Plain-English explanations of what the science actually says. For the studies themselves — design, sample size, findings — see the Studies database.
Plain-English explanations of what the science actually says. For the studies themselves — design, sample size, findings — see the Studies database.
Classic psychedelics share core mechanisms but differ in important ways. We compare psilocybin, LSD, and ayahuasca across pharmacology, experience, duration, and clinical research.
Read the full breakdownTwo influential theoretical frameworks have shaped how scientists think about psychedelic action in the brain. We explain the entropic brain hypothesis and the REBUS model, what they predict, and how the evidence has held up.
Psilocybin produces tolerance faster than almost any other recreational substance. We explain the underlying biology, what cross-tolerance means in practice, and the implications for both clinical and recreational use.
From oral ingestion to receptor binding, what actually happens when psilocybin enters the body. A clear explanation of the pharmacology, written for readers without a chemistry background.
Microdosing has moved from anecdote to active research. We summarize the controlled trials published to date, what they reveal about active vs. placebo effects, and where the popular narrative diverges from the evidence.
Existential distress in terminally ill patients has been one of the most consistent areas of psilocybin research. We review the trials, the magnitude of effect, and the practical and ethical questions that remain.
Functional brain imaging has reshaped our understanding of how psychedelics affect consciousness. We explain the Default Mode Network, what psilocybin appears to do to it, and the limits of what current evidence can claim.
A careful review of the clinical trial literature on psilocybin for depression. We summarize the published evidence, identify the methodological limits, and explain what the data does and does not justify.
Johns Hopkins has run more psilocybin trials than any other Western institution. We walk through their methodology, headline findings, and the careful limits researchers themselves place on what the data can and cannot show.
Reading a study well means knowing what these terms mean. Each links to a plain-English definition.
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