@richardsima

Brain Matters columnist @washingtonpost | @CarterFellows for Mental Health Journalism ‘23-24 | @dcswa Pres Emeritus | 🧠@hopkinsMedicine + @harvard | stardust

 Baltimore, MD
washingtonpost.com/people/richard-sima/
Joined October 2009
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This is a story that centers around two remarkable people - April and Devine - and how patients like them are reshaping how psychiatry is treating and thinking about mental illness. It was an honor to help tell their stories - I hope I did them justice. washingtonpost.com/wellness/…

A catatonic woman awakened after 20 years. Her story may change psychiatry.

New research suggests that a subset of patients with psychiatric conditions like schizophrenia may actually have autoimmune disease that attacks the brain.

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Eric Topol
@EricTopolSep 9
Now a Washington post article about this intriguing study, gift link, by @richardsima wapo.st/3V3CXtf

Column | The surprising science of how focusing your attention may fight inflammation

Researchers found that people who distracted themselves from an itch actually had worse inflammation than those who didn’t.

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Juliet Eilperin@eilperinAug 4
If you stop drinking, your brain can partly recover. A fascinating piece by @richardsima washingtonpost.com/wellness/…

Column | Here’s what happens to your brain when you stop drinking alcohol

Though even relatively low levels of drinking can cause harm, the brain can recover to an extent if you stop or cut back, evidence shows.

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Washington Post Communications
@WashPostCommsJun 22
🧠Our neuroscientist-turned-science journalist (and new dad!) @RichardSima joined @ayesharascoe on @NPRWeekend to discuss his latest column on the surprising science of fatherhood and how it changes the brain. 📰Read: washingtonpost.com/wellness/… 🔊Listen: npr.org/2026/06/21/nx-s1-586…

Column | The surprising science of how fatherhood changes the brain

Studies suggest that, like mothers, fathers may undergo a shift in their biology in preparation for and in response to the responsibilities of parenthood.

washingtonpost.com
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John Hudson
@John_HudsonMay 4
Bravo to @hannah_natanson, whose Pulitzer Prize reporting overcame an outrageous and chilling FBI raid on her home, a threat to journalism in this country
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Chelsea Janes@chelsea_janesFeb 7
Former Post sports journalist gets the picture that breaks the camel’s back. Long live the Post, may the comeback start immediately.
Nicki Jhabvala
@NickiJhabvalaFeb 6
Will Lewis was too busy to join the call to tell his staff he’s destroying the @washingtonpost sports department yesterday … but he did have time to walk the red carpet at NFL Honors here in San Francisco today. Amazing.
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María Luisa Paúl@marialuisapaulrFeb 4
I’m among today’s Washington Post layoffs. It was an absolute dream to cover everything — from immigration, to Venezuela to politics to national breaking news — over the past 5 years. If you’re hiring or know of someone who is: mpaulrangel(at)gmail(dot)com
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Siobhán O'Grady@siobhan_ogradyFeb 4
It’s been the honor of my life to serve as Washington Post bureau chief in Ukraine. ❤️‍🩹
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Aaron Wiener@aaronwienerFeb 4
Unfortunately the Washington Post has decided to eliminate its Berlin bureau and with it my job. It's been the honor and adventure of a lifetime to be Berlin bureau chief, even if just for 6 months. So many great journalists have lost their jobs today. It's a dark day.
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Lizzie Johnson@lizziejohnsonnnFeb 4
I was just laid off by The Washington Post in the middle of a warzone. I have no words. I'm devastated.
Lizzie Johnson@lizziejohnsonnnJan 25
Waking up without power, heat, or running water. (Again.) But the work here in Kyiv continues. Warming up in the car, writing in pencil — pen ink freezes — by headlamp. Despite how difficult this job can be, I am proud to be a foreign correspondent at The Washington Post.
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Washington Post Guild@PostGuildJan 29
Our foreign correspondents have a message for you, @JeffBezos: Please, #SaveThePost.
Siobhán O'Grady@siobhan_ogradyJan 29
For nearly a century, @washingtonpost foreign correspondents have been on the frontlines of wars, pandemics, economic crises, civil uprisings and so much more. Washington needs us. The world needs us. If you read us and need us, please watch and share. @JeffBezos #SaveThePost
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Washington Post Guild@PostGuildJan 27
#SaveThePost, @JeffBezos.
This image shows a logo of The Washington Post Guild and our statement: The Post Guild vehemently opposes any more cuts to the staff of The Washington Post. As we’ve seen in recent years, continuing to eliminate scores of workers who make this storied institution what it is only stands to weaken the newspaper, drive away readers and undercut The Post’s mission: to hold power to account without fear or favor and provide critical insight into communities across the region, country and world. If Jeff Bezos no longer supports that mission, then The Post and its readers deserve a steward who does. If you value The Post’s journalism and its renowned past — if you care about its future — we ask that you join us in our call to #SaveThePost.

