This neuroimaging study (n=20) aimed to understand the effects of DMT (20mg) on the human brain. The researchers used EEG-fMRI (electroencephalography-functional MRI) to measure brain activity before, during, and after administering DMT to healthy volunteers. They found that DMT increased global functional connectivity (GFC), network disintegration and desegregation, and a compression of the principal cortical gradient.
PNAS
March 2023
Cited by 0
This single-blind, placebo-controlled study (n=19) of psilocybin (21mg/70kg) in combination with therapy (ACT, 8x) finds an improvement in depression scores. However, the difference between the psilocybin and placebo groups didn't reach significance. Though the study tried to control for expectancy (placebo) effects, participants (80%) correctly guessed if they received psilocybin.
Journal of Psychopharmacology
March 2023
Cited by 0
This re-analysis (n=48) of a double-blind study on the effects of psilocybin (12mg, n=21) finds that function connectomes (FCs) become more idiosyncratic, especially in the default-mode network (DMN). Looking specifically at the DMN, the researchers find reduced within-DMN activity and more connectivity with attentional systems.
Biorxiv
March 2023
Cited by 0
This review (2023) gives an overview of research into ibogaine. It details animal studies and the human use of ibogaine in stopping addiction. Studies are few and far between, and clinical trials are only now being started.
Pharmacological Research
March 2023
Cited by 0
This text-based interview study (n=13) explores the experiences and perceived mental health and well-being changes of microdosing psychedelics. The results identified three superordinate themes: 1) Seeking a solution: Agency and rationale; 2) Microdosers as scientists; 3) Catalysing desirable and beneficial effects.
BMC Psychiatry
March 2023
Cited by 0
This double-blind, cross-over study (n=10) finds that arketamine (35mg/70kg, the 'right-handedness of ketamine) isn't superior to placebo, but does find it to be safe in a population with treatment-resistant depression (TRD).
Journal of Affective Disorders
March 2023
Cited by 0
This mice and cell study of the non-hallucinogenic LSD analogue 2-bromo-LSD (2-Br-LSD) found it to be a partial agonist at the 5-HT2A receptor but it doesn't activate the 5-HT2B receptor associated with cardiac valvulopathy (disease of heart valves). It also does not induce tolerance and has been shown to promote neuronal structural plasticity and active coping behaviour in mice. Additionally, 2-Br-LSD reverses the effects of chronic stress. These findings suggest that 2-Br-LSD may have therapeutic potential for mood disorders and other indications.
Cell Reports
March 2023
Cited by 0
This mice study found that psilocybin reduced alcohol consumption for three days, but this effect was only present in male mice.
Frontiers in Pharmacology
January 2023
Cited by 0
This analysis of survey data (n=3364, Global Drug Survey 2020) finds a positive relationship between LSD and psilocybin use for self-treatment, and well-being outcomes, particularly insight and mood. A quarter of respondents reported adverse effects.
Journal of Psychopharmacology
March 2023
Cited by 0
This case study (n=1) describes an immunocompetent male with neuropsychiatric Lyme disease who did not respond to conventional treatments. However, his symptoms improved when he started using psilocybin in sub-hallucinogenic doses. Psilocybin is both serotonergic and anti-inflammatory, which may benefit patients with mental illness secondary to autoimmune inflammation.
International Medical Case Reports Journal
March 2023
Cited by 0
This review (2023, s=44) synthesizes the evidence for the association between mystical-type experiences and improvements in well-being and mental health. It finds the strongest evidence in cross-sectional studies and healthy people. Some studies suggest that psychological insight and emotional breakthroughs may be similarly or more closely associated with positive changes than mystical-type experiences.
Journal of Psychedelic Studies
March 2023
Cited by 0
This survey study (n=3157) investigated the effects of classical psychedelic use on psychological well-being in the general population. The results showed that classical psychedelic users exhibited greater psychological strengths and well-being and lower levels of distress compared to cannabis and alcohol users. The benefits were mediated by self-transcendence and motivated by personal growth, regardless of demographic variables, beliefs about psychedelics, and other drug use.
International Journal of Wellbeing
February 2023
Cited by 0
This randomized controlled trial (n=22) is the first to study ketamine (35mg/70kg) in Borderline (BPD) in a placebo-controlled study. The study didn't report statistically significant differences between the ketamine and midazolam (active placebo) groups, though it did show a positive trend.
Neuropsychopharmacology
February 2023
Cited by 0
This analysis of EEG data (n=25) from a study that used repeated ketamine oral tablets (6x, flexible dosing) for treating depression (MDD) found significant changes in alpha (during), theta and low-beta frequencies (after) brainwaves.
Neuropharmacology
February 2023
Cited by 0
This analysis of ketamine data (3800 patients who received ketamine for anaesthesia, and the same number of controls) suggest that ketamine may be useful for treating cocaine use disorder (CUD).
Addiction
February 2023
Cited by 0
This open-label study (n=39) of ketamine (35mg/70kg infusion, x6) for major depressive disorder (MDD) found that after ketamine treatment, the resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC) between the left amygdala and the left medial superior frontal gyrus of MDD patients increased significantly. This change was positively correlated with a reduction in depressive symptoms.
