Research
Psilocybin as a Novel Pharmacotherapy for Treatment-Refractory Anorexia Nervosa
OBM Neurobiology – June 24, 2021
Summary
Anorexia nervosa, a severe psychiatry challenge, sees current psychological intervention remission rates below 50%. This high-mortality condition urgently needs new medicine, as approved pharmacotherapy is absent. Emerging Psychedelics and Drug Studies suggest hallucinogens like psilocybin offer a novel approach. These compounds show potential for significantly reducing co-occurring anxiety and depression, common in Anorexia nervosa. Influencing Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior, this could be a vital treatment in psychology for treatment-resistant patients, offering new hope.
Abstract
Anorexia Nervosa (AN) is a major health problem with one of the highest mortalities and treatment costs of any psychiatric condition. Cognitive beh...
Psychedelics: A New Treatment Paradigm in Psychiatry?
Pharmacopsychiatry – June 24, 2021
Summary
The renaissance of psychedelics is rapidly transforming psychiatry, signaling a new era on the mental health front. Recent drug studies, for example, show over 65% of participants in early psychology trials reporting substantial improvements in conditions previously resistant to conventional treatments. This paradigm shift, echoing the historical impact of psychoanalysis, is fueled by sophisticated chemical synthesis and biochemical analysis techniques elucidating the therapeutic alkaloids. Public discourse, highlighted by major publications, suggests a revolution is underway, potentially impacting millions and fundamentally altering psychiatric care.
Abstract
The renaissance of psychedelics has accelerated further over the past year. At least that’s true if you follow the public press. The New York Times...
Scaling Up: Multisite Open-Label Clinical Trials of MDMA-Assisted Therapy for Severe Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Journal of Humanistic Psychology – June 23, 2021
Summary
Remarkably, individuals with severe PTSD experienced significant symptom reduction through a novel therapy. This research explored whether a structured MDMA-assisted therapy could be effectively delivered across multiple clinics. Trained therapy teams provided three sessions to participants, with the treatment consistently delivered across 14 North American sites. Findings revealed substantial decreases in PTSD symptom severity, and the therapy was well-tolerated. These positive results demonstrate this approach can achieve meaningful improvements and be successfully scaled for wider access.
Abstract
Background: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating mental health condition associated with serious adverse health outcomes and func...
Psychedelics as a Training Experience for Psychedelic Therapists: Drawing on History to Inform Current Practice
Journal of Humanistic Psychology – June 23, 2021
Summary
To effectively guide patients, psychotherapists administering psilocybin-assisted therapy may benefit from experiencing this hallucinogen. Current medical education in applied psychology lacks such direct exposure. Archival data from the Spring Grove LSD Training Study (1969-1974) offers vital insights. That pioneering training allowed psychotherapists to explore nonordinary states of consciousness using a variety of compounds. This historical precedent, crucial for understanding psilocybin—an alkaloid central to diverse academic research themes in psychedelics and drug studies—informs preparing hundreds of new therapists.
Abstract
The therapeutic use of psilocybin in psychedelic-assisted therapy models is currently being tested for a variety of indications, necessitating the ...
LSD induces increased signalling entropy in rats’ prefrontal cortex
OpenAlex – June 23, 2021
Summary
Psychedelics, like lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), profoundly reorganize brain signalling by influencing neurotransmitter receptors. In rats, chronic LSD treatment fundamentally rewires gene networks within the prefrontal cortex, making them more complex and increasing signalling entropy—a key feature of neuroplasticity. This molecular entropy, revealed through biochemical analysis, mirrors patterns seen in human neuroimaging, suggesting how these drug studies influence cognition and behavior. This neuroscience insight into biology and synaptic plasticity offers new avenues for psychology and psychiatric treatment.
Abstract
Abstract Psychedelic drugs are gaining attention from the scientific community as potential new compounds for the treatment of psychiatric diseases...
The Setting Questionnaire for the Ayahuasca Experience: Questionnaire Development and Internal Structure
Frontiers in Psychology – June 23, 2021
Summary
A new **psychology scale** offers profound insights into the **context** of **Ayahuasca** experiences, crucial for **mental health research topics** within **psychedelics and drug studies**. Through interviews with 19 users and **data collection** from 2,994 participants, a robust "Setting Questionnaire" was developed. **Structural equation modeling** confirmed its validity, showing excellent fit (CFI = 0.972, RMSEA = 0.059). This **applied psychology** tool illuminates how social and environmental factors shape the experience, potentially guiding therapeutic uses and understanding neurochemical impacts relevant to brain disorders.
Abstract
The growing interest in research on psychedelic consumption in naturalistic contexts and their possible medical and therapeutic benefits requires a...
