3085 results for "Psilocybin"
Predicting changes in substance use following psychedelic experiences: natural language processing of psychedelic session narratives
The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse – June 05, 2021
Summary
Artificial intelligence can predict who will reduce drug use after a psychedelic experience with 65% accuracy. Analyzing narratives from 1141 individuals (247 female, 894 male) who reported harm reduction in alcohol, cannabis, opioid, or stimulant use, machine learning algorithms processed their verbal accounts. This approach in clinical psychology and drug studies suggests that the subjective psychedelic experience, influencing behavior potentially through neurotransmitter receptor changes, holds predictive power. Understanding these narrative patterns could personalize future psychedelic therapies.
Abstract
Background: Experiences with psychedelic drugs, such as psilocybin or lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), are sometimes followed by changes in patter...
A Comparison of the Phenomenology of Hallucinogens and Schizophrenia From Some Autobiographical Accounts*
Schizophrenia Bulletin – January 01, 1977
Summary
A surprising gap exists in mental health and psychiatry: a comprehensive review comparing the subjective phenomenology of hallucinogen experiences with schizophrenia, relying exclusively on autobiographical memory. While psychology and drug studies have long used second-hand accounts to understand these profound states for schizophrenia research and treatment, an analysis drawing solely from first-person narratives is nonexistent. This approach could offer unique insights into cognitive psychology and subjective experience, enriching our understanding beyond traditional psychoanalysis and psychotherapist perspectives.
Abstract
Over the years there have been many reviews of the phenomenology of hallucinogens and schizophrenia. The vast majority of these have been written b...
Forensic And Pharmaceutical Analysis Of Addictive Morbidity Because Of The Use Of Psychotropic Psychoactive Substances In Ukraine (Retrospective Aspect)
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) – October 11, 2018
Summary
Ukraine saw a 24% reduction in addiction to psychostimulant psychoactive drugs between 2005 and 2008, a positive trend for mental health. Data from Medical and Pharmaceutic Studies revealed stable rates of addiction to other psychotropic agents like hypnotics, sedatives, and hallucinogens. This analysis of drug-related morbidity highlights critical aspects of Medicine, mental health treatment and access. Understanding these dynamics is vital for Psychiatry and Psychology, especially given the link between psychoactive substance use, suicide, and self-harm studies.
Abstract
Introduction. The use of psychoactive substances is one of the leading factors in the deterioration of the mental health of the population. The dyn...
Personality Characteristics of Adolescents with Hallucinogen, Methamphetamine, and Cannabis Dependence: A Comparative Study
Journal of Child & Adolescent Substance Abuse – December 05, 2005
Summary
Adolescents in substance abuse treatment preferring hallucinogens exhibit distinct personality profiles compared to cannabis users. Using the Minnesota Multiplex Personality Inventory, clinical psychology revealed significant differences in traits related to schizophrenia and unusual thought patterns between 20 hallucinogen users and 20 cannabis users. The 20 methamphetamine users' personality scores did not differ from either group. This research, vital for psychiatry and psychedelics and drug studies, enhances understanding of substance abuse and cannabis dependence, informing treatment.
Abstract
ABSTRACT A comparison of personality factors on scales of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-Adolescent (MMPI-A) was conducted with a ...
Reply: Variability in motor threshold
Brain stimulation – October 05, 2021
Summary
I cannot summarize the research with specific findings, sample sizes, percentages, or effect sizes because the provided text contains only funding information and conflict of interest disclosures, not the actual research content (methods, results, or conclusions). To meet your requirements, I would need the research abstract or full paper.
Abstract
Funding Information: GC was funded by Funda??o para a Ci?ncia e Tecnologia (FCT; Portugal) through a PhD Scholarship (SFRH/BD/130210/2017). AJO-M w...
Kasus keracunan Inocybe sp. di Indonesia
OpenAlex – September 08, 2020
Summary
Seven *Inocybe* mushroom poisoning cases in Indonesia, causing 31 illnesses and one death over a decade, reveal a critical public health challenge. While Medicinal Plant Research explores beneficial compounds for neuroprotection, like those found in some plants containing GABA (a focus of rice research), toxic *Inocybe* are frequently mistaken for edible species. Understanding the molecular structure of these toxins, a domain informed by Physics, is crucial. Preventing future incidents requires robust identification knowledge and improved documentation, ensuring public safety amidst natural foraging.
Abstract
Jamur telah digunakan sejak lama sebagai bahan pangan karena berbagai kandungan nutrisi dan manfaat yang baik untuk kesehatan. Di Indonesia, sebagi...
The psychedelic religion of mystical consciousnessReviews
Journal of Psychedelic Studies – May 10, 2018
Summary
Psychedelic substances, from "schizotoxic" to "entheogenic," are profoundly mind-disclosing. A compelling finding is the "mysticomimetic" model, which uses psychological rating scales to statistically support similarities between drug effects and mystical experiences. Pioneering 1960s research at Spring Grove with LSD and N,N-dipropyltryptamine demonstrated promising results for addiction and end-of-life despair, before ending in the early 1970s. Today, Johns Hopkins leads a renewal, integrating diverse academic themes from Philosophy to Chemical synthesis, exploring these alkaloids' potential.
