Physical Effects, Set and Setting, and Age-Related Considerations for Seniors Exploring Psilocybin Psychedelics have long been associated with youth culture and inner exploration, but a surprising trend is emerging. A growing number of people over the age of 70 are calling psychedelic info lines, attending educational events, and participating in first-time psychedelic experiences. Older adults […]

Dr. Victor Pablo Acero details his journey, guided by a “bridge-building” ethos. From bioengineering to forming transdisciplinary collaborations like the Intercollegiate Psychedelics Network, he seeks to unite diverse fields. He plans to advance impactful naturalistic research on TBI, relational healing, and community-based studies.

This recently released paper represents a critical, early step in exploring a readily available, natural, and low-cost complementary therapy for a condition that drastically affects millions globally: epilepsy.

In Part 3 of our three-part interview series with Unlimited Sciences, Daniel McQueen shares his vision for DMTx. Beyond personal healing or spiritual insight, he explores how extended stay DMT could support innovation, cultural repair, and even global problem-solving, if paired with strong community ethics.

In Part 2 of our three-part series with Unlimited Sciences, Daniel McQueen of the Center for Medicinal Mindfulness talks about one of the most fascinating aspects of DMTx-meeting entities. Are these beings psychological projections, guides, or something beyond us? Daniel also shares why ethics, consent, and intention matter deeply when approaching extended DMT experiences.

Thinking about booking a psychedelic retreat? Although this guide won’t recommend specific spots, it will help you ask the right questions so you can choose with care. Your safest compass is a blend of set and setting, paired with physical, mental and spiritual safety. Set is your inner world: your mindset, emotions, and intention. Setting is your outer world: the people, place, and structure that hold you. When set and setting are aligned, a psychedelic retreat is more likely to feel grounded and constructive. 

Words shape understanding. They carry history, bias, and cultural weight. And in the context of psychedelics (where stigma, science, and spirituality all intersect!) terminology has the power to either build bridges or create confusion. This is why our new paper with a proposed framework for standardized psychedelic nomenclature (Nutt, et al., 2025) is so timely.

In this three-part series with Unlimited Sciences, we sit down with Daniel McQueen, founder of the Center for Medicinal Mindfulness,  Colorado’s DMTx program, and author to explore DMTx, an extended-state approach to working with DMT. In Part 1, Daniel explains what DMTx is, how it differs from smoking DMT or drinking ayahuasca, and why this technology may transform psychedelic exploration.

When taking classic psychedelics such as psilocybin, sleep can be impacted negatively by disrupting sleep patterns in the hours following ingestion.

For years, people have come to Unlimited Sciences with a simple but profound question: Why isn’t anyone studying this? Whether it’s parents wondering how psychedelics might help them show up more patiently for their kids, or integration facilitators noticing patterns in community healing, the reality is that countless important questions about psychedelics remain unanswered.

If you’ve spent any time researching psychedelics like psilocybin magic mushrooms, ayahuasca, DMT or MDMA, you’ve probably come across the term “Schedule I substance.” But what does that actually mean, and why does it matter for those exploring these substances for healing, curiosity, or spiritual growth?

In this powerful interview, our Chief Scientific Officer, Dr. Matthew X. Lowe, opens up about how psychedelics helped him move through lifelong depression and why his work at Unlimited Sciences now centers on lifting up underrepresented voices in psychedelic research, including queer communities and immigrants affected by trauma.

A little over a year ago, I found myself drawn to a volunteer opportunity that combined two things I care deeply about; science and heart. The mission of Unlimited Sciences sparked something in me because it wasn’t just about gathering data, it was about how that data could serve people. It created a bridge between rigorous psychedelic research and the very real, very human need to be met with compassion instead of judgment. That combination felt rare.

Burnout has been a silent epidemic for decades. The World Health Organization now classifies burnout as an “occupational phenomenon,” defined by chronic workplace stress that hasn’t been successfully managed. Symptoms include exhaustion, cynicism, and reduced professional efficacy. For many people, it feels like the emotional gas tank is perpetually empty, no matter how many wellness apps, vacation days or cups of coffee are thrown at the problem.

