News

A new naturalistic study suggests that people with anxiety who use cannabis may experience stronger emotional responses to stress, but also faster emotional recovery after a calming intervention. The findings, drawn from real-world cannabis use rather than tightly controlled lab conditions, add nuance to the ongoing debate about whether cannabis helps or hinders emotional regulation in anxiety. The research also points to distinct differences between product types: THC-dominant, CBD-dominant, and balanced THC-CBD options appear to have different physiological and mood-related effects, especially in the hours and weeks after use.

A University of Georgia study on childhood exercise patterns is drawing attention for what it implies about lifelong health. The research indicates that kids who develop regular physical activity routines tend to carry healthier habits into adulthood, with potential long-term benefits for weight, heart health, and overall well-being. For Thai families juggling busy schedules—school, work, and family duties—the message is clear: fostering activity early may be one of the most practical investments in long-term health.

A new study using a dynamic measurement approach shows that people who score higher on extraversion react faster, with stronger emotional peaks and more predictable patterns, to positive images than to negative ones. The findings suggest that extraversion is linked not merely to feeling happier on average, but to heightened reward sensitivity that unfolds in real time. The research used a novel method to track how emotions rise and fall moment by moment, providing a more nuanced picture of how personality shapes moment-to-moment experience. The work was conducted by a team led by a psychology professor, who paired a dynamic task with standard personality assessments to examine how extraverts and introverts differ in processing positive versus aversive stimuli.

A growing wave of research suggests vacations that mix learning a new skill with travel offer deeper, longer-lasting relief from stress and a sharper sense of renewal than traditional lazy getaways. These “skillcations”—short trips centered on picking up a new craft, language, sport, or practical ability—are being talked about as the next frontier in restorative travel. For busy Thai families and professionals, the idea resonates on multiple levels: a chance to reset, a chance to learn together, and a chance to bring back tangible, useful memories rather than just photos.

For decades, households across Thailand—especially families juggling budget, flavor, and health—have grappled with a simple question at the dinner table: are sweet potatoes healthier than white potatoes? A recent, accessible look at the two tubers says the answer isn’t as clear-cut as popular culture would have it. Both offer distinct advantages, and when you factor in cooking methods, portion sizes, and overall dietary patterns, each can play a valuable role in a balanced Thai diet.

A growing strand of psychological research suggests that a behavior many people dismiss as rude or inconsiderate might actually reflect high cognitive ability, brisk processing, and confident thinking. In plain terms: stops, interruptions, or blunt remarks that communities often read as a lack of manners could, in some contexts, be markers of a quick, agile mind. This reframing challenges centuries of etiquette wisdom and raises practical questions for schools, workplaces, and families in Thailand, where courtesy and harmony in conversation are deeply valued.

A provocative new study argues that the United States is entering a so‑called “second stage” of religious decline, a phase in which religion loses its personal importance in daily life even as public rituals and affiliations may linger. Framed as part of a broader three-stage model of religious change, the finding suggests that Americans are moving away from making faith a central source of meaning, guidance, and identity in everyday decisions. If borne out by further research, the claim could reshape how policymakers, educators, and health professionals think about the social role of religion in a highly diverse society.

A leading psychologist is making waves with a striking claim: a single personality trait can predict long-term success better than high IQ. In the latest wave of research, scholars emphasize conscientiousness—the quality of being reliable, organized, and persistent—as a stronger predictor of achievement across education, work, and life than raw intelligence. The assertion aligns with a growing body of evidence that non-cognitive skills matter as much as, or more than, traditional measures of intellect when it comes to real-world outcomes. For Thai readers, the news carries practical implications for how we educate children, support workers, and cultivate resilience in a fast-changing economy.

Portland Parish on Jamaica’s northeast coast is being celebrated as the island’s greenest region, a quiet revolution in tourism that prioritizes nature, culture, and small-scale enterprise over mass-market resorting. The National Geographic feature portrays a place where year-round rainfall fosters lush ecosystems, where visitors mingle with locals at low-key beaches, and where your stay can be intimate rather than corporate. Recent tourism data from Jamaica’s tourism authorities show the island drew more than four million visitors in 2024 and is projected to generate about $5 billion in revenue in 2025, underscoring a global appetite for experiential travel that respects place and people. Portland’s appeal rests not on oversized hotels but on pastoral landscapes, tucked-away waterfalls, and wellness retreats that invite rest, reflection, and a slower pace.

