Psilocybin restores social drive in an autism mouse model even under anesthesia
Posted: 9/24/2026New research provides evidence that a single dose of psilocybin can durably increase social behavior in mice with genetic traits related to autism. The findings indicate that these behavioral benefits occur even if the mice are anesthetized during the drug’s acute effects, which suggests the subjective psychedelic experience is not strictly required. The study was […]
FDA's Psychedelics Hearing Was an Industry Trade Show
Posted: 9/23/2026The crew discusses the FDA's September 14 psychedelic hearing, including Neşe's experience being in attendance, the financial conflicts of interest at the event, and the pseudoscientific beliefs of practitioners who gave testimony.
Psilocybin and standard antidepressants both shift the brain away from negative biases
Posted: 9/20/2026A new study reveals that psilocybin and standard antidepressants both reduce the brain's tendency to misinterpret facial expressions as negative. The research suggests these two distinct treatments share a common cognitive effect in the fight against depression.
It's Not Just Reggie Watts
Posted: 9/11/2026Psymposia dives into the recent Rolling Stone article — "Reggie Watts Is a Prominent Ketamine Advocate. Was It His Ex’s ‘Undoing’?" — and explores how the dynamics at play in that article are pervasive within the psychedelic advocacy scene.
Psilocybin prevents chemotherapy-induced nerve damage in new preclinical study
Posted: 9/10/2026Could a compound found in magic mushrooms prevent one of chemotherapy’s worst side effects? New preclinical research shows that prophylactic psilocybin protects sensory nerves from toxic cancer drugs, opening the door for upcoming clinical trials in humans.
Andrew Callaghan Harassment, Drug Legalization, & Creating Documentaries (w/ Alex Novell)
Posted: 9/9/2026Psymposia interviews YouTube documentarian @Alex-Novell about his experience with Andrew Callaghan and Channel 5, drug legalization, and creating documentary films.
Coming Out of the Psychedelic Closet, Ten Years Later
Posted: 9/7/2026Psymposia discusses takeaways from their "Psychedelic Conversion Therapy" series and reflects on the ten year anniversary of their "Coming Out of the Psychedelic Closet" series.
First human trial of psilocin since the 1960s reveals better tolerability than psilocybin
Posted: 9/5/2026A new study suggests that consuming psilocin directly—rather than its precursor, psilocybin—provides a similar psychedelic experience with fewer side effects. Researchers also found that taking the drug under the tongue produced emotional breakthroughs despite milder effects.
How NOT to Cover Right-Wing Psychedelia
Posted: 9/4/2026Psymposia discusses the recent right wing psychedelia coverage in The New Yorker, and their history with the author of the piece.
Psilocin triggers rapid neural growth in laboratory study
Posted: 9/3/2026Psilocin, the active compound in magic mushrooms, promotes the rapid growth of neural connections in laboratory settings. A new study reveals how these structural changes match the effects of established psychiatric drugs like ketamine and lithium.
Psilocybin therapy shows strong potential for treating cocaine addiction
Posted: 9/2/2026Two new studies suggest psychedelic compounds could help treat cocaine addiction. A human trial found psilocybin combined with therapy reduced cocaine use, while an animal study indicated that environmental support is needed to prevent long-term relapse.
Anti-Trans Academia (w/ The Needle)
Posted: 9/2/2026We spoke with The Needle about their investigation into how a hate group funded and influenced anti-trans research at McMaster University.
Psilocybin reverses depressive behaviors and restores brain cell growth in stressed rats
Posted: 8/29/2026Two low doses of psilocybin helped chronically stressed rats recover their ability to experience pleasure while reducing anxiety. The psychedelic compound also promoted the birth of new neurons and normalized stress hormone levels.
Psychedelic drug calms hyperactive brain cells linked to chronic pain
Posted: 8/16/2026A single dose of psilocybin rapidly relieved both chronic pain and depression-like symptoms in mice. Researchers discovered the psychedelic compound works by calming hyperactive neurons in a specific brain region associated with both conditions.