When you read about “25 mg of psilocybin,” you might wonder what that actually refers to. Is it the weight of dried whole magic mushrooms?

That’s what many people describe in a psychedelic experience: a phenomenon known as ego death.

Far from just a trippy buzzword, ego death is a deeply researched and often transformative process in psychedelic journeys. While it can feel disorienting at first, many people report that the loss of self is what made space for a new kind of peace, one that isn’t dependent on being in control, being right, or even being someone.

Hi. My name is Dena, and I eat magic mushrooms. This is a sentence I never thought I would be saying at 47 years old. I am a mom of a beautiful little girl with epilepsy and autism. My life is complicated and messy and stressful and beautiful and magical. If you would have told me five years ago (or shoot, even one year ago!) that I would be ingesting magic mushrooms on the regular, I would have laughed in your face.

Psychedelic medicine didn’t start in a lab. It began in ceremony and community, held by elders, guided by land, and rooted in story.

Unlimited Sciences is proud to announce a strategic leadership evolution: Katie A. Pickard has been appointed to lead the organization as Executive Director, while Matthew X. Lowe, Ph.D. retains his role as Chief Scientific Officer (CSO).

Two years ago, I made a bold move. I left behind a comfortable corporate role, packed up my life, and hit the road (literally and figuratively!) to build something more aligned with who I truly am.

We conducted a groundbreaking naturalistic study with LGBTQIA+ participants attending an ayahuasca retreat in Costa Rica.

For many trans and nonbinary people in expanded states of consciousness, explorations of gender often become a kind of homecoming.

For many queer and trans people, healing is also political. It means facing wounds caused by systems that were never built to protect them.

Psilocybin intersects with queer healing, both through rebellion and its potential for identity exploration, trauma recovery, and self-acceptance.

The globalization of ayahuasca has resulted in significant cultural dilution, raising questions about practices like dieting before a retreat.

We pulled data from our naturalistic psilocybin study (still the largest one in the world) with people who planned to take psilocybin outside of a clinical setting. Our goal was to “examine differences in health outcomes, subjective effects and contexts of naturalistic psilocybin use in White participants compared to Participants of Color.”

Few phrases carry as much weight as “I AM,” which form the foundation of identity, belief, and self-concept.

While clinical trials have shown promise in treating depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders, little is known about how psilocybin affects people outside of a research setting.

Psychedelics may act as catalysts for nervous system regulation and embodied memory processing, bringing suppressed trauma to the surface.

Can a single psychedelic experience shift your entire worldview? It’s a provocative question, and one that’s sparked widespread interest as the therapeutic potential of psychedelics gains mainstream attention. Our study provides a fresh and more nuanced look at this issue by tracking belief changes before and after naturalistic psilocybin use in a large, diverse group of participants. The findings challenge some common assumptions, offering both reassurance and new directions for future research.

More and more people are finding themselves walking out of psychedelics motivated to completely change their careers, enroll in training, or finally pursue that long-dormant passion.

One of the most common psychedelic revelations is the sense of being called back to something: an old passion, a long-buried curiosity, a path that never got its due.

Unlimited Sciences affirms the dignity, value, and validity of all queer identities and categorically rejects any pathologizing LGBTQIA2S+ people.

The days and weeks following a psychedelic experience present a unique window of opportunity—a time when the brain is more adaptable, primed for change, and open to learning.

Ayahuasca may serve as a powerful tool for transformation for Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) immigrants and refugees.

In this blog, we’ll explore four psychedelics, along with their cultural impact, how they’re made, and their environmental sustainability.

Psychedelic healing requires more than just taking a substance. From preparation to integration, learn how to get ready for your healing journey.

Preparing for a psychedelic journey? Discover 5 essential steps to ensure a safe, meaningful, and transformative experience.

While clinical trials provide essential data, they don’t fully capture the realities of psychedelic use in everyday settings. That’s where naturalistic research comes in.

Psilocybin, the active compound in magic mushrooms, has been making waves in the scientific community and the world of personal development.

In the United States, psychedelics have been legalized and decriminalized in several areas of the country, including Oregon and Colorado, plus some cities in California, Michigan, Massachusetts and Washington State.

