Research

The lack of papers in last months edition is overshadowed by the number of (high quality) papers this month. Next to many reviews (see the last section) there is research on alcoholism and psychedelics in animals, research into our brainwaves (with DMT and LSD), and the experience of ego dissolution. The latter didn’t predict less narcissistic behavior, but feelings of awe and connection did (survey).

April has been a slow month (probably related to COVID-19). There are many ongoing trials with ketamine and researchers should note them and not only look at finished studies to determine their research direction. Microdosing psychedelics remains interesting, yet not studied in a very controlled way.

New evidence piles up for the use of psychedelics in the fight against depression. Classical psychedelics seem to be longer-lasting in their effect than ketamine. And people can be fooled into thinking they are tripping, by carefully manipulating the setting.

Psychedelics may not be ready to be accepted by the FDA (more research needs to be done). The use of psilocybin has positive effects one month later, but repeated and high-dose usage is correlated with more negative outcomes. And microdosing may have a positive effect on mental disorders as reported by users.