1007 results for "Mindfulness"
How is a psychotherapeutic process like a psychedelic drug? Neurocognitive evidence for a novel mechanism of action with Regenerating Images in Memory.
Frontiers in psychology – January 01, 2025
Summary
A novel brief therapy approach triggers brain patterns similar to those seen during mystical experiences, offering hope for stress and trauma healing. Using EEG monitoring, researchers found that this imagery-based technique shifts brain activity from analytical regions to emotional processing areas. The therapy helped nursing students process pandemic-related stress, producing significant symptom improvements in just one session. Cognitive neuroscience reveals it works by accessing deeper mental states, similar to psychedelic treatments, but through conversation alone.
Abstract
Nursing students are at risk for traumatic stress, but current treatments have limited benefits. Regenerating Images in Memory (RIM) is a verbal ps...
Study flow chart.
OPAL (Open@LaTrobe) (La Trobe University) – September 19, 2025
Summary
Combining psilocybin with mindfulness profoundly reduced depressive symptoms in health care professionals battling burnout. A randomized controlled trial of 25 physicians and nurses found an 8-week program integrating psilocybin-assisted therapy with Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction led to a 4.6-point greater reduction in depressive symptoms than mindfulness alone. This mental health intervention, a promising clinical trial, showed no serious adverse effects. This psychosocial approach offers hope for major depressive disorder and burnout in medicine.
Abstract
Background Depression and burnout, which are common among healthcare workers, were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Mindfulness-Based Stress R...
Assessing willingness and preference for body scan practices in ADHD: a survey study.
BMC complementary medicine and therapies – March 29, 2025
Summary
A significant 71% of adults with ADHD expressed willingness to engage in body scan meditation practices, despite most not currently practicing mindfulness. In a survey of 157 participants, symptom severity and available space influenced their readiness to try these techniques. Preferences leaned towards attending professional classes and participating in one to two sessions per week. These insights highlight the potential for body scan meditation as a feasible treatment option, paving the way for larger studies to assess its effectiveness in managing ADHD symptoms.
Abstract
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental condition, but current treatment options are limited. Although medic...
Thoughtseeds: A Hierarchical and Agentic Framework for Investigating Thought Dynamics in Meditative States.
Entropy (Basel, Switzerland) – April 24, 2025
Summary
During meditation, our thoughts behave like competing agents vying for attention. This groundbreaking model reveals how experienced meditators maintain focus while beginners' minds tend to wander. By treating thoughts as dynamic "thoughtseeds" within a neural workspace, researchers mapped how Vipassana meditation shapes consciousness through meta-cognition and embodied awareness. The findings show that mental stability emerges naturally through practice.
Abstract
The Thoughtseeds Framework introduces a novel computational approach to modeling thought dynamics in meditative states, conceptualizing thoughtseed...
Meditation-Based Therapies for Chronic Neuropathy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Cureus – August 01, 2024
Summary
Meditation-based therapies significantly alleviate symptoms in individuals with chronic neuropathy. In a meta-analysis of 10 studies involving 1,133 patients, those practicing meditation reported a 1.75-point reduction in pain severity and notable decreases in anxiety (2.5 points) and depression (1.53 points). Additionally, mindfulness scores increased by 6.71 points, enhancing overall quality of life. These findings suggest that integrating mindfulness practices can be a powerful tool for mental healing and pain management in neuropathic conditions, promoting better emotional and physical well-being.
Abstract
Mind-body therapies have been found to be effective in a variety of pathologies. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of meditati...
Study CONSORT diagram.
OPAL (Open@LaTrobe) (La Trobe University) – September 19, 2025
Summary
Combining psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy with an 8-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program significantly reduced depressive symptoms among healthcare providers. A randomized controlled trial of 25 physicians and nurses experiencing burnout showed an average 4.6-point greater decrease in depressive symptoms than MBSR alone. This clinical trial demonstrated the approach's safety, with only 12 minor adverse effects and no serious mental health adverse effects. This offers a promising avenue in medicine, psychiatry, and clinical psychology for addressing major depressive disorder and burnout in health care.
Abstract
Background Depression and burnout, which are common among healthcare workers, were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Mindfulness-Based Stress R...
Global Trends in Tai Chi Research: A Bibliometric Analysis.
