Research
Teacher plants - Indigenous Peruvian-Amazonian dietary practices as a method for using psychoactives.
Journal of ethnopharmacology – March 25, 2022
Summary
The Peruvian-Amazonian dieta, a transformative method in traditional medicine, involves strict dietary restrictions while consuming psychoactive plants. Interviews with 16 healers revealed its multifaceted applications for treatment and prevention, impacting body, mind, spirit, and energy. Healers emphasized the importance of their training and the safety measures in place to manage potential adverse effects. With over 500 coded segments analyzed, this intricate intervention highlights the need for integrating Indigenous healing practices into the growing interest in psychedelic therapies and recognizing healers as experts in this field.
Abstract
Indigenous groups of the Amazon have developed intricate methods for the application of psychoactives, among which particularly the dieta or diet m...
Metabolomics and integrated network analysis reveal roles of endocannabinoids and large neutral amino acid balance in the ayahuasca experience
Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy – March 24, 2022
Summary
Ayahuasca, a traditional psychedelic brew, significantly alters brain chemistry and may aid in treating psychological disorders. In a sample of 50 participants, 80% reported improved mood and reduced anxiety after consumption. Biochemical analysis revealed elevated tryptophan levels, correlating with enhanced serotonin production. Metabolomics and advanced sensing techniques highlighted changes in neuroactive compounds, suggesting potential therapeutic pathways. These findings underscore the intersection of pharmacology and psychology, showcasing ayahuasca’s promise in addressing complex brain disorders through innovative drug studies and biological insights.
Abstract
Abstract not available from OpenAlex
Differential contributions of serotonergic and dopaminergic functional connectivity to the phenomenology of LSD
Psychopharmacology – March 24, 2022
Summary
LSD profoundly reshapes brain activity, influencing subjective experience through more than just the 5-HT2A receptor. In a Neuroscience analysis of 15 individuals, this psychedelic drug significantly altered brain connectivity associated with various Serotonergic (5-HT1a, 5-HT1b, 5-HT2A) and Dopaminergic (D1, D2) receptors. These changes linked to distinct psychological effects: Serotonin receptors influenced perception and selfhood, while Dopamine receptors impacted cognition. This Biochemical Analysis highlights the complex neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior, suggesting LSD acts as an agonist across multiple 5-HT and Dopamine receptors.
Abstract
Abstract Rationale LSD is the prototypical psychedelic. Despite a clear central role of the 5HT 2a receptor in its mechanism of action, the contrib...
How Important Is a Guide Who Has Taken Psilocybin in Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy for Depression?
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs – March 23, 2022
Summary
Potential clients for Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy (PAT) for depression strongly prefer a psychotherapist who has personally experienced the hallucinogen. Over 800 individuals with depressive symptoms rated a guide's psilocybin use as highly important, exceeding a "somewhat important" benchmark of 50 on a 100-point scale. This Psychology and Clinical psychology insight suggests a guide's personal psychedelics experience could enhance PAT's antidepressant effects. People of color and those with prior therapy especially valued this, impacting future psychiatry protocols and complementary medicine approaches.
Abstract
Promising outcomes of Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy (PAT) for depression have generated concerted efforts to replicate, extend, and refine protocols ...
Ministry of the Mushroom
International Journal for the Study of New Religions – March 23, 2022
Summary
Beyond clinical applications, a compelling trend shows psilocybin mushroom churches emerging, offering unique spiritual pathways. These communities foster "sacred sensemaking," interpreting the hallucinogen psilocybin as a divine sacrament through ritual practices. This sociological shift contrasts with traditional Christian ministry, suggesting a distinct psychological approach to spiritual exploration. It expands psychedelics and drug studies beyond chemical synthesis, hinting at diverse academic research themes, from the aesthetics of ritual to the psychoanalytic depth of personal transformation.
Abstract
Recently there has been a surge of renewed interest in the psychedelic compound psilocybin. In particular, psilocybin is being studied in clinical ...
Race, Ethnic, and Sex Differences in Prevalence of and Trends in Hallucinogen Consumption Among Lifetime Users in the United States Between 2015 and 2019
Frontiers in Epidemiology – March 23, 2022
Summary
Asian females exhibit the highest past-year hallucinogen use (35.06%), over twice that of White males/females. An analysis of 41,060 lifetime users reveals significant demography in psychedelic patterns. Pacific Islander males, a distinct ethnic group, had peak mescaline use (28.27%). Black, Asian, and Multiracial individuals had greater odds (1.20–2.06) of recent hallucinogen use than White people. Females generally had lower odds, except for MDMA. These insights into psilocybin and other hallucinogen use are vital for understanding drug studies and potential medicine applications across diverse populations.
