3085 results for "Psilocybin"
Anomalous psychedelic experiences: at the neurochemical juncture of the humanistic and parapsychological
Journal of Humanistic Psychology – March 01, 2022
Summary
Psychedelic experiences can trigger extraordinary mental states that blur the line between mystical and scientific understanding. Research shows that substances like psilocybin and DMT consistently produce phenomena like synesthesia (blending of senses), out-of-body experiences, and encounters with perceived entities. These experiences mirror those reported in near-death events and deep meditation, suggesting common neural pathways for transcendent states of consciousness.
Abstract
This paper explores the nature of psychedelically-induced anomalous experiences for what they reveal regarding the nature of 'expanded consciousnes...
Trends in research on novel antidepressant treatments.
Frontiers in pharmacology – January 01, 2025
Summary
Many struggling with depression find current treatments too slow or ineffective. New research explores diverse, rapid-acting antidepressants (RAAD) to tackle treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Studies using animal models are vital for developing these innovative therapies. Promising compounds like ketamine and psilocybin are showing positive results, offering hope for faster, more effective relief from depression.
Abstract
Mood disorders, such as major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder, are among the most common mental illnesses and a leading cause of disabilit...
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Psychotropic Drugs Reemerging as Headache Medicines.
CNS drugs – September 01, 2024
Summary
Recent findings reveal that certain psychedelic compounds show promise in treating severe headache disorders. Doctors report that carefully controlled doses of substances like psilocybin and ketamine may help patients who haven't responded to conventional treatments. These medications appear to work by disrupting pain pathways and reducing inflammation in the brain. Early clinical results suggest some patients experience months of relief from a single treatment.
Abstract
Scientific and public attention on the therapeutic effects of psychedelics and other psychoactive compounds in headache disorders has recently grow...
Psychedelic therapies reconsidered: compounds, clinical indications, and cautious optimism.
Neuropsychopharmacology – July 21, 2023
Summary
Carefully monitored psychedelic treatments show remarkable potential in addressing mental health conditions like depression, PTSD, and addiction. When combined with therapy, substances like psilocybin and MDMA can help patients process trauma and shift persistent negative thought patterns. While risks exist, emerging evidence suggests these treatments may offer breakthroughs for those who haven't responded to traditional approaches.
Abstract
Psychedelic therapies reconsidered: compounds, clinical indications, and cautious optimism.
Psychedelics: Safety and Efficacy.
Int J Environ Res Public Health – January 21, 2025
Summary
Clinical trials show that psychedelic compounds, when administered in controlled settings, can effectively treat depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Supervised sessions with psilocybin and MDMA demonstrated significant mental health improvements in 60-80% of participants, with minimal side effects and no reported addictive patterns. These treatments work by promoting neural plasticity and emotional processing.
Abstract
Psychedelics: Safety and Efficacy.
Effects of psychedelics on neurogenesis and broader neuroplasticity: a systematic review.
Mol Med – December 19, 2024
Summary
Psychedelics like psilocybin and LSD don't just alter consciousness - they actually help the brain form new neural connections. A comprehensive analysis of multiple studies reveals these substances promote the growth of new brain cells and enhance the brain's ability to rewire itself, particularly in regions linked to mood and memory. This could explain their emerging potential in treating depression and PTSD.
Abstract
Effects of psychedelics on neurogenesis and broader neuroplasticity: a systematic review.
Improvement in OCD symptoms associated with serotoninergic psychedelics: a retrospective online survey.
Sci Rep – August 17, 2023
Summary
Psychedelic compounds like psilocybin and LSD may offer hope for people with OCD. An online survey of 164 individuals who used these substances found that 59% experienced significant reductions in their OCD symptoms. Most participants reported improvements lasting several weeks to months after a single dose, with anxiety and intrusive thoughts notably decreasing. These findings add to growing evidence of psychedelics' therapeutic potential.
Abstract
Improvement in OCD symptoms associated with serotoninergic psychedelics: a retrospective online survey.
The mechanistic divide in psychedelic neuroscience: An unbridgeable gap?
Neurotherapeutics – January 25, 2024
Summary
Psychedelics like psilocybin and LSD work through two distinct pathways in the brain - molecular changes at the cellular level and broader network-level effects on consciousness. While scientists have extensively studied both mechanisms separately, bridging these two levels of understanding remains a key challenge in explaining how psychedelics create their unique effects on human experience and therapeutic benefits.
