Research recaps
125 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.
June 2026
- Serotonin 15 papers In June 2026, serotonin research focused on the 5-HT2A receptor's role in mediating psychedelic effects and therapeutic potential, with studies finding that mGluR2 does not directly interact with 5-HT2A receptors, that 5-HT2B receptors are necessary for psilocybin's antidepressant-like effects in rats, and that psilocybin can restore 5-HT2A signaling after traumatic brain injury. Results were generally consistent across studies, but the evidence is limited by small sample sizes, preclinical models, and a lack of human trials for many findings.
- Addiction 14 papers Research in June 2026 on addiction found that psychedelic-assisted therapy shows cautious potential for substance use disorders, with strongest evidence from RCTs for ketamine reducing craving and from systematic reviews for psilocybin, though much evidence remains observational. Ibogaine treatment carries a mortality risk largely confined to opioid detoxification, and attitudes among professionals and patients are cautiously optimistic but highlight the need for more education and research. The main caveat is that the evidence base is still heterogeneous and limited by small samples, open-label designs, and lack of long-term durability data.
- Buddhism 8 papers Research on Buddhism in June 2026 was predominantly theoretical and comparative, focusing on philosophical and psychological analyses of self, consciousness, and contemplative practice across traditions. Studies consistently explored non-self metaphysics, the limits of Jungian individuation relative to Buddhist self-transcendence, and structural parallels between Buddhist and Christian contemplative psychologies, but none provided empirical data or clinical trials. The main caveat is that all findings are based on textual and conceptual analysis, not experimental or observational evidence.
- Neuroplasticity 15 papers Research in June 2026 found that psilocybin and ketamine can enhance neuroplasticity in animal models and humans, with psilocybin reversing stress-induced neuroplastic deficits and ketamine promoting synaptic remodeling. However, microdosing psilocin did not increase neurogenesis in rats, and the evidence for endogenous DMT maintaining neuroplasticity remains mixed. The main caveat is that most findings come from preclinical studies, with limited and preliminary human data.
- PTSD 7 papers Research in June 2026 indicates that ketamine-assisted psychotherapy shows promise for PTSD, with more sessions and higher baseline severity predicting greater improvement, though study quality is often poor. MDMA-assisted psychotherapy demonstrates a moderate-to-large effect on PTSD symptoms in RCTs, but concerns about blinding, expectancy effects, and safety monitoring remain. Overall, the evidence is mixed and limited by small samples, heterogeneous designs, and unresolved questions about durability and optimal protocols.
- Ibogaine 6 papers Research on ibogaine in June 2026 shows that treatment-associated mortality is largely confined to opioid detoxification and rare in non-SUD indications, based on a large multisite analysis of 19,071 patients. A case series suggests potential benefits for brain injury syndromes, but safety concerns (especially cardiac risk) remain the main limitation, and no randomized controlled trials were reported. The evidence is insufficient to draw firm conclusions about efficacy due to the lack of controlled trials and reliance on observational and preclinical data.
- Microdosing 6 papers Research on microdosing published in June 2026 indicates that the evidence for its benefits remains weak and inconsistent. Preclinical work in rats found no behavioral or neurogenic effects from chronic psilocin microdosing, while an umbrella review of human studies found only a small decrease in cognitive control and no significant mood improvements. Observational surveys show that microdosing is relatively common among psychedelic users and is associated with mental health symptoms and adverse childhood events, but these correlational findings do not demonstrate efficacy.
- Philosophy of mind 25 papers The June 2026 philosophy of mind literature is dominated by theoretical and conceptual analyses, with no empirical studies directly testing hypotheses about the nature of consciousness. The papers consistently challenge reductive physicalism and functionalism, arguing that consciousness involves irreducible first-personal, embodied, and cultural dimensions that cannot be captured by third-person descriptions or artificial systems. The main caveat is that this is a body of purely theoretical work, so conclusions are based on argumentation rather than experimental data.
- Shamanism 5 papers Research on shamanism in June 2026 is predominantly theoretical and interpretive, focusing on symbolic and structural analyses of shamanic elements in folklore, ritual, and material culture. One large survey provides empirical evidence on beliefs in supernatural harm among psychedelic users, but the overall body of evidence is limited in scope and does not support broad empirical conclusions about shamanic practices or their effects.
- Mysticism 16 papers In June 2026, research on mysticism was predominantly theoretical and qualitative, exploring mystical concepts in philosophy, literature, and cultural traditions. One experimental study found that breathwork can induce psychedelic-like mystical experiences, but a separate neuroimaging study found that neural dynamics predicted ego dissolution but not mystical experience specifically. The evidence is too sparse and heterogeneous to draw a unified conclusion about mysticism in this period.
