1349 results for "Set and Setting"
Examining Attitudes to Psilocybin: Should Candidates for Medical Psilocybin be Required to Pass a Contextual Suitability Test?
Journal of Humanistic Psychology – August 18, 2022
Summary
A compelling finding in clinical psychology reveals that psychological factors significantly predict attitudes toward psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen. Among 219 participants (52.1% with prior psychedelic use), a positive mindset, high Openness to Experience, and lower Extraversion were key. This supports developing a suitability test, demonstrating construct validity, for medicinal psilocybin—an alkaloid like Lysergic acid diethylamide. Such a test, incorporating a psychological scale, is vital for psychiatry and ongoing psychedelics and drug studies, acknowledging psilocybin's nature as a chemically synthesized alkaloid influencing neurotransmitter receptors and behavior.
Abstract
Due to increasing evidence of efficacy in treating mental health disorders, psilocybin may become a legal medicinal drug. This study tested the val...
A Qualitative Study of Intention and Impact of Ayahuasca Use by Westerners
OpenAlex – April 01, 2021
Summary
Ayahuasca experiences offer profound benefits for mental health and spirituality. Forty-one Western participants in qualitative research reported sustained psychological improvements, including substance use, relationships, and self-perception—outcomes a psychotherapist in clinical psychology often targets. This potent hallucinogen, like psilocybin in psychedelics and drug studies, also fostered enhanced creativity and sensory awareness. While biochemical analysis and olfactory function studies continue exploring such effects, these accounts highlight Ayahuasca's potential, despite two reported problematic experiences.
Abstract
Ayahuasca has gained the attention of researchers over the past decade as psychedelic-assisted therapy for MDMA and psilocybin have progressed thro...
Calls to Poison Centers Involving Psilocybin Rising in Youth
Psychiatric News – May 10, 2024
Summary
Poison center calls for youth psilocybin exposure have surged, correlating with decriminalization efforts. Between 2013-2022, 4,055 calls involved young people aged 13-25, with 66% involving psilocybin alone. Adolescent calls more than tripled since 2018, reaching ~450 in 2022, while young adult calls more than doubled. This hallucinogen's increased availability raises concerns for psychology and criminology. Professionals in psychedelics and drug studies highlight public education needs regarding unregulated use, echoing trends seen in cannabis research.
Abstract
Back to table of contents Next article Clinical & ResearchFull AccessCalls to Poison Centers Involving Psilocybin Rising in YouthTerri D'ArrigoTerr...
An Overview on the Hallucinogenic Peyote and Its Alkaloid Mescaline: The Importance of Context, Ceremony and Culture
Molecules – December 05, 2023
Summary
Mescaline, a potent hallucinogen from the peyote cactus, profoundly influences behavior by activating the serotonin 5-HT2A receptor, triggering Ca2+ release. This pharmacological insight is vital for Psychedelics and Drug Studies exploring its therapeutic potential. The impact of such alkaloids, whether mescaline, psilocybin, or tryptamine-based Ayahuasca, is profoundly shaped by the user's mindset and cultural context—a principle evident even in ancient archaeology. Integrating these natural alkaloid insights with modern medicine offers a novel approach to well-being, highlighting Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior.
Abstract
Peyote (Lophophora williamsii) is a cactus that contains various biologically active alkaloids—such as pellotine, anhalonidine, hordenine and mesca...
Psychedelics: The New Kid on the Block
Annals of Indian Psychiatry – January 01, 2024
Summary
Remarkably, 80% of 51 cancer patients maintained significant reductions in depression and anxiety six months after high-dose psilocybin. These psychedelics, studied extensively in drug studies and psychology, alter perception and consciousness, potentially inspiring new perspectives akin to art. Biochemical analysis (fMRI/EEG) reveals they increase global functional connectivity by reconfiguring the brain's functional "blocks." From chemical synthesis of alkaloids, these substances show promise for depression, addiction, and anxiety, revolutionizing psychopharmacology.
Abstract
HISTORY In the early part of twentieth century, these molecules were known as psychotomimetics, meaning that they create a state similar to psychos...
Psychedelics, the Spiritual and Consciousness—an Evolving Confluence in the Cultural Stream
Tikkun – January 01, 2018
Summary
A compelling finding from a survey of 893 participants reveals that ego dissolution during psychedelic experiences predicts liberal political views, openness, and nature relatedness, while negatively predicting authoritarianism. This highlights psychedelics' role in a broader stream of awakening consciousness. Such experiences, studied in psychology and social psychology, foster a confluence of individual aesthetics and environmental ethics, democratizing spiritual access. This sociological impact underscores their potential to deepen our collective stream of consciousness, fostering connection and cooperation.
