A new study suggests that volatility priors, a brain's expectations about environment unpredictability, can be modified to reduce delusion severity in schizophrenia patients. The study found that volatility priors decrease over time as delusion severity improves, making them a potential treatment target.
SourceElsevier·JournalBiological Psychiatry Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 18, 2026
Research found that gender-diverse teens reported higher rates of psychological stress and psychotic-like experiences, which can lead to depression, anxiety, and other serious mental health disorders. Bullying and unsupportive legislation drove these findings.
New study finds psychosis delusions emerge from emotional experiences, bodily reactions, and linguistic fabric. Participants described intense emotional embodiment and disembodiment, with some experiencing positive feelings of awe and love.
Research from King's College London and University of Bath found that people who self-medicate with cannabis for physical or mental discomfort are more likely to develop paranoia and anxiety. The study also discovered a link between childhood trauma and increased paranoia scores, which is exacerbated by cannabis use.
A KAIST research team has identified a key neural pathway involved in forming fear memories triggered by psychological threats. The pIC-PBN circuit processes psychological distress and drives fear memory formation, offering a significant advance in understanding how psychological distress is processed.
A Yale study found that individuals with greater paranoid and teleological thinking performed worse in a visual perception task, claiming one dot was chasing another when it wasn't. The findings suggest a potential link between social perception errors and psychosis, potentially leading to new diagnostic tools.
A new study by Southern Methodist University's Neely Myers found that young people with early-onset psychosis are ambivalent about stopping substance use. Participants offered feedback on ways to improve care, including more information about substance use and strategies for addressing psychological and physical pain.
A study of 300 US adults reveals that individuals experiencing perceived status threat exhibit increased age, conservatism, and paranoid tendencies. The research also associates these traits with a conspiracy mentality.
Researchers developed AI algorithms to predict ICU delirium risk, showing promise in identifying patients at high risk. The models can detect early warning signs and provide continuously updated risk predictions, enabling clinicians to devote more resources to interventions.
Researchers used event system theory to analyze how past pandemics, including the Black Death, were caused by cumulative events leading up to a transformation. They found similar patterns in human behavior and societal responses, highlighting the importance of understanding historical events to address current crises.
A new clinical trial has shown that the SlowMo therapy app is an effective means of treating paranoid thoughts in people experiencing psychosis. The app, which uses a personalized approach to help individuals feel safer in daily life, has been found to reduce paranoia and improve quality of life.
A new UCL study found that people with higher social status or opposing political beliefs are more likely to assume their partner's decision is motivated by wanting to cause them harm. The study also suggests that paranoia fuels social exclusion and disadvantage, fueling severe mental health problems
Researchers found that a short visit to a high-crime neighborhood can significantly impact visitors' trust in others and feelings of paranoia. The study suggests people respond to their environment in real-time, using cues like broken windows and graffiti to update their attitudes.
A study by the Wellcome Trust found that four out of five mugging victims experienced excessive mistrust and paranoia lasting up to six months after the attack. Factors such as feeling defeated, worrying excessively, and difficulties sleeping increased paranoid fears in victims.
Research from UBC Sauder School of Business shows that paranoia in the workplace can lead to rejection and sabotage. Ignoring negative impulses and focusing on positivity can help avoid these outcomes.
Male fruitflies experience a prolonged mating period with females after encountering rival males, increasing the length of mating by up to 93% in some species. This 'paranoid' behavior is thought to ensure fertilization before females mate with other males.
A new study from Boston University School of Medicine found a genetic link between the MANEA gene, cocaine dependence, and cocaine-induced paranoia. The researchers identified six markers in the MANEA gene that are associated with an increased risk of cocaine-induced paranoia.
Paranoia is on the increase, with one in four people experiencing regular paranoid thoughts. Urbanization, poverty, and wealth inequality are linked to poor health and mental illness, fuelling a culture of paranoia. Dr Freeman calls for urgent action to stem the rise in paranoia at both individual and societal levels.
Research using virtual reality found that nearly 40% of participants experienced paranoid thoughts, with anxiety and depression also prevalent. The study suggests that paranoia is more common than thought and can be triggered by social interactions.