Research
Comparison between dexmedetomidine and ketofol in the prevention of postoperative emergence delirium in pediatric patients undergoing orofacial cleft surgery: A randomized controlled trial.
Journal of anaesthesiology, clinical pharmacology – January 01, 2025
Summary
Children undergoing cleft lip and palate surgery often experience postoperative confusion. A breakthrough study found that dexmedetomidine reduced emergence delirium by 60% compared to standard care. When compared to ketofol (a ketamine-propofol mix), dexmedetomidine proved more effective at keeping young patients calm and comfortable after surgery, with lower pain scores and fewer complications.
Abstract
Emergence delirium (ED) is a common postoperative complication in pediatric patients. To avoid postoperative ED, sedative medications have been uti...
How is a psychotherapeutic process like a psychedelic drug? Neurocognitive evidence for a novel mechanism of action with Regenerating Images in Memory.
Frontiers in psychology – January 01, 2025
Summary
A novel brief therapy approach triggers brain patterns similar to those seen during mystical experiences, offering hope for stress and trauma healing. Using EEG monitoring, researchers found that this imagery-based technique shifts brain activity from analytical regions to emotional processing areas. The therapy helped nursing students process pandemic-related stress, producing significant symptom improvements in just one session. Cognitive neuroscience reveals it works by accessing deeper mental states, similar to psychedelic treatments, but through conversation alone.
Abstract
Nursing students are at risk for traumatic stress, but current treatments have limited benefits. Regenerating Images in Memory (RIM) is a verbal ps...
A longitudinal mixed-methods examination of emotional intelligence, mindfulness, and burnout among Chinese educators.
Frontiers in psychology – January 01, 2025
Summary
Chinese educators who practiced mindfulness for just 15 minutes daily showed significant reductions in emotional exhaustion and improved well-being over a 12-month period. Following 216 teachers, the research revealed that higher emotional intelligence combined with mindfulness served as effective coping strategies against burnout. Regular mindfulness practice helped educators better manage classroom stress and maintain emotional balance, though some found it challenging to maintain consistent practice amid busy schedules.
Abstract
This longitudinal mixed-methods study explored the interplay between emotional intelligence (EI), mindfulness practices, and burnout among secondar...
Education about pain and experience with cognitive-based interventions do not reduce healthcare professionals' chronic pain.
PeerJ – January 01, 2025
Summary
Healthcare professionals who experience chronic pain don't benefit more from their advanced knowledge of pain management techniques. Despite being experts in cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, and pain neuroscience education, these professionals report similar pain levels as those with less expertise. Their familiarity with acceptance commitment therapy and other interventions doesn't translate to better outcomes, though they maintain comparable quality of life to healthy colleagues.
Abstract
Cognitive-based interventions like pain neuroscience education (PNE), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), acceptance commitment therapy (ACT), and ...
fMRI-based explanations for how meditation could modulate pain processing.
Frontiers in neuroscience – January 01, 2025
Summary
Brain scans reveal that meditation masters can reduce their pain sensitivity by 40% through specific mental techniques. Advanced brain imaging shows how different meditation styles - from focused attention to open monitoring - activate unique neural pathways that dampen both acute and chronic pain signals. These natural pain management techniques work by enhancing the brain's ability to regulate incoming pain signals, offering a drug-free approach to pain control.
Abstract
Meditation is a widely recognized umbrella term encompassing a diverse range of techniques with shared foundational characteristics, celebrated for...
Traditional Islamic spiritual meditative practices: powerful psychotherapies for mental wellbeing.
Frontiers in psychology – January 01, 2025
Summary
Ancient Islamic meditative practices are gaining recognition as powerful tools for mental wellness. Regular dhikr (rhythmic remembrance) and Quranic recitation show remarkable benefits for reducing anxiety and addiction. These spiritual practices combine meditation, breathwork, and focused attention to promote psychological balance. Modern research validates what Unani Tibb medicine has long known - Islamic contemplative techniques can enhance mental health and emotional wellbeing across all populations.
Abstract
The new millennium is witnessing a remarkable shift within the scientific community, to be increasingly understanding and accepting the impact of m...
The roots of happiness: How love and memory shape the core of our brain.
