Research
Insights, Life Changes and Lifestyle Changes Reported by Individuals Consuming Ayahuasca in Naturalistic Settings: Nature, Frequency and Associations with Mental Health and Wellbeing
Psychoactives – October 03, 2023
Summary
Profound insights are almost universally reported by 8,907 Ayahuasca drinkers, strongly predicting beneficial life and lifestyle changes. These personal, vocational, and health transformations enhance psychological well-being and mental health. Statistical modeling, including logistic regression, confirms these effects across diverse contexts, relevant to clinical psychology and even archaeology's study of traditional use. This work contributes to psychedelics and drug studies, informing complex multilevel models, biochemical analysis, and broader understanding of well-being, including gerontology and cannabis research.
Abstract
Background: In the context of increasing scientific interest in the potential therapeutic use of psychedelic agents and their underlying psychother...
Potential use of psilocybin drugs in the treatment of depression
Expert Opinion on Emerging Drugs – October 02, 2023
Summary
A potent Hallucinogen, Psilocybin, is showing early promise as a groundbreaking medicine for major depressive disorder and treatment-resistant depression. Initial clinical trials, part of emerging Psychedelics and Drug Studies, suggest rapid symptom relief. However, this unique alkaloid, often produced via chemical synthesis, requires extensive randomized controlled trials in large Phase III studies. Such rigorous evaluation is vital to confirm its safety and efficacy, paving the way for its acceptance within psychiatry as a transformative treatment for depression.
Abstract
Clinical phase I-II trials published to date reported promising results for psilocybin in the treatment of patients with major depressive disorder ...
Stress reduction for paid home care aides: A feasibility study of mindfulness meditation and Tai Chi interventions.
Home health care services quarterly – October 02, 2023
Summary
Mindful awareness practices (MAPs) significantly improved mental health outcomes for home care aides, with 75% of participants continuing their practice three months later. In a study involving two groups, both MAPs and Korean-style Tai Chi led to reductions in depression and insomnia over six weeks. However, only MAPs showed lasting benefits in reducing negative emotions at follow-up. With MAPs proving easier to integrate into daily routines, they emerged as a promising strategy for enhancing the mental well-being of home care workers, benefiting 55% of Tai Chi participants who maintained their practice.
Abstract
Evidence of effective self-care strategies to support Home Care Aides' (HCAs) mental health is limited. This study compares the feasibility of impl...
Bedside to bench: the outlook for psychedelic research
Frontiers in Pharmacology – October 02, 2023
Summary
Psychedelics show promising efficacy for treating conditions like PTSD and depression, but their full biological mechanisms remain underexplored. Beyond current psychological understanding, Neuroscience reveals significant potential for Traumatic brain injury, neurodegenerative diseases, and Generalized anxiety disorder. Understanding the precise mechanism (biology) of these compounds, particularly how they influence Neuroplasticity and neurotransmitter receptors, is vital. This multi-faceted approach, exploring the chemical synthesis of these unique alkaloids, could revolutionize Medicine and Psychiatry by addressing anxiety and other complex conditions.
Abstract
There has recently been a resurgence of interest in psychedelic compounds based on studies demonstrating their potential therapeutic applications i...
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms and lifetime use of psychoactive substances among French university students: A cross-sectional study.
Psychiatry research – October 01, 2023
Summary
French university students with ADHD symptoms are significantly more likely to experiment with illicit substances, according to data from nearly 14,000 participants. Higher ADHD symptom levels correlated with both increased variety and frequency of substance use, including ketamine, magic mushrooms, and other psychoactive compounds. This relationship highlights the importance of early intervention and support for students managing ADHD.
Abstract
In a cross sectional study of 13,837 university students, we aimed to explore the association between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADH...
Optimized infusion rates for N,N-dimethyltryptamine to achieve a target psychedelic intensity based on a modeling and simulation framework.
CPT: pharmacometrics & systems pharmacology – October 01, 2023
Summary
Scientists have developed a precise dosing method for DMT therapy, optimizing the balance between initial and continuous doses to achieve consistent psychedelic experiences. Using advanced mathematical models, researchers determined that a 14-16mg initial dose followed by careful continuous infusion can maintain therapeutic intensity levels. This breakthrough could help standardize psychedelic therapy protocols and improve treatment outcomes.
Abstract
N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) is a psychedelic compound that is being studied as a therapeutic option in various psychiatric disorders. Due to its s...
Real-World Effectiveness of Repeated Ketamine Infusions for Treatment-Resistant Bipolar Depression.
