Drugs

An incredible, first-of-its-kind trial testing the pain-killing properties of LSD microdoses has delivered the compelling suggestion that tiny, non-psychedelic doses of this infamous drug could serve as an effective analgesic.

A novel clinical trial is set to explore the subjective effects of combining LSD and MDMA. The primary goal is to investigate whether MDMA can reduce some negative mood effects seen with LSD and improve outcomes for psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy.

Novel research has described the discovery of opioid antibodies produced by the immune system following chronic opioid use. The researchers suggest these antibodies may be responsible for some negative side effects seen in long-term opioid users.

A study is offering more evidence that placebo drugs can still work even when people are aware they are taking inactive pills. The research builds on a growing body of study suggesting “honest” placebos could have a role in modern clinical practice.

Treatments for blood clots in the body naturally come with a risk of excessive bleeding from an injury. But a new synthetic blood thinner bypasses this side effect, fighting thrombosis while still allowing blood to clot normally in a wound.

New research has screened thousands of ingredients previously thought to be inert that are added to common drugs. The findings reveal several dozen of these compounds may actually be biologically active and cause unintended physiological effects.

New research suggests that blocking a specific neural pathway, associated with drug reward and withdrawal memories, could eliminate the triggers that lead to drug cravings and ultimately prevent relapse into addictive drug-taking behaviors.

Ideally, we protect the body from radiation damage before it reaches us with shielding materials. Researchers have now developed a new nanocrystal treatment that could prevent some of the tissue damage radiation causes.

Preliminary results from a small human trial testing a novel cancer drug revealed over half the cohort had their tumors stop growing completely. The drug, called berzosertib, is now moving to larger clinical trials.

A study has found smoking high-THC marijuana or concentrates does not result in greater levels of intoxication. The research adds weight to a body of evidence suggesting proposed roadside THC tests may not correlate with driving impairment.

A new study is looking at the long-term efficacy of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for the treatment of PTSD, finding the substantial beneficial effects of the therapy hold strong for over a year and patients continue to improve after the MDMA sessions.

Promising research is reporting progress in the development of an anaphylaxis-preventing pill. The drug, initially designed as an alternative to chemotherapy for some types of cancer, could be taken before meals to prevent serious allergic reactions.