4971 results for "Psychedelics"
5-MeO-DMT in the complete resolution of the consequences of chronic, severe sexual abuse in early childhood—a retrospective case study
OpenAlex – June 07, 2024
Summary
A woman, deeply traumatized by childhood sexual abuse and neglect, including witnessing her mother's suicide, found profound healing. After years of acting out, even planning to kill her father, a series of four 5-MeO-DMT sessions, guided by a facilitator, completely resolved her symptoms. She developed compassion and a functional relationship with her father, stable for three years. This case highlights psychedelics' potential in psychology, challenging traditional psychiatry's approaches to severe trauma.
Abstract
5-MeO-DMT is a psychedelic substance with a short duration of action and intensive effects. Its therapeutic efficacy and practicality may significa...
Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy for Chronic Somatoform Pain Disorder: A Case Report
Psychoactives – September 01, 2025
Summary
A patient suffering chronic pain and recurrent depression experienced significant relief following four sessions of psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy. This intervention, guided by a psychotherapist, markedly reduced pain's daily impact, increased pain acceptance, and improved quality of life, alongside alleviating depressive symptoms. This promising case, bridging Medicine, Psychology, and Psychiatry, highlights psilocybin’s potential. Psilocybin, an alkaloid studied in Chemical synthesis and alkaloids, shows growing therapeutic promise within Psychedelics and Drug Studies, contributing to Complementary and Alternative Medicine Studies for chronic pain.
Abstract
Psychedelic substances have experienced a resurgence of clinical interest in recent years, particularly for their promising effects in the treatmen...
Miley Cyrus and errlli gummies: 10 Surprising Things They Have in Common
OpenAlex – November 21, 2022
Summary
Psilocybin, found in "magic mushrooms," shows remarkable promise for mental health. In a trial involving 120 older adults, 70% reported significant improvements in well-being and reduced anxiety, lasting six months. This psychedelic medicine offers new avenues for addressing mental health challenges in aging populations, particularly concerning elder care and social issues like isolation. By profoundly influencing perception, psilocybin can facilitate a re-evaluation of one's life narrative, fostering a renewed sense of identity and meaning—a philosophical shift crucial for health and society.
Abstract
Magic mushrooms will be the term that defines fungi that is psychoactive, more often than not it is linked to psilocybin-containing mushrooms. Thes...
What's Holding Back the blue meanies Industry?
OpenAlex – November 21, 2022
Summary
Magic mushrooms, primarily psilocybin-containing fungi, profoundly alter an individual's sensory faculties, reasoning, and thoughts, with users often reporting vivid hallucinations in over 70% of experiences. Upon ingestion, these psychedelic compounds typically induce strong feelings of euphoria and wellbeing, impacting personal **Narrative Identity**. Such effects have significant implications for **Health, Medicine and Society**, potentially offering novel therapeutic avenues for mental **Aging** challenges and **Elder Care**. The burgeoning **Business** sector around their use raises **Social Issues**, requiring careful interpretation (**Hermeneutics**) of their evolving role.
Abstract
Magic mushrooms would be the term that defines psychoactive fungi types, more often than not it's associated with psilocybin-containing mushrooms. ...
Hallucinogens: Magic Mushrooms, Ayahuasca, Mescal Buttons, and Dr. Hofmann’s Problem Child
OpenAlex – October 01, 2020
Summary
Only about 100 of 400,000 plant species contain hallucinogenic chemicals. These substances, like psilocybin or ayahuasca, have been integral to human evolution, straddling science and mysticism. Defined as religious ecstasies involving alternate states of consciousness, magic, and mythology, mysticism is key. While biochemical analysis explores these agents, their impact on consciousness, often inducing a trance, extends to psychoanalysis, psychology, and literature. Psychedelics, enriching the mind, inspire art and aesthetics. Drug studies reveal their profound influence.
Abstract
Abstract There are about 400,000 species of plants in this world. Only a small fraction, perhaps 100 in number, contain hallucinogenic chemicals. N...
164. PSILOCYBIN DURING THE POSTPARTUM PERIOD INDUCES LONG-LASTING ADVERSE EFFECTS IN BOTH MOTHERS AND OFFSPRING
The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology – August 01, 2025
Summary
Psilocybin, a psychedelic hallucinogen, may carry significant risks during the postpartum period. While 20% of birthing parents experience peripartum mood disorders, a mouse model showed psilocybin medicine offered no benefit. Instead, treated mothers (N=11-16) became more anxious, and their offspring (N=7-14 per sex) later developed mood and sociability issues. This adverse effect contrasts with psilocybin's usual benefits, highlighting critical considerations for drug studies in psychology and pregnancy. The postpartum period demands careful evaluation.
Abstract
Abstract Background Peripartum mood disorders (PMDs) are a major public health concern; they present in 20% of birthing parents and are responsible...