Frontiers in Neuroscience
February 2023
Cited by 0
This survey (n=32, of 145 sent out) of Usona Phase II trial therapists finds that most (88%) had personal experience with psychedelics (e.g. psilocybin). The reasons for use were diverse, ranging from personal development to fun.
Psychedelic Medicine
February 2023
Cited by 0
This double-blind study (n=17) compared the pharmacological effects of methylone (200mg) and MDMA (100mg), for which methylone it's a popular substitute. The results showed that methylone could significantly increase blood pressure and heart rate and induce pleasurable effects similar to MDMA, including stimulation, euphoria, well-being, enhanced empathy, and altered perception.
Frontiers in Pharmacology
February 2023
Cited by 0
This article discusses the therapeutic potential of psychedelic-assisted group psychotherapy (PAGP), which has received less attention than individual psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy models. The authors analyse current literature and use Irvin Yalom's 11 therapeutic factors of group therapy as a framework to discuss the benefits of PAGP, including increased group connectedness and interpersonal learning.
Journal of Psychopharmacology
February 2023
Cited by 0
This pre-print double-blind study (n=22) compares the effect of 2C-B (20mg) and psilocybin (15mg). It finds that 2C-B elicited alterations in consciousness of a psychedelic nature but with a shorter duration of self-reported effects than psilocybin. The study categorised 2C-B (at least at that dose) as a subjectively "lighter" psychedelic.
Biorxiv
February 2023
Cited by 0
This series of experiments in mice (in vivo) and human cells (in vitro) found that a specific type of receptor called intracellular serotonin 2A receptor is partially responsible for neuroplasticity (growth-promoting effect). This suggests that intracellular, versus that on the surface of a neuron, serotonin 2A receptors could be a target for developing new therapies and that there is still much to be learned about how psychedelics (and other drugs) work in the brain.
Science
February 2023
Cited by 0
This pre-print (2023) rodent study found that DOI caused changes in brain activity (specifically the mPFC) that differed from normal patterns. During rest, when brain activity is usually synchronized, the drug causes a decrease in synchronization and an increase in gamma activity.
Biorxiv
February 2023
Cited by 0
This re-analysis (n=13) of EEG (brain activity over time) data whilst under the influence of DMT (7-20mg iv) is the first to show a concentration-dependent suppression of alpha power (brain waves), which was partially true for beta power too. The (Lempel-Ziv) complexity of brain signals increased whilst under the influence of DMT.
Philosophy and the Mind Sciences
February 2023
Cited by 0
This preprint qualitative analysis (n=65) of civilians and veterans finds improvements in wellness (a term used by the WHO), which includes improvements in medical and mental health conditions, social interactions, spirituality, and overall function.
MedRvix
February 2023
Cited by 0
This review (2023, s=4) finds that only 151 patients (and one clinical trial) have been through trials with psilocybin (6-40mg) for addiction (alcohol & smoking). Still, the findings were positive and larger trials are underway.
Frontiers in Psychiatry
February 2023
Cited by 0
This commentary (2023) showcases the support, and open questions, from the European regulatory perspective. It highlights the difficulties facing psychedelic trials (e.g. blinding), and showcases the support EMA can offer in ensuring the trials get done in a way that will lead to regulatory approval.
Lancet
February 2023
Cited by 0
This survey study (n=10.800) of those who have used ayahuasca finds high numbers (70%) of acute physical health adverse effects (e.g. vomiting) and the need for medical attention in 2.3%. They also found adverse mental health effects in the weeks and months after the experience (56%), though most (88%) saw these challenges as part of the growth or integration process. A small, but substantial, group (12%) sought professional support for these effects.
PLOS Global Public Health
November 2022
Cited by 0
This review (s=33) of psychedelic compounds (e.g. LSD & psilocybin) finds that they aren't addictive or toxic at low doses, but can be harmful at high doses. Physiologically the biggest risk was identified for MDMA, though psychological (relating to set & setting) risks may be more critical.
Toxics
February 2023
Cited by 0
This analysis of the therapeutic frameworks used in psychedelic-assisted treatment (for smoking cessation specifically) finds that suggestions from the framework map onto outcomes (and the language used by participants) from the study. This has broader implications for psychedelic-assisted therapy, as suggestions (in the therapeutic framework) can be used for various purposes (positive and negative).
Kennedy Institute of Ethics Journal
February 2023
Cited by 0
This re-analysis of the COMPASS Phase IIb RCT with psilocybin (25/10/1mg; COMP360) finds significantly higher scores on patient-reported depression severity, anxiety, positive affect, functioning, quality of life, and cognitive function. Though the main finding of the study was less impressive than hoped, all patient-reported measures show that the high dose of psilocybin (25mg) led to better outcomes.
Journal of Affective Disorders
February 2023
Cited by 0
Find Psychedelic Papers
Find all relevant psychedelic research papers in our ever-growing database. Here we cover and connect the latest research and seminal papers. From early open-label psychedelic studies with healthy volunteers to large-scale double-blind placebo-controlled trials.
We have not only indexed over 1400 papers, but have added additional contexts such as type of study, a compound studied, which paper it’s related to, the trial associated with a study, and over 30 more variables.
More coverage of psychedelic research can be found on our Research page.