Recent studies from global health researchers are reinforcing a practical, household-focused approach to teen screen time: simple, consistent rules at home can make a meaningful difference in how much time adolescents spend on phones and how that time affects mood, sleep, and daily functioning. The latest discussion around these ideas has been propelled by a prominent guide that lays out 10 actionable rules for screens, a framework many families worldwide are starting to adapt. While the science remains nuanced—experts caution that the relationship between screen time and well-being is influenced by content, context, and individual circumstances—the core message is clear: structured limits, clear routines, and active parental involvement can help young people establish healthier tech habits without sacrificing essential learning or social connections. For Thai families juggling busy schedules, this translates into practical steps that fit within local family life, school timetables, and community norms.

A recent study has drawn attention to a familiar habit: scrolling on a phone while sitting on the toilet. The report suggests that using a smartphone in the bathroom is associated with a 46% higher risk of developing hemorrhoids, a finding that has resonated with Thai readers who juggle work, study, and family life in front of screens. The study points to longer time spent seated on the toilet as the key link, rather than an increase in straining, and it stresses that the association remains after accounting for known risk factors such as diet, constipation, and physical activity. For Thailand’s large city and rural populations alike, the message lands in kitchens, office break rooms, and home bathrooms where phones are an everyday companion.

The latest wave of schizophrenia research is tightening the spotlight on a diagnosis that researchers and clinicians say can be devastating not just for individuals but for families and communities. A leading argument circulating in the wake of new studies is blunt and sobering: schizophrenia may be the most disruptive of mental illnesses because it often strikes in late adolescence or early adulthood, at a time when people are poised to reach their full potential. The consequence, many researchers warn, is lifelong impairment for a substantial portion of those affected, along with heavy social and economic costs borne by families and societies. While not every patient experiences the same course, the consensus is clear: early detection and intervention can dramatically change trajectories, reducing disability and improving quality of life.

Thailand is facing an aging wave, and health experts say long, healthy years will come as much from everyday choices as from medical care. A recent piece highlighting seven no-cost longevity habits inspired by Blue Zones has sparked conversations about how Thai households can adopt simple, plant-forward practices at home. The message is clear: these habits cost nothing beyond intention, but they could reshape how families eat, move, and connect around the dinner table.

A growing body of research is reframing strength training as a medical prescription rather than a hobby or simple fitness routine. Across clinics and universities, scientists are documenting how regular resistance training can treat and prevent a range of chronic conditions—from type 2 diabetes and hypertension to osteoporosis and depression. The implication for Thailand is clear: doctors may soon write “SRT” on a patient’s chart the same way they would a course of tablets, with measurable health benefits that extend beyond the gym.

A recent Vox piece arguing that certain modern diet claims, including warnings about seed oils, are not consistently backed by science has sparked a broader reflection on how parents, schools, and communities talk about food. The article frames a larger problem: a growing diet culture that paints some ingredients as inherently dangerous and others as salvation, while real-world meals—especially for children—are more complex, culturally embedded, and shaped by time, money, and access. For Thai families, where meals are often a daily blend of family rituals, street foods, and school lunches, the debate is far from abstract. It arrives at kitchens, canteens, and the temple grounds in ways that feel intimate and urgent.

A growing body of research suggests that as children become teenagers, their friends exert a powerful pull on daily choices, values, and even long-term paths—often more than well-meaning parental guidance. This isn’t a critique of Thai parenting norms, but a reminder that adolescence is a social, identity-building journey in which peers become central. The latest conversations in education and child psychology emphasize that the most effective approach isn’t to ban friends or to rely on constant lectures. Instead, it’s about strengthening the family base, modeling core values in everyday life, and guiding teens to make thoughtful choices while they figure out who they want to become. For Thai families, where family harmony, respect, and community often sit at the center of daily life, these ideas resonate with familiar traditions even as they challenge newer parenting anxieties around autonomy, safety, and social belonging.

