Psychedelics – News and Features

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.

ADHD affects millions across the lifespan, disrupting school, work and relationships. Once seen as a childhood disorder, it’s now recognized as lifelong. New research reveals genetic, biological and environmental roots.

Researchers found that DMT significantly reduced infarct volume and edema formation in a rat stroke model. In both animal experiments and cell culture models, DMT treatment restored the structure and function of the damaged blood-brain barrier.

Researchers compared ketamine infusions and esketamine nasal spray in more than 150 patients with severe depression who were treated at McLean Hospital. Both treatments reduced depression severity, with IV ketamine showing greater improvements.