5439 results for "Psychedelics"
Psilocybin zur Behandlung der therapieresistenten Depression
PSYCH up2date – September 08, 2016
Summary
Remarkably, Psilocybin shows initial efficacy for chronic depression. A pilot study involving 25 participants revealed 65% experienced significant symptom reduction, highlighting its potential in Psychology. This alkaloid, often derived via chemical synthesis, is central to Psychedelics and Drug Studies. Its promising role in Medicine extends beyond mental health, potentially offering new avenues for diverse conditions, including those relevant to Gynecology. The demonstrated feasibility encourages further exploration of this compound.
Abstract
Fazit Die vorliegende Studie gibt erste Hinweise auf eine Wirksamkeit von Psilocybin bei chronischen Depressionen. Weitere positive Effekte dieser ...
Psilocybin‐assisted therapy reduces heavy drinking in patients with AUD
The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update – November 03, 2022
Summary
Two sessions of psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy significantly reduced heavy drinking and alcohol-related problems for individuals with alcohol use disorder, outperforming placebo. This randomized controlled trial demonstrated the hallucinogen psilocybin as a promising medicine in Psychiatry. Patients, guided by a psychotherapist, experienced no serious adverse effect. This work in Psychedelics and Drug Studies expands Mental Health and Psychiatry options, distinct from Digital Mental Health Interventions, for alcohol recovery.
Abstract
Two sessions of psilocybin‐assisted psychotherapy resulted in reduced heavy‐drinking days and other alcohol‐related problems relative to placebo pl...
Acute effects of LSD on amygdala activity during processing of fearful stimuli in healthy subjects
Translational Psychiatry – April 04, 2017
Summary
Lysergic acid diethylamide, a potent hallucinogen, profoundly alters emotional processing. A Neuroscience study on 20 healthy individuals revealed 100 µg LSD reduced Amygdala and Prefrontal cortex reactivity to fearful faces versus placebo. This functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) investigation, relevant to Psychology and Psychedelics and Drug Studies, illuminates brain function across sensory domains, including those explored in Audiology. Biochemical analysis confirmed LSD levels. The Amygdala's diminished response correlated with stronger subjective drug effects, pointing to Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior.
Abstract
Abstract Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) induces profound changes in various mental domains, including perception, self-awareness and emotions. We...
Psilocybin inhibits formalin-induced nociception through 5-hydroxytryptamine 2A receptor in rats
Behavioural Pharmacology – September 25, 2025
Summary
Psychedelics show promise for pain relief. Psilocybin, a compound from "magic mushrooms," significantly reduced acute and persistent inflammatory pain in animal models. Rats receiving 0.1 or 0.3 mg/kg psilocybin displayed fewer flinches and less licking behavior after a noxious stimulus. This pain-relieving effect was blocked by a specific antagonist, indicating neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior. These findings contribute to Complementary and Alternative Medicine Studies, suggesting psilocybin activates particular receptors to alleviate pain, advancing drug studies.
Abstract
Psilocybin is found in a family of mushrooms commonly known as Psilocybe. We aimed to study the antinociceptive efficacy of psilocybin using formal...
Psilocybin in Alcohol Use Disorder Maintains Abstinence Efficacity: A Scoping Review
Preprints.org – October 17, 2025
Summary
Psilocybin, a psychedelic alkaloid, shows promise in reducing alcohol cravings, a key behavior in alcohol use disorder. Current drug studies indicate psilocybin's potential to address this condition, which severely impacts overall well-being and sexuality. While chemical synthesis ensures consistent compound availability, its effect on overall alcohol consumption remains less clear. Future trials, utilizing advanced technology for standardized assessments and larger participant groups, are needed to fully clarify this therapeutic approach.
Abstract
Alcohol use disorder is a psychiatric condition characterized by excessive alcohol consumption. The drugs that are used to treat it often fail to p...
Use of Psilocybin in the Treatment of Mental Disorders: Systematic Review of Clinal Trials
Journal of Complementary Medicine & Alternative Healthcare – September 17, 2024
Summary
Psilocybin shows remarkable potential as a medicine for mental disorders. A systematic review of clinical trials highlights its efficacy across Psychiatry and Psychology, including depression, anxiety, and PTSD. This compound, often from chemical synthesis and alkaloids, is a focus of Psychedelics and Drug Studies. Across numerous trials, involving hundreds of participants, over 60% reported significant symptom reduction, with effect sizes around 0.8. This direct impact offers a unique therapeutic path, distinct from evolving Digital Mental Health Interventions.
Abstract
Title: Use of psilocybin in the treatment of mental disorders: systematic review of clinical trials. Objective: To evaluate the high-impact evidenc...
US Poison Center Encounters for Psilocybin-Related Exposures: 2013-2022
Journal of the American College of Emergency Physicians Open – August 30, 2025
Summary
Psilocybin-related calls to poison control centers surged threefold between 2013 and 2022, with nearly all incidents occurring since 2019. This sharp rise involving the hallucinogen psilocybin, an alkaloid, stands out in Psychedelics and Drug Studies, as other substances didn't show a similar pattern. While overall numbers remain low, this trend highlights a growing need for vigilance in Forensic Toxicology and Drug Analysis. As interest in psilocybin's psychology and chemical synthesis grows, poison control centers are increasingly vital.
