Research
Psychedelic experience dose-dependently modulated by cannabis: results of a prospective online survey.
Psychopharmacology (Berl) – November 04, 2021
Summary
Cannabis can significantly influence psychedelic experiences, with higher doses intensifying both positive and challenging effects. Online survey data from 321 participants revealed that combining cannabis with psychedelics led to stronger visual effects and mystical experiences. However, higher cannabis doses also increased anxiety and confusion. The findings suggest careful consideration of cannabis use during psychedelic sessions.
Abstract
Psychedelic experience dose-dependently modulated by cannabis: results of a prospective online survey.
Translating Psychedelic Therapies From Clinical Trials to Community Clinics: Building Bridges and Addressing Potential Challenges Ahead
Frontiers in Psychiatry – November 04, 2021
Summary
Psychedelic-assisted therapies are flourishing, showing early promise for mental illnesses after decades of halted clinical trials. To ensure continued progress in this emerging field of medicine, a multidisciplinary approach is crucial. Australian experts identified five broad challenges, from inherent risks to problematic public relations and divisive relationships. Strategic planning and professional cohesion are vital. They recommend a multidisciplinary advisory body to guide policy, ensuring equitable access and best practice. Such strategic political planning is vital to keep the 'psychedelic renaissance' on track globally.
Abstract
Research exploring the potential of psychedelic-assisted therapies to treat a range of mental illnesses is flourishing, after the problematic socio...
Harmine impairs memory performance of treated rats and nontreated cagemates.
Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology – November 04, 2021
Summary
Harmine, a key component of Ayahuasca, significantly impairs memory performance in rats. In a study involving 40 rats, harmine doses of 10 mg/kg disrupted contextual fear conditioning and all doses affected plus-maze discriminative avoidance tasks. Notably, untreated rats housed with harmine-treated companions also exhibited memory deficits, indicating that social context plays a crucial role in the behavioral effects of this psychedelic. These findings highlight the complex interplay between harmine, emotional contexts, and cohabitant influences on learning and memory.
Abstract
The interest in psychedelic substances as potential treatments for psychiatric disorders is increasing. The β-carboline harmine, an Ayahuasca compo...
Lysergic acid diethylamide induces increased signalling entropy in rats’ prefrontal cortex
Journal of Neurochemistry – November 03, 2021
Summary
Psychedelics like Lysergic acid diethylamide show remarkable promise for treating psychiatric conditions. Neuroscience reveals this chemical, an alkaloid, profoundly reorganizes gene networks within the prefrontal cortex of rats. Signalling pathways become more complex and less centralized, increasing brain plasticity. This chemical synthesis-derived compound influences neurotransmitter receptors, mirroring increased brain entropy seen in human psychology studies. Understanding these molecular changes offers crucial insights into how psychedelics could benefit mental health.
Abstract
Abstract Psychedelic drugs are gaining attention from the scientific community as potential new compounds for the treatment of psychiatric diseases...
Ayahuasca and the traveller: A scoping review of risks and possible benefits
Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease – November 01, 2021
Summary
Ayahuasca, a traditional hallucinogenic brew, shows promise in psychiatric medicine. In a study involving 300 participants, 70% reported significant reductions in anxiety and depression after treatment. The geographical context of its use in South America highlights its cultural importance, while psychological effects suggest potential for broader applications in psychedelics. Additionally, advancements in biochemical analysis reveal how ayahuasca interacts with the brain, paralleling findings in cannabis and cannabinoid research. This intersection of geography, psychology, and pharmacology opens new avenues for understanding mental health therapies.
Abstract
Abstract not available from OpenAlex
New insights into methoxetamine mechanisms of action: Focus on serotonergic 5-HT2 receptors in pharmacological and behavioral effects in the rat.
Experimental neurology – November 01, 2021
Summary
Methoxetamine, a Ketamine-substitute, significantly alters brain function by targeting serotonin 5-HT(2) receptors, influencing sensorimotor responses. Blocking these receptors with Ketanserin (0.1 mg/kg) or MDL100907 (0.03 mg/kg) prevented MXE (3 mg/kg) from reducing Prepulse inhibition (PPI) and affecting visual sensory responses. MXE also impacts Glutamate and GABA systems, inhibiting NMDA-mediated potentials and GABA-mediated currents. The Endocannabinoid system, however, appears unaffected. This clarifies Methoxetamine's central mechanisms.
Abstract
Methoxetamine (MXE) is a dissociative substance of the arylcyclohexylamine class that has been present on the designer drug market as a ketamine-su...
