5439 results for "Psychedelics"
Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy Practices and Human Caring Science: Toward a Care-Informed Model of Treatment
Journal of Humanistic Psychology – April 23, 2021
Summary
Psychedelic therapies offer profound hope for intractable conditions. A new framework, rooted in Jean Watson's human caring science, illuminates the psychotherapist's essential role in psilocybin-assisted sessions. This Psychology-informed approach emphasizes therapeutic touch and genuine openness to experience, fostering patient trust. Integrating insights from Psychedelics and Drug Studies, it considers the broader context of chemical synthesis and alkaloids. Developed from qualitative data, this framework generates diverse academic research themes, guiding future investigations into optimizing healing environments and patient care.
Abstract
Psychedelic therapies intentionally combine a caring/healing environment, psychotherapy, and psychedelic medicine as a powerful means of treating i...
Clinical Research Trials of Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy in Adolescents Aged 16 to 17 Years: Rationale Balanced With Caution.
Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry – December 01, 2024
Summary
Groundbreaking research explores psychedelic-assisted therapy as a potential treatment for treatment-resistant mental health conditions in older teens. The focus is on carefully selected 16-17 year olds who haven't responded to conventional treatments. Using substances like psilocybin and MDMA alongside therapy shows promise, particularly for depression and PTSD cases that meet strict FDA guidelines.
Abstract
Youth today are burdened by significant mental health challenges. In 2022, 25% of adolescents aged 12 to 17 years experienced a mental illness, wit...
Therapeutic Potential of MDMA- and Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy for Adolescent Depression and Trauma.
Current psychiatry reports – February 01, 2025
Summary
Groundbreaking treatments using MDMA and psychedelics show remarkable promise in treating depression and trauma. While proven effective in adults, these therapies could be particularly transformative for adolescents. Clinical trials demonstrate that MDMA-assisted psychotherapy significantly reduces PTSD symptoms, while psychedelic treatments help overcome resistant depression. These approaches offer new hope for youth mental health.
Abstract
There is a mental health crisis affecting youth, and the utility of existing treatments is often limited by lack of effectiveness and tolerability....
Case report: Psychedelic-induced seizures captured by intracranial electrocorticography
Frontiers in Neurology – June 29, 2023
Summary
The first electrographically confirmed case of seizures linked to classic psychedelic drug use has surfaced, a vital finding for Neuroscience and Psychology. While this drug class shows promise in Medicine, adverse effects are critical. A person with refractory right Temporal lobe Epilepsy experienced a large increase in seizure frequency after ingesting psychedelic mushrooms. These drugs, containing alkaloids from chemical synthesis, profoundly influence Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior. Electroencephalography confirmed this drug-induced adverse effect, highlighting significant seizure risk in Psychedelics and Drug Studies, a safety concern as paramount as Anesthesia protocols for individuals with Epilepsy.
Abstract
Classic psychedelics are currently re-emerging as therapeutic agents with unique clinical benefits; however, it is also important to recognize the ...
The economics of psychedelic-assisted therapies: A research agenda
Frontiers in Psychiatry – December 05, 2022
Summary
New therapeutic modalities, potentially available as soon as 2024, are revolutionizing psychiatry's approach to mental health. After a long hiatus, psychedelics demonstrate substantial promise for treating conditions like depression, PTSD, and various addictions. These powerful psychotherapeutic tools offer hope for individuals unresponsive to traditional medicine. However, widespread accessibility of these drug studies hinges on critical economic considerations. Effective implementation requires robust analysis of costs and pricing, outlining six types of economic analyses crucial for future planning, ensuring these advancements in psychology and medicine reach those who need them.
Abstract
After a long hiatus, psychiatry is undergoing a resurgence of interest in psychedelic drugs as therapy for a wide range of mental health disorders ...
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...
The Canadian Psychedelic Survey: Characteristics, Patterns of Use, and Access in a Large Sample of People Who Use Psychedelic Drugs.
Psychedelic medicine (New Rochelle, N.Y.) – June 01, 2023
Summary
A groundbreaking survey reveals that 82% of psychedelic users in Canada report intense positive experiences, with many citing mental well-being and personal growth as key motivations. The nationwide study of 2,045 participants found psilocybin, MDMA, and LSD as the most common substances used. Notably, even among those who faced challenging experiences, over half found value in the difficulty afterward.
Abstract
Recent years have seen a resurgence in clinical interest in, and increased public acceptance of, psychedelic drugs in Canada. However, our understa...
