Summary: Ketamine is a fast-acting antidepressant that can relieve symptoms of major depressive disorder (MDD) within hours, even in treatment-resistant cases. However, its effects typically last only a week, and…
Tag: psychopharmacology
Psychedelics May Shift Brain Power to the Right Hemisphere
Summary: A new theory suggests that psychedelics promote empathy, insight, and psychological flexibility by making the brain’s right hemisphere temporarily dominant over the left. Known as HEALS—Hemispheric Annealing and Lateralization…
Can Brain Scans Tell Which Antidepressant Will Work for You?
Summary: A new study shows that brain connectivity patterns, especially in the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex, can help predict how patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) will respond to antidepressants.…
More People Turning to Psilocybin for Self-Treatment
Summary: Psilocybin use in the U.S. has risen sharply across all age groups since 2019, coinciding with increasing legalization and interest in its therapeutic potential. A new study reveals a…
Psychedelics Linked to Visual Echoes
Summary: As psychedelics gain traction in mental health treatment, questions remain about their long-term effects. A new study followed individuals self-administering psychedelics and found that while some experienced lingering visual…
LSD-Inspired Drug Reverses Psychosis Brain Damage Without Hallucinations
Summary: A new LSD-derived compound called JRT shows promise for treating schizophrenia and other brain disorders without inducing hallucinations. Developed by researchers who altered just two atoms in LSD’s structure,…
How Psilocybin Lifts Mood Without the Hallucinogenic Trip
Summary: Researchers have uncovered two key brain mechanisms—specific neurons and a serotonin receptor—that help explain how psilocybin produces long-lasting antidepressant effects. Their study identified pyramidal tract neurons in the medial…
Psychedelics May Enhance Intimacy, Attraction, and Sexual Expression
Summary: In the first study of its kind, researchers found that psychedelic use can positively affect sexuality, romantic relationships, and gender expression. Surveying nearly 600 users of substances like psilocybin,…
SSRIs May Speed Up Cognitive Decline
Summary: A new study based on data from 18,740 dementia patients suggests that antidepressants may accelerate cognitive decline. Researchers found that patients taking antidepressants, particularly SSRIs like escitalopram, citalopram, and…
Repurposed Blood Pressure Drug May Treat ADHD
Summary: A new study suggests that amlodipine, a widely used blood pressure medication, could help manage ADHD symptoms. Researchers tested five potential drugs in rats bred for ADHD-like behaviors, and…
