TRIGGER WARNING: Military Psychology

Cracking the code of mental health therapy

Learn what key terms mean and how therapy works. []

[Make the Connection](https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fmaketheconnection.net%2F%3Futm_campaign=mtc_article_04_17_25%26utm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery%26utm_term=banner_header/1/010001964454b132-dd87e3a4-3b70-4d1e-8c45-555962749f36-000000/CM_d5AdayWGVnp71BG7EdwqkJpBnyY_9NLRQXTqX-6U=401)

[Read: The ABCs of EMDR and Other Therapies](https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.maketheconnection.net%2Fread-stories%2Femdr-cbt-and-dbt-explained%2F%3Futm_campaign=mtc_article_04_17_25%26utm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery%26utm_term=image_hyperlink/1/010001964454b132-dd87e3a4-3b70-4d1e-8c45-555962749f36-000000/hyqjkyOIN5Yp0tt9ckL6M7AvQgjYiJifdWe1eXjwSVQ=401)

[The ABCs of EMDR and Other Therapies](https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.maketheconnection.net%2Fread-stories%2Femdr-cbt-and-dbt-explained%2F%3Futm_campaign=mtc_article_04_17_25%26utm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery%26utm_term=text_header/1/010001964454b132-dd87e3a4-3b70-4d1e-8c45-555962749f36-000000/Fk7avJ83GRMW2Mfy2A4jCXBQAfGplogOLFxTZVB1Kyw=401)

EMDR. CBT. DBT. These are [widely used therapies](https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.maketheconnection.net%2Fresources%2Fwhat-is-treatment%2F%3Futm_campaign=mtc_article_04_17_25%26utm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery%26utm_term=text_body/1/010001964454b132-dd87e3a4-3b70-4d1e-8c45-555962749f36-000000/LOUqXvbU78VNvRFXuK1wFH2ksdKZaJt01-uJLX7wtd0=401) for mental health challenges. But what are these therapies and how do they work? Here are some basic facts about [EMDR](https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.mentalhealth.va.gov%2Fget-help%2Ftreatment%2Febt.asp%3Futm_campaign=mtc_article_04_17_25%26utm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery%26utm_term=text_body%23EMDR/1/010001964454b132-dd87e3a4-3b70-4d1e-8c45-555962749f36-000000/2IGcFR0_0bSBNM1-Vo1Wvn-k6edorAs16DwXAK2qukk=401), [CBT](https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.mentalhealth.va.gov%2Fget-help%2Ftreatment%2Febt.asp%3Futm_campaign=mtc_article_04_17_25%26utm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery%26utm_term=text_body%23CBT/1/010001964454b132-dd87e3a4-3b70-4d1e-8c45-555962749f36-000000/RzP7slC8sRaL2fye-JS8Zrv2Iod4B42l7W-PuLJKkhE=401), and [DBT](https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.mentalhealth.va.gov%2Fget-help%2Ftreatment%2Febt.asp%3Futm_campaign=mtc_article_04_17_25%26utm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery%26utm_term=text_body%23DBT/1/010001964454b132-dd87e3a4-3b70-4d1e-8c45-555962749f36-000000/2kyYw4QqXxQUMamKg9Pj1mZ079_MF1IR6pZzmdkqo-M=401), along with Veteran accounts of how these treatments helped them. As Army Veteran Manuel says, reflecting on his experience with therapy, “I still have a lot of work to do, but now I have the tools.”

[Read: The ABCs of EMDR and Other Therapies](https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.maketheconnection.net%2Fread-stories%2Femdr-cbt-and-dbt-explained%2F%3Futm_campaign=mtc_article_04_17_25%26utm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery%26utm_term=button/1/010001964454b132-dd87e3a4-3b70-4d1e-8c45-555962749f36-000000/nhG7YEXw55i_4ByZMrKxjoWsVEGo5EuDzB139e3hcmQ=401)

[EXPLORE PROVEN TREATMENTS](https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.maketheconnection.net%2Fread-stories%2Femdr-cbt-and-dbt-explained%2F%3Futm_campaign=mtc_article_04_17_25%26utm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery%26utm_term=button/2/010001964454b132-dd87e3a4-3b70-4d1e-8c45-555962749f36-000000/ge29d6FHtsn_M7zO73YYoL6edzJ72-KijHTGlwwJ1lw=401)