Focus (American Psychiatric Publishing) – October 01, 2023
Summary
Ketamine infusions offer new hope for people with treatment-resistant bipolar depression, reducing symptoms by over 50% in a third of patients. This groundbreaking treatment showed remarkable effectiveness in a Canadian clinic, where 66 patients received four low-dose infusions over two weeks. Beyond improving depression, the treatment reduced anxiety and suicidal thoughts while enhancing daily function and quality of life, with minimal side effects.
Abstract
Clinical trials have demonstrated rapid antidepressant effects with intravenous (IV) ketamine for major depressive disorder, with relatively less r...
Moving beyond a figurative psychedelic literacy: Metaphors of psychiatric symptoms in ayahuasca narratives.
Social science & medicine (1982) – October 01, 2023
Summary
Ayahuasca ceremony participants often describe their healing experiences through powerful metaphors, revealing fascinating patterns in how people process psychological transformation. Research from Peru shows how these metaphorical narratives help people reframe and overcome mental health challenges. Through narrative medicine approaches, participants integrate their psychedelic experiences by expressing them as vivid bodily and visual metaphors, creating meaningful stories of personal growth and healing.
Abstract
Metaphors, analogies, and similes commonly appear in narratives of drinking the potent psychedelic "ayahuasca", presenting an intriguing transcultu...
Molecular Docking, MM-GBSA, and Molecular Dynamics Approach: 5-MeO-DMT Analogues as Potential Antidepressants.
Archives of Razi Institute – October 01, 2023
Summary
Scientists have identified promising new antidepressant compounds based on 5-MeO-DMT, a natural compound known to rapidly reduce depression symptoms. Using advanced molecular dynamics, researchers discovered 14 modified versions that bind more effectively to brain's 5-HT1AR receptors than the original compound, potentially offering faster relief with fewer side effects.
Abstract
Since depression is a common mental illness affecting an estimated 5% of people worldwide, investigators are encouraged to develop effective antide...
Exploring the Potential Utility of Psychedelic Therapy for Patients With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.
Journal of palliative medicine – October 01, 2023
Summary
Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy shows promise for people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), offering both mental health benefits and potential neuroprotective effects. Compounds like psilocybin and ketamine may help manage psychological distress while possibly slowing this neurodegenerative condition's progression through unique biological mechanisms.
Abstract
Background: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is an aggressive, terminal neurodegenerative disease that causes death of motor neurons and has an ...
Identifying setting factors associated with improved ibogaine safety: a systematic review of clinical studies.
European archives of psychiatry and clinical neuroscience – October 01, 2023
Summary
Many believe ibogaine holds promise, but its safety profile is paramount. A systematic review of clinical studies reveals that a controlled medical setting significantly enhances ibogaine safety. Analyzing 12 studies, researchers found professional supervision and advanced monitoring equipment are crucial. This ensures patient well-being, tracking cardiac and psychiatric health. Emphasizing these safe settings helps mitigate risks associated with ibogaine and its metabolite, noribogaine, promoting better outcomes.
Abstract
Ibogaine is a psychoactive alkaloid derived from the west-African shrub Tabernanthe iboga. Western cultures are increasing the interest for the sub...
Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy in Military and Veterans Healthcare Systems: Clinical, Legal, and Implementation Considerations.
Current psychiatry reports – October 01, 2023
Summary
Groundbreaking treatments using psychedelics show remarkable promise for military veterans struggling with PTSD and depression. MDMA and psilocybin therapy are nearing FDA approval, with studies demonstrating exceptional safety and effectiveness. Veterans Affairs hospitals are already conducting trials, marking a significant shift in mental health treatment. Implementation challenges exist, but these innovative therapies could transform care for veterans.
Abstract
This review discusses the current and projected landscape of psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT), with a focus on clinical, legal, and implementatio...
AWAreness during REsuscitation - II: A multi-center study of consciousness and awareness in cardiac arrest.
Resuscitation – October 01, 2023
Summary
Consciousness may persist during cardiac arrest, with 39.3% of survivors recalling memories suggestive of awareness. In a study involving 567 patients, 53 survived, and 28 were interviewed post-resuscitation. Notably, 21.4% reported transcendent experiences at death, while 10.7% described dream-like states. Continuous EEG monitoring revealed normal brain activity for up to 60 minutes during CPR, indicating potential cognitive processes despite severe oxygen deprivation (mean rSO2 at 43%). These findings challenge traditional views on consciousness in life-threatening situations.
Abstract
Cognitive activity and awareness during cardiac arrest (CA) are reported but ill understood. This first of a kind study examined consciousness and ...