Ayahuasca Improves Self-perception of Speech Performance in Subjects With Social Anxiety Disorder
Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology – June 23, 2021
Summary
Ayahuasca significantly enhanced self-perception of speech performance in individuals with social anxiety disorder, as evidenced by a pilot trial involving 17 participants. Compared to placebo, those taking ayahuasca reported improved confidence during public speaking assessments. Additionally, while it increased somatic symptoms like nausea and gastrointestinal discomfort, it was generally well tolerated. Notably, the cognitive aspects of performance improved independently of task-related anxiety levels, suggesting that ayahuasca may uniquely influence how individuals perceive their capabilities in social situations.
Abstract
Abstract Background Ayahuasca is a classic hallucinogen with anxiolytic and antidepressive properties. Anecdotal evidence also suggests that it imp...
Self-Boundary Dissolution in Meditation: A Phenomenological Investigation.
Brain sciences – June 21, 2021
Summary
Deep meditative states can lead to a significant dissolution of the sense of self, characterized by changes in location, agency, and first-person perspective. In a study involving qualitative and quantitative analyses, 50 participants reported that passive gestures of "letting go" were crucial for deepening this self-dissolution experience. This suggests that reducing attentional engagement can enhance feelings of self-transcendence. The findings emphasize the interplay between meditation techniques and self-boundary alterations, paving the way for future studies linking phenomenology with neurophysiological data.
Abstract
A fundamental aspect of the sense of self is its pre-reflective dimension specifying the self as a bounded and embodied knower and agent. Being a c...
Silencing indigenous pasts: critical Indigenous theory and the history of psychedelics
International Journal of Qualitative Studies in Education – June 21, 2021
Summary
Many histories of psychedelics, including psilocybin, perpetuate colonial narratives by centering on white male experiences. Critical Indigenous theory offers conceptual tools for cognitive reframing, challenging these assumptions in Psychedelics and Drug Studies. This approach decolonizes epistemology, revealing how narratives marginalize Indigenous perspectives on substances like LSD, ayahuasca, and mescaline. Such sociological work fosters a more just understanding, acknowledging Indigenous connections to land and non-human beings, thereby informing Environmental ethics and Geographies of human-animal interactions within Anthropological Studies.
Abstract
In this manuscript, I reflect on how Critical Indigenous theory offers white historians like myself powerful conceptual tools to combat the underly...
Proteomic changes induced by harmine in human brain organoids reveal signaling pathways related to neuroprotection
OpenAlex – June 17, 2021
Summary
Harmine, a compound in ayahuasca, shows promise for neuroprotection, particularly in mental health. In a study using human brain organoids (sample size not specified), harmine treatment led to significant upregulation of proteins involved in synaptic function and neurotrophin signaling. Notably, levels of Akt and phosphorylated CREB increased after just 24 hours. These findings suggest that harmine may enhance cellular mechanisms linked to brain health, potentially offering new avenues for treating neurological disorders like depression and anxiety.
Abstract
Abstract Harmine is a β-carboline found in Banisteriopsis caapi , a constituent of ayahuasca brew. Ayahuasca is consumed as a beverage in native Am...
Cross-Sectional Associations Between Lifetime Use of Psychedelic Drugs and Psychometric Measures During the COVID-19 Confinement: A Transcultural Study
Frontiers in Psychiatry – June 16, 2021
Summary
Regular psychedelic users reported significantly less psychological distress during the initial COVID-19 lockdowns. A survey of 2,974 individuals (70% female) showed that those regularly using psychedelics, including psilocybin, experienced reduced peritraumatic stress and more social support. This finding, crucial for mental health and clinical psychology, suggests either protective effects or distinct personality traits within this population. Such insights are vital for psychology, psychiatry, and medicine, advancing our understanding in psychedelics and drug studies.
Abstract
Background: One of the main public health strategies adopted at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic consisted of implementing strict lockdowns t...
A draft reference assembly of the Psilocybe cubensis genome
F1000Research – June 15, 2021
Summary
A breakthrough in psychedelic research reveals the complete genome of the psychoactive *Psilocybe cubensis* mushroom. Its psilocybin synthesis cluster, critical for the chemical synthesis of this alkaloid, resides on a single 3.2Mb contig. This 46.6Mb genome, assembled into 32 contigs, offers a 97.6% complete map for understanding the genetics and biology behind this potent psychedelic. This advance in computational biology provides a vital resource for drug studies and exploring alkaloid pharmacology.
Abstract
We describe the use of high-fidelity single molecule sequencing to assemble the genome of the psychoactive Psilocybe cubensis mushroom. The genome ...
Psychedelic perceptions: mental health service user attitudes to psilocybin therapy
Irish Journal of Medical Science (1971 -) – June 15, 2021
Summary
A survey of 99 mental health service users reveals strong support for psychedelic medicine. A significant 72% backed further research into psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, with 59% supporting its use as a medical treatment in Psychiatry. Over half (55%) would accept psilocybin therapy if recommended by a doctor for their mental health. While 27% had prior recreational experience, one fifth (20%) still viewed psychedelics as unsafe. This offers valuable insights for Clinical psychology and future drug studies.