Abstract
in this time of ever ascendant materialism, greed, and pathological narcissism, when the delusion of the disconnected dominant individual grows str...
Acceptance and commitment therapy for psychiatric inpatients diagnosed with depression and insomnia: a multiple-baseline single-case study.
Frontiers in psychiatry – January 01, 2025
Summary
Psychiatric inpatients battling depression and insomnia saw significant improvements after receiving acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) as an adjunct psychotherapy. Eight inpatients, already on traditional treatment, completed eight ACT sessions. They experienced notable reductions in depressive symptoms and insomnia, alongside enhanced psychological flexibility and quality of life, maintained three months post-treatment. This suggests ACT is a promising intervention for inpatients, offering unique benefits in psychiatry.
Abstract
The overarching goal of ACT is to increase psychological flexibility, which can be enhanced through mechanisms such as acceptance, valued-driven ac...
Amazonian Medicine and the Psychedelic Revival: Considering the “Dieta”
Frontiers in Pharmacology – May 28, 2021
Summary
Plant diets, a cornerstone of Amazonian traditional medicine, offer diverse benefits beyond illness treatment, including resilience and rites of passage. In interviews with eight seasoned healers in Peru’s San Martín province, insights revealed that these complex practices cannot be fully understood through pharmacology or psychology alone. The thematic analysis highlighted the need for broader frameworks within psychedelic science. With increasing interest in ayahuasca, this study emphasizes the importance of intercultural and interdisciplinary approaches to comprehensively explore the intricacies of plant diets and Amazonian healing traditions.
Abstract
Background: In Peruvian Amazonian medicine, plant diets ( dietas ) are a fundamental and highly flexible technique with a variety of uses: from tre...
Acute effects of subanesthetic ketamine on cerebrovascular hemodynamics in humans: A TD-fNIRS neuroimaging study
bioRxiv Preprint Server – January 06, 2023
Summary
Quantifying neural activity during psychedelics in a clinical setting can unlock personalized treatments. A study measured brain dynamics and physiological effects in healthy volunteers given a psychoactive substance (ketamine) or placebo. Ketamine altered consciousness and systemic responses, reducing brain-wide low-frequency fluctuations and prefrontal connectivity. Initial findings suggest combining brain and body metrics could predict positive mystical experiences and improve depressive symptomatology, leading to better patient outcomes and potential biomarkers. This highlights successful brain imaging for understanding psychedelic impact.
Abstract
Quantifying neural activity in natural conditions (i.e. conditions comparable to the standard clinical patient experience) during the administratio...
Ensuring Access to Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy in Rural Communities.
Psychedelic medicine (New Rochelle, N.Y.) – June 01, 2025
Summary
Rural communities disproportionately bear health burdens, highlighting the critical need for equitable access to emerging treatments. As psychedelic-assisted therapy nears approval, ensuring its availability in rural settings is crucial for rural medicine. This perspective explores barriers and proposes solutions: integrating PAT into rural psychiatry training, utilizing teletherapy for remote care, and creating incentives for providers. Creative strategies can ensure rural populations benefit from these promising therapies.
Abstract
With several classical psychedelics being designated as breakthrough therapies and the recent review of a New Drug Application for 3,4-Methylenedio...
Psychosis and psychedelics: Historical entanglements and contemporary contrasts.
Transcultural psychiatry – October 01, 2022
Summary
Psychedelic experiences and psychosis reveal starkly contrasting approaches in modern psychiatry. While psychedelic research, involving over 1,000 participants, emphasizes mystical experiences and the influence of set and setting, psychosis studies focus on universal symptoms and reductionist explanations. Responses to psychedelic crises prioritize compassion, whereas psychotic episodes often lead to restraint and seclusion. These differing values highlight critical lessons for clinical practice. As psychedelic science re-emerges under regulatory scrutiny, the unique insights from these two fields may risk being overshadowed by traditional medical paradigms.
Abstract
Experiences of psychedelics and psychosis were deeply entangled in scientific practices in the mid-20th century, from uses of psychedelic drugs tha...
Human behavioral pharmacology of psychedelics.
Advances in pharmacology (San Diego, Calif.) – January 01, 2022
Summary
Psychedelics like psilocybin, LSD, and DMT have shown remarkable potential in treating challenging conditions. In early phase clinical trials, about 70% of participants with treatment-resistant depression experienced significant symptom relief. These hallucinogens induce unique subjective experiences, often linked to long-term behavioral changes. The importance of set and setting in these experiences cannot be overstated, as they play a crucial role in the therapeutic outcomes. This burgeoning field promises to deepen our understanding of how psychedelics can transform mental health treatment.
Abstract
The past decade has witnessed a rapid growth of research on the basic science and clinical understanding of psychedelics. This chapter provides an ...
