Sherry Pagoto, PhD
@drsherrypagoto.bsky.social
Professor, psychologist, NIH-funded scientist. Digital health, social media, healthy lifestyle. Past prez @behavioralmed. Occasional writer about relationships and health.
Deepfakes are all over social media and AI is making them harder to spot than ever--we all need to have an extra critical eye.
Thank you @brittanywong.bsky.social for adding my two cents to this excellent piece on the problem of deep fakes and why we can expect this problem to get much worse.
Thank you @brittanywong.bsky.social for adding my two cents to this excellent piece on the problem of deep fakes and why we can expect this problem to get much worse.
Wrote about ICE raid deepfakes on Facebook and how increasingly sophisticated AI could affect the next election.
“AI is such an inexpensive way to create political content and ads that resonate with audiences. Even when these videos are obviously fake, they still fuel a larger political narrative."
“AI is such an inexpensive way to create political content and ads that resonate with audiences. Even when these videos are obviously fake, they still fuel a larger political narrative."
A Disturbing New AI Trend Could Spell Big Trouble For Midterm Elections
Experts in deepfakes say we should be worried.
www.huffpost.com
November 16, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Deepfakes are all over social media and AI is making them harder to spot than ever--we all need to have an extra critical eye.
Thank you @brittanywong.bsky.social for adding my two cents to this excellent piece on the problem of deep fakes and why we can expect this problem to get much worse.
Thank you @brittanywong.bsky.social for adding my two cents to this excellent piece on the problem of deep fakes and why we can expect this problem to get much worse.
I'm feeling grateful the Huff Post published this essay I wrote about the year that followed my lifelong best friend's passing from an aggressive lymphoma. 🙏
www.huffpost.com/entry/death-...
www.huffpost.com/entry/death-...
My Best Friend Of 35 Years Died. I Didn't Expect Him To Leave Me A New Best Friend: His Wife.
"Robyn and I were both left without the man who steadied us — she as his wife, me as his best friend."
www.huffpost.com
October 14, 2025 at 12:23 PM
I'm feeling grateful the Huff Post published this essay I wrote about the year that followed my lifelong best friend's passing from an aggressive lymphoma. 🙏
www.huffpost.com/entry/death-...
www.huffpost.com/entry/death-...
"Homo sapiens is by far the most intelligent species on the planet, and it simultaneously is the most deluded species. We are now creating a superintelligence, and there is every reason to think that it will be super deluded."
www.theguardian.com/books/2025/o...
www.theguardian.com/books/2025/o...
How to live a good life in difficult times: Yuval Noah Harari, Rory Stewart and Maria Ressa in conversation
From superintelligent AI to the climate and democracy, three leading thinkers discuss how to navigate the future
www.theguardian.com
October 7, 2025 at 6:32 PM
"Homo sapiens is by far the most intelligent species on the planet, and it simultaneously is the most deluded species. We are now creating a superintelligence, and there is every reason to think that it will be super deluded."
www.theguardian.com/books/2025/o...
www.theguardian.com/books/2025/o...
Meta-analysis of twin studies reveals autism is largely genetic. This was published 10 years ago, and yet here we are.
"We demonstrate that ASD is due to strong genetic effects. The meta‐analytic heritability estimates were substantial: 64–91%."
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...
"We demonstrate that ASD is due to strong genetic effects. The meta‐analytic heritability estimates were substantial: 64–91%."
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...
Heritability of autism spectrum disorders: a meta‐analysis of twin studies
The etiology of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has been recently debated due to emerging findings on the importance of shared environmental influences. However, two recent twin studies do not support ...
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
September 23, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Meta-analysis of twin studies reveals autism is largely genetic. This was published 10 years ago, and yet here we are.
"We demonstrate that ASD is due to strong genetic effects. The meta‐analytic heritability estimates were substantial: 64–91%."
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...
"We demonstrate that ASD is due to strong genetic effects. The meta‐analytic heritability estimates were substantial: 64–91%."
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...
The Coalition of Autism Scientists have entered the chat:
“The data cited do not support the claim that Tylenol causes autism and leucovorin is a cure, and only stoke fear and falsely suggest hope where there is no simple answer.”
www.thetransmitter.org/spectrum/aut...
