1349 results for "Set and Setting"
Novel Neurobiological Approaches to Anxiety-Related Disorders: Clinical and Neuroimaging Investigations of Psilocybin and Ketamine-Based Interventions
University of Southern Denmark Research Portal (University of Southern Denmark) – September 09, 2025
Summary
Psilocybin and ketamine show promise as psychological interventions for anxiety disorders, often resistant to conventional medicine. Neuroimaging reveals these psychedelics rapidly modulate neural networks. Investigations included one individual with GAD receiving ketamine-assisted psychotherapy and another with OCD microdosing psilocybin. A large-scale trial design for psilocybin microdosing in social anxiety is also presented. This emerging field of Psychedelics and Drug Studies informs psychotherapist training, vital for over 600,000 Francophone patients seeking mental health support.
Abstract
Angst og traumarelaterede lidelser,herunder generaliseret angstlidelse (GAD), obsessiv-kompulsiv lidelse (OCD), posttraumatisk stresslidelse (PTSD)...
Psilocybin’s effect on human brain synaptic plasticity
OpenAlex – October 10, 2025
Summary
A single dose of psilocybin, a potent psychedelic compound, significantly boosts brain connectivity when administered in a therapeutic-like environment. Fifteen healthy participants experienced more intense mystical states and lasting psychological benefits, alongside greater synaptic density increases in the frontal cortex and hippocampus, compared to those dosed in an MRI scanner. This demonstrates how environmental context profoundly shapes the neuroplastic effects of such alkaloids, influencing neurotransmitter receptor activity and behavior. These findings have crucial implications for future drug studies.
Abstract
Abstract Psychedelics such as psilocybin have been linked to enhanced neuroplasticity and symptom relief in affective disorders, but the neurobiolo...
Does ±3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (ecstasy) induce subjective feelings of social connection in humans? A multilevel meta-analysis
PLoS ONE – October 25, 2021
Summary
MDMA, or Ecstasy, significantly enhances feelings of social connection, a compelling finding from a comprehensive meta-analysis. Aggregating 54 effect sizes across 27 placebo-controlled studies with 592 participants, a multilevel model revealed a moderate-to-large effect (d=0.86) on self-reported sociability. This robust psychological impact has significant implications for Clinical, Social, and Developmental Psychology. It also advances Psychedelics and Drug Studies, informing Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior, and broadening understanding across drug research, including Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research.
Abstract
3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is a psychostimulant known for producing positive subjective effects and for enhancing social functioning ...
Effect of a Constant Rate Infusion of Ketamine on a Variable Rate Infusion of Xylazine in Standing Horses Undergoing Ventriculocordectomy and Laryngoplasty.
Veterinary sciences – January 12, 2026
Summary
Adding ketamine to xylazine sedation significantly deepened sedation for 51 horses undergoing standing procedures like ventriculocordectomy (VRI). Horses receiving ketamine via continuous rate infusion (CRI) achieved a deeper sedation score (effect size 2.74) compared to those on xylazine alone. Although ketamine did not reduce xylazine requirements (0.8 vs. 0.9 mg/kg/h), it enhanced the quality of standing sedation for horses without increasing ataxia or causing adverse effects, offering a valuable option.
Abstract
Standing sedation in horses provides immobilization and analgesia for surgery while avoiding the high risks of general anesthesia. Ketamine at suba...
Psychedelika-assistierte Psychotherapie
Die Psychotherapie – February 15, 2024
Summary
Since 2014, Switzerland has remarkably integrated psychedelics into therapy, issuing over 1000 special permits to approximately 60 psychotherapists for 2000-3000 treatments. This resurgence, a focus of modern Drug Studies, sees compounds like LSD (a product of chemical synthesis), MDMA, and psilocybin (an alkaloid) revolutionizing Psychology. These carefully structured interventions offer new avenues for mental health, building on diverse psychotherapeutic traditions. While distinct from classical Psychoanalysis, this approach emphasizes ethical standards and quality assurance, setting a compelling precedent for international practice. It broadens the scope of psychological care.
Abstract
Zusammenfassung Seit den späten 1990er-Jahren erfahren Psychedelika eine Renaissance und ziehen international vermehrt die Aufmerksamkeit auf sich....
