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.
June 2026
21 recaps · 337 papers- Default mode network Mechanisms Research on the default mode network (DMN) in June 2026 shows that psychedelics consistently attenuate bottom-up signal flow within the DMN, and psilocybin accelerates transitions between brain states while preserving overall coverage. The DMN is also implicated in social connection, verbal memory, and value-based decision-making, with altered DMN patterns linked to conditions like ADHD and end-stage renal disease. However, most studies are small or exploratory, and the durability and clinical significance of these findings remain unclear. 14 papers
- Buddhism Traditions & thought Research on Buddhism in June 2026 was predominantly theoretical and comparative, with no large-scale empirical trials. The studies consistently argue that Buddhist concepts and practices—such as the Noble Eightfold Path, mindfulness, and loving-kindness meditation—can support mental health, ethical conduct, and well-being, but these claims are largely based on qualitative or theoretical analysis rather than controlled experiments. The main caveat is the lack of robust empirical validation and the predominance of conceptual frameworks over direct evidence. 25 papers
- Ayahuasca Compounds 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. 6 papers
- Anxiety Conditions Research published in June 2026 consistently shows that mindfulness-based interventions reduce anxiety across diverse populations, including students, patients with anxiety/depression, athletes, and older adults, with effect sizes ranging from moderate to large and benefits often sustained at follow-up. However, evidence is limited by small pilot samples, lack of active controls, and short follow-up periods, and one preclinical study found a small anxiogenic effect of psilocin microdosing, highlighting the need for more rigorous, long-term studies. 25 papers
- Cannabis Compounds Research on cannabis published in June 2026 spans diverse areas, including neurobiological effects, clinical management, and social/regulatory perspectives. Findings are mixed: some studies show cannabis use is associated with increased psychotic-like experiences and symptom burden, while others highlight potential benefits (e.g., managing premenstrual symptoms) and differential effects based on individual traits. The evidence is largely cross-sectional or preclinical, with limited longitudinal or clinical trial data, so conclusions about long-term effects or therapeutic efficacy remain tentative. 11 papers
- PTSD Conditions Research on PTSD in June 2026 focused heavily on ketamine and psychedelic-assisted therapies, with mixed results: MDMA-assisted psychotherapy showed significant moderate-to-large symptom reductions, while ketamine's effects were inconsistent—some studies found large improvements, others found small or non-significant effects, and acute trauma use may worsen symptoms. Other interventions like mindfulness and imagery rehearsal therapy showed short-term benefits, but durability and long-term outcomes remain unclear. Overall, the evidence is heterogeneous and limited by small samples, poor study quality, and unresolved methodological challenges. 13 papers
- Ketamine Compounds 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. 25 papers
- DMT Compounds In June 2026, DMT research spanned pharmacology, biosynthesis, and clinical effects. A randomized trial found that DMT plus harmine increased global brain glucose metabolism by 12.5% in healthy males, and a survey reported some adults with cluster headache use DMT with perceived benefits. However, evidence on endogenous DMT functions remains mixed and contested, and the safety of DMT analogs like 4-Br-DMT appears reduced compared to psilocin and DMT. Overall, findings are preliminary and limited by small samples and lack of long-term outcome data. 13 papers
- Meditation Practices Research published in June 2026 consistently indicates that mindfulness-based interventions reduce anxiety, stress, and depression across diverse populations, including students, parents, and clinical patients, with effect sizes ranging from moderate to large. Results are broadly consistent, though many studies are small, uncontrolled, or lack long-term follow-up, and some reviews note mixed findings and methodological limitations. 25 papers
- MDMA Compounds In June 2026, research on MDMA focused on both therapeutic efficacy and recreational risks. Clinical trials and a meta-analysis reported significant reductions in PTSD and social anxiety symptoms with MDMA-assisted therapy, though methodological concerns about blinding and expectancy persist. Recreational use studies highlighted high prevalence, frequent poly-drug use, and a shift toward MDA in seized ecstasy samples, while a small naturalistic study linked weekend use to a transient Monday mood decline. Overall, the evidence supports therapeutic promise but is tempered by small samples, open-label designs, and unresolved methodological limitations. 19 papers
- Psilocybin Compounds 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. 25 papers
- Mysticism Traditions & thought 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. 16 papers
- Altered states of consciousness Experiences Research in June 2026 on altered states of consciousness (ASCs) shows that various induction methods—including breathwork, virtual reality, and relaxation techniques—can produce measurable changes in subjective experience, with breathwork yielding large acute psychedelic-like effects and short-term psychological insight. Findings are consistent that ASCs involve shifts in self-referential processing and embodiment, but evidence is preliminary, with small samples and limited durability data. The main caveat is that most studies are exploratory or theoretical, and definitive conclusions about neural correlates or long-term transformation remain premature. 10 papers
