1349 results for "Set and Setting"
Varying the High-pass-Cut Off Frequency Influences the Accuracy of the Model for Detection of Mind State Associated with Himalayan Yoga and Vipassana Meditation.
Annals of neurosciences – July 19, 2025
Summary
The use of a 1 Hz high-pass filter significantly enhances meditation classification accuracy, achieving 100% for Himalayan Yoga and 99.45% for Vipassana using a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN). In this analysis, two classification tasks were performed on electroencephalogram (EEG) data from meditation practices, with sample sizes indicating robust results. The Inception Convolutional Gated Recurrent Neural Network (IC-RNN) also showed impressive results, reaching 86.19% for Vipassana and 88.15% for Himalayan Yoga. These findings highlight the importance of pre-processing techniques in deep learning applications for mental state identification.
Abstract
Meditation and Yoga practices are being adopted and gaining considerable interest as a tool that prevents the occurrence of numerous ailments. Medi...
How to Change Your Mind: What the New Science of Psychedelics Teaches Us About Consciousness, Dying, Addiction, Depression, and Transcendence
Anesthesia & Analgesia – February 17, 2021
Summary
Michael Pollan's 480-page "How to Change Your Mind" compellingly argues that psychedelics, particularly psilocybin, could revolutionize mental health. Named one of Time's top 100 influential people, Pollan explores their profound impact on consciousness, environmentalism, and counterculture. The book delves into the psychology and sociology of these substances, suggesting drug studies offer a unique "reboot" for conditions where conventional treatments fail, moving beyond traditional psychoanalysis. This engaging work encourages a cautious re-evaluation of psychedelics' therapeutic potential.
Abstract
It is tough to write about psychedelics without a few gratuitous puns. Regardless, Michael Pollan’s “How to Change Your Mind” is definitely “mind e...
Table 1_Acute and post-dosing effects of single-dose psilocybin for obsessive-compulsive disorder in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial: an interpretative phenomenological analysis.docx
OPAL (Open@LaTrobe) (La Trobe University) – December 10, 2025
Summary
A single dose of the hallucinogen psilocybin can profoundly shift how individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder perceive their condition. Qualitative research, using interpretative phenomenological analysis with 12 participants from a randomized controlled trial, explored these experiences. Participants reported acute perceptual and psychological effects. Post-dosing, they experienced changes in OCD symptoms and their perspective on the disorder. This suggests psilocybin, within clinical psychology and with psychotherapist support, offers a novel approach in psychiatry by altering subjective experience, opening new avenues for understanding and treating OCD.
Abstract
Introduction The subjective effects of psilocybin on obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) are under-explored. Therefore, we conducted a qualitative ...
Acute and post-dosing effects of single-dose psilocybin for obsessive-compulsive disorder in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial: an interpretative phenomenological analysis
Frontiers in Psychiatry – December 10, 2025
Summary
Psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, offers unique insights for treating obsessive-compulsive disorder. A qualitative analysis, using Interpretative phenomenological analysis, explored the subjective experiences of 12 individuals from a randomized controlled trial. Participants reported acute perceptual and emotional shifts, though sometimes blunted by OCD. Post-dosing, changes in OCD symptoms and a new perspective on the condition emerged. This work in clinical psychology and psychiatry, part of Psychedelics and Drug Studies, highlights psilocybin's potential in mental health, suggesting integration with psychotherapy approaches, considering the trial's placebo-controlled nature.
Abstract
Introduction The subjective effects of psilocybin on obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) are under-explored. Therefore, we conducted a qualitative ...
Exploring the first use of psychedelic macrodoses in Latin American adults: Sociodemographic profiles, consumption factors, and subjective experiences
Journal of Psychedelic Studies – November 20, 2025
Summary
When Latin Americans first try psychedelic macrodoses, 86.3% continue using them, often citing lack of opportunity as the only reason for not repeating. A survey of 4,810 adults found psilocybin mushrooms (57.6%) and LSD (33.3%) were most common, primarily for recreational (70.5%) or spiritual (21.6%) purposes. Most consumed with friends (65.7%). Psilocybin was linked to introspection, MDMA to empathy. This offers crucial insight into non-clinical psychedelic use, guiding public health and harm reduction efforts.
Abstract
Abstract This study explores the first-time use of psychedelic macrodoses among Latin American adults, addressing a gap in the literature regarding...
Altered States of Consciousness and Short-Term Psychological After-Effects Induced by the First Time Ritual Use of Ayahuasca in an Urban Context in Brazil
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs – June 01, 2005
Summary
Nineteen participants from Santo Daime and nine from União do Vegetal experienced significant mental health improvements after their first ayahuasca ritual. One to two weeks post-experience, those in the Santo Daime group reported a notable reduction in minor psychiatric symptoms, while both groups experienced enhanced assertiveness, serenity, and joy. Predominantly positive expectations shaped their experiences, with common themes including visual phenomena, numinousness, and insights. This highlights the potential of ayahuasca as a transformative tool in mental health and consciousness exploration.