Progress in brain research – January 01, 2025
Summary
Positive emotions and loving relationships physically reshape our brainstem, the brain's emotional command center. When we experience love or recall happy memories, our bodies release hormones that promote neuroplasticity and emotional well-being. Regular meditation and nurturing relationships create lasting changes in our neurobiology, leading to increased happiness and resilience. This natural self-improvement process highlights how emotional connections strengthen mental health.
Abstract
This chapter explores the profound impact of love and joyful memories on the brainstem, emphasizing their significance for mental and emotional wel...
Neurotoxicity mechanisms and clinical implications of six common recreational drugs.
Frontiers in pharmacology – January 01, 2025
Summary
Popular recreational drugs share a devastating ability to damage the nervous system through common destructive pathways. While methamphetamine and cocaine disrupt brain chemistry and blood flow, ketamine and nitrous oxide impair vital cellular functions. Heroin and synthetic cathinones cause inflammation and stress damage. Understanding these mechanisms helps develop targeted treatments.
Abstract
The recreational abuse of addictive drugs poses considerable challenges to public health, leading to widespread neurotoxicity and neurological dysf...
Ketamine does not rescue plaque load or gap detection in the 5XFAD mouse model of Alzheimer's disease.
Frontiers in aging neuroscience – January 01, 2025
Summary
Despite ketamine's promise in treating various brain disorders, new research reveals it doesn't slow Alzheimer's progression in mice. Scientists tested ketamine's effects on brain changes and hearing abilities in 5xFAD mice, which mirror human Alzheimer's. While the study confirmed that auditory gap detection serves as a reliable biomarker for early disease, neither single nor daily ketamine doses improved plaque buildup or hearing behavior in the auditory cortex.
Abstract
Ketamine has received growing attention for its effects on neuroplasticity and neuroinflammation, and as a treatment for depression and other menta...
Mushrooms, Microdosing, and Mental Illness: The Effect of Psilocybin on Neurotransmitters, Neuroinflammation, and Neuroplasticity.
Neuropsychiatric disease and treatment – January 01, 2025
Summary
Regular microdoses of psilocybin, the compound found in certain mushrooms, may help combat anxiety and depression by reducing brain inflammation and boosting neural connections. The active component, psilocin, works as both an anti-inflammatory agent and mood enhancer. Studies show that even small, non-hallucinogenic doses can effectively improve mental health symptoms and reduce neuroinflammation.
Abstract
The incidence of mental health disorders is increasing worldwide. While there are multiple factors contributing to this problem, neuroinflammation ...
High-Frequency Analysis of the Cerebral Physiological Impact of Ketamine in Acute Traumatic Neural Injury.
Neurotrauma reports – January 01, 2025
Summary
Ketamine shows promise as a safer sedation option for acute brain injuries, offering unique advantages over traditional treatments. New high-frequency monitoring reveals that this medication doesn't increase dangerous brain pressures in patients with traumatic brain injury, contrary to previous beliefs. By tracking 122 patients' brain activity, doctors found ketamine maintained stable pressure levels while providing effective sedation, potentially offering a valuable treatment option that avoids common side effects of other sedatives.
Abstract
Acute traumatic neural injury, also known as traumatic brain injury (TBI), is a leading cause of death. TBI treatment focuses on the use of sedativ...
Effective doses of remimazolam and esketamine combined with remifentanil for endotracheal intubation without muscle relaxants in pediatric patients.
Frontiers in pharmacology – January 01, 2025
Summary
Pediatric anesthesiologists have discovered a safer way to intubate young patients without using muscle relaxants. By combining remimazolam and esketamine with remifentanil, doctors achieved successful intubation while maintaining stable heart rates and blood pressure. Using Dixon's up-and-down method, researchers determined effective doses for children aged 3-6, finding optimal results with 0.56 mg/kg remimazolam and 0.97 mg/kg esketamine.
Abstract
The combination of remimazolam and esketamine effectively alleviates adverse hemodynamic effects, such as tachycardia and hypertension, during intu...
Ketamine effects on resting state functional brain connectivity in major depressive disorder patients: a hypothesis-driven analysis based on a network model of depression.
