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

Microdosing psychedelics: More questions than answers? An overview and suggestions for future research

Kim P. C. Kuypers, Livia Ng, David Erritzøe, Gitte M. Knudsen, Charles D. Nichols, David E. Nichols, et al.
Journal of Psychopharmacology Summary & key facts 2019 213 citations

Microdosing means taking a very small, sub‑hallucinogenic amount of a psychedelic drug. Research so far is limited and mixed: some large observational studies report small-to-medium mood gains, but at least one randomized trial found no objective benefit. There is no standard definition of microdosing, potency and legality vary, and long‑term…

Biochemical Analysis and Sensing Techniques Chemical synthesis and alkaloids Psychedelics and Drug Studies

Adverse events in clinical treatments with serotonergic psychedelics and MDMA: A mixed-methods systematic review

Joost J. Breeksema, Bouwe Kuin, Jeanine Kamphuis, Wim van den Brink, Eric Vermetten, Robert A. Schoevers
Journal of Psychopharmacology Summary & key facts 2022 161 citations

Researchers reviewed studies of drugs that act on serotonin (so-called serotonergic psychedelics) and MDMA. They found that harms and bad reactions are not clearly defined in these studies and are probably reported less often than they actually happen. Some intense or frightening experiences during treatment might help people heal, but…

Chemical synthesis and alkaloids Forensic Toxicology and Drug Analysis Psychedelics and Drug Studies MDMA Psilocybin

Is microdosing a placebo? A rapid review of low-dose LSD and psilocybin research

Vince Polito, Paul Liknaitzky
Journal of Psychopharmacology Summary & key facts 2024 14 citations

Researchers reviewed 19 placebo-controlled studies that tested low doses of LSD or psilocybin (this is called microdosing). The studies found measurable changes in brain biology, body responses, how people felt, and how they thought, compared with placebo. But the studies are few and small, often tested only tiny doses in…

Chemical synthesis and alkaloids Complementary and Alternative Medicine Studies Psychedelics and Drug Studies LSD Psilocybin
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