Research
Effect of Esketamine Compared with Sufentanil Combined with Propofol in Patients Undergoing First Trimester Surgical Abortion: A Randomized, Double-Blinded Clinical Trial.
Drug design, development and therapy – January 01, 2025
Summary
Esketamine shows promise as a safer anesthetic option for surgical abortion procedures, offering better stability in blood pressure and heart rate. In this randomized trial of 197 patients, those receiving esketamine maintained steadier vital signs and experienced fewer breathing complications compared to traditional sufentanil. While dizziness was more common, the overall benefits to hemodynamic and respiratory function make it an attractive alternative.
Abstract
We explored whether esketamine anesthesia during first-trimester surgical abortion can reduce intraoperative hemodynamic fluctuations and improve p...
Ascorbic Acid and Esketamine for Mental Disorders in Women with Miscarriage: A Randomized Controlled Double-Blind Trial Protocol.
Neuropsychiatric disease and treatment – January 01, 2025
Summary
Vitamin C may hold promise in enhancing ketamine's ability to prevent depression and anxiety after pregnancy loss. New research explores how combining these treatments could help women recover mentally after miscarriage. The study tests whether vitamin C can boost ketamine's mood-lifting effects while reducing side effects. This approach may improve sleep quality and manage pain, offering a gentler path to emotional healing.
Abstract
Pregnancy leads to vulnerabilities and susceptibilities to mental disorders. Miscarriage, as an adverse pregnancy outcome, and following curettage ...
We are the Sensors of Consciousness! A Review and Analysis on How Awakenings During Sleep Influence Dream Recall.
Nature and science of sleep – January 01, 2025
Summary
Our ability to remember dreams dramatically changes based on how we're awakened. Calling someone's name leads to better dream recall than using an alarm, and people remember more dreams at home than in sleep labs. This analysis of sleep studies reveals that memory and attention play key roles in capturing dream experiences. Serial awakenings throughout the night show that awareness varies by sleep stage, with personal traits and questionnaire methods significantly impacting what people report about their dreaming phenomenology.
Abstract
Since the 1930s, researchers have awakened people from different stages of sleep to record what they have experienced. While some aspects, includin...
Effect of Different Doses of Esketamine on Postoperative Recovery in Patients Undergoing Gynecologic Laparoscopic Surgery, a Randomized, Double-Blind, Single-Center Clinical Study.
Drug design, development and therapy – January 01, 2025
Summary
A groundbreaking discovery shows that a single dose of esketamine before surgery can significantly improve recovery outcomes for women. In this investigation of 99 patients undergoing gynecologic laparoscopic surgery, those receiving esketamine experienced better postoperative quality of recovery and needed less pain medication. The higher dose (0.5 mg/kg) proved most effective, reducing pain scores and enhancing recovery without increasing side effects.
Abstract
This study aimed to explore the effect of preoperative different doses of esketamine on postoperative recovery in patients undergoing gynecologic l...
Is there a place for psychedelics in sports practice?
Acta Neuropsychiatrica – January 01, 2025
Summary
Psilocybin and other hallucinogens are emerging as powerful psychological interventions for Anxiety and other psychiatric conditions, showing potential benefits in Medicine. While Athletes could benefit from such Psychology-based approaches, specific data on how substances like Psilocybin, Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), or MDMA affect their physical performance is largely absent. Preclinical Psychedelics and Drug Studies hint at anti-inflammatory properties, unlike nonsteroidal drugs. Understanding Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior in performance, crucial for Forensic Toxicology and Drug Analysis, requires further investigation.
Abstract
Abstract Growing evidence suggests that psychedelic-assisted therapies can alleviate depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress, and substance use d...
Zebra_K, a kinematic analysis automated platform for assessing sensitivity, habituation and prepulse inhibition of the acoustic startle response in adult zebrafish.
The Science of the total environment – January 01, 2025
Summary
Scientists have discovered fascinating gender differences in how fish react to sudden sounds. Using a new kinematic analysis platform, researchers found female zebrafish show stronger acoustic startle responses but adapt more slowly than males. The platform measures how adult zebrafish respond to, and learn from, repeated sound stimuli. Testing with ketamine confirmed the system's effectiveness for studying sensorimotor gating and neuroplasticity.