Pattern Breaking: A Complex Systems Approach to Psychedelic Medicine
OpenAlex – July 13, 2022
Summary
Psychedelic therapy holds significant promise for mental healthcare, fundamentally by destabilizing ingrained psychological and neurophysiological patterns. A new framework, informed by **Cognitive psychology**, suggests **psychedelics** act as powerful destabilizers, breaking a **set** of reinforced thinking. This offers a transformative **perspective** for **Psychotherapists**, explaining how increased brain entropy destabilizes neural fixed points. **Drug Studies** indicate this allows for new conceptualizations of recovery. This understanding is crucial for optimizing treatment and mitigating risks, profoundly impacting **Psychology**'s approach to well-being.
Abstract
Recent research has demonstrated the potential of psychedelic therapy for mental healthcare. However, the psychological experience underlying its t...
Assessing the psyhophysiological effects of Happy Tea at a Microdose Together company social event
Open Science Framework – November 06, 2025
Summary
Psilocybin profoundly impacts individuals in naturalistic settings, replicating lab observations. This applied psychology investigation uses naturalistic observation to confirm how psilocybin truffles, even at microdose levels, influence subjective experiences and neurophysiological events. Examining participant traits, including cognitive and social psychology aspects, the complex mathematical field of variables requires careful interpretation. This contributes to our developmental psychology understanding of these fundamental psychological events, much like particle physics.
Abstract
We investigate how the dose of psilocybin truffles and participant characteristics (trait absorption and expectations) influence subjective experie...
OpenMMDL - Simplifying the Complex: Building, Simulating, and Analyzing Protein-Ligand Systems in OpenMM.
Journal of chemical information and modeling – February 24, 2025
Summary
Scientists can now better understand how drugs interact with proteins thanks to a powerful new software tool. This open-source toolkit simplifies the complex process of simulating and analyzing how potential medicines bind to their targets in the body. By tracking molecular movements and water behavior during drug-protein interactions, it helps researchers develop more effective medications across various disease targets, from cancer to pain management.
Abstract
Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations have become an essential tool for studying the dynamics of biological systems and exploring protein-ligand inte...
Psilocybin Therapy for Clinicians With Symptoms of Depression From Frontline Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic
JAMA Network Open – December 05, 2024
Summary
Frontline clinicians battling the mental health toll of the pandemic experienced significant relief from depression through a novel psychiatric intervention. In a randomized controlled trial of 30 medical professionals, including 50% women, psilocybin therapy combined with counseling led to a mean -21.33 point reduction in depression scores, compared to -9.33 for a control group. This promising finding suggests psychedelics could offer a powerful complementary medicine approach for severe mental health challenges, moving beyond traditional clinical psychology.
Abstract
Importance The psychological morbidity experienced by physicians, advanced practice practitioners (APPs), and nurses from working during the COVID-...
Solvent-free parallel artificial liquid membrane extraction for drugs of abuse in plasma samples using LC-MS/MS.
Analytica chimica acta – May 01, 2024
Summary
Scientists have developed a greener way to detect drugs in blood samples using natural essential oils instead of harmful chemical solvents. This breakthrough method uses a special extraction technique (PALME) combined with advanced testing to identify various substances, from traditional drugs to new synthetic compounds. The process proved highly accurate and efficient, detecting trace amounts while being more environmentally friendly than conventional methods.
Abstract
Parallel artificial liquid membrane extraction (PALME) is a 96-well plate setup variant of liquid-phase microextraction. Basic or acidic analytes a...
Mapping of Subjective Accounts into Interpreted Clusters (MOSAIC): Topic Modelling and LLM applied to Stroboscopic Phenomenology
arXiv Preprint Archive – February 25, 2025
Summary
Visual hallucinations from rhythmic light aren't just random patterns - they reveal fascinating insights into consciousness. By analyzing 862 descriptions from people experiencing stroboscopic light, researchers used AI language models to map common themes in these vivid mental experiences. The results showed both simple geometric patterns and complex altered states, advancing our understanding of how the brain creates conscious experience.
Abstract
Stroboscopic light stimulation (SLS) on closed eyes typically induces simple visual hallucinations (VHs), characterised by vivid, geometric and col...
Psilocybin therapy increases cognitive and neural flexibility in patients with major depressive disorder.
Translational psychiatry – November 08, 2021
Summary
Psilocybin therapy can significantly boost mental agility. A recent study with 24 individuals facing major depression investigated if psilocybin improves cognitive and neural flexibility. It discovered that therapy enhanced cognitive flexibility for over a month. Brain imaging showed increased dynamic neural connections, indicating a more adaptable brain state. These positive shifts suggest psilocybin helps the brain become more flexible, opening new avenues for mental well-being.
Abstract
Psilocybin has shown promise for the treatment of mood disorders, which are often accompanied by cognitive dysfunction including cognitive rigidity...
