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Research Square

ISSN 2693-5015

301 papers in the library · 141 citations · publishing 2020-2026

Papers

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Oxa-noribogaine reduces alcohol drinking through aversion learning and by altering glutamatergic activity in the mPFC

Research Square March 31, 2026 Marcus W. Meinhardt, Ivan Skorodumov, Florian Walter et al. preprint

Abstract Alcohol use disorder is a major global health problem, and current treatments often fail to produce lasting reductions in harmful drinking1,2. Psychedelic-assisted therapies may promote durable behavioural change by enhancing brain plasticity during emotionally meaningful experiences, but progress has been limited by a lack of experimental models that capture these context-dependent...

Age moderates the relationship between psychedelics use and mental health in naturalistic settings

Research Square March 10, 2026 Giammarco di Gregorio, Sophia Basset, Harjot Manmohan et al. preprint

Abstract Depression and anxiety affect one in five adults, with age affecting prevalence. While clinical trials suggest classic psychedelics (e.g., psilocybin, LSD) and non-classic psychedelics (e.g., MDMA, ketamine) may alleviate these symptoms, it remains unclear how these relationships function in naturalistic settings or how they vary across the lifespan. We conducted a cross-sectional...

Substance-induced manic psychosis in which delusions were corroborated by a chatbot - case report

Research Square March 8, 2026 Sachin Shah, Hamilton Morrin preprint

Abstract Background: This case describes a substance-induced manic episode with psychotic features in which interaction with an AI (artificial intelligence) chatbot appeared to corroborate and reinforce the patient’s delusional thought content and to contradict medical advice. Excerpts from the patient’s interactions with the AI chatbot provide novel clinical insight into this phenomenon, which...

How Mindfulness During Exercise Shapes Affective Experience: A Preliminary Study of Dynamic Momentary Psychological Mechanisms

Research Square March 5, 2026 Jiao Liu, Wen-Jing Liu, Yue Qiu et al. preprint

Abstract Objectives Mindfulness-based exercise has been shown to enhance affective responses to exercise, yet the momentary psychological mechanisms underlying these effects remain poorly understood. The present study examined how mindfulness during exercise shapes affective experience by focusing on dynamic, momentary psychological processes across a four-week intervention. Methods Physically...

Trait Mindfulness and Inhibitory Control in Young Adults: Moderation by Sex and Mediation by Resting EEG

Research Square March 5, 2026 Kyoungmin Noh, Nicholas Baumgartner, Manuela Cortes Ospina et al. preprint

Abstract a. Objective b. To determine the relationship between facet-level trait mindfulness (TM) and inhibitory control (IC), and whether the relationship is moderated by sex and mediated by resting cortical activity. c. Methods d. 283 young adults (149 women; 18–30 years old) completed the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire and a flanker task involving congruent and incongruent trials to...

Psychedelics are associated with changes in spiritual beliefs and orientations in US veterans

Research Square February 27, 2026 Randi Brown, Kenneth Shinozuka, Irakli Kaloiani et al. preprint

Abstract The acute effects of psychedelic medicines include shifts in perception and awareness that can often include mystical or spiritual elements. Research suggests that these experiences can also extend into more persisting changes in spirituality, yet this area is underexplored. This study examined the effects of psychedelic experiences on spiritual beliefs using a survey of N = 151 people...

Development of a Multicomponent Mindfulness and Movement Program for Lumbosacral Radicular Pain: A Mixed Methods Protocol

Research Square February 27, 2026 Ryan S Wexler, Wade Balsamo, Vinz Lendof et al. preprint

Abstract BACKGROUND Lumbosacral radicular pain (LRP) is a highly disabling condition frequently accompanied by pain-related fear, reduced physical activity, and difficulty engaging in daily activities. Although mindfulness-based and movement-based interventions are recommended for chronic low back pain, few programs have been specifically designed for individuals with LRP or developed using...

Traditional Buddhist Mindfulness versus Secular Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy for Residual Depressive Symptoms in Patients Treated for Depressive Disorder: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Research Square February 26, 2026 Anuradha Baminiwatta, Takeshi Hamamura, Anjalika Madhubhashini et al. preprint

Abstract Objectives To compare the efficacy, acceptability, and feasibility of traditional Buddhist mindfulness (TBM) versus secular mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) for residual depressive symptoms, and to examine whether TBM is non-inferior to MBCT in improving depressive symptoms and psychological wellbeing. Methods In this pilot randomized controlled trial, Buddhist adults with...

