Section
News
Mental health is in the news every day. Mental Hum filters it for you. Mental Hum picks a few stories each day and links each one to its original source. Topics range from clinical to policy to crisis care (and beyond), all aimed at bringing to light the stories that usually fly under the radar.
These are short summaries of research and reporting published elsewhere. We link to the original. Mental Hum does not report these stories.
Mental Hum is owned and operated by Dean Shaban
Showing 1–10 of 331
Research · Global
Today
Researchers launch global tracking project to measure the daily mental health impacts of cannabis
A massive new international research project aims to track how regular cannabis use alters mood and cognition in real time. By following subjects for two years, scientists hope to map out the psychological risks and benefits of the drug.
PsyPost
Mental Hum’s note
A new global research project will track how regular cannabis use affects mood and thinking over two years.
Summary of reporting published elsewhere. We link to the original.
Research · Global
Today
The hidden burden of college life: Stress, sleep, and salivary biomarkers in students—A cross-sectional study
university students face substantial psychological pressures, and stress-related mental health disorders are recognized as major public health concerns. While biomarkers such as cortisol have been extensively studied, integrated analyses of neuroendocrine-immune-circadian interactions remain limited. In this cross-sectional study with two complementary components, psychometric assessments of 637 undergraduates revealed that 90.4% experienced moderate-to-high perceived stress. These stress levels correlated with fatigue (r = 0.41, p p p < 0.001). These findings indicate that salivary biomarker profiles are associated with perceived stress.
PLOS Mental Health
Mental Hum’s note
A study found that high perceived stress in university students was linked to changes in salivary biomarkers, but its cross-sectional design limits understanding of cause and effect.
Summary of reporting published elsewhere. We link to the original.
Research · United States
Today
The Aftermath of Risking Life and Limb: Acute Reactions and Subsequent Adaptation
Traumatic injuries (often the result of impulsive and thoughtless behaviors) are potent drivers of disability, disfigurement, PTSD, TBIs, mortality, and high health care costs.
Psychiatrist.com
Mental Hum’s note
Traumatic injuries can lead to significant long-term health issues, including mental health conditions like PTSD.
Summary of reporting published elsewhere. We link to the original.
Research · Global
Today
The anxiolytic effect of dexmedetomidine in adult perioperative patients: a systematic review with meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Perioperative anxiety in adults is common and impairs postoperative recovery. The use of dexmedetomidine during perioperative procedures is increasing, but evidence on its effects on anxiety-related outcomes remains to be systematically synthesized.This systematic review was based on searches of PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, MEDLINE, and the Cochrane Library from database inception through May 4, 2026. Eligible studies were randomized controlled trials evaluating perioperative dexmedetomidine in adults and reporting quantitative anxiety outcomes.Twelve RCTs involving 1,373 participants were included. Overall anxiety scores were lower with dexmedetomidine than with control (SMD = −0.
Frontiers in Psychiatry
Mental Hum’s note
Dexmedetomidine was linked to lower anxiety in perioperative patients, but the included studies had a short follow-up period.
Summary of reporting published elsewhere. We link to the original.
Research · Global
September 13, 2026
Red blood cell distribution width trajectory and all-cause mortality in non-traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage patients: a retrospective cohort study
Scientific Reports
Mental Hum’s note
This retrospective study examined red blood cell distribution width changes and death rates in brain hemorrhage patients, but its findings are limited by the study design.
Summary of reporting published elsewhere. We link to the original.
Research · Global
Yesterday
Body roundness index linked to depression risk in older adults with dementia
A new study reveals that the body roundness index, a measurement of abdominal fat, is strongly linked to depression in older adults with dementia. The findings suggest this simple screening tool could help doctors identify at-risk patients.
PsyPost
Mental Hum’s note
A study found a strong link between abdominal fat, measured by body roundness index, and depression in older adults with dementia.
Summary of reporting published elsewhere. We link to the original.
Mental Health · United Kingdom
Yesterday
Touring can take musicians to isolating, anxious extremes. Access to therapy on the road is a vital support
I know from our early days how high-pressure road life can be. While big tours often hire therapists, grassroots acts can’t afford it. I’m pleased to back a new scheme that aims to change that When Radiohead started touring, it was hugely exciting, but we got signed when we had been going for five or six years and had only really played in Oxford. Suddenly you’re entering a new world: the first flush of fame, being compared to everyone else, the furnace-like experience when a band takes off and a whole new routine of late nights, bad food and everything else that goes on around live music. Everything is heightened and it can be very isolating.
The Guardian
Mental Hum’s note
Touring musicians, especially those in grassroots acts, often experience isolation and anxiety on the road due to the high-pressure environment.
Summary of reporting published elsewhere. We link to the original.
Research · Global
Yesterday
Exploration of the relationship between social cognition and PTSD using data from the ALSPAC cohort
Background and hypothesisPrevious studies have shown an association between social cognition (emotion recognition, social perception, attributional style, and mentalization) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but there have been no longitudinal studies on this topic. We hypothesize that childhood social cognitive differences are associated with subsequent trauma exposure and PTSD.Study designData from the Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) were used. The Social Communications Disorder Checklist (SCDC) at age 7.5 years, the Diagnostic Analysis of Non-Verbal Accuracy Scale (DANVA) Receptive Facial Expressions Subtest at 8 years, and the Emotional Triangles task at 13.
Frontiers in Psychiatry
Mental Hum’s note
A study explored links between childhood social understanding and later PTSD, but its findings are limited by self-reported measures.
Summary of reporting published elsewhere. We link to the original.
Mental Health · United Kingdom
September 13, 2026
Chatbots can exploit our most basic human drive for attachment. Here’s how to have healthier relationship with AI | Gaynor Parkin and Dave Winsborough
This intimacy economy is tapping into the deepest parts of our intimate psychological infrastructure The modern mind is a column where experts discuss mental health issues they are seeing in their work Michael* is an engineer whose company embraced the AI wave. He enjoys testing ideas with chatbots. However, recently his manager became worried about his judgement and reliance on the tech. “He literally cannot make any decision without running it past AI. He’s developed a very off-script interpretation of our business goals, and he’s losing his team. If we can’t get him back on track I think we’ll end up parting company”.
The Guardian
Mental Hum’s note
Chatbots can exploit human attachment drives, potentially leading to over-reliance and impaired judgment, according to a single case example.
Summary of reporting published elsewhere. We link to the original.
Research · Global
September 12, 2026
Autistic individuals might be somewhat better at reading emotions of other autistic people
A new study challenges the idea that autism impairs empathy. While both groups read emotions similarly overall, autistic individuals are actually more accurate than non-autistic people at tracking the emotional valence of other autistic adults.
PsyPost
Mental Hum’s note
A study found autistic people were more accurate at reading emotions in other autistic adults than non-autistic people.
Summary of reporting published elsewhere. We link to the original.