Psychopharmacology

A new study in Psychopharmacology reveals a powerful performance-enhancing combination for combat athletes. Researchers found that pairing a low dose of caffeine with preferred warm-up music boosted the attack frequency and efficiency of elite male taekwondo athletes.

In a pilot study, physicians and nurses who took part in mindfulness training combined with psilocybin therapy experienced greater reductions in depression symptoms than those who practiced mindfulness alone, offering preliminary evidence for a new approach to burnout treatment.

A promising new treatment for chronic low back pain has emerged from a large clinical trial. Published in Nature Medicine, the study found a cannabis extract provided significant pain relief while showing no signs of causing dependence, addiction, or withdrawal...

A new study suggests that semaglutide, a drug best known as Ozempic, may reduce cocaine use, motivation, and relapse in rats. These findings point to a possible role for GLP-1-based drugs in treating cocaine addiction.

A new study in the Journal of Psychopharmacology questions whether psychedelics reliably enhance creative thinking, finding that the effects of an ayahuasca-inspired formulation may actually impair some aspects of creativity while modifying others.

A new study suggests cannabis use may offer same-day reductions in PTSD symptoms and negative affect among veterans. However, the effects appear short-lived, raising questions about long-term reliance on cannabis for managing trauma-related symptoms.

A new study suggests that cannabidiol may not ease fear or panic when tested under controlled laboratory conditions. Canadian researchers found that even high doses of cannabidiol did not reduce fear responses triggered by carbon dioxide inhalation in healthy adults.

Findings from the largest study of its kind suggest that alcohol consumption—regardless of amount—may increase the risk of dementia. Genetic data challenge the idea that moderate drinking offers any protective effect on brain health.

How does caffeine influence human behavior when tasks seem impossible? A new study suggests it may help people persist during stressful situations. The research bridges animal models of coping with human motivation and performance.

Despite concerns about caffeine's effects on young brains, researchers found no evidence that recent or regular consumption influences the relationship between two brain networks linked to attention in early adolescents.

Seniors who regularly consume caffeine may be less prone to cognitive decline, according to a new study. The findings reveal a dose-dependent relationship, with higher caffeine intake linked to significantly lower odds of poor cognitive performance.

Researchers discovered that tabernanthalog, a non-hallucinogenic analog of psychedelic drugs, can stimulate cortical neuron growth and improve depression-related behavior in mice. The study suggests these effects occur without the gene activity or neurotransmitter surges typically linked to classic psychedelics.

New research suggests that after a two-day break, frequent cannabis use does not impair simulated driving performance. These findings could influence public health policy and legal standards for determining cannabis-impaired driving, which often rely on past use indicators.

Researchers continue to explore how ketamine brings about fast-acting relief for people with depression. In a new experiment, scientists tested how brain activity changes under different conditions, shedding light on the complex pathways involved in the treatment response.