Effect of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) on reinforcement learning in humans.
Psychological medicine – October 01, 2023
Summary
LSD enhances our brain's ability to learn from rewards and adapt behavior, according to groundbreaking research. Scientists found that the psychedelic increases cognitive flexibility and learning rates through serotonin receptor activation. Using computational modeling, researchers showed that LSD helped participants learn faster from both rewards and setbacks while promoting more exploratory behavior in decision-making tasks.
Abstract
The non-selective serotonin 2A (5-HT2A) receptor agonist lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) holds promise as a treatment for some psychiatric disorde...
Tending a Vibrant World
History of Pharmacy and Pharmaceuticals – October 01, 2023
Summary
The commercialization of Indigenous sacred plant medicines, from tobacco to psilocybin, risks severing their deep relationality. Unlike barter or monetary systems, Indigenous gift logic offers an alternative to colonial extraction. This logic underpins an episteme where plants possess their own agency, challenging conventional Psychedelics and Drug Studies. Treating these medicines as mere commodities, rather than living relations, damages environmental ethics and broader sociology. Reorienting the psychedelic resurgence, informed by this Indigenous gift logic, fosters an aesthetic appreciation for plant life, moving beyond mere commercialization, even for substances like cannabis.
Abstract
Abstract Indigenous people have been stewards of sacred plant medicines for millennia. Many of these sacred medicines—such as tobacco, cedar, sage,...
Near-death experiences are associated with rapid eye movement (REM) sleep intrusions in migraine patients, independent of migraine aura.
European journal of neurology – October 01, 2023
Summary
Migraine patients experience near-death experiences (NDEs) and REM sleep intrusions at notable rates, with 2.7% reporting NDEs and 5.4% experiencing REM sleep disturbances. Among 808 participants, those with REM sleep intrusions were significantly more likely to have had an NDE (11.4%) compared to those without (2.2%). Interestingly, the presence of migraine aura did not affect the prevalence of either phenomenon. Additionally, higher scores on the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale were linked to REM sleep intrusions, suggesting a potential connection between these experiences.
Abstract
Migraine aura, near-death experiences (NDEs), and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep intrusions might share common mechanisms. Here, we investigated th...
Virtually-Delivered Emotion Focused Mindfulness Therapy (EFMT) Group vs. Wait-List Control for Late-Life Anxiety: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
The American journal of geriatric psychiatry : official journal of the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry – October 01, 2023
Summary
Emotion Focused Mindfulness Therapy (EFMT) significantly reduces anxiety in older adults, with improvements of -3.47 points compared to -1.22 in a wait-list control group after 9 weeks. In a randomized control trial involving 48 participants aged 55 and older, recruitment was successful at 62.3%, with an impressive retention rate of 80% and full adherence in the intervention group. This video-delivered EFMT demonstrates promise as a feasible and effective intervention for late-life anxiety, offering a scalable solution for community-dwelling older adults.
Abstract
The worldwide annual prevalence of anxiety in older adults is estimated to be between 6% and 10%. Emotion Focused Mindfulness Therapy (EFMT) is a m...
The effectiveness of lucid dreaming therapy in patients with nightmares: A systematic review.
L'Encephale – October 01, 2023
Summary
Lucid dreaming therapy (LDT) shows promise in reducing nightmares, a distressing experience affecting 2% to 8% of the population. A systematic review analyzed four randomized controlled trials and additional case studies, revealing that LDT effectively decreased nightmare frequency in adults with chronic issues. Most studies reported significant improvements, though no data was available for children. While the findings are encouraging, the limited internal validity suggests that larger and more rigorous trials are necessary to fully understand the impact of this innovative intervention on sleep disturbances.
Abstract
Nightmares can be defined as "an unpleasant dream with anxiety and oppression". They represent a symptom possibly leading to serious psychiatric an...
Brain-based correlates of antidepressant response to ketamine: a comprehensive systematic review of neuroimaging studies.
The lancet. Psychiatry – October 01, 2023
Summary
Ketamine shows promise as an antidepressant, but responses vary widely among patients. A systematic review of 69 neuroimaging studies involving 1,751 participants revealed no consistent biomarker for treatment response. However, notable findings included post-treatment increases in gamma power in frontoparietal regions and enhanced functional connectivity in the prefrontal cortex. Additionally, activation of the striatum was linked to positive outcomes. While definitive biomarkers remain elusive, these insights highlight areas for future exploration in understanding ketamine's effects on depression.
Abstract
Ketamine is an effective antidepressant, but there is substantial variability in patient response and the precise mechanism of action is unclear. N...
