Research recaps
125 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.
June 2026
- Default mode network 6 papers Research in June 2026 found that psychedelics (psilocybin, MDMA, LSD) consistently attenuate bottom-up signal flow and directionality within the default mode network (DMN) in both humans and mice, as shown by a multi-dataset analysis. One study also reported opposite reconfigurations of hierarchical brain dynamics between psilocybin and escitalopram in depression, suggesting distinct DMN-related mechanisms. However, the evidence is limited by small sample sizes, reliance on open-label or single-dose designs, and a lack of long-term follow-up data.
- Serotonin 15 papers In June 2026, serotonin research focused on the 5-HT2A receptor's role in mediating psychedelic effects and therapeutic potential, with studies finding that mGluR2 does not directly interact with 5-HT2A receptors, that 5-HT2B receptors are necessary for psilocybin's antidepressant-like effects in rats, and that psilocybin can restore 5-HT2A signaling after traumatic brain injury. Results were generally consistent across studies, but the evidence is limited by small sample sizes, preclinical models, and a lack of human trials for many findings.
- Neuroplasticity 15 papers Research in June 2026 found that psilocybin and ketamine can enhance neuroplasticity in animal models and humans, with psilocybin reversing stress-induced neuroplastic deficits and ketamine promoting synaptic remodeling. However, microdosing psilocin did not increase neurogenesis in rats, and the evidence for endogenous DMT maintaining neuroplasticity remains mixed. The main caveat is that most findings come from preclinical studies, with limited and preliminary human data.
- Mysticism 16 papers In June 2026, research on mysticism was predominantly theoretical and qualitative, exploring mystical concepts in philosophy, literature, and cultural traditions. One experimental study found that breathwork can induce psychedelic-like mystical experiences, but a separate neuroimaging study found that neural dynamics predicted ego dissolution but not mystical experience specifically. The evidence is too sparse and heterogeneous to draw a unified conclusion about mysticism in this period.
- Shamanism 5 papers Research on shamanism in June 2026 is predominantly theoretical and interpretive, focusing on symbolic and structural analyses of shamanic elements in folklore, ritual, and material culture. One large survey provides empirical evidence on beliefs in supernatural harm among psychedelic users, but the overall body of evidence is limited in scope and does not support broad empirical conclusions about shamanic practices or their effects.
- Buddhism 8 papers Research on Buddhism in June 2026 was predominantly theoretical and comparative, focusing on philosophical and psychological analyses of self, consciousness, and contemplative practice across traditions. Studies consistently explored non-self metaphysics, the limits of Jungian individuation relative to Buddhist self-transcendence, and structural parallels between Buddhist and Christian contemplative psychologies, but none provided empirical data or clinical trials. The main caveat is that all findings are based on textual and conceptual analysis, not experimental or observational evidence.
- Philosophy of mind 25 papers The June 2026 philosophy of mind literature is dominated by theoretical and conceptual analyses, with no empirical studies directly testing hypotheses about the nature of consciousness. The papers consistently challenge reductive physicalism and functionalism, arguing that consciousness involves irreducible first-personal, embodied, and cultural dimensions that cannot be captured by third-person descriptions or artificial systems. The main caveat is that this is a body of purely theoretical work, so conclusions are based on argumentation rather than experimental data.
- Altered states of consciousness 9 papers Research in June 2026 on altered states of consciousness (ASCs) found that breathwork can induce psychedelic-like effects and emotional breakthrough in healthy adults, and that ayahuasca experiences involve coordinated changes across brain connectivity, metabolism, and subjective dimensions. However, evidence is preliminary, with small sample sizes and limited controlled comparisons, and most studies focus on specific substances or practices rather than ASCs broadly.
- Psychedelic-assisted therapy 20 papers Research in June 2026 found that MDMA-assisted psychotherapy shows a moderate-to-large reduction in PTSD symptoms, while ketamine's effect on PTSD was small and non-significant. For depression, real-world ketamine-assisted psychotherapy practices vary widely, and a pilot trial suggests ketamine-assisted psychotherapy may be acceptable for methamphetamine use disorder. However, the evidence base remains constrained by poor study quality, heterogeneity in protocols, and unresolved issues like blinding and expectancy effects.
- Microdosing 6 papers Research on microdosing published in June 2026 indicates that the evidence for its benefits remains weak and inconsistent. Preclinical work in rats found no behavioral or neurogenic effects from chronic psilocin microdosing, while an umbrella review of human studies found only a small decrease in cognitive control and no significant mood improvements. Observational surveys show that microdosing is relatively common among psychedelic users and is associated with mental health symptoms and adverse childhood events, but these correlational findings do not demonstrate efficacy.
