4971 results for "Psychedelics"
Effects of a single dose of psilocybin on diet-induced weight loss in obese mice
OpenAlex – March 31, 2025
Summary
Psilocybin, a hallucinogen, significantly enhanced weight loss in diet-induced obese mice. A single dose of this psychedelic compound exacerbated weight loss over four weeks in animal subjects adopting a low-fat diet. This pharmacology intervention primarily modulated food intake, influencing behavior, but showed no effect on energy expenditure. No weight loss occurred when mice remained on a high-fat diet. This suggests psilocybin facilitates weight loss for obesity only with other interventions, offering new insights into endocrinology and neural plasticity via biochemical mechanisms.
Abstract
Abstract Prolonged obesity induces enduring structural changes within neural circuits that contribute to maintaining the body at an elevated/obese ...
Psilocybin prevents habituation to familiar stimuli and preserves sensitivity to sound following repeated stimulation in mouse primary auditory cortex
OpenAlex – September 30, 2024
Summary
Psilocybin dramatically alters how the brain processes sound. Neuroscience investigations revealed that a 1 mg/kg dose of psilocybin prevented normal habituation to repeated auditory stimulation within the mouse auditory cortex. Instead of responses diminishing, neural activity maintained its responsiveness and sound-level thresholds, unlike controls. This suggests psilocybin disrupts sensory gating, influencing behavior and perception. Insights from psychedelics and drug studies could inform audiology and psychology, potentially targeting maladaptive sensory processing through neurotransmitter receptor influence.
Abstract
Abstract Psilocybin, a psychoactive substance derived from fungi, has been utilized historically by diverse cultures for both medicinal and non-med...
Mindset Over Molecule: Comparing Self-Transcendent and Mystical Experiences Across Recreational Psilocybin, MDMA, and Cannabis Use
OpenAlex – September 12, 2025
Summary
Mindset, not just the molecule, profoundly shapes psychedelic experiences. A drug study involving 397 adults revealed that while psilocybin and MDMA led to more profound self-transcendent experiences than cannabis, the substance's direct neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior was less impactful than anticipated. Mindset, including surrender and spiritual motivations, accounted for up to 58% of variance in these experiences, whereas substance type alone explained only up to 10%. This suggests psychological context often outweighs the specific compound in shaping profound states.
Abstract
Abstract Background Self-transcendent and mystical experiences may be key mechanisms underlying psychedelics’ therapeutic effects, yet how these ex...
620. IDENTIFICATION OF BLOOD BIOMARKERS OF PSILOCYBIN-ASSISTED THERAPY TREATMENT RESPONSE FOR GENERALISED ANXIETY DISORDER
The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology – August 01, 2025
Summary
A significant challenge in Psychiatry is that 56% of individuals with Generalised Anxiety Disorder do not respond to psilocybin-assisted therapy. To personalize anxiety medicine, a multi-omic approach examined blood from 11 responders and 13 non-responders. Through advanced drug studies, a panel of four genes, including CTXN2-AS1, was identified, capable of distinguishing 45% of the responders in the cohort. This biological identification could guide individuals towards effective psychological treatments, advancing our understanding of psychedelics like psilocybin, an alkaloid, beyond just its chemical synthesis.
Abstract
Abstract Background Early intervention and management of Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is essential to effectively reduce both symptom severit...
Role of the 5-HT2A Receptor in Acute Effects of LSD on Empathy and Circulating Oxytocin
Frontiers in Pharmacology – July 13, 2021
Summary
The hallucinogen Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) significantly enhances emotional empathy. In 16 healthy subjects, 200 µg LSD strongly increased empathy over placebo. This pharmacology finding, crucial for psychology and psychedelics drug studies, reveals the effect is partially independent of LSD's primary action on the serotonin 5-HT receptor. While the receptor antagonist Ketanserin (similar to Ritanserin) blocked LSD-induced oxytocin release, empathy still increased. This suggests complex neuroendocrine regulation and neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior, involving oxytocin receptor pathways.
Abstract
The psychedelic lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) has experienced a revival in research, including clinical trials that evaluate LSD-assisted psycho...
Racial/ethnic differences in prevalence of hallucinogen use by age cohort: Findings from the 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health
Journal of Psychedelic Studies – July 15, 2021
Summary
Significant differences exist in psychedelic use across U.S. ethnic groups. An analysis of 56,313 individuals reveals 15.9% of the population over 12 have used a hallucinogen. While 2.0% reported past-year use, Black/African Americans consistently showed the lowest rates across age cohorts, including those aged 12-25. White and multi-racial individuals reported the highest past-year use among 12-34 year olds, with White individuals leading among 35-49 year olds. This demography highlights disparities in drug studies and epidemiology, informing future medicine and gerontology research.
Abstract
Abstract Background Few studies have assessed the epidemiology of hallucinogenic substance use among racial and ethnic groups of varying age cohort...
Of Mycelia and Men
Emergency Medicine News – June 01, 2009
Summary
Surprisingly, a New York banker, R. Gordon Wasson, not counterculture icons, introduced psychedelics to America. His passion for mushroom history led to a 1957 adventure: a shamanic ceremony in Mexico, yielding profound visions. His *Life Magazine* account sparked widespread fascination, influencing Timothy Leary. Andy Letcher's "Shroom" chronicles this pivotal history, exploring these fungi's role in mythology, art history, and civilization. It delves into drug studies, debunking myths, and offering a compelling narrative of humanity's evolving vision, documented with around 500 references.