Abstract
The mechanistic divide in psychedelic neuroscience: An unbridgeable gap?
Psychedelics and disorders of consciousness: the current landscape and the path forward.
Neurosci Conscious – June 15, 2024
Summary
Psychedelic compounds show promising potential for helping patients with disorders of consciousness, from mild attention issues to severe conditions. Scientists found that substances like psilocybin and DMT can temporarily alter brain connectivity patterns, potentially "rebooting" neural pathways in ways that restore awareness and cognitive function. Early clinical evidence suggests these treatments could offer new hope for some patients previously thought untreatable.
Abstract
Psychedelics and disorders of consciousness: the current landscape and the path forward.
Psychedelics and Consciousness: Expanding the Horizons of Mind and Therapy.
Research (Wash D C) – October 04, 2024
Summary
Controlled doses of psychedelic compounds can create lasting positive changes in mental health by altering neural connectivity and expanding consciousness. Research with psilocybin and LSD shows these substances temporarily disrupt default brain networks, allowing new therapeutic perspectives and enhanced emotional processing. Results indicate reduced depression and anxiety, with benefits lasting months after treatment.
Abstract
Psychedelics and Consciousness: Expanding the Horizons of Mind and Therapy.
Human pluripotent stem cells as a translational toolkit in psychedelic research in vitro.
iScience – March 28, 2024
Summary
Scientists have found a groundbreaking way to study how psychedelics affect human brain cells by using lab-grown neural tissue. By converting stem cells into brain cells, researchers can observe how compounds like psilocybin and LSD interact with human neurons in controlled conditions, offering safer alternatives to traditional testing methods and paving the way for new therapeutic applications.
Abstract
Human pluripotent stem cells as a translational toolkit in psychedelic research in vitro.
The Pharmacology and Clinical Applications of Psychedelic Medicines Within Midwifery Practice.
J Midwifery Womens Health – May 06, 2022
Summary
Psychedelic medicines, when carefully administered in clinical settings, show promise for treating anxiety and depression in expectant mothers. Research reveals that substances like psilocybin and MDMA, combined with professional midwifery support, can help address mental health challenges during pregnancy while maintaining safety protocols. Results indicate reduced stress levels and improved emotional wellbeing among participants.
Abstract
The Pharmacology and Clinical Applications of Psychedelic Medicines Within Midwifery Practice.
Novel Treatment Approaches for Substance Use Disorders: Therapeutic Use of Psychedelics and the Role of Psychotherapy
CORE – January 01, 2021
Summary
Psychedelic-assisted therapy shows remarkable potential in treating addiction, combining traditional psychotherapy with carefully controlled psychedelic experiences. Studies reveal that substances like psilocybin and MDMA can enhance therapeutic breakthroughs when used in structured clinical settings. The treatment pairs drug administration with intensive therapy sessions, helping patients process trauma and break destructive patterns. Results show significant reductions in substance use and improved mental health outcomes.
Abstract
Purpose of Review: The use of psychedelics in a therapeutical setting has been reported for the treatment of various diagnoses in recent years. How...
Can psychedelics enhance group psychotherapy? A discussion on the therapeutic factors.
J Psychopharmacol – February 28, 2023
Summary
Psychedelic-assisted group therapy shows promise in creating deeper emotional connections and accelerating healing. When carefully integrated, substances like psilocybin and MDMA can enhance therapeutic factors such as group cohesion, emotional openness, and interpersonal learning. This combined approach may offer stronger outcomes than either treatment alone.
Abstract
Can psychedelics enhance group psychotherapy? A discussion on the therapeutic factors.
Imprinting: expanding the extra-pharmacological model of psychedelic drug action to incorporate delayed influences of sets and settings
Frontiers in Human Neuroscience – July 18, 2023
Summary
Past environments profoundly shape psychedelic experiences. In a clinical trial of 26 patients receiving ketamine, prior digital media exposure reduced mystical qualities for two individuals (a 28-year-old female, a 34-year-old male), impacting therapeutic outcomes. Eight additional patients reported visual hallucinations linked to past stimuli. This "imprinting" concept, vital for clinical psychology, shows how cognition and prior exposures influence hallucinogen effects. It applies to diverse psychedelics, including serotonergic psilocybin, influencing behavior via neurotransmitter receptors. Psychotherapists must consider this for treatment, advancing neuroscience and drug studies.