As we step into 2025, psychedelic medicine is at a critical turning point. Based on feedback from our readers, we’ve highlighted key themes shaping the landscape psychedelic this year.

Recent research suggests that psilocybin shows promise in treating addiction. Studies have demonstrated its potential efficacy in treating tobacco and alcohol dependence.

In our recent large-scale study of psilocybin magic mushrooms, 4.6% of users reported using psilocybin while on an antidepressant.

You can access a list of currently recruiting U.S. clinical trials on psilocybin through ClinicalTrials.gov.

Set and setting significantly influence the response to psychedelic drugs, and must be treated as a carefully curated component of successful psychedelic therapy.

From our naturalistic psilocybin study, the average initial dose of dried psilocybin mushrooms was 3.1 grams.

Psilocybin has been used safely for patients with OCD and was associated with acute reductions in core OCD symptoms in several subjects in a controlled clinical environment.

Results from our recent large-scale study with John Hopkins University found significantly decreased depression persisting for months following psilocybin ingestion.

There is limited published research which has examined interactions between psilocybin and common blood pressure medication such as lisinopril or Metoprolol.

Data from our psilocybin study found that  participants primarily used psilocybin with the intention of self-exploration, mental health, and therapy.

In our recent psilocybin study, Psilocybe Cubensis was the most commonly noted species used, and participants largely reported taking dried whole mushrooms, dried and ground mushrooms, or mushrooms steeped in tea.

Psychedelic-induced visual effects can occur with eyes-open or eyes-closed, but visual alterations under classic psychedelics can include rich phenomenological accounts of eyes-closed imagery.

Nausea is a common side effect of psilocybin ingestion. Mushrooms are largely made up of chitin, which can cause gastrointestinal distress.

Data from our psilocybin study found that participants primarily reported using psilocybin alone (>40%), with friends who were also using (>25%), or with a sober friend or trip sitter (>15%)

In our large-scale study of psilocybin use, adverse reactions were rare, with less than 1% of participants reporting seeking medical care, and less than 4% seeking psychological care.

HPPD is a rare clinical condition that results in people experiencing visual and perceptual distortions days, months, or even years after using psychedelic substances.

In his seminal book titled Animals and Psychedelics, Italian researcher, and expert in zoopharmacognosy Gorgio Samorini writes…

While the research on using psychedelics for the treatment of addiction is still in its early stages, findings are promising.

A recent series of case studies provided promising preliminary evidence for the potential of microdosing in treating chronic pain.

Microdosing refers to the practice of using psychedelics repeatedly below the threshold for perceptual alterations.

At the federal level, psilocybin in listed as a Schedule I drug. The use, sale, and possession of psilocybin in the United States is illegal under federal law.

Currently, there is no empirical evidence available that supports the absorption of psychedelic compounds such as psilocybin through skin pores.

To date, there is currently limited-to-no available evidence-based knowledge on dosage method comparisons for microdosing.

Psychedelic integration is a critical component of understanding and incorporating the knowledge and lessons gained during the psychedelic experience.

For the past year, Realm of Caring, Unlimited Sciences, and Lily’s Lighthouse have been working in collaboration on an exciting mixed methods case study with multiple cases to highlight the therapeutic potential of Lion’s Mane and Reishi mushrooms for treating epilepsy.

Unlimited Sciences is excited to announce the launch of a new study centered around the experiences queer people have with ayahuasca. The study, which will be hosted at the Jungle Gayborhood, is directed by Executive Director & Chief Scientific Officer Matthew X. Lowe, Ph.D., and it’s the first of its kind.

Unlimited Sciences, Colorado’s leading psychedelic research nonprofit, debuts the first-of-its-kind Psychedelic Info Line.

The term for the period after a psychedelic experience, Integration is the process of reflection that can lead to action and change.

Unlimited Sciences recently published findings from an observational psilocybin study on the health effects of psilocybin use.

The blog below is written unedited by Leigh Wyatt, artist and donor to Unlimited Sciences. Psychedelics have changed her life, and she wants to give back.

HPPD is a rare clinical condition that results in people experience visual and perceptual distortions days, months, or even years after using psychedelic substances.

