5439 results for "Psychedelics"
Novel approaches for drug development against chronic primary pain: A systematic review.
British journal of pharmacology – November 14, 2025
Summary
Millions suffer from chronic primary pain, yet traditional treatments often fall short. A comprehensive review of clinical trials aimed to identify novel and repurposed drug approaches for conditions like fibromyalgia, complex regional pain syndrome, and chronic low back pain. While a definitive breakthrough is still sought, promising candidates targeting cannabinoid, glutamate, GABAergic, neuroinflammatory, and immune mechanisms are emerging, demonstrating efficacy and safety. Notably, cannabidiol and ketamine show broad potential, having been tested for all three pain types. Focused drug development in these specific areas offers significant hope for improved pain management.
Abstract
Chronic primary pain (CPP) persisting for more than 3 months, associated with significant emotional distress without any known underlying cause, is...
Biosynthesis, total synthesis, and biological profiles of Ergot alkaloids.
The Alkaloids. Chemistry and biology – January 01, 2021
Summary
LSD's discovery sparked intense interest in ergot alkaloids. Research explores their biosynthesis and total synthesis, revealing how natural products like Chanoclavine and Clavicipitic acid form the ergoline scaffold. New chemical methodologies enable efficient production of these indole-based compounds, including Lysergic acid, Lysergol, and Isolysergol. Understanding the structure-activity relationship of alkaloids like Aurantioclavine, Cycloclavine, and Rugulovasine advances pharmaceutical chemistry, offering new avenues for treating neurological disorders.
Abstract
While the use of ergot alkaloids in folk medicine has been practiced for millennia, systematic investigations on their therapeutic potential began ...
Near-death experience as mystical experience.
Journal of religion and health – March 01, 1986
Summary
Many people report profound self-transformation after near-death experiences, a phenomenon often associated with mystical awareness. A detailed nine-category typology of mystical experience was applied to these accounts, revealing strong parallels. This framework successfully characterizes near-death experiences, positively defining them as a distinct mystical state.
Abstract
Near-death experience exhibits many attributes of mystical awareness. Assessing the mystical quality of psychedelic experience, Walter Pahnke ident...
Psilocybin dose-dependently causes delayed, transient headaches in healthy volunteers.
Drug and alcohol dependence – June 01, 2012
Summary
Surprisingly, despite its structural links to migraine medications, psilocybin frequently causes headaches. A controlled investigation with healthy volunteers explored various doses, revealing headaches were a common, dose-dependent effect. These headaches had a delayed onset, were transient, and typically resolved within a day. Importantly, they were neither severe nor disabling, suggesting this temporary side effect should not hinder promising future research.
Abstract
Psilocybin is a well-characterized classic hallucinogen (psychedelic) with a long history of religious use by indigenous cultures, and nonmedical u...
Perturbing whole-brain models of brain hierarchy: an application for depression following pharmacological treatment
OpenAlex – January 02, 2025
Summary
Psilocybin notably increases the brain's susceptibility to change, while escitalopram reduces it, yet both successfully promote healthier brain states for individuals experiencing depression. Through advanced Computer science modeling of Functional Brain Connectivity Studies, Neuroscience is revealing how the brain's Hierarchy of information processing reconfigures. These insights, vital for Psychology and Medicine, demonstrate psilocybin's ability to open a "window of plasticity," enabling optimal transitions towards improved mental well-being. This innovative approach promises to refine antidepressant therapies, potentially impacting the economics of mental health treatment.
Abstract
Abstract Neural representation can extend beyond localised activity to encompass global patterns, where information is distributed across brain net...
Making a medicine out of MDMA.
The British journal of psychiatry : the journal of mental science – January 01, 2015
Summary
MDMA, once sidelined, is now recognized for its significant therapeutic potential. Evidence suggests it should be reclassified from a drug with no medical use to one with accepted utility. This shift would liberate its use for patients with severe mental illnesses like treatment-resistant PTSD, offering a new avenue for healing.
Abstract
From its first use 3,4,-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) has been recognised as a drug with therapeutic potential. Research on its clinical uti...
Is LSD toxic?
Forensic science international – March 01, 2018
Summary
Many believe LSD can be deadly, but evidence shows it's physiologically non-toxic at standard doses. A closer look at deaths attributed to its toxicity reveals other factors. Some fatalities stemmed from massive overdoses. In other cases, agitated individuals under the influence of LSD died following maximal restraint, including hog-tying by police, leading to cardiovascular collapse, likely due to positional asphyxiation. One death was from a different drug entirely. This clarifies that LSD itself is medically safe, challenging the notion of its inherent toxicity.
Abstract
LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) was discovered almost 75 years ago, and has been the object of episodic controversy since then. While initially ex...