Psychedelic Use and Missed Mental Health Treatment: Gender Differences in Behavioral Health Outcomes

Research Square February 25, 2026 Sean M. Viña preprint

Abstract While prior research links psychedelic use to improved psychological outcomes, less is known about whether psychedelic exposure relates to engagement with formal mental health care when treatment is recognized as needed. Using pooled data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (2008–2019), this study examines whether lifetime psychedelic use is associated with missed needed...

Delayed psilocybin treatment after repeated mild traumatic brain injury recovers chronic behavioural deficits, reduces microglial density, and enhances hippocampal neurogenesis in rats

Research Square February 23, 2026 Sandy R Shultz, Josh Allen, Grace O'Regan et al. preprint

Abstract Repeated mild traumatic brain injury (RmTBI) can produce lasting cognitive, emotional, and social deficits (e.g., persistent post-concussion symptoms; PPCS). Despite the prevalence of RmTBI in sports, military, and domestic violence settings, effective treatments to alleviate the neurological consequences of RmTBI remain limited. Psilocybin, a serotonergic psychedelic, can enhance...

Safety and Efficacy of Microdosing Psilocybin over 8 Weeks for Major Depressive Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Research Square February 23, 2026 Rotem Petranker, Norman A. S. Farb, Omer A. Syed et al. preprint

Abstract IMPORTANCE Microdosing psilocybin may be a novel treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD). OBJECTIVE Assessing the antidepressant effects and safety of repeated low doses of psilocybin in participants diagnosed with MDD. DESIGN This was a Phase II, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. SETTING The trial was conducted from July 2022 to December 2024 at two...

Improvements in Mindfulness Facets Predict Burnout and Sleep Disturbance Outcomes in Law Enforcement Officers

Research Square February 23, 2026 Kaylia Pham, Morgan Penberthy, Olivia Boyd et al. preprint

Abstract Mindfulness-Based Resilience Training (MBRT) was designed to improve LEO mental health and performance, and to enhance resilience in the context of acute and chronic stressors inherent to policing. Prior research has demonstrated preliminary efficacy of MBRT in improving a variety of outcomes, including burnout and sleep disturbance. The primary goal of this study was to conduct a...

The Antioxidant Activity of Ketamine: Threshold-Dependent Mechanism in Treatment-Resistant Depression?

Research Square February 17, 2026 Zofia Winczewska, Magdalena Górska-ponikowska, Wiesław Jerzy Cubała preprint

Abstract Aim of study: The antidepressant effect of ketamine may be at least partly due to its antioxidant activity. The aim of the study was to assess whether ketamine develops a protective effect on HT22 neuronal cells under conditions of oxidative stress (OS) induced by hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ). Material and methods The experiment was performed on an immortalized mouse hippocampal HT22...

Time-Dependent Effects of Rapid-Acting Antidepressants in iPSC-Derived Neurons from Treatment-Resistant Depression and Healthy Volunteers.

Research Square February 12, 2026 Jenessa N Johnston, Greg Jones, Shiyong Peng et al. preprint

Rapid-acting antidepressants like ketamine and serotonergic psychedelics show promise for treatment-resistant depression (TRD), but the molecular mechanisms that contribute to their therapeutic effects remain unclear. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) offer a platform to model human cortical neurons and investigate drug effects in a human-relevant system. Here, iPSCs from individuals with...

At-Home Ketamine-Assisted Therapy for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Real-World Retrospective Analysis

Research Square February 11, 2026 Jack Swain, Davis Carter, Leonardo Vando preprint

Abstract Background: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a common mental health condition affecting approximately 3-6% of the U.S. adult population annually, and is characterized by intrusive symptoms, avoidance, negative cognitive and mood alterations, and hyperarousal following trauma exposure. Ketamine shows promise as a treatment for PTSD in preliminary trials, though real-world...

A moderation examination of the effects of a mindfulness-based intervention on primary school students’ symptoms of inattention, depression, and anxiety

Research Square February 9, 2026 preprint

Abstract The number of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) has proliferated in the last decade, as accessible evidence-based practices, to improve children’s mental health in school settings. However, some studies suggest that MBIs do not offer distinct advantages over other mental health promotion interventions. These inconsistent findings may be explained, at least in part, by the lack of...

Ventral striatum temporal interference brain stimulation enhances the reward positivity event-related potential and reduces anxiety.

