Tag Archives: Dose

One Dose of Psychedelic DMT Significantly Alleviates Depression Symptoms

Posted on by
Reply

Psychedelics May Facilitate Neural Connections

Wild Pixel/Getty Images

Recent research demonstrates that a single dose of the hallucinogen dimethyltryptamine (DMT) yields rapid and enduring improvements in symptoms of depression.

DMT, an exceptionally potent hallucinogen sourced from various plants globally, is under strict international regulation, with the United Nations categorizing it as a substance with a notable potential for abuse and no recognized medical use.

Nonetheless, observational studies indicate that DMT and other psychedelics may offer therapeutic benefits to individuals grappling with severe mental health disorders, particularly those unresponsive to conventional interventions.

In a recent study led by David Elizzo at Imperial College London, researchers examined 34 participants suffering from moderate to severe depression, each having endured this condition for an average of 10 years while unsuccessfully trying at least two standard treatment methods.

Accompanied by therapeutic support, half of the participants received a substantial dose of 21.5 milligrams of DMT intravenously over a duration of 10 minutes, while the remainder were administered a placebo.

All participants completed a depression assessment questionnaire before the study commenced, revealing an average 7.4-point decrease in depression scores among the DMT group two weeks post-infusion compared to the placebo group. This decrease remained consistent for up to 6 months in certain participants.

Furthermore, all participants had the option to access a second dose of DMT, managed by a therapist. The findings suggest no significant enhancement in outcomes beyond the initial treatment, indicating a single dose may suffice for sustained benefits.

Regarding safety, side effects were reported as mild, with occasional instances of temporary anxiety, nausea, and localized pain at the injection site.

“Our findings indicate that a single DMT experience lasting just 25 minutes is safe, well-tolerated, and correlates with substantial, long-lasting improvements in depression,” asserts Elizzo. “Notably, these early indications closely resemble results from trials involving long-acting psychedelics such as psilocybin.” Additionally, the brevity of the DMT experience could potentially alleviate treatment costs.

However, the inherent nature of psychedelic drug consumption means participants can often distinguish between the placebo and DMT groups, suggesting that outcomes may reflect both the pharmacological effects of DMT and participants’ expectations.

The researchers found that the intensity of mystical experiences reported approximately 25 minutes after DMT administration was linked to the degree of therapeutic benefit. “Participants who reported feelings of connection, significant emotional shifts, and profound, indescribable experiences were more likely to report increased benefits,” noted team members, including Tommaso Barba from Imperial.

While the exact mechanisms by which psychedelics like DMT alleviate depression remain unclear, some studies imply that they may offer a transient period of neuroplasticity, facilitating new neuronal connections and reducing inflammation associated with poor mental health.

Rick Strassman, a pioneer in psychedelic research, emphasizes the necessity for caution. Although DMT experiences are shorter than those of psilocybin or LSD, the disorienting effects can be greater and demand careful preparation and monitoring.

Elizzo and his team advocate for further investigation into a modified version of DMT called HLP004, aimed at anxiolytic properties. Concurrently, the similar compound 5-MeO-DMT is undergoing advanced trials for depression treatment. Notably, promising results from AtaiBeckley indicate expedited development of drug candidates for treatment-resistant depression, pushing towards potential approval in the U.S.

Article modified on February 16, 2026

This article has been updated to correct the dose of DMT administered to participants and clarify the testing for HLP004.

Article modified on February 17, 2026

This article now clarifies the dose of DMT given to participants was in milligrams, not micrograms.

Topic:

Source: www.newscientist.com

A Single Dose of Psilocybin May Be Sufficient to Rewire the Brain

Posted on by
Reply
SEI 263506826

Psilocybin, the hallucinogen, is derived from numerous magical mushrooms

microgen@gmail.com

A single dose of the psychedelic compound psilocybin may suffice to alter the connections within specific brain networks.

Psychedelic substances like psilocybin, sourced from various magical mushrooms, impact individuals’ perceptions of time, space, and self. Furthermore, they exhibit potential in addressing mental health issues such as depression and anxiety, largely due to their capability to enhance brain plasticity—though the mechanisms remain unclear.

