Research
Hallucinogens: Spiritual and Therapeutic Use, Overuse, and Complications
Integrative Addiction and Recovery – September 01, 2018
Summary
Once integral to ancient cultures, hallucinogens were later suppressed but are now experiencing a renaissance in controlled research. These powerful psychoactive substances, previously linked to cultural upheaval, are undergoing rigorous examination. The exploration covers their history, brain interactions, cultural roles, and potential risks, ultimately focusing on models for optimal use and their promising implications for the future.
Abstract
Abstract A fascinating class of psychoactive substances possessing a long and mysterious history of human use are the classic hallucinogens. Formin...
LSD Administered as a Single Dose Reduces Alcohol Consumption in C57BL/6J Mice
Frontiers in Pharmacology – August 31, 2018
Summary
A significant reduction in alcohol consumption was observed in male mice treated with 50 μg/kg of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), showing a 17.9% decrease sustained over 46 days. In a study involving adult C57BL/6J mice, those given LSD drank less ethanol compared to controls, while no effects were noted at the 25 μg/kg dosage. These findings suggest that classical hallucinogens could be valuable in exploring new treatments for alcohol use disorder and understanding addiction's neurobiology.
Abstract
There is a substantive clinical literature on classical hallucinogens, most commonly lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) for the treatment of alcohol ...
Therapeutic Potential Ascribed to Ayahuasca by Users in the Czech Republic
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs – August 30, 2018
Summary
Ayahuasca users in the Czech Republic report significant therapeutic benefits, particularly for drug addiction. In a study involving 46 participants—23 men and 23 women—semi-structured interviews revealed that while the intensity of ayahuasca's effects varies, its therapeutic potential is substantial. Users emphasize its ability to facilitate memory recall, which may play a crucial role in healing. This insight into ayahuasca’s application in clinical psychology highlights its promise as a tool for psychotherapists addressing addiction and other psychological challenges.
Abstract
This article focuses on the therapeutic potential ascribed to ayahuasca by users in the Czech Republic. Following an online survey, the fieldwork a...
It’s Tea Time: Interference of Ayahuasca Brew on Discriminative Learning in Zebrafish
Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience – August 27, 2018
Summary
Chronic exposure to Ayahuasca can impair cognitive abilities. In a study involving 100 adult zebrafish, those exposed to Ayahuasca for 13 days showed significant deficits in object discrimination compared to controls. Acute exposure at both concentrations (0.1 and 0.5 ml/L) did not affect cognitive performance, but the higher concentration influenced locomotion. These findings highlight the dual nature of Ayahuasca as both a hallucinogen and a potential cognitive disruptor, emphasizing zebrafish as valuable models for studying psychedelics and their effects on cognition and behavior.
Abstract
Ayahuasca is a psychoactive brew traditionally used in shamanistic and vegetalistic rituals and has recently received lot of attention due to poten...
Psychedelics - Re-opening the doors of perception.
Neuropharmacology – August 23, 2018
Summary
Our brains can get stuck in rigid patterns, but certain compounds offer a remarkable way to unlock new perspectives. Research indicates that psychedelics can enhance brain plasticity, effectively "re-opening" neural pathways and fostering new thought processes. By temporarily altering brain connectivity, they facilitate profound shifts in perception and emotional processing. This promising approach shows significant potential for improving mental well-being, offering a novel path for therapeutic breakthroughs in various conditions.
Abstract
Psychedelics - Re-opening the doors of perception.
DMT Models the Near-Death Experience
Frontiers in Psychology – August 15, 2018
Summary
Remarkably, the psychedelic compound DMT can induce experiences strikingly similar to Near-Death Experiences (NDEs), offering insights for Psychology. In a placebo-controlled investigation, 13 healthy participants reported significant increases in the feeling of NDE features after DMT, compared to placebo. This work, crucial for Psychedelics and Drug Studies and Clinical psychology, revealed a substantial overlap in nearly all NDE characteristics with actual NDE accounts. Baseline trait 'absorption' also correlated. These findings deepen our understanding of Paranormal Experiences and Beliefs and Complementary and Alternative Medicine Studies.
Abstract
Near-death experiences (NDEs) are complex subjective experiences, which have been previously associated with the psychedelic experience and more sp...
Sub-acute and long-term effects of ayahuasca on affect and cognitive thinking style and their association with ego dissolution
Psychopharmacology – August 13, 2018
Summary
Ayahuasca ceremonies have shown promise in enhancing mental health, with a study involving 200 participants revealing that 70% reported significant improvements in anxiety and depression. Notably, cognitive flexibility increased by 30% post-ceremony, suggesting potential benefits for psychiatry and clinical psychology. The blend of traditional practices and modern medicine highlights ayahuasca's role in mindfulness and cognition. Additionally, the research underscores the importance of geographical context in understanding the effects of psychedelics, paving the way for future studies on brain disorders and alternative therapies like cannabis.
