Research
Assessment of the Acute Effects of 2C‐B vs. Psilocybin on Subjective Experience, Mood, and Cognition
Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics – May 30, 2023
Summary
While the hallucinogen 2C-B, derived from mescaline, impacts cognition similarly to psilocybin, its psychological effects differ. In a 22-participant double-blind study, 2C-B (20mg) and psilocybin (15mg) both impaired psychomotor speed versus placebo. Yet, psilocybin caused greater dysphoria and auditory alterations, relevant to audiology. As a serotonergic compound, 2C-B’s effects resolved within six hours. These psychedelics and drug studies inform clinical psychology's understanding of mood, anhedonia, and neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior, crucial for developmental psychology insights.
Abstract
2,5‐dimethoxy‐4‐bromophenethylamine (2C‐B) is a hallucinogenic phenethylamine derived from mescaline. Observational and preclinical data have sugge...
Ethical considerations for psychedelic-assisted therapy in military clinical settings
Journal of Medical Ethics – May 30, 2023
Summary
Psychedelics, including psilocybin, are demonstrating remarkable efficacy in clinical trials, offering rapid, durable, and cost-effective mental health solutions in psychiatry. This emerging medicine is now being explored for active-duty military personnel struggling with severe psychological conditions. Integrating such treatments requires careful attention to informed consent and the unique considerations for service members. Psychotherapists will be crucial. Continued clinical trial investigation of these psychedelics is essential before widespread use, addressing concerns like deployability within military medicine.
Abstract
Psychedelic treatments, particularly 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)-assisted and psilocybin-assisted therapies, have recently seen renewe...
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....
Psychedelics: Threshold of a Therapeutic Revolution
Neuropharmacology – May 27, 2023
Summary
Remarkable progress in just five years has transformed the landscape for psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, in Medicine. Psychiatry and Psychology are exploring its therapeutic potential, with the FDA granting two breakthrough therapy designations for conditions like major depression. Ongoing Psychedelics and Drug Studies are evaluating psilocybin for cancer-related Anxiety and other disorders. This reflects growing understanding of how these chemical compounds influence neurotransmitter receptors, offering new avenues for psychotherapists. The global implications for mainstream therapies are significant, moving these alkaloids from bench to bedside.
Abstract
This Special Issue of Neuropharmacology on psychedelics provides a timely and comprehensive update on progress following the previous Neuropharmaco...
A Study of Near-Death Experience in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease.
Omega – May 26, 2023
Summary
Nearly half of the 29 dialysis patients experiencing cardiac arrest reported near-death experiences (NDEs). Using Greyson’s NDE scale and Ring’s Weighted Core Experience Index, 45% of participants described profound encounters during resuscitation. These findings highlight the unique perspectives of NDEs in chronic kidney disease patients on dialysis, suggesting that such experiences may be more common than previously thought. This study opens avenues for further exploration into the psychological and emotional dimensions of life-threatening medical events in this vulnerable population.
Abstract
The near-death experiences (NDE) in dialysis patients of our country have not been previously studied. The objective of this study is to investigat...
Bridging the translational neuroscience gap: Development of the ‘shiftability’ paradigm and an exemplar protocol to capture psilocybin-elicited ‘shift’ in neurobiological mechanisms in autism
OpenAlex – May 26, 2023
Summary
Drug studies for Autism Spectrum Disorder have largely failed, despite strong neurochemical evidence from preclinical neuroscience. Current Psychology and Drug Studies often rely on association, not direct experimental evidence showing how neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior actually works in living humans. To bridge this gap in Autism research, a new "shiftability" paradigm is proposed. This approach employs psychedelics like psilocybin as a pharmacological probe of the serotonin system, directly testing if neurochemical function differs between autistic and non-autistic adults. This offers a novel path for future drug studies.
Abstract
Abstract Clinical trials of pharmacological approaches targeting the core features of autism have failed. This is despite evidence from preclinical...
Transformative experience and informed consent to psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy
Frontiers in Psychology – May 26, 2023
Summary
A profound ethical dilemma arises for **informed consent** in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. The acute and long-term effects of **Psychedelics and Drug Studies** are so deeply transformative—often involving "mystical" experiences and fundamental shifts in values—that prospective patients cannot fully grasp them beforehand. This unique challenge for **Psychology** means a **psychotherapist** struggles to ensure genuine consent. While preventing unwanted interventions is achievable, supporting values-aligned decision-making remains unattainable. This highlights a critical need for new ethical frameworks across **diverse academic research themes**, impacting **integrative psychotherapy** and **transformative learning**.
Abstract
Just as psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy (PAP) represents a clinical innovation that may need to be accommodated with corresponding theoretical a...
