Psychedelics – News and Features

Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory researchers confirm the existence of GluN1-2B-2D, a brain receptor targeted by ketamine. Using cryo-EM, they visualize how ketamine binds to the receptor, controlling its ion channel activity.

New research has made a breakthrough in understanding how our cells manage to stay healthy by recycling important fat molecules.

A new study finds that oral ketamine significantly reduces PTSD symptoms, with 73% of participants seeing a 50% reduction in symptoms. The treatment, taken as a liquid drink, was well-tolerated and had fewer side effects than intravenous ketamine.

The “magic mushroom” psychedelic compound – psilocybin – may help to improve mental health symptoms faced by cancer patients when used alongside psychotherapy.

University of Arizona researchers uncovered how levodopa-induced dyskinesia disrupts motor cortex function in Parkinson’s patients. Exploring ketamine as a treatment, they found it promotes neuroplasticity and restores control over movement.

Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy resulted in significant reductions in depression among clinicians who provided front-line COVID-19 care.

Spinal cord stimulation is often a last resort for those with intractable chronic pain. A new 10-minute brain scan gives doctors a much-needed biomarker to discuss with patients considering spinal cord stimulation.

A clinical trial found psilocybin treatment for anorexia nervosa led to profound psychological shifts and reduced eating disorder severity in some participants. While 90% rated the experience as transformative, weight recovery remained inconsistent.

A study reveals distinct brain circuits that psychedelics activate to reduce anxiety without causing hallucinations in mice. By isolating the anti-anxiety effects from hallucinogenic responses, researchers hope to develop safer, targeted treatments.

Scientists have pinpointed the binding site for low-dose ketamine on NMDA receptors, explaining its fast-acting effects on depression. Unlike high doses, which block synaptic currents, low doses selectively slow specific receptors.