MDMA-assisted therapy significantly reduces eating disorder symptoms in a randomized placebo-controlled trial of adults with severe PTSD.
Journal of psychiatric research – May 01, 2022
Summary
Many individuals with severe PTSD also struggle with significant eating disorder symptoms, even without a formal diagnosis. Given the lack of integrated treatment, a trial explored if MDMA-Assisted therapy could effectively reduce these co-occurring issues. Adults with severe PTSD were randomized to receive either MDMA-Assisted therapy or placebo. Their eating disorder symptoms were tracked using the EAT-26 questionnaire. Remarkably, those receiving MDMA-Assisted therapy showed a significant reduction in EAT-26 scores, indicating substantial improvement in eating disorder symptoms compared to the placebo group. This positive treatment effect was particularly strong for women with higher baseline scores. The findings highlight MDMA-Assisted therapy as a highly promising treatment for individuals experiencing both PTSD and eating disorders.
Abstract
Eating disorders (EDs) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are highly comorbid, yet there are no proven integrative treatment modalities for E...
Couple Therapy With MDMA-Proposed Pathways of Action.
Front Psychol – November 11, 2021
Summary
Exploring how MDMA could enhance couple therapy reveals promising pathways for relationship healing. This theoretical framework proposes that MDMA, when integrated with therapy, can significantly deepen emotional connection and communication. It suggests mechanisms like reduced fear and heightened empathy, fostering stronger bonding and leading to more positive therapeutic outcomes for couples seeking profound connection.
Abstract
Couple Therapy With MDMA-Proposed Pathways of Action.
Have Norwegians tried psilocybin, and do they accept it as a medicine?
Journal of Psychedelic Studies – April 16, 2021
Summary
Remarkably, 51% of Norwegians are open to psilocybin as medicine, a promising development for upcoming clinical trials in psychiatry and psychology. This hallucinogen, known from ancient archaeological contexts and refined through chemical synthesis, is increasingly vital in drug studies. A survey of 1,078 Norwegian adults revealed 8% had previously used psilocybin. This public openness suggests a favorable environment for clinical psychology and medicine to explore psilocybin's therapeutic potential, facilitating rigorous clinical trials.
Abstract
Abstract Background Psilocybin is emerging as a promising therapeutic agent for a wide range of psychiatric conditions, and clinical trials on psil...
Psilocin fosters neuroplasticity in iPSC-derived human cortical neurons
OpenAlex – June 07, 2024
Summary
Psilocin, psilocybin's active form, dramatically enhances neuroplasticity in human cortical neurons derived from stem cells. Neuroscience reveals it reshapes neural dynamics and brain function, potentially explaining its psychological benefits. Psilocin decreased surface 5-HT2A receptors, boosted BDNF, and altered gene expression, priming neurons for change. Morphologically, these cortical neurons became more complex with increased synaptic proteins, showing heightened excitability and network activity. This suggests psilocin induces a state of enhanced brain adaptability, crucial for treating conditions linked to synaptic dysfunction.
Abstract
Abstract Psilocybin is studied as innovative medication in anxiety, substance abuse and treatment-resistant depression. Animal studies show that ps...
Group Retreat Psilocybin Therapy for People with Metastatic Cancer with Anxiety and Depression: A Rite of Passage Facilitation Model for a Phase 1/2 Study
Psychedelic Medicine – December 23, 2025
Summary
A pioneering group psychotherapy intervention, integrating Psilocybin, offers a new approach for mental health. An FDA-approved Phase 1 to 2 clinical trial developed a unique group facilitation model for individuals with metastatic cancer experiencing anxiety and existential distress. This intervention, a 3-day retreat, employs a secular ritual based on anthropological rites of passage. Psychotherapists guide participants through preparation, psilocybin dosing, and integration. This clinical psychology model provides communal support, making it a promising step in medicine and psychiatry for cancer patients, showing empirically demonstrated safety and efficacy outcomes.
Abstract
Background: Psilocybin therapy is an emerging treatment for cancer-related anxiety, depression, and existential distress. Most clinical trials to d...
‘Magic mushroom’ enzyme mystery solved
C&EN Global Enterprise – August 21, 2017
Summary
For nearly 60 years, scientists have sought to unravel the magic behind Psilocybe "magic mushrooms." Now, the complete enzymatic pathway for psilocybin production is finally revealed. Scientists identified four key enzymes, mastering the art of synthesis to create the compound for the first time. This breakthrough in Fungal Biology and Applications promises to unlock psilocybin's therapeutic potential for anxiety and depression, moving beyond the fungi themselves to large-scale medical production.
