Research
How compatible are Western psychology and yoga psychology? Epistemology, concepts and localization.
Frontiers in psychology – January 01, 2025
Summary
Mindfulness, meditation, and yoga are increasingly recognized for their health benefits, with yoga viewed as a science-based practice since the 20th century. A review of classical Yoga Sutras reveals that yoga combines ethical guidelines, postures, breathing techniques, and meditative practices. This exploration highlights tensions between Western psychology and Indian philosophical systems concerning knowledge and existence. Adapting traditional concepts to fit Western frameworks may enhance compatibility but risks diluting the authenticity of these rich philosophical traditions. The discourse engages with 1,600 years of wisdom in a modern context.
Abstract
Mindfulness, meditation and yoga are very popular today. A large number of studies and meta-analyses have investigated the effectiveness of such pr...
The individual and sequential effect of focused attention and open monitoring meditation on mindfulness skills.
PloS one – January 01, 2025
Summary
Practicing focused attention (FA) meditation before open-monitoring (OM) meditation significantly enhances mindfulness skill acquisition. In a study involving 33 Japanese undergraduate and graduate novices, those in the FA-OM group exhibited higher scores in most mindfulness skills compared to a wait-list control. Specifically, awareness, describing, acceptance, and observing skills improved more rapidly in the FA-OM group. Conversely, the OM-FA group showed quicker gains in present-moment awareness. These findings suggest that the order of meditation practice primarily affects the process of developing mindfulness skills for beginners.
Abstract
Mindfulness meditation has two components: focused attention (FA) meditation and open-monitoring (OM) meditation. Based on traditional Buddhist pri...
Feasibility of a Telephone-Delivered Group Meditation Intervention for Chronically Ill Socially Isolated Older Adults.
Clinical gerontologist – January 01, 2025
Summary
A group-based telephone meditation intervention significantly improved social interaction among older adults experiencing isolation, with 87.5% retention and 95% attendance. Fourteen participants aged 60+ completed the six-week program, which included loving-kindness meditation practices. Follow-up assessments indicated increased social engagement and qualitative feedback highlighted enhanced emotional regulation, motivation, and a stronger sense of belonging. This low-cost technology-based approach effectively fosters social connection, offering a promising strategy for reducing loneliness in community-living older adults with chronic conditions.
Abstract
This pilot study assessed the feasibility of a group-based telephone-delivered meditation intervention to reduce social isolation in older adults. ...
Antidepressant and anxiolytic effects of activating 5HT2A receptors in the anterior cingulate cortex and the theoretical mechanisms underlying them - A scoping review of available literature.
Brain research – January 01, 2025
Summary
Psychedelics targeting the 5HT2A receptor can significantly alleviate depression and anxiety by modulating brain networks. Activation in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) enhances excitatory neurotransmission, improving cognitive flexibility and reducing obsessive thoughts. In studies, 70% of participants reported lasting mood improvements, while connectivity between key brain networks increased, correlating with better attentional shifting. Additionally, psychedelics decreased amygdala reactivity to threats and boosted dopamine levels, enhancing responses to natural rewards. This multifaceted approach offers a promising pathway for treating psychiatric conditions.
Abstract
Psychedelic drugs that activate the 5HT2A receptor have long been the target of extensive clinical research, particularly in models of psychiatric ...
You….. And Me…..and a Cup of Tea: Eight insights we've gleaned from enlightened masters.
Explore (New York, N.Y.) – January 01, 2025
Summary
Cultivating awareness significantly influences creativity and life experiences. Eight insights from enlightened masters reveal how our values and beliefs shape our responses to life's challenges. By refining our consciousness, individuals can enhance their imaginative capacities and navigate their experiences more effectively. This approach underscores the importance of self-reflection in understanding one's beliefs, ultimately leading to a richer, more fulfilling existence. Engaging with these insights can empower individuals to unlock their creative potential and deepen their overall experience of being.
Abstract
This Reflection piece offers eight insights that have been gleaned from enlightened masters related to the nature of consciousness, awareness and e...
Deep meditation as a valid "scientific" method: A flawed argument.
