Surprising Science — January 27, 2011

Does Having Abortions Cause Mental Distress?

A new study has found that having an abortion does not put a woman at risk for mental health problems. But you know what does? Having a baby.

bigthinkeditor

A weekly newsletter featuring the biggest ideas from the smartest people

A Danish study published in the New England Journal of Medicine tracked 365,550 women over 12 years who’d either had a kid or terminated a pregnancy. They compared the rates at which women in each group sought mental health care. Among the women who’d had abortions, the rate of psychiatric counseling stayed more or less the same before and after the procedure. But in the group that gave birth, the number seeking mental health treatment jumped from 4 women in 1,000 before giving birth, to 7 women in 1,000 post-partum.

A weekly newsletter featuring the biggest ideas from the smartest people

Close-up of a hand holding a blue object, with a digitally altered, grainy effect and a circular line overlay on the image. The background features a mix of white, red, and pink hues.

Health

Are weight-loss meds the next wonder drugs?

GLP-1 agonists may be able to treat addiction, prevent Alzheimer’s, and more.

Neuropsych

How maternal mood shapes the developing brain

Medical psychologist Catherine Monk explains how prenatal mental care benefits both mothers and babies.

three blue - blue - blue - blue - blue - blue - blue - blue - blue - blue .

Health

Sex, immunity, and the brain

Boys are four times as likely as girls to develop autism. Girls are nearly twice as likely to experience depression. The immune system may be a player in these and other brain-health disparities.

a woman holding a rainbow colored kite in the air.

Starts With A Bang

Ask Ethan: What is a woman?

If you think you know what sex, gender, and “the right thing to do” for trans youth and adults are, be sure it agrees with actual science.

a red background with dollar bill origami airplanes.