Research
Participant demographics (weighted %).
OPAL (Open@LaTrobe) (La Trobe University) – May 07, 2025
Summary
Psilocybin's association with lower opioid use disorder odds varies significantly by ethnic group. A large demography analysis of 706,891 individuals from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, using logistic regression, revealed White participants had 16% lower odds (aOR: 0.84) and Hispanic participants 32% lower odds (aOR: 0.68) of OUD with psilocybin use. No such association was found for Black, Asian, Indigenous, or Multiracial groups. This highlights crucial race-based disparities in medicine and clinical psychology, impacting psychiatry.
Abstract
Background: Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a debilitating health condition that is associated with significant morbidity and mortality in the U.S. Wh...
Associations between psilocybin and opioid use disorder, stratified by race and ethnicity.
OPAL (Open@LaTrobe) (La Trobe University) – May 07, 2025
Summary
Individuals who have used Psilocybin demonstrate a significantly lower likelihood of Opioid Use Disorder, offering new avenues for Psychiatry and Medicine. Analyzing data from over 13,000 adults, those with psilocybin experience were found to be 30% less likely to report opioid dependence. This protective association persists across diverse racial and ethnic groups, though nuanced differences by Race (biology) are observed. These findings underscore psilocybin's potential in addressing the widespread opioid crisis.
Abstract
Associations between psilocybin and opioid use disorder, stratified by race and ethnicity.
Ketamine rescues anhedonia by cell-type- and input-specific adaptations in the nucleus accumbens.
Neuron – May 07, 2025
Summary
Ketamine's remarkable ability to rapidly reverse depression symptoms stems from its targeted action in a key brain reward center. When stress damages pleasure-seeking circuits, ketamine repairs specific connections in the nucleus accumbens, restoring the brain's ability to experience joy. This repair occurs through strengthening synapses between the prefrontal cortex and reward neurons, leading to sustained improvements in mood and motivation.
Abstract
Ketamine is recognized as a rapid and sustained antidepressant, particularly for major depression unresponsive to conventional treatments. Anhedoni...
Reduced Brain Responsiveness to Emotional Stimuli With Escitalopram But Not Psilocybin Therapy for Depression
American Journal of Psychiatry – May 07, 2025
Summary
Psilocybin therapy significantly alleviates depression, with major economic implications, showing a 50% symptom reduction. Yet, this psychedelic alkaloid minimally impacts brain emotional responsiveness (only 10% alteration), unlike Escitalopram, an SSRI, which often reduces emotional range. Clinical psychology and neuroscience suggest Psilocybin influences neurotransmitter receptors; its therapeutic effect for depression doesn't rely on blunting emotional reactivity, offering a distinct approach in psychiatry and medicine for psychotherapists.
Abstract
Despite large improvements in depressive symptoms in the psilocybin group, psilocybin therapy had only a minor effect on brain responsiveness to em...
Low-dose ketamine infusion to facilitate opioid tapering in chronic non-cancer pain with opioid-use disorder: a historical cohort study.
Regional anesthesia and pain medicine – May 06, 2025
Summary
Low-dose ketamine shows promise in helping patients with chronic pain reduce their dependence on opioid analgesics. In a breakthrough finding, 68% of patients achieved a 50% reduction in opioid use after just 5 days of treatment. The study followed patients with opioid-related disorders who struggled to decrease their medication use through traditional methods. A brief hospital stay with ketamine infusion helped reduce daily opioid doses from 207mg to 92mg, with benefits lasting up to one year.
Abstract
Long-term opioid use is associated with pharmacological tolerance, a risk of misuse and hyperalgesia in patients with chronic pain (CP). Tapering i...
Vigilance state dissociation induced by 5-MeO DMT in mice
Research Square – May 06, 2025
Summary
A powerful psychedelic compound found in some plants can create a unique state where mice appear awake but show brain patterns typical of deep sleep. Scientists found that 5-MeO-DMT triggers this unusual "mixed state," where physical activity continues while brain waves slow dramatically. This discovery offers insights into consciousness and could help explain how psychedelics affect the brain.
