Research recaps
184 recaps (and counting)
What each month's new studies found, topic by topic. Every recap is synthesized from that month's papers and links back to each one.
September 2026
26 recaps · 355 papers- Near-death experience Experiences Research indexed in September 2026 on near-death experiences (NDEs) is mostly descriptive and theoretical rather than experimental, so no causal or prevalence conclusions can be drawn. The empirical work available reports recurring features such as peace, out-of-body sensations, bright light, and life review, with culturally specific imagery appearing only occasionally, and it presents these findings as preliminary. Reviews conclude that neurochemical, hypoxic, and psychological explanations each fail to fully account for NDEs, while a theoretical paper argues NDEs may reflect continued consciousness after brain function ceases. The main caveats are small convenience samples, self-report classification, absence of direct evidence in palliative-care settings, and the argumentative nature of the consciousness claims. 5 papers
- Esketamine Compounds Research indexed in September 2026 on esketamine is dominated by observational and review work rather than new large randomized trials. The most consistent findings are symptomatic improvement in treatment-resistant depression (e.g., mean MADRS reductions of roughly 7-8 points, quality-of-life gains, and reduced hopelessness), but effects on suicidality-specific outcomes are inconsistent, and one large retrospective cohort found no statistically distinguishable difference in suicide attempt or self-harm. Evidence on cognition, biomarkers, and durability remains mixed or preliminary, and most studies are small, uncontrolled, or short-term. 20 papers
- 5-MeO-DMT Compounds Research indexed for September 2026 on 5-MeO-DMT is almost entirely preclinical and indirect: single-dose 5-MeO-DMT produced rapid antidepressant-like effects in stressed rodents, and these effects depended on both 5-HT1A and 5-HT2A receptors and on the context of administration, while a qualitative analysis of online reports described transformative subjective experiences and individualized dosing. No human clinical trial of 5-MeO-DMT itself appears in this set, so efficacy, durability, and safety in people remain unestablished, and the one human survey covering 5-MeO-DMT reports no specific outcomes. 10 papers
- Dreaming Experiences Research indexed for September 2026 covers several distinct strands of dreaming science rather than one question. The strongest causal signals are for nightmare reduction: a large placebo-controlled trial of dronabinol in PTSD reduced nightmare frequency and intensity (moderate effect, but with serious adverse events in the active arm), and a small open-label wearable pilot showed large within-person improvements. Experimental attempts to manipulate dreaming more directly gave mixed results: VR-based metacognitive training increased lucid-like dream rates substantially in a small trial, whereas odour-cued reactivation of a relaxation exercise did not change cortical hyperarousal or nightmares. Most other work is observational, psychometric, or theoretical, so conclusions rest on single small or uncontrolled studies. 12 papers
- Default mode network Mechanisms Research indexed in September 2026 on the default mode network (DMN) is diverse and largely observational, with no single unifying finding. Studies report that DMN connectivity is altered in clinical conditions such as trauma-related intrusive memories, post-hemorrhage cognitive impairment, tension-type headache, and major depressive disorder, and that it can be modulated by testosterone, antidepressants, ketamine, and brain stimulation. However, most evidence is correlational, samples are often small, and effects are context-dependent, so causal and clinical conclusions remain tentative. 9 papers
- Serotonin Mechanisms Research indexed in September 2026 on serotonin was dominated by mechanistic and preclinical work rather than new clinical trials. Across receptor-level, animal, and computational studies, the 5-HT2A receptor remained central to psychedelic action, but several studies reported that key therapeutic-like effects (fear extinction, neuroplasticity, antidepressant-like behavior) can involve or even bypass 5-HT2A, implicating 5-HT1A, 5-HT1B, and 5-HT2B. The evidence is largely from rodent and in silico models with small samples and short follow-up, so clinical translation and durability remain unestablished. 18 papers
- Neuroplasticity Mechanisms Research indexed in September 2026 on neuroplasticity is dominated by preclinical and theoretical work linking psychedelics and ketamine to plasticity-related mechanisms, with several studies reporting that these effects can occur independently of classical receptor activation or depend heavily on administration context. Empirical human evidence remains very thin: the only clinical study is a 7-person open-label pilot, and a systematic review concludes that clinical efficacy for chronic pain is not established. Overall the direction is promising but preliminary, with small samples, mixed preclinical results, and no durability data. 8 papers
- Mysticism Traditions & thought The 2026 scholarship on mysticism is predominantly theoretical and ethnographic rather than empirical, so no quantitative effect can be stated. Two ethnographic studies converge in arguing that mysticism in Indonesian Muslim communities operates communally and is negotiated with Islamic orthodoxy, while two philosophical papers argue that mystical experience is rationally analyzable and non-linear in its development. The main caveat is that none of this work tests an intervention or reports measurable outcomes, so claims about direction or magnitude of effects are not supported. 4 papers
