The Bloom #172 Free Edition what do you think?

What happens during a psychedelic trip? How can we minimise harms? Do psychedelics reduce feelings of shame? Why do people trip? Do researchers get funding for psychedelic research? Are social workers open to psychedelic therapy?

These are but some of the questions that 14 surveys (about one a day) have asked in published research this month. We cover the first three in the research papers below.

In other new research, we look at a new 'pharmahuasca' study, an analysis of MDMA and LSD (from two trials) effects on the striatum, and a theory-building paper on 'ALBUS', which proposes both relaxed and strengthened beliefs under psychedelics.

Floris - Founder of Blossom

ps The gentle and experienced educator John Robertson (with Jake Kobrin and Daniel Shankin) has a new course, Inspiration Alchemy. This 12-week course helps artists recover their creative powers in a psychedelic-friendly environment. Join the course with a 10% discount (applied automatically).

Latest Psychedelic Research

1 On the varieties of conscious experiences: Altered Beliefs Under Psychedelics (ALBUS)​

This theory-building paper proposes the ALBUS (Altered Beliefs Under Psychedelics) model as an extension of the REBUS hypothesis, suggesting that 5-HT2A receptor activation can lead to both relaxation (REBUS) and strengthening (SEBUS) of beliefs depending on dosage and context. The authors draw parallels between psychedelic states and lucid dreaming, focusing on mechanisms of conscious perception, dreaming, and memory.

We previously covered this pre-print in 2021 (but have also updated our review based on the new publication).

2 Dissociable effects of LSD and MDMA on striato-cortical connectivity in healthy subjects​

This pre-print neuroimaging study (n=38) investigates the effects of MDMA and LSD on striatal connectivity (brain area, movement, and reward systems) using resting-state fMRI. The study finds that while neither drug significantly altered within-network connectivity of the striatum, both substances caused significant changes in connectivity with other brain regions, such as MDMA reducing connectivity between the limbic striatum and the amygdala and LSD increasing connectivity between the associative striatum and the frontal, sensorimotor, and visual cortices.

3 Examining the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interaction of N,N-dimethyltryptamine and harmine in healthy volunteers: Α factorial dose-escalation study​

This single-blind, randomized, two-arm, factorial, dose-finding study (n=16) investigates the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions between DMT and harmine in an ayahuasca-inspired ('pharmahuasca') formulation. Participants received six dose combinations (0–120 mg DMT, 0–180 mg harmine) via a transmucosal delivery system. Results show dose-dependent subjective effects lasting 4–5 hours, with peak plasma levels (Cmax) of 33 ng/mL for DMT and 49 ng/mL for harmine. Harmine increased DMT bioavailability and plasma half-life while altering its metabolism. The formulation demonstrated a favourable safety profile, supporting its potential for further clinical testing in affective disorders.

More Research (the surveys)

• ​Shame, Guilt and Psychedelic Experience: Results from a Prospective, Longitudinal Survey of Real-World Psilocybin Use​
• ​A qualitative analysis of the psychedelic mushroom come-up and come-down​
• ​On Minimizing Risk and Harm in the Use of Psychedelic​

New on Blossom

1 Psychedelic Research Recap January 2025​

Five studies have been testing how psychedelic treatments work in practice. One trial found that a single dose of psilocybin helped people with severe depression who hadn’t improved with other treatments. Another showed that combining psilocybin with group mindfulness sessions helped reduce stress and depression in healthcare workers. We’ve also learned that ketamine nasal spray works faster and longer than traditional antidepressants, and that adjustable doses of ketamine can help reduce anxiety.

Looking at the bigger picture, researchers have been studying how these treatments work in the real world. A large review of ketamine nasal spray found modest benefits for hard-to-treat depression, though it raised some safety questions. However, another study found that the treatment did help reduce hospital visits and medical costs compared to usual care. Other studies looked at how psilocybin therapy works, including its ability to change negative thought patterns and improve well-being.

2 Psychedelic Research Links 2025​

A comprehensive overview of all psychedelic research that has come out this year. We cover the research per month and provide a one-sentence summary for each new publication. After the full summary is added, a link to Blossom's review is added to papers included in our database.

3 Inspiration Alchemy (Course Listing)

Inspiration Alchemy is a 12-week online course based on The Artist’s Way methodology. It is designed to help creatives reconnect with their artistic practice and unlock their creative potential. The program combines traditional creative recovery techniques with modern approaches in a psychedelic-friendly environment. Through foundational practices like Morning Pages and Artist Dates, participants develop daily routines that foster creative expression and self-discovery.

4 Schizophrenia (Topic Page)

Schizophrenia affects approximately 24 million people worldwide, representing about 0.3% of the global population. Current standard treatments primarily involve antipsychotic medications combined with psychosocial support, though roughly 30% of patients show limited response to existing medications.

Recent research into psychedelic compounds for schizophrenia treatment has entered early clinical trials, with most studies in Phase I/II stages. Due to concerns about psychosis risk, researchers have focused on non-hallucinogenic compounds like ketamine and selective serotonin receptor antagonists. Biotech companies are actively developing novel psychedelic analogues designed to improve patient outcomes while minimising side effects, and continued interdisciplinary research using advanced neuroimaging techniques is expected to drive future breakthroughs in personalised treatments.
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