Summary: Classical psychedelics like LSD, psilocybin, and mescaline are known for activating the 5-HT2A serotonin receptor, but a new study reveals their effects go far beyond. Researchers profiled 41 psychedelics against over 300 human receptors and found potent activity at serotonin, dopamine, and adrenergic sites.The study also showed that psychedelics...

Summary: A meta-analysis of gene expression data from humans and rodents reveals key biological pathways influencing response to the antidepressant fluoxetine. The study highlights the role of immune-related pathways, including toll-like receptor signaling, and neural signal transduction mechanisms in distinguishing responders from non-responders.Findings also show consistent changes in protein metabolism...

Summary: Decision-making often involves trial and error, but conventional models assume we always act optimally based on past experience. A new study used small, interpretable artificial neural networks to uncover how humans and animals actually make choices—revealing the suboptimal strategies we often use.These models predicted individual decisions more accurately than...

Summary: Beliefs in pseudoscientific health ideas can undermine trust in conventional medicine and lead to riskier health decisions, a new study finds. Researchers analyzed over 1,500 participants and showed that stronger illusory beliefs were linked to higher use of unvalidated therapies and lower adherence to evidence-based practices.However, valuing science and...

Summary: The brain remains highly active during sleep, and mapping this activity can reveal early signs of neurological and sleep disorders. Using rare intracranial EEG data, researchers refined methods to distinguish functional areas of the cerebral cortex based on their unique electrical activity, even at rest.These findings highlight how precise...

Summary: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) remains a leading cause of vision loss, but new therapies are reshaping its treatment. Recently approved drugs, pegcetacoplan and avacincaptad pegol, target the complement system to slow dry AMD progression.Wet AMD options have also advanced, with faricimab offering longer intervals between injections and promising combination...

Summary: The anterior temporal lobe (ATL) plays a key role in interpreting social hierarchies and facial emotions, offering insight into anxiety and mood disorders. A research project used advanced imaging techniques to overcome past challenges in studying the ATL, revealing its strong activation during social and emotional decisions.Findings suggest anxiety...

Summary: Each morning, your brain undergoes a precise sequence to shift from sleep to wakefulness, reorienting you to the world. A study using high-density EEG recordings found that awakening begins in frontal regions and spreads backward, with distinct patterns depending on whether you wake from REM or non-REM sleep.In non-REM...

Summary: New research has uncovered that neurons store their own glycogen, acting as “backup batteries” to keep the brain functioning during energy stress. Using worms and advanced biosensors, scientists found that neurons can tap into glycogen reserves, especially when oxygen or mitochondrial function is limited.This metabolic flexibility, termed “glycogen-dependent glycolytic...

Summary: Many dog lovers believe dogs can sense who to trust, but research suggests the reality may be more complex. A study of 40 pet dogs tested whether they form reputations of humans by observing how those humans treated another dog.Surprisingly, dogs showed no clear preference for a generous person...