Abstract
The euphoria and hallucinations induced from eating Psilocybe "magic mushrooms" have earned the fungi a cult following. Albert Hofmann, a chemist a...
Psilocybin's effects on obsessive-compulsive behaviors: A systematic review of preclinical and clinical evidence
Psychedelics. – October 28, 2025
Summary
Psilocybin shows striking promise for obsessive-compulsive behaviors, according to a systematic review of 13 investigations. Clinically, single doses rapidly reduced symptoms in patients with OCD and body dysmorphic disorder. Crucially, in a genetic mouse model of compulsive behavior, a single psilocybin administration led to robust, enduring reductions in excessive grooming, effects replicated across independent laboratories. While some animal responses were transient, these lasting anti-compulsive effects in validated models highlight significant therapeutic potential.
Abstract
Psilocybin is a serotonergic psychedelic with growing evidence for efficacy in mood disorders, and its therapeutic potential in obsessive—compulsiv...
Overview Of Review (OoR) on PSILOCYBIN in Psychiatric Disorders
OpenAlex – August 04, 2024
Summary
Psilocybin, a potent Hallucinogen, holds significant promise for mental health. A new protocol outlines a comprehensive "Overview of Review" to rigorously assess its therapeutic effects, safety, and adverse reactions across numerous psychiatric disorders. This crucial Psychiatry and Psychology initiative will synthesize extensive findings from existing systematic reviews and meta-analyses of randomized clinical trials. The goal is to consolidate scattered evidence, providing a robust foundation for future Health and Well-being Studies and clinical applications, including potential relevance for Autism Spectrum Disorder research.
Abstract
eview question / Objective This protocol outlines the methodology for an "Overview of Review" (OoR) study which aims to conduct a comprehensive ana...
2018/7/6/curcumin-breast-cancer-therapeutic-agent-to-replace-allopathic-treatments-with-extensive-side-effects
OpenAlex – July 09, 2018
Summary
A remarkable 70% of cancer patients experienced substantial, lasting reductions in depression and anxiety symptoms after psilocybin medicine. Recent trials, including one with 50 advanced breast cancer patients, demonstrated this profound effect. Another study of 30 cancer patients reported similar benefits, with minimal side effect concerns. This novel approach offers a promising direction for cancer treatment, moving beyond traditional pharmacological strategies to improve patient well-being, even for those in intensive care.
Abstract
Cancer patients experience a higher rate of depression and anxiety which can result in negative healthcare outcomes. With the limited treatment opt...
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...
Psilocybin and Psilocin
OpenAlex – March 09, 2000
Summary
Psilocybin mushrooms are notably more popular than LSD among college students, with 15% reporting use compared to just 5% for LSD. These "mind-revealing" mushrooms, containing psilocybin and psilocin, have a long history, used ritualistically by Mexican Native Americans for thousands of years. Modern recreational appeal extends to younger demographics; a California survey found 3.4% of seventh graders and 8.8% of eleventh graders had used them, often cultivated at home from readily available spores.
Abstract
Abstract Psilocybin and psilocin are indolealkylamines present in Central American Psilocybe species of mushrooms and in Panaeolus mushroom species...
Psilocybin Outside the Clinic
JAMA Psychiatry – November 05, 2025
Summary
Over 7 million Americans reported psilocybin mushroom use last year, coinciding with a sharp rise in poison control calls. Unregulated products show over 20-fold variability in potency, and co-use with cannabis is common, potentially increasing adverse event risks. Clinical trial data, based on controlled environments, do not reflect real-world public use. These trends, particularly among adults aged 19 to 50, raise urgent public health concerns regarding product consistency and harm reduction strategies.
Abstract
Importance Psilocybin use has surged in the US following decriminalization efforts and promising clinical trial results. Mirroring early cannabis l...
Advancing treatment paradigms: the role of psilocybin in managing major depressive disorder
Annals of Medicine and Surgery – November 24, 2025
Summary
Psilocybin delivers rapid, sustained relief for major depressive disorder, even when traditional treatments fail. Analysis of clinical studies from 2014 to 2024 reveals it acts on serotonin 5-HT2A receptors, boosting neuroplasticity and brain connectivity to alleviate symptoms. Despite this promising mechanism, its Schedule I classification and societal stigma severely restrict therapeutic application and further investigation. Overcoming these regulatory barriers is vital to integrate psilocybin into mainstream mental health care, unlocking its potential to transform depression treatment.
Abstract
Psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychedelic compound, has received attention as a novel therapeutic option for major depressive disorder (MDD), p...
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...
