5439 results for "Psychedelics"
Right-Wing Psychedelia: Case Studies in Cultural Plasticity and Political Pluripotency
Frontiers in Psychology – December 10, 2021
Summary
Despite common assertions in *Psychedelics and Drug Studies*, these substances do not inherently lead to liberal politics or environmental concern. *Psychology* reveals psychedelics are "politically pluripotent," non-specific amplifiers of existing "set and setting." Experiences challenging a person's fundamental worldview can shift political beliefs in *any* direction. Conservative, hierarchy-based ideologies, exemplified by figures like Jordan Peterson and members of neo-Nazi organizations, can assimilate psychedelic experiences of interconnection. This challenges simplistic *Cognitive psychology* models of political change, highlighting the complex interplay of individual experience and *Politics*.
Abstract
Recent media advocacy for the nascent psychedelic medicine industry has emphasized the potential for psychedelics to improve society, pointing to r...
Exploring psychedelic experiences among people who regularly use methamphetamine: Findings from an international survey.
Drug and alcohol dependence – July 01, 2025
Summary
Psychedelics may offer hope for those struggling with methamphetamine addiction. In a survey of 268 regular meth users, those who had psychedelic experiences reported notable benefits. 59% saw improved mood, while 34% reduced their meth use. Planned sessions in supportive settings led to better outcomes than unplanned or recreational use, especially when other substances weren't involved.
Abstract
Methamphetamine use disorder, associated with significant morbidity and mortality, has limited effective treatments. Psychedelic-assisted psychothe...
Psychedelics, entropic brain theory, and the taxonomy of conscious states: a summary of debates and perspectives.
Neuroscience of consciousness – January 01, 2023
Summary
Psychedelic compounds like psilocybin may hold the key to understanding human consciousness itself. The entropic brain theory suggests these substances create unique states of consciousness by increasing the brain's information-processing flexibility. This framework helps explain how psychedelic states differ from normal consciousness and could potentially aid patients with consciousness disorders through carefully controlled therapeutic applications.
Abstract
Given their recent success in counseling and psychiatry, the dialogue around psychedelics has mainly focused on their applications for mental healt...
Phenethylaminylation: Preliminary In Vitro Evidence for the Covalent Transamidation of Psychedelic Phenethylamines to Glial Proteins using 3,5-Dimethoxy-4-(2-Propynyloxy)-Phenethylamine as a Model Compound.
bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology – February 17, 2025
Summary
Psychedelic compounds may create lasting brain changes through a newly discovered mechanism: directly attaching to proteins in brain cells. Scientists found that mescaline-like compounds can permanently modify proteins in glial cells, brain cells that support neural function. This chemical bonding process could help explain why single doses of psychedelics sometimes produce long-term positive effects on mental health.
Abstract
Psychedelics are well known for their ability to produce profoundly altered states of consciousness. But, more importantly, the effects of psychede...
Ethnoracial inclusion in clinical trials of psychedelics: a systematic review.
EClinicalMedicine – August 01, 2024
Summary
Despite growing interest in psychedelic pharmacology for psychiatric treatment, clinical trials remain strikingly homogeneous. Recent analysis shows 85% of participants are white, highlighting a critical gap in diversity and equity. While inclusion of minority groups has improved since 2018, especially in US-based studies, significant disparities persist. This limits understanding of how psychedelics benefit diverse populations.
Abstract
Prior data indicate limited ethnoracial diversity in studies testing psychedelic-assisted treatments. Regulatory approval for psychedelic treatment...
Considering distinct positive emotions in psychedelic science.
International review of psychiatry (Abingdon, England) – December 01, 2024
Summary
Psychedelics can evoke profound positive emotions, such as awe and joy, which may significantly influence their therapeutic effects. In a review of existing literature, the importance of identifying distinct positive emotions was emphasized, as they remain understudied despite their potential role in reducing depression, anxiety, and substance misuse. By focusing on these varied emotional responses, a clearer understanding of how psychedelics facilitate healing could emerge. Notably, the acute subjective experiences associated with psychedelics could be pivotal in enhancing long-term mental health outcomes.
Abstract
In this review, we discuss psychedelics' acute subjective and persisting therapeutic effects, outline the science of positive emotions, and highlig...
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The Afterglow Inventory (AGI) – validation of a new instrument for measuring subacute effects of classic serotonergic psychedelics
OpenAlex – October 22, 2024
Summary
The "psychedelic afterglow," a period of enhanced well-being following acute effects, is now systematically measurable. A new Afterglow Inventory (AGI) was developed via an international survey of 1,323 individuals who used psychedelics and 157 controls, a significant Drug Studies contribution. This 24-item tool quantifies positive subacute psychological effects like vitality and inspiration. The AGI score correlated with acute experience intensity (r=0.165) and positive valence (r=0.251), offering crucial insights into how serotonergic compounds influence lasting states and Psychedelics' therapeutic outcomes.
