Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Psyche.
The Spotlight Effect: Why We Think Everyone Is Watching Us. AI-Generated.
Introduction Have you ever walked into a room and felt like everyone was looking at you? Maybe you spilled coffee on your shirt, gave the wrong answer in class, or wore something unusual to work. In that moment it feels as if a bright spotlight has been turned on you and all eyes are staring. This is what psychologists call the spotlight effect.
By Muhammad Hussain5 months ago in Psyche
The Silent Thread: Following What Can’t Be Seen
1. The Quiet Mechanics of Being We often assume we understand our lives through logic and clarity. We believe our decisions stem from reason, our reactions from present-day events. Yet beneath the surface, deeper mechanisms are constantly at play. Thoughts shaped by long-forgotten moments, emotions inherited from childhood, even instincts passed down generationally—all subtly steering our direction.
By MUHAMMAD SHAFIE5 months ago in Psyche
Top 10 Phobias, plus 40 More
Phobias are irrational fears of objects, situations, or living things. Certain specific phobias fit the criteria for an anxiety disorder. These fears fill someone with the desperate need to avoid the source of their apprehension when confronted with it.
By Lightning Bolt ⚡5 months ago in Psyche
Is Caffeine as Dangerous as Cocaine?
Caffeine is the world’s most popular psychoactive substance. It’s celebrated for its ability to boost alertness and energy, to zing us up. But its impact on the brain and body is far more nuanced than many realize, and far more individual than we give it credit for. While caffeine is not necessarily as addictive or harmful as cocaine per se, its neurological and physiological effects deserve closer scrutiny as society has normalised its excessive consumption as standard and funnily enough we’re in the midst of an unprecedented human energy burnout crisis.
By Bianca Best5 months ago in Psyche
The Person I Pretended to Be Almost Erased Who I Truly Was
There’s a strange danger in pretending for too long. At first, it feels harmless—like slipping on a mask just to fit the occasion, adjusting your voice or your mannerisms to blend in, smoothing over your sharp edges so no one notices they’re there. But the longer you wear the mask, the harder it becomes to remember where the mask ends and where you begin.
By Azmat Roman ✨5 months ago in Psyche
The First Impression: Why We Judge in 7 Seconds. AI-Generated.
Introduction Have you ever met someone and within seconds decided whether you liked them or not? It happens so quickly that we often do not even realize it. Science shows that humans form strong opinions about others in as little as seven seconds. This process is called a first impression and it can have a lasting impact on how we view people in the future.
By Muhammad Hussain5 months ago in Psyche
Who Supports the Support System?
For as long as I can remember, I’ve been the one people turn to. The listener. The problem-solver. The “strong” one. At first, it felt good. There’s a kind of pride that comes with being dependable—the person who can carry other people’s pain without flinching. Friends called me their “rock.” Family relied on me to keep things together. At work, I was the one who could handle the pressure without breaking.
By Nadeem Shah 5 months ago in Psyche
