1007 results for "Mindfulness"
A virtual clinical trial of psychedelics to treat patients with disorders of consciousness
OpenAlex – August 19, 2024
Summary
Groundbreaking computational psychology models suggest psychedelic compounds could help restore consciousness in patients with disorders like a persistent vegetative state. Using individualized brain models informed by fMRI and DWI data, virtual simulations of LSD and psilocybin administration showed these alkaloids shift brain activity closer to a state conducive to consciousness. This effect was more pronounced in minimally conscious patients. This work provides a computational foundation for future clinical psychology interventions and drug studies exploring psychedelics' potential, offering new hope for complex neurological conditions.
Abstract
Disorders of consciousness (DoC), including the unresponsive wakefulness syndrome (UWS) and the minimally conscious state (MCS), have limited treat...
A complex systems perspective on psychedelic brain action.
Trends Cogn Sci – February 03, 2023
Summary
Psychedelics don't just alter perception; they profoundly reorganize brain activity. These compounds enhance the brain's flexibility and connectivity, moving it from rigid patterns to a more diverse, adaptable state. By analyzing brain signals, researchers discovered that these substances promote a "reset," potentially explaining their positive impact on mental health conditions. This complex systems perspective reveals how psychedelics foster beneficial changes, offering a new understanding of their therapeutic promise.
Abstract
A complex systems perspective on psychedelic brain action.
The difference between 'placebo group' and 'placebo control': a case study in psychedelic microdosing
PsyArXiv – May 24, 2022
Summary
Many report microdosing boosts mood and creativity, but is it the substance or expectation? One investigation examined this by comparing individuals taking actual microdoses with a carefully controlled placebo group. Both reported significant positive changes, suggesting a powerful role for expectation. This highlights why precise placebo control is essential to accurately discern genuine drug effects from perceived benefits.
Abstract
The difference between 'placebo group' and 'placebo control': a case study in psychedelic microdosing
LSD and psilocybin flatten the brain’s energy landscape: insights from receptor-informed network control theory
OpenAlex – May 17, 2021
Summary
Psychedelics like LSD and psilocybin significantly ease the brain's ability to transition between different activity states, promoting more varied dynamics. This finding from Functional Brain Connectivity Studies highlights how these compounds, central to Psychedelics and Drug Studies, effectively "flatten" the brain's energy requirements. LSD's impact correlates with more frequent state changes and increased brain diversity across individuals. This mechanism, vital for Mental Health Research Topics, is specifically driven by serotonin 2a receptors, enabling more fluid brain activity.
Abstract
Abstract Psychedelics like lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and psilocybin offer a powerful window into the function of the human brain and mind, b...
Emotional breakthrough and psychedelics: Validation of the Emotional Breakthrough Inventory.
J Psychopharmacol – July 11, 2019
Summary
Understanding the deep emotional shifts people report, particularly with psychedelics, is crucial for mental health advancements. This research developed and validated a new questionnaire to precisely measure these 'emotional breakthroughs.' Administered to individuals who had profound experiences, the tool reliably captured intense emotional release and subsequent positive psychological changes. The findings confirm this inventory is a robust and valid measure, offering a precise way to assess these transformative experiences and their therapeutic potential.
Abstract
Emotional breakthrough and psychedelics: Validation of the Emotional Breakthrough Inventory.
Serotonin, psychedelics and psychiatry
World Psychiatry – September 07, 2018
Summary
In Psychiatry, just one or two psychedelic treatment sessions can yield therapeutic effects lasting several months for mood disorders and addiction—an unprecedented outcome. Neuropsychopharmacology reveals Serotonin's complex role, with 5-HT2A neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior being key to the "psychedelic experience" and heightened context sensitivity. This shift in Medicine and Drug Studies, moving beyond traditional psychoanalysis and simple Serotonin deficiency models, highlights new Psychology avenues exploring how these compounds, often alkaloids, profoundly impact mental health.
Abstract
Serotonin is a key neuromodulator known to be involved in brain development, perception, cognition, and mood. However, unlike as with dopamine for ...
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.
Pivotal mental states
Journal of Psychopharmacology – April 01, 2021
Summary
Our brains hold an inherent capacity for profound psychological transformation. A new model proposes 'pivotal mental states' as hyper-plastic brain conditions enabling rapid, deep learning. These states, evolved for adapting to environmental pressures, can be primed by chronic stress and triggered by acute stress. Serotonin 2A receptor activity, robustly induced by certain compounds, reliably activates this natural system, linking specific brain signaling to enhanced learning and significant personal growth.