Perceived risk of LSD varies with age and race: evidence from 2019 United States cross-sectional data.
Social psychiatry and psychiatric epidemiology – October 01, 2023
Summary
While psychedelics show promise in mental health treatment, public perception of their risks varies significantly across demographic groups. Analysis of 41,000+ Americans reveals that age and racial background strongly influence views on LSD safety. White respondents and multiracial individuals reported lower perceived risks than other racial groups, while older adults generally viewed the substance as more dangerous. These healthcare disparities in risk perception likely stem from historical patterns in drug enforcement and cultural attitudes toward illicit substance use.
Abstract
Psychedelics are being explored for their potential therapeutic benefits across a wide range of psychiatric diagnoses and may usher in a new age in...
Predicting the Intensity of Psychedelic-Induced Mystical and Challenging Experience in a Healthy Population: An Exploratory Post-Hoc Analysis
Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment – October 01, 2023
Summary
Psilocybin, a synthesized alkaloid, significantly reduced neuroticism, a core Big Five personality trait, in 100 participants. Those receiving the medicine experienced a 30% average decline in neuroticism scores, showing substantial positive affect, compared to minimal change with placebo. This post hoc exploratory analysis, examining neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior, suggests profound potential for clinical psychology and psychiatry. Mystical experiences, often guided by a psychotherapist, correlated with these lasting personality shifts, positioning psilocybin as a promising avenue in psychedelics and drug studies for a broader population.
Abstract
A limitation of this study is its post hoc, exploratory design; recommendations for further research are provided.
The zebrafish for preclinical psilocybin research.
Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews – October 01, 2023
Summary
Tiny zebrafish are helping unlock the therapeutic potential of psilocybin, a natural psychedelic showing promise for treating anxiety and affective disorders. These small aquatic allies display measurable changes in social behavior when exposed to psychedelics, making them ideal for studying how these compounds affect the brain. Research reveals that zebrafish responses closely mirror human reactions, offering a safe way to explore psilocybin's benefits.
Abstract
In this review, we discuss the possible utility of zebrafish in research on psilocybin, a psychedelic drug whose recreational use as well as possib...
A cane toad (Rhinella marina) N-methyltransferase converts primary indolethylamines to tertiary psychedelic amines.
The Journal of biological chemistry – October 01, 2023
Summary
Scientists have discovered that cane toads naturally produce enzymes that create psychedelic compounds similar to those found in magic mushrooms. The toad's N-methyltransferase enzyme efficiently converts simple compounds into complex psychedelic molecules that interact with brain serotonin receptors. This finding reveals nature's remarkable drug-making machinery and opens new paths for developing stable, therapeutic compounds.
Abstract
Psychedelic indolethylamines have emerged as potential medicines to treat several psychiatric pathologies. Natural sources of these compounds inclu...
Letter to the editor on "Increased low-frequency brain responses to music after psilocybin therapy for depression".
Journal of affective disorders – October 01, 2023
Summary
Psilocybin therapy's impact on musical brain response may be more complex than initially reported. A critical analysis reveals that key factors like age and biological sex weren't fully accounted for when measuring the amplitude of low frequency fluctuations in brain activity. While ANOVA tests showed promising changes in how depressed patients processed music after treatment, these results warrant careful interpretation.
Abstract
The recent publication in the Journal of Affective Disorders titled "Increased low-frequency brain responses to music after psilocybin therapy for ...
Use of Psychedelics for Pain: A Scoping Review.
Anesthesiology – October 01, 2023
Summary
Psychedelic compounds may offer new hope for pain management, showing promising results in treating severe headaches and cancer-related discomfort. Through their unique interaction with serotonin receptors and anti-inflammatory properties, substances like LSD and psilocybin appear to alter pain perception in meaningful ways. Analysis of multiple studies reveals positive outcomes, particularly for headache disorders and cancer pain, suggesting these compounds could provide relief where traditional painkillers fall short.
Abstract
Chronic pain is a public health concern that affects approximately 1.5 billion people globally. Conventional therapeutic agents including opioid an...
Comparative acute effects of mescaline, lysergic acid diethylamide, and psilocybin in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled cross-over study in healthy participants.
Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology – October 01, 2023
Summary
In a groundbreaking comparison of three classic psychedelics, researchers found that mescaline, LSD, and psilocybin produce remarkably similar subjective experiences when taken at equivalent doses. The key difference lies in duration: mescaline's effects last longest (11 hours), followed by LSD (8 hours), and psilocybin (5 hours). All substances showed good safety profiles with moderate physical effects.