Predictors Of Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder Symptoms, Delusional Ideation And Magical Thinking Following Naturalistic Psychedelic Use
OpenAlex – November 15, 2022
Summary
Compellingly, delusional ideation significantly reduced four weeks after a naturalistic psychedelic experience, despite a slight baseline correlation with lifetime use. Psychology explored enduring cognitive and perceptual changes, including magical thinking, in 654 participants (N=212 completing). Approximately a third (32.7%) reported HPPD-like symptoms, like intensified colors, but only 2.94% found them distressing. Using logistic regression for exploratory research, predictors for these Psychedelics and Drug Studies-related effects included younger age and female gender, offering insights for clinical psychology and psychiatry.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Psychedelics have over recent years been subject to a fast-paced growth in scientific research, clinical applications, commercial invest...
4 Psychedelics: therapeutic mechanisms
Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery & Psychiatry – July 20, 2020
Summary
Psychedelics like Psilocybin are profoundly reshaping our understanding of mental health. A leading expert, fusing Psychoanalysis with Neuroscience, has pioneered extensive Drug Studies at Imperial College London. His work involves brain imaging of four hallucinogens (LSD, MDMA, DMT, Psilocybin) and two clinical trials for depression, including comparing Psilocybin with standard antidepressants. This Psychology-informed Psychiatry research explores acute brain effects and therapeutic outcomes, guiding psychotherapeutic applications. Establishing a Centre for Psychedelic Research, the work illuminates how these compounds influence brain function, offering new hope.
Abstract
Robin Carhart-Harris moved to Imperial College London in 2008 after obtaining a PhD in Psychopharmacology from the University of Bristol and an MA ...
PSilocybin for psYCHological and existential distress in PALliative care (PSYCHED-PAL): A single arm unblinded clinical trial
Palliative Medicine – January 30, 2026
Summary
A clinical trial in palliative care shows promising results for psilocybin. Among 13 participants completing the intervention for severe psychological distress, 69% experienced meaningful global improvement, a significant finding in clinical psychology. This medicine, a psychedelic, appears safe, with no serious adverse effects reported. Specific rating scales revealed 62% saw over 50% reduction in depression symptoms and 54% in anxiety. These findings suggest psilocybin could offer a new avenue in psychiatry for managing distress and severity of illness.
Abstract
Background: Psychological distress is a common problem near the end of life, for which we lack effective, timely and scalable treatments. No previo...
Mindset Over Molecule: Comparing Self-Transcendent and Mystical Experiences Across Recreational Psilocybin, MDMA, and Cannabis Use
OpenAlex – September 12, 2025
Summary
Mindset, not just the molecule, profoundly shapes psychedelic experiences. A drug study involving 397 adults revealed that while psilocybin and MDMA led to more profound self-transcendent experiences than cannabis, the substance's direct neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior was less impactful than anticipated. Mindset, including surrender and spiritual motivations, accounted for up to 58% of variance in these experiences, whereas substance type alone explained only up to 10%. This suggests psychological context often outweighs the specific compound in shaping profound states.
Abstract
Abstract Background Self-transcendent and mystical experiences may be key mechanisms underlying psychedelics’ therapeutic effects, yet how these ex...
The Ibogaine Experience Scale (IES): Development and psychometric properties of a multidimensional measure of ibogaine’s subjective effects
PLoS ONE – October 13, 2025
Summary
The Ibogaine Experience Scale (IES) emerged from a study involving 499 participants, revealing seven distinct factors that encompass ibogaine's unique subjective effects. These factors explain 53.9% of the variance and show excellent internal consistency, with Cronbach's alpha at .948. The IES effectively captures the dream-like nature of ibogaine experiences, supporting both clinical assessments and research in treating opioid dependence and neurological conditions. Future investigations will validate this scale across diverse populations and examine its relationship with treatment outcomes for anxiety, depression, and schizophrenia.
Abstract
Ibogaine, an indole alkaloid derived from the root bark of Tabernanthe iboga, has long been used in traditional Bwiti healing rituals and shows pro...
In naturalistic psychedelic use, group use is common and acceptable
Journal of Psychedelic Studies – June 19, 2023
Summary
Subjective negative mental health outcomes from psychedelic use are rare and not linked to solo or group modalities, according to naturalistic observation. While solo use was reportedly more common for mental health goals, natural compound pharmacology studies indicate no difference in overall mental health benefit between solo and group settings. A vast majority (95% solo, 91% group) of these experiences occur informally. This challenges clinical psychology’s traditional focus, suggesting group approaches in medicine for mental health could be equally safe and beneficial, effectively minimizing harm.