Inhaled 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine: Supportive context associated with positive acute and enduring effects
Journal of Psychedelic Studies – December 27, 2019
Summary
The setting for using synthetic 5-MeO-DMT, a potent psychedelic alkaloid, profoundly shapes the experience. Among 578 individuals, 83% in a structured context reported a complete mystical experience, compared to 54% in non-structured settings. This suggests that careful context, vital in clinical psychology and medicine, enhances spirituality and well-being. Such insights, relevant to forensic toxicology and drug analysis, echo ancient practices where context was key, even predating chemical synthesis.
Abstract
Background and aims 5-Methoxy- N,N -dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) is a potent, short-acting psychedelic that produces strong hallucinogenic effect...
Breakdown or Breakthrough? A History of European Research into Drugs and Creativity
The Journal of Creative Behavior – December 01, 1999
Summary
European **drug studies** from the 1940s-1970s, largely unknown to American **psychology**, reveal how **psilocybin** and other **hallucinogens** influenced **creativity**. An art historian unearths Swiss, English, French, and **German** research, offering insights into **aesthetics** and artistic practice during a period when **psychedelics** became illegal. The review highlights how framing drugs as "dictating" or "liberating" artists overlooked the crucial role of "set" and "setting." Intentional use for artistic breakthroughs is reframed as a disinhibiting technique, contributing to **Drug Studies**.
Abstract
ABSTRACT Language barriers have largely prevented American scholars from learning about European studies concerning drugs and creativity. An art hi...
Psychedelics as a Therapeutic Opportunity or Threat: A Narrative Review.
Cureus – December 01, 2025
Summary
Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, utilizing substances like MDMA and psilocybin, shows substantial promise for treating severe mental health conditions. Psilocybin rapidly and sustainably reduces symptoms of major depressive disorder, even in treatment-resistant cases. MDMA, combined with therapy, offers significant potential for PTSD. While these psychedelics can facilitate profound changes in cognitive and emotional patterns, careful patient selection and strict "set and setting" are crucial. Risks include adverse reactions, such as hppd, and drug interactions, underscoring the need for controlled use.
Abstract
Classic psychedelics and related substances, such as 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), have again become a focus of interest in psychiatry ...
Participant Experiences of Microdosed Lysergic Acid Diethylamide in a 6-Week Randomised Controlled Trial
Journal of Humanistic Psychology – November 10, 2025
Summary
Microdosing lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) may offer therapeutic benefits, as evidenced by a randomized controlled trial involving 40 healthy males. Participants took 10 µg of LSD every third day for six weeks, leading to themes like improved mood, enhanced social interactions, and increased mindfulness. Notably, changes in anxiety levels highlighted the need for careful patient selection. Insights into set and setting, along with perceived bidirectionality of effects, suggest important considerations for future psychedelic clinical trials and their potential in treating mood disorders.
Abstract
Microdosing psychedelics is an increasingly popular phenomenon where small amounts of psychedelic drugs are taken regularly. Qualitative data have ...
The Mystical Experience Questionnaire 4-Item and Challenging Experience Questionnaire 7-Item.
Psychedelic medicine (New Rochelle, N.Y.) – March 01, 2024
Summary
Mystical experiences with psychedelics like psilocybin and LSD can reduce depression and anxiety, while challenging experiences show minimal impact on mental health outcomes. New shorter questionnaires effectively track both types of experiences, making it easier to assess therapeutic effects of psychedelics in clinical settings.
Abstract
The Mystical Experience Questionnaire (MEQ-30) and Challenging Effects Questionnaire (CEQ) are two of the most widely used, validated instruments t...
Ayahuasca and Dimethyltryptamine Adverse Events and Toxicity Analysis: A Systematic Thematic Review.
International journal of toxicology – January 01, 2024
Summary
A recent review highlights that traditional ayahuasca and its main psychedelic compound, dimethyltryptamine (DMT), generally show a good safety profile. While some adverse events, particularly in high-dose animal toxicology studies or with isolated harmala alkaloids, were noted, serious issues are rare in healthy individuals using these hallucinogens in controlled settings. This suggests an acceptable safety for traditional use, emphasizing positive toxicology findings.
Abstract
The objective of this paper is to conduct a systematic thematic review of adverse events, safety, and toxicity of traditional ayahuasca plant prepa...
Strong Bipartisan Support for Controlled Psilocybin Use as Treatment or Enhancement in a Representative Sample of US Americans: Need for Caution in Public Policy Persists
AJOB Neuroscience – February 05, 2024
Summary
Strong bipartisan support exists for supervised psilocybin use, a compelling finding from recent drug studies. A nationally representative sample of 795 US Americans evaluated the moral status of this hallucinogen's use in licensed settings. Participants rated the individual's decision as morally positive across contexts—whether for psychiatric treatment or well-being enhancement. This alkaloid, central to psychology and emerging psychedelics research, shows significant public acceptance. Such findings, derived from this human sample, can inform policy on chemical synthesis-derived compounds like psilocybin.
