Psychology

A growing body of research shows that many women’s substance use starts quietly and may seem “normal” at first. A glass of wine after work, a sleep aid for restless nights, or prescription painkillers after surgery can mask early dependence. In Thailand, these subtle beginnings and the stigma around women’s addiction raise urgent questions for families, health professionals, and policymakers. New evidence also notes that young women are increasingly binge drinking in some countries, a trend that merits local attention.

A small comment, a critique from a family member, or feeling left out at work can linger and feel disproportionately painful. New research summarized in recent discussions shows that everyday slights reflect deeper biological, psychological, and social roots. For Thais, this topic has direct relevance as fast-changing, highly connected social environments shape daily interactions.

Thai culture often values harmony and avoids direct confrontation, so hurt feelings can linger when experiences go unspoken. Understanding why criticism or exclusion hits hard helps explain personal suffering and misunderstandings at work, home, and among friends.

A groundbreaking new study published in the Archives of Sexual Behavior has revealed that couples experience synchronized surges of the hormone oxytocin—often called the “love hormone”—in the 40 minutes following sexual activity. This discovery, which relied on data from couples engaging in sex in the privacy of their own homes, offers fresh scientific insight into how intimacy biologically strengthens bonds within romantic relationships, and raises intriguing possibilities for understanding relationship satisfaction in modern Thai society.

New research published in the Archives of Sexual Behavior reveals that couples experience synchronized rises in oxytocin, the love hormone, in the 40 minutes after sex. The study was conducted with couples in their own homes, offering a fresh look at how intimacy biologically strengthens bonds in romantic relationships. For Thai audiences, the findings resonate with ongoing conversations about relationship well-being in health education and public discourse.

Oxytocin is produced in the hypothalamus and released by the pituitary gland. It is linked to emotional closeness, trust, and social bonding. Unlike earlier laboratory studies, this research captured hormonal shifts in private, real-world settings. Couples performed intimate activity in familiar environments, while saliva samples were collected at four time points: before sex, immediately after, 20 minutes later, and 40 minutes later. The sample included 49 mixed-sex couples in monogamous relationships, ages 18 to 31, with diverse backgrounds, primarily recruited from the United States. Results showed that overall oxytocin did not spike dramatically, but patterns differed by gender and became synchronized between partners at 20 and 40 minutes after sex.

New global research highlights how spending time near water—known as “blue spaces”—could have surprising benefits for both physical and mental health, sparking renewed interest among public health experts and wellness advocates in Thailand. Inspired by the latest scientific reports, experts are now encouraging Thais to explore nearby aquatic environments as a practical and culturally resonant path to boosting everyday wellness.

The concept of “blue health”—the idea that lakes, rivers, seas, and other water bodies offer unique psychological and physical advantages—has gained significant traction. Recent studies cited in international publications including a July 2025 Washington Post investigation reveal that exposure to aquatic scenery does more than provide a picturesque escape: it measurably improves mood, supports social relationships, and even reduces pain and stress.

Water has long defined Thai life, from bustling canals to serene coastlines. Now, public health specialists advocate blue spaces as a practical daily path to better well-being for everyone.

Blue health highlights the psychological and physical benefits of lakes, rivers, seas, and other water bodies. New international research shows that simply being near water can lift mood, strengthen social bonds, and reduce pain and stress. In Thailand, where coastal retreats and urban waterways are woven into daily life, the concept resonates with local values around community and balance.

A new wave of addiction research reveals an unsettling reality: for many women, substance use does not fit the sensationalized, chaotic image so often portrayed in media. Instead, it often begins quietly and appears “normal”—a glass of wine after a long day, a sleep aid to combat restless nights, or prescription painkillers following surgery or childbirth. In today’s Thailand, these subtle beginnings and the invisibility of early-stage addiction among women are prompting urgent questions for families, health professionals, and policymakers, especially as new evidence suggests young women are now outpacing men in binge drinking in several countries worldwide (Psychology Today).

A casual comment from a colleague, a family member’s criticism, or feeling excluded from a group decision can stick in our minds and cause outsized emotional pain. New research and expert discussion, highlighted in a recent article on Vox, reveal that for many people these daily social slights are not simply oversensitivity, but stem from deeper biological, psychological, and social roots. This new understanding offers practical strategies to help those who find themselves chronically hurt by the words and actions of others—a topic with relevance for Thais living in increasingly interconnected yet stressful social environments.

