Does this eerie parlor game really give voices to ghostly spirits? While the answer is debatable, scientists envision even more intriguing clinical applications. — When I was a teenager, nothing was as terrifying as watching the movie The Exorcist. The story tells the tale of Regan, a 12-year-old girl who uses the family Ouija board to ask questions of “Captain Howdy” — a demon who takes possession of her soul. Generous head-spinning and pea-soup…

Dachau was one of the most brutal places on earth. I traveled over 5000 miles to walk the path of my friend. — As a college student, I received a writing assignment to interview someone I didn’t know. So I walked up to an old man sitting in the lobby of my apartment building and asked if we could chat. And chat we did. Over many hours, the old man told me stories…

Lessons in civility learned from behind a fast-food counter — When I turned 16 I took my first job, at McDonald’s. I was a “counter girl” — meaning I took customers’ orders. These were the days before drive-thrus, so I got to talk to a lot of people face-to-face. I liked that a lot. However, I did deal with my…

The brain can generate pain in the absence of injury, but what the brain can learn, it can unlearn. — Chronic pain is one of the biggest health problems today, affecting more than one-fifth of all American adults — 50 million people. And the most common type of chronic pain? The kind I endure — low back pain. Aching backs are among patients’ most frequent complaints. Back pain lasting more…

Many devoted spouses pass away within mere months of each other. Coincidence? Or can you really die of a broken heart? — Two years ago, three months to the day of each other, both of my sweet in-laws died. In the same way, my cousin’s parents passed away within three months, at the relatively young ages of 65 and 67. …

Scientists have long believed human females are the only primates who go through the “change of life.” But new research throws a monkey wrench into that theory. — According to a new study, wild female chimpanzees survive well past their babymaking days to experience the hormonal shift of menopause — just like their human counterparts (so sorry, chimps!) The discovery was surprising to biologists, who previously believed the only primates who routinely outlive their fertility are human women…

Psychology explains why — for so many of us — these stars of kiddie birthday parties and peddlers of good, clean fun are truly no laughing matter — Trigger Warning: This article contains references to painted white faces, red foam noses, and receding hairlines with tufts of wild hair. Please engage in self-care while reading. Not so long ago, across at least 10 different states, creepy clowns terrorized America. In Florida, fiendish clowns were spotted lurking by the…

Alas, another summer is history. But if you’re willing to brave the chill, autumn offers some pretty amazing perks. — Fall has arrived. The weather is cooler, the leaves are dying, and darkness falls by dinnertime. Another year is waning. For me, autumn always brings a bit of melancholy. I mourn the withering greenery, the rotting gardens, and the flocks of birds who abandon my feeders to head for warmer…

I needed to shake things up, so I put my fate in the hands of Lady Luck — Before retiring two years ago, I made a bucket list — capturing my dreams like fireflies in a glass jar. Rediscovering the list, I reviewed each scribbled item. I did, in fact, plant a veggie garden. Hubby and I bought that hot tub. We even scored tickets for the Rose…