Research
The Effect of Preprocedural Low-Dose Ketamine for Pain and Anxiety in Patients during Thoracic Epidural Catheterization.
Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) – April 22, 2024
Summary
A small dose of ketamine before spinal pain treatments proves remarkably effective at reducing both pain and anxiety. Patients receiving low-dose ketamine reported significantly less discomfort during thoracic epidural catheterization, with anxiety scores dropping by 10.6mm. They were also more likely to agree to future procedures, suggesting improved patient experience without negative side effects.
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Thoracic epidural catheterization (TEC) can be both uncomfortable and fearful for patients when performed awake with the...
Discovery and Structure–Activity Relationships of 2,5-Dimethoxyphenylpiperidines as Selective Serotonin 5-HT2A Receptor Agonists
Journal of Medicinal Chemistry – April 22, 2024
Summary
Psychedelics show promise for mental health, influencing behavior via neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior. Their pharmacology involves serotonin agonist activity at the 5-HT receptor. Through careful chemistry and chemical synthesis, a new class of serotonin agonists, 2,5-dimethoxyphenylpiperidines, has been discovered. Structure–activity relationship investigations, considering stereochemistry, identified LPH-5 as a selective 5-HT2A receptor agonist. This advances drug studies by providing new tools to understand how serotonin signaling affects the brain.
Abstract
Classical psychedelics such as psilocybin, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), and N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) are showing promising results in clin...
Therapeutic potential of psychedelics: History, advancements, and unexplored frontiers.
Progress in neuro-psychopharmacology & biological psychiatry – April 20, 2024
Summary
Psychedelics, specifically serotonergic hallucinogens, show promise in treating disorders like depression and PTSD. In clinical trials, patients reported fewer negative symptoms and minimal side effects, indicating a potential breakthrough in mental health treatment. These substances activate 5-HT2A receptors, influencing the brain's reward system and enhancing neural interconnections. With growing evidence from studies involving hundreds of participants, the therapeutic effects of psychedelics are becoming clearer, yet the complexities of their interactions with the human brain remain largely unexplored.
Abstract
Psychedelics (serotonergic hallucinogens) are psychoactive substances that can alter perception and mood, and affect cognitive functions. These sub...
Mindfulness training in medical education as a means to improve resilience, empathy, and mental health in the medical profession.
World journal of psychiatry – April 19, 2024
Summary
High rates of depression and burnout among medical students—over 50% report symptoms—highlight a pressing mental health crisis in the profession. This challenge, coupled with insufficient interpersonal skill training, stems from a demanding environment and individual mental capital. Mindfulness-based practices have shown promise in enhancing resilience and self-awareness while fostering empathy and conflict resolution skills. With nearly 30% of medical schools now incorporating mindfulness into their curricula, there’s a unique opportunity to improve mental health and educational outcomes within the medical field globally.
Abstract
The high rates of depression, burnout, and increased risk of suicide among medical students, residents, and physicians in comparison with other car...
Chronic pain as an emergent property of a complex system and the potential roles of psychedelic therapies.
Front Pain Res (Lausanne) – April 19, 2024
Summary
Chronic pain affects millions, but viewing it as part of a complex mind-body system rather than just a physical symptom offers new treatment possibilities. Psychedelic therapies show promise in addressing pain by targeting both psychological and physiological aspects simultaneously. Research indicates these treatments may help "reset" neural patterns and reduce pain perception through their unique effects on brain connectivity and emotional processing.
Abstract
Chronic pain as an emergent property of a complex system and the potential roles of psychedelic therapies.
Ayahuasca ceremonies, relationality, and inner-outer transformations to sustainability. Evidence from Takiwasi Center in Peru
Ecosystems and People – April 18, 2024
Summary
Participants in ayahuasca ceremonies at the Takiwasi Center experienced significant personal transformations, with 74 individuals reporting increased nature-relatedness and a profound sense of interconnectedness. Over 90% noted feelings of boundary dissolution, perceiving nature and non-human beings as possessing spiritual agency. These experiences challenged their materialist beliefs, fostering relational thinking and deeper engagement with sustainability practices. The integration of these insights into daily life led to inner-outer changes, suggesting that plant-based ceremonies can contribute positively to sustainability efforts, while also necessitating careful consideration of their environmental impacts.
Abstract
The use of psychedelic substances is increasingly associated with nature-relatedness. We explore whether entheogenic uses of ayahuasca in settings ...
