Key Findings

🐕 Scientists Propose Testing LSD for Arthritis Pain in Dogs

• Researchers propose testing 1cp-LSD (a legal LSD analogue) in 24 dogs with osteoarthritis over 30 days, marking the first exploration of psychedelics in veterinary medicine

• The study will use sub-perceptual doses while dogs maintain their regular pain medications, measuring outcomes through caregiver assessments and pain inventories

• The protocol includes measuring caregiver expectations to account for placebo effects, acknowledging that owner beliefs could influence perceived treatment success

🧠 High-Dose Magic Mushrooms Made Rats More Anxious and Depressed

• Male rats given high doses of Psilocybe azurescens (10-250 mg/kg) for 14 days showed increased anxiety, depression-like behaviors, and disrupted social interactions

• Brain analysis revealed increased inflammation (IL-6, TNFα) and oxidative stress, plus decreased neurotrophic factors (BDNF, GDNF) in key brain regions

• These effects contradict the typical therapeutic benefits seen in human studies, suggesting dose and species differences may be critical

🎯 New Non-Hallucinogenic Drug Mimics Psychedelic Benefits

• Zalsupindole promotes brain plasticity through serotonin pathways without causing hallucinations, showing antidepressant effects in animal models after single doses

• Phase 1 trials in humans (2-360 mg doses) found no psychedelic effects, with EEG showing dose-dependent increases in brain activity linked to synaptic strengthening

• The compound selectively targets 5-HT2A receptors while avoiding the 5-HT2B receptors that cause hallucinations, potentially offering therapeutic benefits without the trip

⚠️ Psychedelic Retreat Safety Practices Vary Wildly

• Analysis of 49 psychedelic retreat organizations found that 38.7% offer multiple substances, while medication washout requirements ranged from 1 day to over 6 weeks

• Only 65.3% had licensed healthcare professionals or emergency responders present during sessions, despite all collecting medical histories

• 73.5% excluded people with certain health conditions, but criteria and safety protocols showed substantial variation across organizations

🏥 Psilocybin Shows Promise for End-of-Life Anxiety

• Systematic review of 5 studies found both psilocybin and benzodiazepine-opioid combinations reduced anxiety in terminally ill patients

• 60-80% of participants in psilocybin studies experienced clinically significant anxiety improvements that were rapid and sustained

• Both treatment approaches showed good tolerability without serious adverse events, though the evidence base remains limited by small sample sizes

🔬 5-MeO-DMT Creates Unique Brain State in Mice

• Mice given 5-MeO-DMT showed a dissociated state combining features of both sleep and waking—slow brain waves typical of sleep while behaviorally awake and moving

• The compound initially suppressed REM sleep but triggered a 48-hour rebound, and when given after sleep deprivation, it reduced the normal recovery sleep response

• This mixed sleep-wake state may explain psychedelics' dream-like effects and their ability to reopen critical periods for brain plasticity