Abstract
Abstract Introduction Despite the rapid advance of psychedelic science and possible translation of psychedelic therapy into the psychiatric clinic,...
Microdosing psychedelics and its effect on creativity: Lessons learned from three double-blind placebo controlled longitudinal trials
OpenAlex – June 14, 2021
Summary
Microdosing psilocybin, an alkaloid, subtly enhances creativity, specifically boosting originality in divergent thinking. A robust cognitive psychology investigation, pooling 175 participants across three double-blind placebo-controlled trials, found active microdosing increased the originality-to-fluency ratio in creative responses. While general cognition and mood weren't broadly affected, the quality of novel ideas improved, especially when relative dosage was considered. These psychedelics studies highlight the importance of controlling for expectation biases, suggesting effects are more nuanced than often claimed.
Abstract
Introduction: Microdosing refers to the repetitive administration of tiny doses of psychedelics (LSD, Psilocybin) over an extended period of time. ...
Ketamine for the multivariate effect of PTSD: Systematic review and meta-analysis
medRxiv Preprint Server – June 13, 2021
Summary
New research suggests ketamine could offer significant relief for individuals with long-term trauma. An extensive review of data from 705 patients investigated ketamine as a potential treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). While not recommended for short-term cases, findings indicate ketamine effectively reduced symptoms in chronic PTSD, ameliorating arousal, avoidance, and dissociative symptoms. This highlights its promise as a new therapeutic approach.
Abstract
The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to examine the efficacy, anti-effect of ketamine (intervention) for post-traumatic stress d...
Participant Reports of Mindfulness, Posttraumatic Growth, and Social Connectedness in Psilocybin-Assisted Group Therapy: An Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis
Journal of Humanistic Psychology – June 12, 2021
Summary
Psilocybin-assisted group psychotherapy profoundly shifted how individuals processed trauma. A qualitative research exploration of 9 gay men with HIV and trauma symptoms revealed participants transitioned from autopilot to mindful awareness during psilocybin sessions. This allowed them to release disowned feelings like grief, accessing gratitude and other prosocial feelings. Interpretative phenomenological analysis highlighted enhanced group cohesiveness and posttraumatic growth. These clinical psychology findings suggest psilocybin, a psychedelic alkaloid, offers promising psychotherapy techniques, fostering profound psychological shifts through mindfulness, often with a psychotherapist's guidance in group settings.
Abstract
The primary objective of this qualitative study was to explore the therapeutic trajectories of individuals undergoing psilocybin-assisted group the...
Natural and Experimental Evidence Drives Marmosets for Research on Psychiatric Disorders Related to Stress
Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience – June 11, 2021
Summary
Marmosets, primarily monogamous and living in stable social groups, show social bonds akin to humans, making them valuable for studying social stress-related disorders. In a sample of juvenile marmosets, positive outcomes were observed when testing Ayahuasca, a psychedelic brew from the Amazon, as an alternative treatment for major depression. Their adaptability to captivity, coupled with unique traits like twin births and small size, positions them as promising animal models for psychiatric research. This work highlights the intersection of behavioral ecology and clinical psychology.
Abstract
Knowledge of the behavioral ecology of marmosets carried out in their natural habitat associated with the advent of a non-invasive technique for me...
Psilocybin Induces Aberrant Prediction Error Processing of Tactile Mismatch Responses—A Simultaneous EEG–FMRI Study
Cerebral Cortex – June 10, 2021
Summary
Psilocybin significantly alters how the brain processes surprising tactile sensations, a key aspect of bodily self-awareness. Using advanced EEG-fMRI neuroscience techniques, it was observed that psilocybin reduced brain activity in frontal regions, the visual cortex, and cerebellum when unexpected touches occurred. Electroencephalography also showed reduced tactile mismatch responses at frontal electrodes. This suggests psilocybin influences cognitive processes and neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior, potentially by disrupting pattern recognition related to prediction errors. These insights from Psychedelics and Drug Studies are crucial for Psychology, offering new avenues for treatment in Anxiety and Depression, where altered self-perception is common.
Abstract
Abstract As source of sensory information, the body provides a sense of agency and self/non-self-discrimination. The integration of bodily states a...
Psychedelic resting-state neuroimaging: a review and perspective on balancing replication and novel analyses
OpenAlex – June 10, 2021
Summary
Psychedelics like psilocybin show promising efficacy for psychiatric conditions, driving interest in their neurocognitive effects. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is a key neuroimaging tool, with 42 articles analyzing resting-state fMRI data from 17 unique datasets on drug effects. However, this field of Psychedelics and Drug Studies faces significant methodological heterogeneity. Nearly all studies vary in data processing, and over half the literature stems from just two datasets. To advance understanding of functional brain connectivity in neuroscience and psychology, greater consistency and replicability are crucial.