Neither Amphetamine nor Sub-Anesthetic Ketamine Treatment during Adolescence Impairs Devaluation in Rats Tested during Adulthood.
Journal of integrative neuroscience – April 18, 2024
Summary
Early drug exposure doesn't necessarily doom decision-making abilities. Research with rats shows that adolescent exposure to amphetamine or ketamine - drugs linked to addiction and schizophrenia treatment - didn't impair their ability to make value-based choices as adults. The animals maintained normal decision-making skills when selecting between different rewards, suggesting early drug use may have less impact on cognitive flexibility than previously thought.
Abstract
Much of the existing animal literature on the devaluation task suggests that prior repeated exposure to drugs of abuse during adulthood can impair ...
Effects of psilocybin, psychedelic mushroom extract and 5-hydroxytryptophan on brain immediate early gene expression: Interaction with serotonergic receptor modulators
Frontiers in Pharmacology – April 18, 2024
Summary
Psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, uniquely boosts brain activity, unlike 5-Hydroxytryptophan. In male mice, a 4.4 mg/kg dose of Psilocybin, or its natural chemical synthesis and alkaloids, significantly increased immediate early gene expression within one hour. Conversely, 5-Hydroxytryptophan (200 mg/kg) did not. This Pharmacology in Neuroscience highlights Psilocybin's distinct Serotonergic mechanism, via Serotonin's 5-HT receptor. Understanding how this Receptor impacts cellular processes contributes to Psychedelics and Drug Studies, informing potential applications in Medicine and Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior.
Abstract
Background: Immediate early genes (IEGs) are rapidly activated and initiate diverse cellular processes including neuroplasticity. We report the eff...
Palliative care patients’ attitudes and openness towards psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for existential distress
Frontiers in Psychiatry – April 18, 2024
Summary
Over half (51.6%) of 31 patients with incurable illnesses expressed interest in future psilocybin treatment, offering hope in palliative care. This hallucinogen, administered with a psychotherapist, may address existentialism and distress often associated with grief. While many show openness to experience this approach in medicine and psychology, concerns about exploitation and lack of trained providers persist. This area within Psychedelics and Drug Studies highlights diverse academic research themes, bridging clinical psychology and psychiatry with spiritual practices.
Abstract
Introduction Patients with incurable illnesses often experience existential distress, profoundly impacting their well-being. Current medical approa...
Trips Through the Skin: Reviewing Cutaneous Drug Reactions to Psychedelics and Hallucinogens
Dermatitis – April 18, 2024
Summary
Despite growing interest in hallucinogen and psychedelic substances for Medicine, their dermatologic side effects are poorly characterized. A review of 22 Psychedelics and Drug Studies on 40 patients revealed diverse dermatologic issues. Psilocybin, for instance, caused vesicular eruptions in four patients. Cannabis-related reactions included type I hypersensitivity in 21 cases. Other findings detailed acneiform eruptions from MDMA and ketamine hypersensitivity. Characterizing these dermatologic impacts is vital for patient care.
Abstract
Although psychedelic and hallucinogenic substances have gained popularity for therapeutic use, their dermatologic adverse effects are poorly charac...
Ketamine induces multiple individually distinct whole-brain functional connectivity signatures.
eLife – April 17, 2024
Summary
Ketamine's effects on the brain are as unique as fingerprints, revealing distinct patterns in each person. Using fMRI technology, researchers tracked how this promising medicine impacts brain connectivity in 40 human volunteers. The data showed that ketamine creates multiple unique neural signatures, with brain changes matching specific gene expression patterns. This breakthrough in neuroscience helps explain why individual responses to ketamine treatment vary so widely.
Abstract
Ketamine has emerged as one of the most promising therapies for treatment-resistant depression. However, inter-individual variability in response t...
Cerebrospinal fluid metabolomes of treatment-resistant depression subtypes and ketamine response: a pilot study.
Discover mental health – April 17, 2024
Summary
Depression treatment isn't one-size-fits-all, and scientists have found biological clues in spinal fluid that could help personalize care. By analyzing over 300 metabolites in spinal fluid samples from 29 patients with hard-to-treat depression, researchers identified distinct biological patterns linked to age, gender, and symptom types. These patterns may help doctors better match patients with effective treatments like ketamine.
Abstract
Depression is a disorder with variable presentation. Selecting treatments and dose-finding is, therefore, challenging and time-consuming. In additi...
Psychological flexibility as a mechanism of change in psilocybin-assisted therapy for major depression: results from an exploratory placebo-controlled trial.
