A review of 15 controlled studies found that mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) does not have a reliable effect on symptoms of depression and anxiety across a range of clinical populations. When MBSR was compared to active control groups, it showed no benefit. Adherence to the program was rarely measured, and when it was, the link between practice and symptom changes was unclear. The evidence for any beneficial effect of MBSR on depression and anxiety was equivocal.
Psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychedelic compound from Psilocybe fungi, is a serotonin 2A receptor agonist that affects neural plasticity and cognition. The authors propose a study to test whether psilocybin reduces morphine consumption and withdrawal symptoms in morphine-dependent mice, comparing its effects to methadone. They hypothesize that psilocybin will decrease morphine intake in a dose-dependent manner and minimize withdrawal behaviors, potentially offering a cheaper, less dependence-forming alternative for treating opioid addiction. The study uses mouse models with intraperitoneal injection, and future research might explore oral administration.