- Psychedelic-assisted therapy Practices 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. 20 papers
- Philosophy of mind Traditions & thought 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. 25 papers
- Microdosing Practices 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. 6 papers
- Addiction Conditions 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. 14 papers
- Depression Conditions Research published in June 2026 indicates that both mindfulness-based interventions and rapid-acting antidepressants (ketamine, esketamine, psilocybin) show promise for depression, with mindfulness consistently reducing symptoms and psychedelics/ketamine providing rapid relief, especially in treatment-resistant cases. However, evidence is mixed regarding long-term durability, and many studies are limited by small samples, lack of blinding, or short follow-up periods. 25 papers
- LSD Compounds Research on LSD published in June 2026 shows mixed but promising therapeutic signals: a low-dose RCT in ADHD found an effect only on temporal processing, while a crossover trial in healthy adults found improved offline motor learning and reduced stress one week after a full dose. However, a systematic review concluded there is insufficient evidence to recommend psychedelics for ADHD, and preclinical work cautions that the head-twitch response alone does not reliably indicate psychoactivity. Overall, findings are preliminary and limited by small samples, secondary analyses, and lack of long-term data. 9 papers
- Shamanism Traditions & thought 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. 5 papers
- Ibogaine Compounds 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. 6 papers
May 2026
9 recaps · 128 papers- DMT Compounds Research on DMT in May 2026 explored its neuroprotective potential in Parkinson's disease and stroke models, its effects on brain dynamics and autonomic arousal, and its subjective effects modulated by 5-HT1A receptors. Findings were mixed: DMT showed anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects in preclinical models, but also increased insomnia severity in a small observational study. The evidence is limited by small sample sizes, preclinical designs, and lack of clinical trials. 10 papers
- Addiction Conditions Research in May 2026 suggests psilocybin may be effective for cocaine addiction, with one small study reporting 'remarkable' results, and an epigenetic study in alcohol use disorder identified methylome changes linked to psilocybin treatment. Ibogaine was associated with rapid detoxification and sustained abstinence in opioid-dependent individuals, though relapse occurred. However, evidence is limited by small sample sizes, lack of primary endpoint achievement, and qualitative designs. 6 papers
- MDMA Compounds Research published in May 2026 indicates that MDMA-assisted therapy produces moderate-to-large reductions in psychopathology (g = 1.03) compared to controls, though with high heterogeneity and low harm-reporting quality. MDMA consistently enhances subjective social experience and reduces social threat processing, but does not reliably increase observable prosocial behavior. However, safety concerns remain, including risks of hyponatremic encephalopathy in older adults and the potential for functional unblinding in trials, and evidence on long-term effects is limited. 14 papers
- LSD Compounds Research published in May 2026 indicates that LSD may induce neuroplastic changes—such as reversing aging-related transcriptional programs, enhancing white matter integrity, and prolonging stimulation-induced neural activity—which are associated with antidepressant and pain-relief effects, though these findings come from preclinical and small clinical studies. However, epidemiological data show mixed associations: LSD use is linked to higher insomnia severity in young cannabis users, while psychedelic use is associated with lower migraine odds in male twins, and no effects on authoritarian attitudes were found. The evidence is preliminary, with limited sample sizes and a need for replication and long-term outcome data. 10 papers
- Philosophy of mind Traditions & thought 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. 17 papers
- Serotonin Mechanisms Research published in May 2026 on serotonin spans diverse topics, including psychedelic mechanisms, therapeutic potential, and safety risks. Findings are mixed: some studies support anxiolytic and antidepressant effects of serotonergic psychedelics, while others highlight risks like serotonin syndrome and valvular heart disease. The evidence is largely preclinical or theoretical, with small human samples, and long-term durability and clinical translation remain unclear. 13 papers
- Mysticism Traditions & thought 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. 8 papers
- Psilocybin Compounds In May 2026, research on psilocybin showed large within-group effects on anxiety (g=0.96) and small between-group effects (g=0.48), with long-term antidepressant benefits persisting up to 12 months in treatment-resistant depression. However, blinding integrity was insufficient, with psilocybin showing the highest rates of functional unblinding, and evidence for cocaine use disorder and other conditions remains mixed or preliminary. The main caveat is that many studies are open-label, small, or have high heterogeneity, limiting the strength of conclusions. 25 papers
- Ketamine Compounds Research on ketamine in May 2026 shows it can provide rapid antidepressant and anti-suicidal effects, especially in treatment-resistant depression, but its superiority over active placebo (midazolam) is questioned due to blinding failures and small sample sizes. Evidence is mixed on long-term safety and optimal dosing, with some studies highlighting neurotoxic risks and others showing cognitive preservation. The main caveat is that many findings are preliminary, based on small samples, or limited by short follow-up. 25 papers