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DATE: April 17, 2025 at 08:00PM
SOURCE: PSYPOST.ORG

** Research quality varies widely from fantastic to small exploratory studies. Please check research methods when conclusions are very important to you. **
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TITLE: Melatonin trial in older adults with cognitive impairment shows strong feasibility, but no clear effects yet

URL: https://www.psypost.org/melatonin-trial-in-older-adults-with-cognitive-impairment-shows-strong-feasibility-but-no-clear-effects-yet/

A new clinical trial published in the Journal of Pineal Research found that a high nightly dose of melatonin was safe and well-tolerated in older adults with mild cognitive impairment, but did not produce significant improvements in brain function, mood, or sleep over a 12-week period. The findings suggest that future studies should use larger samples and longer durations to determine whether melatonin might help prevent dementia-related decline.

Melatonin is a hormone that regulates sleep and is also known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Some researchers believe it might offer protective benefits for the aging brain by reducing oxidative stress, which is a build-up of damaging molecules that has been linked to the early stages of dementia. This study aimed to evaluate whether taking 25 milligrams of melatonin each night is a practical and acceptable intervention for people with mild cognitive impairment—a condition that often precedes dementia.

The trial was conducted in Sydney, Australia by a team from the University of Sydney, the Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, and other affiliated institutions. The researchers recruited 40 adults aged 60 to 80 years who met the clinical definition for mild cognitive impairment. These individuals had subjective memory concerns but were still functioning in daily life. They were randomly assigned to receive either melatonin or a placebo for 12 weeks. The study was conducted during periods of pandemic-related restrictions, with most assessments carried out remotely through video calls and online platforms.

The main purpose of the study was not to test whether melatonin works, but to see whether running this kind of trial is practical. The researchers evaluated three things: feasibility (how many people qualified for the study), acceptability (how many were willing to participate), and tolerability (whether participants could stick to the treatment and complete the required assessments).

Out of nearly 400 people screened, only about 11 percent met the study’s inclusion criteria . Still, of those who qualified, over 90 percent agreed to participate, and nearly all completed the trial as intended. Participants adhered well to the daily melatonin or placebo capsules, and most were able to complete complex assessments such as sleep tracking, cognitive testing, and magnetic resonance spectroscopy brain scans.

Although the study wasn’t designed to measure treatment effects, the researchers did collect data on brain chemistry, sleep patterns, mood, and cognitive performance. One of their key measures was the concentration of glutathione, a powerful antioxidant found in the brain. Lower levels of glutathione have been linked to neurodegeneration, and melatonin has been proposed as a way to boost these levels.

There was a small, statistically non-significant increase in glutathione in one brain region among participants taking melatonin, but the effect appeared to be due to differences between the groups at the start of the study rather than a result of the treatment. The same was true for other measures, including sleep quality and depressive symptoms—there were some changes, but none were large or consistent enough to draw conclusions.

The researchers reported no major safety issues. Adverse events occurred at similar rates in both the melatonin and placebo groups, and no serious problems were clearly linked to the study medication. In fact, all participants met the threshold for medication adherence, and most reported that participating in the trial, even remotely, was manageable.

The trial’s success in implementing a remote-friendly protocol is an important outcome in itself. Despite common concerns about older adults’ ability to use technology, most participants were able to complete assessments online, including neuropsychological testing and sleep tracking. This suggests that future clinical trials in similar populations may be able to rely more on remote methods, which could reduce costs and increase access.

Still, there were limitations. Because of the small sample size and relatively short duration, the study was not powered to detect subtle effects of melatonin on cognition or brain health. The sample was also not very diverse, with most participants having relatively high education levels, which may limit how broadly the findings can be applied. The COVID-19 pandemic also interrupted recruitment and may have influenced participant experiences during the trial.

Despite these limitations, the study provides a strong foundation for future research. The protocol was feasible, the treatment was well-tolerated, and the participants were able to complete a wide range of assessments even under challenging circumstances. The authors suggest that larger and longer-term trials are needed—ideally with around 200 participants per group and follow-up periods of at least six months to a year. These future studies could also target subgroups of people with both cognitive impairment and sleep disturbances, who may benefit the most from melatonin’s sleep-promoting effects.

