#Stress

A new study in Psychoneuroendocrinology reveals that stress responses hinge on the balance between testosterone and cortisol, not on a single hormone alone. For Thai readers, this means stress management may depend on understanding internal biology as well as external pressures from school and work. The findings offer fresh perspectives for mental health strategies, schools, and workplace programs across Thailand’s diverse communities.

Historically, cortisol has been labeled the primary stress hormone, influencing energy, immunity, and the fight-or-flight response. Testosterone, while linked to reproductive health, also affects mood and social behavior. The study suggests that the interaction between these hormones shapes how stress is perceived and handled in social situations.

Revolutionary research published in Psychoneuroendocrinology unveils complex interactions between testosterone and cortisol that fundamentally reshape scientific understanding of how young men experience and manage stress in social situations. The groundbreaking study demonstrates that stress responses depend not on individual hormone levels but rather on delicate balances between testosterone and cortisol that determine whether challenging situations feel manageable or overwhelming. These discoveries hold particular promise for advancing mental health approaches, educational strategies, and stress management programs throughout Thailand, where demanding academic environments and workplace pressures create significant psychological challenges for male populations across diverse age groups and socioeconomic backgrounds.

A new study published in the journal Psychoneuroendocrinology has uncovered that young men’s reactions to stress may be shaped not just by levels of single hormones, but by the balance between testosterone and cortisol. This research marks a significant shift in our understanding of how the body and mind interact during stressful social situations—insights that may hold promise for future approaches to mental health, stress management, and even educational settings in Thailand and beyond. Read the source article on PsyPost.

Are people today living under more pressure than previous generations? New research and global surveys suggest stress and mental health challenges—long perceived as the invisible tax of modern society—have surged over the last three decades, with significant impacts visible both globally and in Thailand. While advances in technology and connectivity promise convenience, experts now warn of increased daily demands, social isolation, and persistent uncertainty fueling rising rates of anxiety, insomnia, and burnout.

A new study published in Psychoneuroendocrinology shows that men’s stress responses rely on the balance between two hormones, not just their individual levels. In young men, how stressed they feel depends on the interaction between testosterone and cortisol.

When cortisol is low, higher testosterone is linked to a reduced sense of stress. Conversely, high cortisol changes the effect of testosterone, offering little to no protection against stress. The findings add nuance to how we understand emotional health for men in Thailand and around the world.

A global surge in stress and mental health challenges over the past three decades now intersects sharply with Thai lives. New studies and repeated surveys show rising anxiety, insomnia, and burnout, reshaping conversations about everyday pressures in Bangkok and beyond.

Technology promises convenience, yet daily demands feel heavier. Social isolation and persistent uncertainty amplify stress, while high-speed connectivity blurs work and personal time. In light of these shifts, experts warn that stress is no longer merely a private struggle but a public health issue.

A recent study published in the journal Psychoneuroendocrinology suggests that the way young men perceive and respond to social stress may be explained not by individual hormone levels alone, but by the dynamic balance between testosterone and cortisol. According to the research, high testosterone is linked to a lower perception of stress—but only when cortisol, the primary “stress hormone,” is low. Conversely, elevated cortisol appears to ease stress only in those with lower testosterone. This nuanced finding adds depth to our understanding of stress, with implications for emotional health and well-being among men in Thailand and globally (PsyPost).

For countless Thai professionals, the journey from office tranquility to stormy household outbursts has become an all-too-familiar pattern. A recent article, “People who are calm at work but angry at home usually carry these 8 unresolved emotions” (VegOutMag, published July 31, 2025), examines the hidden emotional undercurrents that may explain why so many individuals can remain composed before their supervisors, only to snap at family members after hours. This phenomenon, now gaining increased attention in global psychology and mental health research, offers critical insights for Thai readers navigating the pressures of modern urban life and traditional family expectations.

In Thailand’s bustling cities, many professionals master a polished calm at work while confronting sudden, intense outbursts at home. New analysis points to eight unresolved emotional patterns—not just stress or weakness—that underlie this shift. The findings offer practical insights for Thai readers balancing demanding careers with family life and personal well-being.

Professional composure often masks deeper emotional strain. Research on emotional labor shows that sustained self-control at work can deplete psychological resources. When feelings stay unexpressed, they accumulate and seek release in spaces where people feel emotionally safe—typically the home.

