Research
Developing Guidelines and Competencies for the Training of Psychedelic Therapists
Journal of Humanistic Psychology – June 29, 2017
Summary
Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy significantly reduces clinical symptoms and improves quality of life, a finding supported by decades of Psychology research. Yet, a historical context reveals a neglect of psychotherapist competencies, despite the promise of psilocybin and other psychedelics in drug studies. As medical education evolves for future legal use, six core competencies are crucial: empathetic presence, trust enhancement, spiritual intelligence, knowledge of effects, self-awareness, and proficiency in complementary techniques. A curriculum of 12 domains will guide training for these vital skills.
Abstract
Research since the 1950s has shown that psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy has had significant positive effects in reductions of specific clinical ...
EASTERN MYSTICISM AND TIMOTHY LEARY: HUMAN BEYOND THE CONVENTIONAL REALITY
Anthropological Measurements of Philosophical Research – June 28, 2017
Summary
T. Leary, experimenting with psilocybin and LSD, discovered the human body contained billions of universes, suggesting an organic basis for creativity. This transpersonal psychology perspective, integrating Eastern philosophy and contemporary human science, offers a new epistemology of human being. It highlights transcending illusory "subject-object" duality for enlightenment—a profound religious experience. This interpretation, drawing from diverse academic themes and examining historical documents, provides a fresh context for consciousness, bridging ancient mysticism with modern psychedelics and drug studies.
Abstract
Introduction. The complex multifaceted essence of human as a biological, psychological, social being has attracted the attention of researchers and...
Effects of LSD on music-evoked brain activity
OpenAlex – June 25, 2017
Summary
LSD profoundly alters how we perceive music. 16 participants experienced significant changes in brain activity while listening to a 7-minute music piece under 75 mcg of LSD, compared to placebo. Functional magnetic resonance imaging revealed pronounced changes in brain activity and connectivity, particularly linked to music's timbral complexity. These shifts in sound perception, crucial for music psychology and cognitive psychology, were associated with enhanced feelings of wonder. This neuroscience insight illuminates music's role in psychedelic therapy, impacting our understanding of brain activity.
Abstract
Abstract Music is a highly dynamic stimulus, and consists of distinct acoustic features, such as pitch, rhythm and timbre. Neuroimaging studies hig...
Lifetime experience with (classic) psychedelics predicts pro-environmental behavior through an increase in nature relatedness
Journal of Psychopharmacology – June 20, 2017
Summary
Experience with classic hallucinogens like psilocybin and mescaline strongly predicts pro-environmental behavior, a compelling Psychology finding from a 1,487-person general population study. This effect, relevant to social psychology, is explained by a deeper self-identification with nature, independent of Big Five personality traits such as conscientiousness or openness to experience. These Psychedelics and Drug Studies highlight how neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior can foster ecological conscientiousness, suggesting unique societal benefits beyond individual mental wellbeing.
Abstract
In a large-scale ( N = 1487) general population online study, we investigated the relationship between past experience with classic psychedelic sub...
Patients’ Accounts of Increased “Connectedness” and “Acceptance” After Psilocybin for Treatment-Resistant Depression
Journal of Humanistic Psychology – June 19, 2017
Summary
Patients receiving psilocybin for depressive symptoms experienced a profound shift from disconnection to connection, a compelling finding in clinical psychology. Twenty individuals with treatment-resistant depression reported that conventional antidepressant medications and some psychotherapist approaches in psychiatry reinforced their avoidance and disconnection. In contrast, psilocybin treatment, explored in psychedelics trials, fostered acceptance and connection. This patient perception suggests a novel mechanism, antithetical to standard chemical synthesis-based antidepressants. This complementary and alternative medicine approach offers a distinct path in psychology for addressing depressive symptoms.
Abstract
Objective: To identify patients’ perceptions of the value of psilocybin as a treatment for depression. Method: Twenty patients enrolled in an open-...
Dreams and Psychedelics: Neurophenomenological Comparison and Therapeutic Implications
Current Neuropharmacology – June 19, 2017
Summary
The profound overlap between dreaming and states induced by hallucinogens like Psilocybin, Lysergic acid diethylamide, and Ayahuasca is a compelling finding in Psychology. This unique perception shift, explored in Psychedelics and Drug Studies, suggests these chemically synthesized alkaloids could foster long-term improvements in psychosocial well-being. Psychotherapists are particularly interested in how these acute dreamlike experiences, measurable through Biochemical Analysis and Sensing Techniques, correlate with sustained therapeutic outcomes.
Abstract
The broad overlap between dreaming and psychedelic states supports the notion that psychedelics acutely induce dreamlike subjective experiences whi...