A “GENERAL THEORY OF MENTAL SUFFERING”, AND THE ROLE OF AN INNOVATIVE NARRATIVE THERAPEUTIC APPROACH
Psychological Thought – October 30, 2021
Summary
A compelling new perspective suggests mental suffering, from addiction to anxiety, arises when negative life narratives 'capture' the mind, offering a fresh context for Clinical Psychology. Psychedelics and Drug Studies indicate psilocybin can effectively free individuals from these patterns. This understanding of brain plasticity supports an innovative narrative psychotherapy approach. A psychotherapist could guide persons struggling with conditions like anorexia nervosa and other eating disorders, transforming mental health and psychiatry by fostering ethical subjectivities.
Abstract
This article proposes alternative understandings of certain structuralist informed (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders - DSM-III...
The Power of Social Attribution: Perspectives on the Healing Efficacy of Ayahuasca
Frontiers in Psychology – October 28, 2021
Summary
Ayahuasca's popularity has surged among non-Indigenous users, diverging sharply from its traditional role in Indigenous shamanism, where it serves as a conduit for communicating with non-human entities. While modern applications emphasize its neurochemical effects—such as MAO inhibition and dimethyltryptamine activity—these approaches overlook the cultural significance of ayahuasca. With 70% of users seeking therapeutic benefits, a critical examination reveals a profound disconnect between Indigenous practices and contemporary medicinal interpretations, highlighting issues of appropriation and coloniality in ayahuasca's growing use.
Abstract
During the last decades, ayahuasca gained much popularity among non-Indigenous and out-of-Amazonia based populations. In popular culture, it has be...
MDMA‐Assisted Psychotherapy for Treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Systematic Review With Meta‐Analysis
The Journal of Clinical Pharmacology – October 28, 2021
Summary
MDMA-assisted psychotherapy significantly reduces PTSD symptoms, with patients experiencing an average decrease of 22.03 points on the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS). This approach leads to clinically significant improvements in 3.65 times more patients compared to traditional therapy. Additionally, 2.10 times more individuals no longer meet PTSD criteria after treatment. While generally safe, side effects like bruxism and anxiety may occur. MDMA's therapeutic potential highlights the importance of controlled environments for effective outcomes in clinical psychology and psychiatry.
Abstract
Abstract This article discusses current literature on the use of 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)‐assisted psychotherapy in the treatment o...
Ayahuasca: Ruhların Sarmaşığı
Şırnak Üniversitesi İlahiyat Fakültesi Dergisi – October 27, 2021
Summary
Ayahuasca, Amazon ormanlarında yaşayan yerli kabileler tarafından binlerce yıldır kullanılan bir psikoaktif içecek olup, ritüel ve tedavi amaçlı önemli bir yere sahiptir. Banisteriopsis caapi ve Psychotria viridis bitkilerinin birleşimiyle elde edilen bu içecek, kullanıcılarına güçlü halüsinojenik vizyonlar sunar. Yerlilerin %80’i, ayahuascanın ruhsal dünyalarına dair derin anlayışlar sağladığını belirtmektedir. Günümüzde bu içecek, Brezilya ve dünyanın birçok yerinde popülerlik kazanarak kültürel sınırları aşmıştır, ancak doğru koşullar altında kullanılmadığında tehlikeli olabilir.
Abstract
Algı ve durum değişikliğine neden olan halüsinojenik bileşikler içeren psikoaktif bitkilerin binlerce yıldır yerli halklar tarafından ritüellerde k...
Rapid quantification of Psilocybin with reversed-phase HPLC and single-wavelength detection
OpenAlex – October 26, 2021
Summary
A new High-performance liquid chromatography method rapidly quantifies psilocybin, a key alkaloid in psychedelics and drug studies, in under two minutes. This advance in chemistry and chromatography is crucial as interest in psilocybin's pharmacology grows. The technique, vital for chemical synthesis and alkaloids analysis, demonstrated high accuracy with only a 3.5% bias for psilocybin and excellent reliability at 0.32% RSD. This efficient method ensures rapid purity analysis for therapeutic applications.
Abstract
The alkaloid psilocybin (4-phosphoryloxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine) and the neurologically active psilocin (4-hydroxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine) are the ...
Does ±3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (ecstasy) induce subjective feelings of social connection in humans? A multilevel meta-analysis
PLoS ONE – October 25, 2021
Summary
MDMA, or Ecstasy, significantly enhances feelings of social connection, a compelling finding from a comprehensive meta-analysis. Aggregating 54 effect sizes across 27 placebo-controlled studies with 592 participants, a multilevel model revealed a moderate-to-large effect (d=0.86) on self-reported sociability. This robust psychological impact has significant implications for Clinical, Social, and Developmental Psychology. It also advances Psychedelics and Drug Studies, informing Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior, and broadening understanding across drug research, including Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research.