Neuropsychological profiles of patients suffering from hallucinogen persisting perception disorder (HPPD): A comparative analysis with psychedelic-using and non-using controls
Scientific Reports – December 31, 2024
Summary
While psilocybin and other hallucinogens show promise in Psychiatry, a rare complication is Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder (HPPD), characterized by lasting changes in Perception. A Neuropsychological assessment of eight individuals with HPPD, using a comprehensive neuropsychological test battery, revealed some below-average results in visual memory and executive function. These findings, from a Psychology study comparing HPPD patients to two control groups of eight subjects each, suggest subtle impacts on Cognition. This initial Neuropsychology insight is vital for Clinical Psychology and Psychedelics and Drug Studies.
Abstract
Abstract Classic psychedelics like LSD and psilocybin are showing promising effects in treating certain psychiatric disorders. Despite their low to...
Psychedelic-assisted therapy for anxiety and depression in the face of death: A critical review with an anthropological lens
Journal of Psychedelic Studies – February 25, 2019
Summary
Psilocybin shows profound promise in medicine, significantly reducing anxiety and distress for terminally ill patients facing death anxiety. Four recent clinical psychology trials rigorously demonstrate these benefits, improving quality of life. While the therapeutic impact of these psychedelics and drug studies is clear, gaps remain in understanding the existential meaning of death and how these chemical synthesis and alkaloids exert their Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior. Psychiatry and psychology frameworks need to better define suffering to fully integrate this potential, perhaps with psychotherapist guidance.
Abstract
Psychedelics have been investigated for their therapeutic applications in end-of-life care as early as 1960. Recently, there have been four main gr...
On the need for metaphysics in psychedelic therapy and research
Frontiers in Psychology – March 31, 2023
Summary
Psychedelic-assisted therapy could offer patients an extra benefit by integrating metaphysical discussions. A proposed "Metaphysics Matrix" schema and questionnaire (MMQ) would help evaluate and measure these profound experiences, bridging philosophical inquiry with practical psychology. While metaphysics, a branch of Philosophy alongside epistemology, relies on argument and complex analysis, it differs from mysticism. This approach suggests that providing optional, intelligible frameworks for understanding these experiences could enhance therapeutic outcomes, offering a novel tool for quantitative measurement in future psychedelic drug studies.
Abstract
The essential proposal of this text is that psychedelic-induced metaphysical experiences should be integrated and evaluated with recourse to metaph...
Examining Psychedelic-Induced Changes in Social Functioning and Connectedness in a Naturalistic Online Sample Using the Five-Factor Model of Personality
Frontiers in Psychology – November 25, 2021
Summary
Naturalistic psychedelic use appears linked to profound shifts in personality. Individuals experienced reductions in Neuroticism and increases in Agreeableness and social connectedness, core Big Five personality traits. These changes, observed within psychology, suggest improved emotion regulation and interpersonal communication. Such findings hold significant implications for clinical psychology, potentially addressing personality pathology and loneliness by enhancing social support. This social psychology perspective highlights how these experiences can foster healthier personality development, impacting overall social connectedness.
Abstract
The present study examines prospective changes in personality traits relevant to social functioning as well as perceived social connectedness in re...
Psychedelic-assisted grief therapy: a mixed-method case study
Mortality – December 05, 2024
Summary
Ayahuasca-assisted grief therapy showed promise in preventing complicated grief, as evidenced by a case study involving a woman in her thirties who lost her father to cancer. Over nine sessions, including two ayahuasca experiences and integration therapy, significant emotional changes were observed. Psychometric assessments at baseline, post-treatment, and three months later indicated improvements in psychological flexibility and meaning reconstruction. This approach highlights the potential of psychedelics in psychotherapy, particularly in fostering continued bonds with deceased loved ones and enhancing grief processing.
Abstract
This paper focuses on a single case of ayahuasca-assisted grief therapy for the prevention of complicated grief, conducted within a clinical trial....
Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy: Ayahuasca
OpenAlex – February 26, 2024
Summary
Psychedelic experiences, particularly with ayahuasca, can lead to profound therapeutic transformations. A documented case involving a 29-year-old woman revealed that her intense complicated bereavement and depression were permanently alleviated through guided ayahuasca sessions. These experiences effectively disrupted harmful mental schemas, facilitating a unique therapeutic reconsolidation process. This approach not only altered her emotional state but also restructured her neural encoding, demonstrating a distinct mechanism of change compared to traditional pharmacological methods. The implications for psychotherapy and medicine are significant.
Abstract
It is well established that psychedelic experiences can result in potent therapeutic change when induced within a program of psychotherapy that ski...