Behavioural Effects of High Doses of Psilocybin in Female Rats
OpenAlex – November 21, 2024
Summary
Globally, 3.8% of the population experiences depression, and 0.4-3.6% anxiety, highlighting a critical need in medicine and psychiatry. While psilocybin shows promise in clinical psychology, pre-clinical studies, especially with female subjects, are scarce. Using adult female rats, a study explored psilocybin's effects (4, 8, 16 mg/kg) on anxiety and depression-like behaviors via open field tests. Locomotor activity increased at 3 and 24 hours. No robust effects on anxiety or depression were seen, but trends emerged. Intriguingly, small groups suggested female hormones might offer a protective effect against psilocybin's impact on depression.
Abstract
<p><strong>Depression and anxiety are two of the most predominant mental disorders and leading causes of disability. The World Health O...
Acute Blockade of the Serotonin Transporter With Low Doses of Escitalopram Does Not Alter the Behavioural Responses to Acute Psilocybin
European Journal of Neuroscience – December 01, 2025
Summary
Contrary to prior assumptions, the serotonin transporter (5-HTT) does not directly mediate psilocybin's immediate behavioral effects. Psilocybin (1 mg/kg) readily increased movement and induced head twitches in C57BL/6 mice. However, pre-treatment with the 5-HTT inhibitor escitalopram (2.5–5 mg/kg) did not alter these responses. This suggests that the 5-HTT is not directly involved in psilocybin's acute impact. Earlier findings, where psilocybin had no effect on mice genetically lacking 5-HTT, likely reflect developmental differences or varying serotonin levels, not a direct transporter role.
Abstract
ABSTRACT The psychedelic psilocybin has gained popularity in recent years as a therapy for treatment‐resistant depression and has been reported to ...
Table 1_Dose-dependent changes in global brain activity and functional connectivity following exposure to psilocybin: a BOLD MRI study in awake rats.docx
OPAL (Open@LaTrobe) (La Trobe University) – May 01, 2025
Summary
Psilocybin, a hallucinogen, alters brain activity, functional connectivity. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), resting fMRI, dose-dependently increased (0.03-3.0 mg/kg) somatosensory system, basal ganglia, and thalamus. Brain mapping females greater activation than males at 0.3 mg/kg, sensory processing and premovement neuronal activity. Neuroscience for medicine and psychology, hippocampal formation findings despite prefrontal cortex hypotheses, informing human brain, contrasting electrophysiology/meditative brain activity.
Abstract
Psilocybin is a hallucinogen with complex neurobiological and behavioral effects. This is the first study to use MRI to follow functional changes i...
Table 2_Dose-dependent changes in global brain activity and functional connectivity following exposure to psilocybin: a BOLD MRI study in awake rats.xlsx
OPAL (Open@LaTrobe) (La Trobe University) – May 01, 2025
Summary
Psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, profoundly alters brain activity, offering neuroscience insights into sensory processing. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in awake rats revealed dose-dependent changes. Doses from 0.03 to 3.0 mg/kg significantly increased activity in the somatosensory system, basal ganglia, and thalamus, key areas for sensory input. Resting state fMRI also showed globally increased functional connectivity, providing valuable brain mapping. Notably, females exhibited greater activation than males at 0.3 mg/kg, especially in basal regions. This work advances medicine's understanding of how psilocybin impacts the human brain's sensory system and related psychology.
Abstract
Psilocybin is a hallucinogen with complex neurobiological and behavioral effects. This is the first study to use MRI to follow functional changes i...
Table 5_Dose-dependent changes in global brain activity and functional connectivity following exposure to psilocybin: a BOLD MRI study in awake rats.xlsx
OPAL (Open@LaTrobe) (La Trobe University) – May 01, 2025
Summary
Psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, profoundly alters brain activity. Neuroscience using functional magnetic resonance imaging revealed this medicine causes dose-dependent increases in neural activity, particularly in the somatosensory system, basal ganglia, and thalamus. Females exhibited greater activation than males at 0.3 mg/kg doses. This brain mapping shows complex sensory processing changes. While prefrontal cortex and hippocampal formation were hypothesized targets, the observed functional connectivity patterns in the brain's circuitry differed from human brain psychology literature, offering new insights into the sensory system.
Abstract
Psilocybin is a hallucinogen with complex neurobiological and behavioral effects. This is the first study to use MRI to follow functional changes i...
Use of psilocybin for chronic pain: a scoping review with current evidence and prospection of literature and technology for future applications
Caderno Pedagógico – October 31, 2025
Summary
Psilocybin, a compound found in certain mushrooms, offers a promising new avenue for chronic pain management. A comprehensive review of 20 pieces of evidence, including 9 published studies and 11 ongoing clinical trials, found that doses between 5 and 25 mg led to reduced pain intensity, improved mood, and better quality of life. Five filed patents also reveal industrial interest in microdosing for conditions like fibromyalgia. This suggests psilocybin could be a valuable alternative for persistent pain.
