Psychopharmacology

Physical exertion combined with deep concentration can severely slow down human reaction times. A recent trial reveals that taking a dietary supplement derived from cocoa plants helps active individuals retain their mental sharpness during taxing workouts.

A new study in Communications Biology provides evidence that a psychedelic drug induces a hybrid sleep-wake state in active mice. This unusual brain activity suggests a potential mechanism for how psychedelics might help remodel neural connections.

A new mouse study published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology provides evidence that psilocybin selectively enhances the brain's ability to rewire itself. The research suggests that optimizing specific doses could help tailor treatments for different psychiatric symptoms.

Experiencing severe social defeat during adolescence typically leads to anxiety and social avoidance. However, a new study reveals that treating mice with ketamine prior to stressful events effectively blocks these negative behavioral changes.

A recent review of animal studies suggests that caffeine blocks specific cellular receptors to reduce neuroinflammation. This immune-calming effect may help alleviate behavioral symptoms associated with mood disorders.

New research reveals how ayahuasca alters brain waves to induce vivid, spontaneous thoughts. A simple brain recording before consumption can even predict how intensely a person will experience the brew's physical and emotional effects.

A medication already approved for weight loss and diabetes may alter the brain's reward system to suppress the urge to drink. A new rodent study shows tirzepatide effectively cuts alcohol intake and blocks relapse-like behaviors.

New research shows that while impulsivity and neuroticism both increase the risk of teen alcohol use, they stem from almost entirely different brain networks. This highlights how multiple biological pathways can lead to risky behavior.

Researchers have identified a self-guided therapeutic process induced by magnesium-ibogaine. Published in npj Mental Health Research, the study sheds light on how veterans with brain injuries revisit traumatic memories to achieve psychological and cognitive healing.

A new longitudinal study suggests that drinking larger amounts per occasion is linked to slightly higher future anxiety. However, frequent, low-quantity consumption is associated with lower anxiety levels in adults over 51.

Scientists have found evidence that LSD inhibits status epilepticus and mortality in mice. The preliminary research suggests the drug works by desynchronizing brain activity.

Chronic microdosing of psilocybin could fight obesity and diabetes without the "trip." Researchers discovered that non-hallucinogenic doses reduced weight gain and restored insulin sensitivity in mice by targeting specific receptors in the liver.

A new study published in Translational Psychiatry finds that chronic cannabis use is associated with better decision-making in people with bipolar disorder, contrasting with the cognitive impairment typically observed in healthy users.

Adolescents who consume sugary beverages every day are more likely to report cognitive struggles. A recent analysis suggests that the resulting lack of sleep is a primary factor connecting sugary drinks to reduced mental clarity.

A new study finds that while severe childhood trauma often leads to early alcoholism, specific genetic variants are more closely linked to the disorder developing later in life.