Psychedelic Drugs

A new study suggests that the subjective experiences of psychedelics like ketamine and psilocybin modestly contribute to their therapeutic effects, particularly for depression and substance use disorder.

Researchers found that psilocybin disrupts spatial memory in mice by reducing the stability and coordination of neurons in the retrosplenial cortex, offering new insights into the brain mechanisms behind the disorientation experienced during psychedelic trips.

A recent study found that combining DMT and harmine with meditation enhanced mystical experiences, emotional breakthroughs, and psychological insight, offering potential benefits for deepening meditation practices and understanding the therapeutic synergy between psychedelics and mindfulness.

A new study shows that psilocybin promotes rapid and lasting antidepressant effects in mice by enhancing brain plasticity, suggesting its potential as a fast-acting treatment for depression, though further research in humans is needed.

A 37-year-old man experienced a psychotic episode after consuming psilocybin mushrooms, leading to self-inflicted penile amputation with an axe. The penis was partially replanted.

A study found that while psilocybin increased mind perception of living and non-living entities, it did not significantly change participants' Atheist-Believer status or core metaphysical beliefs, contradicting earlier suggestions of increased spirituality post-psychedelic use.

Researchers found that psilocybin disrupts normal brain communication, increasing connectivity between different brain networks. These changes might explain psilocybin's therapeutic effects, but questions remain about its true impact and how it influences feelings and behavior.

Recent research found that psychedelic use is linked to adopting metaphysical idealism, the belief that consciousness is fundamental to reality, which is associated with greater psychological well-being.

Psychedelics impair attention and decision-making during use but may boost creativity afterward. In contrast, MDMA primarily disrupts memory, with no lasting cognitive benefits—highlighting the complex, varied effects of these substances on the brain.

A meta-analysis indicates that high-dose psilocybin slightly outperforms escitalopram for treating depression. However, the research also suggests previous estimates of psychedelics' efficacy have been overstated due to issues with blinding in trials.

LSD alters brain activity and connectivity in key regions associated with pain processing, offering potential insights for pain management and the therapeutic use of psychedelics.

Researchers found that DMT alters the primary visual cortex by expanding the population receptive fields of neurons. This helps explain the intense visual experiences reported by users.

Psychedelics like psilocybin and 2C-B distort memory familiarity, increasing false recognitions of emotional stimuli, suggesting a shared neurocognitive mechanism that might underlie their unique effects on consciousness and cognition.

MDMA-assisted psychotherapy is linked to mild to moderate, transient side effects, such as anxiety and nausea. However, concerning gaps in current research highlight the need for further studies to better understand its safety profile.

A recent study explores how psilocybin may activate an "inner healing" mechanism, offering new insights into its potential therapeutic effects for depression.