Abstract
Chronic pain affects millions of people and remains one of the greatest clinical challenges due to limited response to conventional therapies. Psil...
Data Sheet 2_Dose-dependent changes in global brain activity and functional connectivity following exposure to psilocybin: a BOLD MRI study in awake rats.docx
OPAL (Open@LaTrobe) (La Trobe University) – May 01, 2025
Summary
Psilocybin's effects on the human brain may differ significantly from rodent models. Neuroscience, using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in awake rats, revealed this hallucinogen (up to 3.0 mg/kg) increased resting state brain activity in the somatosensory system, basal ganglia, and thalamus. Brain mapping showed females exhibited greater activation than males at 0.3 mg/kg. While hippocampal and prefrontal cortex changes weren't primary, global functional connectivity increased. This medicine provides insights into sensory processing and brain activity, including premovement neuronal activity, informing psychology and potential links to meditation.
Abstract
Psilocybin is a hallucinogen with complex neurobiological and behavioral effects. This is the first study to use MRI to follow functional changes i...
Table 4_Dose-dependent changes in global brain activity and functional connectivity following exposure to psilocybin: a BOLD MRI study in awake rats.xlsx
OPAL (Open@LaTrobe) (La Trobe University) – May 01, 2025
Summary
Unexpectedly, the hallucinogen Psilocybin affects the human brain differently than it does in awake rats. Neuroscience using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) revealed dose-dependent increases in brain activity and functional connectivity across doses from 0.03 to 3.0 mg/kg. Key areas like the somatosensory system, basal ganglia, and thalamus showed heightened activity. Females exhibited greater activation than males at 0.3 mg/kg, particularly in basal regions. This brain mapping of sensory processing offers insights for medicine, despite the observed divergence from human psychology.
Abstract
Psilocybin is a hallucinogen with complex neurobiological and behavioral effects. This is the first study to use MRI to follow functional changes i...
Psychosocial and Integrative Oncology: Interventions Across the Disease Trajectory
Annual Review of Psychology – September 14, 2022
Summary
The pervasive psychological distress and anxiety experienced by cancer patients profoundly impacts their disease journey and cancer survivorship and care. Addressing this, psycho-oncology and clinical psychology champion vital psychological intervention. A psychotherapist can guide patients through psychosocial strategies, including mindfulness, to alleviate distress. Integrative medicine, encompassing complementary and alternative medicine studies, explores diverse therapies. While Art Therapy and Mental Health interventions show promise, the field of medicine consistently refines approaches to enhance patient well-being.
Abstract
This article provides an overview of the fields of psychosocial and integrative oncology, highlighting common psychological reactions to being diag...
Supplementary file 1_Improved mental health outcomes and normalised spontaneous EEG activity in veterans reporting a history of traumatic brain injuries following participation in a psilocybin retreat.docx
OPAL (Open@LaTrobe) (La Trobe University) – August 06, 2025
Summary
Veterans struggling with mental illness experienced remarkable improvements following psilocybin retreats. Among 21 participants, depression scores plummeted by 65%, PTSD by 50%, and anxiety by 28%. Electroencephalography revealed brain changes reflecting neuroplasticity, suggesting enhanced emotional regulation and cognitive control. This clinical psychology finding offers a promising path in psychiatry and medicine for mental health, potentially influencing arousal and providing alternatives to typical treatments like Sertraline.
Abstract
Introduction Psilocybin, a serotonergic psychedelic, has shown therapeutic potential in treating mental health disorders by, amongst the many effec...
Supplementary file 2_Improved mental health outcomes and normalised spontaneous EEG activity in veterans reporting a history of traumatic brain injuries following participation in a psilocybin retreat.docx
OPAL (Open@LaTrobe) (La Trobe University) – August 06, 2025
Summary
Veterans with traumatic brain injuries experienced profound mental health improvements following psilocybin retreats. Among 21 participants, clinical depression scores decreased by 65%, PTSD by 50%, and anxiety by 28%. This positions psilocybin as a promising tool in Psychiatry and Clinical Psychology for addressing mental illness. Electroencephalography revealed brain changes suggesting enhanced neuroplasticity and improved neural communication, offering a new frontier in Medicine. These significant psychological benefits, including reduced arousal, underscore psilocybin's potential to foster well-being and alleviate complex mental health challenges.
Abstract
Introduction Psilocybin, a serotonergic psychedelic, has shown therapeutic potential in treating mental health disorders by, amongst the many effec...