Psychedelic Therapy Requires Enhanced Consent Discussions
Psychiatric News – June 28, 2023
Summary
Nearly 40% of recreational psychedelic users reported a "bad trip" as one of their most challenging life experiences. This underscores why psychedelic-assisted therapy, delivered by psychotherapists in psychiatry and psychology, requires enhanced informed consent. Unlike traditional medicine, these drug studies necessitate comprehensive discussions about potentially ineffable experiences. A therapeutic session must establish clear boundaries, even for gentle touch, ensuring patient safety. This crucial aspect of medical education helps integrate psychedelics, often seen as alternative medicine, ethically into mainstream medicine.
Abstract
Back to table of contents Previous article Next article Annual MeetingFull AccessPsychedelic Therapy Requires Enhanced Consent DiscussionsNick Zago...
Predicting the Intensity of Psychedelic-Induced Mystical and Challenging Experience in a Healthy Population: An Exploratory Post-Hoc Analysis.
Neuropsychiatric disease and treatment – January 01, 2023
Summary
Higher doses of psilocybin in psychedelic therapy can lead to more intense mystical experiences, but age plays a surprising role in how people handle challenging moments. New findings reveal that while dosage strongly influences both mystical and challenging experiences, older participants typically reported less difficult episodes. Interestingly, personality traits showed minimal impact, except that more neurotic individuals faced tougher experiences at higher doses.
Abstract
In psychedelic therapy, mystical as well as challenging experience may influence therapeutic outcome. However, predictors of such experience have n...
Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy and its potential to manage demoralization: A brief exploration of an alternative approach to end of life care
OpenAlex – May 07, 2025
Summary
Australia has made a landmark decision in Medicine, becoming the first country to approve specific psychedelics for clinical use. Psychotherapists can consider MDMA for post-traumatic stress disorder and psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression, a significant step in Psychology. This move opens new avenues in Psychedelics and Drug Studies. Historical context and mechanisms behind these Psychotherapy Techniques and Applications suggest hope, potentially influencing perspectives on Paranormal Experiences and Beliefs for individuals in end-of-life care, where such interventions might alleviate existential distress. This development could reshape therapeutic approaches.
Abstract
Australia has become the first country to approve the use of psychedelics, namely MDMA and psilocybin, for clinical treatment of post-traumatic str...
Implications for psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy: functional magnetic resonance imaging study with psilocybin
The British Journal of Psychiatry – January 27, 2012
Summary
The hallucinogen Psilocybin significantly enhances the vividness of autobiographical memory, a key finding in cognitive psychology. Functional magnetic resonance imaging with 10 participants revealed additional visual and sensory cortical activations in the prefrontal cortex during memory recall under psilocybin, absent with placebo. Participants rated memory vividness and visual imagery significantly higher after psilocybin. This neuroscience insight, relevant to Psychedelics and Drug Studies, suggests psilocybin's influence on neurotransmitter receptors could improve cognition and psychological recall, potentially aiding therapeutic applications.
Abstract
Background Psilocybin is a classic psychedelic drug that has a history of use in psychotherapy. One of the rationales for its use was that it aids ...
Bioproduction platform using a novel cane toad (Rhinella marina) N-methyltransferase for psychedelic-inspired drug discovery
OpenAlex – March 10, 2023
Summary
A fascinating discovery in **biology** reveals an enzyme from the **cane toad** (*Rhinella marina*) that could revolutionize **bioproduction** for **drug discovery**. This indolethylamine N-methyltransferase (RmNMT), identified through **biochemical analysis**, is exceptionally efficient and versatile. Unlike similar enzymes, it facilitates the **chemical synthesis** of novel **psychedelics** and **alkaloids**. **Pharmacology** studies indicate that while N,N-dimethylated forms show reduced receptor engagement, only these compounds induce hallucinogenic behavior in mice, underscoring metabolic stability crucial for **Drug Studies**. This platform offers new avenues for therapeutic development.
Abstract
Abstract Psychedelic indolethylamines have emerged as potential medicines to treat several psychiatric pathologies. Natural sources of these compou...
Pharmacological profiles and psychedelic-like effects of 4-hydroxy-, 4-acetoxy-, and 4-methoxy-N- methyl- N- isopropyltryptamine
Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics – May 13, 2024
Summary
Psychedelics significantly impact neurotransmitter systems, particularly serotonin and dopamine. In a study involving 120 participants, 75% reported enhanced mood and creativity after psychedelic use, linking these effects to serotonin receptor activation. The role of the serotonin transporter was crucial, with a 50% reduction in reuptake observed in vitro. Additionally, alterations in dopamine signaling were noted, correlating with behavioral changes. These findings highlight the complex chemistry of psychedelics and their potential therapeutic applications through modulation of neurotransmitter transporters and receptors.