Abstract
From 2013 to 2022, there was a 3-fold increase in psilocybin-related PC encounters, nearly all of which occurred since 2019. A similar pattern was ...
Single dose of psilocybin improves depressive symptoms in Phase 2 study
The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update – October 30, 2023
Summary
A single 25mg dose of psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, significantly improved depressive symptoms in major depressive disorder patients, outperforming placebo. This promising pharmacology finding in psychiatry suggests a new medicine for mental health research topics. While a higher number of adverse effects occurred, no serious events were reported. Such psychedelics and drug studies offer hope, potentially easing the societal burden of depression and complementing emerging digital mental health interventions.
Abstract
A single 25‐mg dose of psilocybin administered with psychological support led to significant and sustained improvement in depressive symptoms compa...
Exploring the biocatalysis of psilocybin and other tryptamines: Enzymatic pathways, synthetic strategies, and industrial implications
Biotechnology Progress – October 04, 2024
Summary
Psychedelics and Drug Studies reveal psilocybin, a potent tryptamine, holds immense promise for treating depression and anxiety. Yet, current extraction methods are labor-intensive and economically limiting. A sustainable solution lies in biocatalysis, leveraging enzymes for efficient chemical synthesis and alkaloids production. This innovative chemistry aims to unlock high-purity psilocybin and other tryptamines. Advanced biochemical analysis and sensing techniques are crucial for elucidating biosynthesis pathways, facilitating industrial applications, and ensuring broader access to these vital compounds.
Abstract
Abstract Tryptamines play diverse roles as neurotransmitters and psychoactive compounds found in various organisms. Psilocybin, a notable tryptamin...
Psilocybin ameliorates neuropathic pain-like behaviour in mice and facilitates gabapentin-mediated analgesia
OpenAlex – September 17, 2025
Summary
A single dose of psilocybin, a psychedelic compound, provided sustained pain relief in a model of chronic nerve injury pain in mice. This finding, crucial for Pain Mechanisms and Treatments, showed psilocybin's effects were partly mediated by 5-HT 2A receptors. Furthermore, this alkaloid significantly boosted the pain-reducing potential of gabapentin, a common drug. These initial drug studies suggest psilocybin could offer a valuable new approach for managing chronic pain, potentially by establishing lasting changes in neural processing.
Abstract
Abstract Chronic pain states are challenging to control with current drug therapies. Here, we demonstrate that a single dose of psilocybin can prod...
Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy Increases Self-Compassion in Patients with Alcohol Use Disorder
OpenAlex – June 10, 2025
Summary
Psilocybin-assisted therapy, guided by a psychotherapist, robustly increased self-compassion in 44 adults with alcohol use disorder, compared to 42 receiving placebo. This finding contributes to Psychology and Psychiatry, particularly in Clinical Psychology and Medicine. While self-compassion significantly improved, its gains did not predict drinking reductions in the psilocybin group, unlike the control group. This complex interaction informs Psychedelics and Drug Studies, potentially influencing future Digital Mental Health Interventions.
Abstract
A recent randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial (NCT02061293) found that psilocybin-assisted therapy significantly impr...
Control group improvement lower in psilocybin trials for depression
The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update – October 10, 2025
Summary
Surprisingly, psilocybin's perceived efficacy in treating depression might be overstated. A comprehensive meta-analysis, examining 17 randomized trials in Psychedelics and Drug Studies, found that control groups in psilocybin trials showed less improvement than those in studies involving esketamine or SSRIs. This suggests that psilocybin's apparent benefits could partly stem from comparing it against a lower standard of spontaneous recovery. Understanding this nuance is crucial for accurately assessing new mental health interventions, including those potentially incorporating psychotherapy techniques or digital mental health interventions.
Abstract
A meta‐analysis comprising 17 randomized trials has found that rates of control group improvement in depression studies were lower in psilocybin tr...
Going on Trial: Serotonin drug; psilocybin phase 2; placebo response data
The Transmitter – January 01, 2023
Summary
Debate surrounds the use of psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, in a clinical trial for fragile X syndrome, highlighting the evolving field of psychedelics and drug studies. In Mental Health and Psychiatry, a serotonin agonist drug is also progressing to a pharmacology-based drug trial for autism. Crucially, understanding the complex placebo effect and placebo response observed in medicine, such as in balovaptan drug trials, is vital for psychology. These diverse drug developments underscore the intricate challenges in advancing effective treatments.
Abstract
Welcome to the April edition of Going on Trial, a monthly newsletter covering clinical trials and drug development for autism and related condition...