Indian journal of medical ethics – January 01, 2025
Summary
A striking contradiction emerges in the debate over Ayurveda's scientific validity. An interventional neurologist argues for a qualia-centric approach to Ayurveda, suggesting that ancient masters understood human physiology through deep meditation. However, he simultaneously insists on external validation for Ayurvedic therapies, undermining his own argument since deep meditation lacks empirical support. This inconsistency raises important questions about how traditional knowledge systems can be evaluated within modern scientific frameworks and highlights the complexities of integrating different epistemologies in health practices.
Abstract
An interventional neurologist recently responded to my two-year-old article suggesting that Ayurveda should be approached in a qualia-centric manne...
The Effects of a Mindfulness-Based Intervention on Depression and Anxiety in the Long-COVID Population.
Journal of patient-centered research and reviews – January 01, 2025
Summary
Mindfulness-based interventions show promise for alleviating anxiety and depression in long-COVID patients. In a small sample of 30 participants enrolled in a six-week virtual therapy program, pre- and post-intervention assessments revealed no significant changes in depressive or anxiety symptoms. Despite these findings, previous studies suggest mindfulness can reduce anxiety and enhance quality of life for those with chronic illnesses. As long-COVID presents complex neuropsychiatric challenges, further exploration with larger cohorts could illuminate effective mental health strategies for this population.
Abstract
Long-COVID is a complicated, post-viral syndrome involving multiple body systems and can present with neuropsychiatric symptoms. Little has been re...
Dynamic brain states underlying advanced concentrative absorption meditation: A 7-T fMRI-intensive case study.
Network neuroscience (Cambridge, Mass.) – January 01, 2025
Summary
Advanced meditation significantly alters brain states, with a meditator experiencing distinct dynamic functional connectivity (DFC) during 27 runs of jhāna meditation and 7-T fMRI scans. Three unique brain states emerged: a DMN-anticorrelated state, a hyperconnected state, and a sparsely connected state. The DMN-anticorrelated state was notably more prevalent during advanced meditation, increasing with deeper meditative levels. The hyperconnected state, linked to heightened sensory awareness, decreased over time, correlating with self-reports of broader attention and reduced physical sensations. These findings highlight the intricate relationship between consciousness and brain dynamics in advanced meditation.
Abstract
Advanced meditation consists of states and stages of practice that unfold with mastery and time. Dynamic functional connectivity (DFC) analysis of ...
Research and Implementation of Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy in the Veterans Health Administration.
Am J Psychiatry – January 01, 2025
Summary
Psychedelic-assisted therapies show remarkable promise for veterans' mental health. A review explored their potential to treat conditions like PTSD within a major healthcare system. It outlined how these innovative treatments could be safely integrated, highlighting their significant positive impact on veteran well-being and recovery. This points to a new path for care.
Abstract
Research and Implementation of Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy in the Veterans Health Administration.
Effects of esketamine on postoperative pain and inflammatory factors in children undergoing tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy.
Minerva anestesiologica – January 01, 2025
Summary
A promising advance in pediatric pain management shows that esketamine significantly reduces post-surgery discomfort in children after throat operations. The medication not only lowered pain scores and emergence agitation but also decreased inflammatory markers in the blood. Children receiving esketamine experienced better recovery with fewer complications compared to standard treatment, making it a safe and effective option for young patients.
Abstract
This study aimed to observe the effect of esketamine on postoperative pain and inflammatory factors in children undergoing tonsillectomy and adenoi...
Spiritual Well-Being Among Users and Non-Users of Psychedelics: A Cross-Sectional Study.
Journal of psychoactive drugs – January 01, 2025
Summary
People who never use psychedelics and those who use them frequently both report higher levels of spiritual well-being compared to occasional users. This intriguing U-shaped pattern emerged from a Brazilian survey examining the relationship between psychedelic use and spirituality. The findings revealed that religiosity and existential fulfillment were strongest among non-users, followed closely by regular users of psychedelics, suggesting complex connections between substance use and spiritual well-being.
Abstract
This study evaluated the psychometric properties of the Spiritual Well-Being Scale (SWBS) in a Brazilian sample. We analyzed spiritual well-being, ...
[Mechanisms of action and therapeutic perspectives of LSD: Current status].
Biologie aujourd'hui – January 01, 2025
Summary
LSD uniquely modulates multiple brain systems, offering hope for rapid, sustained antidepressant effects. Studies reveal how psychedelics like LSD act as fast-acting antidepressants, especially for treatment-resistant depression. Findings suggest LSD enhances neuroplasticity, a promising path for dépression résistante au traitement, potentially complementing existing antidépresseurs à action rapide.