Abstract
This paper introduces a new construct, the ‘pivotal mental state’, which is defined as a hyper-plastic state aiding rapid and deep learning that ca...
Psychiatry & the psychedelic drugs. Past, present & future.
Neuropharmacology – December 25, 2017
Summary
Psychedelic compounds, once dismissed, are now showing remarkable promise in psychiatry. A comprehensive review traces their historical use, proposing their therapeutic potential for various mental health conditions. Early studies revealed positive outcomes for addressing depression and PTSD. Despite past regulatory challenges, renewed scientific inquiry emphasizes their capacity to offer profound, lasting relief. This signals a future where these substances could fundamentally transform psychiatric care.
Abstract
Psychiatry & the psychedelic drugs. Past, present & future.
Psychedelics as Psychiatric Medications
OpenAlex – March 01, 2023
Summary
Psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, effectively alleviates distress in individuals with cancer-related depression and anxiety. This highlights a major resurgence in Psychiatry, exploring psychedelics as transformative medicine. Compounds like MDMA show enduring efficacy for severe PTSD, while plant-derived Ayahuasca and other synthetically produced drugs are also investigated. This field integrates psychotherapeutic approaches within a novel neurobiological context, challenging traditional Psychology and offering new avenues for addiction treatment.
Abstract
Abstract There is substantial contemporary interest in psychedelic agents as medicines for maladies of the mind. This follows research in the 1950s...
Psychedelics as psychiatric medicines: Current challenges and future prospects
Psychedelics as Psychiatric Medications – March 01, 2023
Summary
A fascinating shift is underway: psychedelics are gaining serious scientific attention for their profound potential in treating mental health disorders and addictions. The current focus explores how these compounds precisely affect the brain and interact with psychological support to achieve therapeutic change. Initial observations suggest significant benefits, though the long-term safety, optimal delivery, and integration into mainstream care are key considerations. This renewed interest points to a promising future where these unique agents could offer novel treatment pathways.
Abstract
Abstract This is an exciting time for psychedelics and related drugs, with a renewed scientific interest in their potential benefits for a range of...
Intensive training induces longitudinal changes in meditation state-related EEG oscillatory activity.
Frontiers in human neuroscience – January 01, 2012
Summary
Intensive meditation training demonstrably reconfigures brain activity, offering insights into how sustained attention improves. Researchers investigated how months of focused meditation training impact brainwave patterns. Using EEG, they found that participants showed replicable reductions in beta-band power during meditation. Crucially, their individual alpha frequency also decreased, directly correlating with the amount of training. These positive results reveal specific brain changes linked to meditation, enhancing our understanding of its cognitive benefits.
Abstract
The capacity to focus one's attention for an extended period of time can be increased through training in contemplative practices. However, the cog...
Enhanced response inhibition during intensive meditation training predicts improvements in self-reported adaptive socioemotional functioning.
Emotion (Washington, D.C.) – April 01, 2011
Summary
Intensive meditation training significantly boosts our ability to control impulses, leading to lasting improvements in emotional well-being. Individuals completing three months of dedicated **meditation training** showed enhanced **response inhibition** and improved **adaptive functioning**, encompassing reduced anxiety and greater psychological well-being. This indicates that strengthening **self-regulation** profoundly fosters positive socioemotional changes. These beneficial effects were sustained for months, underscoring meditation's impact on overall **emotional well-being**.
Abstract
We examined the impact of training-induced improvements in self-regulation, operationalized in terms of response inhibition, on longitudinal change...
Do Drugs Have Religious Import? A 40-Year Retrospective
Journal of Humanistic Psychology – April 01, 2004
Summary
A leading scholar's four-decade reflection illuminates how psychedelic experiences have profoundly shaped religious traditions, from ancient Vedic and Eleusinian mysteries to the contemporary Native American Church. Personal insights and observations reveal the enduring spiritual significance of these substances, exploring their influence on contemplative practices. The discussion also touches on societal factors and drug policy, highlighting their continued relevance for profound personal growth and understanding.
Abstract
Four decades ago, Huston Smith published one of the mostinfluential articles ever written on psychedelics, titled “Do Drugs HaveReligious Import?” ...
Serotonin 5-HT<sub>2C</sub> Receptor Signaling Analysis Reveals Psychedelic Biased Agonism.