“The data cited do not support the claim that Tylenol causes autism and leucovorin is a cure, and only stoke fear and falsely suggest hope where there is no simple answer.”
www.thetransmitter.org/spectrum/aut...
Autism experts question HHS statements on Tylenol, leucovorin
Concerns include the administration’s reliance on weak, correlational evidence rather than established research…
www.thetransmitter.org
September 23, 2025 at 1:08 AM
The Coalition of Autism Scientists have entered the chat:
“The data cited do not support the claim that Tylenol causes autism and leucovorin is a cure, and only stoke fear and falsely suggest hope where there is no simple answer.”
www.thetransmitter.org/spectrum/aut...
“The data cited do not support the claim that Tylenol causes autism and leucovorin is a cure, and only stoke fear and falsely suggest hope where there is no simple answer.”
www.thetransmitter.org/spectrum/aut...
Study in @jama.com reveals no link between Tylenol and autism:
"Acetaminophen use during pregnancy was not associated with children’s risk of autism, ADHD, or intellectual disability in sibling control analyses."
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
"Acetaminophen use during pregnancy was not associated with children’s risk of autism, ADHD, or intellectual disability in sibling control analyses."
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Acetaminophen Use During Pregnancy and Children’s Risk of Autism, ADHD, and Intellectual Disability
This nationwide cohort study with sibling control analysis examines the association of acetaminophen use during pregnancy with children’s risk of autism, ADHD, and intellectual disability.
jamanetwork.com
September 22, 2025 at 5:38 PM
Study in @jama.com reveals no link between Tylenol and autism:
"Acetaminophen use during pregnancy was not associated with children’s risk of autism, ADHD, or intellectual disability in sibling control analyses."
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
"Acetaminophen use during pregnancy was not associated with children’s risk of autism, ADHD, or intellectual disability in sibling control analyses."
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Glad to see the NYT covering the undertreatment of obesity in men. This is a longstanding issue.
We are currently recruiting for a clinical trial of a digital weight loss program. Sign up here if interested: uchredcap.uchc.edu/redcap/surve...
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/18/w...
We are currently recruiting for a clinical trial of a digital weight loss program. Sign up here if interested: uchredcap.uchc.edu/redcap/surve...
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/18/w...
Obesity Is Killing American Men
www.nytimes.com
September 19, 2025 at 6:22 PM
Glad to see the NYT covering the undertreatment of obesity in men. This is a longstanding issue.
We are currently recruiting for a clinical trial of a digital weight loss program. Sign up here if interested: uchredcap.uchc.edu/redcap/surve...
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/18/w...
We are currently recruiting for a clinical trial of a digital weight loss program. Sign up here if interested: uchredcap.uchc.edu/redcap/surve...
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/18/w...
California proposes $23B plan to fund scientific research at its universities.
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/13/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/13/u...
California’s $23 Billion Plan to Restore Federal Cuts to Scientific Research
www.nytimes.com
September 13, 2025 at 12:58 PM
California proposes $23B plan to fund scientific research at its universities.
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/13/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/13/u...
I was excited to be part of this @aljazeera.com documentary on the harms of social media influencer culture.
It is in a 4-part docuseries on social media. Worth a watch!
Also great viewing for teens to help them avoid going down the social media rabbit hole.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=vl3K...
It is in a 4-part docuseries on social media. Worth a watch!
Also great viewing for teens to help them avoid going down the social media rabbit hole.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=vl3K...
A new form of capitalism: The Influencer Culture | Al Jazeera Untangles
YouTube video by Al Jazeera English
www.youtube.com
September 8, 2025 at 2:55 PM
I was excited to be part of this @aljazeera.com documentary on the harms of social media influencer culture.
It is in a 4-part docuseries on social media. Worth a watch!
Also great viewing for teens to help them avoid going down the social media rabbit hole.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=vl3K...
It is in a 4-part docuseries on social media. Worth a watch!
Also great viewing for teens to help them avoid going down the social media rabbit hole.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=vl3K...