Currently, Alex Kwan, from Cornell University in Ithaca, NY, and his team conducted experiments where mice received injections of either psilocybin or saline. The following day, they injected a genetically modified rabies virus, known for crossing synaptic gaps and indicating neuron connections.

Scans and dissections helped visualize the virus’s effects throughout the brain, revealing new neuronal connections. This research demonstrated that mice treated with psilocybin fortified the links between the brain’s resfluniur cortex—which integrates imagination, memory, and sensory data—and areas of the prefrontal cortex tied to planning and social behavior, in comparison to those receiving saline solutions.

Moreover, psilocybin seems to reduce connections involved in the cortical recurrent loops, which, while valuable for holding onto important memories, can, in some mental health conditions, perpetuate negative thoughts and behaviors. It is theorized that disrupting these loops is vital in addressing various mental health conditions.

“I believe this is the next phase we need to clarify,” stated Michael Wheeler from Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. “Understanding these circuits that connect associative regions could be pivotal to unlocking mechanisms.”

“The modifications brought about by psilocybin treatment play a significant role in its effects on mood disorders,” said Eero Castén from the University of Helsinki, Finland. He added, however, that psilocybin merely offers a chance for remodeling; the actual circuits that strengthen or weaken may depend on the animal’s actions.

This line of research suggests that in the future, one might be able to select which brain connections to alter based on the mental health condition being treated. “Our findings present an exciting pathway for future work that combines neuroregulation with psychedelics to precisely target specific neuroplastic circuits,” the researchers noted in their publication.

Psilocybin use illustrates the “set and setting” phenomenon linked with psychedelic substances, exploring how various activities and environments influence brain alterations. The user’s mindset and surroundings can significantly impact drug effectiveness, resulting in “good” or “bad” trips.

Although this study was conducted on mice, it remains uncertain if the same connectivity changes occur in humans after consuming psilocybin. Nevertheless, Wheeler suggests the mechanisms might be comparable. This mouse study parallels findings in human brain scan research from 2024, which indicates that psilocybin may enhance connectivity in specific brain areas.

Topics:

Source: www.newscientist.com

Revolutionary Breakthrough: One Dose of New Cholesterol Treatment Lowers Levels by 69%

Posted on by
Reply

The innovative drug Single Shot can reduce cholesterol levels by as much as 69%. Preliminary findings from clinical trials have not yet undergone peer review.

Known as Verve-102, this treatment could revolutionize heart attack prevention and significantly lower LDL cholesterol levels (often referred to as “bad” cholesterol) with a single injection.

While statins can achieve similar cholesterol reductions, they typically require daily administration.

“This is the future,” stated Professor Riyaz Patel, an academic from the University of London and a doctor at Barts Health NHS Trust involved in the trial – BBC Science Focus.

“This is not a fantasy; it’s reality. We are actively implementing it. I was providing this treatment to my patient during the exam.”

Unlike statins, which gradually lower cholesterol, Verve-102 aims for a one-time alteration by “turning off” a specific gene called PCSK9 in the liver. This gene is crucial in managing the levels of LDL cholesterol that the liver can detect and eliminate from the bloodstream.

In simpler terms, a reduction in PCSK9 means less LDL in the bloodstream.

“The results are stunning,” Patel remarked. “This drug disables a small segment of your DNA, and your LDL cholesterol will be permanently 50% lower thereafter. That’s a game-changer!”

Cholesterol builds up in blood vessel walls, leading to plaque formation that can obstruct blood flow.

Elevated LDL cholesterol levels heighten the risk of this buildup, prompting millions (over 40 million in the US and over 7 million in the UK) to take daily medications like statins for cholesterol management.

The VERVE-102 clinical trial included 14 participants with familial hypercholesterolemia, a genetic disorder that heightens the risk of heart disease, heart attacks, and strokes due to extremely high LDL cholesterol levels.

Initial outcomes from Verve-102 injections show that all participants reacted positively to the treatment with no severe side effects.

