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Joseph P. Barsuglia

New School

4 papers in the library · 201 citations · publishing 2018-2023

Papers

Psychedelic Treatment for Trauma-Related Psychological and Cognitive Impairment Among US Special Operations Forces Veterans

Chronic Stress August 12, 2020 Alan K. Davis, Lynnette A. Averill, Nathan D. Sepeda et al. 83 citations

Among U.S. Special Operations Forces Veterans who completed a psychedelic treatment program with ibogaine and 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine in Mexico between 2017 and 2019, retrospective reports showed very large reductions in suicidal ideation, cognitive impairment, PTSD symptoms, depression, and anxiety from 30 days before to 30 days after treatment, along with a large increase in psychological flexibility. Increased psychological flexibility was strongly linked to reduced cognitive impairment and mental health symptoms. Most participants rated the experience among the top five most personally meaningful, spiritually significant, and psychologically insightful experiences of their lives. The findings are preliminary due to the retrospective, self-report, non-randomized design.

Intensity of Mystical Experiences Occasioned by 5-MeO-DMT and Comparison With a Prior Psilocybin Study

Frontiers in Psychology December 6, 2018 Rafael Lancelotta, Austin-Marley Windham-Herman, Kristel Peterson et al. 80 citations

Vaporized 5-MeO-DMT, a psychoactive substance from the Colorado River Toad, reliably produced strong mystical experiences in 20 individuals at a psychospiritual retreat. Participants received 50 mg of inhaled bufotoxin and completed the Mystical Experience Questionnaire. The average intensity was 4.17 out of 5, and 75% had a complete mystical experience. Compared to a prior psilocybin study, 5-MeO-DMT matched the intensity of a high dose (30 mg/70 kg) of psilocybin and significantly exceeded a moderate/high dose (20 mg/70 kg). The short duration may benefit clinical interventions and research on mystical-type experiences.

A phenomenological investigation into the lived experience of ibogaine and its potential to treat opioid use disorders

Journal of Psychedelic Studies June 1, 2018 Thaddeus James Camlin, Donald Eulert, A. Thomas Horvath et al. 21 citations

People who took ibogaine for opioid use disorder reported a powerful experience that reduced withdrawal and craving and led to a more optimistic outlook on self and life. Participants described subjective neurological and physical effects, auditory and visual phenomena, and shifts in their perspective. The treatment attenuates opioid withdrawal and produces a subjectively intense physiological, emotional, and psychological experience.

5-MeO-DMT for post-traumatic stress disorder: a real-world longitudinal case study

Frontiers in Psychiatry November 23, 2023 Anya Ragnhildstveit, Ryan Khan, Paul Seli et al. 17 citations

A single dose of vaporized bufotoxin from the Sonoran Desert Toad, containing an estimated 10-15 mg of 5-MeO-DMT, produced clinically significant improvements in chronic, treatment-resistant PTSD in a 23-year-old female. Next-day effects included marked reductions in hopelessness and suicide risk, with improvements sustained at 1-, 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-ups. The subject reported a complete mystical experience, which may underlie the therapeutic activity. No serious adverse events occurred, but acute nausea, overwhelming subjective effects, and late-onset night terrors were reported. Results suggest 5-MeO-DMT is generally tolerable and effective for PTSD, though the findings are non-generalizable and rely on methods not clinically accepted.