Abstract
The acoustic startle response (ASR) is leaded by a sudden and intense acoustic stimulus. ASR has several forms of plasticity, including habituation...
Estimation of the prevalence of substance use by wastewater-based epidemiology study in four cities of Guangdong, China.
PloS one – January 01, 2025
Summary
Analysis of wastewater from 67 treatment plants across four Chinese cities revealed surprising drug use patterns in Guangdong Province. Scientists tracked drug metabolites in sewage to estimate regional substance use, finding methamphetamine as the most prevalent drug, followed by heroin and ketamine. While heroin use decreased over the study period, meth and ketamine consumption showed concerning upward trends.
Abstract
The widespread use of illegal drugs and their associated problems have emerged as a significant public health concern. This study was conducted to ...
Analytical and behavioral characterization of 1-dodecanoyl-LSD (1DD-LSD).
Drug testing and analysis – January 01, 2025
Summary
Scientists have discovered that 1DD-LSD, a new variant of the classic psychedelic LSD, shows promise but with unique properties. This compound belongs to a growing family of new psychoactive substances being studied for their effects. Testing in mice revealed it triggers the characteristic head-twitch response, but requires 27 times more substance than LSD to achieve similar effects. The longer molecular structure may explain its reduced potency.
Abstract
1-Acetyl-N,N-diethyllysergamide (1A-LSD, ALD-52) was first synthesized in the 1950s and found to produce psychedelic effects similar to those of LS...
Ketamine for refractory depression: Save the best for last?
Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England) – January 01, 2025
Summary
Ketamine, traditionally an anesthetic, shows remarkable promise in treating severe depression, matching the effectiveness of electroconvulsive therapy with fewer side effects. Rather than being a last resort, new pharmacology research suggests it could work better as an early treatment option. Current treatment algorithms place ketamine after multiple failed medications, but evidence shows it's safer than many standard augmentation strategies. For patients with treatment-resistant depression, earlier ketamine intervention could mean faster relief and better outcomes.
Abstract
Ketamine has recently been shown to be non-inferior to electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), one of psychiatry's most effective treatments for depressio...
Invisible Gorillas in the Mind: Internal Inattentional Blindness and the Prospect of Introspection Training.
Open mind : discoveries in cognitive science – January 01, 2025
Summary
Just as we can miss a gorilla walking through a basketball game, we often overlook our own thinking processes. Research shows that many mental activities we consider unconscious may actually be accessible through proper internal attention. Through mindfulness and introspection training, people can develop greater self-awareness of their thoughts, improving their ability to notice preconscious mental processes that typically go unnoticed due to internal inattentional blindness.
Abstract
Much of high-level cognition appears inaccessible to consciousness. Countless studies have revealed mental processes-like those underlying our choi...
Comparison of Laboratory Confirmed Drugs in Acute Recreational Drug Toxicity Presentations to an Urban Hospital in London, UK, 2016/17 versus 2019/20.
Journal of medical toxicology : official journal of the American College of Medical Toxicology – January 01, 2025
Summary
Drug patterns at a London hospital reveal shifting trends: Cannabis, ketamine, and opioid use increased significantly from 2016 to 2020, while MDMA and alcohol-related cases declined. Novel psychoactive substances evolved, with new synthetic benzodiazepines emerging and traditional "legal highs" becoming less common. The findings reflect broader European drug use patterns.
Abstract
Novel Psychoactive Substance (NPS) use is increasingly prevalent and is often associated with severe acute recreational drug toxicity (ARDT). 258 U...
The strength of neural entrainment to electronic music correlates with proxies of altered states of consciousness.
Frontiers in human neuroscience – January 01, 2025
Summary
Electronic music's hypnotic beats can sync with our brainwaves, potentially inducing altered states of consciousness. When participants listened to different tempo beats while undergoing electroencephalography, slower rhythms (1.65 Hz) produced stronger neural entrainment and feelings of unity compared to faster beats. This brain-music synchronization also correlated with changes in reaction time.
Abstract
In electronic music events, the driving four-on-the-floor music appears pivotal for inducing altered states of consciousness (ASCs). While various ...
Healing, Harms, and Humility: Expanding the Scope of Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy Research.