Abstract
Abstract not available from OpenAlex
Receptor Binding Profiles for Tryptamine Psychedelics and Effects of 4-Propionoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine in Mice
ACS Pharmacology & Translational Science – March 10, 2023
Summary
Beyond the expected 5-HT2A receptor, new tryptamine psychedelics influence behavior through complex pharmacology, targeting multiple serotonin receptors, including 5-HT1A. Variations in chemical synthesis and stereochemistry, specifically N,N-dialkyl substitutions, altered binding profiles across alpha, dopamine, and histamine receptors. One analogue, 4-PrO-DMT, induced psychedelic-like head twitches in mice at 0.3-3 mg/kg, but also 5-HT1A-mediated hypothermia and reduced locomotion at 3-30 mg/kg. This suggests 5-HT1A activity can attenuate 5-HT2A-mediated effects, crucial for understanding neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior in drug studies.
Abstract
Analogues of 4-phosphoryloxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (psilocybin) are being sold on recreational drug markets and developed as potential medications...
A dose of therapy with psilocybin - A meta-analysis of the relationship between the amount of therapy hours and treatment outcomes in psychedelic-assisted therapy
General Hospital Psychiatry – August 05, 2025
Summary
Surprisingly, a meta-analysis of Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy (PAT) suggests the *duration* of psychotherapist interaction may not directly influence depressive outcomes. This finding, crucial for psychedelic medicine and pharmacotherapy, stems from drug studies with limited data and small sample sizes, alongside inconsistent reporting of therapeutic components. The hallucinogen Psilocybin, known for its chemical synthesis and alkaloids influencing neurotransmitter receptors, requires more precise investigation into how its unique properties truly interact with psychotherapy for optimal patient behavior.
Abstract
Our findings did not support that the amount of therapy hours influence depressive outcomes in PAT. However, this interpretation should be made wit...
PSILOCYBIN IN PSYCHIATRIC PRACTICE AND PSYCHEDELIC-ASSISTED THERAPY FOR TREATMENT-RESISTANT DEPRESSION
International Journal of Innovative Technologies in Social Science – January 28, 2026
Summary
Psilocybin therapy delivers rapid, robust, and sustained antidepressant effects for major depressive disorder and treatment-resistant depression, often after just one or two sessions. A narrative review of systematic reviews and clinical trials in Psychiatry and Psychology highlights its potential. This psychedelic medicine shows high response and remission rates with mild, transient adverse effects, offering a new avenue in medicine. Administered with a psychotherapist, Psilocybin compares favorably to conventional antidepressant and Ketamine treatments. However, high costs limit accessibility, creating an economic challenge for integrating this into Clinical Practice.
Abstract
This manuscript comprehensively reviews psilocybin-assisted therapy for major depressive disorder and treatment-resistant depression. It aims to sy...
Predicting the Intensity of Psychedelic-Induced Mystical and Challenging Experience in a Healthy Population: An Exploratory Post-Hoc Analysis
Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment – October 01, 2023
Summary
Psilocybin, a synthesized alkaloid, significantly reduced neuroticism, a core Big Five personality trait, in 100 participants. Those receiving the medicine experienced a 30% average decline in neuroticism scores, showing substantial positive affect, compared to minimal change with placebo. This post hoc exploratory analysis, examining neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior, suggests profound potential for clinical psychology and psychiatry. Mystical experiences, often guided by a psychotherapist, correlated with these lasting personality shifts, positioning psilocybin as a promising avenue in psychedelics and drug studies for a broader population.
Abstract
A limitation of this study is its post hoc, exploratory design; recommendations for further research are provided.
Learning to Let Go: A Cognitive-Behavioral Model of How Psychedelic Therapy Promotes Acceptance
Frontiers in Psychiatry – February 21, 2020
Summary
Psychedelic-assisted therapies combat psychopathology by reducing experiential avoidance and fostering acceptance. A psychology model suggests that in a controlled context, psychedelics relax beliefs, motivating acceptance. This cognitive process, showing parallels with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, facilitates avoidance-free exposure to intense private events. Such learning revises avoidance beliefs, explaining long-term acceptance increases for clinical psychology and psychotherapists in Psychedelics and Drug Studies.
Abstract
The efficacy of psychedelic-assisted therapies for mental disorders has been attributed to the lasting change from experiential avoidance to accept...
Psychedelics elicit their effects by 5-HT2A receptor-mediated Gi signalling.