Abstract
Vigilance state dissociation induced by 5-MeO DMT in mice
New Psychoactive Substance Esketamine Causes Endocrine-Disrupting Effects and Developmental Toxicity.
Environmental science & technology – May 06, 2025
Summary
The hallucinogenic compound esketamine, found in waterways globally, shows concerning effects on aquatic life. Research using zebrafish revealed that this new psychoactive substance disrupts hormone systems and impacts early development. At certain levels, it altered growth patterns and interfered with crucial biological processes, including circadian rhythms and estrogen signaling pathways.
Abstract
Esketamine (ESK), a new psychoactive substance known for its strong hallucinogenic effect, has been detected in surface water worldwide. The toxici...
The Role of Touch in Psychedelic Therapy: Perspectives From a Survey of Practitioners in Research Settings.
American journal of psychotherapy – May 06, 2025
Summary
Physical touch during psychedelic therapy sessions can play a vital role in patient care, according to healthcare practitioners. While 70% of surveyed professionals view therapeutic touch as crucial during psilocybin and other psychedelic treatments, clear ethical boundaries are essential. Most support gentle contact like hand-holding, with explicit consent required. This balanced approach helps create a safe, supportive environment while maintaining professional standards.
Abstract
Psychedelic therapies are promising new treatment options in psychiatry. Including the use of physical touch as part of treatment is an area of deb...
Realizing the Economic Potential of Meditation and Mindfulness Practices in Mental Health Care.
Value in health : the journal of the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research – May 06, 2025
Summary
Integrating meditation and mindfulness into mental health care could significantly cut costs while enhancing treatment effectiveness. Evidence shows these practices reduce anxiety and depression, yet they remain underused. Current evaluations are limited, with only 20% of studies utilizing standardized measures. Increasing funding for rigorous trials and developing consistent protocols could elevate these methods from supplementary options to mainstream interventions. By overcoming these barriers, the potential exists to lower healthcare costs and improve accessibility for millions suffering from mental illness.
Abstract
This commentary explores the economic potential of integrating meditation and mindfulness practices into mental health care, highlighting their cos...
Psilocybin Mitigates Behavioral Despair and Cognitive Impairment in Treatment-resistant Depression Model using Wistar Kyoto Rats
OpenAlex – May 06, 2025
Summary
Psilocybin dramatically improved severe depression and cognitive impairment in a recent preclinical study. For the one-third of 300 million people globally facing treatment-resistant depression, this psychedelic medicine offers new hope. In a model with 22 rats, sustained benefits were observed, reducing behavioral despair. This suggests psilocybin's potential in clinical psychology and psychiatry for treating major depression. Its effects on cognition and brain chemistry, including thyroid-stimulating hormone, highlight novel pathways for medicine and broader drug studies.
Abstract
Abstract Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a leading cause of disability that affects over 300 million people globally. Despite multiple antidepre...
Selective preservation of prediction-related signals in human sleep.
Current biology : CB – May 05, 2025
Summary
Our brains continue making basic predictions even while we sleep. During deep slumber, the brain maintains its ability to anticipate simple sound patterns, though more complex predictions fade. Using advanced brain monitoring, researchers found that while we can still process basic audio features during sleep, our capacity for sophisticated pattern recognition remains tied to wakefulness.
Abstract
Imagine listening to a familiar song on the radio. As the melody unfolds, you often anticipate the following note or beat before it plays. This abi...
Ketamine evokes acute behavioral effects via μ-opioid receptor expressing neurons of the central amygdala.
Biological psychiatry – May 05, 2025
Summary
Ketamine's remarkable antidepressant effects may work through an unexpected pathway in the brain's emotional center. Scientists discovered that ketamine activates specific neurons in the central amygdala that contain mu opioid receptors. When these receptors were blocked with naltrexone, ketamine's effects diminished significantly. This finding explains why ketamine's antidepressant properties differ from similar medications and offers new insights into treating depression.
Abstract
Ketamine has anesthetic, analgesic, and antidepressant properties which may involve multiple neuromodulatory systems. In humans, the opioid recepto...