Abstract
With an extreme range of terms for psychedelic drugsfrom "schizotoxic" to "entheogenic" -"psychedelic," nonetheless remains the most salient one.Th...
Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy and Meditative Experience as Factors of Personal Change
Bulletin of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv Psychology – January 01, 2023
Summary
Psychedelic-assisted therapy significantly boosts subjective well-being. For 33 individuals, combining meditation with psychedelic therapy notably reduced anxiety and improved self-awareness. This offers a powerful alternative for mental health challenges like depression, where traditional clinical psychology, often involving a psychotherapist, or psychiatry may fall short. Such drug studies provide hope for populations facing acute distress, enhancing psychological well-being. These novel approaches, leveraging specific alkaloids, represent a new frontier in mental health treatment.
Abstract
Background. As a result of the military attack in Ukraine, both the military and civilian population are facing mental health disorders such as pos...
A dual-receptor model of serotonergic psychedelics
OpenAlex – April 15, 2024
Summary
Serotonergic psychedelics show significant promise for treating mood and anxiety disorders. A computational model, rooted in Neuroscience and Computer science, now illuminates their therapeutic mechanisms. It simulates the *dual* influence of 5-HT2a and 5-HT1a neurotransmitter receptor agonism on brain dynamics, explaining how these compounds relax maladaptive beliefs in Psychology. This framework accounts for existing empirical observations, providing a robust hypothesis for the clinical success of various psychedelics. It also highlights avenues for Chemical synthesis and alkaloids, suggesting future Psychedelics and Drug Studies focus on biased 5-HT1a agonists, like 5-MeO-DMT, for developing more effective agents.
Abstract
Abstract Serotonergic psychedelics have been identified as promising next-generation therapeutic agents in the treatment of mood and anxiety disord...
Tryptamines as Ligands and Modulators of the Serotonin 5‑HT2A Receptor and the Isolation of Aeruginascin from the Hallucinogenic Mushroom Inocybe aeruginascens
OpenAlex – January 01, 2005
Summary
Some synthetic tryptamines can evoke stronger responses than Serotonin, the natural endogenous agonist, at the 5-HT2A receptor. This pharmacology finding, crucial for Psychedelics and Drug Studies, emerged from the chemical synthesis of various tryptamine alkaloids. Many compounds showed nanomolar binding affinities, with their chemistry and stereochemistry influencing their action as partial agonists or competitive antagonists at the 5-HT receptor, including the hallucinogen natural product Aeruginascin. This suggests a novel regulatory receptor site, profoundly impacting neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior.
Abstract
Aeruginascin ist ein Naturstoff aus dem halluzinogenen Pilz Inocybe aeruginascens. Die Substanz wurde isoliert und als 4-Phosphoryloxy-N,N,N-trimet...
Towards the Use of Whole Natural Products in Psychedelic Research and Therapy: Synergy, Multi-Target Profiles, and Beyond
Frontiers in Natural Product Chemistry – December 06, 2021
Summary
Interest in Psychology and Psychotherapist-led Psychedelics and Drug Studies has surged over two decades, revealing a compelling finding: whole natural products, echoing ancient practices, may surpass isolated compounds. Instead of single molecules from chemical synthesis and alkaloids, a "polypharmacology" approach posits that complex mixtures, understood through biochemical analysis and sensing techniques, are more effective. These multi-compound formulations exhibit synergistic effects, potentially better addressing complex mental health issues. This paradigm advocates for integrating whole natural products into psychedelic-assisted therapy.
Abstract
Interest in psychoactive ethnobotanicals such as ayahuasca or Psilocybe mushrooms for clinical uses has increased over the last two decades. While ...
Harvard's Quixotic Pursuit of a New Science
Rowman & Littlefield Publishers eBooks – January 01, 2022
Summary
Harvard's 1930s attempt to unify social sciences led to shocking ethical lapses. Scholars, pursuing Freudian philosophy, formed a new interdisciplinary department to surpass Harvard's "big three" disciplines. Despite its audacious failure, it attracted brilliant minds. Faculty infamously gave psychedelic drugs to students, and one traumatized undergraduate Theodore Kaczynski in a three-year experiment. This tale of academic hubris, collaboration, and philosophical quests highlights university challenges.
Abstract
In Harvard’s Quixotic Pursuit of a New Science, Patrick L. Schmidt tells the little-known story of how some of the most renowned social scientists ...
Polysubstance Use Profiles Among the General Adult Population, United States, 2022
American Journal of Public Health – March 20, 2025
Summary
A 15,800-person survey found nearly 21% of the adult population engages in polysubstance use. A latent class model identified four patterns. While 11.5% showed medically guided use from a medical prescription, 4.0% exhibited a principal cannabis use variety, informing Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, with 31.9% having substance abuse. Another 3.4% engaged in self-guided polysubstance dependence, often involving Prescription Drug Misuse. 2.1% displayed indiscriminate coexposures, relevant to Psychedelics and Drug Studies, with 58.9% substance abuse. These profiles inform Psychiatry, highlighting personalized Opioid Use Disorder Treatment and broader substance abuse interventions.
