Psychedelic Medicine

The first data has been announced from a Phase 2 trial testing LSD as treatment for anxiety. The results indicate one to two LSD sessions can generate rapid and sustained reductions to anxiety but larger trials are needed to validate these findings.

An ongoing study is testing a new kind of neuroimaging device designed to easily capture brain activity in real-time. These experiments will investigate the effects of ketamine on functional connectivity in the brain before, during and after an experience.

A study has reported the results of the first modern clinical investigation to compare the acute effects of psychedelics LSD and psilocybin. The study reveals little subjective difference between the two drugs beyond LSD lasting longer than psilocybin.

Weeks after a trial found psilocybin microdosing no different to placebo, another study has reported LSD microdoses have no effect on mood or cognition. This builds on a body of data struggling to find evidence the practice of microdosing does anything.

New research has offered valuable insights into the long-term effects of psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for depression. The study reports more than half the original cohort were still in remission 12 months after the acute psychedelic treatment.

Delta-8 THC is similar to its commonly known psychoactive cousin, delta-9 THC, and new studies are offering the first large-scale insights into what kinds of effects people are experiencing with this unique and under-researched drug.

A unique placebo-controlled clinical trial has investigated the popular phenomenon of psychedelic microdosing. The trial found tiny doses of psilocybin resulted in no changes to signs of anxiety or depression compared to placebo.

A first-of-its-kind clinical trial has shown that ketamine infusions, combined with psychotherapy, is more effective in helping people suffering from severe alcoholism avoid relapse than any other current treatment.

A study is reporting the results of a clinical trial testing the safety of administering psilocybin in a group setting. Exploring the psychedelic therapy in groups of up to six, the trial found no adverse effects from simultaneous drug administration.

From the first published data out of large clinical trials testing MDMA and psilocybin, to some incredible work investigating what psychedelics actually do to a mammalian brain, here are the highlights from a truly landmark year in psychedelic science.

Data from the largest trial to date testing psilocybin for depression indicates the psychedelic is effective at reducing symptom severity. However, concerns over adverse effects indicate more work is needed before psilocybin is ready for clinical use.

Johns Hopkins Medicine has been awarded a grant by the National Institutes of Health for research investigating psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy to treat tobacco addiction. The grant is the first federal funding in 50 years for psychedelic therapy.