5439 results for "Psychedelics"
Spectroscopic behavior of bufotenine and bufotenine N-oxide: Solvent and pH effects and interaction with biomembrane models.
Biochimica et biophysica acta. Biomembranes – April 01, 2024
Summary
Bufotenine, a psychedelic compound, dramatically alters its fluorescence and absorption spectra with changes in pH and solvent, revealing key biochemistry. Using uv/visible spectroscopy and fluorometry, we observed both bufotenine and its N-oxide interact with biomembrane models. Fluorescence spectroscopy showed distinct spectral shifts, indicating strong membrane interactions with pre-micellar structures and micelles. Importantly, these molecules engage with liposomes without disrupting lipid bilayer fluidity. This understanding of their spectroscopic behavior and membrane interactions is vital for developing new drugs or psychiatric disorder markers.
Abstract
Bufotenine is a fluorescent analog of Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) that has been widely studied due to its psychedelic properties and biological activi...
Patient perspectives and experiences with psilocybin treatment for treatment-resistant depression: a qualitative study
Scientific Reports – February 05, 2024
Summary
Patients receiving psilocybin for depression strongly desired more than a single session. Qualitative research with 11 patients (8 women, 3 men), who received 1, 10, or 25 mg of psilocybin, revealed significant challenges, including a general distrust in mental healthcare. Optimizing these psychedelic drug studies within psychology, medicine, and psychiatry requires greater investment in psychotherapist-patient trust. Understanding how psilocybin, a naturally occurring alkaloid, influences neurotransmitter receptors to affect behavior is crucial for personalized, comprehensive treatment.
Abstract
Abstract Psilocybin is the most researched classic psychedelic for Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD). While optimizing set and setting are consi...
Strong Bipartisan Support for Controlled Psilocybin Use as Treatment or Enhancement in a Representative Sample of US Americans: Need for Caution in Public Policy Persists
AJOB Neuroscience – February 05, 2024
Summary
Strong bipartisan support exists for supervised psilocybin use, a compelling finding from recent drug studies. A nationally representative sample of 795 US Americans evaluated the moral status of this hallucinogen's use in licensed settings. Participants rated the individual's decision as morally positive across contexts—whether for psychiatric treatment or well-being enhancement. This alkaloid, central to psychology and emerging psychedelics research, shows significant public acceptance. Such findings, derived from this human sample, can inform policy on chemical synthesis-derived compounds like psilocybin.
Abstract
The psychedelic psilocybin has shown promise both as treatment for psychiatric conditions and as a means of improving well-being in healthy individ...
Psilocybin, an Effective Treatment for Major Depressive Disorder in Adults - A Systematic Review
Clinical Psychopharmacology and Neuroscience – October 16, 2023
Summary
A potent hallucinogen, psilocybin, offers remarkable antidepressant potential for Major depressive disorder. A systematic review of 6 clinical trials, involving 319 participants, found every study favored psilocybin in reducing depressive symptoms. This compound, influencing neurotransmitter receptors, caused few adverse effects, a significant advantage over common antidepressants. Its integration into psychiatry and clinical psychology, combined with psychological support, could revolutionize medicine. These psychedelics offer a promising new direction in drug studies, transforming mental health treatment.
Abstract
Psilocybin is a classical psychedelic which has been utilised for healing purposes for millenia. However, with its classification as a Schedule I s...
Pharmaco-toxicological effects of the novel tryptamine hallucinogen 5-MeO-MiPT on motor, sensorimotor, physiological, and cardiorespiratory parameters in mice-from a human poisoning case to the preclinical evidence.
Psychopharmacology – March 01, 2024
Summary
A novel hallucinogen dubbed "Moxy" (5-MeO-MiPT) shows significant effects on brain function and behavior. Tests in mice revealed dose-dependent changes in movement, sensory processing, and vital signs. The compound's effects mirror symptoms from a documented human intoxication case, suggesting potential health risks while highlighting possible therapeutic applications.
Abstract
The 5-methoxy-N-methyl-N-isopropyltryptamine (5-MeO-MiPT, known online as "Moxy") is a new psychedelic tryptamine first identified on Italian natio...
Limbic System Response to Psilocybin and Ketamine Administration in Rats: A Neurochemical and Behavioral Study
International Journal of Molecular Sciences – December 20, 2023
Summary
Psilocybin, a psychedelic, demonstrates marked anxiolytic effects in rats, providing a neurobiological basis for its antidepressant potential. Neuroscience research, utilizing microdialysis, revealed psilocybin's influence on the limbic system, including the nucleus accumbens, amygdala, and hippocampus. It increased dopamine, a crucial neurochemical, and altered neurotransmitter receptor density, influencing behavior. This pharmacology study, relevant to internal medicine and psychology, suggests psilocybin, an alkaloid from chemical synthesis, could offer new medicine in drug studies. These findings translate to structural changes in the limbic system, supporting its use.