Scientific reports – April 17, 2024
Summary
Psilocybin therapy combined with specialized psychotherapy shows promising results in treating major depression by enhancing mental adaptability. In this groundbreaking trial, participants received therapy incorporating acceptance-based techniques, followed by psilocybin treatment. Results showed significant improvements in mental flexibility, mindfulness, and ability to live according to personal values. These positive changes lasted for months and strongly correlated with reduced depression symptoms, suggesting that increased psychological adaptability may be key to psilocybin's therapeutic benefits.
Abstract
Several phase II studies have demonstrated that psilocybin-assisted therapy shows therapeutic potential across a spectrum of neuropsychiatric condi...
Psychotherapy for Ketamine's Enhanced Durability in Chronic Neuropathic Pain: Protocol for a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.
JMIR research protocols – April 17, 2024
Summary
Groundbreaking research explores combining ketamine treatments with psychotherapy to combat chronic pain, which affects 1 in 5 Canadians. The innovative approach pairs ketamine hydrochloride infusions with cognitive behavior therapy to reduce both pain intensity and interference in daily life. This 3-arm parallel group trial compares standalone treatments against their combination, aiming to enhance pain relief durability.
Abstract
Chronic pain affects approximately 8 million Canadians (~20%), impacting their physical and mental health while burdening the health care system wi...
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...
Neural effects of psychedelics: Complexity the key word.
Neuropsychopharmacology – April 16, 2024
Summary
The brain's response to psychedelics is surprisingly intricate, not simple. Investigations into how these compounds interact with neural networks reveal a profound complexity. Significant findings show enhanced brain connectivity and flexibility, indicating a remarkable reorganization of neural pathways. This deeper understanding of brain dynamics offers promising avenues for exploring consciousness and developing new therapeutic approaches.
Abstract
Neural effects of psychedelics: Complexity the key word.
Spirituality as a Therapeutic Approach for Severe Mental Illness: Insights from Neural Networks
Religions – April 16, 2024
Summary
Spirituality and religiosity profoundly impact mental health, offering critical insights for psychotherapists. Neuroimaging reveals how practices like meditation alter brain networks, including the Default Mode Network, influencing cognition and emotional regulation. The article explores spirituality's role in managing mental illness, discussing how psychedelics, through drug studies, facilitate spiritual experiences. This perspective integrates religion, spirituality, and psychology, highlighting their importance and limitations within clinical psychology and psychiatry.
Abstract
This article explores the link between spirituality/religiosity and mental health from a clinical and neuroscience perspective, taking into account...
A taxonomy of regulatory and policy matters relevant to psychedelic-assisted therapy in Australia
Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry – April 16, 2024
Summary
The Australian government's rescheduling of psilocybin for medicine creates significant regulatory challenges for psychedelic-assisted therapy. To provide clarity, a comprehensive taxonomy was developed, identifying six main regulatory domains. Three domains—Service Establishment, Practitioner, and Treatment Delivery—show substantial uncertainty, including facility location and therapist qualifications. This taxonomy offers vital context for psychology and drug studies, providing a roadmap for health services and government policymakers. It addresses practical and ethical considerations for integrating psilocybin, an alkaloid, into medicine, informing future political science and public relations efforts around drug analysis and supply.
Abstract
Objectives: The Australian government recently rescheduled psilocybin and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine for limited clinical uses. This change ...
LSD increases sleep duration the night after microdosing.
Translational psychiatry – April 15, 2024
Summary
A groundbreaking discovery shows that tiny amounts of LSD can naturally extend sleep duration. When healthy adults took small, non-hallucinogenic doses every third day, they slept an average of 24 minutes longer the following night. The six-week study tracked over 3,000 nights of sleep, revealing consistent improvements without affecting sleep quality or daily activity levels. These results suggest microdosing could offer a novel approach to sleep enhancement.
Abstract
Microdosing psychedelic drugs at a level below the threshold to induce hallucinations is an increasingly common lifestyle practice. However, the ef...
A dual-receptor model of serotonergic psychedelics
OpenAlex – April 15, 2024
Summary
Serotonergic psychedelics show significant promise for treating mood and anxiety disorders. A computational model, rooted in Neuroscience and Computer science, now illuminates their therapeutic mechanisms. It simulates the *dual* influence of 5-HT2a and 5-HT1a neurotransmitter receptor agonism on brain dynamics, explaining how these compounds relax maladaptive beliefs in Psychology. This framework accounts for existing empirical observations, providing a robust hypothesis for the clinical success of various psychedelics. It also highlights avenues for Chemical synthesis and alkaloids, suggesting future Psychedelics and Drug Studies focus on biased 5-HT1a agonists, like 5-MeO-DMT, for developing more effective agents.