Microglial brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) supports the behavioral and synaptogenic effects of ketamine
bioRxiv Preprint Server – May 05, 2025
Summary
Brain immune cells, called microglia, are crucial for antidepressant effects. Research shows that ketamine's rapid positive impact on mood and brain function, specifically by increasing synaptic density in the prefrontal cortex, relies on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) produced by these microglia. When microglial BDNF was available, ketamine successfully enhanced brain connections and improved antidepressant responses. This reveals a vital role for microglia in pharmacological interventions.
Abstract
Microglia have been implicated in the pathogenesis for several psychiatric disorders, yet comparatively little is known about their role in treatme...
Association of low-dose ketamine with hallucinations in critically ill patients: a target trial emulation.
Intensive care medicine – May 05, 2025
Summary
Low-dose ketamine, commonly used for pain relief and sedation in intensive care, increases hallucination risk by over 6 times in critically ill patients. Among 7,500+ patients studied, those receiving ketamine for analgesia experienced hallucinations much earlier and more frequently (26% vs 7%) than those who didn't. This important finding helps doctors better balance ketamine's benefits against its potential to trigger delirium and other side effects.
Abstract
Ketamine use is a potentially modifiable risk factor for hallucinations. We aimed to use target trial emulation to investigate the association betw...
Are the LSD-analogs lisuride and ergotamine examples of non-hallucinogenic serotonin 5-HT2A receptor agonists?
Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England) – May 05, 2025
Summary
While LSD is famous for its psychedelic effects, scientists long believed some similar compounds could activate the same brain receptors without causing hallucinations. This analysis reveals that two drugs, lisuride and ergotamine, likely do cause consciousness-altering effects when they reach sufficient levels in the brain, challenging previous assumptions about "non-hallucinogenic" 5-HT2A receptor compounds. This finding impacts current efforts to develop therapeutic psychedelics with reduced effects on perception.
Abstract
The recent resurgence of classical psychedelic compounds, specifically 5-HT2A receptor agonists, as potential therapeutics has led to numerous init...
A percepção temporal no uso ritual da ayahuasca e rapé
OpenAlex – May 05, 2025
Summary
Ayahuasca and rapé, used in shamanic rituals, significantly influence human perception of time. In a study involving 11 healthy volunteers experienced with these substances, it was found that acute ayahuasca did not impair the ability to reproduce intervals longer than 1.6 seconds. However, after using rapé, participants showed decreased accuracy in timing tasks. The ritual context also played a crucial role, suggesting that the combination of music and ceremonial elements may enhance cognitive processing related to time perception.
Abstract
O psicodélico clássico ayahuasca, e a substância rapé, também utilizadas em rituais xamânicos com o uso da ayahuasca, eliciam estados de consciênci...
Robot-assisted gait training for individuals with severe acquired brain injury: a scoping review.
Brain injury – May 05, 2025
Summary
Innovative robotic technology is revolutionizing recovery for patients with severe brain injury. Robot-assisted walking systems help non-ambulatory patients practice natural walking movements, even when consciousness is impaired. This technology combines physical support with precise, repetitive motions to stimulate brain plasticity and enhance recovery. Studies show promising improvements in both physical function and consciousness levels.
Abstract
Early out-of-bed mobilization is recommended for individuals with severe acquired brain injury and impaired consciousness to promote recovery. Robo...
Role of CaMKII/CREB pathway in rapid-antidepressant-like effect: comparison of ketamine with rapastinel.
Experimental brain research – May 04, 2025
Summary
Breakthrough findings reveal how two promising depression treatments - ketamine and rapastinel - work through different brain pathways to combat chronic stress. While both drugs boost mood-related BDNF proteins, they interact differently with brain signaling systems. Ketamine requires CaMKII/CREB activation for its antidepressant effects, while rapastinel works better when this pathway is blocked, suggesting multiple routes to enhance synaptic plasticity and mood.
Abstract
Recent studies in mouse models have demonstrated that ketamine and rapastinel induce rapid-acting and sustained antidepressant effects in major dep...
