Scientific Reports
February 7, 2024
Broc A. Pagni, Petros Petridis, Samantha K. Podrebarac et al.
30 citations
In a small pilot study, patients with alcohol use disorder underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging before and after receiving either psilocybin or diphenhydramine. Psilocybin increased activity in the medial and lateral prefrontal cortex and left caudate, while decreasing activity in the insular, motor, temporal, parietal, and occipital cortices, and cerebellum. For negative emotional cues, psilocybin increased supramarginal gyrus activity; for positive cues, it increased right hippocampus activity and decreased left hippocampus activity. These brain changes suggest enhanced goal-directed action, improved emotional regulation, and diminished craving, but larger studies are needed to confirm the neural mechanisms of psilocybin-assisted therapy.
Nature Mental Health
October 7, 2024
Petros Petridis, Jack Grinband, Gabrielle Agin-Liebes et al.
10 citations
Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy (PAP) may treat a wider range of psychiatric symptoms in cancer patients than previously recognized. Pooled data from two phase II randomized placebo-controlled crossover trials involving 79 participants with cancer-related distress showed that PAP significantly improved anxiety, depression, interpersonal sensitivity, hostility, obsession-compulsion, and somatization. No lasting phobia, paranoia, or psychosis was induced. Improvements were consistent across both trials, suggesting PAP could serve as a comprehensive mental health treatment for this population.
Journal of Clinical and Translational Science
April 1, 2024
Broc A. Pagni, Petros Petridis, Samantha K. Podrebarac et al.
1 citation
In a small pilot study, psilocybin, compared to diphenhydramine, altered brain activity in people with alcohol use disorder when they viewed alcohol and emotional images. Psilocybin increased activity in the medial and lateral prefrontal cortex and left caudate, and decreased activity in the insular, motor, temporal, parietal, and occipital cortices and cerebellum. For negative cues, psilocybin increased supramarginal gyrus activity; for positive cues, it increased right hippocampus activity and decreased left hippocampus activity. These changes suggest enhanced goal-directed action, improved emotional regulation, and diminished craving, warranting larger studies.