Across Thailand’s bustling cities and professional centers, countless individuals master the art of workplace tranquility while struggling with explosive emotional outbursts within their own homes—a psychological phenomenon that recent research reveals stems from eight distinct unresolved emotional patterns rather than simple stress or personal weakness. This comprehensive analysis of emotional regulation challenges provides crucial insights for Thai professionals navigating the complex demands of modern career expectations while maintaining healthy family relationships and personal well-being.

New research is reshaping how we view cortisol, moving beyond the simple label of the “stress hormone.” For health-minded readers in Thailand, this shift invites a clearer understanding of how cortisol supports daily function and long-term health.

In Bangkok and across the country, many people have heard warnings about rising cortisol—from weight changes to sleep disruption. Social media often promotes quick fixes like “cortisol reset” or the so-called “cortisol cocktail.” Experts warn that such shortcuts can overlook cortisol’s essential roles and fuel unnecessary anxiety.

The latest international research and expert opinion are challenging the widespread reputation of cortisol as merely the “stress hormone,” calling for a more nuanced and positive understanding of this vital chemical messenger—a shift especially relevant for health-conscious Thais navigating the pressures of modern life (The Guardian).

Many Thais, from Bangkok office workers fearing “cortisol belly” to health enthusiasts influenced by global fitness trends, are frequently warned about the dangers of rising cortisol. Social media is awash with figures claiming that everyday stresses threaten to keep the body’s cortisol alarm bells ringing, linked to weight gain, poor sleep, and even immune dysfunction. Advice abounds on “resetting” cortisol through meditation, herbal concoctions, or ice baths, echoing global trends like the viral “cortisol cocktail.” But this persistent “cortisol panic,” experts warn, risks oversimplifying a hormone that plays a far bigger, and far more beneficial, role in our lives.

Stress can pull people together or push outsiders away. A July 2025 study summarized by Psychology Today shows that stress chemicals like cortisol and noradrenaline can lead to generosity within one’s own group while eroding trust toward those outside it.

Research in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences explains this as “parochial altruism.” Under pressure, people cooperate more with family, friends, and shared identities, yet may act against rival groups when resources are scarce. For Thai readers, this dual response resonates amid economic shifts, political change, and public health challenges.

Recent scientific research has illuminated a profound truth about how stress influences human social behavior: While stress may foster unity and generosity among members of the same group, it simultaneously stirs up aggression and suspicion toward those outside the group. These insights, highlighted in a July 2025 report by Psychology Today, draw from a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) and have far-reaching implications for societal cohesion, especially in rapidly changing societies like Thailand.

A new study explores why Thais and people worldwide reach for high-calorie snacks during uncertain times. The research suggests an ancient survival instinct for potential food shortages still guides visual attention and cravings for junk food. Experts say this pattern is shaped by long-term pressures, not just today’s stress. Data from the study are discussed in health and psychology outlets, reflecting global concerns about economy, disasters, and post-pandemic recovery.

Lead investigators from a psychology program and the Evolutionary Visual Lab conducted eye-tracking experiments to observe automatic food interest under different imagined scenarios. Unlike early surveys, this study measures real-time visual responses to food images, offering a direct look at attention and desirability in various contexts.

A new study from a leading German university explores how stress can both strengthen in-group bonds and increase hostility toward outsiders. Published in a major scientific journal, the research provides a neurobiological lens on why group conflicts persist and how polarization takes hold in Thai communities and beyond.

Researchers in comparative psychology, with clinical neuroscience support from a major hospital, conducted a psychopharmacological experiment. Participants were given a cortisol analog to simulate stress, a drug to raise noradrenaline, both compounds, or a placebo. They formed groups and competed in economic games with real financial stakes to mirror cooperation and rivalry in real life.

Groundbreaking research from Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf has illuminated the double-edged effects of stress: while it binds people more closely to their in-group, it simultaneously drives hostility toward perceived outsiders. Published this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the findings provide a nuanced neurobiological perspective on why group conflicts—even when costly to all—remain so persistent worldwide. This research offers valuable insights into the psychological forces underpinning social divisions, with implications for Thai society and global communities navigating rising polarization.