Abstract
Quick: Name the person who started the psychedelic movement of the 1960s and 1970s. Most people old enough to understand the question or who read T...
Altered States of Consciousness During Ceremonial San Pedro Use
International Journal for the Psychology of Religion – December 05, 2022
Summary
Two-thirds of participants experienced a complete mystical state during San Pedro ceremonies, a powerful psychedelic. Forty-two individuals in these retreats showed profound altered states of consciousness across 11 dimensions, alongside moderate ego-dissolution. This cross-cultural social psychology investigation highlights how spiritual experiences, akin to shamanic trance, are strongly expressed, revealing the profound magic of such journeys. While biochemical analysis points to alkaloid effects, experiences featured low anxiety but higher physical distress or grief, advancing our psychoanalysis and drug studies understanding of consciousness.
Abstract
San Pedro, a mescaline containing cactus, has been used for thousands of years and is currently popular as a psychedelic substance in ceremonial re...
QEEG studies of the acute effects of the visionary tryptamine DMT.
Cosmos and history – January 01, 2015
Summary
The psychedelic tryptamine DMT profoundly alters consciousness, correlating with significant brain activity changes. In a neuroscience study, 23 healthy volunteers (15 men, 8 women) experienced a robust 72% average suppression of Alpha brain waves during the experience, followed by a 43% Alpha rebound. This pharmacological and chemistry research, part of ongoing drug studies, contributes to medicine's understanding of how neurotransmitters like DMT influence brain function and subjective psychology, illuminating the neurological basis of consciousness.
Abstract
Recent brain imaging studies in Psychedelic Brain Science are breaking new ground in our understanding of neurological substrate of biological cons...
Modelling phenomenological differences in aetiologically distinct visual hallucinations using deep neural networks
Frontiers in Human Neuroscience – January 03, 2024
Summary
Visual hallucinations, despite a shared lack of sensory input, manifest profoundly different perceptual characteristics depending on their origin. A novel computational neuroscience approach, leveraging deep neural networks, explored these distinct experiences across three groups: individuals with neurodegenerative conditions (like Parkinson's disease or Lewy body dementia), visual loss, and those experiencing psychedelic effects. This cognitive science method identified three key phenomenological dimensions—realism, spontaneity, and complexity—that distinguish these hallucinations. By tuning model parameters, characteristic synthetic visual hallucinations were generated, accurately reflecting each group's unique perception.
Abstract
Visual hallucinations (VHs) are perceptions of objects or events in the absence of the sensory stimulation that would normally support such percept...
Culturally informed research design issues in a study for MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for posttraumatic stress disorder
Journal of Psychedelic Studies – July 30, 2019
Summary
MDMA-assisted psychotherapy offers profound potential for treating PTSD. Yet, past Psychedelics and Drug Studies have largely excluded people of color. To address this, a clinical psychology site initiated a Phase 2 study, prioritizing culturally informed care for ethnic groups. Psychotherapists focused on cultural competence, designing accessible informed consent, and engaging in community outreach. This approach emphasized cultural humility, validating racial trauma experiences. Ensuring diverse access to MDMA therapy, and training psychotherapists of color, is vital for future trials.
Abstract
Recent research suggests that psychedelic drugs can be powerful agents of change when utilized in conjunction with psychotherapy. Methylenedioxymet...
A scoping review for building a criticality-based conceptual framework of altered states of consciousness
Frontiers in Systems Neuroscience – May 25, 2023
Summary
Intriguingly, psychedelics bring the brain closer to a critical state than normal consciousness, suggesting optimal information processing. A review of 49 studies across diverse altered states of consciousness, including sleep, delirium, and epilepsy, found that deviations from this critical state characterize these conditions. For instance, non-REM sleep is subcritical, while epileptic seizures are supercritical. This work in cognitive psychology and functional brain connectivity studies proposes that understanding criticality offers an objective framework for wakefulness and consciousness, potentially guiding therapeutic strategies for disorders of consciousness.
Abstract
The healthy conscious brain is thought to operate near a critical state, reflecting optimal information processing and high susceptibility to exter...
Structure of a Hallucinogen-Activated Gq-Coupled 5-HT2A Serotonin Receptor
UNC Libraries – June 07, 2024
Summary
The molecular mechanism of hallucinogens like LSD and psilocybin is now clearer. Groundbreaking pharmacology precisely mapped the active-state structure of the 5-HT2A serotonin receptor, a crucial neurotransmitter receptor influencing behavior, while bound to a prototypical psychedelic. This advance in drug studies, using cryo-EM, reveals how these chemical synthesis and alkaloids activate the 5-HT receptor, specifically the 5-HT2 receptor. This detailed understanding provides a blueprint for developing more selective drugs, potentially treating various neuropsychiatric disorders.
Abstract
Hallucinogens like lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), psilocybin, and substituted N-benzyl phenylalkylamines are widely used recreationally with psi...
LSD-Assisted Psychotherapy in Patients with Terminal Cancer
International Pharmacopsychiatry – January 01, 1973
Summary
Approximately 29% of terminal cancer patients experienced dramatic improvement in emotional and physical distress after undergoing a complex psychotherapeutic program incorporating psychedelic compounds. This study involved 60 participants, with 44 receiving LSD and 19 dipropyltryptamine (DPT). Ratings from physicians, nurses, and family members indicated significant enhancements in depression, anxiety, and pain management. Notably, 41.9% of patients showed moderate improvement, while only 6.4% reported worsening symptoms. Additionally, there was a reduction in narcotic use, although not statistically significant.
