Week 32 — August 9–15, 2026

Psilocybin

Feasibility and Tolerability of Psilocybin for Phantom Limb Pain. (Phase 2) — Phantom limb pain (PLP) is a refractory condition defined by pain experienced in a missing limb. Psilocybin, a classical serotonergic psychedelic drug, can alleviate various treatment-resistant disorders but has scantly been investigated for chronic pain.…
Microdosing psychedelics: What, why, when, and how often? Insights from an international survey of people who use psychedelics. (Phase 2) — The interest in microdosing psychedelics continues to grow within academic and recreational contexts. However, microdosing practices have changed over time, and warrants examination of use patterns within a large, global sample of consumers.…
Impact of Psilocybin on Motor Function in Healthy Participants: A Phase 1, Randomised, Triple-Blind, Dose-Finding Study. (Phase 2) — Psychedelics exert widespread effects on brain activity, but their impact on motor function is unclear. This is clinically relevant given the emerging interest in psychedelic-assisted physical therapy for disorders of motor function.…
Psilocybin-assisted therapy for treatment-resistant major depressive disorder in a public healthcare setting: a randomized controlled trial. (Phase 2) — Psilocybin-assisted therapy may be a promising new treatment for treatment-resistant depression. We examined the feasibility of administering a single 25-mg dose of psilocybin or placebo with psychological support in a randomized controlled trial design with 6 weeks of follow-up.…
Therapeutic potential of classic and non-classic psychedelics in neurodevelopmental disorders: Opportunities and challenges. (Meta-analysis) — Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) comprise a heterogeneous group of conditions arising from altered brain development and leading to impairments in social, cognitive, emotional, and motor domains.…
Correspondence: "Breaking the chains of depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis of psilocybin therapy". (Phase 2)
Longitudinal neural and psychological changes following psilocybin under compassion imagery priming. (Phase 2) — Psilocybin is a classic psychedelic known to alter subjective experience and induce lasting psychological changes, including increased cognitive flexibility and reduced rigid self-related beliefs.…
Role of β-Arrestin2 Signaling in Neuropharmacological Effects of Psychedelic Drugs. (Phase 2) — Current research into the actions of psychedelic drugs is focused on 5-HT2A receptor-coupled signaling pathways, particularly β-arrestin2 signaling.…
Psychedelics and women's mental health: the effects of female sex hormones on psychedelics' efficacy and tolerability. (Meta-analysis) — Women experience a disproportionate burden of affective and stress-related disorders, with symptom variability shaped by endocrine transitions across the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, postpartum, and menopause.…
Learnings from a hybrid communities of practice group therapy model to support psilocybin-assisted therapy for patients with a terminal diagnosis. (Phase 2) — Psilocybin-assisted therapy is continuing to show significant positive effects for palliative cancer patients, both in reducing symptoms and improving one's sense of hope and meaning.…
Safety and Efficacy of Psilocybin During Anticancer Treatment: A Phase II Trial Secondary Analysis. (Phase 2) — Psilocybin-assisted therapy has demonstrated rapid antidepressant effects in patients with cancer, but most trials have excluded individuals receiving active systemic anticancer treatment, limiting safety data in this population.…
Compass Pathways Working with U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for Investigational Study of Psilocybin (Phase 3, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, recruiting) — A multi-site randomized controlled trial will evaluate the safety and efficacy of COMP360 psilocybin in treating treatment-resistant depression (TRD) in veterans, with or without concurrent PTSD. The primary efficacy measure is depression severity using MADRS.
COMPASS Pathways announces positive topline results from groundbreaking phase IIb trial of investigational COMP360 psilocybin therapy for treatment-resistant depression (Phase 2, COMPASS Pathways plc, n=233, completed) — A phase IIb trial of COMP360 psilocybin therapy for treatment-resistant depression showed a statistically significant and clinically relevant reduction in depressive symptom severity after three weeks for patients receiving a 25mg dose, with rapid and durable treatment response. The 25mg dose also showed double the response and remission rates compared to the 1mg comparator dose at week 12.
Promising results from first UK trial of psilocybin for depression (Phase 2, King's College London, n=60) — A single dose of psilocybin produced significant improvements in depression compared to a placebo, with 43-50% of the psilocybin group showing treatment response at 3-6 weeks, compared to 3% in the placebo group. Remission rates were also significantly higher in the psilocybin group.
Safety, feasibility, and preliminary clinical outcomes of psilocybin-assisted therapy for veterans with severe, treatment-resistant PTSD: an open-label pilot clinical trial (Phase 1, n=12, completed) — The trial found psilocybin-assisted therapy to be safe and feasible for veterans with severe, treatment-resistant PTSD. No serious adverse events occurred, and there was no increase in suicidal ideation. A significant reduction in PTSD symptoms was observed, with 75% of participants showing a treatment response or remission.
Psilocybin-assisted therapy for treatment-resistant major depressive disorder in a public healthcare setting: a randomized controlled trial (Phase 3, National Health Service (NHS), completed) — A randomized controlled trial examined the feasibility of administering psilocybin or placebo with psychological support for treatment-resistant depression. The trial included a two-arm, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled feasibility design with 6 weeks of follow-up.
Scottsdale researchers celebrate Trump’s order on psychedelic medicine (News, Scottsdale Research Institute) — President Trump signed an executive order to fast-track research and reviews of psychedelic medicines, including psilocybin and ibogaine, for conditions like PTSD, addiction, and depression. Scottsdale researchers are involved in clinical trials using psilocybin for PTSD in veterans and first responders and are seeking funding for an ibogaine trial for PTSD and traumatic brain injuries.