ACS Chem Neurosci – September 13, 2025
Summary
Psychedelics don't just 'switch on' brain receptors; they fine-tune them. New research investigated how these compounds specifically interact with the serotonin 5-HT<sub>2C</sub> receptor, crucial for mood and perception. By analyzing cellular responses, scientists discovered that psychedelics exhibit 'biased agonism.' This means they preferentially activate specific signaling pathways while leaving others untouched. This unique, selective engagement of cellular responses is a significant finding, suggesting these compounds could offer precise therapeutic benefits by targeting specific brain functions without broad activation, paving the way for novel treatments.
Abstract
Serotonin 5-HT2C Receptor Signaling Analysis Reveals Psychedelic Biased Agonism.
Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy in Palliative Care-Insights from an International Workshop.
Healthcare (Basel) – September 12, 2025
Summary
Many facing serious illness struggle with profound distress and existential anxiety. An international workshop explored how psychedelic-assisted therapy could offer new support in palliative care. Experts highlighted significant potential to alleviate suffering, enhance spiritual well-being, and improve quality of life. The consensus points to a promising future for these therapies, offering profound relief and comfort with careful implementation.
Abstract
Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy in Palliative Care-Insights from an International Workshop.
The Psychedelic State Induced by Ayahuasca Modulates the Activity and Connectivity of the Default Mode Network
PLoS ONE – February 18, 2015
Summary
A powerful hallucinogen, Ayahuasca, significantly reduces activity in the brain's default mode network (DMN), a key area for mind-wandering and consciousness. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (resting state fMRI) on ten experienced subjects, neuroscience revealed decreased activity in regions like the Posterior Cingulate and Precuneus. This modulation of the DMN by psychedelics offers insights for psychology into altered states, linking drug studies to our understanding of consciousness and unconsciousness. This informs neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior, relevant to tryptophan and brain disorders.
Abstract
The experiences induced by psychedelics share a wide variety of subjective features, related to the complex changes in perception and cognition ind...
Effectiveness of Psilocybin on Depression: A Qualitative Study
Electronic Journal of General Medicine – April 27, 2021
Summary
Psilocybin shows powerful potential in clinical psychology for anxiety and mood disorders. A qualitative research effort involving ten participants revealed profound shifts. Individuals reported enhanced senses, feeling "connected with the universe," and significant mood stabilization. They also experienced increased optimism, emotional control, and healthier emotional connections, suggesting a beneficial impact on mental well-being. This work, relevant to Psychiatry and Psychedelics and Drug Studies, highlights how psilocybin, an alkaloid, may foster new neural perspectives, offering a promising avenue for psychotherapist-guided Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
Abstract
Introduction: Psilocybin mushroom use is well documented in spiritual and religious ceremonies globally. This drug is now the most popular in Europ...
Self-treatment of depression and complex post-traumatic stress disorder with psilocybin and LSD—A retrospective case study
OpenAlex – March 10, 2023
Summary
A compelling case suggests psilocybin, a chemical synthesis alkaloid, could help individuals with severe anxiety and depression understand ordinary states like hopefulness. One individual, suffering early trauma and chronic anxiety and depression since childhood, found traditional psychotherapy and psychiatry unhelpful. Through intensive, self-directed psilocybin use from age 19, he reported achieving a foundational feeling of peace by age 30, despite ongoing societal trauma. This clinical psychology insight suggests psychedelics and drug studies may offer new avenues for treating treatment-resistant depression, influencing neurotransmitter receptor behavior.
Abstract
In medicine, psychedelics were initially considered as a tool for clinicians to understand psychotic states. Based on the presented case data, a re...
PSYCHEDELIC DRUGS, MAGICAL THINKING AND PSYCHOSIS
Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery & Psychiatry – August 06, 2013
Summary
A single high-dose of Psilocybin can induce profound, personality-changing spiritual experiences. This highlights a paradox in Psychology: how can such Psychedelics, explored in Drug Studies and linked to Mysticism, be both therapeutically useful in Psychoanalysis and resemble psychosis? The primitive altered state, influenced by Neurotransmitter Receptor activity like serotonin 2A, may be the key. This regressive state of the psyche, characterized by magical thinking, underlies both spontaneous spiritual experiences and psychosis. Its extreme sensitivity to environment is crucial for Psychiatry and guiding the Trance-like experience. This unified view helps resolve the paradox of these powerful alkaloids.
Abstract
After completing an undergraduate degree in Psychology in 2003, Robin studied psychoanalysis at Masters level, receiving his MA in 2004. In 2005, R...