Research Square February 9, 2026 Jonathan S Ryan, Timothy J Mcdermott, Boris Botzanowski et al. preprint

Temporal interference (TI) electrical stimulation is a novel neuromodulation method that can target deep brain structures to enhance the impact of behavioral techniques. We tested the feasibility of TI in targeting the ventral striatum (VS) in concert with an emotion regulation practice (breath-focused mindfulness meditation). As an assay of target engagement, we used electroencephalography...

DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-8767480/v1 (opens in new tab) Full text (opens in new tab) Anxiety Deep brain stimulation Electroencephalography Reward +2

The Role of Otrovert Personality Orientation in Mindfulness-Based Intervention Outcomes: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Research Square February 4, 2026 Rachna Garg, Shivani Goel, Sneha Goel preprint

Abstract Personality-based differences play a critical role in determining individual responsiveness to psychological interventions; however, traditional personality models often fail to explain variability in mindfulness-based outcomes. Recently, the Otrovert construct, proposed by Kaminski (2025), has emerged as a novel personality orientation emphasizing adaptive self-regulation and...

Intentional Lucid Dreaming with a Transformative Learning Agenda

Research Square February 3, 2026 Gabriela Torres-Platas, Daniel J Morris, Karen R Konkoly et al. preprint

Abstract To reduce maladaptive behaviors, cognitive-behavioral and mindfulness-based interventions can be engaged during wakefulness. Such strategies may also be engaged during sleep, providing a unique and powerful pathway to positive behavioral change. Here we describe an initial scientific investigation of Dream Yoga, a type of contemplative practice that includes a set of prescribed tasks...

Can LLMs Get High? A Dual-Metric Framework for Evaluating Psychedelic Simulation and Safety in Large Language Models

Research Square February 2, 2026 Ziv Ben-Zion, Guy Simon, Teddy Lazebnik preprint

Abstract Large language models (LLMs) are increasingly consulted by individuals for support during psychedelic experiences ("trip sitting"), yet no framework exists to evaluate whether these models can accurately simulate or safely respond to altered states of consciousness. We aimed to determine if LLMs can be induced to generate narratives resembling human psychedelic experiences and to...

Mindfulness Facets, Sport Anxiety, and Psychological Outcomes in Ultra-Trail Runners: A Pre-Competition Study

Research Square January 27, 2026 Pierrick Laulan, Jérôme Cuadrado, Roberta Antonini Philippe et al. preprint

Abstract Objectives Ultra-trail runners face sustained psychological demands during pre-competition preparation, yet little is known about factors associated with mental health in this population. Guided by Monitor and Acceptance Theory (MAT) as a heuristic process framework, this study examined associations between mindfulness facets, sport anxiety, and psychological outcomes in ultra-trail...

Can Education Compensate for Poor Healthcare? Racial Inequalities in Psychedelic-Associated Psychological Distress

Research Square January 14, 2026 Sean M. Viña preprint

Abstract While prior research suggests that healthcare context shapes the mental health correlates of psychedelic use, it remains unclear whether education can mitigate these disparities—particularly across racial and ethnic groups. This study examines whether educational attainment moderates the association between lifetime psychedelic use, health insurance context (public vs. private), and...

DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-8483640/v1 (opens in new tab) Full text (opens in new tab) Mental health Educational attainment Ethnic group Context archaeology +11

The mushrooming of the psychedelic renaissance: A scoping review identifying trends in ongoing clinical trials

Research Square January 12, 2026 Lucas M Wittenkeller, Gary A. Gudelsky, T. John Winhusen et al. preprint

Abstract Aims: The investigation of psychedelics as potential therapies has expanded dramatically in the past decade, leading to their study in a wide range of conditions. Here, we characterize all ongoing clinical trials utilizing a psychedelic intervention with the goals of identifying trends in experimental design and application and discuss how findings from individual, ongoing clinical...

DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-8544354/v1 (opens in new tab) Full text (opens in new tab) Clinical trial Blinding Intervention counseling Alternative medicine +7

Acute effects of nitrous oxide on visual processing: a connectome study in healthy adults.

Research Square January 12, 2026 Niloufar Pouyan, Chelsea M Kaplan, Tony E. Larkin et al. preprint

Nitrous oxide (N2O) produces perceptual alterations and changes in large-scale brain network organization, yet its effects on task-specific visual processing remain unclear. Given the prominence of visual alterations during psychedelic exposure, we investigated how subanesthetic N2O modulates functional connectivity during visual stimulation. Thirteen healthy adults completed a...

DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-8430361/v1 (opens in new tab) Full text (opens in new tab) Hierarchical clustering Network modularity Nitrous oxide Psychedelic state +2