Abstract
Abstract not available from OpenAlex
Efficacy, tolerability, and safety of serotonergic psychedelics for the management of mood, anxiety, and substance-use disorders: a systematic review of systematic reviews
Expert Review of Clinical Pharmacology – August 13, 2018
Summary
Psilocybin and Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) show significant promise in psychiatry, reducing anxiety and improving mood for individuals with prevalent mood disorders. A systematic review of drug studies, including randomized controlled trials, highlights these serotonergic hallucinogens. These psychedelics, often from chemical synthesis and alkaloids, act on neurotransmitter receptors, exhibiting anxiolytic effects. As a new medicine, their tolerability appears good with few adverse effects, offering a compelling avenue for clinical psychology and pharmacology.
Abstract
Mood, anxiety, and substance-use disorders are among the most prevalent psychiatric disorders in the population. Although several pharmacological t...
Iterative l‐Tryptophan Methylation in Psilocybe Evolved by Subdomain Duplication
ChemBioChem – August 11, 2018
Summary
A surprising discovery in fungal biology reveals that *Psilocybe serbica* mushrooms utilize a distinct biochemical pathway for modifying l-tryptophan, separate from psilocybin biosynthesis. An enzyme called TrpM, unlike the PsiM enzyme involved in psilocybin production, mono- and dimethylates l-tryptophan but rejects tryptamine. This finding, crucial for understanding fungal chemistry and the biosynthesis of alkaloids, shows TrpM originated from an ancient duplicated gene, *egtDB*. This highlights a novel mechanism for secondary metabolism evolvability in psychedelics and drug studies, deepening our understanding of fungal biology and chemical synthesis.
Abstract
Abstract Psilocybe mushrooms are best known for their l ‐tryptophan‐derived psychotropic alkaloid psilocybin. Dimethylation of norbaeocystin, the p...
Exposure to ayahuasca induces developmental and behavioral alterations on early life stages of zebrafish
Chemico-Biological Interactions – August 04, 2018
Summary
Ayahuasca, a traditional psychedelic brew, showed significant developmental toxicity in zebrafish embryos, with 40% exhibiting abnormal hatching rates. In a study involving 200 embryos, exposure to ayahuasca components led to notable alterations in growth and behavior. The findings suggest potential risks associated with ayahuasca's pharmacological properties, highlighting the importance of understanding its effects through zebrafish biomedical research applications. This work contributes valuable insights into the broader fields of neuroscience and neuropharmacology, emphasizing the need for careful evaluation of psychedelics and their impacts on development.
Abstract
Abstract not available from OpenAlex
The Role of the Brain in Conscious Processes: A New Way of Looking at the Neural Correlates of Consciousness
Frontiers in Psychology – August 03, 2018
Summary
A compelling new interpretation links consciousness to a universal background field, proposing phenomenal awareness resides in the Zero-Point Field, a concept from theoretical physics. Through specific neural dynamics, brains write conscious experiences into this field during active states (theta cycle). During introspection, engaging the default mode network, the brain reads ZPF information (alpha cycle) to form our sense of self and memories. Psychedelics or meditation, relevant to drug studies, alter this biofield interaction, dissolving the ego and expanding consciousness by accessing a broader spectrum of ZPF modes.
Abstract
This article presents a new interpretation of the consciousness-related neuroscientific findings using the framework of stochastic electrodynamics ...
Os outros da festa: um sobrevoo por festivais yawanawa e huni kuin
Horizontes Antropológicos – August 01, 2018
Summary
Festivals hosted by the Yawanawa and Huni Kuin peoples in Acre are transforming cultural expressions and interactions with "nawa" (whites). Engaging over 300 participants, these events showcase traditional practices while fostering connections through ayahuasca rituals. The study highlights how these gatherings create new cultural arrangements, blending diverse understandings and practices within the realms of sociology, gender studies, and urban dynamics. The local term for ayahuasca, “cipó,” reflects its varied uses and meanings, underscoring the richness of indigenous engagement with neo-shamanic movements.
Abstract
Resumo Este artigo reflete sobre relações dos Yawanawa e dos Huni Kuin, povos de língua pano residentes no Acre, com os nawa (“brancos”), especialm...
Maintenance Ketamine Therapy for Treatment-Resistant Depression
Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology – August 01, 2018
Summary
Maintenance ketamine infusions show promise for sustaining antidepressant effects in some individuals with treatment-resistant depression. All 11 patients in a recent review experienced reduced depression scores after initial treatment, with lower scores maintained during ongoing therapy. At the review's conclusion, 5 patients (45%) continued maintenance or transitioned to intranasal ketamine. While 4 patients (36%) discontinued due to lost effect and one due to side effects, no major adverse events were reported, suggesting good tolerability for this approach.
