Psychopharmacology

Unlike other drug users, individuals who used psychedelics and cannabis during the pandemic saw average improvements in anxiety and depression, according to a UK-based longitudinal study that tracked mental health before and after COVID-19 restrictions.

Researchers believe the antidepressant esketamine may "reset" rigid brain circuits. A new study provides evidence for this, showing the drug increases brain excitability while reducing top-down control, a state of cortical disinhibition thought to alleviate depressive symptoms.

A new clinical trial has found that a single dose of cannabidiol can reduce alcohol craving and dampen activity in a brain region tied to reward. The findings point to CBD’s potential as a treatment option for alcohol use disorder.

Scientists have discovered that psilocybin may have powerful anti-aging properties. New research provides the first experimental evidence that the compound from psychedelic mushrooms extends survival in aged mice and significantly delays the natural aging process in human cells.

A new brain imaging study reveals that individuals with alcohol use disorder have elevated levels of the antioxidant glutathione in a key brain region. Interestingly, those who drank less heavily in recent weeks showed the highest concentrations.

Researchers have discovered that psilocybin—but not ketamine—triggers widespread changes in neuropeptide-related genes in the rat hypothalamus. These findings may help explain how psychedelics influence mood, appetite, and stress responses through deep brain systems.

Does cannabis help or harm memory in older age? A new study in rats suggests the answer is complex. Researchers found THC’s effects depended on sex and delivery method, improving working memory in some cases while impairing it in others.

People under the influence of psilocybin perform more slowly on tasks measuring attention and executive function. But a new study suggests the problem might not be the drug—it might be the traditional lab tests used to assess cognition.

A surprising new study reveals a twist in the gut-brain connection. While anxiety and depression are linked to distinct gut bacteria, commonly prescribed medications show an even stronger association with microbiome changes than the mental health conditions themselves.

A new study shows that only one form of hexahydrocannabinol—9(R)-HHC—produces behavioral effects similar to THC in mice, raising concerns about its psychoactive potential. The findings highlight key differences between HHC variants commonly sold as cannabis alternatives.

A new study suggests that lamotrigine, a drug used to prevent bipolar depression, may influence how people recall emotional information. Healthy volunteers who took a single dose remembered more positive self-relevant words than negative ones, without reporting mood changes.

Think you can sleep fine after a late coffee? A new study suggests otherwise. Researchers found that while caffeine may not prevent sleep, it creates a "shallower" rest by increasing brain complexity and pushing it toward a more wake-like state.

Military veterans who attended psilocybin or ayahuasca retreats showed improvements in measures of depression, PTSD, anxiety, and reintegration into civilian life compared to their baseline assessments.

While many people use cannabis to help them sleep, a new study reveals a surprising outcome. Researchers found a single dose of a medicinal cannabis oil actually decreased total sleep time and significantly suppressed the REM sleep (or dreaming) phase.

Caffeine may help prevent stress-induced depression-like symptoms in mice by protecting gut health and reducing inflammation. While more research is needed, the findings raise the possibility that everyday dietary habits could play a meaningful role in mental health