- Meditation 21 papers Research on meditation in June 2026 shows that meditation depth enhances the brain's functional signal-to-noise ratio, improving sensory clarity and reducing endogenous noise. Mindfulness-based interventions consistently reduce depression, anxiety, and emotional distress across clinical populations (depression, chronic pain, epilepsy, cancer), though evidence for seizure reduction is inconsistent. A key caveat is that real-world meditation app engagement is very low, with most users disengaging within two weeks, limiting the generalizability of app-based findings.
- Addiction 14 papers Research in June 2026 on addiction found that psychedelic-assisted therapy shows cautious potential for substance use disorders, with strongest evidence from RCTs for ketamine reducing craving and from systematic reviews for psilocybin, though much evidence remains observational. Ibogaine treatment carries a mortality risk largely confined to opioid detoxification, and attitudes among professionals and patients are cautiously optimistic but highlight the need for more education and research. The main caveat is that the evidence base is still heterogeneous and limited by small samples, open-label designs, and lack of long-term durability data.
- PTSD 7 papers Research in June 2026 indicates that ketamine-assisted psychotherapy shows promise for PTSD, with more sessions and higher baseline severity predicting greater improvement, though study quality is often poor. MDMA-assisted psychotherapy demonstrates a moderate-to-large effect on PTSD symptoms in RCTs, but concerns about blinding, expectancy effects, and safety monitoring remain. Overall, the evidence is mixed and limited by small samples, heterogeneous designs, and unresolved questions about durability and optimal protocols.
- Anxiety 17 papers In June 2026, research on anxiety showed that MDMA-assisted therapy produced large reductions in social anxiety (mean LSAS reduction of 43.3 points, Hedge's g=2.8) in an open-label trial, and that at-home subcutaneous ketamine was associated with moderate-to-large anxiety reductions (GAD-7 response 47.6-62.9%, remission 23.9-31.3%) in a large real-world study, though the evidence for ketamine is at critical risk of bias. Mindfulness-based stress reduction also reduced anxiety in patients with pneumonia-induced sepsis and colorectal cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. However, a psilocybin vs. escitalopram reanalysis found that women showed greater anxiety reductions with psilocybin than men, and a preclinical study found no anxiety-related effects of psilocin microdosing in rats. The main caveats are the open-label design of the MDMA trial, the critical risk of bias in the ketamine studies, and the limited durability data across all interventions.
- Depression 25 papers Research in June 2026 on depression focused heavily on treatment-resistant depression (TRD), with consistent evidence that esketamine and ketamine produce rapid, robust antidepressant effects, and that psilocybin-assisted therapy induces short-term improvement. However, the evidence is limited by small sample sizes, short follow-up durations, and a lack of long-term safety data beyond 12 months.
- Cannabis 5 papers Research on cannabis in June 2026 is limited and indirect. One rodent study found that a combination of cannabidiol (CBD) and sodium nitroprusside showed sex-dependent prophylactic effects in a schizophrenia model, but CBD alone had limited efficacy. A meta-analysis of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD included one trial of cannabidiol that showed no clear benefit. Overall, the evidence is too sparse and preliminary to draw firm conclusions about cannabis effects in humans.
- Ibogaine 6 papers Research on ibogaine in June 2026 shows that treatment-associated mortality is largely confined to opioid detoxification and rare in non-SUD indications, based on a large multisite analysis of 19,071 patients. A case series suggests potential benefits for brain injury syndromes, but safety concerns (especially cardiac risk) remain the main limitation, and no randomized controlled trials were reported. The evidence is insufficient to draw firm conclusions about efficacy due to the lack of controlled trials and reliance on observational and preclinical data.
- Ketamine 25 papers Research on ketamine in June 2026 continued to support its rapid antidepressant effects in treatment-resistant depression, particularly via intravenous and intranasal routes, with emerging evidence of sex differences in response and low abuse liability in controlled settings. However, significant concerns remain regarding neurodevelopmental toxicity, adverse effects like cystitis and cholangiopathy, and the need for long-term safety data. The evidence is largely consistent but limited by small sample sizes, open-label designs, and a predominance of reviews over new clinical trials.
- Ayahuasca 6 papers Research on ayahuasca published in June 2026 shows that the brew induces profound alterations in perception and self-referential processing, which are linked to changes in brain connectivity, neurochemistry, and peripheral metabolism. However, the evidence is limited to a single within-subject study with a small sample of experienced users, and no clinical trials or systematic reviews specifically on ayahuasca were published in this period. The main caveat is the lack of controlled, generalizable data on therapeutic efficacy or long-term effects.
- DMT 14 papers Research on DMT in June 2026 was diverse, covering endogenous functions, pharmacokinetics, biosynthesis, and clinical effects. Evidence for endogenous DMT functions is mixed and contested, with conflicting detection reports and receptor affinity mismatches. A Phase 2b trial found GH001 (inhaled DMT) produced rapid, large antidepressant effects in treatment-resistant depression, independent of prior treatment failures. A small PET study found DMT+harmine increased global brain glucose metabolism by 12.5%, and a PBPK modeling study showed CYP2D6 polymorphisms significantly affect DMT and harmine exposure.