- Philosophy of mind Traditions & thought The philosophy-of-mind research indexed for September 2026 is overwhelmingly theoretical and review-based rather than empirical, so it does not yield a single measurable finding. The dominant themes are the hard problem of consciousness, phenomenology and the first-person point of view, and embodiment, with several reviews converging on the judgment that this literature is cumulatively strong but organizationally fragmented and methodologically pluralistic. A minority of papers offer empirical or quasi-empirical results, notably an observational cohort linking heart- versus head-self-location to felt connection and a qualitative study of reported afterlife experiences. The main caveat is that almost none of this work provides experimental tests, replication, or durable causal evidence. 24 papers
- Psychedelic-assisted therapy Practices Research indexed in September 2026 on psychedelic-assisted therapy reports mostly positive but preliminary signals: small clinical series and secondary trial analyses show reductions in depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation, and reviews describe clinically meaningful effects in depression and substance use. However, the evidence base is limited by very small samples, heterogeneity between individuals, and largely correlational mechanism data. A review of older controlled trials and a meta-research review raise concerns about durability of benefit and inconsistent risk-of-bias judgments across evidence syntheses. 8 papers
- Microdosing Practices Research on microdosing in September 2026 is dominated by non-psychedelic agricultural and pharmacological work, with the most directly relevant clinical evidence being a randomized controlled trial of LSD microdosing for major depressive disorder that found no benefit over an active placebo (caffeine). Two theoretical papers on psilocybin microdosing argue that dosing schedule may be a distinct pharmacological variable and propose testable receptor-adaptation hypotheses, but neither provides efficacy evidence. Overall, the clinical evidence does not support microdosing as an effective treatment for depression, and the psychedelic findings remain hypothesis-generating rather than confirmatory. 7 papers
- Breathwork Practices Research indexed in September 2026 on breathwork was mostly synthetic and early-stage: reviews and pilot protocols rather than large definitive trials. The most consistent signal is short-term improvement in perceived stress, anxiety, and mood, with slow-paced practices linked to parasympathetic and heart-rate-variability effects, while rapid techniques show heterogeneous autonomic results. Evidence is limited by small samples, short follow-up, variable protocols, and a reliance on multi-component programs that cannot isolate breathing itself, so durability and clinical efficacy remain unestablished. 9 papers
- Meditation Practices Research indexed in September 2026 points mostly in a positive direction for meditation and mindfulness: randomized trials reported reduced stress, anxiety, depression, burnout, and improved well-being, sleep, and marital satisfaction, and meta-analytic evidence suggested improved proprioceptive accuracy, though the pooled magnitude was uncertain. Effects were not universal — a pre-registered RCT found no effect on metacognition in value-based decisions, and several pilot trials were underpowered or failed feasibility targets. The main caveats are small samples, single-group or cross-sectional designs that cannot support causal claims, and limited evidence on durability and adverse reactions. 25 papers
- End-of-life distress Conditions Research on end-of-life distress in September 2026 points to two main threads: psychosocial and spiritual care approaches show promise for easing distress, while pharmacological evidence is inconsistent. A quasi-experimental study found an 8-week mindfulness program substantially reduced death anxiety and stress and improved attitudes toward caring for dying patients, and qualitative work describes movement from fear and anxiety toward acceptance and peace with Buddhist spiritual care. For ketamine in advanced cancer, a systematic review found mostly small open-label studies reporting benefit but the only adequately powered randomized trial showed no analgesic benefit and greater toxicity, so the drug's role remains unproven. Evidence overall is limited by small samples, lack of blinding and control groups, and short follow-up. 5 papers
- Depression Conditions Research indexed in September 2026 on depression was dominated by treatment-resistant depression (TRD), where ketamine/esketamine and psilocybin showed rapid symptom reductions, though durability was consistently short and evidence quality limited. Head-to-head pooled data found intravenous ketamine and ECT did not differ significantly on response or remission, but heterogeneity was high and removing one large trial produced an ECT advantage. Psilocybin reviews reported rapid, often large effects with some sustained benefit, while biomarker and mechanism studies remained inconsistent and exploratory. The main caveats are small samples, unblinding, strict trial selection, and short follow-up. 25 papers
