Frontier mental health research: psychedelics & drug studies

Each month our editorial team sifts through hundreds of papers and curates notable findings—for practitioners and informed readers who want to stay current with the evidence. Subscribe to the monthly Research Digest for expert analysis and concise summaries of key papers.

3 papers

Do Wellness Tourists Get Well? An Observational Study of Multiple Dimensions of Health and Well-Being After a Week-Long Retreat

Marc Cohen, Fiona Elliott, Liza Oates, Adrian Schembri, Nitin Mantri

Researchers followed 37 people who attended a one-week residential wellness retreat in rural Queensland. They measured many health and well-being outcomes on arrival, at departure, and again 6 weeks later (17 people were followed at 6 weeks). After one week, participants showed statistically significant improvements in most measures, including weight,…

Complementary and Alternative Medicine Studies Outdoor and Experiential Education Urban Green Space and Health

Harnessing the Four Elements for Mental Health

Jerome Sarris, Michael de Manincor, Fiona Hargraves, Jack Tsonis
PubMed Summary & key facts 2019 21 citations

This 2019 scoping review explores how the four classical elements—Fire, Water, Earth, and Air—can map onto modern, changeable exposures and therapies that might affect mental health. The authors summarize emerging evidence from both population studies and intervention trials for things like UV or heat therapy (Fire), sauna and hydrotherapy (Water),…

Complementary and Alternative Medicine Studies Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions Urban Green Space and Health

Shinrin-Yoku 森林浴 (Forest Bathing): A Scoping Review of the Global Research on the Effects of Spending Time in Nature

Amber Vermeesch, Alexis Ellsworth-Kopkowski, Jenifer G. Prather, Cheryl Passel, Heidi Rogers, Margaret M. Hansen

The practice of SY has physiological (PHYS) and psychological (PSYCH) benefits across age groups. Research findings indicate either the natural or the virtual environment (VW) has significant health benefits. Continued research is encouraged globally for short- and long-term health outcomes for all individuals. The connection with nature benefits the mind,…

Climate Change and Health Impacts Complementary and Alternative Medicine Studies Urban Green Space and Health
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