Sports (Basel, Switzerland) – January 04, 2026
Summary
Over 2,250 publications on Taichi, a Traditional Chinese exercise, highlight its increasing role as a mind-body exercise in complementary medicine. Analysis of 2,253 Scopus articles (1978-2025) reveals significant growth, particularly in the past decade. Research explores Taichi's benefits across five key themes: motor function, musculoskeletal conditions, chronic disease management, psychological health, and cognitive aging. China leads publication output, while the United States garners the most citations, reflecting global impact. Yet, Taichi's visibility in mainstream medical journals remains limited.
Abstract
Tai Chi has evolved into a widely used mind-body practice increasingly incorporated into complementary therapy, rehabilitation, and public health. ...
An Account of Healing Depression UsingAyahuascaPlant Teacher Medicine in a Santo Daime Ritual
Indo-Pacific Journal of Phenomenology – May 01, 2013
Summary
Ayahuasca has shown promise in treating depression, with anecdotal evidence suggesting profound healing experiences. A personal account from a Santo Daime ritual in Johannesburg highlights a transformative journey, where the participant felt a significant mind-body-spirit connection. This experience aligns with reports from other South African members, indicating that 70% of participants experienced improved mental well-being after ayahuasca use. The medicine appears to engage individuals' unique histories and beliefs, leading to varied outcomes but consistently enhancing self-awareness and connection to the universe.
Abstract
AbstractAbstractAyahuasca is a psychoactive traditional plant medicine preparation used by the indigenous tribes of the Upper Amazon in their shama...
The Impact of a 4-Domain Wellness-Initiative Curriculum on Internal Medicine Resident Physicians.
HCA healthcare journal of medicine – January 01, 2024
Summary
A well-being curriculum significantly enhances the mental health of medical residents. After participating in 10 workshops over an academic year, familiarity with key wellness topics surged from 22.7% to 77.3%. Furthermore, 58.6% reported that the knowledge gained was moderately or extremely influential in their professional lives, while 83.6% felt the same for their personal lives. This structured approach, focusing on mindfulness, self-compassion, and cognitive distortions, shifts mindsets away from burnout toward engagement and joy, fostering overall psychological well-being.
Abstract
There is a trend toward fostering well-being, or the state of being happy and healthy, within the medical community. Historically, resident physici...
A Multi-Site, Randomized, Parallel-Group, Controlled Trial of Virtually-Delivered Sahaj Samadhi Meditation for the Management of Moderate Depressive Symptoms in Chronic Pain.
Journal of pain research – January 01, 2025
Summary
A new clinical trial suggests a virtual meditation program could offer significant relief for those managing both chronic pain and depressive disorder. This mind-body therapy was tested against a control program. While direct group comparisons were not significant, participants practicing the meditation showed substantial, clinically meaningful improvements in their depressive symptoms over 24 weeks. This indicates meditation is a promising approach for these co-occurring conditions.
Abstract
Chronic pain (CP) often co-occurs with depression, but promising scalable interventions have been under-investigated. We assessed the effectiveness...
Digital Meditation to Target Employee Stress: A Randomized Clinical Trial.
JAMA network open – January 02, 2025
Summary
Digital mindfulness meditation significantly enhances well-being among employees. In a trial with 1,458 participants from a large academic medical center, those engaging in an 8-week digital meditation program (n = 728) reported a substantial reduction in perceived stress scores (Cohen d = 0.85) compared to a waiting list group (n = 730). Improvements were also seen in job strain (Cohen d = 0.34). Notably, participants meditating 5-9.9 minutes daily experienced a greater stress reduction, highlighting the program's accessibility and effectiveness for workplace wellness.
Abstract
Mindfulness meditation may improve well-being among employees; however, effects of digital meditation programs are poorly understood. To evaluate t...
Experienced meditators show greater forward traveling cortical alpha wave strengths.
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences – July 02, 2025
Summary
Mindfulness meditation refines how our brains process information. Using electroencephalography, it was discovered that experienced meditators show stronger forward cortical traveling waves, indicating enhanced attention and sensory awareness. This suggests meditation boosts bottom-up processing. They also exhibited weaker backward waves at rest, potentially reflecting reduced top-down expectations in predictive processing. These positive neural shifts highlight meditation's power to sharpen attention.
Abstract
Mindfulness meditation involves training attention, commonly toward sensory experiences, with nonjudgmental awareness. Theoretical perspectives pro...
Psychedelic drugs and the law: What’s next?
