Psychedelic Drugs

Chronic microdosing of psilocybin could fight obesity and diabetes without the "trip." Researchers discovered that non-hallucinogenic doses reduced weight gain and restored insulin sensitivity in mice by targeting specific receptors in the liver.

A study in European Neuropsychopharmacology finds that ayahuasca helps rats learn that a previously dangerous environment is safe. This effect appears to rely on BDNF signaling within the infralimbic cortex, suggesting a potential biological pathway for treating trauma.

A new systematic review suggests that recreational ecstasy users suffer from verbal memory impairments that do not improve even after months or years of quitting the drug.

Psilocybin’s effects are not uniform across different physiological conditions. A study of female mice reveals that exercise and diet drastically alter how the drug influences social interactions and inflammatory signaling.

Researchers found that a single dose of psilocybin alters the electrical properties of brain cells for months. This functional plasticity, rather than structural growth, may explain why psychedelic therapy offers enduring relief from depression.

Scientists have linked the subjective intensity of ibogaine trips to tangible recovery in veterans. Those who felt a sense of unity and sacredness showed larger drops in trauma symptoms and slower brain wave frequencies one month later.

Taking tiny amounts of psilocybin helps the brain bypass conventional associations to reach more original solutions, according to a robust analysis of three double-blind clinical trials.

A recent study suggests MDMA-assisted therapy may provide lasting relief for major depressive disorder. Participants maintained significant symptom reductions several months after treatment concluded.

A comprehensive new study challenges the popular productivity trend, finding that taking small amounts of magic mushrooms offers no measurable improvements in focus, memory, or mood compared to a placebo.

An analysis of World Health Organization data indicates that while psychiatric distress is common among psychedelic users, reports of overdose, cardiac issues, and congenital disorders remain surprisingly infrequent in real-world settings.

A new clinical analysis reveals that 5-MeO-DMT produces an intense, short-acting psychedelic experience that peaks between 8 and 15 minutes. Unlike similar compounds, it induces strong emotional shifts with minimal visual hallucinations.

Research published in JAMA Network Open indicates that severe adverse events requiring hospital care for hallucinogens remain comparatively rare when measured against other substances like alcohol and opioids.

Researchers report that microdosing is associated with positive lifestyle shifts, such as better diet and reduced alcohol consumption. The findings suggest low doses might support the psychological mechanisms required for habit change.

A new analysis of clinical trial data indicates that psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy provides immediate relief for anxiety and depression in advanced cancer patients, though the antidepressant effects may not persist without specific dosing strategies.

A moderate dose of psilocybin may offer temporary relief for obsessive-compulsive disorder, according to new research. The study indicates that the drug tends to reduce symptom severity for up to one week, specifically regarding compulsive behaviors.