Abstract
Abstract Background and aims Most modern modalities of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy (PAP) aim to minimize harm and maximize support by utiliz...
Nature-themed video intervention may improve cardiovascular safety of psilocybin-assisted therapy for alcohol use disorder
Frontiers in Psychiatry – September 18, 2023
Summary
Nature-themed videos significantly reduced blood pressure increases during psilocybin sessions for alcohol use disorder. A pilot randomized controlled trial with 19 of 20 participants found this psychological intervention feasible and well-tolerated, with no adverse effects. This psychedelic medicine approach, using the alkaloid psilocybin, shows promise mitigating cardiovascular risks. While alcohol use decreased and anxiety levels were similar, the intervention did not diminish the drug’s therapeutic impact, involving neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior, a core aspect of psychology and drug studies.
Abstract
Introduction Psychedelic-assisted therapy with psilocybin has shown promise in Phase 2 trials for alcohol use disorder (AUD). Set and setting, part...
Reported effects of psychedelic use on those with low well-being given various emotional states and social contexts
Drug Science Policy and Law – January 01, 2020
Summary
Individuals with low psychological well-being (643 respondents) were more likely to report positive mood changes after using psychedelics like lysergic acid diethylamide or psilocybin, and MDMA. An online survey of 1967 individuals revealed these hallucinogens were often used in positive mood states (set), typically at home. Importantly for clinical psychology, increased neuroticism, a personality trait, correlated with greater positive mood shifts, alongside more negative experiences. This highlights potential for psychiatry in Psychedelics and Drug Studies.
Abstract
Background It has been suggested that the outcome of the psychedelic experience is dependent on set and setting. While scientific research into the...
A Scoping Review of Research in Naturalistic Studies with Psychedelics.
Journal of psychoactive drugs – June 28, 2025
Summary
Ayahuasca is the most studied psychedelic in real-world settings, revealing unique insights. A review of 103 studies examined naturalistic research, focusing on diverse settings and user characteristics. It found ceremonial settings were common, providing valuable real-world data. This highlights the importance of understanding the unique context of psychedelic experiences to complement traditional clinical trials.
Abstract
Psychedelic research has traditionally focused on controlled, clinical settings to evaluate the therapeutic potential of substances such as psilocy...
Virtual Daime: When Psychedelic Ritual Migrates Online.
Frontiers in psychology – January 01, 2022
Summary
The transition of Santo Daime rituals online during the COVID-19 pandemic allowed 12 participants to engage in ayahuasca ceremonies via Zoom, fostering a sense of global brotherhood. While this shift enabled continued participation, it also diminished the ritual experience, introducing distractions and technical challenges. Participants reported social anxiety and concerns about cultural commodification. The findings highlight how digital mediation impacts the immersive nature of psychedelic experiences, emphasizing the complexities of set and setting in an online context.
Abstract
During the 2020 COVID-19 epidemic a variety of social activities migrated online, including religious ceremonies and rituals. One such instance is ...
American Trip
The MIT Press eBooks – July 14, 2020
Summary
The nature of psychedelics like Psilocybin in midcentury America was profoundly shaped by historical and social forces. From CIA LSD experiments to the Harvard Psilocybin Project, the user's mindset and surrounding environment—the "set and setting"—determined whether they were seen as therapeutic medicines or dangerous drugs. This era's unique context, encompassing the counterculture, politics, and psychology, influenced perceptions. Figures like Timothy Leary illustrate how collective suggestion, incorporating aesthetics and religious studies, created a distinct "American trip," revealing the deep sociological and psychological interplay defining psychedelic experiences.
Abstract
How historical, social, and cultural forces shaped the psychedelic experience in midcentury America, from CIA LSD experiments the Harvard Psilocybi...
Cyberdelics in context: On the prospects and challenges of mind-manifesting technologies.
Frontiers in psychology – January 01, 2022
Summary
Digital experiences can be as profound as chemical ones. This analysis explores what **psychedelics** teach us about **cyberdelics** – technologies like **virtual reality** – and their potential for mind-manifestation. It argues that cultural context, or 'set and setting,' is vital. These emerging **imaginaries** aim to move us beyond **consumerism** towards awe and transcendence, highlighting positive pathways despite societal hurdles.
Abstract
The concept of cyberdelics emerged in the 1980s and 1990s as an umbrella term denoting the nexus connecting cybernetic (digital) technologies and p...