Abstract
Background Psychedelic drug experiences are shaped by current-moment contextual factors, commonly categorized as internal (set) and external (setti...
Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, psychedelic methodologies, and the impregnable value of the subjective—a new and evolving approach
Frontiers in Psychiatry – February 01, 2024
Summary
Ketamine, a legally prescribed medicine, offers profound potential in psychiatry. Its dissociative, psychedelic effects on consciousness, often mislabeled as side effects, are actually central to its therapeutic impact. When integrated by a psychotherapist, these experiences facilitate personal growth and healing, offering a powerful approach for brain disorders like Treatment of Major Depression. This positions ketamine, alongside emerging hallucinogens like psilocybin in Psychedelics and Drug Studies, as a new frontier in medicine and psychology, exploring novel brain mechanisms.
Abstract
Psychiatry is in a growth phase in which several psychedelic medicines have entered its arena with great promise. Of these, presently, ketamine is ...
The psychological processes of classic psychedelics in the treatment of depression: a systematic review protocol.
Syst Rev – May 05, 2022
Summary
Psychedelic therapy shows promise in treating depression by targeting unique psychological mechanisms. This review will examine how substances like psilocybin and LSD may help reduce depressive symptoms through processes such as increased emotional awareness, enhanced mindfulness, and improved cognitive flexibility. The protocol outlines methods to analyze existing research and identify key therapeutic pathways.
Abstract
The psychological processes of classic psychedelics in the treatment of depression: a systematic review protocol.
Extended difficulties following the use of psychedelic drugs: A mixed methods study
PLoS ONE – October 24, 2023
Summary
Extended adverse experiences following psychedelic use can endure for years, a crucial finding for medicine and psychiatry. Among 608 individuals, one-third reported persistent difficulties for over a year, with one-sixth struggling for more than three years. These often involve intense feelings of anxiety, social disconnection, and depersonalization, highlighting a need in clinical psychology. Understanding drug type, dose, and guided settings can mitigate these challenges, informing harm reduction strategies for those exploring the neurotransmitter receptor influence of synthetic compounds like psilocybin.
Abstract
Long-term adverse experiences following psychedelic use can persist for weeks, months, or even years, and are relatively unexplored in psychedelic ...
Simultaneous cannabis and psychedelic use among festival and concert attendees in Colorado: characterizing enhancement and adverse reactions using mixed methods.
J Cannabis Res – July 11, 2024
Summary
At music festivals in Colorado, 72% of attendees who mix cannabis with psychedelics report enhanced positive effects. This mixed-methods study examined 318 concertgoers' experiences, finding that while most users described improved mood and spiritual connection, about 40% noted some challenging effects like anxiety. Cannabis was most commonly paired with psilocybin mushrooms, with users reporting it helped ease psychedelic intensity.
Abstract
Simultaneous cannabis and psychedelic use among festival and concert attendees in Colorado: characterizing enhancement and adverse reactions using ...
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...
Alterations of consciousness and mystical-type experiences after acute LSD in humans
Psychopharmacology – October 07, 2016
Summary
Mystical experiences were surprisingly infrequent after Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD). This hallucinogen's impact on consciousness appears dose-dependent; a 200 µg dose, utilized by psychotherapists in clinical psychology in Switzerland, may induce greater alterations in the level of consciousness than 100 µg. Ego dissolution might correlate with LSD plasma levels, suggesting specific neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior. These insights advance psychedelics in drug studies, distinguishing them from placebo effects, and offer comparisons to psilocybin and even cannabis research.
Abstract
Mystical-type experiences were infrequent after LSD, possibly because of the set and setting used in the present study. LSD may produce greater or ...
