Originals

We proudly present a comprehensive dataset that serves as a valuable resource for researchers, academics, and enthusiasts in psychedelic science.

Our ‘Originals’ dataset catalogues controlled human trials of various psychedelic substances, offering insightful data on dosing, placebo usage, compounds studied, research topics, participant numbers, and much more.

Compiled by dedicated researchers Floris Wolswijk (Blossom) and Minji Park (Macquarie University) under the guidance of Vince Polito (Macquarie University) and Paul Liknaitzky (Monash University), this database is designed to help you navigate the rapidly expanding psychedelic research literature with ease.

We invite you to explore this valuable resource and contribute to its growth and accuracy by reporting omissions or errors. Happy exploring!

Introduction & Rationale for Making the Originals Database

The psychedelic research field has experienced a renaissance in recent years, leading to a significant increase in the number of published studies. As exciting as this growth is, it also presents a challenge in keeping track of the diverse range of trials and their findings. Recognizing this need, we created the Originals database as a centralized repository for all published psychedelic trials.

The primary objective of the Originals database is to provide researchers, academics, and enthusiasts with a one-stop resource where they can easily access information about published psychedelic trials. This user-friendly visualisation compiles data from controlled human experiments involving various psychedelic compounds, such as MDMA, psilocybin, ayahuasca, DMT, and LSD.

To promote transparency and collaboration within the psychedelic research community, we have made all data in the Originals database(s) publicly available. Users can download the complete dataset by clicking ‘Get the data’ at the bottom of the table. Furthermore, the database is designed to automatically update when new research papers are added to Blossom’s Papers Database.

By consolidating data from published psychedelic trials into a single, easily accessible platform, the Originals database aims to foster a collaborative and well-informed research environment. We encourage you to explore the wealth of information available in the database and make use of this valuable resource in your own work.

Main View of Originals Database

The Main View of the Originals Database provides a comprehensive and user-friendly overview of published psychedelic trials. In this table, you can quickly access essential information related to each trial, allowing for easy comparison and analysis of different studies. The key components of the Main View include:

  1. Blossom Page: Direct links to the corresponding Blossom page, which offers a full summary and additional information about the study.
  2. Links: DOI and Sci-Hub links to the published research.
  3. Psychedelic Compound: The specific substance studied in the trial, such as MDMA, psilocybin, ayahuasca, DMT, or LSD.
  4. Dosing Information: Details about the dosing amount and frequency of administration.
  5. Research Topic: The primary focus of the study, such as depression, PTSD, anxiety, neuroscience, and safety.
  6. Participants: The number of participants involved in the trial and the number of active participants who received the drug when a placebo was used.
  7. Therapy: What, if any, therapy was given (Therapy or Support) plus information on how many sessions (dosing (D) and therapy (T) sessions around it).
  8. Placebo: Whether a placebo was used, along with information about active placebos and their types.
  9. Research Group: The primary organization or team responsible for the trial.
  10. Trial Registration Number: The registration number of the trial, if available.
  11. Study Date: The date when the study was conducted.
  12. Citations: Number of citations (updated infrequently; directionally correct).
  13. Re-Analyses: Links to other publications on the same dataset that are chronologically later published.

Click on each of the headers to sort by them, or click on the links at the top to be taken to a specific view of the dataset (e.g. only MDMA-related publications).

View the Originals dataset in a separate page.

Originals is made possible by Blossom’s members

Support psychedelic research by joining Blossom

Originals Including Re-analyses

The ‘Originals + Re-analyses’ view is a valuable extension of the Originals database, as it incorporates additional publications that utilize the same datasets as the primary publications on these controlled trials. By including these re-analyses (e.g. qualitative study on same participants), users can gain a deeper understanding of the various perspectives, interpretations, and insights derived from the same data.

This comprehensive view enables users to explore all publications related to controlled psychedelic trials, fostering a more holistic understanding of the research landscape. However, it’s important to note that the inclusion of re-analyses may create some challenges when counting the number of participants involved in these studies (i.e. they are represented multiple times). As participants may appear in multiple publications, some degree of duplication may occur in the dataset.