Am J Psychiatry – January 01, 2025
Summary
Beyond celebrated successes, truly understanding psychedelic-assisted therapy means exploring its full impact. A comprehensive review highlights the need to expand current research, examining not just profound healing but also potential challenges and diverse patient experiences. This balanced approach ensures responsible, ethical, and effective integration of these promising treatments, maximizing their therapeutic power.
Abstract
Healing, Harms, and Humility: Expanding the Scope of Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy Research.
Balanced Opioid-Free Anesthesia on Chronic Postsurgical Pain After Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial Protocol.
Journal of pain research – January 01, 2025
Summary
Chronic pain after surgery affects up to 60% of patients. This innovative protocol explores how opioid-free anesthesia during video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery might reduce this risk. The approach combines alternative pain medications with specialized nerve blocks, aiming to improve quality of recovery and prevent long-term pain issues. Results could transform how we manage surgical pain.
Abstract
Opioids are widely used for anesthesia and postoperative analgesia; however, their use is related to increased risks of untoward effects including ...
Tulving's (1989) Doctrine of Concordance Revisited.
Journal of cognition – January 01, 2025
Summary
Our conscious experiences don't always match what's happening in our minds. This fascinating insight challenges how we understand memory and awareness. Research shows that while we may feel confident about a memory or experience déjà vu, the brain processes behind these feelings often operate independently from our conscious awareness. This disconnect appears in various memory phenomena, from metacognitive judgments to recognition confidence, revealing that our subjective experiences can be surprisingly unreliable guides to our cognitive processes.
Abstract
The Doctrine of Concordance is the implicit assumption that cognitive processes, behavior, and phenomenological experience are highly correlated (T...
Hypnagogia, psychedelics, and sensory deprivation: the mythic structure of dream-like experiences.
Frontiers in psychology – January 01, 2025
Summary
Dream-like states, from hypnagogia to psychedelic experiences, share fascinating patterns with ancient mythic thinking. Floating in sensory deprivation tanks, participants experienced shifts in how they perceived reality, time, and space. Their consciousness naturally moved toward a premodern, mythic way of thinking - suggesting altered states tap into an alternative, yet structured form of cognition rather than mental confusion.
Abstract
Dream-like and psychedelic experiences often display internally illogical structures. Recent theories propose that these experiences function as "s...
Ketamine for treatment-resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder: Double-blind active-controlled crossover study.
Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England) – January 01, 2025
Summary
New hope emerges for those struggling with severe obsessive-compulsive disorder: ketamine shows promising results in reducing symptoms. In a controlled trial, patients receiving ketamine injections experienced significant symptom improvement compared to those given an alternative medication. Benefits appeared within hours and lasted up to a week, with higher doses showing better results.
Abstract
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) may respond to ketamine treatment. To examine the responsiveness and tolerability of treatment-refractory OCD t...
[[Dreams]visions in Hoffmann's «fairy tales»: An experience of phenomenological description].
Zhurnal nevrologii i psikhiatrii imeni S.S. Korsakova – January 01, 2025
Summary
In Romantic literature, dreams blur the line between reality and fantasy, revealing deeper truths about human consciousness. Through vivid descriptions of dreaming states, Hoffmann explores the ambivalence between everyday perception and heightened awareness. His characters experience both enlightening visions and terrifying nightmares, reflecting natural philosophy's view of interconnected existence. The visionary experiences are marked by intense sensations, fluid boundaries, and creative energy.
Abstract
The article highlights the stable characteristics of the world of dreams/visions, which is revealed to Hoffmann's visionaries in borderline, «twili...
Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy for Trauma-Related Disorders: A Scoping Review of a Depression-Dominated Evidence Base with Implications for Intimate Partner Violence-Related PTSD
Open Science Framework – January 01, 2025
Summary
Psilocybin-assisted therapy shows emerging hope in clinical psychology and psychiatry. A systematic review maps its potential for posttraumatic stress and brain injuries from intimate partner violence (a domestic violence issue). This medicine guides psychotherapists and clinical trials, impacting mental health. Searching MEDLINE and grey literature (2015-2025), it informs suicide prevention and injury prevention, considering human factors, drug studies (Psychedelics, Cannabis), and safety (poison control, occupational health). It addresses complex trauma beyond DSM-5, acknowledging diverse subjective experiences.
