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.
February 2026
12 recaps · 164 papers- Neuroplasticity Mechanisms Research in February 2026 consistently indicates that psychedelic compounds (psilocybin, ayahuasca/DMT, ibogaine, 5-MeO-DMT, 2C-B) promote neuroplasticity through mechanisms such as BDNF/TrkB signaling, dendritic growth, synaptogenesis, and activity-dependent cortical network reorganization. However, most evidence comes from preclinical rodent and non-human primate studies, with human data limited to neuroimaging and theoretical reviews, so the clinical translation remains uncertain. 11 papers
- Microdosing Practices Research on microdosing in February 2026 shows mixed results: a small Phase 2 RCT found no significant antidepressant effect of microdosed psilocybin over placebo, while a Phase 2a trial of LSD microdosing reported short-term mood improvements in depression. Epidemiological data indicate microdosing is common among young adults who use hallucinogens and is associated with higher rates of other substance use. The evidence is limited by small sample sizes, open-label phases, and a lack of consistent controlled findings. 9 papers
- Default mode network Mechanisms Research in February 2026 indicates that the default mode network (DMN) is consistently implicated in conditions like chronic pain, meditation, and unconscious processing, with findings showing both hyperconnectivity in chronic pain and altered connectivity in long-term meditators. The evidence is largely observational or review-based, with small sample sizes and a need for randomized trials to confirm causal effects. Overall, the DMN appears to play a central role in self-referential processing, memory consolidation, and the neural basis of altered states, but the durability and generalizability of these findings remain unclear. 8 papers
- Serotonin Mechanisms In February 2026, serotonin research spanned diverse areas, including psychedelic mechanisms, therapeutic applications, and safety. Findings were mixed: psilocybin showed therapeutic promise in animal models of brain injury and Fragile X syndrome, but also impaired short-term cognitive flexibility in rats. Studies on DMT and MDMA revealed complex, sometimes contradictory effects, with DMT not acting as a serotonin co-transmitter and MDMA's effects being stereoselective and sex-dependent. Overall, the evidence is preliminary and mostly preclinical, with limited clinical data, highlighting the need for more human studies and long-term safety assessments. 18 papers
- Buddhism Traditions & thought Research on Buddhism in February 2026 spans theoretical, philosophical, and applied clinical domains. Empirical studies show that Buddhist-informed interventions (traditional mindfulness, meditation awareness training) yield positive effects on depressive symptoms and cancer-related distress, though evidence is preliminary (pilot, qualitative). Theoretical work argues for integrating Buddhist epistemology into AI, leadership, and consciousness studies, but these are conceptual claims rather than empirical findings. Overall, the evidence is consistent in supporting the value of Buddhist principles for well-being, but durability and generalizability remain understudied. 12 papers
- PTSD Conditions Research published in February 2026 on PTSD spans mechanistic reviews, real-world treatment outcomes, and qualitative access studies. A large retrospective cohort found at-home ketamine-assisted therapy associated with large PTSD symptom reductions (44.6% mean decrease, 79.7% response, 60.7% remission), while reviews highlight the importance of sleep-focused interventions and the synergistic neurobiological and relational mechanisms of MDMA-assisted therapy. However, most evidence is observational or qualitative, with small samples and limited long-term follow-up, so conclusions about efficacy remain preliminary. 9 papers
- LSD Compounds Research on LSD in February 2026 shows short-term mood improvements from microdosing in depression (Phase 2a trial) and significant antidepressant and anxiolytic effects in a large compassionate-use cohort, but also identifies potential cardiac risks from chronic use via 5-HT2B receptor activation. Results are consistent across clinical and real-world settings, but the evidence is limited by small samples, open-label designs, and lack of long-term safety data. 11 papers
- Anxiety Conditions Research published in February 2026 indicates that mindfulness-based interventions, including meditation, mindful breathing, and MBSR, consistently reduce anxiety across student, clinical, and general populations, with meta-analyses showing moderate effects (Hedges' g ≈ -0.45 to -0.58). Psychedelic-assisted therapies (psilocybin, ketamine) also show large improvements in anxiety and related symptoms, though these findings come from open-label or retrospective studies with limited controls. The main caveats are small sample sizes, lack of blinding, and limited long-term follow-up data. 25 papers