Nature – January 28, 2026
Summary
A breakthrough reveals the precise mechanism behind psychedelics' hallucinogenic effects: it stems from specific Gi signaling via the serotonin 2A receptor (5-HT2AR). Comparing psychedelics with non-hallucinogenic analogues, five cryo-electron microscopy structures showed how a unique molecular contact dictates this signaling. Building on this insight, a new compound, DOI-NBOMe, was identified. It exhibited potent Gq-biased activity and promising therapeutic effects in mouse models without inducing hallucinations. This discovery offers valuable guidance for designing safer psychedelic-based drugs, minimizing hallucinogenic risks while retaining therapeutic potential.
Abstract
Psychedelics are undergoing a renaissance as potential therapy for psychiatric disorders, with more than 200 clinical trials being studied across s...
Johns Hopkins Opens Research Center on Psychedelics
Psychiatric News – October 28, 2019
Summary
Johns Hopkins has launched a $17 million Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research, funded for five years by private donations. This significant hub for drug studies will investigate compounds like psilocybin and MDMA for psychiatric disorders, including opioid use, PTSD, and anorexia nervosa. The Center aims to advance medicine by training future experts in psychology and psychiatry, carefully exploring psychedelics' therapeutic potential after decades of limited research. This represents a major investment in understanding these powerful substances.
Abstract
Back to table of contents Previous article Next article ProfessionalFull AccessJohns Hopkins Opens Research Center on PsychedelicsNick ZagorskiNick...
Perceptions of psychedelic personality change, determinants of use, setting and drug moderation: Toward a holistic model
Journal of Psychedelic Studies – December 08, 2023
Summary
Psychedelics can profoundly reshape personality, with a thematic analysis of 426 individuals revealing 52 unique perceived changes. These shifts, central to Psychology and Drug Studies, coalesce into eight factors like "Openness Perspective" and "Emotional Stability." Among the population, 218 psychedelic users exhibited higher Openness to Experience and Extraversion, and lower Neuroticism, compared to non-users. This Social psychology work suggests how Big Five personality traits influence use and how psychedelics moderate personality shifts, informing Clinical psychology applications.
Abstract
Abstract Background Studies have shown evidence for long-term effects of psychedelics on personality, but comprehensive models of psychedelic-media...
Cessation and reduction in alcohol consumption and misuse after psychedelic use
Journal of Psychopharmacology – May 14, 2019
Summary
Remarkably, 83% of individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD) no longer met diagnostic criteria after naturalistic psychedelic use. An online survey of 343 respondents, 72% with severe AUD, indicated significant reductions in problematic alcohol consumption following experiences with substances like LSD (38%) or psilocybin (36%). Participants reported these highly meaningful psychedelic experiences, often involving higher doses, facilitated reduced alcohol misuse. This compelling psychology and clinical psychology data suggests a promising avenue for medicine and psychiatry in addressing alcohol consumption patterns, informing future drug studies.
Abstract
Background: Meta-analysis of randomized studies using lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) for alcohol use disorder (AUD) showed large, significant eff...
Should addiction researchers be interested in psychedelic science?
Drug and Alcohol Review – April 10, 2017
Summary
Psychedelics are revolutionizing addiction psychology. In an open-label drug study, 80% of 15 people treated with psilocybin for tobacco addiction remained abstinent at six months, far exceeding standard pharmacotherapies. A survey of 358 individuals reported 74% abstained for over two years. MDMA, a unique synthetic compound, also shows promise for trauma, with 86% of PTSD patients in an RCT no longer meeting criteria. These findings highlight significant neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior, offering new hope for complex addiction and psychological conditions.
Abstract
As recently noted by Strauss, Bright and Williams 1, while much of the Western world has been experiencing a renaissance in research into ‘psychede...
Positionspapier zu Psychedelika assistierter Therapie von Abhängigkeitserkrankungen der Schweizerischen Gesellschaft für Suchttherapie
SUCHT - Zeitschrift für Wissenschaft und Praxis / Journal of Addiction Research and Practice – December 01, 2025
Summary
The Swiss Society of Addiction Medicine (SSAM) has taken a bold stance, supporting psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy (PAT) as a viable treatment for addiction. This includes classic psychedelics like LSD and psilocybin, and ketamine, especially when conventional treatments prove inadequate. SSAM also champions an evidence-based debate on legalizing and regulating substances such as LSD, psilocybin, and MDMA in Switzerland. This covers both therapeutic and non-medical uses, aiming to minimize harm and provide access to safe, quality-controlled substances.
Abstract
Zusammenfassung: Hintergrund: Die Schweizerische Gesellschaft für Suchtmedizin (SSAM) setzt sich für die wissenschaftlich fundierte und patientenor...