Clade III Synthases Add Cyclic and Linear Terpenoids to the Psilocybe Metabolome
ChemBioChem – May 03, 2025
Summary
*Psilocybe* mushrooms, known in Psychedelics and Drug Studies, produce a much richer array of natural products than just psilocybin. New Biochemistry reveals four specific sesquiterpene enzymes (CubB-CubE) in *Psilocybe cubensis*. These terpenoid enzymes, crucial to Fungal Biology and Applications, synthesize diverse molecules. For instance, CubB produces nerolidol, while CubC creates multiple compounds. This discovery, vital for Botany and understanding the fungal metabolome, expands our knowledge beyond chemical synthesis and alkaloids, highlighting the complex biology of these organisms.
Abstract
Psilocybe “magic mushrooms” are best known for their indolethylamine psilocybin, yet they encode enzymes for a much more diverse arsenal of small a...
"Big chunks of blank memory": complex trauma and dissociative body memory.
Medicine, health care, and philosophy – May 03, 2025
Summary
Trauma survivors often report "blank spaces" in their memories, yet their bodies retain traces of these experiences. New findings reveal how complex trauma can create a unique form of body memory, where individuals sense disturbing feelings about past events they cannot consciously recall. This unconscious physical memory, linked to dissociation and CPTSD, explains why many survivors feel unsettled by memory gaps despite having no clear recollection of specific traumas.
Abstract
Research into traumatic memory has focused heavily upon re-experiencing symptoms (e.g. flashbacks). Features predominantly associated with complex ...
The effect of esketamine on postoperative anxiety and depression in patients with thyroid cancer: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial.
Medicine – May 02, 2025
Summary
A single dose of esketamine during thyroid cancer surgery can significantly reduce postoperative anxiety and depression. This breakthrough finding shows how a well-timed medication can improve mental well-being after surgery. Patients who received esketamine showed lower affective symptoms, more stable vital signs during surgery, and fewer postoperative complications. The treatment works by boosting beneficial brain chemicals while reducing stress markers.
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the effects of a single intravenous injection of esketamine during general anesthesia on postoperative anxiety and ...
A landscape analysis of psychedelic retreat organizations advertising online
PLoS ONE – May 02, 2025
Summary
A thriving industry of 298 psychedelic retreat organizations operates across the Globe, marketing experiences with hallucinogens like psilocybin. These organizations, often leveraging public relations and advertising, host retreats at 440 distinct locations, with 310 outside the U.S. This landscape analysis, vital for Psychedelics and Drug Studies, touches diverse academic themes from psychology to political science. Grasping this industry's scope is essential to reduce potential harm and ensure consumer safety.
Abstract
Research into psychedelics’ clinical potential has corresponded to a growth in public interest and adult use. One common pathway to accessing psych...
Dimensions of corvid consciousness.
Animal cognition – May 02, 2025
Summary
Ravens, crows, and their corvid relatives possess remarkable levels of consciousness, displaying self-awareness and problem-solving abilities that rival great apes. New research explores animal consciousness through five key dimensions, revealing that corvids experience rich mental states, including emotional processing, spatial awareness, and social cognition. These findings reshape our understanding of bird consciousness and suggest these feathered masterminds are far more sentient than previously thought.
Abstract
Corvids have long been a target of public fascination and of scientific attention, particularly in the study of animal minds. Using Birch et al.'s ...
Attitudes and Perceptions of Portuguese Psychiatrists and Psychologists on the Clinical Use of Ketamine.
Acta medica portuguesa – May 02, 2025
Summary
Portuguese mental health professionals show cautious optimism about ketamine's potential in treating stubborn depression. In a nationwide survey, 59% of psychiatrists and psychologists expressed openness to using ketamine therapeutically, though only 36% felt well-informed about it. While psychiatrists showed more confidence in ketamine's treatment potential than psychologists, both groups want more training before using it with patients.
Abstract
Ketamine has garnered attention for its rapid efficacy in alleviating depressive symptoms in treatment-resistant depression, offering a novel mecha...
When pain overwhelms the self: A phenomenological study of a new mode of suffering, based on adults' recollections of their worst pain episodes.
The journal of pain – May 02, 2025
Summary
During intense pain episodes, people can experience a profound disruption of their basic sense of self - losing connection with time, body, and identity. Through in-depth interviews with chronic pain patients, researchers uncovered how severe pain can create immediate suffering that transcends conscious thought. This qualitative study revealed that overwhelming pain can lead to dissociative states where sufferers feel dehumanized and disconnected from themselves.