In the meantime, while melatonin continues to be widely used for sleep, this study adds to a growing body of research aimed at understanding whether it could also play a role in protecting the aging brain. The current findings suggest that it’s safe to use in higher doses over the short term, but more data is needed to determine whether it can meaningfully slow the progression of cognitive decline.

The study, “3‐Month Melatonin Supplementation to Reduce Brain Oxidative Stress and Improve Sleep in Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Randomised Controlled Feasibility Trial,” was authored by Zoe Menczel Schrire, Craig L. Phillips, Shantel L. Duffy, Nathaniel S. Marshall, Loren Mowszowski, Haley M. La Monica, Lachlan Stranks, Christopher J. Gordon, Julia L. Chapman, Bandana Saini, Sharon L. Naismith, Ronald R. Grunstein, and Camilla M. Hoyos.

URL: https://www.psypost.org/melatonin-trial-in-older-adults-with-cognitive-impairment-shows-strong-feasibility-but-no-clear-effects-yet/

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DATE: April 17, 2025 at 06:00PM
SOURCE: PSYPOST.ORG

** Research quality varies widely from fantastic to small exploratory studies. Please check research methods when conclusions are very important to you. **
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TITLE: Changing implicit stereotypes helps men see themselves as more caring

URL: https://www.psypost.org/changing-implicit-stereotypes-helps-men-see-themselves-as-more-caring/

Men who were trained to associate communal traits with their own gender subsequently identified more with these traits themselves, according to new research published in Self & Identity.

Caring, empathy, and social connection—collectively referred to as “communion”—are values that enhance well-being and support healthy societies. However, research shows that men consistently identify less with these communal traits than women do, a gender gap that persists despite growing societal emphasis on equality. This pattern raises concerns not only for men’s personal fulfillment but also for broader goals like shared caregiving and gender-balanced workplaces.

Katharina Block and Toni Schmader explored whether implicit gender stereotypes—that is, automatic associations linking women with communal values and men with agentic traits like independence—help explain why men tend to distance themselves from communal traits. Building on balanced identity theory, the authors sought to determine not only whether such stereotypes correlate with men’s self-concept but whether altering them could causally influence how men see themselves.

In Study 1, 188 university students (92 men, 96 women) were recruited from a large North American university and completed a series of Implicit Association Tests (IATs). These IATs measured three things: implicit gender identity (e.g., “me” = “male”), implicit gender stereotypes (e.g., “female” = “communal”), and participants’ implicit communal self-concept (e.g., “me” = “communal”). Stimuli for communal and agentic traits were selected and refined through prior participant ratings. Exploratory explicit measures of career and family preferences were also included.

In Study 2, 129 male undergraduates were randomly assigned to either a stereotypical or counter-stereotypical training condition. Using a retraining version of the IAT, some participants repeatedly saw communal traits paired with “men,” while others saw traditional pairings (communal = women). After the training and a filler task, all participants completed a brief IAT (bIAT) measuring their implicit self-concept, alongside explicit measures of values and gender stereotypes.

In Study 1, both men and women held implicit stereotypes linking communal traits with women, but only men showed a significantly lower implicit identification with communal values. Importantly, the gender difference in communal self-concept was significantly larger among participants who held stronger communal = female stereotypes. The study also confirmed balanced identity theory’s prediction: self-concept, group identity, and stereotypes formed a statistically coherent triad, supporting the idea that these implicit beliefs are mutually reinforcing.

Study 2 demonstrated that retraining implicit stereotypes can causally shape men’s self-concept. Men who completed the counter-stereotypical training (associating men with communal traits) subsequently showed significantly stronger implicit identification with communal values than those who received traditional training. The effect was moderate-to-large in size (d = 0.61). However, these changes in implicit associations did not translate into changes in explicit self-reports or gender stereotypes.

The authors note that the observed changes in implicit self-concept may be temporary, as the long-term durability of implicit retraining effects remains uncertain.

This research provides evidence that men’s implicit self-concept can be shaped by modifying gender stereotypes, with important implications for interventions aimed at promoting gender equity and broader identification with communal values.

The research, “Me, myself, and my stereotypes: does retraining gender stereotypes change men’s self-concept?”, was authored by Katharina Block and Toni Schmader.