- Cannabis Compounds Research indexed in September 2026 on cannabis was mostly preclinical, observational, and theoretical rather than definitive clinical trials. The most consistent signals were harm-related: cannabis use predicted early psychiatric readmission in young adults with bipolar or psychotic disorders, and cannabis use interacted with psychosis vulnerability to worsen borderline personality symptoms. Cognitive and affective findings were mixed and dose- or chemovar-dependent, and several key results come from animal models or small samples, so durability and generalizability remain uncertain. 15 papers
- Ketamine Compounds Research indexed in September 2026 continued to support ketamine as a rapid-acting antidepressant in treatment-resistant depression, with response rates reported up to about 70% at 24 hours and onset around 110 minutes, but the benefit is typically short-lived (roughly 1-2 weeks) and head-to-head evidence against ECT is inconsistent, with pooled response and remission showing no significant difference amid high heterogeneity. Beyond depression, small and mostly preliminary studies reported signals in alcohol use disorder, smoking cessation, and adolescent/young-adult ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, while biomarker and neuroimaging predictors remain exploratory and no peripheral biomarker is yet clinically usable. The main caveats are small samples, post hoc or open-label designs, and short follow-up; chronic recreational misuse was consistently linked to serious multi-organ toxicity. 25 papers
- Addiction Conditions Research indexed in September 2026 points in a cautiously positive direction for treating addiction, but the evidence is mostly preliminary. A secondary analysis of a ketamine trial in alcohol use disorder reported substantially more abstinent days and fewer heavy drinking days, and a small pilot of a smartphone mindfulness app in opioid use disorder reported large quality-of-life gains with most participants abstinent at follow-up. However, reviews of psychedelic-assisted therapy emphasize that mechanistic evidence is largely correlational, that early controlled trials found no durable benefit beyond a few weeks, and that controlled evidence for most novel pharmacotherapies remains limited, so durability and replication are the main caveats. 11 papers
- Ayahuasca Compounds Research indexed or published in 2026 on ayahuasca is mostly preliminary and points in a broadly favorable direction: a small uncontrolled pilot in cancer patients found reductions in depression and anxiety lasting up to three weeks after a single dose, an observational survey linked greater prior ayahuasca experience to better mental health, and a single dose reduced stress-related behavioral and neurochemical changes in rats. However, the human evidence rests on very small, uncontrolled or cross-sectional samples, and reviews emphasize that trials are limited by strict selection, blinding difficulties, and ethical gaps; a narrative review also notes that psychotic reactions, while uncommon in screened or supervised settings, can occur in vulnerable individuals. 8 papers
- Buddhism Traditions & thought Research indexed to September 2026 on Buddhism is dominated by qualitative, theoretical, and historical work rather than controlled trials, so no single effect can be quantified. The empirical studies that exist report directional changes consistent with practice: declining negative-emotion vocabulary and self-reference across six decades of one Zen poet's work, experience-dependent EEG differences between novice and experienced Zen meditators, and qualitative movement toward acceptance and connection in temple-based palliative care. The main caveats are very small samples, single-case or single-site designs, and authors' own framing of findings as consistent with rather than attributable to Buddhist practice. 9 papers
- DMT Compounds Research indexed to September 2026 on DMT and related compounds is dominated by mechanistic and pharmacological work rather than clinical efficacy trials. Across EEG and fMRI studies, DMT reliably altered cortical dynamics—increasing signal complexity, reducing connectivity and network segregation, and shifting microstate sequences—with several measures tracking subjective intensity. Preclinical studies of 5-MeO-DMT found rapid antidepressant-like effects in rodents that depended on dose, administration context, and both 5-HT1A and 5-HT2A receptors, but these are animal models and do not establish human antidepressant efficacy. Human data remain limited to small samples, single-dose designs, and short follow-up, so durability, blinding integrity, and clinical benefit are largely unaddressed. 12 papers
- MDMA Compounds Research indexed in September 2026 on MDMA was dominated by clinical and mechanistic work rather than a single landmark finding. The strongest signal was therapeutic: a meta-analysis of seven randomized trials found MDMA-assisted psychotherapy may improve PTSD symptoms, dissociation, depression, and functional impairment, though not sleep quality, and a pilot trial in couples with PTSD reported clinically meaningful symptom reductions. Mechanistic and social-cognition reviews converged on MDMA's facilitation of fear extinction and memory reconsolidation and on reliably enhanced subjective social experience, while behavioural prosociality was inconsistent. The main caveats are small samples, blinding difficulty, non-standardized therapy, a common sponsor across PTSD trials, and low certainty of evidence for several indications. 14 papers