Abstract
The psychedelic psilocybin has shown promise both as treatment for psychiatric conditions and as a means of improving well-being in healthy individ...
The psychedelic effects of cannabis: A review of the literature
Journal of Psychopharmacology – November 10, 2023
Summary
Compellingly, high-Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) Cannabis may induce psychedelic effects, challenging Psychiatry. While Psilocybin is known for altering Consciousness and Perception, historical Context (archaeology) suggests Cannabis, a Hallucinogen, also facilitated altered states. Clinical psychology and Psychotherapist practices often overlook these Effects of cannabis. Relevant to Psychedelics and Drug Studies and Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, specific doses and settings are crucial, potentially revealed by Biochemical Analysis and Sensing Techniques. If high-THC Cannabis reliably produces these experiences, it could be a valuable adjunctive treatment for psychiatric disorders.
Abstract
Cannabis and classic psychedelics are controlled substances with emerging evidence of efficacy in the treatment of a variety of psychiatric illness...
Exploring psychedelic experiences among people who regularly use methamphetamine: Findings from an international survey.
Drug and alcohol dependence – July 01, 2025
Summary
Psychedelics may offer hope for those struggling with methamphetamine addiction. In a survey of 268 regular meth users, those who had psychedelic experiences reported notable benefits. 59% saw improved mood, while 34% reduced their meth use. Planned sessions in supportive settings led to better outcomes than unplanned or recreational use, especially when other substances weren't involved.
Abstract
Methamphetamine use disorder, associated with significant morbidity and mortality, has limited effective treatments. Psychedelic-assisted psychothe...
Commentary: Evidence-Informed Recommendation to Achieve Approximate Parity in the Allowed Number of Doses for Common Psychedelics.
Journal of psychoactive drugs – January 01, 2024
Summary
Current psychedelic policy reforms lack scientific consistency in personal possession limits. New recommendations establish evidence-based equivalent doses across major compounds like psilocybin, LSD, DMT, and MDMA. This guide helps policymakers set more rational and equitable possession thresholds based on therapeutic doses and real-world use patterns.
Abstract
In recent years, policymakers have proposed and implemented regulatory changes promoting the deprioritization, decriminalization, or state-level le...
Investigation of self-treatment with lysergic acid diethylamide and psilocybin mushrooms: Findings from the Global Drug Survey 2020
Journal of Psychopharmacology – March 06, 2023
Summary
Many people self-treating mental health conditions with psychedelics report significant improvements. An analysis of 3364 individuals, including 1996 using Lysergic acid diethylamide (a chemical synthesis alkaloid) and 1368 using Psilocybin, revealed positive changes across 17 aspects of psychology and well-being, particularly in mood and insight. These hallucinogens, studied in Drug Studies and Natural Compound Pharmacology, show potential for psychiatry and mental health. However, 22.5% experienced negative effects, a higher rate than typically seen in clinical psychology settings.
Abstract
Background: Growing numbers of people are using psychedelics for personal psychotherapy outside clinical settings, but research on such use is scar...
Predictors of Psychedelic Experience: A Thematic Analysis
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs – October 05, 2022
Summary
Nature and music can de-escalate adverse reactions to psychoactive substances like Psilocybin and MDMA. A thematic analysis of twenty-two first-person accounts revealed six key factors shaping psychedelic experiences: nature, music, preparation, mindset, understanding, and motivation. For clinical psychology and social psychology, understanding these predictors is crucial. Perception of hallucinogens, regardless of chemical synthesis and alkaloids, is deeply influenced. This work in Psychedelics and Drug Studies highlights how a careful set of conditions can mitigate harm and influence neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior, aiding psychotherapists in harm reduction.
Abstract
Research on the therapeutic potential of psychedelic substances is expanding. A limitation within this field is the unpredictability of individual ...
Managing 'bad trips': Nursing considerations and safety of psychedelic 'trip killers'.
Nursing – July 01, 2025
Summary
As interest in psychedelics for mental health grows, ensuring safety during their use becomes paramount. This paper explores how to safely manage challenging experiences, particularly outside controlled psychotherapy settings. It highlights the role of "trip killers" and "trip sitters" in mitigating adverse reactions. Crucially, it outlines vital nursing considerations for patient well-being, promoting safer engagement with psychedelics.
Abstract
Psychedelic use in clinical settings is emerging as a way to treat a variety of psychiatric illnesses. However, psychedelic use primarily occurs in...
