Global Research and Emerging Evidence
At Eleusium Centre for Consciousness Expansion and Risk Reduction, we stay informed about the growing body of research exploring the therapeutic and spiritual potential of plant medicine.
This emerging field of research is being studied worldwide for its ability to support healing from trauma, depression, anxiety, and addiction.
Psychedelics in Clinical Research
Across leading universities and research organizations, scientists are investigating how plant medicine and consciousness expanding substances may help address:
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Substance use and addiction
Treatment-resistant depression
End-of-life distress and existential anxiety
The FDA has given Breakthrough Therapy Designation. A recognition granted when early evidence suggests substantial improvement over existing treatments.
Institutions Leading the Way
Several respected academic and medical centers are pioneering evidence-based approaches to understanding psychedelic medicine:
Our Perspective
While Eleusium does not participate in or facilitate clinical research, our approach is informed by the evolving science and ethics emerging from these global studies.
We integrate this evolving knowledge into our risk-reduction education and psychedelic assisted-therapy, helping clients understand their experiences through an evidence-informed and trauma-sensitive lens.
We also encourage individuals to do their own research; to stay curious, read from reputable sources, and make decisions that align with their personal values, mental-health needs, and legal context.
Where to Start Your Own Research
If you’re curious to learn more, here are a few reputable places to begin. We encourage individuals to stay informed through diverse, evidence-based perspectives while trusting their own pace and readiness. These are shared as options, not endorsements. We invite you to explore what resonates most with you:
Johns Hopkins Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research
MAPS (Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies)
Health Canada: Psilocybin and psilocin (Magic mushrooms)
Cannabis Research
An emerging trend in Novel Psychoactive Substances (NPSs): designer THC, Capriari, C., Ferri, E., Vandelli, M., Citti, C., Journey of Cannabis Research, May 3, 2024
The psychedelic effects of cannabis: A review of the literature, Wolinsky D, Barrett FS, Vandrey R. . J Psychopharmacol. 2024 Jan;38(1):49-55. doi: 10.1177/02698811231209194.
After 50 Years, U.S. Opens The Door To More Cannabis Crops For Scientists, by Will Stone, NPR, May 30, 2021
An Archaeology of Marijuana, by Stephen Nash, Sapiens, October 16, 2020
Cannabis as entheogen: survey and interview data on the spiritual use of cannabis, by Petter Grahl Johnstad, Journal of Cannabis Research, September 22, 2020
New Research Reveals Why Cannabis Helps PTSD Sufferers, by Emily Earlenbaugh, Forbes, September 17, 2020
Cannabis And Ketamine: Is There A Risk Of Interaction?, by Kate-Madonna Hindes, The Fresh Toast, June 22, 2020
Psychiatrist Explores Possible Benefits Of Treating PTSD With Ecstasy Or Cannabis, by Terry Gross, NPR, June 22, 2020
Is Cannabis a Psychedelic Drug?, by Barbara E. Bauer, MS, Psychedelic Science Review, October 31, 2019
Other Psychedelics Research
Ketamine
Rapid resolution of suicidal ideation after a single infusion of an N-methyl-D-aspartate antagonist in patients with treatment-resistant major depressive disorder. DiazGranados, N., Ibrahim, L. A., Brutsche, N. E., Ameli, R., Henter, I. D., Luckenbaugh, D. A., Machado-Vieira, R., & Zarate, C. A., Jr (2010). The Journal of clinical psychiatry, 71(12), 1605–1611.
Efficacy of ketamine therapy in the treatment of depression. Mandal, S., Sinha, V. K., & Goyal, N. (2019). Indian journal of psychiatry, 61(5), 480–485.
Antidepressant efficacy of ketamine in treatment-resistant major depression: a two-site randomized controlled trial. Murrough, J. W., Iosifescu, D. V., Chang, L. C., Al Jurdi, R. K., Green, C. E., Perez, A. M., Iqbal, S., Pillemer, S., Foulkes, A., Shah, A., Charney, D. S., & Mathew, S. J. (2013). The American journal of psychiatry, 170(10), 1134–1142.
Ketamine in Major Depressive Disorder: Mechanisms and Future Perspectives. Shin, C., & Kim, Y. K. (2020). Psychiatry investigation, 17(3), 181–192
Intravenous Esketamine in Adult Treatment-Resistant Depression: A Double-Blind, Double-Randomization, Placebo-Controlled Study. Singh, J. B., Fedgchin, M., Daly, E., Xi, L., Melman, C., De Bruecker, G., Tadic, A., Sienaert, P., Wiegand, F., Manji, H., Drevets, W. C., & Van Nueten, L. (2016). Biological psychiatry, 80(6), 424–431.
Rapid and longer-term antidepressant effects of repeated-dose intravenous ketamine for patients with unipolar and bipolar depression. Zheng, W., Zhou, Y. L., Liu, W. J., Wang, C. Y., Zhan, Y. N., Li, H. Q., Chen, L. J., Li, M. D., & Ning, Y. P. (2018). Journal of psychiatric research, 106, 61–68.
Psilocybin Research
Effects of psilocybin versus escitalopram on rumination and thought suppression in depression. Barba, T., Buehler, S., Kettner, H., Radu, C., Cunha, B., Nutt, D., . . . Carhart-Harris, R. BJPsych Open. 2022.
Increased global integration in the brain after psilocybin therapy for depression. Daws, R.E., Timmermann, C., Giribaldi, B. et al. Nature Medicine. 2022.
Therapeutic use of psilocybin: Practical considerations for dosing and administration. MacCallum, C. A., Lo, L. A., Pistawka, C. A., & Deol, J. K. Frontiers in Psychiatry. 2022.
Therapeutic effect of psilocybin in addiction: A systematic review. van der Meer Pim B., Fuentes Juan J., Kaptein Ad A., Schoones Jan W., de Waal Marleen M., Goudriaan Anneke E., Kramers Kees, Schellekens Arnt, Somers Metten, Bossong Matthijs G., Batalla Albert. Frontiers in Psychiatry. 2023.
Single-dose psilocybin for treatment-resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder: A case report. Kelmendi B, Kichuk SA, DePalmer G, Maloney G, Ching THW, Belser A, Pittenger C. Heliyon. 2022.
Mystical Experiences Occasioned by the Hallucinogen Psilocybin Lead to Increases in the Personality Domain of Openness. MacLean KA, Johnson MW, Griffiths RR. J Psychopharmacol. 2011.