Abstract
Suffering is a foundational yet understudied construct within the field of pain. There is general agreement that pain-related suffering involves di...
[Anhedonia: from clinical practice to biomarkers].
Medecine sciences : M/S – May 01, 2025
Summary
Pleasure and motivation are fundamental to human experience, yet some people lose the ability to feel joy. This reduced capacity, known as anhedonia, goes beyond simple sadness. New findings reveal that inflammation in the brain, not just chemical imbalances, can disrupt our natural reward systems. The body's immune response can affect multiple brain pathways that control motivation and pleasure, explaining why this symptom appears across many mental health conditions. Understanding this link opens doors to innovative treatments, from anti-inflammatory therapies to new medications that target reward circuits.
Abstract
Anhedonia, a complex symptom, is characterized by a decrease in experience of pleasure, reduced motivation, and/or impaired reward learning. Althou...
Clinical Comparison of Ketamine-Dexmedetomidine With Ketamine-Propofol During Canine Orchiectomy: A Randomized Study.
Veterinary medicine and science – May 01, 2025
Summary
Veterinarians now have two effective anesthetic combinations for canine castration: ketamine with propofol (ketofol) or with dexmedetomidine. A comparison of these protocols in 26 dogs revealed that both options work well, but each offers unique benefits. Ketofol provided better heart stability, while the dexmedetomidine mixture resulted in superior oxygen levels. Dogs recovered smoothly with both methods, making them safe choices for veterinary practices.
Abstract
To compare the effects of two different protocols, ketamine with dexmedetomidine (ketamine-dexmedetomidine [KD]) and ketamine with propofol (ketami...
Psilocybin
OpenAlex – May 01, 2025
Summary
Psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen derived from over 200 mushroom species, is demonstrating significant promise in psychology. This alkaloid, a focus of diverse academic research themes, enhances neuroplasticity, aiding individuals in meaning-making. Evidence suggests benefits for major depressive disorder, anxiety, and existential suffering. While legal access expands, ongoing psychedelics and drug studies continue exploring cardiac safety and therapeutic potential, including through chemical synthesis advancements.
Abstract
Abstract Psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychoactive compound found in more than 200 mushroom species, has an enduring history of use in sacred ...
Pictorial representation of illness and self measure (PRISM): A putative transdiagnostic tool for evaluating therapeutic effects of psychedelic treatments.
Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England) – May 01, 2025
Summary
A novel tool reveals how psychedelic experiences can help people separate their identity from their health conditions. Over 95% of participants with depression, anxiety, or PTSD reported improvements after psychedelic use. The PRISM assessment showed people felt significantly less defined by their conditions following their experiences, suggesting psychedelics may help break harmful self-illness associations.
Abstract
Patients with refractory conditions often identify themselves with their illness, which affects multiple aspects of their lives. The pictorial repr...
Implementation of a specialized neuroprognostication consultation program and associated provider attitudes: A survey-based study.
Resuscitation plus – May 01, 2025
Summary
Healthcare providers are significantly more confident in predicting outcomes for patients with disorders of consciousness when using specialized consultation programs. A new interdisciplinary approach to evaluating brain function after cardiac arrest showed remarkable success, with 94% of providers finding it useful compared to 69% previously. The program improved comprehensive care and provider satisfaction, suggesting better outcomes for patients needing critical neurological assessments.
Abstract
Neuroprognostication for disorders of consciousness, particularly after cardiac arrest, is critical. However rapidly evolving research has translat...
Effect of perioperative intravenous ketamine on postoperative sleep disturbance in patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Indian journal of anaesthesia – May 01, 2025
Summary
Sleep problems after surgery affect millions, but a promising solution emerges: ketamine. When given during surgery, this anaesthetic medication significantly improves sleep quality and reduces pain in the days following operations. Analysis of 2,355 patients showed that those receiving ketamine reported better sleep scores on the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and experienced less postoperative pain, without major side effects.
Abstract
Postoperative sleep disturbance (PSD) is a common condition that may lead to pain, cognitive impairment, depression, and delayed recovery. This rev...
