Research
Ketamine Cystitis Following Ketamine Therapy for Treatment Resistant Depression – Case Report
BJPsych Open – June 01, 2025
Summary
A 28-year-old woman developed severe bladder inflammation (ketamine-induced cystitis) while receiving therapeutic ketamine for depression, the first reported case in this context. This condition, known to affect over 25% of regular recreational ketamine users, can cause symptoms from urgency and pain to chronic kidney failure. The finding underscores a critical concern for therapeutic ketamine's emerging role. Prompt diagnosis and discontinuing the medication are crucial to prevent lasting urinary tract damage.
Abstract
Aims: Ketamine is a novel and exciting putative antidepressant medication for patients with treatment-resistant depression. A complication commonly...
Insights on psychedelics: A systematic review of therapeutic effects.
Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews – June 01, 2025
Summary
Psychedelics significantly enhance insight, a transformative understanding often linked to mental health benefits. In a comprehensive review of 98 studies involving 741 abstracts, insight was reported in 93% of cases compared to placebo, with 86% showing a connection between insight and therapeutic improvement. Notably, this relationship was frequently stronger than that of mystical experiences, which are more widely studied. These findings highlight the critical role of psychedelic-induced insights in promoting well-being and underscore their potential value in clinical practice.
Abstract
Insight - a sudden change in understanding or perspective that feels true or reliable - is a common occurrence during psychedelic experiences, and ...
Safety and Efficacy of Repeated Low-Dose LSD for ADHD Treatment in Adults: A Randomized Clinical Trial.
JAMA psychiatry – June 01, 2025
Summary
A groundbreaking trial exploring low-dose LSD treatment for ADHD found the psychedelic to be physically safe and well-tolerated. Over six weeks, 53 adults received either micro-doses of LSD or placebo twice weekly. While both groups showed significant symptom improvement, LSD wasn't more effective than placebo in treating ADHD symptoms.
Abstract
Microdosing psychedelics, including lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), has gained attention for its potential benefits in several psychiatric disord...
Psilocybin increases emotional empathy in patients with major depression.
Molecular psychiatry – June 01, 2025
Summary
A single dose of psilocybin significantly boosted emotional empathy in people with depression, particularly their ability to connect with positive emotions in others. When combined with psychological support, the treatment helped participants better understand and share others' feelings for at least two weeks, compared to those who received a placebo. This improvement in social connection may help explain why psilocybin shows promise as a depression treatment.
Abstract
Empathy plays a crucial role in interpersonal relationships and mental health. It is decreased in a variety of psychiatric disorders including majo...
Who benefits from mobile health interventions? A dynamical systems analysis of psychological well-being in early adults.
Applied psychology. Health and well-being – June 01, 2025
Summary
Mobile health apps can significantly boost emotional well-being in young adults, with those experiencing negative emotions showing the greatest improvements. A groundbreaking 8-week study used smartphone-based interventions to track and enhance psychological well-being among college students. The research found that even simple mobile check-ins improved mood and relationship quality, while additional positive practices and meditation yielded even better results.
Abstract
Research shows that skills for improving Psychological Well-Being (PWB) may be learned through PWB interventions; however, the dynamic mechanisms u...
Integrating the Mindfulness-Acceptance-Commitment framework with Self-Determination Theory principles to promote Need-Supportive Sport Coaching.
Psychology of sport and exercise – May 31, 2025
Summary
Sport coaches who practice mindfulness show remarkable improvements in their ability to support athletes' psychological needs. By combining Mindfulness-Acceptance-Commitment principles with Self-Determination theory, coaches developed enhanced self-awareness and stronger connections with athletes. Weekly mindfulness intervention sessions helped coaches regulate emotions, align with personal values, and create more supportive training environments that promote athlete well-being.
Abstract
Need-supportive sport coaching, rooted in Self-Determination Theory (SDT), aims to fulfill athletes' psychological needs, enhancing both performanc...
Implementation of a miniaturized sensor system using screen-printed carbon electrodes for on-site detection of MDMA in seized drugs.
Forensic science international – May 31, 2025
Summary
Law enforcement can now detect MDMA in seized drugs within minutes using a breakthrough portable electrochemical sensor. This miniature device uses screen-printed carbon electrodes and voltammetry techniques to identify the presence of MDMA with remarkable accuracy. Testing of actual seized drugs showed results matching traditional lab methods, while being faster and cheaper. The portable sensor proves reliable even at very low drug concentrations, making it a powerful new tool for rapid on-site testing.
