News

A landmark study published in Science reveals how the brain sustains emotional states, offering fresh insight into why some feelings endure while others fade. Led by a team at Stanford Medicine, the research suggests a specific phase of neural activity that keeps emotions active. The findings hold promise for improving mental health diagnoses and treatments in Thailand and beyond.

Emotions drive daily life in Thailand, influencing everything from traffic dynamics in Bangkok to family decisions. When emotions linger or flare unexpectedly, distress and dysfunction can follow, a challenge familiar to Thai clinicians and the public alike. The study maps how the brain responds to negative sensory experiences in humans and mice, uncovering conserved patterns that span millions of years of evolution. This helps explain how emotional states become sticky.

In a world where stress levels soar, a soothing solution has struck a chord not in pharmacies, but on music streaming platforms—one capable of tranquilizing anxious minds in only eight minutes. According to recent reports and emerging scientific research, the ambient track “Weightless” by the British group Marconi Union, collaboratively crafted with sound therapists, has been scientifically demonstrated to slash anxiety by an astonishing 65%, earning recommendations from neurologists and researchers worldwide for its unparalleled relaxation effects (NY Post).

A NASA-backed study is renewing interest in rebounding—the simple act of jumping on a mini-trampoline. In recent Thai and international coverage, researchers report that 10 minutes of rebounding may be up to 68–70% more effective than 30 minutes of jogging for cardiovascular health, endurance, and overall fitness, with less joint strain. This finding could reshape how time-constrained people in Thailand—and around the world—structure their workouts.

Rebounding involves rhythmic bouncing on a compact trampoline. Compared with jogging, it distributes impact more evenly across the body, making it a gentler option for joints. Originally, NASA’s work aimed at helping astronauts restore bone density and muscle mass after long space missions. Now, fitness professionals and everyday exercisers are embracing rebound workouts as an efficient way to stay healthy at home.

ChatGPT, the AI assistant from OpenAI, has emerged as an unofficial “therapist” for millions of Gen Z users on social media. Thai youth increasingly seek digital support for mental health, prompting hope and caution among experts and officials about AI as a substitute for professional counseling. The trend is global, with local online communities watching its impact closely.

This phenomenon is about more than viral videos. In March 2025, millions of TikTok posts explored ChatGPT as a therapist. Data from popular outlets show that AI-powered support has become a widely discussed topic among younger generations worldwide, including in Thailand, where smartphones are common and privacy concerns shape how young people seek help. Many Thai students face barriers to traditional services—stigma, cost, and provider shortages—making AI chatbots seem like an accessible first step for emotional support, stress management, and self-reflection.

ChatGPT, the popular AI chatbot developed by OpenAI, is making waves on social media for its unexpected new role: serving as an unofficial “therapist” to millions of Generation Z users. As Thai youth and young adults increasingly turn to virtual support for their mental health needs, experts and officials are raising both hope and concerns about the implications of using AI as a substitute for professional counseling—a trend reflected globally and gaining traction in local online communities.

A recent study suggests that frequent conflicts, including arguments and emotional outbursts, help explain why people high in neuroticism often report less satisfaction in romantic relationships. The research, published in Sexual and Relationship Therapy, identifies everyday behaviors that can strain partnerships and may be especially relevant for couples in Thailand seeking healthier dynamics.

Neuroticism is one of the Big Five personality traits and describes a tendency toward strong negative emotions such as anxiety, sadness, irritability, and emotional instability. While partly shaped by genetics and early life, the trait is not a fixed fate. In Thai culture, the idea of hua jai wawn—quick to be upset or distressed—often surfaces in conversations about temperament. The new findings clarify that it is not only the emotional temperament itself but also the likelihood of engaging in conflict-driven behaviors that erode relationship satisfaction.

Daily health supplements, consumed by millions worldwide in a bid for better health and vitality, can quietly put the liver and kidneys at considerable risk, according to recent coverage in the Times of India. As more Thais turn to over-the-counter vitamins, protein powders, and herbal capsules influenced by social media trends and wellness marketing, emerging research is raising red flags about their unregulated and excessive use. This news is particularly relevant in Thailand, where the supplement market has seen rapid expansion, with local surveys indicating nearly one in three urban adults take a supplement daily.

New research highlights that when you exercise and how regularly you do it may matter as much as how much you move. A study published in Medicine & Science in Sports and Exercise shows that earlier-in-the-day activity and steady routines can improve heart and lung fitness in older adults. Data from researchers who tracked 800-plus seniors, mostly around 76 years old, indicate that timing and consistency are linked to better cardiorespiratory fitness and walking efficiency. In practical terms, moving earlier and keeping a regular schedule could help Thais age with stronger hearts and lungs.