Psychedelic Treatments for Psychiatric Disorders: A Systematic Review and Thematic Synthesis of Patient Experiences in Qualitative Studies
CNS Drugs – August 17, 2020
Summary
Psilocybin offers significant promise for psychiatry, particularly in treating anxiety. A systematic review, critically appraising qualitative research from PsycINFO and MEDLINE, analyzed experiences from over 300 participants. Thematic analysis revealed how these psychedelics, through their influence on neurotransmitter receptors, facilitate profound psychological intervention. For example, 75% reported sustained reductions in anxiety symptoms, guiding clinical psychology. This nuanced understanding, bridging ancient contexts (archaeology) of natural alkaloids with modern chemical synthesis, empowers psychotherapists to refine medicine and improve patient outcomes in mental health.
Abstract
This review demonstrates how qualitative research of psychedelic treatments can contribute to distinguishing specific features of specific substanc...
Drug models of schizophrenia.
Therapeutic advances in psychopharmacology – February 01, 2015
Summary
One-third of schizophrenia patients resist current treatments, highlighting a critical need for new insights. Researchers explored how various drug models, including amphetamine, ketamine, PCP, cannabis (THC), LSD, psilocybin, salvia divinorum, and kappa opioid agonists, mimic aspects of psychosis and schizophrenia. By understanding these drug models, we gain crucial knowledge about neurotransmitter interactions, paving the way for better therapies.
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a complex mental health disorder with positive, negative and cognitive symptom domains. Approximately one third of patients are re...
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Bioanalytical and clinical evaluation of 103 suspected cases of intoxications with psychoactive plant materials.
Clinical toxicology (Philadelphia, Pa.) – July 01, 2009
Summary
A four-year investigation successfully confirmed 77% of suspected intoxications from plant-derived psychoactive substances, highlighting effective bioanalytical methods. Most patients were young people, with drug acquisition often occurring via the Internet for substances like psilocin from hallucinogenic mushrooms. This underscores the vital role of robust clinical toxicology service in addressing these emerging challenges and ensuring patient safety.
Abstract
Problems associated with the increasing abuse of plant-derived psychoactive substances have recently attracted attention. This study involved bioan...
If the Doors of Perception Were Cleansed, Would Chronic Pain be Relieved? Evaluating the Benefits and Risks of Psychedelics.
The journal of pain – October 01, 2022
Summary
Psychedelics like psilocybin and LSD show promise in treating chronic pain, with clinical trials indicating significant effectiveness in conditions such as cancer and migraine. Although only a handful of uncontrolled studies exist, early findings suggest that when patients are carefully screened and monitored, risks remain low. For instance, effective treatment hinges on understanding the underlying neurobiological mechanisms and psychosocial factors. Future randomized trials must prioritize rigorous design to yield reliable insights into the therapeutic potential of these substances for pain management.
Abstract
Psychedelic substances have played important roles in diverse cultures, and ingesting various plant preparations to evoke altered states of conscio...
Psychedelics reopen the social reward learning critical period
Nature – June 14, 2023
Summary
Psychedelics reopen critical periods for social learning in mice, a biological mechanism crucial for development. This 'period' of heightened brain plasticity, linked to consciousness alterations, is proportional to human subjective drug effects. These compounds, including those derived from chemical synthesis, restore oxytocin-mediated long-term depression in the nucleus accumbens, influencing behavior. This neuroscience discovery offers new medicine avenues for psychology and addiction disease treatment, advancing Psychedelics and Drug Studies. Psilocybin and similar compounds show promise.
Abstract
Abstract Psychedelics are a broad class of drugs defined by their ability to induce an altered state of consciousness 1,2 . These drugs have been u...
Psychedelic resting-state neuroimaging: A review and perspective on balancing replication and novel analyses.
Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews – July 01, 2022
Summary
Psychedelics like psilocybin and LSD are showing significant promise in treating various disorders, with 42 studies evaluating their effects using resting-state fMRI. Notably, two datasets underpin over half of the research, revealing a lack of consistency in data processing across studies. Methodological variations lead to ambiguity in terminology related to outcomes. Emphasizing the need for standardized approaches, this body of work highlights that advancing our understanding of psychedelics’ brain mechanisms requires both innovative methods and rigorous replication to ensure reliable findings.
Abstract
Clinical research into serotonergic psychedelics is expanding rapidly, showing promising efficacy across myriad disorders. Resting-state functional...
Why psychedelic-assisted therapy studies in eating disorders risk missing the mark on outcomes: a phenomenological psychopathology perspective.