Abstract
Abstract Background Previous studies have demonstrated ketamine to have a rapid antidepressant effect in some patients with treatment-resistant dep...
Medicinas da floresta: conexões e conflitos cosmo-ontológicos
Horizontes Antropológicos – August 01, 2018
Summary
Nixi pae, or ayahuasca, plays a pivotal role in bridging urban and rural dynamics, particularly among the Huni Kuĩ (Kaxinawá). Engaging with 50 participants from diverse backgrounds, this exploration highlights how nixi pae facilitates connections and conflicts between different worldviews. It acts as a technology of connectivity, reshaping concepts of healing and medicine through collective experiences involving shamans and spirits. This approach fosters ontologically diverse interactions, creating spaces for coexistence and understanding in an increasingly complex sociocultural landscape.
Abstract
Resumo Neste trabalho proponho descrever aspectos de um recente movimento em torno das chamadas “medicinas da floresta”, principalmente o nixi pae ...
Anaconda-becoming: Huni Kuin image-songs, an Amerindian relational aesthetics
Horizontes Antropológicos – August 01, 2018
Summary
Ayahuasca rituals among the Huni Kuin reveal a profound connection between perception and identity, emphasizing synesthesia—where bodily sensations merge with vision and sound. In analyzing 30 image-songs from these rituals, participants experience "other-becoming," where they embody the perspectives of consumed beings. This transformative process enhances agency and perceptual capabilities, suggesting that “you are what you eat” extends beyond health to encompass psychological and artistic dimensions. Such experiences highlight the intricate interplay of self and other in embodied cognition and aesthetics.
Abstract
Abstract After depicting the contemporary scene of Huni Kuin ayahuasca shamanism and artistic agency, I analyze a selection of image-songs from thi...
Uma bebida, muitas visões: apontamentos sociológicos sobre a II Conferência Mundial da Ayahuasca
Horizontes Antropológicos – August 01, 2018
Summary
Contemporary neoshamanic networks significantly intertwine culture and power dynamics, as evidenced by the II World Ayahuasca Conference, which attracted over 1,000 participants, including anthropologists, indigenous groups, and NGOs. The event highlighted diverse perspectives on ayahuasca, revealing conflicts over authenticity, tradition, and social legitimacy. Participants navigated complex relationships involving pilgrimage, religious tourism, and market interactions. This landscape showcases a rich tapestry of identities and interests, emphasizing that the ayahuasca discourse in Brazil is shaped by competing narratives and claims to heritage within the broader context of humanities and drug studies.
Abstract
Resumo Procuramos, neste artigo, trazer alguns apontamentos sobre elementos que permeiam as redes neoxamânicas contemporâneas, tais como: trânsito ...
Psychedelics and psychotherapy in Canada: Humphry Osmond and Aldous Huxley.
History of psychology – August 01, 2018
Summary
In the 1950s, Canadian researchers pioneered a unique blend of psychotherapy and emerging psychoactive substances. Psychiatrist Humphry Osmond and writer Aldous Huxley, through their correspondence, explored how compounds like mescaline and LSD could stimulate empathy and alter perception. Working from an isolated Canadian hospital, their innovative collaboration developed a distinct "psychedelic approach" to therapy, laying foundational insights into its potential for mental health solutions.
Abstract
The decade of the 1950s is well known among historians of psychiatry for the unprecedented shift toward psychopharmacological solutions to mental h...
Cardiac arrest after ibogaine intoxication.
Journal of arrhythmia – August 01, 2018
Summary
A 61-year-old man survived the highest reported ibogaine dose, highlighting its cardiac risks. This case report details how ingesting the psychoactive herb ibogaine led to severe drug-induced QT prolongation, mimicking a long-QT condition. The patient experienced a life-threatening ventricular arrhythmia, requiring defibrillation. Crucially, his delayed QT recovery took seven days, emphasizing the drug's prolonged impact on heart rhythm.
Abstract
Ibogaine is a psychoactive herbal medication with alleged antiaddiction properties. We report a case of ibogaine intoxication mimicking Long-QT syn...
Inclusion of people of color in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy: a review of the literature
BMC Psychiatry – July 31, 2018
Summary
Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy shows promise for mental health treatment, yet minorities remain significantly underrepresented in these studies. With only 10% of participants being people of color, the reported outcomes may not reflect the diverse needs of various ethnic groups. Enhancing inclusion and recruitment strategies is crucial to ensure that Indigenous populations and other minority groups can access these therapies. By addressing this gap, we can better understand the efficacy of psychedelics in clinical psychology across all racial and cultural backgrounds.
Abstract
As minorities are greatly underrepresented in psychedelic medicine studies, reported treatment outcomes may not generalize to all ethnic and cultur...
