Are Psychopaths Capable of Loving Their Own Children?

 The Dark Triad of personality traits (DTP) consists of narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy. These traits manifest as excessive self-love, manipulative behavior, and a lack of empathy. Psychopaths are often deeply self-centered, leading to abusive relationships. Their partners are frequently the first victims—manipulated, exploited, and abruptly devalued before being discarded. But what about their children? Are they treated the same way, or is it different?

According to Perpetua Neo, a psychologist and therapist specializing in DTP, the answer is no. "Narcissists, psychopaths, and sociopaths lack empathy and cannot develop it. As a result, they never truly love anyone," she explained to Business Insider. "This doesn’t change when they have children. There is no primal instinct to protect or nurture their offspring because they don't see them as independent beings but as tools for their use." Neo adds, "Rather than saying, 'I will nurture you so you can become the amazing person you're meant to be,' a psychopath will think, 'You’re supposed to grow up and become my trophy.'"

The environment in which the child grows up is thus unhealthy: the child is unable to develop an independent sense of self and is burdened by the parent’s emotional distress. "Narcissists, for instance, tend to be deeply unhappy people with low self-esteem, dumping unnecessary emotional baggage onto their children," the psychologist explains.

A psychopath views their child as their "property," using them as an emotional outlet or sounding board as the child grows. "Some patients have told me that their parents said, 'The only reason I had you was so you could take care of me for the rest of my life,'" Neo notes. The psychopath also protects their "trophy," their possession: "You’re not allowed to have children," says Neo, "and you’re not allowed to get married. The parent will interfere in all kinds of relationships, stirring up drama to ensure the child remains single."

This toxic relationship becomes increasingly challenging as the child matures. As the child grows stronger and more self-aware, the parent becomes more fragile and, in response, attacks the child’s self-confidence to maintain control. "In the eyes of the psychopath, the child must be devalued. The parent will say things like, 'You’re fat, you’re useless, or you’re ugly.'"

On the other hand, when the child achieves something, the parent must take credit. "Everything always circles back to them," Neo explains. "As a result, the child grows up thinking, 'I have no say, and I don’t matter.'"

Do children of psychopaths end up becoming like their parents? "This only happens in a minority of cases," writes psychotherapist Michelle Piper. "Some children develop 'siege responses,' becoming emotionally withdrawn, highly independent, and less sensitive to others. They may manipulate others as if they were parents demanding their needs be met." However, Piper notes, "The most common response is 'compliance,' where the child learns to set aside their own needs and bend over backward to please others."

Children of narcissists, in particular, tend to exhibit "this compulsion to serve others," the psychologist concludes. "They become hyper-empathic, overly generous, and often remain trapped in relationships with narcissists throughout their lives."

The emotional and psychological impact of such family dynamics is profound and long-lasting. Growing up under the control of a narcissistic or psychopathic parent distorts the child’s sense of self and worldview. These children often suppress their emotions and ignore their needs, developing hypervigilance and a tendency to anticipate others’ reactions to avoid conflict. This coping mechanism can lead to toxic relational patterns in adulthood, where they unconsciously replicate behaviors of submission or, conversely, hyper-control, in an attempt to reclaim the sense of power they never had during childhood.

Read More

Blue Scorpion Venom: A Potential Cancer Cure?

 The blue scorpion, a unique arachnid found exclusively in Cuba, has recently captured the attention of scientists due to the discovery of specific molecules within its venom that could potentially treat certain forms of cancer.

For over two decades, many Cuban doctors have been treating their cancer patients with blue scorpion (Rhopalurus junceus) venom, renowned for its analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. While results vary from patient to patient, many report reduced pain and increased energy levels.

The blue scorpion (Heteroctenus junceus) is a nocturnal species belonging to the Buthidae family and is endemic to Cuba, where it primarily inhabits dry, rocky areas. Like most scorpions, its body is divided into three sections: the cephalothorax (head and legs), the abdomen (central part), and the metasoma (tail).

Despite its name, the Heteroctenus junceus is not as blue as one might think. Depending on its age and environment, its coloration can range from brown, reddish, or orange, with grayish or bluish hues.

Due to its bioactive components (peptides, toxins, and proteins), blue scorpion venom possesses various properties that have piqued the interest of researchers, particularly for its potential medical applications. These include analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects, combined with potential anticancer properties.

Preliminary studies have suggested that the venom of this Cuban scorpion species may exhibit a cytotoxic effect on certain cancer cells, including those of lung, brain, breast, and colon cancer. The venom also appears to spare healthy cells, making it a promising candidate for the development of alternative cancer treatments.

The state-owned pharmaceutical laboratory Labiofam, based in Havana, is preparing to launch a homeopathic version of the drug and aims to flood the global market. Currently, only a few countries, including China, have authorized the commercialization of this venom-based treatment.

Read More

The Oldest Forest on Earth is Nearly 400 Million Years Old

 The recent discovery of tree fossils in southwestern England has revealed the existence of what is now considered the oldest known forest on Earth. These fossils, dating back 390 million years, surpass in age those of the fossil forest of Gilboa, in New York State, which dated to 386 million years. This finding, which challenges our understanding of early forest ecosystems, marks an important milestone in the study of forest evolution on our planet.

The evolution of trees and forests during the Devonian period played a crucial role in transforming our planet. By stabilizing the soil and interacting with the atmosphere and water cycles, trees profoundly altered terrestrial environments.

Starting in the mid-Givetian era (around 387 to 382 million years ago), a group of trees called lignophytes (the ancestors of modern trees that possess wood) became particularly influential in natural processes. However, the impact of earlier forests, primarily composed of cladoxylopsids (prehistoric trees that were not as woody as lignophytes), is less understood, which makes this new discovery all the more significant.

In a new study, a team of scientists reveals the existence of a 390-million-year-old cladoxylopsid forest in the Eifelian sandstone formation of Hangman, located in the Somerset and Devon regions of southwestern England. Previously, this area was considered to be of little paleobotanical interest, meaning in terms of plant fossils.

However, in addition to revealing the first fossils of this type of tree in the British record, this research also sheds light on the earliest evidence of the spatial arrangement of trees, which, simply put, constitutes the oldest known "fossil forest."

This ancient forest appears to have hosted only one species of plant. These plants looked similar to palm trees, with a long central stem and branches resembling palm fronds, though they were actually clusters of small branches. These trees, standing between two and four meters tall, made up a relatively low forest by today's standards.

The preservation methods of these fossilized trees are remarkable: some were preserved as hollow trunks filled with sediment, while others, fallen logs, were compressed over millennia, forming molds within the sediments. These fossils, still bearing the marks of branches, offer a unique glimpse into the structure and composition of these ancient trees.

It’s worth noting that at this time, present-day England was part of the Laurentia continent, near the equator, and thus enjoyed a warm and dry climate.

Moreover, this forest not only represents the first trees to have grown densely and closely together, but it also marks an ecosystem where the first terrestrial arthropods began to emerge. Researchers found traces of these small creatures in the sediments surrounding the fossilized trees, indicating early biodiversity.

This discovery will have major implications for our understanding of the evolution of forest ecosystems on Earth. It upends our understanding of early forests by revealing an ecosystem far older and more complex than previously thought. The existence of this fossil forest, with its prehistoric trees and traces of arthropods, offers an unprecedented glimpse into the biodiversity that was developing 390 million years ago. It also highlights the key role that these early environments played in transforming our planet. The analysis of these fossils opens new perspectives on the evolution of terrestrial ecosystems and the interaction between plant and animal life at that time.

Read More