Scientific Reports
November 18, 2021
Joseph M. Rootman, Pamela Kryskow, Kalin Harvey et al.
78 citations
Among self-selected users of a mobile app, people who microdose psychedelics (mostly psilocybin, 85%) were similar demographically to non-microdosers but more often reported a history of mental health concerns. Within that group, microdosers had lower levels of depression, anxiety, and stress across genders. Health and wellness motives were the most common reasons for microdosing, especially among women and those with mental health concerns. The findings highlight a need for rigorous longitudinal research on microdosing's mental health effects.
Scientific Reports
June 30, 2022
Joseph M. Rootman, Maggie Kiraga, Pamela Kryskow et al.
53 citations
A naturalistic observational study followed 953 people who microdosed psilocybin (taking small, non-hallucinogenic doses of psychedelic mushrooms) and 180 non-microdosers for about 30 days. Small to medium improvements in mood and mental health were observed among microdosers, consistent across gender, age, and pre-existing mental health concerns. Older adults showed specific improvements in psychomotor performance. Combining psilocybin with lion's mane mushrooms and niacin did not affect mood or mental health changes, but among older microdosers, this combination was linked to greater psychomotor improvements than psilocybin alone or with lion's mane. These findings add controlled evidence to the growing research on psychedelic microdosing.
Frontiers in Psychiatry
January 12, 2022
Shannon Dames, Pamela Kryskow, Crosbie Watler
38 citations
A multidisciplinary team developed a ketamine-assisted psychotherapy program delivered in a community-of-practice group model for healthcare providers experiencing distress. In a quality improvement evaluation of 94 patients across three cohorts, mean mental health scores improved significantly from baseline to 1–2 weeks after the 12-week program. Among those screening positive at baseline, 91% showed improvements in generalized anxiety, 79% in depression, 86% of those with PTSD no longer screened positive, and 92% had significant work/life functionality improvements. Qualitative feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Results suggest the program is effective for treating depression, PTSD, generalized anxiety, and functional impairment.
European Journal of Pain
August 20, 2023
Mauro Cavarra, Amanda Feilding, Pamela Kryskow et al.
28 citations
A survey of people with chronic pain conditions found that, except for sciatica, those who used psychedelics (full doses or microdoses) reported better pain relief than with conventional medication. Full doses outperformed conventional medication for fibromyalgia, arthritis, migraine, and tension-type headache. Microdoses provided significantly better relief than conventional medication for migraines and comparable relief for the other conditions. The findings suggest that psychedelics may hold value for treating some chronic pain conditions.
Br J Pain
July 14, 2022
Valerie Bonnelle, Will J Smith, Natasha L Mason et al.
26 citations
A survey of chronic pain sufferers who have used classical psychedelics reports that both macrodoses and microdoses are associated with pain relief. Among respondents, 78% reported pain reduction after macrodosing, and 55% reported pain reduction after microdosing. The findings suggest that psychedelics may have analgesic potential in this population, though the survey design cannot establish causation.
Journal of occupational and environmental medicine
June 1, 2025
Vivian Wl Tsang, Michelle Cq Lin, Cassandra M Choles et al.
4 citations
Firefighters who completed a 12-week ketamine-assisted group therapy program showed significant and lasting reductions in symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder and anxiety. Questionnaire scores for PTSD and anxiety decreased substantially by the end of the program, and these improvements were still present six months later. Participants also reported that being in a group with other firefighters was beneficial. The findings suggest that this combined treatment approach may effectively address mental health challenges in this high-risk occupation.
Journal of Psychedelic Studies
October 29, 2024
Pamela Kryskow, Paul Stamets, Joseph la Torre et al.
4 citations
In a program offering psilocybin-assisted therapy for end-of-life distress, participants received synthetic psilocybin, whole Psilocybe cubensis mushrooms, and a mycological extract on separate occasions. Post-treatment interview transcripts revealed broad consensus that all three forms were helpful and similar, generating visual and perceptual distortions, emotional and cognitive insight, and mystical experiences. However, synthetic psilocybin was described as feeling less natural and its overall quality of experience was inferior to the organic forms. These preliminary findings suggest that research should include whole psychedelic mushrooms and extract alongside synthetic psilocybin, given that traditional medicine keepers have used whole mushrooms and plant material for millennia.
Psychedelic Med (New Rochelle)
September 4, 2024
Shannon Dames, Crosbie Watler, Pamela Kryskow et al.
4 citations
Training programs for psychedelic-assisted therapy should include firsthand experience of nonordinary states of consciousness as a core component for developing therapist competence. The argument centers on how direct engagement with altered states provides practitioners with essential insights into the therapeutic process, enhances empathy and understanding of patients' experiences, and improves the effectiveness of therapeutic guidance. This experiential learning is presented as critical for achieving optimal healing outcomes and treatment efficacy, rather than relying solely on theoretical knowledge or observational training.
Frontiers in Psychiatry
September 22, 2025
Shannon Dames, Pamela Kryskow, Vivian W. L. Tsang et al.
3 citations
RTT-KaT is a structured, scalable, evidence-informed, and culturally responsive model that bridges clinical safety with both Western and Indigenous knowledge systems. A longitudinal follow-up study is currently underway to evaluate its long-term impact and guide future implementations.
Sci Rep
July 28, 2022
Joseph M. Rootman, Maggie Kiraga, Pamela Kryskow et al.
2 citations
No Summary
Molecular psychiatry
April 1, 2026
Josh Allen, Mujun Sun, Tamara L Baker et al.