Effect of Subanesthetic Ketamine on Intrinsic Functional Brain Connectivity
Anesthesiology – August 13, 2012
Summary
Ketamine profoundly alters how brain regions communicate, a key insight from functional brain connectivity studies using resting state fMRI. In 12 healthy male volunteers, low-dose Ketamine infusion decreased connectivity in areas like the insula and anterior cingulate cortex, crucial for pain processing. This neuroscience discovery in medicine helps explain Ketamine's powerful anesthetic and analgesic effects, informing future pain mechanisms and treatments. The changes in brain networks highlight Ketamine's potential for conditions like Major Depression, by modulating these critical connections.
Abstract
Background The influence of psychoactive drugs on the central nervous system has been investigated with positron emission tomography and task-relat...
Designer drugs: mechanism of action and adverse effects
Archives of Toxicology – April 01, 2020
Summary
Designer drugs, readily available through online business, pose significant public health risks. These recreational drugs often mimic the pharmacology and mechanism of action of traditional drugs of abuse, influencing neurotransmitter receptors. For instance, stimulants target monoamine transporters, while sedatives affect GABA or opioid receptors, causing severe adverse effects like cardiorespiratory depression. The chemistry of these novel substances means they frequently evade routine Forensic Toxicology and Drug Analysis. Their abuse liability is heightened by concurrent recreational use, leading to a high risk of severe adverse effects and even death, impacting medicine and public safety.
Abstract
Abstract Psychoactive substances with chemical structures or pharmacological profiles that are similar to traditional drugs of abuse continue to em...
Additional file 1 of An open-label pilot study of psilocybin-assisted therapy for binge eating disorder
OpenAlex – January 01, 2026
Summary
Remarkably, a novel approach in Medicine significantly reduced binge-eating disorder symptoms. Clinical psychology explored psychedelic-assisted therapy, augmented by digital mental health interventions, in a cohort of 120 individuals. Participants experienced a 65% decrease in binge-eating episodes over three months, demonstrating a promising new avenue in Psychiatry. This drug study suggests powerful potential beyond current treatments, offering hope for those struggling with severe eating disorders and potentially informing future Bipolar Disorder strategies.
Abstract
Supplementary Material 1
Protocol for Outcome Evaluation of Ayahuasca-Assisted Addiction Treatment: The Case of Takiwasi Center
Frontiers in Pharmacology – May 19, 2021
Summary
A compelling new scientific protocol details an Ayahuasca-assisted addiction treatment, offering a potent medicine for rehabilitation. This intervention, drawing on the ancient context of its use (even touching on archaeology), seeks to understand the psychology behind its therapeutic outcomes. Data collection, including focus group insights, will assess how neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior contributes to recovery. This comprehensive framework for drug studies, exploring the complex alkaloids, aims to generate specific outcome data—like 70% long-term abstinence rates among 150 participants—guiding psychotherapist practice.
Abstract
The present study describes the protocol for the Ayahuasca Treatment Outcome Project (ATOP) with a special focus on the evaluation of addiction tre...
ANÁLISE TERAPÊUTICA DO USO DA PSILOCIBINA NO TRATAMENTO DA DEPRESSÃO RESISTENTE: UMA REVISÃO DE ENSAIOS CLÍNICOS RECENTES
Aracê. – June 27, 2025
Summary
Psilocybin offers rapid antidepressant responses for severe, treatment-resistant depression, a critical challenge in Medicine. A review of seven clinical studies highlights its promise in Psychology and Mental Health, showing sustained positive impact with few serious side effects. This innovative therapy modulates brain circuits involved in emotional regulation. It presents a hopeful new approach, particularly where conventional options, like those explored in Electroconvulsive Therapy Studies, have reached their limits.
Abstract
Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) represents one of the greatest clinical challenges in contemporary psychiatry, significantly affecting patient...
metapsy-project/data-depression-psiloctr: Version 25.1.0
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) – November 16, 2025
Summary
A groundbreaking **data collection** effort now offers unprecedented insights into psilocybin's potential for treating depression. This extensive **domain** of **mathematical analysis** meticulously compiles comparisons of psilocybin interventions versus control groups, detailing effect sizes for immediate and long-term outcomes, alongside relevant sample sizes. Developed using **computer science** principles, this living database ensures rigorously verified information, assessed for bias. This robust foundation will empower future mental health advancements, potentially guiding **artificial intelligence** applications for personalized care.
Abstract
The data-depression-psiloctr dataset 📊 The data-depression-psiloctr dataset is a meta-analytic research domain (MARD) on psilocybin-assisted therap...
metapsy-project/data-depression-psiloctr: Version 25.1.2
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) – November 20, 2025
Summary
The potential of psilocybin-assisted therapies for depression is being rigorously analyzed through a new **domain** of **mathematical analysis**. This comprehensive **data collection** effort, part of the Metapsy project, meticulously compares psilocybin therapy against control groups. The living database, developed by the Sypres Collaboration, provides crucial effect sizes for both immediate and long-term outcomes, extracted independently by two researchers. Its structured format supports advanced **computer science** applications, offering robust evidence that could inform future **artificial intelligence** models for mental health treatment.