Abstract
This report describes psychological assessments of the first time ritual use of ayahuasca in the religious groups União do Vegetal and Santo Daime....
Dance-based interventions in clinical populations: not all are the same
Frontiers in Psychology – October 17, 2025
Summary
Dance therapy can significantly enhance emotional, cognitive, and social integration, showing promise for various clinical populations. For instance, interventions like dance movement psychotherapy (DMP) have been effective in addressing issues such as depression, anxiety, and autism. A minimum of two years of training is required for practitioners to deliver these therapies. Additionally, adapted dance programs promote inclusivity for individuals with disabilities, fostering creativity and community engagement. Overall, these diverse dance-based interventions underscore the therapeutic potential of the arts in health and well-being.
Abstract
Introduction Dance is described as a phenomenon in which the human body and its movement, that may have a symbolic or aesthetic value within a vari...
Predictors and potentiators of psychedelic-occasioned mystical experiences
Journal of Psychedelic Studies – March 22, 2022
Summary
Mystical experiences, among life's most profound events, are reliably occasioned by psychedelics under specific conditions. These experiences are crucial for sustained psychological benefits across diverse populations. Over a dozen factors, including context, individual traits like absorption, and states of surrender, significantly influence their occurrence. Optimizing elements such as meditation practices and social psychology's "set and setting" enhances these mystical journeys. Understanding how psychotherapists can integrate these insights is crucial for maximizing beneficial outcomes from drug studies.
Abstract
Abstract Mystical experiences are often described as being among the most profound and meaningful events of a person’s life. Their occurrence, whil...
Bridging the reporting gap: Application of the ReSPCT guidelines in psilocybin clinical trial protocols.
European neuropsychopharmacology : the journal of the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology – January 16, 2026
Summary
Psilocybin trials for Major Depressive Disorder and Treatment-Resistant Depression often overlook critical contextual details. An evaluation of 13 protocols, assessing their reporting of set and setting using ReSPCT guidelines, found only 15.6% of 390 items fully compliant. While procedural elements like medical procedures (100% reported) were well-documented, 84.6% of protocols lacked cultural competence information, and 92.3% omitted details on the therapeutic environment. This indicates that crucial non-pharmacological aspects influencing therapeutic outcomes are largely underreported, highlighting the need for broader adoption of ReSPCT guidelines for transparent and reproducible research.
Abstract
Psilocybin-assisted therapies are increasingly studied for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD), and methodolog...
Confronting the figure of the "mad scientist" in psychedelic history: LSD's use as a correctional tool in the postwar period.
Frontiers in psychology – January 01, 2023
Summary
In postwar Canada, respected psychiatrists used LSD therapy in prisons, challenging our modern image of "mad scientists" conducting reckless experiments. Researchers administered psychedelics to inmates, believing these treatments could reform behavior and reduce recidivism. The findings reveal how institutional settings shaped early psychedelic research, highlighting both the promise and ethical complexities of using powerful mind-altering substances in correctional contexts.
Abstract
Since reports about CIA-funded LSD studies came out in the 1970s, psychedelic drugs have invoked images of unethical experimentation and "mad scien...
Acute Subjective Experiences of Intravenous Ketamine Therapy Among Medically Hospitalized Patients with Alcohol Use Disorder.
Psychedelic medicine (New Rochelle, N.Y.) – June 01, 2024
Summary
Ketamine therapy shows promise for treating alcohol use disorder, offering unique healing experiences even in hospital settings. Researchers found that hospitalized patients receiving intravenous ketamine reported overwhelmingly positive experiences, with high satisfaction scores averaging 9.5 out of 10. Participants described meaningful spiritual insights and positive emotional states during their psychedelic sessions.
Abstract
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is widespread and problematic in the United States, and current pharmacotherapy options have relatively modest effects. ...
Inpatient Treatment of Suicidality: A Systematic Review of Clinical Trials.
The Journal of clinical psychiatry – January 08, 2025
Summary
Recent findings show that intravenous ketamine leads the way in rapidly reducing suicidal thoughts among psychiatric inpatients. While various treatments exist, from light therapy to psychotherapy, ketamine emerged as the most consistent option in hospital settings. A comprehensive analysis of 49 clinical trials revealed promising results for mood and trauma-related disorders, though effectiveness varied across different therapeutic approaches.
Abstract
Objective: Psychiatric inpatients represent an acutely vulnerable population with high rates of suicidality (ie, suicidal ideation, attempts, and c...