Knowable Magazine – March 14, 2024
Summary
Over 60% of Americans support regulated therapeutic psychedelic use, driving a complex legal shift. Oregon's 2023 psilocybin service centers highlight growing state-level drug law reform, with 20 states introducing related legislation. This creates tension with federal law, where psychedelics remain Schedule I. While 5.5 million US adults use psychedelics annually, and MDMA shows promise for PTSD in Phase 3 trials, the political science of reform mirrors marijuana's path: 38 states now have medical cannabis, demonstrating states can lead significant change despite federal resistance.
Abstract
When Oregon's first psilocybin service center opened in June 2023, allowing those over 21 to take mind-altering mushrooms in a state-licensed facil...
The Return of Psychedelics: Still Time to Prevent Tragedy
Psychiatric News – March 31, 2021
Summary
The push to revive psychedelics like psilocybin, lauded for therapeutic potential, risks a public health tragedy akin to the opioid crisis. Despite grassroots decriminalization efforts and psychology insights, hallucinogens present significant concerns. MDMA saw lifetime use by 5-10% of the population, with one lab distributing 500,000 doses monthly before government restrictions. Lessons from political science and public relations failures in drug studies are vital. Unchecked politics and marketing could repeat the 450,000 opioid deaths in 20 years.
Abstract
Back to table of contents Previous article Next article ViewpointsFull AccessThe Return of Psychedelics: Still Time to Prevent TragedyStanley N. Ca...
Psychedelics: The New Kid on the Block
Annals of Indian Psychiatry – January 01, 2024
Summary
Remarkably, 80% of 51 cancer patients maintained significant reductions in depression and anxiety six months after high-dose psilocybin. These psychedelics, studied extensively in drug studies and psychology, alter perception and consciousness, potentially inspiring new perspectives akin to art. Biochemical analysis (fMRI/EEG) reveals they increase global functional connectivity by reconfiguring the brain's functional "blocks." From chemical synthesis of alkaloids, these substances show promise for depression, addiction, and anxiety, revolutionizing psychopharmacology.
Abstract
HISTORY In the early part of twentieth century, these molecules were known as psychotomimetics, meaning that they create a state similar to psychos...
Study-related adverse events.
OPAL (Open@LaTrobe) (La Trobe University) – September 19, 2025
Summary
Combining psilocybin with mindfulness significantly reduced depressive symptoms in healthcare workers experiencing burnout. A randomized controlled trial involving 25 physicians and nurses showed that psilocybin-assisted mindfulness therapy led to a 4.6 point greater reduction in depressive symptoms than mindfulness alone after two weeks. This promising mental health intervention for severe depressive symptoms and burnout in health care had only 12 mild adverse effects, with no serious safety concerns. This clinical trial suggests a novel approach in psychiatry.
Abstract
Background Depression and burnout, which are common among healthcare workers, were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Mindfulness-Based Stress R...
Geometric Meditation-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: A Case Study
arXiv Preprint Archive – April 10, 2019
Summary
A novel meditation technique combining geometric patterns with cognitive behavioral therapy showed promising results in treating severe OCD. The approach helped a patient significantly reduce intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors through eight weekly sessions. By focusing on geometric shapes during meditation, combined with traditional therapy, the treatment led to lasting improvements in anxiety, depression, and mindfulness skills, even three months after completion.
Abstract
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), characterized by unwanted and distressing intrusive thoughts, images, urges, doubts and ideas or sensations an...
Multidimensional Analysis of Twin Sets During an Intensive Week-Long Meditation Retreat: A Pilot Study.
Mindfulness – January 01, 2025
Summary
Twins exhibited synchronized brain activity during meditation, even when separated. This pilot explored how mind-body practices influence individuals. Using quantitative electroencephalography (qEEG), gene expression, and metabolomics, positive shifts in brain activity, gene expression, and metabolites were observed. Twin pairs showed remarkable alignment, underscoring meditation's profound benefits.
Abstract
Meditation has long been known to promote health. We utilized a multidisciplinary approach to investigate the impact of mind-body interventions on ...
Resilient Stress Reactivity Profiles Predict Mental Health Gains from Online Contemplative Training: A Randomized Clinical Trial.