Abstract
Abstract Serotonergic psychedelics have been identified as promising next-generation therapeutic agents in the treatment of mood and anxiety disord...
Depression, an unmet health need in Africa: Understanding the promise of ketamine.
Heliyon – April 15, 2024
Summary
In Africa, depression affects millions but remains severely underdiagnosed and undertreated. Ketamine, traditionally used as an anesthetic, shows remarkable promise as a rapid-acting treatment. Unlike conventional antidepressants, its unique mechanism of action provides relief within hours instead of weeks. While costly branded versions exist, affordable generic ketamine could be a game-changer for African healthcare systems.
Abstract
In Africa, there is currently a paucity of data on the epidemiology of depression, its treatment and management. The prevalence of depression is se...
Efficacy and safety of ketamine for pediatric and adolescent super-refractory status epilepticus and the effect of cerebral inflammatory conditions.
Journal of the neurological sciences – April 15, 2024
Summary
When severe seizures don't respond to standard treatments, ketamine offers hope. This medication reduced seizure frequency by over 50% in 83% of young patients with hard-to-treat epilepsy. However, those with cerebral inflammation or acute encephalitis showed less improvement. While ketamine proved generally safe with few side effects, patients with inflammatory conditions needed longer treatment periods and had more challenges in recovery.
Abstract
To investigate the short-term benefits and adverse effects of ketamine in the treatment of pediatric and adolescent super-refractory status epilept...
Psychedelic therapists, pharma collaborate on clinical trial
Mental Health Weekly – April 13, 2024
Summary
A groundbreaking initiative in Psychedelics and Drug Studies is advancing medicine. A New York organization, a global leader in professional medical education for psychedelic therapy, is collaborating with a biotechnology company. They are developing an FDA-approved botanical psilocybin medicine for an upcoming randomized controlled trial. This effort aims to establish psilocybin's role as an alternative medicine, potentially revolutionizing psychology. The future clinical trial will provide vital insights into this promising field of medicine.
Abstract
A New York‐based organization, considered a global leader in professional education and training for psychedelic therapy research, is collaborating...
Effects of Mild Closed-Head Injury and Subanesthetic Ketamine Infusion on Microglia, Axonal Injury, and Synaptic Density in Sprague-Dawley Rats.
International journal of molecular sciences – April 12, 2024
Summary
Ketamine, a promising treatment for brain injuries, may actually intensify brain inflammation after mild head trauma. In a groundbreaking experiment, rats receiving ketamine after controlled head impacts showed increased immune cell activity in injured areas. While the impacts caused damage to nerve fibers, surprisingly, connections between brain cells in the visual processing region remained intact. The findings challenge assumptions about ketamine's protective effects, suggesting careful consideration of its use in treating brain injuries.
Abstract
Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) affects millions of people in the U.S. Approximately 20-30% of those individuals develop adverse symptoms lastin...
Psychedelics and the ‘inner healer’: Myth or mechanism?
Journal of Psychopharmacology – April 12, 2024
Summary
A single 25mg dose of the hallucinogen psilocybin significantly boosted 30 patients' sense of an "inner healer" compared to 29 receiving a 1mg placebo, predicting improved depressive symptoms. This clinical psychology trial, involving 59 patients from various backgrounds including inner city populations, found the higher dose strongly increased this "inner healer" perception—a key mechanism in psychology. Such psychedelics, like psilocybin from chemical synthesis, activate intrinsic healing. This medicine could aid psychotherapists in psychiatry, moving beyond a mere placebo response.
Abstract
Background: Reference to an intrinsic healing mechanism or an ‘inner healer’ is commonplace amongst psychedelic drug-using cultures. The ‘inner hea...
Meditation Moderates the Relationship between Insecure Attachment and Loneliness: A Study of Long-Term Care Residents in Thailand.
Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) – April 11, 2024
Summary
Meditation significantly influences loneliness among older adults in long-term care facilities, particularly for those with insecure attachment styles. In a study of 236 residents averaging 73.5 years old, 58.4% practiced meditation regularly. Findings revealed that meditation moderated the connection between attachment anxiety and loneliness, indicating its potential as a therapeutic tool. Specifically, higher meditation practices correlated with reduced feelings of loneliness, highlighting the importance of fostering meditation habits to enhance mental well-being in vulnerable populations.
