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psychedelics

·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.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·November 13, 2024·4 min read

Psychedelic Therapy Could Benefit 5.6 Million People with Depression

Psilocybin-assisted therapy could potentially benefit up to 5.6 million Americans with major depressive disorder or treatment-resistant depression, offering a powerful alternative to traditional treatments. Researchers applied medical criteria to a national pool of patients and found that over half might be eligible for psilocybin therapy, pending FDA approval. If approved, this therapy could significantly impact public health policies, insurance frameworks, and economic costs by reducing reliance on long-term antidepressant prescriptions.

This shows a happy person surrounded by psychedelic swirls.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·October 8, 2024·3 min read

Optimism Boosted by Psilocybin, Hinting at Depression Relief

Researchers have discovered that psilocybin, a psychedelic compound in magic mushrooms, increases optimism and motivation in rats, suggesting potential therapeutic benefits for treating depression. Using computational modeling, scientists observed that rats given psilocybin were more likely to engage in reward-based tasks, indicating enhanced optimism.

This shows a woman and psychedelic swirls.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·October 3, 2024·4 min read

Psychedelics Reduce Anxiety Without Hallucinations

New research has pinpointed the specific brain region and neuron type responsible for reducing anxiety using the psychedelic drug DOI, without triggering hallucinations. The study revealed that DOI targets serotonin2A receptors on parvalbumin-positive neurons in the ventral hippocampus, decreasing anxiety behaviors in animal models.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·September 24, 2024·3 min read

Psychedelic Drug Reduces Anxiety by Targeting Fast-spiking Interneurons

The psychedelic DOI, a compound similar to LSD, reduced anxiety in mice by activating specific brain cells called fast-spiking interneurons. These neurons silence nearby cells in the ventral hippocampus, a region linked to emotion and memory. By uncovering this mechanism, the study opens the door to designing new treatments that target anxiety without triggering hallucinations, a hallmark of many psychedelics.

Featured Neuroscience

·August 5, 2024·5 min read

New Tool Rapidly Tracks Psychedelic Effects in Brain Neurons

Researchers developed a rapid, noninvasive tool called CaST that tracks neurons and biomolecules activated by psychedelic drugs. This new method allows researchers to observe the cellular processes responsible for the neuroplastic effects of psychedelics, offering insights into treatments for brain disorders like depression and PTSD.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·July 17, 2024·5 min read

Mind-Bending: Psilocybin Reshapes Brain Networks for Weeks

A new study reveals that psilocybin, the active compound in magic mushrooms, temporarily disrupts brain networks involved in introspective thinking, like daydreaming and memory. These changes persist for weeks, potentially making the brain more flexible and improving mental health. The findings could pave the way for psilocybin-based therapies for depression and PTSD. The research underscores the importance of using these drugs under medical supervision.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·July 15, 2024·6 min read

OpenScope Project Unveils Brain’s Secrets

The OpenScope program is investigating neural activity through four new projects, exploring topics like psilocybin's effects, motion perception, visual texture recognition, and subtle changes in appearance. By using advanced imaging techniques in mice, researchers aim to understand how the brain processes these complex functions.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·June 28, 2024·7 min read

Surge in Microdosing Interest Linked to Relaxed Drug Policies

A new study reveals a 1250% increase in Google searches for microdosing from 2015 to 2023, driven by relaxed regulations on cannabis and psychedelics. The research shows policy changes correlate with growing interest in microdosing, filling gaps in understanding substance use trends.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·June 25, 2024·4 min read

MDMA Variants Show Promise for Safer Psychotherapy

Researchers developed three new MDMA variants (ODMA, TDMA, and SeDMA) that retain the therapeutic benefits while reducing side effects. These compounds affect mood-regulating brain structures similarly to MDMA but have fewer toxic breakdown products and lower interaction with serotonin receptors. The study suggests these variants could make psychotherapeutic use of MDMA safer. Further research is needed to confirm their efficacy and safety.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·June 20, 2024·3 min read

Prior LSD Use Linked to Lower Psychological Resilience

Lifetime LSD use is linked to higher severe psychological distress after job loss, a new study reveals. Analyzing data from 15,854 adults, researchers found those with prior LSD use were 1.6-1.7 times more likely to report severe distress. The study suggests LSD does not confer resilience to stress from job loss. These findings challenge previous claims about the psychological benefits of psychedelic use.

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psychedelics

Psychedelics May Enhance Intimacy, Attraction, and Sexual Expression

Schizophrenia Risks Tied to Psychedelic Use

Psychedelic Therapy Could Benefit 5.6 Million People with Depression

Optimism Boosted by Psilocybin, Hinting at Depression Relief

Psychedelics Reduce Anxiety Without Hallucinations

Psychedelic Drug Reduces Anxiety by Targeting Fast-spiking Interneurons

New Tool Rapidly Tracks Psychedelic Effects in Brain Neurons

Mind-Bending: Psilocybin Reshapes Brain Networks for Weeks

OpenScope Project Unveils Brain’s Secrets

Surge in Microdosing Interest Linked to Relaxed Drug Policies

MDMA Variants Show Promise for Safer Psychotherapy

Prior LSD Use Linked to Lower Psychological Resilience

Toddler Habits Predict Teenage Fitness

Brain’s Endurance Program: Hypothalamus Remembers Exercise

Parkinson’s Meds Accidentally Trigger Bacteria to “Eat” Levodopa

Your Eyes Are More Connected Than Textbooks Claim

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