Despite this caveat, the ‘Originals + Re-analyses’ view serves as a powerful tool for researchers and enthusiasts seeking a broader perspective on psychedelic trials. By considering both primary studies and re-analyses, users can engage with a more extensive range of findings and better appreciate the depth and complexity of the psychedelic research field.

View the Originals + Re-Analyes dataset in a separate page.

Visualisations per Psychedelic

In the following sections, we present a series of visualizations that focus on each specific psychedelic compound, including MDMA, psilocybin, ayahuasca, DMT, and LSD. These visualizations offer a unique perspective on the data by showcasing the research landscape for each drug (note: only controlled trials!). This approach allows users to explore trends, patterns, and areas of interest specific to each compound, providing insights into the state of research for each psychedelic substance.

It’s important to note that the visualizations may appear compressed within this blog post due to space constraints. To fully appreciate the richness of the data and ensure an optimal viewing experience, we recommend following the provided links to view the visualizations on separate pages.

Navigating the Originals Database: Tips & Tricks

Effectively exploring and utilizing the Originals database is crucial to maximizing the value it offers. Here, we provide some tips and tricks to help you navigate the dataset efficiently and find the most relevant information to your research interests.

Search Filters: The ‘search in table’ feature at the top of the database allows users to search for specific keywords. This powerful tool can help you quickly locate studies that focus on your area of interest, whether it’s a particular psychedelic compound, research topic, or any other keyword that might be relevant.

Sorting by Headers: By clicking on the headers of each column, you can sort the data in ascending or descending order. This feature lets you efficiently organise the information based on your preferences or requirements. For example, you can sort the studies by the number of participants, study date, or citations.

Custom Views: The Originals database offers a variety of custom views tailored to specific research interests. By clicking on the links at the top of the database, you can access dedicated views for each psychedelic compound, such as MDMA-related publications. These custom views help you focus on the information most relevant to your research.

Navigating Re-Analyses: The Originals database also includes links to re-analyses of the same dataset (last column), which are chronologically later published. These re-analyses can provide valuable insights and additional perspectives on the primary data. To explore re-analyses, follow the provided links within the table.

Blossom Page and Research Paper Links: Each entry in the Originals database includes a direct link to the corresponding Blossom page and the published research paper (accessible via DOI or Sci-Hub). The Blossom page offers a full summary and additional information about the study (including the .pdf if open access), while the research paper provides the complete trial details.

By leveraging these tips and tricks, you can efficiently navigate the wealth of information available in the Originals database and make the most of this valuable resource.

Contributing to the Dataset: A Community Effort

The Originals database is a living resource that relies on the collective effort of the psychedelic research community to ensure its accuracy, completeness, and relevance. We actively encourage you to report any omissions, errors, or inconsistencies you may encounter while exploring the dataset.

Your contributions are invaluable in maintaining the quality of the database, as they allow us to update and refine the information, ensuring that it accurately reflects the current state of psychedelic research. By working together as a community, we can help this valuable resource grow, adapt, and evolve to meet the changing needs of researchers, academics, and enthusiasts.

To report omissions or errors, please reach out to us through email ([email protected]). We appreciate your vigilance and commitment to maintaining the integrity of the Originals database. Your collaborative efforts are crucial in fostering a well-informed and connected psychedelic research community.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Originals database offers a unique resource for anyone interested in the rapidly evolving field of psychedelic research. By consolidating data from published psychedelic trials into a single, user-friendly platform, we aim to foster a collaborative and well-informed research environment.

As you explore the wealth of information in the database, we encourage you to make the most of the provided tools and features, and actively contribute to the growth and refinement of this valuable resource. Together, we can support the continued advancement of psychedelic science, unlocking new insights and potential breakthroughs that will shape the future of mental health and well-being.

Originals is made possible by Blossom’s members

Support psychedelic research by joining Blossom