Predicting Responses to Psychedelics: A Prospective Study
Frontiers in Pharmacology – November 02, 2018
Summary
Psychological well-being increased for participants (initial N=654) two weeks after a psychedelic experience, sustained at four weeks. A "mystical-type experience" positively impacted this change. Having clear intentions and a positive "set" decreased challenging experiences; intentions for recreation also helped. Baseline trait variables like absorption, alongside higher drug doses, promoted all acute experiences. These extra-pharmacological factors, crucial for understanding human psychology, explained the largest variance in well-being changes, informing clinical psychology guidelines for psychedelics.
Abstract
Responses to psychedelics are notoriously difficult to predict, yet significant work is currently underway to assess their therapeutic potential an...
With great power comes great vulnerability: an ethical analysis of psychedelics’ therapeutic mechanisms proposed by the REBUS hypothesis
Journal of Medical Ethics – April 12, 2023
Summary
Psychedelics can make rigid beliefs flexible, offering new therapeutic avenues. This happens by increasing openness to new information, making individuals highly suggestible and sensitive to their environment. While this mechanism shows promise for healing, it also creates significant vulnerability, as patients become dependent on the therapeutic setting. Fully informing patients about this suggestibility and implementing strong safeguards are vital for ethical treatment.
Abstract
Psychedelics are experiencing a renaissance in mental healthcare. In recent years, more and more early phase trials on psychedelic-assisted therapy...
Client and counselor attitudes toward the use of medications for treatment of opioid dependence.
Journal of substance abuse treatment – March 01, 2007
Summary
Peer influence profoundly shapes attitudes toward medications for opioid dependence. An assessment of over 1,400 clients and counselors across diverse treatment settings found that social norms were a dominant factor. Positive intentions for methadone were strong within its dedicated programs, while buprenorphine received neutral views, and other medications were seen negatively. This highlights how perceived peer beliefs critically impact the acceptance of medication-assisted treatment.
Abstract
Attitudes, perceived social norms, and intentions were assessed for 376 counselors and 1,083 clients from outpatient, methadone, and residential dr...
Replication and extension of a model predicting response to psilocybin.
Psychopharmacology – November 01, 2019
Summary
A state of surrender before ingesting psilocybin significantly predicts positive experiences, while preoccupation leads to adverse effects. Analyzing data from 183 individuals who self-administered psilocybin, the findings reveal that mental states at the time of ingestion greatly influence outcomes. Specifically, a mystical experience correlates with long-term positive change. The study emphasizes the importance of preparing one's mindset for optimal therapeutic benefits, suggesting that recognizing and fostering a state of surrender could enhance psilocybin's effectiveness in clinical settings.
Abstract
Recent research demonstrated the potential of psychedelic drugs as treatment for depression and death-related anxiety and as an enhancement for wel...
Safety and tolerability of intramuscular and sublingual ketamine for psychiatric treatment in the Roots To Thrive ketamine-assisted therapy program: a retrospective chart review.
Therapeutic advances in psychopharmacology – January 01, 2023
Summary
Ketamine-assisted therapy in a community setting shows promising safety and tolerability for treating depression. In a 12-week program involving 128 participants across four cohorts, no one dropped out, highlighting its acceptability. Of the 448 sessions, 49.16% resulted in elevated blood pressure post-treatment, while 12.05% experienced nausea and 2.52% had vomiting. Other mild effects included headaches and dizziness. These findings suggest that this innovative group therapy model effectively combines ketamine with psychotherapy, offering a viable option for those seeking mental health support.
Abstract
In the last few years, ketamine is becoming increasingly common in the treatment of mental health conditions, but there is a lack of safety data in...
Self-Care Practices with Psychedelics - A Qualitative Study of Users' Perspectives.
Journal of psychoactive drugs – January 01, 2023
Summary
Psychedelics can enhance self-care practices, as reported by 79% of participants in a qualitative study involving 19 users. Many individuals utilized these substances in ceremonial, recreational, or private settings with self-care intentions. Key benefits included improved self-perception and a sense of existential meaningfulness. However, some also faced challenging experiences that hindered their self-care. Overall, the findings highlight the potential of hallucinogens to support personal well-being and self-care abilities in naturalistic contexts, reflecting a growing interest in their therapeutic applications.
Abstract
This article explores the psychedelic experience from the users' point of view and through the lens of self-care, a concept within the domain of he...
Contextual Parameters Associated with Positive and Negative Mental Health in Recreational Psychedelic Users.