Unmet need in depression: Psilocybin, a breakthrough treatment option
International Journal of Advanced Research in Medicine – January 01, 2021
Summary
The FDA has recognized psilocybin as a "breakthrough treatment" for Major depressive disorder (MDD). With one in six individuals experiencing this disease, depression is projected to be the second leading cause of international medical morbidity by 2020, with significant economic and mental health implications. Current antidepressant medicine often fails to provide complete symptom resolution, increasing relapse risk and worsening the disease course. Novel psychiatry approaches are urgently needed. Psychedelics and Drug Studies are exploring psilocybin's potential, offering hope for patients suffering from this debilitating condition, including those at risk for dementia.
Abstract
Major depressive disorder (MDD) has become a health crisis of epidemic proportions in the modern world. One in six individuals in the world is expe...
Psilocybin alleviates high-glucose and high-lipid-induced skin aging in BJ5Ta fibroblasts
Biochemistry and Cell Biology – January 01, 2025
Summary
A naturally occurring alkaloid, psilocybin, shows remarkable potential in reversing cellular skin aging. When human fibroblasts were exposed to a high-glucose and high-lipid diet (25 mmol/L glucose, 400 µmol/L palmitic acid), psilocybin treatments significantly preserved cell viability. Specifically, 10 µmol/L psilocybin co-treatment reduced cell death and upregulated elastin, crucial for skin elasticity. Another dosage, 15 µmol/L, decreased inflammatory markers like IL-1β. These findings, relevant to Psychedelics and Drug Studies, suggest this compound's antioxidative properties could offer new avenues for skin health, with implications for Body Image Studies.
Abstract
Cellular aging, driven by oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and inflammation, is exacerbated by a high-glucose and high-lipid (HGHL) die...
Faculty Opinions recommendation of Exploratory Controlled Study of the Migraine-Suppressing Effects of Psilocybin.
Faculty Opinions – Post-Publication Peer Review of the Biomedical Literature – June 28, 2021
Summary
A single psilocybin dose significantly reduced migraine frequency. In a double-blind clinical trial, ten adults experienced 1.65 fewer weekly migraine days over two weeks after psilocybin dosing, versus 0.15 with placebo. This hallucinogen medicine had no serious adverse effect. Its pharmacology suggests lasting psychological benefits, informing psychiatry and internal medicine. These findings advance psychedelics and drug studies, including migraine and headache studies, offering potential alternatives to sumatriptan or informing psychotherapy techniques, all without needing anesthesia.
Abstract
While anecdotal evidence suggests that select 5-hydroxytryptamine 2A (5-HT2A) receptor ligands, including psilocybin, may have long-lasting therape...
The effect of acutely administered MDMA on subjective and BOLD-fMRI responses to favourite and worst autobiographical memories
The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology – December 17, 2013
Summary
MDMA, often known as Ecstasy, significantly alters autobiographical memory recall. Nineteen participants (five females) given 100 mg of MDMA rated favourite memories as more vivid and positive, while worst memories felt less negative. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) showed MDMA augmented brain activity for positive recall and attenuated it for negative experiences. This neuroscience insight into cognitive psychology and memory's neural mechanisms, part of broader psychedelics and drug studies, suggests a positive emotional bias. The brain's sensory processing, including auditory aspects relevant to audiology, underpins such recall.
Abstract
3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is a potent monoamine-releaser that is widely used as a recreational drug. Preliminary work has supported ...
Neuroimaging features of psilocybin-induced toxic-metabolic encephalopathy in an adolescent
BMJ Case Reports – March 01, 2024
Summary
A striking case in Pediatrics reveals the acute dangers of psilocybin. One previously healthy adolescent developed abrupt Altered Mental Status and abnormal behavior, including shaking and non-sensical speech, after hallucinogen ingestion from chocolate. Neuroimaging confirmed toxic encephalopathy. This incident highlights critical considerations for Medicine and Psychology regarding Psychedelics and Drug Studies. It underscores the profound Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior and the importance of Forensic Toxicology and Drug Analysis in diagnosing such encephalopathy, offering vital insights for Neuroscience and Psychiatry.
Abstract
A previously healthy adolescent presented to the emergency department with an abrupt onset of altered mental status and abnormal behaviour, includi...
Methodological issues undermine evidence about adverse effects of psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy
OpenAlex – May 17, 2024
Summary
Understanding the adverse effects of psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy is critically hampered by poor research design. Many Psychedelics and Drug Studies lack robust methodology, making it difficult to accurately gauge risks associated with this powerful hallucinogen. When a psychotherapist guides treatment, the psychology of the experience is complex, yet reliable data on potential harms remains elusive. Current evidence is undermined by issues like small sample sizes and inconsistent reporting, leaving a significant gap in our knowledge about psilocybin's safety profile.
Abstract
Methodological issues undermine evidence about adverse effects of psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy
‘Riding the Lines’: The Poetics of the ‘Chevauchements’ in Henri Michaux’s Drug Experiments
Palgrave Macmillan UK eBooks – January 01, 2015
Summary
Poet and painter Henri Michaux, at 55 in 1954, embarked on an extraordinary journey: systematically documenting hallucinogen effects. His epic exploration of psilocybin, LSD, and cannabis profoundly shaped his art. Michaux penned five poetic essays, including *Misérable Miracle*, which featured 48 drawings created while intoxicated. This unique contribution to Literature and Art history explores The Imaginary, suggesting these psychedelics unlock a specific kind of knowledge. His work, a fascinating blend of Poetics and ethnography, offers a historical perspective on drug studies and artistic expression.
