Receive the daily Popular Science newsletter💡 Breakthroughs, discoveries and DIY tips delivered six days a week. By registering, you confirm that you are over 16 years of age, will receive newsletters and promotional content, agree to our Terms of Use, and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe at any time.
docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), An omega-3 fatty acid found in abundance in fatty fish such as mackerel and sardines is believed to improve cognitive function by promoting connections between brain cells. However, it has never been conclusively shown that DHA taken as a dietary supplement actually reaches the brain or provides measurable anti-dementia benefits. In this
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
Nature, Published online: 20 May 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-01327-9 In mice, motherhood induces transcriptional changes in the brain that endure beyond short-term hormonal shifts. Postpartum stress disrupts these patterns.