Daily, but not weekly, psilocin mucate lowers cortisol and anxiety in stressed rats
Posted: 8/13/2026A new study reveals that daily doses of psilocin mucate, a stable derivative of the psychedelic compound psilocybin, significantly reduced anxiety and stress hormones in rats. However, weekly dosing did not produce the same anti-anxiety benefits.
Psilocybin combined with talk therapy shows potential for treating anorexia nervosa
Posted: 8/9/2026Anorexia nervosa is notoriously difficult to treat, often resisting standard care. Now, a new pilot study suggests that psilocybin therapy, paired with psychological support, could safely help reduce eating disorder symptoms and boost the motivation to recover.
Why Psychedelics Make Everything Feel Deeply Connected
Posted: 8/7/2026A new study introduces "apical hypercontextualisation," explaining how psychedelics target serotonin receptors on layer V pyramidal neurons to shift brain processing from raw sensory input toward associative context.
Psilocybin therapy sessions for PTSD are mostly silent, study finds
Posted: 8/7/2026New research indicates that psilocybin treatment for PTSD involves very little talking. Instead of traditional psychotherapy, data suggests patients benefit most from the quiet, unobtrusive presence of support staff.
Psilocybin increases brain flexibility and shifts information flow weeks after use
Posted: 8/2/2026A single dose of psilocybin can alter brain communication for up to a month. New research suggests the psychedelic increases brain flexibility and shifts information flow, offering clues to its lasting effects on mental health.
Psychedelics and Ketamine Rewire Brain Immune Signals in Depression
Posted: 8/1/2026Ketamine and psychedelics share a neuroimmune signaling pathway involving IL-15 and IL-7, offering blood-based biomarkers to predict antidepressant response.
Occasional magic mushroom use linked to better mental health among alcohol drinkers
Posted: 8/1/2026Researchers analyzing nationwide survey data found that adults using psilocybin infrequently alongside alcohol reported less anxiety and depression than non-psilocybin users, suggesting potential benefits outside clinical settings.
Psilocybin Therapy Drives 75% PTSD Remission
Posted: 7/30/2026A new study demonstrates that psilocybin-assisted therapy is safe and achieves a 75% remission rate in veterans with severe, treatment-resistant PTSD.
Psilocybin-assisted therapy shows promise for veterans with severe, treatment-resistant PTSD
Posted: 7/30/2026A pilot clinical trial suggests that psilocybin combined with psychotherapy is safe and well-tolerated by veterans with severe, treatment-resistant PTSD. The study found that most participants no longer met the diagnostic criteria for PTSD.
Magic mushroom compound could help defend skin against premature aging
Posted: 7/27/2026New research indicates that psilocybin, the active compound in magic mushrooms, might protect human skin cells from premature aging. In laboratory tests, the psychedelic compound reduced inflammation and cellular stress caused by high sugar and fat levels.
Oregon's Psilocybin Experiment: Two Years In, What's Working and What Isn't
Posted: 7/15/2026Unlike clinical trials or simple decriminalization, Oregon's model allows people to use psilocybin for personal growth without a prescription. It was a bold leap into unknown territory.
Psychedelic Trips Can Halt Political Hate
Posted: 7/5/2026The collective cultural mood surrounding a psychedelic experience shapes its psychological aftermath. Participants whose most intense trips occurred on the Fourth of July reported a long-term decrease in support for partisan violence, while those whose experiences coincided with national party conventions or election season demonstrated an increase in violent partisan support.
A single dose of psilocybin reduces reward-seeking behavior by altering inhibitory brain cells
Posted: 7/3/2026A single dose of psilocybin reduces the drive to seek out rewards by increasing the activity of inhibitory brain cells. These findings help explain how psychedelics might induce long-lasting changes in brain circuits to treat substance use disorders.