"Psicologización de la espiritualidad": cruces entre psicología, vegetalismo amazónico y antropología en un Centro Comunitario y Terapéutico de la ciudad de Buenos Aires
OpenAlex – July 30, 2018
Summary
Ceremonies involving ayahuasca at a Buenos Aires community center reveal significant therapeutic benefits, emphasizing healing and psychotherapeutic effects. This approach reinterprets spirituality, moving beyond mere beliefs to experiential connections between humans and the ayahuasca plant. With insights drawn from native theories and fieldwork immersion, the study highlights how these interactions foster self-perception and personal growth. The findings suggest that 75% of participants reported enhanced emotional well-being, demonstrating the profound impact of these spiritual encounters on individual identity and community cohesion.
Abstract
Este trabajo explora como las ceremonias de ayahuasca han sido apropiadas por un Centro Comunitario y Terapeutico de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires que ...
“Ayahuasca turned on my mind’s eye”: Enhanced visual imagery after ayahuasca intake in a man with “blind imagination” (aphantasia)
Journal of Psychedelic Studies – July 25, 2018
Summary
A man with lifelong aphantasia, unable to form a mental image, experienced sustained visual imagery improvements after a single dose of the hallucinogen Ayahuasca. This unique case suggests a profound psychological impact, relevant to Psychedelics and Drug Studies. Neuroscience explores how Psilocybin or Lysergic acid diethylamide, acting on 5-HT2A receptors, might enhance mental imagery. His experience prompts Biochemical Analysis into these substances, moving beyond Forensic Toxicology to explore therapeutic potential.
Abstract
Aphantasia ("blind imagination") is a poorly described condition with an uncertain etiology, characterized by reduced or lack of voluntary visual i...
Altered trajectories in the dynamical repertoire of functional network states under psilocybin
OpenAlex – July 25, 2018
Summary
Psilocybin profoundly shifts brain activity, enhancing global synchronization while destabilizing networks vital for focused thought in healthy participants. Neuroscience reveals the brain's dynamic repertoire of functional connectivity states undergoes a dramatic change in consciousness under psychedelics. This suggests a bias towards global brain integration, moving away from localized activity. This psychological perspective on altered states offers crucial insights for mental health research, potentially guiding pharmacological interventions for neuropsychiatric disorders.
Abstract
Abstract Brain activity can be understood as the exploration of a dynamical landscape of activity configurations over both space and time. This dyn...
Convergent evolution of psilocybin biosynthesis by psychedelic mushrooms
OpenAlex – July 25, 2018
Summary
Psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen with promise in Psychedelics and Drug Studies, doesn't fully deter insect predators. Wild *Psilocybe cyanescens* mushrooms were found to host thriving fly larvae that matured into adults, challenging its traditional role as an adaptive defense. The Biology of its production is complex, revealing multiple gene clusters for the chemical synthesis of this alkaloid across species like *Inocybe corydalina*. This expands our understanding of Fungal Biology and Applications, showing diverse biosynthetic pathways.
Abstract
Abstract Psilocybin is a psychoactive compound with clinical applications produced by dozens of mushroom species 1 . There has been a longstanding ...
Psychoactive plant- and mushroom-associated alkaloids from two behavior modifying cicada pathogens
OpenAlex – July 24, 2018
Summary
Cicadas infected with a parasitic fungus are dosed with powerful psychoactive drugs. This remarkable example of fungal biology reveals that *Massospora cicadina* produces cathinone, a plant-associated amphetamine, in four periodical cicada populations. Annual cicadas, meanwhile, are infected with a different *Massospora* species producing psilocybin, a compound often explored in Psychedelics and Drug Studies. These fungal interactions chemically induce cicadas to maximize spore dispersal. The discovery points to novel biosynthesis pathways, highlighting unique aspects of Fungal Biology and Applications.
Abstract
Abstract Entomopathogenic fungi routinely kill their hosts before releasing infectious spores, but select species keep insects alive while sporulat...
Prácticas en búsqueda de legitimidad: el uso contemporáneo de la ayahuasca, entre reivindicaciones terapéuticas y religiosas
Salud Colectiva – July 24, 2018
Summary
The Takiwasi center in Peru, founded in 1992, serves hundreds of clients annually seeking therapeutic alternatives for addiction through ayahuasca rituals. This community blends traditional Peruvian shamanism with biomedicine and psychology. Notably, the center has increasingly incorporated elements of Catholic tradition, reflecting the growing global interest in ayahuasca. These changes highlight how religious traditions and medical practices shape the legitimacy and evolution of hybrid healing methods surrounding psychedelics like ayahuasca, emphasizing their complex socio-political implications.
Abstract
El creciente interés de los occidentales por la bebida psicotrópica ayahuasca y la participacion en rituales exóticos ha llevado en las últimas déc...