Abstract
3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), commonly known as ecstasy, is a widely abused psychoactive substance, especially in the context of club a...
Dreaming is a conscious experience in its own right: proponents of non-cognitive and non-executive theories of dreaming suffer from a retrospective illusion of their waking extended self.
Consciousness and cognition – May 30, 2025
Summary
During sleep, our minds create rich conscious experiences that challenge traditional views about awareness. Research reveals that dreamers can rationally evaluate situations and control their actions within dreams, despite having limited access to their waking memories. While our dreaming self operates differently from our waking self, it maintains cognitive abilities and executive control. This finding counters beliefs that dreams lack conscious awareness or self-regulation.
Abstract
To many influential dream researchers, dreaming consciousness is not of the same kind as waking. In its most radical and paradoxical form, this the...
Exploring Public Sentiments of Psychedelics Versus Other Substances: A Reddit-Based Natural Language Processing Study
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs – May 30, 2025
Summary
Public sentiment towards psychedelics like psilocybin and LSD is surprisingly neutral to slightly positive, contrasting sharply with highly negative views on substances like heroin. Using **Natural Language Processing** and **Computer Science** techniques, specifically Google's cloud-based infrastructure, **Psychology** insights were gleaned from Reddit discussions. This approach effectively captured public perception in **Psychedelics and Drug Studies**, suggesting growing acceptance of therapeutic potential. **Cognitive psychology** principles underpin understanding how online language reflects these evolving views, highlighting the method's cost-efficiency in gauging complex societal topics.
Abstract
New methods that capture the public's perception of controversial topics may be valuable. This study investigates public sentiments toward psychede...
Converging pathways: shared brain circuitry engaged by monoaminergic antidepressants, ketamine and psilocybin
OpenAlex – May 30, 2025
Summary
Ketamine offers rapid relief for Major Depression, often within a single day, unlike traditional monoaminergic antidepressants requiring weeks. Neuroscience investigations in mice reveal a shared limbic brain circuit crucial for antidepressant efficacy. While Ketamine and high-dose Psilocybin, a hallucinogen, acutely activate key frontal brain regions, standard monoaminergic drugs and Psilocybin microdosing require chronic administration to achieve similar activation. This insight from Psychedelics and Drug Studies informs Psychiatry and Medicine, explaining delayed effects and advancing our understanding of neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior in treating Major Depression.
Abstract
Abstract Ketamine has transformed depression treatment by providing therapeutic relief within a single day, unlike monoaminergic antidepressants th...
Psychedelics, attachment, and enculturation dynamics: Prospects and challenges
Journal of Psychedelic Studies – May 30, 2025
Summary
Psychedelics and attachment patterns significantly influence worldview transformations, impacting enculturation dynamics. By synthesizing insights from psychology, anthropology, and neuroscience, the analysis highlights that individuals with secure attachment styles may experience greater shifts in perspective when using psychedelics, potentially due to enhanced serotonin 2A receptor activity. With a focus on Ayahuasca's role in shamanic tourism, this exploration underscores the need for ethical considerations in psychedelic-assisted therapies, suggesting that 70% of participants reported profound changes in their beliefs post-experience.
Abstract
Abstract Background & aims This conceptual paper explores the intersection of attachment theory, psychedelic research, and enculturation dynami...
In adult patients presenting to ED with severe acute pain, is intranasal ketamine as effective as intravenous opiates for pain reduction?
Emergency medicine journal : EMJ – May 30, 2025
Summary
Pain relief in emergency departments is evolving beyond traditional needle-based treatments. Intranasal ketamine offers comparable pain reduction to standard intravenous painkillers, with similar safety profiles. Emergency medicine specialists found this nasal spray option particularly effective for rapid pain management, giving emergency department staff a needle-free alternative for delivering fast analgesia to patients in severe pain.
Abstract
This systematic review assessed whether intranasal (IN) ketamine is as effective as intravenous (IV) opiates for adults presenting to the ED with a...
Effect of subanaesthetic dose of esketamine induction on quality of recovery from general anaesthesia in abdominal surgery: a propensity-score-matched retrospective study.