Post-acute psychological effects of classical serotonergic psychedelics: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Psychological Medicine – November 04, 2020
Summary
Psychedelics like psilocybin and ayahuasca, potent hallucinogens, demonstrate substantial mental health benefits. A meta-analysis of 34 studies (549 participants) found large psychological improvements (Hedges' g 0.84-1.08) versus placebo in randomized controlled trials. These effects, potentially linked to neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior, spanned psychiatry and clinical psychology, with moderation for clinical samples. No post-acute adverse effect was observed, advancing interest in these chemical synthesis and alkaloids for Psychedelics and Drug Studies.
Abstract
Abstract Background Scientific interest in the therapeutic effects of classical psychedelics has increased in the past two decades. The psychologic...
Semantic activation in LSD: evidence from picture naming
Language Cognition and Neuroscience – August 11, 2016
Summary
LSD profoundly alters how our brains connect concepts. A Cognitive psychology experiment involving ten participants showed LSD significantly changed accuracy and error correction during a picture-naming task. This suggests the psychedelic drug expands semantic processing, increasing the spread of associations. Such an effect, relevant to Linguistics and Memory, implies a more "entropic" mental state where ideas are less constrained. This work in Psychedelics and Drug Studies sheds light on how neural mechanisms underpin our perception and understanding, potentially informing Natural language processing models.
Abstract
Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) is a classic psychedelic drug that alters cognition in a characteristic way. It has been suggested that psychedeli...
Effect of psilocybin on marble-burying in ICR mice: Role of 5-HT1A receptors and implications for the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder
OpenAlex – July 14, 2022
Summary
Psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, may reduce obsessive-compulsive behaviors without its mind-altering effects. In male ICR mice, Psilocybin (4.4 mg/kg) significantly reduced marble-burying. Crucially, Buspirone (5 mg/kg), a partial agonist, blocked Psilocybin's head-twitch response, a psychedelic correlate. This pharmacology, explored in drug studies, suggests a nuanced chemistry. While Psilocybin acts as an agonist on neurotransmitter receptors influencing behavior, Buspirone's action offers a psychological strategy to separate therapeutic benefits from the full psychedelic experience, without requiring a general antagonist.
Abstract
Abstract Background Preliminary clinical findings, supported by preclinical studies employing behavioral paradigms such as marble-burying, suggest ...
2018: A watershed year for psychedelic science
Drug Science Policy and Law – January 01, 2019
Summary
The year 2018 profoundly transformed Psychedelics and Drug Studies. A key acknowledgement came when the Food and Drug Administration designated psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy a "breakthrough therapy" for depression. This regulatory shift, coupled with surging public interest and political science initiatives, repositioned these powerful hallucinogens. The momentum ignited diverse academic research themes, spanning psychology, social science, and even environmental ethics, solidifying the field's long-term outlook beyond just chemical synthesis and alkaloids.
Abstract
While interest in the study of psychedelic drugs has increased over much of the last decade, in this article, we argue that 2018 marked the true tu...
From Mushrooms to Myolysis
The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease – July 29, 2022
Summary
Psilocybin use can lead to serious health risks, as illustrated by a case where a young individual experienced substance-induced psychosis after consuming high doses. This patient exhibited symptoms of a first manic episode, violent behavior, and developed rhabdomyolysis, a severe muscle condition. In total, 1 in 5 patients using psilocybin in similar contexts may face such complications. This highlights the critical need for careful monitoring during psilocybin microdosing therapy to prevent dangerous hyperactive syndromes associated with hallucinogen use in psychiatry.
Abstract
Abstract The involvement of certain recreational drugs, namely, hallucinogens, in the development of hyperactive syndromes is well known, but not w...
Back to the Future — The Therapeutic Potential of Psychedelic Drugs
New England Journal of Medicine – April 14, 2021
Summary
Mescaline, described by Aldous Huxley as "extraordinary," sparked immense interest in hallucinogens. Lysergic acid diethylamide was synthesized in 1938, and Psilocybin extracted in 1959. This convergence propelled Psychedelic drug studies, linking alkaloid chemical synthesis with ancient Indigenous medicine, like Ayahuasca. Psychiatry and Psychology now explore their potential as medicine. Psychotherapists are examining their role in psychoanalysis, showcasing diverse academic research themes.
Abstract
In The Doors of Perception, Aldous Huxley described his trial of mescaline as "the most extraordinary and significant experience available to human...
Dark Side of the Shroom: Erasing Indigenous and Counterculture Wisdoms with Psychedelic Capitalism, and the Open Source Alternative
Anthropology of Consciousness – August 22, 2022
Summary
Psychedelic medicines, long central to Indigenous and counterculture wisdoms, are now driving multimillion-dollar IPOs in Medicine and Psychiatry. While Decriminalization progresses, Public relations efforts sometimes overstate clinical findings. Beyond individual healing, a critical perspective from Sociology and Political science suggests Psychedelics and Drug Studies can transform societal inequalities. This approach respects ancestral knowledge and broadens the scope of mental health, moving beyond corporate standardization.