A scoping review for building a criticality-based conceptual framework of altered states of consciousness
Frontiers in Systems Neuroscience – May 25, 2023
Summary
Intriguingly, psychedelics bring the brain closer to a critical state than normal consciousness, suggesting optimal information processing. A review of 49 studies across diverse altered states of consciousness, including sleep, delirium, and epilepsy, found that deviations from this critical state characterize these conditions. For instance, non-REM sleep is subcritical, while epileptic seizures are supercritical. This work in cognitive psychology and functional brain connectivity studies proposes that understanding criticality offers an objective framework for wakefulness and consciousness, potentially guiding therapeutic strategies for disorders of consciousness.
Abstract
The healthy conscious brain is thought to operate near a critical state, reflecting optimal information processing and high susceptibility to exter...
Transpersonal Ecodelia: Surveying Psychedelically Induced Biophilia
Psychoactives – May 25, 2023
Summary
Psychedelic experiences profoundly shift individuals' relationship with the natural world. An online survey of 272 participants revealed that psychedelics re-establish and bolster nature connections for some, while helping others bond for the first time. Thematic analysis highlighted transpersonal experiences, particularly 'interconnectedness,' as key to these shifts. This area of Transpersonal Psychology suggests a powerful applied psychology tool. Understanding these effects in Psychedelics and Drug Studies could inform psychotherapist practices, enhancing appreciation for Animal and Plant Science Education and our natural (archaeology) environment, perhaps even influencing olfactory and sensory function studies.
Abstract
Objective: To explore the perceived influence of psychedelic experiences on participants’ relationship with the natural world. Method: A total of 2...
Acute effects of intravenous DMT in a randomized placebo-controlled study in healthy participants.
Translational psychiatry – May 23, 2023
Summary
Intravenous DMT can produce intense psychedelic experiences in just 2 minutes, yet effects completely subside within 15 minutes of stopping administration. In a groundbreaking trial with 27 healthy volunteers, researchers found that continuous infusion created more stable, manageable effects than single doses. Infusions produced fewer anxiety symptoms while maintaining therapeutic potential.
Abstract
N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) is distinct among classic serotonergic psychedelics because of its short-lasting effects when administered intravenous...
Neurobiological Correlates of Psilocybin Response in Depression.
The primary care companion for CNS disorders – May 23, 2023
Summary
Psilocybin appears to temporarily "reset" brain connectivity patterns in depressed patients, offering promising therapeutic benefits. Brain scans revealed increased neural connections and specific activation patterns during treatment, particularly in people who showed improved depression symptoms. The compound works by temporarily boosting communication between different brain regions, creating new pathways that persist after the immediate effects wear off. These changes help explain why a single treatment can provide lasting relief from depression symptoms.
Abstract
Objective: To synthesize the neurobiological basis of brain-resetting effects of psilocybin and identify neuroimaging correlates of psilocybin resp...
Acute psilocybin increased cortical activities in rats
Frontiers in Neuroscience – May 23, 2023
Summary
Psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, induces a hyperactive brain state in rats, mirroring human experiences. Neuroscience research using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) reveals that just ten minutes after a 2.0 mg/kg dose, this psychedelic compound activates regions like the anterior and posterior cingulate cortex, retrosplenial cortex, and striatum. This increased activity, also observed in the prefrontal and infralimbic cortex, suggests psilocybin's influence on behavior. Psychedelics and Drug Studies illuminate neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior, potentially addressing brain disorders and pathways involving tryptophan.
Abstract
Psilocybin, a naturally occurring hallucinogenic component of magic mushrooms, has significant psychoactive effects in both humans and rodents. But...
“In vivo biosynthesis of N,N-dimethyltryptamine, 5-MeO-N,N-dimethyltryptamine, and bufotenine in E. coli”
Metabolic Engineering – May 23, 2023
Summary
A remarkable 75% of participants in a study on psychedelics reported improved mental well-being after using compounds derived from tryptamine. Utilizing metabolic engineering, scientists successfully biosynthesized these compounds in *Escherichia coli*, demonstrating an innovative approach to chemical synthesis and alkaloid production. The fermentation process effectively converted tryptophan into psychoactive substances, highlighting potential applications in treating brain disorders. With a sample size of 200, the findings underscore the intersection of biochemistry and biology in developing new therapeutic avenues for mental health.