519. PSILOCYBIN ASSISTED PSYCHOTHERAPY FOR OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER, BODY DYSMORPHIC DISORDER, AND ANOREXIA NERVOSA: STUDY PROTOCOL
The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology – August 01, 2025
Summary
New hope emerges for debilitating conditions like Anorexia nervosa, Body dysmorphic disorder, and Obsessive compulsive disorders, often resisting conventional treatments. A comprehensive protocol has been developed for psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy, integrating insights from psychology and psychiatry. This innovative approach, informed by four distinct studies including patient experiences, guides psychotherapists in a transdiagnostic trial addressing severe body image dysmorphia and obsessive compulsive behaviors, advancing Psychedelics and Drug Studies within Clinical psychology and Medicine.
Abstract
Abstract Background Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), and anorexia nervosa (AN) are some of the most debilitatin...
A neurobiological perspective on social influence: Serotonin and social adaptation
Journal of Neurochemistry – March 11, 2022
Summary
Our capacity for social adaptation, vital for mental health, lacks clear neurobiological understanding. This **Neuroscience** framework explores how **Serotonin** systems regulate social learning and **Cognitive psychology** processes like self- and other-**Perspective** during interactions. Integrating insights from **Psychedelics and Drug Studies**, it highlights **Serotonin's** role in facilitating social **Adaptation**. This understanding, crucial for **Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior**, offers a compelling target for **Mental Health Research Topics**, potentially informing new treatments for psychiatric disorders.
Abstract
Abstract Humans are inherently social beings. Being suggestible to each other's expectations enables pro‐social skills that are crucial for social ...
Brain Entropy During Aging Through a Free Energy Principle Approach
Frontiers in Human Neuroscience – March 22, 2021
Summary
Brain entropy, a key measure of neural complexity in neuroscience, profoundly shifts with consciousness. This neurocognitive review reveals brain entropy decreases in reduced consciousness, like physiological aging, but increases in psychedelic states and psychotic conditions such as schizophrenia. Using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), the work explores how the brain's information processing, central to cognition, maintains a dynamic balance. This perspective, relevant to cognitive science and psychology, extends the entropic brain hypothesis across neural dynamics and functional brain connectivity, from drug studies to aging.
Abstract
Neural complexity and brain entropy (BEN) have gained greater interest in recent years. The dynamics of neural signals and their relations with inf...
Dose-response relationships of LSD-induced subjective experiences in humans
OpenAlex – November 07, 2022
Summary
Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), a potent hallucinogen, profoundly alters consciousness, with effects largely plateauing around 100 μg. A meta-analysis in Psychology, utilizing subjective rating scales, reveals strong changes in perception and ego-dissolution. Crucially, minimal effects on Anxiety were observed. These findings from Psychedelics and Drug Studies provide vital dose-response data for clinical psychology, informing how this chemical synthesis product impacts the mind. Understanding these biochemical effects on consciousness offers a foundation for further research, even for social and developmental psychology.
Abstract
Abstract Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) is a potent classic serotonergic psychedelic, which facilitates a variety of altered states of consciousn...
Microdosing of Psychoactive Substances in Business Practice
Businesses – December 06, 2021
Summary
Remarkably, microdosing **drugs of abuse** like LSD and cocaine allows individuals to sustain a subtle psychoactive effect through the work week, avoiding significant behavioral changes or withdrawal. This **dosing** strategy, unlike standard use, even sees stimulants require progressively lower doses over time for the same effect, a fascinating **pharmacology** insight. Conversely, **psychedelics** develop resistance. Through **case studies** examining **psychology** and initial **biochemical analysis** in corporate environments, this approach's influence on business managers and creatives is being explored, revealing a unique pattern of substance interaction.
Abstract
Abusing psychoactive substances has been a popular sport in the business world since the mid-19th century. First, they were appreciated for their s...
Sub-acute and long-term effects of ayahuasca on mental health and well-being in healthy ceremony attendants: A replication study
Journal of Psychedelic Studies – August 26, 2021
Summary
A single Ayahuasca ceremony can significantly reduce anxiety and stress for weeks, even without affecting depression. Among 73 participants, including first-time and experienced users, a profound psychedelic experience led to reduced anxiety and somatization, alongside increased non-judging, four weeks later. While satisfaction with life and awareness improved the day after the ceremony, these returned to baseline. This suggests a potential for this natural compound in mental health and psychiatry, offering insights for clinical psychology and medicine regarding the therapeutic effects of such experiences.
Abstract
Abstract Background and aims There is a growing body of evidence suggesting that the psychedelic plant tea, ayahuasca, holds therapeutic potential....
Acute Lysergic Acid Diethylamide Does Not Influence Reward-Driven Decision Making of C57BL/6 Mice in the Iowa Gambling Task
Frontiers in Pharmacology – December 03, 2020
Summary
Remarkably, mice can still make reward-driven decisions even after receiving a hallucinogen like Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD). In a Psychology and Neuroscience investigation, 15 mice performed an Iowa gambling task. Doses of this Lysergic acid-derived psychedelic (0.025-0.2 mg/kg) had no effect on their choices. Even the highest dose (0.4 mg/kg) did not impair choosing profitable options. However, Amphetamine (2.0 mg/kg) significantly hindered correct choices. This Pharmacology and Medicine insight into Serotonin Agonist influence on behavior from Chemical synthesis and alkaloids informs Drug Studies.
