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Mental Health

A new study finds that stimulating the brain during sleep can improve memory. DrAfter123/Getty Images hide caption

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Scientists zap sleeping humans' brains with electricity to improve their memory

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Joy Ryan and her grandson Brad at the National Park of American Samoa. The pair visited all 63 U.S. national parks together Ari Daniel hide caption

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Ari Daniel

How a 93-year-old visited every national park and healed a family rift in the process

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Abbie Harper worked for a helpline run by the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA), which is now being phased out. Harper disagrees with the new plan to use an online chatbot to help users find information about eating disorders. Andrew Tate hide caption

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Andrew Tate
Kaitlin Brito for NPR

Worried about your kids' video gaming? Explore their online worlds yourself

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In a new advisory released Tuesday, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy warns that social media could pose dangers to children and teens. Mandel Ngan/Getty Images hide caption

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Mandel Ngan/Getty Images

Social media can put young people in danger, U.S. surgeon general warns

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Many teens and young adults struggle with overuse of screens. They also have good advice for how to have a healthy relationship with social media. Rose Wong for NPR hide caption

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Rose Wong for NPR

Teens say social media is stressing them out. Here's how to help them

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Writer Naomi Jackson Lola Flash/Naomi Jackson hide caption

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Lola Flash/Naomi Jackson

In 2009, only about half of teens said they used social media every day. By 2022, 95% of teens said they used some social media — and about a third say they use it constantly, a poll from Pew Research Center found. Owen Franken/Getty Images hide caption

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Owen Franken/Getty Images

We need to talk about teens, social media and mental health

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There's growing evidence that social media use can contribute to mental health issues among teens. A new health advisory suggests ways to protect them. martin-dm/Getty Images hide caption

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Major psychologists' group warns of social media's potential harm to kids

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Connie Hanzhang Jin/NPR

It's never too late to explore your gender identity. Here's how to start

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Studies have raised alarms about the many ways kids have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic– from loneliness, to depression and anxiety, to faltering grades. OLIVIER DOULIERY/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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OLIVIER DOULIERY/AFP via Getty Images

The Kids Are Not Alright

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Montana state Rep. SJ Howell speaks on the House floor during a motion to discipline Rep. Zooey Zephyr at the Montana Capitol in Helena on Wed., April 26, 2023. Howell is a Democrat who identifies as transgender nonbinary. Tommy Martino/AP hide caption

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Tommy Martino/AP

These states are narrowly defining who is 'female' and 'male' in law

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A new advisory outlines how a national strategy could tackle the problem of loneliness in the United States. Getty Images hide caption

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Getty Images

America has a loneliness epidemic. Here are 6 steps to address it

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This video still shows a view of one person's cerebral cortex. Pink areas have above-average activity; blue areas have below-average activity. Jerry Tang and Alexander Huth hide caption

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Jerry Tang and Alexander Huth

A decoder that uses brain scans to know what you mean — mostly

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Showtime's Couples Therapy. Courtesy of Showtime; David McNew/Getty Images hide caption

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Courtesy of Showtime; David McNew/Getty Images

Brittany goes to 'Couples Therapy;' Plus, why Hollywood might strike

A big strike might be coming to Hollywood. That's because the Writer's Guild of America - the union that protects screenwriters - is pushing back against what they see as unfair wages. NPR's Linda Holmes explains why we as viewers should care. Plus, Brittany talks with Dr. Orna Guralnik. Orna is the lead therapist on Showtime's docuseries Couples Therapy, and her and Brittany discuss how to bridge differences in relationships, how to maintain meaningful relationships, and why humans have the capacity to heal.

Brittany goes to 'Couples Therapy;' Plus, why Hollywood might strike

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Over the past decade, there's been a striking decline in teen mental health. Researchers are working to better understand the role of social media. MANAN VATSYAYANA/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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MANAN VATSYAYANA/AFP via Getty Images

How Social Media Use Impacts Teen Mental Health

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For years, the research picture on how social media affects teen mental health has been murky. That is changing as scientists find new tools to answer the question. Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images

The truth about teens, social media and the mental health crisis

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Activists and community members march into the Minnesota State Capitol building during a Trans Day of Visibility rally on March 31, 2023. Nicole Neri for MPR hide caption

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Nicole Neri for MPR

The seemingly simple act of reaching for a cup of coffee actually activates parts of the brain involved in motion, planning and emotions. Melinda Podor / Getty Images hide caption

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Melinda Podor / Getty Images

An overlooked brain system helps you grab a coffee — and plan your next cup

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States filed lawsuits against corporations involved in the opioid crisis. Now, about $50 billion in settlement funds have begun to flow to state governments. Advocates want to make sure it is used to treat addiction. ERIC BARADAT/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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ERIC BARADAT/AFP via Getty Images