Abstract
The pathophysiology of depression is related to the reduced volume of the hippocampus and amygdala and hypertrophy of the nucleus accumbens. The me...
Aesthetic chills mitigate maladaptive cognition in depression
BMC Psychiatry – January 10, 2024
Summary
Profound emotional "chills" can positively reshape core self-beliefs in individuals with depression. A clinical psychology investigation involving 96 patients with major depressive disorder found that experiencing aesthetic chills, often characterized by shivers, shifted their negative self-schema. This psychological intervention, influencing cognitive processes, shows parallels to the profound mental shifts observed in psychedelics and drug studies. Such experiences offer a non-pharmacological treatment avenue for mental health, potentially aiding in depression management.
Abstract
Abstract Background Depression is a major global health challenge, affecting over 300 million people worldwide. Current pharmacological and psychot...
Double-Blind Comparison of the Two Hallucinogens Dextromethorphan and Psilocybin: Experience-Dependent and Enduring Psychological Effects in Healthy Volunteers
Psychedelic Medicine – August 30, 2023
Summary
A promising frontier in mental health involves exploring dissociatives like Dextromethorphan, a hallucinogen, within clinical psychology. This approach, mirroring Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy, prioritizes optimizing psychologically valuable drug experiences under a psychotherapist's guidance. Future Psychedelics and Drug Studies could involve over 250 participants, with 65% potentially reporting significant improvements. While biochemical analysis and sensing techniques inform drug action, this work emphasizes the profound psychological context, distinct from Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, for transformative well-being.
Abstract
This analysis suggests the utility of exploring clinical applications of dissociatives that occur within the supportive contexts that are character...
Psilocybin-induced default mode network hypoconnectivity is blunted in alcohol-dependent rats
Translational Psychiatry – December 14, 2023
Summary
Neuroscience reveals psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, may require personalized dosing for Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). This psychedelic compound typically reduces Default Mode Network (DMN) connectivity, a key area in Psychology. However, rats with severe AUD exhibited a blunted DMN response, strongly correlating with alcohol relapse intensity. This suggests standard psilocybin doses might be insufficient for severe cases. This pharmacology insight, vital for Medicine and Psychiatry, highlights Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior and Tryptophan and brain disorders in AUD treatment.
Abstract
Abstract Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) adversely affects the lives of millions of people, but still lacks effective treatment options. Recent advancem...
Exploring Psilocybe spp. mycelium and fruiting body chemistry for potential therapeutic compounds
Frontiers in Fungal Biology – November 29, 2023
Summary
A compelling finding reveals psilocybin, the primary indole alkaloid in "magic" mushrooms, is preferentially accumulated in fruiting bodies, not the mycelium. Advanced metabolomics and detailed chemical analysis unveil significant differences in fungal biology and biochemistry across life stages. While the psychedelic metabolite psilocybin is abundant in mushrooms, other alkaloids like α-GPC are proportionally higher in mycelia. This distinct chemistry suggests new avenues for drug studies, exploring diverse metabolites for therapeutic potential, impacting fungal biology and applications.
Abstract
Psilocybe mushrooms, otherwise known as “magic” mushrooms, owe their psychedelic effect to psilocin, a serotonin subtype 2A (5-HT 2A ) receptor ago...
Single-Dose Synthetic Psilocybin With Psychotherapy for Treatment-Resistant Bipolar Type II Major Depressive Episodes
JAMA Psychiatry – December 06, 2023
Summary
A single 25 mg dose of the hallucinogen psilocybin, alongside psychotherapy, delivered striking results for treatment-resistant depression in Bipolar II disorder. Among 15 patients, 80% achieved both response and remission from depression by 12 weeks, with a mean 24-point reduction on a depression scale (Cohen d = 4.08) at three weeks. This advance in Psychedelics and Drug Studies, exploring chemical synthesis and alkaloids affecting neurotransmitter receptors, offers a promising new direction for Psychology, Psychiatry, and Medicine.
Abstract
Importance Bipolar II disorder (BDII) is a debilitating condition frequently associated with difficult-to-treat depressive episodes. Psilocybin has...
A quantitative textual analysis of the subjective effects of ayahuasca in naïve users with and without depression.
Scientific reports – November 10, 2023
Summary
First-time users of ayahuasca report five distinct categories of experiences, from visual effects to profound shifts in consciousness. Researchers analyzed written accounts from 29 participants, including both healthy individuals and those with treatment-resistant depression. The analysis revealed unique patterns in how depressed patients responded, notably experiencing more intense physical reactions. These findings help map the psychological landscape of ayahuasca experiences and could inform its therapeutic applications.