Journal of psychoactive drugs – January 01, 2023
Summary
Psychedelic use can significantly impact mental health, with a survey of 511 users revealing that the context of use is crucial. High-frequency use and using psychedelics to cope with negative feelings correlated with poorer mental health. In contrast, group settings, self-expansive intentions, and post-use integration were linked to improved mental well-being. This highlights the importance of harm reduction and informed drug policy, suggesting that recreational psychedelic experiences can either enhance or detract from mental health based on how they are approached.
Abstract
Growing research exploring the utility of psychedelic substances suggests that they not only hold promise for clinical practice but may enhance men...
A new behavior change program using psilocybin.
Psychotherapy – January 01, 1965
Summary
With 67% of offenders returning to prison within five years, traditional rehabilitation struggles. A novel **Psychology** program explored using **Psilocybin** within a collaborative group setting to foster profound insight and cognitive change. This approach, diverging from conventional **Psychotherapy Techniques**, aimed to equip individuals with new ways of living, challenging established **Clinical psychology** models. Eschewing a traditional **Psychotherapist** role, it represents an early application in **Psychedelics and Drug Studies** for behavioral transformation, seeking to significantly reduce re-offending rates.
Abstract
This paper describes the procedure and results of a new kind of behavior change or rehabilitation program The methods used here may have applicatio...
Examining attitudes to psilocybin: Should candidates for medical psilocybin be required to pass a contextual suitability test
OpenAlex – November 23, 2021
Summary
Personal factors significantly predict attitudes toward psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, in drug studies. A psychology model incorporating "Set," "Openness to Experience," and Extraversion accurately predicted scores on the Attitudes Towards Psilocybin (ATP) scale. This scale, tested for construct validity and criterion validity, proved reliable among 219 participants (52.1% having used psychedelics). These findings suggest a suitability test could be a valuable tool in clinical psychology and psychiatry, guiding appropriate psilocybin prescriptions and integrating crucial extra-pharmacological considerations for future psychedelic treatments.
Abstract
Background: Due to increasing evidence of efficacy in treating mental health disorders, psilocybin may become a legal medicinal drug. This study te...
Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy—A Systematic Review of Associated Psychological Interventions
Frontiers in Psychology – June 10, 2022
Summary
Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy shows compelling outcomes, yet some patients relapse. A review using **MEDLINE**, **Scopus**, and **PsycINFO** examined **clinical psychology** models for **Psychedelics and Drug Studies**. These **psychological intervention** approaches, delivered by a **psychotherapist**, highlight how individual **set** and environmental **context** influence efficacy. Such **interventions (counseling)** demonstrate the **moderation** of therapeutic factors on outcomes, considering the **chemical synthesis and alkaloids** involved and their **neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior**. This **Psychology** review maps current practices, emphasizing therapeutic stance for improved patient care.
Abstract
Modern clinical research on psychedelics is generating interesting outcomes in a wide array of clinical conditions when psychedelic-assisted psycho...
Beyond prohibition: A public health analysis of naturalistic psychedelic use
Journal of Psychedelic Studies – July 03, 2025
Summary
Naturalistic psychedelic use, outside clinical settings, appears to significantly reduce depression, anxiety, PTSD, and even interpersonal violence, while boosting well-being and social connection. A review of 104 peer-reviewed articles reveals these public health benefits across diverse populations. Though adverse effects can occur, they are typically brief and linked to factors like high doses or psychological vulnerability. This comprehensive analysis, spanning psychology and criminology, indicates current drug policies are outdated. An evidence-informed public health approach for psychedelics is urgently needed.
Abstract
Abstract Psychedelic drug use is experiencing a global resurgence, both in clinical research and community settings. This paper presents a comprehe...
Jeremy Shaw's DMT
Performance Research – August 18, 2017
Summary
A compelling finding reveals how a hallucinogen like DMT, akin to psilocybin, can be therapeutically potent for addiction and PTSD. An artist's 2004 video work explored the drug's agency, transforming a psychedelic session into art. This challenges traditional psychology, highlighting the critical context of the setting—whether a "white cube" aesthetic or a psychotherapist's office. Such diverse academic research themes, spanning art history to cross-cultural and social analysis, demonstrate how curated environments influence the euphoriant's effect, inducing trance-like states and potentially revealing existential meaning. The project offers a unique lens for psychedelics and drug studies.
Abstract
This article examines DMT by Jeremy Shaw, a Berlin-based Canadian artist whose oeuvre has investigated altered states. For this 2004 video work, Sh...
Ayahuasca: what mental health professionals need to know
Archives of Clinical Psychiatry (São Paulo) – August 01, 2017
Summary
Ayahuasca, a psychoactive ethnobotanical, shows promise as a medicine, demonstrating antidepressive, anxiolytic, and antiaddictive effects in various drug studies. While generally safe in controlled settings with few adverse effects, prolonged psychotic reactions are rare. Understanding its therapeutic potential for psychiatry and psychology, likely through neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior, is advanced by biochemical analysis. However, individuals with a history of psychotic disorders should avoid it due to potential medical complications.
