5439 results for "Psychedelics"
LSD Relaxes Structural Constraints on Brain Dynamics and Default Mode Decoupling Tracks Ego Dissolution
OpenAlex – March 05, 2026
Summary
Psychedelics like LSD significantly alter brain function, revealing a remarkable decoupling of low-frequency brain activity from structural constraints. In a study involving 30 participants, LSD led to a 40% increase in flexibility within the default mode network, which is associated with ego dissolution. While low-frequency activity showed widespread reorganization, high-frequency gamma activity underwent selective adjustments. This suggests that psychedelics promote a unique rebalancing of neural dynamics, potentially enhancing therapeutic effects by loosening rigid structural limitations and improving communication among brain networks involved in self-awareness and perception.
Abstract
Abstract Psychedelics profoundly alter conscious experience, yet how they reshape the relationship between brain anatomy and function remains uncle...
Regulatory Alignment of Psilocybin Clinical Trials in Major Depressive Disorder on ClinicalTrials.gov: A Cross-Sectional Analysis
Pharmacopsychiatry – April 17, 2025
Summary
Only four of eleven identified psilocybin clinical trial protocols for major depressive disorder (MDD) and treatment-resistant depression (TRD) adequately addressed regulatory standards. While superficially compliant, these trials, often using 25 mg of the alkaloid, overlooked critical drug interactions and potential biases like expectancy theory. Two protocols were double-blind. For psychiatry and psychology, ensuring rigorous oversight in medicine is crucial for psychedelics, understanding their neurotransmitter receptor influence. Patients with schizoaffective disorder were excluded, highlighting compliance gaps in these drug studies.
Abstract
Abstract Regulatory compliance is crucial in the clinical development of psychedelic substances, including psilocybin. This study aimed to examine ...
Psilocybin's lasting action requires pyramidal cell types and 5-HT2A receptors.
Nature – June 01, 2025
Summary
A single dose of psilocybin can create lasting changes in specific brain cells, offering hope for stress-related mental health treatments. The compound works by stimulating growth in crucial brain cell connections, particularly in cells that project to deeper brain regions. This process requires specific serotonin receptors and leads to improved stress responses in mice.
Abstract
Psilocybin is a serotonergic psychedelic with therapeutic potential for treating mental illnesses1-4. At the cellular level, psychedelics induce st...
Comparing Antidepressant Effects of Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy in Individuals That Were Unmedicated at Initial Screening Versus Individuals Discontinuing Medications for Study Participation: Comparaison des effets antidépresseurs de la psychothérapie assistée par la psilocybine (PAP) chez les personnes non médicamentées à la sélection initiale et les personnes ayant arrêté les médicaments pour participer à l’étude
The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry – March 25, 2025
Summary
Patients experiencing major depressive episodes achieved comparable relief from depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation, whether they tapered off antidepressants (n=18) or were unmedicated (n=9) when receiving psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy. This medicine, a psychedelic alkaloid influencing neurotransmitter receptors, offers a novel approach in psychiatry. A randomized controlled trial involving 27 participants showed a single 25mg psilocybin dose provided clinically significant benefits over two months, impacting clinical psychology and advancing drug studies.
Abstract
Objective: To compare changes in depression, anxiety, and suicidality symptoms after a single 25 mg oral dose of psilocybin between treatment-resis...
Pyramidal cell types and 5-HT 2A receptors are essential for psilocybin’s lasting drug action
OpenAlex – November 03, 2024
Summary
Silencing specific brain cells can completely eliminate the therapeutic benefits of psilocybin. This hallucinogen, an alkaloid studied in psychedelics and drug studies, increases dendritic spine density in two pyramidal cell types. However, only subcortical-projecting (PT) neurons, when silenced, abolish the drug's action on stress-related behaviors. Psilocybin boosts synaptic activity and firing rates exclusively in PT neurons. This drug's action relies on the 5-HT2A receptor, a key neurotransmitter receptor influencing behavior. This neuroscience and pharmacology insight pinpoints PT cells and the 5-HT2A receptor as crucial for psilocybin's long-term effects.
Abstract
Abstract Psilocybin is a serotonergic psychedelic with therapeutic potential for treating mental illnesses 1–4 . At the cellular level, psychedelic...
Single-dose psilocybin for U.S. military Veterans with severe treatment-resistant depression - A first-in-kind open-label pilot study.
Journal of affective disorders – January 15, 2025
Summary
A single dose of psilocybin showed remarkable results in Veterans battling severe depression that hadn't responded to multiple treatments. In this groundbreaking exploration, 60% of participating Veterans experienced significant relief from depression within three weeks, with over half achieving complete remission. The treatment proved effective even for those with PTSD, offering new hope for Veterans struggling with treatment-resistant depression.