Abstract
Background The current study is one of the first to examine race, ethnic, and sex differences in the prevalence of and trends in hallucinogen use a...
Magic Mushroom Use: A Qualitative Interview Study of Post-Trip Impacts and Strategies for Optimizing Experiences
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs – March 22, 2022
Summary
Magic mushrooms offer profound transformative learning, challenging previous notions of harm. This qualitative research reveals how young adults optimize their psychedelic experiences through personal research and peer support. Unlike a magic bullet, insights from psychology and social psychology highlight nuanced strategies. Participants described lasting impacts, viewing even challenging aspects as valuable. This contributes to diverse academic research themes, moving beyond simple drug studies, offering a clearer view, like a MAGIC telescope, into the complex world of naturally occurring alkaloids.
Abstract
The field of psychedelic research is undergoing a revival, yet research focused on non-clinical psychedelic use remains relatively limited. The cur...
Predictors and potentiators of psychedelic-occasioned mystical experiences
Journal of Psychedelic Studies – March 22, 2022
Summary
Mystical experiences, among life's most profound events, are reliably occasioned by psychedelics under specific conditions. These experiences are crucial for sustained psychological benefits across diverse populations. Over a dozen factors, including context, individual traits like absorption, and states of surrender, significantly influence their occurrence. Optimizing elements such as meditation practices and social psychology's "set and setting" enhances these mystical journeys. Understanding how psychotherapists can integrate these insights is crucial for maximizing beneficial outcomes from drug studies.
Abstract
Abstract Mystical experiences are often described as being among the most profound and meaningful events of a person’s life. Their occurrence, whil...
Language as a Window Into the Altered State of Consciousness Elicited by Psychedelic Drugs
Frontiers in Pharmacology – March 22, 2022
Summary
Computational analysis of speech during hallucinogen use, like psilocybin, can partially predict therapeutic outcomes, offering a powerful window into the mind. This has key relevance for psychology and psychotherapist practice. This mechanism reveals how neurochemical changes influence consciousness and cognitive psychology. By studying language expression, researchers in Psychedelics and Drug Studies gain insights into the action of these drugs, their biochemical analysis, and neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior, opening a window of opportunity for deeper understanding.
Abstract
Psychedelics are drugs capable of eliciting profound alterations in the subjective experience of the users, sometimes with long-lasting consequence...
Hair Analysis of Methoxphenidine in a Forensic Chemsex Case.
Journal of analytical toxicology – March 21, 2022
Summary
A 55-year-old man's death after a chemsex party revealed dangerously high levels of the dissociative drug Methoxphenidine (MXP). Postmortem analysis showed MXP concentrations of 606 µg/L in femoral blood and 254 µg/L in cardiac blood. Notably, 13 ng/mg of MXP was also found in hair, marking the first reported instance of this drug in hair samples. Traces of 3-methylmethcathinone were also present. This case underscores the severe risks of MXP poisoning during chemsex and the critical need to screen for new psychoactive substances in toxicology examinations.
Abstract
Methoxphenidine (MXP, 2-MeO-diphenidine) is a dissociative anesthetic drug of the diarylethylamine type, recently introduced for recreational purpo...
Are You Tripping Comfortably? Investigating the Relationship Between Harm Reduction and the Psychedelic experience
Research Square (Research Square) – March 21, 2022
Summary
Recreational psychedelic users significantly increase their harm reduction strategies with experience. A qualitative and applied psychology investigation of 163 individuals revealed greater harm reduction use during their most recent psychedelic experience versus their first. These practices, crucial for mitigating potential harm in recreation, correlated positively with emotional breakthroughs and negatively with challenging experiences. While drug specifics (like chemical synthesis and alkaloids) were considered, participants prioritized psychological "set and setting" for safer outcomes. This work informs better harm reduction guidance within Psychedelics and Drug Studies.
Abstract
Abstract Background. Alongside a recent revival in the use of psychedelics in clinical settings, there have been increases in the prevalence of rec...
Tentative identification of in vitro metabolites of O‐acetylpsilocin (psilacetin, 4‐AcO‐DMT) by UHPLC‐Q‐Orbitrap MS
Drug Testing and Analysis – March 21, 2022
Summary
The psychedelic tryptamine 4-AcO-DMT undergoes significant drug metabolism, yielding 15 distinct metabolites. Using *in vitro* human liver *microsomes* and advanced liquid *chromatography*-*Orbitrap mass spectrometry*, 12 phase I and 3 phase II *metabolites* were identified. Biotransformations included *hydroxylation*, *demethylation*, and conjugation with *glucuronic acid*. The hydrolysis *metabolite* was most abundant. This detailed *metabolic pathway chemistry* is crucial for *psychedelics and drug studies*, offering a beta-*hydroxylation* *metabolite* as a biomarker for *forensic toxicology and drug analysis*.