Responses varied by dosage. The lowest dose group experienced an average LDL reduction of 21%, while the intermediate group showed a 41% reduction, and the high-dose group saw a 53% reduction.

Remarkably, one individual in the high-dose group achieved a 69% reduction in LDL cholesterol after receiving Verve-102.

Dr. Eugene Braunwald, a distinguished medical professor and Hershey’s professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School who did not take part in the study, noted that the preliminary data is “promising” and indicates “the potential for a new era in cardiovascular disease treatment.”

Verve is actively recruiting participants for further stages of clinical trials involving even higher Verve-102 doses in the UK, Canada, Israel, Australia, and New Zealand. The final results are expected to be revealed in the latter half of 2025.

Read more:

About our experts

Professor Riyaz Patel is a consultant cardiologist and clinical academic scholar at University College London (UCL) and Barts Health NHS Trust. He is a fully funded clinician scientist with the British Heart Foundation and serves as a professor of cardiology at UCL, where he investigates the causes of heart disease, focusing on cardiovascular risks and the genetics of coronary heart disease. He has established and led new cardiovascular prevention services at Barts Heart Center.

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

One Smallpox Vaccine Dose Offers Continued Protection against Smallpox.

Posted on by
Reply

There are few high-quality studies on the effectiveness of the smallpox vaccine against smallpox.

Emanuele Contini/Nuru Photo via Getty Images

One dose of one type of smallpox vaccine appears to reduce the risk of getting smallpox by about 60 percent, although this can vary depending on mutations of the virus.

Cases of MPOX, formerly known as monkeypox, are rapidly increasing in the Democratic Republic of Congo, driven by a variant called lineage Ib. The vaccine used to prevent MPOX was originally developed for smallpox, and although the two viruses are related, it is unclear whether it is specifically effective against MPOX.

For more information, Sharmistha Mishra Researchers at the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences in Toronto, Canada, in collaboration with colleagues, focused on a vaccine called MVA-BN, also known as JYNNEOS, Imvanex, and Imvamune, which was the most widely used smallpox vaccine in Western countries during the 2022 smallpox outbreak caused by the clade IIb variant.

Studies have shown that the effectiveness of MVA-BN for mpox varies widely, from 36% to 86%. This range is likely because the studies are observational and compare results in people of different ages, locations, and health conditions.

A randomized controlled trial is being conducted among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, who made up the majority of infections in Western countries during the 2022 outbreak.

Meanwhile, Mishra's team tried to mimic a randomized controlled trial using existing medical data. The researchers studied more than 6,000 Canadian men who were deemed to be at high risk for infection in 2022. About half received one dose of MVA-BN, and the rest did not receive the mpox vaccine. The two groups of men were matched by factors such as age and location, Mishra said.

While the official MVA-BN vaccination schedule calls for two doses administered at least 28 days apart, Mishra said the Canadian government initially opted for a one-dose vaccination protocol to spread the shots among as many at-risk people as possible.

During a follow-up period of approximately 80 days, 50 men in the unvaccinated group were diagnosed with MPOX compared to 21 in the vaccinated group, suggesting that MVA-BN reduced the risk by 58 percent.

This suggests that one dose is enough to provide protection. Adam Hacker At the London Coalition for Infectious Disease Preparedness Innovations Corinne Goertz van Kessel “Scientifically, we know that two doses are more effective,” Hacker told Erasmus MC in the Netherlands.

Geerts van Kessel says the team's approach was a good way to mimic a randomized controlled trial, but it is unclear whether some of the men, who are older than their mid-50s, were vaccinated when smallpox was a threat, which could have influenced their immune response to the 2022 MVA-BN.

Studying how the vaccine affects the severity of disease after infection with MPOX will also help assess the vaccine's overall effectiveness, she says.

It's also unclear how effective the drug is specifically against lineage Ib, Goertz van Kessel says, but both she and Hacker expect MVA-BN to be at least somewhat effective against that variant as well as it is against lineage IIb, which continues to circulate in West and Central Africa.

topic:

Source: www.newscientist.com