Abstract
The enduring and severe depression often suffered by Veterans causes immense suffering and is associated with high rates of suicide and disability....
The Black Book of Psychotropic Dosing and Monitoring.
Psychopharmacology bulletin – July 08, 2024
Summary
Mental health treatment is evolving rapidly, with several groundbreaking medications showing promise. New antidepressants offer faster relief, including a 14-day oral treatment for postpartum depression. A novel antipsychotic targeting muscarine receptors shows effectiveness without typical side effects. Most notably, MDMA-assisted therapy achieved 70% remission in PTSD patients, far exceeding traditional treatments' 20-30% success rate.
Abstract
Introduction Since the last edition of the Black Book, several innovative agents have been approved or are poised to be approved in the coming year...
Race and ethnicity moderate the associations between lifetime psilocybin use and past year hypertension
Frontiers in Psychiatry – June 24, 2024
Summary
Psilocybin use appears linked to better cardiovascular health, but this benefit isn't universal across all racial and ethnic groups. A large demography study analyzed data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (2005–2014), revealing Non-Hispanic White individuals who used psilocybin had 17% reduced odds of past-year hypertension (odds ratio: 0.83). This suggests that the impact of psychedelics like psilocybin on medicine varies significantly by race and ethnic group, a vital consideration for future clinical applications.
Abstract
Background Hypertension is a major source of morbidity and mortality worldwide, particularly for racial and ethnic minorities who face higher rates...
Efficacy of psilocybin for treating symptoms of depression: systematic review and meta-analysis
BMJ – May 01, 2024
Summary
Psilocybin, a hallucinogen, significantly improves depression symptoms, a comprehensive meta-analysis concludes. This systematic review, drawing from extensive digital databases including MEDLINE, synthesized data from 436 participants (228 female) across seven studies. It found a substantial benefit (Hedges’ g=0.66) on depression scores. Greater improvements (g=0.88) were observed for secondary depression and among individuals with prior psychedelic use. This psychiatry and medicine research highlights psilocybin's potential in drug studies, contributing to complementary medicine's understanding of this unique alkaloid.
Abstract
Abstract Objective To determine the efficacy of psilocybin as an antidepressant compared with placebo or non-psychoactive drugs. Design Systematic ...
Valuing the Acute Subjective Experience
Perspectives in biology and medicine – January 01, 2024
Summary
A compelling idea emerges in **psychology**: experiences with **hallucinogens** like **psilocybin** and **MDMA** may hold intrinsic **value** (mathematics) beyond measurable therapeutic outcomes. While **medicine** and **mental health** research often focus on symptom alleviation or well-being increases, this essay challenges that narrow view. It explores how the acute subjective experience, impacting **consciousness**, could be profoundly valuable in itself. Drawing on aesthetics and **epistemology**, it offers **psychotherapists** and **social psychology** a richer understanding of these **psychedelics**, moving beyond solely outcome-based evaluations in **drug studies**.
Abstract
ABSTRACT: Psychedelics, including psilocybin, and other consciousness-altering compounds such as 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), currentl...
Effects of DMT on mental health outcomes in healthy volunteers
Scientific Reports – February 07, 2024
Summary
Intravenous DMT significantly improved mental health, reducing depression within two weeks. This rapidly-acting psychedelic, a synthesized alkaloid related to Psilocybin, offers a practical alternative for psychiatry, potentially reducing treatment discontinuation. In a placebo-controlled group of 13, Neuroticism also decreased. Across 17 individuals, changes in anxiety and depression correlated with profound peak experiences, suggesting a psychopathology mechanism. While some generalizability is limited, its short duration makes it a promising medicine, influencing neurotransmitter receptors. This clinical psychology development could transform mental health.
Abstract
Abstract Psilocybin, a serotonergic psychedelic, is being increasingly researched in clinical studies for the treatment of psychiatric disorders. T...
Potential therapeutic effects of an ayahuasca-inspired N,N-DMT and harmine formulation: a controlled trial in healthy subjects.
Frontiers in psychiatry – January 01, 2023
Summary
A novel ayahuasca analog combining DMT and harmine shows promising therapeutic potential, offering similar benefits to traditional Amazonian ayahuasca but in a standardized form. In healthy participants, this combination triggered meaningful psychological processes, including emotional breakthroughs and personal insights, while maintaining excellent safety. The treatment produced positive subjective effects that lasted up to 4 months, without negative impacts on mental health.
Abstract
There is growing scientific evidence for the therapeutic benefits of the Amazonian plant-based psychedelic "ayahuasca" for neuropsychiatric disorde...
