A systematic review of six studies found that people with eating disorders who used psychedelics (ayahuasca, DMT, LSD, mescaline, psilocybin, or ketamine) in clinical or non-clinical settings often reported reduced eating disorder symptoms, anxiety, self-harm, suicidality, and problematic substance use, along with improvements in depression and well-being. Some achieved complete remission. Participants described profound spiritual healing and insights into the psychological roots of their disorder. All qualitative studies met full quality criteria, while quantitative studies scored 20% to 60%. The findings are preliminary; randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm efficacy and long-term effects.
Mindfulness-based interventions show promise in reducing stress, anxiety, and depression among higher education students while improving emotional regulation and academic focus. A systematic review of 35 studies from 2012 to 2024 found strengths including institutional adoption and delivery by qualified practitioners, but identified limitations such as geographic bias, homogeneous samples, methodological shortcomings, and lack of long-term follow-ups. Recruitment strategies often excluded marginalized groups. The review underscores the potential of these interventions for student wellbeing and recommends diversifying participant demographics, integrating mindfulness programs within curricula, and employing longitudinal, user-centered designs to enhance scalability and sustainability.
Brief daily meditation exercises, whether focused on mindful breathing or loving-kindness, produced very large improvements over time in college students, regardless of which type they practiced. Only one measure of psychological flexibility (defusion) and one mental health outcome (depression) showed different effects depending on the meditation type. Individually, mindful breathing and loving-kindness meditation appeared somewhat more beneficial than combining them or using a relaxation control. The 10-minute guided audio meditations were well accepted by participants.