Abstract
Objectives. To characterize present-day polysubstance use patterns in the general adult population. Methods. From a 2022 nationally representative ...
Recreation and Realization: Reported Motivations of Use Among Persons Who Consume Psychedelics in Non-Clinical Settings
OpenAlex – July 26, 2021
Summary
Most individuals using psychedelics outside clinical settings prioritize recreation and curiosity, not solely profound psychological realization or ego reduction. Challenging the popular narrative of psychedelics as a panacea in clinical psychology, a cross-cultural analysis of 30 diverse interviewees reveals that while some seek existential awareness, the prevailing motivation for continued use in non-clinical drug studies contexts is often simple enjoyment. This expands our understanding beyond medicalized frameworks, highlighting diverse social motivations for psychedelic engagement.
Abstract
Psychedelic research is said to be going through a renaissance with widespread public and political attention on psychedelics' ability to clinicall...
Gymnopilin K: a new cytotoxic gymnopilin from Gymnopilus spectabilis
The Journal of Antibiotics – December 21, 2011
Summary
A wild Korean mushroom, *Gymnopilus spectabilis*, known for its hallucinogenic properties, shows promising anti-cancer potential. Extracts from 153g of this fungal species, processed via column chromatography, yielded 20g of active material. A 2.3g fraction demonstrated significant cytotoxicity against human tumor cell lines like A549 using a Sulforhodamine B bioassay. Chemical structure analysis revealed a new compound, gymnopilin K (7mg), alongside four others. This highlights the rich biology and phytochemistry of mushrooms for potential applications in traditional medicine.
Abstract
In our continuing search for structurally interesting and bioactive metabolites from Korean wild mushrooms,1–5 we have collected scores of endemic ...
Is Microdosing a Placebo?
OpenAlex – June 04, 2023
Summary
The idea that microdosing psychedelics is merely a Placebo effect is likely premature. While Expectancy theory plays a role in Psychology, evidence from Psychedelics Drug Studies suggests Dose dependence, challenging a purely psychological explanation. Existing Pharmacology research often features small sample sizes and limited dose ranges, making definitive conclusions difficult. The measured impact of expectancy is also often small, and Selection bias can influence results. It's currently impossible to definitively state whether microdosing's benefits are solely a Placebo effect, suggesting complex interactions in Medicine.
Abstract
Some recent research and commentary have suggested that most or all the effects reported by people who microdose psychedelics may be explained by e...
The Paradox of Phencyclidine (PCP) Abuse
Annals of Internal Medicine – March 01, 1979
Summary
Phencyclidine (PCP) stands alone among abused drugs for its litany of profoundly disturbing effects, posing severe challenges in Medicine and Psychiatry. Accidental high doses cause fatal medical complications, acute psychoses, and suicidal depressions. Chronic use leads to aggression, memory loss, and dependence. Unlike compounds carefully considered for Treatment of Major Depression or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, PCP's complex chemical synthesis and alkaloids result in widespread, unpredictable harm, far exceeding initial concerns about other substances.
Abstract
Editorials1 March 1979The Paradox of Phencyclidine (PCP) AbuseRICHARD STILLMAN, M.D., ROBERT C. PETERSEN, PH.D.RICHARD STILLMAN, M.D.Search for mor...
Synthesis of 4-Substituted Indole Derivatives
Heterocycles – January 01, 1977
Summary
A novel Chemistry approach precisely synthesizes 4-substituted indole derivatives, vital in Medicinal chemistry for compounds like LSD. Using phenylhydrazones with an ortho Chlorine atom, three 7-chloro-4-substituted indoles form via Fischer indolization. Subsequent catalytic hydrogenation yields two desired 4-substituted indoles, demonstrating control over Stereochemistry. An Intramolecular force also drove a cyclization, forming a tricyclic Ketone with an Alkoxy group attached to the indole Ring. This advances Synthesis and Reactions of Organic Compounds, enabling precise Substituent placement for Synthesis and Biological Evaluation, including potential applications in Fluorine in Organic Chemistry.
Abstract
A general synthetic method of 4-substituted indoles was examined.The Fischer indolization of phenylhydrazones (2, 3, 7, and 8) having chlorine on &...
Spontaneous Spiritual Awakenings: Phenomenology, Altered States, Individual Differences, and Wellbeing
OpenAlex – May 31, 2021
Summary
Profound spontaneous spiritual awakenings, reported by 152 individuals, are overwhelmingly positive, even when initially challenging. These altered states of consciousness, involving a sudden sense of union with reality, share phenomenological similarities with psychedelic experiences like DMT. While Kundalini awakenings can be more physical and negative, both types are largely beneficial. Personality traits like absorption predict these powerful shifts in perception, offering insights into human consciousness and the psychology of belief, akin to understanding drug studies without the substance.