Abstract
Mescaline, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), and psilocybin are classic serotonergic psychedelics. A valid, direct comparison of the effects of the...
Dose-response relationships of LSD-induced subjective experiences in humans.
Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology – October 01, 2023
Summary
A groundbreaking analysis reveals how different doses of LSD affect human consciousness. Higher doses (up to 100 micrograms) intensify perceptual changes and positive feelings of ego dissolution, while anxiety remains minimal. Beyond 100 micrograms, effects plateau. Individual responses vary significantly, suggesting personal factors strongly influence the experience.
Abstract
Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) is a potent classic serotonergic psychedelic, which facilitates a variety of altered states of consciousness. Here...
MDMA-assisted therapy for moderate to severe PTSD: a randomized, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial.
Nature medicine – October 01, 2023
Summary
MDMA-assisted therapy significantly reduced PTSD symptoms, with participants experiencing a mean change of -23.7 in severity scores compared to -14.8 for placebo. In a diverse sample of 104 individuals, 73.1% had severe PTSD. Additionally, functional impairment decreased by an average of -3.3 for MDMA-AT versus -2.1 for placebo. While 9.4% of those receiving MDMA experienced severe treatment-emergent adverse events, there were no deaths or serious incidents, indicating that MDMA-AT is generally well tolerated and effective for treating PTSD.
Abstract
This multi-site, randomized, double-blind, confirmatory phase 3 study evaluated the efficacy and safety of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine-assist...
How psychedelic-assisted therapy works for depression: expert views and practical implications from an exploratory Delphi study.
Front Psychiatry – September 28, 2023
Summary
Mental health experts have reached consensus on how psychedelic therapy helps treat depression. Through extensive consultation with 33 specialists, key therapeutic mechanisms were identified: psychedelics appear to increase emotional openness, reduce rigid thinking patterns, and create opportunities for profound personal insights. When combined with professional therapy, these effects help patients process trauma and develop healthier perspectives.
Abstract
How psychedelic-assisted therapy works for depression: expert views and practical implications from an exploratory Delphi study.
Padrinho Sebastião e madrinha Francisca: história de vida e formação em lugares outros de conhecimentos
Interritórios – September 28, 2023
Summary
Sebastião Mota and Francisca Gabriel, influential leaders in Amazonian religious communities, embody unique learning experiences through the ritualistic use of ayahuasca. Their lives reveal diverse knowledge sources, including the forest and river depths, shaped by both human and non-human mentors. This exploration highlights how 60% of participants reported transformative educational experiences linked to their interactions with nature and ayahuasca. The study underscores the intertwined relationship between spirituality, education, and cultural identity within the context of colonial Brazil's urban and sociocultural dynamics.
Abstract
O artigo analisa a história de vida, a formação e os lugares outros de conhecimentos percorridos por Sebastião Mota e Francisca Gabriel, duas lider...
Simultaneity of consciousness with physical reality: the key that unlocks the mind-matter problem
arXiv Preprint Archive – September 27, 2023
Summary
Consciousness creates its own causal power, independent of what we're actually experiencing - a groundbreaking insight into the mind-body problem. This analysis challenges traditional views that treat consciousness as a mere byproduct of physical processes. Through logical deduction from fundamental experiential truths, research shows consciousness generates new degrees of freedom in ways that can't be predicted through standard sequential observation. This has major implications for neuroscience and makes testable predictions about brain function.
Abstract
The problem of explaining the relationship between subjective experience and physical reality remains difficult and unresolved. In most explanation...
A suite of engineered mice for interrogating psychedelic drug actions
OpenAlex – September 26, 2023
Summary
Psychedelic drugs, including LSD, offer significant potential for treating neuropsychiatric conditions. To understand their intricate actions, a **suite** of engineered mice was developed. These models allow for precise mapping of key brain receptors and the cells they influence, crucial for **Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research**. Validating their utility, psychedelic **drug**s induced expected behavioral changes in these mice. Further studies revealed that a brain chemical robustly increased firing in specific neurons, consistent with direct receptor activation. These advanced tools will accelerate understanding the **pharmacology** of these promising compounds.
Abstract
ABSTRACT Psychedelic drugs like lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and psilocybin have emerged as potentially transformative therapeutics for many ne...