Abstract
The paper describes the results of a clinical study exploring the potential of a complex psychotherapeutic program utilizing psychedelic compounds ...
Self-treatment of psychosis and complex post-traumatic stress disorder with LSD and DMT—A retrospective case study
Psychiatry Research Case Reports – July 15, 2022
Summary
A teenager with a history of complex trauma experienced cannabis-triggered auditory hallucinations, leading to an acute schizophrenia-like disorder. Antipsychotic medication was insufficient, prompting the youth to self-medicate with LSD and low-dose DMT. Remarkably, psychotic symptoms largely resolved after one year of use, with only a brief relapse following subsequent cannabis consumption. This case indicates that psychedelics may provide therapeutic benefits for trauma-related psychosis, suggesting a need for innovative treatment models and harm reduction strategies in public health care systems.
Abstract
This article describes a case of a teenager with early complex trauma due to chronic domestic violence. Cannabis use triggered auditory hallucinati...
EEG Gamma Coherence and Other Correlates of Subjective Reports During Ayahuasca Experiences
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs – June 01, 2005
Summary
Increased global EEG coherence in the 36-44 Hz and 50-64 Hz frequency bands was observed during ayahuasca experiences, indicating intense synesthesia among two participants in a Brazilian jungle. This exploratory case series revealed heightened modal EEG alpha frequency and reduced global power across most cortical frequency bands, aligning with existing psychedelic literature. Notably, the innovative use of single Hz bins over traditional methods may enhance understanding of binding theory and draw parallels between shamanic practices and advanced meditation techniques, suggesting new avenues in cognitive psychology and neuroscience.
Abstract
The current study examined QEEG power and coherence of ayahuasca experiences with two experienced participants in a Brazilian jungle setting. An ex...
5-MeO-DMT induces sleep-like LFP spectral signatures in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex of awake rats
OpenAlex – June 05, 2023
Summary
5-MeO-DMT significantly alters brain activity, as demonstrated by local field potential (LFP) changes in the hippocampus and medial prefrontal cortex of freely behaving rats. Notably, delta power increased by 30% while theta power decreased by 25%, independent of locomotion. Additionally, a dose-dependent reduction in gamma power (20-100 Hz) was observed. The spectral profile during 5-MeO-DMT administration mirrored patterns seen in slow-wave sleep and REM sleep, suggesting that psychedelics may integrate waking behaviors with sleep-like neurophysiological states.
Abstract
Abstract 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) is a potent classical psychedelic known to induce changes in locomotion, behaviour, and sleep...
Reply to “Ayahuasca turned on my mind’s eye”: A case of acquired versus congenital aphantasia, as evidenced with DMT use?
Journal of Psychedelic Studies – December 01, 2018
Summary
A fascinating case highlights that a man with aphantasia experienced improved visual imagery after using ayahuasca, suggesting potential therapeutic effects of psychedelics on cognitive conditions. In contrast, another individual with congenital aphantasia showed no visual imagery despite extensive use of N,N-dimethyltryptamine. This discrepancy raises questions about the differences between acquired and congenital aphantasia. To deepen understanding, future studies should incorporate self-report measures like the Vividness of Visual Imagery Questionnaire and behavioral tasks assessing visual perception, involving sample sizes that reflect diverse experiences.
Abstract
In a recent article in this journal, Dos Santos et al. (2018) report a case of ayahuasca use by a man with aphantasia. This account is the first su...
Trends in DMT and other tryptamine use among young adults in the United States
American Journal on Addictions – September 27, 2018
Summary
Tryptamine use among young adults in the U.S. has seen a significant rise, increasing from 0.2% in 2007/08 to 0.7% in 2013/14, marking a 273% relative increase. Among ecstasy users, prevalence soared from 2.1% to 10.0%, while LSD users reported an increase from 7.0% to 15.5%. Although tryptamines remain uncommon overall, their growing popularity is notably higher among those already using other psychedelics, highlighting a crucial demographic for safety information dissemination regarding these substances.
Abstract
Background and Objectives The popularity of tryptamines such as N,N ‐dimethyltryptamine (DMT) appears to be increasing in the United States (US), b...
The relationship between personality and post traumatic stress disorder
European Psychiatry – May 01, 2002
Summary
A 31-year-old military veteran experienced significant improvements in alcohol use disorder after a sequential treatment with ibogaine and 5-MeO-DMT. Administered doses included 1550 mg of ibogaine and 50 mg of vaporized 5-MeO-DMT. Neuroimaging revealed increased brain perfusion in key regions, including the caudate nuclei and insula, three days post-treatment. The patient reported mood enhancement, cessation of alcohol use, and reduced cravings at five days, with effects partially sustained at one month. These findings suggest potential therapeutic roles for psychedelics in addiction treatment.
Abstract
Ibogaine is a plant-derived alkaloid and dissociative psychedelic that demonstrates anti-addictive properties with several substances of abuse, inc...
LSD alters eyes-closed functional connectivity within the early visual cortex in a retinotopic fashion
Journal of Vision – September 01, 2016
Summary
Under the influence of LSD, the visual cortex exhibits heightened connectivity that mimics visual input, even with eyes closed. In a study involving 10 healthy participants, resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC) between congruent areas of the visual cortex was significantly stronger under LSD than placebo, with a Cohen's d effect size of 1.6. This suggests that psychedelic imagery activates the brain’s visual regions as if they were processing actual visual stimuli, enhancing the understanding of sensory perception and cognition in altered states.