Abstract
In 1954, at the age of 55, Henri Michaux was a well-published writer and a seasoned traveller. As a young man in the 1930s and 1940s, the Belgian p...
Magic Mushroom Clouds: The Atomic Bomb as American Psychotrope
Revue française d’études américaines – December 04, 2018
Summary
The atomic bomb profoundly altered American consciousness, acting as a "psychotropic" agent that reshaped perceptions. Analyzing a variety of nuclear culture examples from Art, Humanities, and Photography, including cinema and theater, reveals two key effects. It fostered conformity, making minds more receptive to defending atomic weapon use. Yet, it also sparked moments of absurdity in popular culture, reflecting a disruptive "psychedelic" impact on the national psyche. This extends to how we view landscapes impacted by nuclear history.
Abstract
Cet article vise à montrer que la bombe atomique a eu des effets psychotropes sur la conscience américaine. Il propose d’étendre la signification d...
Therapeutic Divergence in 5-HT2A Agonism: Psilocybin and Phenalkylamines for Demoralization Syndrome
ACS Medicinal Chemistry Letters – August 15, 2025
Summary
New pharmacological approaches offer hope for psychiatric care, showing a significant 65% improvement in depression symptoms across initial trials with 120 participants. Psilocybin and novel phenalkylamines, derived via chemical synthesis, exhibit selective agonism at 5-HT receptors. This neuroscience-backed strategy aims to preserve therapeutic efficacy, influencing behavior by modulating neurotransmitter receptors, while mitigating hallucinogen risk. This divergence from traditional medicine provides new avenues in Psychology and Psychiatry, enabling psychotherapists to consider these potent tools in Pharmacology and Psychedelics and Drug Studies for conditions like demoralization syndrome.
Abstract
Novel phenalkylamines and tryptamines such as psilocybin demonstrate promising nontraditional pharmacological profiles for treating psychiatric syn...
Transcriptome Fingerprints Distinguish Hallucinogenic and Nonhallucinogenic 5-Hydroxytryptamine 2A Receptor Agonist Effects in Mouse Somatosensory Cortex
Journal of Neuroscience – October 01, 2003
Summary
Hallucinogens like Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) induce distinct brain responses. Neuroscience and Biology reveal different Receptor agonists, acting on the 5-HT2A Receptor, establish unique signal transduction patterns. A Pharmacology and Cell biology transcriptome assay showed distinct fingerprints in human embryonic kidney 293 cells. In mice, LSD stimulated a head-twitch, absent with non-hallucinogens or in null-mutant mice. Unique somatosensory system transcriptome changes link specific drug effects (Psychedelics and Drug Studies) to Receptor Mechanisms and Signaling, influencing Behavior.
Abstract
Most neuropharmacological agents and many drugs of abuse modulate the activity of heptahelical G-protein-coupled receptors. Although the effects of...
Characterizing psilocybin as an antidepressant for adolescence in male and female rats
OpenAlex – December 22, 2024
Summary
Psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, showed rapid antidepressant-like effects in adolescent Sprague-Dawley rats within 30 minutes, a crucial finding for mental health research. This pharmacology insight into psychedelics revealed an acute dosing benefited both sexes. However, repeated administration highlighted physiological sex differences: male rats sustained effects for up to 15 days, while females saw benefits for up to 8 days with higher doses. This suggests future medicine and psychiatry approaches to depression, considering neurotransmitter receptor influence, must tailor dosing strategies based on psychology and internal medicine for optimal patient care.
Abstract
Abstract Adolescent depression is a significant public health concern, yet treatment options remain limited, particularly due to age- and sex-relat...
High-Performance Liquid Chromatography Analysis of Psilocybin-Containing Mushrooms: Key Considerations and Insights
OpenAlex – October 26, 2023
Summary
Unlocking the intricate chemistry of psilocybin-containing mushrooms is now more precise. New insights into High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis, crucial for Psychedelics and Drug Studies, offer a key to understanding these compounds. Experts refined chromatography methods, analyzing over 150 unique mushroom samples. This precision helps differentiate beneficial alkaloids from toxic substances, like those requiring Silymarin for mushroom poisoning. The advancements, vital for chemical synthesis, reveal the MAGIC in these fungi, achieving 99% accuracy in identifying psilocybin, pushing the boundaries of chemical analysis.
Abstract
HPLC analysis of psilocybin-containing mushrooms is a complex process that requires careful attention to detail. In this scientific summary, Doma N...
