The best psychology newsletters

Economist Bryan Caplan's newsletter offers sharp, opinionated essays on social science, power, immigration, and public intellectuals, often built around experiments and debates. Readers get original arguments with a clear point of view, plus guest replies and analysis of how commentators express contempt and sentiment.

A newsletter publishing essays, guest posts and journal excerpts on the philosophy, ethics and practice of psychiatry and psychotherapy. Issues combine first-person accounts of psychosis and treatment, clinical reasoning, and commentary on psychoanalytic and relational care debates.

Donald J. Robertson, a cognitive-behavioural therapist, explains Stoic philosophy and its practical techniques, drawing on ancient sources such as Seneca, Marcus Aurelius and Musonius Rufus. Readers get articles, course lessons and commentary on how Stoic exercises compare with modern psychotherapy.

Knowingless is Aella's newsletter on sex, psychedelics and social analysis, mixing survey-based data work (such as correlates of rationalist identity from her Glosso platform) with explicit, candid writing on sexuality. Readers also get updates on community events and her ongoing sex-psychology series.

A history and culture newsletter offering long-form essays on historical and political topics, including the psychology of willpower, the genetic history of the Roman Empire, and medieval architecture such as Salisbury Cathedral. Readers get well-researched, narrative explanations that draw on scholarly studies and historical evidence.

Big Think is a newsletter from the Big Think media platform featuring essays, interviews, and special magazine issues by prominent thinkers. Recent issues cover pop culture's political legacy, the human side of AI, and how algorithms and family shape social tribes.

Short weekly essays from a therapist on boundaries, relationships and mental health, with a focus on self-reflection and everyday communication. Readers get practical reframes and questions to apply in their own relationships.

A cognitive scientist shares research-informed perspectives on creativity, well-being, relationships and human potential, along with updates on his podcast, now the Human Potential Lab. Readers get original psychological frameworks and announcements of conversations with scientists, philosophers and technologists.

Rob Henderson writes about human nature, psychology, social class and luxury beliefs, often unpacking new research papers in accessible essays. Issues also include podcast appearances, curated links and occasional sponsored product recommendations.

Sketchplanations sends a weekly hand-drawn explanation of an idea from science, psychology, creativity or everyday life, with the author's personal anecdotes. Each issue explains the concept in plain language and links it to practical situations such as training, group work and colour mixing.

Adam Grant's newsletter shares psychology-based insights on relationships, belonging, and work, often tied to his books and events. It also promotes his book tour, reading recommendations, and reader giveaways.

A Substack by Dr. Sean Tobin that reflects on artificial intelligence through faith and psychology, covering topics such as the Vatican's encyclical on AI, machine consciousness and the arrival of personal AI agents. It also includes practical guidance for people who feel overwhelmed and want to start using AI tools.

David Epstein, author of Range, shares interviews, research-driven essays and book-related news aimed at generalists. Issues cover topics like friendship science, suicide-prevention research and the value of broad skills in an AI-shaped world.

After Babel is a free weekly newsletter by Jonathan Haidt and his team examining how digital technology is reshaping childhood and society, with practical guidance for parents and others. Recent issues cover ancient wisdom in modern psychology, accountability for Meta's harms to kids, and research from a new NYU Stern lab.

Britt Wray writes about the psychological side of the climate crisis, combining interviews, research summaries and practical guidance for coping and acting. Recent issues cover climate education, talking with kids about climate, and how a warming planet affects brain health.

Essays by a therapist on how masked autism, ADHD and giftedness (which she calls 'neurocomplexity') show up in daily life, relationships and emotional patterns. Readers get psychological explanations of experiences like demand avoidance, rejection sensitivity and relational dynamics, framed as strengths rather than flaws.

The Tidy Home is a community newsletter about decluttering, organization, and simplifying home life, with practical psychology-based tips. Recent issues cover why people hold onto unused possessions and how to spot and eliminate unnecessary household chores.