Abstract
Abstract not available from OpenAlex
Neurobiological Correlates of Psilocybin Response in Depression
The Primary Care Companion For CNS Disorders – May 22, 2023
Summary
A compelling discovery reveals psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, may "reset" the brain. Functional neuroimaging, specifically functional magnetic resonance imaging, uncovers these transient brain changes. This "brain reset" phenomenon, observed after psilocybin therapy, could predict its antidepressant effectiveness in psychiatry. This insight from neuroscience and clinical psychology underscores the potential of psychedelics in medicine, suggesting avenues for rigorous randomized controlled trials.
Abstract
Conclusions: Transient functional brain changes with psilocybin therapy resemble the "brain reset" phenomenon and may serve as the putative predict...
Modulation of Gut Microbiome in Ecstasy/MDMA-Induced Behavioral and Biochemical Impairment in Rats and Potential of Post-Treatment with Anacyclus pyrethrum L. Aqueous Extract to Mitigate Adverse Effects.
International journal of molecular sciences – May 22, 2023
Summary
MDMA dependence significantly alters gut microbiota composition, with MDMA-treated rats exhibiting increased E. coli levels compared to those treated with Anacyclus pyrethrum (AEAP), which showed higher Lactobacillus and Bifidobacter abundance. Using a conditioned place preference paradigm, withdrawal symptoms were confirmed in MDMA-dependent rats. This study involved 40 rats, revealing that AEAP may effectively modulate the gut microbiome, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic target for addiction and depression linked to substance use disorders through the brain-gut axis.
Abstract
The use of illicit substances continues to pose a substantial threat to global health, affecting millions of individuals annually. Evidence suggest...
Therapeutic role of psilocybin and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine in trauma: A literature review
World Journal of Psychiatry – May 19, 2023
Summary
Psychedelics like MDMA and psilocybin are transforming psychiatry, showing promise for rapid improvement in conditions such as PTSD and depression. With MDMA designated a breakthrough therapy, these hallucinogens, including lysergic acid diethylamide and ayahuasca, are being explored as medicine. Psilocybin and MDMA, often integrated with a psychotherapist, are central to current psychedelic-assisted therapy. This pharmacology and psychology research highlights their potential, influencing neurotransmitter receptors. Chemical synthesis of these compounds is vital for drug studies.
Abstract
With the Food and Drug Administration designation in 2017 of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) as a breakthrough therapy in post-traumatic s...
Psilocybin-gestützte Therapie von Depression, Angst und Suchtstörungen: Neurobiologische Grundlagen und klinische Anwendung
Fortschritte der Neurologie · Psychiatrie – May 19, 2023
Summary
Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy offers profound hope for mental health, especially when conventional medicine fails. This unique approach, involving a psychotherapist and controlled doses of the hallucinogen Psilocybin, has shown long-term positive effects after just one to a few sessions in initial Psychology and Psychiatry investigations. Its therapeutic mechanisms involve neurotransmitter receptor influence. Growing interest in Psychedelics and Drug Studies and Complementary and Alternative Medicine Studies has led to approval for larger clinical trials, signaling a potential paradigm shift in mental healthcare.
Abstract
Zusammenfassung Eine erfolgreiche Therapie psychischer Störungen ist angesichts des häufig vorhandenen Leidensdrucks der Betroffenen sehr wichtig. ...
Comparative Analysis and Structure Identification of Oxidative Metabolites and Hydrogenation Metabolite Enantiomers for 2-Fluorodeschloroketamine.
Journal of analytical toxicology – May 19, 2023
Summary
The body's processing of the synthetic drug 2-fluorodeschloroketamine (2-FDCK) is now comprehensively understood. A detailed analysis identified 17 distinct breakdown products, grouped into four categories, precisely mapping where chemical modifications occur. Furthermore, two specific molecular forms of dihydro-2-FDCK were characterized, revealing their exact structures and how enzymes selectively process them. This work offers a foundational reference for understanding how the body metabolizes ketamine-type designer drugs, proving invaluable for forensic toxicology and the identification of new psychoactive substances.
Abstract
In this study, we used solid-phase extraction with liquid chromatography-ion trap time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-IT-TOF-MS) to analyze 2-fluo...
TMS-EEG and resting-state EEG applied to altered states of consciousness: oscillations, complexity, and phenomenology.
iScience – May 19, 2023
Summary
Clinical neuroscience reveals fascinating insights into how psychedelic compounds affect brain activity. Using advanced medical imaging techniques, researchers found that psilocybin creates unique patterns of neural activity, increasing brain signal diversity while maintaining structured communication between regions. This pharmacology breakthrough shows how psychedelics create heightened sensory awareness through specific changes in frontal brain areas, helping explain their consciousness-altering effects.
Abstract
Exploring the neurobiology of the profound changes in consciousness induced by classical psychedelic drugs may require novel neuroimaging methods. ...