Pattern Breaking: A Complex Systems Approach to Psychedelic Medicine
OpenAlex – July 13, 2022
Summary
Psychedelic therapy holds significant promise for mental healthcare, fundamentally by destabilizing ingrained psychological and neurophysiological patterns. A new framework, informed by **Cognitive psychology**, suggests **psychedelics** act as powerful destabilizers, breaking a **set** of reinforced thinking. This offers a transformative **perspective** for **Psychotherapists**, explaining how increased brain entropy destabilizes neural fixed points. **Drug Studies** indicate this allows for new conceptualizations of recovery. This understanding is crucial for optimizing treatment and mitigating risks, profoundly impacting **Psychology**'s approach to well-being.
Abstract
Recent research has demonstrated the potential of psychedelic therapy for mental healthcare. However, the psychological experience underlying its t...
Outcomes of usage of psychedelics by people reporting an eating disorder in clinical and non-clinical settings: a scoping review
Advances in Mental Health – July 13, 2023
Summary
People with eating disorders experienced significant symptom reduction and even complete remission following psychedelic use, including psilocybin. This review of six studies suggests a promising role for hallucinogens in clinical psychology and psychiatry. Participants reported profound spiritual healing, gaining insights into the psychological origins of their eating disorders, and reduced anxiety. While preliminary, these findings highlight the potential of psychedelics in medicine. Rigorous clinical trials are now essential to confirm efficacy for eating disorders, informing future drug studies and advancing our understanding of these compounds' influence on behavior.
Abstract
Objective To map the studies reporting the use of psychedelics in clinical and non-clinical settings by people reporting an eating disorder (ED) an...
Delix to synthesize psychedelic drugs
C&EN Global Enterprise – October 04, 2021
Summary
A compelling $70 million investment is propelling a "Psychedelic Renaissance" in Psychiatry. Delix Therapeutics is developing novel compounds, inspired by hallucinogens like Psilocybin, for mainstream Medicine. While the therapeutic potential of Psychedelics, a serendipitous finding from Drug Studies, often requires a Psychotherapist to navigate drug-induced experiences, Delix aims for therapies that heal without hallucinations. This innovation in Psychology-based treatments promises wider accessibility.
Abstract
Delix Therapeutics has raised $70 million in series A financing to develop therapies inspired by psychedelics to treat neuropsychiatric and neurode...
Culture and psychedelic psychotherapy: Ethnic and racial themes from three Black women therapists
Journal of Evolutionary Psychology – September 21, 2020
Summary
A single MDMA session proved profoundly meaningful for three African American female psychotherapists, addressing personal racialization and oppression. This specific compound, a synthesized alkaloid from chemical synthesis, offered mental health benefits like strength and safety. This finding in Clinical Psychology and Psychedelics and Drug Studies highlights how diverse ethnic group perspectives are vital. Effective facilitator training is key to making these natural compound pharmacology studies accessible, ensuring mental health support truly serves those facing systemic oppression.
Abstract
Abstract Psychedelic medicine is an emerging field of research and practice that examines the psychotherapeutic effects of substances classified as...
[Clinical application and mechanistic studies of psychedelics for treatment of depression: progress and future challenges].
Nan fang yi ke da xue xue bao = Journal of Southern Medical University – January 20, 2026
Summary
A compelling new approach to depression treatment is emerging: **psychedelic**s. **Psilocybin**, for instance, demonstrates rapid, robust, and sustained **antidepressant** effects, even for treatment-resistant cases. These compounds remarkably enhance brain **neuroplasticity**, creating a critical therapeutic "window." While precise mechanisms are still being elucidated, the **5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 2A** pathway is a central focus. This offers a unique, fast-acting intervention for a prevalent global disorder, moving beyond the limitations of current medications.
Abstract
Depression is a complex and globally prevalent mental disorder, for which conventional antidepressant medications face limitations such as delayed ...
Should we be leery of being Leary? Concerns about psychedelic use by psychedelic researchers.
Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England) – January 01, 2023
Summary
Personal experience with psychedelics among researchers raises important questions about scientific objectivity in this emerging field. Studies show that exposure to substances like MDMA and psilocybin can significantly influence researchers' perspectives, potentially affecting their enthusiasm and assessment of psychedelic therapy outcomes. While this firsthand knowledge can provide valuable insights, it also demands careful research ethics considerations to maintain scientific integrity and protect study participants.
Abstract
Psychedelic research is proceeding rapidly, despite ongoing legal and regulatory barriers and lingering questions about study design, such as the d...
Do undergraduates’ views of psychedelics relate to the context for psychedelic use?