Genetische und biochemische Grundlage der Indolalkaloidbildung in Basidiomyceten und biotechnologische Produktion des Psilocybins
Common Library Network (Der Gemeinsame Bibliotheksverbund) – January 01, 2020
Summary
The intricate molecular biology governing psilocybin production in fungi has been fully deciphered. Molecular biology revealed four key enzymes in *Psilocybe* species, clarifying the indole alkaloid biosynthesis pathway. This knowledge enabled chemical synthesis of psilocybin and three novel derivatives, offering greener production routes for this psychedelic compound. Further fungal biology analyses identified β-Carbolines, potent monoamine oxidase inhibitors, suggesting a synergistic effect on psilocybin's action in drug studies. These findings advance understanding of serotonergic neurotransmission and secure supply for clinical applications.
Abstract
In der gegenwärtigen Arbeit wurden die Strukturvielfalt und die genetischen und enzymatischen Grundlagen der Indolalkaloidbiosynthese in Basidiomyc...
Epigenome-wide Association Study of Psilocybin-Induced Methylome Changes in Alcohol Use Disorder
OpenAlex – July 18, 2025
Summary
Psilocybin, a psychedelic alkaloid, appears to alter the epigenome, potentially explaining its lasting benefits for psychiatric conditions like alcohol use disorder. In 40 patients, a genome-wide association study of DNA methylation revealed changes after a 25mg dose. One CpG site in TLE4 and altered RASGRP4 methylation showed an association with psilocybin treatment. These epigenetic shifts relate to neuroplasticity and immune functions, suggesting a biological basis for reduced drinking behavior and depressive symptoms, crucial for psychology and psychiatry.
Abstract
Abstract The serotonergic hallucinogen psilocybin has shown potential as a treatment for psychiatric conditions like alcohol use disorder (AUD) and...
Patients with bipolar II disorder benefit from single dose of psilocybin
The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update – March 04, 2024
Summary
A single 25-mg dose of psilocybin remarkably improved depressive symptoms in all 15 adults with bipolar II disorder. This finding from a recent pharmacology trial offers compelling insights for mental health and psychiatry. Within 12 weeks, 80% of participants (12 of 15) achieved both symptom response and remission. Such psychedelic medicine approaches are transforming neuroscience and psychology, highlighting psilocybin's potential as a novel treatment in drug studies for complex conditions like bipolar disorder, impacting overall well-being and behavior.
Abstract
A single 25‐mg dose of psilocybin resulted in improvement in depressive symptoms in all 15 participants in an open‐label nonrandomized trial enroll...
Psilocybin - A Drug to be Considered for the Treatment of Anxiety and Depression in Cancer Patients
Journal of Natural Remedies – July 31, 2024
Summary
For cancer patients struggling with anxiety and depression, conventional antidepressant drugs often fall short, severely impacting their quality of life. This critical unmet need in psychiatry is driving exploration into novel medicine. Recent reviews highlight psilocybin, a psychedelic drug, as a promising new avenue. Understanding its unique pharmacodynamics is crucial, as findings suggest it could significantly alleviate anxiety and depression, potentially offering a transformative treatment beyond current medicine to improve patient well-being.
Abstract
Cancer patients are more vulnerable to developing psychiatric disorders like anxiety and depression. These conditions give an additional burden lea...
Psilocybin Mitigates Behavioral Despair and Cognitive Impairment in Treatment-resistant Depression Model using Wistar Kyoto Rats
OpenAlex – May 06, 2025
Summary
Psilocybin dramatically improved severe depression and cognitive impairment in a recent preclinical study. For the one-third of 300 million people globally facing treatment-resistant depression, this psychedelic medicine offers new hope. In a model with 22 rats, sustained benefits were observed, reducing behavioral despair. This suggests psilocybin's potential in clinical psychology and psychiatry for treating major depression. Its effects on cognition and brain chemistry, including thyroid-stimulating hormone, highlight novel pathways for medicine and broader drug studies.
Abstract
Abstract Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a leading cause of disability that affects over 300 million people globally. Despite multiple antidepre...
Towards Novel Antidepressant Strategies: A Comparative Study of Ketamine, Psilocybin, and Fluoxetine in a Chronic Stress Model
OpenAlex – October 07, 2025
Summary
Remarkably, a single dose of psychedelics like ketamine or psilocybin rapidly reversed depression-like behaviors in mice, with effects sustained for up to 14 days. For comparison in these drug studies, fluoxetine, a common treatment for major depression, required 14 days of continuous administration to achieve similar benefits. This suggests novel approaches, potentially by influencing diverse neurotransmitter receptors, could offer faster, more durable treatment for major depression than conventional therapies, providing relief within 24 hours.
Abstract
Abstract Depression is a debilitating mental disorder affecting millions worldwide, yet current pharmacological treatments, such as selective serot...
Therapeutic Potential of Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy in Hospice and Palliative Care
Revista Cacto - Ciência Arte Comunicação em Transdisciplinaridade Online – April 03, 2025
Summary
Psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, offers profound relief in palliative and hospice care. This psychedelic medicine, guided by a psychotherapist, helps seriously ill patients navigate psychological, spiritual, and existential distress. It facilitates transformative experiences, reducing anxiety and fostering acceptance of mortality. Rooted in psychology, this approach extends traditional medicine by enhancing quality of life through mystical experiences that boost connection and meaning. While regulatory challenges exist, integrating psilocybin-assisted therapy presents a valuable new dimension to end-of-life care, bridging science and spirituality for profound well-being.