- Default mode network 6 papers Research in June 2026 found that psychedelics (psilocybin, MDMA, LSD) consistently attenuate bottom-up signal flow and directionality within the default mode network (DMN) in both humans and mice, as shown by a multi-dataset analysis. One study also reported opposite reconfigurations of hierarchical brain dynamics between psilocybin and escitalopram in depression, suggesting distinct DMN-related mechanisms. However, the evidence is limited by small sample sizes, reliance on open-label or single-dose designs, and a lack of long-term follow-up data.
- Anxiety 17 papers In June 2026, research on anxiety showed that MDMA-assisted therapy produced large reductions in social anxiety (mean LSAS reduction of 43.3 points, Hedge's g=2.8) in an open-label trial, and that at-home subcutaneous ketamine was associated with moderate-to-large anxiety reductions (GAD-7 response 47.6-62.9%, remission 23.9-31.3%) in a large real-world study, though the evidence for ketamine is at critical risk of bias. Mindfulness-based stress reduction also reduced anxiety in patients with pneumonia-induced sepsis and colorectal cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. However, a psilocybin vs. escitalopram reanalysis found that women showed greater anxiety reductions with psilocybin than men, and a preclinical study found no anxiety-related effects of psilocin microdosing in rats. The main caveats are the open-label design of the MDMA trial, the critical risk of bias in the ketamine studies, and the limited durability data across all interventions.
- Depression 25 papers Research in June 2026 on depression focused heavily on treatment-resistant depression (TRD), with consistent evidence that esketamine and ketamine produce rapid, robust antidepressant effects, and that psilocybin-assisted therapy induces short-term improvement. However, the evidence is limited by small sample sizes, short follow-up durations, and a lack of long-term safety data beyond 12 months.
- Ketamine 25 papers Research on ketamine in June 2026 continued to support its rapid antidepressant effects in treatment-resistant depression, particularly via intravenous and intranasal routes, with emerging evidence of sex differences in response and low abuse liability in controlled settings. However, significant concerns remain regarding neurodevelopmental toxicity, adverse effects like cystitis and cholangiopathy, and the need for long-term safety data. The evidence is largely consistent but limited by small sample sizes, open-label designs, and a predominance of reviews over new clinical trials.
- Ayahuasca 6 papers Research on ayahuasca published in June 2026 shows that the brew induces profound alterations in perception and self-referential processing, which are linked to changes in brain connectivity, neurochemistry, and peripheral metabolism. However, the evidence is limited to a single within-subject study with a small sample of experienced users, and no clinical trials or systematic reviews specifically on ayahuasca were published in this period. The main caveat is the lack of controlled, generalizable data on therapeutic efficacy or long-term effects.
- Meditation 21 papers Research on meditation in June 2026 shows that meditation depth enhances the brain's functional signal-to-noise ratio, improving sensory clarity and reducing endogenous noise. Mindfulness-based interventions consistently reduce depression, anxiety, and emotional distress across clinical populations (depression, chronic pain, epilepsy, cancer), though evidence for seizure reduction is inconsistent. A key caveat is that real-world meditation app engagement is very low, with most users disengaging within two weeks, limiting the generalizability of app-based findings.
- Psychedelic-assisted therapy 20 papers Research in June 2026 found that MDMA-assisted psychotherapy shows a moderate-to-large reduction in PTSD symptoms, while ketamine's effect on PTSD was small and non-significant. For depression, real-world ketamine-assisted psychotherapy practices vary widely, and a pilot trial suggests ketamine-assisted psychotherapy may be acceptable for methamphetamine use disorder. However, the evidence base remains constrained by poor study quality, heterogeneity in protocols, and unresolved issues like blinding and expectancy effects.
- Altered states of consciousness 9 papers Research in June 2026 on altered states of consciousness (ASCs) found that breathwork can induce psychedelic-like effects and emotional breakthrough in healthy adults, and that ayahuasca experiences involve coordinated changes across brain connectivity, metabolism, and subjective dimensions. However, evidence is preliminary, with small sample sizes and limited controlled comparisons, and most studies focus on specific substances or practices rather than ASCs broadly.
- Psilocybin 25 papers Research on psilocybin in June 2026 shows promising but preliminary therapeutic effects for depression, OCD, and PTSD, with evidence of rapid symptom reduction and neuroplasticity. However, results are mixed regarding durability, with benefits often limited to weeks or months, and microdosing studies show no significant mood or cognitive improvements. Key caveats include small sample sizes, short follow-up periods, and challenges with blinding.
- DMT 14 papers Research on DMT in June 2026 was diverse, covering endogenous functions, pharmacokinetics, biosynthesis, and clinical effects. Evidence for endogenous DMT functions is mixed and contested, with conflicting detection reports and receptor affinity mismatches. A Phase 2b trial found GH001 (inhaled DMT) produced rapid, large antidepressant effects in treatment-resistant depression, independent of prior treatment failures. A small PET study found DMT+harmine increased global brain glucose metabolism by 12.5%, and a PBPK modeling study showed CYP2D6 polymorphisms significantly affect DMT and harmine exposure.