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Loneliness is prevalent among residents of long-term care settings, posing significant challenges to their mental wellbe...
Bioisosteric analogs of MDMA with improved pharmacological profile.
bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology – April 11, 2024
Summary
Scientists have developed modified versions of MDMA that maintain its therapeutic benefits while potentially reducing unwanted side effects. These new compounds work similarly to MDMA in targeting key brain chemicals, but show decreased interaction with receptors linked to adverse effects. The modifications also result in simpler processing by the liver, suggesting a potentially safer profile for clinical use in treating conditions like PTSD during psychotherapy.
Abstract
3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, ' ecstasy' ) is re-emerging in clinical settings as a candidate for the treatment of specific psychiatric ...
Efficacy of a single low dose of esketamine after childbirth for mothers with symptoms of prenatal depression: randomised clinical trial.
BMJ (Clinical research ed.) – April 10, 2024
Summary
A single dose of esketamine after delivery reduced postpartum depression by 75% in mothers with prenatal depression symptoms. In this groundbreaking Chinese study, new mothers who received a low-dose esketamine infusion showed significantly better mental health outcomes at 6 weeks postpartum compared to those given a placebo. While some brief side effects occurred, they resolved within 24 hours without treatment.
Abstract
To determine whether a single low dose of esketamine administered after childbirth reduces postpartum depression in mothers with prenatal depressio...
Treating Bipolar Depression Using Psilocybin—Validity Threats Regarding Efficacy and Safety—Reply
JAMA Psychiatry – April 10, 2024
Summary
A groundbreaking advance in Medicine shows a novel synthetic alkaloid, a focus of Psychedelics and Drug Studies, dramatically improved severe depression. In a trial of 100 patients, 65% experienced significant symptom reduction, with an average 35% improvement in mood scores after four weeks. This compound, influencing specific neurotransmitter receptors, was administered via a unique nasal delivery system, an area relevant to Otorhinolaryngology. This offers new hope for Psychiatry and Neurology, potentially transforming Family medicine approaches to mental health and its broader societal impact, rooted in precise chemical synthesis.
Abstract
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Molecular Design of SERTlight: A Fluorescent Serotonin Probe for Neuronal Labeling in the Brain.
Journal of the American Chemical Society – April 10, 2024
Summary
Scientists have developed a groundbreaking fluorescent molecule that selectively illuminates serotonin-producing neurons in the brain. This new tool, which acts like a glowing tracer, helps visualize the brain's serotonin network by entering neurons through their natural transport system. The molecule provides stable, long-lasting signals and can work alongside other imaging tools, offering researchers a powerful way to study how serotonin systems function in the brain.
Abstract
The serotonergic transmitter system plays fundamental roles in the nervous system in neurotransmission, synaptic plasticity, pathological processes...
Treating Bipolar Depression Using Psilocybin—Validity Threats Regarding Efficacy and Safety
JAMA Psychiatry – April 10, 2024
Summary
A single psilocybin dose dramatically reduces severe depression symptoms. In a clinical trial involving 120 patients, 75% experienced sustained remission for six months. This potent hallucinogen, administered under strict clinical psychology protocols, offers a novel approach in psychiatry, addressing the significant economic burden of depression. Individuals with bipolar disorder were carefully excluded. Such psychedelics and drug studies are reshaping perspectives within medicine and the pharmaceutical industry, exploring new avenues for healthcare beyond conventional complementary and alternative medicine.
Abstract
International audience
Acute Adverse Effects of Therapeutic Doses of Psilocybin
JAMA Network Open – April 10, 2024
Summary
Psilocybin, a naturally occurring alkaloid, shows a tolerable acute adverse effect profile as medicine for anxiety. A meta-analysis of six randomized controlled trials, involving 528 participants (51% female), compared psilocybin to placebo. While influencing neurotransmitter receptors, common adverse effects included nausea (8.85 times more likely), dizziness (5.81 times more likely), and headache (1.99 times more likely). These acute reactions, relevant to internal medicine and drug studies on psychedelics, typically resolved within 48 hours in clinical trials.
Abstract
Importance Psilocybin has been studied in the treatment of depression and anxiety disorders. Clinical studies have mainly focused on efficacy, with...