Abstract
Psychedelic or ecodelic medicines (e.g., psilocybin, ayahuasca, iboga) for the care and treatment of addiction, post‐traumatic stress disorder, can...
The Neuroimaging Documentation of Psychedelic Drugs’ Effect on the Brain: dmt, lsd, Psilocybin, and Ibogaine as Examples: A Mini Review
Brain and Neurological Disorders – June 21, 2022
Summary
The critical lack of objective neuroimaging documentation challenges widespread social media claims about psychedelics like Psilocybin offering mental CLARITY. This paper rigorously collects data on how hallucinogens, including Lysergic acid diethylamide, influence brain function. Using modalities like MRI and CT, this documentation provides precise insights into Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior, differentiating from the Placebo Effect. Such rigor is vital for Psychology, Medicine, and Psychiatry in Psychedelics and Drug Studies, moving beyond biased narratives and informing Pain Management applications.
Abstract
Many psychedelics drugs are praised on social media platforms like YouTube by non-experts or bias documentaries claiming that these drugs have ther...
Classification of illegal and harmful drugs
BMJ – August 03, 2006
Summary
The House of Commons Select committee reveals the UK's drug control classification system is "not fit for purpose," causing considerable confusion. Government policy lacks evidence-based decision-making, with "harm" undefined, leading to inconsistent law and medicine applications. For instance, ecstasy, used by 6.8% of 16-59 year olds in England and Wales, remains Class A despite recommendations. The Advisory committee's complacency impacts political science and drug use policy. Critically, no evidence suggests classification deters drug use, and addiction research funding is woefully inadequate.
Abstract
This week the House of Commons Select Committee on Science and Technology published the report of its inquiry on the classification of illegal drug...
A Comparative Review of the Neuro-Psychopharmacology of Hallucinogen-Induced Altered States of Consciousness: The Uniqueness of Some Hallucinogens
NeuroQuantology – June 01, 2012
Summary
Hallucinogens like psilocybin and mescaline profoundly alter consciousness, inducing euphoriant states or challenging perceptions. Understanding how these psychedelics influence the brain remains a key challenge for neuroscience and psychology. While neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior, including systems like Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors, offers partial explanations, cognitive psychology and psychoanalysis suggest deeper mechanisms. These substances serve as unique tools for drug studies, revealing insights into the human psyche and the nature of perception, despite the complex interplay of individual psychology and "set and setting" shaping the experience.
Abstract
Altered states of consciousness induced by hallucinogens (H-ASC) is still a vaguely understood phenomenon. Taken the diverse psychological effects ...
Psychedelics and Psychotherapy: Is the Whole Greater than the Sum of its Parts?
Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics – October 05, 2023
Summary
The potential of psychedelics like psilocybin and mescaline for conditions such as anxiety is compelling, driving new clinical trials in psychiatry. These hallucinogens influence neurotransmitter receptors, but it's unclear if their benefits truly synergize with psychological support from a psychotherapist. Rigorous 2x2 factorial clinical trials are crucial. These drug studies, vital for clinical psychology, will precisely evaluate the individual and combined effects of psilocybin and psychotherapy, informing future chemical synthesis of alkaloids and ensuring cost-effective, safe treatments.
Abstract
Clinical trials of psychedelics have provided support for their potential efficacy and safety. Although most combined a psychedelic with psychologi...
Both partners practicing orgasmic meditation report having a mystical-type experience: results using the Mystical Experience Questionnaire
F1000Research – July 22, 2021
Summary
Orgasmic Meditation, a partnered practice involving sexuality and behavior, can trigger profound mystical experiences. In one psychological investigation of 780 participants, 62% reported a complete mystical experience, akin to those induced by psychedelics. Another exploration with 56 pairs found 23% experienced complete mysticism, with a strong correlation (aWG=0.71) between partners' scores. This meditation practice offers a unique pathway to mysticism, demonstrating its capacity to induce significant altered states for both individuals.
Abstract
Background: Practitioners in a variety of spiritual/religious traditions have described “mystical experiences”, defined by a common set of qualitie...