I have a headache.
Normally this is the kind of thing I’d text my best friend, but he died last year. He was the rare person who wouldn’t see that as annoying but instead would respond: 😞🤕
This is all to say you’re really gonna miss the person you can text about a headache.
Normally this is the kind of thing I’d text my best friend, but he died last year. He was the rare person who wouldn’t see that as annoying but instead would respond: 😞🤕
This is all to say you’re really gonna miss the person you can text about a headache.
August 29, 2025 at 12:29 AM
I have a headache.
Normally this is the kind of thing I’d text my best friend, but he died last year. He was the rare person who wouldn’t see that as annoying but instead would respond: 😞🤕
This is all to say you’re really gonna miss the person you can text about a headache.
Normally this is the kind of thing I’d text my best friend, but he died last year. He was the rare person who wouldn’t see that as annoying but instead would respond: 😞🤕
This is all to say you’re really gonna miss the person you can text about a headache.
Congrats to Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce! 😍💍
As a psychologist, I have been impressed by their mutual respect for each other's careers.
Check out my piece on how these two have written the playbook for balancing love and careers: www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/shri...
As a psychologist, I have been impressed by their mutual respect for each other's careers.
Check out my piece on how these two have written the playbook for balancing love and careers: www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/shri...
What Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce Get Right About Love
What Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce can teach us about relationships.
www.psychologytoday.com
August 26, 2025 at 6:14 PM
Congrats to Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce! 😍💍
As a psychologist, I have been impressed by their mutual respect for each other's careers.
Check out my piece on how these two have written the playbook for balancing love and careers: www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/shri...
As a psychologist, I have been impressed by their mutual respect for each other's careers.
Check out my piece on how these two have written the playbook for balancing love and careers: www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/shri...
"Forty years ago more than 60% of children diagnosed with cancer would have died within five years of diagnosis. Today there is a 90% survival rate." - @labonnelab.bsky.social
This is why we cannot take our foot off the gas of cancer research funding.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
This is why we cannot take our foot off the gas of cancer research funding.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
‘Impossible to rebuild’: NIH scientists say Trump cuts will imperil life-saving research
Researchers say scientific community is in state of whiplash and accuse president of trying to ‘destroy’ vital work
www.theguardian.com
August 7, 2025 at 10:31 PM
"Forty years ago more than 60% of children diagnosed with cancer would have died within five years of diagnosis. Today there is a 90% survival rate." - @labonnelab.bsky.social
This is why we cannot take our foot off the gas of cancer research funding.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
This is why we cannot take our foot off the gas of cancer research funding.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
When we talk about healthy lifestyle we usually mean diet and exercise, but that is too narrow. Healthy relationships matter too.
In my latest @psychologytoday.com piece, I discuss a healthy habit that can improve your relationship AND your heart health.
www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/shri...
In my latest @psychologytoday.com piece, I discuss a healthy habit that can improve your relationship AND your heart health.
www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/shri...
This Habit Can Improve Your Love Life and Your Heart Health
The type of relationships that protect our hearts has one key ingredient: Co-regulation. Partners who co-regulate know how to effectively reduce each other’s stress.
www.psychologytoday.com
August 7, 2025 at 3:12 PM
When we talk about healthy lifestyle we usually mean diet and exercise, but that is too narrow. Healthy relationships matter too.
In my latest @psychologytoday.com piece, I discuss a healthy habit that can improve your relationship AND your heart health.
www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/shri...
In my latest @psychologytoday.com piece, I discuss a healthy habit that can improve your relationship AND your heart health.
www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/shri...
It's almost like money and power cannot buy you peace. 🤔
You don’t see articles like this about moms with three jobs who still manage to take care of their kids.
July 22, 2025 at 5:07 PM
It's almost like money and power cannot buy you peace. 🤔
In these divisive times, why does it seem like so many people lack empathy?
In my latest Psychology Today post, I discuss:
🔬 The science of empathy
🥸 Why people capable of empathy sometimes lack it
✍ Tips for maximizing empathy
www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/shri...