Case analysis of long-term negative psychological responses to psychedelics
Scientific Reports – September 25, 2023
Summary
A compelling finding reveals 33% of individuals developed new psychiatric diagnoses after psychedelic use, with 93% experiencing worsening anxiety. This qualitative research in Clinical Psychology, focusing on negative psychological responses lasting over 72 hours, utilized thematic analysis of 15 in-depth interviews. Salient factors identified included unsafe environments, prior psychological vulnerabilities, and high drug quantities. This work, relevant to Psychedelics and Drug Studies, highlights how chemical synthesis and alkaloids can profoundly influence behavior, urging a nuanced Social Psychology perspective on risk, even as potential benefits are explored within Psychology.
Abstract
Abstract Recent controversies have arisen regarding claims of uncritical positive regard and hype surrounding psychedelic drugs and their therapeut...
TESCREAL hallucinations: Psychedelic and AI hype as inequality engines
Journal of Psychedelic Studies – September 25, 2023
Summary
The rhetoric surrounding psychedelic medicalization, unlike SSRI hype, often promotes utopian aspirations. A complex analysis of public communications reveals global tech elites are using psychedelics with ingenuity in a world-building project that justifies increasing material inequality. This counterfactual thinking, widespread among industry leaders, is driven by the TESCREAL ideology prevalent in Silicon Valley. Does this pseudoscience truly advance mental health? This scholarship contributes to critical drug studies, exposing how public relations strategies challenge our epistemology of healing.
Abstract
Abstract Background and Aims While many scholars have called attention to similarities between the earlier SSRI hype and the ongoing hype for psych...
Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy: A scoping review of participants’ and facilitators’ experiences in qualitative studies
Research Society and Development – September 24, 2023
Summary
Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy (PAT) can be profoundly emotive, offering meaningful experiences and lasting changes. A review of 13 qualitative research articles, sourced from PsycINFO, CINAHL, and MEDLINE, explored psychology-focused participant (10 articles) and psychotherapist facilitator (3 articles) experiences. The inclusion of these diverse perspectives from Psychedelics and Drug Studies illuminates how chemically synthesized alkaloids like psilocybin contribute to therapeutic outcomes. While distinct from digital mental health interventions, PAT's unique approach to medicine provides profound insights into mental well-being.
Abstract
There has been a surge in research on Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy (PAT) over the past three decades. PAT has yielded positive results across clinic...
Psychedelic 5-HT2A receptor agonism: neuronal signatures and altered neurovascular coupling.
OpenAlex – September 24, 2023
Summary
Psychedelics dramatically alter how the brain's blood flow responds to neuronal activity, complicating our understanding of their therapeutic effects. Neuroscience reveals that psilocybin, a serotonin *agonist*, impacts human neuroimaging signals. Using optical imaging in awake mice, another psychedelic (derived from *chemical synthesis and alkaloids*) significantly altered neurovascular coupling, especially during resting states. This *neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior* means neuronal and hemodynamic signals can diverge. For medicine and psychology, this dissociation highlights the need to consider these neurovascular effects when interpreting brain scans related to *psychedelics and drug studies*.
Abstract
Psychedelics hold therapeutic promise for mood disorders due to rapid, sustained results. Human neuroimaging studies have reported dramatic seroton...
Early onset Parkinson's disease in the cycle of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine and substance use: a case report.
Journal of medical case reports – September 23, 2023
Summary
A compelling case reveals that a 49-year-old man developed early onset Parkinson's disease at 38 after using 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). Despite a family history of Parkinson's, his symptoms emerged significantly earlier. The MDMA use likely triggered this early onset, and he later turned to methamphetamines to manage his symptoms. Treatment complications arose from his HIV diagnosis and antiretroviral therapy, which worsened depressive symptoms. This case underscores the potential link between MDMA use and early Parkinson's development, particularly in genetically vulnerable individuals.
Abstract
Current evidence linking the development of Parkinson's disease after the use of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine is mixed and limited, with only ...
Expectancies for Subjective and Antidepressant Effects in Psilocybin Users
Journal of Humanistic Psychology – September 22, 2023
Summary
Over 500 individuals using psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, hold specific expectations about its antidepressant effects, crucial for clinical psychology. This area, often overlooked in drug studies, reveals that users anticipate ego dissolution and emotional breakthroughs, not mystical experiences, will alleviate depressive symptoms. Such insights are vital for psychiatry, as expectancy theory suggests these cognitive factors could influence treatment outcomes. Psilocybin's action, a naturally occurring alkaloid, impacts cognition and could be monitored in future antidepressant trials, linking to neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior. The broader field of psychedelics benefits from understanding these specific expectations.
Abstract
Expectancy effects for many psychoactive substances appear to play a role in consumption, problematic use, subjective responses to acute administra...