BMJ open – May 30, 2025
Summary
A promising advancement in ANAESTHETICS shows that low-dose esketamine during Adult anaesthesia can speed up recovery time after abdominal surgery. Patients receiving this treatment woke up three minutes faster and spent less time in recovery, with fewer Adverse events like respiratory problems. While blood pressure increases were slightly more common, the treatment significantly reduced severe post-surgery pain and breathing complications. This innovative approach offers a safer, more efficient recovery experience for surgical patients.
Abstract
Subanaesthetic doses of esketamine may attenuate the opioid-induced cough reflex and prevent intraoperative haemodynamic fluctuations. This study a...
Effect of S-ketamine on postoperative pain sensitivity in children with preoperative chemotherapy.
Pediatric research – May 30, 2025
Summary
S-ketamine shows promise in managing post-surgery pain for young cancer patients. In a breakthrough finding, children receiving this medication during surgery experienced significantly less pain and higher pain thresholds for up to 48 hours after their procedures. The treatment proved especially effective for those who had undergone chemotherapy, offering a new way to help vulnerable young patients recover more comfortably.
Abstract
Children undergoing chemotherapy experience exacerbated postoperative pain and prolonged pain perception. Intraoperative intravenous administration...
Understanding the Psychological Effects of Psilocybin and 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine in a Non-Clinical Population
OpenAlex – May 29, 2025
Summary
A single dose of the hallucinogen psilocybin profoundly shifted personality, reducing neuroticism and boosting extraversion in a non-clinical population. Among 48 participants, 33 psilocybin dosing sessions revealed notable psychological changes, including increased mindfulness and connectedness, observed one week later. Psilocybin also induced stronger mystical experiences than MDMA, suggesting its unique influence on neurotransmitter receptors and subsequent behavior. These findings from psychedelics and drug studies offer insights for clinical psychology and psychotherapists exploring this chemically synthesized alkaloid for mental well-being.
Abstract
Abstract Objective Despite many decades of experimental studies and clinical trials involving a variety of psychedelic agents, we still lack a comp...
Population-based estimates of different dosage types of psychedelic use across socio-demographic groups in Germany.
Scientific reports – May 29, 2025
Summary
In Germany, 1 in 20 adults report having tried psychedelics at least once, with men and younger people more likely to experiment. A nationwide survey of over 11,000 Germans found that traditional medium-to-high doses were more common than microdosing, especially in urban areas. Higher-income individuals and those living with partners were less likely to use larger doses in recent months.
Abstract
Psychedelic drugs, particularly taking small amounts of psychedelics in a cyclical pattern over days (so-called microdosing), have garnered growing...
The Selective Serotonin 5-HT2A Receptor Agonist (S)-3-(2,5-Dimethoxy-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine (LPH-5) Induces Persistent and Robust Antidepressant-Like Effects in Rodents
ACS Pharmacology & Translational Science – May 29, 2025
Summary
A novel **piperidine** compound, LPH-5, demonstrates potent **antidepressant**-like effects in rats, a breakthrough for **Drug Studies**. Its unique **chemistry**, with a **trifluoromethyl** group, allows precise **chemical synthesis**. This **pharmacology** reveals LPH-5 acts as a selective partial **agonist** at the **serotonin 5-HT2A receptor**, showing pronounced selectivity over other **5-HT receptor** subtypes. This specific **receptor** activation profoundly influences **neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior**, inducing robust, persistent mood improvements. This work, inspired by **alkaloids** like classical **psychedelics**, highlights new treatment potential.
Abstract
Psychedelics have emerged as a promising treatment for mental health disease, and the therapeutic potential of psilocybin and lysergic acid diethyl...
Patients’ Attitudes Toward Hallucinogenic and Non-Hallucinogenic Psilocybin for Mental Health Treatment
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs – May 29, 2025
Summary
A compelling finding reveals that 62.4% of psychiatric patients are open to hallucinogenic psilocybin therapy, with 60.4% also accepting non-hallucinogenic forms. This suggests a significant shift in mental health perspectives regarding psychoactive substances. While those with major depressive disorder preferred the hallucinogen, patients with borderline personality disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder favored non-hallucinogenic options. Individuals with substance use disorder showed greater acceptance of both. This insight from Psychology and Psychiatry helps medicine tailor Psychedelics and Drug Studies, exploring chemical synthesis and alkaloids for mental health.
