Psychopharmacology

A new study suggests cannabis use may offer same-day reductions in PTSD symptoms and negative affect among veterans. However, the effects appear short-lived, raising questions about long-term reliance on cannabis for managing trauma-related symptoms.

A new study suggests that cannabidiol may not ease fear or panic when tested under controlled laboratory conditions. Canadian researchers found that even high doses of cannabidiol did not reduce fear responses triggered by carbon dioxide inhalation in healthy adults.

Findings from the largest study of its kind suggest that alcohol consumption—regardless of amount—may increase the risk of dementia. Genetic data challenge the idea that moderate drinking offers any protective effect on brain health.

How does caffeine influence human behavior when tasks seem impossible? A new study suggests it may help people persist during stressful situations. The research bridges animal models of coping with human motivation and performance.

Despite concerns about caffeine's effects on young brains, researchers found no evidence that recent or regular consumption influences the relationship between two brain networks linked to attention in early adolescents.

Seniors who regularly consume caffeine may be less prone to cognitive decline, according to a new study. The findings reveal a dose-dependent relationship, with higher caffeine intake linked to significantly lower odds of poor cognitive performance.

Researchers discovered that tabernanthalog, a non-hallucinogenic analog of psychedelic drugs, can stimulate cortical neuron growth and improve depression-related behavior in mice. The study suggests these effects occur without the gene activity or neurotransmitter surges typically linked to classic psychedelics.

New research suggests that after a two-day break, frequent cannabis use does not impair simulated driving performance. These findings could influence public health policy and legal standards for determining cannabis-impaired driving, which often rely on past use indicators.

Researchers continue to explore how ketamine brings about fast-acting relief for people with depression. In a new experiment, scientists tested how brain activity changes under different conditions, shedding light on the complex pathways involved in the treatment response.

Scientists have discovered that THC and CBD push the brain in opposite directions. A neuroimaging study in rats shows that THC boosts connectivity and blood flow, while CBD dampens brain signaling—and combining them creates a more balanced effect.

Despite growing interest in cannabidiol as a treatment for substance use, a new study finds no evidence that a single dose alters brain function, craving, or drinking behavior in youth with alcohol use disorder.

Short-term use of two common antipsychotic medications altered brain volume in healthy volunteers, according to a new study. The findings suggest that some brain differences observed in people with psychotic disorders may result from medication rather than the illness itself.

Children with ADHD who began methylphenidate treatment before age 12 showed increased gray matter volume in several frontal brain regions, according to a new study. These structural changes were not observed in those who started medication during adolescence or later.

A small pilot study found that a single 25 mg dose of psilocybin led to lasting reductions in depression symptoms among U.S. military veterans with treatment-resistant depression. Half were in remission after six months; 30% remained in remission at one...

Brain recordings suggest that ibogaine slows the brain’s dominant rhythms and reduces signal variability in veterans with traumatic brain injury—patterns that were associated with improved executive function, reduced PTSD symptoms, and lowered anxiety.