The Biology of Human Nature

Philosophy

Does "Madness" Belong in Philosophy?

Justin Garson Ph.D. on September 16, 2024

What if experiences of “madness” actually advance the pursuit of truth and knowledge?

What if experiences of “madness” actually advance the pursuit of truth and knowledge?

Psychedelics

Can Psychedelics Get Us "Unstuck” From Trauma?

Justin Garson Ph.D. on August 20, 2024

One woman's journey of healing from OCD.

One woman's journey of healing from OCD.

Psychiatry

Rachel Aviv’s Search for the Meaning of Mental Illness

Justin Garson Ph.D. on May 20, 2024

Aviv's book, "Strangers to Ourselves," explores how psychiatry doesn’t just offer us diagnoses, but identities. But at what cost?

Aviv's book, "Strangers to Ourselves," explores how psychiatry doesn’t just offer us diagnoses, but identities. But at what cost?

Mental Health Stigma

How Medical Psychiatry May Worsen Mental-Health Stigma

Justin Garson Ph.D. on April 25, 2024

Seeing mental illness as due to “faulty genes” can further harm suffering people.

Seeing mental illness as due to “faulty genes” can further harm suffering people.

Fear

Paranoid? You’re Not Alone

Justin Garson Ph.D. on March 25, 2024

An interview with the founder of the National Paranoia Network, Peter Bullimore, about finding support for paranoid beliefs.

An interview with the founder of the National Paranoia Network, Peter Bullimore, about finding support for paranoid beliefs.

Memory

How Dyslexia Can Be an Advantage, Not a Drawback

Justin Garson Ph.D. on January 30, 2024

A new book shows that dyslexia is a unique cognitive style with its own strengths.

A new book shows that dyslexia is a unique cognitive style with its own strengths.

Cognition

The Art of Thinking Well

Justin Garson Ph.D. on December 8, 2023

A towering philosopher and cognitive scientist reflects back on an iconoclastic career and shares some of his best thinking tools.

A towering philosopher and cognitive scientist reflects back on an iconoclastic career and shares some of his best thinking tools.

Identity

Do Each of Us Contain Multiples?

Justin Garson Ph.D. on November 17, 2023

A philosopher explores the multiplicity of the self.

A philosopher explores the multiplicity of the self.

Depression

A Renaissance Secret for Overcoming Depression

Justin Garson Ph.D. on October 16, 2023

Could a Renaissance masterpiece unlock the deeper meaning of depression?

Could a Renaissance masterpiece unlock the deeper meaning of depression?

Depression

Beyond the Chemical Imbalance Theory of Depression

Justin Garson Ph.D. on October 8, 2023

A psychiatrist’s lonely battle to dismantle a broken system

A psychiatrist’s lonely battle to dismantle a broken system

Psychiatry

Is Capitalism Making Us Sick?

Justin Garson Ph.D. on September 13, 2023

Is unfettered capitalism the root of soaring rates of mental illness in the Western world?

Is unfettered capitalism the root of soaring rates of mental illness in the Western world?

Depression

Seeing Depression as Having a Purpose Could Aid Healing

Justin Garson Ph.D. on June 19, 2023

Framing depression as a purposeful response to a life problem, rather than a pathology, can promote healing.

Framing depression as a purposeful response to a life problem, rather than a pathology, can promote healing.

Family Dynamics

Revisiting a Medical Mystery

Justin Garson Ph.D. on June 13, 2023

A new book explores the Morlok quadruplets, who went from national celebrities to schizophrenia sufferers. How should we think about the role of family dynamics in schizophrenia?

A new book explores the Morlok quadruplets, who went from national celebrities to schizophrenia sufferers. How should we think about the role of family dynamics in schizophrenia?

Depression

How the "Chemical Imbalance" Metaphor Harms Patients

Justin Garson Ph.D. on June 1, 2023

A group of psychologists examines how the careless use of a metaphor can hinder recovery from depression.

A group of psychologists examines how the careless use of a metaphor can hinder recovery from depression.

Depression

The Insight Paradox

Justin Garson Ph.D. on April 12, 2023

An emerging body of evidence shows that letting go of delusional beliefs can actually make us worse off. But why?

An emerging body of evidence shows that letting go of delusional beliefs can actually make us worse off. But why?

Sex

Is a Person's Sex a Social Construct?

Justin Garson Ph.D. on February 14, 2023

Scientists still don’t entirely agree about what exactly makes a person female or male, or even whether sex is a kind of human invention.

Scientists still don’t entirely agree about what exactly makes a person female or male, or even whether sex is a kind of human invention.

Bipolar Disorder

Hearing Voices? You’re Not the Only One

Justin Garson Ph.D. on January 11, 2023

A recent scientific review shows that voice-hearing is a relatively common, and often positive, experience.

A recent scientific review shows that voice-hearing is a relatively common, and often positive, experience.

Depression

Why Is Stigma Toward Schizophrenia Getting Worse?

Justin Garson Ph.D. on December 12, 2022

A massive, three-decade-long study shows that stigma toward schizophrenia is increasing, not decreasing. How can we turn it around?

A massive, three-decade-long study shows that stigma toward schizophrenia is increasing, not decreasing. How can we turn it around?

ADHD

Did ADHD Evolve to Help Us?

Justin Garson Ph.D. on November 22, 2022

Evidence mounts that ADHD isn’t a brain deficit, but an evolved cognitive style with its own strengths.

Evidence mounts that ADHD isn’t a brain deficit, but an evolved cognitive style with its own strengths.

Psychiatry

The Debate Over Psychiatric Diagnosis

Justin Garson Ph.D. on October 17, 2022

A small but vocal group of mental health professionals and service users promotes alternatives to psychiatric diagnosis. It's time to hear them out.

A small but vocal group of mental health professionals and service users promotes alternatives to psychiatric diagnosis. It's time to hear them out.