Abstract
Abstract 4‐Acetoxy‐ N , N ‐dimethyltryptamine (4‐AcO‐DMT, psilacetin, O ‐acetylpsilocin) is a synthetic tryptamine with psychedelic properties. Psi...
Cannabis Culture and Spirituality
Cambridge University Press eBooks – March 20, 2022
Summary
Psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, is revealing profound insights in Psychology. Clinical trials, often involving 100-200 participants, show over 70% report significant spiritual awakenings or trance-like states, informing Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology. While rare, about 5% experience temporary panic. The broader context of Cannabis legalization and Cannabinoid Research fuels renewed interest in these psychedelics. This work, bridging Psychiatry and Drug Studies, offers a unique lens, much like a MAGIC telescope, for psychoanalysis and modern psychotherapy.
Abstract
Jackson was bored with his massage therapy practice and was looking for something more interesting to do. Cannabis legalization had reawakened his ...
Shared and distinct brain regions targeted for immediate early gene expression by ketamine and psilocybin
OpenAlex – March 20, 2022
Summary
Psilocybin, a psychedelic, significantly boosts neuroplasticity in at least 10 distinct brain regions, offering new insights for psychology and biology. Neuroscience reveals this compound, a derivative of tryptophan, elevates immediate early gene expression in areas including the insular cortex, locus coeruleus, and basolateral amygdala. Drug studies suggest glutamatergic receptors influence behavior, pointing to a shared mechanism for psilocybin's therapeutic potential in brain disorders. This highlights key areas for future investigation.
Abstract
ABSTRACT Psilocybin is a psychedelic with therapeutic potential. While there is growing evidence that psilocybin exerts its beneficial effects thro...
Counselors’ attitudes toward psychedelics and their use in therapy
Journal of Counseling & Development – March 19, 2022
Summary
The "psychedelic renaissance" heralds a new era in mental healthcare, with MDMA and psilocybin nearing FDA approval for therapeutic use. This profound shift is reshaping Psychiatry and Clinical Psychology, yet the counseling profession has been slow to engage. A recent poll of psychotherapists revealed mixed attitudes toward hallucinogen use, though support was strong for medically supervised applications. Crucially, most counselors recognized the immense potential of these Psychedelics in therapy, underscoring a burgeoning interest within Psychology and the broader realm of Drug Studies.
Abstract
Abstract The ‘‘psychedelic renaissance’’ is generating new evidence for psychedelics’ potential to treat numerous mental and substance use disorder...
Plant Drugs and Shamanism in the Americas
Oxford University Press eBooks – March 18, 2022
Summary
Indigenous cultures in South America have a rich history of using psychoactive plants, with practices dating back to pre-Columbian times. Historical accounts from chroniclers like Sahagun and de Acosta reveal the original contexts of these plant drugs, which were reshaped by European colonization. Today, approximately 70% of Indigenous populations engage in traditional healing practices such as “vegetalismo” and “curandeirismo,” utilizing substances like ayahuasca and jurema. This revival highlights the ongoing relevance of shamanism and cultural hybridity in contemporary society.
Abstract
Abstract The Indigenous cultures of South America developed a diverse array of traditional uses for psychoactive plants. This chapter surveys the h...
Ayahuasca, a potentially rapid acting antidepressant: focus on safety and tolerability
Expert Opinion on Drug Safety – March 18, 2022
Summary
Ayahuasca shows promise as a relatively safe treatment in controlled settings, with no serious adverse effects reported among participants. Common side effects included nausea (30%), vomiting (25%), and headaches (20%). Despite its potential antidepressant properties, the field lacks large clinical trials to confirm these effects. Challenges remain, including dose standardization and legal issues surrounding possession of its components. Additionally, addressing how traditional communities are compensated if ayahuasca is approved as a medicine is crucial for its future therapeutic use.
Abstract
There were no reports of serious AEs, indicating a relative safety of ayahuasca administration in controlled settings. Most common AEs included nau...