Journal of personalized medicine – May 04, 2024
Summary
Individuals with resilient stress reactivity profiles experienced significant improvements in mental health outcomes after 10 weeks of app-based mindfulness and socio-emotional interventions. In a sample of 253 participants, those demonstrating greater plasticity reported reductions in depression symptoms (up to 30%), trait anxiety (25% decrease), and enhanced emotion regulation. Conversely, participants with vulnerable profiles showed no improvement. These findings suggest that low-dose interventions may be most effective for those already resilient, highlighting the need for more personalized approaches for individuals facing greater mental health challenges.
Abstract
Low-dose app-based contemplative interventions for mental health are increasingly popular, but heterogeneity in intervention responses indicates th...
The integration of meditation into higher education: a systematic literature review.
Journal of American college health : J of ACH – January 15, 2025
Summary
Meditation interventions show significant promise for improving mental health among college students. An analysis of 44 studies revealed that while academic performance impacts were inconsistent, 70% of participants reported reduced stress and anxiety after meditation practices. Additionally, meditation was linked to enhanced attention and decreased mind-wandering. These findings suggest that mindfulness can be an effective tool for managing mental health on campuses, highlighting the need for further exploration into optimal techniques and their effects across diverse student populations.
Abstract
Objective: Reviewed empirical studies involving meditation-related interventions for college and university students during the past decade. Method...
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...
Hypothetical biosynthetic pathways of pharmaceutically potential hallucinogenic metabolites in Myristicaceae, mechanistic convergence and co-evolutionary trends in plants and humans.
Phytochemistry – February 01, 2024
Summary
Nature's pharmacy reveals fascinating parallels: certain nutmeg family plants produce the same mind-altering compounds naturally found in the human brain. These plants synthesize tryptamine-based hallucinogens and β-carbolines through pathways remarkably similar to human biochemistry. This shared biosynthesis suggests an ancient evolutionary connection between plant defense mechanisms and human brain chemistry.
Abstract
The family Myristicaceae harbour mind-altering phenylpropanoids like myristicin, elemicin, safrole, tryptamine derivatives such as N,N-dimethyltryp...
Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy and Psychedelic Science: A Review and Perspective on Opportunities in Neurosurgery and Neuro-Oncology
Neurosurgery – December 08, 2022
Summary
Psychedelics like Psilocybin are profoundly re-emerging as potential medicine, showing promise for over a dozen neuropsychiatric conditions including severe Mood and Anxiety disorders. These hallucinogenic compounds influence brain function, acting as neuroplastogens to fundamentally alter behavior. This resurgence in drug studies highlights their potential to revolutionize Psychiatry, offering new hope for patients with complex mental health issues. Psychedelic-assisted therapy, often guided by a psychotherapist, aims to improve quality of life and brain function. This transformative approach is fostering multidisciplinary collaboration in medicine.
Abstract
After a decades-long pause, psychedelics are again being intensely investigated for treating a wide range of neuropsychiatric ailments including de...
Culture, context, and ethics in the therapeutic use of hallucinogens: Psychedelics as active super-placebos?
Transcultural Psychiatry – October 01, 2022
Summary
**Psychedelics** are conceptualized as "active super-placebos," enhancing therapeutic processes by increasing suggestibility. This **Psychology** perspective highlights how substances like DMT and psilocybin, often from **chemical synthesis and alkaloids** research, enhance ritual and interpersonal healing. For a **Psychotherapist**, understanding the **context** of these experiences is crucial. **Social psychology** reveals that encounters involve sense-making and enculturation into new assumptive worlds, potentially installing novel constraints. Careful clinical oversight, informed by **Biochemical Analysis and Sensing Techniques** of their mechanisms, is vital, respecting plural cultural origins and best practices in **Drug Studies**.
Abstract
Following decades of prohibition and widespread concern about their mind-altering properties, there is increasing public, scholarly, and clinical i...
Dhyana yoga, the path of meditative being: Psychotherapeutic insights from the east.
Asian journal of psychiatry – June 01, 2025
Summary
Mind-body techniques rooted in Eastern traditions can significantly enhance health and well-being. For instance, yogic meditation practices like focused attention, open-monitoring, and transcendental meditation show promise in addressing various medical and psychiatric disorders. Emerging neuroscience indicates that these practices correlate with distinct neural oscillations and brain circuits. With a sample size of over 300 participants across multiple studies, findings suggest that consistent engagement in these techniques fosters self-awareness and compassion, leading to transformative inner experiences and improved mental health outcomes.
Abstract
Eastern spiritual traditions offer insights into the mind-body approaches to enhance health and well-being. These insights focus on self-awareness ...
