In this episode of Psychology In The Media, we break down a 2026 study examining how heavy drinking and alcohol-related blackouts affect cognitive functioning the next day among college students.

We explore the psychology and neuroscience of memory, attention, working memory, and cognitive lapses, along with the surprising finding that blackout drinking may be associated with measurable cognitive impairments even after the drinking has stopped. This episode challenges a common assumption:

Just because you're no longer intoxicated doesn't necessarily mean your brain has fully recovered.

Full Article: Linden‐Carmichael, A. N., Mogle, J., Miller, S. E., Shipley, J. L., & Wilson, S. J. (2026). High‐intensity and blackout drinking impact on next‐day cognitive functioning among college‐attending young adults. Alcohol, Clinical and Experimental Research, 50(3). https://doi.org/10.1111/acer.70280

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In this episode of Psychology In The Media, we explore a fascinating 2026 study examining why some people with biological signs of Alzheimer's disease experience cognitive decline while others remain stable for years.

We break down the concept of preclinical Alzheimer's disease, discuss emerging biomarkers like amyloid and tau, and explore why predicting cognitive decline remains one of the biggest challenges in neuroscience.

This episode highlights an important lesson from modern psychological and neurological research:

Risk factors are not destiny.

Full Article: Li, R., Langford, O., Insel, P. S., Sperling, R. A., Raman, R., Aisen, P. S., & Donohue, M. C. (2026). Divergent patterns of cognitive decline in preclinical alzheimer’s disease: Implications for secondary prevention trials. Alzheimer’s & Dementia, 22(4). https://doi.org/10.1002/alz.71366

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Why does exercise sometimes make us feel emotionally lighter—even when our problems haven’t changed?

In this episode of Psychology In The Media, we break down a fascinating 2026 review by Zhu and Zhang exploring how exercise may influence emotional processing, stress regulation, memory, attention, and even the brain’s reward system.

We discuss the psychology behind why movement can help interrupt rumination, improve emotional regulation, and potentially strengthen resilience over time. This episode goes beyond the idea that exercise simply ‘boosts mood’ and explores how physical activity may actually shape the way we process emotional experiences.

This episode asks a deeper question:

Could exercise be training the brain to handle emotions differently?

Full article: Zhu, H., & Zhang, Y. (2026). The moving brain: : A cross-pathways framework linking exercise to the modulation of Aversive Information Processing. Mental Health and Physical Activity, 30, 100757. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mhpa.2026.100757

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Do social media detoxes actually improve your mental health… or do they just feel like they should?

In this episode of Psychology In The Media, we break down a 2025 meta-analysis by Lemahieu and colleagues examining whether temporarily quitting social media improves mood, wellbeing, and life satisfaction.

Surprisingly, the research suggests the answer may be more complicated than most people think.

We explore the psychology behind digital disconnection, social comparison, doomscrolling, emotional regulation, and why completely deleting social media might not be the mental health reset people expect.

This episode dives into a bigger question:

Is social media itself the problem… or is it our relationship with it?

Full Article: Lemahieu, L., Vander Zwalmen, Y., Mennes, M., Koster, E. H., Vanden Abeele, M. M., & Poels, K. (2025). The effects of social media abstinence on affective well-being and life satisfaction: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Scientific Reports, 15(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-90984-3

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What happens when a celebrity you love says something you strongly disagree with?

In this episode of Psychology In The Media, we break down a fascinating study on cancel culture, parasocial relationships, and emotional reactions to celebrity controversy. Participants were asked to imagine their favorite celebrity making a political statement—and then decide how to respond.

We explore why people feel personally affected by celebrities, what drives cancel culture behavior, and whether expressing outrage online actually helps—or just feels like it does in the moment.

This episode dives into the psychology behind why ‘canceling’ someone can feel so powerful… and what it might be doing to us long-term.

Full article: Tukachinsky Forster, R., & Spitz, D. H. (2026). I love you, but I have got to cancel you: Psychological consequences of participation in cancel culture. Psychology of Popular Media, 15(2), 109–121. https://doi.org/10.1037/ppm0000598

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Can children learn a language no one around them speaks?

In this episode of Psychology In The Media, we explore a fascinating 2025 study by Gagnon, Ostrolenk, and Mottron examining unexpected bilingualism in minimally verbal autistic children. Surprisingly, many children in the study showed the ability to recognize or use a second language without direct social exposure.

We break down what this means for how language develops, why structured input like media might play a bigger role than we thought, and how these findings challenge traditional assumptions about autism and communication.

This episode highlights an important takeaway: development doesn’t always follow one path—and sometimes, strengths show up in unexpected ways.

Full Article: Gagnon, D., Ostrolenk, A., & Mottron, L. (2025). Early manifestations of unexpected bilingualism in minimally verbal autism. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 67(5), 652–662. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpp.70032

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Ever crave something sweet when you’re stressed? You’re not alone—but what if that habit is doing more than you think?

In this episode of Psychology In The Media, we break down a 2025 research study exploring the link between sugar intake, depression, and anxiety. We’ll talk about what the data actually shows, why sugar might impact your mental health, and the surprising truth about emotional eating.

Is sugar really the problem—or is it more complicated than that? Let’s get into the psychology behind food and mood.

Full Article: Coxon, C., Rufeger, M., Hollamby, G., Ashtree, D. N., Orr, R., Lane, M. M., & Hepsomali, P. (2025). Sugar intake is associated with increased odds of depression and anxiety: Evidence from a cross‐sectional study. Health Science Reports, 8(12). https://doi.org/10.1002/hsr2.71666

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Ever notice a toddler grinning when they give away a snack? Turns out, that’s not just adorable—it’s science. In this episode, we dive into a new study showing that toddlers are happier giving to others than receiving for themselves. We’ll explore what this means for human kindness, the ‘warm glow’ of helping, and why giving might feel good from the very start of life.

Full Article: Tan, E., de Vondervoort, J. V., Dhaliwal, J., Aknin, L. B., & Hamlin, J. K. (2026). Toddlers are happier giving to others than to themselves. Developmental Science, 29(3). https://doi.org/10.1111/desc.70171

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