Psychopharmacology

A recent study in Translational Psychiatry shows that one dose of DMT reversed loss of pleasure and cognitive deficits in stressed mice. The psychedelic promoted new brain cell growth, highlighting its potential as a rapid-acting antidepressant.

A new four-year study brings reassuring news to parents: taking stimulant medications like Ritalin during childhood does not permanently alter brain development, suggesting that initial adaptations to the drug are only temporary.

Many people use cannabis to help cut back on drinking. However, a new study reveals that smoking THC only reduces alcohol cravings for individuals with average or high working memory, leaving those with poorer cognitive control without this benefit.

Exploring the overlooked aspects of substance-related sexuality, a new analysis of young adults demonstrates how cannabis serves to heighten physical pleasure and intimacy.

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.