Psychedelics – News and Features

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.

A new study from ICES and University of Ottawa reveals a 21-fold increase in schizophrenia risk following emergency visits for hallucinogen use. The findings emphasize potential dangers associated with hallucinogen use.

A new study has demonstrated the potential impact of psilocybin-assisted therapy on people with depression, if approved by the FDA.

Research from the Hebrew University published in Molecular Psychiatry shows psilocybin can significantly decrease OCD-like behaviors and tic-like movements in genetically modified mice.