Stress sits at the core of today’s health challenges, linked to heart disease, cancer, and other major illnesses. A wave of scientific advances is delivering actionable insights. A Nature report from July 8, 2025 highlights how stress influences global health and outlines breakthroughs that could change how clinicians and individuals measure and manage this invisible threat.

In Thailand, stress affects daily life—from work pressures and financial concerns to social change and collective experiences like the COVID-19 era. Health workers often address visible symptoms more than root causes, leaving the true toll of stress under addressed in clinics and hospitals. Local perspectives show that stress is not only a medical issue but a social and cultural challenge that shapes well-being.

Stress, long recognized as a contributor to heart disease, cancer, and other top causes of death, is finally being investigated with the seriousness it deserves, thanks to a surge of scientific innovation. Recent research published by Nature on July 8, 2025, reveals both the growing impact of stress on global health and new breakthroughs that could reshape how medical professionals—and individuals—understand, measure, and manage this invisible threat Nature Article.

In Thailand, as in much of the world, stress is an unspoken but powerful force shaping daily life. From pressures at work and financial insecurity to societal changes and, notably, collective trauma such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the Thai population, young and old, feels the weight. Health authorities and medical professionals often focus on physical symptoms rather than underlying stress, meaning its true toll is rarely addressed directly in clinics or hospitals.

Bangkok – “I hate Mondays” has long been a running joke in offices, schools, and coffee shops across Thailand and around the world. But new evidence suggests this sentiment is far more than a punchline: Mondays may actually harm our health in ways that persist long after the workweek begins, escalating the risk for major medical problems and chronic stress. That’s the startling message from groundbreaking research led by the University of Hong Kong and published this week in the Journal of Affective Disorders, which found that people who feel anxious on Mondays experience the highest spikes in stress hormones – with effects that can linger for months.

In offices and classrooms across Thailand, the familiar “I hate Mondays” refrain often feels lighthearted. New research, however, points to real health implications tied to Monday anxiety. Scientists report that heightened Monday stress can trigger a biological response that lingers, potentially increasing risks for chronic stress and heart-related issues.

The study tracked adults over 50 in the United Kingdom using hair cortisol to measure cumulative stress. Researchers found Monday-specific anxiety linked to lasting cortisol spikes, whereas anxiety on other days did not produce the same effect. This indicates the workweek’s start can provoke an anticipatory stress response with tangible health consequences.

Recent research highlights practical, science-based methods to naturally increase oxytocin, offering Thai readers actionable ideas for stress reduction, social connection, and overall wellbeing. Known as the “love hormone,” oxytocin supports trust, empathy, and even healing in daily life, not just during childbirth. For Thai audiences balancing city life, family ties, and cultural transitions, understanding how to cultivate oxytocin is highly relevant.

Leading researchers describe oxytocin as a natural regulator of stress and social bonding. Studies suggest it can help lower blood pressure, dampen stress responses, reduce inflammation, and support immune function. Experts emphasize that while the science is promising, lifestyle choices remain a safe and accessible route to harnessing these benefits.

As more Thais grapple with the impact of chronic stress—from sleepless nights to lingering anxiety—scientific evidence is growing that certain foods can play a role in calming the body’s stress signals. Newly highlighted by researchers and nutritionists, a list of nine easily accessible foods offers a natural and nutritious way to help reduce the body’s production of cortisol, the so-called “stress hormone,” and support mental and physical wellbeing. This insight comes as part of a wider global push toward holistic health, with food and lifestyle choices taking centre stage in stress management strategies.

A growing body of science suggests that small dietary adjustments can ease the body’s stress signals, a finding that resonates with many Thais juggling work, traffic, and city life. Nutritionists point to accessible foods that may help lower cortisol—the hormone linked to stress—and support overall wellbeing. This aligns with a broader movement recognizing food choices as a key element in managing stress.

Cortisol plays a central role in the body’s stress response. It supports memory, metabolism, and the fight-or-flight reaction, produced by the adrenal glands and regulated by the body’s complex systems. But chronic stress—from long work hours to financial pressures and urban pollution—can keep cortisol high. Continuous elevation has been linked to headaches, digestive disturbances, sleep issues, and weakened immunity, according to medical authorities.