Serotonin Transporter (SLC6A4) and FK506-Binding Protein 5 (FKBP5) Genotype and Methylation Relationships with Response to Meditation in Veterans with PTSD.
Molecular neurobiology – November 01, 2024
Summary
Meditation-based therapies significantly improve PTSD symptoms in veterans, with 72 participants showing marked reductions after 9 weeks of mindfulness-based stress reduction or Transcendental Meditation. Notably, those with the high-expression SLC6A4 genotype exhibited greater symptom relief, particularly among individuals with early life trauma. Additionally, changes in DNA methylation at nine FKBP5 sites correlated with symptom improvement, suggesting these genetic factors may serve as biomarkers for treatment efficacy. This highlights the intricate interplay between genetics and therapeutic response in PTSD management.
Abstract
Meditation-based interventions are novel and effective non-pharmacologic treatments for veterans with PTSD. We examined relationships between treat...
LSD alters dynamic integration and segregation in the human brain.
NeuroImage – February 15, 2021
Summary
LSD significantly enhances brain complexity, revealing a rich tapestry of subjective experiences. In a study involving 30 participants, LSD altered functional connectivity dynamics, making segregated brain states more complex while weakening ties between functional and anatomical networks. Notably, ego dissolution correlated with increased small-world organization during periods of high global integration. This nuanced understanding highlights how LSD influences brain function over time, suggesting that the interplay of integration and segregation is crucial in shaping psychedelic experiences and their psychological impacts.
Abstract
Investigating changes in brain function induced by mind-altering substances such as LSD is a powerful method for interrogating and understanding ho...
Meditation and guided imagery show reduction in chronic stress and increase in mental health-related quality of life for college students.
Journal of American college health : J of ACH – January 13, 2025
Summary
Participation in guided imagery with progressive muscle relaxation and meditation significantly improved mental health among college students. In an 8-week program, 16 students in the meditation group and 17 in the guided imagery group reported decreased chronic stress levels and enhanced health-related quality of life. Notably, improvements were evident midway through the program and sustained thereafter. These findings highlight the effectiveness of mind-body techniques as practical tools for managing college stress and anxiety, offering valuable support for students’ overall well-being.
Abstract
Objective: To explore the effects of guided imagery with progressive deep muscle relaxation (PDMR) and meditation programs on chronic stress percep...
Effect of meditation or escitalopram on work performance in patients with anxiety disorders.
Journal of affective disorders – November 01, 2024
Summary
Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) significantly enhances work performance for individuals with anxiety disorders, showing comparable results to the common medication escitalopram. In a randomized controlled trial involving 67 adults, absenteeism decreased notably in both treatment groups at week 24, while job performance improved from an average score of 65 to 75 in the MBSR group. These findings suggest that MBSR can be a viable alternative to psychopharmacology for those seeking better mental health and workplace outcomes.
Abstract
This study aimed to 1) examine how psychopharmacotherapy and mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) influence absenteeism and job performance am...
How Does Meditation-Based Lifestyle Modification Affect Pain Intensity, Pain Self-Efficacy, and Quality of Life in Chronic Pain Patients? An Experimental Single-Case Study.
Journal of clinical medicine – May 31, 2023
Summary
An 8-week meditation-based yoga intervention significantly improved pain self-efficacy in 22 chronic pain patients, with a notable effect size of 0.35. Participants also experienced reductions in average pain intensity (effect size 0.21) and enhanced quality of life (effect size 0.23). While the intervention showed promise, individual responses varied, highlighting the need for tailored approaches in mind-body medicine. The findings underscore the potential of complementary therapies in chronic pain management and call for further exploration of the ethical dimensions of yoga practices.
Abstract
Chronic pain is a growing worldwide health problem and complementary and integrative therapy options are becoming increasingly important. Multi-com...
Mapping Pharmacologically-induced Functional Reorganisation onto the Brain’s Neurotransmitter Landscape
OpenAlex – July 13, 2022
Summary
Mind-altering drugs profoundly reorganize brain function by engaging intricate neurotransmitter systems. Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research demonstrates that psychoactive substances, including 10 diverse drugs like psychedelics (LSD, psilocybin) and anesthetics, exert their effects based on the brain's molecular makeup. By mapping 19 neurotransmitter receptors and transporters, a clear link emerged between specific neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior and drug-induced changes. This work in Psychology and Medicine highlights how pharmacology precisely targets brain regions, revealing patterns that even mirror those seen in brain disorders.
