Current reporting, research and professional developments across Family & Relationships, curated for psychologists and behavioral-health professionals.
A newly identified enzyme called IDOL could become a major new target in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers found that removing it from neurons sharply reduced amyloid plaques and improved key brain…
May is International Masturbation Month, so let’s talk about the science of self-pleasure. You can read our blog from 2022 to learn about the history of Masturbation May, and you can check out our blog from last year to…
In many homes, this pattern unfolds so quietly it feels almost instinctive. A son turns to his mother for comfort, a daughter ...
Eating eggs might do more than just start your day—it could help protect your brain. Researchers found that people 65 and older who eat eggs regularly have a significantly lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease…
To understand sexuality, you have to understand culture. And to understand culture, it really helps to experience it firsthand. We are excited to announce new course opportunities for our study abroad program with Sexual…
A new study suggests a surprisingly simple compound could help fight Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers found that arginine—an inexpensive amino acid already considered safe—can reduce the buildup of toxic amyloid proteins…
Drugs designed to clear amyloid beta from the brain—once seen as a promising path to slowing Alzheimer’s—may not actually help patients in any meaningful way, according to a major review of over 20,000 participants. Even…
Scientists have discovered a way to help the brain clean itself of harmful Alzheimer’s plaques by activating its own support cells. By increasing a protein called Sox9, researchers were able to boost the activity of…
Imagine being 10 years old and telling your parents: "I want a $1,000 gadget, plus $40 every month to keep it. It'll let me chat ...
Researchers have identified a new potential weapon against Alzheimer’s: blocking a protein called PTP1B. In mice, this approach boosted memory and helped brain immune cells clear harmful plaque buildup. Since PTP1B is…
When it comes to contraception, the burden almost always falls on women to prevent pregnancy. While women have various options for birth control (including the pill, the patch, IUDs, hormone shots, and tubal ligation)…
Deep within the brain, scientists have uncovered a hidden “switch” that may decide whether pain fades away—or lingers for months or even years. Researchers found that a small, little-known region called the caudal…
Most people will struggle occasionally when it comes to identifying their feelings or communicating them effectively to others. That’s a normal experience. However, some people have a chronic, disrupted sense of their…
The longest human connection that most of us will experience won’t be with a spouse or a childhood pal – it will be the one ...
It may feel easy and familiar, but that doesn’t always mean it’s love. Here are three signs your relationship is running on ...
This year at the SPSP Sexuality Pre-Conference, a project that stood out to me was Dr. Mallory Hanfling’s project on “fireflies,” or people who learn about their gender and/or sexuality later in life. Her work struck me…
Alzheimer’s isn’t just one problem—it’s a tangled mix of biology, aging, and overall health. That’s why drugs targeting a single factor have fallen short, even as new treatments show modest benefits. Scientists are now…
April 20th is popularly known as 4/20 Day. It’s an unofficial holiday celebrating all things cannabis. This is going to be a hot topic of conversation this month, so let’s take a look at how cannabis affects our sex…
Scientists at Oregon State University have captured something researchers have long struggled to see: the real-time chemical interactions that help drive Alzheimer’s disease. By watching how metal ions—especially…
My name is Amy and I have been counseling individuals, couples, families, and groups for over 10 years. I use a client-centered ...
Experts weigh in on why some people have an inexplicable barrier to responding – and what they can do about it ...
Marriage is one of the biggest commitments in life. While love brings two people together, long-term happiness depends on ...
A surprising new study suggests that genetics may change how diet affects brain health—especially when it comes to Alzheimer’s risk. Researchers found that older adults carrying high-risk APOE gene variants didn’t show…
The Guttmacher Institute does a great job of tracking state laws and policies related to sexual and reproductive health as they evolve and change. Today, we’re going to look into their most recent data on sex and HIV…
Scientists have developed a new gene therapy that quiets pain at its source in the brain—without the addictive risks of opioids. Using AI to map how pain is processed, they created a targeted “off switch” that mimics…
Researchers have identified a crucial ion channel, TMEM175, that acts like an overflow valve in the cell’s recycling system. It regulates acidity inside lysosomes, ensuring they function properly. When TMEM175 is faulty…
People tend to think of sex as something that declines–or even disappears entirely–with age. And while it’s true that the likelihood of experiencing sexual problems increases as people get older, research shows that sex…
Balance problems in aging and Parkinson’s may come from the body working too hard, not too little. Scientists found that the brain and muscles become overactive during even minor disturbances, yet this actually weakens…
Last month, we gathered in Chicago for the thirteenth annual SPSP Sexuality Pre-Conference. This year’s theme, The State of Sex, asked presenters to consider how rapidly changing cultural, technological, and geopolitical…
If you study the history of sex research, you’re likely to see certain names mentioned over and over again, such as Sigmund Freud, Alfred Kinsey, and William Masters. The contributions of these men were undoubtedly…
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