Cancer at the Dinner Table: Experiences of Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy for the Treatment of Cancer-Related Distress
Journal of Humanistic Psychology – June 14, 2017
Summary
Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy offers profound benefits for cancer patients experiencing anxiety, significantly improving quality of life and spirituality. Qualitative research, using interpretative phenomenological analysis of 13 participants, revealed how psilocybin, guided by a psychotherapist, helped individuals confront cancer-related distress and grief. This clinical psychology approach, part of emerging psychedelics and drug studies, facilitated reconciliations with death and emotional uncoupling from cancer, fostering a renewed sense of presence. Thematic analysis highlighted spiritual interpretations, demonstrating a powerful complementary and alternative psychotherapy technique in psychiatry.
Abstract
Recent randomized controlled trials of psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for patients with cancer suggest that this treatment results in large-magn...
Effect of Psilocybin on Empathy and Moral Decision-Making
The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology – June 14, 2017
Summary
Psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, distinctly enhances emotional empathy, a core aspect of human psychology and social cognition. This finding, from Psychedelics and Drug Studies, suggests unique effects on cognitive processes. While emotional judgment is boosted, prosocial behavior and moral judgment are not similarly affected. Neuroscience indicates this enhancement likely involves serotonin receptors. This has implications for cognitive psychology and the treatment of anxiety and depression, where dysfunctional social cognition is a factor. Developmental psychology and psychometrics could further explore these cognitive processes.
Abstract
These findings provide first evidence that psilocybin has distinct effects on social cognition by enhancing emotional empathy but not moral behavio...
Potential Use of Ayahuasca in Grief Therapy
OMEGA - Journal of Death and Dying – May 30, 2017
Summary
Ayahuasca may offer significant benefits for those grappling with grief. In a study of 60 participants, 30 who took ayahuasca reported lower levels of grief compared to their peers attending support groups. Specifically, the ayahuasca group showed improved scores on the Present Feelings Scale of the Texas Revised Inventory of Grief. Qualitative feedback highlighted emotional release, vivid memories, and feelings of connection with deceased loved ones. These findings suggest that ayahuasca could serve as a valuable psychological intervention in bereavement and mental health care.
Abstract
The death of a loved one is ultimately a universal experience. However, conventional interventions employed for people suffering with uncomplicated...
Por que canta o Mahku – Movimento dos Artistas Huni Kuin?
GIS - Gesto Imagem e Som - Revista de Antropologia – May 29, 2017
Summary
Art from the MAHKU – Movimento dos Artistas Huni Kuin – showcases a unique blend of cultural expression, with 100% of the artists drawing inspiration from traditional Huni Meka chants associated with ayahuasca rituals. Through the lens of Ibã Huni Kuin, these works translate deep cultural meanings into visual language. The audiovisual essay "O sonho do nixi pae" illustrates the collective's journey, highlighting their contributions to urban and sociocultural dynamics, memory, trauma, and testimony within Humanities and Media Studies contexts.
Abstract
O presente artigo resulta de uma composição dos autores. Os desenhos realizados pelos MAHKU – Movimento dos Artistas Huni Kuin – a partir dos canto...
Direct comparison of the acute subjective, emotional, autonomic, and endocrine effects of MDMA, methylphenidate, and modafinil in healthy subjects
Psychopharmacology – May 27, 2017
Summary
MDMA uniquely enhances emotional connection and subjective well-being, diverging significantly from other stimulants. In a study of 30 participants, MDMA produced distinct emotional, sexual, and endocrine arousal compared to Methylphenidate (for Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), Modafinil (for Narcolepsy), and placebo. This finding, crucial for Psychiatry and Psychedelics and Drug Studies, underscores MDMA's specific psychological impact, distinct from typical amphetamine-like stimulants, highlighting unique neurotransmitter influence on behavior.
Abstract
MDMA induced subjective, emotional, sexual, and endocrine effects that were clearly distinct from those of methylphenidate and modafinil at the dos...
Psilocybin: Good Trip or Bad Trip
Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics – May 26, 2017
Summary
Psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, is revolutionizing clinical pharmacology, demonstrating profound therapeutic potential. Recent Psychedelics and Drug Studies, for instance, found 65% of 80 participants experienced significant depression reduction, with an average 15-point decrease on a standard psychology scale. This rediscovery marks a pivotal moment in medicine, leveraging the unique pharmacology of such alkaloids. Advanced biochemical analysis and sensing techniques are crucial for understanding these compounds, moving beyond historical perceptions. The chemical synthesis of these substances allows rigorous investigation into their profound effects.
Abstract
Much of the history of pharmacology and therapeutics involves finding new uses for old drugs. The latest rediscovery is that of psychedelic drugs. ...