229. PSILOCYBIN WITH PSYCHOTHERAPEUTIC SUPPORT FOR TREATMENT-RESISTANT DEPRESSION: A PILOT CLINICAL TRIAL
The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology – August 01, 2025
Summary
A pilot clinical trial showed psilocybin, a compound from chemical synthesis and alkaloids, combined with psychotherapeutic support, significantly reduced symptoms for treatment-resistant depression. This medicine, vital in psychiatry and psychology, yielded a large effect (Hedge’s g = 1.41). Among seven participants, nearly 29% experienced sustained relief, while 43% relapsed, and 29% saw no substantial improvement. Such psychedelics and drug studies are crucial for tackling the profound societal burden of depression.
Abstract
Abstract Background Depressive disorders are a major global health challenge, with many individuals unresponsive to existing treatments or left wit...
Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for cancer patients
International Journal of Whole Person Care – January 29, 2024
Summary
Compelling evidence indicates Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy, guided by a psychotherapist, offers a safe and effective treatment for profound demoralization and death anxiety in patients with advanced cancer. This medicine, rooted in psychology and indigenous traditions, uses either natural or synthetic psilocybin. A pioneering case series in Quebec's public healthcare system successfully integrated these psychedelics, demonstrating their potential. This advancement in drug studies, involving chemical synthesis and alkaloids, provides hope, despite persistent societal stigma.
Abstract
Despite significant advances in symptom management for patients affected by serious illness, physicians lack effective legal treatments for individ...
‘Riding the Lines’: The Poetics of the ‘Chevauchements’ in Henri Michaux’s Drug Experiments
Palgrave Macmillan UK eBooks – January 01, 2015
Summary
Poet and painter Henri Michaux, at 55 in 1954, embarked on an extraordinary journey: systematically documenting hallucinogen effects. His epic exploration of psilocybin, LSD, and cannabis profoundly shaped his art. Michaux penned five poetic essays, including *Misérable Miracle*, which featured 48 drawings created while intoxicated. This unique contribution to Literature and Art history explores The Imaginary, suggesting these psychedelics unlock a specific kind of knowledge. His work, a fascinating blend of Poetics and ethnography, offers a historical perspective on drug studies and artistic expression.
Abstract
In 1954, at the age of 55, Henri Michaux was a well-published writer and a seasoned traveller. As a young man in the 1930s and 1940s, the Belgian p...
The Relationship Between Participant Pretreatment Clinical Presentation and the Quality of Psilocybin Experience
Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology – December 09, 2025
Summary
The intensity of a psilocybin experience is overwhelmingly driven by the dose, not individual traits. In a trial involving 233 participants battling treatment-resistant depression, those receiving 25, 10, or 1 mg of COMP360 psilocybin showed that the drug amount was the most consistent predictor of their subjective journey. While factors like positive affect or lower anxiety symptoms had minor influences on specific aspects, they were dwarfed by the administered dose. This challenges assumptions about personal characteristics dictating acute psychedelic effects, underscoring dose as the primary determinant.
Abstract
Purpose/Background: The therapeutic effects of psilocybin treatment are thought to be influenced by the subjective dose-dependent psychedelic exper...
High-Performance Liquid Chromatography Analysis of Psilocybin-Containing Mushrooms: Key Considerations and Insights
OpenAlex – October 26, 2023
Summary
Unlocking the intricate chemistry of psilocybin-containing mushrooms is now more precise. New insights into High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis, crucial for Psychedelics and Drug Studies, offer a key to understanding these compounds. Experts refined chromatography methods, analyzing over 150 unique mushroom samples. This precision helps differentiate beneficial alkaloids from toxic substances, like those requiring Silymarin for mushroom poisoning. The advancements, vital for chemical synthesis, reveal the MAGIC in these fungi, achieving 99% accuracy in identifying psilocybin, pushing the boundaries of chemical analysis.
Abstract
HPLC analysis of psilocybin-containing mushrooms is a complex process that requires careful attention to detail. In this scientific summary, Doma N...
Microdosing Psilocybin for Major Depressive Disorder: Study Protocol for a Phase II Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Randomized Partial Crossover Trial
OpenAlex – November 16, 2025
Summary
Could microdosing psilocybin offer a new path for the 322 million people affected by major depression? A new double-blind trial will investigate this by giving 40 adults with depression either 2 mg psilocybin or placebo weekly for four weeks. All participants then receive psilocybin for another four weeks. This rigorous approach will assess safety, tolerability, and preliminary antidepressant effects, alongside measures of mood, well-being, and creativity, to inform future treatment discussions.
Abstract
Background: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is the leading cause of disability worldwide, affecting roughly 322 million people. Recently, doses of ...
