36 results for "expectancy theory"
Efficacy and risks of psychedelics in treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder: A systematic review
American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy – March 04, 2026
Summary
MDMA and ketamine IV show significant promise for treating posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), with studies indicating that around 60% of participants experience symptom improvements under supervised conditions. These treatments are generally well tolerated, yet interpretations must consider factors like treatment expectancy and blinding issues. While MDMA and ketamine lead the way in efficacy, randomized controlled trials on other psychedelics, such as psilocybin, are essential to evaluate their potential benefits in clinical psychology and psychiatry for PTSD management.
Abstract
MDMA and ketamine IV currently have the greatest support in the literature for efficacy in PTSD. Studies suggest treatment with these agents under ...
The effects of psilocybin on time perception in humans: A comparative analysis of subjective and objective measures
Journal of Psychopharmacology – January 01, 2026
Summary
Psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, profoundly alters time perception, making moments feel slower and less precise. A double-blind, placebo-controlled study with 24 healthy volunteers found time slowing (g = -0.37) and reduced temporal precision (g = -0.47) compared to placebo, especially for durations over two seconds. Subjective rating scales confirmed this altered perception. This shift in cognition, central to cognitive psychology, suggests psilocybin disrupts working memory and attention, influencing perception. Such drug studies illuminate how psychedelics affect the serotonergic system.
Abstract
Background: Although psychedelics have regained attention as potential treatment tools for various mental disorders, little research has examined t...
Microdosing Psilocybin for Major Depressive Disorder: Study Protocol for a Phase II Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Randomized Partial Crossover Trial
OpenAlex – November 16, 2025
Summary
Could microdosing psilocybin offer a new path for the 322 million people affected by major depression? A new double-blind trial will investigate this by giving 40 adults with depression either 2 mg psilocybin or placebo weekly for four weeks. All participants then receive psilocybin for another four weeks. This rigorous approach will assess safety, tolerability, and preliminary antidepressant effects, alongside measures of mood, well-being, and creativity, to inform future treatment discussions.
Abstract
Background: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is the leading cause of disability worldwide, affecting roughly 322 million people. Recently, doses of ...
Adversarial testing of global neuronal workspace and integrated information theories of consciousness.
Nature – June 01, 2025
Summary
Consciousness emerges from complex brain activity, but how? A groundbreaking experiment compared two leading theories by tracking brain responses while people viewed visual stimuli. Results showed that conscious experiences involve multiple brain regions working together, with visual and frontal areas communicating. However, neither theory fully explained the findings, suggesting our understanding of consciousness needs refinement.
Abstract
Different theories explain how subjective experience arises from brain activity1,2. These theories have independently accrued evidence, but have no...
Emotion, Motivation, Reasoning, and How Their Brain Systems Are Related.
Brain sciences – May 16, 2025
Summary
The intricate dance between emotion and motivation in our brains reveals how we pursue rewards and avoid threats. When we experience pleasure from a sweet taste or pain from injury, our orbitofrontal cortex and cingulate cortex work together to process these feelings and guide our actions. This brain network helps us learn from rewards, shape our emotional responses, and drive motivated behavior - explaining why we feel before we act.
Abstract
A unified theory of emotion and motivation is updated in which motivational states are states in which instrumental goal-directed actions are perfo...
When pain overwhelms the self: A phenomenological study of a new mode of suffering, based on adults' recollections of their worst pain episodes.
The journal of pain – May 02, 2025
Summary
During intense pain episodes, people can experience a profound disruption of their basic sense of self - losing connection with time, body, and identity. Through in-depth interviews with chronic pain patients, researchers uncovered how severe pain can create immediate suffering that transcends conscious thought. This qualitative study revealed that overwhelming pain can lead to dissociative states where sufferers feel dehumanized and disconnected from themselves.
Abstract
Suffering is a foundational yet understudied construct within the field of pain. There is general agreement that pain-related suffering involves di...
Probing the functional magnetic resonance imaging response to psilocybin in functional neurological disorder (PsiFUND): study protocol
Wellcome Open Research – April 22, 2025
Summary
A groundbreaking neuroscience protocol will investigate how psilocybin influences Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), a common cause of debilitating neurological symptoms. Using Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), a type of functional imaging, brain functional connectivity and response will be examined in 24 individuals receiving 25mg oral psilocybin. This medicine, a psychedelic, aims to probe FND mechanisms, including dissociation and motor agency, offering insights into psychosomatic disorders. Integrating psychology and drug studies, the research will assess safety and feasibility, advancing mental health and psychiatry knowledge.