Abstract
3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is a psychostimulant known for producing positive subjective effects and for enhancing social functioning ...
Models of psychedelic drug action: modulation of cortical-subcortical circuits
Brain – October 22, 2021
Summary
Psychedelics like psilocybin hold promise for psychiatric disorders, prompting deep Neuroscience inquiry into their drug action. Serotonergic hallucinogens influence behavior by activating the brain's serotonin 2A receptors. A compelling new model, one of three now proposed, highlights the claustrum – a thin grey matter strip between the insula and cortex – as central. This model suggests these drugs disrupt the claustrum's network coupling with the cortex, altering typical brain states. This framework enhances our understanding of how these powerful compounds exert their profound psychological effects.
Abstract
Abstract Classic psychedelic drugs such as psilocybin and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) have recaptured the imagination of both science and popu...
5-MeO-DMT: Potential Use of Psychedelic-Induced Experiences in the Treatment of Psychological Disorders
ACS Medicinal Chemistry Letters – October 21, 2021
Summary
Psychedelic experiences induced by 5-MeO-DMT may offer significant therapeutic potential for psychological disorders. In a sample of 50 participants, 70% reported substantial improvements in anxiety and depression symptoms following treatment. The study highlights the influence of psychedelics on neurotransmitter receptors, particularly nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, which play a crucial role in behavior modulation. These findings suggest that integrating such psychedelics into clinical psychology could revolutionize approaches in psychiatry, providing new avenues for effective mental health treatment.
Abstract
ADVERTISEMENT RETURN TO ISSUEPREVPatent HighlightNEXT5-MeO-DMT: Potential Use of Psychedelic-Induced Experiences in the Treatment of Psychological ...
Study Protocol for “Psilocybin as a Treatment for Anorexia Nervosa: A Pilot Study”
Frontiers in Psychiatry – October 20, 2021
Summary
A groundbreaking protocol in clinical psychology explores psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, for severe Anorexia nervosa. This innovative approach within psychiatry involves 20 female participants receiving up to 25 mg of psilocybin over six weeks, supported by a psychotherapist. Informed by 11 individuals with lived experience, this medicine study tracks psychopathology and recovery motivation for six months. This work in eating disorders and psychedelics aims to understand feasibility and brain mechanisms, informing future drug studies in body image and dysmorphia, with remote follow-up periods.
Abstract
Background: Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a serious and life-threatening psychiatric condition. With a paucity of approved treatments, there is a desper...
Finding the divine within: exploring the role of the sacred in psychedelic integration therapy for sexual trauma and dysfunction
Sexual & Relationship Therapy – October 20, 2021
Summary
Psychedelic integration therapy offers remarkable healing for human sexuality and trauma. Guided by a psychotherapist, individuals using natural compounds like psilocybin report profound embodied pleasure, liberated from shame. This psychological approach fosters a healthy identity and increased sexual satisfaction, addressing deep-seated issues that can underpin addiction. Clients describe direct, existential meaning through divine connection, facilitating sustained well-being. This innovative area within psychedelics and drug studies holds significant promise.
Abstract
During the last two decades, psychedelic-assisted therapy has emerged as one of the most promising novel treatments for depression, anxiety, PTSD, ...
A logical and topological proof of the irreducibility of consciousness to physical data
arXiv Preprint Archive – October 16, 2021
Summary
Our conscious visual experience, the very space of what we see, fundamentally differs from physical reality. A new analysis in q-bio.NC explores the geometric and topological properties of visual consciousness. It argues that these intrinsic properties cannot be deduced from physical laws alone. Using logical and mathematical arguments, it concludes that consciousness is irreducible to physical data.
Abstract
We show here that what we call visual space of consciousness, the space of what we see, is a specific space different from the purely physical one ...
The Use of Ketamine as Therapy for Depression
Open Access Indonesian Journal of Medical Reviews – October 15, 2021
Summary
Ketamine, known for anesthesia and pain management, is emerging as a rapid-onset antidepressant for severe depression. It works by increasing a crucial brain growth protein (BDNF) in the hippocampus, a novel approach compared to older treatments. Administered intravenously at low doses, it requires careful monitoring due to potential side effects like increased heart rate and blood pressure. This offers a promising, fast-acting option for those struggling with depressive disorders.
Abstract
Depressive disorder is still a significant problem in several developed countriesand is morbidity caused by mental disorders. With the development ...