URL: https://www.psypost.org/changing-implicit-stereotypes-helps-men-see-themselves-as-more-caring/

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DATE: April 17, 2025 at 02:00PM
SOURCE: PSYPOST.ORG

** Research quality varies widely from fantastic to small exploratory studies. Please check research methods when conclusions are very important to you. **
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TITLE: Sleep-deprived minds are more likely to believe in conspiracy theories

URL: https://www.psypost.org/sleep-deprived-minds-are-more-likely-to-believe-in-conspiracy-theories/

Conspiracy theories captivate the imagination. They offer simple explanations for complex events, often involving secret plots by powerful groups. From the belief that the moon landing was faked to claims of election fraud, conspiracy theories shape public opinion and influence behaviour.

Research has explored cognitive biases, social influences and personality traits to understand why people believe in conspiracy theories. However, such research overlooks subtle day-to-day influences on conspiratorial thinking, like stress or sleep.

Our new research shows that poor sleep quality plays a key role in conspiracy beliefs.

Belief in conspiracy theories is influenced by psychological and social factors. Cognitive biases, like seeing patterns in random information, make people more prone to conspiratorial thinking.

Social influences, including social norms, also play a significant role. Personality traits such as narcissism and a preference for intuitive thinking are linked to greater conspiracy beliefs.

While these factors are well documented, our research adds another key factor: sleep quality. Poor sleep may increase cognitive biases and emotional distress, making people more likely to accept conspiratorial explanations.

The sleep factor

Sleep is crucial for mental health, emotion regulation and cognitive functioning. Poor sleep has been linked to increased anxiety, depression and paranoia – all of which are also associated with conspiracy belief.

However, sleep is rarely discussed in explanations for conspiratorial thinking.

One study found that insomnia, a clinical disorder, affects conspiracy beliefs. Building on this work, our research, published in the Journal of Health Psychology, examined how poor sleep quality, a nonclinical condition, influences conspiracy beliefs.

In the first of our studies, 540 participants completed a standard sleep quality assessment before reading about the 2019 Notre Dame cathedral fire. Half saw a conspiratorial version suggesting a cover-up, while the other half read a factual account citing an accident. The results showed that participants with poorer sleep were significantly more likely to believe the conspiracy narrative.

The second study, with 575 participants, explored psychological factors such as depression, paranoia and anger to understand how poor sleep contributes to conspiracy beliefs.

The findings confirmed that poor sleep quality was linked to conspiracy belief, with depression being the strongest link between the two. In other words, increased depression helped explain why poor sleep quality is associated with conspiratorial thinking.

Causation or correlation?

While our study links poor sleep and conspiracy belief, this doesn’t prove cause and effect. Another factor may underlie both.

For example, chronic stress or anxiety could contribute to both poor sleep and a heightened susceptibility to conspiratorial thinking. Improving mental health may be as important as better sleep.

At the same time, research on sleep deprivation shows that lack of sleep can increase anger, depression and paranoia. This could make people more vulnerable to misinformation, as seen in our research.

Future studies could use controlled experiments to examine how poor sleep contributes to conspiracy beliefs. Research shows that acute sleep deprivation increases anxiety and depression compared to normal sleep. A similar study could test whether severe sleep loss also heightens conspiracy beliefs.

Conspiracy beliefs are not just harmless curiosities; they can have serious real-world consequences.

They have been linked to vaccine hesitancy, climate change denial and violent extremism. Understanding the factors that contribute to their spread is essential for addressing misinformation and promoting informed decision-making.

Our findings suggest that improving sleep quality may reduce conspiracy beliefs. Sleep-focused interventions, such as insomnia therapy or public health initiatives, could help counter conspiratorial thinking.

Most research on conspiracy theories focuses on thinking styles and social influences. Our study highlights sleep as a key factor, suggesting poor sleep may not only impact health and wellbeing, but also shape our worldview.

At the same time, sleep is only one piece of the puzzle.

Conspiracy beliefs likely arise from a combination of cognitive biases, social influences, emotional states and personal worldviews. Plenty of people who sleep badly would not be seduced by conspiracy theories. Future research should explore how poor sleep interacts with these other known predictors of conspiracy beliefs.

By prioritising good sleep, we can improve both our mental and physical health, while strengthening our ability to think critically and resist misinformation in an increasingly complex world.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

URL: https://www.psypost.org/sleep-deprived-minds-are-more-likely-to-believe-in-conspiracy-theories/

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