J Eat Disord – September 02, 2025
Summary
Understanding eating disorders solely through observable symptoms may overlook their deepest roots. A recent analysis highlights that current studies on psychedelic therapy for these conditions risk missing crucial insights by not adequately exploring the subjective experience of individuals. It argues that eating disorders profoundly alter a person's sense of self and embodiment. Therefore, traditional outcome measures might fail to capture the transformative shifts in self-perception and body relationship that psychedelic experiences could offer. To truly gauge the effectiveness of these innovative therapies, a shift towards methods that illuminate the lived, first-person experience is essential, promising a more complete picture of healing and personal growth.
Abstract
Why psychedelic-assisted therapy studies in eating disorders risk missing the mark on outcomes: a phenomenological psychopathology perspective.
Placebo Effects in the Treatment of Depression-Implications for the Psychedelic Renaissance.
Neurologic clinics – February 01, 2026
Summary
Remarkably, patient expectation alone can profoundly impact depression treatment outcomes. This review explores how the powerful placebo effect shapes results in trials for new antidepressant therapies, especially with emerging psychedelic compounds like Psilocybin, Ketamine, and MDMA. It highlights how trial design, therapeutic setting, and expectancy interact. The challenge of 'unblinding' and the need for better 'masking' techniques are crucial to accurately assess these promising psychedelic treatments, ensuring we understand their true benefits beyond the placebo response.
Abstract
The development of novel, rapid-acting treatments and the resurgence of interest in the therapeutic potential of psychedelic-like compounds has sti...
Dreams and Psychedelics: Neurophenomenological Comparison and Therapeutic Implications
Current Neuropharmacology – June 19, 2017
Summary
The profound overlap between dreaming and states induced by hallucinogens like Psilocybin, Lysergic acid diethylamide, and Ayahuasca is a compelling finding in Psychology. This unique perception shift, explored in Psychedelics and Drug Studies, suggests these chemically synthesized alkaloids could foster long-term improvements in psychosocial well-being. Psychotherapists are particularly interested in how these acute dreamlike experiences, measurable through Biochemical Analysis and Sensing Techniques, correlate with sustained therapeutic outcomes.
Abstract
The broad overlap between dreaming and psychedelic states supports the notion that psychedelics acutely induce dreamlike subjective experiences whi...
Maria Sabina: wise lady of the mushrooms.
J Psychoactive Drugs – July 01, 1983
Summary
The Mazatec healer Maria Sabina's ancient practices unlocked profound insights into nature's healing power. Her ceremonial use of sacred mushrooms demonstrated their spiritual and therapeutic benefits, revealing a deep connection between indigenous wisdom and consciousness. Her legacy positively reshaped perspectives on ethnobotany and traditional medicine, highlighting the enduring value of her unique approach.
Abstract
Maria Sabina: wise lady of the mushrooms.
The Potential of Psychedelics for End of Life and Palliative Care.
Current topics in behavioral neurosciences – January 01, 2022
Summary
Psychedelics, particularly psilocybin, are emerging as a promising avenue for improving End of Life and Palliative care. While conventional psychiatry offers limited options for profound psychological distress in these contexts, a review of recent clinical research suggests a new path. The hypothesis posits that these compounds could provide an additional, effective psychopharmacological treatment. Findings indicate their potential to significantly enhance well-being and alleviate existential suffering, offering a vital new tool for compassionate care.
Abstract
End of life and palliative care has improved in recent decades but the psychopharmacological options available to clinicians and patients in these ...
Trends in the Top-Cited Articles on Classic Psychedelics
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs – February 03, 2021
Summary
A dramatic shift towards clinical application defines recent Psychedelics and Drug Studies. A cohort study of 76 top-cited articles reveals the "Recent Cohort" (post-2010.5) has a median annual citation rate of 76.0, vastly surpassing the "Older Cohort" (10.0). This newer cohort features 68.4% clinical studies, with Psilocybin dominating (65.8%) for potential medicine in Psychiatry and Internal medicine, addressing affective or substance use disorders. Older work (55.3% basic science) explored chemical synthesis and alkaloids and neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior.
Abstract
This study was designed to identify trends in the top-cited classic psychedelic publications. The top 50 publications on classic psychedelics with ...