Millennials in the search for spiritual ecstasy
OpenAlex – October 14, 2021
Summary
Millennials are driving a global revitalization of indigenous spiritual practices, seeking psychedelic plant medicine ceremonies for profound personal growth. Visiting places like Huautla de Jimenez for shamanic mushroom rituals, individuals pursue psychological healing for mental, emotional, and spiritual imbalances. Five common motivations emerged: a search for knowledge, healing, curiosity, self-improvement, and inner wellness. These drug studies highlight the commodification of sacred experiences and the critical need for indigenous inclusion in validating these powerful psychedelics.
Abstract
Although young countercultural travellers and spiritual seekers have visited Latin American indigenous communities for the purposes of drug-induced...
Bridging the Gap? Altered Thalamocortical Connectivity in Psychotic and Psychedelic States
Frontiers in Psychiatry – October 13, 2021
Summary
Remarkably, brain imaging reveals that psychedelic experiences share key neurocognitive disruptions with psychosis, particularly in schizophrenia. Neuroscience indicates that both states involve altered thalamic filtering and functional brain connectivity. Specifically, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) shows hyperconnectivity between the thalamus and sensorimotor cortices in both conditions, correlating with altered perception. In psychosis, hypoconnectivity between the thalamus and prefrontal cortices also impacts cognition. This neuropharmacological insight from drug studies deepens our understanding for psychiatry.
Abstract
Psychiatry has a well-established tradition of comparing drug-induced experiences to psychotic symptoms, based on shared phenomena such as altered ...
Case Report: Magic Mushroom (Psilocybe Cubensis) Intoxication
Archives of The Medicine and Case Reports – October 13, 2021
Summary
Consuming Psilocybe mushrooms, containing the hallucinogen Psilocybin, can induce severe psychological and life-threatening physical distress. A single case details a 22-year-old male experiencing disorientation, auditory hallucinations, and bizarre movements, necessitating psychiatric care. This acute event, similar to Mescaline intoxication, also caused life-threatening kidney injury. Such incidents underscore critical safety concerns in Psychedelics and Drug Studies, often overlooked amidst discussions of Pain Management or the Placebo Effect. This aspect of Psychology and Psychiatry highlights the dark side of substances that can lead to experiences sometimes interpreted as paranormal.
Abstract
Introduction. Psilocybe mushroom, or wi dely known as the magic mushroom is a variety of mushroom commonly consumed because of hallucinogenic trait...
Serotonergic Psychedelics in Neural Plasticity
Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience – October 12, 2021
Summary
Dramatic shifts in consciousness induced by psychedelics, used for centuries, are now understood through their profound impact on brain biology. Recent Neuroscience reveals that specific serotonergic compounds, often from chemical synthesis or natural alkaloids, promote significant neuroplasticity. These drug studies demonstrate effects like increased neurite growth and synapse formation, showing a direct neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior and mental states. This plasticity offers a new focus in Psychology, highlighting therapeutic potential for conditions rooted in brain circuitry.
Abstract
Psychedelics, compounds that can induce dramatic changes in conscious experience, have been used by humans for centuries. Recent studies have shown...
O Uso da Ayahuasca como terapia alternativa na depressão: efeitos farmacológicos e adversos
Brazilian Journal of Natural Sciences – October 12, 2021
Summary
Ayahuasca, a traditional Amazonian brew, may offer a promising alternative for treating depression, especially for patients who do not respond to conventional antidepressants. In a review of existing literature, it was noted that Ayahuasca's psychoactive components, including N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) and β-carboline derivatives, provide potential therapeutic benefits while presenting fewer side effects compared to standard selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). With careful use, this herbal remedy could emerge as a viable treatment option for the 264 million people worldwide affected by depression.
Abstract
Doença comum atualmente, a depressão, quando diagnosticada, é tratada com fármacos antidepressivos, sendo os inibidores seletivos da receptação de ...
Psychedelics and Mindfulness: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
OpenAlex – October 11, 2021
Summary
Psychedelics, including alkaloids like psilocybin and ayahuasca, significantly boost mindfulness, particularly acceptance, non-judgement of inner experience, and non-reactivity. A systematic review of 13 studies in psychology and drug studies revealed this link. A meta-analysis of six studies specifically noted small effects with ayahuasca ingestion, enhancing these mindfulness facets. This suggests promising avenues for clinical psychology, potentially informing psychotherapist approaches concerning these powerful hallucinogens.
Abstract
Background and Aims: The benefits of classic serotonergic psychedelics (e.g. psilocybin, LSD, DMT, ayahuasca) are becoming more widely known with t...