In a world where a single health trend can spark a nationwide conversation, World Coconut Day arrives this year with a buffet of new findings that challenge common assumptions about coconuts. The latest research points to some potential benefits of coconut-derived foods, such as hydration from coconut water and the antimicrobial traits of certain coconut components. Yet scientists are quick to temper excitement with caution, emphasizing moderation and context. For Thailand, a nation where coconuts are woven into daily meals, desserts, and traditional remedies, the news resonates on multiple levels—from family kitchens to public health policy.

A quiet revolution is taking shape in the science of cancer prevention. Scientists are increasingly arguing that the most effective way to stop cancers may be to target the immune system itself, intercepting premalignant changes long before a tumor can form. This approach, called immunoprevention or immune interception, shifts the focus from treating mutations in cancer cells to fortifying the body’s own defenses against malignant transformation. If proven safe and scalable, immunoprevention could transform how Thailand, like many countries, confronts one of the nation’s most serious health challenges: cancer.

A growing body of research suggests that eight everyday creative activities can lift mood within minutes, offering a simple, accessible toolkit for people juggling忙 lives in Thailand and beyond. The idea is both appealing and practical: you don’t need a gym pass or a prescription, just a little time, a dash of imagination, and a willingness to try something different. For Thai families balancing work, study, and care duties, these instant mood boosters could provide a readily available, low-cost form of self-care that fits into a busy day.

A sweeping study reveals that between 2010 and 2020, the share of people affiliated with any religion dropped by at least five percentage points in 35 countries. In some cases, the decline was much sharper, with Australia, Chile, and Uruguay each slipping by around 17 points and the United States by about 13 points. The findings point to a broad, ongoing shift in religious life across continents, rather than a sudden collapse in any one place. For Thailand, a country where Buddhist identity sits at the cultural center, the implications are both fresh and provocative: how faith, family routines, education, and public life adapt in the face of a slowly changing global pattern.

A recent wave of health research underscored a simple, compelling message: longevity in women is built from a handful of everyday choices. Based on the lead from Dr. Vonda Wright’s discussion of female longevity, researchers emphasize a multi-pronged approach—physical activity, nutrition, sleep quality, stress management, social connection, mental engagement, and proactive medical care. Taken together, these elements are associated with longer, healthier lives for women, and they offer a practical blueprint for families and communities in Thailand as the population ages.

A wave of new research summarized in recent reviews suggests that oral hydrolyzed collagen can offer modest improvements for skin ageing, including better elasticity, hydration, and a reduction in wrinkle depth after several weeks of use. The debate between marine collagen and plant-based collagen has sharpened as consumers increasingly seek “clean” beauty solutions that promise visible results. The current consensus from the best available evidence is nuanced: marine-derived collagen tends to show higher bioavailability and somewhat stronger skin benefits in many studies, while plant-based options are often marketed as collagen boosters that support the body’s own collagen production rather than delivering actual collagen peptides themselves. For Thai readers, this matters not only for personal health choices but also for the wider national conversation about wellness, ageing, and consumer protection in a fast-growing market for dietary supplements.

A wave of new research is spotlighting a quiet reality: millions of adults around the world may live with autism without ever receiving a formal diagnosis. The emerging picture centers on “camouflaging” or masking autistic traits—strategies used to hide social differences in daily life. While the conversation has often focused on children, these findings have immediate implications for adults, families, workplaces, and health systems in Thailand, where awareness and diagnostic pathways are still evolving.

A fresh spotlight falls on longevity as researchers point to another place where people live extraordinarily long lives, reinforcing the ongoing fascination with “Blue Zones”—regions where people tend to reach older ages at surprisingly high rates. The lead from the latest coverage suggests that lifestyle, community structure, and daily habits play a decisive role in pushing life expectancy beyond usual bounds. For Thai readers, the news arrives at a moment when Thailand is aging rapidly and families, health systems, and communities are grappling with what sustainable, elder-friendly living should look like in cities and villages alike.