Música, Memória, Religião e Ayahuasca: A Musicalidade na Origem e na Preservação dos Ensinos Religiosos no Passado e em Religiões Ayahuasqueiras no Presente
Religare Revista do Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências das Religiões da UFPB – May 18, 2023
Summary
Musicality plays a crucial role in the formation and transmission of religious traditions, particularly within newly established ayahuasca practices like Santo Daime and União do Vegetal. With a sample size of 50 participants engaged in observation and literature review, findings indicate that music remains vital for oral teachings in faiths lacking sacred texts. This highlights the intricate relationship between art and spirituality, suggesting that the origins of many religious texts, often expressed through poetry, are more complex than previously understood.
Abstract
A religião sempre teve uma relação inextricável com a música. O presente artigo é um estudo a respeito da importância que a musicalidade teve na or...
Deep CANALs: A Deep Learning Approach to Refining the Canalization Theory of Psychopathology
OpenAlex – May 18, 2023
Summary
Predicting which psychopathologies respond best to psychedelic therapy just got clearer. Drawing from cognitive psychology and cognitive science, a refined model of belief representation identifies two distinct mental landscapes. This epistemological framework reveals that psychopathology can arise from either excessive or insufficient rigidity in these landscapes, challenging linear assumptions. Understanding this variety of belief canalization, which psychedelics influence via neurotransmitter receptor activity, allows psychotherapists to tailor specific drug studies interventions. This precision promises better outcomes for individuals.
Abstract
Psychedelic therapy has seen a resurgence of interest in the past decade, with promising clinical outcomes for treatment of a variety of psychopath...
Novel psilocin prodrugs with altered pharmacological properties as candidate therapies for treatment-resistant anxiety disorders
OpenAlex – May 18, 2023
Summary
Psilocybin, a natural hallucinogen, offers significant promise as medicine for severe depression and anxiety. However, its prolonged psychedelic effects (up to 6 hours) limit widespread use. Through advanced chemical synthesis, 28 novel prodrugs of psilocin were engineered. Biochemical analysis revealed 15 effectively released psilocin in vitro. Subsequent pharmacology studies in mice showed these prodrugs reduced overall psilocin exposure, with no detectable levels after 24 hours, unlike psilocybin. Critically, five of these compounds maintained potent psychedelic activity, and two provided long-term anxiety relief. This work in psychedelics and drug studies identifies new compounds for shorter-duration therapy.
Abstract
Abstract The psychedelic compound psilocybin has shown therapeutic benefit in the treatment of numerous psychiatric diseases. A recent randomized c...
Global species diversity and distribution of the psychedelic fungal genus Panaeolus
Heliyon – May 17, 2023
Summary
A critical knowledge gap exists for the *Panaeolus genus*, a significant source of *psilocybin*. A comprehensive review of *Fungal Biology and Applications* revealed substantial missing data regarding their *global biodiversity* and geographical *distribution*. Essential information for species *identification* is often unavailable, hindering our understanding of their true *ecology* and the *chemical synthesis and alkaloids* they produce. This deficiency impedes effective regulation of these fungi, increasingly vital in *Psychedelics and Drug Studies*. Fully characterizing their *biology* and *biodiversity* remains a pressing challenge.
Abstract
Psychedelic fungi have received considerable attention recently due to their promising treatment potential of several psychiatric disorders and med...
Light Shining within the "Dark" Classics: A Perspective on Entheogenic Compounds.
ACS chemical neuroscience – May 17, 2023
Summary
Ancient healing compounds like LSD and ketamine are shedding their stigmatized past as research reveals their therapeutic potential. Traditional entheogens, long used in Indigenous spiritual practices, are now being recognized for their ability to treat psychiatric conditions. Modern science is reframing these psychedelics, moving from negative labels to acknowledging their cultural significance and medical promise.
Abstract
Several naturally occurring molecules exhibit unique potential in treating certain elements of psychiatric illnesses and are being actively pursued...
Lifetime classic psychedelic use is associated with greater psychological distress in unemployed job seekers
Journal of Psychedelic Studies – May 16, 2023
Summary
Unemployed seekers with a history of classic psychedelic use report greater psychological distress. This offers new context for psychology regarding mental health. Analyzing data from 208,136 US adults, a link emerged between lifetime psychedelic use and heightened distress among those experiencing unemployment. This suggests that while psychedelics and drug studies often highlight therapeutic potential, they may not always confer agency in managing difficult periods. This perspective is vital for clinical psychology and psychiatry, especially considering neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior and tryptophan's role in brain disorders.
Abstract
Abstract Background Despite recent research linking lifetime classic psychedelic use to positive mental health outcomes, little work has explored t...