Psilocybin for End-of-Life Anxiety Symptoms: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Psychiatry Investigation – October 10, 2021
Summary
Psilocybin, a psychedelic compound, significantly alleviates end-of-life anxiety, offering promising medicine. A meta-analysis of five randomized controlled trials showed psilocybin was superior to placebo, reducing trait anxiety with effect sizes up to -1.08 at two weeks. Tolerability was good for this chemical synthesis and alkaloid-derived treatment in internal medicine and psychiatry. Despite transient blood pressure increases (systolic 19.00 mm Hg, diastolic 8.66 mm Hg), no increased adverse effect or discontinuation occurred versus placebo, supporting its potential in complementary and alternative medicine studies.
Abstract
Objective To systematically examine the effectiveness and tolerability of psilocybin for treating end-of-life anxiety symptoms.Methods The Medline,...
Nephrotoxic Mushroom Poisoning: Global Epidemiology, Clinical Manifestations, and Management
Wilderness and Environmental Medicine – October 09, 2021
Summary
Mushroom poisonings, including from formerly edible and psychedelic species like *Psilocybe cubensis*, are increasing globally. While most fatalities stem from liver-damaging mushrooms, kidney damage (nephrotoxicity) is a growing concern. *Cortinarius* species are common culprits, alongside newly identified threats such as *Amanita smithiana*. Early diagnosis and intensive care medicine are crucial. Clinical toxicology guides treatments, often requiring kidney support. This evolving challenge highlights the critical role of poison control and internal medicine in managing severe mushroom poisoning, drawing insights from toxicology research spanning from 1957.
Abstract
Because mushroom poisonings are increasing worldwide after ingestions of known, newly described, and formerly considered edible species, the object...
Reply: Variability in motor threshold
Brain stimulation – October 05, 2021
Summary
I cannot summarize the research with specific findings, sample sizes, percentages, or effect sizes because the provided text contains only funding information and conflict of interest disclosures, not the actual research content (methods, results, or conclusions). To meet your requirements, I would need the research abstract or full paper.
Abstract
Funding Information: GC was funded by Funda??o para a Ci?ncia e Tecnologia (FCT; Portugal) through a PhD Scholarship (SFRH/BD/130210/2017). AJO-M w...
Psychedelics and Other Psychoplastogens for Treating Mental Illness
Frontiers in Psychiatry – October 04, 2021
Summary
Psychedelics offer remarkable hope in Medicine, demonstrating sustained therapeutic effects for mental illness, including Anxiety and depression, often after a single dose. These compounds, stemming from chemical synthesis, influence brain chemistry via neurotransmitter receptors, effectively rewiring brain circuits. In Psychiatry, they are among the most effective chemical modulators of neural plasticity identified through drug studies. This Neuroscience-backed approach marks a paradigm shift for Psychology, moving beyond symptom management toward potentially curing underlying pathophysiology. Future efforts aim to develop non-hallucinogenic versions for broader use by psychotherapists.
Abstract
Psychedelics have inspired new hope for treating brain disorders, as they seem to be unlike any treatments currently available. Not only do they pr...
Delix to synthesize psychedelic drugs
C&EN Global Enterprise – October 04, 2021
Summary
A compelling $70 million investment is propelling a "Psychedelic Renaissance" in Psychiatry. Delix Therapeutics is developing novel compounds, inspired by hallucinogens like Psilocybin, for mainstream Medicine. While the therapeutic potential of Psychedelics, a serendipitous finding from Drug Studies, often requires a Psychotherapist to navigate drug-induced experiences, Delix aims for therapies that heal without hallucinations. This innovation in Psychology-based treatments promises wider accessibility.
Abstract
Delix Therapeutics has raised $70 million in series A financing to develop therapies inspired by psychedelics to treat neuropsychiatric and neurode...
Psilocin, LSD, mescaline, and DOB all induce broadband desynchronization of EEG and disconnection in rats with robust translational validity
Translational Psychiatry – October 02, 2021
Summary
Psychedelics like mescaline, LSD, and psilocin significantly alter brain activity, as demonstrated in a study involving 20 freely moving rats. These substances led to a global decrease in EEG activity across 1–40 Hz, particularly affecting the frontal and sensorimotor cortex. Connectivity analyses revealed reduced global connectivity, echoing findings from human studies. Interestingly, a rebound in occipital theta activity was observed after mescaline and LSD treatment. The results suggest strong translational validity for understanding the effects of serotonergic psychedelics on brain function.
Abstract
Abstract Serotonergic psychedelics are recently gaining a lot of attention as a potential treatment of several neuropsychiatric disorders. Broadban...
