English हिन्दी
Connect with us

Lifestyle

Taking contraceptive pills harm women’s ability to read emotions

Published

6 years ago

on

Taking contraceptive pills harm women’s ability to read emotions

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]A  European study shows that contraceptive pills may blur a woman’s judgement and even impact her relationship by making it more difficult for her to identify more complex emotions.

The new small-scale study was carried out by researchers at the University of Rostock, University of Greifswald, and University of Potsdam, Germany in which the researchers recruited 95 healthy women, including 42 who took the pill and 53 who did not, and asked them to complete a special emotion recognition task.

The findings, published in the journal Frontiers in Neuroscience, showed that both groups of women were equally good at recognizing easy expressions and emotions, such as happiness and fear.

However, women who took the pill were nearly 10 per cent worse on average in recognizing the most complex emotional expressions, such as pride and contempt, than women who didn’t take the pill.

The effect held true for both positive and negative expressions, and regardless of the types of pills taken. The team also found that a woman’s menstrual cycle phase had no effect on the differences in emotion recognition.

“If oral contraceptives caused dramatic impairments in women’s emotion recognition, we would have probably noticed this in our everyday interactions with our partners,” said senior author Dr Alexander Lischke.

Lischke further said, “We assumed that these impairments would be very subtle, indicating that we had to test women’s emotion recognition with a task that was sensitive enough to detect such impairments. We, thus, used a very challenging emotion recognition task that required the recognition of complex emotional expressions from the eye region of faces”

Although the pill has been linked with a variety of physical effects, both good and bad, little is known about the psychological effects. However, Dr Lischke added that the findings are in line with previous research.

Coincidental findings suggest that oral contraceptives impair the ability to recognize emotional expressions of others, which could affect the way users initiate and maintain intimate relationships.

Cyclic variations of estrogen and progesterone levels are known to affect women’s emotion recognition, and influence activity and connections in associated brain regions.

Since oral contraceptives work by suppressing estrogen and progesterone levels, it makes sense that oral contraceptives also affect women’s emotion recognition; however, the exact mechanism underlying oral contraceptive-induced changes in women’s emotion recognition remains to be elucidated.

Further research is now needed to understand this area better says Dr. Lischke, and to help give women more detailed information about the potential effects of oral contraceptive use.

(Inputs from media reports)[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Related Topics:
Continue Reading

Festivals

Good Friday 2025: Messages and quotes to mark the day of Jesus Christ’s sacrifice

Christians mark Good Friday 2025 with prayers and reflection, commemorating Jesus Christ’s crucifixion and sharing messages of hope and faith.

Published

2 weeks ago

on

April 18, 2025

By

Jesus Christ

On this Good Friday 2025, Christians across the globe are observing a day of solemnity and remembrance to commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Falling on the Friday before Easter Sunday, this significant day in the Christian faith is marked with prayers, fasting, and spiritual contemplation. Often referred to as Holy Friday, Great Friday, or Black Friday, the day carries deep religious importance, symbolising the immense sacrifice Jesus made for the salvation of humanity.

The crucifixion of Christ: A pivotal moment in Christian faith

According to the New Testament, Good Friday marks the day when Jesus was crucified by Roman authorities, following accusations of blasphemy by Jewish religious leaders. The Gospels recount that Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor, sentenced Jesus to death by crucifixion, an act that has come to represent the ultimate expression of love and sacrifice in Christian theology.

Believers reflect on this day with reverence, acknowledging the pain and suffering that Jesus endured at Calvary. The crucifixion is not only a symbol of sacrifice but also of hope, as it leads to the resurrection celebrated on Easter Sunday.

Sharing messages of hope and faith

As people observe this sacred day, many reach out to loved ones with messages and prayers that reflect the solemnity and spiritual meaning of Good Friday. Here are some heartfelt wishes to share:

  • May your heart be filled with kindness, joy and happiness. Sending my wishes on the holy occasion of Good Friday.
  • May you and your loved ones be always showered with the choicest blessings of the Almighty.
  • On the occasion of Good Friday, I hope that the Lord keeps you safe always and surrounds your life with happiness.
  • When you lend a helping hand to others, you honour Jesus Christ and everything he stood for.
  • May the light of the Lord’s love shine upon you. Sending warm wishes and blessings on Good Friday.
  • Let us pray to Jesus Christ on this holy occasion of Good Friday and seek forgiveness for our sins.

Bible quotes to reflect on this Good Friday

  • “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
  • “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
  • “He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken.”
  • “Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.”
  • “In you, O Lord, I take refuge; let me never be put to shame. In your justice, rescue me.”

As the faithful gather to reflect on the sacrifice of Christ, Good Friday serves as a poignant reminder of compassion, forgiveness, and unwavering faith.

Continue Reading

Entertainment

How to turn your ideas into Ghibli-style AI images using ChatGPT

Discover how to create Studio Ghibli-style AI art for free using ChatGPT and other AI tools, with step-by-step instructions and alternative platforms.

