Professional Psychology Research and Practice
February 1, 2026
Jorge Encantado, Laura C. Carvalho, Pedro Mota et al.
Psilocybin, a hallucinogen, shows promise in transforming mental health care, with 70% of participants reporting significant improvements in depression and anxiety after treatment. In a clinical study involving 100 individuals, those receiving psilocybin therapy experienced an average reduction of 60% in symptoms within three weeks. Health professionals in psychiatry and clinical psychology are increasingly exploring psychedelics as viable options for patients. This shift could reshape mental health approaches, offering hope to those struggling with traditional therapies in Portugal and beyond.
Journal of Health Psychology
December 31, 2025
Laura C. Carvalho, Jorge Encantado, Arlen C. Moller et al.
Psychedelic experiences may help people adopt healthier behaviors, according to a survey of 271 adults. Participants reported changes across 74 behaviors after their most impactful psychedelic experience. The most common changes were increases in contemplative practices (63%), time spent in nature (55%), and personally meaningful social activities (54%). Most changes were in a healthy direction. Higher perceived meaningfulness of the experience and having a set intention beforehand were significantly associated with overall healthy change. The study cannot establish causality but suggests that intention and meaningfulness are candidate mechanisms for how psychedelics might facilitate positive behavior change.
Sci Rep
November 25, 2025
Laura C. Carvalho, Jorge Encantado, Michiel van Elk et al.
Psychedelic experiences may help people adopt healthier behaviors like improved diet, more exercise, and regular meditation, according to a survey of 96 practitioners working in legal and underground settings. Practitioners reported perceived positive changes in clients' contemplative practices (61.4%), time in nature (60.1%), eating patterns (56.9%), and diet and nutrition (56%). The findings suggest that practitioners often see psychedelic experiences as linked to beneficial health behavior changes, though further research is needed to confirm these results and understand their long-term sustainability.