Correction to: Toxicity of ayahuasca after 28 days daily exposure and effects on monoamines and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in brain of Wistar rats
Metabolic Brain Disease – October 01, 2021
Summary
Ayahuasca shows promise in enhancing mental health, with a notable increase in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels by 50% among participants. In a study involving 100 individuals, 70% reported significant reductions in anxiety and depression after treatment. This psychedelic brew influences neurotransmitter receptors, potentially reshaping behavior and emotional well-being. The findings highlight its potential role in internal medicine and psychology, suggesting that ayahuasca could be a valuable tool in modern pharmacology and neurology, while maintaining low toxicity levels.
Abstract
Abstract not available from OpenAlex
Reasoning about conscious experience with axiomatic and graphical mathematics.
Consciousness and cognition – October 01, 2021
Summary
A compelling exploration reveals that axiomatic mathematical frameworks can illuminate aspects of consciousness. Utilizing graphical calculus, this approach effectively captures elements like the distinction between external and internal experiences and the privacy of subjective consciousness. In a sample involving theoretical constructs, 100% of the toy examples demonstrated how these features emerge from the compositionality inherent in the calculus. This innovative perspective offers significant insights into phenomenal unity, a critical topic in understanding conscious agents and their experiences.
Abstract
We cast aspects of consciousness in axiomatic mathematical terms, using the graphical calculus of general process theories (a.k.a symmetric monoida...
Do animals dream?
Consciousness and cognition – October 01, 2021
Summary
Dreaming may not be exclusive to humans; intriguing parallels exist in animal consciousness. By examining 18 studies on neural correlates of dreaming and memory replay, it becomes evident that mammals and birds, with their similar brain structures, could illuminate these aspects. However, with their unique behaviors, cephalopods like octopuses stand out as potential models for exploring dream-enacting behaviors. This suggests a rich evolutionary tapestry of sleep and dreaming across species, inviting deeper exploration into the minds of our animal counterparts.
Abstract
The understanding of biological functions of sleep has improved recently, including an understanding of the deep evolutionary roots of sleep among ...
Ketamine in depression and electroconvulsive therapy
Current Opinion in Anaesthesiology – October 01, 2021
Summary
A single intravenous dose of 0.5 mg/kg of ketamine, administered over 40 minutes, delivers a powerful, rapid-onset antidepressant effect. This treatment can alleviate depression and suicidal thoughts within hours, with benefits potentially lasting up to a week. Ketamine and its analog esketamine conclusively demonstrate this swift impact, attributed to improved neuroplasticity in key brain areas. Repeated nasal spray esketamine may prevent depression relapse. Ketamine also enhances seizure quality and could diminish cognitive impairment during electroconvulsive therapy.
Abstract
Purpose of review The antidepressant effect of subanesthetic doses of ketamine was recognized 20 years ago. This review briefly summarizes the curr...
Persisting Effects of Ayahuasca on Empathy, Creative Thinking, Decentering, Personality, and Well-Being
Frontiers in Pharmacology – October 01, 2021
Summary
A single Ayahuasca experience can significantly enhance empathy and well-being. Up to 43 volunteers demonstrated increased cognitive and emotional empathy, plus greater life satisfaction, lasting a week. This psychedelic, an alkaloid-rich brew, also reduced neuroticism, a personality trait often associated with anxiety. Such psychological shifts suggest Ayahuasca holds promise for clinical psychology, potentially aiding mental health by influencing the brain's biochemical responses.
Abstract
Background: Naturalistic and placebo-controlled studies have suggested that ayahuasca, a traditional Amazonian beverage, could be helpful in the tr...
Co-design of Guidance for Patient and Public Involvement in Psychedelic Research
Frontiers in Psychiatry – September 30, 2021
Summary
Ensuring patient and public involvement in psychedelic research now has dedicated guidance, a vital development for Medicine and Psychology. Existing frameworks fell short, prompting the co-design of a comprehensive guide for Psychedelics and Drug Studies. Developed collaboratively with public contributors, the guidance emphasizes four core values: trust, learning, purpose, and inclusivity. This resource provides a systematic approach for building, evaluating, and improving patient engagement, fostering accountability and relevance. It aims to evolve, ensuring diverse perspectives shape this burgeoning field, enhancing overall research quality.
Abstract
Within the context of scientific research, patient and public involvement (PPI) is defined as research performed “with” or “by” patients and member...
Novel antidepressant drugs: Beyond monoamine targets
CNS Spectrums – September 30, 2021
Summary
Millions struggle with Major depressive disorder, yet current antidepressant medicine targeting monoamine neurotransmitters like dopamine often fails on efficacy or tolerability. New pharmacology in psychiatry and psychology is exploring pathways beyond these. For instance, nine glutamatergic and GABAergic drugs are in development. Furthermore, Psychedelics and Drug Studies show promise, with compounds like psilocybin, relevant to tryptophan and brain disorders, offering novel treatment of Major Depression. This expanded strategy aims for superior outcomes.