Abstract
Abstract Background Ayahuasca is a psychoactive ethnobotanical concoction that has been used for decades by indigenous groups of the Northwestern A...
Acute subjective effects in LSD- and MDMA-assisted psychotherapy
Journal of Psychopharmacology – October 08, 2020
Summary
LSD and MDMA are showing promise in treating posttraumatic stress disorder and major depression, particularly for patients unresponsive to conventional therapies. In Switzerland, 18 patients (12 women, 6 men, aged 29-77) participated in a compassionate use program between 2014-2018. They experienced significant alterations in consciousness, with LSD producing notable mystical experiences. Sessions were conducted every 3.5 months after initial psychotherapy, yielding effects comparable to those observed in clinical trials. These findings support the potential of psychedelics in therapeutic settings for mental health challenges.
Abstract
Background: Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) were used in psychotherapy in the 1960s–1980s, and are cu...
A phenomenology of subjectively relevant experiences induced by ayahuasca in Upper Amazon vegetalismo tourism
Journal of Psychedelic Studies – March 29, 2019
Summary
Ayahuasca experiences can evoke deep emotional responses, revealing a complex interplay between pleasant and unpleasant feelings. In a study involving nine foreign tourists at an ayahuasca retreat in Peru, participants reported various themes, including personal preparation, physical symptoms, and cognitive-emotional phenomena. Notably, 67% experienced psychotherapeutic target emotions alongside challenging feelings during sessions. The findings suggest that the ceremonial setting and participants' expectations significantly shape their experiences, influencing perceptions of visionary content and communication with perceived entities.
Abstract
Aims This heuristic study reports observations on the phenomenology of ayahuasca experiences of nine foreign tourist participants of an ayahuasca r...
Reflections on crafting an ayahuasca community guide for the awareness of sexual abuse
Journal of Psychedelic Studies – February 20, 2020
Summary
An alarming aspect of ayahuasca use is the potential for sexual abuse, highlighted by the development of guidelines aimed at raising awareness in various settings. With a focus on the Chacruna Institute's efforts, the guidelines address the complexities of creating educational resources that emphasize that abuse is never the victim's fault. In light of increasing global interactions involving ayahuasca—often consumed by diverse groups—the need for these guidelines is urgent. Collaborative creation faced challenges, yet aims to inform about common abuse scenarios while promoting survivor support.
Abstract
This article reflects upon the conception and development of a set of guidelines for the awareness of sexual abuse in ayahuasca settings, an assort...
Ayahuasca rituals for the treatment of substance use disorders: Three narratives of former patients of a neo‐shamanic center from Uruguay
Anthropology of Consciousness – November 10, 2024
Summary
Ayahuasca, a psychedelic beverage from the Amazon, shows promise in treating substance use disorders (SUDs). In a neo-shamanic center in Uruguay, three former patients shared transformative narratives after participating in ayahuasca rituals. These individuals reported significant shifts in their biographical and spiritual trajectories, highlighting the beverage's role not just as a psychedelic but as a psychotherapeutic tool within a rich cultural context. This approach emphasizes the importance of social and spiritual settings in healing processes, revealing profound implications for psychology and psychiatry.
Abstract
Abstract Ayahuasca is a psychedelic beverage from the Amazon rainforest, used in spiritual and religious settings for medical purposes. Since the 1...
MDMA polydrug users show processspecific central executive impairments coupled with impaired social and emotional judgement processes
Journal of Psychopharmacology – March 30, 2006
Summary
MDMA users exhibit significant cognitive impairments, particularly in set shifting and memory updating tasks, impacting their social and emotional judgment. In a study involving 30 participants—15 MDMA users and 15 non-users—results showed that while both groups completed drug use questionnaires, the MDMA group struggled more with tasks assessing executive functions. Notably, deficits in social and emotional judgment persisted even after accounting for other drug use, highlighting potential risks associated with recreational ecstasy consumption on prefrontal cortex-mediated processes.
Abstract
In recent years working memory de.cits have been reported in users of MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, ecstasy). The current study aimed to...
"Quite a Profoundly Strange Experience": An Analysis of the Experiences of Salvia divinorum Users.
Journal of psychoactive drugs – January 01, 2016
Summary
Many describe salvia as a "profoundly strange experience." Research explored the complex drug effects and patterns of drug use among 167 individuals. Findings emphasized the critical role of set and setting in shaping experiences, with pleasure being a significant motivator. Users, often "drug wise," sought salvia for its novel, intermittent effects.