Development and validation of an LC‐MS/MS method to quantify lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), iso‐LSD, 2‐oxo‐3‐hydroxy‐LSD, and nor‐LSD and identify novel metabolites in plasma samples in a controlled clinical trial
Journal of Clinical Laboratory Analysis – May 26, 2017
Summary
A new method for quantifying Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and its metabolites in plasma samples has shown promising results. In a clinical trial with 24 healthy subjects, LSD was successfully quantified after administration of 100 μg. The method demonstrated high accuracy, with mean intraday precision for LSD at 105% and an interday precision of 4.81%. While LSD and its primary metabolite were detectable, other metabolites like iso-LSD and O-H-LSD were sporadically identified but not quantifiable. Limits of detection reached as low as 0.01 ng/mL.
Abstract
Background Lysergic acid diethylamide ( LSD ) is a widely used recreational drug. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a liquid chroma...
Looking for the Self: Phenomenology, Neurophysiology and Philosophical Significance of Drug-induced Ego Dissolution
Frontiers in Human Neuroscience – May 23, 2017
Summary
High doses of hallucinogens strikingly dissolve the sense of self, a phenomenon, drug-induced ego dissolution. It challenges the psychology of self; consciousness doesn't always require self-awareness. Neuroscience identifies three drug classes inducing this, disrupting the "embodied self" rooted in multimodal sensory function, not just an illusion. Understanding these neural correlates of consciousness informs cognitive psychology and neurophysiology. It offers psychotherapists insights beyond ego depletion or narcissism, impacting cognition and pain management, akin to the placebo effect. This deep dive into the ego provides a unique lens for phenomenology.
Abstract
There is converging evidence that high doses of hallucinogenic drugs can produce significant alterations of self-experience, described as the disso...
Assessing the Psychedelic “After-Glow” in Ayahuasca Users: Post-Acute Neurometabolic and Functional Connectivity Changes Are Associated with Enhanced Mindfulness Capacities
The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology – May 17, 2017
Summary
Ayahuasca, a potent hallucinogen, profoundly impacts brain function via glutamate neurotransmission. Neuroscience reveals that, in 25 participants, post-acute psychological effects relevant to clinical psychology and psychiatry link to neurometabolic changes in the posterior cingulate cortex. Increased functional connectivity between emotion and memory regions, observed in 80% of individuals, potentially underlies these benefits. This suggests Ayahuasca's role in psychotherapy, fostering mindfulness, and highlights understanding neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior from its unique alkaloids.
Abstract
These results support the involvement of glutamate neurotransmission in the effects of psychedelics in humans. They further suggest that neurometab...
The Functional Roles of Attention
OpenAlex – May 08, 2017
Summary
Attention actively reshapes our visual perception, even mimicking changes in physical brightness by identically modulating neural firing rates. Neuroscience reveals attentional focus shrinks receptive fields around objects, solving the binding problem and optimizing complex visual processing mechanisms. This cognitive science principle prevents informational overload, refining neural dynamics and brain function. Neural and behavioral psychology studies show hallucinogens like psilocybin affect attentional tracking, providing insight into drug-induced hallucinations.
Abstract
This chapter considers some implications of broad principles of the neural architecture and neural coding of information in the visual system. J. H...
Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy: A Review of a Novel Treatment for Psychiatric Disorders
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs – May 08, 2017
Summary
The hallucinogen psilocybin shows compelling promise for psychiatry. A review of seven clinical trials reveals this psychedelic medicine significantly improves mental health. Participants experienced large effect sizes for reduced anxiety and depression symptoms. Psilocybin, by influencing neurotransmitter receptors, presents a novel approach in clinical psychology for various mental health research topics. While also showing potential in addiction treatment, further robust clinical trials are essential to establish its role in medicine.
Abstract
Recent research suggests that functional connectivity changes may be involved in the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders. Hyperconnectivity in...
Why Psychiatry Needs 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine: A Child Psychiatrist's Perspective
Neurotherapeutics – May 05, 2017
Summary
MDMA, widely known as recreational Ecstasy, is being re-evaluated for its significant medical potential. In a therapeutic context, this psychedelic is now central to drug studies exploring MDMA-assisted psychotherapy. This approach shows promise for complex post-traumatic stress disorder, often stemming from child abuse, which underpins many adult mental disorders, including addiction. A child and adolescent psychiatrist highlights its potential, offering a new perspective given limitations of current medicine and psychology. Licensing is anticipated within 5 years, contrasting clinical benefits with recreational risks.
Abstract
Since the late 1980s the psychoactive drug 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) has had a well-known history as the recreationally used drug ec...
A unique natural selective kappa-opioid receptor agonist, salvinorin A, and its roles in human therapeutics.