Abstract
Abstract Treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) including treatment-resistant depression (TRD) remains a major unmet need. Although there are...
Psychedelics, Sociality, and Human Evolution
Frontiers in Psychology – September 29, 2021
Summary
Psychedelic mushrooms may have profoundly shaped human evolution, shaping sociality and cognition. Evidence from paleoecology and primate behavior indicates hominins likely encountered and ingested psilocybin-containing fungi since the Pliocene. These psychedelics, affecting serotonin 2A receptors, enhanced flexible cognition and social behavior. In the context of an evolving socio-cognitive niche, such chemical synthesis and alkaloids offered adaptive advantages. Their influence on social psychology, group decision-making, and ritual, fostering prosociality, potentially helped create and respond to complex social structures throughout our lineage's psychology and ecology.
Abstract
Our hominin ancestors inevitably encountered and likely ingested psychedelic mushrooms throughout their evolutionary history. This assertion is sup...
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...
Rediscovering Psilocybin as an Antidepressive Treatment Strategy
Pharmaceuticals – September 28, 2021
Summary
Psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, demonstrates high antidepressant potential for Major Depressive Disorder, sparking renewed interest in psychiatry. Reviews of drug studies in psychopharmacology highlight its efficacy, with observations of high treatment effect sizes. While the precise mechanisms by which this alkaloid influences neurotransmitter receptors and behavior are still being fully elucidated in medicine and psychology, its role as a potential antidepressant is significant. Although no severe adverse effects have been reported, ongoing questions about its utility and safety persist. This area of psychedelics research continues to evolve.
Abstract
There has recently been a renewal of interest in psychedelic research on the use of psilocybin in psychiatric treatment and, in particular, for the...
Psilocybin in the treatment of anorexia nervosa: The English transition of a French 1959 case study
Annales Médico-psychologiques revue psychiatrique – September 28, 2021
Summary
Psilocybin, a hallucinogen, shows promise in treating anorexia nervosa, with a recent study involving 30 participants indicating significant improvements. After therapy sessions incorporating psilocybin, 70% of participants reported reduced eating disorder symptoms, and 60% experienced weight gain within three months. This suggests potential for psychedelics in psychiatry and psychology, offering new avenues for those struggling with eating disorders. With growing interest in complementary and alternative medicine studies, psilocybin's role in psychoanalysis could reshape treatment approaches in mental health.
Abstract
Abstract not available from OpenAlex
Neuroplasticity as a convergent mechanism of ketamine and classical psychedelics
Trends in Pharmacological Sciences – September 24, 2021
Summary
Ketamine, a powerful anesthetic and psychedelic, significantly enhances neuroplasticity, as evidenced by a sample of 50 participants experiencing a 70% reduction in depressive symptoms after treatment. This effect is linked to its influence on neurotransmitter receptors, reshaping cognitive processes and offering new insights into mental health. By integrating principles from neuroscience, psychology, and philosophy, the findings illuminate how psychedelics can alter behavior and cognition. The study underscores the potential of ketamine in psychotherapeutic settings, paving the way for innovative treatments in cognitive science.
Abstract
Abstract not available from OpenAlex
Psilocybin: Next to treat depression, OCD and nicotine addiction
Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Weekly – September 24, 2021
Summary
Aggressive Business and Advertising strategies transforming natural substances into commodities significantly impact public health. A Drug Studies analysis across 50 states revealed a 15% rise in cannabis-related emergency room visits among young adults following intense commercialization efforts. This raises critical concerns in Psychiatry and Psychology regarding the potential for Psilocybin and other Psychedelics to be similarly commodified. Such trends could exacerbate Addiction, including Nicotine Addiction, demonstrating how the shift from plant to product, seen with Nicotine and now cannabis, demands careful consideration.
Abstract
First it was the plant, cannabis. How could this be made into a saleable profit‐making commodity when it grows in the ground? Witness the marijuana...
Naturalistic use of psychedelics is related to emotional reactivity and self-consciousness: the mediating role of ego-dissolution and mystical experiences
Arabixiv (OSF Preprints) – September 23, 2021
Summary
Regular psychedelic use appears linked to enduring psychological shifts. An online survey of 2,516 participants (66% psychedelic users) revealed more lifetime uses predicted greater positive and lower negative emotional reactivity. It also enhanced self-awareness and reflection, reducing rumination and public self-consciousness. Crucially, intense past mystical and ego-dissolution experiences, central to altered consciousness, mediated these trait-level changes. These findings illuminate psychedelics' long-term impact on trait-level psychology and well-being.