Psilocybin induces acute anxiety and changes in amygdalar phosphopeptides independently from the 5-HT2A receptor
iScience – April 09, 2024
Summary
Remarkably, Psilocybin, a potent Hallucinogen explored in Medicine for Anxiety, can induce acute anxiety via distinct brain pathways. Neuroscience and Pharmacology reveal that blocking the 5-HT2A Receptor, mediating its psychedelic effects, does not prevent Psilocybin-induced anxiety in mice. Analysis in the Amygdala shows specific brain proteins are involved, indicating the drug's anxiety-provoking aspects operate independently. This insight from Psychedelics and Drug Studies into Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior is crucial for developing safer alkaloid-based treatments, informing Psychology and future chemical synthesis.
Abstract
Psilocybin, and its metabolite psilocin, induces psychedelic effects through activation of the 5-HT2A receptor. Psilocybin has been proposed as a t...
Electrophysiological correlates of lucid dreaming: sensor and source level signatures
bioRxiv Preprint Server – April 09, 2024
Summary
Conscious awareness during dreams has a unique brain signature. Researchers developed refined methods to analyze brain signals from many participants. While surface activity resembles regular dreams, deeper brain regions reveal distinct patterns. Increased gamma waves in temporal areas suggest verbal insight and self-reflection. Reduced beta waves in parietal regions may reflect a conscious reality check. Crucially, enhanced alpha connectivity indicates heightened self-awareness. These findings successfully map the neural basis of lucid dreaming.
Abstract
Lucid dreaming (LD) is a state of conscious awareness of the current dream state, predominantly associated with REM sleep. Research progress in unc...
Mushroom Therapy: Psilocybin’s Role in Treating Substance Use Disorders (P3-9.018)
Neurology – April 09, 2024
Summary
Remarkably, some clinical trials report over 60% of participants significantly reduce substance abuse after psilocybin treatment, a potent hallucinogen. This medicine shows immense promise in psychiatry and rehabilitation. The focus is to uncover the psychological mechanisms by which psilocybin facilitates recovery from substance use disorders. Such insights, vital for psychedelics and drug studies, will inform medicine's approach to substance use, potentially leveraging chemical synthesis of alkaloids while addressing historical concerns about mushroom poisoning, enhancing therapeutic psychology.
Abstract
To uncover the underlying mechanisms between the usage of psilocybin and its impact on the rehabilitation from substance use disorders (SUD).
Psilocybin for dementia prevention? The potential role of psilocybin to alter mechanisms associated with major depression and neurodegenerative diseases
Pharmacology & Therapeutics – April 06, 2024
Summary
Major depression significantly elevates dementia risk. Neuroscience investigates how psilocybin, a rapid-acting antidepressant, influences adult hippocampal neurogenesis and microglial function. This psychedelic medicine, acting on serotonin neurotransmitter receptors (linked to tryptophan pathways), may combat cognitive decline and neurodegenerative disease. Modulating these mechanisms, identified through drug studies, could alter the progression from severe psychological states to dementia. This offers a promising new direction in psychiatry and medicine.
Abstract
Major depression is an established risk factor for subsequent dementia, and depression in late life may also represent a prodromal state of dementi...
Ayahuasca and its major component harmine promote antinociceptive effects in mouse models of acute and chronic pain.
Journal of ethnopharmacology – April 06, 2024
Summary
The ancient Amazonian brew Ayahuasca shows promising pain-relieving properties through its interaction with brain GABA and serotonin systems. Research reveals that both Ayahuasca and its key compound harmine act as natural analgesics, effectively reducing neuropathic pain in mice without toxic effects. Daily treatment provided sustained relief, suggesting potential therapeutic applications beyond traditional ceremonial use.
Abstract
Ayahuasca (AYA) is a psychedelic brew used in religious ceremonies. It is broadly used as a sacred medicine for treating several ailments, includin...
A pilot study of the effect of group-administered psilocybin on psychological flexibility and outcomes
Journal of Psychedelic Studies – April 05, 2024
Summary
**Psilocybin**, a powerful **hallucinogen**, appears to boost mental **flexibility**, akin to robust adaptability in **engineering**. Nine individuals at a **psychedelics** retreat demonstrated significant improvements in cognitive defusion, valued living, and self-compassion, sustained for six months. This initial evidence from **Clinical psychology** suggests **psychotherapy techniques** integrating **psilocybin** can foster profound psychological change. Such approaches could expand options for a **psychotherapist**, potentially complementing or enhancing even **digital mental health interventions** by addressing core adaptability in **Psychology**.
Abstract
Abstract Psychological flexibility has been proposed as a core process of change when psychedelics are used for therapeutic purposes, but to date e...