Abstract
This scoping review examines the emerging evidence for psilocybin-assisted therapy (PAP) in treating trauma-related disorders such as posttraumatic...
Anti-NMDAR Encephalitis With Serial Negative MRI Findings: An Evaluation Using Autoimmune Psychosis Criteria.
Case reports in neurological medicine – January 01, 2025
Summary
When a teenager's mental state rapidly deteriorated, doctors discovered that his brain inflammation had an autoimmune cause, despite normal MRI scans. His symptoms included seizures, altered consciousness, and psychiatric changes. Using specialized criteria and electroencephalography, physicians identified anti-NMDAR encephalitis. Treatment with steroids led to significant improvement, highlighting how autoimmune conditions can masquerade as psychiatric disorders.
Abstract
Autoimmune psychosis criteria have been proposed for autoimmune encephalitis with prominent psychiatric symptoms as an alternative to biomarker-bas...
Association of intravenous ketamine with change in depressive symptoms in a large integrated health care system.
Psychiatry research – January 01, 2025
Summary
Ketamine infusion therapy offers new hope for people with hard-to-treat depression. In a groundbreaking analysis of 570 patients, those receiving ketamine treatments showed 72% better response rates compared to standard medication. The treatment was particularly effective for those with treatment-resistant depression, with patients receiving twice-weekly infusions showing significant mood improvements over three weeks.
Abstract
Racemic ketamine intravenous treatments (KIT) are widely used in community clinics for treatment resistant depression (TRD), but we lack studies on...
Effects of acute and chronic ketamine administration on spontaneous and evoked brain activity.
Brain research – January 01, 2025
Summary
Ketamine's effects on brain activity patterns mirror schizophrenia symptoms, revealing crucial insights into mental health treatment. Research with mice shows that blocking NMDA receptors with ketamine alters brain oscillations and reduces neural responses to stimuli. While both short and long-term ketamine use impact brain activity, surprisingly, extended use doesn't intensify these changes - challenging previous assumptions about chronic effects.
Abstract
Schizophrenia is believed to be, at least in part, a dysfunction of the glutamatergic system. In line with anatomical evidence, suppressing N-methy...
Effect of a mindfulness program on stress, anxiety, depression, sleep quality, social support, and life satisfaction: a quasi-experimental study in college students.
Frontiers in psychology – January 01, 2025
Summary
Engaging in a mindfulness program significantly enhances college students' mental health. In a study of 128 participants, those who completed a 12-week mindfulness meditation course experienced reductions in stress (effect size: 0.376), anxiety (0.538), and depression (0.091). Additionally, improvements were noted in sleep quality (0.306), social support (0.704), and life satisfaction (0.510). These results highlight the potential of mindfulness practices to alleviate anxiety and boost overall well-being during the challenging university years, fostering healthier academic environments.
Abstract
The university experience often brings various personal and academic challenges that can negatively impact students' mental health. This research a...
Electroencephalographic characteristics of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation for prolonged disorders of consciousness: a study protocol.
Frontiers in neuroscience – January 01, 2025
Summary
Gentle electrical stimulation of the ear's vagus nerve shows promise in helping patients recover from severe consciousness disorders. This protocol aims to identify which patients will benefit most from this treatment by analyzing their brain activity patterns. Using EEG monitoring, researchers will track changes in brain wave patterns and neural connections in 50 patients receiving ear stimulation over 4 weeks, followed by a year of observation.
Abstract
Increasing evidence indicates that transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) can promote the recovery of consciousness levels in pat...
Effect of Low-Dose Esketamine Combined with Propofol on Postoperative Fatigue in Colonoscopy: A Randomized Clinical Trial.
Therapeutics and clinical risk management – January 01, 2025
Summary
A promising breakthrough in colonoscopy comfort: Adding low-dose esketamine to standard anesthesia reduces post-procedure fatigue by 16% and speeds up recovery. In a trial of 151 patients, those receiving esketamine experienced less tiredness and went home 5 minutes sooner than the control group. They also reported higher satisfaction and showed better vital signs.
Abstract
Postoperative fatigue (POF) is a common occurrence following colonoscopy, primarily attributed to bowel preparation and endoscopic probe stimulatio...
