Stories by Stephani Sutherland

Quit Smoking in Your Sleep

People smoke less after smelling cigarettes paired with rotten odors overnight

Asian Glow May Indicate Lower Pain Tolerance

One of the body's alcohol-busting enzymes may play a role in pain relief

Nerve Damage Might Explain Chronic Pain

New clues to fibromyalgia's origins could crack the case of chronic pain

How Yoga Changes the Brain

The ancient practice promotes growth in brain regions for self-awareness

A Nasal Spray Promises to Prevent PTSD

Delivering a signaling protein to the brain after trauma staved off PTSD symptoms in rats

Concussions' Lingering Effects Linked to Hormone Deficiency

The finding may explain why even seemingly mild concussions can give rise to persistent maladies

Scientists Develop Early-Warning System for Alzheimer's Disease

Can Caresses Protect the Brain from Stroke?

Neurons cut off by a stroke may have the inherent ability to reroute blood flow and save themselves

Faulty Sleep Mechanism Might Cause Trauma to Linger

Traumatic memories persist when our nighttime memory-erasing process fails

Magnetic Brain Stimulation Could Ease Pain

Altering brain activity with magnetic fields may relieve chronic pain

Bright Screens Could Delay Bedtime

Using a tablet or computer in the late evening disrupts the body's melatonin production

A Daily Glass of Wine Is Okay during Pregnancy

Moms' moderate drinking does not affect kids' cognition

How Chronic Pain Affects Memory and Mood

Constant discomfort may halt neuron growth in the hippocampus

Blood-Flow Changes Cause Brain Freeze

Cold drinks cause a major artery in the skull to dilate

Optical Illusion Relieves Arthritis Pain

Arthritis pain is reduced by mirror reflections of healthier joints

Mood Drug Can Both Cause and Relieve Anxiety

Hormone's opposite effects underscore the complexities of mood disorders

How Exercise Jogs the Brain

Physical activity boosts cognition by improving neurons' power supply

When Viruses Invade the Brain

Neurodegenerative diseases may result from a nasal infection