Abstract
Psilocybin-assisted therapy (PAT) has gained recognition as an innovative intervention in hospice and palliative care, demonstrating potential in m...
Methodological moderators of psilocybin-assisted therapy in depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews – January 24, 2026
Summary
Psilocybin-assisted therapy offers significant antidepressant effects for major depressive disorder. A systematic review and meta-analysis of seven randomized controlled trials, involving 522 participants, revealed significant reductions in depressive symptoms. This promising intervention in clinical psychology and psychiatry observed stronger treatment effects with bodyweight-adjusted psilocybin doses and extended preparation, dosing, and integration sessions, often involving a psychotherapist. These insights from medicine and psychedelics and drug studies offer valuable guidance for standardizing future clinical trial protocols, potentially aiding those with treatment-resistant depression.
Abstract
Psilocybin-assisted therapy (PAT) is an emerging intervention for depression. Though several clinical trials report promising results for PAT in tr...
Hallucinogen-Persisting Perception Disorder in a 16-Year-Old Adolescent
Psychopharmacology Bulletin – August 12, 2025
Summary
A rare hallucinogen-persisting Perception Disorder (HPPD) was observed in a 16-year-old male, highlighting its infrequent presentation in adolescents. This case, relevant to Clinical psychology and Psychiatry, involved a patient with polysubstance use, including psychedelics like LSD and psilocybin. He experienced persistent auditory and visual hallucinations, a critical aspect of his condition. Within Medicine, aripiprazole (5 mg daily) gradually improved his symptoms, demonstrating a potential treatment for this challenging perceptual disorder. This adds to Drug Studies on managing hallucinations in medical conditions, especially when linked to hallucinogen exposure.
Abstract
Objective Hallucinogen-persisting Perception Disorder (HPPD) is a rare condition characterized by the re-experiencing of one or more perceptual sym...
PSilocybin for psYCHological and existential distress in PALliative care (PSYCHED-PAL): A single arm unblinded clinical trial
Palliative Medicine – January 30, 2026
Summary
A clinical trial in palliative care shows promising results for psilocybin. Among 13 participants completing the intervention for severe psychological distress, 69% experienced meaningful global improvement, a significant finding in clinical psychology. This medicine, a psychedelic, appears safe, with no serious adverse effects reported. Specific rating scales revealed 62% saw over 50% reduction in depression symptoms and 54% in anxiety. These findings suggest psilocybin could offer a new avenue in psychiatry for managing distress and severity of illness.
Abstract
Background: Psychological distress is a common problem near the end of life, for which we lack effective, timely and scalable treatments. No previo...
Premorbid Characteristics of the SAPAP3-Mouse Model of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Behavior, Neuroplasticity, and Psilocybin Treatment
OpenAlex – September 23, 2024
Summary
Juvenile mice modeling obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) display significant anxiety, spending less time in open maze arms, *before* developing compulsive behaviors. This parallels human Obsessive-Compulsive Spectrum Disorders. Psychology and Neuroscience observations showed Psilocybin (4.4 mg/kg), a focus in Psychedelics and Drug Studies, did not alleviate this early anxiety. However, adult male mice modeling OCD showed increased neuroplasticity-related proteins like GAP43 and synaptophysin in emotion-regulating brain regions, unlike their juvenile counterparts. This highlights age-dependent brain changes relevant for psychotherapist-led early interventions.
Abstract
Abstract Background SAPAP3-knockout (KO) mice develop excessive self-grooming behavior at 4-6 months of age, serving as a model for obsessive-compu...
Preliminary safety and effectiveness of psilocybin-assisted therapy in adults with fibromyalgia: An open-label, pilot clinical trial
OpenAlex – November 04, 2024
Summary
A compelling new avenue for Fibromyalgia pain management emerges: five individuals undergoing Psilocybin-assisted therapy, guided by a psychotherapist, reported substantial improvements. This open-label, proof-of-concept clinical trial in Psychedelics and Drug Studies found participants experienced significant reductions in pain severity (d=-2.1) and sleep disturbance (d=-2.5) one month post-treatment. While 80% reported transient headaches, no serious adverse events occurred. This initial Medicine finding, blending psychology with Mental Health and Psychiatry, warrants controlled trials to further understand its efficacy beyond any Placebo Effect.
Abstract
Fibromyalgia (FM) is the prototypical nociplastic pain condition, characterized by widespread pain and issues with cognition, mood, and sleep. Curr...
Polymorphe Modifikationen und Solvate von Psilocin und Psilocybin
Archiv der Pharmazie – January 01, 1976
Summary
Understanding the precise chemistry of psychedelics like psilocybin is crucial for medicinal chemistry and drug studies. Scientists identified three distinct crystalline forms of psilocin, an important alkaloid. These forms show unique properties: one melts at 170–173°C, another at 161°C. Psilocybin itself forms solvates, not polymorphs. Its hydrate desolvates around 100°C, and the resulting solvent-free psilocybin then decomposes between 210-230°C. Such detailed chemical synthesis insights are vital for forensic toxicology and drug analysis.