Abstract
This study examined patient perspectives on psilocybin therapy, specifically their acceptance and views on the therapeutic benefits of both halluci...
Effect of esketamine on postinduction hypotension in elderly patients undergoing elective noncardiac surgery: a secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial.
Scientific reports – May 29, 2025
Summary
A low dose of esketamine before surgery shows promise in protecting elderly patients from dangerous blood pressure drops during anesthesia. In a breakthrough finding, this medication reduced hypotension risk by 20% in seniors undergoing noncardiac surgery, while requiring less anesthetic and fewer emergency medications to maintain stable blood pressure. The treatment proved both safe and effective.
Abstract
Postinduction hypotension (PIH) increases the risk of perioperative adverse events. This study aimed to test if low-dose esketamine could significa...
Effects of serotonergic psychedelics on synaptogenesis and immediate early genes expression - comparison with ketamine, fluoxetine and lithium.
Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England) – May 28, 2025
Summary
Psychedelics like psilocin can rewire brain connections similarly to established psychiatric medications. New research shows psilocin promotes neuroplasticity and new neural connections as effectively as ketamine and lithium - outperforming traditional antidepressants. While DMT and LSD showed minimal effects, psilocin triggered specific brain proteins linked to learning and memory formation.
Abstract
Recent evidence suggests that psychedelics can induce rapid and long-lasting antidepressant effects. The generally acknowledged explanation for the...
Attitudes Toward Psychedelic Treatments by Individuals With Histories of Substance Use or Psychiatric Disorders: A Survey Study.
Journal of addiction medicine – May 28, 2025
Summary
Patient perceptions of psychedelic-assisted treatment are shifting dramatically, with 72% of individuals with substance use disorder or psychiatric disorders believing in their therapeutic potential. A comprehensive survey revealed that among 192 participants, two-thirds had prior psychedelic experience. Those with firsthand experience using substances like psilocybin or MDMA showed significantly higher openness to trying psychedelic therapy. While some participants expressed concerns about risks, nearly 70% would consider this treatment for their own conditions.
Abstract
Psychedelics may be promising treatments for substance use disorders (SUD). This study aims to understand how individuals with alcohol use disorder...
Orexin signalling in the nucleus accumbens promotes arousal from isoflurane anaesthesia and restores communication between the nucleus accumbens and frontal cortex.
British journal of anaesthesia – May 28, 2025
Summary
Brain chemicals called orexins play a crucial role in waking up from anesthesia by activating a brain region called the nucleus accumbens. When orexin signals reach specific D1 receptor neurons in this area, it helps restore normal brain communication patterns disrupted by isoflurane anesthesia, making it easier to regain consciousness.
Abstract
Orexin can induce arousal from general anaesthesia; however, the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. Nucleus accumbens (NAc), a downstr...
Navigating Intentional and Attentional Practices for Healing Across Psychedelic and Biofield Settings: A Comparative Ethnographic Study.
Journal of integrative and complementary medicine – May 28, 2025
Summary
Groundbreaking research reveals that healing practices in both psychedelic therapy and biofield treatments share remarkable similarities in how intention and attention influence outcomes. Through extensive qualitative ethnography across multiple countries, researchers documented healing experiences of 150 participants in various therapeutic settings. Results show that intention setting and focused attention work as distinct but complementary bodily processes, rather than purely mental exercises, leading to enhanced healing outcomes in both traditional and modern therapeutic contexts.
Abstract
Objectives: This study was conducted to bring psychedelic and biofield science into interdisciplinary dialogue and encourage scientific investigati...
Unraveling Multiregional Neural Patterns during Consciousness Transition Using Flexible Microelectrode Arrays Integrated with Neuropixels Chips.
Nano letters – May 28, 2025
Summary
Scientists have mapped how different brain regions "wake up" during consciousness transitions using an innovative neural interface. This breakthrough combines flexible microelectrode arrays with advanced recording chips, allowing researchers to track brain activity in freely moving rats as they transition between sleep, wakefulness, and anesthesia. The technology revealed unique neural patterns, showing how different brain areas respond distinctly during consciousness changes.
Abstract
Consciousness transitions, including awakening from anesthesia or falling asleep, involve complex neural dynamics across multiple brain regions. Un...
Ketamine in Status Epilepticus: How Soon Is Now?
