Misc. news stories

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.

Imagine a world where you could control your sense of time. Where trips to the dentist flew by in a second and holidays felt like they lasted forever. Time altering pills may sound like science fiction but the time warping effects of psychoactive drugs suggest that deliberate time manipulation may be possible.

Adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or severe ADHD symptoms who practiced microdosing with psychedelics reported increases in mindfulness after four weeks, according to new preliminary research published in Frontiers in Psychiatry.

In a recent study conducted in Canada, researchers have uncovered a potentially promising connection between the use of psychedelic mushrooms and a reduction in psychological distress, particularly among individuals who have experienced adverse childhood experiences. The study was published in the Journal of Psychoactive Drugs.

The Fly Agaric (Amanita muscaria) mushroom carries significant cultural mystique. It’s one of the most recognizable mushrooms and also one of the most well-known entheogens…. The Panther Cap is mysterious—little is said about it other than as a passing aside. But, the potent mushroom has as many reasons to merit discussion.

A three-month study of participants in ayahuasca rituals found that these individuals self-report small decreases in narcissism after these ceremonies. However, reports from the participants peers did not corroborate these changes. The study was published in the Journal of Personality Disorders.

People who have used psilocybin hold strong expectations about its antidepressant effects, with those experiencing higher levels of mystical experiences, emotional breakthroughs, and ego dissolution holding greater expectations, according to new research published in the Journal of Humanistic Psychology.

Scientists have discovered cannabidiol, a compound in cannabis known as CBD, in a common Brazilian plant, opening potential new avenues to produce the increasingly popular substance.