MDMA

The occurrence and potential role of mystical experiences in MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD: A secondary analysis. (Phase 2) — The potential safety and efficacy of the psychedelic 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine-assisted therapy (MDMA-AT) for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been researched in phase 2 and phase 3 clinical trials. We examined the occurrence and role of mystical experiences in MDMA-AT.…
Prevalence of Potential Contraindications and Risk Factors Relevant to MDMA-Assisted Therapy Among U.S. Veterans with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. (Phase 2) — 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)-assisted therapy has emerged as a potential strategy to treat posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). We conducted a national serial cross-sectional study of U.S.…
VA launches MDMA-assisted mental health therapy trial (Phase 2, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, n=80, recruiting) — The VA is launching a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD and alcohol use disorder in approximately 80 veterans. The trial will compare outcomes between those receiving MDMA-assisted therapy and those receiving psychotherapy with an active placebo.
What the VA’s New MDMA-Assisted Therapy Trial Signals for Providers (Phase 3, Department of Veterans Affairs, n=80, recruiting) — The VA is launching a new clinical trial for MDMA-assisted therapy to treat PTSD and alcohol use disorder in veterans. The trial will enroll 80 veterans across Rhode Island and Connecticut.

Ketamine

Intravenous ketamine for complex regional pain syndrome: Pain outcomes and predictors of response. A systematic review and meta‑analysis. (Meta-analysis) — Intravenous ketamine is used for complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), but variable response and uncertain durability limit patient selection. This systematic review evaluated reported predictors of response to intravenous ketamine in CRPS and quantified the extent and duration of pain relief.…
Last resort: the ethical obligation to offer ketamine in psychiatric euthanasia and assisted suicide. (Phase 2) — Intravenous ketamine and intranasal esketamine have shown rapid effects in reversing suicidality and improving depressive symptoms.…
Long-Term Effectiveness of Repeated, Single-Day Intravenous Ketamine Infusions for Severe Arthritis: A Retrospective Cohort Study. (Phase 2) — Ketamine, either adminstered as an infusion or orally as an analgesic, was considered only to be a drug for neuropathic pain. More recently it has been speculated to be efficacious for other types of pain, including nociceptive pain.…
(Es)ketamine in functional neurological disorder: a systematic review. (Phase 2) — Functional neurological disorder (FND) is a common and disabling condition for which effective treatments remain limited. Clinical outcomes are often variable, particularly in chronic and comorbid presentations.…
Sustained abstinence in severe ketamine use disorder following ibogaine treatment case report. (Phase 2) — Substance use disorders (SUD) involving ketamine, cocaine, and alcohol present significant clinical challenges, often characterized by high relapse rates and limited pharmacological options.…
Structural synaptogenesis superior to functional modulation in a pruning-based recurrent network model of OCD. (Phase 2) — Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterized by intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviors, with incomplete response to current treatments suggesting limitations in prevailing neurotransmitter-focused models.…
A crucial cautionary note on frequently incorrect dose equivalence between ketamine and esketamine. (Phase 2)
Is Ketamine for Depression Moving Too Fast on Weak Data? (News, Trinity College Dublin) — A study investigating racemic ketamine infusions for depression found no additional benefit compared to a psychoactive placebo when added to usual inpatient care, leading researchers to question if ketamine's efficacy for depression has been overstated.