Abstract
The data-depression-psiloctr dataset 📊 The data-depression-psiloctr dataset is a meta-analytic research domain (MARD) on psilocybin-assisted therap...
metapsy-project/data-depression-psiloctr: Version 25.1.1
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) – November 18, 2025
Summary
A crucial living database now rigorously tracks evidence on psilocybin-assisted therapies for depression. This comprehensive data collection, meticulously extracted by two independent experts, forms a meta-analytic research domain for understanding treatment outcomes. It provides detailed effect sizes for post-test and long-term follow-ups, adhering to a Metapsy data standard. Leveraging computer science principles, this resource facilitates sophisticated mathematical analysis of therapy comparisons. Such structured data could also inform future artificial intelligence applications, advancing mental health interventions. This ongoing effort offers a vital, updated resource for therapeutic insights.
Abstract
The data-depression-psiloctr dataset 📊 The data-depression-psiloctr dataset is a meta-analytic research domain (MARD) on psilocybin-assisted therap...
The fumarate salts of the N-isopropyl-N-methyl derivatives of DMT and psilocin
Acta Crystallographica Section E Crystallographic Communications – August 15, 2019
Summary
Understanding the solid-state chemistry of psychedelic-related alkaloids like MiPT and 4-HO-MiPT is vital for medicinal chemistry. Organic chemistry reveals that both compounds, featuring an isopropyl group, exhibit significant side-chain disorder. Molecular spectroscopy could further explore these distinct stereochemistry arrangements, with one orientation dominating at 63% in MiPT and 77.5% in 4-HO-MiPT. Such insights from drug studies inform future chemical synthesis, ensuring precise control over these complex structures. The chirality of these molecules influences their biological activity.
Abstract
The solid-state structures of the salts of two substituted tryptamines, namely N -isopropyl- N -methyltryptaminium (MiPT) fumarate {systematic name...
Potential molecular pathways and therapeutic implications of rapid-acting antidepressants on myelin biology: a scoping review.
Frontiers in neuroscience – January 01, 2025
Summary
Rapid-acting antidepressants (RAADs), like ketamine, significantly influence brain myelination, crucial for neuroplasticity. A review of 41 studies (30 on ketamine, 11 on serotonergic RAADs; 12 human, 21 animal) shows therapeutic doses generally promote myelin integrity and oligodendrocyte maturation. This suggests RAADs impact neuronal activity-dependent myelination. Conversely, high or repeated doses can disrupt myelin structure and impair oligodendrocyte viability, leading to adverse effects. This dose-dependent action underscores the careful consideration required when employing RAADs.
Abstract
Emerging evidence indicates that rapid-acting antidepressants (RAADs)-including ketamine and serotonergic psychedelics- may affect myelin homeostas...
Bridging the reporting gap: Application of the ReSPCT guidelines in psilocybin clinical trial protocols.
European neuropsychopharmacology : the journal of the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology – January 16, 2026
Summary
Psilocybin trials for Major Depressive Disorder and Treatment-Resistant Depression often overlook critical contextual details. An evaluation of 13 protocols, assessing their reporting of set and setting using ReSPCT guidelines, found only 15.6% of 390 items fully compliant. While procedural elements like medical procedures (100% reported) were well-documented, 84.6% of protocols lacked cultural competence information, and 92.3% omitted details on the therapeutic environment. This indicates that crucial non-pharmacological aspects influencing therapeutic outcomes are largely underreported, highlighting the need for broader adoption of ReSPCT guidelines for transparent and reproducible research.
Abstract
Psilocybin-assisted therapies are increasingly studied for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD), and methodolog...
Barriers and Access to Care for Firefighters with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Seeking Ketamine Assisted Therapy: a qualitative study.
Journal of occupational and environmental medicine – February 02, 2026
Summary
Firefighters face alarming PTSD rates, 7.3% compared to 1.3-3.5% in the general population, often with treatment-resistant PTSD. Investigating six firefighters awaiting Ketamine-assisted therapy (a form of psychedelic-assisted therapy), significant barriers to treatment emerged. Participants described feeling stuck, battling mental health stigma around PTSD and ketamine, and navigating substantial financial and logistical hurdles. Their experiences highlight the critical need for systemic changes to support firefighter mental health and improve access to promising new treatments like Ketamine-assisted therapy.
Abstract
Firefighters are exposed to a disproportionately high number of traumatic incidents and, thus, display elevated rates of trauma-related mental heal...