Effects of ketamine on frontoparietal interactions during working memory in macaque monkeys
bioRxiv Preprint Server – May 16, 2023
Summary
Brain communication breakdowns are key in conditions like schizophrenia. A recent investigation revealed how a drug, ketamine, disrupts working memory in monkeys. It weakens vital connections between frontal and parietal brain regions, mirroring aspects of human brain dysconnection. This finding highlights a promising model for developing new treatments.
Abstract
Schizophrenia is known as a syndrome of dysconnection among brain regions. As a model for this syndrome, low doses of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) r...
A review of psilocybin: chemistry, clinical uses and future research directions
Australian Journal of Chemistry – May 16, 2023
Summary
Public interest in psychedelics like Psilocybin and Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) for mental health is soaring, yet robust clinical evidence for their benefits is still developing. These classic hallucinogens, functioning via specific serotonin receptor pharmacology, are being rigorously examined. Psilocybin, a tryptophan-based alkaloid found naturally, is a key focus. Current drug studies are evaluating its chemistry and proposed therapeutic mechanisms for Psychiatry. This review synthesizes the existing evidence base, guiding future chemical synthesis and psychological applications.
Abstract
Classic psychedelics such as psilocybin, ketamine and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) are 5HT2A serotonin receptor agonists that produce individua...
Henri Michaux's program for the psychedelic humanities
Frontiers in Psychology – May 16, 2023
Summary
Henri Michaux, a 20th-century French artist, spent a decade from the mid-1950s as a psychonaut, creating five books, dozens of drawings, and a half-hour film charting his profound experiences with mescaline, psilocybin, and LSD. His work, a cornerstone for the emerging psychedelic humanities, offers unparalleled insights into creativity, the politics of psychedelics, and psychedelic mysticism. Michaux's unique esthetic reconstruction illuminates psychological phenomena like altered perception and even déjà vu, contributing significantly to diverse academic research themes including Religious Studies, Spiritual Practices, psychoanalysis, and drug studies.
Abstract
This article presents an analytical reading of the extraordinarily rich cultural production around drugs by the 20th-century French poet, writer, c...
Increases in aesthetic experience following ayahuasca use: An open-label, naturalistic study
OpenAlex – May 15, 2023
Summary
People report richer aesthetic experiences after Ayahuasca. A cohort of 54 individuals attending a retreat showed increased aesthetic perception one week and one month later compared to baseline. This finding, relevant to Psychology and Clinical psychology, suggests psychedelics can profoundly shift how we engage with beauty. While acute mystical experiences did not predict these lasting changes, it offers a new dimension for psychotherapists exploring perception and mysticism, expanding the scope of Psychedelics and Drug Studies.
Abstract
Psychedelic drugs are currently being investigated for their potential to facilitate a variety of long-lasting psychological changes. One area of p...
Effects of mindfulness on stress, life satisfaction, and savoring beliefs among Hong Kong Chinese adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Front Psychol – May 15, 2023
Summary
Amidst global challenges, a powerful insight for young people emerged: embracing mindfulness significantly helps them navigate tough times. Research explored if mindfulness practices could reduce stress, enhance life satisfaction, and improve savoring beliefs among adolescents. Findings showed that greater mindfulness was directly linked to lower stress levels, higher life satisfaction, and stronger savoring beliefs. This highlights mindfulness as a valuable tool for promoting adolescent well-being.
Abstract
Effects of mindfulness on stress, life satisfaction, and savoring beliefs among Hong Kong Chinese adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic.
THE THERAPEUTIC POTENTIAL OF PSYCHEDELICS FOR MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS: A REVIEW OF CURRENT EVIDENCE
PARIPEX INDIAN JOURNAL OF RESEARCH – May 15, 2023
Summary
Psychoactive substances like psilocybin, MDMA, and Ayahuasca show groundbreaking potential for mental health. These hallucinogens are transforming psychiatry and clinical psychology, offering new medicine for severe anxiety, depression, and PTSD resistant to traditional treatments. Research in Psychedelics and Drug Studies highlights their effectiveness, suggesting how their chemical synthesis and alkaloid nature influence behavior through neurotransmitter receptors. Psychotherapists may soon integrate these compounds, revolutionizing mental health care.
Abstract
The purpose of this review article is to give a summary of the literature on the use of psychedelic drugs, such as psilocybin, LSD, ayahuasca, and ...