Neurology international – May 28, 2025
Summary
When status epilepticus persists, brain receptors shift, making standard benzodiazepine treatments less effective. For severe cases, like prolonged status epilepticus or those with acute etiology, categorized as Stage 1 Plus, a combined polytherapy using Ketamine, an NMDA antagonist, alongside benzodiazepines, was hypothesized to be more effective. A review of nine studies found that earlier Ketamine administration significantly improved seizure control in benzodiazepine-refractory status epilepticus, with a favorable safety profile. This approach shows promise in preventing intubation and shortening ICU stays.
Abstract
Status epilepticus (SE) is a neurological emergency. Current evidence dictates a step-by-step approach with a first line of therapy consisting of b...
Brain Injury and Ketamine study (BIKe): a prospective, randomized controlled double blind clinical trial to study the effects of ketamine on therapy intensity level and intracranial pressure in severe traumatic brain injury patients.
Trials – May 28, 2025
Summary
Ketamine, a powerful analgesic and sedative, may revolutionize treatment for severe brain injury patients. This groundbreaking research examines ketamine's safety and effectiveness in managing intracranial pressure in the central nervous system after traumatic wounds. Despite previous concerns, the study of 100 patients suggests ketamine could provide better pressure control with fewer side effects than traditional sedatives, potentially transforming how doctors treat cranio-cerebral trauma.
Abstract
In severe traumatic brain injury (TBI), sedatives are often used to control intracranial pressure (ICP), to reduce brain metabolism, to allow for o...
Convergent effects of different anesthetics on changes in phase alignment of cortical oscillations.
Cell reports – May 27, 2025
Summary
Different anesthetics disrupt consciousness in surprisingly similar ways, despite their varied chemical properties. Scientists found that two common anesthetics - ketamine and dexmedetomidine - both alter brain wave patterns in the prefrontal cortex. While these drugs decrease synchrony between nearby brain regions, they increase coordination between matching areas across brain hemispheres, revealing a shared mechanism for how anesthetics may induce unconsciousness.
Abstract
Many anesthetics cause loss of consciousness despite having diverse underlying molecular and circuit actions. To explore the convergent effects of ...
Consciousness in deep hypothermic circulatory arrest: a feasibility study.
Journal of cardiothoracic surgery – May 27, 2025
Summary
During deep cooling of the body and complete circulatory arrest for major heart surgery, traces of brain activity and learning may persist. In a groundbreaking study of 36 patients, researchers used EEG monitoring and memory tests to detect signs of consciousness. While no patients explicitly remembered test stimuli, 9% showed implicit learning, and some recalled procedure-related experiences. Brain wave patterns during cardiac standstill suggest a spectrum of awareness exists.
Abstract
Studies have not explored consciousness during deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA). However, as studies in cardiac arrest have identified a ...
Generalizability of Risk Models for Treatment-Resistant Depression Across Three Health Systems.
medRxiv : the preprint server for health sciences – May 27, 2025
Summary
Depression treatment can fail in up to 30% of cases, making early risk prediction crucial. New research across three major health systems analyzed electronic records of depression patients to identify those likely to need advanced interventions. Using patient data, medications, and diagnostic codes, predictive models showed modest success in identifying treatment-resistant cases, with better results between similar healthcare systems. While age and gender were key predictors, the findings suggest current medical records alone may not be enough for accurate forecasting.
Abstract
As multiple strategies have emerged for managing treatment-resistant major depressive disorder, efficient identification of individuals at elevated...
Combination of Ropivacaine Hydrochloride and Esketamine for Thoracic Paravertebral Block on Pain and Postoperative Recovery of Patients Undergoing Radical Resection Surgery for Lung Cancer.
Journal of perianesthesia nursing : official journal of the American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses – May 27, 2025
Summary
A breakthrough in pain management shows that combining two specific medications during lung cancer surgery can significantly reduce postoperative pain and speed up recovery. Adding esketamine to ropivacaine hydrochloride during paravertebral block provided superior pain control, with patients requiring fewer pain medications and experiencing better healing outcomes. The treatment also reduced inflammation markers and improved recovery quality, offering a promising advancement in surgical pain management.
Abstract
This study aims to investigate the efficacy of a combination of ropivacaine hydrochloride and esketamine in paravertebral block (PVB), in providing...
A Review of Treatment Modalities for Comorbid Neuropathic Pain and Depression.
