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Matthew W Johnson

Johns Hopkins University, Johns Hopkins Medicine

29 papers in the library · 5,081 citations · publishing 2011-2025

Papers

Assessing potential of psilocybin for depressive disorders

Expert Opinion on Investigational Drugs October 3, 2023 Zofia Kozak, Matthew W Johnson, Scott T Aaronson 10 citations

Patients with treatment-resistant depression may be the most suitable candidates for psilocybin treatment when weighing known risks and benefits against existing standards of care. Much remains unknown about the risks of psilocybin treatment.

DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2023.2273493 Major depressive disorder Psychedelic-assisted therapy Psilocybin, psychedelics Magic mushroom therapy +2

Safety, Tolerability, Pharmacokinetics, and Pharmacodynamics of Subcutaneous RE104: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Single Ascending Dose Placebo-Controlled Study.

Journal of clinical psychopharmacology July 21, 2025 Guy Ludbrook, Nathan Bryson, Beatrix Taylor et al. 2 citations

A single subcutaneous dose of RE104, a prodrug of the synthetic psychedelic 4-OH-DiPT, was generally safe and well-tolerated in 48 healthy adults with prior psychedelic experience. Doses from 5 to 40 mg produced no serious adverse events or deaths; most side effects were mild to moderate and occurred under supervision. The drug appeared rapidly in the blood, with peak levels reached in 1.0 to 1.25 hours and a half-life of 2.72 to 4.12 hours. Exposure increased proportionally with dose. Plasma levels correlated with drug effects and mystical experiences, and higher doses produced more complete mystical experiences. The psychoactive experience lasted 3 to 4 hours, shorter than psilocybin, suggesting a favorable therapeutic profile.

DOI: 10.1097/jcp.0000000000002047 Full text Psilocybin 4‑substituted tryptamines Re104 Hallucinogens +14

Classic psychedelics in the treatment of substance use disorder: Potential synergies with twelve-step programs.

The International journal on drug policy December 1, 2021 David B Yaden, Andrea P Berghella, Paul S Regier et al.

Classic psychedelics like psilocybin show promise for treating substance use disorders, and if larger trials confirm efficacy, psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy might be integrated into existing treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy and twelve-step facilitation programs like Alcoholics Anonymous. Although AA has historically rejected medication-assisted treatments, the authors argue that classic psychedelics and their subjective experiences may be more compatible than conventional medications. They describe Bill Wilson's, the founder of AA, little-known experiences with psychedelics, suggesting aspects of psychedelic treatments could complement AA. A review of clinical trials evaluating psychedelics for substance use disorders is provided, along with discussion of potential large-scale impact if integrated into AA.

DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2021.103380 Full text Community Harm reduction Psychedelics Twelve step