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.

6 papers

Single-Dose Psilocybin for a Treatment-Resistant Episode of Major Depression

Guy M. Goodwin, Scott T. Aaronson, Oscar Alvarez, Peter C. Arden, Annie Baker, James Bennett, et al.
New England Journal of Medicine Summary & key facts 2022 980 citations

Compass Pathways reported early results from its first Phase 3 trial of synthetic psilocybin (COMP360) for treatment‑resistant depression. In 258 patients, the 25 mg dose showed a statistically significant improvement versus placebo on the MADRS depression scale at week 6 (a 3.6‑point difference, p < 0.001). The Data and Safety…

Chemical synthesis and alkaloids Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior Psychedelics and Drug Studies

Psychedelic medicine: a re-emerging therapeutic paradigm

Kenneth W. Tupper, Evan Wood, Richard Yensen, Matthew W. Johnson

Researchers around the world have started clinical studies again to see if psychedelic drugs can help treat serious mental health problems. This work picks up after research that stopped around the 1950s. Scientists are running controlled studies to test whether these substances can safely reduce problems like depression, anxiety, addiction…

Chemical synthesis and alkaloids Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior Psychedelics and Drug Studies Ketamine LSD

Post-Psychedelic Reductions in Experiential Avoidance Are Associated With Decreases in Depression Severity and Suicidal Ideation

Richard J. Zeifman, Anne Catherine Wagner, Ros Watts, Hannes Kettner, Lea J. Mertens, Robin Carhart‐Harris
Frontiers in Psychiatry Summary & key facts 2020 101 citations

Researchers followed two groups of people who planned to use a psychedelic. They gave questionnaires before the trip, then about two weeks and four weeks after. On average, people reported less avoidance of painful thoughts and feelings, lower depression scores, and less thinking about suicide after using a psychedelic. The…

Chemical synthesis and alkaloids Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior Psychedelics and Drug Studies Other

Adults who microdose psychedelics report health related motivations and lower levels of anxiety and depression compared to non-microdosers

Joseph M. Rootman, Pamela Kryskow, Kalin Harvey, Paul Stamets, Eesmyal Santos-Brault, Kim P. C. Kuypers, et al.
Scientific Reports Summary & key facts 2021 75 citations

This study used a smartphone app to compare 4,050 people who said they microdose psychedelics with 4,653 people who did not. Psilocybin was the most common microdose substance, and people who microdosed often said they did so for health and wellness reasons. In people who reported past mental health concerns,…

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

Psychological flexibility as a mechanism of change in psilocybin-assisted therapy for major depression: results from an exploratory placebo-controlled trial

Sloshower, Jordan, Zeifman, Richard J., Guss, Jeffrey, et al.
Nature Summary & key facts 2024 46 citations

This small, exploratory study gave people with moderate to severe major depressive disorder placebo first (19 people) and then a single dose of psilocybin (0.3 mg/kg) to 15 people four weeks later, with all dosing embedded in therapy based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). After the psilocybin session, measures…

Chemical synthesis and alkaloids Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior Psychedelics and Drug Studies

Psychedelic Mushrooms in the USA: Knowledge, Patterns of Use, and Association With Health Outcomes

Richard Matzopoulos, Robert Morlock, Amy Morlock, Bernard Lerer, Leonard Lerer
Frontiers in Psychiatry Summary & key facts 2022 41 citations

Researchers ran a national online survey of U.S. adults from November 2020 to March 2021 that was weighted to represent the adult population. They asked about use of psychedelic mushrooms (psilocybin), reasons for use, and mental health. Many users said they took mushrooms for general mental health and well-being. Users…

Biochemical Analysis and Sensing Techniques Chemical synthesis and alkaloids Psychedelics and Drug Studies Psilocybin
Summaries and links are for general information and education only. They are not a substitute for reading the original publication or for professional medical, legal, or other advice. Always refer to the linked source for the full study.