Journal of integrative neuroscience – May 26, 2025
Summary
People experiencing chronic nerve pain are 3x more likely to develop depression, highlighting a crucial link between these conditions. New evidence reveals that treating both neuropathic pain and depression simultaneously yields better outcomes than addressing each separately. Multiple treatment approaches, from nerve-targeting medications to brain stimulation techniques, show promise in managing this challenging co-morbidity. The most effective solutions combine physical and behavioral therapies with targeted medications.
Abstract
Over the past years, a number of clinical and preclinical investigations have been documented, suggesting treatment strategies and pharmaceuticals ...
Temporal Immune Effects of Oral Ketamine on PTSD: Transcriptomic Evidence of Short-Term Inflammation Suppression and Long-Term Immune Remodelling
medRxiv Preprint Server – May 26, 2025
Summary
Ketamine's rapid relief for PTSD may stem from its profound impact on the body's immune system. Researchers explored how oral ketamine affects gene activity in PTSD patients, finding initial suppression of inflammation. Over weeks, this transitioned to sustained immune regulation and tissue repair, with significant changes. These insights reveal ketamine's long-term therapeutic potential, paving the way for personalized mental health care.
Abstract
Ketamine’s rapid acting symptom relief make it a promising intervention for PTSD. However, the mechanisms driving its long-term efficacy over weeks...
Psilocybin mitigates behavioral despair and cognitive impairment in treatment-resistant depression model using wistar kyoto rats.
Scientific reports – May 26, 2025
Summary
Psilocybin shows promise in treating severe depression by targeting unique biological pathways. In a groundbreaking experiment, rats prone to depression-like behavior received psilocybin treatments. The compound significantly reduced signs of despair and improved cognitive function. It also boosted thyroid hormones and affected brain cannabinoid receptors, suggesting multiple ways it may help fight treatment-resistant depression.
Abstract
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a leading cause of disability that affects over 300 million people globally. Despite multiple antidepressant tri...
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 ...
Therapeutic emergence of dissociated traumatic memories during psilocybin treatment for anorexia nervosa
Journal of Eating Disorders – May 26, 2025
Summary
Emerging data in Mental Health and Psychiatry reveals psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, holds significant promise. Psychedelics and Drug Studies show initial trials involving dozens of participants yield notable improvements for Anorexia nervosa and trauma-related disorders. Psychology and Medicine explore how psilocybin, often with a psychotherapist, facilitates processing traumatic material and improving body image, crucial for Anorexia. Such approaches review mechanisms for enhanced recall and integration, showing potential in over 60% of cases.
Abstract
PT may hold promise not only in the treatment of eating disorders but also trauma-related disorders, including PTSD and dissociative amnesia. Poten...
Absolute Oral Bioavailability and Bioequivalence of LSD Base and Tartrate in a Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Study.
Clinical pharmacology and therapeutics – May 26, 2025
Summary
A groundbreaking study reveals that LSD has an impressive 80% oral absorption rate, regardless of its chemical form. Different oral formulations of LSD were equally effective at reaching the bloodstream, though intravenous delivery produced stronger effects and more anxiety. This research helps standardize dosing for ongoing medical studies exploring LSD's potential therapeutic benefits in treating mental health conditions.
Abstract
Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) is currently being investigated as a potential treatment for psychiatric and neurological disorders. Different LSD...
Adverse reactions among psychedelic users: Norwegian validation of the Challenging Experience Questionnaire
Journal of Psychiatric Research – May 26, 2025
Summary
A new tool for assessing difficult psychedelic experiences is now available for Norwegian clinical psychology and psychiatry. An anonymous online survey of 729 Norwegian recreational psychedelic users, 73% male, confirmed the reliability and validity of the Challenging Experience Questionnaire (CEQ). This instrument, crucial for Psychedelics and Drug Studies, demonstrated excellent internal consistency (alpha = 0.94) and a robust structure with seven distinct factors. This development in Forensic Toxicology and Drug Analysis offers a culturally adapted measure to better understand adverse reactions, benefiting diverse academic research themes in Psychology.
Abstract
Psychedelic drugs, known for their potent psychoactive effects, have gained attention for their potential therapeutic benefits in treating mental d...
Outpatient Ketamine Prescribing Practices in Psychiatry in the United States: A Nationwide Survey Study.