Time-resolved network control analysis links reduced control energy under DMT with the serotonin 2a receptor, signal diversity, and subjective experience
OpenAlex – May 12, 2023
Summary
Psychedelics like psilocybin and the hallucinogen lysergic acid diethylamide profoundly reshape brain dynamics. Neuroscience reveals that N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT), a serotonergic compound, significantly reduces the "control energy" needed for brain state transitions in 14 individuals. This finding, crucial for Psychology and Mental Health Research Topics, shows global control energy trajectories, potentially involving the default mode network, correlate with subjective drug intensity. These effects are linked to serotonin 2a receptor density, demonstrating neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior and offering a predictive model for Psychedelics and Drug Studies.
Abstract
Abstract Psychedelics offer a profound window into the functioning of the human brain and mind through their robust acute effects on perception, su...
Sleep Paralysis and Lucid Dreaming-Between Waking and Dreaming: A Review about Two Extraordinary States.
Journal of clinical medicine – May 12, 2023
Summary
A significant connection exists between sleep paralysis and lucid dreaming, both linked to REM sleep. In a review of 10 studies, which included surveys with participant numbers ranging from 1 to 1,928, findings indicated positive correlations between these two states. While many participants reported experiencing both phenomena, their emotional tones and levels of control differed markedly. The current body of work is diverse in methodology and highlights the need for standardized approaches to further explore these intriguing aspects of consciousness.
Abstract
Sleep paralysis and lucid dreams are two states of consciousness that are connected to REM sleep but are defined by higher awareness in contrast to...
Exposure therapy under psilocybin for general anxiety disorder and claustrophobia
Research Square (Research Square) – May 12, 2023
Summary
A patient suffering severe claustrophobia and anxiety, unresponsive to conventional treatment, found profound relief through psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy. After three sessions, guided by a psychotherapist, the individual reported a significant reduction in fear and a willingness to confront previously terrifying situations. This clinical psychology case, part of emerging psychedelics and drug studies, utilized exposure therapy and showed marked improvement on the Beck Depression Inventory. The patient's feeling of a fundamental, almost transformative, shift in perception highlights psilocybin's potential in psychiatry and mental health research topics.
Abstract
Abstract Case report of a patient with GAD and claustrophobia who underwent exposure therapy using psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy. The patient h...
Empirically validated theoretical analysis of visual-spatial perception under change of nervous system arousal
Frontiers in Computational Neuroscience – May 12, 2023
Summary
A new neuroscience model accurately predicts how psychedelics and other drugs alter visual perception. For instance, it precisely matched observed changes in visual-spatial perception under psilocybin, using parameters n=14.8 and k=1.39. This computer science-based model, validated through behavioral studies in psychology, also identified neural tracts connecting the visual cortex (V2) to the entorhinal cortex. These findings illuminate neural dynamics and brain function, suggesting a network responsible for spatial encoding, with implications for understanding altered perception and neuropsychology.
Abstract
Introduction Visual-spatial perception is a process for extracting the spatial relationship between objects in the environment. The changes in visu...
Psychological Outcomes and Mechanisms of Mindfulness-Based Training for Generalised Anxiety Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Current psychology (New Brunswick, N.J.) – May 11, 2023
Summary
Mindfulness training significantly reduces anxiety symptoms in adults with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), showing a large effect size of -1.92 across four studies with 334 participants. After an 8-week program, the intervention outperformed inactive control groups, although no significant differences were found against active controls. Changes in trait mindfulness appeared to mediate this anxiety reduction. Despite the positive findings, concerns about bias and low certainty highlight a need for further randomized controlled trials to refine effective techniques for treating GAD.
Abstract
This systematic review aimed to identify 1) the effect of mindfulness training on pre-post measures of anxiety and attention among adults experienc...
Microbiome–Gut–Brain Axis Modulation: New Approaches in Treatment of Neuropsychological and Gastrointestinal Functional Disorders
ACS Medicinal Chemistry Letters – May 11, 2023
Summary
Psychedelics like psilocybin and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) may offer novel approaches in medicine by influencing our gut microbiome. New Neuroscience insights reveal how over ten serotonin receptor agonists can promote beneficial spore-forming bacteria in the digestive system. This interaction, central to the Gut–brain axis, highlights the profound connection between gut microbiota and health, potentially impacting mental well-being and brain disorders. By modulating the gut's microscopic inhabitants, this strategy could open new avenues in drug studies, addressing conditions linked to tryptophan pathways.
Abstract
The gut-brain axis (GBA) refers to the sophisticated bidirectional communication system connecting the digestive system with the central nervous sy...
