“Bad trips” and guilt: Why difficult feelings during psychedelic use might actually be a good thing
Feelings of shame and guilt are surprisingly common during psilocybin experiences, affecting most users. However, a new study reveals that constructively working through these emotions, rather than avoiding them, is linked to improved wellbeing afterward.
Psychedelic therapy ignited a harrowing mental health crisis for one patient — but she would do it again
A psilocybin trial participant with treatment-resistant depression faced worsened suicidal thoughts and prolonged eating difficulties but ultimately experienced transformative life changes, highlighting both risks and nuanced benefits of psilocybin therapy.
Psilocybin alters how rats balance risks and rewards, researchers find
Psilocybin influenced risk-reward behavior in rats, increasing caution during learning but reducing hesitation after learning. These effects varied by sex and context, highlighting psilocybin's potential to flexibly modify responses to challenging situations.
Magic mushrooms may help reverse stress-induced memory deficits, new study suggests
Recent research found that Psilocybe cubensis extract improved memory and increased brain plasticity-related protein levels in stressed rats, but timing was key, as benefits were observed only when given 24-48 hours before memory training.
Psilocybin’s mental health benefits may include improved sleep
Individuals who consumed psilocybin in a therapeutic context reported modest, sustained improvements in sleep, with baseline sleep disturbances influencing the likelihood of achieving depression remission.
Psilocybin therapy offers relief from multiple psychiatric symptoms in cancer patients
Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy improved interpersonal sensitivity, hostility, obsession-compulsion, and somatization in cancer patients without causing lasting phobia, paranoia, or psychosis, suggesting its potential as a multidimensional treatment for complex psychiatric distress.
A single dose of psilocybin leads to long-lasting optimism boost in animal study
A single psilocybin dose increased optimism and engagement in rats for two weeks by enhancing reward processing and reducing loss aversion. These findings suggest psilocybin may help address depressive symptoms like withdrawal and pessimism.
Relaxation — not mystical experiences — emerges as best predictor of psychedelic therapy’s impact in surprising new study
Recent research found that psychedelic-assisted therapy reduced depressive symptoms, with relaxation during sessions being the strongest predictor of improvement.
Does psilocybin really provide long-term relief from depression, as new study suggests?
Psilocybin may improve mood, social functioning, and life meaning in depression, comparable to escitalopram over six months, but small sample size and other treatments limit conclusions; further research is needed to confirm long-term effectiveness.
Single-dose psilocybin therapy shows promise for veterans with treatment-resistant depression
A single dose of psilocybin significantly reduced depression symptoms in many U.S. veterans with treatment-resistant depression, with 60% showing improvement at three weeks. However, effects varied, and some experienced limited relief, highlighting the need for further research.
Majority of Americans support supervised use of psilocybin for mental health and well-being
A new study reveals strong bipartisan support for supervised psilocybin use in both therapy and well-being enhancement, suggesting Americans are open to expanding access to psychedelics, with careful regulation, for mental health and personal growth.
Is the “trip” crucial for psychedelic therapy’s effectiveness? New research sheds light on its role in healing
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.
Neuroscience research sheds light on how psilocybin alters spatial awareness
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.
Psilocybin may offer fast and lasting antidepressant benefits by enhancing brain plasticity
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.
Man amputates penis with an axe after consuming psilocybin mushrooms
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.