Abstract
Ayahuasca is a brew with psychoactive properties that has been used as an entheogen for centuries, with more recent studies suggesting it is a prom...
Therapeutic Potential of Psilocybin for Treating Psychological Distress among Survivors of Adverse Childhood Experiences: Evidence on Acceptability and Potential Efficacy of Psilocybin Use
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs – October 10, 2023
Summary
Psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, appears to significantly reduce psychological distress linked to Adverse Childhood Experiences. For individuals reporting recent psilocybin use, the association between childhood adversity and current distress was notably lower. This finding, relevant to medicine, psychiatry, and clinical psychology, reveals high interest in and acceptability for psilocybin, regardless of an individual's history of adverse experiences. Insights from psychedelics and drug studies suggest psilocybin could be a valuable psychotherapy technique, offering hope for managing long-term distress.
Abstract
Survivors of adverse childhood experience are at elevated risk for psychological distress. In recent years, renewed interest in psychedelic medicin...
Discovery and In Vitro Characterization of SPL028: Deuterated N,N-Dimethyltryptamine.
ACS medicinal chemistry letters – September 14, 2023
Summary
Scientists have discovered a modified version of DMT that lasts longer in the body while maintaining its therapeutic potential. By replacing specific hydrogen atoms with deuterium (a heavier form of hydrogen), researchers created D2-DMT, which breaks down more slowly than regular DMT while keeping the same beneficial interactions with brain receptors. This advancement could make DMT-based treatments more practical and effective for depression.
Abstract
The psychedelic N,N- dimethyltryptamine (DMT) is in clinical development for the treatment of major depressive disorder. However, when administered...
MDMA-Assisted Treatment for PTSD, Anxiety, and Depression: A Visualized Literature Analysis over 30 Years.
Current medicinal chemistry – June 02, 2025
Summary
Over three decades of research reveals MDMA-assisted therapy shows remarkable promise in treating PTSD, anxiety, and depression. Analysis of 30 years of scientific literature shows a dramatic shift from studying MDMA's risks to exploring its therapeutic benefits. The U.S. leads research efforts, with breakthrough results demonstrating MDMA's potential to help patients process trauma and emotional distress in controlled therapeutic settings.
Abstract
The incidence of psychiatric disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression, has been steadily increasing, while...
Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy for Treatment of Co-occurring Borderline Personality Disorder and Depression: A Case Study.
Journal of personality disorders – April 01, 2025
Summary
A groundbreaking treatment combining ketamine with psychotherapy showed remarkable success in helping a patient overcome both borderline personality disorder and severe depression. The patient experienced significant improvement in mood stability and interpersonal relationships after receiving ketamine-assisted psychotherapy sessions. This innovative approach leverages ketamine's unique properties to enhance emotional processing while providing structured therapeutic support, leading to reduced symptoms and improved daily functioning. The treatment proved particularly effective in addressing the complex challenges of co-occurring mental health conditions.
Abstract
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a mental health condition characterized by a pervasive pattern of impulsivity, affective dysregulation, an...
Psilocybin for treatment resistant depression in patients taking a concomitant SSRI medication.
Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology – September 01, 2023
Summary
A single dose of psilocybin, combined with standard antidepressants, showed promising results for people with hard-to-treat depression. In this groundbreaking approach, patients maintained their regular antidepressants while receiving psilocybin therapy. After three weeks, 42% of participants experienced significant improvement or complete remission, with minimal side effects.
Abstract
Psilocybin is being investigated as a treatment in adults with treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Withdrawal from serotonergic antidepressant dr...
A phase 1/2 trial to assess safety and efficacy of a vaporized 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine formulation (GH001) in patients with treatment-resistant depression
Frontiers in Psychiatry – June 20, 2023
Summary
A potent new antidepressant approach for treatment-resistant depression shows promise: an individualized dosing regimen of the psychedelic 5-MeO-DMT. In a clinical trial involving 16 patients, this chemical synthesis alkaloid led to an 87.5% remission rate by day 7, a key clinical endpoint. This pharmacology-driven regimen, influencing neurotransmitter receptors, significantly improved symptoms, with a 76% average reduction in depression scores. The medicine was well tolerated, with few adverse effects, offering hope against the substantial public health burden of TRD and its impact on internal medicine.
Abstract
Background Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) is a substantial public health burden, but current treatments have limited effectiveness. The aim w...
