Robot preachers get less respect, fewer donations

As artificial intelligence expands across more professions, robot preachers and AI programs offer new means of sharing religious beliefs, but they may undermine credibility and reduce donations for religious groups that rely on them.

In-person mindfulness courses help improve mental health for at least six months

In-person mindfulness courses help improve mental health for at least six months, study shows. Adults who voluntarily take part in mindfulness courses are less likely to experience symptoms of anxiety and depression for at least six months after completing the programs, compared to adults who do not take part, a new analysis pooling data from 13 studies has confirmed.

Evidence of conscious-like activity in the dying brain

A new study provides early evidence of a surge of activity correlated with consciousness in the dying brain.

Is there a common path to the psychedelic experience?

A study takes a closer look at the neurobiology of psychedelic experiences caused by nitrous oxide, ketamine and LSD.

Positive experiences in close relationships are associated with better physical health, new research suggests

Social relationships influence physical health, but questions remain about the nature of this connection. New research suggests that the way you feel about your close relationships may be affecting the way your body functions.

Dizzy apes provide clues on human need for mind altering experiences

Great apes deliberately spin themselves in order make themselves dizzy -- findings which could provide clues about the role of altered mental states for origins of the human mind.

Five precepts of Buddhism may be linked to lower depression risk

A new study suggests that people with high levels of neuroticism and stress may be at greater risk for depressive symptoms, but those links could be buffered for people who observe the five precepts of Buddhism -- a fundamental system of ethics for the religion's followers.