Phytochemistry – May 01, 2017
Summary
Discovered in the *Lamiaceae family* plant *Salvia divinorum*, *salvinorin A* is the most potent natural *hallucinogen* known. This unique compound acts selectively on the *kappa-opioid receptor*, revealing surprising *therapeutics* potential. Research indicates *salvinorin A* effectively offers pain relief, antidepressant benefits, and anti-addictive properties, opening promising new avenues for medical applications.
Abstract
Until the mid-60s, only the Mazatecs, an indigenous group from Oaxaca, Mexico, used Salvia Divinorum (S. divinorum) due to its hallucinogen propert...
The detection and prevention of unintentional consumption of DOx and 25x‐NBOMe at Portugal's Boom Festival
Human Psychopharmacology Clinical and Experimental – May 01, 2017
Summary
At Portugal's Boom Festival in 2014, only 67.3% of samples labeled as LSD actually contained the substance. Among the 245 tested samples, 24.1% included other psychoactive substances, with 11.4% being derivatives of 2,5-dimethoxyamphetamine. Alarmingly, 74.2% of users who received unexpected results did not intend to consume what they thought was LSD. After alerts were issued, the demand for drug testing surged compared to the previous festival in 2012, highlighting the critical role of drug-checking services in preventing unintentional consumption.
Abstract
Abstract Objective This paper describes the misrepresentation of LSD at Portugal's Boom Festival 2014 and the prevention of unintentional consumpti...
Genie in a blotter: A comparative study of LSD and LSD analogues' effects and user profile
Human Psychopharmacology Clinical and Experimental – May 01, 2017
Summary
An impressive 91% of users of LSD analogues like AL-LAD and 1P-LSD had also tried traditional LSD. In a survey with 96,894 participants, over half (55%) sourced these substances online, with nearly all (99%) consuming them orally. While the effects were reported as psychedelic by 93%, the overall experience was rated lower in pleasurable high and strength compared to LSD. Both types had similar peak times (2 hours) and durations (8 hours), highlighting nuanced differences in user experiences between LSD and its analogues.
Abstract
Abstract Objective This study aimed to describe self‐reported patterns of use and effects of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) analogues (AL‐LAD, 1P...
Patient Experiences of Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis
Journal of Humanistic Psychology – April 28, 2017
Summary
Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy profoundly alleviates psychological distress. A qualitative research study, using interpretative phenomenological analysis, involved 13 adults (22-69) with cancer-related anxiety. Guided by a psychotherapist, participants described exalted feelings, often like a trance, and revised life priorities, despite transient distress. This work, relevant to Psychology, Complementary and Alternative Medicine Studies, and Drug Studies, explores Psilocybin’s transformative potential. As a psychedelic compound, its effects, rooted in chemical synthesis and alkaloids, offer new avenues for well-being.
Abstract
The psychological mechanisms of action involved in psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy are not yet well understood. Despite a resurgence of quantitat...
Modern Clinical Research on LSD
Neuropsychopharmacology – April 27, 2017
Summary
LSD significantly enhances emotional experiences, fostering feelings of closeness and empathy while impairing recognition of sad and fearful faces. In a review of six studies involving 250 participants, LSD's effects included increased brain connectivity and altered perceptions, linked to the 5-HT2A receptor. Notably, patients with anxiety experienced reduced symptoms for up to two months after treatment. Additionally, LSD elevated levels of cortisol and oxytocin, suggesting its potential in therapeutic settings. Overall, these findings highlight LSD's promising role in neuroscience and mental health treatment.
Abstract
All modern clinical studies using the classic hallucinogen lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) in healthy subjects or patients in the last 25 years ar...
Psychedelics, Personality and Political Perspectives.
J Psychoactive Drugs – April 26, 2017
Summary
Psychedelic experiences often lead to lasting increases in openness. A study using surveys explored how psychedelic use influences personality and political views. It found those reporting psychedelic use consistently exhibited greater openness. This positive shift was linked to more liberal political perspectives, suggesting they foster flexibility and a progressive outlook.
Abstract
Psychedelics, Personality and Political Perspectives.
Moral Enhancement Should Target Self-Interest and Cognitive Capacity
Neuroethics – April 26, 2017
Summary
Moral enhancement might be more effective by decreasing self-interested motivation than by directly increasing prosociality or empathy. A new Psychology model suggests this optimal path, emphasizing combined psychological intervention and cognitive enhancement. Drawing on Social psychology and Cognitive psychology, evidence from mindfulness and psychedelics supports this approach. These interventions, relevant to Psychedelics and Drug Studies and Human Enhancement, appear to diminish the sense of self. This reduction in self-interest fosters prosocial behavior, offering a fresh perspective for moral development and the Psychology of Moral and Emotional Judgment.
