Psychedelics – News and Features

Cornell researchers used an engineered rabies virus to trace how psilocybin reshapes neural circuits, weakening cortical feedback loops linked to rumination and strengthening the link between perception and action.

New research indicates that clinical use of nitrous oxide could offer fast-acting symptom relief for treatment-resistant and major depression.

A new EEG analysis shows that DMT reduces structure in theta, alpha and beta brainwaves, shifting neural activity away from its usual balance between order and randomness. Larger disruptions were tracked with stronger reports of ego death.

Once dismissed as a party drug, MDMA is reemerging as a therapeutic option for treatment-resistant PTSD. Dr. Kenji Hashimoto explores MDMA’s neurobiological, gut–brain and vagus nerve effects while outlining safety, regulatory and clinical questions.

Researchers found that the psychedelic compound DOI strengthens connections between the claustrum and anterior cingulate cortex in rats. This pathway is tied to memory and emotion.

The trial tested repeated ketamine infusions in hospitalized adults with moderate-to-severe depression. Compared to midazolam, ketamine showed no added benefit, with both groups improving under standard inpatient care.

A new study shows longer-term use of generic ketamine for severe depression is safe and effective, but researchers say access to the low-cost option remains limited by funding gaps.

Researchers have identified specific brain circuits that are impacted by psilocybin, the active compound found in some psychedelic mushrooms, which could lead to new paths forward for pain and mental health management options.

Researchers dosed mouse mothers with psilocybin and found that the drug amplified anxiety and depressive-like symptoms associated with perinatal mood disorders – mental health conditions that can arise during or after pregnancy.

University of Michigan researchers discovered that psychedelics enhance brain connectivity in far more neurons than previously thought, including those without serotonin 2A receptors. The finding revises how psychedelic medicine is understood.