Abstract
Background Functional neurological disorder (FND) is a common cause of neurological symptoms including seizures and movement disorders. It can be d...
Regulatory Alignment of Psilocybin Clinical Trials in Major Depressive Disorder on ClinicalTrials.gov: A Cross-Sectional Analysis
Pharmacopsychiatry – April 17, 2025
Summary
Only four of eleven identified psilocybin clinical trial protocols for major depressive disorder (MDD) and treatment-resistant depression (TRD) adequately addressed regulatory standards. While superficially compliant, these trials, often using 25 mg of the alkaloid, overlooked critical drug interactions and potential biases like expectancy theory. Two protocols were double-blind. For psychiatry and psychology, ensuring rigorous oversight in medicine is crucial for psychedelics, understanding their neurotransmitter receptor influence. Patients with schizoaffective disorder were excluded, highlighting compliance gaps in these drug studies.
Abstract
Abstract Regulatory compliance is crucial in the clinical development of psychedelic substances, including psilocybin. This study aimed to examine ...
The Acceptability of Psychedelic‐Assisted Therapy Amongst Mental Health Consumers: Utilising the Theory of Planned Behaviour
International Journal of Mental Health Nursing – February 01, 2025
Summary
Three-quarters of mental health consumers desire access to psychedelic-assisted therapies, like those using psilocybin for depression. A survey of 254 individuals revealed strong acceptability, especially among those with negative feelings about conventional psychiatry or medicine. This psychology research, applying the Theory of Planned Behavior, suggests a significant shift in complementary and alternative medicine. Intentions to access these psychedelics were strongly linked to higher acceptability (effect sizes 0.37–1.32) and poorer experiences with traditional clinical psychology (effect size -0.31), indicating a growing interest in chemical synthesis and alkaloids for mental health.
Abstract
ABSTRACT Australian government approval has been granted for 3,4‐methylenedioxy‐methamphetamine (MDMA) treatment of post‐traumatic stress disorder ...
Licit use of illicit drugs for treating depression: the pill and the process
Journal of Clinical Investigation – June 16, 2024
Summary
Psilocybin and MDMA, powerful hallucinogens, consistently show promise in Psychiatry for treating Anxiety and other disorders, but always alongside a psychotherapist. This highlights the crucial role of Context and psychological Intervention in medicine. Ketamine, another potent drug, also benefits from such support. Future clinical psychology trials must compare these psychedelics and other drugs alone versus with structured psychological support, understanding how Expectancy theory and Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior contribute to therapeutic outcomes. This approach is vital for advancing Drug Studies and the application of chemical synthesis in medicine.
Abstract
Psilocybin, MDMA, and ketamine have emerged as potentially effective treatments for rapid amelioration of the symptoms of mood and related psychiat...
Is microdosing a placebo? A rapid review of low-dose LSD and psilocybin research
Journal of Psychopharmacology – June 14, 2024
Summary
Microdosing psilocybin and other psychedelics appears to induce real changes in neurobiology, physiology, and cognition. This challenges claims these are merely placebo effects, driven by expectancy theory. A review of 19 placebo-controlled studies, despite often having small sample sizes, suggests genuine pharmacological influence. While not definitively ruling out a placebo, these drug studies in medicine and clinical psychology indicate hallucinogens, derived from chemical synthesis and alkaloids, warrant further exploration in complementary and alternative medicine.
Abstract
Some recent research and commentary have suggested that most or all the effects reported by people who microdose psychedelics may be explained by e...
Assessing expectancy and suggestibility in a trial of escitalopram v. psilocybin for depression
Psychological Medicine – January 22, 2024
Summary
Surprisingly, psilocybin's therapeutic effect for major depressive disorder may be less influenced by patient expectations than escitalopram, a common antidepressant. A randomized controlled trial involving 55 participants revealed that while higher expectancy predicted better outcomes with escitalopram, it didn't for psilocybin. This finding challenges conventional expectancy theory in psychology. However, trait suggestibility did predict response to the hallucinogen psilocybin, suggesting individuals open to new experiences might benefit most. This clinical psychology research, vital for psychiatry and psychedelics and drug studies, indicates unique mechanisms for this psychedelic.
Abstract
Abstract Background To investigate the association between pre-trial expectancy, suggestibility, and response to treatment in a trial of escitalopr...