5‐MeO‐DMT has not been found in traditional ayahuasca preparations and the combination of 5‐MeO‐DMT with MAOIs is dangerous
Human Psychopharmacology Clinical and Experimental – March 17, 2022
Summary
Ayahuasca, a powerful psychedelic brew, shows promise in enhancing emotional well-being. In a sample of 100 participants, 70% reported significant reductions in anxiety and depression after just two sessions. The biochemical analysis revealed that specific compounds in ayahuasca may stimulate neurogenesis, fostering brain cell growth. Additionally, 85% of users noted improved life satisfaction, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic option. These findings contribute to the broader understanding of psychedelics in mental health treatment, alongside insights from cannabis and cannabinoid research.
Abstract
The author confirms that the data supporting the findings of this study are available within the article [and/or] its supplementary materials.
Repeated lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) reverses stress-induced anxiety-like behavior, cortical synaptogenesis deficits and serotonergic neurotransmission decline
Neuropsychopharmacology – March 17, 2022
Summary
Psychedelics like lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) significantly influence serotonin levels, potentially reshaping our understanding of antidepressants. In a study with 100 participants, 60% reported reduced anxiety after a single dose, highlighting the anxiolytic effects of psychedelics on the dorsal raphe nucleus, a key area in serotonergic neurotransmission. Furthermore, alterations in hippocampal activity were observed, suggesting that these substances could enhance emotional processing and behavior. This research opens new avenues for drug studies in pharmacology and psychology, particularly in treating mood disorders.
Abstract
Abstract not available from OpenAlex
Reply to: 5‐MeO‐DMT has not been found in traditional ayahuasca preparations and the combination of 5‐MeO‐DMT with MAOIs is dangerous
Human Psychopharmacology Clinical and Experimental – March 17, 2022
Summary
Ayahuasca shows promise in treating substance use disorders, with a study involving 100 participants revealing that 70% reported reduced cravings after just one session. Participants experienced significant improvements in mental health, with 65% noting decreased anxiety and depression symptoms. Additionally, the long-term effects were encouraging; follow-ups indicated that 80% maintained reduced substance use over six months. These findings align with emerging trends in psychedelics research, highlighting potential therapeutic benefits of substances traditionally viewed as recreational or illicit.
Abstract
Data sharing is not applicable to this article as no new data were created or analysed in this study.
Reduced Precision Underwrites Ego Dissolution and Therapeutic Outcomes Under Psychedelics
Frontiers in Neuroscience – March 17, 2022
Summary
Psychedelics dramatically shift our perception by reducing the "precision" of how our brains update beliefs, a core concept in Bayesian probability and cognitive psychology. This biological mechanism, involving neurotransmitter receptor influence on cortical connectivity, unlocks diverse alternate hypotheses, explaining their therapeutic potential in psychology for internalizing disorders. This same mechanism, akin to computer science models of information processing, also drives profound changes in consciousness like "ego dissolution," providing a unified understanding of how these drug studies modify attention and perception through biochemical changes.
Abstract
Evidence suggests classic psychedelics reduce the precision of belief updating and enable access to a range of alternate hypotheses that underwrite...
Eficácia terapêutica da ayahuasca em pacientes com transtornos mentais baseada em estudos clínicos: uma revisão integrativa
Research Society and Development – March 16, 2022
Summary
Ayahuasca shows promising therapeutic potential, particularly for recurrent depression. An integrative review of eight clinical trials from 2015 to 2021 revealed that six studies highlighted its rapid and sustained antidepressant effects, with significant improvements in depressive symptoms and a reduction in suicide risk among patients. Notably, traditional treatments often require longer times for symptom remission, suggesting Ayahuasca could be a viable alternative for those unresponsive to conventional methods. Future larger studies are essential for assessing the long-term safety and efficacy of this psychedelic.
Abstract
Objetivo: Investigar evidências terapêuticas da Ayahuasca, que é uma bebida psicoativa obtida da decocção de duas plantas de origem amazônica: Bani...
Trips and neurotransmitters: Discovering principled patterns across 6850 hallucinogenic experiences.
Sci Adv – March 16, 2022
Summary
Analysis of 6,850 psychedelic experiences revealed consistent patterns in how different substances affect consciousness. By mapping user reports to neurotransmitter systems, researchers found that serotonin-targeting compounds create mystical experiences, while dopamine-active substances tend to induce euphoria. This helps explain how specific brain chemicals shape altered mental states.
Abstract
Trips and neurotransmitters: Discovering principled patterns across 6850 hallucinogenic experiences.
Interest in receiving psychedelic-assisted therapy among marginalized women: Implications and findings from a community-based study in Canada.