LSD

An ETH-LAD trip with unfavourable consequences: A case report. (Phase 2) — Numerous analogues of the psychedelic and internationally controlled hallucinogen LSD have been described; however, only a limited number have been systematically investigated.…

DMT

Psychological change processes in alcohol use disorder: A qualitative study of 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) with cognitive behavioural therapy. (Phase 2) — This study qualitatively explored psychological change processes as described by participants and therapists within a phase 2a clinical trial evaluating the safety, tolerability, and preliminary efficacy of a single dose of intranasal 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT; BPL-003) administered alongside psychological support and manualised cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for relapse prevention in alcohol use disorder (AUD).…

Other

Join the Journey Toward Ethical Plant Medicine Facilitation: Certificate in Ceremony, Ethics, Reciprocity (News, Chacruna, recruiting) — This is a 5-month, 60-hour educational program for those already facilitating or assisting in plant medicine ceremonies, focusing on ethical, justice-informed practices, risk reduction, and community accountability. It includes online sessions, readings, lectures, community forums, and an optional in-person gathering with attendance at the Psychedelic Culture 2027 Conference.
Difficulties After a Trip: Emory Center for Psychedelics (Observational, Emory University, n=608) — A mixed-methods study of 608 people found that difficulties persisted for more than a year in roughly a third of them, and for more than three years in a sixth. Other surveys indicate that around 2.6% of users seek medical, psychiatric, or psychological help after a difficult experience.
Psychedelic treatments are on the verge of FDA approval. Why Texas is pushing for them (News) — The FDA is fast-tracking several psychedelic compounds under review, with three companies receiving National Priority Vouchers. These include two psilocybin compounds for treatment-resistant depression and major depressive disorder, and methylone for post-traumatic stress disorder.
'Major Step': New Law Would Prep VA for FDA-Approved Psychedelic Treatments (Regulatory, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)) — New bipartisan legislation would require the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to evaluate and implement emerging mental health treatments for veterans, including psychedelics, by establishing a dedicated Office of Novel Therapeutics.
Trump signs order fast tracking review of psychedelics for mental health disorders (Regulatory, approved) — President Trump signed an executive order to expedite the review of psychedelic drugs like psilocybin and ibogaine for mental health conditions and directed $50 million in federal funds to make them more accessible. The FDA will issue national priority vouchers to fast-track the review of these drugs.
What to Know About Trump’s New Executive Order on Psychedelic Drugs (News, White House) — President Trump signed an executive order to accelerate the development of psychedelic drugs as medical treatments, calling for expedited FDA consideration and directing $50 million to research. While not changing FDA evidence requirements, it signals openness to scheduled substances for mental health conditions.
2026 Conference Insights: ASCP (News) — Ultimately, Brody’s session was to provide psychiatrists with practical, evidence-informed guidance that reflects both the promise and the limitations of ketamine treatment in 2026.…

Week 32 — August 9–15, 2026

New This Week (38 entries)

Psilocybin

MDMA

Ketamine

LSD

DMT

Other