Misc. news stories

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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…

New research published in Translational Psychiatry sheds light on how ketamine, a drug known for its rapid antidepressant effects, specifically alters brain activity in people with treatment-resistant depression.

Military veterans with cognitive and psychological problems saw drastic improvements after a dose of ibogaine. See the study here.

How does psilocybin, a psychedelic substance found in magic mushrooms, affect perception of self? A recently published study in the Journal of Psychedelic Studies found a considerable diversity of experiences by examining online posts from Reddit users who shared their encounters of gazing into the mirror while under the influence of psilocybin.

Presidential candidates from the Democrat, Republican, and Independent parties are using their platforms on the campaign trail to promote visions for psychedelics reform.

Researchers have discovered a significant link between musical synchronization and social connectedness…the study found that individuals who synchronized their musical rhythms felt a stronger sense of connection with their peers, highlighting music’s unique role in fostering social cohesion.

In a recently published study, scientists developed new compounds derived from psilocybin, the active ingredient in “magic mushrooms.” These compounds are designed to reduce the psychedelic effects associated with psilocybin while maintaining its therapeutic benefits.

Although associated with psychedelic drugs, this state of mind can also be accessed in daily life. See the study here.

In some parts of the brain, the team saw a reduction in dopamine neurons in the brains of the mice; in other regions, there was an increase in these neurons. If we’re to continue to use ketamine as a treatment, these effects need to be better understood. The research has been published in Cell Reports.

An early trial hints that psilocybin could be a safe and effective treatment for depressive episodes in bipolar II disorder and should be studied further. That’s according to a small clinical trial whose results were published Wednesday (Dec. 6) in the journal JAMA Psychiatry.