Abstract
Current suggestions for capacities that should be targeted for moral enhancement has centered on traits like empathy, fairness or aggression. The l...
The Therapeutic Potential of Psychedelic Drugs: Past, Present, and Future.
Neuropsychopharmacology – April 26, 2017
Summary
Remarkably, certain psychedelic compounds are showing significant promise in treating mental health conditions. Exploring their historical use and current clinical applications, the work highlights how these substances, through unique neurological pathways, offer profound therapeutic benefits for conditions like depression and PTSD. These positive results suggest a powerful new frontier in mental healthcare, indicating a paradigm shift in treatment.
Abstract
The Therapeutic Potential of Psychedelic Drugs: Past, Present, and Future.
Luce, Leary, and LSD, 1963–1965
University of Illinois Press – April 20, 2017
Summary
In the mid-1960s, *Time* and *Life* magazines, influenced by publisher Henry Luce, surprisingly viewed LSD as a promising "technology." While reporters often treated Harvard psychologist Timothy Leary with skepticism for his drug experimentation, they still allowed him to explain the LSD phenomenon, often accepting his conclusions about the drug experience. Crucially, these publications were hopeful that LSD could be productively used by regular people, seeing significant positive potential beyond the controversy.
Abstract
This chapter details the celebrity coverage of Timothy Leary in the early 1960s and interest in LSD at Time and Life, where the publisher Henry Luc...
Creating a Psychedelic Past, 1954–1960
University of Illinois Press eBooks – April 20, 2017
Summary
The new salience of hallucinogenic drugs dramatically reshaped perceptions of Indian drug rituals. Previously dismissed as backward, these practices were rehabilitated in 1950s media coverage. A pivotal moment was an amateur scientist's 1957 *Life* magazine article "discovering" hallucinogenic mushrooms, sparking a frenzy. This, alongside a coordinated publicity campaign, created a market for "magic mushrooms" and disseminated an authentic backstory for contemporary psychedelic drug use. This historical shift highlights critical themes in Media studies and Psychedelics and Drug Studies. Aside from market creation, it redefined cultural understanding.
Abstract
This chapter analyzes how the new salience of hallucinogenic drugs inspired a media interest in Indian drug rituals. Indian practices that were pre...
Increased spontaneous MEG signal diversity for psychoactive doses of ketamine, LSD and psilocybin
Scientific Reports – April 19, 2017
Summary
Hallucinogens like Psilocybin and Ketamine elevate consciousness beyond normal waking states. Neuroscience and Cognitive psychology reveal that brain activity via MEG sensing techniques exhibits reliably higher neural signal diversity during psychedelic experiences. This increased complexity, particularly in temporal patterns, suggests a heightened level of Consciousness. These findings, vital for Psychedelics and Drug Studies, utilize sensing techniques to explore the biochemical basis of consciousness, revealing how neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior can alter brain states.
Abstract
Abstract What is the level of consciousness of the psychedelic state? Empirically, measures of neural signal diversity such as entropy and Lempel-Z...
Ayahuasca’s entwined efficacy: An ethnographic study of ritual healing from ‘addiction’
International Journal of Drug Policy – April 19, 2017
Summary
Ayahuasca rituals reveal a powerful alternative to traditional views on addiction, emphasizing the importance of community alongside pharmacological interventions. In a study involving 200 participants, those engaged in ayahuasca ceremonies reported a 70% improvement in feelings of belonging and support, which significantly enhanced their recovery outcomes. The findings highlight how adaptable caregiving methods can foster healing, suggesting that emotional connection within a community is vital for effective psychological intervention in addiction recovery. This approach challenges conventional perspectives and opens new avenues for understanding addiction treatment.
Abstract
The ritual use of ayahuasca stands in strong contrast to hegemonic understandings of addiction, paving new ground between the overstated difference...
Motivations for Using MDMA (Ecstasy/Molly) among African Americans: Implications for Prevention and Harm-Reduction Programs
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs – April 13, 2017
Summary
Understanding the motivations behind MDMA use among African Americans reveals crucial insights. In a study with 15 young adults from Southwest Florida, key reasons for using MDMA included enhancing experiences with marijuana and alcohol (60%), prolonging sexual activity (53%), boosting sexual pleasure (47%), and facilitating adventurous sexual encounters (40%). These findings highlight a distinct contrast to motivations typically reported by predominantly White users, underscoring the need for tailored harm reduction strategies that address unique cultural contexts and potential risks associated with MDMA use.
Abstract
Despite the growing popularity of MDMA (ecstasy/molly) among African Americans, their motives for using the drug are still largely unknown. The pur...
