Research
Psychedelic Therapy: A Primer for Primary Care Clinicians—5-Methoxy-N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT)
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Summary
A recent clinical trial shows the psychedelic 5-MeO-DMT, found in Sonoran Desert toad venom, rapidly reduced severe depression. An impressive 57.5% of participants with treatment-resistant depression remitted within eight days. This ultra-short-acting compound shows promise for psychiatric conditions. While current evidence is encouraging, from trials with up to 193 participants, further investigation in larger clinical trials will clarify its long-term benefits.
Abstract
Background: 5-Methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT), also officially known as Mebufotenin, is a naturally occurring serotonergic psychedelic a...
Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses of Ketamine Therapy for Depression (2020–2024) A Comparative Evidence Summary
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Summary
A new comprehensive report distills insights from over 25 systematic reviews and meta-analyses published since 2020 on ketamine therapies for depression. This vital resource offers a clear comparison of intravenous ketamine, esketamine nasal spray, and oral formulations. It details differences in patient response rates, remission rates, and speed of symptom relief, alongside the durability of benefits. The report also examines the impact of combining ketamine with psychotherapy, providing an accessible overview for anyone seeking reliable evidence on these emerging treatments.
Abstract
This report summarizes more than 25 systematic reviews and meta-analyses published between 2020 and 2025 on ketamine-based therapies for depression...
Psychedelic Therapy: A Primer for Primary Care Clinicians – Part II. Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD)
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Summary
LSD demonstrates significant therapeutic promise, with 77% of participants experiencing durable relief from anxiety and depression for a year following treatment. Though once banned, clinical trials confirm adverse events like anxiety or nausea are almost always mild and transient. Single-dose LSD regimens also improved alcohol use disorder, showing an odds ratio of 1.96. While these findings are compelling, establishing optimal dosing strategies and patient selection criteria remains crucial for broader clinical application.
Abstract
Background: Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) is a hallucinogenic agent. In the mid-20th century, it was used to augment psychoanalysis and to treat...
Ketamine Cystitis in a Female Patient on Short-term Ketamine Therapy for Treatment Resistant Depression: Case Report (Preprint)
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Summary
A 28-year-old woman developed severe bladder pain after receiving ketamine for treatment-resistant depression, marking the first reported case of ketamine-induced cystitis at therapeutic doses. While ketamine provided an excellent antidepressant response, with symptoms resolving within three weeks of stopping, over 25% of recreational users experience this complication. Clinicians should monitor for urinary symptoms in patients using ketamine for depression, despite its up to 71% positive response rate for treatment-resistant cases.
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ketamine has been shown to be a novel and exciting antidepressant medication in patients with treatment-resistant depression. A complica...
Intranasal Racemic Ketamine Maintenance Therapy for Patients with Treatment-Resistant Depression: A Naturalistic Feasibility Study
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Summary
Intranasal ketamine shows promise for long-term depression relief, with all five patients experiencing benefits in a novel maintenance program. Over up to 14 sessions across 192 days, with a mean dose of 220 mg, participants showed decreased depressive symptoms and improved quality of life. The treatment proved feasible and well-tolerated, with no serious adverse events. Minor side effects included anxiety and nausea. This innovative hospital-to-outpatient approach offers a potentially safe and effective option for severe, treatment-resistant depression.
Abstract
Abstract Background Ketamine is a promising therapy for treatment-resistant depression due to its rapid onset, although benefits are often transito...