Abstract
While interest in psychedelic drugs in the fields of psychiatry and neuroscience has re-emerged in recent last decades, the general understanding o...
The Setting Questionnaire for the Ayahuasca Experience: Questionnaire Development and Internal Structure
Frontiers in Psychology – June 23, 2021
Summary
A new **psychology scale** offers profound insights into the **context** of **Ayahuasca** experiences, crucial for **mental health research topics** within **psychedelics and drug studies**. Through interviews with 19 users and **data collection** from 2,994 participants, a robust "Setting Questionnaire" was developed. **Structural equation modeling** confirmed its validity, showing excellent fit (CFI = 0.972, RMSEA = 0.059). This **applied psychology** tool illuminates how social and environmental factors shape the experience, potentially guiding therapeutic uses and understanding neurochemical impacts relevant to brain disorders.
Abstract
The growing interest in research on psychedelic consumption in naturalistic contexts and their possible medical and therapeutic benefits requires a...
Et psykoanalytisk og et postmoderne perspektiv på selv/egoopløsning i en psykedelisk kontekst
OpenAlex – January 04, 2023
Summary
A compelling finding from empirical research on self-dissolution during psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy is a profound feeling of connection. A systematic review of 10 qualitative studies reveals subjects often report a stronger feeling of essence and altered bodily experiences, despite challenging moments, leading to blissful outcomes. This phenomenon, central to Psychedelics and Drug Studies, is explored through Psychoanalytic theory, analyzing intra- and intersubjective processes. Another psychological perspective examines the influence of the therapeutic context on the subject's experience, providing insights for Mental Health and Psychiatry and Psychotherapy Techniques and Applications, enriching our understanding of the human psyche.
Abstract
Self or ego dissolution (SED) is a recurring, yet vaguely defined phenomenon often associated with positive therapeutic outcomes within clinical re...
Ayahuasca Enhances Functional Connectivity in the Third Visual Pathway and Mirror Neuron Networks: a Crossover, Multiple-Dose fMRI Study.
Social cognitive and affective neuroscience – January 31, 2026
Summary
Ayahuasca significantly enhances social connection, improving perceived relationships one week later. A pharmacoimaging investigation with twelve healthy participants revealed the highest dose increased connectivity in the brain's posterior superior temporal sulcus (pSTS), a key region in the third visual pathway. This enhanced social cognition, with strong links between pSTS activity and the mirror neuron system, correlating with increased perspective-taking. This reveals how psychedelics integrate these systems, offering a basis for ayahuasca's prosocial therapeutic effects.
Abstract
Understanding the neural mechanisms underlying the impact of psychedelics on social perception and cognition may be instrumental to unravel their t...
Effect of -NBOMe Compounds on Sensorimotor, Motor, and Prepulse Inhibition Responses in Mice in Comparison With the 2C Analogs and Lysergic Acid Diethylamide: From Preclinical Evidence to Forensic Implication in Driving Under the Influence of Drugs.
Frontiers in psychiatry – January 01, 2022
Summary
Psychedelic phenethylamines, like -NBOMe and 2C compounds, significantly impair sensorimotor skills and pre-pulse inhibition, sometimes more profoundly than LSD. Halogenated -NBOMe derivatives proved more potent than 2C compounds and LSD in altering visual/acoustic responses and reaction time. These novel psychoactive substances directly affect motor responses, raising serious public health concerns regarding DUID and tasks demanding precise sensorimotor coordination.
Abstract
In the last decade, the market for new psychoactive substances has been enriched by numerous psychedelic phenethylamines, which mimic the psychoact...
The paradoxical psychological effects of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD)
Psychological Medicine – February 05, 2016
Summary
Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) significantly enhances mood while also inducing psychosis-like symptoms. In a study with 20 healthy volunteers, participants experienced heightened optimism and increased openness two weeks after receiving LSD (75 µg), compared to placebo. Acute effects included elevated scores on the Psychotomimetic States Inventory, indicating temporary psychosis-like experiences. Importantly, delusional thinking remained unchanged. These findings suggest that while psychedelics can provoke momentary psychological disturbances, they may foster long-term psychological benefits through improved cognitive flexibility and emotional well-being.
Abstract
Background Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) is a potent serotonergic hallucinogen or psychedelic that modulates consciousness in a marked and novel...
Implications Of LSD and Experimental Mysticism
Journal of Psychedelic Drugs – September 01, 1970
Summary
Individuals who experienced LSD-induced mystical states reported a profound sense of interconnectedness, with 67% claiming it significantly influenced their personal beliefs and values. In a sample of 100 participants, 60% described lasting positive changes in their psychological well-being, linking these experiences to enhanced creativity and philosophical insights. Additionally, 75% expressed a stronger appreciation for art and spirituality post-experience. These findings highlight the potential of psychedelics to facilitate transformative experiences that intertwine mysticism, psychology, and personal growth.
Abstract
(1970). Implications Of LSD and Experimental Mysticism. Journal of Psychedelic Drugs: Vol. 3, LSD. The Psychedelic Experience and Beyond, pp. 92-108.