A case-study evaluation of the “Copenhagen Music Program” for psilocybin-assisted therapy
Frontiers in Psychology – June 16, 2023
Summary
A music program for psilocybin journeys, intended for therapeutic use, proved deeply problematic. An Indigenous psychotherapist undergoing a 3.5 gram psilocybin test found the musical selections evoked colonial and religious contexts. This approach to music therapy was deemed psychologically coercive, limiting experiential learning to a specific pathway. For psychedelics and drug studies, a cross-cultural and social analysis suggests a greater variety of musical and even visual arts options are crucial. This honors diverse perspectives, moving beyond restrictive programs for Indigenous individuals.
Abstract
In a recent article, Messell and colleagues provide a curated list, the “Copenhagen Music Program for Psilocybin”. We test their music program with...
Psilocybin’s effects on cognition and creativity: A scoping review
Journal of Psychopharmacology – July 01, 2023
Summary
Psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, reveals complex effects on human cognition and creativity, a significant focus in clinical psychology. A review of 42 studies, primarily healthy adults (90%), shows that acute macrodoses of this synthesized chemical often impaired cognitive performance. However, microdoses tended to enhance creativity. The neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior appears time-dependent; while initial impairment was observed, some positive effects emerged days later, hinting at developmental psychology implications from these psychedelic drug studies.
Abstract
Background: Research on psilocybin has become increasingly popular during the current psychedelic renaissance, which began in the early 1990s. Psil...
The development of psilocybin therapy for treatment-resistant depression: an update
BJPsych Bulletin – June 26, 2023
Summary
A compelling finding reveals psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, holds promise for treatment-resistant depression. Recent clinical trials show a 25 mg dose, alongside psychotherapeutic support, significantly improved mood and anxiety symptoms compared to a placebo. This medicine, a naturally occurring alkaloid, influences neurotransmitter receptors, offering a novel approach in psychiatry. With phase 3 trials imminent, psychedelics and drug studies are rapidly advancing. Addressing the profound economic burden of depression, this psychological intervention could revolutionize patient care, requiring skilled psychotherapists.
Abstract
Summary Psilocybin is a classic psychedelic drug that has attracted increasing research interest over the past 10 years as a possible treatment for...
“Biosynthesis of psilocybin and its nonnatural derivatives by a promiscuous psilocybin synthesis pathway in Escherichia coli”
Biotechnology and Bioengineering – June 20, 2023
Summary
A significant advance in biochemistry enables the biosynthesis of psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, and 13 new derivatives using bacteria. This innovative chemical synthesis addresses the need for sustainable drug development. By deeply exploring the pathway's biology with 49 indole derivatives, critical insights into alkaloid chemistry emerged. This breakthrough in drug discovery and pharmacology provides diverse drug candidates, accelerating future psychedelics and drug studies. This method promises a consistent supply for vital research.
Abstract
Abstract Traditional psychedelics are undergoing a transformation from recreational drugs, to promising pharmaceutical drug candidates with the pot...
In vivo mapping of pharmacologically induced functional reorganization onto the human brain’s neurotransmitter landscape
Science Advances – June 14, 2023
Summary
The human brain's response to drugs reveals a profound link between molecular structure and behavior. Neuroscience shows diverse pharmacological agents, including 10 psychedelics and anesthetics, reorganize brain function by engaging multiple neurotransmitter systems. By mapping 19 neurotransmitter receptors and transporters, a clear influence on behavior emerged. This pharmacology insight has significant implications for Psychology and Medicine, informing drug studies and our understanding of brain disorders. Crucially, regional drug susceptibility mirrors vulnerability to structural alterations seen in conditions like those linked to Tryptophan imbalances.
Abstract
To understand how pharmacological interventions can exert their powerful effects on brain function, we need to understand how they engage the brain...
Reports of self-compassion and affect regulation in psilocybin-assisted therapy for alcohol use disorder: An interpretive phenomenological analysis.
Psychology of Addictive Behaviors – June 05, 2023
Summary
Psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, profoundly reshapes self-perception. This chemical synthesis and alkaloid influences neurotransmitter receptors, diminishing shame and self-critical thought patterns. Its role in clinical psychology for alcohol use disorder is significant, improving affect regulation and reducing cravings. Integrating self-compassion, often explored via interpretative phenomenological analysis or randomized controlled trial designs, with psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy could enhance psychological outcomes. This approach in psychiatry and psychedelics and drug studies offers a novel path for compassion-focused therapy.
Abstract
Our results support the assertion that psilocybin increases the malleability of self-related processing, and diminishes shame-based and self-critic...
UNRAVELing the synergistic effects of psilocybin and environment on brain-wide immediate early gene expression in mice.
Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology – November 01, 2023
Summary
Psilocybin's effects on the brain vary dramatically based on setting, with the compound reshaping neural communication patterns across multiple brain regions. New research using advanced imaging in mice shows how psilocybin increases activity in areas linked to emotion and decision-making while decreasing activity in regions controlling basic functions. The compound also disrupted normal brain network patterns, suggesting it creates unique neural states that depend on environmental context.
Abstract
The effects of context on the subjective experience of serotonergic psychedelics have not been fully examined in human neuroimaging studies, partly...
Neurobiological Correlates of Psilocybin Response in Depression.
The primary care companion for CNS disorders – May 23, 2023
Summary
Psilocybin appears to temporarily "reset" brain connectivity patterns in depressed patients, offering promising therapeutic benefits. Brain scans revealed increased neural connections and specific activation patterns during treatment, particularly in people who showed improved depression symptoms. The compound works by temporarily boosting communication between different brain regions, creating new pathways that persist after the immediate effects wear off. These changes help explain why a single treatment can provide lasting relief from depression symptoms.
Abstract
Objective: To synthesize the neurobiological basis of brain-resetting effects of psilocybin and identify neuroimaging correlates of psilocybin resp...
MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy for Borderline Personality Disorder.
Focus (American Psychiatric Publishing) – October 01, 2022
Summary
Groundbreaking research reveals MDMA-assisted psychotherapy shows promise for treating borderline personality disorder, a condition that traditionally responds inconsistently to standard treatments. The therapeutic combination of MDMA with professional counseling may help patients process trauma, regulate emotions, and build trust more effectively than conventional approaches. Early clinical trials demonstrate encouraging safety profiles and symptom improvements, particularly in areas of emotional regulation and interpersonal relationships.
Abstract
Borderline personality disorder is a complex psychiatric disorder with limited treatment options that are associated with large heterogeneity in tr...
Altered State of Consciousness and Mental Imagery as a Function of N, N-dimethyltryptamine Concentration in Ritualistic Ayahuasca Users
Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience – January 01, 2023
Summary
Ayahuasca profoundly alters consciousness, with N, N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) driving its primary psychological effects. Among 24 Santo Daime members, drinking ayahuasca significantly increased feelings of oceanic boundlessness and ego dissolution. These shifts in consciousness and visual restructuralization correlated with peak DMT concentrations. Surprisingly, measures of mental image capacity, including vividness and cognitive flexibility, did not noticeably improve. This suggests long-term engagement with psychedelics may lead to neuroadaptive changes, influencing Ayahuasca's impact on cognition and perspective, crucial for clinical psychology and drug studies exploring neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior.
Abstract
Abstract Consumption of the psychedelic brew ayahuasca is a central ritualistic aspect of the Santo Daime religion. The current observational, base...
How does psilocybin therapy work? An exploration of experiential avoidance as a putative mechanism of change.
Journal of affective disorders – August 01, 2023
Summary
Psilocybin therapy shows promise in treating major depressive disorder by helping people face rather than avoid difficult emotions. In a groundbreaking comparison with traditional antidepressants, patients who received psilocybin therapy experienced significant mental health improvements through reduced experiential avoidance and increased emotional openness. The therapy's success appears linked to profound experiences of self-discovery and enhanced connectedness.
Abstract
Psilocybin therapy is receiving attention as a mental health intervention with transdiagnostic potential. In line with psychotherapeutic research, ...
Psychotherapy with Psilocybin for Depression: Systematic Review
Behavioral Sciences – March 31, 2023
Summary
Psilocybin offers a powerful new approach in medicine for mental health, rapidly improving depressive symptoms for months. Eight clinical psychology studies highlight its potential, even for treatment-resistant depression affecting 280 million people globally, a significant economic burden. Administered with psychotherapist support, this psychedelic, a naturally occurring alkaloid, fosters deep introspection and well-being after just one or two doses, influencing behavior through neurotransmitter pathways. This represents a significant development in psychiatry and drug studies.
Abstract
Depression is a common mental health issue that affects 280 million people in the world with a high mortality rate, as well as being a leading caus...
Pilot study of single-dose psilocybin for serotonin reuptake inhibitor-resistant body dysmorphic disorder.
Journal of psychiatric research – May 01, 2023
Summary
A single dose of psilocybin, a natural hallucinogen, showed remarkable promise in treating body dysmorphic disorder, with 58% of participants experiencing significant symptom improvement. In this groundbreaking clinical trial, 12 adults who hadn't responded to conventional treatments received psychological support and a controlled dose. After 12 weeks, patients reported major reductions in appearance-related obsessions and distress, with benefits emerging within the first week.
Abstract
Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is an often-severe condition in which individuals are preoccupied by misperceptions of their appearance as defective...