Ketamine in treating opioid use disorder and opioid withdrawal: a scoping review.
Frontiers in psychiatry – January 01, 2025
Summary
As opioid-related deaths double over two decades, medical experts explore ketamine - a powerful NMDA antagonist - as a promising treatment option. This medication shows potential in reducing both opioid cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Studies reveal that ketamine helps patients manage substance use challenges, particularly during the difficult withdrawal phase, while also supporting successful buprenorphine treatment transitions.
Abstract
Opioid use disorder (OUD) continues to be a public health crisis in the United States, with mortality having doubled over the last twenty years, le...
Psilocybin Mushrooms and Public Health in Brazil: Insights from a Retrospective Analysis of Adverse Events and Their Implications for Regulatory Discussions.
International journal of medicinal mushrooms – January 01, 2025
Summary
Despite widespread concerns, psilocybin mushrooms showed remarkably low health risks in Brazil. Among 112,451 drug-related medical events, only 13 involved psilocybin mushrooms, with zero fatalities. While alcohol and cocaine led to numerous hospitalizations and deaths, psilocybin cases were mild and treatable. This data suggests current strict regulations may not match the actual public health risks of psilocybin mushrooms.
Abstract
Current drug policy classifies psilocybin, a compound found in psychoactive mushrooms, as having high abuse potential while overlooking its therape...
Benefits and Challenges of Ultra-Fast, Short-Acting Psychedelics in the Treatment of Depression
American Journal of Psychiatry – January 01, 2025
Summary
Rapid antidepressant effects are emerging from psychedelics. Unlike classical medicine, hallucinogens like psilocybin and ultra-fast compounds such as 5-MeO-DMT show significant promise in psychiatry. Early pharmacology studies in small samples indicate brief 15-30 minute interventions induce marked improvement in depression symptoms within 24 hours, lasting over a week. These monoamine neurotransmitters primarily act on serotonergic 5-HT receptors, influencing serotonin pathways. This neuroscience, exploring chemical synthesis and how receptors influence behavior, is vital for future psychology and drug studies.
Abstract
Unlike classical antidepressants, psychedelics such as psilocybin have been shown to induce a rapid antidepressant response. In the wake of this de...
A dualist theory of experience.
Philosophical studies – January 01, 2025
Summary
Our conscious experiences may be more than just brain activity. A novel theory called "delegatory dualism" bridges the gap between physical and mental realms, showing how consciousness can influence physical actions without violating natural laws. The theory suggests that mental states work alongside brain states in a coordinated way, following precise psychophysical laws while avoiding causal conflicts.
Abstract
Dualism holds that experiences somehow arise from physical states, despite being neither identical with nor grounded in such states. This paper mot...
Correction: Study Protocol for 'PsilOCD: A Pharmacological Challenge Study Evaluating the Effects of the 5-HT2A Agonist Psilocybin on the Neurocognitive and Clinical Correlates of Compulsivity'.
Cureus – January 01, 2025
Summary
Scientists are exploring psilocybin, the active compound in magic mushrooms, as a potential treatment for OCD. This protocol outlines a groundbreaking investigation into how psilocybin affects brain function and compulsive behaviors. Researchers will study participants with OCD using brain imaging and behavioral tests to understand if and how this psychedelic compound might help reduce obsessive-compulsive symptoms.
Abstract
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.7759/cureus.78171.].
Characterizing the therapeutical use of ketamine for adolescent rats of both sexes: Antidepressant-like efficacy and safety profile.
Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie – January 01, 2025
Summary
Ketamine shows promise in treating adolescent depression, but its effects vary significantly between males and females. New research reveals that while this medication effectively reduces depressive symptoms in young rats, safety concerns emerged. Female adolescents showed signs of drug sensitization, while males displayed increased addiction risk when re-exposed to ketamine in adulthood. The findings highlight the complex balance between therapeutic benefits and safety considerations in youth mental health treatment.
Abstract
While ketamine was approved for treatment-resistant depression in adult patients, its efficacy and safety profile for adolescence still requires fu...
Electroencephalography Correlation of Ketamine-induced Clinical Excitatory Movements: A Systematic Review.