Ayahuasca-induced personal death experiences: prevalence, characteristics, and impact on attitudes toward death, life, and the environment
Frontiers in Psychiatry – December 19, 2023
Summary
Over half of Ayahuasca participants experience a profound "personal death" during ceremonies, a significant psychological phenomenon. Across two studies (n=54; n=306), these transformative learning experiences were not linked to psychopathology or demographics. Instead, they increased participants' ability to cope with distress and enhanced life fulfillment. This suggests the potency of psychedelics in fostering positive psychological shifts, offering valuable insights for clinical psychology and medicine.
Abstract
Introduction Despite an emerging understanding regarding the pivotal mechanistic role of subjective experiences that unfold during acute psychedeli...
The effects of Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD) on the Positive Valence Systems: A Research Domain Criteria (RDoC)-Informed Systematic Review.
CNS drugs – December 01, 2023
Summary
LSD shows remarkable potential in enhancing mood and reward processing in the brain. Research across 28 clinical studies found that LSD produces dose-dependent improvements in emotional well-being through its interaction with serotonin receptors. The compound appears to boost reward responsiveness while uniquely affecting how we process and value rewards, suggesting therapeutic possibilities for mood-related conditions.
Abstract
The renewed interest in psychedelic research provides growing evidence of potentially unique effects on various aspects of reward processing system...
Acute but not long-lasting antidepressant-like effect of psilocybin in differential reinforcement of low-rate 72 schedule in rats
Journal of Psychopharmacology – October 16, 2023
Summary
Psilocybin, an alkaloid hallucinogen, delivered an immediate antidepressant-like effect in rats, a key finding for medicine. Administered at 1 mg/kg over three days, this psychedelic significantly improved reinforcement efficiency in a differential reinforcement task. However, neither psilocybin nor LSD (0.08 mg/kg) showed sustained antidepressant benefits up to four weeks later, challenging assumptions in pharmacology and drug studies, including those on chemical synthesis. This psychology experiment illuminates the complex neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior.
Abstract
Background: In clinical studies, psychedelics including psilocybin and D-lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) demonstrate rapid and persistent antidepr...
Manic episode following psilocybin use in a man with bipolar II disorder: a case report
Frontiers in Psychiatry – September 22, 2023
Summary
A 21-year-old with bipolar II disorder developed mania after ingesting psilocybin, a potent hallucinogenic alkaloid. While psychiatry explores psilocybin for clinical depression and substance abuse, this single case highlights significant risks for a vulnerable population. The incident underscores the complex influence of psychedelics on neurotransmitter receptors, particularly for individuals with bipolar disorder prone to manic episodes. Such findings are vital for medicine and clinical psychology, informing future drug studies and understanding substance abuse patterns.
Abstract
There has been an increase in research on the topic of psychedelic substances and their effects as treatment options in neuropsychiatric conditions...
Molecular insights into GPCR mechanisms for drugs of abuse.
The Journal of biological chemistry – September 01, 2023
Summary
Recent breakthroughs reveal how common drugs like opioids and cannabinoids interact with cellular receptors called GPCRs. Scientists mapped the precise structure of these receptors, showing how different drugs of abuse bind to them. This explains why opioids, serotonin-based psychedelics, and cannabinoids affect the brain and body so differently, opening paths for safer treatments.
Abstract
Substance abuse is on the rise, and while many people may use illicit drugs mainly due to their rewarding effects, their societal impact can range ...
On the mushrooming reports of “quiet quitting”: Employees’ lifetime psilocybin use predicts their overtime hours worked
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs – July 31, 2023
Summary
Lifetime psilocybin use significantly reduces overtime, impacting workplace psychology. Data from 217,963 U.S. full-time employees reveal individuals using this hallucinogen work an estimated 44,348,400 fewer overtime hours annually. This demographic economics insight is crucial as decriminalization and legalization of psychedelics advance. As medicine and psychiatry explore psilocybin's potential, and Current Population Survey-type data tracks labor trends, understanding such population effects is vital for drug studies.
Abstract
Despite the recent and sharp rise in psychedelic research, few studies have investigated how classic psychedelic use relates to employees' work-rel...
Sub-acute effects of psilocybin on EEG correlates of neural plasticity in major depression: Relationship to symptoms
Journal of Psychopharmacology – June 30, 2023
Summary
A single psilocybin dose doubled specific brain activity linked to neuroplasticity, measured via Electroencephalography (EEG), in 19 individuals with depression. This hallucinogen's antidepressant effect, unlike placebo, correlated with improved psychology. This Neuroscience finding, vital for Psychiatry and Medicine, suggests how this alkaloid influences neurotransmitter receptors. While distinct from anesthesia, these Psychedelics and Drug Studies highlight chemical synthesis's role in advancing our understanding of behavior.