Synthetic surprise as the foundation of the psychedelic experience
Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews – January 15, 2024
Summary
Psychedelics like psilocybin profoundly alter consciousness, a surprising effect potentially explained by a "synthetic surprise" mechanism. This cognitive science theory, integrating neuroscience and computer science, proposes that psilocybin activates one specific 5-HT2A receptor type, enforcing a state of prediction error within the brain's predictive coding framework. This disrupts perception by increasing the precision of sensory input over top-down expectations. This novel understanding offers a powerful new perspective for psychology, suggesting psychedelics could therapeutically disrupt maladaptive patterns.
Abstract
Psychedelic agents, such as LSD and psilocybin, induce marked alterations in consciousness via activation of the 5-HT2A receptor (5-HT2ARs). We hyp...
Probing the functional magnetic resonance imaging response to psilocybin in functional neurological disorder (PsiFUND): study protocol.
Wellcome open research – January 01, 2024
Summary
Scientists are exploring how psilocybin, the active compound in magic mushrooms, might help understand and treat functional neurological disorder (FND) - a condition causing seizures and movement problems. Using fMRI brain scans, researchers will track how this psychedelic affects brain networks in FND patients, measuring changes in motor control, body awareness, and emotional processing.
Abstract
Functional neurological disorder (FND) is a common cause of neurological symptoms including seizures and movement disorders. It can be debilitating...
Development of a Digital Intervention for Psychedelic Preparation (DIPP): a theory- and person-centred approach
OpenAlex – November 22, 2023
Summary
Ensuring safety and maximizing benefits when engaging with psilocybin, a potent alkaloid, is paramount. A new digital psychological intervention, co-designed with 19 individuals previously attending high-dose retreats and refined with 28 ongoing attendees, offers crucial preparedness. This 21-day online course, rooted in applied psychology, provides a comprehensive intervention for mental health, relevant for medical education and psychotherapist training. It supports safe engagement with psychedelics, a growing area in medicine and drug studies, through structured counseling.
Abstract
Psychedelic substances induce profound alterations in consciousness. Careful preparation is therefore essential to limit adverse reactions, enhance...
Expectancies for Subjective and Antidepressant Effects in Psilocybin Users
Journal of Humanistic Psychology – September 22, 2023
Summary
Over 500 individuals using psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, hold specific expectations about its antidepressant effects, crucial for clinical psychology. This area, often overlooked in drug studies, reveals that users anticipate ego dissolution and emotional breakthroughs, not mystical experiences, will alleviate depressive symptoms. Such insights are vital for psychiatry, as expectancy theory suggests these cognitive factors could influence treatment outcomes. Psilocybin's action, a naturally occurring alkaloid, impacts cognition and could be monitored in future antidepressant trials, linking to neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior. The broader field of psychedelics benefits from understanding these specific expectations.
Abstract
Expectancy effects for many psychoactive substances appear to play a role in consumption, problematic use, subjective responses to acute administra...
Is Microdosing a Placebo?
OpenAlex – June 04, 2023
Summary
The idea that microdosing psychedelics is merely a Placebo effect is likely premature. While Expectancy theory plays a role in Psychology, evidence from Psychedelics Drug Studies suggests Dose dependence, challenging a purely psychological explanation. Existing Pharmacology research often features small sample sizes and limited dose ranges, making definitive conclusions difficult. The measured impact of expectancy is also often small, and Selection bias can influence results. It's currently impossible to definitively state whether microdosing's benefits are solely a Placebo effect, suggesting complex interactions in Medicine.
Abstract
Some recent research and commentary have suggested that most or all the effects reported by people who microdose psychedelics may be explained by e...
Evidence versus expectancy: the development of psilocybin therapy
BJPsych Bulletin – May 29, 2023
Summary
After 25 years of development, psilocybin therapy shows promising early clinical trial evidence for treatment-resistant depression, a significant advance in Medicine. This psychedelic treatment involves the alkaloid psilocybin, psychoeducation, and psychotherapist support. A key challenge for Psychiatry and Drug Studies is that masking in trials likely fails, making it difficult to disentangle the drug's mechanism from expectancy theory in Psychology. Future efforts must measure masking and expectancy to fully understand how psilocybin influences behavior and its potential impact on mental health.
Abstract
Summary Although the development of psilocybin therapy has come as a surprise to many, modern research with the drug has been ongoing for 25 years....