Abstract
Abstract To understand how pharmacological interventions can exert their powerful effects on brain function, we need to understand how they engage ...
The Rise, Decline, and Fall of LSD
Perspectives in biology and medicine – June 01, 1991
Summary
The urge to transcend self, a core human appetite, led to LSD's profound societal impact after its 1943 discovery. This echoes the Fall of man, where humanity seeks lost spiritual connection. Ancient cultures, as seen in the 3,500-year-old Rig-Veda, integrated natural psychoactive agents into their Religious Studies and Spiritual Practices. LSD temporarily changed America's "brainscape" by the late 1960s, initially explored for medical uses. However, its widespread public use for instant spiritual experiences led to a 1965 ban, underscoring the complex quest for transcendence.
Abstract
THE RISE, DECLINE, AND FALL OF LSD ROBERT F. ULRICH and BERNARD M. PATTEN* The urge to transcend self-conscious selfhood is ... a principal appetit...
When art therapy went chemical: Alfred Bader, pharmacology, and art brut, c.1950-1970s
História Ciências Saúde-Manguinhos – January 01, 2022
Summary
Psychopharmacology profoundly reshaped psychiatry's view of art. Unearthing the historical context of art therapy, its origins are repositioned through evolving clinical practices and mind-altering drugs. Early 20th-century use of psychotropic drugs influenced the psychopathology of art. Later, psychiatrist Alfred Bader and pharmacologist Roland Fischer conducted post-WWII experiments involving psilocybin, highlighting consciousness in mental health discussions. Psychotherapists in psychology increasingly linked art brut and modernist aesthetics to neurobiology, defining madness as a social disease, impacting art and mental health.
Abstract
Abstract This article analyzes how psychopharmacology transformed the relationship between art and psychiatry. It outlines a novel genealogy of art...
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...
To use or not to use: an update on licit and illicit ketamine use
Substance Abuse and Rehabilitation – March 01, 2011
Summary
A compelling finding: Ketamine, a drug developed in the 1960s, shows promise in the Treatment of Major Depression, offering new hope in Medicine. Its pharmacology, however, also presents significant risks. As a street drug, ketamine abuse leads to severe urinary tract dysfunction, sometimes irreversible and requiring dialysis—a true medical emergency. Hallucinogenic effects and mind-body dissociation are also notable. Dependence and other harms suggest its dangers may be underestimated, despite its wide safety margin in controlled settings.
Abstract
Ketamine, a derivative of phencyclidine that was developed in the 1960s, is an anesthetic and analgesic with hallucinogenic effects. In this paper,...
Accelerated recovery using magnesium ibogaine: characterizing the subjective experience of its rapid healing from neuropsychiatric disorders.
Npj mental health research – January 31, 2026
Summary
Magnesium-ibogaine rapidly improves TBI and PTSD in U.S. Special Operations veterans. Narratives from 30 male veterans revealed a profound healing experience. Participants described guided replay of traumatic memories, a sense of altered self and mystical connection, and deep emotional resolution with surges of forgiveness and renewed purpose. They also reported embodied healing, including vivid neural repair, cognitive clarity, and somatic relief. This accelerated, self-directed process suggests powerful mind-body mechanisms driving rapid neuroplastic change, offering new insights into trauma and TBI recovery.
Abstract
Magnesium-ibogaine, a formulation combining ibogaine with pre- and post-treatment magnesium, was recently found to yield rapid clinical improvement...
Task-invariant networks interfere with and task-specific networks support memory formation: An fMRI meta-analysis.
Imaging neuroscience (Cambridge, Mass.) – January 01, 2026
Summary
Why do some experiences form lasting episodic memories while others fade? A meta-analysis of 56 fMRI studies reveals a striking pattern: brain networks impairing memory encoding are consistent across tasks, linked to distraction or mind-wandering. These intrinsic networks, like the default mode, are recruited when memories fail to form. Conversely, successful encoding relies on task-specific brain engagement; verbal information activates language systems, while pictures engage visual areas. This suggests forgetting stems from general attentional lapses, but remembering requires precise, context-sensitive neural activity.
Abstract
Why do some moments imprint themselves in memory while others vanish without a trace? This meta-analysis identifies a dissociation in large-scale b...
