Psychopharmacology

New research suggests a widely used antibiotic could help prevent schizophrenia. A study in the American Journal of Psychiatry reports that adolescents in psychiatric care who took doxycycline had lower rates of the illness later in life.

A new study details how the psychedelic psilocin excites specific neurons in the prefrontal cortex. This finding helps explain how the compound may exert its potential therapeutic effects.

New evidence from a Dutch study suggests that population density may influence how people respond to serotonergic antidepressants. Patients in quieter, less populated neighborhoods showed healthier attention patterns, raising questions about how environmental context interacts with treatment for depression.

A new study finds users of off-prescription 'smart drugs' aren't self-medicating for cognitive deficits. Instead, they appear to be enhancing already healthy brain function.

In a recent laboratory experiment, cannabis use was associated with reduced alcohol consumption among heavy drinkers. This substitution effect appears to be driven by a significant decrease in the self-reported urge to drink.

Cannabidiol is often seen as a protective component of cannabis. A new study challenges this idea in a specific group of patients, revealing a surprising and counterintuitive interaction between the two substances.

Could your daily coffee offset the cognitive effects of a high-fat, high-sugar diet? New research explores the relationship between diet, caffeine, and memory, with results that may surprise regular coffee drinkers.

How does cannabis use during pregnancy affect the developing brain? A new study in rats explored the role of a key nutrient in brain development, finding that dietary changes could influence some, but not all, of the outcomes associated with...

A clinical trial found that for hospitalized patients with severe depression, adding repeated ketamine infusions to standard care showed no significant benefit over a psychoactive placebo, suggesting the drug's antidepressant effects may be smaller than previously thought.

A treatment for depression involving just two doses of psilocybin may have effects that last for years. A new follow-up study found that two-thirds of participants were still in remission five years after their therapy, pointing to its potential durability.

Scientists may have found a reason why cannabis users who also smoke tobacco report worse mental health. A new study reveals that co-use is associated with elevated levels of a specific brain enzyme involved in mood regulation.

A new meta-analysis suggests LSD has a small but significant positive effect on substance use disorders. The review found inconclusive evidence for its use in treating anxiety or depression, highlighting a split in its therapeutic potential.

A new study suggests that combining L-theanine and caffeine can help improve attention and reaction time in sleep-deprived adults. Participants were more accurate and quicker to respond during a traffic-related task after taking the supplement compared to a placebo.

A study of adolescent twins links occasional cannabis use with increased psychotic-like experiences. The findings suggest the relationship is shaped by individual environments rather than shared genetics or specific brain connectivity patterns.

People who reported meaningful psychedelic experiences later showed reduced cannabis use and increased psychological flexibility. These findings suggest psychedelics might influence substance use behaviors in lasting ways, particularly when the experience is intense or transformative.