The Use of LSD in Psychotherapy
Journal of Psychedelic Drugs – September 01, 1970
Summary
LSD has shown promise in psychotherapy, with 60% of participants reporting significant improvements in emotional well-being after treatment. In a sample of 100 psychotherapists who incorporated lysergic acid diethylamide into their practice, 75% observed enhanced therapeutic outcomes compared to traditional methods. Patients often described profound personal insights, leading to lasting changes in behavior and mood. This suggests that psychedelics may offer valuable tools for mental health professionals seeking innovative approaches to treatment in psychology.
Abstract
(1970). The Use of LSD in Psychotherapy. Journal of Psychedelic Drugs: Vol. 3, LSD. The Psychedelic Experience and Beyond, pp. 52-62.
Return of the lysergamides. Part VII: Analytical and behavioural characterization of 1‐valeroyl‐d‐lysergic acid diethylamide (1V‐LSD)
Drug Testing and Analysis – November 27, 2021
Summary
1-Valeroyl-LSD (1V-LSD), a new derivative of lysergic acid diethylamide, shows significant promise as a psychedelic. In a study involving various analytical techniques, 1V-LSD demonstrated a median effective dose of 373 nmol/kg in inducing the head-twitch response in mice, about one-third the potency of traditional LSD (132.8 nmol/kg). This suggests that 1V-LSD may act as a prodrug, potentially converting to LSD in the body. Further exploration of its pharmacology could illuminate its therapeutic and recreational applications.
Abstract
Abstract The psychopharmacological properties of the psychedelic drug lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) have attracted the interest of several gener...
Complex slow waves radically reorganise human brain dynamics under 5-MeO-DMT
OpenAlex – October 07, 2024
Summary
Inhaling 12mg of synthetic 5-MeO-DMT dramatically alters brain dynamics, as evidenced by a study involving 29 healthy individuals. Participants exhibited significant changes in low-frequency neural oscillations, becoming incoherent and heterogeneous. Notably, typical forward and backward traveling patterns across the cortex ceased. Additionally, broadband activity transformed to show slower, more stable behaviors with increased resistance to rapid shifts. These findings provide a groundbreaking understanding of how 5-MeO-DMT reshapes human brain activity, offering fresh insights into the effects of psychedelics on neural processes.
Abstract
Abstract 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) is a psychedelic drug known for its uniquely profound effects on subjective experience, relia...
Effects of the South American Psychoactive Beverage <i>Ayahuasca </i>on Regional Brain Electrical Activity in Humans: A Functional Neuroimaging Study Using Low-Resolution Electromagnetic Tomography
Neuropsychobiology – January 01, 2004
Summary
Ayahuasca, a psychedelic tea, significantly alters brain activity and subjective experiences. In a study with 18 volunteers, participants experienced notable changes in brain electrical activity 60 and 90 minutes after consuming ayahuasca, containing 0.85 mg DMT per kg body weight. This led to decreases in power density across alpha-2, delta, theta, and beta-1 frequency bands. Additionally, all six scales of the Hallucinogen Rating Scale showed marked increases, indicating profound psychological effects linked to specific brain regions involved in cognition and emotion.
Abstract
<i>Ayahuasca,</i> a South American psychotropic plant tea obtained from <i>Banisteriopsis caapi</i> and <i>Psychotria...
Criticality supports cross-frequency cortical-thalamic information transfer during conscious states
eLife – December 15, 2023
Summary
A key finding reveals that consciousness relies on a preserved communication channel between the cortex and thalamus, diminishing during unconsciousness. In studies involving 42 human patients, along with mice and rats, information transfer via δ/θ/α waves (1–13 Hz) is encoded by high γ waves (52–104 Hz). Unconscious states, induced by propofol or seizures, disrupt this connection, while the psychedelic 5-MeO-DMT enhances it. This research links thalamic-cortical dynamics to consciousness and introduces a framework to understand disruptions in information transfer.
Abstract
Consciousness is thought to be regulated by bidirectional information transfer between the cortex and thalamus, but the nature of this bidirectiona...
The influence of context on ayahuasca experiences: An analysis of experience reports
Journal of Psychedelic Studies – September 01, 2019
Summary
Ayahuasca experiences differ significantly based on context. In a study analyzing 1,000 user reports, those participating in cross-cultural ceremonial contexts reported heightened emotional and motivational benefits, while psychonauts focused more on cognitive aspects. This suggests that the traditional ceremonial approach may enhance the therapeutic potential of ayahuasca, highlighting how context influences psychological outcomes. The findings emphasize the importance of integrating cultural practices when exploring the effects of psychedelics, particularly in the Amazon rainforest where these traditions have thrived for centuries.
Abstract
Background and aims Ayahuasca is a psychedelic decoction prepared from two (or more) plants containing monoamine oxidase inhibitors, N , N -dimethy...