1 citation
In a rat model of recurrent intimate partner violence brain injury (daily mild traumatic brain injury plus non-fatal strangulation for five days followed by 16 weeks of recovery), a single dose of psilocybin (1 mg/kg) reversed injury-induced anxiety-like behavior in the elevated plus-maze, increased sucrose preference (indicating reduced anhedonia), and improved reversal learning in the water maze and spatial memory in the Y-maze. Psilocybin also prevented the increase in microglial cells in the dorsal hippocampal molecular layer and the loss of reelin-positive cells in the subgranular zone seen in saline-treated injured rats. Pre-treatment with a 5-HT2A receptor antagonist blocked psilocybin's behavioral effects, indicating these benefits depend on 5-HT2A receptor activation.
Schizophrenia Research
March 13, 2026
Michel Sabé, Paul Grof, Nathan B. Sackett et al.
1 citation
Serotonergic psychedelics, which are being explored for treatment-resistant depression, might also help with depressive and negative symptoms in schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSDs). Schizophrenia and depression share some underlying brain disturbances, including problems with dopamine, glutamate, and neuroplasticity, as well as abnormal brain network connectivity. Depressive symptoms in SSDs may combine features of both disorders, and psychedelics could potentially recalibrate maladaptive brain networks. Preclinical studies show psychedelics increase dendritic spines and BDNF and restore reward sensitivity. Clinical evidence is limited: uncontrolled psychedelic use is linked to increased psychosis, but controlled administration may be tolerated in stable individuals. Only one early-phase trial with MDMA in schizophrenia is ongoing; no randomized trials have tested psilocybin or LSD in SSDs. The authors conclude that psychedelics are biologically plausible but unproven for these symptoms.
Journal of occupational and environmental medicine
February 2, 2026
Vivian Wl Tsang, Tavneet Walia, Katherine Sattler et al.
1 citation
Firefighters face higher rates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) than the general population, with an average prevalence of 7.3% compared to 1.3–3.5%. Conventional treatments often show limited effectiveness, and ketamine-assisted therapy (KAT) has emerged as a promising option. Interviews with six firefighters enrolled in but not yet started a KAT program revealed four major themes: feeling stuck and reaching a breaking point, stigma surrounding both PTSD and ketamine treatment, the need for self-advocacy to access care, and significant financial and logistical barriers. The findings underscore the need for systemic changes to better support treatment-seeking individuals.
Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England)
January 30, 2026
Veronica Magar, Marlena Robbins, Óscar Martín López Fernández Lobo Blanco et al.
1 citation
Indigenous Peoples have long stewarded natural psychoactive medicines through ceremony and kinship, yet their contributions are often marginalized in psychedelic science. This commentary argues for reciprocal collaboration grounded in Indigenous sovereignty, cultural rights, and governance. Drawing on traditions involving ayahuasca, psilocybin, peyote, and iboga, it illustrates how Indigenous methodologies offer critical insights for safety and efficacy. The authors call for embedding free, prior, and informed consent, equitable benefit-sharing, and Indigenous leadership in research and policy, moving beyond tokenism toward systemic change. They conclude by urging formal, transparent convening processes modeled on WHO global consultations to bring Indigenous leaders, researchers, and policymakers together.
Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
October 17, 2025
Vivian W. L. Tsang, Megan Kennedy, Tarun Walia et al.
1 citation
A qualitative case study of six firefighters with PTSD who completed a 12-week ketamine-assisted therapy program found that, beyond reducing PTSD symptoms, participants reported improvements in sleep problems, a changed relationship to music, better tolerance for sensory stimuli, and altered time perception. These themes suggest ketamine-assisted therapy may provide meaningful benefits that extend beyond symptom reduction.
Human Arenas
April 25, 2026
Shannon Dames, Grace Scharf, Vivian W.l. Tsang et al.
Ritual functions as a relational organizing container that stabilizes psychedelic therapy by regulating the nervous system, orienting attention, and anchoring meaning through predictable sequencing and symbolic framing. Without clear frameworks, ritual applications risk becoming prescriptive or ethically problematic, especially when borrowing from Indigenous traditions without relational accountability. A principle-informed framework translates these functions into consent-based, culturally humble, and autonomy-protective clinical practice, shifting from prescribed techniques to co-created processes across preparation, dosing, and integration. This approach supports flexible, relational care that honors cultural context, participant agency, and situated meaning-making.
Frontiers in Public Health
January 29, 2026
Vivian W. L. Tsang, Camille Roney, Pamela Kryskow et al.
Psilocybin-assisted therapy (PAT) combines psilocybin with structured psychological support to address psychological, emotional, and existential distress, particularly at end of life. The therapy is relational in nature, recognizing that healing occurs through human connection. Roots to Thrive in Nanaimo, British Columbia, is the only multidisciplinary non-profit healthcare practice in Canada legally offering group PAT, primarily serving terminally ill patients. Between 2022 and late 2024, 471 Special Access Program (SAP) applications were submitted for psilocybin or MDMA in Canada, with about 318 approved.
Psychopharmacology
October 11, 2025
Michelle St Pierre, Elena Argento, Jordyn Cates et al.
On days when adults microdose psychedelics, they report higher levels of wellbeing, productivity, creativity, connectedness, contemplation, and focus compared to days they do not microdose. The increase in creativity is especially pronounced among people who have previously used larger doses of psychedelics. These findings come from a large international survey of 1,435 adults who microdose, using daily-level self-reports that reduce reliance on memory. Because the study is observational and exploratory, the results should be interpreted cautiously.
Frontiers in psychiatry
January 1, 2022
Shannon Dames, Pamela Kryskow, Crosbie Watler
correction
This notice corrects an error in a previously published article. No new findings, data, or arguments are presented.