- MDMA 16 papers In June 2026, MDMA research showed that a booster dose prolongs subjective effects without increasing peak intensity, and that MDMA-assisted therapy produced large reductions in social anxiety symptoms in an open-label trial. A systematic review and meta-analysis confirmed a moderate-to-large effect of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD, but a commentary highlighted unresolved challenges including blinding difficulties, expectancy effects, and limited mechanistic clarity. The evidence is promising but constrained by small samples, open-label designs, and unresolved methodological issues.
- LSD 8 papers Research on LSD in June 2026 shows mixed evidence: a small RCT found that repeated low-dose LSD (20 µg) improved temporal processing but not other cognitive domains in adults with ADHD, while a crossover trial in healthy subjects found that a higher dose (100 µg) improved motor learning and reduced stress one week later. However, a systematic review concluded there is insufficient evidence to recommend psychedelics for ADHD, and a narrative review highlighted risks of exacerbating psychosis in vulnerable individuals. The main caveats are the small sample sizes, secondary analyses, and lack of long-term safety data.
- Psilocybin 25 papers Research on psilocybin in June 2026 shows promising but preliminary therapeutic effects for depression, OCD, and PTSD, with evidence of rapid symptom reduction and neuroplasticity. However, results are mixed regarding durability, with benefits often limited to weeks or months, and microdosing studies show no significant mood or cognitive improvements. Key caveats include small sample sizes, short follow-up periods, and challenges with blinding.
May 2026
- Serotonin 11 papers Research in May 2026 shows that serotonin receptor subtypes (5-HT1A, 5-HT1B, 5-HT2A, 5-HT2B, 5-HT2C, SERT) mediate diverse effects of psychedelics and related compounds, including modulation of subjective experience, compulsive behavior, and anxiety-like effects. Evidence is mixed: some studies find consistent anxiolytic-like effects of serotonergic psychedelics in animal models, while others report anxiogenic or null effects. A key caveat is that most findings come from preclinical or small human studies, with limited data on long-term safety and clinical translation.
- Mysticism 8 papers Research on mysticism published in May 2026 is predominantly theoretical and philosophical, with no empirical studies. The evidence is insufficient to draw any directional conclusion about the nature or effects of mystical experiences.
- Buddhism 4 papers Research on Buddhism in May 2026 focused on philosophical and textual analysis rather than empirical studies. One study argued that the Buddhist concept of 'inexpressibility' is a sober epistemological judgment supported by cognitive science, while others explored non-dual consciousness in the Ashtavakra Gita and the symbolic meaning of the Buddha's life events. No experimental or clinical findings were reported, so no directional effects can be concluded.
- Philosophy of mind 17 papers Research in philosophy of mind from May 2026 shows a strong convergence on embodied, enactive, and neurophenomenological approaches, with multiple studies arguing that consciousness and selfhood are fundamentally grounded in bodily processes, agency, and organism-environment coupling rather than internal representation. Findings are consistent across theoretical, phenomenological, and neurocognitive frameworks, but the evidence remains largely theoretical and conceptual rather than empirical, with no large-scale experimental studies reported.
- Altered states of consciousness 11 papers Research in May 2026 on altered states of consciousness, particularly ayahuasca, shows preliminary evidence of changes in brain topology (persistent entropy) and potential therapeutic benefits for suicidality and Parkinson's disease, but findings are limited by small samples, lack of controls, and mixed results regarding cumulative effects on ego dissolution compared to meditation. A case report also highlights serious risks of serotonin syndrome when ayahuasca is combined with other serotonergic drugs. Overall, the evidence is insufficient to draw firm conclusions due to small sample sizes, exploratory designs, and inconsistent findings.
- Psychedelic-assisted therapy 11 papers In May 2026, research on psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) showed large within-group effects on anxiety (g=0.96) and small between-group effects (g=0.48), with the intensity of the acute psychedelic experience being the most common predictor of therapeutic response. Qualitative evidence suggests PAT may act as a catalyst for transformation in eating disorders, and cancer patients and carers are open to PAT if risks are carefully managed. However, evidence is limited by high heterogeneity across studies, small sample sizes, and a lack of controlled trials in many areas.
- Anxiety 11 papers Research in May 2026 indicates that psychedelic-assisted therapies, particularly psilocybin, show promise for reducing anxiety symptoms, with a systematic review reporting a large within-group effect (Hedge's g = 0.96) and a small between-group effect (Hedge's g = 0.48). However, results are mixed, as preclinical studies also report anxiogenic and null effects, and the evidence is limited by high heterogeneity in study designs and small sample sizes.