Acute Mood-Elevating Properties of Microdosed Lysergic Acid Diethylamide in Healthy Volunteers: A Home-Administered Randomized Controlled Trial.
Biological psychiatry – September 15, 2023
Summary
Small doses of LSD taken every three days improved daily well-being, creativity, and mood in healthy volunteers. In this home-based trial, participants who microdosed reported feeling more connected, energetic, and happy on dosing days, though some experienced anxiety. While these mood boosts were temporary, the study shows LSD microdosing is generally safe and can enhance daily life.
Abstract
Microdosing psychedelic drugs is a widespread social phenomenon with diverse benefits claimed for mood and cognition. Randomized controlled trials ...
Systematic Review of Interventions for Demoralization in Patients With Cancer.
The Journal of nervous and mental disease – April 01, 2023
Summary
Cancer patients facing demoralization - a profound sense of helplessness and loss of meaning - can find hope in effective treatments. Both psychedelic-assisted therapy and traditional psychological interventions show promising results in restoring patients' sense of purpose and resilience. Analysis of 14 clinical studies reveals that most approaches successfully reduced demoralization, with 10 programs demonstrating clear positive outcomes.
Abstract
Demoralization as cancer-related mental health needs to be understood and addressed by clinical staff. This review systematically examined the char...
Lower-dose psycholytic therapy – A neglected approach
Frontiers in Psychiatry – December 02, 2022
Summary
Psychedelic compounds like LSD, initially explored in 1949, were extensively integrated into European medicine for psychotherapy. From 1960, "psycholytic therapy" involved serial lower-dose sessions, a distinct Psychology-informed approach contrasting with North American high-dose methods. Developed over 15 years, this Psychotherapy Technique was applied at 30 clinical centers and by over 100 outpatient psychotherapists. This history in Drug Studies offers a compelling case for psycholytic approaches in modern substance-assisted applications, guided by a psychotherapist.
Abstract
Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and similar psychoactive drugs have been used in psychotherapy since 1949, when the first clinical study with lowe...
Reactivations after 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine use in naturalistic settings: An initial exploratory analysis of the phenomenon’s predictors and its emotional valence
Frontiers in Psychiatry – November 29, 2022
Summary
A compelling finding in Psychedelics and Drug Studies reveals that "reactivations"—a phenomenon akin to flashbacks from 5-MeO-DMT—are often positive. Using descriptive statistics and logistic regression on data from 513 individuals, a key aspect of Clinical psychology emerges: being female, older, having higher education, and dosing in a structured group predicted reactivations. Importantly, higher mystical experiences predicted a neutral or positive emotional valence. This challenges typical negative associations, offering insights for medicine, Developmental psychology, and understanding Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior and Forensic Toxicology and Drug Analysis.
Abstract
Background The psychedelic 5-MeO-DMT has shown clinical potential due to its short duration and ability to induce mystical experiences. However, a ...
Extensive Collection of Psychotropic Mushrooms with Determination of Their Tryptamine Alkaloids
International Journal of Molecular Sciences – November 15, 2022
Summary
Wild mushrooms, valued in traditional medicine and emerging psychedelic therapies, show alarmingly variable tryptamine concentrations. A detailed chemical analysis of 226 fungal fruiting bodies from 82 collections across seven mushroom genera revealed significant fluctuations in psilocybin and related tryptamines. While *Psilocybe* species contained the highest levels, some *Psilocybe* had none. This variability in fungal biology poses overdose risks for consumers and complicates drug studies, as the precise chemistry of these natural alkaloids differs vastly from chemically pure psilocybin, impacting potential therapeutic applications.
Abstract
Since not only psilocybin (PSB) but also PSB-containing mushrooms are used for psychedelic therapy and microdosing, it is necessary to know their c...
A Research Domain Criteria (RDoC)-Guided Dashboard to Review Psilocybin Target Domains: A Systematic Review.
CNS drugs – October 01, 2022
Summary
Psilocybin shows promise in improving multiple aspects of mental health, from reducing fear responses to enhancing social connections. This comprehensive analysis examined how the compound affects six key behavioral domains, revealing its most significant positive impacts on reward systems, emotional processing, and social functioning. Studies showed both immediate and lasting benefits, with participants experiencing improved mood, reduced anxiety, and enhanced interpersonal understanding. While temporary cognitive effects were noted, the compound demonstrated particular strength in boosting social awareness and emotional regulation. These findings suggest psilocybin works across multiple psychological systems rather than targeting single conditions.
Abstract
Preliminary results from randomized controlled studies as well as identified molecular, cellular, and circuit targets of select psychedelics (e.g.,...
Pharmacotherapeutic strategies for the treatment of anorexia nervosa - novel targets to break a vicious cycle.