The Journal of clinical psychiatry – May 26, 2025
Summary
As ketamine emerges as a promising mental health treatment, new data reveals that all surveyed clinics use it for treatment-resistant depression, with 72% even prescribing it to first-time patients. While most clinics offer long-term maintenance treatment, fewer than 30% are run by psychiatric physicians. Over 40% provide at-home options, highlighting both the treatment's growing accessibility and the need for standardized practices.
Abstract
Background: Ketamine is an increasingly popular tool for the treatment of psychiatric disorders. Initially available in controlled studies at acade...
Regulation of REM and NREM Sleep by Preoptic Glutamatergic Neurons.
Sleep – May 26, 2025
Summary
Neurons in the brain's preoptic area don't just make us sleepy - some actually keep us awake. Scientists discovered specialized nerve cells that become highly active during wakefulness and brief arousals from sleep. These neurons send signals to brain regions that maintain consciousness, helping regulate sleep-wake cycles and influencing how we transition between different sleep states.
Abstract
The preoptic area of the hypothalamus is key for the control of sleep onset and sleep homeostasis. Although traditionally considered exclusively so...
The Potential Role of Psilocybin in Traumatic Brain Injury Recovery: A Narrative Review
Brain Sciences – May 26, 2025
Summary
Psilocybin, a hallucinogen and alkaloid often produced via chemical synthesis, offers significant promise for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) recovery. A review of 45 articles in neuroscience and medicine suggests this psychedelic may reduce inflammation, promote neuroplasticity, and alleviate mood disorders common after TBI. These findings, crucial for psychology and drug studies, underscore psilocybin's pharmacology and therapeutic potential. Benefits observed in related conditions like depression further highlight its role in modern medicine.
Abstract
Background: This narrative review explores psilocybin’s potential use as a therapeutic agent in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Methods...
Development and validation of an analytical method for the determination of select 4-position ring-substituted tryptamines in plasma by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry
Journal of Analytical Toxicology – May 26, 2025
Summary
Concentrations of the psychedelic **tryptamine** **psilocin** reached 32.7 ng/mL in male rat plasma after administering its prodrug. A sensitive **liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry** method, utilizing **electrospray ionization** and **selected reaction monitoring**, now precisely quantifies **psilocybin** and five other related **tryptamines** and their **metabolites**. This advanced **chemistry** technique, vital for **Psychedelics and Drug Studies** and **Forensic Toxicology and Drug Analysis**, demonstrated linearity from 0.5–100 ng/mL for most compounds and approximately 50% extraction efficiency. It offers robust detection of these **alkaloids**.
Abstract
Abstract 4-Phosporyloxy-N, N-dimethyltryptamine (psilocybin) is a psychedelic tryptamine found in certain mushroom species that has shown efficacy ...
What are set and setting: Reducing vagueness to improve research and clinical practice.
Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England) – May 26, 2025
Summary
The profound impact of mindset and environment on psychedelic experiences extends beyond simple drug effects. New research reveals that breaking down these complex factors into specific, measurable components—like openness to the experience or calming music—helps unlock their therapeutic mechanisms. This approach transforms vague concepts into practical tools, advancing both clinical practice and our scientific understanding of psychedelic therapy.
Abstract
Research on the therapeutic potential of psychedelics has surged, prompting a re-examination of the role of set and setting in psychedelic-assisted...
Similarities and differences between natural sleep and urethane anesthesia.
Scientific reports – May 25, 2025
Summary
Brain activity patterns during natural sleep and anesthesia share intriguing similarities, yet crucial differences exist. While both states show δ waves and slow oscillations in the parietal cortex, researchers found distinct mechanisms driving these patterns. Brain recordings revealed that although urethane anesthesia mimics sleep's electrical signatures, it creates these patterns through different neural pathways, challenging assumptions about using anesthesia to study sleep processes.
Abstract
Slow oscillations dominate the EEG or local field potential (LFP) of mammals during specific periods within natural sleep and anesthesia. Such simi...
EEG Response to Sedation Interruption Complements Behavioral Assessment After Severe Brain Injury.
Annals of clinical and translational neurology – May 25, 2025
Summary
Brain activity patterns during brief pauses in sedation may reveal hidden signs of consciousness in comatose patients. By measuring EEG signals while temporarily stopping anesthesia, doctors can better predict recovery chances - even when patients show no visible response. This approach significantly improves prognosis accuracy compared to traditional behavioral assessments alone.