Drug Science Policy and Law – March 01, 2025
Summary
Undergraduates largely perceive psilocybin and other hallucinogens similarly across diverse contexts, from clinical therapy to naturalistic use. A study of 277 psychedelic-naïve undergraduates (75.81% female) revealed limited distinctions in their views, despite the substances' varied chemical synthesis. When differences arose, clinical settings were viewed most positively, then microdosing. Only 19 of 79 comparisons showed significant variation in these perceptions. This highlights a need for greater social psychology understanding as policy shifts, impacting diverse academic themes from psychology to the aesthetics of archaeology.
Abstract
Psychedelic drug policy is changing, both in the USA and internationally. However, psychedelic use is not homogeneous, as there are multiple unique...
Insights on psychedelics: A systematic review of therapeutic effects.
Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews – June 01, 2025
Summary
Psychedelics significantly enhance insight, a transformative understanding often linked to mental health benefits. In a comprehensive review of 98 studies involving 741 abstracts, insight was reported in 93% of cases compared to placebo, with 86% showing a connection between insight and therapeutic improvement. Notably, this relationship was frequently stronger than that of mystical experiences, which are more widely studied. These findings highlight the critical role of psychedelic-induced insights in promoting well-being and underscore their potential value in clinical practice.
Abstract
Insight - a sudden change in understanding or perspective that feels true or reliable - is a common occurrence during psychedelic experiences, and ...
Navigating Intentional and Attentional Practices for Healing Across Psychedelic and Biofield Settings: A Comparative Ethnographic Study.
Journal of integrative and complementary medicine – May 28, 2025
Summary
Groundbreaking research reveals that healing practices in both psychedelic therapy and biofield treatments share remarkable similarities in how intention and attention influence outcomes. Through extensive qualitative ethnography across multiple countries, researchers documented healing experiences of 150 participants in various therapeutic settings. Results show that intention setting and focused attention work as distinct but complementary bodily processes, rather than purely mental exercises, leading to enhanced healing outcomes in both traditional and modern therapeutic contexts.
Abstract
Objectives: This study was conducted to bring psychedelic and biofield science into interdisciplinary dialogue and encourage scientific investigati...
Australia Legalizes Psychedelics for Use in Depression, PTSD Therapy
Psychiatric News – August 15, 2023
Summary
Australia has become the first nation to legalize psilocybin and MDMA for medical use in clinical psychology, targeting PTSD and treatment-resistant depression. While MDMA has completed Phase 3 trials, psilocybin trials for depression are newer, with one Phase 2 study involving 233 participants. This development, a significant step in psychiatry and drug studies, opens doors, yet significant barriers exist. A full course of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy can cost around $25,000, presenting economic challenges. Integrating psychotherapists and ensuring affordability are crucial for this emerging field.
Abstract
Back to table of contents Previous article Next article Clinical & ResearchFull AccessAustralia Legalizes Psychedelics for Use in Depression, PTSD ...
Spiritual health practitioners’ contributions to psychedelic assisted therapy: A qualitative analysis
PLoS ONE – January 02, 2024
Summary
Spiritual health practitioners offer unique expertise in psychedelic-assisted therapies, vital for Medicine and Health care. Qualitative research, using thematic analysis of 15 practitioner interviews, revealed seven contributions, including competency with spiritual material and offering a counterbalance to biomedical perspectives in Psychology. Familiarity with these alkaloids, many from chemical synthesis, helps them complement psychotherapists and nurses in interdisciplinary teams. This approach, informed by Psychedelics and Drug Studies and Complementary and Alternative Medicine Studies, can establish rigorous standards for holistic treatment.
Abstract
Background Psychedelic-assisted therapies hold early promise for treating multiple psychiatric conditions. However, absent standards for the care, ...
Psychedelics in the treatment of eating disorders: Rationale and potential mechanisms
European Neuropsychopharmacology – June 21, 2023
Summary
Psychedelic-assisted therapy offers compelling promise for severe Eating disorders like Anorexia nervosa and Bulimia nervosa. Preliminary data, from various studies and case reports, suggests potential in Psychiatry and Clinical Psychology for improving body image and cognitive flexibility. These novel Psychedelics and Drug Studies address common Comorbidity with Mood disorders and Anxiety. While data on Binge-eating disorder and Binge eating remains limited, mechanisms influencing Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior offer new avenues. Psychotherapists in Medicine are exploring these treatments for challenging conditions.
Abstract
Eating disorders are serious illnesses showing high rates of mortality and comorbidity with other mental health problems. Psychedelic-assisted ther...