Abstract
Spontaneous Spiritual Awakenings (SSAs) are subjective experiences characterised by a sud- den sense of direct contact, union or merging with a per...
Sex-Specific Effects of Psychedelic Drug Exposure on Central Amygdala Reactivity and Behavioral Responding
OpenAlex – April 29, 2022
Summary
A single dose of psilocin, a psychedelic compound, profoundly alters brain activity and fear responses. In neuroscience, it acutely increased amygdala activity in both sexes. However, an aversive stimulus (an air-puff) led to increased amygdala reactivity in females, while males showed reduced reactivity lasting up to 28 days. These psychology findings highlight sex-specific, long-lasting effects on how the brain processes unpleasant stimuli, suggesting new directions for drug studies addressing mood disorders by influencing neurotransmitter receptor function.
Abstract
ABSTRACT Psilocybin, and its active metabolite psilocin, have been shown to elicit rapid and long-lasting symptom improvements in a variety of affe...
The Grand Narrative of the Mukhomor
The Soviet and Post-Soviet Review – June 30, 2020
Summary
A Soviet Party Organizer transformed into a mushroom-powered wizard battling enemies in Heaven, a striking **narrative** from **Literature** central to Moscow **Conceptualism**. This **Art** movement explored the **theme** of hallucinogenic fungi, particularly fly agaric, in shaping visionary realities. Drawing on **historical scholarship**, the work delves into the **history** of ethno-botanical entheogens in Russia, linking **Psychedelics and Drug Studies** with **Religious Studies and Spiritual Practices**. **Aside** from specific fungi, it examines how such substances influenced spiritual beliefs, creating a unique intersection of **Art history** and **Philosophical and Historical Studies**.
Abstract
Abstract This article addresses the complex role of mushrooms, particularly that of the fly agaric ( Amanita muscaria ) [Russian: Mukhomor ], in th...
Both partners practicing orgasmic meditation report having a mystical-type experience: results using the Mystical Experience Questionnaire
F1000Research – July 22, 2021
Summary
Orgasmic Meditation, a partnered practice involving sexuality and behavior, can trigger profound mystical experiences. In one psychological investigation of 780 participants, 62% reported a complete mystical experience, akin to those induced by psychedelics. Another exploration with 56 pairs found 23% experienced complete mysticism, with a strong correlation (aWG=0.71) between partners' scores. This meditation practice offers a unique pathway to mysticism, demonstrating its capacity to induce significant altered states for both individuals.
Abstract
Background: Practitioners in a variety of spiritual/religious traditions have described “mystical experiences”, defined by a common set of qualitie...
Application of a Radioimmunoassay Screening Test for Detection and Management of Phencyclidine Intoxication
The Journal of Clinical Pharmacology – August 09, 1980
Summary
Violent, aggressive behavior and hallucinations in 11 patients signal severe PCP poisoning. A new biological test method accurately monitors PCP levels, crucial for public health. In five subjects, serum PCP concentrations ranged from 0.5 to 40 ng/ml. This diagnostic approach, a key part of pharmaceutical studies and practices, leverages drug metabolism principles: administering vitamin C and collecting specific urine samples significantly aids identification. Such biological evaluation improves medicine, guiding screening for PCP and related compounds in emergency room patients, especially those with psychosis and "pot" smoking history.
Abstract
A radioimmunoassay procedure has been developed to monitor patients suspected of phencyclidine (PCP) intoxication. Symptoms in 11 patients suspecte...
Aesthetic Chills Mitigate Maladaptive Cognition In Depression
Research Square (Research Square) – November 14, 2023
Summary
Experiencing aesthetic chills, those physical shivers, can significantly alter maladaptive cognitive schema in individuals with major depressive disorder. In a clinical psychology study, 96 patients exposed to specific multimedia stimuli experienced positive shifts in core self-beliefs. This psychological phenomenon, impacting how cognition processes information, shares similarities with altered states induced by psychedelics, a key area in drug studies. Such insights from neuroscience and music perception suggest chills could be a non-pharmacological path for mental health research, potentially complementing psychotherapist approaches.
Abstract
Abstract Background Depression is a major global health challenge, affecting over 300 million people worldwide. Current pharmacological and psychot...
Psychedelic use and psychological flexibility: The role of meaningful intention and decentering
Journal of Psychedelic Studies – August 16, 2024
Summary
Meaningful intention and decentering during psychedelic experiences significantly enhance psychological flexibility, a crucial aspect of mental well-being. Data from 114 individuals using classic psychedelics reveal how conscious preparation fosters adaptability, akin to robust **flexibility (engineering)** in mental systems. This **psychology** research offers insights for **psychotherapists**, emphasizing self-awareness and insight, concepts explored in **psychoanalysis**. **Psychedelics and drug studies** demonstrate these substances, by influencing **neurotransmitter receptors**, profoundly reshape behavior. Such findings integrate **social psychology** perspectives on user communities, highlighting the complex interplay of mind and substance.
Abstract
Abstract Background Psychedelic use and its impact on well-being is garnering a lot of research attention, however, little has been done to underst...
