Research recaps
158 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.
January 2026
8 recaps · 153 papers- Philosophy of mind Traditions & thought Research on philosophy of mind in January 2026 is highly diverse and largely theoretical, with no single empirical conclusion. The literature spans metaphysical debates (e.g., enactivism, trivialism about the explanatory gap), phenomenological methods (e.g., microphenomenology, neurophenomenology), and conceptual analyses of consciousness, self, and psychosis. The evidence is almost entirely non-empirical, consisting of philosophical arguments, theoretical frameworks, and reviews, with a few empirical studies on related phenomena (e.g., near-death experiences, felt presence, thought dynamics) that do not directly test philosophical claims. 25 papers
- Psychedelic-assisted therapy Practices Research in January 2026 indicates that psychedelic-assisted therapy shows promise for conditions like depression, PTSD, and substance use disorders, with psilocybin demonstrating rapid and sustained antidepressant effects and MDMA showing efficacy for PTSD, though challenges remain in cost, accessibility, and standardization. However, the evidence is mixed, with some studies highlighting risks such as new-onset OCD after MDMA therapy and the need for more rigorous, diverse, and long-term research to confirm efficacy and safety. 21 papers
- Ketamine Compounds Research in January 2026 indicates that ketamine and esketamine generally show rapid antidepressant effects, particularly for treatment-resistant depression (TRD), postpartum depression, and bipolar depression, with some evidence for long-term effectiveness and use in complex cases like opioid tapering and trauma. However, one randomized trial found no significant benefit of serial ketamine infusions over a psychoactive placebo for inpatient depression, and a small trial found no statistically significant anti-fatigue effect. Potential adverse effects include neurotoxicity in animal models, postoperative delirium in a case report, and urinary symptoms with long-term esketamine use. 25 papers
- Mysticism Traditions & thought Research on mysticism in January 2026 was predominantly theoretical and comparative, exploring mystical experiences across religious traditions, philosophical frameworks, and their ethical implications. Empirical studies were limited, with one finding that psychological context ('set') is more strongly associated with psychedelic outcomes than substance type, and another showing that spirituality, intentions, and mindset are significantly correlated with mystical experiences in psilocybin-assisted therapy. The evidence is insufficient to draw broad conclusions about mysticism due to the scarcity of empirical studies and the dominance of theoretical analyses. 12 papers
- Meditation Practices Research published in January 2026 indicates that mindfulness- and meditation-based interventions generally reduce stress and anxiety and improve well-being across diverse populations, including students, clinicians, and caregivers, with effects ranging from brief (e.g., a 13-minute meditation) to sustained over months. However, findings are not universal: brief mindfulness can increase risk-taking, and benefits for intergroup attitudes depend on individual characteristics. Evidence is limited by small samples, short follow-ups, and heterogeneous designs. 25 papers
- Cannabis Compounds Research on cannabis in January 2026 shows mixed findings: while acute THC intoxication enhances reward-related brain activity and can be detected with high accuracy using fNIRS, chronic use is associated with cognitive impairments (e.g., slower reaction speed, reduced prefrontal signal complexity) and lower hippocampal volume. However, a meta-analysis found no clear evidence that cannabis-based medicines provide clinically meaningful pain relief for neuropathic pain, and one observational study paradoxically found better cognition in cannabis users with psychosis. Overall, the evidence is inconsistent and limited by small samples, observational designs, and ongoing trials. 12 papers
- Addiction Conditions Research published in January 2026 indicates that psychedelics such as psilocybin, MDMA, LSD, and ayahuasca show promise for treating substance use disorders, often in conjunction with psychotherapy, though methodological concerns and safety risks remain. Evidence from reviews and observational studies is generally consistent in suggesting symptom reduction, but the field is limited by small samples, open-label designs, and potential risks such as drug interactions and the framing of ibogaine as an alternative to standard opioid use disorder medications. The main caveat is that most findings come from narrative reviews and observational data rather than large, controlled trials, and durability of effects beyond six months is not well established. 10 papers
- Buddhism Traditions & thought Research on Buddhism in January 2026 was predominantly theoretical and philosophical, focusing on meditation's spiritual roots, comparative analyses with other traditions, and applications in psychology, AI, and education. Empirical studies were scarce, with one intervention showing that a classical music meditation program increased metacognitive awareness and empathy, and one AI study finding that contemplative prompting improved alignment and cooperation. The evidence is largely conceptual rather than experimental, so conclusions about efficacy are limited and require more empirical validation. 23 papers