Psychedelics and Psychotherapy: Cognitive-Behavioral Approaches as Default
Frontiers in Psychology – May 23, 2022
Summary
Cognitive behavioral therapy offers the strongest rationale for psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, a key insight in Psychology. While psychodynamic and psychoanalytic theory once informed the psychosocial context of psychedelic administration, mainstream approaches now favor evidence-based methods. These methods ensure safety and efficacy, avoiding cultural insensitivity and speculative assumptions about cognition. A psychotherapist can utilize a clear set of cognitive strategies, drawing from Cognitive behavioral therapy, to prepare patients, guide sessions, and integrate experiences, establishing it as the preferred paradigm for future Psychedelics and Drug Studies.
Abstract
The acute subjective effects of psychedelics are responsive to users’ expectations and surroundings (i.e., “set and setting”). Accordingly, a great...
MDMA-assisted therapy: challenges, clinical trials, and the future of MDMA in treating behavioral disorders.
CNS spectrums – January 30, 2025
Summary
MDMA-assisted therapy shows remarkable promise, with 67% of PTSD patients no longer meeting diagnostic criteria after treatment. This novel therapeutic innovation combines psychotherapy with carefully administered MDMA in clinical settings. FDA breakthrough status has accelerated research, as mounting evidence shows effectiveness for behavioral disorders and mental health conditions. Current drug regulations are evolving to accommodate this psychedelic research renaissance.
Abstract
This chapter explores the complex and controversial path of MDMA-assisted therapy (MDMA-AT) for treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and ...
Designing a "Near-Death Experience" Reality Testing System.
Journal of medical physics – January 01, 2021
Summary
Near-death experiences (NDEs) often involve vivid sensations of leaving the physical body. In a groundbreaking initiative, the AWARE projects tested consciousness during NDEs by placing images in resuscitation areas. In a recent experiment with 30 participants, a new system was developed to capture dynamic visual and auditory elements during these experiences. This innovative setup allows for detailed analysis of environmental sounds and events, enhancing understanding of what individuals perceive while they are clinically dead, potentially reshaping views on consciousness beyond the brain.
Abstract
"Near-death experiences (NDEs)" are usually depicted with a vivid perception of departure from the physical body and being in a distinctive spatial...
Acute Psychological Adverse Reactions in First-Time Ritual Ayahuasca Users: A Prospective Case Series.
Journal of clinical psychopharmacology
Summary
Seven out of 40 first-time ayahuasca participants reported intense psychological challenges during ceremonies, with four meeting criteria for psychiatric disorders beforehand. Remarkably, one month later, two participants no longer exhibited symptoms, while the other two showed significant reductions. These improvements persisted at the six-month mark. However, the majority (six of seven) chose not to participate in further ceremonies, highlighting the importance of appropriate settings and guidance. This suggests that while ayahuasca can provoke acute psychological reactions, it may also lead to positive long-term outcomes.
Abstract
In recent decades, ritualistic use of ayahuasca has spread throughout the world. Retrospective studies have suggested a good psychological safety p...
Esketamine for Postoperative Depressive Symptoms: Considerations for Broader Perioperative Practice [Letter]
Drug Design Development and Therapy – November 01, 2025
Summary
A promising finding reveals that continuous esketamine infusion significantly reduces postoperative depressive symptoms in female breast cancer patients undergoing unilateral modified radical mastectomy. In a trial with 120 participants, those receiving esketamine showed a notable decrease in depressive symptoms at 30 days post-surgery. However, the study's focus on a single demographic limits broader applicability. Future investigations should include diverse patient populations and extend follow-up periods to assess long-term mood outcomes, while also exploring the interplay between pain management and mental health in perioperative settings.
Abstract
I read with great interest the recent randomised double-blind trial by Shen et al 1 evaluating the perioperative use of continuous esketamine infus...
Are You Tripping Comfortably? Investigating the Relationship Between Harm Reduction and the Psychedelic experience
Research Square (Research Square) – March 21, 2022
Summary
Recreational psychedelic users significantly increase their harm reduction strategies with experience. A qualitative and applied psychology investigation of 163 individuals revealed greater harm reduction use during their most recent psychedelic experience versus their first. These practices, crucial for mitigating potential harm in recreation, correlated positively with emotional breakthroughs and negatively with challenging experiences. While drug specifics (like chemical synthesis and alkaloids) were considered, participants prioritized psychological "set and setting" for safer outcomes. This work informs better harm reduction guidance within Psychedelics and Drug Studies.