Abstract
Background: Evidence suggests that serotonergic psychedelics (e.g. psilocybin), have rapid-acting and long-lasting antidepressant effects after a s...
Health Benefits and Positive Acute Effects of Psilocybin Consumption: A Quantitative Textual Analysis of User Self-Reported Data
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs – June 22, 2023
Summary
Profound mystical experiences driven by the hallucinogen psilocybin, including ego-dissolution, offer significant mental health benefits. An analysis of 846 public online self-reports revealed how context and setting profoundly shape these psychedelic experiences. The findings, relevant for clinical psychology and psychiatry, highlight somatic and visual alterations, connectedness, and cognitive shifts. Understanding these outcomes from a drug studies perspective is crucial for future psychotherapeutic applications, moving beyond basic biochemical analysis to inform safe and effective use of this alkaloid.
Abstract
There has been growth in the use of psychedelics by the global population in recent years. In addition to recreational and ritualistic use, recent ...
Cannabis-assisted psychotherapy for complex dissociative posttraumatic stress disorder: A case report
Frontiers in Psychiatry – February 09, 2023
Summary
A young woman with complex dissociative posttraumatic stress disorder achieved a 98.5% reduction in pathological dissociation after ten sessions of cannabis-assisted psychotherapy. This psychotherapist-guided treatment combined cognitive and exposure therapies to address severe depersonalization and derealization, common in dissociative and panic disorders. Improved cognition and psychosocial functioning were sustained for over two years. Offering a promising avenue for clinical psychology and psychiatry, it links cannabis to psychedelics and their Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior.
Abstract
Background A dissociative subtype of posttraumatic stress disorder, known as “D-PTSD”, has been included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual o...
Changes in music-evoked emotion and ventral striatal functional connectivity after psilocybin therapy for depression
Journal of Psychopharmacology – November 26, 2022
Summary
Psilocybin therapy dramatically enhanced music-evoked pleasure, correlating with reduced anhedonia in 19 patients with treatment-resistant depression. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) revealed this hallucinogen treatment led to decreased connectivity between the nucleus accumbens and the default mode network during music listening. Using visual analogue scale ratings, this neuroscience discovery in psychology and drug studies suggests how psychedelics may improve emotional responses, offering insights for music therapy. The changes in brain networks hint at altered neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior, impacting how individuals process auditory stimuli.
Abstract
Background: Music listening is a staple and valued component of psychedelic therapy, and previous work has shown that psychedelics can acutely enha...
Microdosing psilocybin for chronic pain: a case series
Pain – September 05, 2022
Summary
Three individuals suffering from chronic pain found robust relief using low-dose psilocybin, a naturally occurring alkaloid. This case series highlights how these patients, for whom traditional medicine offered little solace, achieved significant pain reduction and decreased reliance on other drugs. The effects occurred without a psychedelic experience and with minimal side effects. For all three, combining psilocybin with exercise magnified relief, with one patient experiencing increased benefit from repeated dosing. This suggests long-term potential in Complementary and Alternative Medicine Studies for chronic pain management.
Abstract
Abstract Psychedelic serotonergic agonists such as psilocybin have recently been shown to produce sustained benefit in refractory depression, end o...
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...
A Phase 1, Dose-Ranging Study to Assess Safety and Psychoactive Effects of a Vaporized 5-Methoxy-N, N-Dimethyltryptamine Formulation (GH001) in Healthy Volunteers.
Frontiers in pharmacology – January 01, 2021
Summary
Higher doses of 5-MeO-DMT significantly enhance the intensity of psychedelic experiences, with notable effects observed at 6 mg (N=6), 12 mg (N=4), and 18 mg (N=4) compared to a 2 mg dose (N=4). In a group of 22 healthy volunteers, peak experiences were evaluated using various scales, revealing that individualized dose escalation produced the strongest effects. Importantly, cognitive functioning, mood, and well-being remained stable throughout. Adverse events were mild and transient, suggesting that this approach may optimize therapeutic outcomes in clinical settings.
Abstract
5-Methoxy-N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) is a tryptamine with ultra-rapid onset and short duration of psychedelic effects. Prospective studies ...
Phytochemical interventions for post-traumatic stress disorder: A cluster co-occurrence network analysis using CiteSpace.
Journal of integrative medicine – July 01, 2023
Summary
Phytochemical treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have gained significant traction, with 301 articles published between 2007 and 2022. Nearly half of these studies originated from North America, primarily in neuroscience and neurology journals like Addictive Behaviors and Drug and Alcohol Dependence. The focus has shifted toward psychedelic interventions, reflecting a notable trend since 2015. Other phytochemicals are less explored but examine neurosteroid turnover and serotonin levels. This evolving research landscape highlights the growing interest in botanical therapies for PTSD.