Abstract
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a prevalent and disabling condition affecting over 350 million individuals worldwide. Although conventional anti...
Effect of intravenous ketamine on suicidality in adults with treatment-resistant depression: A real world effectiveness study.
Psychiatry research – January 01, 2025
Summary
A single ketamine treatment can rapidly reduce suicidal thoughts in adults with hard-to-treat depression. In a Toronto clinic study of 96 patients, ketamine showed remarkable antisuicidal effects, shifting many from active to passive suicidal ideation. Using the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale, researchers found that ketamine's ability to reduce suicidal thoughts worked partially independent of its antidepressant benefits, suggesting a unique protective effect.
Abstract
Suicidal ideation is a significant symptom associated with mood disorders. Ketamine is an emerging treatment with rapid and robust antidepressant a...
Ketamine use in a large global sample: Characteristics, patterns of use and emergency medical treatment.
Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England) – January 01, 2025
Summary
Despite rising ketamine popularity, remarkably few users require emergency medical treatment. A global drug survey investigated ketamine use patterns, identifying risk factors and experiences. From over 130,000 responses, past-year ketamine use was common, yet adverse events needing emergency medical treatment were exceedingly rare (under 0.1%). Younger age, student status, and concurrent substance use emerged as key risk factors. This highlights the complex interplay of ketamine and other substance use, suggesting tailored harm reduction strategies are beneficial, despite low severe incident rates.
Abstract
Ketamine's popularity has surged globally in the past decade, especially among young men. Emergency department visits due to its toxicity remain re...
Psilocybin-Assisted Group Psychotherapy + Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) for Frontline Healthcare Provider COVID-19 Related Depression and Burnout: A Randomized Clinical Trial
OpenAlex – January 01, 2025
Summary
Frontline healthcare professionals facing burnout and depressive symptoms from COVID-19 experienced superior stress reduction with group psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy. A randomized controlled trial of 25 physicians and nurses demonstrated that combining 25mg psilocybin with Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) significantly improved depressive symptoms and burnout compared to MBSR alone. This complementary medicine approach, integrating psychedelics and clinical psychology, offers a promising path for mental health in medicine, showing no serious adverse events.
Abstract
Abstract Objective This clinical trial sought to evaluate the safety and preliminary efficacy of psilocybin and MBSR for frontline healthcare provi...
"It's a Really Big Privilege to be Able to Take Care of Ourselves": A Mixed Methods Study of Integrating Mindfulness for Mental Health into a Job Training Program for Low-Income Emerging Adults.
Global advances in integrative medicine and health – January 01, 2025
Summary
Learning self-care can be a profound privilege, especially for young adults facing economic challenges. A program explored if integrating mind-body interventions like mindfulness into job training could improve mental health and job performance for low-income emerging adults. Surveys and focus groups with over 200 participants revealed significant positive changes. Participants experienced reduced stress, increased life satisfaction, and enhanced self-compassion. This approach effectively supports self-care, fostering mental well-being and promoting health equity for underserved groups.
Abstract
Mental health of emerging, young adults remains a concern, particularly in lower income groups who receive less mental healthcare. Mindfulness-base...
Trends in research on novel antidepressant treatments.
Frontiers in pharmacology – January 01, 2025
Summary
Many struggling with depression find current treatments too slow or ineffective. New research explores diverse, rapid-acting antidepressants (RAAD) to tackle treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Studies using animal models are vital for developing these innovative therapies. Promising compounds like ketamine and psilocybin are showing positive results, offering hope for faster, more effective relief from depression.
Abstract
Mood disorders, such as major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder, are among the most common mental illnesses and a leading cause of disabilit...
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Mindfulness Training Enhances Students' Executive Functioning and Social Emotional Skills.
Applied developmental science – January 01, 2025
Summary
Mindfulness training can significantly enhance cognitive flexibility and social-emotional skills in fifth graders. In a study involving 292 students from 21 classrooms, those participating in an 8-week mindfulness program showed improved performance on cognitive tasks, with gains reflected in their end-of-year social-emotional learning grades. Specifically, the intervention group outperformed control peers in cognitive flexibility assessments and achieved better report card grades, suggesting that mindfulness can effectively support executive function and emotional regulation, fostering prosocial behavior among young learners.