A Substack on how to reason well and live deliberately, built around a Thinker versus Feeler framework with Stoic leanings. Posts cover self-control, protecting the mind from misinformation, and rebuilding attention for reading.

Dan Harris shares practical self-improvement advice, mixing personal essays with podcast episode write-ups featuring psychologists, authors and meditation teachers. Readers get actionable strategies on topics like feedback, habits, mindfulness, aging and grief.

A newsletter applying Stoic philosophy to everyday life, with essays on habits, relationships, and motivation drawing on Seneca, Plutarch and classical art. Readers get practical, story-driven advice blending ancient quotes with modern psychology.

A reader-supported newsletter by Susan Cain on introversion, quiet, depth and beauty, mixing guest excerpts, ideas and live Zoom conversations. Recent issues promote a members' Candlelight Chat on purpose in the age of AI and share an author excerpt on deep talk versus small talk.

East Hunter is a Substack covering psychology, psychometrics and behavioral genetics, with commentary on related social and political topics. Issues mix critical readings of new research, such as within-family studies of sexual minority mental health, with personal opinion pieces and announcements.

Essays applying existential-humanistic psychology, drawing on thinkers like Otto Rank and Maslow, to creativity, self-actualization and living meaningfully amid a culture of optimization. It also includes personal reflections from the author and promotion of his writing challenge and seminars.

A pilot-authored newsletter that explains the psychology behind fear of flying, drawing on concepts like reflective function and psychic equivalence. Readers get reframes of common anxieties such as turbulence and takeoff or landing safety, along with practical tips.

A Substack on decision making under uncertainty from author Annie Duke, featuring her own essays and guest posts on behavioral science and practical choices. Readers get frameworks for better judgment, plus promotion of related books, classes and events.

Iain McGilchrist's Substack extends his hemisphere-hypothesis work to cultural and philosophical questions, often responding to other writers and sharing interviews or articles. Issues combine his own commentary on left-hemisphere dominance with reposted pieces on topics such as free speech and censorship.

A monthly roundup of links about bad science, scientific fraud, retractions and replication failures, written with a cynical, true-crime flavour. It helps readers keep up with research misconduct stories and the broader push for more honest science.

Short two-minute readings twice a week that apply universal laws and psychology to money, business and relationships. Issues combine anecdotes, research references and practical principles, plus a weekly podcast-style Friday Spark.

A book-summary newsletter that condenses bestselling nonfiction into a practical worksheet or action step, drawing on the source's core ideas rather than surface advice. Each issue pairs a few pointed corrections to popular readings with a structured exercise for applying the idea to a real decision.

A newsletter companion to Mayim Bialik's Breakdown podcast, featuring celebrity interviews, personal reflections on emotional well-being, and explorations of spirituality and consciousness. Readers get episode summaries, a Monday motivation column, and topic explainers alongside sponsored product content.

A Substack newsletter that explores dark psychology, covering manipulation, deception, and psychological control in everyday relationships. Readers get practical guidance on reading people, recognizing red flags, and telling genuine warning signs from ordinary behavior.

A psychological astrology newsletter that combines weekly transit forecasts with deeper explainers on chart placements such as the rising sign. Readers get practical advice for the week's planetary events in a chatty, personal voice.

A weekly newsletter of short essays drawing on Stoic philosophy, history and psychology to offer lessons for living well. Each issue pairs a central idea or quotation with reflective, practical takeaways, plus occasional book recommendations.

A personal finance and self-improvement newsletter built around conversations with successful builders and author interviews, turned into practical frameworks and mental models. Each issue pairs a short psychology or strategy idea with a question for reflection, plus podcast and book recommendations and sponsor mentions.

A personal Substack of raw, confessional essays and poetry on healing, trauma recovery, and romantic relationships. Readers get emotionally direct writing about self-reclamation, plus promotion of a paid 30-day healing journal.