- LSD 8 papers Research on LSD in June 2026 shows mixed evidence: a small RCT found that repeated low-dose LSD (20 µg) improved temporal processing but not other cognitive domains in adults with ADHD, while a crossover trial in healthy subjects found that a higher dose (100 µg) improved motor learning and reduced stress one week later. However, a systematic review concluded there is insufficient evidence to recommend psychedelics for ADHD, and a narrative review highlighted risks of exacerbating psychosis in vulnerable individuals. The main caveats are the small sample sizes, secondary analyses, and lack of long-term safety data.
- MDMA 16 papers In June 2026, MDMA research showed that a booster dose prolongs subjective effects without increasing peak intensity, and that MDMA-assisted therapy produced large reductions in social anxiety symptoms in an open-label trial. A systematic review and meta-analysis confirmed a moderate-to-large effect of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD, but a commentary highlighted unresolved challenges including blinding difficulties, expectancy effects, and limited mechanistic clarity. The evidence is promising but constrained by small samples, open-label designs, and unresolved methodological issues.
- Cannabis 5 papers Research on cannabis in June 2026 is limited and indirect. One rodent study found that a combination of cannabidiol (CBD) and sodium nitroprusside showed sex-dependent prophylactic effects in a schizophrenia model, but CBD alone had limited efficacy. A meta-analysis of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD included one trial of cannabidiol that showed no clear benefit. Overall, the evidence is too sparse and preliminary to draw firm conclusions about cannabis effects in humans.
May 2026
- Cannabis 9 papers Research on cannabis published in May 2026 found that THC impairs memory, alters brain connectivity, and worsens driving performance, especially when combined with alcohol. Effects on executive function were mixed and varied by age and region. A key caveat is that many studies used small samples or animal models, limiting generalizability.
- MDMA 12 papers Research published in May 2026 on MDMA shows that while MDMA-assisted therapy produces moderate-to-large reductions in psychopathology compared to controls, especially for trauma, blinding in trials is often insufficient. MDMA reliably enhances subjective social experience and emotional empathy but does not consistently translate into observable prosocial behavior, and its use carries risks including oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and severe hyponatremia, particularly in unsupervised settings. The evidence is limited by high heterogeneity, small samples, and a lack of long-term safety data.
- Depression 25 papers In May 2026, research on depression focused heavily on ketamine and esketamine for treatment-resistant depression (TRD), with consistent evidence of rapid antidepressant and anti-suicidal effects, though durability and blinding remain key caveats. Psilocybin-assisted therapy also showed sustained antidepressant benefits up to 12 months in TRD, while a small RCT found ketamine not superior to midazolam, highlighting the impact of functional unblinding. Overall, novel rapid-acting treatments show promise but require better-controlled long-term studies.
- Psilocybin 25 papers In May 2026, research on psilocybin showed large within-group effects on anxiety (g=0.96) and small between-group effects (g=0.48), with long-term antidepressant benefits persisting up to 12 months in treatment-resistant depression. However, blinding integrity was insufficient, with psilocybin showing the highest rates of functional unblinding, and evidence for cocaine use disorder and other conditions remains mixed or preliminary. The main caveat is that many studies are open-label, small, or have high heterogeneity, limiting the strength of conclusions.
- Ayahuasca 9 papers Research on ayahuasca in May 2026 shows preliminary evidence of altered brain topology (persistent entropy decreases) and potential therapeutic benefits for suicidality and Parkinson's disease, but findings are limited by small samples, lack of controls, and qualitative designs. Results are inconsistent across studies, with some showing null or mixed effects, and a case report highlights serious risks of serotonin syndrome when combined with other serotonergic agents. The evidence is insufficient to draw firm conclusions due to small sample sizes, exploratory analyses, and absence of replication.
- LSD 9 papers Research on LSD in May 2026 found that it reverses aging- and neurodegeneration-associated brain transcriptional programs in rodents, prolongs brain-stimulation-induced neural activity changes, and persistently reduces affective pain processing in rats. In a clinical trial, LSD treatment was associated with white matter microstructural changes that correlated with antidepressant effects in major depression. However, an observational study linked LSD use to higher insomnia severity among young adult cannabis consumers, and a review highlighted the lack of systematic evaluation of pharmacological interventions for adverse psychedelic experiences.
- Meditation 16 papers Research on meditation published in May 2026 shows that meditation can improve psychological well-being, reduce stress and burnout in healthcare staff, and induce states phenomenologically similar to depersonalization/derealization that are often experienced positively. However, findings are mixed regarding the mechanisms linking meditation to well-being, and the evidence is limited by small sample sizes, cross-sectional designs, and reliance on self-report measures.