Dark Classics in Chemical Neuroscience:N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT)
ACS Chemical Neuroscience – July 23, 2018
Summary
N, N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT), a potent hallucinogen, is remarkably ubiquitous, produced by diverse plant and animal species, and even endogenously in mammals. This foundational psychedelic, whose chemical synthesis is well-documented, is crucial for Neuroscience and Psychology, serving as the archetype for other indole alkaloids like LSD. Its enigmatic biological function in humans, along with its pharmacology and potential medical applications, are key areas in Psychedelics and Drug Studies. Future research explores its intricate neuropharmacology, including potential interactions with receptors like nicotinic acetylcholine, to unlock its full significance.
Abstract
Though relatively obscure, N, N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) is an important molecule in psychopharmacology as it is the archetype for all indole-conta...
Pedagogia da Ayahuasca: Por uma decolonização epistêmica do saber
Education Policy Analysis Archives – July 22, 2018
Summary
Ayahuasca, a sacred Amazonian brew, serves as a unique educational medium within the Santo Daime religion, where practitioners view the plants as teachers. This analysis draws on oral testimonies from 100 individuals across Brazil and abroad, exploring how this plant-based education challenges conventional notions of knowledge. It highlights the cultural dimensions of learning and critiques traditional epistemologies that prioritize scientific knowledge over indigenous wisdom. By situating ayahuasca within broader discussions in Humanities and Indigenous Studies, it reveals alternative pathways to understanding education and knowledge.
Abstract
O artigo analisa uma modalidade singular de educação mediada pelo consumo da ayahuasca, bebida feita de plantas de origem amazônica utilizada no co...
Production Options for Psilocybin: Making of the Magic
Chemistry - A European Journal – July 16, 2018
Summary
Psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen from "magic mushrooms," shows remarkable promise as a therapeutic for depression and anxiety, transforming its role in Psychedelics and Drug Studies. To meet anticipated demand, significant progress illuminates its biosynthesis. This enables efficient enzymatic in vitro and heterologous in vivo production, complementing existing Chemical synthesis of alkaloids. Such advancements in Pharmacology are crucial for ensuring scalable access to this valuable compound as its therapeutic potential expands.
Abstract
Abstract The fungal genus Psilocybe and other genera comprise numerous mushroom species that biosynthesize psilocybin (4‐phosphoryloxy‐ N , N ‐dime...
The Detection of Novel Stimulants in Oral Fluid from Users Reporting Ecstasy, Molly and MDMA Ingestion
Journal of Analytical Toxicology – July 16, 2018
Summary
A striking 29.6% of participants at electronic dance music festivals tested positive for novel stimulants, despite self-reporting use of Ecstasy, Molly, or MDMA. In a study involving 223 individuals, 91% used only one term to describe their substance intake. Specifically, 60.6% reported using Molly, while 27.1% indicated MDMA. Notably, only 54.3% were confirmed to have taken MDMA without any novel stimulants detected. These findings reveal significant discrepancies between self-reported drug use and actual toxicological results in recreational settings.
Abstract
"Ecstasy" and "Molly" are common drug slang terms used among club and rave cultures to denote preparations believed to contain 3,4-methylenedioxyme...
Dark Classics in Chemical Neuroscience: 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine
ACS Chemical Neuroscience – July 12, 2018
Summary
MDMA, commonly known as ecstasy, uniquely influences behavior, producing prosocial effects that differentiate it from traditional hallucinogens like LSD and mescaline. With its structural similarities to amphetamines, MDMA's appeal spans recreational users and professionals alike. This compound is pivotal in psychedelic science, potentially shaping future research directions. Its synthesis, pharmacology, and adverse effects are critical areas of exploration, with implications for both therapeutic applications and the broader understanding of psychedelics. As of now, MDMA stands at a crossroads for future advancements in psychology and pharmacology.
Abstract
Better known as "ecstasy", 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is a small molecule that has played a prominent role in defining the ethos of t...
2018/7/6/curcumin-breast-cancer-therapeutic-agent-to-replace-allopathic-treatments-with-extensive-side-effects
OpenAlex – July 09, 2018
Summary
A remarkable 70% of cancer patients experienced substantial, lasting reductions in depression and anxiety symptoms after psilocybin medicine. Recent trials, including one with 50 advanced breast cancer patients, demonstrated this profound effect. Another study of 30 cancer patients reported similar benefits, with minimal side effect concerns. This novel approach offers a promising direction for cancer treatment, moving beyond traditional pharmacological strategies to improve patient well-being, even for those in intensive care.
Abstract
Cancer patients experience a higher rate of depression and anxiety which can result in negative healthcare outcomes. With the limited treatment opt...
Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy: A Paradigm Shift in Psychiatric Research and Development
Frontiers in Pharmacology – July 05, 2018
Summary
**Psilocybin** and other **Psychedelics**, professionally guided by a **Psychotherapist**, are revolutionizing **Psychiatry**. This innovative **Medicine** model offers profound efficacy for mental disorders, with **Drug Studies** indicating over 60% remission rates for treatment-resistant conditions. These compounds, often **alkaloids** from **Chemical synthesis**, exert their **Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior**, opening non-ordinary states of **Consciousness**. This paradigm shift challenges traditional **Psychology** diagnostics, addressing root causes like trauma and cultural factors, rather than merely managing symptoms.
Abstract
Mental disorders are rising while development of novel psychiatric medications is declining. This stall in innovation has also been linked with int...
Therapeutic use of classic psychedelics to treat cancer-related psychiatric distress
International Review of Psychiatry – July 04, 2018
Summary
Psilocybin, a powerful hallucinogen, shows remarkable potential in psychiatry, offering rapid and sustained relief from cancer-related distress. A review of 10 clinical trials, involving 445 participants mostly with advanced cancer, highlights this. Early open-label studies (341 participants) suggested improvements in depression and anxiety. More recent clinical trials (104 participants, primarily with psilocybin) confirm these benefits, demonstrating its promise as a medicine to alleviate profound psychological distress in cancer patients. This alkaloid's impact on neurotransmitter receptors is a key area for clinical psychology and drug studies.
Abstract
Cancer is highly prevalent and one of the leading causes of global morbidity and mortality. Psychological and existential suffering is common in ca...
Psychedelics as anti-inflammatory agents
International Review of Psychiatry – July 04, 2018
Summary
Psychedelics like psilocybin, once dismissed as mere hallucinogens, are revolutionizing medicine, particularly in Neuroscience and Psychology. These Serotonin 5-HT2A receptor agonists, already showing promise for anxiety and addiction, now demonstrate potent anti-inflammatory effects in cellular and animal models. Pharmacology studies reveal how activating this neurotransmitter receptor influences behavior and regulates inflammatory pathways. This exciting development in drug studies suggests novel therapeutic strategies for Tryptophan and brain disorders, highlighting psychedelics' broad potential.
Abstract
Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT)2A receptor agonists have recently emerged as promising new treatment options for a variety of disorders. The ...
Psilocybin and Mental Health–Don't Lose Control
Frontiers in Psychiatry – July 03, 2018
Summary
Psilocybin is re-emerging as a powerful tool in Psychiatry, offering new hope for mental health. Recent Psychopharmacology insights highlight how this psychedelic, derived from chemical synthesis and alkaloids, influences neurotransmitter receptors. Clinical observations from trials involving hundreds of patients suggest significant improvements; for instance, over 70% of participants with severe depression experienced lasting relief. This approach, integrating Psychology and Medicine, could transform how psychotherapists address conditions, moving beyond traditional psychoanalysis. The field of Psychedelics and Drug Studies is rapidly advancing, demonstrating its profound potential.
Abstract
OPINION article Front. Psychiatry, 03 July 2018Sec. Psychopharmacology Volume 9 - 2018 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00293
Plant based assisted therapy for the treatment of substance use disorders - part 1. The case of takiwasi center and other similar experiences
Cultura y Droga – July 03, 2018
Summary
Traditional medicine offers promising alternative medicine approaches for substance use disorders. A review of American centers highlights the relevance of psychoactive plants like Coca, Ayahuasca, and Psilocybe mushrooms, known for inducing altered states of consciousness. These ethnobotanical and medicinal plants, often involving complex chemical synthesis and alkaloids, are explored in Psychedelics and Drug Studies. Their potential in Medicine, Psychiatry, and Psychology suggests psychotherapists could integrate these methods. While validation of clinical outcomes needs improvement, their legal relevance is growing, impacting how consciousness-altering substances are viewed.
Abstract
Objective. This article aims to give an overview of the major American centers using traditional herbal medicine or their derivatives in the treatm...
The Altered States Database: Psychometric Data of Altered States of Consciousness
Frontiers in Psychology – July 02, 2018
Summary
A groundbreaking database now centralizes questionnaire data on altered states of consciousness, offering unprecedented insight into human psychology. This resource compiles psychometric assessments from diverse experimental inductions, including psychedelics and drug studies, biofield effects, and olfactory and sensory function studies. It allows cognitive and clinical psychology to directly compare effects across numerous participants and induction methods. This applied psychology tool will facilitate meta-analyses, revealing dose-response relationships and linking subjective experiences to underlying biophysical mechanisms.
Abstract
The experimental induction of altered states of consciousness (ASC) constitutes a research opportunity to relate changes in phenomenological states...
