Misc. news stories

Psilocybin’s mental health benefits may include improved sleep
4th December 2024 | psypost.org | Humans, Misc.

In a new study, researchers found that participants consumed the psychedelic substance in a therapeutic context reported reduced depression and improvements in their sleep quality. The findings were published in Current Psychiatry Reports.

Scientists Think DMT Is Responsible for Life’s Most Mysterious Experiences
25th November 2024 doubleblindmag.com | Humans, Misc.

DMT might be the vehicle behind dreams, spiritual awakenings, and even wild visions during near-death experiences.

The shape of light: “something that hasn’t been seen before in physics”
21st November 2024 cosmosmagazine.com | Humans, Misc.

A new quantum theory explaining how light and matter interact has also provided the first-ever depiction of the shape of a single light particle, a photon. The research is published in the Physical Review Letters.

The VA Is Funding A Study to Determine If MDMA Can Really Treat PTSD
18th November 2024 doubleblindmag.com | Humans, Misc.

The VA is stepping up with its first psychedelic research study in decades, aiming to determine if MDMA-assisted therapy can offer real relief for veterans struggling with PTSD.

BREAKING: Massachusetts Rejects Legalization of Psychedelic Therapy
6th November 2024 doubleblindmag.com | Humans, Misc.

Voters in Massachusetts rejected Question 4, a ballot initiative that would have decriminalized plant-based psychedelics for residents and green-lit a state-regulated psychedelic-assisted therapy system.

Single-dose psilocybin therapy shows promise for veterans with treatment-resistant depression
6th November 2024 | psypost.org | Humans, Misc.

A recent study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders suggests that a single dose of psilocybin may offer hope for U.S. military veterans facing severe, treatment-resistant depression.

Majority of Americans support supervised use of psilocybin for mental health and well-being
4th November 2024 | psypost.org | Humans, Misc.

A recent study published in AJOB Neuroscience found that a majority of Americans support psilocybin, a psychedelic compound from certain mushrooms, for supervised medical treatment and well-being enhancement. This strong bipartisan approval highlights public openness to legalized and controlled use of the drug for both medical and personal enhancement purposes, though with caution for future policy.

Fungal ‘Brains’ Can Think Like Human Minds, Scientists Say
27th October 2024 | popularmechanics.com | Earth, Humans, Misc., Weird

According to a new study published in the journal Fungal Ecology, fungi may have their own unique measure of intelligence, making them capable of basic shape recognition and decision-making throughout the networks they build.

Scientists uncover fascinating link between psychedelic experiences and heart activity
24th October 2024 | psypost.org | Humans, Misc.

A new study published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology reveals a surprising link between mystical experiences induced by the psychedelic compound DMT and specific patterns of heart activity.

Tripping on Nothing
21st October 2024 | theatlantic.com | Humans, Misc.

New, non-hallucinogenic versions of psychedelics are blurring the boundaries of the drug trip.

Soil’s secret language: Researchers decode plant-to-fungi communication
18th October 2024 phys.org | Earth, Misc.

Researchers at the University of Toronto have cracked the code of plant-to-fungi communication in a new study published in the journal Molecular Cell.

Music for Mushrooms Documentary Explores Sound’s Role in Psychedelic Therapy
18th October 2024 doubleblindmag.com | Humans, Misc.

East Forest’s new documentary explores how music acts as an anchor during transformative healing experiences. See the official trailer here.

Human sense of smell is faster than previously thought, study suggests
15th October 2024 | theguardian.com | Humans, Misc.

Researchers have revealed our sense of smell operates much faster than previously thought, suggesting we are as sensitive to rapid changes in odours as we are to rapid changes in colour. See the study here.

Neuroscience research sheds light on how psilocybin alters spatial awareness
9th October 2024 | psypost.org | Humans, Misc.

A new study published in the European Journal of Neuroscience explores how this drug affects brain activity at the level of individual neurons.

Psilocybin reveals another mental health benefit
8th October 2024 newatlas.com | Humans, Misc.

Psilocybin’s potential to safely and effectively treat mental illness appears to be highlighted with every new study into its effects. Now, Monash University researchers have added more evidence to the growing pile. The study was published in the journal Translational Psychiatry.

Image from: Brocken Inaglory (Wikki Commons)

DMT-harmine combination elevates transcendence and insight during meditation
8th October 2024 | psypost.org | Humans, Misc.

A recent study published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology highlights the potential synergy between meditation and psychedelics. Meditators who received a combination of DMT and harmine reported greater mystical experiences, non-dual awareness, emotional breakthroughs, and lasting increases in well-being compared to those given a placebo.

Miscellaneous news stories.