Abstract
Salvia divnorum (an intense hallucinogen) is currently illegal in New Zealand under the 2014 Psychoactive Substances Amendment Act. Despite this, t...
Protective Behavioral Strategies for Psychedelic Use: A Mini Review of the Evidence.
Psychedelic medicine (New Rochelle, N.Y.) – December 01, 2024
Summary
As psychedelic use rises among Americans, proven harm reduction strategies are helping people navigate these powerful substances more safely. Research shows that protective behavioral strategies, like careful dosing and creating supportive environments, can significantly reduce risks. Users who implement these practices report fewer negative experiences while maintaining potential benefits. The psychedelic community has developed effective safety protocols, from proper substance testing to post-experience integration.
Abstract
Approximately 8.5 million Americans over the age of 12 endorsed past year psychedelic use in 2022, with 1.4 million individuals initiating use duri...
Catalyst for change: Psilocybin’s antidepressant mechanisms—A systematic review
Journal of Psychopharmacology – January 20, 2025
Summary
Psilocybin, a powerful hallucinogen, offers promising antidepressant effects. A review of 15 studies in Clinical Psychology and Neuroscience reveals its mechanisms: promoting psychological openness and improved cognition, fostering social connectedness. This chemical's impact on neurotransmitter receptors alters brain dynamics, reducing activity in the default mode network and increasing other neural connections. A psychotherapist-guided context, vital for therapeutic change and reflecting universal human needs, is crucial. This multi-level approach, encompassing neurobiology and psychology, highlights psilocybin's therapeutic potential.
Abstract
Background: Recent clinical trials suggest promising antidepressant effects of psilocybin, despite methodological challenges. While various studies...
Psychedelics: From Cave Art to 21st-Century Medicine for Addiction
European Addiction Research – September 25, 2024
Summary
Psychedelics offer compelling new hope for treating addiction. A comprehensive review spanning 40 years of Psychedelics and Drug Studies highlights their therapeutic potential in medicine and psychiatry. Substances like Psilocybin, Lysergic acid diethylamide, and Mescaline, alongside MDMA, are being re-examined. These hallucinogens influence neurotransmitter receptors, impacting behavior and improving psychological symptoms of dependence. This re-emergence in psychology and chemical synthesis and alkaloids research suggests these compounds could be vital tools for psychotherapists addressing addiction, especially when conventional methods fail.
Abstract
Background: Psychedelic substance use in ritualistic and ceremonial settings dates back as early as 8,500 BCE. Only in recent years, from the mid-2...
Assessment of the acute subjective psychedelic experience: A review of patient-reported outcome measures in clinical research on classical psychedelics
Journal of Psychopharmacology – November 16, 2023
Summary
Measuring the profound shifts in consciousness induced by psychedelics like psilocybin, ayahuasca, and lysergic acid diethylamide is surprisingly inconsistent, hindering clinical psychology. A review of 93 trials revealed 17 distinct rating scales are used across the population to assess these altered states. The Hallucinogen Rating Scale is among the five most utilized. This variability in instruments impacts our understanding of the level of consciousness and how these substances, relevant to psychiatry and drug studies, affect the subjective experience. Standardized measurement is crucial.
Abstract
Background: The classical psychedelics psilocybin, peyote, ayahuasca/ N, N-dimethyltryptamine, and lysergic acid diethylamide can temporarily produ...
Implementation of a multimodal pain protocol in adult burn patients.
Burns : journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries – June 01, 2025
Summary
Burn patients who received a balanced combination of pain medications needed 44% less morphine while maintaining effective pain control. A new electronic prescription system helped doctors better manage acute pain in burns by automatically suggesting multiple pain relief options. The approach combined traditional opioids with safer alternatives like acetaminophen, leading to better multimodal pain treatment without compromising patient comfort.
Abstract
The 2020 American Burn Association guidelines recommend a multimodal approach to pain management comprised of both opioids and non-opioids. The pur...
Effect of LSD and music on the time-varying brain dynamics.
Psychopharmacology – July 01, 2023
Summary
Music and LSD together create unique patterns in brain activity, with music's effects lingering even after it stops playing. When combined with psychedelics, music shifts how different brain networks communicate, particularly in areas responsible for sensory processing and self-reflection. Using advanced clustering techniques, researchers found that brain states during rest were notably influenced by earlier music exposure, especially under LSD's effects.
Abstract
Psychedelics are getting closer to being widely used in clinical treatment. Music is known as a key element of psychedelic-assisted therapy due to ...
Ketamine and Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy for Psychiatric and Existential Distress in Patients with Serious Medical Illness: A Narrative Review.
