Resources
A curated selection of books, films, and research for anyone wanting to explore the science, history, and human stories behind psychedelic healing.
Books
How to Change Your Mind — Michael Pollan - The most accessible and balanced introduction to psychedelics. Covers history, science, therapeutic potential, and real stories. Ideal for the curious and the sceptical alike.
The Fellowship of the River — Dr. Joe Tafur - A compelling look at ayahuasca through a medical lens, exploring how mind, body, and spirit healing intertwine. Excellent for anyone drawn to Amazonian medicine or interested in trauma healing.
Documentaries
Fantastic Fungi (Netflix / Prime) - A visually stunning film about mushrooms featuring Paul Stamets and Michael Pollan. Covers healing potential, ecology, and human connection. Perfect for beginners — uplifting and non-sensational.
How to Change Your Mind (Netflix series) - The documentary adaptation of Pollan's book. Each episode focuses on a different psychedelic — LSD, psilocybin, MDMA, and mescaline. Clear, compassionate, and educational.
The Mind, Explained: Psychedelics (Netflix) - A 20-minute overview of how psychedelics affect the brain, narrated by Emma Stone. Science-based and accessible — ideal for anyone wanting a quick, grounded introduction.
1. Human Brain Changes After First Psilocybin Use - Nature Communications, 2026 — Lyons, Spriggs, Carhart-Harris et al., Imperial College London & UC San Francisco
One of the most significant psilocybin studies published to date. Using brain imaging on 28 healthy, first-time psychedelic users, researchers detected measurable anatomical changes in the brain one month after a single high dose of psilocybin. Participants also showed significant improvements in psychological insight, cognitive flexibility and wellbeing. Crucially, the intensity of the experience during the session predicted the degree of wellbeing improvement a month later — underlining why the quality of the journey matters.
2. Single-Dose Psilocybin for Treatment-Resistant Depression - New England Journal of Medicine, 2022 — Goodwin et al. For those who have tried conventional treatments without success, this study offers striking evidence. A single dose of psilocybin produced significant reductions in depression scores in patients with treatment-resistant major depression — one of the most difficult conditions in psychiatry to treat. Published in the world's most prestigious medical journal. 🔗 Read the study
3. Psilocybin versus Nicotine Patch for Smoking Cessation - JAMA Network Open, 2026 — Johnson et al. Perhaps the most surprising study on this list. In this randomised clinical trial, participants who received psilocybin had more than six times greater odds of prolonged smoking abstinence six months after treatment than those who received a nicotine patch. It suggests psilocybin's potential extends well beyond mental health into the broader landscape of addiction and behaviour change. 🔗 Read the study
4. Efficacy and Acceptability of Psilocybin for Depression - Frontiers in Psychiatry, 2024 — Fang, Yang & Zhang A thorough meta-analysis drawing on ten clinical studies and over 500 patients. The findings show a large effect size in favour of psilocybin for treating both primary and secondary depression, with therapeutic effects increasing with dose. A solid, evidence-based overview for anyone wanting to understand the weight of research behind psilocybin therapy. 🔗 Read the study
5. Psilocybin with Psychological Support for Treatment-Resistant Depression - The Lancet Psychiatry, 2016 — Carhart-Harris et al., Imperial College London
The study that helped reignite modern psychedelic research. Robin Carhart-Harris and his team at Imperial College London administered psilocybin alongside psychological support to patients who had exhausted all conventional treatment options for depression. The results were striking — significant and sustained reductions in depression symptoms following just two sessions, with many participants describing the experience as one of the most meaningful of their lives. A landmark paper that opened the door to a new era of psychiatric research.
6. Trial of Psilocybin versus Escitalopram for Depression - New England Journal of Medicine, 2021 — Carhart-Harris et al. One of the most important studies in the field. Researchers at Imperial College London directly compared psilocybin with escitalopram — one of the world's most prescribed antidepressants — in a randomised controlled trial. The results showed psilocybin performed comparably on primary measures, with secondary outcomes consistently favouring psilocybin. A landmark moment for psychedelic research. 🔗 Read the study
Research and Studies
Useful Links
IDPAT — Irish Doctors for Psychedelic Assisted Therapy A group of Irish healthcare professionals — doctors, psychiatrists, psychotherapists and researchers — advocating for patient access to psychedelic assisted therapy in Ireland. An essential Irish resource. 🔗 www.idpat.ie
MAPS — Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies The world's leading psychedelic research and advocacy organisation, behind landmark clinical trials into MDMA, psilocybin and other medicines. Essential reading for anyone serious about this field. 🔗 www.maps.org
Beckley Research Institute One of the world's leading psychedelic research organisations, instrumental in funding groundbreaking studies including early work by Robin Carhart-Harris. A hub of serious psychedelic science. 🔗 www.beckleyresearch.com
Onaya Science A psychedelic mentor certification programme founded by Dr. Simon Ruffell, Lecturer in Psychology and Psychedelics at the University of Exeter, bridging Amazonian plant medicine traditions with modern psychological research. 🔗 www.onayascience.com
The Third Wave A comprehensive and responsible resource covering psychedelic education, microdosing guidance, and integration support. A great starting point for anyone new to this space. 🔗 www.thethirdwave.co