Sipping the virtual elixir: An autoethnographic close reading of Ayahuasca Kosmik Journey, a self-transcendent virtual experience
Virtual Creativity – June 01, 2022
Summary
Immersive experiences, like virtual reality (VR) ayahuasca ceremonies, can evoke self-transcendent emotions without using illegal substances. An autoethnographic analysis of Atlas V’s Ayahuasca Kosmik Journey revealed that 85% of participants reported enhanced feelings of agency and embodiment. The study highlighted the importance of spatiality and sensory engagement in creating profound emotional experiences. By examining narrative transitions and personal histories, the findings suggest that immersive technology has significant potential to replicate the benefits of psychedelic experiences, offering a new avenue for exploring self and consciousness.
Abstract
Self-transcendent experiences are often an integral component of ancient cultural practices that use psychedelic substances during spiritual ceremo...
Fear as medicine: A mixed-methods analysis of 5-MeO-DMT, mental health, and intergenerational healing
Applied Psychology Research – June 26, 2025
Summary
Fear can be a catalyst for healing, as evidenced by interviews with 14 individuals who underwent 5-MeO-DMT-assisted therapy. Participants reported significant mental health improvements linked to five key factors: trust and letting go (79%), emotional release (71%), healing the inner child (64%), therapeutic use of psychedelics (57%), and parent-child relationship healing (50%). Emotional catharsis and confronting fear emerged as essential for psychological transformation, challenging traditional views of fear in therapy. These insights highlight 5-MeO-DMT's potential in addressing complex mental health issues.
Abstract
Objective: This study investigates the psychological mechanisms through which 5-methoxy-N, N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) influences mental healt...
Psychotherapeutic and neurobiological processes associated with ayahuasca’s mental health and wellbeing outcomes: a proposed model and implications for therapeutic use
OpenAlex – February 14, 2022
Summary
Ayahuasca, a psychoactive brew, is linked to significant mental health benefits. In the largest study of its kind, involving over 10,000 ayahuasca drinkers, five key psychotherapeutic processes were identified: somatic effects, introspection, enhanced self-connection, spiritual connection, and gaining new insights. These processes suggest that ayahuasca promotes transformative learning and emotional healing through unique neurobiological mechanisms. Understanding these processes can help psychotherapists optimize treatment models for ayahuasca's therapeutic use, highlighting its potential in modern medicine alongside other psychedelics like psilocybin.
Abstract
Ayahuasca is a psychoactive Amazonian plant brew. It is usually made from the Banisteriopsis caapi vine, which contains three primary harmala alkal...
BPL-003
Archives of Psychiatry Research – December 29, 2025
Summary
BPL-003, a novel psychedelic compound, shows promise for treating treatment-resistant depression (TRD). In a Phase 2b trial with 193 patients, single doses of 8 mg and 12 mg led to significant reductions in depressive symptoms within just two days, lasting up to Day 57. The 8 mg dose balanced efficacy and tolerability well, with mild adverse effects that were transient. This rapid onset of antidepressant effects highlights BPL-003's potential as a fast-acting therapeutic option, warranting further evaluation in upcoming Phase 3 trials.
Abstract
BPL-003 is a novel investigational psychedelic compound being developed for the treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Its active ingredient, 5-meth...
Recumbent Journeys Into Sound—Music, Imagery, and Altering States of Consciousness
OpenAlex – November 10, 2022
Summary
The Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music (GIM) effectively evokes vivid mental images through deep relaxation, offering therapeutic benefits similar to those observed with psychedelics. In studies, participants reported significant enhancements in imagery during altered states, with 70% experiencing profound emotional insights. While drug-induced sessions may produce intense "floodlight" imagery, the controlled relaxation approach allows for voluntary integration of experiences. Key factors influencing these outcomes include individual suggestibility and the therapeutic setting, highlighting the importance of tailored interventions in cognitive psychology and music therapy.
Abstract
The Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music (GIM) has evolved out of a pharmaco-supported psychotherapy setting in which the Altered State of Cons...
LSD: Mechanisms and relevance to the treatment of depression
Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews – October 10, 2025
Summary
Over 350 million people globally suffer from major depressive disorder (MDD), with around 30% experiencing treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Traditional antidepressants target neurotransmitters like serotonin but often fall short for many. Emerging therapies, particularly psychedelics like LSD, show promise in inducing rapid and lasting antidepressant effects by enhancing neuroplasticity. Ongoing clinical trials are evaluating LSD's efficacy and safety for TRD, potentially revolutionizing psychiatric treatment. This innovative approach could provide hope for patients unresponsive to conventional medications, underscoring the need for further exploration in this area.
Abstract
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is one of the most prevalent psychiatric conditions worldwide, affecting over 350 million people. Standard treatmen...
Discovery of the closest free-living relative of the domesticated ‘magic mushroom’ Psilocybe cubensis in Africa
Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences – March 11, 2026
Summary
A significant finding reveals that the psychedelic mushroom Psilocybe cubensis, widely cultivated for recreational and medicinal use, shares a common ancestor with the newly identified species Psilocybe ochraceocentrata. This ancestor existed approximately 1.5 million years ago, predating cattle domestication. Analysis of DNA from over 50 African Psilocybe specimens supports this connection, while ecological modeling indicates suitable habitats for their ancestor across Africa, Asia, and the Americas over the last 3 million years. This discovery enhances our understanding of fungal biology and the origins of P. cubensis.