- Cannabis Compounds In February 2026, cannabis research focused on THC's effects on brain development, behavior, and therapeutic potential. Preclinical studies consistently showed that early-life THC exposure can alter neurodevelopment, motivation, and memory in rodents, with sex-specific effects. Human trials indicated that acute THC can reduce alcohol consumption and affect fear memory in PTSD, but chronic use was not associated with lasting cognitive impairments. The evidence is mixed regarding long-term harms, and most findings come from animal models or short-term human studies, limiting generalizability. 12 papers
- Ayahuasca Compounds Research published in February 2026 indicates that ayahuasca and its main component DMT show promise for treating mental health conditions, particularly depression and trauma-related fear, with evidence from preclinical studies and reviews suggesting positive effects on neuroplasticity and fear extinction. However, clinical evidence remains largely observational and preliminary, with systematic reviews noting inconsistent long-term outcomes and potential psychiatric complications in some users. The main caveat is the lack of large, randomized controlled trials and the need for further research on safety, dosing, and long-term effects. 9 papers
- MDMA Compounds Research published in February 2026 on MDMA spans therapeutic mechanisms, naturalistic associations, and potential harms. Findings are mixed: some studies suggest MDMA-assisted therapy may work through synergistic neurobiological and relational mechanisms, while others report null or even opposite effects on prosocial behavior and no acute effect on endocannabinoids. The evidence is largely preclinical or observational, with small samples and limited long-term data, so conclusions about efficacy and safety remain tentative. 15 papers
- Psilocybin Compounds Research on psilocybin in February 2026 shows promising but preliminary therapeutic effects across several conditions, including post-treatment Lyme disease, treatment-resistant depression, and OCD, with improvements often sustained for months. However, evidence is limited by small sample sizes, open-label designs, and a lack of robust placebo controls in many studies, and a microdosing trial for MDD found no difference from placebo. The main caveat is that while acute effects and short-term safety appear favorable, long-term data and large-scale confirmatory trials are still needed. 25 papers
January 2026
18 recaps · 309 papers- Serotonin Mechanisms Research on serotonin in January 2026 focused heavily on psychedelic compounds, particularly psilocybin, with consistent evidence from clinical trials and reviews supporting rapid and sustained antidepressant effects, likely mediated by 5-HT2A receptor activation and neuroplasticity. Preclinical studies also identified mechanisms such as Gi signaling and long-term synaptic depression, while safety data showed no seizure liability for 5-MeO-DMT. However, most findings come from small samples, animal models, or narrative reviews, and durability beyond six months remains uncertain. 22 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
- Anxiety Conditions Research in January 2026 consistently shows that mindfulness-based interventions reduce anxiety across diverse populations, including students, athletes, cancer patients, and postpartum women, with effect sizes ranging from moderate to large. However, evidence is mixed for brief mindful walking and ketamine, which may increase anxiety in repeated exposure. Main caveats include small samples, short follow-ups, and heterogeneity in intervention delivery. 25 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
- 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
- Depression Conditions Research published in January 2026 indicates that psychedelic and glutamatergic treatments—particularly psilocybin, esketamine, and ketamine—show promising antidepressant effects, with psilocybin demonstrating large effect sizes and esketamine showing substantial real-world effectiveness, though one RCT found ketamine no better than placebo in inpatients. Evidence is mixed regarding durability and optimal protocols, and most studies are reviews, retrospective, or small, with limited long-term safety data. 25 papers
- Ayahuasca Compounds Research on ayahuasca published in January 2026 shows that it can enhance functional connectivity in brain networks related to social perception and cognition, and that ritualistic use combined with psychotherapeutic support is associated with significant reductions in depressive symptoms sustained for up to 180 days. However, the evidence is limited by small sample sizes (e.g., n=12 in the fMRI study) and the observational design of the longitudinal study, which lacks a control group. Overall, the findings are consistent in suggesting therapeutic potential, but confidence is constrained by the small scale and lack of controlled trials. 10 papers
