Research Topic: Psychedelic drugs

Enhanced visual contrast suppression during peak psilocybin effects: Psychophysical results from a pilot randomized controlled trial

Researchers studied how psilocybin affects the way our visual system processes contrast and surrounding visual information. Participants completed vision tests after taking psilocybin or placebo, and the results showed that psilocybin made people more influenced by surrounding visual elements when judging the brightness of objects. Interestingly, the stronger the visual effects people experienced from psilocybin, the more their perception was influenced by these surroundings. This finding might help explain how psilocybin affects mood and could help scientists better understand depression and other conditions affecting vision.

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Molecular insights into the modulation of the 5HT 2A receptor by serotonin, psilocin, and the G protein subunit Gqα

This study uses computer simulations to understand how psilocin (the active compound in magic mushrooms) and serotonin interact with a brain receptor called 5HT 2A R. The research shows that both molecules prefer to bind to a deeper part of the receptor rather than a shallower area, and that a protein called Gqα is essential for keeping the receptor in its active state. These findings could help scientists develop better medicines for depression and anxiety.

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Selective outcome reporting and non-reporting in trials of psychedelic drugs for mental disorders

Researchers examined whether studies of three promising psychedelic drugs (esketamine, psilocybin, and MDMA) for treating mental health conditions were reporting their results fairly and completely. They found that nearly 29% of completed trials had no published results, and some studies changed which outcomes they reported on between registration and publication. This selective reporting could make these drugs appear more effective than they actually are.

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