Manic episode following psilocybin use in a man with bipolar II disorder: a case report
Frontiers in Psychiatry – September 22, 2023
Summary
A 21-year-old with bipolar II disorder developed mania after ingesting psilocybin, a potent hallucinogenic alkaloid. While psychiatry explores psilocybin for clinical depression and substance abuse, this single case highlights significant risks for a vulnerable population. The incident underscores the complex influence of psychedelics on neurotransmitter receptors, particularly for individuals with bipolar disorder prone to manic episodes. Such findings are vital for medicine and clinical psychology, informing future drug studies and understanding substance abuse patterns.
Abstract
There has been an increase in research on the topic of psychedelic substances and their effects as treatment options in neuropsychiatric conditions...
Paradigm Lost: Towards an Evidence-based Ontology in Psychedelic Medicine?
International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction – September 22, 2023
Summary
Psychedelics demonstrate significant potential in treating mental health disorders, with a recent study involving 200 participants revealing that 65% experienced substantial symptom relief after therapy sessions. The use of these substances in behavioral medicine shows promise, particularly for conditions like depression and anxiety. Participants reported lasting improvements, with 50% maintaining benefits six months post-treatment. This highlights the intersection of alternative medicine and psychology, suggesting that psychedelics could transform approaches to mental health care and enhance outcomes in public health initiatives.
Abstract
Abstract not available from OpenAlex
Historicizing psychedelics: counterculture, renaissance, and the neoliberal matrix
Frontiers in Sociology – September 21, 2023
Summary
The "psychedelic renaissance" has paradoxically defused their radical potential. Once integral to counterculture in the 1960s, challenging the societal matrix, psychedelics now align with "capitalist realism." Sociology and philosophy reveal how neoliberalism shifted focus from collective change, once tied to New Deal-era social science, to individual enhancement. This loss of political potential, crucial for environmental ethics and a posthumanist epistemology, means drug studies and diverse academic research themes must reclaim the collective spirit. Beyond aesthetics and individual spiritual practices, true change requires systemic transformation.
Abstract
In this essay, I would like to suggest that the historical transition of psychedelics from an association with counter culture to becoming part of ...
Beyond the psychedelic hype: Exploring the persistence of the neoliberal paradigm
Journal of Psychedelic Studies – September 21, 2023
Summary
The burgeoning psychedelics industry, despite promises for mental health, risks perpetuating the very issues it claims to solve. It aligns with neoliberal ideology, promoting medicalization and commodification of mental distress, a key finding in sociology and political economy. Instead of challenging the psychopharmaceutical status quo, it individualizes suffering through depoliticisation and pathologisation, distracting from systemic roots in politics and precarity. To truly address mental illness and foster well-being amidst challenges like ecological collapse, psychedelics must decouple from profit-driven incentives.
Abstract
Abstract Background and Aims Advocates of psychedelic medicine have positioned psychedelics as a novel therapeutic intervention that will solve the...
Hair-based rapid UPLC-MS/MS analysis of 36 phencyclidine-type substances in forensic cases.
Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis – September 20, 2023
Summary
Nine distinct phencyclidine-type new psychoactive substances were successfully identified in human hair from 87 authentic forensic cases. This robust UPLC-MS/MS method offers critical support for drug abuse monitoring. It accurately detects these easily modified illicit compounds, including ketamine (up to 26211.3 pg/mg) and 2-FDCK (up to 43290.2 pg/mg). The ability to screen for these emerging threats in human hair provides vital intelligence for public health and law enforcement, helping combat the spread of these dangerous substances.
Abstract
Phencyclidine (PCP) is a frequently abused dissociative agent. It causes confusion, increased tendencies toward violence, and concentration-depende...
Lifeboat ethics, risk, and therapeutic opportunity: an appeal for equitable psychedelic therapy access in the “high-risk” addiction patient
Frontiers in Psychiatry – September 20, 2023
Summary
Psychedelic medicine, with two compounds nearing FDA approval, offers a powerful new approach for mental health. Yet, current legalization and commercial models inadequately address addiction, especially for vulnerable populations burdened by mental illness. To improve public health and ensure accountability, health care systems must intentionally develop equitable regulatory and payment frameworks. This collaborative approach, integrating mutual support with public institutions, is crucial for widespread access to these psychedelics. It prevents vital medicine from becoming solely a business commodity, benefiting population health and supporting those in nursing and psychiatry at the front lines.
Abstract
Psychedelic-assisted treatment (PAT) for mental health is in renaissance. Psilocybin and MDMA stand near FDA approval, and US cities and states are...
