The Bloom #186 Free Edition micro effects

​Last month was a decidedly slow month for psychedelic research. I only added seven studies to the database, and 'only' came across 140 studies (versus nearly 200 in the months before).

Still, there were interesting investigations of microdosing (null result), emotional reactivity (btter in psychonauts), a third generation psychedelic (GM-2505), set and setting (in cancer-related depression), brain plasticity (context dependent), endocannabinoid levels (after MDMA), and psilocybin for TRD (up to 20 weeks).

Floris - Founder of Blossom

ps Please join me today (11:00 AM MT / 1:00 PM ET / 10:00 AM PT) for the latest Delphi Insight Session. Lia Mix (Founder & CEO) will detail her own experience with ibogaine and present the launch of the Ibogaine Healthcare Policy Institute (IHPI).

pps Want to listen (or watch) to me discussing psychedelic research, then check out the latest podcast episode of The Psychedelic Paradigm Shift by Jeannie Page on YouTube or Spotify.

Latest Psychedelic Research

1 Cognitive and Subjective Effects of Psilocybin Microdosing: Results from Two Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Longitudinal Trials​

These two randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials (n=141) conducted in semi-naturalistic settings found that microdosing psilocybin truffles did not significantly affect cognitive control, memory, social cognition, subjective well-being, attention, mood, or self-reported cognitive flexibility compared to placebo. Initial effects in some domains did not remain significant after correcting for multiple comparisons.

2 A novel psychedelic 5-HT2A receptor agonist GM-2505: The pharmacokinetic, safety, and pharmacodynamic profile from a randomized trial healthy volunteer​

This Phase I single-ascending dose, randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind study (n=48) found that GM-2505, a novel 5-HT2A receptor agonist, demonstrated an acceptable safety profile with mild transient adverse events at intravenous doses up to 20 mg, a half-life of 40-50 minutes, and dose-dependent effects on neuroendocrine hormones, neuropsychological measures, and resting-state electroencephalography similar to other 5-HT2A receptor agonists but with a duration of effects shorter than psilocybin and longer than DMT.

3 Set and setting in psilocybin-assisted therapy: A qualitative study of patients with cancer and depression​

This qualitative study (n=28 interviews) of participants in a psilocybin-assisted therapy trial for cancer-related depression found that therapeutic benefits were closely tied to participants' ability to "surrender" (accepting and remaining open to the experience's intensity and unpredictability), with a safe, supportive, and ethical environment critical to fostering trust and engagement, and preparation and integration key to maximizing benefit, whilst music played a significant but variable role and ceremonial elements added meaning for many despite the clinical setting providing safety.

More Research

• ​Psilocybin’s effect on human brain synaptic plasticity​
• ​The effect of methamphetamine and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine on peripheral endocannabinoid concentrations: a study in healthy adults​
• ​Investigating Emotional Reactivity in Experienced Users of Psychedelics: a cross-sectional fMRI study​

New on Blossom

1 Psychedelic Research Recap October​

October 2025 was a calm month for psychedelic research. Whilst we saw record investments, there was a significant dip in research that was published. In our recap, we look back at an fMRI study on emotional reactivity in psychedelic users, another null result for microdosing for cognitive enhancement, and the importance of set and setting in psychedelic treatments.

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.
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Spotlight

1 M​icrodosing Facilitator Program (Course)

The Microdosing Facilitator Program by our friends at Microdosing Institute is now open for applications.

This 8-month training is designed for those who feel called to guide others with microdosing in a safe, conscious, and effective way. The program combines science, practice, and deep personal development. You’ll also learn directly from masterclass facilitators, including James Fadiman, one of the leading researchers in microdosing, with whom they proudly collaborate.

“Among the more than 50 trainings of divergent qualities which have appeared the last few years in the psychedelic wellness and healing industry, this program is a haven of integrity and professionalism.”
​— Donca Vianu, MD, Portugal – Psychiatrist, psychotherapist & former participant

Special for you: €100 discount on the program fee when you apply via me. Just make sure to select Blossom in the application form under “How did you hear about us?”

Molenvaart 76, Anna Paulowna, NH 1761AL
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