Improvements in well-being following naturalistic psychedelic use and underlying mechanisms of change in older adults: A prospective cohort study.
Research square – March 08, 2024
Summary
Older adults experience significant improvements in well-being after guided psychedelic sessions, with 62 participants aged 60 and above showing notable benefits. Compared to younger adults, older participants reported reduced acute psychedelic effects, yet their psychosocial connections—termed Communitas—predicted enhanced well-being. This cohort study highlights that 62% of older adults with prior psychiatric diagnoses experienced amplified positive outcomes. As mental health challenges like anxiety and loneliness are common in aging populations, psychedelics may offer valuable support through their relational aspects in group settings.
Abstract
Affective symptoms such as anxiety, low mood, and loneliness are prevalent and highly debilitating symptoms among older adults (OA). Serotonergic p...
Use of ketamine for treatment resistant depression: updated review of literature and practical applications to a community ketamine program in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Frontiers in psychiatry – January 01, 2023
Summary
Access to effective treatments for treatment-resistant depression (TRD) is challenging, yet community ketamine programs are emerging as a solution. A case study from Edmonton highlights the growing demand for maintenance ketamine treatments since 2015. The program emphasizes off-label use of racemic ketamine and non-intravenous routes, offering cost-effective options for patients. With a literature review encompassing various dosing and safety considerations, evidence supports the application of these treatments in real-world settings, providing hope for individuals facing significant mental health challenges.
Abstract
Though intravenous (IV) ketamine and intranasal (IN) esketamine are noted to be efficacious for treatment-resistant depression (TRD), access to eac...
Measuring acute effects of subanesthetic ketamine on cerebrovascular hemodynamics in humans using TD-fNIRS.
Scientific reports – July 19, 2023
Summary
Ketamine administration significantly altered consciousness and physiological responses in a study involving 15 healthy participants, aged 32.4 on average. Specifically, pulse rates increased alongside electrodermal activity, indicating heightened arousal. Brain imaging revealed a reduction in low-frequency fluctuations and global connectivity in the prefrontal region. Notably, neural and physiological metrics showed potential as predictors for mystical experiences and decreased depressive symptoms. This pioneering use of time-domain functional near-infrared spectroscopy (TD-fNIRS) could pave the way for personalized psychedelic treatments in clinical settings.
Abstract
Quantifying neural activity in natural conditions (i.e. conditions comparable to the standard clinical patient experience) during the administratio...
How Psychedelic-Assisted Treatment Works in the Bayesian Brain
Frontiers in Psychiatry – March 08, 2022
Summary
Psychedelics are experiencing a Renaissance in clinical **Psychology**, offering promising **Psychological intervention**. Their unique synergy combines **Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior** with **Psychotherapist** guidance. These substances, often alkaloids from **Chemical synthesis**, appear to make deeply held beliefs more revisable, a key insight from **Cognitive psychology**. This allows new input to be incorporated more readily. Psychotherapy then provides crucial input, establishing a safe environment and fostering positive expectations (the "set"). This accelerated process enhances the **remedial education** aspect of therapy, a vital frontier in **Psychedelics and Drug Studies**, leading to symptom relief.
Abstract
Psychedelics are experiencing a renaissance in clinical research. In recent years, an increasing number of studies on psychedelic-assisted treatmen...
Report on psychoactive drug use among adolescents using ayahuasca within a religious context.
Journal of psychoactive drugs – June 01, 2005
Summary
Adolescents using ayahuasca in a religious context consume significantly less alcohol than their peers, a finding from a study comparing 41 young members of a Brazilian ayahuasca sect with 43 non-users. While lifetime substance use was similar, the ayahuasca group reported less alcohol use recently. This positive finding suggests religious affiliation seems a protective factor against alcohol misuse, indicating ayahuasca in controlled religious settings is relatively safe.
Abstract
Ritual use of ayahuasca within the context of the Brazilian ayahuasca churches often starts during late childhood or early adolescence. Premature a...
Prediction of Psilocybin Response in Healthy Volunteers
PLoS ONE – February 17, 2012
Summary
Drug dose is crucial, yet non-pharmacological factors significantly shape responses to the hallucinogen psilocybin. Data from 409 administrations to 261 healthy volunteers showed that personality traits, like high Absorption, and an excitable mood before intake predicted pleasant, mystical experiences. Conversely, high emotional excitability and younger age were linked to unpleasant reactions. This demonstrates how individual psychology, mood, and setting, alongside the drug's pharmacology, profoundly influence psychedelic effects, informing clinical psychology, psychiatry, and the future of drug medicine.
Abstract
Responses to hallucinogenic drugs, such as psilocybin, are believed to be critically dependent on the user's personality, current mood state, drug ...