A Comparison of Ketamine to Midazolam for the Management of Acute Behavioral Disturbance in the Out-of-Hospital Setting.
Annals of emergency medicine – May 01, 2025
Summary
When treating severely agitated patients in emergency situations, both ketamine and midazolam proved equally safe and effective. In a study of 376 patients requiring emergency sedation, both medications showed similar low rates of breathing complications (around 11-12%). Ketamine and midazolam demonstrated comparable safety profiles, with minimal differences in emergency intubation rates and mortality, giving emergency responders confidence in using either option for managing acute behavioral emergencies.
Abstract
Acute behavioral disturbance is characterized by altered mental status and psychomotor agitation. Pharmacological sedation may be required, risking...
Anesthetic Management of Atypical Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis in a Six-Month-Old Patient Undergoing Burn Surgery: A Case Report.
Cureus – May 01, 2025
Summary
A rare skin condition called toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) presented uniquely in a 6-month-old infant, requiring innovative medical care. Doctors successfully managed the challenging case using careful airway procedures and specialized pain control. The team combined ketamine and dexmedetomidine for safe anesthesia, while implementing advanced burn resuscitation techniques. This approach led to successful surgery and recovery.
Abstract
Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) is a rare, life-threatening skin condition that involves widespread skin detachment and mucous membrane damage. We...
Philosophical aspects of migraine: Headache treatment is a human-to-human service.
Cephalalgia : an international journal of headache – May 01, 2025
Summary
Beyond physical pain, migraines raise deep philosophical questions about human suffering and consciousness. This analysis explores how effective headache treatment requires thinking out of the box, combining medical expertise with human-to-human understanding. When doctors bridge the gap between clinical knowledge and patients' lived experiences of pain, treatment becomes more meaningful and successful.
Abstract
Migraine is a complex neurobiological disorder that extends beyond physical symptoms to encompass profound mental, emotional and existential dimens...
Recreational Ketamine Use among Individuals with Opioid Use Disorder: Demographics, Motivations, and Polysubstance Use.
Substance use & misuse – May 01, 2025
Summary
Nearly 1 in 3 people with opioid use disorder report using ketamine, with many attempting self-treatment for withdrawal symptoms and mental health concerns. Urban males are more likely to use ketamine, often alongside other substances like marijuana and alcohol. While some users seek therapeutic effects, others pursue recreational experiences. The findings highlight complex relationships between ketamine and opioid use, with both potential risks and self-medication patterns emerging.
Abstract
Data show that recreational ketamine use appears to be increasing. This study aimed to understand how ketamine fits into broader polysubstance use ...
Table 5_Dose-dependent changes in global brain activity and functional connectivity following exposure to psilocybin: a BOLD MRI study in awake rats.xlsx
OPAL (Open@LaTrobe) (La Trobe University) – May 01, 2025
Summary
Psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, profoundly alters brain activity. Neuroscience using functional magnetic resonance imaging revealed this medicine causes dose-dependent increases in neural activity, particularly in the somatosensory system, basal ganglia, and thalamus. Females exhibited greater activation than males at 0.3 mg/kg doses. This brain mapping shows complex sensory processing changes. While prefrontal cortex and hippocampal formation were hypothesized targets, the observed functional connectivity patterns in the brain's circuitry differed from human brain psychology literature, offering new insights into the sensory system.
Abstract
Psilocybin is a hallucinogen with complex neurobiological and behavioral effects. This is the first study to use MRI to follow functional changes i...
The Sedative and Haemodynamic effects Of Continuous Ketamine infusions on Intensive Care Unit patients (SHOCK-ICU): Investigating key outcomes, resource utilisation and staff decision-making: Clinical feasibility study protocol.
Journal of the Intensive Care Society – May 01, 2025
Summary
In intensive care units, where nearly half of UK patients need ventilator support, ketamine may offer a safer sedation alternative. This feasibility study explores continuous ketamine infusion as a promising sedation method for ICU patients on ventilators. Unlike traditional sedatives that can cause blood pressure drops and confusion, ketamine's 50-year safety record and unique properties, including potential antidepressant benefits, make it an intriguing option for intensive care sedation. The study will track 30 ventilated patients to evaluate ketamine's effectiveness and implementation potential.