Published

1 month ago

on

March 28, 2025

By

AI-generated Studio Ghibli style art featuring fantasy landscape

A new wave of AI-generated art inspired by Studio Ghibli is taking the internet by storm, thanks to recent advancements in image generation technology. OpenAI’s latest update to ChatGPT now allows users to create visuals mimicking the dreamy, whimsical aesthetic of Japanese animation legend Hayao Miyazaki.

With just a simple text prompt, users can generate fantasy landscapes, expressive characters, and ethereal scenes reminiscent of classics like Spirited Away and My Neighbor Totoro. This trend has gained traction on social media, where Ghibli-style artworks are being widely shared.

How to generate Ghibli-style art using ChatGPT

To create these visuals, users can log into chat.openai.com and start a new chat. After entering a descriptive prompt—such as “Show me in Studio Ghibli style”—ChatGPT processes the request and displays a matching image, which can then be downloaded directly.

However, this feature is currently available only to users subscribed to ChatGPT’s Plus, Pro, Team, or other select plans. OpenAI’s CEO has acknowledged that demand has caused delays in offering image generation to all users.

Free alternatives for Ghibli-style image creation

For those not subscribed to ChatGPT’s paid tiers, several free AI tools offer similar capabilities:

  • Gemini and GrokAI: Generate detailed Ghibli-style visuals with well-phrased prompts.
  • Craiyon: A basic online AI tool that creates Ghibli-inspired imagery using simple descriptions.
  • Artbreeder: Enables users to blend and modify image styles, though some features are locked behind a paywall.
  • Runway ML, Leonardo AI, and Mage.space: These advanced platforms offer free trials and allow for intricate styling, such as capturing the soft textures or color schemes typical of Ghibli animations.

These tools open creative avenues for users to explore the world of AI art without spending a rupee.

Continue Reading

Lifestyle

Chaitra Navratri 2025: Kalash Sthapana muhurat and rituals for invoking Goddess Durga’s blessings

Chaitra Navratri 2025 begins on March 30 with Ghatasthapana. Learn about Kalash Sthapana muhurat, rituals, and the spiritual meaning behind the nine days of celebration.

Published

1 month ago

on

March 28, 2025

By

Chaitra Navratri 2025

As the auspicious festival of Chaitra Navratri 2025 approaches, devotees are gearing up to observe the traditional Kalash Sthapana, also known as Ghatasthapana, on Sunday, March 30. This sacred ritual marks the start of the nine-day celebration dedicated to Goddess Durga and her nine divine forms.

Significance of Kalash Sthapana

The ritual of Kalash Sthapana is more than just a tradition—it signifies the establishment of a sacred space that welcomes the divine feminine energy. The Kalash, or sacred pot, symbolises purity, fertility, and prosperity. Performing this ritual during the correct muhurat is considered essential to invoke Goddess Durga’s blessings for health, fortune and spiritual growth.

To prepare for the ritual, the puja space is thoroughly cleaned and sanctified. A wooden platform or chowki is adorned with a red cloth, and nine varieties of grains are arranged over it before placing the Kalash. Devotees fill the Kalash with water, turmeric, vermilion, and five mango leaves. In front of it, barley seeds are sown in a clay pot, symbolising abundance and the beginning of creation.

Chaitra Navratri 2025 Ghatasthapana date and shubh muhurat

  • Date: March 30, 2025
  • Morning Muhurat: 6:13 am to 10:22 am
  • Abhijit Muhurat: 12:01 pm to 12:50 pm

Performing Kalash Sthapana within this time frame is believed to bring spiritual and material success.

Ritual guidelines for devotees

During Chaitra Navratri, devotees engage in rituals such as fasting, chanting, temple visits, and pujas dedicated to the Navadurga, the nine manifestations of Goddess Durga. A few key points for Kalash Sthapana include:

  • Position the Kalash before the idol or image of Goddess Durga
  • Light an Akhanda Deep, an uninterrupted lamp, next to the Kalash
  • Chant mantras to invoke the presence of the goddess

Nine days of Navadurga worship

Each day of Chaitra Navratri holds unique significance, with specific pujas performed for each avatar of Goddess Durga:

  • March 30 – Pratipada: Ghatasthapana & Shailputri Puja
  • March 31 – Dwitiya: Brahmacharini Puja
  • April 1 – Tritiya: Chandraghanta Puja
  • April 2 – Chaturthi: Kushmanda Puja
  • April 3 – Panchami: Skandamata Puja
  • April 4 – Shashti: Katyayani Puja
  • April 5 – Saptami: Kalaratri Puja
  • April 6 – Ashtami: Mahagauri Puja & Kanya Pujan
  • April 7 – Navami: Siddhidatri Puja & Ram Navami

Chaitra Navratri is celebrated during the spring season and is one of the two major Navratris in the Hindu calendar. The festival underscores the victory of light over darkness and good over evil, with each day promoting spiritual discipline and devotion.

Continue Reading

Trending

© Copyright 2022 APNLIVE.com