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October 31, 2020
by Elizabeth Pratt

an oxytocin

The "Love Hormone" Oxytocin Can Cause Antisocial Behavior

October 31, 2020 08:00 by Elizabeth Pratt  [About the Author]

an oxytocin
The “love hormone” oxytocin can occasionally have anti-social effects depending on where in the brain it is created. Oxytocin, a hormone that can regulate prosocial behaviors like trust, bonding and empathy has also been demonstrated to play a role in anti-social behaviors like envy, anxiety and reduction in cooperation. How the hormone could have such opposing roles has long remained a mystery, but researchers from UC Davis have uncovered how this might happen. [More]

June 17, 2015
by Lee Kehoe, MS, LMHC, NCC

humorgene

New Study Finds Humor Gene, Funny Is Built In

June 17, 2015 07:55 by Lee Kehoe, MS, LMHC, NCC  [About the Author]

humorgene
A new study in the June issue of Emotion found a connection between people with the short version of gene 5-HTTLPR and a more significant sense of humor. The study looked at 336 adults, showing them humorous comics and film clips, and rating the participants intensities of smiles or laughter. Those with the shorter alleles had more intense reactions of laughter or smiles and rated the comics or film clips as funnier than those with the longer alleles of the same gene. In past research, the 5-HTTLPR gene has been linked to regulating serotonin, a neurotransmitter that is thought to be related to mood fluctuations. [More]

March 14, 2015
by Alicia Meade, MA, LCSW

resilance

School Shootings on the Rise. International Unrest. Personal Crisis - How Do You Cope?

March 14, 2015 07:55 by Alicia Meade, MA, LCSW   [About the Author]

resilance
For most of us, meeting with misfortune and struggle is a part of life. In fact, surviving adversity is often viewed as beneficial and necessary. According to one Danish Proverb: “A gem cannot be polished without friction, nor man be perfected without trials.” When a person survives life’s difficulties and demonstrates the ability to withstand all of the stress that goes along with it, he or she is described as “resilient”. The Oxford Dictionary defines resilience as “The ability of a substance or object to spring back into shape.” [More]

December 20, 2014
by Brenda Snyder, LCSW

a holiday survival guide second picture

A Holiday Survival Guide

December 20, 2014 07:55 by Brenda Snyder, LCSW  [About the Author]

a holiday survival guide second picture
Sometimes the very times that are SUPPOSED to make us the happiest evoke exactly the opposite. Anxiety and negative anticipation can virtually ruin your experience before it even gets here. As the leaves burn into their bright reds and golds, the taste of Fall’s fresh apple cider often turns to bitter vinegar in the stomachs of those who turn the calendar page and realize that the dreaded holiday season is soon upon us. [More]