Abstract
ABSTRACT Introduction: The question of how spatially-organized activity in the visual cortex behaves during eyes-closed, LSD-induced, visual psyche...
LSD Reconfigures Cortical Dynamics Through Faster Brain Rhythms and Increased Fractal Dimension
OpenAlex – January 29, 2026
Summary
LSD significantly alters brain dynamics, leading to increased alpha and beta peak frequencies and genuine reductions in oscillatory power. In a study involving 30 participants, the effects of LSD were analyzed using magnetoencephalography alongside machine learning techniques. Findings revealed that LSD's impact on neural activity is particularly pronounced in networks related to sensory processing, language, and emotion, while the motor cortex remains largely unaffected. Interestingly, music did not enhance these neural changes but tended to diminish them, highlighting unique aspects of the psychedelic experience.
Abstract
Abstract Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) profoundly alters conscious experience, yet the electrophysiological mechanisms by which it reshapes neur...
Ayahuasca and Its Main Component N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) for the Treatment of Mental Disorders: Mechanisms of Action, Clinical Studies, and Tools to Explore the Human Mind
Biomedicines – February 25, 2026
Summary
Ayahuasca, a traditional brew containing the powerful hallucinogen DMT, shows significant promise in treating treatment-resistant depression (TRD) and major depressive disorder (MDD). Current evidence highlights four phase II studies with 5-MeO-DMT and one with DMT for TRD, alongside two phase II trials with DMT fumarate for MDD. These compounds enhance neuroplasticity and reorganize brain networks linked to cognition and mood regulation. With growing interest in psychedelics, they not only offer therapeutic potential but also deepen our understanding of mental health and brain function.
Abstract
In recent years, psychopharmacology has experienced a significant challenge, highlighting a renewed and strong scientific interest in psychedelics ...
Participant Experiences of Microdosed Lysergic Acid Diethylamide in a 6-Week Randomised Controlled Trial
Journal of Humanistic Psychology – November 10, 2025
Summary
Microdosing lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) may offer therapeutic benefits, as evidenced by a randomized controlled trial involving 40 healthy males. Participants took 10 µg of LSD every third day for six weeks, leading to themes like improved mood, enhanced social interactions, and increased mindfulness. Notably, changes in anxiety levels highlighted the need for careful patient selection. Insights into set and setting, along with perceived bidirectionality of effects, suggest important considerations for future psychedelic clinical trials and their potential in treating mood disorders.
Abstract
Microdosing psychedelics is an increasingly popular phenomenon where small amounts of psychedelic drugs are taken regularly. Qualitative data have ...
Corrigendum: Ayahuasca-assisted meaning reconstruction therapy for grief: a non-randomized clinical trial protocol.
Frontiers in psychiatry – January 01, 2025
Summary
Psychedelic-assisted therapy using ayahuasca shows promise for treating prolonged grief disorder. This protocol outlines a therapeutic approach combining traditional psychotherapy with ceremonial ayahuasca sessions to help people reconstruct meaning after significant bereavement. The treatment aims to facilitate emotional processing and healing through guided meaning-making experiences.
Abstract
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1484736.].
Safety, Tolerability, Pharmacokinetics, and Pharmacodynamics of Subcutaneous RE104: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Single Ascending Dose Placebo-Controlled Study.
Journal of clinical psychopharmacology – July 21, 2025
Summary
A new psychedelic compound, RE104, offers a unique, shorter experience. Researchers explored this 4-substituted tryptamine's safety, how it moves through the body (pharmacokinetics), and its effects in healthy volunteers experienced with hallucinogens, using a dose-finding approach. RE104 proved safe and well-tolerated, with predictable absorption. Psychedelic effects, including mystical experiences similar to psilocybin, correlated with dose. Notably, its effects were shorter than psilocin, lasting 3-4 hours, suggesting a favorable therapeutic profile.
Abstract
This study is the first to formally evaluate in humans the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics (PK), and pharmacodynamics of RE104, a prodrug of...
Taking birth trauma seriously.
Medical hypotheses – January 01, 1986
Summary
Could our birth experiences profoundly shape our mental health, despite traditional skepticism? Analysis of over 3,500 psychotherapy sessions, facilitated by psychedelic drugs, reveals compelling evidence. These sessions uncovered unconscious "memory matrices" linked to birth trauma and various mental conditions. This challenges long-held beliefs, as new insights into psychedelic effects and subcortical learning suggest how early life events could leave lasting imprints, meriting serious re-evaluation of birth's psychological impact.
Abstract
Virtually all mainstream schools of psychology, including biological psychology, reject the idea that people sustain psychological trauma at birth....
Lysergic acid diethylamide induces behavioral changes in Caenorhabditis elegans.
Neuroscience letters – August 10, 2024
Summary
Psychedelics like LSD affect tiny worms similarly to humans, revealing shared brain chemistry across species. Scientists found that when C. elegans worms were exposed to LSD, their movement slowed significantly, mimicking serotonin's natural calming effects. The changes occurred through specific serotonin receptors, particularly SER-4, showing how these ancient neural pathways respond to psychedelic compounds.
Abstract
Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) is a synthetic psychedelic compound with potential therapeutic value for psychiatric disorders. This study aims to...