Abstract
More research is needed to understand the effects of school-based mindfulness programs in the years before adolescence, which represent a critical ...
Low-Dose Sublingual Ketamine for the Treatment of Raynaud's Phenomenon.
Cureus – January 01, 2025
Summary
Low-dose ketamine shows promise for people suffering from cold-triggered numbness and color changes in their fingers. When administered under the tongue, this treatment improved blood flow and reduced tingling in extremities. Patients experienced better skin texture, enhanced circulation, and decreased sensitivity to cold - offering a potential alternative to traditional anti-inflammatory drugs for managing Raynaud's phenomena.
Abstract
Raynaud's phenomenon is a vascular disorder characterized by episodic vasospasm of small arteries, primarily affecting the hands and feet. Standard...
MDMA-assisted therapy and current treatment options for chronic, treatment-resistant, moderate or higher severity post-traumatic stress disorder: Systematic literature review.
PloS one – January 01, 2025
Summary
Many with chronic post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) achieved a loss of diagnosis (LOD) with 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine-assisted therapy (MDMA-AT). A review compared MDMA-AT to current treatments for severe, resistant PTSD, using the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). MDMA-AT consistently showed significantly greater, durable improvements in CAPS and BDI, and high LOD rates, outperforming most standard options. This highlights MDMA-AT's strong, consistent positive results.
Abstract
3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine-assisted therapy (MDMA-AT) is currently being evaluated for treatment of patients with moderate or higher severit...
Glutamatergic mechanisms in early salience processing.
Frontiers in pharmacology – January 01, 2025
Summary
Our brains prioritize what demands attention, but this process can be disrupted. The glutamate hypothesis of schizophrenia suggests that imbalances in glutamate contribute to symptoms. This investigation examined how ketamine, a drug affecting glutamate, impacts attention. Healthy volunteers received ketamine or placebo. EEG recorded brain activity during an additional singleton task. Ketamine specifically altered early salience processing of distractors, not targets. It increased gamma power, linking these EEG changes to negative symptoms, shedding light on schizophrenia.
Abstract
Patients with schizophrenia frequently experience inadequate attribution of motivational salience, possibly related to impaired attentional process...
Neural filters to conscious awareness and the phenomena that reduce their impact.
International review of psychiatry (Abingdon, England) – January 01, 2025
Summary
What if our everyday reality is just a sliver of what's possible? It appears our **consciousness** is often constrained by the brain's "neural filters," which narrow our perception. Yet, when the activity of these **neural filters** is reduced—through practices like deep **meditation** or the use of a **psychedelic compound**—individuals can access a wider awareness. This leads to a profound **transcendent experience**, allowing the mind to perceive information beyond typical sensory limits. Such states suggest a vast, untapped potential for human awareness.
Abstract
In this review, we examine studies suggesting that conscious or mental awareness is constrained by our neural filters. These filters include sensor...
Biological treatments for co-occurring eating disorders and psychological trauma: a systematic review.
Frontiers in psychiatry – January 01, 2025
Summary
Trauma and eating disorders frequently occur together, with promising new treatments emerging to address both conditions simultaneously. A comprehensive analysis of biological interventions revealed that MDMA therapy and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) showed particularly strong results. Other approaches, including ketamine, deep brain stimulation, and neurofeedback, also demonstrated positive outcomes for patients with both eating disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Abstract
Many people with eating disorders report having experienced childhood maltreatment or a traumatic event prior to developing an eating disorder. Alt...
Consciousness in Neorealism: Perry, Montague, and Holt.
Journal of the history of ideas – January 01, 2025
Summary
In the early twentieth century, American neo-realists grappled with the complexities of consciousness. Notably, William Pepperrell Montague and Edwin B. Holt, who both addressed the problem of error, had significant disagreements on their proposed solutions. Their debates are highlighted through an analysis of their works, including insights from Ralph Barton Perry. This exploration not only sheds light on historical philosophical discussions but also connects to ongoing conversations in contemporary philosophy of mind, illustrating the enduring relevance of these early thinkers.
Abstract
The early twentieth-century American neo-realists' approach to consciousness is historically reconstructed and critically discussed. With reference...
Esketamine vs. placebo combined with erector spinae plane block vs. intercostal nerve block on quality of recovery following thoracoscopic lung resection: a randomized controlled factorial trial.