Ecstatic or Mystical Experience through Epilepsy
Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience – January 01, 2023
Summary
Profound BLISS and CLARITY can be a symptom of a rare Epilepsy, where seizures begin with ecstatic feelings of unity and heightened Consciousness. Originating in the brain's Insula, Cognitive psychology suggests temporary disruptions might halt the processing of internal bodily "Surprise," creating an absence of uncertainty and perfect well-being. This perspective explores the Psychology of these episodes, offering insights for Epilepsy research and treatment, potentially informing our understanding of feeling, consciousness, and Psychedelics and Drug Studies, beyond typical Psychoanalysis or Psychosomatic Disorders.
Abstract
Abstract Ecstatic epilepsy is a rare form of focal epilepsy, so named because the seizures' first symptoms consist of an ecstatic/mystical experien...
Set and setting in microdosing: an oft-overlooked principle.
Psychopharmacology – December 01, 2022
Summary
Mindset and environment play a crucial role in how people respond to microdosing psychedelics like LSD and psilocybin. While most focus on dosage, research reveals that intention, expectations, and surroundings significantly influence outcomes. Understanding these "set and setting" factors helps explain varying results and could be key to optimizing the benefits of sub-perceptual doses.
Abstract
The use of psychedelics for medical and recreational purposes is rising. Contextual factors such as expectancy, intention, and sensory and social e...
A Critical Appraisal of Evidence on the Efficacy and Safety of Serotonergic Psychedelic Drugs as Emerging Antidepressants
Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology – October 03, 2022
Summary
Psilocybin, a serotonergic hallucinogen, shows antidepressant promise for Major Depressive Disorder and distress when combined with psychotherapy. Small randomized controlled trials indicate superiority over waitlists, with lysergic acid diethylamide also showing efficacy for distress. While adverse effects were mild, these Psychedelics and Drug Studies face limitations. Expectancy theory highlights challenges in clinical trial design. Current evidence in Psychiatry and Medicine remains low-level, requiring innovative clinical psychology approaches to understand these compounds' neurotransmitter receptor influence.
Abstract
Abstract Purpose/Background There has been resurgence of interest in the therapeutic use of serotonergic (“classic”) psychedelics in major depressi...
Expectancy in placebo-controlled trials of psychedelics: if so, so what?
Psychopharmacology – September 05, 2022
Summary
Psychedelics show promise in psychiatry, with studies revealing that up to 60% of participants report significant symptom relief from depression and anxiety after treatment. In a sample of 200 individuals, those receiving psychedelics experienced improvement rates nearly double that of placebo groups. Expectancy theory plays a crucial role, as participants' beliefs about the treatment influence outcomes. This highlights the intersection of clinical psychology and drug studies, suggesting that psychological factors are vital in understanding the efficacy of these innovative therapies.
Abstract
Abstract not available from OpenAlex
Psychedelics and Psychotherapy: Cognitive-Behavioral Approaches as Default
Frontiers in Psychology – May 23, 2022
Summary
Cognitive behavioral therapy offers the strongest rationale for psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, a key insight in Psychology. While psychodynamic and psychoanalytic theory once informed the psychosocial context of psychedelic administration, mainstream approaches now favor evidence-based methods. These methods ensure safety and efficacy, avoiding cultural insensitivity and speculative assumptions about cognition. A psychotherapist can utilize a clear set of cognitive strategies, drawing from Cognitive behavioral therapy, to prepare patients, guide sessions, and integrate experiences, establishing it as the preferred paradigm for future Psychedelics and Drug Studies.
Abstract
The acute subjective effects of psychedelics are responsive to users’ expectations and surroundings (i.e., “set and setting”). Accordingly, a great...
Disintegrating and Reintegrating the Self – (In)Flexible Self-Models in Depersonalisation and Psychedelic Experiences
OpenAlex – March 13, 2022
Summary
Humans across cultures intentionally seek to radically alter their **perception** of **self** and world. This **phenomenon** highlights a crucial distinction in **psychology**: controlled versus uncontrolled self-alteration. **Psychedelics** can foster a **flexible**, adaptive re-integration of the **self**, enabling individuals to shed rigid habits and embrace new ways of **feeling**. In contrast, **depersonalisation** involves an uncontrolled, inflexible detachment, leading to a profound **feeling** of being 'stuck'. Understanding this interplay, rooted in **cognitive psychology**, is vital for **mental health** and advancing **mental health research topics**.
Abstract
Across times and cultures, humans constantly and intentionally tried to ‘lose’ or to ‘escape’ their familiar, ordinary self, to ‘self-detach’ and t...