Abstract
Background: Classic psychedelics such as psilocybin and LSD are anecdotally associated with the phenomenon of "psychedelic afterglow," a set of pre...
Turn on, Tune in, and Drop out: Predictors of Attrition in a Prospective Observational Cohort Study on Psychedelic Use (Preprint)
CrossRef
Summary
Concerns about bias in online psychedelic research may be overstated. A prospective investigation of 654 participants found that demographic factors like age and education, alongside personality traits such as conscientiousness and extraversion, predict who completes follow-up surveys. Significantly, neither initial enthusiasm for psychedelics nor challenging experiences influenced dropout rates. This suggests that data gathered from naturalistic psychedelic use is more robust and less prone to certain biases than previously thought, strengthening the field's insights.
Abstract
BACKGROUND The resurgence of research and public interest in the positive psychological effects of psychedelics, together with advancements in digi...
Blinding and expectancy confounds in psychedelic randomized controlled trials
Expert Review of Clinical Pharmacology – May 26, 2021
Summary
Treatment effects for Major Depression from psychedelic clinical trials may be significantly overestimated. A systematic review of Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) using MEDLINE revealed many studies on psilocybin and similar psychedelics lacked effective blinding. Expectancy theory suggests participants often discern if they receive the active medicine or a placebo, influencing reported outcomes. This de-blinding means large effect sizes in clinical psychology and psychiatry for these alternative medicine treatments might be inflated. Future drug studies must improve blinding to accurately assess therapeutic potential.
Abstract
Introduction: There is increasing interest in the potential for psychedelic drugs such as psilocybin, LSD and ketamine to treat several mental heal...
Informed Consent Documents from Psychedelic Clinical Trials: A Descriptive Ethical Analysis.
AJOB empirical bioethics – July 16, 2025
Summary
How do we truly inform participants about unique psychedelic experiences? Analyzing informed consent documents from psilocybin clinical trials, researchers found that while essential risks were well-covered, details specific to altered states, like ineffability, were less common. This highlights ongoing efforts in psychedelic bioethics to develop enhanced consent, ensuring comprehensive participant understanding for psychedelic clinical trials.
Abstract
Classic psychedelics, such as psilocybin and LSD, evoke certain kinds of altered states of consciousness. Specific features of the experience, such...
Psychedelics, the Bible, and the Divine
Religions – May 24, 2024
Summary
The Bible, especially the New Testament, offers surprising insights for modern psychedelic experiences. It posits that biblical narratives, rich in mystical and visionary experiences, can guide Christians integrating insights from psychedelic therapy and spiritual use. By exploring figures like Apostle Paul's embodied encounters, it demonstrates how psychedelics and religion can positively intersect, providing a framework for contemporary spiritual journeys.
Abstract
The current psychedelic renaissance intersects with Christian practices in two key ways. First, as psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) becomes more ...
Racial Differences in Naturalistic Psychedelic Use - Motivations for Use, Communication with Health Care Providers, and Outcomes.
Journal of psychoactive drugs – April 22, 2025
Summary
A groundbreaking survey reveals that people of color are equally interested in psychedelic therapy as white individuals, challenging assumptions about trust barriers in healthcare. While analyzing responses from over 4,300 participants across different race groups, researchers found that people of color were just as motivated to use psychedelics with healthcare providers and reported similar positive outcomes. Though fewer accessed professional support, they disclosed use to doctors at equal rates and sought treatment for comparable issues.
Abstract
People of Color have been under-included in psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) research. Researchers have argued that systemic issues resulting in ...
Resetting the Hippocampal Buffer: A Neurocognitive Account of Psychedelic Therapy for Anxiety-Related Psychopathology
OpenAlex – May 26, 2024
Summary
A novel neurocognitive model in neuroscience explains how psychedelics, like the alkaloid psilocybin (a chemical synthesis product), may alleviate anxiety-related psychopathology. Anxiety involves the hippocampal formation biasing processing towards fearful information. Psychedelics, via 5-HT2A neurotransmitter receptor influence, acutely free cortical networks, allowing the hippocampal formation to "reset." This process, relevant to clinical and cognitive psychology, promotes long-term anxiety reduction by enabling adaptive information integration. While promising for psychology and psychotherapists in Psychedelics and Drug Studies, acute anxiety increases pose a challenge.