The western journal of emergency medicine – January 01, 2025
Summary
Ketamine's effects on brain activity reveal a striking pattern: while it's safe for most people, those with epilepsy respond differently. Brain wave recordings show that nearly 30% of people with epilepsy experience seizure activity during ketamine use, while those without epilepsy show no such activity. The effect is even more pronounced in children with epilepsy, where 60% show measurable brain changes. Physical movements during ketamine use strongly correlate with these brain patterns, especially in patients with pre-existing seizure conditions.
Abstract
This is a systematic review investigating the correlation between seizures identifiable on electroencephalogram (EEG), clinical excitatory movement...
Oral ketamine for acute postoperative analgesia (OKAPA) trial: A randomized controlled, single center pilot study.
Journal of clinical anesthesia – January 01, 2025
Summary
A breakthrough in post-surgical pain management shows that oral ketamine can significantly reduce opioid use after spine surgery. Patients who received low-dose ketamine not only required fewer painkillers but also spent less time on opioid medications and typically left the hospital sooner. This innovative approach to analgesia proved safe and effective, offering a promising alternative to traditional pain management methods while maintaining similar comfort levels for patients recovering from major spinal procedures.
Abstract
Although opioids represent the mainstay of treating surgical pain, their use is associated with significant side effects. There is an urgent need t...
Postoperative Ketamine May be Associated with Venous Thromboembolism in Chronic Opioid Users After Spine Surgery.
World neurosurgery – January 01, 2025
Summary
Pain control after spine surgery presents unique challenges, especially for long-term opioid users. New research reveals an unexpected connection between ketamine, a popular alternative pain medication, and blood clot formation. Analysis of 322 spine surgery patients showed that those receiving ketamine for post-surgical pain control had higher rates of venous thromboembolism, particularly among chronic opioid users. This finding suggests careful consideration is needed when selecting pain management strategies.
Abstract
Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a serious postoperative adverse event after spine surgery. In patients with pain refractory to typical multimodal a...
Can repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation promote recovery of consciousness in patients with disorders of consciousness? A randomized controlled trial.
NeuroImage. Clinical – January 01, 2025
Summary
Breakthrough brain stimulation offers new hope for unconscious patients. Using transcranial magnetic stimulation on specific brain regions, doctors helped patients with disorders of consciousness recover three times more effectively than conventional therapy. Brain activity changes were confirmed through electroencephalography, showing how this non-invasive treatment rebalances neural networks to boost awareness.
Abstract
Disorders of consciousness (DoC) are characterized by a broad decline in background excitatory synaptic activity and varying levels of cerebral net...
Association of Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder with Trait Neuroticism and Mental Health Symptoms.
Journal of psychoactive drugs – January 01, 2025
Summary
Visual disturbances after psychedelic use may be more common than previously thought. Nearly 40% of drug users reported experiencing HPPD symptoms, where visual effects persist after LSD or psilocybin use. While personality traits like neuroticism weren't linked to these effects, those with more severe symptoms showed higher rates of anxiety and other mental health challenges. Drug testing and verification emerged as a crucial safety factor.
Abstract
Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder (HPPD) is considered rare in hallucinogen users although there are conflicting reports about its incide...
Associations between psychedelic use and cannabis use disorder in a nationally representative sample.
Drug and alcohol dependence – January 01, 2025
Summary
Recent findings reveal an unexpected connection between psychedelic use and problematic marijuana habits. Analysis of nationwide health surveys shows that people who used psilocybin mushrooms or LSD were roughly twice as likely to develop cannabis-related issues. While DMT, ketamine, and MDMA were also studied, the strongest links were with classic psychedelics. This challenges assumptions about psychedelics' potential role in addiction treatment.
Abstract
Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD) is an increasingly prevalent disorder affecting millions of Americans each year. Psychedelic compounds have recently be...
Developing and evaluating a Portuguese-language meditation App for medical students: motivation, adherence, and emotional effects.
Frontiers in psychology – January 01, 2025
Summary
Medical students experience significant stress, but a tailored mindfulness meditation app, Med@Med, shows promise in enhancing their well-being. Involving 147 participants, motivations included reducing anxiety (25%) and establishing a meditation routine (16%). After using the app, students reported increased joy and decreased fear and sadness. Those receiving daily motivational messages were more likely to maintain app usage. Compared to peers not using the app, users experienced lower emotional distress and anxiety, highlighting the potential of accessible online resources for self-care in high-stress environments.