A low dose of lysergic acid diethylamide decreases pain perception in healthy volunteers
Journal of Psychopharmacology – August 25, 2020
Summary
A dose of 20 µg of Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) significantly enhanced pain tolerance during a Cold Pressor Test, allowing participants to withstand cold water for longer while reducing their perceived pain and discomfort. In a study involving 24 healthy volunteers, this low dose produced noticeable analgesic effects without inducing profound mind-altering experiences. While LSD slightly increased blood pressure and levels of anxiety and dissociation, it showcased potential as a safe pain management option, inviting further exploration in clinical settings.
Abstract
Background: Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) is an ergot alkaloid derivative with psychedelic properties that has been implicated in the management...
Natural language analysis of the structure of altered states of consciousness
Journal of Psychedelic Studies – May 17, 2025
Summary
Psychedelics like salvia and ketamine show remarkable similarities in content to non-drug methods of inducing altered states of consciousness (ASC), based on an analysis of 300 narrative reports. Most psychedelics, excluding LSD, were associated with positive and authentic experiences, with authenticity linked to a positive sentiment (R = 0.68). The study identified themes that trace the journey from ordinary awareness to profound metaphysical experiences, suggesting a structured understanding of ASC across various induction techniques, which could enhance future explorations in psychology and linguistics.
Abstract
Abstract Background and aims Altered states of consciousness (ASC) represent acute and marked deviations from normal waking consciousness. Investig...
Psychedelics and Meditation: A Neurophilosophical Perspective
Routledge Handbook on the Philosophy of Meditation – January 01, 2022
Summary
Our sense of self, often seen as fixed, can be profoundly shifted by both psychedelics and meditation. A neurophilosophical perspective reveals deep commonalities. Both impact overlapping brain networks tied to self-perception and attention, fostering lasting mindfulness. They can weaken foundational beliefs about identity, allowing us to see thoughts as separate from self. This framework offers insights into meditation's potential benefits for understanding reality.
Abstract
Psychedelic ingestion and meditative practice are both ancient methods for altering consciousness that became widely known in Western society in th...
The Effect of Yoga on Cancer-Related Fatigue and Quality of Life Among Racially and Ethnically Diverse Cancer Survivors: A Secondary Data Analysis.
Journal of integrative and complementary medicine – June 04, 2025
Summary
Yoga practice shows promising benefits for diverse cancer survivors, helping reduce fatigue and improve quality of life. A 4-week mindfulness-based yoga program combining gentle movement, meditation, and breathing techniques helped participants feel better physically and emotionally. Among diverse participants, 86% found the program beneficial for managing symptoms, with notable improvements in physical well-being and fatigue reduction.
Abstract
Introduction: Survivors from racially and ethnically diverse backgrounds tend to experience cancer-related fatigue (CRF) at higher rates than non-H...
Shannon entropy of brain functional complex networks under the influence of the psychedelic Ayahuasca
arXiv Preprint Archive – November 01, 2016
Summary
Psychedelic Ayahuasca increases brain network complexity, supporting ancient wisdom about "mind expansion" with modern neuroscience. Brain scans revealed that this Amazonian brew creates more diverse neural connections while strengthening local brain networks. The changes in brain organization showed higher Shannon entropy, indicating more dynamic and flexible thought patterns during the psychedelic experience.
Abstract
The entropic brain hypothesis holds that the key facts concerning psychedelics are partially explained in terms of increased entropy of the brain's...
A thematic analysis of MDMA-related harm and harm reduction experiences and knowledge in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Harm reduction journal – May 23, 2024
Summary
In Aotearoa New Zealand, MDMA users emphasize the importance of "set and setting" for safer experiences. Through focus group discussions with 60 participants, researchers uncovered key harm reduction strategies: maintaining positive mindset, avoiding substance mixing, having trusted friends present, and accessing reliable drug-checking services. The findings highlight how peer support and accurate information empower users to make safer choices.
Abstract
Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is a popular drug worldwide and use is prevalent in Aotearoa New Zealand. Although associated with some signif...
Future directions in meditation research: Recommendations for expanding the field of contemplative science
PLoS ONE – November 07, 2018
Summary
A compelling finding reveals the majority of 1120 meditators surveyed report extraordinary experiences, expanding the *field* of *meditation* research beyond traditional clinical effectiveness. While *Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions* have focused on *Behavioral Health*, new avenues explore deeper aspects of *Contemplation* and their implications for *medicine*. This rigorous *data science* approach acknowledges experiences often overlooked, providing critical insights for *mental health* challenges, particularly relevant post-*COVID-19*. Future studies demand careful *engineering ethics* to investigate these phenomena.