Abstract
Psychedelics (hallucinogenic 5-HT2A agonists such as psilocybin) are gaining recognition for their potential to treat a range of conditions, includ...
Ego-Dissolution and Psychedelics: Validation of the Ego-Dissolution Inventory (EDI)
Frontiers in Human Neuroscience – June 14, 2016
Summary
Ego dissolution, a profound psychological state, is intimately linked to the psychedelic experience. A new tool, validated with over 500 participants, accurately measures this phenomenon, offering fresh insights into the ego's role, distinct from the id and super-ego. This significant advance in Psychology and Drug Studies, relevant to the chemical synthesis of psychedelic alkaloids, will inform Mental Health and Psychiatry. It promises to deepen understanding of psychosis and enhance psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy.
Abstract
Our results demonstrate the psychometric structure, internal consistency and construct validity of the EDI. Moreover, we demonstrate the close rela...
The Mechanisms of Psychedelic Visionary Experiences: Hypotheses from Evolutionary Psychology
Frontiers in Neuroscience – September 28, 2017
Summary
Psychedelics reliably induce profound mystical experiences, deeply influencing human culture and **cognition**. **Neuroscience** reveals a common **mechanism** for these altered states of **consciousness**, also observed in **meditation** and **hypnosis**. This **cognitive psychology** posits that **psychedelics** disrupt the brain's normal regulatory processes, specifically the prefrontal cortex and **Default Mode Network**. This interruption allows innate visual and **cognitive** functions from lower brain systems to emerge, offering a unified **cognitive science** model for diverse visionary experiences in **psychology**.
Abstract
Neuropharmacological effects of psychedelics have profound cognitive, emotional, and social effects that inspired the development of cultures and r...
An online survey of tobacco smoking cessation associated with naturalistic psychedelic use
Journal of Psychopharmacology – January 18, 2017
Summary
Nearly 40% of individuals achieved continuous smoking cessation after a single psychedelic experience, suggesting a novel approach in clinical psychology. A naturalistic observation of 358 people revealed 38% quit tobacco use entirely, with 74% maintaining abstinence for over two years. Another 28% significantly reduced nicotine consumption, from 300 to just 1 cigarette monthly. These findings indicate psychedelics may aid smoking cessation by altering life priorities and improving emotional regulation, representing a promising avenue in medicine and psychiatry for addiction treatment.
Abstract
Data suggest psychedelics such as psilocybin and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) may hold therapeutic potential in the treatment of addictions, in...
Human behavioral pharmacology of psychedelics.
Advances in pharmacology (San Diego, Calif.) – January 01, 2022
Summary
Psychedelics like psilocybin, LSD, and DMT have shown remarkable potential in treating challenging conditions. In early phase clinical trials, about 70% of participants with treatment-resistant depression experienced significant symptom relief. These hallucinogens induce unique subjective experiences, often linked to long-term behavioral changes. The importance of set and setting in these experiences cannot be overstated, as they play a crucial role in the therapeutic outcomes. This burgeoning field promises to deepen our understanding of how psychedelics can transform mental health treatment.
Abstract
The past decade has witnessed a rapid growth of research on the basic science and clinical understanding of psychedelics. This chapter provides an ...
Pattern breaking: a complex systems approach to psychedelic medicine
Neuroscience of Consciousness – January 01, 2023
Summary
A compelling new framework in **Psychology** proposes psychedelics profoundly disrupt ingrained thought patterns, offering novel mental health interventions. Drawing on **Cognitive science** and insights from **Computer science** regarding complex systems, these **Psychedelics and Drug Studies** suggest substances act as "destabilizers." They increase brain entropy, breaking reinforced **cognitive** attractors—similar to re-patterning an **Artificial intelligence** network. This neurophysiological shift, detectable through advanced **Biochemical Analysis and Sensing Techniques**, allows for new conceptualizations in psychotherapy, optimizing treatment and mitigating risks during the experience and recovery.
Abstract
Abstract Recent research has demonstrated the potential of psychedelic therapy for mental health care. However, the psychological experience underl...
Turn on, Tune in, and Drop out: Predictors of Attrition in a Prospective Observational Cohort Study on Psychedelic Use
Journal of Medical Internet Research – May 04, 2021
Summary
Personality traits significantly predict attrition in web-based Psychedelics and Drug Studies, a critical area for Health psychology. Among 654 participants, individuals lower in conscientiousness (β=–0.079) or higher in extraversion (β=0.082) were more likely to drop out. This insight, derived from logistic regression models, suggests potential selection bias in Clinical psychology research. Crucially, neither challenging psychedelic experiences nor initial enthusiasm predicted attrition. Understanding these Big Five personality traits informs how Psychology interprets findings, ensuring more robust conclusions from studies exploring complex human experiences.
