Journal of Psychedelic Studies
January 6, 2026
Tobias Erny, Elba Yatziri Cano Montenegro, Joern Barth et al.
Abstract Background and Aims Parkinson's disease (PD) significantly impairs quality of life, and current treatments do not halt dopaminergic neurodegeneration. Evidence suggests that ibogaine, a naturally occurring indole alkaloid, may stimulate glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) expression and affect dopamine transporter (DAT) function. This case study reports the effects of...
Journal of Psychedelic Studies
November 24, 2025
Petri Kajonius, David Sjöström, Emma Claesdotter-Knutsson
3 citations
Abstract A surge in societal and scientific discussion surrounds psychedelic research. One surprising fact keeps standing out: Many users report the psychedelic experience as a positive and lasting impact on their quality of life. The present study aimed to explore the quality and consequences of the most impacting psychedelic experience, with the user's Big Five personality in focus. This...
Journal of Psychedelic Studies
November 20, 2025
Oscar Véliz-García, Marcos Domic-Siede
Abstract This study explores the first-time use of psychedelic macrodoses among Latin American adults, addressing a gap in the literature regarding naturalistic use outside clinical settings. A total of 4,810 participants from six Latin American countries completed an online survey assessing sociodemographic characteristics, substances used, consumption contexts, motivations, and subjective...
Journal of Psychedelic Studies
November 18, 2025
Joseph T. la Torre, Ariana Kam, Todd Youngs et al.
This novel qualitative study examines the lived experiences of long-term participants in ayahuasca spiritual communities (ASCs) in the United States. Semi-structured interviews ( n = 11) were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis indicating that these communities (1) attract individuals seeking healing from trauma, addiction, and psychological distress, while offering a sense of belonging...
Journal of Psychedelic Studies
October 22, 2025
Sonia David, Anupama Sadasivan
2 citations
As psychedelic-assisted therapies gain prominence, queer and non-binary individuals remain largely marginalized within this emerging field. This Critical Interpretive Synthesis (CIS) reviews 44 empirical studies (2014–2024) to explore how queer experiences are represented and erased in psychedelic research. Guided by queer theory, intersectionality, and post-psychiatry frameworks, the synthesis...
Journal of Psychedelic Studies
October 17, 2025
J. Adler, Isa Gucciardi
With the prevalence of psychedelic use in both therapeutic and non-therapeutic settings, it is imperative for psychotherapists and counselors to have effective tools to support clients engaging with psychedelic substances. Depth Hypnosis Spiritual Counseling is a transpersonal counseling model which can be used to effectively support the preparation for and integration of psychedelic...
Journal of Psychedelic Studies
September 11, 2025
Ron Shore, K. Dobson, Nina Thomson et al.
Abstract Background and Aims Psilocybin is a psychedelic compound that may hold promise for a wide range of human health conditions, yet the identification of therapeutic processes and mechanisms of action remains exploratory. We conducted a scoping review of pre-clinical behavioural investigations of psilocybin in non-human animals to identify behavioural effects, studies completed,...
Journal of Psychedelic Studies
September 8, 2025
Malin Vedøy Uthaug, Giancarlo Allocca, Martha N. Havenith et al.
1 citation
AbstractBackgroundResearch has shown that psychedelics may have therapeutic potential in treating mental disorders like depression and anxiety. However, the mechanisms and actions underlying their effects are still not fully understood. Similarly, while the significance of mindset and setting in shaping psychedelic experiences and therapeutic outcomes is well established, information about the...
Journal of Psychedelic Studies
September 8, 2025
Stephen Kagan
AbstractAimGaining a more detailed understanding of the patterns of relationship of the content of psychedelic experiences can help build a deeper understanding of the nature of consciousness and assist in navigating those extraordinary experiences for therapeutic, spiritual, exploratory and creative purposes. To help achieve this goal, this study examines the patterns of relationship between...
Journal of Psychedelic Studies
September 8, 2025
Abstract This commentary explores public priorities in psychedelic research, drawing insights from extensive conversations between the author and the general public during lectures and seminars across the UK. Two primary themes emerged from this exchange: areas where further research is desired and concerns about the current direction of psychedelic research. Key topics of interest include...
Journal of Psychedelic Studies
September 8, 2025
Anneliese McConnell, Wei He, Harry McConnell et al.
Abstract Objective Hallucinogen Persistent Perception Disorder (HPPD) is a condition where the effects of hallucinogenic drugs reoccur long after the acute effects have stopped. No established risk factors or mechanisms for HPPD have been identified. However, reports have suggested a risk phenotype for HPPD due to associations with other perceptual disturbances. With recent increases in...
Journal of Psychedelic Studies
September 4, 2025
Alan K. Davis, Meghan DellaCrosse, Nathan D. Sepeda et al.
4 citations
Abstract Background Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a leading cause of disability and economic loss, with high recurrence and treatment resistance. Psilocybin-assisted therapy (PAT) shows promise in reducing depressive symptoms, but long-term effects are unknown. We aimed to determine the long-term safety and efficacy of PAT for MDD over a five-year follow-up period. Methods Individuals who...
Journal of Psychedelic Studies
September 4, 2025
Kevin D. Lam, Caroline Griffin, S. Kantipudi et al.
1 citation
Mental health disorders (MHD) rank among the top 10 global causes of disease burden, with significant economic and social costs. Current treatments often have limited efficacy or tolerability, and there has been little recent innovation in treatments. In the past decade, clinical research on Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies (PAT) for treating MHD has increased in high-income countries, while most...