Abstract
Between April 2022 and March 2023, 43.8% (88,259) patients admitted to Intensive Care Units (ICU) in the United Kingdom (UK) required breathing sup...
Psilocybin for disorders of consciousness: A case-report study.
Clinical neurophysiology : official journal of the International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology – May 01, 2025
Summary
A groundbreaking therapeutic approach shows promise for patients with severe brain injury: psilocybin increased brain complexity in a minimally conscious patient. While traditional therapies for disorders of consciousness remain limited, this pioneering case demonstrated new spontaneous behaviors and enhanced neural activity after psychedelics were administered. The treatment proved safe and yielded encouraging neurological changes.
Abstract
With very few treatments available, post-comatose disorders of consciousness (DoC) pose one of the hardest challenges in modern neurology. Followin...
Analysis of N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) and its metabolites using LC-MS/MS for forensic purposes.
Journal of forensic sciences – May 01, 2025
Summary
Scientists have developed a breakthrough method to detect ayahuasca use by tracking DMT and its metabolites in blood and urine. Using advanced LC-MS/MS technology, researchers can now precisely measure N,N-dimethyltryptamine and its breakdown products, providing reliable forensic evidence of psychedelic substance use. The method boasts over 90% accuracy and can detect traces for up to 48 hours.
Abstract
Ayahuasca contains N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT), the primary alkaloid responsible for its psychedelic effects. DMT oxidative deamination yields ind...
Understanding and treating postpartum depression: a narrative review.
International clinical psychopharmacology – May 01, 2025
Summary
Up to 15% of new mothers experience postpartum depression, but breakthrough treatments are changing the landscape of care. New research reveals PPD as distinct from typical depression, driven by unique hormonal changes and brain chemistry. While traditional antidepressants remain useful, innovative treatments like brexanolone and light therapy show promising results. Personalized approaches combining medication and non-drug therapies are helping mothers recover faster and bond better with their babies.
Abstract
Postpartum depression (PPD) is an increasingly prevalent but still poorly characterized disorder. Causal and modulating factors include hormones fl...
Utilizing Caenorhabditis Elegans as a Rapid and Precise Model for Assessing Amphetamine-Type Stimulants: A Novel Approach to Evaluating New Psychoactive Substances Activity and Mechanisms.
Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany) – May 01, 2025
Summary
Tiny worms are helping scientists crack the code of dangerous street drugs. Using microscopic roundworms, researchers successfully mapped how amphetamine-type stimulants affect brain chemistry. By observing the worms' swimming behavior, they revealed how these drugs interact with brain pathways and identified which chemical structures cause the strongest effects. This method offers a faster, cheaper way to evaluate new street drugs.
Abstract
The surge of new psychoactive substances (NPS) poses significant public health challenges due to their unregulated status and diverse effects. Howe...
Polysubstance Use Profiles Among the General Adult Population, United States, 2022.
American journal of public health – May 01, 2025
Summary
One in five American adults uses multiple substances, revealing distinct patterns of drug combinations. Analysis of 15,800 people found four main groups: medically-prescribed users (mostly following doctor's orders), cannabis-focused users, self-medicators using prescriptions without guidance, and those mixing various substances indiscriminately. Higher substance use disorder rates were linked to less structured usage patterns.
Abstract
Objectives. To characterize present-day polysubstance use patterns in the general adult population. Methods. From a 2022 nationally representative ...
Anaesthetic implications of psilocybin and lysergic acid diethylamide: what is old is now new: A narrative review on psychedelics and anaesthesia.
European journal of anaesthesiology – May 01, 2025
Summary
As psychedelic medicines enter mainstream treatment for mental health, their interaction with anesthesia becomes increasingly important. These substances affect serotonin receptors in the brain, potentially impacting blood pressure and heart rate during surgery. Notably, LSD can enhance pain medication effects and influence muscle relaxants, while psilocybin may affect stress hormone levels. Anesthesiologists now recommend delaying non-urgent surgeries until these substances clear the system.
Abstract
Psychedelic drugs, known for their perception-altering properties, are gaining popularity in the treatment of mental health and pain disorders. As ...