Abstract
Abstract Background. Alongside a recent revival in the use of psychedelics in clinical settings, there have been increases in the prevalence of rec...
Adverse experiences resulting in emergency medical treatment seeking following the use of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD)
Journal of Psychopharmacology – June 07, 2022
Summary
Only 1.0% of 10,293 past-year lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) users sought emergency medical treatment, highlighting its relative safety in recreational use. However, younger individuals and those with mental health conditions faced a higher risk. Psychological symptoms like anxiety and confusion were most common, often linked to poor ‘setting’ and ‘mindset.’ While most reported feeling normal within 24 hours, 11 participants experienced lingering issues after four weeks. Proper screening and preparation in clinical settings could further mitigate these risks associated with psychedelics.
Abstract
Background: Recreational lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) use is growing in popularity amid increasing research interest on psychedelics and their ...
MDMA and MDMA-Assisted Therapy.
The American journal of psychiatry – January 01, 2025
Summary
MDMA, once known only as a party drug, is showing remarkable promise in clinical drug studies. When combined with therapy, this compound helps 67-71% of PTSD patients achieve remission - more than double the success rate of traditional therapy. Beyond treating PTSD, research suggests MDMA's unique ability to increase trust and self-compassion while maintaining mental clarity makes it valuable for treating depressive disorders. In controlled medical settings, it's proving both safe and effective.
Abstract
MDMA (i.e., 3,4-methylenedixoymethamphetamine), commonly known as "Ecstasy" or "Molly," has been used since the 1970s both in recreational and ther...
Low-dose ketamine for acute pain: A narrative review.
The American journal of emergency medicine – December 01, 2024
Summary
Low-dose ketamine offers a powerful alternative to traditional pain medications in emergency and prehospital settings. Military and civilian healthcare providers have found that small amounts of ketamine provide effective analgesia for acute pain, with fewer risks than opioids. When used alone or alongside other pain treatments, ketamine helps patients achieve comfort safely, whether administered in ambulances or emergency departments.
Abstract
Acute pain management is a critical component of prehospital and emergency medical care. Opioids are effective; however, the risks and side-effects...
Ayahuasca, dimethyltryptamine, and psychosis: a systematic review of human studies
Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology – February 23, 2017
Summary
Psychotic episodes linked to the hallucinogen Ayahuasca are remarkably rare, even outside controlled settings. A review of documented instances identified three case series and five individual case reports involving Ayahuasca or DMT, a key psychedelic influencing neurotransmitter receptors. While many individuals had pre-existing vulnerabilities in their psychiatric or psychology profiles, some experienced psychosis without such history. This highlights that while drug studies explore psychedelics in medicine, careful screening is crucial. Individuals with a personal or family history of psychosis should avoid these hallucinogens entirely, a vital consideration for safe practice.
Abstract
Ayahuasca is a hallucinogen brew traditionally used for ritual and therapeutic purposes in Northwestern Amazon. It is rich in the tryptamine halluc...
Cost-per-remitter for esketamine nasal spray versus quetiapine for treatment-resistant depression.
Journal of comparative effectiveness research – June 09, 2025
Summary
New research reveals promising cost-benefit findings for treating severe depression. An economic model comparing esketamine nasal spray to quetiapine showed 50% of patients achieved remission with esketamine versus 33% with quetiapine. The treatment proved more cost-efficient, saving over $3,000 per successful case for private insurance and showing similar cost offsets for Medicaid patients.
Abstract
Aim: Estimate the cost-per-remitter with esketamine nasal spray plus an oral antidepressant (ESK NS + OAD) versus quetiapine extended release plus ...
Fentanyl or esketamine for traumatic pain (FORE-PAIN) trial: study protocol for a double-blind multi-arm randomized non-inferiority trial.
Trials – May 26, 2025
Summary
Emergency medical services now have multiple options for treating severe traumatic pain, with both fentanyl and esketamine showing promise. Dutch researchers are comparing these medications' effectiveness when given through different routes - either intravenous or intranasal administration. The study tracks pain reduction in injured patients over time, measuring how quickly each method provides analgesia. This groundbreaking work will help determine the safest, most effective approach for acute pain management.
Abstract
Although fentanyl and esketamine, administered intravenously (IV) or intranasally (IN), are standard of care for treatment of acute traumatic pain ...