Abstract
The well-being of medical students is affected by high stress levels. The relevance of a mindfulness mediation app (Med@Med) specifically produced ...
A quantum microtubule substrate of consciousness is experimentally supported and solves the binding and epiphenomenalism problems.
Neuroscience of consciousness – January 01, 2025
Summary
New evidence reveals that tiny structures called microtubules inside neurons may be the key to consciousness. When anesthesia blocks these structures, consciousness fades. This supports the quantum consciousness theory, suggesting our awareness emerges from quantum processes in brain cells. The findings help explain how separate brain experiences combine into one unified conscious experience, addressing long-standing questions about consciousness and free will.
Abstract
Recent experimental evidence, briefly reviewed here, points to intraneuronal microtubules as a functional target of inhalational anesthetics. This ...
Attitudes Towards Psilocybin: A General Population’s Opinions on Psilocybin and Psilocybin-Assisted Therapies
Psi Chi Journal of Psychological Research – January 01, 2025
Summary
Overall attitudes towards psilocybin-assisted therapies are positive, suggesting a growing receptiveness to these innovative treatments. A survey of 235 individuals revealed that prior knowledge of psilocybin and experience with psychedelics correlated with more favorable views. This insight, crucial for Psychedelics and Drug Studies, indicates that as the therapeutic potential of compounds derived through chemical synthesis and alkaloids is further explored, public acceptance may expand. Men, Democrats, and atheists also reported more positive attitudes.
Abstract
Psilocybin-assisted therapies (PAT) have been used to treat several issues including obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), major depressive disorder...
Bringing MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD to traditional healthcare systems: tending to set and setting.
Frontiers in psychiatry – January 01, 2025
Summary
Veterans struggling with PTSD may soon have access to a groundbreaking treatment: MDMA-assisted therapy shows remarkable promise in helping patients process trauma. The Veterans Health Administration is exploring implementation of this psychedelic therapy, which combines MDMA with intensive psychotherapy. Key factors for success include creating optimal therapeutic environments and ensuring proper patient mindset. Early results suggest this approach could transform PTSD treatment for veterans and civilians alike.
Abstract
Although effective evidence-based trauma-focused psychotherapies for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are available, a significant proportion o...
On the varieties of conscious experiences: Altered Beliefs Under Psychedelics (ALBUS).
Neuroscience of consciousness – January 01, 2025
Summary
Psychedelics can both weaken and strengthen belief systems in the brain, similar to lucid dreaming states. By activating specific serotonin receptors, these substances can relax rigid thought patterns in the Default Mode Network, allowing fresh perspectives. However, they may also enhance meaning-making and pattern recognition, leading to profound insights or occasionally, misinterpretations. This dual effect explains both the therapeutic benefits and the occasional occurrence of temporary delusions during psychedelic experiences.
Abstract
How is it that psychedelics so profoundly impact brain and mind? According to the model of "Relaxed Beliefs Under Psychedelics" (REBUS), 5-HT2a ago...
Comparison of strength and adulteration between illicit drugs obtained from cryptomarkets versus off-line.
Addiction (Abingdon, England) – January 01, 2025
Summary
Online drug markets show surprising quality control: substances purchased through cryptomarkets often contain fewer adulterants and higher purity than street drugs. Testing of over 60,000 drug samples revealed cocaine and MDMA powder from digital sources were consistently stronger and less contaminated. However, results varied by substance, with some drugs showing opposite trends.
Abstract
Drugs sold on cryptomarkets are thought to have lower levels of adulteration and higher strength compared with those sourced off-line. The present ...
Navigating groundlessness: An interview study on dealing with ontological shock and existential distress following psychedelic experiences.
PloS one – January 01, 2025
Summary
Psychedelic experiences can profoundly shake one's understanding of reality, leading some people to grapple with deep existential questions. Researchers interviewed 26 individuals who faced psychological challenges after psychedelic use. While participants initially struggled with confusion about existence and meaning, many found relief through physical grounding practices, social support, and gradually integrating their experiences into a new worldview. The findings highlight how these intense experiences can ultimately lead to personal growth and transformed perspectives.