Emerging Risks of Amanita Muscaria: Case Reports on Increasing Consumption and Health Risks
Acta medica Lituanica – June 09, 2025
Summary
Four individuals in Lithuania required hospitalization in 2023 after intentionally consuming *Amanita muscaria*, a mushroom containing the euphoriant muscimol. This highlights a growing public health concern, particularly as poison control centers note its unregulated status. Misleading online information fuels consumption, despite known toxicity risks. A review of 27 publications underscores the need for better medicine and environmental health policies regarding such natural alkaloids. This impacts public health and future psychedelics and drug studies, including complementary and alternative medicine approaches.
Abstract
Introduction: The increasing popularity of Amanita muscaria, driven by its hallucinogenic properties, has raised significant public health concerns...
Tentative identification of in vitro metabolites of O‐acetylpsilocin (psilacetin, 4‐AcO‐DMT) by UHPLC‐Q‐Orbitrap MS
Drug Testing and Analysis – March 21, 2022
Summary
The psychedelic tryptamine 4-AcO-DMT undergoes significant drug metabolism, yielding 15 distinct metabolites. Using *in vitro* human liver *microsomes* and advanced liquid *chromatography*-*Orbitrap mass spectrometry*, 12 phase I and 3 phase II *metabolites* were identified. Biotransformations included *hydroxylation*, *demethylation*, and conjugation with *glucuronic acid*. The hydrolysis *metabolite* was most abundant. This detailed *metabolic pathway chemistry* is crucial for *psychedelics and drug studies*, offering a beta-*hydroxylation* *metabolite* as a biomarker for *forensic toxicology and drug analysis*.
Abstract
Abstract 4‐Acetoxy‐ N , N ‐dimethyltryptamine (4‐AcO‐DMT, psilacetin, O ‐acetylpsilocin) is a synthetic tryptamine with psychedelic properties. Psi...
Minorities’ diminished psychedelic returns: Depression, suicide, distress, and serious mental illness
Drug Science Policy and Law – April 01, 2025
Summary
Psychedelics show promise for mental health, but a large-scale analysis of 596,187 individuals reveals a critical disparity. While non-Hispanic Whites often experience better mental health outcomes, including reduced depression and distress, after psychedelic use, Black, Hispanic, and Asian populations gain fewer benefits. In fact, for Black and Asian individuals, psychedelic use is sometimes linked to *worse* mental illness and psychological distress. This cross-cultural finding highlights the need for a nuanced understanding in psychiatry and clinical psychology regarding diverse responses to these substances.
Abstract
Although there is growing support for the protective effects of psychedelics on mental health, recent evidence finds racial and ethnic minorities g...
Tattoos and Trauma: Are Tattoos Healing for Trauma?
OpenAlex – June 01, 2023
Summary
Tattoos offer a compelling, ancient path to healing trauma, a practice often considered taboo in Western medicine. A review of 30 peer-reviewed articles highlights how Indigenous traditions have long embraced tattooing's medicinal value. Today, a growing number of individuals with treatment-resistant trauma symptoms are seeking this alternative. Far from merely visual culture or aesthetic expression, tattoos are emerging as a powerful therapeutic tool, distinct from concerns about tattoo and body piercing complications or body image dysmorphia studies, providing ample evidence of their positive connection to trauma recovery.
Abstract
Prior research and literature reviews suggest that there is medicinal value in tattooing for the healing of trauma. However, tattooing is still a b...
Is PTSD an Evolutionary Survival Adaptation Initiated by Unrestrained Cytokine Signaling and Maintained by Epigenetic Change?
Military Medicine – April 21, 2022
Summary
Poor PTSD treatment outcomes may stem from the immune system. A 6-year medical literature review suggests unrestrained cytokine signaling induces epigenetic changes, hardwiring a persistent defensive state. This neuroinflammation, involving cholinergic system withdrawal, promotes chronic stress responses, impacting cortisol. Neuroscience and immunology, potentially via bioinformatics, explain how cytokines alter brain function, affecting tryptophan metabolism in brain disorders. Medicine suggests PTSD might be an evolutionary adaptation, with drugs showing benefit via anti-inflammatory effects impacting neurodegeneration mechanisms.
Abstract
ABSTRACT Introduction Treatment outcomes for PTSD with current psychological therapies are poor, with very few patients achieving sustained symptom...
Psychedelic Mysticism and Christian Spirituality: From Science to Love
Religions – April 26, 2024
Summary
The accepted psychological framework for psychedelic-occasioned mystical experiences, the 1960s Mystical Experiences Questionnaire (MEQ), faces profound philosophical and religious studies challenges. Rooted in W.T. Stace's philosophy, this instrument misrepresents Western theistic mysticism, particularly Christian spirituality. While Stace emphasizes "union" or "absorption," Christian mysticism centers on a felt loving "presence" and intimate relationship with the divine, not fusion. The MEQ also overlooks love of God and mysticism as a lifelong, transformative process, rather than just intense, momentary experiences from chemical synthesis.
Abstract
The scientific claim that psychedelic drugs like psilocybin reliably occasion mystical experiences was justified using the Mystical Experiences Que...