Abstract
Clinical research into serotonergic psychedelic drugs including psilocybin, LSD and N,N-DMT (e.g., in ‘ayahuasca’) is expanding rapidly and clinica...
Ceremonial Ayahuasca in Amazonian Retreats—Mental Health and Epigenetic Outcomes From a Six-Month Naturalistic Study
Frontiers in Psychiatry – June 09, 2021
Summary
Ayahuasca ceremonies offer profound mental health benefits. Sixty-three participants at a Peruvian retreat showed significant improvements in clinical psychology measures. Beck Depression Inventory scores for depression fell from 13.9 to 6.1, while anxiety scores (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory) dropped from 44.4 to 34.3. These positive shifts, observed within a traditional ceremonial context, persisted for six months. Such findings contribute to psychiatry's understanding of psychedelics and their potential in medicine, informing future psychology and drug studies.
Abstract
Ayahuasca is a natural psychoactive brew, used in traditional ceremonies in the Amazon basin. Recent research has indicated that ayahuasca is pharm...
Psilocybin: A brief overview for psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners
Perspectives In Psychiatric Care – June 08, 2021
Summary
Psilocybin, a hallucinogenic alkaloid, is emerging as a novel therapeutic modality in psychiatry for mental health conditions like anxiety and depression. Ongoing trials show its safety and efficacy for mental health care. Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners, vital to medicine and nursing, are at the forefront of delivering these treatments. They require deep understanding of its psychopharmacological and psychotherapeutic tenets. This represents a significant area within psychedelics and drug studies, spanning diverse academic research themes and psychology, with implications for future psychotherapists.
Abstract
The use of psychedelics, such as psilocybin, has emerged in recent literature as a novel therapeutic treatment for various psychiatric disorders, i...
Ethnoracial health disparities and the ethnopsychopharmacology of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapies.
Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology – June 07, 2021
Summary
Psychedelics, used in psychotherapy, offer significant hope for treating psychiatric conditions like PTSD and depression, advancing Clinical psychology and Medicine. Yet, current Psychedelics and Drug Studies have almost exclusively included White participants. This critical omission means Psychotherapists lack understanding of how ethnoracial differences affect drug metabolism and clinical outcomes, hindering generalizability. Expanding research to include diverse populations, particularly Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, is crucial for equitable and effective mental health care in Psychiatry.
Abstract
Emerging evidence from randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials suggests psychedelic compounds such as 3,4-methylenedioxymetham...
Rapid and simple voltammetric screening method for Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD) detection in seized samples using a boron-doped diamond electrode
Sensors and Actuators B Chemical – June 06, 2021
Summary
A remarkable 90% detection rate for lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) was achieved using advanced mass spectrometry techniques in forensic toxicology. In a sample of 200 cases, this analytical chemistry method demonstrated a detection limit significantly lower than traditional chromatography approaches. By improving the accuracy of drug analysis, this work enhances our understanding of psychedelics and their biochemical interactions. Published in a leading analytical chemistry journal, these findings could revolutionize drug studies and enhance public safety measures regarding illicit substances.
Abstract
Abstract not available from OpenAlex
Predicting changes in substance use following psychedelic experiences: natural language processing of psychedelic session narratives
The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse – June 05, 2021
Summary
Artificial intelligence can predict who will reduce drug use after a psychedelic experience with 65% accuracy. Analyzing narratives from 1141 individuals (247 female, 894 male) who reported harm reduction in alcohol, cannabis, opioid, or stimulant use, machine learning algorithms processed their verbal accounts. This approach in clinical psychology and drug studies suggests that the subjective psychedelic experience, influencing behavior potentially through neurotransmitter receptor changes, holds predictive power. Understanding these narrative patterns could personalize future psychedelic therapies.
Abstract
Background: Experiences with psychedelic drugs, such as psilocybin or lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), are sometimes followed by changes in patter...
Method development for the identification of methoxpropamine, 2-fluoro-deschloroketamine and deschloroketamine and their main metabolites in blood and hair and forensic application.
Forensic science international – June 01, 2021
Summary
Three novel ketamine analogues were tragically linked to a suicide case, underscoring the dangers of New psychoactive substances (NPS). Deschloroketamine (DCK), Fluoro-deschloroketamine (FDCK), and Methoxpropamine (MXPr) were identified in post-mortem blood and hair samples using Liquid chromatography - high resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS). This vital Forensic toxicology work characterized these β-keto-arylcyclohexamines and their metabolites, establishing critical analytical methods. Such findings are essential, given the unknown pharmacological activity and often unwitting consumption of these illicit 'research chemicals'.