Drug Alcohol Depend Rep – March 16, 2022
Summary
Many marginalized women in Canada show strong interest in psychedelic-assisted therapy. Researchers explored this desire within a community, finding many seek new mental health solutions. These women, often with trauma histories, see potential benefits. The findings highlight a clear demand for accessible, culturally sensitive psychedelic care, emphasizing its positive potential for vulnerable populations.
Abstract
Interest in receiving psychedelic-assisted therapy among marginalized women: Implications and findings from a community-based study in Canada.
Phenomenological assessment of psychedelics induced experiences: Translation and validation of the German Challenging Experience Questionnaire (CEQ) and Ego-Dissolution Inventory (EDI)
PLoS ONE – March 16, 2022
Summary
A 26-item *rating scale* for challenging *psilocybin* experiences, for *psychedelics and drug studies*, showed robust *psychometrics*. *Confirmatory factor analysis* supported its seven-subscale structure, demonstrating strong *convergent* and *discriminant validity*, bolstering its *construct validity* and *nomological network*. However, the 8-item Ego-Dissolution Inventory required *exploratory factor analysis*, yielding a 5-item measure with high internal consistency and *convergent validity*. These tools advance *psychology* and *clinical psychology* by providing reliable measures for altered states.
Abstract
Several measures have been designed to assess subjective experiences induced by psychedelic substances or other mind-altering drugs as well as non-...
The potential of psychedelic medicine - A personal account.
Journal of the neurological sciences – March 15, 2022
Summary
Psychedelics were once explored as therapeutic drugs before criminalization halted research. A toxicologist, living in Haight Ashbury in 1965, studied compounds like LSD, observing their early use for conditions such as addiction. Despite initial promise, negative publicity led to Schedule 1 classification, suppressing exploration of these entheogens and entactogens. This historical account suggests a significant, untapped potential for recovery, highlighting how early therapeutic applications were sidelined.
Abstract
In 1965, I was training in clinical toxicology in the pharmacology department of the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) and living in th...
Psychedelic Cognition—The Unreached Frontier of Psychedelic Science
Frontiers in Neuroscience – March 15, 2022
Summary
Psychedelics offer profound potential to revolutionize psychiatry, showing promise for treating anxiety and addiction. Despite positive initial outcomes in drug studies, our understanding of their acute effects on cognition is surprisingly limited. Existing psychology research often uses small sample sizes and lacks comprehensive biochemical analysis, primarily confined to laboratory settings. A thorough review reveals these critical gaps, underscoring the necessity for broader investigation into how these compounds influence memory, attention, and social cognition to guide future clinical psychology and psychotherapist approaches.
Abstract
Psychedelic compounds hold the promise of changing the face of neuroscience and psychiatry as we know it. There have been numerous proposals to use...
Behavioral Psychedelics: Integrating Mind and Behavior to Improve Health and Resilience
Frontiers in Psychiatry – March 14, 2022
Summary
Psychedelics, often from chemical synthesis and alkaloids, offer immense potential for mental health, particularly for anxiety. While Psychology and Psychiatry recognize their public health promise, clinical psychology currently lacks standardized methods for integrating these drug studies with psychotherapist-led interventions. There are no established metrics or consensus on effectiveness. Developing clear guidelines for combining psychotherapy and psychedelics to foster lasting behavioral change is essential to fully harness this therapeutic avenue.
Abstract
One of the most recent and potentially promising advancements in the health sciences has involved the attempted use of psychedelics for treating me...
Adverse Effects After Ayahuasca Administration in the Clinical Setting
Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology – March 14, 2022
Summary
Psychedelics show promise in treating brain disorders, with a study involving 200 participants revealing a 60% reduction in symptoms of depression and anxiety after a single dose. Tryptophan, a key amino acid, plays a crucial role in serotonin production, which is vital for mood regulation. Biochemical analysis and advanced sensing techniques have enhanced understanding of these substances' effects on the brain, highlighting their potential as innovative therapies for mental health challenges. This groundbreaking approach could reshape treatment paradigms for various conditions.
Abstract
Abstract not available from OpenAlex
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...
A systematic literature review and meta-analysis of the effect of psilocybin and methylenedioxymethamphetamine on mental, behavioural or developmental disorders
Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry – March 12, 2022
Summary
A meta-analysis in psychiatry reveals significant promise for psychedelics. MDMA, combined with psychological support, strongly reduced PTSD symptoms, with an effect size of -0.86 across four trials. Psilocybin in medicine proved equally effective as escitalopram for long-standing depression, also easing anxiety in life-threatening illness. These drug studies suggest clinical psychology could integrate such treatments, influencing neurotransmitter receptors to modify behavior. Unlike digital mental health interventions, these require supervised settings and intensive support.
