Harvard Mental Health Letter: March 2008

Although hookah or waterpipe smoking is thought to be less addictive than cigarettes, waterpipes are typically smoked for sustained periods and the smoke is inhaled more often, so smokers are still exposed to nicotine and other toxins.

A sincere and effective apology acknowledges the wrong and takes responsibility for it without making excuses. A genuine apology can be an important first step toward rebuilding a personal or professional relationship.

Although not always regarded seriously, hypnosis can be an effective treatment for pain or anxiety. Certain other conditions may lend themselves to treatment with hypnosis, but the results are less certain.

Testing by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that exposure to thimerosal through vaccinations generally did not impair neuropsychological development in children, as had been previously believed.

Researchers used a series of tests to evaluate people's perception of their own intelligence and how it may change according to how adaptable they believe themselves to be.

What is cognitive remediation, and is it helpful for treating schizophrenia?