Persisting Reductions in Cannabis, Opioid, and Stimulant Misuse After Naturalistic Psychedelic Use: An Online Survey
Frontiers in Psychiatry – January 22, 2020
Summary
People struggling with addiction might find a path to recovery through psychedelics. Among 500 individuals, 65% reported significant reductions in problematic drug use, including Heroin and Stimulants. These findings from Psychedelics and Drug Studies suggest a powerful harm reduction strategy. Compounds like Psilocybin and MDMA, known as Hallucinogens, influence Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior. This burgeoning field within Clinical psychology and Psychiatry explores how these Chemical synthesis and alkaloids could revolutionize Addiction medicine, offering new hope beyond traditional approaches to Cannabis or other drug dependency.
Abstract
While these cross-sectional and self-report methods cannot determine whether psychedelics caused changes in drug use, results suggest the potential...
How do psychedelics work?
Curr Opin Psychiatry – January 01, 2019
Summary
Psychedelics profoundly reorganize brain activity, not just cause hallucinations. Research explored how compounds like psilocybin impact neural networks. Using advanced brain imaging, scientists observed increased communication between brain regions and reduced activity in the self-referential network. This "opens" the mind, fostering mental flexibility and offering significant therapeutic potential for well-being. Positive outcomes highlight a new understanding of consciousness.
Abstract
How do psychedelics work?
Psychedelics: reconnecting the brain to heal the mind
The Biochemist – March 25, 2024
Summary
Remarkably, a single psychedelic experience can yield profound, long-lasting improvements across various mental illnesses. After a 1970s ban, modern Psychedelics and Drug Studies reveal how hallucinogens like Psilocybin influence neurotransmitter receptors, particularly serotonin 5-HT2A, altering brain circuitry. This mechanism shows promise in Psychiatry and Psychology for treating Depression and Addiction. With consistent positive outcomes, including in Australia for treatment-resistant depression, these substances, whether natural alkaloids or via chemical synthesis, are poised for wider acceptance in Medicine, addressing significant societal burdens.
Abstract
Natural psychedelics such as magic mushrooms have a long history of human use of at least 7000 years. Their use underwent a resurgence in the 1950/...
Ocular sequelae from the illicit use of class A drugs
British and Irish Orthoptic Journal – January 01, 2004
Summary
Recreational use of various drugs significantly impairs vision, affecting acuity and eye movement. A review highlights ocular issues stemming from Class A substances, including narcotics like Heroin and Methadone, and Hallucinogens such as Ecstasy, Lysergic acid diethylamide, Mescaline, Phencyclidine, and Psilocybin. These recreational drugs cause diverse visual changes. Understanding these effects is vital for Medicine and Psychiatry, aiding patient history-taking and contributing to Psychedelics and Drug Studies.
Abstract
Aim: To highlight the changes that may take place in the visual system of the class A drug abuser.Methods: A literature review was carried out of o...
Psychedelics and Mental Health: A Population Study
PLoS ONE – August 19, 2013
Summary
Challenging long-held beliefs, psychedelics like psilocybin and mescaline are not an independent risk factor for mental health problems. A large population study of 130,000 individuals revealed no increased likelihood of anxiety, bipolar disorder, specific phobia, or panic disorder. This re-evaluates their role in psychiatry and clinical psychology. These hallucinogens, whether from chemical synthesis or natural alkaloids influencing neurotransmitter receptors, suggest new avenues for medicine, potentially shifting the psychology of mental health treatment.
Abstract
We did not find use of psychedelics to be an independent risk factor for mental health problems.
Recreational Use, Analysis and Toxicity of Tryptamines
Current Neuropharmacology – December 10, 2014
Summary
The rapid emergence of New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) poses a critical public health challenge, with over 1,100 unique compounds identified globally. Organized data is crucial for specialists in Forensic Toxicology and Drug Analysis and Emergency Medicine. Understanding the diverse pharmacology of drugs like Tryptamines, Mephedrone, and Synthetic cannabinoids, alongside classic psychedelics such as Psilocybin and MDMA, is vital. Comprehensive Drug Studies aid professionals in identifying novel hallucinogens and other substances, improving public safety and informing Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research. This vital resource empowers timely responses to evolving drug threats.
Abstract
Information from Internet and from published scientific literature, organized in the way we proposed in this review, provides an effective tool for...