A new wave of psychological research has shed light on the intricate social effects of displaying happiness, suggesting that while expressing genuine joy often leads to social rewards, forcing oneself to appear happy under pressure may sometimes trigger the opposite effect. These findings hold particular resonance for Thai society, where social harmony and emotional expression are deeply intertwined with cultural norms.

The latest review, published on July 28, 2025, in The Conversation by researchers specializing in well-being and emotional sociology, highlights that happiness serves several key social functions, aiding not only in personal health and success but also in fostering stronger social bonds and positively shaping others’ perceptions. Yet, the study warns against pushing people to display happiness, especially when it is not truly felt, due to the potential psychological harm and social exclusion this pressure can cause (theconversation.com).

Loneliness is emerging as a major yet often unspoken mental health issue worldwide, with new research highlighting subtle warning signs that may escape notice—even in the midst of active social lives. According to a leading clinical psychologist whose work was recently shared in the Times of India, four “hidden” symptoms—doomscrolling, superficial social exchanges, persistent overthinking of interactions, and a sense of not belonging—require immediate attention to prevent further harm to mental well-being. As these findings gain traction, Thai mental health experts urge the public to recognize and address loneliness before it quietly undermines physical and psychological health.

Loneliness is rising worldwide, even among people who look socially busy. A senior clinical psychologist identifies four hidden signs: doomscrolling, shallow exchanges, overthinking social moments, and a persistent sense of not belonging. Thai mental health professionals urge awareness of these cues to protect both mental and physical health.

In Thai society, strong family ties and community activities are highly valued, which can mask loneliness. Yet experts say anyone can feel isolated, including those who appear socially active. “People scroll endlessly on social media to feel connected, but real in-person meetings often vanish for long periods,” notes a leading psychologist. This pattern, known as doomscrolling, substitutes digital distraction for genuine connection and can deepen a sense of emptiness. Research from reputable institutions highlights this as a real risk in modern life.

A groundbreaking study from Denmark, recently published in The Lancet Psychiatry, offers new understanding of family patterns in mental health disorders. The research confirms that relatives of individuals with mental illness face a higher risk themselves—yet, surprisingly, most cases still occur among people with no prior family history. This finding is poised to reshape mental health awareness and prevention strategies not just globally but also in Thailand, where mental health remains a growing public health priority.

Many Thais have pondered the question: “Am I just too sensitive?” after a seemingly minor remark leaves a lasting hurt. Recent psychological research reveals that heightened emotional sensitivity is both more common and complex than previously thought, with roots in biology, life experiences, and cultural dynamics—and it is not simply a matter of “overreacting” or lacking toughness, as Thai conventional wisdom sometimes suggests.

Highly sensitive individuals tend to dwell on minor social slights—a friend’s offhand joke, a family member’s sharp comment, or being overlooked in a conversation—well beyond what others might consider reasonable. According to a leading US-based professor emeritus in psychology and neuroscience, these moments sting deeply because they signal diminished relational value: “It conveys that I don’t have a whole lot of relational value to you,” this expert explained in a recent interview. “You don’t value your connection with me, because if you did, you’d treat me better than this.” Some people, according to this researcher, simply feel these upsets more keenly than others, lacking the ability to emotionally brush them off easily.

A wave of psychological research explores how visible happiness shapes social life, and it has clear implications for Thailand. Genuine joy strengthens health and social bonds, but the pressure to look happy can backfire, causing stress and alienation for those who don’t feel cheerful at all times.

The review, published July 28, 2025, discusses how happiness operates in society. It shows that authentic happiness fosters personal well-being and cooperation, while coercing cheerful displays may harm individuals. In Thai workplaces and communities, smiling and sociable behavior are common social lubricants, yet the demand to appear happy can create stress for people who are not feeling cheerful.

A growing body of research shows that emotional sensitivity is common and multifaceted. It stems from biology, life experiences, and cultural dynamics—and it is not simply “overreacting.” This belief persists in Thai families and workplaces, but experts say sensitivity is a normal variation in human temperament.

Highly sensitive people tend to linger on small social slights—like a friend’s offhand joke or a sharp remark. In interviews, a prominent psychology and neuroscience scholar explains that these moments sting because they signal lower relational value: “It conveys that I don’t have a whole lot of relational value to you.” Some individuals feel emotions more intensely and may struggle to brush them off.

A major Danish study published in The Lancet Psychiatry reveals how mental disorders cluster in families, while also showing that most cases occur without a known family history. The findings carry important implications for mental health awareness and prevention in Thailand, where well-being has become a national priority.