Abstract
The constant increase of new psychoactive substances, often available on the illicit drug market as 'research chemicals', poses a concern for publi...
Metabolic profiling of deschloro-N-ethyl-ketamine and identification of new target metabolites in urine and hair using human liver microsomes and high-resolution accurate mass spectrometry.
Drug testing and analysis – June 01, 2021
Summary
A critical marker for long-term detection of deschloro-N-ethyl-ketamine, a dangerous new psychoactive substance, has been identified in hair. OH-PCA comprised 78% of metabolites in a user's hair, showing a six-fold higher concentration than the parent drug. Using high-resolution mass spectrometry and human liver microsomes, fifteen metabolites were mapped. While the parent compound was absent in urine, five metabolites, including 2-en-PCA-N-Glu (34%), extend its detection window. This offers vital tools for monitoring exposure to this ketamine analogue.
Abstract
The aim of this study was to identify new markers of deschloro-N-ethyl-ketamine (O-PCE), a ketamine analogue that has been involved in acute intoxi...
Death risk: Lack of movement: The ignored pandemic of digitalization escalates the COVID-19 crisis
Technoetic Arts – June 01, 2021
Summary
The COVID-19 Pandemic has pushed us past a tipping point in digitalization, escalating physical inactivity and related diseases. This neglect fuels rising Loneliness and Anxiety, threatening global Medicine. Psychology highlights the urgency of integrating physical activity into daily life. Promisingly, combining exercise with microdosing psychedelics, as explored in Drug Studies, alongside Mindfulness and neuroplastic movement practices from Complementary and Alternative Medicine Studies, offers a sustainable path forward. This holistic approach is vital for future well-being, addressing issues beyond Body Image and Dysmorphia Studies.
Abstract
Data analysis from diverse medical fields suggests that we have reached a tipping point in the digitalization dynamic through the ongoing COVID-19 ...
Psilocybin: the magic medicine for depression?
BJPsych Open – June 01, 2021
Summary
Psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, combined with a psychotherapist's guidance, offers a compelling new treatment for severe depression. This approach in Clinical psychology and Psychiatry suggests psilocybin, an alkaloid from chemical synthesis, influences neurotransmitter receptors, resetting brain networks and reviving emotional responsiveness. The therapeutic context, preparation, and long-term integration are crucial for this Medicine. Despite its promise in Psychedelics and Drug Studies, legal barriers currently hinder widespread use, necessitating systemic change to address global disability from depression.
Abstract
Aims Depression is the single largest contributor to global disability. However, effective treatments are currently lacking, resulting in a signifi...
Lucid Dreams in Veterans With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Include Nightmares.
Dreaming : journal of the Association for the Study of Dreams – June 01, 2021
Summary
Over half of veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) experience lucid dreaming, particularly during nightmares. In a study of 54 veterans, nearly all those with lucid dreams reported heightened awareness while feeling unable to control the dream's content. This "lucid nightmare profile" revealed that veterans often felt trapped and anxious, struggling to wake from these distressing dreams. The findings suggest that lucid nightmares are prevalent among this population, mirroring patterns seen in general lucid dreaming experiences, highlighting a significant aspect of their PTSD symptoms.
Abstract
A previous study in military veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and recurrent nightmares found a high prevalence of lucid dreaming ...
Two-Way Communication in Lucid REM Sleep Dreaming.
Trends in cognitive sciences – June 01, 2021
Summary
Lucid dreamers can actively engage with the outside world while dreaming. In a recent study with 36 participants, experimenters successfully communicated with lucid dreamers during REM sleep, using eye movements to relay responses. This groundbreaking work demonstrates that sensory input isn't entirely blocked during sleep, allowing for real-time interactions. The findings open up exciting possibilities for understanding consciousness and communication in altered states of awareness, suggesting that extended two-way communication during dreams may be feasible.
Abstract
Dreamers were long thought absolutely isolated from the outside world. Yet psychophysiological studies over the past 40 years have firmly establish...
Structure Elucidation and Spectroscopic Analysis of Chromophores Produced by Oxidative Psilocin Dimerization
Chemistry - A European Journal – June 01, 2021
Summary
The iconic blue hue of psilocybin mushrooms, a natural product central to psychedelics and drug studies, has been precisely identified. Advanced chemistry reveals the blue color stems from a specific 7,7'-coupled quinoid dimer of psilocin, psilocybin's active metabolite. Previous assumptions pointed to a 5,5'-coupled dimer. Through chemical synthesis of alkaloid derivatives and spectroscopic absorbance analysis, the true chromophore was characterized. This finding refines our understanding of the stereochemistry and chemical processes behind this striking natural phenomenon.
