The Bloom #144 Free Edition increasing access

Innovation and exploration continue to be the cornerstones of our journey at Blossom. This month, I'm thrilled to unveil a new way in which you can interact with our ever-expanding database of psychedelic research. Imagine a chat interface that not only understands your inquiries but is also backed by the full depth of our research database. This is not a distant dream but a reality we're alpha-testing right now. Discover the future of research interaction and let your curiosity lead the way at our new platform.

The commitment to uncovering and highlighting underserved areas in psychedelic research takes a significant step forward as we, alongside Eleanor Taylor and Alana Cookman, present a resource on Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) and psychedelics. This collaboration offers the first comprehensive mapping of this crucial intersection, providing insights and hope for those affected by PMDD.

Diving into the heart of our mission, the February review of psychedelic research is now accessible. This month, we've added 21 articles to our database, covering a spectrum from psychedelics and sexual functioning to the rich knowledge pool available in Switzerland.

Lastly, we're extending an invitation to a realm where psychedelics and design converge. Join us on April 11th, 2024, for an online conference that promises to be a melding of minds and ideas. Esteemed speakers will guide us through discussions on the business of psychedelics, microdosing and creativity, brand authenticity, and nature-aligned architectural design. Use the discount code FLORIS15 to be part of this transformative experience at the Psychedelics and Design Conference.

Floris - Founder of Blossom

Latest Psychedelic Research

1 Expectancy effects in psychedelic trials​

This review (2024) explores the impact of participant expectations on psychedelic clinical trials. It highlights the challenge of maintaining blinding as doses increase and discusses the potential bias introduced by positive expectancy. The review covers expectancy effects in both micro- and macrodose trials, suggesting that understanding and managing expectancy could enhance trial rigour and treatment outcomes in future psychedelic research.

2 Synthetic surprise as the foundation of the psychedelic experience​

This hypothesis paper proposes that psychedelic agents like LSD and psilocybin induce altered states of consciousness by activating the 5-HT2A receptor system, leading to a state of "synthetic surprise." This concept is based on recent understandings of serotonin's role in signaling surprise and is framed within the predictive coding framework, where surprise is seen as a mismatch between expectations and sensory input. The paper suggests that psychedelics disrupt maladaptive patterns by dynamically interacting with top-down expectations and sensory data, with implications for their clinical use, particularly emphasizing their ability to induce surprise to promote therapeutic effects.

3 Predicting the outcome of psilocybin treatment for depression from baseline fMRI functional connectivity​

This machine learning study (n=16) examines baseline resting-state functional connectivity (FC) measured with fMRI as a predictor of symptom severity in psilocybin-assisted therapy for treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Results show that FC of visual, default mode, and executive networks predicted early symptom improvement, with the salience network predicting responders up to 24 weeks after treatment.

More new research

• ​Increases in aesthetic experience following ayahuasca use: An open-label, naturalistic study (previously covered as pre-print)
• ​Subjective long-term emotional and social effects of recreational MDMA use: the role of setting and intentions​
• ​Membrane Permeation of Psychedelic Tryptamines by Dynamic Simulations​

New on Blossom

1 Psychedelic Research Recap February 2024​

What happens if psychedelics become a regular part of therapy?

In a way, that is what the majority of research on psychedelics is trying to answer. Studies analysing the safety, to mapping out the effectiveness in various domains, including those featured here in February, help us understand psychedelics as medicines. But, a new study looking back at the therapeutic use of psychedelics in Switzerland put all of this in a new light, building on over 3000 sessions, it showcases how (in a limited setting) psychedelics can be used responsibly.

Other studies this month look at sexual functioning after psychedelics (better than after SSRIs), dive deeper into exploring expectancy effects, and we get a closer look at the effects of microdosing LSD in a controlled trial.

2 Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder & Psychedelics​

Psychedelics, psilocybin specifically, has been used by women in the treatment of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) symptoms. This topic page covers the background and first research on this topic.

3 Blossom Pro: Research Briefing #5 – Microdosing for ADHD, PAT in Switzerland, and Repeated Psilocybin Dosing​

How can microdosing support people who experience ADHD, and does it work better than conventional medications? The first article explores this across two studies. We then venture into the heart of Europe, where psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy has been legally possible for the last decade (again). Finally, I’ll focus on the flexible repeated dosing in a trial with psilocybin for depression.

4 Psychedelic Research Links 2024​

All the other papers that have come out this year that don't have a separate entry in the database.

Spotlight

1 Psychedelics Design Conference (Event)

I'm excited to invite you to the ​Psychedelics Design Conference​ on April 11, 2024. Psychedelics Design and Blossom created a half-day Online Conference featuring well-known experts such as Paul Austin, Michel Rojkind, Jemma Campbell, and yours truly.

Join us to explore the cultural nuances that shape our creative and psychedelic landscapes. Tickets are priced at £20 / $25 and ​available here​. Use code Floris15 for a 15% discount.

Molenvaart 76, Anna Paulowna, NH 1761AL
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