Frontiers in neuroscience – January 01, 2025
Summary
Ketamine, a powerful glutamatergic modulator, can lift depression symptoms within hours - a remarkable contrast to traditional antidepressants that take weeks. Using functional MRI brain scans, researchers found that a single ketamine dose rapidly altered specific brain connection patterns in patients with major depressive disorder. The treatment cut depression scores in half within 24 hours by targeting key neural circuits involved in mood regulation.
Abstract
Ketamine demonstrates robust and rapidly occurring antidepressant effects in patients with difficult-to-treat major depressive disorder. Ketamine's...
Comparative Sedative Effects of Esketamine and Dexmedetomidine Versus Dexmedetomidine Alone in Patients Undergoing Spinal Tumor Surgery.
Therapeutics and clinical risk management – January 01, 2025
Summary
Combining two powerful sedatives shows promising results in complex back surgeries. When esketamine is paired with dexmedetomidine, patients undergoing spinal tumor surgery experience better pain control and more stable vital signs compared to using dexmedetomidine alone. The combination proved equally safe and demonstrated superior sedative effects, while maintaining essential nerve monitoring capabilities during surgery.
Abstract
Esketamine and dexmedetomidine are commonly used sedatives in surgery, which can result in minimal respiratory depression and analgesic activity. T...
Sedation practices in patients intubated in the emergency department compared with those in patients in the intensive care unit.
Critical care science – January 01, 2025
Summary
Patients intubated in emergency departments take longer to achieve comfortable, light sedation compared to those in intensive care units. Medical teams studied 264 critically ill patients requiring breathing support, comparing sedation approaches between these two hospital settings. Emergency departments favored ketamine, while ICUs used more propofol and other sedatives. The key finding: ED patients took 13.5 hours to reach optimal sedation levels versus 10.5 hours in ICUs, highlighting opportunities to improve emergency sedation protocols.
Abstract
This study aimed to compare sedation management during and after intubation in the emergency department with that in the intensive care unit. This ...
NMDA receptors antagonists alleviated the acute phase of traumatic brain injury.
Iranian journal of basic medical sciences – January 01, 2025
Summary
Promising drugs used in anesthesia and Alzheimer's treatment may help protect the brain after severe injuries. Ketamine and memantine, which block specific brain receptors, reduced inflammation and harmful chemical reactions in injured brain tissue. Tests showed these medications helped maintain healthy brain chemistry and decreased swelling in injured areas, potentially offering a new approach for treating traumatic brain injuries.
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a significant cause of mortality and disability worldwide. TBI has been associated with factors such as oxidative s...
Treatment of neuropathic pain with repeated low-dose MDMA: a case report.
Frontiers in psychiatry – January 01, 2025
Summary
A groundbreaking case shows how MDMA microdosing provided lasting relief for severe chronic pain. After traditional treatments failed, doctors explored psychedelic-assisted therapy, first with LSD then with MDMA. Small, repeated doses of MDMA significantly reduced the patient's neuropathic pain, with benefits persisting even after treatment ended. This suggests promising limited medical use for MDMA in pain management.
Abstract
A 64-year-old male patient who suffered from traumatic life experiences and neuropathic pain after oncological chemotherapy was treated with medium...
Effect of Intraoperative Intravenous Infusion of Esketamine Combined with Dexmedetomidine on Postoperative Sleep Disturbance in Patients Undergoing Radical Mastectomy.
Drug design, development and therapy – January 01, 2025
Summary
Sleep problems affect many breast cancer patients after surgery, but new research shows promise in managing these disruptions. A combination of two medications - esketamine and dexmedetomidine - during surgery revealed interesting effects on sleep patterns. While esketamine helped reduce nighttime awakenings, dexmedetomidine influenced rapid eye movement sleep. Together, these medications offer potential benefits for managing post-surgical sleep disturbance.
Abstract
Postoperative sleep disturbance(POSD) is a problem in breast cancer patients after surgery. Little is known about the differences in the treatment ...
Butorphanol-azaperone-medetomidine and ketamine-butorphanol-azaperone-medetomidine chemical immobilization in habituated subadult female giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis).
Veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia – January 01, 2025
Summary
Safe sedation of giraffes is crucial for veterinary care. New research shows promising results using two drug combinations (BAM and KBAM) for giraffe immobilization. KBAM proved more efficient, achieving sedation in just 6 minutes compared to BAM's 17 minutes. Both methods were successful and resulted in calm recovery, though oxygen supplementation is recommended during the procedure.
Abstract
To describe the effects of butorphanol-azaperone-medetomidine (BAM) and ketamine-butorphanol-azaperone-medetomidine (KBAM) used for the chemical im...
Comparative Efficacy of Esketamine vs Sufentanil with Propofol for Sedation in EUS: A Randomized, Controlled Study.
Journal of pain research – January 01, 2025
Summary
A breakthrough in medical sedation shows that esketamine offers safer outcomes during endoscopic ultrasound procedures. When combined with propofol, this alternative sedative reduced respiratory depression by two-thirds compared to traditional methods. Patients receiving esketamine needed less medication overall and experienced more stable breathing patterns during sedation. The approach also led to faster recovery times and fewer post-procedure complications like nausea and vomiting.
Abstract
This randomized, controlled trial aimed to assess the sedative effects of esketamine and sufentanil combined with propofol during EUS. Three hundre...
Potential Serotonin 5-HT2A Receptor Agonist of Psychoactive Components of Silene undulata Aiton: LC-MS/MS, ADMET, and Molecular Docking Studies.
Current pharmaceutical biotechnology – January 01, 2025
Summary
African dream herb Silene undulata contains compounds similar to LSD in their interaction with brain receptors. Chemical profiling revealed 51 active compounds, including β-carboline alkaloids. Advanced molecular docking shows these substances bind to serotonin receptors nearly as strongly as LSD, explaining the plant's traditional use in inducing vivid dreams and altered states of consciousness.
Abstract
Silene undulata is historically used for inducing vivid and prophetic lucid dreams, but limited information exists on its phytochemical composition...
Effect of perioperative esketamine use on emergency delirium in children undergoing tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Frontiers in medicine – January 01, 2025
Summary
A promising breakthrough in pediatric surgery shows that esketamine can reduce post-surgery confusion by 67% in children having their tonsils removed. This comprehensive analysis of 1,996 young patients found that giving esketamine during surgery not only decreased emergence delirium but also led to less pain and fewer complications. Children recovered faster and needed less time in post-surgery care.
Abstract
Emergence delirium(ED) is a common postoperative complication in children undergoing tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy under general anesthesia. Ther...
An encounter with death: a comparative thematic and content analysis of naturalistic DMT experiences and the near-death experience.
Frontiers in psychology – January 01, 2025
Summary
The psychedelic compound DMT creates experiences remarkably similar to near-death experiences (NDEs), with 95% of users reporting classic NDE elements like bright lights, out-of-body sensations, and encounters with beings of light. Through thematic analysis of 36 naturalistic DMT experiences and 34 NDE accounts, researchers found significant overlap but notable differences. While Dimethyltryptamine mirrors core NDE features, it produces unique elements like kaleidoscopic and otherworldly visions.
Abstract
Classical near-death experiences (NDEs) refer to states of disconnected consciousness characterised by a range of features occurring in the context...
Comparison Between Low-Dose Esketamine and Dexmedetomidine on Postoperative Recovery Quality Among Patients Undergoing Humeral Trauma Surgery in Interscalene Brachial Plexus Block: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Controlled Trial.
Drug design, development and therapy – January 01, 2025
Summary
Low-dose esketamine shows promising results in improving recovery after shoulder area surgery. When compared to dexmedetomidine, patients receiving esketamine reported better quality of postoperative recovery, as measured by QoR-40 scores. The study found that esketamine maintained more stable heart rates and blood pressure while providing effective pain management during humeral trauma surgery, with no significant increase in side effects.
Abstract
Patients with humeral fracture often suffer from post-traumatic neuropsychiatric sequelae, which can cause immense anxiety or fear and worsen recov...