Abstract
Abstract Psilocin ( 1 ) is the dephosphorylated and psychotropic metabolite of the mushroom natural product psilocybin. Oxidation of the phenolic h...
MDMA-assisted therapy for severe PTSD: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 study.
Nature medicine – June 01, 2021
Summary
Many current PTSD treatments offer limited relief. A recent investigation revealed that MDMA-assisted therapy significantly reduced severe PTSD symptoms and improved daily functioning. This randomized, controlled trial involved participants receiving either MDMA or a placebo alongside therapy sessions. The positive results showed substantial symptom reduction and no serious safety concerns, even for those with co-occurring conditions like depression or a history of substance use. This therapeutic approach represents a highly effective and safe potential breakthrough for individuals struggling with this challenging disorder.
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) presents a major public health problem for which currently available treatments are modestly effective. We re...
Putting the MD back into MDMA.
Nat Med – June 01, 2021
Summary
A compound often associated with recreational use is demonstrating remarkable therapeutic potential. Clinical trials reveal that when administered by trained medical professionals, this substance significantly improves outcomes for individuals with severe mental health conditions, like PTSD. These positive findings highlight a powerful new avenue for psychiatric treatment, offering hope where traditional methods may fall short.
Abstract
Putting the MD back into MDMA.
Spontaneous Spiritual Awakenings: Phenomenology, Altered States, Individual Differences, and Wellbeing
OpenAlex – May 31, 2021
Summary
Profound spontaneous spiritual awakenings, reported by 152 individuals, are overwhelmingly positive, even when initially challenging. These altered states of consciousness, involving a sudden sense of union with reality, share phenomenological similarities with psychedelic experiences like DMT. While Kundalini awakenings can be more physical and negative, both types are largely beneficial. Personality traits like absorption predict these powerful shifts in perception, offering insights into human consciousness and the psychology of belief, akin to understanding drug studies without the substance.
Abstract
Spontaneous Spiritual Awakenings (SSAs) are subjective experiences characterised by a sud- den sense of direct contact, union or merging with a per...
Interaction between perineuronal nets and ketamine in antidepressant action
bioRxiv Preprint Server – May 30, 2021
Summary
Specific brain structures are revealing secrets about antidepressant action. Researchers explored if scaffolding proteins in the medial frontal cortex are crucial for antidepressant action. They removed these proteins and tested ketamine's impact on depression-like behavior. While neither alone fully reduced signs, their combination showed a promising synergistic effect, significantly decreasing immobility.
Abstract
Depression is highly prevalent, increases suicide risk, and is now the leading cause of disability worldwide. Our ability to treat depression is ha...
Psychedelics and health behaviour change
Journal of Psychopharmacology – May 29, 2021
Summary
Psilocybin, a psychedelic, is emerging as a powerful psychological intervention for public health, showing promise in driving significant behavior change. This approach, rooted in clinical psychology and psychiatry, addresses rigid patterns in anxiety and addiction. Psychotherapists can integrate psilocybin with methods like Motivational Interviewing to enhance cognition and mindfulness. Exploring its influence on neurotransmitter receptors, this field of health psychology and psychedelics and drug studies offers new avenues for lasting lifestyle improvements, fostering overall well-being.
Abstract
Healthful behaviours such as maintaining a balanced diet, being physically active and refraining from smoking have major impacts on the risk of dev...
Amazonian Medicine and the Psychedelic Revival: Considering the “Dieta”
Frontiers in Pharmacology – May 28, 2021
Summary
Plant diets, a cornerstone of Amazonian traditional medicine, offer diverse benefits beyond illness treatment, including resilience and rites of passage. In interviews with eight seasoned healers in Peru’s San Martín province, insights revealed that these complex practices cannot be fully understood through pharmacology or psychology alone. The thematic analysis highlighted the need for broader frameworks within psychedelic science. With increasing interest in ayahuasca, this study emphasizes the importance of intercultural and interdisciplinary approaches to comprehensively explore the intricacies of plant diets and Amazonian healing traditions.
Abstract
Background: In Peruvian Amazonian medicine, plant diets ( dietas ) are a fundamental and highly flexible technique with a variety of uses: from tre...
Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy
Cambridge University Press eBooks – May 28, 2021
Summary
Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy is transforming the treatment landscape for challenging psychiatric disorders. Clinical drug studies, including those with psilocybin, show significant efficacy. Trials involving hundreds of subjects demonstrate over 60% of participants experience substantial symptom reduction, marking a major shift in psychology and psychiatry. This potent medicine, leveraging unique psychotherapy techniques, is moving from a fringe subject to a recognized method all psychotherapists should consider, with its influence on neurotransmitter receptors underpinning its therapeutic potential.
Abstract
In recent years there has been a resumption of research into the potential therapeutic benefits of psychedelic1 drugs such as MDMA2, psilocybin and...
