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Intelligence is one of the most talked-about subjects in psychology, but no standard definition exists. Some researchers have suggested that intelligence is a single, general ability. Other theories of intelligence hold that intelligence encompasses a range of aptitudes, skills, and talents. What Is Intelligence? Despite substantial interest in the subject, there still isn’t a consensus among experts about the components of intelligence or whether accurate measurements of intelligence are even possible....

The cocaine high, also known as cocaine intoxication, is one of the most widely recognized cocaine effects among cocaine users. The high is often the main reason for taking cocaine. This is true for people who are experimenting with cocaine use, are occasional cocaine users, binge cocaine users, and people in the early stages of cocaine addiction. But social cocaine use is also quite common. If you or a loved one are struggling with substance use or addiction, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 for information on support and treatment facilities in your area....

Effacement is when the cervix thins, shortens, and softens to open the vaginal canal for childbirth. During pregnancy, the cervix is long, thick, and closed. The cervix helps to keep the baby secure and safe from germs getting into the uterus that could cause an infection. The cervix is also part of the birth canal. For the baby to be born, the cervix has to go through some significant changes. Effacement is part of these changes....

Online therapy for anxiety might be an option for you if you are looking for an accessible and affordable therapy alternative. There are a number of reasons you might be interested in online therapy, ranging from lack of access to traditional therapy to difficulty leaving your home due to anxiety. Whatever the reason for your choice, it’s helpful to learn more about this therapy option before diving headfirst into your first session....

Until 2008, experts had recommended that children who were at high risk for peanut allergies best avoid foods containing peanuts until at least three years of age. Furthermore, mothers of such children were recommended to avoid peanuts during pregnancy and lactation. These recommendations seem to make sense. After all, you don’t want to feed peanut protein to a child who could then go on to develop life-threatening anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction that affects multiple organ systems and can quickly close off the airway if not treated immediately....

At 21 weeks pregnant, you are in the second half of your pregnancy. As your baby grows, you may be able to feel more movement. You may also be feeling the effects of extra fluid in your body. Your Baby’s Development at 21 Weeks At 21 weeks, baby measures a little over 7 inches (18.1 centimeters) from the top of their head to the bottom of their buttocks (crown-rump length). Baby’s height is approximately 10 inches (25....

For most families, a rainy day means being cooped up inside, quiet activities like watching movies, playing video games, making puzzles, or reading a book. But just because it’s wet outside doesn’t mean you have to spend your day indoors. With some creativity, you can turn a little rain into a lot of fun. Staying Active on Rainy Days Study after study has shown that kids do not get enough physical activity....

Bring up the topic of alcohol and breastfeeding and more than likely you’ll hear a mixed bag of opinions on how safe it is, how it affects breast milk supply, and when and how you should resume breastfeeding after drinking. Sadly, some claims about alcohol and breastfeeding can erode a parent’s desire to nurse or damage the breastfeeding relationship with their baby. That’s why it is important to make sure you have the facts about alcohol and breastfeeding to keep you and your baby safe....

A hallmark of being a teen is the drive to experiment and push boundaries. Sometimes, that means trying drugs. When it comes to marijuana, on average, kids who smoke pot tend to start between the ages of 12 and 16. Smoking Pot by the Numbers It isn’t surprising that many teens try pot as it is popularly considered less dangerous than “harder” drugs (like cocaine or heroin), and marijuana is used recreationally by many adults....

Breastfeeding may reduce the risk for postpartum depression (PPD), according to a new study. The study found that breastfeeding makes you less likely to suffer from PPD and that longer durations of breastfeeding further reduced the risk. Key Takeaways Postpartum depression is a significant and underrecognized health problem.Breastfeeding may reduce your risk for postpartum depression.The longer you breastfeed, the further you may reduce your risk. Up to 17% of people who are postpartum suffer from PPD, and the disease is considered both underrecognized and undertreated....

