Psychedelics & Empathogens
Psilocybin, LSD, MDMA, DMT/ayahuasca, mescaline, ibogaine, 5-MeO-DMT — substances that produce profound altered states.
Latest reporting
The Ego Goes Quiet, and So Does the Pattern: What Psychedelics Actually Do to the Psychology of Addiction
Psilocybin suppresses the default mode network. MDMA reduces amygdala reactivity during trauma processing. Ibogaine resets mu-opioid signaling. Here’s what the science says about the psychology of psychedelic therapy for addiction.
Trump's Psychedelic Fast-Track Is Real. What It Does — and Doesn't — Mean for Patients.
On April 18, the Trump administration issued an executive order directing the FDA to accelerate its review of Schedule I psychedelics for mental health applications. The order incl
COMPASS Pathways Is Filing an NDA for Psilocybin. The FDA Priority Vouchers Were the Signal.
COMPASS Pathways has two positive Phase 3 trials for COMP360 psilocybin. Rolling NDA Q4 2026. FDA National Priority Voucher shortens review to ~6 months. What it means for addiction treatment — and why delivery infrastructure is the real problem.
Through eight lenses
Science
5-HT2A agonism (classical psychedelics), MDMA serotonin/dopamine/NE release, ibogaine multi-receptor (anti-addiction window).
The Ego Goes Quiet, and So Does the Pattern: What Psychedelics Actually Do to the Psychology of Addiction
Jun 16Trump's Psychedelic Fast-Track Is Real. What It Does — and Doesn't — Mean for Patients.
Jun 12COMPASS Pathways Is Filing an NDA for Psilocybin. The FDA Priority Vouchers Were the Signal.
Jun 10
Biology
Acute autonomic effects, serotonin syndrome risk in combos, ibogaine cardiac risk (QT prolongation — real, requires screening), HPPD rare but possible.
Psychology
"mystical experience" correlating with therapeutic outcome (Griffiths et al.); challenging experiences and how they're handled in set/setting.
The Ego Goes Quiet, and So Does the Pattern: What Psychedelics Actually Do to the Psychology of Addiction
Jun 16At the Clinical Threshold: MDMA Has a VA Trial, Ibogaine Has 71% Abstinence Data, and Psilocybin Has Two States. Insurance Has None of This.
Jun 6The Psychology Behind Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy for Addiction
May 27
Policy
Mostly Schedule I; Oregon Measure 109, Colorado Prop 122, FDA breakthrough designations; MDMA 2024 rejection; state-level initiatives for decrim/regulated access.
Trends
Psychedelic clinic growth (often off-label ketamine), "microdosing" research (mostly null), ayahuasca tourism.
Treatment
Psilocybin+therapy for AUD (NYU + Hopkins RCTs); ibogaine for OUD (Stanford case series, Kentucky state research); MDMA-AT for PTSD (post-2024 setback, new trials).
COMPASS Pathways Is Filing an NDA for Psilocybin. The FDA Priority Vouchers Were the Signal.
Jun 10At the Clinical Threshold: MDMA Has a VA Trial, Ibogaine Has 71% Abstinence Data, and Psilocybin Has Two States. Insurance Has None of This.
Jun 6FDA Clears First U.S. Ibogaine-Derivative Trial for Alcohol Use Disorder
May 27
Harm Reduction
Set/setting, integration, contraindications (SSRIs, heart conditions, family psychosis history for classical psychedelics), test kits.