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.
February 2026
- PTSD 7 papers Research in February 2026 indicates that MDMA-assisted therapy shows promise for PTSD, with evidence of durable symptom remission and a proposed dual-action mechanism involving both neurobiological and relational factors. Real-world data on at-home ketamine-assisted therapy also suggests large reductions in PTSD symptoms, though this evidence comes from an uncontrolled retrospective analysis. A key caveat is that much of the evidence remains preliminary, with limited long-term follow-up and a need for more rigorous controlled trials.
- Anxiety 21 papers In February 2026, research on anxiety showed that psilocybin, ketamine, and mindfulness-based interventions consistently reduced anxiety symptoms across diverse populations, including those with post-treatment Lyme disease, PTSD, and endometriosis. Effect sizes ranged from moderate to large, but many studies were open-label, uncontrolled, or had small samples, limiting causal inference. The evidence is strongest for psilocybin-assisted therapy and mindfulness, though durability beyond 6 months and comparisons to active controls remain understudied.
- Depression 25 papers Research in February 2026 found that ketamine and esketamine produce rapid, short-term antidepressant effects in treatment-resistant depression, with some evidence supporting psilocybin and DMT as promising interventions. Results are generally consistent across studies, but most evidence comes from open-label or small trials, and durability of effects beyond a few months remains unclear.
- Cannabis 7 papers Research on cannabis in February 2026 focused on its potential harms and correlates. Preclinical models show that cannabinoid exposure can alter schizophrenia-related behaviors, and gestational THC exposure in rats leads to distinct biomolecular changes in offspring brains. A large US survey found that lower perceived harm and higher mental health symptoms were associated with cannabis use and support for legalization. These findings are consistent in pointing to risks, but are limited by preclinical designs and cross-sectional survey data.
- Psychedelic-assisted therapy 12 papers Psychedelic-assisted therapies (PAP) show promising therapeutic potential for conditions like treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, anhedonia, and psycho-existential distress. Psilocybin and LSD-assisted psychotherapy significantly reduced depressive and anxiety symptoms in a real-world setting, and psilocybin significantly reduced anhedonia in TRD for up to six months. However, while ketamine-assisted psychotherapy was associated with symptom reductions, controlled studies found no significant difference from control conditions. A key caveat is the pervasive call for more rigorous, larger, placebo-controlled trials, especially for newer compounds, and to address methodological challenges like placebo effects and cultural considerations.
- Ketamine 25 papers Research published in February 2026 consistently finds that ketamine and esketamine produce rapid, short-term antidepressant and anti-suicidal effects in treatment-resistant depression, with some evidence of efficacy in special populations (e.g., older adults with MCI, adolescents) and for PTSD. However, the evidence is limited by small sample sizes, open-label designs, and a lack of controlled comparisons with psychotherapy, and long-term durability remains unclear.
- Neuroplasticity 11 papers Research in February 2026 consistently indicates that psychedelic compounds (psilocybin, ayahuasca/DMT, ibogaine, 5-MeO-DMT, 2C-B) promote neuroplasticity through mechanisms such as BDNF/TrkB signaling, dendritic growth, synaptogenesis, and activity-dependent cortical network reorganization. However, most evidence comes from preclinical rodent and non-human primate studies, with human data limited to neuroimaging and theoretical reviews, so the clinical translation remains uncertain.
- Ayahuasca 7 papers Research on ayahuasca in February 2026 indicates promising therapeutic potential for mental disorders, particularly in enhancing neuroplasticity and reducing stress-induced cortical atrophy, but the evidence remains largely preclinical or observational. A key caveat is the need for randomized controlled trials to confirm efficacy and safety, especially given identified risks of drug-drug interactions with SSRIs and contraindications for psychotic or bipolar individuals.
- DMT 12 papers In February 2026, research on DMT and its analog 5-MeO-DMT showed promising but preliminary therapeutic effects for treatment-resistant depression, with one open-label study reporting rapid and sustained symptom reduction over 12 weeks. However, the evidence remains largely observational and limited by small sample sizes, lack of placebo controls, and unresolved questions about endogenous DMT's role in the brain. The overall confidence in these findings is low due to the scarcity of controlled trials and the preliminary nature of the available data.
- Buddhism 5 papers Research on Buddhism in February 2026 primarily offers theoretical and philosophical analyses, not empirical findings. Studies explore Buddhist concepts like relational consciousness, time, and meditation, but no experimental or clinical data are reported. The evidence is insufficient to draw any empirical conclusions about Buddhism's effects or mechanisms.
- Shamanism 5 papers Research on shamanism in February 2026 focused on its theoretical conceptualization, ritual paraphernalia, altered states of consciousness, and ecological dimensions, but no empirical studies testing causal effects were identified. The evidence is entirely qualitative and ethnographic, describing shamanic practices as mediators between human and spirit realms, tools for healing and social regulation, and as evolving under modern conditions. A major caveat is the complete absence of controlled or quantitative research, limiting any conclusions about efficacy or mechanisms.
