anxiety – mycolab.ai

If psychedelics heal, how do they do it?

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Psychedelic drugs like MDMA and magic mushrooms are showing remarkable promise in treating serious mental health conditions like PTSD and depression, with clinical trials demonstrating higher success rates than traditional therapy alone. However, scientists still don’t fully understand how these drugs work at the molecular and brain level, or whether the hallucinations they produce are necessary for healing. Researchers are investigating whether modified versions without hallucinations could provide the same benefits while being easier to administer, while also exploring how individual factors and treatment environment affect outcomes.

Psilocybin-assisted therapy for severe alcohol use disorder: protocol for a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, 7-month parallel-group phase II superiority trial

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This study tests whether psilocybin (the active compound in magic mushrooms) combined with therapy can help people with severe alcohol addiction reduce drinking. Participants receive either a high or low dose of psilocybin during a guided session as part of a hospital rehabilitation program. The researchers will measure changes in drinking behavior, mood, anxiety, and brain function to determine if this treatment works better than current options.

Edible Mushrooms as a Potential Component of Dietary Interventions for Major Depressive Disorder

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This review examines how edible mushrooms, particularly Lion’s mane, Reishi, and Caterpillar mushroom, might help treat depression as part of a dietary approach. These mushrooms contain compounds that may influence brain chemistry, especially serotonin levels, which are important for mood regulation. While early studies show promising results, especially for Lion’s mane, more research is needed to confirm these benefits in larger groups of patients.

Neuroprotective effects of psilocybin in a rat model of stroke

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Scientists studied whether psilocybin, the active compound in magic mushrooms, could protect the brain from stroke damage in rats. They found that psilocybin reduced brain damage, improved movement and behavior recovery after stroke, and worked by increasing a protective brain chemical called BDNF. This research suggests psilocybin could become a new treatment for stroke patients, especially since stroke often leads to depression and anxiety, which psilocybin may also help treat.

Effects of classical psychedelics on implicit and explicit emotional empathy and cognitive empathy: a meta-analysis of MET task

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This study compiled data from multiple research studies to understand how classical psychedelics like LSD, psilocybin, and ayahuasca affect empathy—the ability to understand and share others’ feelings. The findings show these substances significantly increase emotional empathy, helping people feel more connected to others’ emotions. However, they don’t appear to affect cognitive empathy, which is the mental ability to understand what others are thinking. These results suggest psychedelics may have therapeutic potential for improving social connection and emotional understanding.

Psilocybin’s effects on cognition and creativity: A scoping review

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This comprehensive review examines how psilocybin affects thinking abilities and creativity. Researchers found that large doses initially impair mental performance during the experience, but small doses may enhance creativity. Importantly, the cognitive effects appear to improve after the acute effects wear off, suggesting initial impairment doesn’t cause lasting damage. The review emphasizes the need for more rigorous long-term studies to better understand psilocybin’s effects on brain function.

Preliminary safety and effectiveness of psilocybin-assisted therapy in adults with fibromyalgia: an open-label pilot clinical trial

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Researchers conducted a small pilot study examining whether psilocybin (the active compound in certain mushrooms) combined with therapy could help treat fibromyalgia, a chronic pain condition. Five participants received two doses of psilocybin along with supportive therapy sessions. The treatment was well-tolerated with only minor side effects, and participants reported significant improvements in pain, sleep quality, and overall functioning. These promising preliminary results suggest larger studies should be conducted to further test this innovative treatment approach.

Impact of Dehydration Techniques on the Nutritional and Microbial Profiles of Dried Mushrooms

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This comprehensive review examines different methods for drying mushrooms and how each technique affects their nutritional value and safety. Freeze drying maintains the best nutritional quality but is expensive, while microwave and hot air drying are faster and more cost-effective while still reducing harmful bacteria. The study helps consumers and food producers understand which drying methods produce the highest quality dried mushrooms for cooking and health benefits.

Psychedelic Drugs or Hallucinogens: Exploring Their Medicinal Potential

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Psychedelic drugs like LSD and psilocybin are substances that alter perception and consciousness. Research shows they may help treat serious mental health conditions including depression, anxiety, and PTSD by affecting how the brain forms new connections. These substances are relatively safe compared to many legal drugs, and scientists believe they could revolutionize mental health treatment when used properly under medical supervision.

Sex-specific effects of psychedelic drug exposure on central amygdala reactivity and behavioral responding

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Researchers studied how psilocybin’s active form affects the brain’s fear center in both male and female rats. They found that a single dose produced different effects in males versus females, with males showing lasting reductions in fear responses over 28 days while females showed variable changes. These findings help explain why psychedelics might work differently between sexes and could inform how they’re used to treat anxiety and depression in humans.

Disease: anxiety