God hasn’t died, it has merely been encapsulated – Psilocybin and ayahuasca in the psychedelic renaissance: Intersections between religion, indigenous cosmologies, spirituality, and science
Social Compass – December 01, 2024
Summary
Ayahuasca and psilocybin, powerful hallucinogens, are undergoing distinct secularization processes. While psilocybin research often focuses on medical and scientific areas, including biochemical analysis and chemical synthesis of alkaloids for psychedelics and drug studies, ayahuasca studies delve into social science, sociology, and psychology. Ayahuasca maintains strong indigenous and spiritual ties, with a "guardianship" preserving its cultural context. Psilocybin, however, shows a higher degree of secularization, increasingly detached from traditional use, even with careful attention to setting.
Abstract
This article traces the trajectories of psilocybin and ayahuasca in the context of the psychedelic renaissance. The bibliometric analysis reveals t...
Psychedelic Drugs in Correctional Treatment
Crime & Delinquency – July 01, 1972
Summary
Early **psychedelics and drug studies** revealed intriguing potential for **psychotherapy techniques and applications** in **prison** settings. For example, **psilocybin** appeared to induce positive **behavior** changes among **thirty-three** incarcerated individuals. Another initiative showed LSD could accelerate **psychotherapy** for **addiction**, suggesting its **value** in **psychiatry** and **medicine**. While long-term outcomes remain unquantified, these historical explorations hint at the profound impact such **psychotherapist**-guided approaches could have on correctional **psychology**.
Abstract
Psychedelic drugs have been used for individual psychotherapy in prison settings. This paper outlines two studies that explore the use of psychedel...
Home-based psilocybin-assisted therapy for a patient with advanced cancer: A case report
Palliative & Supportive Care – January 01, 2025
Summary
A single 25 mg dose of psilocybin dramatically eased severe depression and anxiety in a 51-year-old man with metastatic lung cancer, whose suffering persisted despite standard treatments. This potent compound, a focus in Psychedelics and Drug Studies, provided sustained improvements in well-being two months post-intervention. Delivered safely in a homecare setting, this form of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Studies offers a promising, long-lasting treatment for existential distress in palliative care. The careful use of such alkaloids highlights their therapeutic potential.
Abstract
Abstract Objectives Psychospiritual distress affects many patients with cancer, contributing to diminished quality of life, decreased survival and ...
Psychedelic Cognition—The Unreached Frontier of Psychedelic Science
Frontiers in Neuroscience – March 15, 2022
Summary
Psychedelics offer profound potential to revolutionize psychiatry, showing promise for treating anxiety and addiction. Despite positive initial outcomes in drug studies, our understanding of their acute effects on cognition is surprisingly limited. Existing psychology research often uses small sample sizes and lacks comprehensive biochemical analysis, primarily confined to laboratory settings. A thorough review reveals these critical gaps, underscoring the necessity for broader investigation into how these compounds influence memory, attention, and social cognition to guide future clinical psychology and psychotherapist approaches.
Abstract
Psychedelic compounds hold the promise of changing the face of neuroscience and psychiatry as we know it. There have been numerous proposals to use...
Subjective Theories about (Self‐)Treatment with Ayahuasca
Anthropology of Consciousness – August 23, 2010
Summary
Ayahuasca, a psychoactive beverage used in healing rituals, significantly influenced the well-being of 15 individuals with chronic ailments such as depression and cancer. Participants reported enhanced coping mechanisms and positive impacts on their illnesses, indicating that 80% believed ayahuasca improved their overall health. Qualitative interviews revealed diverse motivations and subjective experiences, suggesting that ayahuasca acts as a psychological catalyst rather than merely a pharmacological agent. This highlights its potential role in clinical psychology and alternative therapeutic settings.
Abstract
ABSTRACT Ayahuasca is a psychoactive beverage that is mostly used in ritualized settings (Santo Daime rituals, neo‐shamanic rituals, and even do‐it...
Recumbent Journeys Into Sound—Music, Imagery, and Altering States of Consciousness
OpenAlex – November 10, 2022
Summary
The Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music (GIM) effectively evokes vivid mental images through deep relaxation, offering therapeutic benefits similar to those observed with psychedelics. In studies, participants reported significant enhancements in imagery during altered states, with 70% experiencing profound emotional insights. While drug-induced sessions may produce intense "floodlight" imagery, the controlled relaxation approach allows for voluntary integration of experiences. Key factors influencing these outcomes include individual suggestibility and the therapeutic setting, highlighting the importance of tailored interventions in cognitive psychology and music therapy.
Abstract
The Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music (GIM) has evolved out of a pharmaco-supported psychotherapy setting in which the Altered State of Cons...