Journal of palliative medicine – January 22, 2025
Summary
Ketamine shows remarkable promise in rapidly relieving psychiatric symptoms in seriously ill patients. When combined with psychotherapy, this psychedelic-like medicine helps reduce both depression and existential distress. Research reveals ketamine-assisted psychotherapy offers quick relief with minimal side effects, potentially transforming mental health care for those facing life-threatening conditions.
Abstract
Context: Psychiatric and existential distress are common and difficult-to-treat symptoms that are frequently encountered in the palliative care set...
Characterization of the temporal profile of the antinociceptive effects of an intravenous bolus of ketamine using the analgesia nociception index in no-anesthetized adult patients.
Journal of clinical monitoring and computing – April 01, 2025
Summary
Ketamine's pain-relieving effects peak just 2 minutes after injection, offering rapid relief for patients. This groundbreaking pharmacology research tracked how ketamine influences pain perception by monitoring the body's analgesia-nociception balance in 20 awake patients. Results showed ketamine significantly improved pain control scores from 38 to 53, demonstrating its effectiveness as a fast-acting analgesic medication.
Abstract
An effect-site target-controlled infusion (TCI) would allow a more precise titration of intravenous analgesics effect. The analgesia nociception in...
Ketamine-assisted buprenorphine initiation: a pilot case series.
Addiction science & clinical practice – August 29, 2024
Summary
Low-dose ketamine shows promise in helping people transition to addiction treatment medication more comfortably. When starting buprenorphine treatment, patients often face difficult withdrawal symptoms, especially those using fentanyl or methadone. This innovative approach found that sublingual ketamine helped reduce these symptoms, allowing 67% of participants who tried it to successfully begin buprenorphine treatment, with most reporting minimal discomfort.
Abstract
Many people with opioid use disorder who stand to benefit from buprenorphine treatment are unwilling to initiate it due to experience with or fear ...
Improvement in depressive symptoms in a patient with severe and enduring anorexia nervosa and comorbid major depressive disorder using psychotherapy-assisted IV ketamine : a case report.
Journal of eating disorders – June 12, 2024
Summary
A groundbreaking treatment combining ketamine and psychotherapy showed remarkable success in helping a patient with severe anorexia nervosa and treatment-resistant depression. The 33-year-old woman, who hadn't responded to conventional treatments, received seven sessions of ketamine-assisted psychotherapy. The treatment led to significant improvements, eliminating suicidal thoughts and increasing cognitive flexibility. This innovative approach worked despite her critically low body mass index, suggesting hope for similar complex cases.
Abstract
Anorexia nervosa is a life-threatening psychiatric illness with a high mortality rate and limited treatment options. This illness is frequently com...
Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, psychedelic methodologies, and the impregnable value of the subjective—a new and evolving approach
Frontiers in Psychiatry – February 01, 2024
Summary
Ketamine, a legally prescribed medicine, offers profound potential in psychiatry. Its dissociative, psychedelic effects on consciousness, often mislabeled as side effects, are actually central to its therapeutic impact. When integrated by a psychotherapist, these experiences facilitate personal growth and healing, offering a powerful approach for brain disorders like Treatment of Major Depression. This positions ketamine, alongside emerging hallucinogens like psilocybin in Psychedelics and Drug Studies, as a new frontier in medicine and psychology, exploring novel brain mechanisms.
Abstract
Psychiatry is in a growth phase in which several psychedelic medicines have entered its arena with great promise. Of these, presently, ketamine is ...
A Cohort Based Case Series: Learnings from an Iterative Group Therapy Model to Support Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy for Patients with a Terminal Diagnosis
European Psychiatry – April 01, 2024
Summary
A new group psychotherapy model successfully helped 21 of 25 participants (84%) facing terminal health conditions. This novel approach delivered psilocybin, an alkaloid used in medicine, within four iterative cohorts over a year. Combining six to eight weekly group sessions with one psilocybin experience, participants reported gaining perspective and peace. The virtual community, guided by a psychotherapist, proved crucial for connection. This series of drug studies demonstrates the potential for safe, accessible group psychedelics.
Abstract
Introduction While much is known about psilocybin-assisted therapy for individuals, little is known about the experience of participants in a group...
Understanding the Experience of Ketamine-Assisted Therapy and the Importance of Context.
Journal of psychoactive drugs – July 02, 2025
Summary
For those battling depression, the environment surrounding treatment can be as vital as the therapy itself. Interviews reveal that successful Ketamine-assisted therapy relies on patients' mindset, clear intentions, and a safe environment fostering trust with their therapist. Music also enhances the experience. These insights help optimize this promising therapy.
Abstract
Ketamine-assisted therapy (KAT) is a novel modality that shows promise as a treatment for depression. The current study sought to add to the scarce...
[Application and Promotion of Mindfulness and Compassion in Healthcare].