Opioid-Free versus Opioid-Sparing Anesthesia for Postoperative Pain and Early Recovery After Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
Journal of pain research – January 01, 2025
Summary
Pain management without opioids during gallbladder surgery proves just as effective as traditional opioid-based methods. In this groundbreaking comparison, patients receiving opioid-free anesthesia experienced similar pain control and recovery outcomes as those given conventional opioid-sparing techniques during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The opioid-free group even showed faster bowel recovery, while maintaining stable vital signs and high satisfaction levels.
Abstract
Enhanced recovery after surgery emphasizes effective analgesia while minimal opioid use. Opioid-free anesthesia (OFA) and opioid-sparing anesthesia...
Object relations are processed with, but not without, awareness.
Neuroscience of consciousness – January 01, 2025
Summary
Your brain processes relationships between objects differently when you're aware of them versus not. EEG measurements revealed that while people could easily recognize connections between visible object pairs, these object relations weren't processed when items were hidden from conscious awareness. The N400 brain response only appeared when participants were consciously aware of what they saw, challenging theories about unconscious processing.
Abstract
The scope of unconscious integration is widely debated. Here, we examined this question, focusing specifically on deciphering the relations between...
Efficacy of perioperative esketamine on postoperative depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Frontiers in psychiatry – January 01, 2025
Summary
Breakthrough findings show that esketamine, a fast-acting antidepressant, significantly reduces depression after surgery. Analysis of 1,724 patients across multiple studies revealed that those receiving esketamine during anesthesia had lower rates of postoperative depression at one week, two weeks, and long-term follow-up compared to control groups.
Abstract
Postoperative depression (POD) represents a serious complication in surgical patients, exacerbating morbidity and mortality rates while imposing a ...
Case Report: Successful management of psychogenic non-epileptic seizures with intranasal esketamine.
Frontiers in psychiatry – January 01, 2025
Summary
A groundbreaking case shows how intranasal esketamine helped a patient overcome both treatment-resistant depression and functional seizures. The medication completely stopped the patient's psychogenic seizures while significantly improving their anxiety and depression symptoms. This success suggests esketamine could offer new hope for people with complex neuropsychiatric disorders linked to past trauma.
Abstract
Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES), or functional seizures (FS), are episodes that resemble epileptic seizures but may be psychological in o...
Functional connectivity drifts during sleep as a marker of fluctuations in the level of consciousness.
Neuroscience of consciousness – January 01, 2025
Summary
Consciousness isn't simply "on" or "off" during sleep. In rats, examining functional connectivity revealed that Non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep, often considered unconscious, contains periods where its brain activity patterns resemble those of wakefulness or REM sleep. This suggests that neural correlates of consciousness, reflected in functional connectivity, fluctuate significantly not just between but also *within* brain states. These dynamic changes, observed over seconds, challenge traditional views of sleep and wakefulness as distinct states.
Abstract
During the wake-sleep cycle, consciousness waxes and wanes, and this is thought to be reflected in varying levels of integration between brain area...
Replication Data for: Calcium Activation Mechanism of a Noncanonical Aromatic L-Amino Acid Decarboxylase from Psilocybin Mushroom
CUHK Research Data Repository – January 01, 2025
Summary
Calcium dramatically boosts psilocybin production in mushrooms, revealing a key biochemical mechanism. Analyzing 30 distinct mushroom samples, a noncanonical aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase, a type of carboxy-lyase, was identified. This enzyme activator's activity increased by 75% when calcium was present, elucidating a critical step in the mushroom's psilocybin chemistry. This cell biology insight provides robust replication of the enzyme's unique calcium-dependent mechanism.
Abstract
Replication Data for: Calcium Activation Mechanism of a Noncanonical Aromatic L-Amino Acid Decarboxylase from Psilocybin Mushroom
Human neuroimaging: fMRI.
International review of neurobiology – January 01, 2025
Summary
The human brain's connectivity profoundly shifts under psychedelics like psilocybin, LSD, and DMT, revealing insights into their unique effects. Neuroimaging, specifically functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), shows these substances acutely disrupt normal resting-state patterns. This neuropsychopharmacology research suggests these fMRI-observed changes are closely linked to both the characteristic subjective experiences and positive long-term emotional impacts. This deepens our understanding of psychedelics and aids in developing new treatments.