- Mysticism 9 papers Research on mysticism in February 2026 was predominantly theoretical, historical, and qualitative, with no experimental or clinical studies directly testing mystical experiences. The evidence is highly heterogeneous, covering esoteric traditions, art history, comparative religion, and a single survey on psychedelics and spirituality, but does not converge on a unified finding about mysticism itself. The main caveat is the lack of empirical, controlled research on mystical states during this period.
- Serotonin 15 papers In February 2026, serotonin research focused on the mechanisms and therapeutic potential of serotonergic psychedelics. Studies found that psilocybin's cognitive benefits in a rat model of Fragile X Syndrome depend on BDNF/TrkB signaling rather than classical serotonin receptors, and that the 5-HT1B receptor contributes to some of psilocybin's behavioral effects in mice. Additionally, research showed that MDMA's effects on cortical plasticity are stereoselective and sex-dependent, and that ayahuasca can modulate traumatic fear memories via BDNF-dependent mechanisms in the infralimbic cortex. A key caveat is that most findings are from preclinical models, with limited human data.
January 2026
- Philosophy of mind 25 papers Research on philosophy of mind in January 2026 is highly diverse and largely theoretical, with no single empirical conclusion. The literature spans metaphysical debates (e.g., enactivism, trivialism about the explanatory gap), phenomenological methods (e.g., microphenomenology, neurophenomenology), and conceptual analyses of consciousness, self, and psychosis. The evidence is almost entirely non-empirical, consisting of philosophical arguments, theoretical frameworks, and reviews, with a few empirical studies on related phenomena (e.g., near-death experiences, felt presence, thought dynamics) that do not directly test philosophical claims.
- Altered states of consciousness 20 papers Research in January 2026 found that ayahuasca enhances functional connectivity in social brain networks (third visual pathway and mirror neuron systems) and reduces depressive symptoms for up to 180 days when combined with psychotherapeutic support. The intensity of altered states from psychedelics is influenced by a combination of pharmacological, individual, and contextual factors, with spiritual/therapeutic intentions and higher doses producing stronger effects. However, ibogaine carries a rare but serious risk of cardiac complications, and the field lacks standardized assessment methods for VR-induced altered states.
- PTSD 5 papers Research on PTSD in January 2026 found that a large randomized trial showed no overall benefit of ketamine over placebo, though DNA methylation patterns may predict which individuals respond. Naturalistic survey data indicate that difficult psychedelic experiences can lead to PTSD symptoms in a subset of users, and case reports suggest both potential adverse effects (e.g., new-onset OCD after MDMA-assisted therapy) and possible benefits of oral glutamatergic augmentation. Overall, findings are preliminary and based on small or single studies, with no large-scale definitive results.
- Mystical experience 7 papers Research in January 2026 found that mystical experiences are strongly influenced by psychological context (set) and spirituality, with psilocybin-assisted therapy studies showing significant associations between spirituality, intentions, and mystical experience intensity. A real-world case series on ketamine combined with psychotherapy found that ego dissolution (a mystical-type experience) correlated with symptom improvement in treatment-resistant depression. However, evidence is limited by small sample sizes, open-label designs, and the theoretical nature of some studies.
- Addiction 10 papers Research published in January 2026 indicates that psychedelics such as psilocybin, MDMA, LSD, and ayahuasca show promise for treating substance use disorders, often in conjunction with psychotherapy, though methodological concerns and safety risks remain. Evidence from reviews and observational studies is generally consistent in suggesting symptom reduction, but the field is limited by small samples, open-label designs, and potential risks such as drug interactions and the framing of ibogaine as an alternative to standard opioid use disorder medications. The main caveat is that most findings come from narrative reviews and observational data rather than large, controlled trials, and durability of effects beyond six months is not well established.
- Meditation 25 papers In January 2026, meditation research showed that brief mindfulness interventions can increase risk-taking behavior and reduce acute anxiety (e.g., during vaccination), while longer programs (MBSR, SMART) consistently improved well-being, stress, and self-compassion in clinical and caregiver populations, with some benefits lasting up to six months. However, effects were not universal: mindful walking failed to improve depression or anxiety in novices, and a large RCT found no burnout reduction from mindfulness meditation compared to an active control in genetic counselors. The evidence is mixed and limited by small samples, quasi-experimental designs, and lack of long-term follow-up in many studies.
- Psychedelic-assisted therapy 21 papers Research in January 2026 indicates that psychedelic-assisted therapy shows promise for conditions like depression, PTSD, and substance use disorders, with psilocybin demonstrating rapid and sustained antidepressant effects and MDMA showing efficacy for PTSD, though challenges remain in cost, accessibility, and standardization. However, the evidence is mixed, with some studies highlighting risks such as new-onset OCD after MDMA therapy and the need for more rigorous, diverse, and long-term research to confirm efficacy and safety.