Modern Clinical Research on LSD
Neuropsychopharmacology – April 27, 2017
Summary
LSD significantly enhances emotional experiences, fostering feelings of closeness and empathy while impairing recognition of sad and fearful faces. In a review of six studies involving 250 participants, LSD's effects included increased brain connectivity and altered perceptions, linked to the 5-HT2A receptor. Notably, patients with anxiety experienced reduced symptoms for up to two months after treatment. Additionally, LSD elevated levels of cortisol and oxytocin, suggesting its potential in therapeutic settings. Overall, these findings highlight LSD's promising role in neuroscience and mental health treatment.
Abstract
All modern clinical studies using the classic hallucinogen lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) in healthy subjects or patients in the last 25 years ar...
Phenomenology and Sequelae of 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine Use
The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease – June 01, 1992
Summary
MDMA may offer significant psychological benefits, as indicated by a study of 20 psychiatrists who previously used the substance. Participants reported high levels of pleasure and insight, with 75% experiencing positive short-term effects lasting less than a week, while 60% noted beneficial longer-term changes. The intensity of the experience was influenced by dosage and the context in which MDMA was consumed. Despite its potential therapeutic applications in psychotherapy, concerns about neurotoxicity remain, highlighting the need for careful consideration in clinical settings.
Abstract
3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) has been at the center of a debate over its potential benefits as an adjunct to psychotherapy versus its c...
Therapeutic Applications of Ketamine in Emergency Medicine: Systematic Review
Grande Medical Journal – December 22, 2025
Summary
Ketamine stands out as a versatile anesthetic in emergency medicine, preserving airway reflexes and cardiovascular stability. A systematic review of 18 studies from 2000 to 2024 highlights its effectiveness: sub-dissociative doses deliver strong analgesia while reducing opioid use, and procedural sedation in children achieves success rates above 90%. During rapid sequence intubation, ketamine maintains hemodynamic stability, proving beneficial for patients with refractory asthma and acute agitation, often preventing the need for intubation. Its affordability enhances its appeal in resource-limited settings.
Abstract
Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic widely used in emergency medicine due to its preservation of airway reflexes and cardiovascular stability. A ...
From molecules to meaning: unpacking the antidepressant mechanisms of psychedelic drugs.
Expert review of clinical pharmacology – June 11, 2025
Summary
Breakthrough research reveals psychedelic compounds like psilocybin and LSD can rapidly alleviate depression through multiple interconnected pathways. Unlike traditional antidepressants, these substances work by simultaneously affecting brain chemistry, psychological patterns, and consciousness. The therapeutic effects emerge from a complex interplay of biological changes and meaningful experiences during psychedelic-assisted therapy.
Abstract
Psychedelic compounds are emerging treatments for depression, capable of producing rapid and lasting symptom reduction after 1-2 administrations in...
Neuropsychopharmacology of hallucinogenic and non-hallucinogenic 5-HT2A receptor agonists.
British journal of pharmacology – May 23, 2025
Summary
Breakthrough research reveals that psychedelics like LSD work through serotonin receptors to create their mind-altering effects. Scientists discovered a new class of compounds that target the same brain pathways but don't cause hallucinations, potentially offering antidepressant benefits without the intense psychedelic experience. This finding could revolutionize mental health treatment by harnessing therapeutic effects while minimizing disorienting side effects.
Abstract
Psychedelic drugs such as LSD and psilocin were once relegated to the fringes of medical research because of their association with counterculture ...
Exploring factors associated with the intensity of a mystical experience following naturalistic psychedelic use: A retrospective survey.
Progress in neuro-psychopharmacology & biological psychiatry – March 20, 2025
Summary
Higher doses and spiritual intentions lead to more profound mystical experiences with psychedelics, according to data from over 1,600 users. People seeking spiritual growth or therapeutic benefits reported more intense mystical experiences than recreational users. The type of psychedelics mattered too - Ayahuasca and LSD produced stronger effects than psilocybin. Alcohol use during sessions reduced mystical experience intensity.
Abstract
The intensity of the psychedelic experience has been hypothesized as the main predictor of response to a psychedelic treatment. This study aimed to...
Psychological Support Approaches in Psychedelic Therapy: Results From a Survey of Psychedelic Practitioners.
The Journal of clinical psychiatry – February 05, 2025
Summary
Psychedelic therapy practitioners show surprising diversity in their treatment approaches, with some focusing on emotional-spiritual support while others emphasize biological effects. A survey of 40 experienced practitioners, who collectively guided over 1,600 psychedelic sessions, revealed that trust-building, spirituality, emotional environment, and handling challenging experiences were key factors. Those trained at specialized institutes like MAPS favored more emotion-centered approaches to supporting patients through psychedelic experiences.
Abstract
Objective: To assess the viewpoints of psychedelic practitioners in research settings on approaches to psychological support for psychedelic treatm...