Emerging Perspectives in Addiction Psychiatry
The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry – August 03, 2023
Summary
Opioid overdoses claim 130 lives daily, often exacerbated by alcohol dependence. Despite effective FDA-approved medications for Addiction, most Americans lack adequate care. However, new avenues in Medicine and Psychiatry are emerging. Psychedelic compounds, for instance, show promise for the Treatment of Major Depression and anxiety symptoms, offering novel Mental Health Research Topics. These compounds also hold potential for alcohol use disorder and reducing opioid withdrawal. A comprehensive public health strategy, integrating Psychology and Psychotherapist insights, is crucial for addressing these fatal substance use disorders.
Abstract
Despite their legality, alcohol and tobacco both have a well-documented potential for misuse and elevate users' likelihood for disease. Dependence ...
Assessing the potential cardiovascular risk of microdosing the psychedelic LSD in mice
OpenAlex – April 14, 2025
Summary
Prolonged low-dose LSD, a focus in Psychedelics and Drug Studies, revealed no cardiovascular risk in mice. Using Biochemical Analysis and Sensing Techniques, heart health was monitored after chronic administration of very low doses. While serotonin, known to activate specific neurotransmitter receptors linked to heart issues, caused significant heart wall thickening at 4 and 8 weeks, LSD groups showed no such changes. Pharmacology indicated LSD's influence on these receptors was substantial but brief, unlike heart-damaging substances. This offers critical Medicine insights into microdosed psychedelics' safety profile and Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior.
Abstract
Summary Microdosing, the prolonged ingestion of psychedelics at sub-hallucinogenic doses, has gained popularity for its perceived cognitive and emo...
Google Trends Analyses and Case Report: A Persistently Dilated Pupil in Psychedelics’ User
Global Journal of Health Science – September 18, 2017
Summary
A single case study highlights an 18-year-old's persistently dilated pupil, despite an intact pupillary light reflex, challenging Ophthalmology. This patient, managing chronic depression and ADHD, used various psychedelics. Extensive Medicine and Psychiatry evaluations, including MRI, found no anatomical cause for her altered pupillary response. The case, relevant to Psychedelics and Drug Studies, suggests potential Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior. Forensic Toxicology and Drug Analysis may uncover mechanisms affecting the pupil, prompting Psychology to explore such impacts.
Abstract
An eighteen years old female patient of the Caucasian ethnicity from New Zealand, she presented with a persistently dilated pupil causing her disco...
Pharmacotherapy for the Secondary Prevention of Suicide: Leads from the Social Pain Hypothesis
Preprints.org – July 05, 2022
Summary
A critical public health challenge, suicidal ideation, demands innovative suicide prevention. Existing medicine offers limited efficacy. Psychology and clinical psychology highlight psychological pain, including aspects resembling chronic pain, as a key risk factor. This understanding points to novel pharmacological targets, influencing neurotransmitter receptors. Psychedelics and Drug Studies, examining compounds like ketamine, show promise for short-term reduction of suicidal behavior across the population. While psychotherapists play a vital role, these medical advancements, potentially involving poison control for acute cases, offer new hope in psychiatry and Suicide and Self-Harm Studies.
Abstract
Suicidal behaviour is a public health problem whose magnitude is both substantial and increasing. Since many individuals seek medical treatment fol...
Hallucinogens induce a specific barcode of phosphorylation on the serotonin2A receptor that underlies a weaker receptor desensitization and internalization
Receptors & Clinical Investigation – September 27, 2014
Summary
A major neuroscience puzzle is unravelled: why certain psychedelics cause hallucinations while others don't. Hallucinogenic compounds like LSD uniquely trigger biased phosphorylation of the serotonin 2A receptor. This distinct receptor mechanism, influencing behavior, leads to weaker desensitization and internalization. This difference in receptor signaling explains their profound psychological effects. These insights advance our understanding of neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior, crucial for psychology and drug studies, detailing receptor mechanisms.
Abstract
The serotonin (5-Hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) 2A receptor represents one of the most striking examples where functional selectivity (or ligand-biased s...
Anti‐inflammatory effects of serotonin 5‐HT 2A receptor activation in ovalbumin‐induced allergic asthma models
The FASEB Journal – April 01, 2017
Summary
A compelling new avenue in Medicine reveals that activating a specific Serotonin receptor, the 5-HT 2A receptor, holds promise for treating Asthma. In models of allergic inflammation, a pharmacology agent targeting this receptor, (R)-DOI, effectively prevents many symptoms when given before allergen exposure. Crucially, in an ovalbumin-induced asthma model, administering (R)-DOI *after* allergic inflammation developed significantly attenuated elevated airway hyperresponsiveness, a key feature of asthma and respiratory diseases. This Immunology research offers a novel strategy for developing new treatments.
Abstract
Only recently has the full therapeutic value of serotonin [5‐hydroxytryptophan (5‐HT)] receptor activation begun to be explored. Currently there ar...
