Psilocybin

A small pilot study found that a high dose of psilocybin strengthened an illusion in which a striped pattern looks fainter inside a bold ring. Low doses of LSD did not do the same, though participants still reported subtle changes...

Psilocybin, LSD, and 2C-B all act on the same serotonin receptor, so they are often treated as a single drug class. But brain scans in rats suggest each one shifts the brain’s energy use in its own way, both right...

The more disordered a person’s brain activity became during their first psilocybin trip, the more their well-being tended to improve a month later, according to a small, exploratory study of healthy volunteers.

Up to one in five Lyme patients keep experiencing symptoms after antibiotics. A new pilot study suggests psilocybin-assisted therapy might help, with symptom burden 40% lower six months later, though larger controlled trials are needed.

A new study reveals that psilocybin and standard antidepressants both reduce the brain's tendency to misinterpret facial expressions as negative. The research suggests these two distinct treatments share a common cognitive effect in the fight against depression.

Could a compound found in magic mushrooms prevent one of chemotherapy’s worst side effects? New preclinical research shows that prophylactic psilocybin protects sensory nerves from toxic cancer drugs, opening the door for upcoming clinical trials in humans.

A new study suggests that consuming psilocin directly—rather than its precursor, psilocybin—provides a similar psychedelic experience with fewer side effects. Researchers also found that taking the drug under the tongue produced emotional breakthroughs despite milder effects.

Psilocin, the active compound in magic mushrooms, promotes the rapid growth of neural connections in laboratory settings. A new study reveals how these structural changes match the effects of established psychiatric drugs like ketamine and lithium.

Two new studies suggest psychedelic compounds could help treat cocaine addiction. A human trial found psilocybin combined with therapy reduced cocaine use, while an animal study indicated that environmental support is needed to prevent long-term relapse.

Two low doses of psilocybin helped chronically stressed rats recover their ability to experience pleasure while reducing anxiety. The psychedelic compound also promoted the birth of new neurons and normalized stress hormone levels.

A single dose of psilocybin rapidly relieved both chronic pain and depression-like symptoms in mice. Researchers discovered the psychedelic compound works by calming hyperactive neurons in a specific brain region associated with both conditions.

A new study reveals that daily doses of psilocin mucate, a stable derivative of the psychedelic compound psilocybin, significantly reduced anxiety and stress hormones in rats. However, weekly dosing did not produce the same anti-anxiety benefits.

Anorexia nervosa is notoriously difficult to treat, often resisting standard care. Now, a new pilot study suggests that psilocybin therapy, paired with psychological support, could safely help reduce eating disorder symptoms and boost the motivation to recover.

New research indicates that psilocybin treatment for PTSD involves very little talking. Instead of traditional psychotherapy, data suggests patients benefit most from the quiet, unobtrusive presence of support staff.