Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) regulates neuronal development and survival and triggers adaptive neuroplasticity… animal studies have reported that acute and chronic administration of various psychedelic compounds, including LSD, psilocybin, DMT, and other ayahuasca-derived alkaloids, can increase BDNF production and neurogenesis (the formation of new neurons). Importantly, threats to our well-being such as stress, ageing and…
Perhaps the most intriguing finding in the study is the observation that the analgesic effect seen in the 20-µg LSD group is comparable to what prior studies have seen with in the same cold water pain test for opioids such as oxycodone and morphine. The researchers described the results of the study as “remarkable”, with…
[In the 1950’s and 60’s] psychedelics were of little interest to pharmaceutical companies as the intervention seemed to treat illness, rather than alleviate symptoms. Consequently, the financial imperatives were lacking; fully recovered patients would not require continued medication… Sandoz was reluctant to share such proprietary and patented data (Bonson, 2018). When required by the FDA, the company…
In contrast to the primary hypothesis, psychedelics had no long-lasting effects on the ADE (alcohol deprivation effect) in male and female rats… …when administered in a high dosage regime that is comparable to the one used in clinical studies… Original Article (Nature):Psilocybin and LSD have no long-lasting effects in an animal model of alcohol relapseArtwork…
“…I want nothing to do with those kinds of folks who want to decriminalize psychedelics,” he says [a 32-year-old former Uber employee and co-founder]. …[he is part of] one of many companies trying to repurpose hallucinogenic molecules as the next blockbuster drug… has acquired the exclusive rights to eight clinical trials that are exploring the…
“Our results show that people who take psychedelics ‘in the wild’ report positive experiences very similar to those observed in controlled laboratory studies,” said lead author Matthias Forstmann. By surveying 1,242 UK and US festivalgoers over a four-year period, the researchers were able to characterise the psychological effects of the “afterglow” often documented in laboratory-based…
“I compare taking LSD to being a good rider of a powerful horse,” says [Amanda] Feilding. “In the right, carefully controlled, setting and with the right intention, you could use the psychedelic to achieve whatever you want. [On micro-dosing] “My current hypothesis is that it basically changes your brain in the same way as a…
Single “microdoses” of LSD produced orderly dose-related subjective effects in healthy volunteers. Numerous anecdotal reports suggest that repeated use of very low doses of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), known as “microdosing,” improves mood and cognitive function. These effects are consistent both with the known actions of LSD on serotonin receptors, and with limited evidence that…
Psychedelic experiences may not be so reliably enlightening or helpful (or legal) when done recreationally, especially at a young age. LSD and mushrooms combined with prayer and intention [have] helped put… [some individuals] on a path of healthy eating and yoga. [Others] warn about the risk of spiritual bypassing—using spiritual practices as a way to…
This present research focuses on the effect of LSD on alcohol intake in a two-bottle choice drinking paradigm in C57BL/6J mice, an inbred alcohol-preferring strain (Melo et al., 1996). In the group treated with 50 μg/kg LSD, mean daily ethanol consumption was 13.62 ± 3.02 g/kg/day compared to 16.60 ± 3.52 g/kg/day (mean ± SD)…