- LSD 15 papers Research on LSD in January 2026 shows that LSD alters brain dynamics by increasing alpha and beta peak frequencies, flattening aperiodic neural activity, and enhancing signal complexity, while also affecting reward-related brain responses in depressed individuals. Low doses (microdosing) may reduce cognitive control but show no consistent cognitive enhancement, and a systematic review confirms therapeutic potential for psychiatric disorders when combined with psychotherapy. However, evidence is limited by small sample sizes, open-label designs, and the need for more rigorous, long-term safety and efficacy studies.
- MDMA 23 papers Research on MDMA in January 2026 shows mixed findings: while MDMA-assisted therapy shows promise for PTSD and social anxiety, a case report documents new-onset OCD after treatment, and an open-label pilot found small, non-significant changes in inflammatory biomarkers. A review highlights that MDMA has not been approved for medical use due to lack of clear neurobiological insight, and a cross-sectional analysis reveals inconsistencies in protocol and adverse event reporting across clinical trials, undermining credibility and safety evaluation.
- DMT 11 papers Research on DMT published in January 2026 shows that a single dose can reverse anhedonia and cognitive deficits in a mouse model of depression, and that DMT has neuroprotective effects in a rat model of spinal injury. A micro-phenomenological study in humans found that DMT-induced immersion and perceived presences follow a structured, hierarchical developmental pattern. However, the evidence is limited to animal models and a single human study with a small sample, and no clinical trials in humans were reported.
- Ayahuasca 10 papers Research on ayahuasca published in January 2026 shows that it can enhance functional connectivity in brain networks related to social perception and cognition, and that ritualistic use combined with psychotherapeutic support is associated with significant reductions in depressive symptoms sustained for up to 180 days. However, the evidence is limited by small sample sizes (e.g., n=12 in the fMRI study) and the observational design of the longitudinal study, which lacks a control group. Overall, the findings are consistent in suggesting therapeutic potential, but confidence is constrained by the small scale and lack of controlled trials.
- Ketamine 25 papers Research in January 2026 indicates that ketamine and esketamine generally show rapid antidepressant effects, particularly for treatment-resistant depression (TRD), postpartum depression, and bipolar depression, with some evidence for long-term effectiveness and use in complex cases like opioid tapering and trauma. However, one randomized trial found no significant benefit of serial ketamine infusions over a psychoactive placebo for inpatient depression, and a small trial found no statistically significant anti-fatigue effect. Potential adverse effects include neurotoxicity in animal models, postoperative delirium in a case report, and urinary symptoms with long-term esketamine use.
- Ibogaine 4 papers Research on ibogaine in January 2026 shows mixed findings: it may offer rapid clinical improvements for neuropsychiatric disorders like TBI and PTSD in veterans and show potential for Parkinson's disease, but it also carries a rare but serious risk of cardiotoxicity (QTc prolongation and ventricular arrhythmias). Additionally, there is concern that promoting ibogaine for opioid use disorder could lead patients to discontinue proven, mortality-reducing medications, increasing overdose risk. The evidence is limited by small, open-label studies and case reports, with no large controlled trials.
- Cannabis 5 papers The provided studies from January 2026 do not directly report new research findings on cannabis. One study mentions cannabis as a commonly used party drug, and another discusses medical marijuana as a policy lesson, but neither presents original data on cannabis effects. Therefore, no conclusion can be drawn about what research on cannabis found in January 2026.
- Default mode network 6 papers Research in January 2026 consistently identifies the default mode network (DMN) as a key neural substrate in psychedelic therapy, hypnosis, and psychiatric disorders, with findings showing that psychedelics like psilocybin reduce DMN activity and rigidity, correlating with therapeutic benefits. However, the evidence is largely from reviews and theoretical frameworks rather than new empirical studies, and one study on multiple sclerosis suggests DMN disruption may also occur in non-psychedelic contexts, indicating the DMN's role is complex and not fully understood.
- Depression 25 papers Research in January 2026 indicates that psychedelic and glutamatergic treatments (psilocybin, esketamine, ketamine, DMT) show rapid and sustained antidepressant effects, particularly for treatment-resistant depression, with large effect sizes in meta-analyses and real-world studies. However, evidence is mixed: one RCT found serial ketamine infusions no more effective than placebo for inpatient depression, and most studies are open-label, retrospective, or small, limiting confidence. The main caveats are the lack of long-term safety data, functional unblinding, and the need for larger, controlled trials.
- Serotonin 18 papers Research in January 2026 focused on the mechanisms and therapeutic applications of serotonergic psychedelics, particularly psilocybin. Studies consistently found that psilocybin can produce rapid and sustained antidepressant effects, potentially through neuroplasticity and 5-HT2A receptor-mediated signaling, though some effects may involve 5-HT2A-independent pathways. A key caveat is that much of the evidence comes from preclinical models and narrative reviews, with limited large-scale human trials.