You have finally met your sweet newborn, and as you gaze into their eyes and count their little fingers and toes, you notice something peculiar. Inside their little mouth, right on the gum line, is a tooth. Yes, a tooth! When a baby is born with a tooth, it’s called a natal tooth. Though natal teeth are rare, they do happen. “A parent may be alarmed to see these teeth, but there’s rarely a reason for concern,” says Greg Grillo, DDS, of Express Dentist....

Many expectant parents swear that their dogs knew they were pregnant before anyone else did. After all, it’s thought that dogs have a “sixth sense,” and are in tune with subtle, unspoken aspects of their beloved humans. Our pups seem to know when we’re feeling sad or under the weather, so it stands to reason that they might be able to sniff out a major physical change like pregnancy, too....

Metrophobia, or the fear of poetry, is surprisingly common. Many people first develop this phobia in school, when overzealous teachers encourage them to rank poems according to artificial scales, break them down, and search for esoteric meanings. Others simply feel that poetry is somehow “beyond” them, belonging only to the realm of the pretentious and highly educated. Forms Metrophobia can take several forms. Some sufferers fear all poetry, while others fear poems that deal with the specific subject matter or are written in a specific style....

Many people with panic disorder suffer from certain fears or phobias that seem to trigger their anxiety. Those who have panic disorder with agoraphobia are struggling with a fear of situations in which escape would be difficult or embarrassing. It is these intense feelings of apprehension that often lead to panic attacks. Personal worry and concern about triggers can result in many maladaptive behaviors, such as avoiding any situation that may initiate a panic attack....

Detachment and dissociation after a traumatic event can suggest a higher risk of serious mental health conditions later on in life, researchers have found. Key Takeaways Researchers have found that dissociation after a traumatic event can indicate increased risk of mental health conditions later on.The mental health conditions indicated by dissociation include depression, anxiety, and PTSD.Preventative care is vital in addressing mental health issues before they become more intense. Results from a study led by investigators at McLean Hospital suggested that dissociation after trauma can indicate severe post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, physical pain, and social impairment....

Since 2015, touchscreen use in toddlers has increased dramatically. The increase is even more pronounced since COVID-19 lockdowns. Acknowledging this trend, researchers from Birkbeck University in London sought to uncover what impact this may be having on toddler brain development. Key Takeaways Toddlers who use touchscreens frequently may be more distractible.Distractibility has both benefits and disadvantages.Children can be encouraged to focus with simple techniques. Researchers found that toddlers with high screen use had a harder time avoiding distractions while trying to complete a task on a screen, compared to young kids with low screen usage....

Follow Now: Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Google Podcasts Every Friday on The Verywell Mind Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Amy Morin, LCSW, shares the “Friday Fix”—a short episode featuring a quick, actionable tip or exercise to help you manage a specific mental health issue or concern. Friday Fix: Episode 100 It’s hard to believe we’ve created 100 episodes already! Creating this podcast during the pandemic has been such an honor. I’ve loved sharing my strategies for building mental strength and I’ve learned so many mental muscle building tips from our guests every single week....

All panic attacks can be frightening experiences, but they can be even more terrifying if they startle you out of your sleep. Nocturnal panic attacks can potentially contribute to sleep disturbances and leave you feeling tired throughout your day. Nocturnal panic attacks occur while a person is sleeping. They cause a person to wake from sleep with symptoms such as a racing heartbeat, profuse sweating, and difficulty breathing. This article discusses the symptoms, causes, and treatments for nocturnal panic attacks....

Most toddlers need between 12 and 14 hours of rest (nighttime sleep and daytime naps combined) each day. When your little one falls short of this, her demeanor probably shows it with tantrums, meltdowns, and overall crankiness. That can easily happen on a busy day, but toddler sleep challenges from a need for a bedtime routine change to separation anxiety to plain old stubbornness can play into inadequate sleep as well....

Spoiler alert! This article contains major spoilers for the fourth season of the TV show, Stranger Things, available on Netflix. Mind in the Media is an ongoing series discussing mental health and psychological topics in popular movies and television In its first three seasons, Netflix’s Stranger Things introduced us to terrifying monsters like the Demogorgon and the Mind Flayer, and now in the recently released first part of the fourth season, the series unveiled its scariest monster yet: Vecna....