Mental disorders such as depression, anxiety, addiction, schizophrenia, and personality disorders affect millions worldwide and are increasingly part of Thailand’s public health dialogue. Led by researchers at Aarhus University’s National Centre for Register-Based Research, the study is among the largest of its kind. Over fifty years, scientists tracked more than 3 million people, linking registry data to map patterns within families. This extensive approach yields robust statistics that can inform policy and practice in Thailand and beyond.

A growing body of research suggests that when children tackle simple, imperfect chores, they gain more than a tidy home. Guided participation—where adults support rather than take over—builds independence, responsibility, and a sense of belonging.

Thai families have long valued children’s contributions at home, but patterns are shifting with urban living and changing family structures. An Atlantic feature notes that in pursuit of efficiency, some parents unintentionally curb kids’ willingness to help. This resonates in Thai urban households where smaller families and busier schedules shape daily chores.

A fresh relationship concept resonates with Thai readers: dry begging. Highlighted in a recent HuffPost feature, it describes hinting at needs rather than asking directly. Therapists say this subtle form of emotional signaling can shape personal and family dynamics in Thailand as well.

Thai culture prizes politeness, indirect speech, and kreng jai—the reluctance to impose or press for needs. While these traits foster harmony, they can also lead to indirect requests that complicate clear communication in love, families, and the workplace.

A new wave of relationship discourse has emerged from the United States, highlighting a term that may feel strikingly familiar to many Thais: “dry begging.” As recently spotlighted in a HuffPost feature, this behavior involves indirectly hinting or passively stating needs—instead of asking directly—and is now being recognized by therapists as a subtle but potent form of emotional manipulation (HuffPost). While “dry begging” is not an official psychiatric diagnosis, experts say it is a widespread pattern that can shape personal and family dynamics, including here in Thailand.

A growing body of research and practical insights suggests that the small messes young children make while helping with chores may be far more valuable than a perfectly clean home. While many parents hope to encourage independence and responsibility by assigning tasks, the way chores are handled—and whether children are truly allowed to help—could make all the difference in children’s development and even lifelong attitudes.

For generations, Thai parents have expected children to help out at home, yet the specifics of those contributions and the expectations around them are changing. According to a recent article in The Atlantic, many parents, in their drive for efficiency and order, unintentionally discourage their children’s willingness to contribute. This is not merely a Western phenomenon; it echoes commonly observed patterns in urban Thai households, especially as lifestyles change and traditional extended family structures give way to smaller nuclear families.

A strange new collectible has taken Thailand—and the global internet—by storm. Over the past few months, wild-eyed, snaggle-toothed little creatures known as Labubu have appeared dangling from backpacks, crowding keychains, and starring in viral YouTube unboxing videos. To many, their sudden popularity seemed to come from nowhere. The fever hit new heights after a famous K-pop star was spotted carrying a Labubu, instantly launching them into the imaginations and wishlists of a generation. Now, they’re the must-have item for young Thais and adults alike, with some rare versions fetching eye-watering prices in local and international collectible markets.

A new toxic dating phenomenon known as “ghostlighting” is gaining attention worldwide, and its ripple effects are beginning to impact Thai singles navigating the modern dating landscape. Combining the emotional wounds of ghosting with the mental manipulation of gaslighting, ghostlighting represents a deeply harmful evolution in digital-age relationships. Experts and advocates warn that understanding this emerging behaviour is essential for those seeking emotional safety and healthy connections in Thailand’s ever-growing online dating scene (Times of India).

A quirky trend is sweeping Thailand and the global internet: Labubu, round-eyed figurines that appear on backpacks, keychains, and in unboxing videos. The craze surged after a K-pop star was seen with a Labubu, turning the toy into a must-have for fans and collectors. Rare versions now command high prices in local and regional markets.

Experts say the Labubu boom is more than a passing fad. A recent analysis points to two driving forces: nostalgia and the thrill of blind-box purchases. Nostalgia taps into memories of oddball toys from childhood, while blind boxes create suspense that can become addictive, especially among younger consumers.

Why do some 40-year-olds appear to have defied the passage of time, drawing surprised looks and comments that they look a decade younger? Recent research and a wave of wellness trends suggest the answer may lie in the everyday lifestyle choices of millennials. A July 2025 feature by VegOut Magazine has brought attention to ten daily habits practiced by millennials that are now being recognized for their power to slow biological aging and boost health—even well into middle age. As the Thai population grapples with a rapidly aging society and chronic disease on the rise, these insights present actionable strategies applicable across generations.