- PTSD Conditions Research indexed in September 2026 on PTSD points in a broadly positive direction for several interventions, but with important caveats. A meta-analysis of seven RCTs found MDMA-assisted psychotherapy may improve core PTSD symptoms, dissociation, depression, and functional impairment, though not sleep; a 171-person RCT found dronabinol reduced nightmare frequency and intensity versus placebo; and a 141-person RCT found a digital nonattachment intervention outperformed waitlist at 8 and 20 weeks. Evidence is limited by small samples, blinding difficulties, a common sponsor across MDMA trials, and, for dronabinol, more serious adverse events than placebo and untested long-term safety. 11 papers
- LSD Compounds Research indexed to September 2026 on LSD is dominated by mechanistic and early-phase work rather than a single definitive clinical answer. The strongest clinical signals are dose-dependent anxiety reduction with a single 100-200 µg dose in generalized anxiety disorder and positive acute subjective/mystical experiences predicting short- and long-term anxiety improvement, while a randomized trial found microdosed LSD no better than caffeine for depression. Preclinical studies consistently report anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like effects of repeated or pretreated LSD, but human safety reports document serious adverse outcomes (prolonged distress, HPPD) in vulnerable individuals, and several sources are case reports, historical analyses, or mechanistic studies with small samples. 12 papers
- Psilocybin Compounds Research indexed in September 2026 on psilocybin is dominated by reviews, trial protocols, and preclinical work rather than completed definitive trials. Where controlled human data exist, they point to rapid symptom improvement in treatment-resistant depression and anorexia nervosa, but effects often wane over time and several trials miss primary endpoints or show no advantage over placebo at low doses. The main caveats are small samples, difficulty maintaining blinding, strict patient selection, and limited long-term durability data. 25 papers
- Anxiety Conditions Research indexed in September 2026 on anxiety points in a broadly positive direction for several interventions, but the evidence is uneven and mostly preliminary. Mindfulness- and meditation-based programs, psychedelic-assisted approaches (LSD, ayahuasca, MDMA), and low-dose ketamine were repeatedly associated with anxiety reductions, though effects were often small-to-moderate, sometimes not statistically significant, and frequently limited by small samples, lack of control groups, or short follow-up. Notably, one adequately powered RCT found esketamine no better than placebo for postoperative anxiety, and a large systematic review found only about half of anxiety studies positive, indicating that results are not uniformly consistent. 24 papers
August 2026
4 recaps · 56 papers- Philosophy of mind Traditions & thought Research in August 2026 on philosophy of mind focused heavily on animal sentience and consciousness, with theoretical papers arguing for and against the possibility of sentience in fish, insects, and other invertebrates. The evidence is largely argumentative rather than empirical, with no consensus on criteria for sentience or whether it comes in degrees. A key caveat is that most studies are philosophical commentaries or theoretical papers, not experimental research, so conclusions remain debated and unresolved. 17 papers
- Meditation Practices Research published in August 2026 indicates that meditation-based interventions generally improve psychological well-being across diverse populations, including reductions in depressive symptoms, loneliness, stress, and improvements in self-concept and cognitive function, with effects often sustained for weeks to months. However, evidence is mixed regarding clinical significance, as one study found statistically but not clinically meaningful pain reduction in fibromyalgia, and many studies are small, uncontrolled, or theoretical, limiting the strength of conclusions. 17 papers
- Depression Conditions In August 2026, depression research focused on ketamine/esketamine and psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression, with consistent evidence of rapid and significant antidepressant effects, though comparative safety signals for esketamine (e.g., higher cardiac arrest risk) and durability of effects remain key caveats. A meta-analysis of psilocybin RCTs found large short-term effects, and a large target trial emulation suggested esketamine may carry higher risks of certain adverse outcomes than injectable ketamine. Overall, findings are consistent in supporting these rapid-acting treatments, but long-term efficacy and safety, especially in real-world populations, are not fully established. 11 papers
- Ketamine Compounds In August 2026, research on ketamine and esketamine for depression consistently showed rapid, moderate-to-large antidepressant effects, with esketamine associated with lower risks of suicidal ideation and anxiety compared to oral antidepressants but higher risks of cardiac arrest and other adverse outcomes compared to injectable ketamine. Evidence also indicated that ketamine may be more effective in bipolar than unipolar depression, and that concomitant benzodiazepines may reduce its efficacy. However, most studies were observational or small, and long-term safety and efficacy in serious illness remain understudied. 11 papers