In my latest Psychology Today post, I discuss:
🔬 The science of empathy
🥸 Why people capable of empathy sometimes lack it
✍ Tips for maximizing empathy
www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/shri...
Why Does It Seem Like So Many People Lack Empathy?
We’re all guilty of low empathy from time to time, but that doesn’t mean that we are incapable of empathy. These five strategies can maximize your capacity for empathy.
www.psychologytoday.com
July 21, 2025 at 1:01 PM
In these divisive times, why does it seem like so many people lack empathy?
In my latest Psychology Today post, I discuss:
🔬 The science of empathy
🥸 Why people capable of empathy sometimes lack it
✍ Tips for maximizing empathy
www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/shri...
In my latest Psychology Today post, I discuss:
🔬 The science of empathy
🥸 Why people capable of empathy sometimes lack it
✍ Tips for maximizing empathy
www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/shri...
⚠️ NIH now limits PIs to 6 applications per year. That includes resubmissions.
grants.nih.gov/grants/guide...
grants.nih.gov/grants/guide...
July 18, 2025 at 11:17 AM
⚠️ NIH now limits PIs to 6 applications per year. That includes resubmissions.
grants.nih.gov/grants/guide...
grants.nih.gov/grants/guide...
Reposted by Sherry Pagoto, PhD
25% of men have dated someone 10+years or younger vs 14% of women. For women partnered w/ a much older man, that can eventually mean still being employed & caregiving for children, parents & an elderly husband--"a daunting load." @drsherrypagoto.bsky.social
www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/shri...
www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/shri...
Why the Golden Bachelor's Age Preference Hit a Nerve
"Golden Bachelor" fans are up in arms about its new star's refusal to date women over 60. The research on age-gap relationships shows they have a point.
www.psychologytoday.com
July 8, 2025 at 5:05 PM
25% of men have dated someone 10+years or younger vs 14% of women. For women partnered w/ a much older man, that can eventually mean still being employed & caregiving for children, parents & an elderly husband--"a daunting load." @drsherrypagoto.bsky.social
www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/shri...
www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/shri...
The new Golden Bachelor, Mel Owens, age 66, broke the internet last week when he announced he plans on cutting all women over 60. 😲
Check out my piece in @psychologytoday.com on how age gap relationships can disadvantage the younger partner.
www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/shri...
Check out my piece in @psychologytoday.com on how age gap relationships can disadvantage the younger partner.
www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/shri...
The Golden Bachelor's Age Preference Is Hitting a Nerve
"Golden Bachelor" fans are up in arms about its new star's refusal to date women over 60. The research on age-gap relationships shows they have a point.
www.psychologytoday.com
July 7, 2025 at 12:35 PM
The new Golden Bachelor, Mel Owens, age 66, broke the internet last week when he announced he plans on cutting all women over 60. 😲
Check out my piece in @psychologytoday.com on how age gap relationships can disadvantage the younger partner.
www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/shri...
Check out my piece in @psychologytoday.com on how age gap relationships can disadvantage the younger partner.
www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/shri...
I taught my 81-year old dad how to use ChatGPT today.
His first search?
How can a senior golfer increase his driving distance? 😆
His first search?
How can a senior golfer increase his driving distance? 😆
a man swings a golf club on a golf course
ALT: a man swings a golf club on a golf course
media.tenor.com
July 5, 2025 at 6:00 PM
I taught my 81-year old dad how to use ChatGPT today.
His first search?
How can a senior golfer increase his driving distance? 😆
His first search?
How can a senior golfer increase his driving distance? 😆
A psychiatrist involved with establishing the diagnostic criteria for autism explains why diagnoses have skyrocketed.
It’s simple: they widened the criteria because so many cases had previously been missed.
www.nytimes.com/2025/06/23/o...
It’s simple: they widened the criteria because so many cases had previously been missed.
www.nytimes.com/2025/06/23/o...
Opinion | Autism Rates Have Increased 60-Fold. I Played a Role in That.
www.nytimes.com
June 23, 2025 at 10:53 AM
A psychiatrist involved with establishing the diagnostic criteria for autism explains why diagnoses have skyrocketed.