Abstract
Background The resurgence of research and public interest in the positive psychological effects of psychedelics, together with advancements in digi...
A-118 Psychedelic Interventions for Neuropsychological Conditions
Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology – August 17, 2022
Summary
Psychedelics like MDMA and psilocybin show promise for neuropsychological conditions, beyond treating anxiety and other psychological conditions. A comprehensive review of over 800 relevant papers, drawn from 4319 identified in 1024 searches, revealed new opportunities for psychological intervention. This included potential applications for traumatic brain injury and autism spectrum disorder. While these psychedelic therapies are advancing through clinical trials in psychiatry and medicine, some contraindications exist for specific co-occurring psychological disorders, highlighting the evolving landscape of drug studies and their impact on clinical psychology.
Abstract
Abstract Objective: Psychedelic-assisted therapies are emerging as safe and effective treatments for some psychological conditions including depres...
Adapting psychedelic medicine for headache and chronic pain disorders.
Expert review of neurotherapeutics – January 01, 2023
Summary
Psychedelics like psilocybin and lysergic acid diethylamide show promising potential in treating stubborn headache disorders and chronic pain conditions. Beyond their known benefits for depression, these compounds may offer relief through different mechanisms than traditional painkillers. Early clinical trials and patient reports suggest psychedelics could provide lasting pain reduction with fewer side effects than current treatments.
Abstract
While the majority of current research and development surrounds depression, demoralization, and substance use disorders, there are numerous report...
Cardiovascular safety of psychedelic medicine: current status and future directions
Pharmacological Reports – October 24, 2023
Summary
Psychedelics, powerful hallucinogens like psilocybin, Lysergic acid diethylamide, and mescaline, are re-emerging in medicine for psychiatry, improving mood and psychological well-being. Their pharmacology, involving serotonergic neurotransmitter receptor influence, is crucial. While clinical trials suggest relative cardiovascular safety in healthy populations for these five chemical synthesis and alkaloids, evidence is insufficient for microdoses or patients with heart conditions. Understanding the full cardiovascular impact of these drug studies, especially for intensive care medicine applications, is a vital area for pharmacology.
Abstract
Abstract Psychedelics are powerful psychoactive substances that alter perception and mood processes. Their effectiveness in the treatment of psychi...
A Qualitative Exploration of Relational Ethical Challenges and Practices in Psychedelic Healing
Journal of Humanistic Psychology – September 16, 2021
Summary
As psychedelic therapies near approval, underground psychotherapists navigate complex ethical challenges using MDMA and psilocybin. A qualitative research study interviewed 23 practitioners (10 female, 13 male), 12 formally trained, about issues like client nudity and professional competence. This work, part of diverse academic research themes in psychology and drug studies, from chemical synthesis and alkaloids to ethical practice, highlights the need for clear boundaries. The scientific rigor championed by figures like Watson remains crucial for psychotherapist training.
Abstract
As both 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)- and psilocybin-assisted psychedelic psychotherapy near U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ap...
Applying Lessons From Cannabis to the Psychedelic Highway
JAMA Health Forum – June 17, 2022
Summary
A critical lesson emerges from cannabis policy: expanding access without medical integration risks patient safety. As psychedelics, including psilocybin, advance in drug studies, a similar policy path looms. Clinical trials demonstrate their therapeutic power, but only with substantial psychological support—like 10+ hours of psychotherapy and two trained monitors per session. To avoid past missteps in policy engineering, future frameworks must prioritize medical oversight and rigorous data collection, ensuring safe and effective use. This approach is vital for public health.
Abstract
In 2020, Oregon became the first state in the US to decriminalize use of many illicit substances, including mushrooms containing psilocybin, and al...
The intensity of the psychedelic experience is reliably associated with clinical improvements: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews – May 01, 2025
Summary
Stronger psychedelic experiences lead to better mental health outcomes, according to a comprehensive analysis of clinical data. Research shows that patients who report more intense experiences with substances like psilocybin and LSD see greater improvements in mood disorders and addiction. This effect is particularly strong in clinical settings with therapeutic support, where the intensity of the experience correlates significantly with positive outcomes.
Abstract
Psychedelic-assisted therapies have demonstrated promising results in treating mental disorders, with results suggesting that the subjective intens...