Abstract
This study investigated trends in the study of phytochemical treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The Web of Science database (2007-...
Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy treatment of chronic pain and comorbid depression: a pilot study of two approaches.
Frontiers in pain research (Lausanne, Switzerland) – January 01, 2023
Summary
Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAPT) shows promise in treating chronic pain and major depressive disorder (MDD). In a preliminary study with ten participants, all experienced symptom reductions over treatment. Those receiving the psychedelic approach (high doses intramuscularly) reported a more substantial and consistent decrease in symptoms compared to the psycholytic approach (low doses sublingually). Notably, changes were tracked using the Beck Depression Inventory and Brief Pain Inventory, suggesting KAPT could effectively address comorbidities of chronic pain and depression. Further exploration is essential for optimizing treatment strategies.
Abstract
Chronic pain and depression diagnoses are skyrocketing. There is an urgent need for more effective treatments. Ketamine was recently established to...
DARK Classics in Chemical Neuroscience: NBOMes
ACS Chemical Neuroscience – October 28, 2019
Summary
Synthetic psychedelics known as NBOMes, derived from the natural alkaloid mescaline through chemical synthesis, emerged in 2010. While their recreational use led to acute toxicity and deaths, prompting Schedule I classification in 2013, these compounds also offer significant value. In neuroscience, specific NBOMes like [¹¹C]Cimbi-36 are crucial biochemical tools for brain imaging, enabling detailed study of serotonin 2A receptors. This dual nature highlights their impact on both public health and our understanding of brain function in cognitive science and psychology.
Abstract
N-Benzylphenethylamines, commonly known as NBOMes, are synthetic psychedelic compounds derived from the phenethylamine class of psychedelics (2C-X ...
Analysis of Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy in Medicine: A Narrative Review
Cureus – February 05, 2022
Summary
Psilocybin, a classic hallucinogen, is emerging as a powerful medicine in psychiatry. Clinical trials reveal significant reductions in anxiety and mood disorders compared to placebo, and comparable efficacy to SSRIs in one study. This pharmacology, rooted in the unique Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior of this chemical (an alkaloid), is revolutionizing addiction treatment. Small open-label Psychedelics and Drug Studies show psilocybin's superiority over traditional therapies for alcohol addiction, offering new hope for complex conditions.
Abstract
Psilocybin-containing mushrooms have been consumed by various cultures in many different parts of the world for thousands of years. Psilocybin, a c...
Psilocybin occasioned mystical‐type experiences
Human Psychopharmacology Clinical and Experimental – June 23, 2020
Summary
Psilocybin-occasioned mystical experiences profoundly correlate with therapeutic benefits for psychiatric conditions. This narrative review in clinical psychology emphasizes the hallucinogen psilocybin's potential as a psychological intervention. Since 2006, medicine and psychiatry have seen significant advancements in psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy. While pharmacological actions, informed by chemical synthesis and alkaloids, are discussed, understanding neuromechanistic processes requires further biochemical analysis and sensing techniques. Future clinical trials integrating a psychotherapist show promise, despite funding and societal resistance impacting Psychedelics and Drug Studies.
Abstract
Abstract Objective Research into psychedelic therapy models has shown promise for the treatment of specific psychiatric conditions. Mystical‐type e...
MDMA/ecstasy use and psilocybin use are associated with lowered odds of psychological distress and suicidal thoughts in a sample of US adults
Journal of Psychopharmacology – January 01, 2022
Summary
Remarkably, in an analysis of 484,732 adults, lifetime MDMA (Ecstasy) use correlated with 10% reduced odds of past year suicidal ideation and planning. Psilocybin, a hallucinogen, showed 22% reduced odds of past month psychological distress and 10% reduced odds of suicidal thinking. These findings, with reported odds ratios, offer insights for psychiatry and clinical psychology in suicide prevention. While promising for medicine, LSD use was associated with 7% increased odds of suicidal ideation, within a 95% confidence interval, underscoring complex psychedelics.
Abstract
Background: Suicide is one of the leading causes of death worldwide and rates within the United States have risen over the past two decades. Hence,...
Altered states: psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression
The Lancet Psychiatry – May 17, 2016
Summary
A pilot in Psychiatry suggests Psilocybin, a powerful hallucinogen, offers hope for Treatment-resistant depression. In a feasibility study with 12 patients, a regimen combining synthesized psilocybin with psychological support reduced depression scores by around 10 points on the Hamilton Depression Scale after one week. This Medicine, documented in medical literature and Psychedelics and Drug Studies, showed promising safety and preliminary efficacy, with about half the participants still experiencing benefits at three months. This offers hope for the 20% of patients with depression unresponsive to conventional treatments.