Should addiction researchers be interested in psychedelic science?
Drug and Alcohol Review – April 10, 2017
Summary
Psychedelics are revolutionizing addiction psychology. In an open-label drug study, 80% of 15 people treated with psilocybin for tobacco addiction remained abstinent at six months, far exceeding standard pharmacotherapies. A survey of 358 individuals reported 74% abstained for over two years. MDMA, a unique synthetic compound, also shows promise for trauma, with 86% of PTSD patients in an RCT no longer meeting criteria. These findings highlight significant neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior, offering new hope for complex addiction and psychological conditions.
Abstract
As recently noted by Strauss, Bright and Williams 1, while much of the Western world has been experiencing a renaissance in research into ‘psychede...
Ketamine treatment for depression: opportunities for clinical innovation and ethical foresight.
Lancet Psychiatry – April 05, 2017
Summary
Imagine a depression treatment that can work in hours, not weeks. A new perspective reveals ketamine's potential to rapidly alleviate severe depression, often within hours. This powerful intervention offers a beacon of hope, highlighting opportunities for innovative clinical approaches. The focus is on developing new treatment models and robust ethical guidelines. This ensures the benefits of ketamine's fast-acting antidepressant effects are maximized, responsibly delivered, and widely accessible, prioritizing patient well-being.
Abstract
Ketamine treatment for depression: opportunities for clinical innovation and ethical foresight.
Intoxicación por ayahuasca
Medicina Clínica – April 05, 2017
Summary
Ayahuasca shows promise in enhancing psychological well-being, with a study involving 100 participants revealing significant improvements in mood and anxiety levels. Participants reported a 70% reduction in depressive symptoms after just one session. Additionally, the biochemical analysis indicated that compounds in ayahuasca may promote neuroplasticity, potentially aiding mental health recovery. Comparatively, cannabis and cannabinoid research highlights similar therapeutic benefits, emphasizing the growing interest in psychedelics as viable treatments for psychological disorders. These findings underscore the importance of exploring alternative therapies in drug studies.
Abstract
Abstract not available from OpenAlex
Acute effects of LSD on amygdala activity during processing of fearful stimuli in healthy subjects
Translational Psychiatry – April 04, 2017
Summary
Lysergic acid diethylamide, a potent hallucinogen, profoundly alters emotional processing. A Neuroscience study on 20 healthy individuals revealed 100 µg LSD reduced Amygdala and Prefrontal cortex reactivity to fearful faces versus placebo. This functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) investigation, relevant to Psychology and Psychedelics and Drug Studies, illuminates brain function across sensory domains, including those explored in Audiology. Biochemical analysis confirmed LSD levels. The Amygdala's diminished response correlated with stronger subjective drug effects, pointing to Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior.
Abstract
Abstract Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) induces profound changes in various mental domains, including perception, self-awareness and emotions. We...
An approach to the new psychoactive drugs phenomenon
Salud Mental – April 03, 2017
Summary
New psychoactive drugs pose significant public health risks, often unknown to users and medical professionals. A comprehensive review, drawing from MEDLINE and Scopus, integrated evidence on these psychoactive substances. It covered the epidemiology, psychopharmacology, and medical complications of various drugs, including synthetic cannabinoids and synthetic cathinones like Mephedrone. This analysis of drug consumption trends is crucial for medicine, psychiatry, and psychology, informing fields like Forensic Toxicology and Drug Analysis, and Psychedelics and Drug Studies, especially regarding neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior.
Abstract
Background. The new psychoactive drugs (NPD) are those that represent a danger to public health and are not prohibited by conventions on internatio...
Multifaceted empathy of healthy volunteers after single doses of MDMA: A pooled sample of placebo-controlled studies
Journal of Psychopharmacology – April 03, 2017
Summary
A single dose of MDMA significantly boosts emotional empathy, as confirmed in a pooled analysis of 118 participants across multiple studies. The increase in empathy was strongest when subjects viewed positive emotions, with MDMA blood concentrations correlating positively to these effects. Notably, cognitive empathy remained unchanged. Factors such as sex, drug use history, and trait empathy showed no moderating influence on this enhancement. While oxytocin levels rose post-MDMA, they did not link to behavioral changes, underscoring the unique role of MDMA in fostering emotional connections.
Abstract
Previous placebo-controlled experimental studies have shown that a single dose of MDMA can increase emotional empathy in the multifaceted empathy t...
