How pet ownership affects our mental health

+ the 'unabashedly racist' 1924 immigration law US Edition - Today's top story: Pets give companionship, cuddles and joy -- and also unavoidable stresses [View in browser]( US Edition | 26 May 2024 [The Conversation] [The Conversation]( Happy Sunday − and welcome to the best of The Conversation U.S. Here are a few of our recently published stories: - [Louisiana set to reclassify abortion pills as controlled, dangerous substances – here’s what that means]( - [Colorado takes a new – and likely more effective – approach to the housing crisis]( There are so many joys to having a pet. Our cat, Carl, greets my fiancée and me with loud purrs when we come home and snuggles up to us when we sleep. The mere act of petting him feels therapeutic. But pet ownership can create stress too, such as when we have to leave him home for a trip or when he’s suffering from a medical issue. Emily Hemendinger, a psychiatrist and animal lover at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, [has seen firsthand the varied mental health impacts]( of having furry companions. In one of last week’s stories that resonated most with readers, she describes the research behind the many positive ways pets affect us as well as the challenges. “Pets can bring infinite joy and companionship to our lives, whether that’s through pet ownership, fostering, volunteering or engaging in animal-assisted therapy,” Hemendinger writes. “It remains important, however, to acknowledge the stressors and difficulties pet owners face. After all, the ups and downs of pet ownership, just like the ups and downs of the human experience, are what make life and relationships that much more meaningful.” Bryan Keogh Managing Editor Readers' picks [Pets give companionship, cuddles and joy – and also unavoidable stresses]( Emily Hemendinger, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus Pets often become an integral part of the family system, and some people say their bond to their pet is akin to that of a human child. - [Iran crash: President Raisi’s death leaves Tehran mourning loss of regime loyalist]( Eric Lob, Florida International University Ayatollah Ali Khamenei announced a five day period of mourning following the discovery of wreckage on hillside. - [Alcohol use disorder can be treated with an array of medications – but few people have heard of them]( Joseph P. Schacht, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus Alcohol is responsible for more deaths than overdoses from opioids and all other substances combined, yet less than 10% of people with alcohol use disorder receive treatment. - [Is hard water bad for you? 2 water quality engineers explain the potential benefits and pitfalls that come with having hard water]( Sarah Blank, Iowa State University; Timothy Ellis, Iowa State University Hard water might dry out your hair and skin − but having hard water isn’t necessarily a bad thing. - [How the Gaza humanitarian aid pier traces its origins to discarded cigar boxes before World War II]( Frank A. Blazich Jr., Smithsonian Institution A pre-World War II US Navy plan for a modular floating platform has developed into a key lifeline in Gaza and at disaster sites around the world. Editors' picks [A century ago, anti-immigrant backlash almost closed America’s doors]( Matthew Smith, Miami University May 2024 marks the 100th anniversary of the Immigration Act of 1924, which sharply cut the number of people allowed into the US. - [California is about to tax guns more like alcohol and tobacco − and that could put a dent in gun violence]( Topher L. McDougal, University of San Diego The US homicide rate is far above the rate of other nations. - [Heat waves can be deadly for older adults: An aging global population and rising temperatures mean millions are at risk]( Deborah Carr, Boston University; Enrica De Cian, Ca' Foscari University of Venice; Giacomo Falchetta, Ca' Foscari University of Venice; Ian Sue Wing, Boston University Older adults face greater health risks from extreme heat for several reasons. Communities can save lives by starting to make changes now. - [Most Israelis dislike Netanyahu, but support the war in Gaza – an Israeli scholar explains what’s driving public opinion]( Arie Perliger, UMass Lowell Israelis’ and Jewish people’s long-held feeling of persecution, dating back to biblical times, contributes to most Israelis’ desire to continue the war in Gaza. - [Animals self-medicate with plants − behavior people have observed and emulated for millennia]( Adrienne Mayor, Stanford University Humans have watched and learned from animals who treat their ills with bioactive plants. This animal wisdom has a scientific name: zoopharmacognosy. News Quiz 🧠- [The Conversation U.S. weekly news quiz]( Fritz Holznagel, The Conversation Test your knowledge with a weekly quiz drawn from some of our favorite stories. Questions this week on immigration, Haiti and D-Day. - - More of The Conversation Like this newsletter? You might be interested in our other weekly emails: • [Science Editors' Picks]( • [This Week in Religion]( • [Giving Today]( • [Politics Weekly]( • [Global Perspectives]( • [Global Economy & Business]( Follow us on social media: • [Threads]( • [Bluesky]( • [Mastodon]( • [Post.news]( • [LinkedIn]( • [Instagram]( • [Facebook]( • Or [get a daily text from us]( - - About The Conversation We're a nonprofit news organization dedicated to [helping academic experts share ideas with the public](. We can give away our articles thanks to the help of foundations, universities and readers like you. [Donate now to support research-based journalism]( [The Conversation]( You’re receiving this newsletter from [The Conversation]( 303 Wyman Street, Suite 300 Waltham, MA 02451 [Forward to a friend]( • [Unsubscribe](