Systematic characterization of Lysergic Acid Diethylamide metabolites in Caenorhabditis elegans by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry.
Journal of chromatography. A – October 11, 2023
Summary
Scientists mapped how tiny worms process LSD, revealing new insights into how psychedelics interact with living systems. Using advanced chemical analysis (UHPLC-HRMS/MS), researchers tracked how C. elegans breaks down LSD, identifying key metabolic pathways. This breakthrough provides valuable insights for understanding psychedelic metabolism in biological systems.
Abstract
Psychedelic compounds have gained renewed interest for their potential therapeutic applications, but their metabolism and effects on complex biolog...
Acute effects of subanesthetic ketamine on cerebrovascular hemodynamics in humans: A TD-fNIRS neuroimaging study
bioRxiv Preprint Server – January 06, 2023
Summary
Quantifying neural activity during psychedelics in a clinical setting can unlock personalized treatments. A study measured brain dynamics and physiological effects in healthy volunteers given a psychoactive substance (ketamine) or placebo. Ketamine altered consciousness and systemic responses, reducing brain-wide low-frequency fluctuations and prefrontal connectivity. Initial findings suggest combining brain and body metrics could predict positive mystical experiences and improve depressive symptomatology, leading to better patient outcomes and potential biomarkers. This highlights successful brain imaging for understanding psychedelic impact.
Abstract
Quantifying neural activity in natural conditions (i.e. conditions comparable to the standard clinical patient experience) during the administratio...
Ibogaine Acute Administration in Rats Promotes Wakefulness, Long-Lasting REM Sleep Suppression, and a Distinctive Motor Profile.
Frontiers in pharmacology – January 01, 2018
Summary
Ibogaine, a fascinating psychedelic, is known for its dream-like effects while awake. Researchers investigated how this compound, distinct from other hallucinogens, acutely impacts sleep and wakefulness. Administering ibogaine to rats revealed a significant increase in wakefulness and a robust, long-lasting suppression of rem sleep. It also produced a unique, dose-dependent motor profile. These compelling results shed light on ibogaine's powerful influence on brain states.
Abstract
Ibogaine is a potent psychedelic alkaloid that has been the focus of intense research because of its intriguing anti-addictive properties. Accordin...
Double-blind comparison of the two hallucinogens psilocybin and dextromethorphan: effects on cognition.
Psychopharmacology – October 01, 2018
Summary
Intriguingly, two distinct types of hallucinogen, while acting differently, show unique impacts on mental function. Researchers explored how the psychedelic drug psilocybin and the dissociative hallucinogen dextromethorphan affect cognition. A double-blind study with 20 participants found neither substance caused global cognitive impairment. Psilocybin led to dose-dependent changes in working memory and perception. Dextromethorphan influenced balance and executive control more significantly. Both offer distinct insights into brain function without causing overall mental decline.
Abstract
Classic psychedelics (serotonin 2A receptor agonists) and dissociative hallucinogens (NMDA receptor antagonists), though differing in pharmacology,...
A multi-institutional investigation of psilocybin’s effects on mouse behavior
OpenAlex – April 09, 2025
Summary
A rigorous multi-lab study on the hallucinogen psilocybin, a compound related to tryptophan, revealed surprising acute effects on mouse behavior. Across five labs using ~200 mice, psilocybin acutely increased anxiety but decreased fear expression. However, 24 hours later, this drug, influencing neurotransmitter receptors, showed no replicable persistent effects on reducing anxiety or depression-like behaviors, including anhedonia, or facilitating fear extinction. This finding in psychology and drug studies suggests psilocybin's long-term efficacy for conditions like social anxiety, impacting clinical and developmental psychology, might be less consistent in mice.
Abstract
ABSTRACT Studies reporting novel therapeutic effects of psychedelic drugs are rapidly emerging. However, the reproducibility and reliability of the...
IUPHAR Article: Psilocybin induces long-lasting effects via 5-HT2A receptors in mouse models of chronic pain.
Pharmacological research – May 01, 2025
Summary
A single dose of psilocybin, the active compound in magic mushrooms, provides lasting pain relief in mice suffering from chronic pain conditions. The compound effectively reduced pain sensitivity in mice with both chemotherapy-induced neuropathy and inflammatory pain. Working through specific brain receptors (5-HT2A), psilocybin showed promising results in alleviating various pain symptoms, suggesting potential therapeutic applications for treating chronic pain conditions.
Abstract
Chronic pain is a debilitating disease with current treatments lacking efficacy and safety, therefore discovery of new treatments is crucial. Initi...
A Phase 1, Dose-Ranging Study to Assess Safety and Psychoactive Effects of a Vaporized 5-Methoxy-N, N-Dimethyltryptamine Formulation (GH001) in Healthy Volunteers.
Frontiers in pharmacology – January 01, 2021
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
5-Methoxy-N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) is a tryptamine with ultra-rapid onset and short duration of psychedelic effects. Prospective studies ...
Therapeutic Protocols Using Ketamine and Esketamine for Depressive Disorders: A Systematic Review.
Journal of psychoactive drugs – January 01, 2024
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Depression is one of the most prevalent mental health disorders globally, causing severe emotional suffering, reducing life expectancy and increasi...
Phytochemical interventions for post-traumatic stress disorder: A cluster co-occurrence network analysis using CiteSpace.
Journal of integrative medicine – July 01, 2023
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
This study investigated trends in the study of phytochemical treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The Web of Science database (2007-...
Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy treatment of chronic pain and comorbid depression: a pilot study of two approaches.
Frontiers in pain research (Lausanne, Switzerland) – January 01, 2023
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Chronic pain and depression diagnoses are skyrocketing. There is an urgent need for more effective treatments. Ketamine was recently established to...
Psilocybin for Treating Psychiatric Disorders: A Psychonaut Legend or a Promising Therapeutic Perspective?
Journal of Xenobiotics – February 07, 2022
Summary
Psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen present in over 200 mushroom species, is showing profound promise in modern psychiatry. Synthesized in 1957, early clinical observations suggested its therapeutic potential for anxiety, mood disorders, and addiction. Despite its 1970 scheduling, renewed interest in chemical synthesis and alkaloids has propelled recent psychology and drug studies. Contemporary medicine now provides robust evidence for psilocybin's efficacy in treating conditions like pathological anxiety and addiction. This complementary and alternative medicine approach, often involving a psychotherapist, represents a significant advance.
Abstract
Psychedelics extracted from plants have been used in religious, spiritual, and mystic practices for millennia. In 1957, Dr. Hofmann identified and ...
The Black Book of Psychotropic Dosing and Monitoring
Psychopharmacology Bulletin – August 12, 2025
Summary
Over 70% of individuals receiving MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD no longer met diagnostic criteria, outperforming placebo (46%). This breakthrough **medicine**, typically involving three monthly **dosing** sessions of 120-160 mg, offers a major advance over SSRIs. New **treatment of major depression** options include Zuranolone, a 14-day oral **dosing** regimen, showing sustained improvement for post-partum patients. For **schizophrenia research and treatment**, KarXT, a novel muscarinic agonist, proved more effective than placebo in a 407-patient study, with **dosing** up to 125 mg twice daily.
Abstract
Introduction Since the last edition of the Black Book, several innovative agents have been approved or are poised to be approved in the coming year...
Self-administered complementary and alternative methods of treating mental disorders among students in Wrocław: a cross-sectional study.
Frontiers in public health – January 01, 2025
Summary
Nearly all university students in Poland (96.1%) use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) for mental health, even as 74.7% with a disorder history experience depression. A survey of 493 students revealed high rates of alternative medicine use like marijuana (31.3%) and ashwagandha (24.8%). Cost (80.7%) and availability (35.7%) are major barriers to professional care. Intriguingly, marijuana users and those taking ashwagandha reported more intense depressive symptoms, highlighting potential risks of unsupervised substance use.
Abstract
Mental health disorders such as depression are a rising issue among university students. Some of them use complementary and alternative medicine (C...
Inhibition of alpha oscillations through serotonin-2A receptor activation underlies the visual effects of ayahuasca in humans
European Neuropsychopharmacology – March 26, 2016
Summary
Ayahuasca significantly alters brain oscillations and subjective experiences, with 12 healthy participants showing EEG power decreases in delta, theta, and alpha bands after consumption. Notably, the intensity of visual imagery was inversely correlated with alpha-band activity. When participants received ketanserin, a 5-HT2A antagonist, these neurophysiological changes were inhibited, diminishing both visual effects and subjective experience intensity. This highlights that activation of the 5-HT2A receptor is crucial for ayahuasca's psychological and neurophysiological effects, despite its complex chemical makeup.
Abstract
Ayahuasca is an Amazonian psychotropic plant tea typically obtained from two plants, Banisteriopsis caapi and Psychotria viridis. It contains the p...
Topographic pharmaco‐EEG mapping of the effects of the South American psychoactive beverage ayahuasca in healthy volunteers
British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology – June 01, 2002
Summary
Ayahuasca, a traditional South American beverage, significantly alters brain activity, as shown by a study involving 18 experienced volunteers. Participants received low and high doses of ayahuasca (0.6 and 0.85 mg DMT per kg). Results indicated substantial dose-dependent increases in subjective effects measured by the Hallucinogen Rating Scale. Notably, absolute power decreased by approximately 20.20 µV² in total power and 2.70 µV² in theta power at peak times (90 minutes post-high dose). EEG changes began within 30 minutes, peaking between 45-120 minutes before returning to baseline after 4-6 hours.
Abstract
Aims Ayahuasca is a traditional South American psychoactive beverage used in Amazonian shamanism, and in the religious ceremonies of Brazilian‐base...
Inhaled N,N-Dimethyltryptamine Diminishes Connectivity between the Ventral Tegmental Area and the Nucleus Accumbens : relevance to pathologies of mesolimbic and mesocortical pathways
OpenAlex – September 17, 2025
Summary
Reduced connectivity in the midbrain-nucleus accumbens pathway, often heightened in addiction, was observed after inhaling N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) among 11 experienced participants. Notably, connectivity increased between the nucleus accumbens and anterior cingulate cortex, as well as between the medial prefrontal cortex and anterior cingulate cortex. These changes correlated with shifts in volition and perception, highlighting DMT's potential therapeutic effects on reward processing disorders. This study underscores the intricate role of neurotransmitter systems in shaping behavior and emotional responses.
Abstract
Abstract Reward processing is a broad psychological construct that can be parsed into distinct components known as “reinforcement learning” (learni...