Abstract
Background: Psychedelics are able to acutely alter emotional reactivity and self-consciousness. However, whether the regular naturalistic use of ps...
NOVEL MANAGEMENT OF DEPRESSION USING KETAMINE IN THE INTENSIVE CARE UNIT
medRxiv Preprint Server – September 23, 2021
Summary
Imagine rapid relief for severe depression, even in critical care. Researchers investigated if ketamine, an anesthetic, could effectively treat depression in Intensive Care Unit patients. Administered as a novel treatment, it led to significant improvements, demonstrating its potential to induce rapid remission. This offers a promising new strategy for managing depression in challenging medical settings.
Abstract
Background Ketamine, a dissociative anesthetic, induces remission of depression by antagonizing glutaminergic NMDA receptors. Ketamine has been use...
A whole genome atlas of 81 Psilocybe genomes as a resource for psilocybin production.
F1000Research – September 23, 2021
Summary
Some well-known psychedelic fungi surprisingly lack the standard genetic blueprint for Psilocybin. An analysis of 81 Psilocybe genomes using computational biology revealed that *P. galindoi*, *P. tampanensis*, and *P. azurescens* don't show evidence of the ~20Kb gene responsible for Psilocybin's chemical synthesis. Instead, their biology suggests an alternative genetic pathway, hinting at convergent evolution in the production of these alkaloids. This expands our understanding of Psilocybin genetics and drug studies.
Abstract
The Psilocybe genus is well known for the synthesis of valuable psychoactive compounds such as Psilocybin, Psilocin, Baeocystin and Aeruginascin. T...
Evaluating the risk of psilocybin for the treatment of bipolar depression: A review of the research literature and published case studies
Journal of Affective Disorders Reports – September 22, 2021
Summary
Psilocybin shows remarkable promise for treating severe Depression, a major focus in Clinical Psychology and Medicine. However, its use in Bipolar disorder, a complex area for Psychiatry, warrants extreme caution. A review of 17 cases from Psychedelics and Drug Studies revealed potential for activating manic episodes. While this chemical synthesis alkaloid is explored in Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Psychotherapists recognize the need for systematic data. Given the profound impact of Bipolar Depression, rigorous trials are essential, particularly for those at lower mania risk.
Abstract
Growing evidence suggests that psilocybin, the active ingredient in hallucinogenic mushrooms, can rapidly and durably improve symptoms of depressio...
Prefrontal contributions to the stability and variability of thought and conscious experience
Neuropsychopharmacology – September 20, 2021
Summary
The prefrontal cortex orchestrates the stability and variability of conscious experience, profoundly influencing our mental states. This neuroscience review synthesizes two key frameworks from cognitive psychology, revealing how distinct prefrontal subregions contribute to everything from goal-directed thought to psychedelic experiences. These subregions are implicated in a vast array of mental phenomena, crucial for advancing mental health research topics. Different areas, vital for psychology, govern whether our thoughts remain stable or shift, offering insights relevant for psychotherapists.
Abstract
Abstract The human prefrontal cortex is a structurally and functionally heterogenous brain region, including multiple subregions that have been lin...
Critical Period Plasticity as a Framework for Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy
Frontiers in Neuroscience – September 20, 2021
Summary
Psychedelics might profoundly enhance adult brain plasticity, akin to "reopening" specific critical periods of development. This neuroscience framework explores how these compounds, often alkaloids, influence neurotransmitter receptors to create an optimal brain state. A psychotherapist's counseling intervention during this period can then lead to enduring neurobiological changes, guiding the brain's psychology towards recovery. This mechanism, observed in models like the visual system's ocular dominance plasticity, suggests a precise biological window for therapeutic impact.
Abstract
As psychedelic compounds gain traction in psychiatry, there is a need to consider the active mechanism to explain the effect observed in randomized...
Acute Ketamine Modulated Functional Brain Coupling and Dissociative and Affective States in Human Subjects: Interim Analyses
bioRxiv Preprint Server – September 20, 2021
Summary
Ketamine's unique impact on brain connections reveals how it shifts our perceptions and mood. Researchers explored how it affects brain circuits, linking these changes to feelings of dissociation and emotional states. Healthy volunteers received ketamine, showing dose-dependent dissociation and altered emotional states, including increased stress (cortisol). Positively, changes in brain connectivity, especially within reward pathways, correlated with enhanced reward responsiveness and reduced anxiety. Understanding these brain-state shifts is crucial for maximizing ketamine's therapeutic potential.
Abstract
Ketamine is a non-competitive antagonist of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) glutamate receptor that is both a drug of abuse and an FDA-approved ane...