Science

Different hierarchical reconfigurations in the brain by psilocybin and escitalopram for depression

The results showed that the two pharmacological interventions created significantly different hierarchical reconfigurations of whole-brain dynamics… the main hypothesis is that psychedelics can bring about a relaxation of the precision of high-level priors or ‘beliefs’ (REBUS), allowing (anarchic) bottom–up information flow, consistent with ‘anarchic’ (that is, hierarchy-free) system dynamics. This theory is consistent with our…

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Anthropology

Mushroom enthusiasts discover two new psilocybe species

Van der Merwe and colleagues’ paper documents the two discoveries, while also featuring insights on the medicinal use of P. maluti by Basotho traditional healers. Van der Merwe and colleagues’ paper documents the two discoveries, while also featuring insights on the medicinal use of P. maluti by Basotho traditional healers… this study is the only recorded firsthand report of…

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Science

Magic mushrooms may have shaped our consciousness

No toxic or lethal Psilocybe species are known. Evidence indicates that early hominids – our extinct ancestors – had been picking and eating “magic mushrooms” up to six million years ago. The practice likely influenced the development of human cognition and awareness, according to a recent review examining psilocybin’s effect on human consciousness… published in June 2024… recent studies have shown…

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Science

Microdosing and tripping on mushrooms is on the rise in U.S.

That study tracked internet search history on microdosing – a proxy for public interest – finding about a 1,250% increase since 2015. And searches for psilocybin started to outpace LSD in 2019… this type of data analysis has proven to be a reliable indicator for other drugs their lab has studied – including with novel…

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Science

Older people who use psychedelics show fascinating brain functions

A recent survey of 3,294 US adults, aged between 42 and 92, has found that… compared to those who did not use psychedelics, those who did scored higher on tests… which assessed inductive reasoning, verbal fluency, working memory, processing speed, attention switching, and inhibitory control. Psilocybin, LSD, MDMA, and other psychedelics appear to stimulate new connections between…

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Psychology

What psychedelia can learn from Clusterbusters

…if someone is desperate and suicidal, of course they should be able to try psychedelics, as quickly and safely as possible. The healthcare system is broken, the FDA approval system is slow and very expensive…and people can sometimes heal themselves outside of the medical system.  Clusterbusters is a really interesting example of a peer support group which…

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Politics

Oregon’s psilocybin industry, a year old, seeks customers

A year in, Oregon’s experiment with the first regulated psilocybin mushroom market in the world is short on customers. …a year of challenges, red tape and waning interest in guided mushroom trips under Oregon’s… legal model… to date, roughly 3,500 clients [from primarily out-of-state] have taken a supervised trip in one of Oregon’s 25 psilocybin…

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