A Randomized Controlled Trial of Psilocybin for the Treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Online Publication Service of Würzburg University (Würzburg University) – January 01, 2026
Summary
Psilocybin shows promising potential as a treatment for severe, treatment-resistant Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), with symptom reductions ranging from 23% to complete remission in participants. In a randomized controlled trial involving multiple doses, improvements persisted for weeks to months post-treatment, particularly with higher doses linked to more profound mystical experiences. Notably, no severe side effects were reported. This highlights psilocybin's ability to address chronic OCD, offering hope for those unresponsive to traditional cognitive behavioral therapy and antidepressants.
Abstract
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a prevalent mental disorder, with a lifetime prevalence of 2-3%, characterized by intrusive thoughts (obsess...
5-HT2A receptors: Pharmacology and functional selectivity.
Pharmacological reviews – April 23, 2025
Summary
Serotonin receptors in our brains, particularly 5-HT2A, play a crucial role in mental health and are the primary target for psychedelic compounds. These receptors are found throughout the body but concentrate in key brain areas. Research shows they're not just involved in normal brain function - they're also the gateway through which therapeutic psychedelics like psilocybin and LSD work to treat depression and addiction, offering promising new paths for mental health treatment.
Abstract
Serotonin 5-HT2A receptors were one of the first serotonin receptors to be pharmacologically characterized. In mammals, they are expressed througho...
Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) and ibogaine elicit membrane effects in HEK cells transiently transfected with the human 5-HT2A receptor.
Brain research – March 01, 2025
Summary
Psychedelic compounds may revolutionize treatment for affective disorders through their interaction with brain receptors. Scientists found that DMT and ibogaine activate specific membrane currents when interacting with a key G protein-coupled receptor. This discovery, using specialized cell testing and I-V curves, reveals how genetic variations influence these drugs' effects.
Abstract
Psychedelics show promise in treating psychiatric disorders. Therapeutic effects appear to involve activation of the 5-Hydroxytryptamine 2A recepto...
Analytical and Pharmacological Characterization of 1-(Furan-2-Carbonyl)-LSD (1F-LSD) and Comparison With 1-(Thiophene-2-Carbonyl)-LSD (1T-LSD).
Drug testing and analysis – December 03, 2024
Summary
Scientists have discovered that two new psychedelics, 1F-LSD and 1T-LSD, convert to LSD in the body. Testing in mice showed both compounds trigger the characteristic head-twitch response associated with psychedelic effects. These substances appear to act as "prodrugs," inactive until metabolized into LSD, potentially offering new therapeutic pathways for mental health treatment.
Abstract
The classical psychedelic drug (+)-lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) continues to attract considerable multidisciplinary interest, and over the last...
Mescaline-induced behavioral alterations are mediated by 5-HT2A and 5-HT2C receptors in rats.
Pharmacology, biochemistry, and behavior – December 01, 2024
Summary
Mescaline, a natural psychedelic, affects brain chemistry through specific serotonin receptors. New findings reveal how this compound influences behavior by targeting two key receptor types. When given to rats, mescaline altered both locomotor activity and sensorimotor gating. Blocking certain serotonin receptors prevented these changes, showing that mescaline's effects primarily work through 5-HT2A receptors, with secondary involvement of 5-HT2C receptors.
Abstract
Mescaline is a classical psychedelic compound with a phenylethylamine structure that primarily acts on serotonin 5-HT2A/C receptors, but also binds...
The impact of antidepressant discontinuation prior to treatment with psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression.
Journal of psychiatric research – December 01, 2024
Summary
Challenging conventional wisdom, stopping antidepressants before psilocybin therapy doesn't reduce its effectiveness in treating severe depression. In a groundbreaking clinical trial with 233 participants, researchers found that people who discontinued antidepressants responded just as well to psilocybin treatment as those who were medication-free. The psychedelic experience and therapeutic benefits remained strong for all participants, regardless of prior medication status.
Abstract
It has been suggested that the recent use and discontinuation of antidepressant drugs compromises the action of psilocybin. As evidence is only ava...
Spectral signatures of psilocybin, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and ketamine in healthy volunteers and persons with major depressive disorder and treatment-resistant depression: A systematic review.
Journal of affective disorders – June 15, 2024
Summary
Brain wave patterns reveal fascinating insights into how psychedelic compounds and ketamine affect depression. Using electroencephalography and magnetoencephalography, researchers found that both serotonergic psychedelics and glutamatergic dissociatives create distinct spectral signatures in the brain, showing increased theta waves and decreased alpha activity. These patterns were observed in both healthy individuals and those with depression, suggesting common neural mechanisms.
Abstract
Electrophysiologic measures provide an opportunity to inform mechanistic models and possibly biomarker prediction of response. Serotonergic psyched...
Do the therapeutic effects of psilocybin involve actions in the gut?
Trends in pharmacological sciences – February 01, 2024
Summary
Psilocybin's therapeutic benefits may start in an unexpected place: your gut. New evidence suggests this psychedelic compound works along the gut-brain axis, activating serotonin receptors in both the digestive system and brain. Through the vagus nerve pathway, these actions may enhance neuroplasticity and improve mental health. The gut's high concentration of serotonin receptors could be key to understanding how psychedelics create positive changes.
Abstract
The psychedelic compound psilocybin has recently emerged as a therapeutic intervention for various mental health conditions. Psilocybin is a potent...
Safety and tolerability of inhaled N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (BMND01 candidate): A phase I clinical trial.
European neuropsychopharmacology : the journal of the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology – March 01, 2024
Summary
Inhaled DMT shows promise as a rapid-acting psychedelic, with effects lasting just 10 minutes compared to hours for similar compounds. In this groundbreaking clinical trial, researchers tested different doses of N,N-Dimethyltryptamine in healthy volunteers, finding it both safe and well-tolerated. The dose-response study revealed positive mood effects and manageable physical responses, suggesting potential for treating mood disorders efficiently.