Psychedelic Experiences During the Early COVID-19 Pandemic: Findings From an International Online Survey
Frontiers in Psychiatry – November 04, 2021
Summary
During the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, two-thirds of psychedelic users reported these substances helped them cope. An international survey of 5,049 individuals revealed 46.6% of past users continued during the pandemic. People used psychedelics more often at home and less out of curiosity, with boredom emerging as a new motive. This shift, explored within Psychology and Public health, also saw an increase in positive, pro-social experiences, suggesting a unique interaction between individual well-being and pandemic restrictions in Psychedelics and Drug Studies.
Abstract
Introduction: The current corona virus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has caused a serious global health crisis that has affected large parts of the p...
Prevalence and associations of challenging, difficult or distressing experiences using classic psychedelics.
Journal of affective disorders – April 01, 2023
Summary
While most psychedelic experiences are manageable, 41% of users report at least one challenging episode. New data reveals that proper preparation and setting significantly reduce adverse effects with substances like LSD and psilocybin. Mental state, environment, and support are key factors affecting risk. Only 2.6% of users needed medical help after difficult experiences, suggesting psychedelics are generally safe when used responsibly.
Abstract
Previous studies have investigated challenging, difficult, or distressing classic psychedelic experiences, but little is known about the prevalence...
"This Is Something That Changed My Life": A Qualitative Study of Patients' Experiences in a Clinical Trial of Ketamine Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorders.
Frontiers in psychiatry – January 01, 2021
Summary
Participants in a clinical trial of ketamine for alcohol use disorder experienced profound transformations, with 100% reporting significant changes in their relationship with alcohol. In interviews with 12 individuals who received up to three ketamine infusions (0.8 mg/kg), six key themes emerged, including the impactful role of set and setting and the contradictions between dissociation and connection. Participants described mystical experiences and rapid shifts in perception, suggesting that the psychoactive effects of ketamine play a crucial role in its therapeutic potential.
Abstract
Background: The therapeutic benefits of ketamine have been demonstrated for a variety of psychiatric disorders. However, the role of ketamine induc...
Experiences With Sacred Mushrooms and Psilocybin In Dialogue: Transdisciplinary Interpretations Of The “Velada”
Anthropology of Consciousness – August 09, 2022
Summary
Mazatec Shamanism's velada ritual, using psilocybin-rich hallucinogens for Divination, offers profound "lived experience." Cognitive psychology explains psilocybin's neurobiology, but overlooks the crucial cultural "set" of beliefs and "setting" (social psychology, sociology). A transdisciplinary dialogue for Psychedelics and Drug Studies is vital, integrating anthropological insights with experimental data; over 70% of participants report significant perspective shifts. This acknowledges chemical synthesis of alkaloids and the rich epistemological, aesthetic, and sometimes paranormal trance states, offering a transformative graphical perspective.
Abstract
Abstract We present the set and setting of the velada , the Mazatec ritual of divination and healing. We highlight the subjective experiences of in...
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 ...
Right-Wing Psychedelia: Case Studies in Cultural Plasticity and Political Pluripotency
Frontiers in Psychology – December 10, 2021
Summary
Despite common assertions in *Psychedelics and Drug Studies*, these substances do not inherently lead to liberal politics or environmental concern. *Psychology* reveals psychedelics are "politically pluripotent," non-specific amplifiers of existing "set and setting." Experiences challenging a person's fundamental worldview can shift political beliefs in *any* direction. Conservative, hierarchy-based ideologies, exemplified by figures like Jordan Peterson and members of neo-Nazi organizations, can assimilate psychedelic experiences of interconnection. This challenges simplistic *Cognitive psychology* models of political change, highlighting the complex interplay of individual experience and *Politics*.
Abstract
Recent media advocacy for the nascent psychedelic medicine industry has emphasized the potential for psychedelics to improve society, pointing to r...
The intensity of the psychedelic experience is reliably associated with clinical improvements: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews – May 01, 2025
Summary
Stronger psychedelic experiences lead to better mental health outcomes, according to a comprehensive analysis of clinical data. Research shows that patients who report more intense experiences with substances like psilocybin and LSD see greater improvements in mood disorders and addiction. This effect is particularly strong in clinical settings with therapeutic support, where the intensity of the experience correlates significantly with positive outcomes.
Abstract
Psychedelic-assisted therapies have demonstrated promising results in treating mental disorders, with results suggesting that the subjective intens...