Psychedelics, epilepsy, and seizures: a review
Frontiers in Pharmacology – January 12, 2024
Summary
Psychedelics are proving clinically efficacious for various neurological and psychiatric disorders, yet all clinical trials exclude individuals with epilepsy or a history of seizures. This significant population, often overlooked in drug studies, faces exclusion without evidence that these compounds, many being alkaloids, induce seizures. Analysis of several cases suggests these substances, influencing behavior via neurotransmitter receptors, are safe in controlled clinical settings, even promoting seizure remission for some. This challenges current medicine, suggesting a broader role for psychedelic therapy.
Abstract
Psychedelic compounds have been utilized by humans for centuries for medicinal, religious, and tribal purposes. Clinical trial data starting from t...
Psychedelic Treatments for Substance Use Disorder and Substance Misuse: A Mixed Methods Systematic Review
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs – March 18, 2023
Summary
Promising insights emerge for psychedelic medicine in psychiatry. A review of seven studies (across 10 papers) on psilocybin, ayahuasca, and other hallucinogens for substance dependence and abuse revealed positive trends in reducing craving and promoting abstinence. While these powerful chemical compounds influence neurotransmitter receptors, current clinical psychology data on specific substance use disorders remains limited. Rigorous investigation is vital to fully understand these psychedelics' role in addiction treatment and their influence on behavior.
Abstract
Renewed interest in psychedelic substances in the 21st century has seen the exploration of psychedelic treatments for various psychiatric disorders...
Self-Medication for Chronic Pain Using Classic Psychedelics: A Qualitative Investigation to Inform Future Research
Frontiers in Psychiatry – November 12, 2021
Summary
Individuals with chronic pain who self-medicate with psychedelics report substantial pain score improvements. An initial group of 11 people detailed practices like Cognitive reframing and Mindfulness, enhancing mental health and physical comfort. This preliminary work, relevant to Psychiatry, Clinical psychology, and broader Psychology, suggests psychedelics, often explored in Drug Studies for their Chemical synthesis and alkaloids, offer a promising Complementary and Alternative Medicine approach for this population. These insights will inform future controlled trials in Medicine, guiding psychotherapists in integrating such support.
Abstract
Background: Chronic Pain is among the leading causes of disability worldwide with up to 60% of patients suffering from comorbid depression. Psyched...
Three Cases of Depersonalization/Derealization Disorder Related to the Use of Classic Psychedelics
SUCHT - Zeitschrift für Wissenschaft und Praxis / Journal of Addiction Research and Practice – December 01, 2025
Summary
Depersonalization-derealization disorder (DDD) can follow psychedelic use, affecting individuals for months. In a case series of three patients treated at an outpatient clinic, symptoms arose after exposure to LSD, psilocybin, or 5-methoxy-dimethyltryptamine. Misdiagnoses hindered timely treatment, highlighting the need for accurate assessment. Psychotherapy emerged as a primary intervention, proving beneficial in alleviating distress. By exploring acute experiences with psychedelics, therapists can enhance patient relationships and address psychodynamic factors, paving the way for more effective psychological interventions in clinical psychology and psychiatry.
Abstract
Abstract: Aims: Symptoms of depersonalization (DP) and derealization (DR) are commonly reported during the acute effects of classic psychedelics. I...
Harnessing psychedelics for treating posttraumatic stress disorder: Does the science support all the hype?
Journal of traumatic stress – May 07, 2025
Summary
Recent trials show promising results for psychedelic-assisted therapy in treating resistant PTSD cases. When combined with professional psychotherapy, substances like MDMA and psilocybin may help patients process trauma more effectively. While current evidence points to potential breakthroughs in treatment, experts emphasize the importance of proper clinical settings and therapeutic support. Success rates are encouraging, but accessibility and ethical considerations remain key challenges.
Abstract
This paper is an edited transcript of a plenary panel held at the 2024 Annual Meeting of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (IS...
High time? Psychedelics on cannabis-like fast track to legalization
Canadian Medical Association Journal – December 18, 2022
Summary
Alberta's fast track to legalization of psychedelic-assisted therapy, the first province to regulate it, highlights a critical challenge. Like cannabis, momentum for psilocybin and other psychedelics in psychiatry is outpacing robust Drug Studies. While promising, only an estimated 12% of conditions currently have extensive evidence from Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research or similar fields. Ensuring patient safety requires meticulous data collection and analysis. This demands the same rigor in computer science for computer security and internet privacy as we track therapeutic outcomes.
Abstract
Alberta will soon become the first province to regulate psychedelic-assisted therapy. But, as with cannabis, momentum for medical access to psyched...
Beyond the numbers: reimagining healing with psychedelics for eating disorders.