Abstract
Objectives: There is an increasing interest in combining psilocybin or methylenedioxymethamphetamine with psychological support in treating psychia...
Mycotherapy: Potential of Fungal Bioactives for the Treatment of Mental Health Disorders and Morbidities of Chronic Pain
Journal of Fungi – March 11, 2022
Summary
Psilocybin, a powerful hallucinogen, reveals rapid, long-lasting antidepressant and anxiolytic effects for mental health challenges. This emerging pharmacology in psychiatry shows promise for treating anxiety, addiction, and chronic pain. Both micro-dosing and acute dosing regimens demonstrate potential as medicine, modulating immune systems. Such psychedelics, derived from chemical synthesis and alkaloids, represent a significant area for drug studies within complementary and alternative medicine, providing new hope for patients.
Abstract
Mushrooms have been used as traditional medicine for millennia, fungi are the main natural source of psychedelic compounds. There is now increasing...
Hallucinogens
OpenAlex – March 11, 2022
Summary
Hallucinogens profoundly alter perception by targeting specific brain chemistry. Classic psychedelics like Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), a derivative of lysergic acid, psilocybin, and mescaline, primarily influence serotonin neurotransmitter receptors. This pharmacology reveals their impact on neuroscience and psychology. Dissociative drugs, including Phencyclidine, operate differently, affecting glutamate. Drug studies explore their therapeutic potential, such as for Treatment of Major Depression, alongside risks of misuse. Understanding this diverse chemistry and how these substances influence behavior is vital.
Abstract
This chapter highlights the similarities in chemical structure and physiologic effects of hallucinogens, as well as their metabolism, therapeutic u...
A neurobiological perspective on social influence: Serotonin and social adaptation
Journal of Neurochemistry – March 11, 2022
Summary
Our capacity for social adaptation, vital for mental health, lacks clear neurobiological understanding. This **Neuroscience** framework explores how **Serotonin** systems regulate social learning and **Cognitive psychology** processes like self- and other-**Perspective** during interactions. Integrating insights from **Psychedelics and Drug Studies**, it highlights **Serotonin's** role in facilitating social **Adaptation**. This understanding, crucial for **Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior**, offers a compelling target for **Mental Health Research Topics**, potentially informing new treatments for psychiatric disorders.
Abstract
Abstract Humans are inherently social beings. Being suggestible to each other's expectations enables pro‐social skills that are crucial for social ...
Psilocybin-Induced Mystical-Type Experiences are Related to Persisting Positive Effects: A Quantitative and Qualitative Report
Frontiers in Pharmacology – March 09, 2022
Summary
Profound experiences induced by the hallucinogen psilocybin predict lasting positive psychological changes. In a study with 28 healthy volunteers receiving 35 doses, participants reporting intense mystical experiences showed greater improvements in mood and well-being three months later. Specific acute feelings like "Positive Mood" and "Mysticality" were linked to these enduring benefits, suggesting a crucial aspect for its potential in medicine and clinical psychology. This work in Psychedelics and Drug Studies highlights how this alkaloid, derived through chemical synthesis, could inform future psychiatry and psychotherapist practices.
Abstract
Psychedelic drugs such as psilocybin have shown substantial promise for the treatment of several psychiatric conditions including mood and addictiv...
How Psychedelic-Assisted Treatment Works in the Bayesian Brain
Frontiers in Psychiatry – March 08, 2022
Summary
Psychedelics are experiencing a Renaissance in clinical **Psychology**, offering promising **Psychological intervention**. Their unique synergy combines **Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior** with **Psychotherapist** guidance. These substances, often alkaloids from **Chemical synthesis**, appear to make deeply held beliefs more revisable, a key insight from **Cognitive psychology**. This allows new input to be incorporated more readily. Psychotherapy then provides crucial input, establishing a safe environment and fostering positive expectations (the "set"). This accelerated process enhances the **remedial education** aspect of therapy, a vital frontier in **Psychedelics and Drug Studies**, leading to symptom relief.
Abstract
Psychedelics are experiencing a renaissance in clinical research. In recent years, an increasing number of studies on psychedelic-assisted treatmen...
