Psychopharmacology

A new analysis of health records suggests a modest link between lifetime hallucinogen use and valvular heart disease. While the increased risk is small, the findings highlight the need for more research into the physical safety of psychedelics.

New research shows that psilocybin, the active compound in magic mushrooms, reduces chronic nerve pain in mice. It also significantly enhances the performance of common pain drugs, suggesting the psychedelic might fundamentally rewire how the brain processes pain.

A new meta-analysis found that MDMA-assisted therapy significantly reduces PTSD symptoms. However, researchers warn the evidence quality is "very low" due to flaws in how the clinical trials were conducted, including a failure to use proper placebos.

Despite popular beliefs linking psychedelic drugs to open-mindedness, new research published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology suggests that substances like psilocybin and LSD do not reliably alter a person's authoritarian political views.

A new study found that two minor cannabis compounds, CBN and THCV, were more effective at reducing voluntary alcohol drinking in rats than CBD, offering a potential new avenue for treating alcohol use disorder.

A new clinical trial mapped the sleeping brains of people with insomnia after they took a cannabis-based drug. The treatment altered deeper sleep stages and reduced dreaming, though participants experienced no cognitive impairment the morning after.

A recent clinical trial suggests that treating the immune system with an anti-inflammatory drug could relieve symptoms in people with difficult-to-treat depression. The research provides early evidence that lowering inflammation tends to improve mood, fatigue, and anxiety.

A small clinical trial found that a single low-dose infusion of ketamine reduced exhaustion in patients with various chronic illnesses. The findings suggest fast-acting medications could eventually offer relief for people struggling with debilitating and persistent tiredness.

Taking psychedelics alongside a romantic partner is linked to a deeper mutual understanding and improved relationship satisfaction. Conversely, undertaking an intense psychedelic journey alone might leave couples out of sync and increase the likelihood of a breakup.

A sophisticated data analysis reveals that while the placebo effect mirrors the trajectory of antidepressant recovery, the actual medication produces a stronger response uniquely linked to a patient's underlying brain circuitry.

While eating well slightly lowers inflammation, new research shows it is not enough to reverse the damage caused by frequent alcohol consumption. Moderate and heavy drinking were linked to significant inflammatory spikes, regardless of diet quality.

Special Operations veterans with head traumas experienced notable clinical improvements after taking ibogaine. Brain scans reveal the therapy was associated with lasting increases in cerebral blood flow and the widespread reorganization of neural networks.

A study of over 500,000 Americans suggests that substances like PCP and cannabis consistently predict higher arrest rates. Conversely, psilocybin is associated with lower odds of offending, though these protective effects vary by race and age.

A new study reveals that a rodent's age and reproductive cycle strongly influence its response to psilocybin, pointing toward a need for customized psychiatric drug treatments across different patient demographics.