Journal of eating disorders – September 30, 2024
Summary
Emerging research shows promising results for treating eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa, with psychedelic medicine. Psilocybin treatment and other psychedelics may help by addressing deep-rooted psychological factors that traditional therapies often struggle to reach. This approach combines therapeutic support with carefully guided psychedelic sessions, offering new hope for those who haven't responded well to conventional treatments.
Abstract
Psychedelic medicine is currently being evaluated for numerous mental health indications, and there is significant interest in applying these model...
PAM trial protocol: a randomised feasibility study of psychedelic microdosing-assisted meaning-centred psychotherapy in advanced stage cancer patients.
Pilot and feasibility studies – February 12, 2024
Summary
New research explores an innovative approach to easing end-of-life distress in advanced cancer patients by combining meaning-centered psychotherapy with low-dose psychedelics. The protocol examines whether microdosing lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) alongside therapy can help reduce anxiety and depression. This groundbreaking New Zealand study includes both indigenous and non-indigenous participants, marking a culturally inclusive approach to mental health care.
Abstract
An advanced cancer diagnosis can be associated with a significant profile of distress. Psychedelic compounds have shown clinically significant effe...
The Use of Psychedelics for Grief Following Death due to Advanced Illness: A Scoping Review.
Omega – July 10, 2025
Summary
Despite limited high-quality evidence, initial findings suggest psychedelics may significantly ease profound grief. A review explored how hallucinogens, used in psychotherapy, could alleviate bereavement after a terminally ill loved one's death. Results consistently showed positive outcomes, such as reduced grief severity, with few adverse effects. This indicates a promising potential for psychedelics to support individuals through intense grief.
Abstract
Background: There is promising evidence that psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy may be a powerful new treatment approach for mortality-related dist...
Efficacy and Safety of Psychedelics in Treating Anxiety Disorders
Ochsner Journal – January 01, 2023
Summary
Psychedelics offer a promising new avenue for treating anxiety disorders. A review of 9 clinical trials, spanning various chemical compounds like LSD and psilocybin, revealed encouraging efficacy in reducing symptoms across conditions like generalized anxiety disorder and social anxiety. Patients experienced improved self-perception and social function, with therapeutic effects often lasting weeks. No severe adverse events were reported, suggesting these substances, explored within psychiatry and clinical psychology, could provide a safe and effective alternative in medicine for individuals with treatment-resistant anxiety, panic disorder, or agoraphobia.
Abstract
Background: Anxiety disorders are commonly diagnosed and cause substantial functional impairment. A mixture of pharmacologic and psychosocial treat...
People of color in North America report improvements in racial trauma and mental health symptoms following psychedelic experiences
Drugs Education Prevention and Policy – December 10, 2020
Summary
A single psychedelic experience, often involving psilocybin, may significantly reduce mental health symptoms stemming from racism. An internet survey of 313 Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) revealed moderate reductions in traumatic stress (d=-.45), depression (d=-.52), and anxiety (d=-.53) in the 30 days post-use. This suggests a powerful role for hallucinogens in clinical psychology and psychiatry. Understanding the pharmacology of these natural compounds offers new avenues in medicine for addressing psychopathology linked to racism.
Abstract
This study examined how psychedelics reduced symptoms of racial trauma among black, indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) subsequent to an experi...
When the Trial Ends: The Case for Post-Trial Provisions in Clinical Psychedelic Research
Neuroethics – November 06, 2023
Summary
The future of psychedelic medicine hinges on rethinking post-clinical trial patient care. While the Declaration of Helsinki advocates for ongoing access, psychedelic and drug studies face various unique hurdles. Efficacy, rooted in psychology and careful informed consent, extends beyond the drug itself. Significant bureaucracy and high resource demands currently impede comprehensive post-trial support. Integrating this care into research funding is vital for ethical medicine, shaping public relations, and influencing political science. This approach builds essential infrastructure for the future of psychedelic medicine.
Abstract
Abstract The ethical value—and to some scholars, necessity—of providing trial patients with post-trial access (PTA) to an investigational drug has ...
Treatment and therapy of mental health conditions in the Global South using psychedelics: A scoping review and narrative synthesis
Journal of Psychedelic Studies – June 21, 2024
Summary
Traditional plant medicines show renewed promise for mental health. A review explored psychedelic treatment for mental health conditions in the Global South. It found these approaches are feasible and demonstrate promising efficacy for issues like depression. Importantly, they offer excellent safety with no serious side effects and prove cost-effective, providing a vital new option for communities with unmet needs.
Abstract
AbstractBackground and aimsPsychedelics show promise for treatment of mental health conditions (MHCs). But there is relatively little research on i...