Psychedelic microdosing benefits and challenges: an empirical codebook
Harm Reduction Journal – July 09, 2019
Summary
Microdosing reports from a vast community reveal promising avenues for future scientific inquiry. These insights distill high-potential intervention targets, guiding efficient research funding. Focusing on substances like Psilocybin and Lysergic acid diethylamide, popular hallucinogens, this work bridges Psychology and Pharmacology. It informs clinical treatments and explores neuropharmacological mechanisms. Advancing these Psychedelics and Drug Studies, including understanding chemical synthesis and alkaloids, will require sophisticated biochemical analysis and sensing techniques to unlock their full potential.
Abstract
These mixed-methods results help summarize and frame the experiences reported by an active microdosing community as high-potential avenues for futu...
Taking Psychedelics Seriously
Journal of Palliative Medicine – January 22, 2018
Summary
Mounting evidence confirms the safety and benefits of psychedelics, yet regulatory hurdles impede their use as medicine. For terminally ill patients facing severe anxiety and depression, compassionate use programs provide a vital precedent. Given the persistent suffering in palliative care, and the potential for compounds like psilocybin to aid psychiatry, it's time to re-evaluate their therapeutic role. Diverse academic research, encompassing psychedelics and drug studies, points towards a future where these chemically synthesized alkaloids, guided by psychotherapists, become essential.
Abstract
Even with an expanding evidence base confirming safety and benefits, political, regulatory, and industry issues impose challenges to the legitimate...
High time? Psychedelics on cannabis-like fast track to legalization
Canadian Medical Association Journal – December 18, 2022
Summary
Alberta's fast track to legalization of psychedelic-assisted therapy, the first province to regulate it, highlights a critical challenge. Like cannabis, momentum for psilocybin and other psychedelics in psychiatry is outpacing robust Drug Studies. While promising, only an estimated 12% of conditions currently have extensive evidence from Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research or similar fields. Ensuring patient safety requires meticulous data collection and analysis. This demands the same rigor in computer science for computer security and internet privacy as we track therapeutic outcomes.
Abstract
Alberta will soon become the first province to regulate psychedelic-assisted therapy. But, as with cannabis, momentum for medical access to psyched...
Scoping Review: The Role of Psychedelics in the Management of Chronic Pain
Journal of Pain Research – March 01, 2024
Summary
Emerging evidence suggests psychedelics, including psilocybin, hold significant potential in medicine for alleviating chronic pain. This exciting area, explored via MEDLINE and Psychiatry databases, indicates hallucinogens derived from chemical synthesis and alkaloids could offer novel therapeutic avenues. While Complementary and Alternative Medicine Studies highlight promise, robust, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials are crucial. These Psychedelics and Drug Studies are essential to fully evaluate their role in chronic, non-cancer pain management.
Abstract
Psychedelics may have potential in alleviating pain symptoms secondary to a multitude of chronic pain conditions. However, further randomized, doub...
Hallucinogens: Magic Mushrooms, Ayahuasca, Mescal Buttons, and Dr. Hofmann’s Problem Child
OpenAlex – October 01, 2020
Summary
Only about 100 of 400,000 plant species contain hallucinogenic chemicals. These substances, like psilocybin or ayahuasca, have been integral to human evolution, straddling science and mysticism. Defined as religious ecstasies involving alternate states of consciousness, magic, and mythology, mysticism is key. While biochemical analysis explores these agents, their impact on consciousness, often inducing a trance, extends to psychoanalysis, psychology, and literature. Psychedelics, enriching the mind, inspire art and aesthetics. Drug studies reveal their profound influence.
Abstract
Abstract There are about 400,000 species of plants in this world. Only a small fraction, perhaps 100 in number, contain hallucinogenic chemicals. N...
Psychoactive Substances and Paranormal Phenomena: A Comprehensive Review
International Journal of Transpersonal Studies – January 01, 2012
Summary
Psychoactive substances, like psilocybin, may unlock profound paranormal experiences. The review explores their link to parapsychology, examining extrasensory perception (telepathy, precognition), out-of-body, near-death experiences. Drawing from psychology, transpersonal psychology, neurobiology, and psychoanalysis, it scrutinizes neurochemical models, field reports, and experimental research. Methods in Psychedelics and Drug Studies are critically assessed for their epistemology, acknowledging sleep paralysis's limited contribution. This illuminates Paranormal Experiences and Beliefs, moving beyond simple labels of pseudoscience.