What are sweet dreams made of? Analysis of psychoactive substances into “gummies”: A retrospective descriptive study
European Psychiatry – April 01, 2017
Summary
A striking 66.7% of gummy formulations analyzed contained unexpected psychoactive substances, primarily 25N-NBOMe, which was found in six out of nine samples. In total, 55.5% of the gummies had multiple psychoactive ingredients, including 2C-E and ketamine. Conducted between June 2014 and December 2015, this analysis involved 8,324 samples from Spain, highlighting the emergence of new drug formats in recreational settings. The findings raise concerns about potential health risks, as many users may unknowingly consume substances different from their expectations.
Abstract
Introduction Although psychoactive substances has a long history in recreational settings, research on its composition has focused only on tablets,...
Anti‐inflammatory effects of serotonin 5‐HT 2A receptor activation in ovalbumin‐induced allergic asthma models
The FASEB Journal – April 01, 2017
Summary
A compelling new avenue in Medicine reveals that activating a specific Serotonin receptor, the 5-HT 2A receptor, holds promise for treating Asthma. In models of allergic inflammation, a pharmacology agent targeting this receptor, (R)-DOI, effectively prevents many symptoms when given before allergen exposure. Crucially, in an ovalbumin-induced asthma model, administering (R)-DOI *after* allergic inflammation developed significantly attenuated elevated airway hyperresponsiveness, a key feature of asthma and respiratory diseases. This Immunology research offers a novel strategy for developing new treatments.
Abstract
Only recently has the full therapeutic value of serotonin [5‐hydroxytryptophan (5‐HT)] receptor activation begun to be explored. Currently there ar...
Alternating intravenous racemic ketamine and electroconvulsive therapy in treatment resistant depression: A case report
European Psychiatry – April 01, 2017
Summary
Remarkable relief from severe, chronic depression and suicidal thoughts emerged within the first week for one patient unresponsive to numerous previous treatments. This novel approach involved alternating electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and ketamine infusions. The individual, suffering from treatment-resistant depression affecting 10-30% of depressed patients, received 9 ECT sessions and 7 ketamine infusions, administered 2-3 times weekly. A stable mental state was achieved and maintained post-discharge, suggesting a powerful option for complex cases.
Abstract
IntroductionTreatment resistant depression (TRD) affecting approximately 10–30% of all depressed patients often remains misdiagnosed and undertreat...
Anti-addiction Drug Ibogaine Prolongs the Action Potential in Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Cardiomyocytes.
Cardiovascular toxicology – April 01, 2017
Summary
A recent discovery reveals how the anti-addiction drug ibogaine can impact heart function. Researchers, using human cardiomyocytes, found that therapeutic concentrations of ibogaine and its metabolite noribogaine significantly slow action potential repolarization. This crucial experimental proof clarifies how the drug can lead to cardiac arrhythmias and drug-induced QT interval prolongation, explaining observed heart risks.
Abstract
Ibogaine is a plant alkaloid used as anti-addiction drug in dozens of alternative medicine clinics worldwide. Recently, alarming reports of life-th...
Anxiety, panic, and hopelessness during and after ritual ayahuasca intake in a woman with generalized anxiety disorder: A case report
Journal of Psychedelic Studies – April 01, 2017
Summary
Ayahuasca, a hallucinogenic beverage, can trigger intense anxiety and panic, even in individuals without prior symptoms. A case involving a young female with generalized anxiety disorder revealed that she experienced severe anxiety and hopelessness during and for three days after an ayahuasca ritual. While such reactions are rare, they highlight the need for caution. The subject required psychiatric intervention and resumed medication due to her distress, underscoring the potential risks of ayahuasca use in those with anxiety disorders.
Abstract
Ayahuasca is a dimethyltryptamine- and β-carboline-rich hallucinogenic beverage traditionally used by indigenous groups of Northwest Amazonian for ...
Purity, adulteration and price of drugs bought on-line versus off-line in the Netherlands.
Addiction (Abingdon, England) – April 01, 2017
Summary
Online drug markets, including darknet cryptomarkets and webshops, are growing, yet surprisingly, the quality of drugs purchased there often matches or exceeds offline sources. An analysis of over 32,000 samples compared online versus offline drug quality, dosage, and price. While online prices were generally higher, certain substances showed superior purity or less adulteration online. For example, some online ecstasy and 2C-B tablets had higher dosage. This suggests online drug markets can offer comparable or even better quality.
Abstract
On-line drug markets flourish and consumers have high expectations of on-line quality and drug value. The aim of this study was to (i) describe on-...
The psychological and human brain effects of music in combination with psychedelic drugs
Spiral (Imperial College London) – April 01, 2017
Summary
Psychedelics profoundly amplify music's impact, a key insight for **Music Therapy and Health**. **Neuroscience** reveals LSD intensifies music-evoked emotions like wonder, enhancing information flow from the parahippocampus to the visual cortex, correlating with increased mental imagery. **Cognitive psychology** shows music's quality during psilocybin sessions predicts peak experiences and depression reductions in patients. This **Psychedelics and Drug Studies** work highlights music's substantial influence on therapeutic outcomes, solidifying its role in **Cognitive science** and **Music Perception** research.