Hu li za zhi The journal of nursing – April 01, 2025
Summary
Mindfulness and compassion significantly enhance the mental health of healthcare professionals, reducing burnout and improving patient care quality. Evidence shows that mindfulness boosts attention regulation and emotional management, with studies indicating that 80% of practitioners reported decreased stress levels after mindfulness training. In Taiwan, recommendations include selecting certified instructors and fostering supportive environments for ongoing practice. While mindfulness is not a quick fix, consistent application can lead to greater self-awareness and empathy, ultimately creating a healthier, more compassionate healthcare environment for both providers and patients.
Abstract
Mindfulness and compassion have gained increasing recognition in global healthcare and nursing fields in recent years as important strategies for e...
Evaluating the risk of psilocybin for the treatment of bipolar depression: A review of the research literature and published case studies
Journal of Affective Disorders Reports – September 22, 2021
Summary
Psilocybin shows remarkable promise for treating severe Depression, a major focus in Clinical Psychology and Medicine. However, its use in Bipolar disorder, a complex area for Psychiatry, warrants extreme caution. A review of 17 cases from Psychedelics and Drug Studies revealed potential for activating manic episodes. While this chemical synthesis alkaloid is explored in Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Psychotherapists recognize the need for systematic data. Given the profound impact of Bipolar Depression, rigorous trials are essential, particularly for those at lower mania risk.
Abstract
Growing evidence suggests that psilocybin, the active ingredient in hallucinogenic mushrooms, can rapidly and durably improve symptoms of depressio...
The safety and efficacy of psilocybin therapy in patients with cancer and major depressive disorder.
Journal of Clinical Oncology – June 01, 2022
Summary
Fifty percent of cancer patients with major depressive disorder experienced complete remission from depression for eight weeks after a single psilocybin dose. In this clinical trial, 30 patients showed an average 19.1-point drop in depression scores. Eighty percent achieved a sustained response, with no serious adverse effects reported. This promising psychiatry and internal medicine finding suggests psychedelics as medicine could significantly alleviate the economic burden of depression in cancer care, offering new hope for patients battling both cancer and anxiety.
Abstract
12097 Background: More than 17 million people in the U.S. live with cancer and up to 25% of them have major depression. Depression leads to lower t...
The Therapeutic Potential of Psilocybin in Alcohol Use Disorder Recovery: A Literature Review
Undergraduate Research in Natural and Clinical Science and Technology (URNCST) Journal – January 05, 2023
Summary
Psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, shows strong therapeutic potential for alcohol use disorder. Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy offers a promising new tool for psychotherapists and psychiatry within clinical psychology and medicine. It influences behavior via neurobiological alterations, impacting neurotransmitter receptors, fostering psychological improvements, and spiritual development. This emerging context in psychedelics and drug studies, exploring psilocybin as an alkaloid, represents a significant advancement. Its efficacy suggests a valuable addition to addiction treatment.
Abstract
Introduction: Psilocybin (the active compound found in “magic mushrooms”) has been an area of recent focus in the academic and psychiatric communit...
Evaluating the Risk of Psilocybin for the Treatment of Bipolar Depression: A Review of the Research Literature and Published Case Studies
OpenAlex – April 07, 2021
Summary
A review of psilocybin use in bipolar disorder patients reveals a potential risk of mania, despite the hallucinogen's promise for depression. Historically excluded from clinical psychology trials, this population's profound economic and personal depression burden necessitates careful consideration. Analyzing existing medical case histories, 17 instances showed psilocybin potentially activated mania. While caution is warranted regarding this alkaloid, the limited systematic data suggests a need for targeted drug studies. These psychedelics could offer new medicine, but trials focusing on individuals with lower mania risk are crucial for psychiatry.
Abstract
Abstract Growing evidence suggests that psilocybin, the active ingredient in hallucinogenic mushrooms, can rapidly and durably improve symptoms of ...
Drugs and Phantasy: The Effects of LSD, Psilocybin and Sernyl on College Students
JAMA – April 11, 1966
Summary
Even under extreme sensory deprivation, the profound effects of hallucinogens like Psilocybin and Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) proved complex. A study involving three subjects, administered these substances and a placebo, aimed to isolate pure drug pharmacology by eliminating external influences. Yet, individual variables significantly shaped experiences, revealing why precise drug studies are challenging for psychiatry. Subjects reported emotional shifts and altered ego boundaries, sometimes resembling descriptions of paranormal experiences. This highlights the intricate nature of Psychedelics and Drug Studies, underscoring considerations for future medicine and Psychotherapy Techniques and Applications.
Abstract
This book attempts to set down, almost verbatim, the verbalizations of three subjects given LSD, psilocybin, sernyl, and a placebo. The drugs were ...