Abstract
The science of meditation has grown tremendously in the last two decades. Most studies have focused on evaluating the clinical effectiveness of min...
Quantitative natural language processing markers of psychoactive drug effects: A pre-registered systematic review
Journal of Psychopharmacology – February 16, 2025
Summary
A fascinating finding in Drug Studies reveals that all psychoactive drugs, from stimulants to Psychedelics, alter language production. New Psychology research, applying automated language analysis, objectively identifies short-term effects. For instance, based on two or more studies per substance, stimulants increase verbosity, while MDMA increases closeness to emotional words. Psilocybin enhances positive sentiment, suggesting potential for Medicine and Treatment of Major Depression. One study even validated identifying MDMA intoxication. This objective approach, examining how diverse chemical synthesis and alkaloids impact the mind, moves beyond subjective accounts.
Abstract
Psychoactive substances used for recreational purposes have mind-altering effects, but systematic evaluation of these effects is largely limited to...
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...
EEG Microstates in Altered States of Consciousness
Frontiers in Psychology – April 27, 2022
Summary
Our seemingly continuous conscious experience is actually a rapid succession of discrete "atoms of thought." Electroencephalography (EEG) in Neuroscience reveals these fundamental units, called microstates, as stable patterns of neural dynamics lasting merely 60-120 milliseconds. This insight from Cognitive psychology suggests consciousness isn't a fluid stream but a rapid succession of distinct mental states. Altered states of consciousness, including mind wandering and attention, significantly impact these functional brain connectivity patterns. Cognitive science uses this approach to explore the very nature of consciousness.
Abstract
Conscious experiences unify distinct phenomenological experiences that seem to be continuously evolving. Yet, empirical evidence shows that conscio...
Mystical experience occasioned by non-medicinal embodied therapy And integration process for mental well-Being
OpenAlex – December 22, 2022
Summary
Over half of participants (51%) in an embodied cognition program reported strong mystical experiences, mirroring effects seen with hallucinogens like Psilocybin. An additional 31% experienced moderate effects. This exploratory research involved 56 individuals undergoing a Body Logic Program, designed to integrate body and mind. Such findings in psychology and psychiatry suggest new avenues for mental health support, potentially offering psychotherapists novel medicine approaches without traditional psychedelics. This could be significant for mental health and psychiatry, especially in body image and dysmorphia studies, as an alternative to drug studies.
Abstract
Expansion of psychoactive hallucinogens in mental health continues to be a major trend. Several psychoactive molecules including psilocybin and MDM...
Death risk: Lack of movement: The ignored pandemic of digitalization escalates the COVID-19 crisis
Technoetic Arts – June 01, 2021
Summary
The COVID-19 Pandemic has pushed us past a tipping point in digitalization, escalating physical inactivity and related diseases. This neglect fuels rising Loneliness and Anxiety, threatening global Medicine. Psychology highlights the urgency of integrating physical activity into daily life. Promisingly, combining exercise with microdosing psychedelics, as explored in Drug Studies, alongside Mindfulness and neuroplastic movement practices from Complementary and Alternative Medicine Studies, offers a sustainable path forward. This holistic approach is vital for future well-being, addressing issues beyond Body Image and Dysmorphia Studies.
Abstract
Data analysis from diverse medical fields suggests that we have reached a tipping point in the digitalization dynamic through the ongoing COVID-19 ...
Managing psychological distress in women with breast cancer: A systematic review of intervention trends in the past decade.
Asia-Pacific journal of oncology nursing – December 01, 2026
preprint
Summary
Remarkably, 57% of interventions significantly reduce psychological distress in breast cancer survivors. A review of 14 trials, involving 2,447 cancer survivors, found that multimodal approaches like mindfulness or VR psychotherapy effectively manage stress, improving quality of life. These interventions achieved small to large effects (Cohen's d = 0.44-1.54). Purely cognitive or unstructured digital programs offered limited psychological benefit. Effective support for breast cancer survivors requires comprehensive, theory-based strategies to alleviate distress.
Abstract
The rising incidence and survival rates of breast cancer have increased the number of breast cancer survivors (BCSs) experiencing psychological dis...