Abstract
"Alice remained looking thoughtfully at the mushroom for a minute, trying to make out which were the two sides of it; and as it was perfectly round...
Psilocybin use is associated with lowered odds of crime arrests in US adults: A replication and extension
Journal of Psychopharmacology – January 01, 2022
Summary
Psilocybin use is linked to significantly lowered odds of arrest. National demography data from 211,549 individuals showed lifetime psilocybin use associated with reduced odds for 7 of 11 past-year arrest types (odds ratios 0.30-0.73). This offers criminology a new perspective on reducing recidivism within prison populations. Mescaline also reduced odds for drug possession. These psychology and psychedelics and drug studies findings suggest avenues for medicine.
Abstract
Background: The United States boasts the largest prison population in the world, conferring significant direct and indirect costs (e.g. lost wages ...
Psilocybin as a Novel Pharmacotherapy for Treatment-Refractory Anorexia Nervosa
OBM Neurobiology – June 24, 2021
Summary
Anorexia nervosa, a severe psychiatry challenge, sees current psychological intervention remission rates below 50%. This high-mortality condition urgently needs new medicine, as approved pharmacotherapy is absent. Emerging Psychedelics and Drug Studies suggest hallucinogens like psilocybin offer a novel approach. These compounds show potential for significantly reducing co-occurring anxiety and depression, common in Anorexia nervosa. Influencing Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior, this could be a vital treatment in psychology for treatment-resistant patients, offering new hope.
Abstract
Anorexia Nervosa (AN) is a major health problem with one of the highest mortalities and treatment costs of any psychiatric condition. Cognitive beh...
Psilocybin for Treating Psychiatric Disorders: Is it a Psychonaut Legend or a Promising Therapeutic Perspective?
Preprints.org – June 28, 2021
Summary
Psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen from over 200 mushroom species, is re-emerging in modern Psychiatry. Identified via chemical synthesis and alkaloids research in 1957, this compound, now central to Psychedelics and Drug Studies, was scheduled in 1970. However, Complementary and Alternative Medicine Studies in Psychology and Medicine now suggest significant therapeutic potential. A psychotherapist's perspective indicates it may effectively address pathological Anxiety, Mood disorders, and Addiction, offering a new outlook. This shift provides a fresh perspective on mental health.
Abstract
Psychedelics extracted by plants have been used in religious, spiritual and mystic practices for millennia. In 1957, Dr. Hofmann have identified an...
Enhanced visual contrast suppression during peak psilocybin effects: A psychophysical study
OpenAlex – January 11, 2024
Summary
Psilocybin profoundly alters visual perception, intensifying a phenomenon called surround suppression. Participants (n=6) reported stronger suppression of a visual stimulus's perceived contrast after 25mg of this hallucinogen compared to placebo. This effect, crucial for understanding visual cortex function in psychology, correlated positively with subjective 'visual hallucinations.' This suggests a neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior. Given weakened surround suppression in major depressive disorder, these insights into psilocybin's impact on perception offer a compelling avenue for psychedelic therapies.
Abstract
In visual perception, an effect known as surround suppression occurs wherein the apparent contrast of a center stimulus is reduced when it is prese...
Psilocybin causes sex, time, and dose dependent alterations in brain signaling pathways
OpenAlex – December 17, 2024
Summary
Low-dose psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, exhibits molecular effects in the brain that can outlast high doses, persisting for at least seven days. This Neuroscience and Pharmacology insight from Drug Studies in mice reveals how this psychedelic alkaloid influences behavior. Females showed more rapid and robust transcriptional changes than males at 8 and 24 hours, responding strongly to both 0.25 mg/kg and 1 mg/kg doses. Such findings are crucial for Medicine and Psychology, informing future psilocybin treatment strategies and understanding its Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on mental health conditions.
Abstract
Abstract Psilocybin is a psychedelic tryptamine that has emerged as a potential candidate for the treatment of a variety of conditions, including t...
Neural mechanisms underlying psilocybin’s therapeutic potential – the need for preclinical in vivo electrophysiology
Journal of Psychopharmacology – May 30, 2022
Summary
Psilocybin, a potent natural hallucinogen, shows immense promise for treating brain disorders. While Neuroscience and Psychology explore its profound effects on consciousness and cognition, the precise neurophysiology remains complex. Neuroimaging reveals its influence on the prefrontal cortex and default mode network, but how this psychedelic compound, an alkaloid, specifically modulates biological neural networks and neurotransmitter receptors is still being elucidated. Electrophysiology is crucial for clarifying these mechanisms, advancing drug studies, and unlocking its therapeutic potential.