Journal of Psychedelic Studies
September 4, 2025
Giordano Novak Rossi, Rishma S. I. Khubsing, Eline Haijen et al.
Abstract Background and aims Research on classical psychedelics like ayahuasca is increasingly focused on treating mental disorders and enhancing well-being. Ayahuasca has shown promise in improving cognitive flexibility, emotion regulation, and sleep, though findings are mixed and further research is needed. This study tracked participants over three months, assessing cognitive flexibility,...
Journal of Psychedelic Studies
August 13, 2025
Michael J. Winkelman
This paper examines possible future evolution through knowledge of how past human evolution constrains possibilities for the future. Uniquely human evolution-brain, ultrasociality, and cultural niche development-are examined to see what these suggest about future adaptations. Rapid brain evolution involves neuroplasticity, a re-use and rewiring of neural networks. Psychedelics are extraordinary...
Journal of Psychedelic Studies
July 28, 2025
Keith Williams, Andrée-anne Bédard, Laura Pustarfi
1 citation
Inner healing intelligence (IHI) is a foundational orienting concept in the psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) field that refers to the innate tendency of living beings to move towards healing. In this paper, we introduce an expanded articulation of IHI, drawing largely on vitalism and Indigenous philosophy from the Americas. We conceptualize IHI as the innate capacity of an individual to move...
Journal of Psychedelic Studies
July 4, 2025
W. Hwang, Yuhan Kong, Ken A. Fujimoto et al.
Psychedelic use among college students and young adults has been increasing, but there continues to be a shortage of research on usage among college students. The purpose of this study is to identify risk factors for psychedelics use and understand how they interact with attitudes towards psychedelic usage.Data were collected on 466 liberal arts college students. Using exploratory and...
Journal of Psychedelic Studies
July 3, 2025
Mark Haden, Sarah A. Paschall, Birgitta Woods
2 citations
Abstract Psychedelic drug use is experiencing a global resurgence, both in clinical research and community settings. This paper presents a comprehensive public health analysis of the naturalistic use of psychedelics—defined as use outside clinical or research environments. Drawing on a review of 104 peer-reviewed articles, this analysis evaluates the mental, physical, and social outcomes...
Journal of Psychedelic Studies
June 17, 2025
Kevin Rebecchi
Abstract This 33-month retrospective case report explores the impact of psilocybin truffle intake on the emergence (and persistence) of mental imagery in an autistic woman with aphantasia. Aphantasia refers to the inability to generate visual mental images, which can significantly affect individuals' experiences and cognitive processes. The case study focuses on a 34-year-old autistic woman who...
Journal of Psychedelic Studies
June 12, 2025
Musheerah Nuha, Lisa Reynolds, Jessee Fia’ali’i
2 citations
Abstract Background and aims In recent years, there has been increasing attention on the potential for psychedelic-assisted therapies to be used in healthcare. However, the turbulent history of psychedelics challenges its implementation and concerns about cultural safety, equity, and diversity in research remain unresolved. In Āotearoa New Zealand, Pasifika populations face significant health...
Journal of Psychedelic Studies
May 30, 2025
Esenia K. Cassidy, David Dupuis, Christopher Timmermann et al.
4 citations
Abstract Background & aims This conceptual paper explores the intersection of attachment theory, psychedelic research, and enculturation dynamics. We aim to understand how both attachment patterns and psychedelic use may jointly influence worldview transformations and enculturation processes. Methods We synthesize theoretical perspectives and empirical findings from multiple fields, including...
Journal of Psychedelic Studies
May 17, 2025
Daria Dikovskaya, Bhargav Srinivasa Desikan, Joel Frohlich et al.
2 citations
Abstract Background and aims Altered states of consciousness (ASC) represent acute and marked deviations from normal waking consciousness. Investigations into ASC are significant to problems in medicine, science, and philosophy, including the structure of conscious experience. Here, we conducted a preliminary investigation into the structure of ASC while addressing the role of psychedelics,...
Journal of Psychedelic Studies
May 17, 2025
Won-Seok Choi, Jeongwan Hong, Seung‐ho Jang et al.
1 citation
Abstract Background and aims A mental health professional's background regarding psychedelics, including their attitudes, is important to the therapeutic effects of these drugs; however, no study has examined this in Asian populations. This study aims to evaluate the knowledge and attitudes of psychiatric professionals in Korea regarding the use of psychedelics in clinical practice. Methods An...
Journal of Psychedelic Studies
May 16, 2025
Anna-Leigh Hodge, Anna Forsyth, Tehseen Noorani et al.
6 citations
Abstract Psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychedelic compound found in certain fungi has long been used by Indigenous cultures within ritual and ceremony for healing and spiritual purposes (Spiers et al., 2024). While emerging evidence points to psychedelic agents being novel avenues for the treatment of substance use disorders, the predominantly Western medical models of psychedelic-assisted...
Journal of Psychedelic Studies
May 16, 2025
Oskar Enghoff, Margit Anne Petersen, Søren Holm et al.
Abstract Background and aims Online platforms are popular for exchanging information about psychedelics, including consumption advice. The recent resurgence of public interest in psychedelics will likely intensify this. We aim to further the understanding among researchers, policy makers, medical practitioners, harm reduction practitioners, and social workers, of contemporary psychedelic...