New on Blossom
This month’s research offers mixed results from clinical trials testing psychedelics for various conditions. LSD microdosing failed to help ADHD symptoms despite high expectations, while psilocybin showed uncertain benefits for alcohol use disorder in a small trial, contradicting a larger study that found positive results. More encouragingly, early research suggests psilocybin might help manage fibromyalgia pain, and a long-term follow-up study indicates that higher doses of psilocybin provide longer-lasting depression relief, though most patients see effects fade within 3-6 months.
Brain scanning studies reveal new details about how psychedelics work. DMT creates a brief but intense “destabilisation” of brain activity, particularly affecting areas rich in serotonin receptors. The largest-ever psychedelic brain imaging study found that psilocybin blurs the line between eyes-open and eyes-closed brain states, creating what researchers call “embeddedness”—a state where the boundaries between self and environment dissolve.
Researchers are also exploring the human experience of psychedelic therapy. A study on therapeutic touch during psilocybin sessions found most participants valued appropriate physical contact during intense moments, though proper consent and boundaries remain crucial. A large review discovered that “insight” experiences—sudden moments of understanding—may be even more important for healing than the mystical experiences that have received more attention. Meanwhile, European regulators highlight methodological challenges that must be addressed as the field advances toward potential approval of these treatments.
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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 the papers included in our database.
Spotlight
Our latest report, "Reimbursement Pathways for Psychedelic Therapies in Europe," represents six months of detailed exploration into one of the biggest barriers to bringing psychedelic therapies from clinic to patient—reimbursement. Across Europe, each country has distinct reimbursement protocols, complex health technology assessments, and significant infrastructure gaps. Without a clear path to reimbursement, even approved psychedelic therapies risk remaining inaccessible to many patients who need them most.
The report doesn't just highlight challenges—it also proposes tangible solutions. We advocate for early engagement with healthcare payers, innovative outcome-based pricing models, and proactive use of pilot studies and real-world data collection. By addressing economic hurdles and infrastructure requirements head-on, we aim to unlock a sustainable model for market access.
Personally, as someone deeply engaged in psychedelic research and advocacy, it's crucial for me that these groundbreaking treatments become realistically accessible, not just theoretically promising. This report is a call-to-action for developers, policymakers, payers, and patient advocates alike—let’s collaborate now to ensure psychedelics transform mental healthcare.
Explore the full report and insights here: https://psychedelicsandreimbursement.com
Hystelica, a research organisation dedicated to understanding safe and effective psychedelic use for women, is conducting a study to explore how microdosing psychedelics impacts menopause symptoms. The purpose of this study is to better understand how the mental and/or physical symptoms of menopause are impacted by microdosing psychedelics in women who are going through the menopausal transition (peri-menopausal) or who have been through the menopausal transition (post-menopausal) who are planning to microdose psychedelics. As interest in psychedelic medicine grows, it is crucial to understand its effects on the mental and physical symptoms experienced during menopause.
Participants must be 18+ years old experiencing menopause/perimenopause and planning to use psychedelic substances in sub-perceptual (micro)doses to manage menopause symptoms. The study lasts 12 weeks, with online surveys at baseline, 1, 6, and 12-week intervals. Participants are still eligible even if they stop microdosing, as all experiences contribute valuable data. Participants will have the opportunity to enter a prize draw to win one of three £50 Amazon gift vouchers (after the last survey).
If you would like more information or to join the study click here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HPKPYTK
Breaking Convention returns to the University of Exeter from 17-19 April 2025, bringing together scientists, researchers, artists and curious minds interested in psychedelics. This three-day conference offers talks by leading researchers, panel discussions, workshops and artistic performances that explore different perspectives on the psychedelic experience.
What makes this gathering particularly valuable is the diverse mix of attendees from different disciplines - you might find yourself in conversation with a neuroscientist, therapist and someone who approaches psychedelics from a spiritual perspective, all in the same day.
Whether you're interested in the therapeutic potential of psychedelics, their cultural significance or simply have a personal curiosity, this is a welcoming space to learn and connect. Remember to use code BLOSSOM10 for 10% off your ticket.
ps The afterparty last time was amazing, and I hear it's going to be an even bigger celebration this time around!