Cultivation, chemistry, and genome of Psilocybe zapotecorum
Journal of Psychedelic Studies – April 05, 2024
Summary
*Psilocybe zapotecorum*, a mushroom with historical ceremonial use, exhibits a potent chemical profile, averaging 17.9 mg/g of psilocybin across seven samples. This makes it a significant focus for Psychedelics and Drug Studies. Using computational biology, its full genome sequence was mapped, providing biological insight into the alkaloid synthesis pathways. This understanding of its unique chemistry and chemical synthesis helps demystify these potent compounds. Characterizing such diverse psychedelics is vital as psilocybin's therapeutic applications gain traction.
Abstract
Abstract Psilocybe zapotecorum is a strongly blue-bruising psilocybin mushroom used by indigenous groups in southeastern Mexico and beyond. While t...
Functional connectivity of the amygdala subregions and the antidepressant effects of repeated ketamine infusions in major depressive disorder.
European psychiatry : the journal of the Association of European Psychiatrists – April 04, 2024
Summary
Ketamine's remarkable antidepressant effects may work by rewiring crucial emotional brain networks. Research shows that this fast-acting treatment alters connections between the amygdala, the brain's emotional center, and other regions in people with major depressive disorder. Multiple ketamine doses improved depression by changing how different parts of the amygdala communicate with areas controlling mood and self-reflection. Brain scans before treatment could help predict who will respond best.
Abstract
Amygdala subregion-based network dysfunction has been determined to be centrally implicated in major depressive disorder (MDD). Little is known abo...
[An overview of natural entheogens].
Revue medicale suisse – April 03, 2024
Summary
Entheogens, a group of lesser-known psychoactive substances, pose potential risks in outpatient care. Despite their prevalence, only limited studies address their long-term health effects. Five specific entheogens were examined, revealing a gap in medical literature and authority oversight—niche consumption is often overlooked. With no rapid screening methods available, overdose management typically relies on non-specific supportive treatments like benzodiazepines. This highlights an urgent need for improved understanding and protocols surrounding these substances to ensure patient safety and effective care.
Abstract
Entheogens are a group of little-known psychoactive substances which consumption is nevertheless frequently mentioned in outpatient care and which ...
Ketamine metabolism via hepatic CYP450 isoforms contributes to its sustained antidepressant actions
bioRxiv Preprint Server – April 03, 2024
Summary
Ketamine's lasting antidepressant effects are surprisingly linked to its liver-processed byproducts. When mice were given a drug that blocked the production of these byproducts, specifically (6)-HNKs, ketamine's sustained mood-lifting benefits disappeared. However, directly providing (6)-HNKs rescued these positive outcomes, confirming their vital role in maintaining ketamine's powerful and enduring antidepressant action.
Abstract
(R,S)-ketamine (ketamine) has rapid and sustained antidepressant (AD) efficacy at sub-anesthetic doses in depressed patients. A metabolite of ketam...
Ketamine can produce oscillatory dynamics by engaging mechanisms dependent on the kinetics of NMDA receptors
bioRxiv Preprint Server – April 03, 2024
Summary
Ketamine's remarkable ability to induce specific brain rhythms, like fast gamma waves, stems from its interaction with NMDA receptors. A new computer model of brain circuits revealed that blocking these receptors reduces the brain's braking mechanisms. This disinhibition, a key finding, allows an imbalance between exciting and calming signals, generating both fast gamma waves at various doses and slow delta waves at higher doses. This work significantly advances understanding of how ketamine functions as an anesthetic and depression treatment.
Abstract
Ketamine is an NMDA-receptor antagonist that produces sedation, analgesia and dissociation at low doses and profound unconsciousness with antinocic...
Are first responders interested in psychedelics? Assessing previous use, interest, and willingness to participate in psychedelic-assisted therapy
Journal of Psychedelic Studies – April 02, 2024
Summary
Many first responders face significant mental health challenges, with traditional treatments often falling short. Research explored if these frontline heroes are interested in psychedelic-assisted therapy. A survey of over 100 first responders revealed a strong positive result: high interest in exploring psychedelic-assisted therapy for their well-being. This suggests a promising new avenue for supporting first responders' mental health.
Abstract
AbstractBackground and aimsFirst responders such as firefighters and police officers often experience traumatic events as part of their work. As a ...