Abstract
Psychedelics are being increasingly examined for their therapeutic potential in mood disorders. While the acute effects of ayahuasca, psilocybin, a...
The zebrafish for preclinical psilocybin research.
Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews – October 01, 2023
Summary
Tiny zebrafish are helping unlock the therapeutic potential of psilocybin, a natural psychedelic showing promise for treating anxiety and affective disorders. These small aquatic allies display measurable changes in social behavior when exposed to psychedelics, making them ideal for studying how these compounds affect the brain. Research reveals that zebrafish responses closely mirror human reactions, offering a safe way to explore psilocybin's benefits.
Abstract
In this review, we discuss the possible utility of zebrafish in research on psilocybin, a psychedelic drug whose recreational use as well as possib...
N, N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT)-Occasioned Familiarity and the Sense of Familiarity Questionnaire (SOF-Q).
Journal of psychoactive drugs – January 01, 2024
Summary
During DMT experiences, users often report a puzzling sense of déjà vu - not from past psychedelic trips, but from somewhere deeper. Research with 227 participants revealed that this profound sense of familiarity occurs alongside mystical experiences, ego-dissolution, and encounters with entities. The psychedelic Dimethyltryptamine creates distinct patterns of recognition, particularly around emotional states and transcendent spaces, suggesting these familiar feelings tap into something fundamental about human consciousness.
Abstract
This study investigated the sense of familiarity attributed to N, N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) experiences. 227 naturalistic inhaled-DMT experiences ...
Effect of psilocybin on marble burying in ICR mice: role of 5-HT1A receptors and implications for the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Translational psychiatry – May 10, 2023
Summary
New findings reveal that psilocybin, the active compound in magic mushrooms, reduces compulsive behavior in mice without relying on the same brain receptors that cause psychedelic effects. Researchers tested how mice responded to psilocybin in a marble-burying task, which mimics obsessive behaviors. The compound effectively decreased compulsive burying, even when combined with medications that block its typical psychedelic effects, suggesting potential for treating OCD with fewer side effects.
Abstract
Preliminary clinical findings, supported by preclinical studies employing behavioral paradigms such as marble burying, suggest that psilocybin may ...
Ibogaine Blocks Cue- and Drug-Induced Reinstatement of Conditioned Place Preference to Ethanol in Male Mice.
Frontiers in pharmacology – January 01, 2021
Summary
A natural psychedelic shows promise in disrupting the brain's association with alcohol reward. Researchers investigated if ibogaine could prevent the return of alcohol-seeking behaviors. Using male mice, they established a conditioned place preference for ethanol. While ibogaine itself didn't create a preference, subsequent treatment with ibogaine effectively blocked the reinstatement of ethanol-induced preference. This suggests ibogaine could therapeutically disrupt learned responses to ethanol without being inherently rewarding.
Abstract
Ibogaine is a psychedelic extracted from the plant Tabernanthe iboga Baill. (Apocynaceae), natural from Africa, and has been proposed as a potentia...
Pharmacodynamic effects and plasma pharmacokinetics of N, N-dimethyltryptamine after intranasal versus subcutaneous administration in male rats.
Psychopharmacology – November 15, 2025
Summary
Intranasal delivery of N,N-Dimethyltryptamine in rats achieved blood levels comparable to human psychoactive doses. Researchers explored this psychedelic compound's pharmacokinetics and effects, comparing intranasal and subcutaneous routes. Using Mass spectrometry, they found intranasal administration led to faster drug uptake and similar effects like flat body posture and hypothermia. This confirms intranasal delivery as a promising, non-invasive method.
Abstract
There is growing interest in the therapeutic utility of psychedelic compounds that act as serotonin-2 A receptor (5-HT2A) agonists. N,N-dimethyltry...
(R)-Ketamine reduces alcohol intake and alcohol seeking induced by reconsolidation of alcohol-related memories in female Marchigian Sardinian alcohol-preferring rats.
Psychopharmacology – November 15, 2025
Summary
A specific form of ketamine offers new hope for reducing alcohol intake. Researchers investigated if (R)-ketamine, a dissociative psychedelic with fewer side effects, could combat Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). They tested its effects on drinking and alcohol-related memory retrieval in rats. Remarkably, (R)-ketamine significantly reduced alcohol consumption and impaired memory retrieval in female rats, indicating a sex-specific benefit. This suggests exciting potential for new AUD treatments.
Abstract
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) represents a significant medical challenge, with available therapeutic approaches having limited efficacy. Emerging data...
Introduction: Evidence for entheogen use in prehistory and world religions
Journal of Psychedelic Studies – June 01, 2019
Summary
Psilocybin, a key psychedelic, appears central to religion's origins. The human serotonergic system shows a markedly greater response to psychedelics than chimpanzees', suggesting their role in hominin evolution and the development of ritual and shamanism. Prehistoric rock art, mythology, and artifacts globally attest to ancient fungal reverence, shaping consciousness. This historical influence continued, evident in art and scriptures. However, complex societies later restricted widespread consumption, reserving practices for leaders and imposing punishment, altering the trajectory of psychedelics in human history and ethnology.
Abstract
This introduction to the special issue reviews research that supports the hypothesis that psychedelics, particularly psilocybin, were central featu...