Classic psychedelics, often referred to as hallucinogens, consist of a group of substances such as lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and psilocybin. Prior to the synthesis of LSD by Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann in 1938, natural psychedelics such as psilocybin were used in indigenous medicinal practices for several thousand years.

A new study looks at how an ayahuasca ceremony may help rebuild community and heal trauma in a group of Middle Eastern immigrants and refugees.

By Matthew X. Lowe, Ph.D. Ayahuasca Painting by Howard G Charing In recent years, the use of ayahuasca for both therapeutic and spiritual purposes has become more commonplace in Western society. However, ingestion of this psychedelic brew should not be taken lightly, and adequate preparation and education is essential to understand the implications of this […]

By Trey Brasher Beta-blockers are a class of drugs most commonly prescribed for reducing hypertension (lowering blood pressure) and widely considered one of the most important discoveries in medicinal chemistry in the 20th century (Stapleton, 1997).  Beta-blocker’s mode of action is semi-selective antagonist affinity for the beta-adrenergic receptor system, a blockade that stops the action […]

People of varied religious backgrounds have associated psychedelics with enlightenment and spiritual practices for thousands of years. Records from 3780 to 3660 BCE mention use of peyote, while visual and written documentation of pre-Mayan cultures describe the use of psilocybin going back to 1500 BCE.

Last month, we had the honor of welcoming Dr. Gunther Weil, the only remaining member of the Harvard Psilocybin Project, to speak to our ambassador network, The Circle.

The term ego derived its modern meaning from the work of psychologist Sigmund Freud. In this blanket term, he encompassed one’s sense of self, a conscious construct delineated spatially and temporally by the properly functioning human mind.

Psychedelic experiences can be so ineffable and beyond the scope of our everyday lives, that we can’t just assume we’ll be able to retain or make meaning of a psychedelic experience without giving it any additional effort or thought afterwards.

By Trey Brasher On April 19th, 1943 in Basil, Switzerland, chemist Albert Hofmann took the world’s first trip on LSD.  The compound, which he had invented 5 years earlier, would come to change the world.  After taking the LSD, Hofmann began to feel sickly and decided to ride his bicycle home from his laboratory at […]

The majority of psychedelics research is focused on health-related outcomes of full-dose psychedelics, but the increasing popularity of microdosing warrants further exploration and education to understand its therapeutic value, mitigate harm, and reduce stigma.

Until recently, the only way to have an experience of an MDMA ‘roll’ was curtesy of clandestine chemists working in clandestine drug laboratories to produce a molecule valued for everything from enhancing experiences at raves and parties to deepening connections between sexual partners.

Although undoubtedly the obsessive self-destructive drug seeking behavior seen in drug addiction is indeed pathological, this represents the extreme in a long spectrum of behavior in relation to compounds producing altered consciousness.

Research Director Matthew Lowe is no stranger to the world of neuroscience and psychedelics. As previous Director of Research at Stanford Medical School, he worked closely within the field of mental health.

Religious freedom and its relationship to the use of psychedelics is returning to prominence among a modern resurgence of public and academic interest in psychedelics.

It is unfortunate that we as a culture and within the community of worldwide American football seem to be toeing the edge of desensitization. As another obituary will include the words ‘great football player’, we who love the sport can not let another brother pass in vain.

We are excited to reveal some preliminary results of our ongoing Real-World Psilocybin Mushroom Study.

In Unlimited Voices: Media, Public Perception, and Psychedelics, we discussed how the media has shaped the public’s opinion of psychedelics in the past and how we can accurately represent psychedelics in the media moving forward.

On April 10, we launched the first segment of our new LIVE webinar series, Unlimited Voices: real-world psychedelic conversations for everyone.

Deborah Servetnick was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer in 2011 before becoming a participant in John Hopkins University’s psilocybin study.

In yesterday’s episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, Joe interviewed Rashad Evans, a good friend of Del Jolly, an Unlimited Sciences co-founder.

Unlimited Sciences is on a mission to pursue new kinds of psychedelic research in order to unlock the unlimited  potential of psychedelics.