The profound effects of psychedelics reshape subjective responses to internal and external sensations and are frequently reported as among the most meaningful experiences in life7. These states can manifest sustained therapeutic benefits, including reductions in depression, anxiety and addiction, alongside an increase in social connectedness and overall well-being3,4,9,10,11,12,13,14. The brain constructs perception and selfhood by
Growing undocumented populations were linked to falling property crime and assaults — but more robberies.Credit: John Moore/Getty Neighbourhoods across the United States that experienced a growth in their undocumented population also saw property-related and violent crime fall, not rise, according to an analysis of 11,500 neighbourhoods in more than 100 cities. In a paper published
How people interpret touch can vary by background, but the areas on the body where people feel ticklish were found to be consistent across cultures.Credit: d3sign/Getty Ticklishness is a distinct, specialized body sensation, and how people experience it seems to be consistent across cultures, two neuroscientists have found. The study, published on 10 August in
Sierra Leone’s John Thomas ‘Jay Tee’ Kamara scores during a penalty shoot-out against Azerbaijan in March 2026.Credit: Aziz Karimov/FIFA via Getty Taking a penalty kick in a World Cup football shoot-out means performing an action under extreme pressure. The binary nature of the outcome, the importance of the shot for the game’s result, the drama
Stress has widespread effects on the brain.Credit: K H Fung/Science Photo Library Acute stress makes it difficult to link memories of past events with fresh information, a study1 suggests. The results help to explain why people struggle to show insight under pressure. The study, published today in Science Advances, combined brain imaging and psychological testing
