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Maia Szalavitz writes about the intersection between mind, brain and society for publications like Time online, the New York Times, Elle and MSN Health. She is co-author, most recently of Lost Boy, the first memoir by a young man raised in Mormon fundamentalist polygamy, Brent Jeffs. She is Senior Fellow at Stats.org, a media watchdog organization.

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Dude, Weed Won’t Rot Your Brain

HALF BAKED

Can casual marijuana use damage the brains of young adults? A new study says yes—but its participants suggest otherwise.

Maia Szalavitz | Published Apr 17, 2014

Press Sells Pain Pills to Addicts

Addiction experts are campaigning to block the sale of the ultra-pure pain pill Zohydro. But the campaign may be more of an advertisement for the new drug than a way to stop it.

Maia Szalavitz | Published Mar 04, 2014

How Empathy Can Save the Economy

It may be the Supreme Court’s buzzword du jour, but empathy’s emotional conclusion—trust—is the underpinning of our economy. Post-crash and post-Madoff, how will America restore this complicated neurological function?

Maia Szalavitz | Published May 28, 2009

A Cult Child's Journey Through Hell

As the prophet’s nephew on a radical polygamist compound, Brent Jeffs lived in a world of sexual terror, familial confusion, and religious brainwashing. Then he escaped—and his demons followed him.

Maia Szalavitz | Published May 22, 2009

A Radical New Autism Theory

A groundbreaking study suggests people with autism-spectrum disorders such as Asperger’s do not lack empathy—rather they feel others’ emotions too intensely to cope.

Maia Szalavitz | Published May 11, 2009

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