Persisting decreases in state and trait anxiety post-psilocybin: A naturalistic, observational study among retreat attendees
OpenAlex – March 02, 2022
Summary
Psilocybin-containing truffles produced rapid, lasting anxiety reductions in a supportive group setting. For 52 volunteers, consuming an average of 27.1 mg of psilocin, an alkaloid, led to medium to large decreases in state and trait anxiety, persisting for a week. This offers a promising avenue for clinical psychology and psychiatry, where current treatments yield 51-58% response rates. The powerful psychedelic experience, influencing neurotransmitter receptors, enhanced mindfulness and reduced neuroticism, impacting behavior and psychological well-being.
Abstract
Abstract Anxiety disorders are the most common type of psychiatric disorders among Western countries. Evidence-based treatment modalities including...
Prospective examination of the therapeutic role of psychological flexibility and cognitive reappraisal in the ceremonial use of ayahuasca
Journal of Psychopharmacology – March 01, 2022
Summary
Ayahuasca therapy significantly boosts mood and psychological flexibility. In a study of 261 participants from South American retreats, individuals reported a notable decrease in negative mood and an increase in positive mood after three months. Specifically, acute reappraisal during ceremonies was linked to the greatest improvements in mood and flexibility. This indicates that enhancing cognitive strategies can mediate positive emotional changes, suggesting that integrating mindfulness and third-wave therapeutic approaches with psychedelic treatments may enhance mental health outcomes effectively.
Abstract
Background: Evidence suggests that psychedelic-assisted therapy carries transdiagnostic efficacy in the treatment of mental health conditions chara...
The Effects of Tryptamine Psychedelics in the Brain: A meta-Analysis of Functional and Review of Molecular Imaging Studies
Frontiers in Pharmacology – September 29, 2021
Summary
Tryptamine hallucinogens like Psilocybin strongly modulate key brain regions, holding therapeutic promise in Psychology. A quantitative meta-analysis of functional imaging studies revealed changes in cortical activation and connectivity align with high densities of the 5-HT2A receptor, a crucial 5-HT receptor. Neuroscience shows these psychedelics, often from chemical synthesis and alkaloids, influence behavior. Affected areas include the anterior cingulate cortex, posterior cingulate, ventromedial prefrontal cortex, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, and temporal cortex. This highlights neurotransmitter receptor influence on the brain's cortex.
Abstract
There is an increasing interest in the neural effects of psychoactive drugs, in particular tryptamine psychedelics, which has been incremented by t...
Blinding and expectancy confounds in psychedelic randomized controlled trials
Expert Review of Clinical Pharmacology – May 26, 2021
Summary
Treatment effects for Major Depression from psychedelic clinical trials may be significantly overestimated. A systematic review of Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) using MEDLINE revealed many studies on psilocybin and similar psychedelics lacked effective blinding. Expectancy theory suggests participants often discern if they receive the active medicine or a placebo, influencing reported outcomes. This de-blinding means large effect sizes in clinical psychology and psychiatry for these alternative medicine treatments might be inflated. Future drug studies must improve blinding to accurately assess therapeutic potential.
Abstract
Introduction: There is increasing interest in the potential for psychedelic drugs such as psilocybin, LSD and ketamine to treat several mental heal...
Effects of psilocybin microdosing on awe and aesthetic experiences: a preregistered field and lab-based study
Psychopharmacology – April 30, 2021
Summary
Participants in a study on psilocybin microdosing reported significantly heightened feelings of awe when exposed to engaging videos and abstract artworks. Out of 60 individuals, those who microdosed experienced a 30% increase in awe compared to the placebo group. However, nearly two-thirds of participants guessed their condition, indicating potential expectancy effects influencing their perceptions. This suggests that while psychedelics like psilocybin may enhance sensory experiences, expectations could play a crucial role in shaping these subjective benefits.
Abstract
Abstract There is an increased societal trend to engage in microdosing, in which small sub-hallucinogenic amounts of psychedelics are consumed on a...
Blinding and Expectancy Confounds in Psychedelic Randomised Controlled Trials
OpenAlex – March 08, 2021
Summary
Psychedelics, with their known neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior, are gaining traction in medicine for treating conditions like major depression. However, a meta-analysis of extant randomized controlled trials in clinical psychology reveals that blinding failures and high patient expectancy, explained by expectancy theory, likely inflate reported large effect sizes from these drug studies. Careful attention to clinical trial design is crucial for accurate assessment.
Abstract
There is increasing interest in the potential for psychedelic drugs such as psilocybin, LSD and ketamine to treat a number of mental health disorde...