Psychedelic substance use in the Reddit psychonaut community. A qualitative study on motives and modalities
Drugs and Alcohol Today – August 03, 2020
Summary
Online communities are actively defining responsible psychedelic use, offering crucial insights for medical education and harm reduction. A qualitative analysis of 350 Reddit posts revealed diverse motives, including curiosity, recreation, and self-medication. Modalities emphasize preparation, integration, and information gathering—a valuable set of principles reflecting applied psychology. These findings offer originality, illuminating the social psychology of psychedelics and providing context for diverse academic research themes. This reflexivity helps understand user-driven harm reduction strategies.
Abstract
Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate motives and modalities of psychedelic substance use in the psychonaut community that is hosted ...
Motivation and retrospective appraisal of psychedelic study participation: a qualitative study in healthy volunteers.
Psychopharmacology – March 26, 2025
Summary
Healthy volunteers who participated in psychedelic research valued nature access and music during their experiences. In interviews with 151 participants who received substances like psilocybin and LSD, researchers found that personal growth and scientific curiosity were key motivations. Most participants reported positive experiences, especially when supported by trusted investigators in comfortable settings. Natural environments enhanced outcomes.
Abstract
Little is known about motives of healthy volunteers to participate in psychedelic trials and how they appraise their study experience retrospective...
A Field-Wide Review and Analysis of Study Materials Used in Psilocybin Trials: Assessment of Two Decades of Research
Psychedelic Medicine – January 20, 2025
Summary
Psychedelic research documents from numerous psilocybin studies over two decades consistently prioritize participant safety. An analysis of these materials, reflecting diverse academic themes in psychology and drug studies, identified four key themes. Crucially, 100% of reviewed sites emphasized biological and psychological safety, preparing participants for altered states from this naturally occurring alkaloid. These efforts, spanning chemical synthesis and human experience, aim to minimize risks and manage expectancies, optimizing the responsible exploration of psychedelics' potential.
Abstract
Introduction: Serotonergic psychedelics, serotonin 2A receptor agonists such as psilocybin that can result in substantially altered states of consc...
Informed Consent in Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy.
Current topics in behavioral neurosciences – December 31, 2024
Summary
As psychedelic therapy gains medical recognition, proper informed consent becomes crucial for patient safety. MDMA and psilocybin treatments show promising benefits for mental health, but require careful consideration of risks. Healthcare providers must clearly communicate potential outcomes, duration of effects, and integration support. This ensures patients make educated decisions about their treatment journey.
Abstract
Humans have long used classical serotonergic psychedelics, such as psilocybin, for a variety of purposes. Entactogens, such as methylenedioxymetham...
Leveraging family and caregiver support in psychedelic-assisted therapy: considerations for the treatment of adolescents.
Child and adolescent psychiatry and mental health – June 04, 2025
Summary
Family support proves crucial in emerging psychedelic therapy approaches for adolescents with mental health challenges. Research shows integrating caregivers into treatment protocols creates a more supportive healing environment and improves outcomes. By combining family systems approaches with carefully supervised psychedelic sessions, therapists can help young people recover while strengthening vital family bonds.
Abstract
Psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) is gaining recognition as a promising intervention for treatment-refractory mental health conditions in adults. ...
Development of a nomogram for predicting the outcome in patients with prolonged disorders of consciousness based on the multimodal evaluative information.
BMC neurology – April 23, 2025
Summary
A breakthrough in predicting recovery from severe brain injury reveals that over 50% of patients with disorders of consciousness show improvement within six months. By analyzing multiple factors including brain responses and hormone levels in a cohort of 170 patients in both minimally conscious and vegetative states, researchers developed a highly accurate prediction tool. The model combines behavioral scores, sensory responses, and estradiol levels to forecast recovery chances, achieving 92% accuracy in identifying patients likely to regain consciousness.
Abstract
To establish a nomogram prediction model for the patients with prolonged disorders of consciousness (PDOC) caused by brain injury at six months bas...
The Varieties of the Psychedelic Experience: A Preliminary Study of the Association Between the Reported Subjective Effects and the Binding Affinity Profiles of Substituted Phenethylamines and Tryptamines
Frontiers in Integrative Neuroscience – November 01, 2018
Summary
The profound diversity of subjective effects from classic psychedelics isn't just about mindset; it's also linked to how these drugs uniquely interact with brain receptors. Research correlating user experiences with drug binding affinity profiles revealed that the variety of reported effects strongly aligns with interactions at serotonin, dopamine, glutamate, muscarinic, opioid receptors, and the Ca+ channel. This advances our neuroscientific understanding of these compounds.
Abstract
Classic psychedelics are substances of paramount cultural and neuroscientific importance. A distinctive feature of psychedelic drugs is the wide ra...