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Behavioral Health

Measuring the impact of loneliness and social isolation on the brain
An Antarctic penguin watching a ship at sea.

A penguin watching a vessel at sea.

(Image: Michael Beaulieu—French Polar Institute) 

Measuring the impact of loneliness and social isolation on the brain

New research from Penn Medicine shows the negative, yet reversible, impact of spending time in isolated, confined, extreme environments—such as an Antarctic research station.

Eric Horvath

5 min. read

Laughing gas: An old drug’s new trick to fight depression
A laughing gas mask hovering over a patient’s perspective.

Image: vzmaze via Getty Images

Laughing gas: An old drug’s new trick to fight depression

Researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine have uncovered how nitrous oxide, an anesthetic used worldwide since the 19th century, could help lift mood fast in people with depression that resists other treatments.

From Penn Medicine News

1 min. read

Christina Roberto on food labeling and system-level changes for public health
Christina Roberto.

Christina Roberto is a Center for Health Incentives and Behavioral Economics affiliate and the Mitchell J. Blutt and Margo Krody Blutt Presidential Associate Professor of Health Policy in the Perelman School of Medicine.

(Image: Courtesy of CHIBE)

Christina Roberto on food labeling and system-level changes for public health

The Center for Health Incentives and Behavioral Economics affiliate studies labeling systems to improve the choices people make with food, and argues that if health care professionals are serious about preventing nutrition-related chronic diseases, then system-level changes are necessary.

From the Center for Health Incentives and Behavioral Economics

2 min. read

Small incentives drive lasting seatbelt habits, cut unbuckled trips by a third

Small incentives drive lasting seatbelt habits, cut unbuckled trips by a third

Research from the Perelman School of Medicine and Penn Medicine’s Nudge Unit that incentivized drivers of connected cars with reward money to build and maintain seatbelt habits shows promise for promoting safer, consistent buckling behavior.

2 min. read