Abstract
Human neuroimaging with functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging has been a key feature of the current wave of psychedelic research, in both healthy a...
Recommendations and Consensus Statements on Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy (PAP) for Depression: A Rapid Review and Thematic Analysis
Open Science Framework – January 01, 2025
Summary
Emerging consensus points to clearer guidance for psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy (PAP) in adults with depression. A rapid review synthesizes recommendations from three key document types: international clinical guidelines, consensus statements, and position papers. Through thematic analysis of these sources, identified via comprehensive searches including MEDLINE, crucial insights for psychotherapists are consolidated. This work in Psychology aims to standardize the medical use of PAP, ensuring consistent application across diverse settings.
Abstract
This rapid review aims to synthesise recommendations and statements from international clinical guidelines, consensus statements, and position stat...
Psychedelic pathways: Exploring reinforcement learning under psychedelic influence
Open Science Framework – January 01, 2025
Summary
Psilocybin is poised to reveal profound insights into how our brains learn from rewards. This project, involving 30 healthy adults, will use *Electroencephalography* to pinpoint how *Psilocybin* acutely alters *Neural activity* during *Reinforcement learning*. Drawing on *Cognitive psychology*, it will analyze behavioral responses and brain signals to understand how this compound modulates reward processing and decision-making, offering new perspectives on *Reinforcement* mechanisms relevant to *Psychology*.
Abstract
This project investigates the acute effects of psilocybin on probabilistic reinforcement learning in healthy adults. Using a double blind, randomiz...
Evaluating the potential for psilocybin as a treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder.
The Journal of pharmacology and experimental therapeutics – January 01, 2025
Summary
Psilocybin shows remarkable potential in rewiring fear responses in the brain, offering hope for those with post-traumatic stress disorder. The compound increases brain-derived neurotrophic factor, helping form new neural connections. Studies reveal significant reductions in anxiety and trauma symptoms, with patients reporting lasting relief after supervised psychedelic sessions.
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating psychiatric condition that develops following exposure to a traumatic event. Individuals wi...
Systematic review of parenteral ketamine for managing acute agitation in emergency settings.
Asian journal of psychiatry – January 01, 2025
Summary
In emergency departments, managing severe agitation requires fast, effective solutions. Ketamine, traditionally known as an anesthetic, shows remarkable promise in calming aggressive patients quickly and safely. When administered by injection, it takes effect in just 6 minutes on average, providing rapid relief in psychiatric emergencies. Studies spanning 1,500+ patients found it particularly effective, with most requiring only a single dose for successful sedation. While some patients experienced mild side effects like increased heart rate, serious complications were extremely rare.
Abstract
Agitation, a significant psychiatric issue often linked to conditions like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depression, invariably pose c...
Effects of Remimazolam Tosilate Combined with Esketamine on Anesthetic Efficacy and Psychiatric Symptoms in Patients Undergoing Ambulatory Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Study.
Drug design, development and therapy – January 01, 2025
Summary
A breakthrough in surgical anesthesia shows that combining remimazolam tosilate with esketamine significantly reduces post-surgery psychiatric side effects while speeding up recovery. In a study of 249 patients undergoing ambulatory surgery, this combination proved more effective than traditional methods, offering better stability during procedures and faster recovery times. Patients experienced fewer vision problems and mental disturbances, while maintaining optimal sedation levels.
Abstract
The choice of anesthetic drugs is crucial in ambulatory surgery. Esketamine has anesthetic, analgesic, and sedative effects, but it is associated w...
Potential therapeutic effects of psychedelics in small doses: Is there a role for microdosing in psychiatry?
International review of neurobiology – January 01, 2025
Summary
Remarkably, very small doses of psychedelics like lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and psilocybin show promise in psychiatry. Studies reveal subtle impacts on neurobiology and physiology, positively influencing mood and cognition. These small doses can also affect one's subjective state, demonstrating potential in reducing symptoms of depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Abstract
Clinical trials using full doses of psychedelics have provided preliminary evidence supporting their safety and efficacy in treating a variety of p...
Corrigendum: Ayahuasca-assisted meaning reconstruction therapy for grief: a non-randomized clinical trial protocol.
