Misc. news stories

Mike Tyson urges Biden to free thousands locked up over cannabis: ‘Right these wrongs’
20th February 2024 | theguardian.com | Humans, Misc.

The former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson has urged Joe Biden to follow through on his commitment to “correct our country’s failed approach to marijuana” and give clemency to the thousands of nonviolent cannabis offenders still languishing in federal lockups.

Cannabis may be the gateway out of drug addiction
19th February 2024 newatlas.com | Humans, Misc.

There are dissenting opinions among researchers about whether cannabis is a ‘gateway drug’ that leads people to use other, more dangerous drugs. New research by the University of British Columbia (UBC), Canada, examined whether using cannabis to manage cravings changed a person’s use of illicit stimulants. The study was published in the journal Addictive Behaviors.

Image by: elsaolofsson (Wiki Commons)

Unlocking the mysteries of psychedelics: The remarkable dual effect of psilocybin revealed in new study
19th February 2024 | psypost.org | Humans, Misc.

New research published in Molecular Psychiatry provides insight into how psilocybin, a compound found in psychedelic “magic” mushrooms, influences the brain and behavior. By observing the effects of psilocybin on larval zebrafish, scientists uncovered that it not only stimulates exploratory behavior but also buffers against stress-induced changes in activity patterns.

Cannabis Extract Triggers Death of Deadly Skin Cancer Cells
14th February 2024 | sciencealert.com | Humans, Misc.

A concentrated cannabis extract has shown “remarkable” potential to kill off the most dangerous type of skin cancer. The study was published in Cells.

As A Scientist, I Didn’t Believe In Psychic Powers. Then I Experienced Something That Changed My Life.
7th February 2024 | huffpost.com | Humans, Misc.

I wasn’t open to experiences and possibilities outside the realm of what was considered “normal,” but that was all about to change.

David Nutt explains how psychedelics can revolutionise mental-health treatment | Brave New World
6th February 2024 youtu.be | Humans, Misc.

Could LSD, Ketamine and ayahuasca revolutionise mental health treatment? The Brave New World podcast speaks to experts David Nutt and Amanda Feilding about the psychedelic renaissance. (10 min clip).

Image from: Justin Cooke (Wiki Commons)

MDMA may help prevent “bad trips” on psilocybin or LSD, study suggests
5th February 2024 | psypost.org | Humans, Misc.

New research suggests that low doses of MDMA can help to reduce the challenging effects associated with psychedelic drugs like LSD and psilocybin, the active component in magic mushrooms. The findings, published in Scientific Reports, shed new light on the effects of “candy flipping” and “hippy flipping”…

New study provides insights into MDMA’s potential for improving self-experience in PTSD patients
2nd February 2024 | psypost.org | Humans, Misc.

MDMA-assisted therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) appears to have positive effects on mental processes related to self-experience, such as emotional awareness and self-compassion, which are often linked to poor treatment outcomes in traditional therapies, according to new research published in PLOS One.

Psychedelics are outperforming trauma researchers’ expectations. But why?
30th January 2024 | vox.com | Humans, Misc.

Published in a study this month, the findings provide new insights into how therapy combined with MDMA — the psychedelic drug commonly known as ecstasy — can help people who are suffering from trauma.

Preparing For Death With the Guidance of Psychedelics
24th January 2024 doubleblindmag.com | Earth, Humans, Misc.

This story begins with a funeral. On my 33rd birthday in June, I entered my coffin on five grams of mushrooms, had it “nailed” shut, and listened while sixteen friends delivered eulogies as the soundtrack to my trip.

Microdosing psilocybin may reduce stress-induced anhedonia
23rd January 2024 | psypost.org | Humans, Misc.

A new study offers preliminary evidence that small, regular doses of psilocybin could potentially offer therapeutic benefits, particularly in reducing stress-induced anhedonia (the inability to feel pleasure) and compulsive behaviors.

Psychedelic breakthrough? Microdoses of LSD show antidepressant effects in placebo-controlled study
22nd January 2024 | psypost.org | Humans, Misc.

In a groundbreaking study, researchers at the University of Chicago have discovered that low doses of LSD may have potential antidepressant effects. The findings have been published in the journal Neuropsychopharmacology.

Scientists Solve Marijuana Munchies Mystery
18th January 2024 | psychiatrist.com | Humans, Misc.

In a recent Scientific Reports study, researchers examined the brain’s reaction to Cannabis Sativa, the plant responsible for giving pot smokers the munchies after firing up a joint.

New neuroimaging findings pave the way for key insights into psychedelic therapy
16th January 2024 | psypost.org | Humans, Misc.

This research, which closely replicates findings in humans, offers new insights into how psilocybin could be used to treat psychiatric disorders such as alcohol use disorder. The findings have been published in Translational Psychiatry.

ADHD symptoms are reduced after ayahuasca retreat experience, study finds
12th January 2024 | psypost.org | Humans, Misc.

A pilot study investigating a group of adults visiting an ayahuasca retreat in Peru found significant reductions in their levels of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity following their stay. These reductions occurred regardless of the duration of the retreat or the number of ayahuasca ceremonies attended. The paper was published in Drug Science.

Maybe, just maybe, psychedelics are the “master key” for unlocking everything from blindness to stroke to anorexia
11th January 2024 | vox.com | Humans, Misc.

It sounds too good to be true, but there’s serious science behind the hypothesis… For the past few years, Johns Hopkins neuroscientist Gul Dolen has been busy experimenting with psychedelics… And her groundbreaking research has found that all psychedelics have something special in common…

Miscellaneous news stories.