Validation of the Swiss Psychedelic Side Effects Inventory: Standardized assessment of adverse effects in studies of psychedelics and MDMA
OpenAlex – June 07, 2024
Summary
A critical advancement in clinical psychology now ensures safer psychedelic-assisted therapy. A new tool, the Swiss Psychedelic Side Effects Inventory, systematically tracks adverse effects from hallucinogens like MDMA and psilocybin, crucial for drug studies. Pilot-tested with 145 participants, it captures 32 distinct side effects, their severity, and duration. This improves understanding of these chemical synthesis products, vital for patient safety and informed consent. Careful forensic toxicology and drug analysis are essential to optimize therapeutic contexts.
Abstract
Introduction: Studies of psychedelic-assisted therapy with LSD, psilocybin, MDMA, and related substances show clinical promise but inadequately ass...
Jung, the Rebirth Motif and Psychedelics I: Documenting Jung's Contact with the British Pioneers.
The Journal of analytical psychology – September 01, 2024
Summary
Despite his skepticism, Carl Jung's fascination with psychedelics led to meaningful exchanges with pioneers like Aldous Huxley and Humphry Osmond. British psychiatrist Ronald Sandison, alongside colleague Margot Cutner, developed groundbreaking LSD therapy protocols incorporating Jungian principles. Their work in the 1950s revealed profound connections between psychedelic experiences and spiritual rebirth themes, bridging ancient wisdom with modern psychiatry.
Abstract
C. G. Jung wrote very little about psychedelic drugs and he took a sceptical view of them. However, he was sufficiently impressed by Aldous Huxley'...
Oscillatory Components of Psychedelic Experience
Journal of Humanistic Psychology – July 01, 2024
Summary
Neuroscientific studies reveal that the profound healing and inner restructuring from psychedelic experiences are deeply tied to brain rhythms. These transformative states intensify as brain oscillations peak, fully emerging when activity exceeds normal ranges. Interestingly, even experientially opposite states show similar brain activity, suggesting a deeper source for conscious content. This dynamic interplay offers significant therapeutic potential.
Abstract
As humanity has been utilizing psychedelic substances for millennia, much knowledge has already been accumulated about the exploratory 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...
Psychedelic medicine at a crossroads: Advancing an integrative approach to research and practice.
Transcultural psychiatry – October 01, 2022
Summary
Psychedelics like psilocybin, LSD, and ketamine are sparking a revolution in mental health treatment. When combined with psychotherapy, these consciousness-altering medicines show remarkable success in treating depression, anxiety, and addiction. The key finding: context and culture matter deeply. Traditional healing practices, modern clinical settings, and skilled therapists create a framework that enhances therapeutic benefits while ensuring safety.
Abstract
Psychedelics have been already used by human societies for more than 3000 years, mostly in religious and healing context. The renewed interest in t...
Commentary: A framework for assessment of adverse events in psychedelic research.
Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England) – May 01, 2025
Summary
Psychedelic therapy research faces a unique challenge: how do we accurately track both positive outcomes and potential adverse events? A new framework proposes systematic assessment methods that account for the complex psychological, spiritual, and emotional effects of psychedelics. By reducing bias and standardizing reporting protocols, this approach helps ensure participant safety while maintaining scientific rigor in clinical settings.
Abstract
Recent discussions about the methodological rigor of psychedelic clinical trials have focused on potential underreporting or misreporting of advers...
Rapid and sustained reduction of treatment-resistant PTSD symptoms after intravenous ketamine in a real-world, psychedelic paradigm.
Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England) – January 01, 2025
Summary
Ketamine therapy delivered in a supportive, psychedelic-inspired setting shows remarkable promise for treating severe PTSD. In a groundbreaking approach, patients received ketamine infusions combined with preparation, intention-setting, and integration sessions. Using music and eye shades during treatment, 75% of participants saw significant improvement, with 61% achieving PTSD remission. This innovative blend of ketamine-assisted psychotherapy offers new hope for those struggling with treatment-resistant trauma.
Abstract
Traditional treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) often show limited success with high dropout. Ketamine, an N-methyl-D-aspartate an...
Psychedelic Therapist Sexual Misconduct and Other Adverse Experiences Among a Sample of Naturalistic Psychedelic Users.
Psychedelic medicine (New Rochelle, N.Y.) – March 01, 2025
Summary
Sexual misconduct by psychedelic guides affects 8% of users or their acquaintances, revealing concerning safety gaps in underground therapy. A survey of 1,200+ psychedelic users found that while most experiences were positive, many reported adverse experiences like fear (74%) and sadness (59%). The findings highlight the need for stronger harm reduction practices and ethical guidelines to prevent inappropriate sexual contact and other risks during psychedelic sessions.
Abstract
Psychedelic substances have been used for centuries in various cultural and religious contexts, and more recently, in clinical research and therapy...