ALT This image shows a logo of The Washington Post Guild and our statement: The Post Guild vehemently opposes any more cuts to the staff of The Washington Post. As we’ve seen in recent years, continuing to eliminate scores of workers who make this storied institution what it is only stands to weaken the newspaper, drive away readers and undercut The Post’s mission: to hold power to account without fear or favor and provide critical insight into communities across the region, country and world. If Jeff Bezos no longer supports that mission, then The Post and its readers deserve a steward who does. If you value The Post’s journalism and its renowned past — if you care about its future — we ask that you join us in our call to #SaveThePost.

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Jeff Passan
@JeffPassanJan 27
The Washington Post has the best sports section in the country, and I don’t think it’s particularly close. Only a soulless corporate goon would think the paper is better without it. A short-sighted, cowardly decision. Shame is your legacy.
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Peter Baker
@peterbakernytJan 26
Two of the strongest parts of the @washingtonpost are its international and sports coverage. They have amazing must-read writers. If they are gutted by Bezos's publisher, it would be one of the most self-destructive acts in American journalism in years. Praying it's not true.
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Griff Witte@griffwitteJan 26
I’m proud to have spent a dozen years as a @washingtonpost foreign correspondent and editor. The paper has long had some of the best international reporting anywhere around, and that continues to this day. I hope @JeffBezos knows what a treasure it is. #SaveThePost
ErikWemple@ErikWempleJan 25
Update on turmoil at the Washington Post that I’ve been following w @BenMullin: Foreign correspondents at WaPo have sent a letter, a “collective plea,” to owner Jeff Bezos raising alarm over impending staff reductions, which are expected to land hard on international coverage.
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Ellen Knickmeyer@EllenKnickmeyerJan 26
I was @washingtonpost Baghdad buro chief at the height of bloodletting in the US invasion. Believe me, it’s bad for everyone - government, military, business and ordinary people - when there’s not strong ground reporting on how US policy is playing out overseas. #savethepost
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Siobhán O'Grady@siobhan_ogradyJan 26
Kostya Khudov, the Ukrainian next to me in this photo, could’ve fled Kyiv. Instead, he drove against traffic on Feb 24, 2022 to find me in the city. He stayed with our team every day since — coming under artillery, ballistic missiles, drones for us. @JeffBezos #SaveThePost
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Souad Mekhennet
@smekhennetJan 26
.@JeffBezos I cover international security for @washingtonpost and reported on ISIS, Jamal Khashoggi’s murder, al-Qaeda, Iran and Israel. I’ve been imprisoned, lived under threats, and escaped kidnappings to do this work. #Journalism matters to America and the world. #SaveThePost
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Danielle Paquette@DPAQreportJan 26
Emerging from mat leave to say that serving as a foreign correspondent for the @washingtonpost was the honor of a lifetime. Our reporters worldwide put their lives on the line to dig up what would otherwise stay buried. It's not a product. It's a public service. #SaveThePost
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Samantha Schmidt@schmidtsam7Jan 26
As international correspondents and reporters for the @washingtonpost, we risk our safety to investigate authoritarian governments, report from gang-controlled towns and document evidence of stolen elections. This on-the-ground reporting is more critical than ever. #SaveThePost
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María Luisa Paúl@marialuisapaulrJan 26
Some of the most consequential @washingtonpost reporting comes from its International desk — journalists who go to the frontlines to tell stories that shape how the world understands crises 🧵I’ve had the privilege of working with this team and watching their dedication up close
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