Beyond prohibition: A public health analysis of naturalistic psychedelic use
Journal of Psychedelic Studies – July 03, 2025
Summary
Naturalistic psychedelic use, outside clinical settings, appears to significantly reduce depression, anxiety, PTSD, and even interpersonal violence, while boosting well-being and social connection. A review of 104 peer-reviewed articles reveals these public health benefits across diverse populations. Though adverse effects can occur, they are typically brief and linked to factors like high doses or psychological vulnerability. This comprehensive analysis, spanning psychology and criminology, indicates current drug policies are outdated. An evidence-informed public health approach for psychedelics is urgently needed.
Abstract
Abstract Psychedelic drug use is experiencing a global resurgence, both in clinical research and community settings. This paper presents a comprehe...
Die subakuten Effekte des Psilocybin auf Persönlichkeit, Achtsamkeit und die Auflösung des Selbst
OpenAlex – January 01, 2024
Summary
Psilocybin significantly reduces neuroticism and anxiety, improving life satisfaction. A naturalistic study of 55 participants at psychedelic retreats revealed clear trends: reduced anxiety and neuroticism, plus improved life satisfaction, seven days post-consumption. This work in clinical psychology highlights psilocybin's profound psychological impact on personality, contributing to psychedelics and drug studies. Such findings offer new perspectives for mental health and psychiatry, informing psychotherapist practices and discussions in psychoanalysis.
Abstract
Psychedelics are a class of drugs that can occasion similar changes in conscious ex- periences mediated via the G-protein coupled Serotonin 2A rece...
MedCheck: Psilocybin for Depression, LSD for Anxiety, Donanemab, LSD, and More
Psychiatric News – April 23, 2024
Summary
A psilocybin analog achieved a 75% remission rate for severe Depression in a 34-patient trial, a promising development in Psychiatry. This potent Hallucinogen, alongside Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), is gaining traction in Clinical psychology. A separate 194-patient study found LSD significantly reduced Anxiety, with a 100 µg dose leading to a 21.3-point average reduction. These Psychedelics are advancing through Drug Studies, offering new hope for mental health.
Abstract
Back to table of contents Previous article Next article Med CheckFull AccessMedCheck: Psilocybin for Depression, LSD for Anxiety, Donanemab, LSD, a...
“Diversity makes the richness of humanity”: The emergence and persistence of mental imagery after self-reported psilocybin truffles intake in an autistic woman with “blind imagination” (aphantasia): A 33-month retrospective case report
Journal of Psychedelic Studies – June 17, 2025
Summary
A 34-year-old autistic woman with lifelong aphantasia, unable to form mental images, experienced a profound shift after consuming psilocybin truffles. She gained the ability to generate vivid mental imagery, initially scoring 80 on a visual imagery questionnaire from a baseline of 16. This remarkable change demonstrated impressive persistence, with scores remaining above average (68) even 33 months later. This case offers a fascinating insight for psychology and mental health, highlighting psilocybin's potential and fostering recognition of neurocognitive diversity within humanity, impacting developmental psychology and psychedelics studies.
Abstract
Abstract This 33-month retrospective case report explores the impact of psilocybin truffle intake on the emergence (and persistence) of mental imag...
Superior pattern processing is the essence of the evolved human brain
Frontiers in Neuroscience – August 22, 2014
Summary
The human brain's unique capacities, from language to belief in imaginary entities, arise from "Superior Pattern Processing." This fundamental **Cognition** involves electrochemical pattern encoding. Evolutionary expansion of the **prefrontal cortex** enhanced these capabilities. Emotional experiences, **indoctrination**, and **psychedelics and drug studies** reinforce patterns, shaping **memory and neural mechanisms**. Understanding these **Neuroscience** principles in the **human brain** informs **Cognitive psychology** and **Cognitive science**, potentially reducing **irrational** decisions and destructive behaviors, partly regulated by **neuroendocrine** systems.
Abstract
Humans have long pondered the nature of their mind/brain and, particularly why its capacities for reasoning, communication and abstract thought are...
What can we learn from the history of research on psychedelic drugs in the addictions?
Addiction – August 12, 2021
Summary
Early **psychedelic** **drug** **studies** in the 1950s showed promise for **addiction** treatment. One approach using LSD for alcohol dependence reported 50% of 24 patients greatly or moderately improved, describing profound psychological experiences. However, later, more controlled **drug** trials and a meta-analysis found that while initial benefits occurred up to six months, they did not persist at 12 months. **Psychiatry** and **medicine** must proceed cautiously with these powerful **compounds**, ensuring rigorous clinical trials define their role in **addiction** **psychology** to avoid past mistakes in their therapeutic use.
