The Bloom 182 - Psychedelic Conferences


The Bloom #182

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Europe awakens

Between May and June, the number of research articles we've added to the database shot up by 80%. Ok, that is going from 10 to 18, but still, a lot of valuable research is hot off the press.

You can read the full recap of June's research on Blossom.

This month, more research has been published on the mystical experience, OCD, and psilocybin-assisted therapy for bipolar II.

Looking forwards, many conferences are happening all around Europe. Here are a few that stood out (in chronological order):

  • Borealis - in Stockholm (Sweden) - 26-27 September - get 20% off with code SUMMER20
  • InAwe Psymposium - Madrid (Spain) - 2-4 October
  • Psykedeelit - in Turku (Finland) - 2-4 October
  • Fuertedélica - in Corralejo (Spain) - 7-8 November

Floris - Founder of Blossom

ps Psychedelics Design is running a survey on how psychedelics influence the creative process, take the survey

Latest Psychedelic Research

1 An open-label, dose-escalation trial of psilocybin-assisted therapy for bipolar 2 depression

This pre-print open-label trial (n=14) administered psilocybin (10-25mg) plus psychotherapy to people with bipolar II depression. It was well tolerated (only transient cardio spikes, mild anxiety/nausea/headache, and three temporary hypomania-or-suicidality events) and cut MADRS scores by 13–19 points at 21 days and 14 points at 90 days while boosting quality of life, with no excess mania or psychosis.

One truffle ceremony. Lasting transformation.

“It felt like a shared journey where you are not alone, which is essential for such a profound and transformational process.” - Nikki

A unique experience that leads to a richer life with a deeper sense of fulfilment and connection.

2 Examining mystical experiences as a predictor of psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for treatment-resistant depression

This secondary analysis of treatment-resistant depression patients (n=31) with major depressive disorder or bipolar II disorder found that greater mystical experiences during the first 25mg psilocybin dose predicted better antidepressant outcomes, though this relationship was not observed for subsequent doses.

3 Single-dose (10 mg) psilocybin reduces symptoms in adults with obsessive-compulsive disorder: A pharmacological challenge study

This open-label study (n=19) found that 10mg oral psilocybin produced a significant reduction in OCD symptoms compared to 1mg, with a large effect size (Cohen's d = 0.82) one week after dosing, particularly for compulsions rather than obsessions, though effects diminished over subsequent weeks.

More Research

New on Blossom

1 Psychedelic Research Recap June

Psilocybin (COMP360) achieved first Phase III data for treatment-resistant depression, showing a 3.6-point MADRS drop at week 6 versus placebo. Additional depression studies covered high-dose LSD, oncology applications, and economic analyses. Phase II inhaled 5-MeO-DMT demonstrated stronger effects, with Phase III trials planned.

Mechanistic research progressed with PET-MRI studies linking LSD receptor activity to network entropy, while fMRI work connected signal changes to receptor density. Psilocybin consistently flattened network boundaries, and salivary oxytocin emerged as a potential LSD therapy biomarker.

Studies confirmed psilocybin, DMT-harmine combinations, and retreat settings increase mindfulness and meaning, while a three-item scale proved effective for 5-MeO-DMT dosing.

Safety research found most psychedelic-induced psychosis cases resolve within two weeks with modern antipsychotics. Vaporized DMT showed only mild, temporary vital-sign changes. A new 30-item ReSPCT checklist provides a standardized framework for reporting set and setting in clinical trials.

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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 the papers included in our database.

Spotlight

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Floris from Blossom

I write about the science and implementation of psychedelics as medicines. Join to learn alongside me and make the future happen sooner!

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