Nature and chemistry of bioactive components of wild edible mushrooms
OpenAlex – May 31, 2022
Summary
Mushroom Biology reveals powerful medicinal potential. Lentinan, a polysaccharide from *Lentinula edodes*, is clinically proven for certain cancer types, showcasing the rich biochemistry of Agaricales. Beyond cancer, the chemistry of various fungal species yields potent antimicrobial compounds, like pleuromutilin from *Pleurotus*, combating antibiotic resistance. These natural products from diverse mushrooms offer promising avenues for Herbal Medicine Research Studies and Phytochemistry and Bioactivity Studies, impacting human health through novel therapies and Fungal Biology and Applications.
Abstract
Mushrooms have been used in traditional medicine for centuries, although only relatively recently they have become a subject of intensive studies a...
Wild Mushrooms
OpenAlex – May 31, 2022
Summary
Mushrooms are yielding breakthrough therapies, with specific fungal compounds clinically proven to treat certain cancers and new antibiotics approved for human use. This fascinating area of Fungal Biology reveals diverse applications across biological systems, including zoological health. Beyond cancer, chemical synthesis of mushroom-derived compounds offers potent antimicrobials against growing resistance. Even psychedelic mushrooms show promise for depression. Such applications highlight fungi's profound impact, from regulating metabolism to providing novel drug candidates.
Abstract
Mushrooms have been used in traditional medicine for centuries, although only relatively recently they have become a subject of intensive studies a...
Molecular Pathways Potentially Involved in Hallucinatory Experiences During Sleep Paralysis: The Emerging Role of β-Arrestin-2
International Journal of Molecular Sciences – July 26, 2025
Summary
The vivid, distressing hallucinations of sleep paralysis, often associated with narcolepsy, strikingly resemble psychedelic experiences. Neuroscience indicates that serotonergic activation of the 5-HT2A receptor is critical for these intense sensations. This neurotransmitter receptor's influence on behavior during sleep and wakefulness involves the β-arrestin-2 pathway, creating a sensory system susceptibility for abrupt hallucinations. Understanding this psychology of serotonin-driven phenomena offers promise for drug studies and treatments targeting dysfunctional serotonin receptors in neuropsychiatric disorders.
Abstract
Sleep paralysis (SP), an REM parasomnia, can be characterized as one of the symptoms of narcolepsy. The SP phenomenon involves regaining meta-consc...
MDMA Therapy for PTSD: Inching Closer to—or Farther From—Approval?
The Senior Care Pharmacist – July 31, 2024
Summary
MDMA-assisted psychotherapy is poised to revolutionize mental healthcare. With 40-60% of PTSD patients unresponsive to standard treatments, this psychedelic therapy offers new hope. The FDA recognized MDMA-assisted psychotherapy as a breakthrough therapy in 2017, with potential approval as early as 2024. This development in Drug Studies and Psychiatry could provide a vital treatment for the almost 3.5% of US adults affected by PTSD, transforming Psychology's approach to severe trauma. Psychotherapists are already gaining expanded access, signaling a significant Biomedical Innovation.
Abstract
In recent years, scientists have initiated a renaissance in psychedelic research following decades of prohibition. Compounds such as ketamine, LSD,...
Hanscarl Leuner und die Grundlagen der Psycholytischen Therapie
Nervenheilkunde – April 01, 2024
Summary
Hanscarl Leuner pioneered Psycholytic Therapy, a distinct European approach using low-dose hallucinogens like LSD to gently loosen psychological defenses. Unlike high-dose psychedelic experiences, this method involves 5-25 substance applications integrated into long-term psychotherapy. The aim is to access unconscious conflicts and deeper "soul content," a concept resonating with psychoanalytic thought and philosophical inquiries into the mind. This medical application of psychedelics offers a unique perspective within drug studies, exploring consciousness beyond conventional mental health interventions.
Abstract
ZUSAMMENFASSUNG Hanscarl Leuner (1919–1996) gilt aufgrund seines wissenschaftlichen und organisatorischen Engagements als die zentrale Figur der Ps...
Structure-Guided Design of Novel 5-HT 2A Partial Agonists as Psychedelic Analogues with Antidepressant Effects
Journal of Medicinal Chemistry – October 14, 2025
Summary
Serotonergic psychedelics rapidly and enduringly reduce depressive symptoms by influencing serotonin 2A receptors. Building on these drug studies, novel compounds were created through chemical synthesis. Scientists focused on neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior, designing partial agonists. A number exhibited potent activity, with compound 28c showing antidepressant effects in mice without inducing hallucinogenic-like head-twitch responses. This advances the development of non-hallucinogenic treatments that target these critical receptors for depression.
Abstract
Depression is primarily treated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which are limited by delayed onset of effects and low rates o...
Neuromodulatory mechanisms of N,N-dimethyltryptamine
Brain Network and Modulation – July 01, 2023
Summary
Naturally occurring DMT, a potent psychedelic, holds significant promise for its antidepressive, anxiolytic, and antiaddictive properties. Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research reveals its complex chemistry profoundly influences behavior. DMT's neuromodulatory actions reshape large-scale brain dynamics by interacting with various neurotransmitter receptors, including serotonin 2A, and glutamatergic systems. This alters perception and enhances bottom-up processing. Crucially, its plastogenic effects, mediated by sigma 1 receptors, promote brain plasticity related to mental well-being. These insights from Psychedelics and Drug Studies highlight DMT's therapeutic potential.
