Mind-Bending: Psilocybin Reshapes Brain Networks for Weeks

Summary: A new study reveals that psilocybin, the active compound in magic mushrooms, temporarily disrupts brain networks involved in introspective thinking, like daydreaming and memory. These changes persist for weeks,…

Brain Area Linked to Mood Swings in Bipolar Disorder

Summary: A new study identifies brain areas linked to mood swings and pleasure response in bipolar disorder. Researchers found that people with bipolar disorder show heightened activity in the ventral…

Surge in Microdosing Interest Linked to Relaxed Drug Policies

Summary: A new study reveals a 1250% increase in Google searches for micro dosing from 2015 to 2023, driven by relaxed regulations on cannabis and psychedelics. The research shows policy…

Depression Linked to Amygdala Activity

Summary: A new study reveals how depression affects brain activity in the basolateral amygdala (BLA) of rats. Using a microelectrode array, researchers found increased theta frequency activity in the BLA…

Brain Control of Escape Behavior May Unlock Anxiety Treatments

Summary: Researchers discovered how the brain controls sensitivity to threats, influencing escape behavior in mice. The study found that inhibitory neurons in the periaqueductal gray (PAG) regulate both the initiation…

MDMA Variants Show Promise for Safer Psychotherapy

Summary: Researchers developed three new MDMA variants (ODMA, TDMA, and SeDMA) that retain the therapeutic benefits while reducing side effects. These compounds affect mood-regulating brain structures similarly to MDMA but…

Stress and Trauma Risk Factors for Alzheimer’s

Summary: Researchers linked midlife stress and childhood trauma to an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease and neuroinflammation. Analyzing 1,290 volunteers, researchers found that stressful life events, especially during midlife, correlate…

Anxiety Drives Wishful Thinking to Risky Levels

Summary: Individuals tend to become overly optimistic in situations marked by insecurity and anxiety, potentially to their detriment. The research, involving more than 1,700 participants, demonstrated that people are less…

Harmony in Chaos: How BPD Influences Music Tastes

Summary: Recent research reveals that individuals with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) exhibit distinct music preferences, favoring reflective and complex genres such as classical and jazz over intense, rebellious ones. The…

Unlocking Fear’s Roots in the Brain

Summary: Researchers provide new findings on how the brain’s response to stress can lead to generalized fear, a condition that can severely impact mental health and contribute to disorders like…