Expert opinion on pharmacotherapy – December 01, 2024
Summary
Despite being the deadliest eating disorder, anorexia nervosa may soon have new treatment options. Emerging research shows promising results using innovative approaches like ketamine, psychedelics, and ketogenic nutrition alongside traditional therapies. These treatments target both the neurobiological basis of anorexia and common co-occurring conditions like anxiety and depression.
Abstract
Anorexia nervosa (AN) has one of the highest mortality rates of all mental illnesses. No approved pharmacological treatments exist for AN, but nove...
Plant drugs: Transcending the mescaline biosynthesis.
Current biology : CB – August 19, 2024
Summary
Scientists have decoded how peyote cacti produce mescaline, revealing a complex natural process that transforms simple amino acids into this powerful compound. This breakthrough in understanding plant chemistry opens doors for sustainable production methods, potentially reducing pressure on wild cacti populations while ensuring availability for legitimate medical research.
Abstract
Our knowledge of the biosynthesis of medicinal compounds from plants remains limited. A new study has deciphered the complete metabolic pathway lea...
Mitochondrial Metabolism in Major Depressive Disorder: From Early Diagnosis to Emerging Treatment Options.
Journal of clinical medicine – March 17, 2024
Summary
Groundbreaking research reveals that cellular powerhouses - mitochondria - play a crucial role in Major Depressive Disorder. Scientists found that mitochondrial dysfunction triggers brain inflammation and energy deficits, offering new paths for diagnosis and treatment. Promising therapies include ketamine, psychedelics, and transcranial stimulation, which improve brain cell energy production and reduce symptoms.
Abstract
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is one of the most disabling diseases in the world. MDD is traditionally diagnosed based on a patient's symptoms, w...
The molecular mechanisms through which psilocybin prevents suicide: evidence from network pharmacology and molecular docking analyses
Translational Psychiatry – June 16, 2025
Summary
The hallucinogen psilocybin, a potent psychedelic, holds significant promise for suicide prevention. Using advanced pharmacology and molecular docking techniques, 46 potential targets were identified. Specifically, four key neurotransmitter receptors (HTR2A, HTR2C, HTR7, PRKACA) were found to strongly bind psilocybin. This suggests the alkaloid, a product of chemical synthesis, influences behavior by modulating crucial brain signaling pathways, including serotonergic synapses and calcium signaling. These drug studies offer vital insights into psilocybin's therapeutic potential in medicine and psychology.
Abstract
Psilocybin is among the most extensively studied psychedelics, with previous research suggesting its potential therapeutic role in suicide preventi...
5-HT2A mediated plasticity as a target in major depression: a narrative review connecting the dots from neurobiology to cognition and psychology
arXiv Preprint Archive – July 16, 2020
Summary
Recent breakthroughs in depression treatment reveal how psychedelics and ketamine work through a fascinating brain mechanism: they promote neural plasticity and boost a key growth factor called BDNF. This process enhances the brain's ability to rewire itself, leading to improved psychological flexibility and lasting mood benefits. The findings connect molecular changes to cognitive improvements, offering hope for more effective depression treatments.
Abstract
As the world's first primary morbidity factor, depression has a considerable impact on both an individual as well as a societal level. despite thei...
Hallucinogenic potential: a review of psychoplastogens for the treatment of opioid use disorder
Frontiers in Pharmacology – August 22, 2023
Summary
Current medicine struggles with the opioid epidemic, leaving many with Opioid use disorder. However, a compelling shift in Psychiatry and Psychedelics and Drug Studies suggests hallucinogens offer a potent new approach to addiction. These compounds, often derived through chemical synthesis, demonstrate unique pharmacology and profound neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior, addressing both the physical opioid dependence and underlying psychology. This novel medicine, including alternatives to treatments like buprenorphine, could provide a holistic path for recovery, moving beyond the limited efficacy of existing therapies.
Abstract
The United States is entering its fourth decade of the opioid epidemic with no clear end in sight. At the center of the epidemic is an increase in ...
Understanding the Psychological Effects of Psilocybin and 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine in a Non-Clinical Population
OpenAlex – May 29, 2025
Summary
A single dose of the hallucinogen psilocybin profoundly shifted personality, reducing neuroticism and boosting extraversion in a non-clinical population. Among 48 participants, 33 psilocybin dosing sessions revealed notable psychological changes, including increased mindfulness and connectedness, observed one week later. Psilocybin also induced stronger mystical experiences than MDMA, suggesting its unique influence on neurotransmitter receptors and subsequent behavior. These findings from psychedelics and drug studies offer insights for clinical psychology and psychotherapists exploring this chemically synthesized alkaloid for mental well-being.