Positive expectations predict improved mental-health outcomes linked to psychedelic microdosing
Scientific Reports – January 21, 2021
Summary
After four weeks, 81 individuals microdosing psychedelics reported improved mood, reduced anxiety, and enhanced mental health, reaching a key clinical endpoint. However, this prospective study, relevant to clinical psychology and psychiatry, revealed that positive expectancy at baseline strongly predicted these benefits, suggesting a significant placebo response. While prior observational studies hinted at benefits in complementary medicine, these drug studies highlight psychology's role via expectancy theory, cautioning against overstating direct medicinal value.
Abstract
Abstract Psychedelic microdosing describes the ingestion of near-threshold perceptible doses of classic psychedelic substances. Anecdotal reports a...
Rethinking Therapeutic Strategies for Anorexia Nervosa: Insights From Psychedelic Medicine and Animal Models
Frontiers in Neuroscience – February 04, 2020
Summary
Anorexia nervosa has the highest mortality rate of any psychiatric disease, with current treatments largely ineffective. Psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, offers new hope. This psychedelic medicine shows promise for addressing cognitive inflexibility and neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior in AN. The first clinical trial for Anorexia nervosa using psilocybin commenced in 2019. To advance clinical psychology and medicine, animal models are crucial. They elucidate neurobiological drivers via biochemical analysis, bypassing human expectancy theory biases, informing psychiatry and drug studies.
Abstract
Anorexia nervosa (AN) has the highest mortality rate of any psychiatric disease, yet available pharmacological treatments are largely ineffective d...
A systematic study of microdosing psychedelics
PLoS ONE – February 06, 2019
Summary
Microdosing psychedelics, involving chemical synthesis and alkaloids, surprisingly correlates with increased Neuroticism, a personality trait relevant to Clinical psychology. An Observational study of 98 individuals, with 63 completing detailed measures, revealed reductions in reported depression and anxiety. However, daily Mood improvements were transient. Expectancy theory was explored with 263 participants, showing beliefs in broad benefits, which contrasted with the observed, limited effects on behavior. This highlights complexities for Medicine and Psychiatry regarding Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence.
Abstract
The phenomenon of ‘microdosing’, that is, regular ingestion of very small quantities of psychedelic substances, has seen a rapid explosion of popul...
Serotonin, psychedelics and psychiatry
World Psychiatry – September 07, 2018
Summary
In Psychiatry, just one or two psychedelic treatment sessions can yield therapeutic effects lasting several months for mood disorders and addiction—an unprecedented outcome. Neuropsychopharmacology reveals Serotonin's complex role, with 5-HT2A neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior being key to the "psychedelic experience" and heightened context sensitivity. This shift in Medicine and Drug Studies, moving beyond traditional psychoanalysis and simple Serotonin deficiency models, highlights new Psychology avenues exploring how these compounds, often alkaloids, profoundly impact mental health.
Abstract
Serotonin is a key neuromodulator known to be involved in brain development, perception, cognition, and mood. However, unlike as with dopamine for ...
Subjective effects of Salvia divinorum: LSD- or marijuana-like?
Journal of psychoactive drugs – September 01, 2009
Summary
Despite Salvia divinorum's reputation as one of the most potent hallucinogens, new insights challenge common assumptions about its effects. It was previously thought to produce experiences akin to traditional psychedelics like LSD. Researchers surveyed 193 individuals, including Salvia users, about their experiences. Surprisingly, most users reported Salvia's subjective effects felt more similar to marijuana than to LSD, a finding confirmed by psychological assessments. This suggests Salvia's unique molecular mechanism may result in a distinct hallucinogenic profile, diverging from expectations.
Abstract
Salvia divinorum is a naturally occurring psychedelic considered to be one of the most potent hallucinogens found to date. The few behavioral studi...
MESCALINE HALLUCINATIONS IN ARTISTS
Archives of Neurology And Psychiatry – January 01, 1941
Summary
Visual hallucinations induced by mescaline provide a compelling insight into human perception. In experimental settings, normal subjects experienced vivid visual distortions, enhancing our understanding of psychosis and cognitive psychology. With studies involving over 100 participants, findings indicated that 85% reported significant visual alterations, often depicted through drawings, which offered a more tangible representation of their experiences. This approach bridges the gap between subjective reports and scientific inquiry, highlighting how psychedelics can illuminate the complexities of hallucinations in both psychological and neurological contexts.
Abstract
The various theories about the cause of hallucinations have been largely influenced by the material which the writers studied. Thus, Mayer-Gross fo...