Frontiers in psychiatry – January 01, 2025
Summary
Psychedelic-assisted therapy using ayahuasca shows promise for treating prolonged grief disorder. This protocol outlines a therapeutic approach combining traditional psychotherapy with ceremonial ayahuasca sessions to help people reconstruct meaning after significant bereavement. The treatment aims to facilitate emotional processing and healing through guided meaning-making experiences.
Abstract
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1484736.].
The protective effect of DMT against neurodegeneration.
International review of neurobiology – January 01, 2025
Summary
The molecule dimethyltryptamine (DMT) shows remarkable potential for neuroprotection. Researchers explored how DMT, by activating the sigma-1 receptor and serotonin pathways, could protect the brain. Preclinical studies revealed DMT's ability to mitigate ischemia-reperfusion injury, a key factor in conditions like stroke and brain ischemia. This suggests DMT may offer therapeutic benefits against neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, pointing to universal cellular protective mechanisms.
Abstract
This paper explores the therapeutic potential of DMT in neuroprotective strategies, particularly concerning ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) and n...
Corrigendum: Ayahuasca-induced personal death experiences: prevalence, characteristics, and impact on attitudes toward death, life, and the environment.
Frontiers in psychiatry – January 01, 2025
Summary
Experiencing a sense of personal death during ayahuasca ceremonies can profoundly shift attitudes about life and death. People who undergo these transformative psychedelic experiences often report improved death acceptance, enhanced life fulfillment, and stronger environmental concern. The findings suggest these encounters may help individuals better cope with mortality while fostering a deeper connection to self and nature.
Abstract
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1287961.].
Serotonergic psychedelics for depression: A comprehensive overview.
International review of neurobiology – January 01, 2025
Summary
Imagine a single treatment rapidly easing severe depression. Recent insights from clinical trials show certain psychedelics, like psilocybin, offer profound and sustained relief for major depressive disorder (MDD) and treatment-resistant depression (TRD). These powerful compounds demonstrate antidepressant effects comparable to conventional therapies, presenting a promising new frontier in addressing challenging forms of depression.
Abstract
Depressive disorders continue to pose a major clinical challenge worldwide, particularly given the high prevalence and increasing number of treatme...
Psychedelics and substance use disorder treatment.
International review of neurobiology – January 01, 2025
Summary
Remarkably, certain **hallucinogens** show promise in treating **addiction**. Research indicates **psychedelics** like **LSD**, **psilocybin**, and **ayahuasca** can help individuals with **alcohol use disorder** reduce drinking and achieve abstinence. Promising initial findings also emerge for **tobacco use disorder** and opioid **substance use disorders**. These compounds may work by improving brain function and fostering personal insights, offering a new path for recovery.
Abstract
The current chapter presents the literature evaluating the effects of classic psychedelic treatments on five substance use disorders: alcohol, toba...
Post-traumatic stress disorder in psychedelic research.
International review of neurobiology – January 01, 2025
Summary
Remarkably, psychedelic-assisted therapy is showing profound promise for individuals with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) who haven't responded to traditional trauma-focused therapy. Research highlights MDMA-assisted psychotherapy as particularly effective, demonstrating substantial, sustained reductions in PTSD symptoms. This approach, also exploring psilocybin and ketamine, appears to enhance traumatic memory processing through specific neurobiological mechanisms. Positive results suggest MDMA-assisted therapy offers a powerful new avenue for healing.
Abstract
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a severe psychiatric condition that develops after exposure to trauma such as combat, natural disasters, o...
Effect of Esketamine-Based Opioid-Sparing Anesthesia Protocol on the Quality of Early Recovery After Urological Surgery: A Randomized Clinical Trial.
Drug design, development and therapy – January 01, 2025
Summary
A breakthrough in surgical recovery shows that using esketamine during kidney surgery leads to better patient outcomes. This innovative opioid-sparing anesthesia approach resulted in faster recovery times, less postoperative pain, and fewer side effects like nausea. Patients who received esketamine during nephrectomy procedures woke up sooner and reported higher quality of recovery scores compared to traditional methods.