It’s simple: they widened the criteria because so many cases had previously been missed.
www.nytimes.com/2025/06/23/o...
It’s simple: they widened the criteria because so many cases had previously been missed.
www.nytimes.com/2025/06/23/o...
A group of university leaders are proposing a new approach to overhead payments (indirect costs) that they propose is:
✔️transparent
✔️fair
✔️holds universities accountable
✔️makes sure universities get every dollar they are
owed
www.science.org/content/arti...
✔️transparent
✔️fair
✔️holds universities accountable
✔️makes sure universities get every dollar they are
owed
www.science.org/content/arti...
U.S. academics call for reforms in research overhead payments, hoping to avoid drastic cuts
Coalition offers two models it says increase accountability and reflect the “true costs” of research
www.science.org
June 17, 2025 at 9:19 PM
A group of university leaders are proposing a new approach to overhead payments (indirect costs) that they propose is:
✔️transparent
✔️fair
✔️holds universities accountable
✔️makes sure universities get every dollar they are
owed
www.science.org/content/arti...
✔️transparent
✔️fair
✔️holds universities accountable
✔️makes sure universities get every dollar they are
owed
www.science.org/content/arti...
🔥Hot off the presses! Our latest study, led by @richardbannor.bsky.social, found that 69% of Facebook users have posted about health.
✔️47% have posted about their health condition
✔️57% have posted about a health behavior
✔️63% have posted health information
www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/22...
✔️47% have posted about their health condition
✔️57% have posted about a health behavior
✔️63% have posted health information
www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/22...
www.mdpi.com
June 10, 2025 at 2:14 PM
🔥Hot off the presses! Our latest study, led by @richardbannor.bsky.social, found that 69% of Facebook users have posted about health.
✔️47% have posted about their health condition
✔️57% have posted about a health behavior
✔️63% have posted health information
www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/22...
✔️47% have posted about their health condition
✔️57% have posted about a health behavior
✔️63% have posted health information
www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/22...
NIH staff write urgent open letter to the NIH Director:
"We urge you as NIH Director to restore grants delayed or terminated for political reasons so that life-saving science can continue."
www.standupforscience.net/bethesda-dec...
"We urge you as NIH Director to restore grants delayed or terminated for political reasons so that life-saving science can continue."
www.standupforscience.net/bethesda-dec...
Bethesda Declaration — STAND UP FOR SCIENCE
Support NIH Staff Now!
www.standupforscience.net
June 9, 2025 at 12:45 PM
NIH staff write urgent open letter to the NIH Director:
"We urge you as NIH Director to restore grants delayed or terminated for political reasons so that life-saving science can continue."
www.standupforscience.net/bethesda-dec...
"We urge you as NIH Director to restore grants delayed or terminated for political reasons so that life-saving science can continue."
www.standupforscience.net/bethesda-dec...
I can think of two people right now who could really use a couples therapist. 💅
June 5, 2025 at 11:16 PM
I can think of two people right now who could really use a couples therapist. 💅
NIH just channeled $50M of this year's budget into an Autism Data Science Initiative. It does not allow clinical trials or interventions. Applications due June 27.
Looks like only 10 awards-- they are $5M a piece and only for 2-3 years.
dpcpsi.nih.gov/autism-data-...
Looks like only 10 awards-- they are $5M a piece and only for 2-3 years.
dpcpsi.nih.gov/autism-data-...
Autism Data Science Initiative Funding Opportunities | DPCPSI
Research Opportunity Announcement (ROA): OTA-25-006 Autism Data Science initiativeNavigation #NavigationSection 1: Overview InformationSection 2: Objectives of this OpportunityBackgroundSources for Au...
dpcpsi.nih.gov
June 3, 2025 at 3:46 PM
NIH just channeled $50M of this year's budget into an Autism Data Science Initiative. It does not allow clinical trials or interventions. Applications due June 27.
Looks like only 10 awards-- they are $5M a piece and only for 2-3 years.
dpcpsi.nih.gov/autism-data-...
Looks like only 10 awards-- they are $5M a piece and only for 2-3 years.
dpcpsi.nih.gov/autism-data-...