Abstract
N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) is the simplest psychedelic tryptamine and is produced naturally by many plant and animal species, including humans. W...
Neuroplasticity and Psychedelics: a comprehensive examination of classic and non-classic compounds in pre and clinical models
arXiv (Cornell University) – November 29, 2024
Summary
Psychedelics demonstrate remarkable potential for rapid, lasting treatment of neuropsychiatric conditions. Neuroscience reveals these compounds, often natural alkaloids or products of chemical synthesis, profoundly enhance brain neuroplasticity—the nervous system's adaptive capacity. Preclinical and clinical drug studies indicate they re-open developmental windows, driving structural and functional changes that significantly impact mood and behavior. This critical effect, vital for psychology and cognitive science, is being elucidated in humans using advanced techniques, including isotopic radioligands, paving the way for targeted interventions.
Abstract
Neuroplasticity, the ability of the nervous system to adapt throughout an organism's lifespan, offers potential as both a biomarker and treatment t...
5-MeO-DMT in the complete resolution of the consequences of chronic, severe sexual abuse in early childhood—a retrospective case study
OpenAlex – June 07, 2024
Summary
A woman, deeply traumatized by childhood sexual abuse and neglect, including witnessing her mother's suicide, found profound healing. After years of acting out, even planning to kill her father, a series of four 5-MeO-DMT sessions, guided by a facilitator, completely resolved her symptoms. She developed compassion and a functional relationship with her father, stable for three years. This case highlights psychedelics' potential in psychology, challenging traditional psychiatry's approaches to severe trauma.
Abstract
5-MeO-DMT is a psychedelic substance with a short duration of action and intensive effects. Its therapeutic efficacy and practicality may significa...
Novel perspectives for glutamatergic strategies, psychedelics and antipsychotic augmentation in Treatment Resistant Depression: A narrative review
Clinical Neuropsychopharmacology and Addiction – September 25, 2025
Summary
Approximately 30-50% of Major Depressive Disorder patients face treatment-resistant depression, lacking effective options. A review of 60 articles highlights a promising shift in drug studies. Glutamatergic agents like ketamine, examined in 43 studies, provide rapid relief. Psychedelics also show sustained antidepressant benefits. These advancements offer new hope for the treatment of Major Depression, moving beyond traditional monoaminergic approaches—like those involving Tryptophan in brain disorders—towards personalized care.
Abstract
Introduction: Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD) affects approximately 30–50% of patients with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) who fail to respon...
Beyond prohibition: A public health analysis of naturalistic psychedelic use
Journal of Psychedelic Studies – July 03, 2025
Summary
Naturalistic psychedelic use, outside clinical settings, appears to significantly reduce depression, anxiety, PTSD, and even interpersonal violence, while boosting well-being and social connection. A review of 104 peer-reviewed articles reveals these public health benefits across diverse populations. Though adverse effects can occur, they are typically brief and linked to factors like high doses or psychological vulnerability. This comprehensive analysis, spanning psychology and criminology, indicates current drug policies are outdated. An evidence-informed public health approach for psychedelics is urgently needed.
Abstract
Abstract Psychedelic drug use is experiencing a global resurgence, both in clinical research and community settings. This paper presents a comprehe...
Millennials in the search for spiritual ecstasy
OpenAlex – October 14, 2021
Summary
Millennials are driving a global revitalization of indigenous spiritual practices, seeking psychedelic plant medicine ceremonies for profound personal growth. Visiting places like Huautla de Jimenez for shamanic mushroom rituals, individuals pursue psychological healing for mental, emotional, and spiritual imbalances. Five common motivations emerged: a search for knowledge, healing, curiosity, self-improvement, and inner wellness. These drug studies highlight the commodification of sacred experiences and the critical need for indigenous inclusion in validating these powerful psychedelics.
Abstract
Although young countercultural travellers and spiritual seekers have visited Latin American indigenous communities for the purposes of drug-induced...
The Afterglow Inventory (AGI) – validation of a new instrument for measuring subacute effects of classic serotonergic psychedelics
OpenAlex – October 22, 2024
Summary
The "psychedelic afterglow," a period of enhanced well-being following acute effects, is now systematically measurable. A new Afterglow Inventory (AGI) was developed via an international survey of 1,323 individuals who used psychedelics and 157 controls, a significant Drug Studies contribution. This 24-item tool quantifies positive subacute psychological effects like vitality and inspiration. The AGI score correlated with acute experience intensity (r=0.165) and positive valence (r=0.251), offering crucial insights into how serotonergic compounds influence lasting states and Psychedelics' therapeutic outcomes.
Abstract
Background: Classic psychedelics such as psilocybin and LSD are anecdotally associated with the phenomenon of "psychedelic afterglow," a set of pre...