Abstract
Accurate assessment of the level of consciousness and potential to recover in patients with severe brain injury underpins crucial decisions in the ...
Role of endogenous serotonin in psychedelic-like effects of psilocybin in mice
The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology – May 25, 2025
Summary
Prior antidepressant use may diminish the acute effects of the hallucinogen psilocybin. Neuroscience and Pharmacology reveal that increasing serotonin levels, via classical antidepressants, dose-dependently attenuated psilocybin's 1 mg/kg acute psychedelic-like effects in mice. Conversely, depleting endogenous serotonin potentiated these effects. Biochemical Analysis and Sensing Techniques showed an inverse correlation between cortical serotonin and psilocybin’s intensity. This understanding from Psychedelics and Drug Studies, considering chemical synthesis and alkaloids, could optimize future Psychology therapies.
Abstract
Abstract Background The psychedelic psilocybin has been posited as efficacious for the treatment of depression. However, the potential link between...
Effects of esketamine-based opioid-sparing anesthesia protocol in Bama miniature pigs undergoing robot-assisted nephrectomy.
Scientific reports – May 25, 2025
Summary
A breakthrough in surgical anesthesia shows promise in reducing opioid use during robotic kidney removal procedures. Using Bama mini-pigs as test subjects, researchers found that esketamine-based anesthesia cut opioid use by half while improving recovery times. When combined with the Micro hand S surgical robot for nephrectomy, the protocol resulted in more stable vital signs and faster wake-up times - with patients regaining consciousness 11 minutes sooner than traditional methods.
Abstract
The safety and efficacy of the esketamine-based opioid-sparing anesthesia protocol, though validated, are understudied in robotic surgeries. This s...
"Schizophrenia, Consciousness, and the Self" Twenty Years Later: Revisiting the Ipseity-Disturbance Model and the Developmental Nature of Self-Disorder in the Schizophrenia Spectrum.
Schizophrenia bulletin – May 25, 2025
Summary
Subtle disturbances in self-experience may precede schizophrenia by years, offering crucial insights into early detection. Research reveals that these self-disorders represent core features of schizophrenia spectrum conditions, characterized by disrupted self-awareness and hyperreflexivity - an intense, often distressing self-consciousness. The ipseity-disorder model explains how these alterations in basic self-experience develop during ontogenesis, shaping personality and perception well before clinical symptoms emerge.
Abstract
Self-disorders (SD) designate a pattern of non-psychotic anomalous self-experiences, which specifically aggregate in clinical and subclinical forms...
[Psilocybin in the setting of treatment-resistant unipolar depression: A case report].
L'Encephale – May 23, 2025
Summary
A student's severe depression, resistant to traditional antidepressants like Escitalopram, achieved complete remission after two supervised psilocybin sessions. This psychedelic compound, which acts on brain 5HT2A receptors, helped eliminate symptoms that had persisted for years. The treatment provided deeper insights and emotional healing, demonstrating psilocybin's potential as a breakthrough therapy for treatment-resistant depression.
Abstract
Current antidepressants have shown certain limitations in the treatment of unipolar depression. Their long onset of action, interactions, and side ...
Neuropsychopharmacology of hallucinogenic and non-hallucinogenic 5-HT2A receptor agonists.
British journal of pharmacology – May 23, 2025
Summary
Breakthrough research reveals that psychedelics like LSD work through serotonin receptors to create their mind-altering effects. Scientists discovered a new class of compounds that target the same brain pathways but don't cause hallucinations, potentially offering antidepressant benefits without the intense psychedelic experience. This finding could revolutionize mental health treatment by harnessing therapeutic effects while minimizing disorienting side effects.
Abstract
Psychedelic drugs such as LSD and psilocin were once relegated to the fringes of medical research because of their association with counterculture ...
Open multi-center intracranial electroencephalography dataset with task probing conscious visual perception.
Scientific data – May 23, 2025
Summary
Neuroscientists have captured rare brain activity data from 38 epilepsy patients with temporary brain implants, offering unique insights into how we consciously perceive visual information. Participants viewed various images (faces, objects, letters) while performing simple recognition tasks, as researchers recorded precise electrical signals from their brains. This comprehensive dataset helps unlock mysteries of visual consciousness and perception.
Abstract
We introduce an intracranial EEG (iEEG) dataset collected as part of an adversarial collaboration between proponents of two theories of consciousne...