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psychedelics

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·July 11, 2023·6 min read

Debunking Myths: Cannabis Compound is Not A Psychedelic

Recent research has debunked claims that THC-O-acetate, a cannabinoid compound, has psychedelic effects similar to LSD or psilocybin. The study surveyed nearly 300 participants' experiences with the compound and found no strong evidence to support the supposed psychedelic effect.

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·June 14, 2023·6 min read

Psychedelics Unlock Learning Windows in the Brain

Researchers discovered a unique property of psychedelic drugs: their ability to reopen "critical periods" in the brain, times when the brain is highly susceptible to environmental learning signals. These periods, usually associated with skills development like language learning, are reopened by psychedelics for different lengths of time.

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·May 16, 2023·5 min read

Harnessing Psychedelics for Mental Health

Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration has approved the prescription of MDMA and psilocybin by authorized psychiatrists for PTSD and treatment-resistant depression. This decision, a first worldwide, has sparked a debate among experts. While some hail it as a breakthrough for patients unresponsive to conventional therapies, others express concerns about its implementation.

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·May 12, 2023·5 min read

Psychedelic Users’ Trust Puzzle: Untangling Information Sources

In the midst of a Psychedelic Renaissance, researchers examined where people using psychedelics obtain their information. The study reveals users typically consult diverse sources outside mainstream health and medical systems, with their own experiences being the most common source. They found that users trust information from scientific journals, psychedelic non-profits, and university researchers the most, while government agencies and pharmaceutical companies are the least trusted. This study could inform policy and public health strategies to bridge the information trust gap and promote safe psychedelic use.

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·April 27, 2023·5 min read

Experts Call for Creative Regulations and Collaboration for Psychedelics in Mental Health Treatment

Experts in bioethics, law and policy from top universities in the US call for creative and collaborative policies to regulate the use and oversight of psychedelics for treating conditions like depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. In a paper published in the journal Science, the authors propose solutions to regulatory challenges in anticipation of FDA approval of psychedelics for medical use, while stressing the need for a strong evidence base for efficacy and safety.

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·April 25, 2023·3 min read

Enlightening Study Explores the Neurobiology of Psychedelics

Researchers studied the brain activity of healthy participants under the influence of nitrous oxide, comparing it to data from studies with ketamine and LSD to see whether the neurobiology of the psychedelic experience was similar. They found that the patterns of activity associated with the different substances overlapped, indicating common underlying biology, which could inform future research on the therapeutic use of psychedelics.

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·March 31, 2023·6 min read

The Cognitive Benefits of Psychedelics

Researchers are investigating the benefits of psychedelics on cognition from memory malleability to cognitive creativity.

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·March 20, 2023·5 min read

How DMT Psychedelic Alters Perception of Reality

The psychedelic compound DMT (Dimethyltryptamine) increases connectivity across the brain, allowing for greater communication between different areas and networks. The brain changes are most prominent in brain areas linked to higher functioning, such as imagination.

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·February 24, 2023·5 min read

Psychedelics May Help People Reinvent Themselves

In addition to helping treat mental health disorders, psychedelic treatments can help people overcome addictions. A new study reports psychedelics can help smokers quit nicotine and remain smoke-free for at least five years.

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·February 23, 2023·6 min read

Mystical and Insightful Psychedelic Experience May Improve Mental Health

Recent studies have explored the use of psychedelics for the treatment of a range of mental health disorders. A new study reveals more insightful and mystical "trips" while exposed to psychedelics may be linked to an enduring reduction of symptoms for those with anxiety and depression.

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·February 16, 2023·3 min read

Receptor Location Matters for Psychedelic Drug Effects

Location bias may explain how psychedelic medications work. Researchers found that engaging serotonin 2A receptors inside neurons promotes the growth of new connections, but engaging the same receptor on the outside of a neuron does not. The findings may guide the development of new psychoplastogens to treat a range of disorders including depression and PTSD.

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·January 9, 2023·12 min read

The Rebirth of Psychedelic Medicine

Often considered dangerous, mind-altering drugs, researchers are turning to the study of psychedelic therapies as a potential to treat an array of psychiatric conditions including depression and PTSD.