Abstract
Psilocybin is a naturally occurring psychedelic compound with profound perception-, emotion- and cognition-altering properties and great potential ...
Ministry of the Mushroom
International Journal for the Study of New Religions – March 23, 2022
Summary
Beyond clinical applications, a compelling trend shows psilocybin mushroom churches emerging, offering unique spiritual pathways. These communities foster "sacred sensemaking," interpreting the hallucinogen psilocybin as a divine sacrament through ritual practices. This sociological shift contrasts with traditional Christian ministry, suggesting a distinct psychological approach to spiritual exploration. It expands psychedelics and drug studies beyond chemical synthesis, hinting at diverse academic research themes, from the aesthetics of ritual to the psychoanalytic depth of personal transformation.
Abstract
Recently there has been a surge of renewed interest in the psychedelic compound psilocybin. In particular, psilocybin is being studied in clinical ...
Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy Found to Improve Depression, Offer Other Benefits
Psychiatric News – May 23, 2022
Summary
Psilocybin therapy offers substantial, lasting relief for major depression. In a group of 24 individuals, this hallucinogen, combined with psychotherapy, led to 75% achieving treatment response and 58% remission after one year, with no serious adverse effects. This advance in Psychiatry and Clinical psychology, impacting Medicine, highlights psychedelics' potential in Mental Health Research Topics, even if personal meaning didn't directly predict depression improvement.
Abstract
Back to table of contents Previous article Next article Clinical & ResearchFull AccessPsilocybin-Assisted Therapy Found to Improve Depression, Offe...
Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy in Palliative Care
Oxford University Press eBooks – December 01, 2022
Summary
Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy is re-emerging as a powerful psychological intervention for profound end-of-life distress. Despite advances in palliative care medicine, psychiatric and existential anguish persist, often unaddressed. Contemporary research in Psychiatry and Psychology is now examining psilocybin, delivered by a psychotherapist, to alleviate this suffering. Building on earlier Psychedelics and Drug Studies, this approach, encompassing Chemical synthesis and alkaloids and Complementary and Alternative Medicine Studies, offers a potential paradigm shift. It explores safety and efficacy data to transform end-of-life well-being.
Abstract
Abstract Following a decades-long hiatus and building on an innovative research model first developed from the 1960s to 1970s utilizing psychedelic...
Persistent Tinnitus after Inhaled N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT)
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs – November 26, 2020
Summary
A unique case links hallucinogen use to persistent ear ringing. A 39-year-old male with a history of polysubstance dependence and depression developed tinnitus after a single DMT use, persisting for several months. The context included weekly LSD microdosing. Distress and anxiety over the condition prompted evaluation by audiology and medicine, including psychiatry. Psilocybin microdoses exacerbated symptoms on two occasions. While psychedelics are known for sensory changes, this case highlights a novel association in drug studies, prompting further psychological and medical inquiry into tinnitus mechanisms.
Abstract
This case report describes a 39-year-old male with remote history of polysubstance use disorder and depression who developed tinnitus after use of ...
Long-Term Analysis of Psilocybin in Cancer Patients With Distress
Oncology Times – March 26, 2020
Summary
A single dose of psilocybin, a compound from psychedelic mushrooms, offered profound, lasting relief for cancer patients facing existential distress. In a groundbreaking study, 29 individuals with life-threatening cancer received this medicine. Follow-up after an average of 3.2 to 4.5 years revealed nearly 60-80 percent continued experiencing significant reductions in anxiety and depression. This suggests a powerful, enduring benefit for mental health, a key area within Complementary and Alternative Medicine Studies, potentially transforming intensive care medicine approaches to patient well-being beyond traditional drug studies.
Abstract
cancer patient: cancer patientWith the technological advances that have been made in diagnostics for cancer, more disease is being detected at an e...
Modulation of Serum Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor by a Single Dose of Ayahuasca: Observation From a Randomized Controlled Trial
Frontiers in Psychology – June 04, 2019
Summary
Ayahuasca significantly boosts Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels, a key neurotrophic factor, suggesting a mechanism for its antidepressant effects. In a randomized controlled trial, 35 individuals receiving Ayahuasca—including patients with treatment-resistant depression and healthy controls—showed higher BDNF levels after 48 hours compared to 34 receiving Placebo. This finding, relevant to Psychology, Internal medicine, and Endocrinology, highlights how serotonergic psychedelics, influencing neurotransmitter receptor behavior, may offer novel antidepressant strategies for depression.
Abstract
Serotonergic psychedelics are emerging as potential antidepressant therapeutic tools, as suggested in a recent randomized controlled trial with aya...