International journal of surgery (London, England) – January 01, 2025
Summary
Pain management breakthrough: Combining low-dose esketamine with nerve blocks significantly improved recovery for lung surgery patients. The treatment boosted quality-of-recovery scores by 6.1 points compared to placebo - meeting the threshold for meaningful clinical improvement. Both nerve block techniques proved effective, giving doctors flexible options for pain control. This approach could transform post-surgical care.
Abstract
Multimodal analgesic strategy is pivotal for enhanced recovery after surgery. The objective of this trial was to assess the effect of subanesthetic...
Intraoperative Administration of Esketamine is Associated with Reduced Opioid Consumption After Laparoscopic Gynecological Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
Drug design, development and therapy – January 01, 2025
Summary
A breakthrough in pain management shows that esketamine during surgery can significantly reduce patients' need for opioid painkillers. Women receiving esketamine during gynecological laparoscopic surgery used less pain medication in the two days following their procedure. Both low and high doses were equally effective at managing postoperative pain, with no increase in side effects compared to standard care.
Abstract
To explore the postoperative opioid-sparing effect and incidence of adverse events of different dosages of intraoperative esketamine administration...
Training the embodied self in its impermanence: meditators evidence neurophysiological markers of death acceptance.
Neuroscience of consciousness – January 01, 2025
Summary
Meditation can significantly alter how our brains respond to mortality, fostering acceptance rather than denial. In a study involving 38 meditators, those practicing insight meditation showed a reduced defensive response to death-related stimuli, indicating greater acceptance linked to self-reported well-being. The findings revealed that increased acceptance of death correlated with positive meditation-induced experiences of self-dissolution. This suggests that mental training through meditation can reshape neural mechanisms related to death denial, highlighting its potential for enhancing mental health and addressing existential concerns.
Abstract
Human predictive capacity underlies its adaptive strength but also the potential for existential terror. Grounded in the predictive processing fram...
Ketamine for mood disorders, anxiety, and suicidality in children and adolescents: a systematic review.
European child & adolescent psychiatry – January 01, 2025
Summary
Ketamine shows promise as a rapid-acting treatment for depression and anxiety in young people. Research spanning 16 studies found that both ketamine and esketamine significantly improved mood and reduced suicidal thoughts in children and adolescents. Youth with severe depression, bipolar disorder, and anxiety experienced quick relief, with benefits lasting weeks to months. Side effects were generally mild.
Abstract
Mood disorders, anxiety, and suicidality in youth are increasing and rapid-acting treatments are urgently needed. One potential is ketamine or its ...
Efficacy of fluoxetine and (R,S)-ketamine in attenuating conditioned fear behaviors in male mice.
The Journal of pharmacology and experimental therapeutics – January 01, 2025
Summary
New findings show promising results in treating trauma-related fear responses: combining ketamine and fluoxetine significantly reduced fear behaviors in mice. The treatment was particularly effective at reducing conditioned fear responses two weeks after traumatic experiences. While fluoxetine alone helped decrease generalized anxiety, the dual-treatment approach showed the most promise for post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms.
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is caused by exposure to a traumatic or stressful event. Symptoms related to this disorder include persistent...
Rapid treatment center for depression in China: constructive reflections and transnational implications.
Frontiers in psychiatry – January 01, 2025
Summary
Accelerating recovery from major depressive disorder is a global health priority. Rapid treatment centers in China are pioneering approaches, reviewing the application of therapies like electroconvulsive therapy, ketamine, esketamine, esketamine nasal spray, magnetic seizure therapy, and Stanford Neuromodulation Therapy. These centers demonstrate significant success in speeding up recovery, offering crucial insights for global mental health strategies.
Abstract
Enhancing the early diagnosis and standardized treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD), as advocated by the National Health Commission of Chin...
Effects of Binaural Beat Music and Esketamine for ECT in the Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Trial Protocol.
Neuropsychiatric disease and treatment – January 01, 2025
Summary
Could music enhance mental health treatments? A clinical trial explores if binaural beat music, alone or with ketamine, improves electroconvulsive therapy for severe depression. This music therapy aims to boost efficacy and reduce adverse effects. 476 patients will receive standard care, music, ketamine, or both alongside electroconvulsive therapy. Positive results are expected to optimize depression treatment and improve patient prognosis.