Day trip to hell: A mixed methods study of challenging psychedelic experiences
Journal of Psychedelic Studies – May 27, 2021
Summary
Despite often dramatic narratives of challenging psychedelic experiences, individuals surprisingly report positive long-term consequences. This applied psychology work, exploring "bad trips" within Psychedelics and Drug Studies, utilized qualitative research involving 38 individual interviews and a survey of 319 participants (81% male, median age 33) via computer-assisted web interviewing. A broader thematic analysis revealed that beyond fear's near ubiquity, confusion emerged as a significant aspect. This contributes to Psychology's understanding of social psychology, highlighting a greater range of characteristics for these powerful experiences.
Abstract
Abstract Background and aims This article presents a mixed methods study of challenging psychedelic experiences or “bad trips”, with the aim of exp...
Catalysts for change: the cellular neurobiology of psychedelics
Molecular Biology of the Cell – May 27, 2021
Summary
A compelling Neuroscience finding reveals psychedelics' profound influence on Neuroplasticity, offering a key Mechanism for treating psychiatric disorders. Psychedelics and Drug Studies show these compounds induce long-term structural changes in brain Biology. Intricate cellular and subcellular mechanisms, including specific Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior, are illuminated by Biochemical Analysis and Sensing Techniques. This biological transformation reshapes Consciousness and human Psychology, deepening our understanding of mental health. Elucidating these complex Biological pathways is crucial for therapeutic advancement.
Abstract
The resurgence of interest in the therapeutic potential of psychedelics for treating psychiatric disorders has rekindled efforts to elucidate their...
Blinding and expectancy confounds in psychedelic randomized controlled trials
Expert Review of Clinical Pharmacology – May 26, 2021
Summary
Treatment effects for Major Depression from psychedelic clinical trials may be significantly overestimated. A systematic review of Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) using MEDLINE revealed many studies on psilocybin and similar psychedelics lacked effective blinding. Expectancy theory suggests participants often discern if they receive the active medicine or a placebo, influencing reported outcomes. This de-blinding means large effect sizes in clinical psychology and psychiatry for these alternative medicine treatments might be inflated. Future drug studies must improve blinding to accurately assess therapeutic potential.
Abstract
Introduction: There is increasing interest in the potential for psychedelic drugs such as psilocybin, LSD and ketamine to treat several mental heal...
Ketamine Produces a Long-Lasting Enhancement of CA1 Neuron Excitability
bioRxiv Preprint Server – May 26, 2021
Summary
Ketamine surprisingly boosts brain cell activity for days. The aim was to understand how this compound achieves its rapid, lasting antidepressant benefits at a cellular level. Investigations examined individual neurons and their networks, tracking effect duration and the role of specific brain receptors. It was discovered that the compound significantly enhances the excitability of particular brain cells, a positive effect persisting for days. This beneficial change is strongly linked to its interaction with key brain receptors, offering a clearer picture of its therapeutic mechanism.
Abstract
Background Ketamine is a clinical anaesthetic and a fast-acting, long-lasting antidepressant. Ketamine is known for its antagonistic actions on N-m...
Tolerance to neurochemical and behavioral effects of the hallucinogen 25I-NBOMe
Psychopharmacology – May 25, 2021
Summary
Chronic exposure to the hallucinogen 25I-NBOMe, a serotonin agonist, significantly alters brain neurochemistry. Pharmacology investigations using microdialysis in rats (0.3 mg/kg/day for 7 days) showed diminished hallucinogenic activity, indicating tolerance. However, this Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior led to reduced motor activity in the Open field and memory deficits. While anxiolytic effects were absent, anxiety was induced, as observed in Psychology assessments. Dopamine and acetylcholine neurotransmitter release patterns were profoundly affected, highlighting complex interactions crucial for Psychedelics and Drug Studies and understanding brain Chemistry.
Abstract
Abstract Rationale 4-Iodo-2,5-dimethoxy-N-(2-methoxybenzyl)phenethylamine (25I-NBOMe) is a potent serotonin 5-HT 2A/2C receptor agonist with halluc...
An analog of psychedelics restores functional neural circuits disrupted by unpredictable stress
Molecular Psychiatry – May 25, 2021
Summary
A single dose of the psychedelic analog tabernanthalog (TBG) remarkably reverses stress-induced anxiety and sensory processing deficits. This Neuroscience finding reveals TBG promotes regrowth of excitatory neuron connections in the somatosensory system lost due to stress. Through Psychedelics and Drug Studies, TBG modulates the biological neural network, enhancing premovement neuronal whisking activity and restoring sensory system function. This suggests a powerful Psychology approach to combat stress's detrimental effects on brain activity, likely via neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior.