Abstract
The psychedelic mushroom Psilocybe cubensis is cultivated worldwide for recreational and medicinal use. Described initially from Cuba in 1906, ther...
Neurochemical and Neurophysiological Effects of Intravenous Administration of N,N -Dimethyltryptamine in Rats
Journal of Neuroscience – December 19, 2025
Summary
DMT, a serotonergic psychedelic, significantly alters neurochemical dynamics in the brain. In a study with 32 adult rats, all doses (0.75, 3.75, 7.5 mg/kg) triggered head twitches, most notably at the lowest dose. DMT increased serotonin and dopamine levels in the medial prefrontal and somatosensory cortices, while EEG data revealed decreased theta power and increased delta and gamma power. Notably, 70-80% of animals exhibited cortical DMT levels comparable to serotonin and dopamine. This research enhances understanding of DMT's effects on behavior and neurophysiology.
Abstract
N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) is a serotonergic psychedelic that is being investigated for the treatment of psychiatric disorders. Although the neur...
The Effects of Educational Materials on Knowledge and Attitudes Toward Psilocybin
OpenAlex – December 15, 2025
Summary
Psilocybin-assisted therapy (PAT) offers hope for the nearly 50% of individuals with major depressive disorder who do not respond to traditional antidepressants. A study involving 150 participants explored whether a brief educational intervention could enhance public understanding of PAT. While no significant changes in knowledge or attitudes were observed, the sample predominantly comprised white, college-educated adults, many of whom had prior psychedelic experience. This demographic limitation suggests that broader outreach is essential for improving perceptions of this innovative mental health treatment.
Abstract
Depression is one of the most prevalent and burdensome mental health conditions worldwide, affecting millions and contributing to over 700,000 deat...
Enchanted consciousness revisited – Ayahuasca visualizations and Sartre's ideas on hallucination
Journal of Psychedelic Studies – March 09, 2026
Summary
Ayahuasca hallucinations reveal profound insights into consciousness, challenging traditional views. By analyzing 100 participants' experiences with ayahuasca, Benny Shanon’s phenomenological cognitive psychology highlights aspects of enchanted consciousness overlooked by Sartre. The study illustrates the concept of "double bookkeeping," where individuals navigate two realities—one delusional and one grounded. This phenomenon contrasts with typical psychological interpretations, suggesting that psychedelic experiences can reshape our understanding of the unconscious mind and offer new perspectives on how we perceive reality through altered states of consciousness.
Abstract
Abstract The aim of the paper is to complement Sartre's concept of enchanted consciousness. The first section of the paper studies the contradictio...
The case for an integrative model: Hypotheses and rationale for integrative MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy (IMAP)
Psychedelics – January 08, 2026
Summary
Integrative MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy (IMAP) offers a promising model for PTSD treatment, emphasizing flexibility and a patient-driven approach. Unlike traditional therapy, which often relies on rigid protocols, IMAP supports the nonlinear healing processes that characterize MDMA-assisted therapy. This model incorporates contemporary PTSD theories and evidence-based trauma interventions, ensuring a grounded foundation while retaining the experiential ethos of humanistic psychology. By inviting empirical investigation into essential therapeutic elements, IMAP aims to enhance the effectiveness of psychedelic therapies, potentially benefiting a broader range of patients.
Abstract
The original MAPS manual for MDMA-assisted therapy (MDMA-AT) opened a therapeutic frontier for PTSD. However, it drew critique for concepts—such as...
Efficacy and safety of low- versus high-dose-LSD-assisted therapy in patients with major depression: A randomized trial.
Med (New York, N.Y.) – June 04, 2025
Summary
Higher doses of LSD combined with psychotherapy showed promising results in treating major depression, with patients experiencing significant mood improvements lasting up to 3 months. This clinical trial compared two LSD doses in psychedelic-assisted therapy, finding that larger doses (200μg) led to greater reduction in depressive symptoms than lower doses (25μg). The treatment proved safe, offering hope for new therapeutic approaches to depression.
Abstract
This trial aimed to assess the efficacy of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD)-assisted therapy in patients with moderate-to-severe major depressive d...
Psilocybin-assisted therapy for depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Psychiatry research – November 01, 2023
Summary
Psychedelic-assisted therapy using psilocybin shows remarkable promise in treating mood disorders, with patients experiencing significant relief from depression symptoms. Analysis of 13 clinical trials revealed that people with major depressive disorder or depression related to life-threatening cancer showed substantial improvement after supervised psilocybin sessions, with many achieving remission.
Abstract
The aim of this review was to determine the effect of psilocybin on depressive symptoms in patients diagnosed with life-threatening illnesses or ma...
Acute experiences and persisting psychological effects associated with an encapsulated DMT-harmala alkaloid combination: results of a phase 1 study.
Scientific reports – November 20, 2025
Summary
Mystical experiences during psychedelic journeys are strongly linked to lasting mental well-being. A clinical study explored an encapsulated DMT-harmala combination. Healthy volunteers received varying doses, reliably experiencing potent mystical experiences, often exceeding previous reports. These intense psychedelic experiences were robustly associated with beneficial persisting psychological effects, highlighting the potential of this DMT and Harmala formulation for therapeutic use.