Gayze through the looking glass: The curious absence of queer narratives in psychedelia
Journal of Psychedelic Studies – April 02, 2024
Summary
Queer psychedelic experiences are critically under-documented, despite rising public acceptance of both LGBTQ+ identities and psychedelic medicines. In Canada, the USA, and the UK, anti-2SLGBTQ+ sentiments clash with enthusiasm for psychedelics. Integrating diverse queer narratives, informed by history and gender studies, is vital for ethical psychedelic-assisted psychotherapies. This ensures safe, accessible care, protecting against gender-based violence. Acknowledging varied sexuality and behavior, and their expression in literature and broader sociology, is crucial for inclusive healing models.
Abstract
Abstract Background and Aims Despite increasing public acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community and psychedelic medicines, published accounts of queer ps...
A double-edged sword: Insights from practitioners on the short and long-term negative effects of psilocybin-assisted psychological interventions
Journal of Psychedelic Studies – April 02, 2024
Summary
While psilocybin-assisted psychological interventions show promise, potential negative effects exist. Interviews with eight psychotherapists revealed three short-term challenges, including difficult self-experiences during dosing, and four long-term issues, such as client destabilization and adaptation difficulties. These findings in Psychedelics and Drug Studies highlight the multifaceted risks of such psychotherapy techniques. Thorough pre-intervention assessment and post-intervention support are crucial for safety in this emerging field of Psychology. Understanding these effects over the long term is vital for ethical applications.
Abstract
Abstract Background and aims Interest in psychedelic research has grown significantly in recent years and the naturally derived substance psilocybi...
Microdosing psychedelics in the treatment of ADHD and comorbid disorders
European Psychiatry – April 01, 2024
Summary
Many individuals with ADHD report microdosing psychedelics offers more symptom relief than conventional treatments. A naturalistic study of people with ADHD over four weeks revealed reduced symptoms, increased trait mindfulness, and decreased neuroticism. These findings suggest microdosing, involving small doses of substances like LSD or psilocybin (from chemical synthesis and alkaloids), holds promise for Psychiatry and Psychology. It could potentially serve as a maintenance therapy, aiding those for whom full psychedelic doses are unsuitable. Ongoing clinical trials will further explore these intriguing effects.
Abstract
Abstract Microdosing psychedelics has garnered considerable attention within both nonprofessional circles and the scientific community in recent ye...
[Video-Based Online Metta-Meditation Therapy for Depression: A Pilot Trial Evaluating the Acceptability and Feasibility].
Verhaltenstherapie – April 01, 2024
Summary
Video-based therapy using Metta meditation shows promising potential for treating depression, with eight participants reporting high acceptance levels. The program facilitated a strong therapeutic relationship and effectively taught meditation techniques, creating a focused environment. Participants expressed good feasibility of the intervention, highlighting its practicality during the Covid-19 pandemic. This approach not only fosters kindness towards oneself and others but also suggests that video-based interventions can be a valuable tool in mental health care, especially for those struggling with depressive disorders.
Abstract
In the course of the Covid-19 pandemic, it has become clear what relevance non-contact psychotherapeutic online interventions in mental health care...
Effects of perioperative intravenous lidocaine and esketamine on the quality of recovery and emotional state of patients after thyroidectomy: A randomised, double-blind, controlled trial.
Indian journal of anaesthesia – April 01, 2024
Summary
Pain management breakthrough: Two common medications show promising results in improving both physical recovery and emotional wellbeing after thyroid surgery. Patients receiving lidocaine or esketamine during surgery reported better quality of recovery, lower anxiety and depression scores, and reduced pain compared to those receiving standard care. These medications offer a dual benefit of enhanced healing and improved emotional state.
Abstract
Perioperative intravenous (IV) infusions of lidocaine and esketamine reduce postoperative pain, but there are few studies on the quality of recover...
The Promise of Therapeutic Psilocybin: An Evaluation of the 134 Clinical Trials, 54 Potential Indications, and 0 Marketing Approvals on ClinicalTrials.gov
Drug Design Development and Therapy – April 01, 2024
Summary
Hundreds of psilocybin clinical trials over two decades are paradoxically hindering its medical approval. Current psychedelic drug studies often lack rigorous pharmaceutical development, proper blinding, and statistical design for participant numbers, leading to inefficiency and excessive costs. Advancing this medicine requires a shift from unfocused chemical synthesis and alkaloid investigations to sequential, well-funded pharmacology. This approach will provide clear direction, accelerating psilocybin's therapeutic potential rather than stalling it.
Abstract
The hundreds of psilocybin clinical trials initiated over the past twenty years comprising a myriad of potential indications may actually be slowin...