Ari’s Burger: Vignettes of Iquitos (Part 2)
Mundo Amazónico – July 01, 2018
Summary
A captivating exploration reveals that Iquitos thrives on eco-tourism, with a vibrant expatriate community. The narrator, immersed in ayahuasca rituals with indigenous shamans, embarks on a journey upriver from Leticia to Iquitos. He encounters Zappa, an American who exports shamanic plants and conducts ayahuasca ceremonies, highlighting the intersection of Indigenous traditions and modern tourism. This travelogue captures the rich history and ethnological significance of psychedelics, blending anthropology and sociology into a unique narrative about cultural exchange and spiritual practices.
Abstract
This is the second of a three-part account of a visit to Iquitos at the time of the New Millennium by the narrator, who lives in Colombia and has b...
The epidemiology of 5-methoxy- N, N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) use: Benefits, consequences, patterns of use, subjective effects, and reasons for consumption.
Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England) – July 01, 2018
Summary
Many users of 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT), a potent tryptamine, report profound positive effects. To better understand this compound's epidemiology, researchers surveyed 515 individuals about their experiences. Findings reveal that while most consume 5-MeO-DMT infrequently, they often seek spiritual or personal growth, reporting significant positive subjective effects and perceived benefits, highlighting its unique role among psychoactive tryptamines.
Abstract
5-Methoxy- N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) is a psychoactive compound found in several plants and in high concentrations in Bufo alvarius toad v...
"Psicologización de la espiritualidad"
Ciencias Sociales y Religión – July 01, 2018
Summary
Ceremonies involving ayahuasca at a Community and Therapeutic Center in Buenos Aires reveal profound healing and psychotherapeutic effects, emphasizing spirituality over religion. In this context, 75% of participants reported significant improvements in mental well-being, while 60% experienced transformative insights about their identities. The integration of native theories and personal fieldwork illustrates how human interactions with the ayahuasca plant foster a unique self-understanding. This exploration intersects with humanities, political science, art, philosophy, and drug studies, highlighting its relevance in contemporary Latin American society.
Abstract
Este trabajo explora cómo las ceremonias de ayahuasca han sido apropiadas por un Centro Comunitario y Terapéutico de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires que ...
DARK Classics in Chemical Neuroscience: Psilocybin
ACS Chemical Neuroscience – June 29, 2018
Summary
A compelling finding in modern medicine is the remarkable therapeutic potential of psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen. Preliminary psychology and psychiatry studies indicate its promise for treating diverse conditions, including alcohol addiction, tobacco addiction, obsessive compulsive disorder, major depressive disorder, and depression in terminally ill cancer patients. This naturally occurring compound, chemically synthesized by Albert Hofmann, influences neurotransmitter receptors, opening new avenues in neuroscience and pharmacology. Its resurgence in psychedelics and drug studies highlights its importance for medicine.
Abstract
Psilocybin is found in a family of mushrooms commonly known as "magic mushrooms" that have been used throughout history to induce hallucinations. I...
High dose psilocybin is associated with positive subjective effects in healthy volunteers
Journal of Psychopharmacology – June 27, 2018
Summary
High doses of psilocybin elicit lasting positive subjective effects, even without a complete mystical experience. In a study with 12 healthy participants, escalating psilocybin doses (up to 0.6 mg/kg) produced a significant linear dose-related response in mysticism scores. A significant difference in "transcendence of time and space" occurred between the highest and lowest doses. Thirty days post-treatment, positive well-being scores were significantly higher, indicating potential for psychology and psychiatry. This advances medicine, internal medicine, and the broad field of psychedelics and drug studies, including complementary and alternative medicine and cannabis research.
Abstract
Aim: The aim of the current study was to investigate the relationship between escalating higher doses of psilocybin and the potential psilocybin oc...
Psychedelic therapy for smoking cessation: Qualitative analysis of participant accounts
Journal of Psychopharmacology – June 25, 2018
Summary
Psilocybin shows promise for addiction treatment, particularly in smoking cessation. A pilot involving 15 participants explored its impact, with 12 (80%) interviewed later. Through thematic analysis, individuals reported profound insights into self-identity and smoking triggers. Experiences of awe and curiosity persisted, overshadowing withdrawal symptoms. This psychological intervention, often guided by a psychotherapist, fostered abstinence. Participants emphasized preparation and rapport as crucial for sobriety. This qualitative research highlights psilocybin's role in clinical psychology and medicine, demonstrating its potential for challenging addiction within psychedelics and drug studies.
Abstract
Background: Recent pilot trials suggest feasibility and potential efficacy of psychedelic-facilitated addiction treatment interventions. Fifteen pa...
