Emerging therapies

A man wearing an eye mask lies on a bed while another person observes; a monitor and lamp are on the nearby table.

What does ketamine-assisted therapy look like? Inside one firefighter’s journey

Directed by Brandon Kapelow

Photo of two women leaning on a concrete wall overlooking a sandy beach and cliffs by a calm blue sea.

How to look after your emotional health

Find out which of your emotional needs you’ve been neglecting and use tips from human givens therapy to address them

by Denise Winn

Photo of a person walking a dog on a sunlit forest path with a warm, orange glow in the background.

Could dreams during anaesthesia help to heal life’s trauma?

Scientists are studying the dreamlike states produced by anaesthesia – and their potential benefits for people with PTSD

by Shayla Love

Photo of a person stirring food in a stainless steel pot on a stovetop with steam rising, kitchen in the background.

How to use cooking as a form of therapy

No matter your culinary skills, spend some reflective time in the kitchen to nourish and renew your sense of self

by Charlotte Hastings

Photo of a person singing into a microphone on stage, wearing hoop earrings and a textured top, with a spotlight in the background.

Could that tingle down the spine be a way to rediscover joy?

In new research, scientists have looked into the potential benefits of giving people with depression the aesthetic chills

by Shayla Love

Photo of a person eating a slice of pizza with toppings close-up, in a cosy indoor setting with bokeh lights in background.

The reason little noises drive you mad is about more than sounds

Fascinating research into ‘misophonia’ – an intolerance to specific sounds – is revealing an important role for context

by Nathaniel Scharping

Painting of a serene face with closed eyes emerging from misty water, soft hues of grey and brown.

How to know if hypnosis is for you

Even experts can be confused about clinical hypnosis. So here’s all you need to help decide if you might benefit from it

by Eric Spiegel

Photo of a person sitting on grass sketching in a notebook, showing their hands and feet in a relaxed outdoor setting.

How to get to know all (the parts) of you

An emerging form of psychotherapy offers some surprising ways to think about who you are and work towards self-acceptance

by Derek Scott

Abstract painting with blurred figures in teal and orange tones suggesting motion and mystery.

If you want psychedelic healing, your ego may need to die

What do we know about the role of ‘ego death’ and other transformative experiences in psychedelic therapies?

by Natasha Mason, Athena Demertzi & Johannes G Ramaekers

Photo of a person with a headset holding a device, looking at a cookbook on a sofa with magazines and a remote nearby.

A personalised alternative to antidepressants is on the way

A form of personalised, at-home, brain-based treatment for depression is getting close – but is psychiatry ready for it?

by Paul Fitzgerald

Photo of a woman with headphones looking at her phone next to an advert showing a model holding a pink facial brush.

How to choose a mental health app

Of the thousands of apps, many are poor quality – but there are a few gems you can trust. Follow these steps to find them

by Margaret Emerson & John Torous

Photo of hands clasped on a wooden table with a blister pack of orange pills in front.

Why the ketamine revolution is stalling – and how to save it

Used with psychotherapy, ketamine can provide safe and effective treatment for depression when other treatments have failed

by Bita Moghaddam

Photo of colourful candy close-up with red, yellow, green and purple pieces, some marked with a white “S”.

Why placebo pills work even when you know they’re a placebo

New evidence of the power of the placebo effect – even without any deception – is raising important questions for medicine

by Darwin A Guevarra & Kari A Leibowitz

Painting of a person sitting indoors looking out at a garden with flying birds, framed by large windows.

How to stop overthinking

Grappling with your thoughts will leave you even more entangled in worry. Use metacognitive strategies to break free

by Pia Callesen

Illustration of a torpedo fish and its embryo, featuring detailed textures and anatomy, from a vintage scientific book.

These are truly exciting times for the science of brain zapping

Yes, there’s been hype, but electrical brain stimulation is a genuine technique, and the science behind it is improving

by Hannah Filmer

Photo of a person in a coat using a smartphone outdoors, sitting on a bench with focus on hands and partial face in view.

Telephone therapy is convenient and it works. Let’s use it more

You don’t need to see a therapist face to face: telephone therapy is convenient and it works. We should use it more often

by Dean McMillan, Penny Bee, Nicky Lidbetter & Beatrice Lukoseviciute