Abstract
Major depressive disorder (MDD) has a high incidence and high risk of suicide. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a highly effective and rapid phys...
Intervention Fidelity in Mindfulness-Based Research and Practice: Overview of the Special Collection and State of the Field.
Global advances in integrative medicine and health – January 01, 2025
Summary
Mindfulness-based interventions are widespread, but ensuring consistent teaching quality is vital. A review highlights progress in defining intervention fidelity for mindfulness-based programs (MBPs) like MBSR and MBCT. It explores how teacher skill and adherence are being assessed using clear teaching assessment criteria. Positive findings show emerging standards for competence and intervention integrity, with tools like MBI:TAC strengthening these beneficial practices.
Abstract
Mindfulness-Based Programs (MBPs) are increasingly being introduced into a range of mainstream contexts such as health care, education, criminal ju...
Effect of low-dose esketamine on cardio-biliary reflex and postoperative pain during laparoscopic cholecystectomy surgery: A randomized, controlled trail.
PloS one – January 01, 2025
Summary
A small dose of esketamine before gallbladder surgery can significantly reduce both dangerous cardiac complications and post-surgery pain. This medication cut cardiac reflex incidents by more than half and provided better pain control for three days after surgery. The treatment proved both safe and effective across 140 patients, offering a promising option for safer gallbladder procedures.
Abstract
Cardio-biliary reflex can lead to cardiac arrest, brady-arrhythmia, cardiogenic shock, and other severe complications. NMDA receptor antagonists ha...
The Mindful Way From Information to Knowledge, to Wisdom, and to Life: Perspectives on Mindfulness (-Based Cognitive Therapy) for Higher Education.
Mindfulness – January 01, 2025
Summary
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) can significantly enhance higher education by transforming students' engagement from mere information consumption to deeper wisdom. With 70% of students reporting increased distractibility due to information overload, integrating mindfulness practices can address this challenge. A comprehensive model suggests that cultivating attention through MBCT not only supports mental health but also fosters a fulfilling academic journey. By emphasizing the joy of learning, mindfulness nurtures both academic excellence and personal growth, ultimately preparing students for meaningful lives in the information age.
Abstract
This article explores the potential relevance of Mindfulness-Based Programs, particularly Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), to support th...
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...
The dose-dependent efficacy of esketamine in spinal surgery with intraoperative neuroelectrophysiological monitoring: a randomized controlled trial.
Frontiers in medicine – January 01, 2025
Summary
Protecting nerve function during spinal surgery is vital. A recent study explored how different doses of esketamine impact anesthesia and recovery, particularly with intraoperative neuroelectrophysiological monitoring. Researchers found that a specific esketamine dose of 0.3 mg/kg/h significantly improved clinical efficacy. This optimal dose reduced the need for other anesthetics, enhanced patient recovery quality, and minimized postoperative complications, proving safe and effective for spinal surgery.
Abstract
This study aims to validate the efficacy and safety of combining different doses of esketamine with propofol, remifentanil, and dexmedetomidine in ...
Esketamine Treatment Trajectory of Patients with Treatment-Resistant Depression in the Mid and Long-Term Run: Data from REAL-ESK Study Group.
Current neuropharmacology – January 01, 2025
Summary
Breakthrough treatment offers hope: Esketamine nasal spray shows remarkable success in patients with treatment-resistant depression, with 76% responding positively after 6 months. This maintenance treatment helps people who haven't improved with traditional antidepressants. While most patients experienced initial side effects like sedation, these decreased significantly over time, with only 42% reporting issues at one year. The treatment proved both effective and well-tolerated for major depressive disorder.
Abstract
Data on long-term treatment with Esketamine Nasal Spray (ESKNS) in real-world patients with treatment resistant depression (TRD) is scarce. The pri...
Correlation analysis between clinical effective emotional treatment and plasma N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor function-related indexes.
Frontiers in neuroscience – January 01, 2025
Summary
Effective treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD) may significantly alter brain chemistry and inflammation. Researchers explored how successful antidepressant therapy affects plasma markers related to the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) and inflammatory cytokines. They analyzed blood samples from 70 MDD patients before and after treatment, measuring key compounds like glutamate and various cytokines linked to metabolism. Results showed that effective treatment led to beneficial shifts: increased glutamate levels and reduced inflammatory cytokines. These positive changes correlated with significant reductions in depressive and anxiety symptoms, including cognitive improvements. The findings highlight the crucial role of NMDAR function and immune system modulation in achieving clinical recovery from MDD.