Effects of a single dose of psilocybin on diet-induced weight loss in obese mice
OpenAlex – March 31, 2025
Summary
Psilocybin, a hallucinogen, significantly enhanced weight loss in diet-induced obese mice. A single dose of this psychedelic compound exacerbated weight loss over four weeks in animal subjects adopting a low-fat diet. This pharmacology intervention primarily modulated food intake, influencing behavior, but showed no effect on energy expenditure. No weight loss occurred when mice remained on a high-fat diet. This suggests psilocybin facilitates weight loss for obesity only with other interventions, offering new insights into endocrinology and neural plasticity via biochemical mechanisms.
Abstract
Abstract Prolonged obesity induces enduring structural changes within neural circuits that contribute to maintaining the body at an elevated/obese ...
Psilocybin prevents habituation to familiar stimuli and preserves sensitivity to sound following repeated stimulation in mouse primary auditory cortex
OpenAlex – September 30, 2024
Summary
Psilocybin dramatically alters how the brain processes sound. Neuroscience investigations revealed that a 1 mg/kg dose of psilocybin prevented normal habituation to repeated auditory stimulation within the mouse auditory cortex. Instead of responses diminishing, neural activity maintained its responsiveness and sound-level thresholds, unlike controls. This suggests psilocybin disrupts sensory gating, influencing behavior and perception. Insights from psychedelics and drug studies could inform audiology and psychology, potentially targeting maladaptive sensory processing through neurotransmitter receptor influence.
Abstract
Abstract Psilocybin, a psychoactive substance derived from fungi, has been utilized historically by diverse cultures for both medicinal and non-med...
Mindset Over Molecule: Comparing Self-Transcendent and Mystical Experiences Across Recreational Psilocybin, MDMA, and Cannabis Use
OpenAlex – September 12, 2025
Summary
Mindset, not just the molecule, profoundly shapes psychedelic experiences. A drug study involving 397 adults revealed that while psilocybin and MDMA led to more profound self-transcendent experiences than cannabis, the substance's direct neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior was less impactful than anticipated. Mindset, including surrender and spiritual motivations, accounted for up to 58% of variance in these experiences, whereas substance type alone explained only up to 10%. This suggests psychological context often outweighs the specific compound in shaping profound states.
Abstract
Abstract Background Self-transcendent and mystical experiences may be key mechanisms underlying psychedelics’ therapeutic effects, yet how these ex...
620. IDENTIFICATION OF BLOOD BIOMARKERS OF PSILOCYBIN-ASSISTED THERAPY TREATMENT RESPONSE FOR GENERALISED ANXIETY DISORDER
The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology – August 01, 2025
Summary
A significant challenge in Psychiatry is that 56% of individuals with Generalised Anxiety Disorder do not respond to psilocybin-assisted therapy. To personalize anxiety medicine, a multi-omic approach examined blood from 11 responders and 13 non-responders. Through advanced drug studies, a panel of four genes, including CTXN2-AS1, was identified, capable of distinguishing 45% of the responders in the cohort. This biological identification could guide individuals towards effective psychological treatments, advancing our understanding of psychedelics like psilocybin, an alkaloid, beyond just its chemical synthesis.
Abstract
Abstract Background Early intervention and management of Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is essential to effectively reduce both symptom severit...
Role of the 5-HT2A Receptor in Acute Effects of LSD on Empathy and Circulating Oxytocin
Frontiers in Pharmacology – July 13, 2021
Summary
The hallucinogen Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) significantly enhances emotional empathy. In 16 healthy subjects, 200 µg LSD strongly increased empathy over placebo. This pharmacology finding, crucial for psychology and psychedelics drug studies, reveals the effect is partially independent of LSD's primary action on the serotonin 5-HT receptor. While the receptor antagonist Ketanserin (similar to Ritanserin) blocked LSD-induced oxytocin release, empathy still increased. This suggests complex neuroendocrine regulation and neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior, involving oxytocin receptor pathways.
Abstract
The psychedelic lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) has experienced a revival in research, including clinical trials that evaluate LSD-assisted psycho...
Racial/ethnic differences in prevalence of hallucinogen use by age cohort: Findings from the 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health
Journal of Psychedelic Studies – July 15, 2021
Summary
Significant differences exist in psychedelic use across U.S. ethnic groups. An analysis of 56,313 individuals reveals 15.9% of the population over 12 have used a hallucinogen. While 2.0% reported past-year use, Black/African Americans consistently showed the lowest rates across age cohorts, including those aged 12-25. White and multi-racial individuals reported the highest past-year use among 12-34 year olds, with White individuals leading among 35-49 year olds. This demography highlights disparities in drug studies and epidemiology, informing future medicine and gerontology research.
Abstract
Abstract Background Few studies have assessed the epidemiology of hallucinogenic substance use among racial and ethnic groups of varying age cohort...