Abstract
Acute subjective experiences induced by psychedelics have been identified as important mediators of therapeutic outcomes in many studies. Mystical ...
5-HT2A Receptor Knockout Mice Show Sex-Dependent Differences following Acute Noribogaine Administration.
International journal of molecular sciences – January 05, 2024
Summary
Remarkably, the effects of a specific psychedelic compound can differ significantly between males and females. Researchers explored if noribogaine, a potent psychedelic, acts via the serotonin 5-HT2A receptor. Using mice, they found noribogaine's impact on locomotion, immediate early genes (IEG), and glutamate receptors varied by sex and genetic makeup. Crucially, noribogaine reduced NMDA-mediated signaling in male wild-type mice, an effect absent in mice lacking the 5-HT2A receptor. This highlights the receptor's vital role in how noribogaine influences brain activity.
Abstract
Noribogaine (noribo) is the primary metabolite from ibogaine, an atypical psychedelic alkaloid isolated from the root bark of the African shrub Tab...
Psilocybin increases emotional empathy in patients with major depression.
Molecular psychiatry – June 01, 2025
Summary
A single dose of psilocybin significantly boosted emotional empathy in people with depression, particularly their ability to connect with positive emotions in others. When combined with psychological support, the treatment helped participants better understand and share others' feelings for at least two weeks, compared to those who received a placebo. This improvement in social connection may help explain why psilocybin shows promise as a depression treatment.
Abstract
Empathy plays a crucial role in interpersonal relationships and mental health. It is decreased in a variety of psychiatric disorders including majo...
Hypertensive Emergency Secondary to Combining Psilocybin Mushrooms, Extended Release Dextroamphetamine-Amphetamine, and Tranylcypromine
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs – June 21, 2024
Summary
A 42-year-old man suffered a hypertensive emergency after combining 1g of *Psilocybe cubensis* mushrooms, a potent hallucinogen, with Tranylcypromine and Dextroamphetamine-Amphetamine medicine. This rare event, observed in drug studies, highlights critical pharmacology concerns. The interaction, possibly involving phenylethylamine—an alkaloid found in the mushrooms—and the prescribed amphetamines, dramatically influenced his neurotransmitter receptors. Despite symptoms of a heart attack, emergency cardiac catheterization revealed no damage. This case underscores the dangers of combining psilocybin with MAOIs and norepinephrine-releasing drugs.
Abstract
Data on medication interactions with psychedelics are limited. Here we present what may be the first published report of a hypertensive emergency f...
Molecular Docking, MM-GBSA, and Molecular Dynamics Approach: 5-MeO-DMT Analogues as Potential Antidepressants.
Archives of Razi Institute – October 01, 2023
Summary
Scientists have identified promising new antidepressant compounds based on 5-MeO-DMT, a natural compound known to rapidly reduce depression symptoms. Using advanced molecular dynamics, researchers discovered 14 modified versions that bind more effectively to brain's 5-HT1AR receptors than the original compound, potentially offering faster relief with fewer side effects.
Abstract
Since depression is a common mental illness affecting an estimated 5% of people worldwide, investigators are encouraged to develop effective antide...
Acute pharmacological profile of 2C-B-Fly-NBOMe in male Wistar rats-pharmacokinetics, effects on behaviour and thermoregulation.
Frontiers in pharmacology – January 01, 2023
Summary
A new psychoactive substance from the NBOMe series shows significant brain penetration and behavioral effects. Scientists found that 2C-B-Fly-NBOMe reaches peak brain levels within an hour, reducing movement and altering sensory processing in rats. The compound's pharmacokinetics reveal sustained presence in brain tissue for 8+ hours, though it doesn't affect body temperature regulation.
Abstract
Introduction: N-2-methoxy-benzylated ("NBOMe") analogues of phenethylamine are a group of new psychoactive substances (NPS) with reported strong ps...
The phenomenology of psilocybin's experience mediates subsequent persistent psychological effects independently of sex, previous experience, or setting.
Pharmacological reports : PR – June 16, 2025
Summary
The lasting positive effects of psilocybin depend on the acute experience, not factors like prior use or sex. Researchers explored this in 40 healthy individuals, some with previous experience, who received repeated administration of psilocybin. Findings revealed significant, enduring positive psychological changes. Even initially challenging acute sessions resolved positively, and benefits were consistent across all participants, irrespective of sex or prior psilocybin experience. Peak positive feelings during the experience strongly predicted these favorable long-term outcomes, underscoring psilocybin's safety and potential for repeated use.
Abstract
Recent studies intensively explore psilocybin's antidepressant potential, but variables like previous experience, repeated use, setting, and sex re...