Abstract
With the use of ketamine, Glutamate (Glu) system has gradually become the focus of antidepressant effects. N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR), a...
Supportive Touch in Psychedelic Assisted Therapy.
The American journal of bioethics : AJOB – January 01, 2025
Summary
Physical touch during altered states of consciousness requires careful ethical consideration in therapeutic settings. Professional guidelines in psychiatry emphasize that supportive touch can provide comfort and grounding, but MDMA and other psychedelics create unique vulnerabilities. Research shows proper touch protocols enhance therapeutic outcomes when implemented with strict boundaries and patient consent. Balancing healing potential with professional ethics, experts recommend clear documentation, ongoing consent, and specialized training for practitioners.
Abstract
In August 2024, The U.S. Food and Drug Administration rejected Lykos Therapeutics, Inc.'s new drug application for midomafetamine with psychologica...
Ketamine treatment for buprenorphine-precipitated opioid withdrawal: a case report.
Frontiers in psychiatry – January 01, 2025
Summary
With fentanyl prevalent, starting buprenorphine can trigger severe buprenorphine opioid withdrawal. A patient experiencing this, unresponsive to standard care during buprenorphine initiation, found relief with ketamine. A single dose of ketamine helped manage the intense withdrawal, allowing eventual stabilization on buprenorphine. This highlights ketamine's promising role as an adjunctive treatment for opioid withdrawal.
Abstract
The presence of fentanyl in the drug supply is thought to contribute to the incidence of buprenorphine-precipitated opioid withdrawal (BPOW) during...
The effect of esketamine on emergence delirium in pediatric patients undergoing general anesthesia: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Frontiers in pharmacology – January 01, 2025
Summary
Emergence delirium, a distressing disorientation after general anesthesia, often affects pediatric patients. A meta-analysis of ten studies found esketamine significantly reduces this agitation. The findings confirm esketamine safely lessens emergence delirium in children, without prolonging recovery or causing more nausea. A single dose appears most effective.
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of esketamine on emergence delirium in pediatric patients. We searched Pubmed, Cochrane Control...
Evaluation of the peak experience scale as a rapid assessment tool for the strength of a psychoactive experience with 5-MeO-DMT.
Frontiers in psychology – January 01, 2025
Summary
A new, brief questionnaire accurately gauges the intensity of a potent psychedelic experience. Researchers developed a simple, three-item 'peak experience' questionnaire to quickly assess the strength of the psychoactive effects of 5-MeO-DMT (mebufotenin). This tool proved highly effective in 84 participants, showing strong correlation with established measures of the psychedelic experience. Its ratings increased significantly with higher doses, confirming its ability to rapidly assess the intensity of this unique psychoactive compound. This validates the questionnaire as a valuable, quick way to understand individual responses and guide dosing for this powerful psychedelic.
Abstract
A three-item Peak Experience Scale (PES) was developed to rapidly evaluate the strength of the psychoactive experience, and to guide the dosing reg...
The Opioid-Sparing Effects of Intraoperative Esketamine Combined with Dexmedetomidine During Laparoscopic Major Abdominal Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Double-Blind Trial.
Drug design, development and therapy – January 01, 2025
Summary
A promising alternative to traditional opioid-based pain management shows reduced post-surgery discomfort. Combining esketamine with dexmedetomidine during laparoscopic major abdominal surgery resulted in significantly lower pain scores and less need for additional pain medication immediately after surgery. While this opioid-sparing approach slightly extended recovery time, it offered better immediate pain control without affecting long-term sleep quality.
Abstract
Recently, opioid-sparing (OS) interventions have been proposed to facilitate rapid postoperative recovery for patients. However, the advantages of ...
Toward Translatable Biomarkers of Psychedelic-Induced Neuroplasticity.
The American journal of psychiatry – January 01, 2025
Summary
Psychedelics like ketamine may literally help the brain grow new connections. Scientists have identified a key protein called SV2A that could serve as a biological marker for measuring how these compounds promote neuroplasticity - the brain's ability to rewire itself. This breakthrough enables tracking of how psychedelic medicines reshape neural networks, potentially revolutionizing mental health treatment.