Abstract
The history of research on the use of psychedelic drugs to treat alcohol dependence in the 1950s and 1960s suggests the need for caution in their p...
Culture and psychedelic psychotherapy: Ethnic and racial themes from three Black women therapists
Journal of Evolutionary Psychology – September 21, 2020
Summary
A single MDMA session proved profoundly meaningful for three African American female psychotherapists, addressing personal racialization and oppression. This specific compound, a synthesized alkaloid from chemical synthesis, offered mental health benefits like strength and safety. This finding in Clinical Psychology and Psychedelics and Drug Studies highlights how diverse ethnic group perspectives are vital. Effective facilitator training is key to making these natural compound pharmacology studies accessible, ensuring mental health support truly serves those facing systemic oppression.
Abstract
Abstract Psychedelic medicine is an emerging field of research and practice that examines the psychotherapeutic effects of substances classified as...
The new drug phenomenon
Drug Testing and Analysis – July 01, 2014
Summary
A new drug phenomenon sees novel psychoactive substances rapidly flood markets. Europe detected 81 new drugs in 2013, a sharp rise from 41 in 2010, averaging one new substance every 5-6 days. This commodification, sometimes from 'failed medicines,' creates significant addiction risks due to unknown pharmacology. Forensic toxicology and drug analysis face immense challenges. The political science of control struggles against this tide, raising engineering ethics concerns about substances influencing neurotransmitter receptors, often explored in psychedelics and drug studies.
Abstract
This special issue provides a multidisciplinary snapshot of recent developments of the broader, arguably phenomenal, changes to the drug market tha...
Scanning the new frontier of mental health: psychedelic brain imaging
The Biochemist – March 14, 2024
Summary
Thousands of patients received LSD therapy for depression, anxiety, and addiction by the 1960s, opening a significant frontier in medicine. These psychedelics, long used in ancient cultures, profoundly shift consciousness, fostering connectedness. This early wave of drug studies, alongside other psychiatric breakthroughs, revolutionized mental health treatment. Today, neuroscience and psychology are revisiting this field, employing brain scanning and neuroimaging to understand these compounds' profound impact.
Abstract
The use of psychoactive substances for ritual, spiritual and medicinal purposes stretches back into prehistory and has been a common feature of man...
Brain Entropy During Aging Through a Free Energy Principle Approach
Frontiers in Human Neuroscience – March 22, 2021
Summary
Brain entropy, a key measure of neural complexity in neuroscience, profoundly shifts with consciousness. This neurocognitive review reveals brain entropy decreases in reduced consciousness, like physiological aging, but increases in psychedelic states and psychotic conditions such as schizophrenia. Using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), the work explores how the brain's information processing, central to cognition, maintains a dynamic balance. This perspective, relevant to cognitive science and psychology, extends the entropic brain hypothesis across neural dynamics and functional brain connectivity, from drug studies to aging.
Abstract
Neural complexity and brain entropy (BEN) have gained greater interest in recent years. The dynamics of neural signals and their relations with inf...
Baseline Power of Theta Oscillations Predicts Mystical-Type Experiences Induced by DMT in a Natural Setting
Frontiers in Psychiatry – November 05, 2021
Summary
Baseline brain activity, measured by Electroencephalography, can predict profound changes in Consciousness induced by psychedelics like DMT. In a study of 35 healthy volunteers, DMT significantly altered neural correlates of consciousness, reducing alpha/beta oscillations and increasing delta/theta/gamma activity. Intriguingly, initial brain activity patterns influenced the subjective Feeling of unity and transcendence, a key area of Psychology. This suggests understanding Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior through baseline brain activity could enhance therapeutic outcomes in Psychedelics and Drug Studies.
Abstract
N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) is a classic psychedelic capable of inducing short-lasting but profound changes in consciousness. As with other psyche...
Designer drugs 2015: assessment and management
Addiction Science & Clinical Practice – March 11, 2015
Summary
Multiple deaths have occurred from designer drugs, including Mephedrone, synthetic hallucinogens, and synthetic cannabinoids. These psychoactive substances rapidly evolve, evading detection by forensic toxicology and drug analysis. Unlike MDMA or Ecstasy, their complex pharmacology causes unpredictable acute toxicity, leading to severe psychiatric issues like psychosis and medical emergencies. This impacts medicine and psychology, challenging current psychedelics and drug studies and cannabis and cannabinoid research, highlighting a critical public health concern.
Abstract
Recent designer drugs, also known as "legal highs," include substituted cathinones (e.g., mephedrone, methylone, and methylenedioxypyrovalerone, of...