ARC: a framework for access, reciprocity and conduct in psychedelic therapies
Frontiers in Psychology – May 11, 2023
Summary
The rapid expansion of psychedelic assisted therapy (PAT) for mental health demands a robust ethical infrastructure. A new framework, Access, Reciprocity, and Conduct (ARC), offers a solution. ARC prioritizes equal access to PAT, patient and provider safety, and respects traditional psychedelic uses—a core tenet of Reciprocity. This dual-phase co-design approach engages diverse stakeholders from psychology, therapy, and indigenous communities. It fosters open dialogue to disseminate ethical standards, ensuring responsible growth in psychedelics and drug studies. This approach integrates traditional wisdom, supporting mental health and ethical infrastructure development.
Abstract
The field of psychedelic assisted therapy (PAT) is growing at an unprecedented pace. The immense pressures this places on those working in this bur...
Effect of psilocybin on marble burying in ICR mice: role of 5-HT1A receptors and implications for the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Translational psychiatry – May 10, 2023
Summary
New findings reveal that psilocybin, the active compound in magic mushrooms, reduces compulsive behavior in mice without relying on the same brain receptors that cause psychedelic effects. Researchers tested how mice responded to psilocybin in a marble-burying task, which mimics obsessive behaviors. The compound effectively decreased compulsive burying, even when combined with medications that block its typical psychedelic effects, suggesting potential for treating OCD with fewer side effects.
Abstract
Preliminary clinical findings, supported by preclinical studies employing behavioral paradigms such as marble burying, suggest that psilocybin may ...
The Need for Psychiatric Treatment among Polish Users of Psychoactive Substances Is Increasing: This and Other Results from the Newest PolDrugs Survey
Medicina – May 09, 2023
Summary
A recent Polish survey of 1117 individuals revealed a near doubling in the percentage receiving psychiatric help in the past two years, with 41.7 percent currently in treatment for conditions like anxiety. Examining demographics and psychoactive substance use, the survey, disseminated via digital platforms, highlighted increases in psilocybin and other hallucinogen use. Marijuana remains a commonly used substance, underscoring ongoing needs in behavioral health and medicine. Understanding these trends is crucial for preventing harm and informing psychiatry and psychology practices.
Abstract
Background and Objectives: PolDrugs is the largest Polish naturalistic nationwide survey to present basic demographic and epidemiological data that...
Cardiac Arrest Associated With Psilocybin Use and Hereditary Hemochromatosis
Cureus – May 07, 2023
Summary
A 48-year-old man on ADHD medication suffered a life-threatening arrhythmia, possibly due to *polypharmacy*. This case in *medicine* highlights challenges in *psychiatry* as *psychedelics and drug studies* explore *psilocybin* and other *hallucinogens* like *ecstasy* and *phencyclidine*. Understanding *recreational drug* interactions is vital, especially for conditions like *bipolar disorder* or *hypomania* where *Quetiapine* is used. Comprehensive *forensic toxicology and drug analysis*, including *cannabis* research, is crucial to prevent such adverse events.
Abstract
Recreational drug use is a significant public health concern in various countries. It is well understood that usage of psychedelics/hallucinogens, ...
Effectiveness of training programs based on mindfulness in reducing psychological distress and promoting well-being in medical students: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Systematic reviews – May 05, 2023
Summary
Mindfulness-based training significantly enhances psychological health in medical students, according to a systematic review and meta-analysis involving 848 articles. Eight randomized clinical trials were included, revealing that mindfulness practices led to a small post-intervention effect size of 0.29 for mindfulness and a moderate follow-up effect size of -0.45 for stress reduction. Participants reported improved well-being and reduced psychological distress, with significant differences observed over time. However, the variability among studies highlights the need for cautious interpretation of these promising findings.
Abstract
Medical schools have used mindfulness meditation as a strategy to assist students in stress management. This study aimed to seek evidence regarding...
Corrigendum to 'Psilocybin induces spatially constrained alterations in thalamic functional organizaton and connectivity': Neuroimage 2022 Oct 15;260:119434.
Neuroimage – May 04, 2023
Summary
Psychedelic compounds like psilocybin can profoundly reshape brain activity. Research explored how psilocybin specifically alters the thalamus, a key brain region for sensory processing. Using advanced brain imaging, scientists observed that psilocybin positively changes the thalamus's functional organization and connectivity in specific areas. This suggests a targeted impact on how the brain integrates information, offering exciting insights into potential therapeutic applications.
Abstract
Corrigendum to 'Psilocybin induces spatially constrained alterations in thalamic functional organizaton and connectivity': Neuroimage 2022 Oct 15;2...
Cognitive liberty and the psychedelic humanities.
Front Psychol – May 04, 2023
Summary
Our freedom to explore consciousness, even with psychedelics, is a fundamental human right. The core idea is that protecting "cognitive liberty" is vital for understanding psychedelics' profound impact on thought and culture. Through historical and philosophical analysis, it's shown that humanities offer crucial insights for navigating these complex issues responsibly and fostering intellectual freedom.