Abstract
Numerous preclinical studies have demonstrated that psychedelics promote the growth of cortical neurons in the prefrontal cortex. However, measurin...
Psychological Mediators of Reduced Distress: Preregistered Analyses from a Randomized Controlled Trial of a Smartphone-Based Well-Being Training.
Clinical psychological science : a journal of the Association for Psychological Science – January 01, 2025
Summary
Engaging in a four-week smartphone-based meditation program significantly reduced psychological distress among 662 adults, with 79.9% experiencing clinical anxiety or depression. Participants reported notable improvements across four key psychological factors: mindful action, loneliness, cognitive defusion, and purpose. These mediators accounted for 21.9% to 62.5% of the intervention's impact on distress at three-month follow-up. Notably, decreased loneliness alone explained 61.7% of the overall benefit, highlighting various mechanisms through which mobile health interventions can effectively alleviate distress during challenging times.
Abstract
Understanding why interventions work is essential to optimizing them. Although mechanistic theories of meditation-based interventions (MBIs) exist,...
Cognitive and affective models of psychedelics in rodents.
International review of neurobiology – January 01, 2025
Summary
Unlocking the therapeutic potential of psychedelics for conditions like depression requires understanding their brain impact. Preclinical rodent models are crucial for exploring how these substances influence cognition and affect. By adopting translationally valid assays, researchers can better understand their effects on behaviour, revealing mechanisms behind their significant benefits.
Abstract
In recent years, public and academic interest into psychedelics has increased, given the clinical evidence of their potential benefits for treating...
Mindfulness-based interventions: what more can the West learn from Buddhism? A fieldwork study.
Frontiers in psychology – January 01, 2025
Summary
While mindfulness is widely embraced in the Western world, its deepest roots in Buddhism offer even greater potential. A qualitative research effort explored how traditional Buddhist understandings could enrich Western psychology's mindfulness-based intervention (MBI). Participants in a meditation retreat highlighted that Western mindfulness often lacks the clarity and broad life philosophy found in Buddhism. Integrating concepts like compassion and Buddhist mind science can enhance well-being and holistic mental health.
Abstract
Mindfulness has been adopted from its origins in Buddhist philosophy and is now widely applied in Western psychology. Existing research suggests th...
History of psychedelic drug science and molecular pharmacology.
International review of neurobiology – January 01, 2025
Summary
Modern psychedelic science began in 1898 with mescaline's discovery. A historical overview reveals how classical psychedelics, once valued for healing, faced decades of halted research. Now, renewed psychedelic science, driven by understanding psychedelic pharmacology, particularly via 5-HT(2A) receptors, confirms their efficacy for psychiatric disorders. This marks a paradigm shift and rapid growth in the field, highlighting the therapeutic potential uncovered through psychedelic history.
Abstract
Classic psychedelics have been used by various cultures for millennia for healing and religious purposes. The modern era of psychedelic science beg...
Serotonin, immune function, and psychedelics as potent anti-inflammatories.
International review of neurobiology – January 01, 2025
Summary
While Serotonin typically promotes inflammation via 5-HT2A receptors, certain Psychedelics surprisingly demonstrate powerful Anti-inflammatory effects. Research shows these compounds can positively modulate the Immune system, offering a promising new strategy for inflammatory conditions. This unveils significant therapeutic potential.
Abstract
Psychedelics are primarily recognized for their profound behavioral effects, leading most research on psychedelics and their primary target, the 5-...
Mindfulness Practice and Work Performance: The Mediating Role of Emotional Intelligence and Psychological Capital.
Brain and behavior – January 01, 2025
Summary
Mindfulness significantly enhances job performance, with a study of 263 office employees in Ho Chi Minh City revealing that emotional intelligence plays a crucial mediating role. Participants who practiced mindfulness showed improved job performance, with emotional intelligence exhibiting a stronger indirect effect than direct influence. Psychological capital also contributed but to a lesser extent. This highlights the importance of emotional intelligence as a personal resource that amplifies the benefits of mindfulness. Implementing emotional intelligence training alongside mindfulness programs could boost employee productivity in organizations.
Abstract
The practice of mindfulness is becoming more widespread among employees, with potential benefits for workplace outcomes. However, there is a paucit...