Psychedelic Drugs

Microdosing has become something of a wellness trend in recent years, gathering traction in Australia and overseas. The practice involves taking a low dose of a psychedelic drug to enhance performance, or reduce stress and anxiety. While the anecdotal accounts...

Approximately 2.3% of adults will suffer from symptoms of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder at some point in their life. The disorder is characterized by intrusive, persistent thoughts and compulsive behaviors and a substantial number of people don't respond well to standard treatments....

Scientists in Denmark believe the psychedelic substance psilocybin might produce rapid and lasting antidepressant effects in part because it enhances neuroplasticity in the brain. Their new research, published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, has found evidence that psilocybin...

Scientists have used advanced computer simulations to better understand the neurobiological mechanisms underlying the psychedelic experience. Their findings, published in Scientific Reports, provide insight into how psychedelic substances temporarily disrupt the functional organization of the brain, resulting in increased "perceptual...

The use of psychedelic substances is associated with better physical health, according to preliminary research published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology. But the cause of this relationship remains unclear. "There has recently been promising research on the mental health benefits...

New research published in Neuropsychopharmacology provides insight into the acute dose dependent effects of LSD. The findings will help in the planning of clinical trials examining the use of the psychedelic drug in patients with psychiatric conditions. Previous research has...

New research suggests that MDMA-assisted therapy for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is less effective among those who have recently used selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), a common psychiatric medication. The findings have been published in the journal...

The antidepressant effects of the psychedelic brew known as ayahuasca appear to be related to anti-inflammatory activity, according to new research from scientists in Brazil. Their findings, published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology, provide new insights into the biological mechanisms...

Psychedelic researchers who admit to using the substances themselves tend to be viewed as having less integrity compared to their abstinent counterparts, according to new research that surveyed 952 individuals from the United States. The new study, published in the...

The psychedelic state induced by LSD appears to weaken the association between anatomical brain structure and functional connectivity, according to new research published in the journal NeuroImage. The study also provides evidence that LSD increases the complexity of segregated brain...

New research suggests that the public's perception of the potential harms of magic mushrooms is not in line with drug laws. The study, which appears in the Journal of Psychopharmacology, found that psilocybin-containing mushrooms are considered less dangerous than alcohol,...

Psilocybin does not appear to severely impact gene expression, according to a new study published in European Neuropsychopharmacology. But the psychedelic substance -- which is found in "magic" mushrooms -- might produce lasting changes to the expression of a few...

New research suggests that psychedelics may be a viable treatment option for those suffering from race-based trauma. An observational study, published in Drugs: Education, Prevention & Policy, found that psychedelic experiences were linked to reduced anxiety, depression, and PTSD symptoms...

Cutting-edge methods from machine learning could help scientists better understand the visual experiences induced by psychedelic drugs such as dimethyltryptamine (DMT), according to a new article published in the scientific journal Neuroscience of Consciousness. Researchers have demonstrated that "classic" psychedelic...

Combining the psychedelic drug psilocybin with supportive psychotherapy results in substantial rapid and enduring antidepressant effects among patients with major depressive disorder, according to a new randomized clinical trial. The findings have been published in JAMA Psychiatry. The new study...