Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
March 19, 2026
Pedro J. Teixeira, Jorge Encantado, Helena D Amaro et al.
Ayahuasca, a traditional Amazonian psychoactive brew, has gained increasing attention for its potential health benefits; however, no previous research has investigated its use in Portugal. This study aims to evaluate the health status, lifestyle behaviors, and psychosocial well-being of Portuguese ayahuasca users, comparing their self-reported health indicators with population norms. A...
Neuropharmacology
2026
Luisa Prochazkova, Laura C. Carvalho, Natasza Marrouch et al.
While microdosing psychedelics is increasingly popular for enhancing well-being, its effects on health behavior change (HBC) remain poorly understood. This study investigated self-reported health-related behavior changes and putative underlying psychological mechanisms associated with psychedelic microdosing in a naturalistic setting. A retrospective mixed-method survey was conducted with 365...
Journal of Health Psychology
December 31, 2025
Laura C. Carvalho, Jorge Encantado, Arlen C. Moller et al.
Health-related behaviors are essential determinants of health and well-being, yet unhealthy patterns persist globally. Psychedelics may represent an innovative tool for facilitating positive behavior change. This study investigated retrospective health-related behavior changes attributed to past psychedelic experiences. An online survey was completed by 271 adults who reported on the...
Sci Rep
November 25, 2025
Laura C. Carvalho, Jorge Encantado, Michiel van Elk et al.
In addition to evidence supporting the use of psychedelics in treating alcohol and tobacco misuse, emerging research suggests that psychedelic experiences may also facilitate beneficial changes in other health behaviors, such as diet, exercise, and meditation. This retrospective, survey-based study explored perceived health behavior changes following psychedelic experiences, from the...
European Health Psychologist
August 25, 2025
Talea Cornelius, Jorge Encantado, Laura Lopes de Carvalho et al.
Psychedelic treatments show promise for improving health and well-being. This article summarizes the history of early psychedelic research and its recent renaissance. Although much of this research focuses on mental health and substance abuse, observational studies have linked psychedelic use to outcomes such as healthier diet, lower rates of heart disease, and even spontaneous, positive...
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
June 28, 2025
Laura C. Carvalho, Jorge Encantado, Hannes Kettner et al.
6 citations
Psychedelic research has traditionally focused on controlled, clinical settings to evaluate the therapeutic potential of substances such as psilocybin. However, in recent years, there has been growing interest in naturalistic research, which explores psychedelic use in real-world settings. This review aims to critically analyze trends in naturalistic psychedelic research, focusing on sample...
Acta medica portuguesa
May 2, 2025
Pedro Mota, Jorge Encantado, Laura C. Carvalho et al.
1 citation
Ketamine has garnered attention for its rapid efficacy in alleviating depressive symptoms in treatment-resistant depression, offering a novel mechanism as a non-monoaminergic agent. Despite its potential, limited research has explored mental health professionals' perspectives on its use. This study assesses the attitudes, knowledge, and concerns of Portuguese psychiatrists and psychologists...