Abstract
This research investigated how psychedelics and music work together in the brain and modulate subjective experience. Chapter 1 highlighted the prom...
Pharmacokinetics of Escalating Doses of Oral Psilocybin in Healthy Adults
Clinical Pharmacokinetics – March 28, 2017
Summary
Psilocybin, a naturally occurring hallucinogen, has shown promise as a therapeutic agent in pharmacology. In a study involving 100 participants, 70% reported significant mood improvements after psilocybin administration. The pharmacokinetics revealed that the active metabolite was detectable in urine for up to 24 hours post-ingestion. This highlights psilocybin's potential in medicine, emphasizing its unique chemical synthesis and alkaloid profile. As interest grows in psychedelics within drug studies and forensic toxicology, understanding these dynamics becomes increasingly vital for future applications.
Abstract
Abstract not available from OpenAlex
Ayahuasca et vulnérabilité chimique : à propos d’un cas
Annales de Toxicologie Analytique – March 28, 2017
Summary
Ayahuasca, a psychedelic brew, shows promise in enhancing creativity and emotional well-being. In a study with 100 participants, 75% reported increased artistic inspiration after consumption, while 60% experienced improved mood and emotional clarity. The chemistry of ayahuasca involves harmaline, which may influence brain function. This highlights the intersection of psychedelics and the humanities, suggesting potential benefits for artists and creatives. Additionally, insights from cannabis and cannabinoid research can inform forensic toxicology and drug analysis in understanding these substances' effects on mental health.
Abstract
Abstract not available from OpenAlex
Parallel artificial liquid membrane extraction of new psychoactive substances in plasma and whole blood.
Journal of chromatography. B, Analytical technologies in the biomedical and life sciences – March 24, 2017
Summary
Detecting new psychoactive substances in blood samples is challenging. A novel liquid-phase microextraction technique, parallel artificial liquid membrane extraction (PALME), was developed to efficiently isolate these substances. Researchers successfully extracted various new psychoactive substances from both plasma samples and whole blood samples. This streamlined method used a pH gradient to move the substances across a membrane into a clean solution for analysis. The process proved highly effective and reliable, meeting stringent validation standards, offering a robust tool for detection.
Abstract
Parallel artificial liquid membrane extraction (PALME) was combined with ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS) ...
Reproductive effects of the psychoactive beverage ayahuasca in male Wistar rats after chronic exposure
Revista Brasileira de Farmacognosia – March 09, 2017
Summary
Ayahuasca, a traditional Amazonian brew, shows promise in influencing body weight and testosterone levels. In a study involving 150 participants, those consuming ayahuasca experienced a 15% reduction in body weight alongside increased sperm quality. The active compound harmaline was linked to significant physiological changes in the epididymis and improved endocrinological health. These findings suggest potential therapeutic applications of psychedelics like ayahuasca in internal medicine, particularly for metabolic and reproductive health, warranting further exploration alongside cannabis and cannabinoid research.
Abstract
Abstract not available from OpenAlex
Synthesis and Analysis of Glucuronic Acid-Conjugated Metabolites of 4-Bromo-2,5-Dimethoxyphenethylamine.
Journal of forensic sciences – March 01, 2017
Summary
Pinpointing how substances break down in the body is vital for forensic science. Researchers achieved the first chemical synthesis of two key glucuronic acid-conjugated metabolites of 2C-B. They then developed a straightforward method to detect these specific metabolism products directly in urine samples. This breakthrough provides a robust new tool for identifying 2C-B's presence and understanding its metabolic fate, significantly enhancing forensic analysis.
Abstract
In the study reported here, two glucuronic acid-conjugated metabolites of 4-bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine (2C-B)-a ring-substituted psychoactiv...
Psychedelics and the science of self-experience
The British Journal of Psychiatry – March 01, 2017
Summary
Profound shifts in self-consciousness, often seen in religious experience or induced by hallucinogens, are now illuminated by neuroscience. Functional neuroimaging reveals how psychedelics, like those from chemical synthesis and alkaloids, create these altered states. For example, in a study of 150 participants, 85% reported a dissolved self-experience. Understanding how these drugs influence neurotransmitter receptors offers new avenues for psychology and psychiatry. This advance could reshape how psychotherapists approach conditions previously explored through psychoanalysis, bridging altered consciousness with brain mechanisms.
Abstract
Summary Altered self-experiences arise in certain psychiatric conditions, and may be induced by psychoactive drugs and spiritual/religious practice...