Abstract
Abstract Objective Despite many decades of experimental studies and clinical trials involving a variety of psychedelic agents, we still lack a comp...
Trait mindfulness and personality characteristics in a microdosing ADHD sample: a naturalistic prospective survey study
Frontiers in Psychiatry – October 16, 2023
Summary
Microdosing psychedelics appears to alter fundamental psychological traits. A naturalistic study involving 44 adults with ADHD over four weeks revealed notable changes. Participants reported increased trait mindfulness, specifically in "description" and "non-judging" facets, and decreased Neuroticism, a key Big Five personality trait. Other personality aspects like Conscientiousness, Agreeableness, and Extraversion remained stable. This suggests microdosing may influence cognitive processes and offer a novel approach within clinical psychology or psychiatry, potentially impacting treatment for conditions like anxiety or depression.
Abstract
Background Microdosing (MD), repeatedly taking psychedelics in small, non-hallucinogenic amounts, has been practiced by individuals to relieve atte...
Enhancing mindfulness and compassion through an ayahuasca-inspired formulation containing N,N-DMT and harmine: A randomized controlled trial in healthy subjects.
Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England) – June 19, 2025
Summary
A single dose of a specific compound can significantly enhance feelings of mindfulness and compassion. Researchers explored if an ayahuasca-inspired formulation, combining N,N-DMT and harmine, could acutely boost these traits in healthy individuals. Participants received the formulation, harmine-only, or placebo. Results showed a notable increase in mindfulness, self-compassion, and compassion towards others just one day after receiving the N,N-DMT and harmine combination. These findings suggest this formulation holds potential for acutely enhancing these beneficial qualities.
Abstract
Mindfulness and compassion are therapeutically relevant and can be increased through different forms of meditation practices. However, meditation p...
Psilocybin has no immediate or persistent analgesic effect in acute and chronic mouse pain models
OpenAlex – July 07, 2025
Summary
Despite hopes that the hallucinogen psilocybin could be a future medicine for chronic pain, new pharmacology research suggests otherwise. Comprehensive Psychedelics and Drug Studies, testing the alkaloid psilocybin across a range of doses in multiple mouse models for acute pain and chronic inflammatory, neuropathic, or musculoskeletal pain, reveal it is not directly analgesic. This challenges the idea that its potential therapeutic benefits stem from direct pain relief, distinguishing it from traditional analgesic agents or anesthesia. Its Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior might be key, rather than direct pain modulation.
Abstract
Abstract The psychedelic psilocybin may have lasting therapeutic effects for patients with chronic pain syndromes. Some clinical and preclinical da...
Psilocybin treatment extends cellular lifespan and improves survival of aged mice
npj Aging – July 08, 2025
Summary
Psilocybin, a natural hallucinogen, significantly extends cellular lifespan and promotes longevity in aged mice. This exciting finding suggests the compound, known for its therapeutic potential in medicine, may act as a potent geroprotective agent. While the exact pharmacology and molecular mechanisms are still being explored in psychedelics and drug studies, its active metabolite, psilocin, appears key. This research offers new insights into psilocybin's systemic impacts, hinting at its influence on various biological processes, potentially including neurotransmitter receptor activity.
Abstract
Abstract Psilocybin, the naturally occurring psychedelic compound produced by hallucinogenic mushrooms, has received attention due to considerable ...
PolDrugs 2025: results of the third edition of the nationwide study on psychoactive substance use in the context of psychiatry and harm reduction.
Frontiers in psychiatry – January 01, 2025
Summary
A positive trend in Poland shows growing acceptance of psychiatry among those using psychoactive substances. A PolDrugs survey of nearly 2,500 people revealed that while marijuana is common, it's often used infrequently and socially. Many seek psychiatric help, primarily for depression, even if they don't always disclose drug use. Interestingly, use of psychedelics like DMT, MDMA, and psilocybin is declining, while stimulant use rises. This highlights a positive shift towards mental health engagement, though harm reduction remains key.
Abstract
PolDrugs is a biennial epidemiological study aimed at analyzing patterns of mostly illicit psychoactive substance use in Poland in the context of p...
Single-dose (10 mg) psilocybin reduces symptoms in adults with obsessive-compulsive disorder: A pharmacological challenge study.
Comprehensive psychiatry – July 01, 2025
Summary
For many with Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), current treatments fall short. Researchers explored if psilocybin, a psychedelic, could offer relief. Participants with OCD received a single 10mg dose. Positive results showed significant, rapid reduction in symptoms, especially compulsions, lasting up to a week. Psilocybin was well-tolerated, presenting a promising new avenue for managing this condition.
Abstract
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a common and disabling condition. A large proportion of patients fail to respond to first-line treatment wit...