Current Psychology
September 8, 2023
Camile Bahi, Mona Irrmischer, Katrien Franken et al.
27 citations
A single session of connected breathing reduced negative mood states (anger, tension, confusion, depression) and increased esteem in 20 healthy adults aged 23–39. Electroencephalography recordings showed decreased delta and theta brainwave power in frontotemporal and parietal regions, and decreased beta1 and beta2 power in parietotemporal regions. Experienced practitioners showed increased gamma power. Subjective experiences during breathwork resembled those after medium to high doses of psilocybin, indicating mystical-type experiences. The results suggest breathwork alters brain activity and mood and may improve mental well-being.
arXiv (Cornell University)
October 10, 2019
Camile Bahi
2 citations
Depression and anxiety are common in cancer patients, and standard antidepressants have not proven effective for this distress compared to placebo. A systematic review and meta-analysis of four randomized studies involving 105 patients found that psilocybin, a serotoninergic hallucinogen, significantly reduced cancer-related depression and anxiety compared to placebo, as measured by pooled Peto odds ratios. The substance appeared safe for these patients. The review also identified surprising psychological mechanisms that may underlie the effects. Psilocybin-based therapy shows potential as a treatment for cancer-related distress, but future research should confirm these findings in larger populations and explore application to non-hospitalized patients.
arXiv Preprint Archive
July 16, 2020
Camile Bahi
Depression is the world's leading cause of disability, yet classical antidepressants offer limited relief. Ketamine and psychedelics have shown promise and received Breakthrough Therapy designation. Their precise mechanisms remain unclear, but shared features include promoting structural, functional, and behavioral plasticity and increasing Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) via mTOR activation. This review connects pharmacological pathways of 5-HT2AR agonists and NMDA antagonists to neurobiological and psychological responses. It suggests that BDNF-driven plasticity alters connectivity in high-level cognitive networks like the Default Mode Network, fostering lasting psychological flexibility. Verifying these hypotheses could guide development of safer antidepressants and biomarkers for treatment response.
arXiv Preprint Archive
October 10, 2019
Camile Bahi
Groundbreaking neuroscience research reveals psilocybin therapy shows remarkable promise for cancer patients struggling with emotional distress. Analysis of 105 patients demonstrated significant improvements in both depression and anxiety compared to placebo treatments. Using advanced quantitative modeling (q-bio.QM) and neural circuit analysis (q-bio.NC), researchers found the treatment both safe and effective.