#Fear

A groundbreaking new study has revealed that the brain is capable of learning fear not just through direct experiences, but also by making inferences—a discovery that could shift our understanding of how humans develop complex emotional responses and may help unravel the roots of anxiety and trauma disorders. The research, published in the prestigious journal Nature on May 14 by a team at the RIKEN Center for Brain Science in Japan, demonstrates for the first time how higher-order emotional learning occurs in the brain, with profound implications for both neuroscience and mental health treatment worldwide (Neuroscience News).

Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have uncovered a crucial mechanism in the brain, revealing how dopamine—commonly known as the “feel-good” neurotransmitter—not only signals danger, but actively helps the brain unlearn fear. The findings, reported this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, could revolutionize potential treatments for anxiety disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), providing hope for millions worldwide—including those struggling in Thailand with trauma-related conditions (SciTechDaily).