Abstract
Psychedelic induced mystical experiences have been largely assumed to drive the therapeutic effects of these substances, which may in part be media...
Subanesthetic Ketamine Ameliorates Activity-Based Anorexia of Adult Mice.
Synapse (New York, N.Y.) – January 01, 2025
Summary
Ketamine, a medication known for its rapid antidepressant effects, shows promise in treating anorexia nervosa by reducing excessive exercise behaviors. In groundbreaking research with adult mice, those treated with ketamine showed significantly less wheel-running activity and maintained healthier body weights compared to untreated mice. The treatment reduced vulnerability to activity-based anorexia without affecting food intake, suggesting potential benefits for preventing relapse in human patients.
Abstract
Anorexia nervosa (AN) is an eating disorder with the second highest mortality of all mental illnesses and high relapse rate, especially among adult...
Brain Representation in Conscious and Unconscious Vision.
Journal of cognition – January 01, 2025
Summary
Our brains process visual information even when we're not consciously aware of it. Using advanced fMRI scanning, researchers found that both conscious and unconscious visual perception activate similar patterns across the brain's visual and decision-making regions. The study revealed that artificial intelligence models could predict brain responses to images, whether consciously seen or not, suggesting consciousness may be more about how we reflect on information than how it spreads through the brain.
Abstract
The development of robust frameworks to understand how the human brain represents conscious and unconscious perceptual contents is paramount to mak...
Exploring Perceived Barriers and Facilitators for Implementing Acute Pain Clinical Trials: A Mixed-Methods Analysis of Ketamine Infusions for Sickle Cell Pain.
Journal of pain research – January 01, 2025
Summary
Ketamine shows promise as a non-opioid treatment for severe pain in sickle cell disease patients. A comprehensive analysis revealed that while healthcare providers vary in their comfort with ketamine use, both doctors and patients are open to clinical trials testing its effectiveness. Key success factors include clear safety protocols, strong provider-patient trust, and streamlined trial processes that respect patients' time and privacy concerns.
Abstract
Vaso-occlusive events (VOEs) are the primary cause of acute pain in individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD), where high-dose opioids are the cur...
Effects of ketamine and propofol on muscarinic plateau potentials in rat neocortical pyramidal cells.
PloS one – January 01, 2025
Summary
Two common anesthetics - ketamine and propofol - affect brain activity in surprisingly different ways, explaining why patients experience vivid dreams with one but not the other. Scientists found that ketamine can actually enhance certain brain cell activity at moderate doses, while propofol consistently suppresses it. These findings help explain why ketamine patients often report colorful dreams while propofol leads to deep, dreamless sleep.
Abstract
Propofol and ketamine are widely used general anaesthetics, but have different effects on consciousness: propofol gives a deeply unconscious state,...
MDMA and MDMA-Assisted Therapy.
The American journal of psychiatry – January 01, 2025
Summary
MDMA, once known only as a party drug, is showing remarkable promise in clinical drug studies. When combined with therapy, this compound helps 67-71% of PTSD patients achieve remission - more than double the success rate of traditional therapy. Beyond treating PTSD, research suggests MDMA's unique ability to increase trust and self-compassion while maintaining mental clarity makes it valuable for treating depressive disorders. In controlled medical settings, it's proving both safe and effective.
Abstract
MDMA (i.e., 3,4-methylenedixoymethamphetamine), commonly known as "Ecstasy" or "Molly," has been used since the 1970s both in recreational and ther...
Psychoanalytically informed MDMA-assisted therapy for pathological narcissism: a novel theoretical approach.
Frontiers in psychiatry – January 01, 2025
Summary
MDMA's unique ability to enhance empathy and trust may offer breakthrough treatment for pathological narcissism. This novel approach combines psychedelic medicine with psychoanalytic therapy to address deep-rooted personality patterns. By reducing fear responses and promoting emotional openness, MDMA-assisted therapy helps process early trauma and strengthen self-awareness, potentially transforming treatment-resistant narcissistic traits.
Abstract
Pathological narcissism (PN) is a complex, treatment-resistant disorder characterized by unstable self-esteem that fluctuates between grandiosity a...