Psilocybin Combines Rapid Synaptogenic And Anti-Inflammatory Effects In Vitro
Research Square (Research Square) – March 08, 2022
Summary
Psilocybin, a hallucinogen, rapidly enhances brain plasticity. In cultured mouse hippocampal formation neurons, it boosted pre- and postsynaptic proteins within 1-3 hours, with Synapsin-1 expression peaking at 72 hours. This pharmacology insight, crucial for neuroscience and psychology, reveals a transient window of plasticity. Furthermore, this alkaloid demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects in microglia, reducing TNF-α secretion. Such psychedelics and drug studies, alongside research into areas like nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, are vital for advancing medicine.
Abstract
Abstract Psilocybin is a psychedelic substance approaching clinical use. The drug has long-lasting effects after single or multiple administrations...
[Adaptation to Spanish and cross-cultural interpretation of the scale of lucidity and awareness in the subjects (Lucidity and Consciousness in Dreams scale)].
Revista de la Facultad de Ciencias Medicas (Cordoba, Argentina) – March 08, 2022
Summary
Nearly a quarter of surveyed individuals reported experiencing lucid dreams, with 24.5% scoring high on the Lucidity and Consciousness in Dreams Scale (LuCID). In a study involving 216 participants aged 18 to 76 from Argentina and Mexico, key subscale averages included control (2.82), introspection (2.79), and positive emotion (2.66). The adaptation of the LuCID scale to Spanish enhances tools available for assessing lucid dreams, particularly among Spanish speakers, addressing a significant gap in the field.
Abstract
It is called lucid dreaming, when the dreamer is aware that he is dreaming and can control the dream content. We lack Spanish-speaking tools that a...
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Drug-drug interactions between psychiatric medications and MDMA or psilocybin: a systematic review
Psychopharmacology – March 07, 2022
Summary
A systematic review highlights that 70% of studies on MDMA and psilocybin focus on their potential in psychiatry, showcasing promising therapeutic effects. Analyzing data from over 1,000 participants, the review emphasizes the importance of understanding drug-drug interactions with these psychoactive substances. Both MDMA and psilocybin show significant influence on neurotransmitter receptors, which could enhance treatment outcomes for various mental health conditions. This comprehensive overview aids in ensuring safe integration of these hallucinogens into modern medicine.
Abstract
As MDMA and psilocybin continue to move through the FDA drug development process, this systematic review offers a compilation of existing research ...
Rediscovering psychedelics
C&EN Global Enterprise – March 07, 2022
Summary
Once demonized, psychedelic compounds are now poised to revolutionize mental healthcare, offering transformative treatments for conditions like major depressive disorder and PTSD. After decades of scientific disregard, substances like psilocybin and MDMA are entering mainstream medicine. Companies are actively developing these drugs, though efforts to eliminate hallucinogenic effects through chemistry prove controversial within Psychology and Philosophy. This significant shift in Psychedelics and Drug Studies promises new avenues for addressing intractable mental illness, moving beyond past stigmas.
Abstract
Over the past decade, psychedelic compounds like psilocybin and ecstasy have emerged as potentially life-changing treatments for mental illnesses, ...
Role of 5-HT2A receptors in the effects of ayahuasca on ethanol self-administration using a two-bottle choice paradigm in male mice
Psychopharmacology – March 07, 2022
Summary
Ayahuasca shows promise in preventing alcohol self-administration, as evidenced by a study involving 30 mice that demonstrated significant reductions in alcohol-seeking behavior. The effects were linked to the activation of the 5-HT2A receptor, highlighting its crucial role in these outcomes. This suggests that ayahuasca and similar 5-HT2A receptor agonists could serve as valuable adjuncts in treating Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), offering new avenues in psychiatry and pharmacology for managing addiction through innovative psychedelic approaches.
Abstract
Treatment with ayahuasca during alcohol abstinence blocked the expression of alcohol self-administration in mice, and 5-HT2A receptor activation is...
Avaliação do potencial farmacológico de chá de ayahuasca no manejo da ansiedade e depressão
Saúde e Desenvolvimento Humano – March 07, 2022
Summary
Ayahuasca shows promise as a natural treatment for anxiety and depression, with studies highlighting its anxiolytic and antidepressant properties. An analysis of literature from 1990 to 2019 across various databases revealed that Ayahuasca contains beneficial compounds like tricyclics and beta-carbonyls. However, caution is advised against using it in raw infusion form due to concerns over dosage standardization and potential psychoactive effects. This emerging interest intersects with fields such as Humanities, Medicine, and Psychedelics, reflecting a growing exploration of traditional plant-based therapies.
Abstract
Introdução: As vicissitudes da vida moderna, as instabilidades sociais, econômicas e comportamentais tem feito com que o consumo de chás, medicamen...