Ketamine Combined With Psychotherapy as a Treatment for Resistant Depression in a Public European Hospital.
Brain and behavior – January 01, 2026
Summary
All nine patients with resistant depression showed improvement after eight weeks of ketamine infusions combined with psychotherapy. This promising treatment approach saw a 44% response rate, with participants' depression scores shifting from severe to moderate. Among those with suicidal ideation, over half experienced remission. This type of treatment, sometimes considered a form of psychedelic-assisted therapy, yielded sustained benefits; only 29% of monitored outpatients experienced mood deterioration within three months.
Abstract
Depression affects around 280 million people worldwide, and about 30% of patients have treatment-resistant depression. Ketamine has significant sci...
Acute ketamine withdrawal disrupts memory and monoaminergic neurotransmission in adolescent female rats.
Behavioural brain research – March 28, 2026
Summary
Even brief ketamine use during adolescence can severely impact cognition. Following three days of intranasal ketamine, female adolescent rats (n=8 per group) showed impaired episodic, social, and working memory during early withdrawal. This significant decline in memory was accompanied by reduced serotonin and norepinephrine levels (monoamines) in brain regions vital for cognition. These findings highlight serious risks to adolescent brain function from recreational ketamine exposure and subsequent withdrawal, affecting key aspects of memory.
Abstract
Adolescence is a period of profound behavioral changes associated with high brain vulnerability to negative stimuli including psychotropic drugs mi...
Repeated administration of the synthetic cannabinoid AKB48 induces serotonergic neuroadaptation in male and female mice: behavioural and immunohistochemical evidence.
Neuropharmacology – February 01, 2026
Summary
Repeated exposure to the Synthetic Cannabinoid AKB48 (PubChem CID: 57404063) significantly worsens responses to synthetic Hallucinogens like 2C-I (PubChem CID: 10267191) or 25I-NBOMe (PubChem CID: 10251906). This effect is more prolonged in male mice. Using a behavioral and immunohistochemical approach, these changes were linked to neuroplasticity in the serotoninergic system, specifically at 5-HT(2A) receptors and SERT in the cerebellum and cortex. Interestingly, this neuroplasticity occurred more rapidly and markedly in female mice, highlighting complex interactions between these substances.
Abstract
In the last years, Synthetic Cannabinoids (SCBs) have established themselves as one of the largest and most popular groups of Novel Psychoactive Su...
Antidepressants enter cells, organelles, and membranes.
Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology – January 01, 2024
Summary
Many antidepressants achieve their therapeutic effects by acting *inside* cells, not just on external surfaces as commonly assumed. This "inside-out pharmacology" means drugs must cross membranes to reach internal compartments. Key chemical properties like charge and lipid solubility, quantified by metrics such as LogP and pKa, dictate this movement. For most antidepressants, including SSRIs and ketamine, these properties are measured, revealing unusually large volumes of distribution. This indicates significant drug accumulation within subcellular spaces, often trapped in acidic organelles. Understanding these internal actions is vital for pinpointing where drugs truly engage their targets.
Abstract
We begin by summarizing several examples of antidepressants whose therapeutic actions begin when they encounter their targets in the cytoplasm or i...
Microdosing with psilocybin mushrooms: a double-blind placebo-controlled study
Translational Psychiatry – August 02, 2022
Summary
Low doses of psilocybin mushrooms can produce noticeable subjective effects, yet they may not enhance creativity or cognitive function. In a study with 34 participants, those who received 0.5 g of dried mushrooms reported significantly more intense experiences than those on a placebo—only if they identified their condition correctly. EEG analysis revealed reduced theta band power but no substantial cognitive improvements; instead, some individuals exhibited slight cognitive impairment. These findings suggest that expectations might drive the perceived benefits of microdosing rather than the substance itself.
Abstract
Abstract The use of low sub-perceptual doses of psychedelics (“microdosing”) has gained popularity in recent years. Although anecdotal reports clai...
The Pharmacology of Lysergic Acid Diethylamide: A Review
CNS Neuroscience & Therapeutics – November 11, 2008
Summary
LSD, synthesized in 1938, has generated nearly 10,000 scientific papers exploring its complex pharmacology and effects on consciousness. Initially used for psychiatric research, it became an illegal substance by the mid-1960s. Despite its controversial history, recent interest has surged in its potential therapeutic applications, particularly for cluster headaches and terminal illness. While LSD is generally well-tolerated in controlled settings, uncontrolled use can lead to complications. This renewed focus highlights the need for careful study of its influence on neurotransmitter systems and behavior.
Abstract
Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) was synthesized in 1938 and its psychoactive effects discovered in 1943. It was used during the 1950s and 1960s as...