Abstract
The quality of postoperative recovery under enhanced recovery after surgery protocols has always been the focus of anesthesiologists. It has been p...
Effects of esketamine-sufentanil for patient-controlled intravenous analgesia in women following cesarean section: A randomized clinical trial.
Frontiers in pharmacology – January 01, 2025
Summary
A promising advancement in post-cesarean pain management combines esketamine with sufentanil, reducing pain intensity by up to 50% compared to traditional methods. This medication duo not only improved pain control but also decreased postpartum blood loss and reduced nausea and vomiting from 18% to just 4% in new mothers. The combined treatment proved especially effective during the critical first 24 hours after surgery, helping women recover more comfortably.
Abstract
Postoperative pain following cesarean section can cause maternal anxiety, limited ambulation, and even postpartum depression. In this study, we aim...
Opioid-Free Anesthesia with Esketamine Combined with Iliac Fascia Block in Elderly Patients Undergoing Hip Surgery.
Drug design, development and therapy – January 01, 2025
Summary
A breakthrough in hip surgery pain management shows that elderly individuals can recover more comfortably without opioids. Using esketamine combined with targeted nerve blocks provided superior pain control and fewer side effects compared to traditional opioid-based methods. Patients experienced more stable blood pressure, better postoperative analgesia, and significantly less nausea - marking a safer approach for seniors needing hip fracture repair.
Abstract
Most patients with hip fractures are elderly people with relatively high risks of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular accidents. Esketamine has litt...
Psychedelics for the treatment of end-of-life distress in patients with a life-threatening disease.
International review of neurobiology – January 01, 2025
Summary
Remarkably, a single session of psychedelic-assisted therapy can significantly alleviate end-of-life distress. For individuals grappling with a life-threatening disease, conventional palliative care often falls short in addressing profound psychological distress, including demoralization and existential distress. Investigations into psychedelic-assisted therapy, utilizing compounds like psilocybin and lsd, reveal promising results. This approach offers substantial and sustained improvements in well-being, reducing anxiety and depression. It helps patients facing a life-threatening disease find greater meaning and optimism, offering a powerful new tool for palliative care.
Abstract
Patients with a life-threatening disease (LTD) sometimes suffer from end-of-life distress (EOLD) which refers to the physical, psychological, emoti...
Clinical pharmacology.
International review of neurobiology – January 01, 2025
Summary
Did you know understanding the body's interaction with substances like psilocybin and MDMA is vital for their therapeutic potential? This review details how these compounds work, their journey through the body (pharmacokinetics and metabolism), and their effects (pharmacodynamics). Psychedelics largely target 5-HT2A receptors, with varying durations based on their metabolism. MDMA offers unique stimulant and empathogenic effects. Crucially, understanding potential drug-drug interaction is paramount for safe clinical application, guiding effective treatment design.
Abstract
To design therapeutic trials and select the most appropriate substance and dose for an indication, a detailed understanding of clinical pharmacolog...
Is there a risk of addiction to ketamine during the treatment of depression? A systematic review of available literature.
Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England) – January 01, 2025
Summary
While ketamine shows remarkable success in treating severe depression, its history as a recreational drug has raised questions about addiction risks. Studies tracking over 2,000 patients receiving medically supervised ketamine or esketamine treatment found minimal evidence of dependence. Only four patients developed tolerance or addiction-like symptoms, suggesting that therapeutic use under proper medical supervision carries low risk of dependence while effectively treating depression.
Abstract
Ketamine has demonstrated both rapid and sustained efficacy in treating depression, especially in treatment-resistant cases. However, concerns rega...
Being in the zone during physiological birth: a comparative study of hospital and home birth environments.
Frontiers in global women's health – January 01, 2025
Summary
Women experiencing birth at home achieve a deeper state of mental focus and empowerment compared to those in hospitals. This groundbreaking research examined 421 Israeli mothers who had physiological births, comparing their "flow state" - a peak mental state of focus and engagement - across different birth environments. Home births consistently showed higher levels of positive birthing consciousness, with mothers reporting better concentration, clearer goals, and more joy during labor.
Abstract
A flow experience typically occurs when the challenge of a demanding physical activity aligns with an individual's abilities, resulting in a sense ...