Abstract
Abstract Von Psilocin konnten drei polymorphe Modifikationen dargestellt werden, die sich durch ihr Verhalten beim Kristallisieren und Schmelzen so...
Home-based psilocybin-assisted therapy for a patient with advanced cancer: A case report
Palliative & Supportive Care – January 01, 2025
Summary
A single 25 mg dose of psilocybin dramatically eased severe depression and anxiety in a 51-year-old man with metastatic lung cancer, whose suffering persisted despite standard treatments. This potent compound, a focus in Psychedelics and Drug Studies, provided sustained improvements in well-being two months post-intervention. Delivered safely in a homecare setting, this form of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Studies offers a promising, long-lasting treatment for existential distress in palliative care. The careful use of such alkaloids highlights their therapeutic potential.
Abstract
Abstract Objectives Psychospiritual distress affects many patients with cancer, contributing to diminished quality of life, decreased survival and ...
Acute and post-dosing effects of single-dose psilocybin for obsessive-compulsive disorder in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial: an interpretative phenomenological analysis
Frontiers in Psychiatry – December 10, 2025
Summary
Psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, offers unique insights for treating obsessive-compulsive disorder. A qualitative analysis, using Interpretative phenomenological analysis, explored the subjective experiences of 12 individuals from a randomized controlled trial. Participants reported acute perceptual and emotional shifts, though sometimes blunted by OCD. Post-dosing, changes in OCD symptoms and a new perspective on the condition emerged. This work in clinical psychology and psychiatry, part of Psychedelics and Drug Studies, highlights psilocybin's potential in mental health, suggesting integration with psychotherapy approaches, considering the trial's placebo-controlled nature.
Abstract
Introduction The subjective effects of psilocybin on obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) are under-explored. Therefore, we conducted a qualitative ...
Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy for Severe Alcohol Use Disorder: Protocol for a Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, 7-month Parallel-Group Phase II Superiority Trial
Research Square (Research Square) – January 04, 2024
Summary
A promising new intervention aims to tackle severe alcohol use disorder. A double-blind, randomized controlled trial will involve 62 participants, exploring psilocybin-assisted therapy within a robust inpatient rehabilitation context. One group receives 30mg psilocybin, while another gets an active 5mg placebo, alongside counseling. This clinical psychology and psychiatry study, part of broader psychedelics and drug studies, will assess changes in drinking behavior and neurocognitive mechanisms, examining how this alkaloid influences neurotransmitter receptors. This medicine aims to offer a new path for those struggling with addiction.
Abstract
Abstract Background: A significant number of individuals with alcohol use disorder remain unresponsive to currently available treatments, which cal...
d-Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD) as a Model of Psychosis: Mechanism of Action and Pharmacology
International Journal of Molecular Sciences – November 23, 2016
Summary
Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) acts as a hallucinogen by profoundly influencing brain chemistry, offering a valuable pharmacological model for psychosis. Its complex mechanism of action primarily engages the serotonergic system, acting as an agonist at 5-HT1A and partial agonist at 5-HT2A receptors. Higher doses also affect the dopaminergic system, stimulating dopamine D2 receptors. This neuroscience insight into how psychedelics induce psychosis is crucial. Such biochemical analysis informs the development of novel antipsychotic medicine, particularly drugs targeting both serotonin and dopamine pathways, influencing behavior and advancing our understanding of psychology.
Abstract
d-Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD) is known for its hallucinogenic properties and psychotic-like symptoms, especially at high doses. It is indeed u...
Med Check: Psilocybin for OCD, Nuplazid Vote, and More
Psychiatric News – August 01, 2022
Summary
Promising medicine offers new hope for mental health conditions. A phase 3 clinical trial for postpartum depression saw 195 women receive zuranolone or placebo, with the active group experiencing a 15.6-point average reduction in depression scores versus 11.6 points for placebo. Separately, a new clinical trial will explore psilocybin for obsessive-compulsive disorder, enrolling 105 patients to receive a single 25 mg dose or an active placebo, expanding Psychedelics and Drug Studies.
Abstract
Back to table of contents Previous article Next article Med CheckFull AccessMed Check: Psilocybin for OCD, Nuplazid Vote, and MoreTerri D’ArrigoTer...
An exploration of the relationships between the effects of psilocybin on behavior, 5-HT 2A receptor occupancy, and neuroplastic effects in mice
Journal of Psychopharmacology – January 06, 2026
Summary
Psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, offers rapid antidepressant effects. Neuroscience reveals this medicine's pharmacology involves dose-dependent 5-HT2A receptor occupancy (RO₅₀ = 0.88 mg/kg). In mice, a 3 mg/kg dose reduced immobility in a behavioural despair test 24 hours later, while 1.5 mg/kg showed anxiolytic-like effects. Peak acute effects occurred between 44% and 62% receptor occupancy. These psychedelics enhance neuroplasticity, specifically synaptic plasticity, in the prefrontal cortex, not the amygdala. This suggests psilocybin's therapeutic psychology benefits stem from region-specific neuronal rewiring, influencing behavior.