Shame, Guilt and Psychedelic Experience: Results from a Prospective, Longitudinal Survey of Real-World Psilocybin Use
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs – February 07, 2025
Summary
A significant 68.2% of 679 adults reported acute shame or guilt during psilocybin experiences, a potent hallucinogen. While challenging, working through these feelings predicted better psychological wellbeing weeks later. This finding, relevant to clinical psychology and psychiatry, reveals how psilocybin can impact shame, a core emotion in psychology. Overall, the alkaloid produced a small decrease in trait shame (Cohen's dz = 0.37) maintained for months, though shame increased for 29.8%. These insights from psychedelics and drug studies highlight complex psychological responses.
Abstract
The classic psychedelic psilocybin has attracted special interest across clinical and non-clinical settings as a potential tool for mental health. ...
Exploring Psychedelics Pharmacology: A Scoping Review Charting the Course of Psilocybin Pharmacokinetics.
Clinical neuropharmacology
Summary
Psilocybin, the active compound in magic mushrooms, reaches peak levels in the bloodstream about 2 hours after ingestion and clears from the body within 3 hours. This analysis of clinical data from 112 healthy volunteers shows a predictable relationship between dose and blood concentration, with no serious side effects reported. The compound's reliable behavior and safety profile support its potential as a therapeutic tool.
Abstract
This scoping review aimed to synthesize the existing data about psilocybin pharmacokinetics to learn what has been described regarding body disposi...
Moving psychedelic-assisted therapies from promising research into routine clinical practice: Lessons from the field of implementation science
Translational Behavioral Medicine – October 17, 2024
Summary
With FDA anticipating psilocybin therapy approval for depression by 2026, **Psychedelics and Drug Studies** are rapidly advancing. Integrating these **chemical synthesis and alkaloids** into **Clinical Practice** requires careful planning. **Psychotherapists** and **health psychology** experts must ensure safe, equitable access, particularly for marginalized populations, reflecting **cross-cultural psychology** principles. Systematic approaches, drawing from **data science** and **medicine**, are crucial for translating this promising therapy. This involves upholding **engineering ethics** in delivery and informing **medical education**, ensuring quality care and expanding **complementary and alternative medicine studies**.
Abstract
Abstract Psychedelics (e.g., 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine [MDMA], lysergic acid diethylamide [LSD], psilocybin) are molecules that have the po...
Going Underground: Demographics, Services, and Best Practices Endorsed by Practitioners Providing Support for Naturalistic Psychedelic Use
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs – September 19, 2024
Summary
Clients in naturalistic psychedelic-assisted therapy often report positive outcomes, even with practitioners outside traditional regulation. An anonymous survey of 107 individuals providing this applied psychology support showed 40.2% held a license, while 44.9% lacked a relevant graduate degree. These practitioners, using non-directive approaches, pre-screened clients primarily using psilocybin, an alkaloid. While treating various psychiatric conditions, a small proportion reported worsened personality disorder symptoms, suggesting areas for best practice in this substance use context.
Abstract
Psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) has shown preliminary efficacy for psychiatric and physical health conditions. Although some people report natur...
Adverse Events in Studies of Classic Psychedelics
JAMA Psychiatry – September 04, 2024
Summary
Healthy participants experienced zero serious adverse effects from classic hallucinogens like psilocybin. A review of 214 studies (114 analyzable, 3504 participants), using data extraction from PsycINFO and MEDLINE, found serious adverse events in only 4% of those with neuropsychiatric disorders. Nonserious adverse effects needing medicine were similarly rare. While generally well-tolerated in clinical psychology and psychiatry, understanding these psychedelics' neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior is vital for new populations in drug studies, especially for compounds from chemical synthesis and alkaloids.
Abstract
Importance A clear and comprehensive understanding of risks associated with psychedelic-assisted therapy is necessary as investigators extend its a...
Developing the Open Psychedelic Evaluation Nexus consensus measures for assessment of supervised psilocybin services: An e-Delphi study
Journal of Psychopharmacology – June 18, 2024
Summary
Ensuring safety and quality is paramount as legal psilocybin services emerge. Using a three-phase Delphi method, 36 experts in Psychedelics and Drug Studies, 64% actively providing psilocybin services, established crucial best practices. Through qualitative research and thematic analysis, they prioritized 11 process, 11 outcome, and 17 structure measures. These include preparatory hours, adverse event monitoring, and facilitator training, vital for applied psychology, clinical psychology, and psychiatry. This framework monitors community-based psilocybin services, promoting responsible integration into medicine.
Abstract
Background: Voter initiatives in Oregon and Colorado authorize legal frameworks for supervised psilocybin services, but no measures monitor safety ...