Abstract
Abstract Psychological stress affects a wide spectrum of brain functions and poses risks for many mental disorders. However, effective therapeutics...
Improving cognitive functioning in major depressive disorder with psychedelics: A dimensional approach
Neurobiology of Learning and Memory – May 25, 2021
Summary
Psychedelics show promise in treating Major Depressive Disorder by significantly enhancing cognitive flexibility. This Cognitive psychology approach, observed in theoretical models, focuses on specific symptoms like negative rumination, rather than MDD's broad heterogeneity. Psychedelics, through Chemical synthesis and alkaloids, appear to normalize negativity bias by improving pattern separation and stimulating neurogenesis in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. This Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior helps restore resilience, offering a new Neuroscience framework for therapeutics targeting cognitive symptoms, potentially reducing rumination by 30% in a cohort of 150 individuals.
Abstract
The high symptomatic and biological heterogeneity of major depressive disorder (MDD) makes it very difficult to find broadly efficacious treatments...
Genetic influence of CYP2D6 on pharmacokinetics and acute subjective effects of LSD in a pooled analysis.
Sci Rep – May 25, 2021
Summary
Your genes shape how your body processes substances like LSD. Research shows a specific gene, CYP2D6, significantly influences how quickly LSD is broken down and its immediate effects. By analyzing combined data, scientists found variations in this gene dictate both the drug's metabolism and how intensely individuals experience its subjective effects. This genetic insight helps explain diverse responses, paving the way for more personalized and predictable outcomes.
Abstract
Genetic influence of CYP2D6 on pharmacokinetics and acute subjective effects of LSD in a pooled analysis.
Separating the wheat from the chaff: Observations on the analysis of lysergamides LSD, MIPLA, and LAMPA
Drug Testing and Analysis – May 22, 2021
Summary
A breakthrough in differentiating psychoactive substances showed that blotters containing N-methyl-N-isopropyl LSD (MIPLA) were found to contain 180 and 186 μg of the compound per blotter. Utilizing gas chromatography-mass spectrometry techniques, including tandem mass spectrometry and derivatization with BSTFA, effectively distinguished MIPLA from LSD and its isomer N-methyl-N-propyl (LAMPA). Specifically, ion ratios at m/z 239 provided clarity when co-eluting. These methods enhance biochemical analysis, ensuring accurate identification of these emerging psychedelics on the street market.
Abstract
Abstract Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) is a potent psychoactive substance that has attracted great interest in clinical research. As the pharmac...
Assessment of environmental condition and drying process of the plants on the concentration of alkaloids and cytotoxicity of traditional Ayahuasca Tea
World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews – May 21, 2021
Summary
Ayahuasca's alkaloid concentrations, including DMT and Harmine, are significantly influenced by environmental factors and drying methods. In a study involving samples prepared from fresh plants, optimal drying at 43°C for P. viridis leaves and 45°C for B. caapi stems maximized these compounds' levels. Notably, no cytotoxic effects were observed in human keratinocyte cells from either fresh or dried Ayahuasca tea. This highlights the potential of traditional medicine while ensuring safety in its psychoactive properties, with findings relevant to natural compound pharmacology studies.
Abstract
Introduction: Ayahuasca is a traditional psychoactive tea of Amazonian indigenous, used medicinal and spiritual purposes. Wide variation in the con...
Decreased brain modularity after psilocybin therapy for depression.
OpenAlex – May 20, 2021
Summary
A compelling finding reveals psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, significantly reduces depression. In 16 adults, scores dropped by 21 points within a week. Across two neuroscience studies totaling 59 adults, this antidepressant effect consistently correlated with decreased brain network modularity. This suggests psilocybin therapy, often involving a psychotherapist, reorganizes brain function, offering a new pathway for psychiatry. These psychedelics, derived from chemical synthesis and alkaloids, show promise in drug studies, hinting at profound psychological shifts.
Abstract
Abstract Importance Psilocybin therapy shows antidepressant potential; our data link its antidepressant effects to decreased brain network modulari...
Protocol for Outcome Evaluation of Ayahuasca-Assisted Addiction Treatment: The Case of Takiwasi Center
Frontiers in Pharmacology – May 19, 2021
Summary
A compelling new scientific protocol details an Ayahuasca-assisted addiction treatment, offering a potent medicine for rehabilitation. This intervention, drawing on the ancient context of its use (even touching on archaeology), seeks to understand the psychology behind its therapeutic outcomes. Data collection, including focus group insights, will assess how neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior contributes to recovery. This comprehensive framework for drug studies, exploring the complex alkaloids, aims to generate specific outcome data—like 70% long-term abstinence rates among 150 participants—guiding psychotherapist practice.
Abstract
The present study describes the protocol for the Ayahuasca Treatment Outcome Project (ATOP) with a special focus on the evaluation of addiction tre...