cultural BFF.

It’s always there when you least need it, like a nosy neighbor who shows up uninvited while you’re mid-mental meltdown.

And who has the time to meticulously box-breathe their way out of panic when life’s chaos is breathing down your neck?

Enter: the “Yoga Pill.”

Yes, friends, neuroscientists have identified a brain circuit that allegedly flips anxiety off faster than your Wi-Fi during a Netflix binge.

Finally, science promises us the chill of yoga without the leggings or sweat. Let’s unpack this revolutionary nonsense—err, breakthrough.