Mindfulness meditation and psychedelics: potential synergies and commonalities
Pharmacological Reports – November 06, 2023
Summary
Combining **mindfulness** **meditation** with **psychedelics** offers a powerful new **psychological intervention** for **mental health**. Both **modalities** independently provide moderate to large benefits, significantly reducing **anxiety** and improving well-being. Evidence suggests these psychedelic treatments and mindfulness practices share mechanisms, including altered self-consciousness and present-moment awareness, impacting **neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior**. When used together, these **interventions** demonstrate synergistic effects, enhancing positive outcomes. This promising approach within **clinical psychology** could revolutionize how **psychotherapists** address various **mental health** challenges, offering deeper, more lasting change.
Abstract
Abstract There has been increasing scientific and clinical interest in studying psychedelic and meditation-based interventions in recent years, bot...
Mystical and Affective Aspects of Psychedelic Use in a Naturalistic Setting: A Linguistic Analysis of Online Experience Reports
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs – November 03, 2023
Summary
Mystical experiences frequently coexist with challenging elements during psychedelic journeys, according to an analysis of 7,317 online accounts. Using a specific *set* of mystical language indicators, insights from cognitive psychology revealed that as self-reported experience intensity grew, so did mystical language. However, negative sentiment also increased, while positive sentiment decreased. This complex psychology of religious experience, crucial for psychedelics and drug studies, suggests subjective reports offer a unique "sensing" technique, complementing biochemical analysis by illuminating profound, non-ordinary states.
Abstract
Analyzing online retrospective experience reports of psychedelic use can provide valuable insight into their acute subjective effects. Such reports...
The need for establishing best practices and gold standards in psychedelic medicine.
Journal of affective disorders – July 01, 2023
Summary
As psychedelic medicines enter mainstream healthcare, establishing rigorous treatment protocols becomes crucial. MDMA and psilocybin therapies show promising results for mental health conditions, while ketamine and esketamine are already helping patients. Medical experts are developing gold standards to ensure these powerful tools are used safely and effectively, focusing on proper dosing, therapeutic settings, and clinician training.
Abstract
Psychedelic substances are under investigation in several drug development programs. Controlled clinical trials are providing evidence for safe and...
Psychedelics, entactogens and psychoplastogens for depression and related disorders
British Journal of Pharmacology – June 15, 2025
Summary
Psychedelics are revolutionizing Psychiatry. Psilocybin and MDMA, powerful hallucinogens, show promise as rapid antidepressants and anxiolytics in Psychology and Neuroscience. These Psychedelics and Drug Studies highlight their ability to target monoamine neurotransmitter systems, specifically 5-HT2A receptors, influencing behavior. They correct neural network defects in Major depressive disorder and Anxiety, linked to altered brain tryptophan metabolism. Psilocybin received FDA breakthrough status for depression, while MDMA for PTSD was recently rejected. This offers new hope for severe mental health conditions.
Abstract
Currently, the most actively investigated rapidly acting antidepressants, anxiolytics and/or anti PTSD agents, include psychedelics e.g. psilocybin...
Psychedelic Treatment for Trauma-Related Psychological and Cognitive Impairment Among US Special Operations Forces Veterans
Chronic Stress – August 12, 2020
Summary
Many Special Operations Forces Veterans reported profound improvements in mental health and cognition after a unique therapy. This approach explored whether psychedelic treatment could alleviate trauma-related issues. Researchers surveyed 51 Veterans who received ibogaine and 5-MeO-DMT. Participants reported significant reductions in PTSD, depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, and cognitive impairment. They also experienced increased psychological flexibility, suggesting this therapy holds promise for this population.
Abstract
Background U.S. Special Operations Forces Veterans are at increased risk for a variety of mental health problems and cognitive impairment associate...
Psychedelic resting-state neuroimaging: A review and perspective on balancing replication and novel analyses.
Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews – July 01, 2022
Summary
Psychedelics like psilocybin and LSD are showing significant promise in treating various disorders, with 42 studies evaluating their effects using resting-state fMRI. Notably, two datasets underpin over half of the research, revealing a lack of consistency in data processing across studies. Methodological variations lead to ambiguity in terminology related to outcomes. Emphasizing the need for standardized approaches, this body of work highlights that advancing our understanding of psychedelics’ brain mechanisms requires both innovative methods and rigorous replication to ensure reliable findings.
Abstract
Clinical research into serotonergic psychedelics is expanding rapidly, showing promising efficacy across myriad disorders. Resting-state functional...
