Research Keyword: psychedelic therapy

Global species diversity and distribution of the psychedelic fungal genus Panaeolus

This study is a comprehensive catalog of 77 Panaeolus mushroom species worldwide, of which 20 are known to be hallucinogenic and contain psilocybin. Researchers found that these mushrooms are most commonly documented in Asia, South America, and Europe, but many regions have little to no research data. The review highlights significant gaps in our knowledge about where these species exist and which ones truly contain psychoactive compounds, information that is crucial as these fungi become legal in more countries for medical use.

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Current situation regarding psychedelics and magic mushroom in Korea

This article reviews the current status of psychedelic mushrooms and their potential medical uses in Korea. Several wild mushroom species containing psilocybin have been identified in Korea and can cause hallucinations and other nervous system effects lasting a few hours. While psychedelics show promise for treating depression and anxiety, Korea currently classifies them as controlled substances, and only approved clinical trials can be conducted with government permission.

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Why psychedelic-assisted therapy studies in eating disorders risk missing the mark on outcomes: a phenomenological psychopathology perspective

This scientific commentary examines how research on psychedelic-assisted therapy for eating disorders may be missing important aspects of how people actually experience the treatment. The authors argue that current study methods rely too heavily on questionnaires that don’t capture the full depth of what people experience during psychedelic sessions. They propose using phenomenological approaches—methods that deeply explore lived experience—to better understand which aspects of the psychedelic experience actually lead to recovery from eating disorders.

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The effect of psilocybin on empathy and prosocial behavior: a proposed mechanism for enduring antidepressant effects

This review examines how psilocybin may help treat depression by increasing empathy and prosocial behavior. While psilocybin leaves the body within hours, its antidepressant effects can last months, and researchers believe empathy and helping others may explain this lasting benefit. The authors suggest psilocybin starts a positive cycle where increased empathy leads to helping others, which boosts mood and well-being, which further reinforces empathetic behavior.

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Safety, tolerability, and clinical and neural effects of single-dose psilocybin in obsessive–compulsive disorder: protocol for a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, non-crossover trial

This study tests whether psilocybin (the active compound in certain mushrooms) can help people with obsessive-compulsive disorder who haven’t responded to standard treatments. In a carefully controlled trial, participants receive either a single dose of psilocybin or a placebo while receiving psychological support, with their brain activity and symptoms monitored. The research aims to determine if this novel treatment is safe and whether it could work faster than existing medications for this difficult-to-treat condition.

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An investigation of acute physiological and psychological moderators of psychedelic-induced personality change among healthy volunteers

This study examined how a single high dose of psilocybin affects personality in healthy people. Participants who took psilocybin showed decreased anxiety-related personality traits (neuroticism) one month later. The effects were stronger in people who found the experience personally meaningful or who experienced more anxiety during the psychedelic state, suggesting that the intensity and meaning of the experience matters for lasting personality changes.

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The Effectiveness of Microdosed Psilocybin in the Treatment of Neuropsychiatric Lyme Disease: A Case Study

A 70-year-old man suffering from severe depression and anxiety caused by chronic Lyme disease and related tick-borne infections found relief after taking small doses of psilocybin mushrooms three times a week. Within days of starting treatment, his mood improved dramatically, and he remained symptom-free for two years. This case suggests that psilocybin’s ability to reduce inflammation in the brain may help patients with infectious-caused psychiatric conditions who cannot tolerate standard medications.

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CORRECTION: Efficacy of psilocybin for treating symptoms of depression: systematic review and meta-analysis

A major research study examining psilocybin’s effectiveness for treating depression has been corrected due to mathematical and data handling errors. The researchers fixed these issues by recalculating statistics and removing duplicate data from their analysis. While the main conclusions remained similar after correction, the authors emphasize this research is still preliminary and should lead to further study before clinical use.

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Pharmacokinetics of Psilocybin: A Systematic Review

This review examines how the body processes psilocybin, a compound from magic mushrooms being studied for treating depression and anxiety. When taken orally, psilocybin is quickly converted to its active form, psilocin, which reaches peak levels in the bloodstream within 1-4 hours and is eliminated mainly through urine. The body’s ability to process psilocybin involves specific liver enzymes that vary between individuals, potentially explaining why people respond differently to the same dose and why certain medications can interfere with its effects.

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