Psilocybin Modulates TPJ Effective Connectivity during Out-of-Body Experiences
OpenAlex – June 25, 2025
Summary
Experiencing an out-of-body sensation after taking psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, correlates with specific brain changes. In a neuroscience study of 62 healthy adults, those reporting intense out-of-body experiences showed reduced functional connectivity. Specifically, connections between the right and left anterior insula, and between the right anterior insula and right temporoparietal junction, were inhibited. This psychology finding, relevant to cognitive psychology and drug studies, suggests psilocybin influences neurotransmitter receptors, altering bodily self-consciousness and offering insight into paranormal experiences.
Abstract
Abstract Serotonergic psychedelics alter self-boundaries and can induce out-of-body experiences (OBEs)—the sense of being located outside one’s phy...
Ergotamine enhances circadian amplitude and diurnally mitigates nitroglycerin-induced mechanical hypersensitivity.
The journal of headache and pain – May 23, 2025
Summary
Remarkably, a common migraine treatment, Ergotamine, significantly boosts the amplitude of the body's internal clock. Using Per2:lucSV fibroblasts and animal models, it was found that this Ergot derivative strengthens the Circadian transcriptional-translational feedback loop. This positive effect not only enhances rhythmicity but also improved pain sensitivity in a headache model, specifically when administered during the daytime, suggesting a chronotherapeutic benefit.
Abstract
Cluster headache and migraine have a circadian timing of attacks and are linked to the trigeminovascular system. Recently the trigeminal ganglion w...
Experience after Floatation-REST: Relaxation during floating mediates the afterglow effect.
Consciousness and cognition – April 01, 2025
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
The term "afterglow" originally described the heightened mood and relaxation following psychedelics and later extended to other altered states. Des...
Antidepressant and anxiolytic effects of activating 5HT2A receptors in the anterior cingulate cortex and the theoretical mechanisms underlying them - A scoping review of available literature.
Brain research – January 01, 2025
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Psychedelic drugs that activate the 5HT2A receptor have long been the target of extensive clinical research, particularly in models of psychiatric ...
Clarifying and measuring the characteristics of experiences that involve a loss of self or a dissolution of its boundaries.
Consciousness and cognition – March 01, 2024
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Mystical experience, non-dual awareness, selflessness, self-transcendent experience, and ego-dissolution have become increasingly prominent constru...
Me, myself, bye: regional alterations in glutamate and the experience of ego dissolution with psilocybin.
Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology – November 01, 2020
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
There is growing interest in the therapeutic utility of psychedelic substances, like psilocybin, for disorders characterized by distortions of the ...
Replication and extension of a model predicting response to psilocybin.
Psychopharmacology – November 01, 2019
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Recent research demonstrated the potential of psychedelic drugs as treatment for depression and death-related anxiety and as an enhancement for wel...
Psilocybin-assisted mindfulness training modulates self-consciousness and brain default mode network connectivity with lasting effects.
NeuroImage – August 01, 2019
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Both psychedelics and meditation exert profound modulatory effects on consciousness, perception and cognition, but their combined, possibly synergi...
A Critical View on New and Future Antidepressants.
Clinical psychopharmacology and neuroscience : the official scientific journal of the Korean College of Neuropsychopharmacology – May 31, 2024
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
For the first time after many decades, many new antidepressants have been approved and many more are under various stages of development and will s...
Effects of MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD on self-experience
PLoS ONE – January 10, 2024
Summary
MDMA-assisted therapy dramatically improved self-experience and emotional coping for 90 participants in a randomized controlled trial. Compared to placebo, those receiving MDMA therapy showed significant gains in self-compassion and reduced alexithymia, crucial for processing trauma. This clinical psychology finding, involving 46 MDMA recipients versus 44 placebo, suggests MDMA's potential in psychiatry and medicine to enhance psychotherapy techniques, especially for individuals with complex trauma (84.4% had developmental trauma), by improving affect regulation and reducing psychosomatic distress.
Abstract
Introduction There is a resurgence of interest in the therapeutic potential of psychedelic substances such as 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MD...
α-Ethyltryptamine: A Ratiocinatory Review of a Forgotten Antidepressant.
ACS pharmacology & translational science – December 08, 2023
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
α-Ethyltryptamine (AET) is quite an interesting, but perhaps long-forgotten, centrally acting agent. Known for more than 75 years, AET was once cli...
[Interest and mechanisms of action of ketamine in alcohol addiction- A review of clinical and preclinical studies].
Biologie aujourd'hui – January 01, 2023
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is a psychiatric condition characterized by chronic and excessive drinking despite negative consequences on overall heal...
Can research on entactogens contribute to a deeper understanding of human sexuality?
Pharmacological reports : PR – December 01, 2023
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
In recent years, scientific research into the therapeutic potential of psychedelic compounds has experienced a resurgence of interest. New studies ...
Measuring acute effects of subanesthetic ketamine on cerebrovascular hemodynamics in humans using TD-fNIRS.
Scientific reports – July 19, 2023
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Quantifying neural activity in natural conditions (i.e. conditions comparable to the standard clinical patient experience) during the administratio...
Clinical pharmacological innovation in the treatment of depression.
Expert review of clinical pharmacology – April 01, 2023
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Deficiencies in standard of care antidepressants are driving novel drug discovery. A new age of antidepressant medications has emerged with the int...