To better understand the science of psychedelics, and how we can make the bridge to implementing them in practice, Blossom is conducting a series of interviews with psychedelic scientists. Our editor-at-large, George Fejer, speaks to Dr. Jay McLaughlin, Professor of Pharmacodynamics at the University of Florida, and one of the leading experts on kratom.
In order to realize the therapeutic potential of psychedelics, meticulous evidence-based research is needed. From a select few researchers working with psychedelics in the 2000s, a plethora of research groups dedicated to harnessing the potential of psychedelics has emerged across the globe. The work of these groups is paving the way toward a future where psychedelic-assisted therapies are viable treatment options.
In the Research Briefing of October 11th 1) Good news for microdosing from a neuroimaging study 2) MDMA-assisted therapy could help those with with social anxiety disorder 3) Shamanistic practitioners show psychedelic-like brainwaves when drumming
This summer, Scott Alexander (of Astral Codex Ten, ACX) opened up his readership to be queried in a host of surveys. We took him up on the offer and asked 1580 respondents about their views on psychedelics as medicine. Next to broad support for psychedelics as medicines, we found above average experience with psychedelics, and maybe unsurprisingly that they would be most likely to trust a psychiatrist when asked who could inform them about psychedelics as medicine.
September brought us nearly 30 new and exciting papers on psychedelics that we’ve added to the database. Some focus on the safety of psychedelics, showing the relative safety of LSD in clinical use for instance. Well-being after the ceremonial or therapeutic use of psychedelics and ego-dissolution as a possible mechanism is also explored.
This is all the other psychedelic research that came out in October 2021.
In the Research Briefing of September 23rd 1) How ayahuasca ceremony leaders regard preparation and integration 2) Psychedelics for treating neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s 3) The relative safety of LSD in research settings
Psychedelic research continued at pace during the summer of 2021. New research focusing on the risks of psychedelics, the benefits when treating addictions, knowledge of different groups about psychedelics, and much more.
Blossom sits down with Zach Heigney, founder of The Trip Report | We discuss the impact of technology on psychedelics
In August 2021, Blossom interviewed dr. sc. hum. Henrik Jungaberle for the Psychedelics as Medicine Report – Third Edition. Henrik shared widely about the plans of the MIND Foundation, perspectives on therapist training, and the differences between the EU and the US.