- PTSD Conditions Research published in January 2026 on PTSD spans diverse interventions and outcomes. A large RCT found no overall benefit of ketamine over placebo, though a machine-learning model using DNA methylation predicted responders with 92.9% accuracy. Preclinical work in rats suggests nitrous oxide may reduce anxiety and enhance neurogenesis, while case reports and series hint at benefits from yogic practices and oral dextromethorphan, but also warn of potential adverse effects such as new-onset OCD after MDMA-assisted therapy. Overall, the evidence is mixed and largely preliminary, with many studies being small, uncontrolled, or ongoing. 8 papers
- DMT Compounds Research published in January 2026 on DMT and related compounds (5-MeO-DMT, ayahuasca alkaloids) spans preclinical, clinical, and theoretical domains. Preclinical studies in rodents and canines suggest potential therapeutic and safety signals—DMT reversed depressive-like behavior and cognitive deficits in stressed mice, and 5-MeO-DMT did not induce seizures in dogs—while a human PET study found a 12.5% increase in global brain glucose metabolism under DMT+harmine. However, evidence is largely preliminary, with small samples, animal models, and theoretical frameworks, and no large-scale clinical trials were reported. 13 papers
- Psilocybin Compounds Research in January 2026 consistently indicates that psilocybin-assisted therapy shows promising, rapid, robust, and sustained antidepressant effects for major depressive disorder, including treatment-resistant depression, and for psychological distress in palliative care. Mechanistically, it appears to act through 5-HT2A receptor agonism, enhancing neuroplasticity and reorganizing brain networks. A main caveat is the need for further research on long-term safety and efficacy, optimal treatment protocols, and careful consideration for populations like those with bipolar disorder due to reported risks of mania or psychosis. 25 papers
- MDMA Compounds Research on MDMA in January 2026 shows mixed findings: while MDMA-assisted therapy shows promise for PTSD and social anxiety, a case report documents new-onset OCD after treatment, and an open-label pilot found small, non-significant changes in inflammatory biomarkers. A review highlights that MDMA has not been approved for medical use due to lack of clear neurobiological insight, and a cross-sectional analysis reveals inconsistencies in protocol and adverse event reporting across clinical trials, undermining credibility and safety evaluation. 23 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
- 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
- Mystical experience Experiences Research in January 2026 found that mystical experiences are strongly influenced by psychological context (set) and spirituality, with psilocybin-assisted therapy studies showing significant associations between spirituality, intentions, and mystical experience intensity. A real-world case series on ketamine combined with psychotherapy found that ego dissolution (a mystical-type experience) correlated with symptom improvement in treatment-resistant depression. However, evidence is limited by small sample sizes, open-label designs, and the theoretical nature of some studies. 7 papers
- Default mode network Mechanisms Research in January 2026 consistently links default mode network (DMN) activity to self-referential processing and altered states, with psychedelics and meditation shown to modulate DMN connectivity in ways that correlate with therapeutic effects. However, findings are mixed regarding the DMN's role in specific conditions and interventions, and many studies are theoretical or preliminary, highlighting the need for more direct, longitudinal evidence. 18 papers
- Neuroplasticity Mechanisms Research published in January 2026 consistently finds that serotonergic psychedelics (psilocybin, DMT) promote neuroplasticity—including synaptogenesis, neurogenesis, and synaptic remodeling—which is linked to rapid and sustained antidepressant effects. Evidence comes from preclinical models, human neuroimaging, and clinical trials, but most studies are reviews or small-sample experiments, and durability beyond one year remains unstudied. 11 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
- Ibogaine Compounds Research on ibogaine in January 2026 shows mixed findings: it may offer rapid clinical improvements for neuropsychiatric disorders like TBI and PTSD in veterans and show potential for Parkinson's disease, but it also carries a rare but serious risk of cardiotoxicity (QTc prolongation and ventricular arrhythmias). Additionally, there is concern that promoting ibogaine for opioid use disorder could lead patients to discontinue proven, mortality-reducing medications, increasing overdose risk. The evidence is limited by small, open-label studies and case reports, with no large controlled trials. 4 papers