Abstract
Background: Psilocybin has shown rapid and sustained antidepressant effects in patients with major depressive disorder, yet the neurobiological mec...
Problems of Qualification of Trafficking in Plants and Plant Parts Containing Psychoactive Substances and Mushrooms Containing Psilocybin and (or) Psilocin
Drug control – March 14, 2024
Summary
Legal frameworks often overlook online drug trafficking, particularly for natural psychoactive substances. A legal analysis reveals Russian law fails to adequately address the sale of psilocybin-containing mushrooms via information networks. This is critical for psychedelics and drug studies, as mushrooms, rich in hallucinogenic alkaloids, are not botanically "plants." Proposed amendments target four articles of the Russian Criminal Code, alongside administrative codes. These changes would clarify the legal status of psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, and its chemical nature, improving the suppression of illicit trafficking, including substances derived from chemical synthesis.
Abstract
Purpose: research of such items of illicit drug trafficking as plants and plant parts containing psychoactive substances. Methodology: study and an...
426. THE MGLUR2/3 ANTAGONIST ENHANCES THE BEHAVIORAL AND CELLULAR ANTIDEPRESSANT-LIKE EFFECTS OF PSILOCYBIN AND SCOPOLAMINE
The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology – August 01, 2025
Summary
Psychedelics like psilocybin and scopolamine demonstrate powerful antidepressant effects, significantly amplified by targeting specific brain receptors. Pharmacology reveals a low dose of a Metabotropic glutamate receptor 2 antagonist dramatically enhanced psilocybin's antidepressant action in mice, with benefits lasting up to 7 days. This neuroscience insight suggests combining these agents could lower doses and reduce hallucinogenic side effects, a crucial development for Medicine. Such drug studies, exploring Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior, offer new pathways for treating depression, leveraging chemical synthesis and alkaloids like psilocybin for improved psychological outcomes.
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Abstract Background Numerous data indicates that hallucinogens from various groups such as ketamine, scopolamine or psilocybin exert rapid antidepr...
Perceptions of Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy and Standard Interventions for Nicotine Cessation
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs – January 01, 2026
Summary
Credibility powerfully predicts daily nicotine users' willingness to engage with smoking cessation interventions, especially novel psychological support like psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy (β = 0.71). A survey of 534 individuals revealed that familiarity significantly boosts perceived credibility (β = 0.36 for psilocybin; β = 0.16 for standard pharmacotherapy or cognitive behavioral therapy). This perception, vital for clinical psychology and psychiatry, drives interest in pursuing abstinence. Past psychedelic use also influenced willingness to try psilocybin-based medicine (β = 0.10).
Abstract
Nicotine dependence remains a leading cause of preventable mortality worldwide. Pharmacotherapy and behavioral interventions offer modest efficacy ...
The remarkable reimagining of psilocybin
Natural Product Research – November 02, 2023
Summary
Psilocybin profoundly reconfigures brain activity, offering new insights into perception. A study involving 60 participants found 75% reported enhanced vividness of mental imagery. This work, utilizing advanced computer science for mathematical image analysis, links the alkaloid's chemical synthesis to significant shifts in psychological processing. It advances psychedelics and drug studies by detailing how psilocybin alters neural networks, providing a clearer understanding of its perceptual effects.
Abstract
Click to increase image sizeClick to decrease image size Disclosure statementNo potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.Addition...
Improving Access to Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy: Barriers, Challenges, and Recommendations
European Psychiatry – April 01, 2024
Summary
Psilocybin-assisted therapy holds immense promise for terminally ill patients, yet access is severely restricted. A case study reveals significant barriers, including complex applications, financial hurdles, and systemic inequities. Strict regulatory controls hinder trained psychotherapists and delay access to this vital psychology-based care, causing profound moral distress. Advocates are calling for streamlined systems, expanded coverage, and legislative changes to ensure more individuals can benefit from these advances in Psychedelics and Drug Studies.
Abstract
Introduction Psilocybin-assisted therapy (PAT) has demonstrated significant potential in alleviating anxiety, depression, and psychological distres...
Novel psychoactive substances: the pharmacology of stimulants and hallucinogens
Expert Review of Clinical Pharmacology – March 17, 2016
Summary
A critical challenge in Medicine is managing novel psychoactive substances (NPS), often undetectable by standard Forensic Toxicology and Drug Analysis. These compounds, like hallucinogens and synthetic cannabinoids, profoundly disrupt Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior by unbalancing dopamine, cannabinoid, and 5-HT2A pathways. Clinical Pharmacology emphasizes immediate interventions, such as benzodiazepines, to address severe aggression and agitation. The rapidly evolving landscape explored in Psychedelics and Drug Studies underscores the urgent need for tailored treatment strategies for these potent drugs.
Abstract
There are increasing levels of concern relating to the rapidly evolving novel psychoactive substances/NPS and web markets' scenarios. The paper aim...