Tag: Psychedelic therapy

Research using functional magnetic resonance imaging ($ ext{fMRI}$) has revealed that psychedelics cause significant, widespread changes in the brain's functional connectivity. This exploration into what do psychedelics do for the brain is unlocking new insights into consciousness and therapeutic potential.

As of 2023, Australia became the first country to permit psychiatrists to prescribe psilocybin and MDMA for specific mental health conditions [1.2.2, 1.2.3, 1.2.4]. This move highlights a growing global shift, but answering 'What country has legal psychedelics?' reveals a complex patchwork of laws.

Research into psychedelics has seen a major resurgence, with the global drug user population rising 20% in the last decade to 292 million people [1.5.1]. This prompts the question: What's the strongest psychedelic drug available?

While the primary psychoactive component of ayahuasca, DMT, is metabolized quickly, the experience itself typically lasts for 4 to 6 hours [1.2.6, 1.2.3]. This article explores the question, 'How long does ayahuasca last?' by detailing its effects over time.

Observational studies suggest ibogaine may be effective in treating substance use disorders, with one study showing 50% of participants reported no opioid use 30 days post-treatment. So, what is ibogaine used for, and what does the science say about this controversial substance?

Depression affects millions globally, with approximately one-third of individuals not finding relief with existing medications. Advances in pharmacology and psychiatric care have introduced significant new options. The FDA expanded the use of Spravato (esketamine) in January 2025, marking a key development for those struggling with treatment-resistant depression.

Unlike other routes of administration, oral DMT is not psychoactive on its own because the body's natural enzymes, monoamine oxidases (MAOs), quickly inactivate it. To produce a psychoactive effect, oral DMT must be combined with a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), such as in the traditional Amazonian brew ayahuasca. This combination allows the psychedelic compound to survive digestion and produce a profound, long-lasting experience.

For over two decades, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved a new drug specifically for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), highlighting a significant unmet need for more effective treatments. A promising combination drug therapy was recently considered, but ultimately denied, leading to intense focus on other investigational options, including psychedelic-assisted therapies, in the search for what is the new drug for PTSD.

In recent decades, significant innovation in anxiety treatment has been limited, with the last major indication approval for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) occurring almost two decades ago. Now, however, the landscape is changing, bringing new hope as researchers and drug developers actively pursue what is the breakthrough drug for anxiety. The most prominent new candidate is MM-120, a psychoactive compound derived from LSD, which has received FDA Breakthrough Therapy designation for GAD.

Affecting roughly 10% of U.S. adults, Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a prevalent condition that has tripled in diagnosis over the last two decades. For those seeking relief, a key question is, **what is the new drug for anxiety**? Recent progress includes FDA Breakthrough Therapy designations for novel approaches, signaling new hope for more effective treatments.