Psychedelic research recap January 2025

The Bloom is possibly the best regular science-based psychedelic newsletter. They comment: "In the last edition, I noted that the research on psychedelics has accelerated. From an average of about 100 studies, last month saw a record of 183 studies published. But, we only added 11 studies to the database. More studies than ever are reviews, commentaries, and perspectives. Though they can provide a great introduction for a specific audience, they aren't material to add." And they point out: "Five studies have been testing how psychedelic treatments work in practice. One trial found that a single dose of psilocybin helped people with severe depression who hadn’t improved with other treatments. Another showed that combining psilocybin with group mindfulness sessions helped reduce stress and depression in healthcare workers. We’ve also learned that ketamine nasal spray works faster and longer than traditional antidepressants, and that adjustable doses of ketamine can help reduce anxiety. Looking at the bigger picture, researchers have been studying how these treatments work in the real world. A large review of ketamine nasal spray found modest benefits for hard-to-treat depression, though it raised some safety questions. However, another study found that the treatment did help reduce hospital visits and medical costs compared to usual care. Other studies looked at how psilocybin therapy works, including its ability to change negative thought patterns and improve well-being."

For more psychedelic news and research, visit the psychedelic health professional network homepage.