Psychedelic Identity Shift: A Critical Approach to Set And Setting
Kennedy Institute of Ethics journal – December 01, 2022
Summary
Psilocybin-assisted smoking cessation profoundly reshapes a person's **identity**, offering powerful **empowerment**. A **psychotherapist** using specific frameworks, or "set," alongside **psilocybin** can facilitate rapid shifts in self-perception, as shown in a pilot **smoking cessation** study. This **narrative** analysis from **Psychedelics and Drug Studies** highlights how structured support interacts with the substance. As **psychedelics** become **mainstream**, respecting patient **autonomy** and understanding this **psychology** of change is crucial for ethical practice.
Abstract
While the literature on psychedelic medicine emphasizes the importance of set and setting alongside the quality of subjective drug effects for ther...
Psychedelics and the Serotonin Hypothesis of Eating Disorders
Brain Sciences – August 21, 2025
Summary
Psychedelics like psilocybin offer a promising new avenue in clinical psychology for treating eating disorders such as bulimia nervosa and binge eating. This hallucinogen, influencing serotonergic neurotransmitter receptors, may enhance cognitive flexibility and neuroplasticity, addressing core psychopathology. Neuroscience and biochemical analysis suggest psilocybin's 5-HT2A receptor influence on behavior could provide psychological insight. Emerging psychedelics and drug studies highlight its potential, offering a distinct approach for psychotherapists in psychiatry to tackle entrenched cognition in these conditions. Preliminary evidence suggests improved symptoms and quality of life.
Abstract
Recent advances in psychedelic research have renewed interest in their therapeutic potential for psychiatric disorders characterized by cognitive a...
Persons With Spinal Cord Injury Report Peripherally Dominant Serotonin-Like Syndrome After Use of Serotonergic Psychedelics
Neurotrauma Reports – January 26, 2024
Summary
Many with spinal cord injuries are exploring psychedelics like psilocybin and LSD. A key insight reveals they often experience intense muscle spasms and other sensitivities, suggesting a unique, peripherally dominant serotonin-like reaction. Understanding this phenomenon is vital for developing protocols to safely harness the therapeutic potential of these compounds, including MDMA, for this population.
Abstract
Psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) may treat various mental health conditions. Despite its promising therapeutic signal across mental health outcom...
Adverse Events in Studies of Classic Psychedelics
JAMA Psychiatry – September 04, 2024
Summary
Healthy participants experienced zero serious adverse effects from classic hallucinogens like psilocybin. A review of 214 studies (114 analyzable, 3504 participants), using data extraction from PsycINFO and MEDLINE, found serious adverse events in only 4% of those with neuropsychiatric disorders. Nonserious adverse effects needing medicine were similarly rare. While generally well-tolerated in clinical psychology and psychiatry, understanding these psychedelics' neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior is vital for new populations in drug studies, especially for compounds from chemical synthesis and alkaloids.
Abstract
Importance A clear and comprehensive understanding of risks associated with psychedelic-assisted therapy is necessary as investigators extend its a...
Enhanced meaning in life following psychedelic use: converging evidence from controlled and naturalistic studies
Frontiers in Psychology – June 06, 2025
Summary
Psychedelics profoundly enhance existential meaning, a vital aspect of psychology, across diverse contexts including a clinical trial for depression, a healthy volunteer study, and naturalistic retreats. Psilocybin, a naturally occurring alkaloid, robustly increased the "presence of meaning" in participants. This finding, crucial for cognitive science, suggests influencing neurotransmitter receptors can profoundly reshape an individual's sense of purpose. Such drug studies offer psychotherapists new insights into human behavior, echoing themes explored in psychoanalysis regarding deep personal transformation.
Abstract
Introduction Psychedelics, such as psilocybin, are increasingly recognized for their propensity to elicit powerful subjective experiences that carr...
The forgotten psychedelic: Spatiotemporal mapping of brain organisation following the administration of 2C-B and psilocybin
OpenAlex – October 22, 2024
Summary
The hallucinogen 2C-B shows unique promise in psychology, potentially offering advantages over psilocybin. In 22 healthy volunteers, administration of 20 mg 2C-B, 15 mg psilocybin, or placebo was explored via 7T fMRI. Both psychedelics increased brain complexity and between-network connectivity. Crucially, 2C-B exhibited less pronounced reductions in certain brain connections but elevated others, reflecting distinct neuropharmacological profiles. These insights are vital for neuroscience and cognitive psychology, guiding future drug studies and potential new pharmacotherapies.
Abstract
As psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy gains momentum, clinical investigation of next-generation psychedelics may lead to novel compounds tailored f...