Cannabis use is linked to changes in brain structure and function in older adults, but genetic analysis suggests these differences are likely due to other factors, not cannabis use itself.
Children exposed to cannabis before birth showed weaker attention, self-control, and planning skills in lab tests, along with more aggressive behavior.
Alzheimer’s disease and alcohol use disorder share similar gene expression changes, including increased inflammation, disrupted brain signaling, and vascular damage, suggesting alcohol use may worsen or accelerate Alzheimer’s progression through shared molecular mechanisms.
A psilocybin trial participant with treatment-resistant depression faced worsened suicidal thoughts and prolonged eating difficulties but ultimately experienced transformative life changes, highlighting both risks and nuanced benefits of psilocybin therapy.
Psilocybin influenced risk-reward behavior in rats, increasing caution during learning but reducing hesitation after learning. These effects varied by sex and context, highlighting psilocybin's potential to flexibly modify responses to challenging situations.
Researchers found that ketamine reduces "giving up" behavior in zebrafish by altering astrocyte activity, suggesting its antidepressant effects involve non-neuronal brain cells and promoting resilience against futility-induced passivity.
A Spanish study found that 6 mg/kg of caffeine improved reaction time but caused nervousness and increased energy, while 3 mg/kg had no effect.
A new study has found that a 400 mg caffeine dose disrupts sleep up to 12 hours before bedtime, yet many people fail to notice these disruptions, especially when consumed earlier in the day.
A low dose of methylphenidate improved driving performance in a simulator, reducing lane weaving and stabilizing speed, without major changes in eye movements.
A compound found in cannabis, known as cannabinol, has been shown to enhance sleep in a new animal study.
Frequent ayahuasca use is linked to improved mental health, lower psychological distress, and enhanced wellbeing, especially when paired with strong community support, mystical experiences, and personal insights. However, challenges like fear and integration difficulties can negatively impact outcomes.
Recent research found that Psilocybe cubensis extract improved memory and increased brain plasticity-related protein levels in stressed rats, but timing was key, as benefits were observed only when given 24-48 hours before memory training.
Individuals who consumed psilocybin in a therapeutic context reported modest, sustained improvements in sleep, with baseline sleep disturbances influencing the likelihood of achieving depression remission.
Teen binge drinking disrupts brain development, affecting white and grey matter, functional connectivity, and neurodevelopmental processes like myelination.
Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy improved interpersonal sensitivity, hostility, obsession-compulsion, and somatization in cancer patients without causing lasting phobia, paranoia, or psychosis, suggesting its potential as a multidimensional treatment for complex psychiatric distress.