All posts tagged "Psilocybin"

A new study provides evidence that psilocybin, the active component in “magic” psychedelic mushrooms, induces lasting changes in neuroplasticity and that these changes are linked to improvements in depression symptoms. The research has been published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology. Psilocybin, along with other psychedelics like LSD and DMT, has long been associated with vivid perceptual and mood alterations in humans. These effects are believed to be primarily mediated by the activation of serotonin 5-HT-2A receptors in the brain. However, while psychedelics have been used for centuries ......

Researchers in the United Kingdom recently conducted a study to determine if psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy could be a more cost-effective option than more traditional forms of psychotherapy for those who experience depression. The results suggested that this unique approach could be a cost-effective choice, but only under certain circumstances. The research was published in the journal Psychological Medicine. Depression is a widespread mental health problem that affects millions of people across the globe. Even though there are many available treatments, a significant number of people wit......

Incorporating the psychedelic drug psilocybin into psychotherapy shows promise in the treatment of depression, according to new research published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology. But the study also highlights the difficulty of implementing effective blinding procedures to prevent expectancy effects when researching psychedelic substances. Despite using a rigorous methodology, researchers found that nearly all participants were able to distinguish between a placebo and the active substance. Psilocybin is a naturally occurring alkaloid found in certain species of “magic” mushrooms. It is c......

Many doctors treat depression with SSRIs, but could psychedelic medication be more effective? A study published in BJ Psych Open suggests that psilocybin, a psychedelic substance found in “magic” mushrooms, may be more beneficial than certain antidepressants for helping improve depressive symptoms related to thought suppression and rumination. Depression is a challenging and debilitating mental illness that affects many people worldwide. Depression is characterized by many difficult symptoms and maladaptive coping mechanisms, including rumination and negative thought suppression. The most comm......

Researchers in the United Kingdom studied whether the effects of psilocybin, a naturally occurring hallucinogenic drug, depend on the body mass index of the person, thereby requiring higher doses for the same effect in heavier people. The results showed that the overall intensity of psychedelic experiences after consuming a 25 mg dose of psilocybin was unaffected by differences in body mass indices of respondents. The study was published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology. Psilocybin is a psychedelic drug obtained from certain sorts of fresh and dry mushrooms (“magic mushrooms”). In the huma......

A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine suggests that psilocybin therapy may offer therapeutic benefits for patients with treatment-resistant depression. When administered alongside psychological support, a 25 mg psilocybin dose reduced depression scores among treatment-resistant patients. However, adverse effects were reported, and further clinical trials are needed. Clinical depression is typically treated with a combination of anti-depressant medication and psychotherapy. While most patients experience a reduction in symptoms with anti-depressants, a subset of people......