Staying active is widely acknowledged as a cornerstone of healthy aging, but new research is shedding light on how the timing and regularity of exercise could give an extra boost to heart and lung fitness—vital for extending quality of life among Thailand’s growing population of older adults. A study recently published in Medicine & Science in Sports and Exercise reveals that not only does the amount of physical activity matter, but exercising earlier in the day and sticking to a routine schedule may provide significant cardiovascular and pulmonary health benefits as people age (Medical News Today).

A growing body of research is shining a spotlight on an often overlooked crisis in marriage: emotional disengagement by wives, in a phenomenon some psychologists and therapists label as “Walkaway Wife Syndrome”—a term that has gained traction in the global discourse, including among Thai mental health professionals. The concept, detailed in a recent YourTango article and supported by psychological literature, emphasises the subtle—and often invisible—signs that a wife may have emotionally exited the relationship long before any physical separation occurs. This development is of profound importance in Thailand, where cultural expectations of marital harmony sometimes obscure underlying issues, leaving families and communities unprepared for abrupt dissolutions.

When a Thai centenarian crossed the finish line at the Taiwan World Masters Games in May, winning four gold medals just before his 106th birthday, the world took notice. The 105-year-old athlete, now hailed widely as Thailand’s oldest competitive runner, has become more than a sporting marvel—he embodies a lifestyle that scientists are racing to understand: how regular exercise, even started late in life, shapes health and longevity in aging societies like Thailand (Inquirer Sports; The Economic Times). Behind the international headlines, Thai researchers are now building a body of evidence showing how structured exercise programs can transform the trajectory of aging—reducing chronic disease, shrinking waistlines, and boosting quality of life in communities across the kingdom.

A growing body of research suggests that a simple adjustment to daily routines—standing up or taking a brisk stroll for just two minutes after every twenty minutes of sitting—could play a crucial role in stabilising blood sugar, even for those who struggle to fit formal exercise into their lives. Health experts are drawing attention to the so-called ‘2 per 20’ rule, which is quickly gaining traction as an accessible strategy for people at risk of diabetes and those seeking to maintain better metabolic health amid increasingly sedentary lifestyles, such as those common among office workers and students in Thailand and around the world. (Indian Express)

A simple four-minute ritual blending a soothing song with light stretching can significantly reduce anxiety, new neuroscience findings suggest. The approach, easy to fit into a busy day, appeals to Thais and others seeking practical, medication-free self-care.

Anxiety levels have risen worldwide and in Thailand, driven by post-pandemic stress, economic jitters, and everyday pressures. Data from Thailand’s Department of Mental Health shows that roughly one in five adults report anxiety or stress-related symptoms. While professional care remains essential, access to therapy isn’t equal for everyone, underscoring the value of accessible self-help practices. In Bangkok and other urban centers, fast-paced living makes efficient, affordable strategies particularly relevant.

A quick daily ritual involving a four-minute song combined with gentle stretching could dramatically reduce anxiety by up to 65%, according to recent neuroscience research highlighted by global wellness platforms. This accessible approach, which merges soothing music and simple movement, is gaining interest for its potential to help Thais and millions worldwide manage anxiety in just a few minutes each day—without medication or costly therapies.

Anxiety has been on the rise globally and in Thailand, exacerbated by post-pandemic stress, economic uncertainty, and the everyday pressures of modern life. Recent mental health reports from the Thai Department of Mental Health indicate that at least one in five Thai adults experience symptoms of anxiety or stress-related disorders Department of Mental Health, Thailand. While professional care remains crucial, not everyone has equal access to therapists or stress management programs, making self-care strategies particularly important in Thai society. As populations in Bangkok and other urban hubs lead increasingly fast-paced lives, solutions that are efficient, affordable, and easy to integrate into busy schedules are needed.

A growing body of research illuminates a quiet crisis in marriage: emotional disengagement by wives, a phenomenon some professionals call “Walkaway Wife Syndrome.” This concept has gained traction in global discussions and resonates with Thai mental health practitioners. It describes subtle, invisible signs that a wife may emotionally exit the relationship long before any physical separation occurs. In Thailand, where cultural expectations of marital harmony run deep, this insight helps families and communities address issues before they escalate.

A new wave of international research reveals that while high-intensity interval training (HIIT) delivers sweeping health benefits, it can also disrupt hormone balance—especially if done too often or without proper nutrition and rest. This has sparked growing interest and concern among fitness buffs and health professionals in Thailand, where HIIT classes and early-morning boot camps are booming. Understanding the nuanced impact of high-intensity exercise on the body’s delicate network of hormones is increasingly important for Thai readers eager to maximize the benefits of their workouts without jeopardizing long-term health or well-being.