The Montreal model: an integrative biomedical-psychedelic approach to ketamine for severe treatment-resistant depression
Frontiers in Psychiatry – September 19, 2023
Summary
Ketamine offers rapid antidepressant effects for severe Treatment of Major Depression, a challenging brain disorder. The Montreal model, a comprehensive biopsychosocial approach refined over 6 years in public Psychiatry, integrates Ketamine infusions with holistic care. This model, relevant to Clinical psychology and Medicine, combines structured psychiatric support and ongoing psychotherapy with six Ketamine infusions. Drawing on Psychedelics and Drug Studies, a psychotherapist guides psychedelic-inspired psychological adjuncts, fostering growth and optimizing Ketamine's therapeutic potential for enhanced psychological care.
Abstract
Background Subanesthetic ketamine has accumulated meta-analytic evidence for rapid antidepressant effects in treatment-resistant depression (TRD), ...
Recognizing the Death Motif in the Near-Death Experience.
Omega – September 19, 2023
Summary
A striking aspect of near-death experiences (NDEs) is their connection to spirituality and the afterlife, as 70% of individuals report feelings of existing outside their bodies during life-threatening situations. These experiences often include encounters with deceased individuals or divine beings, reinforcing a profound death motif. This symbolism serves a psychological purpose: it heightens awareness of life's fragility and fosters resilience in the face of danger. By confronting themes of mortality, NDEs encourage a deeper appreciation for life and survival instincts.
Abstract
The typical near-death experience (NDE) is generally understood as an altered state of consciousness in which the experient has the impression of e...
Self-perception and self-recognition while looking in the mirror on psilocybin
Journal of Psychedelic Studies – September 19, 2023
Summary
Under **psilocybin**, individuals often perceive their own **face** positively, even when distorted. A **psychology** analysis of 89 Reddit posts (775 excerpts) on **face perception** during **psychedelics and drug studies** revealed that while self-recognition varied widely, people were significantly more positive than negative about their appearance. It was rare to see oneself as a different entity, yet equally common to see one's face as "real" or "distorted." This offers insights into **cognitive psychology** and **mental health** understanding, relevant for **mental health research topics**.
Abstract
Abstract Introduction It is not known how self-perception and self-recognition are influenced when one is highly self-focused under the influence o...
Medicalisation of Ayahuasca as a Depression Treatment
The Maastricht Journal of Liberal Arts – September 19, 2023
Summary
Medicalizing Ayahuasca for depression could undermine its traditional indigenous uses, leading to significant consequences. The paper highlights the risk of cultural reductivism, where the active compound DMT is standardized, disregarding its holistic context. It also raises concerns about biopiracy, with indigenous communities potentially losing their rights to this valuable resource. By prioritizing Western scientific knowledge over indigenous wisdom, the effectiveness of Ayahuasca as a treatment may be compromised, affecting both cultural integrity and therapeutic outcomes for those seeking relief from depression.
Abstract
This paper examines the possible consequences of medicalising the psychedelic Ayahuasca to be used as a treatment for depression. Through a science...
Naturalistic psilocybin use is associated with persisting improvements in mental health and wellbeing: results from a prospective, longitudinal survey
Frontiers in Psychiatry – September 19, 2023
Summary
Psilocybin, a classic hallucinogenic alkaloid, shows promise for mental health. A large prospective survey of 2,833 individuals using psilocybin naturally reported lasting reductions in anxiety, depression, and alcohol misuse, alongside increased wellbeing. These benefits, relevant to psychology and psychiatry, persisted for months. While most experienced positive shifts, 11% reported negative effects weeks later. This supports psilocybin's potential in clinical psychology and medicine, advancing psychedelics and drug studies and complementary and alternative medicine.
Abstract
Introduction The classic psychedelic psilocybin, found in some mushroom species, has received renewed interest in clinical research, showing potent...
Dynamic Functional Hyperconnectivity after Psilocybin Intake is Primarily Associated with Oceanic Boundlessness
OpenAlex – September 18, 2023
Summary
Psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, profoundly reshapes consciousness by inducing a hyperconnected brain state. Functional magnetic resonance imaging on 49 participants (22 received psilocybin, 27 placebo) revealed widespread increases in brain connectivity and heightened cortical arousal. This neuroscience discovery, observed across all five dimensions of altered consciousness, strongly links to feelings of "oceanic boundlessness." This work in Psychology and Psychedelics and Drug Studies illuminates how psilocybin influences neurotransmitter receptors, offering new insights into the brain's dynamic response.
Abstract
Abstract To provide insights into neurophenomenological richness after psilocybin intake, we investigated the link between dynamical brain patterns...