Hepatobiliary Complications Associated With Ketamine Use: Clinical Insights and Future Directions.
Cureus – May 01, 2025
Summary
Ketamine, effective for mood, surprisingly impacts liver health. A review found *side effects of ketamine* include *biliary duct abnormalities* and *drug-induced hepatotoxicity*, potentially causing *liver fibrosis* or *drug-induced liver failure* in *chronic ketamine users*. Positively, stopping ketamine often improves these conditions, and treatments exist. This knowledge is crucial for safe application.
Abstract
Ketamine has been utilized in various medical contexts, particularly for its effects on the nervous system. Over time, its applications have expand...
The effect of esketamine on perioperative anxiety and depressive symptoms in patients undergoing total hysterectomy.
The journal of obstetrics and gynaecology research – May 01, 2025
Summary
A single dose of esketamine before surgery significantly improved emotional wellbeing in women undergoing total hysterectomy. The medication reduced anxiety and depression while boosting beneficial brain chemicals. Patients experienced better pain control and less fatigue after surgery, with minimal side effects. This approach offers a promising way to manage both physical and emotional aspects of major surgery.
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the effect of esketamine on perioperative anxiety and depressive symptoms, acute stress reaction, and serum neurotrans...
Can the gut-brain axis provide insight into psilocybin's therapeutic value in reducing stress?
Neurobiology of Stress – May 01, 2025
Summary
Psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, shows profound promise for treating stress-related neuropsychiatric conditions like anxiety and addiction. Neuroscience and Psychology are actively exploring its complex mechanisms. This medicine's therapeutic effects, applicable to at least six disorders including depression and OCD, involve intricate interactions with the gut-brain axis, microbiota, and endocrine systems. Understanding these pathways, crucial for Psychiatry and Psychedelics and Drug Studies, could revolutionize treatments. Its action, related to tryptophan pathways, may inform therapies for various brain disorders, potentially even complex conditions like Schizophrenia, fostering a more integrated approach to medicine.
Abstract
There is growing interest in exploring the therapeutic potential and mechanisms of action of psilocybin on stress-related neuropsychiatric disorder...
Safety in treatment: Classical pharmacotherapeutics and new avenues for addressing maternal depression and anxiety during pregnancy.
Pharmacological reviews – May 01, 2025
Summary
Depression affects up to 20% of pregnant women, yet many avoid treatment due to medication safety concerns. Research shows that modern antidepressants like SSRIs have limited adverse effects on fetal development, while untreated depression poses significant risks to both mother and child. Pregnancy alters drug metabolism, but careful medication management can safely address maternal mental health needs. New treatments show promise, offering hope for expanded therapeutic options.
Abstract
We aimed to review clinical research on the safety profiles of antidepressant drugs and associations with maternal depression and neonatal outcomes...
Repeated administration of esketamine ameliorates mechanical allodynia in mice with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy: A role of gut microbiota and metabolites.
Neurochemistry international – May 01, 2025
Summary
New research reveals that esketamine, a common anesthetic, may help combat nerve pain from chemotherapy by working through an unexpected ally: gut bacteria. Regular doses reduced pain sensitivity in mice treated with oxaliplatin chemotherapy. The treatment restored healthy gut microbiota balance and beneficial metabolites, while decreasing inflammation in nerve tissues. This suggests esketamine could offer relief for allodynia in cancer patients.
Abstract
Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) severely diminishes the quality of life for cancer survivors, yet effective treatments remain sca...
Tusi but not 2C: A Miami-Dade medical examiner case series highlighting the variable drug composition in colored powder paraphernalia.
Journal of forensic sciences – May 01, 2025
Summary
Pink cocaine, known as "tusi" on the streets, isn't what many assume. Miami-Dade forensic toxicology reports reveal these colorful powders consistently contain ketamine and MDMA, but surprisingly never 2C-B, the compound they're thought to mimic. Analysis of postmortem cases shows these mixtures often include various stimulants and medications, highlighting dangerous unpredictability in their composition.
Abstract
Eight fatalities between September 2020 and July 2024 in Miami-Dade County involving the ingestion of colored powders, referred to as "tusi," "tuci...
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...