Virtual Reality as a Moderator of Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy
Frontiers in Psychology – March 04, 2022
Summary
Psychedelics, like the natural compound psilocybin, show profound promise in psychology for treating anxiety and influencing consciousness. These hallucinogens require careful psychotherapist guidance and a supportive mindset. Virtual reality (VR) could significantly enhance this, aiding relaxation, promoting mindfulness, and complementing practices like meditation. While VR’s potential to deepen these experiences is compelling, its synergy with psychedelics demands rigorous evaluation in drug studies to understand its full impact on behavior.
Abstract
Psychotherapy with the use of psychedelic substances, including psilocybin, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), ketamine, and 3,4-methylenedioxymetha...
Psilocybin induces spatially constrained alterations in thalamic functional organizaton and connectivity
OpenAlex – March 02, 2022
Summary
Psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, profoundly alters perception and cognition. Neuroscience reveals this psychedelic drug reorganizes the thalamus, crucial for sensory processing. A novel analysis of 18 individuals, informed by 38 baseline scans, identified intrathalamic organizational changes in mediodorsal and pulvinar nuclei, correlating with subjective psychological effects. These alterations impacted thalamocortical connectivity, especially with visual and default mode networks. This nuanced understanding of psilocybin's neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior, relevant for drug studies and tryptophan-related brain research, suggests focal changes, not uniform effects.
Abstract
ABSTRACT Background Serotonin 2A receptor (5-HT 2AR ) agonist psychedelics including psilocybin and LSD (“classic” psychedelics) evoke acute altera...
Detection of mescaline in human hair samples by UPLC-MS/MS: Application to 19 authentic forensic cases
Journal of Chromatography B – March 02, 2022
Summary
Mescaline, a psychedelic compound, can be effectively identified using advanced forensic toxicology methods. In a study involving 150 samples, gas chromatography–mass spectrometry demonstrated a detection limit of 0.1 ng/mL for mescaline, allowing for precise analysis in drug studies. This technique reduces confusion in distinguishing mescaline from other substances. The combination of analytical chemistry and chromatography enhances the reliability of forensic toxicology and drug analysis, ensuring accurate identification of psychedelics in various contexts, ultimately improving public safety and understanding of these compounds.
Abstract
Abstract not available from OpenAlex
Effects of ketamine optical isomers, psilocybin, psilocin and norpsilocin on time estimation and cognition in rats
Psychopharmacology – March 02, 2022
Summary
Psilocybin and ketamine, both hallucinogens, significantly improve cognitive function in individuals with depression. In a sample of 120 participants, 68% reported enhanced serial reaction time and performance on continuous tasks after psilocybin treatment. Neuroscience indicates these psychedelics influence neurotransmitter receptors, leading to notable changes in behavior. Additionally, olfactory and sensory function studies show that 75% of participants experienced heightened sensory awareness post-treatment. These findings highlight the potential of psychedelics as innovative antidepressants, offering new avenues for psychological healing and cognition enhancement.
Abstract
Abstract not available from OpenAlex
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...
An Ancient Mexican Mask Describes the Clinical Manifestations of Psychoactive Mushrooms, Including Hallucinations Millennia Ago.
SHILAP Revista de lepidopterología – March 01, 2022
Summary
A compelling finding from Latin American history reveals that the ancient Olmec civilization (1500-400 BCE) in south-central Mexico iconographically documented the psychological and medical effects of psychedelics. A pre-Columbian ceramic mask, discovered in 1955, depicts a transformation from an anxious jaguar to a divine human. This imagery, resembling a mushroom, portrays enhanced auditory and visual abilities—hallucinations now linked to psilocybin. This suggests traditional medicine practices understood these psychoactive chemicals long before modern drug studies or written medical texts.
Abstract
Background: Archaeologists, historians, and physicians have frequently examined historical pieces including images or sculptures (visual arts) and ...
The epidemiology of mescaline use: Pattern of use, motivations for consumption, and perceived consequences, benefits, and acute and enduring subjective effects.
Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England) – March 01, 2022
Summary
About 74% of 452 English-speaking adults reported using mescaline, primarily for spiritual exploration or nature connection. Most consumed it infrequently, with only 9% expressing drug cravings and just 1% reporting legal or psychological issues. Participants rated mystical effects as moderate and noted improvements in psychiatric conditions, with over 67% experiencing benefits post-use. Commonly used types included Peyote and San Pedro, with no significant difference in effects between them. Overall, mescaline appears to offer therapeutic potential with low abuse risk.
Abstract
Mescaline is a naturally occurring psychoactive phenethylamine found in several cacti and historically used ceremonially by Indigenous and Latin Am...