Latest

psychedelics

·June 10, 2025·4 min read

Psilocybin Elevates Spiritual Awareness

Psilocybin significantly enhances psychological well-being and spiritual insight among clergy members across major world religions. Participants reported lasting positive changes in religious practice, personal beliefs, and vocational effectiveness after two guided psilocybin sessions.

This shows people and a swirly background.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·June 4, 2025·6 min read

Hallucinogens Linked to Milder PTSD

In a unique real-world study, researchers examined the psychological effects of trauma on survivors of the October 7 Nova Festival attack in Israel, focusing on their use of mind-altering substances. Among 343 participants, those who had taken classic psychedelics like LSD or psilocybin reported significantly lower anxiety and PTSD symptoms than those who used other substances or none at all.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 16, 2025·6 min read

Psychedelics May Shift Brain Power to the Right Hemisphere

A new theory suggests that psychedelics promote empathy, insight, and psychological flexibility by making the brain’s right hemisphere temporarily dominant over the left. Known as HEALS—Hemispheric Annealing and Lateralization Under Psychedelics—this model proposes that psychedelics disrupt the typical hierarchy between hemispheres, releasing the more holistic, emotionally intelligent right side from left-brain control.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 7, 2025·4 min read

Psychedelics Rewire Brain-Immune Circuits

New research reveals that psychedelics like psilocybin do more than alter brain activity — they reshape how the brain and immune system communicate. Scientists identified a pathway where chronic stress disrupts amygdala signaling, triggering immune responses that increase fear and anxiety.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·April 23, 2025·5 min read

Psychedelics May Reset Brain-Immune Link Driving Fear and Anxiety

A new study reveals that chronic stress activates immune cells that travel to the brain, amplify inflammation, and heighten fear responses. Researchers found that psychedelics like MDMA and psilocybin disrupt this immune-brain crosstalk, reducing stress-related fear in mice and showing similar effects in human tissue samples.

Featured Neuroscience

·April 23, 2025·4 min read

Psychedelic Sparks Long-Term Brain Plasticity

A single dose of the psychedelic compound 25CN-NBOH significantly improved cognitive flexibility in mice, with effects lasting up to three weeks post-treatment. Treated mice adapted more quickly in rule-switching tasks, indicating enhanced neuroplasticity in the prefrontal cortex.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·April 22, 2025·4 min read

More People Turning to Psilocybin for Self-Treatment

Psilocybin use in the U.S. has risen sharply across all age groups since 2019, coinciding with increasing legalization and interest in its therapeutic potential. A new study reveals a 44% rise in past-year use among young adults and a 188% increase among those over 30.

This shows a person surrounded by swirls.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology Visual Neuroscience

·April 22, 2025·4 min read

Psychedelics Linked to Visual Echoes

As psychedelics gain traction in mental health treatment, questions remain about their long-term effects. A new study followed individuals self-administering psychedelics and found that while some experienced lingering visual aftereffects, most were not distressed by them.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·April 14, 2025·5 min read

LSD-Inspired Drug Reverses Psychosis Brain Damage Without Hallucinations

A new LSD-derived compound called JRT shows promise for treating schizophrenia and other brain disorders without inducing hallucinations. Developed by researchers who altered just two atoms in LSD’s structure, JRT maintains the psychedelic’s neuroplastic effects while avoiding its psychosis-linked risks.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·April 4, 2025·3 min read

How Psilocybin Lifts Mood Without the Hallucinogenic Trip

Researchers have uncovered two key brain mechanisms—specific neurons and a serotonin receptor—that help explain how psilocybin produces long-lasting antidepressant effects. Their study identified pyramidal tract neurons in the medial frontal cortex and the serotonin 5-HT2A receptor as essential to the therapeutic action of psilocybin.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·March 31, 2025·5 min read

Psychedelics May Enhance Intimacy, Attraction, and Sexual Expression

In the first study of its kind, researchers found that psychedelic use can positively affect sexuality, romantic relationships, and gender expression. Surveying nearly 600 users of substances like psilocybin, LSD, and ketamine, the study revealed that many participants reported increased partner attraction, improved intimacy, and enhanced sexual experiences.

This shows an outline of a person sitting in a chair surrounded by swirly lines.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·November 13, 2024·6 min read

Schizophrenia Risks Tied to Psychedelic Use

A new study links hallucinogen-related emergency department visits to a 21-fold increased risk of schizophrenia compared to the general population. Even after accounting for other mental health disorders and substance use, individuals faced a 3.5-fold higher risk.