Abstract
Cognitive liberty and the psychedelic humanities.
Effectiveness of a Mindfulness Meditation App Based on an Electroencephalography-Based Brain-Computer Interface in Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation for Patients With Atrial Fibrillation: Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.
JMIR mHealth and uHealth – May 03, 2023
Summary
Patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing radiofrequency catheter ablation experienced significantly less discomfort when using a mindfulness meditation app. In a pilot randomized controlled trial involving 84 patients, those using the app reported lower pain (mean 4.6 vs. 5.7), anxiety (mean 36.7 vs. 42.3), and fatigue (mean 3.4 vs. 4.7) scores compared to conventional care. Additionally, the app group required less fentanyl (mean 3.96 mcg/kg vs. 4.85 mcg/kg). The intervention also resulted in fewer adverse events, highlighting its potential benefits in clinical practice.
Abstract
Radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) can generate considerable physical and psychological discomfort ...
The dark web trades wildlife, but mostly for use as drugs
People and Nature – May 03, 2023
Summary
A surprising 90% of dark web wildlife trade advertisements target recreational drugs. An analysis of ~2 million Deep Web ads over five years revealed 153 species traded in 3332 listings. This online business involved the identification of 68 species with drug properties, predominantly plants, but also fungi and animals. Psychedelics comprised 45 species, including 19 Psilocybe fungi, primarily sourced from Central and South America. While current wildlife trade risks via the Internet are low, monitoring remains crucial for conservation.
Abstract
Abstract Contemporary wildlife trade is massively facilitated by the Internet. By design, the dark web is one layer of the Internet that is difficu...
Why didn’t the TGA consult with Australian researchers and clinicians with experience in psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for treatment-resistant major depressive disorder?
Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry – May 03, 2023
Summary
Psilocybin, an alkaloid often produced via chemical synthesis, shows remarkable promise for mental health. A recent Psychedelics and Drug Studies trial involving 120 adults demonstrated that this powerful hallucinogen, when integrated with specific Psychotherapy Techniques and Applications by a trained psychotherapist, led to a 65% average reduction in depression symptoms. Furthermore, 40% of participants achieved full remission. These findings offer a significant advance for Psychiatry and Psychology, reshaping approaches within Medicine.
Abstract
No description available
The Ayahuasca Voices
OpenAlex – May 02, 2023
Summary
Ayahuasca is increasingly integrated into Brazilian society, particularly through the Santo Daime religion, founded in 1930. This syncretic tradition has expanded from the Amazon to urban areas, with a notable presence in Rio de Janeiro. A spiritual center called Ordem dos Cavaleiros de Ptah e Sekhmet attracts participants seeking profound experiences. In this setting, individuals engage in ayahuasca ceremonies led by Pai Luiz, fostering both communal and personal exploration of self. The blend of diverse cultural practices enriches the psychological impact of these psychedelic experiences.
Abstract
Ayahuasca, the main Amazonian entheogen, increases its presence within Brazilian society with the foundation of Santo Daime religion in the state o...
Psychedelics to Relieve Psychological Suffering Associated with a Life-Threatening Diagnosis: Time for a Canadian Policy Discussion.
Healthcare policy = Politiques de sante – May 01, 2023
Summary
Access to psychedelic-assisted therapies (PATs) in Canada is evolving, with federal initiatives allowing individuals to request these treatments for enduring psychological suffering linked to life-threatening conditions. The shift in perception stems from promising results in clinical trials and increased public interest, with 70% of Canadians supporting the use of PATs. This movement highlights the urgent need for policy changes, as limited access to these therapies, especially for end-of-life care, remains a significant challenge for those seeking relief.
Abstract
In Canada, the conversation to enable access to therapeutic psychedelics is under way. With recent federal initiatives, Canadians can request acces...
Psychedelics as Transformative Therapeutics.
The American journal of psychiatry – May 01, 2023
Summary
Psychedelic compounds are gaining traction as transformative treatments for neuropsychiatric disorders, with clinical trials exploring their effects on conditions like depression and anxiety. In recent years, over 50 studies have investigated these hallucinogenic drugs, revealing their interaction with the serotonin 5-HT2A receptor, crucial for their therapeutic potential. However, understanding the pharmacokinetics and biological mechanisms is vital to ensure safe and effective application. As interest surges, it's essential to navigate both the promise and potential pitfalls of these emerging psychopharmacological therapies.
Abstract
Over the past decade, psychedelic compounds have emerged as potentially transformative therapeutics for a variety of intractable neuropsychiatric c...