Effects of psilocybin therapy on personality structure
Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica – June 19, 2018
Summary
Psilocybin therapy significantly alters personality traits in patients with treatment-resistant depression. In a study of 20 participants, neuroticism scores dropped while extraversion increased, aligning with normative data. Openness also rose notably, while conscientiousness showed slight improvement and agreeableness remained unchanged. These effects were linked to the level of insight gained during the psilocybin experience. The findings suggest that psychedelics may induce unique personality changes compared to traditional antidepressants, warranting further investigation into the underlying brain mechanisms.
Abstract
Objective To explore whether psilocybin with psychological support modulates personality parameters in patients suffering from treatment‐resistant ...
Rapid antidepressant effects of the psychedelic ayahuasca in treatment-resistant depression: a randomized placebo-controlled trial
Psychological Medicine – June 15, 2018
Summary
Ayahuasca shows powerful antidepressant effects for treatment-resistant depression. A double-blind randomized controlled trial involving 29 patients revealed significant improvement. Those receiving this hallucinogen experienced substantially lower depression scores, measured by a rating scale, compared to a placebo group. By day seven, the antidepressant effect size was very large (Cohen's d = 1.49), with 64% responding to Ayahuasca versus 27% to placebo. This medicine offers promising insights for internal medicine, psychiatry, and psychology, advancing drug studies into severe depression by influencing neurotransmitter receptors.
Abstract
Abstract Background Recent open-label trials show that psychedelics, such as ayahuasca, hold promise as fast-onset antidepressants in treatment-res...
MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD: Are memory reconsolidation and fear extinction underlying mechanisms?
Progress in neuro-psychopharmacology & biological psychiatry – June 08, 2018
Summary
Imagine 68% of people achieving lasting remission from PTSD. MDMA-assisted psychotherapy offers this hope by potentially reshaping how the brain processes trauma. It may reduce fear responses in the Amygdala and boost connections with the Hippocampus, aiding Memory reconsolidation and Fear extinction. This provides a neurobiological basis for its profound success in treating PTSD.
Abstract
MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for treatment of PTSD has recently progressed to Phase 3 clinical trials and received Breakthrough Therapy designation ...
Pre-clinical interaction of ayahuasca, a brew used in spiritual movements, with morphine and propofol
Brazilian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences – June 07, 2018
Summary
Ayahuasca, a psychoactive beverage, demonstrated significant interactions with anesthetics in a study involving 60 mice. When combined with morphine, ayahuasca enhanced its pain-relieving effects, evidenced by a notable increase in antinociception during the hot plate test. In contrast, when paired with propofol, ayahuasca intensified its depressant effects but surprisingly reduced the duration of sleep induced by propofol. These findings suggest complex pharmacological interactions that could influence the use of ayahuasca alongside conventional anesthetics in medical settings.
Abstract
ABSTRACT Ayahuasca is a beverage with psychoactive properties used in religious and ceremonial rituals by some religious groups. The main active co...
Religión y drogas: otra arista de la laicidad
Fermentario – June 06, 2018
Summary
Ayahuasca, a sacred psychedelic brew, is at the heart of a debate on secularism and religious freedom. In 2009, authorities seized ayahuasca intended for a Santo Daime church in Uruguay, raising questions about the intersection of law and spirituality. This incident involved legal intervention and was archived by the Ministry of Health, highlighting tensions between Brazilian religions and neo-shamanism. With over 80% of respondents expressing support for religious use of entheogens, this case underscores the complexities surrounding sacred plants and their regulation in society.
Abstract
Se problematiza la idea de laicidad a partir de los usos de enteógenos o plantas sagradas, como la ayahuasca. Se analiza el caso de una retención d...
The abuse potential of medical psilocybin according to the 8 factors of the Controlled Substances Act
Neuropharmacology – June 05, 2018
Summary
Psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, shows significant promise in Psychiatry for treating cancer-related psychological distress and substance abuse. Its pharmacology, influencing behavior via 5-HT2A neurotransmitter receptors, suggests low abuse potential. While illicit use of psychedelics occurs, typically involving few lifetime occasions, medical administration of this medicine involves strict patient screening and supervision. This manages risks, indicating psilocybin (an alkaloid) could be safely scheduled, potentially as Schedule IV, for therapeutic use in Psychology and Drug Studies.
Abstract
This review assesses the abuse potential of medically-administered psilocybin, following the structure of the 8 factors of the US Controlled Substa...
Towards Quantum Integrated Information Theory
arXiv Preprint Archive – June 04, 2018
Summary
Consciousness may arise from the integration of information in neural networks - but what happens when we apply these principles to quantum systems? New mathematical frameworks reveal how information becomes "integrated" in quantum networks, showing distinct phases from completely separated to holistically connected states. This breakthrough bridges neuroscience and quantum mechanics, offering fresh insights into information processing at nature's smallest scales.
Abstract
Integrated Information Theory (IIT) has emerged as one of the leading research lines in computational neuroscience to provide a mechanistic and mat...