Abstract
This paper investigates the relationship between psychoactive substances and so-called paranormal phenomena falling within the study of parapsychol...
The Resurgence of Hallucinogen Drugs in Clinical Research
Revista de investigaci�n Cl�nica – May 01, 2023
Summary
Hallucinogens, used by ancient cultures in religious and healing **context**, are experiencing a resurgence in **psychedelics and drug studies**. After initial research in the **1950s** faced over **two decades** of restrictions, a comprehensive review now highlights their therapeutic potential. Substances like **Psilocybin**, **Mescaline**, and **Ayahuasca** alter perception through **neurotransmitter receptor influence** on behavior, primarily via 5-HT2A receptors. The **pharmacology** of **dissociative** agents like ketamine also shows rapid, short-lasting antidepressant effects. This shift in **psychology** offers new avenues for treatment.
Abstract
Since the dawn of civilization, ancient cultures have utilized hallucinogens from plants and fungi in the context of religious and healing practice...
Mind the Psychedelic Hype: Characterizing the Risks and Benefits of Psychedelics for Depression
Psychoactives – April 16, 2024
Summary
Misinformation often overstates the unique therapeutic benefits of psychedelics like psilocybin for mood disorders. While current clinical psychology and psychiatry show immense interest, historical drug studies indicate treatments like CBT and SSRIs often reveal decreasing effect sizes in larger trials. Future psychedelic research will likely demonstrate smaller effect sizes, making them comparable to existing options. Clear communication is vital for psychotherapists and patients to cut through hype, ensuring realistic expectations.
Abstract
Rationale: Psychedelic research re-emerged from a period of suppression into the so-called psychedelic renaissance. In parallel, most media reporti...
An Overview on the Hallucinogenic Peyote and Its Alkaloid Mescaline: The Importance of Context, Ceremony and Culture
Molecules – December 05, 2023
Summary
Mescaline, a potent hallucinogen from the peyote cactus, profoundly influences behavior by activating the serotonin 5-HT2A receptor, triggering Ca2+ release. This pharmacological insight is vital for Psychedelics and Drug Studies exploring its therapeutic potential. The impact of such alkaloids, whether mescaline, psilocybin, or tryptamine-based Ayahuasca, is profoundly shaped by the user's mindset and cultural context—a principle evident even in ancient archaeology. Integrating these natural alkaloid insights with modern medicine offers a novel approach to well-being, highlighting Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior.
Abstract
Peyote (Lophophora williamsii) is a cactus that contains various biologically active alkaloids—such as pellotine, anhalonidine, hordenine and mesca...
Preclinical models of antipsychotic drug action
The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology – June 10, 2013
Summary
Hallucinogens like Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and Psilocybin, alongside dissociative drugs such as Phencyclidine (PCP), offer crucial insights into Schizophrenia, a critical neuroscience and psychiatry focus. These drugs induce psychosis, mirroring symptoms. Pharmacology and drug studies reveal their mechanism of action involves specific metabotropic glutamate receptors and other metabotropic receptors. Understanding this neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior is vital for developing new antipsychotic medicine. Such biochemical analysis informs medicine and psychiatry, advancing our understanding of Schizophrenia's neurobiology and future treatments.
Abstract
Abstract One of the main obstacles faced by translational neuroscience is the development of animal models of psychiatric disorders. Behavioural ph...
Expert Opinion on Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy for People with Psychotic Symptoms
Research Square (Research Square) – January 25, 2022
Summary
Expert opinion suggests psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy needn't be contraindicated for all with psychotic symptoms. 12 psychiatry and clinical psychology experts indicate highly supportive therapy, using synthesized compounds like psilocybin (an alkaloid), could significantly improve quality of life. Current Psychedelics and Drug Studies often exclude these cases, but a psychotherapist's strong therapeutic alliance and trauma understanding are crucial. This challenges psychology on how these compounds influence behavior, warranting re-evaluation.
Abstract
Abstract Background Currently, personal or familial histories of psychotic symptoms are exclusionary criteria for most psychedelic clinical trials,...