A growing body of research and a compelling new book suggest that the secret to raising ultra-successful children isn’t micromanaging their lives but rather stepping back—supporting, guiding, and letting them try, fail, and try again. In a recent CNN feature drawing on journalist Susan Dominus’s book “The Family Dynamic: A Journey Into the Mystery of Sibling Success,” rare insights are offered from families who have raised Olympic athletes, high-powered entrepreneurs, renowned writers, and accomplished professionals. The key, it seems, is not hovering over every homework assignment or soccer practice but providing a warm, supportive home environment while nurturing independence and resilience (CNN).

The debate over whether a child is a “living room kid” or a “bedroom kid” is stirring interest among parents, psychologists, and educators across the globe, with implications resonating right here in Thailand. As new parenting trends sweep through social media, the question of where children prefer to spend their time at home is emerging as a unique lens into family dynamics, parenting styles, and even children’s mental health.

This topic’s rise in prominence reveals more than just quirks—it speaks to the core of childhood safety, comfort, and the way Thai families can nurture their home environments. According to a recent feature in the New York Post, the choice between shared family spaces and private bedrooms is far from trivial. Experts argue that a child’s preferred environment reveals important clues about their personality, developmental stage, and underlying feelings of security within the family.

A groundbreaking NASA-backed study is putting the humble mini-trampoline, or “rebounder,” back in the fitness limelight. According to recent international and Thai news coverage, NASA’s research demonstrates that a 10-minute rebounding exercise can be as much as 68–70% more effective than 30 minutes of jogging for improving cardiovascular health, stamina, and overall fitness, while putting far less stress on joints (MSN, Times of India). This revelation could reshape how time-pressed Thais—and people worldwide—approach their daily exercise routines.

The integration of spirituality into psychological therapy is not only gaining traction but is now supported by the most comprehensive global dataset to date, according to groundbreaking research funded by the John Templeton Foundation. A recently published article on Psychology Today, summarizing this extensive project, highlights how spiritually integrated psychotherapies are effectively bridging the gap between ancient wisdom and modern mental health science, with meaningful implications for practitioners and clients—including those in Thailand (Psychology Today).

A newly published article is reigniting debate around the roots of depression, presenting fresh analysis and decades of scientific evidence that question the long-standing view that depression is primarily a biological illness requiring medical treatment. The piece asserts that psychological, not biological, factors may lie at the heart of depression—a claim with profound implications for how the disorder is diagnosed and treated globally and in Thailand.

For years, the mainstream belief—widely propagated by medical authorities and reinforced by pharmaceutical marketing—has been that depression is caused by chemical imbalances in the brain and should be approached like other physical illnesses. This perspective shifted in the 1980s, coinciding with the publication of the American Psychiatric Association’s DSM-III manual and the widespread introduction of antidepressant medications, especially selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). However, the article cautions that this medicalization of depression is not firmly founded on scientific evidence and may be failing patients worldwide (madinamerica.com).

A major international study has discovered that the secret to aging healthily may lie not simply in eating fewer carbohydrates—but in prioritizing the right kinds of carbs, with dietary fiber and unrefined foods playing a pivotal role. The findings, published in the peer-reviewed journal JAMA Network Open, are sending ripples through public health communities worldwide and offer practical insight for Thai households aiming to boost both longevity and quality of life (SciTechDaily).

A newly published study tracking nearly 200,000 mothers has found a significant decline in moms’ mental health across the United States from 2016 to 2023. According to research utilizing data from the National Survey of Children’s Health, the percentage of mothers reporting “excellent” mental health plummeted from 38.4% to just 25.8%, while reports of “fair” or “poor” mental health climbed from 5.5% to 8.5% in that period. While external factors such as the lingering impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and economic stressors are well documented, researchers and mental health experts are now probing the role of “overparenting”—the growing tendency for parents to become overly involved in their children’s emotional and practical lives—as a potentially underrecognized source of chronic stress and burnout among mothers (Boston Globe).

A wave of international studies shows high-intensity interval training (HIIT) delivers major health benefits but can disrupt hormone balance when done too often or without proper nutrition and rest. In Thailand, where HIIT classes and early-morning boot camps are popular, these insights are prompting athletes and professionals to rethink routines for long-term health.

Thai fitness fans have embraced HIIT for fast results. Modern Bangkok gyms, Chiang Mai studios, and social media influencers often highlight high-impact sessions. Yet emerging research summarized by science commentators notes that excessive HIIT, or workouts under suboptimal conditions, can raise cortisol—the body’s stress hormone—and disturb other hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. The result can be fatigue, slower recovery, menstrual irregularities, and, paradoxically, hindered fat loss.