Psychedelic Drugs

LSD increases neural complexity and reduces certain brain wave frequencies, which correlates with feelings of elation, according to new research.

A pivotal study explored how patient expectations affect psilocybin therapy outcomes, discovering no significant impact. Interestingly, suggestible individuals showed enhanced benefits, suggesting a unique interplay between mindset and psychedelic therapy effectiveness.

A new study provides evidence that mushroom extract containing psilocybin may offer superior therapeutic effects for psychiatric disorders compared to synthetic psilocybin, suggesting an "entourage effect" of additional compounds enhancing treatment outcomes.

Psilocybin therapy alters brain activity in patients with alcohol use disorder, according to new research, increasing activity in areas associated with emotional regulation and reducing activity in regions linked to craving.

A groundbreaking study sheds light on psilocybin therapy's success in treating depression, highlighting the crucial roles of mystical experiences and ego dissolution, enhanced by music, in surpassing traditional treatments. The findings were published in the International Journal of Mental Health...

A JAMA Psychiatry study explores the link between psychedelic use in adolescents and mental health, finding an association with fewer psychotic symptoms and a correlation with increased manic symptoms in those with genetic risks for schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.

Ayahuasca was found to speed up the extinction of fear memories in rats by affecting serotonin receptors in the brain. This effect, consistent across new and old memories, points to potential therapeutic uses for anxiety and trauma-related conditions.

A study revealed psilocybin diminishes the amygdala response to angry faces, potentially impacting emotion processing. This discovery underscores its potential for treating conditions like depression and anxiety, highlighting the profound effects of psychedelics on the brain.

MDMA enhances positive responses to social feedback without affecting negative responses. This sheds light on MDMA's potential in treating social processing impairments, spotlighting its unique empathogenic effects.

Studies reveal over 50% of ayahuasca users experience a personal death phenomenon, profoundly altering beliefs on consciousness and environmental concerns. These insights, derived from two studies, highlight the psychedelic's impact on spiritual growth and attitudes towards life and death.

A recent study explores psilocybin's effects on larval zebrafish, revealing it enhances exploratory behavior and buffers stress-induced activity changes, offering insights into psychedelic compounds' potential in mental health treatment.

DMT, a psychedelic, reduced depression symptoms in a study with experienced volunteers. The stronger the DMT experience, the greater the mental health benefits observed. However, results for anxiety and well-being were mixed, suggesting more research is needed to fully understand...

In work recently published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology, scientists have breathed new life into a decades-old tool for understanding the psychedelic experience, expanding our grasp of these profound states of mind. By reviving and updating the Psychedelic Experience Scale,...

Can groundbreaking treatments for depression and other psychiatric conditions come from substances once considered purely recreational or even taboo? A recent study by researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine suggests the answer may be yes.

Interviews with clinicians reveal potential benefits of MDMA-assisted therapy for Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), suggesting similarities with PTSD treatment. The study, published in the Journal of Psychedelic Studies, calls for further research into MDMA's efficacy for BPD.