Nature
August 1, 2024
Joshua S Siegel, Subha Subramanian, Demetrius Perry et al.
241 citations
A single high dose of psilocybin (25 mg) massively disrupts functional connectivity in the human brain, causing more than threefold greater change than methylphenidate (40 mg). These changes are driven by desynchronization across spatial scales, dissolving network distinctions by reducing correlations within and anticorrelations between networks. The strongest effects occur in the default mode network, which is connected to the anterior hippocampus and is thought to create the sense of space, time, and self. Individual differences in connectivity changes are strongly linked to the subjective psychedelic experience. A persistent decrease in connectivity between the anterior hippocampus and default mode network lasts for weeks, suggesting a neuroanatomical correlate of the therapeutic and proplasticity effects of psychedelics.
American journal of psychotherapy
May 6, 2025
David A Bender, Sandeep M Nayak, Joshua S Siegel et al.
7 citations
Practitioners of psychedelic therapy largely view physical touch as an important component of treatment, but they also emphasize strict professional boundaries and the necessity of patient consent. In a survey of 40 practitioners who had overseen an average of 41.4 psychedelic sessions, 70% agreed that therapeutic touch is crucial. However, most deemed specific forms of touch inappropriate: 63% considered bodywork inappropriate, and 98% considered full-body contact inappropriate. Free-response analysis showed 96% supported touching the patient's hand and 58% supported touching the shoulder. Unprompted, 63% of respondents stressed the importance of consent. These views may inform future practice.
The Journal of clinical psychiatry
February 5, 2025
David A Bender, Sandeep M Nayak, Joshua S Siegel et al.
3 citations
Practitioners who oversee psychedelic therapy sessions slightly prefer an 'emotive' approach—one that emphasizes human and spiritual elements—over a 'neuromodulatory' approach that focuses on biological drug effects. A survey of 40 qualified respondents from at least 4 countries, 11 U.S. states, and 16 institutions found no consensus on many psychological support strategies. Four key themes emerged: the importance of trust, the role of spirituality, creating an emotional setting, and conceptualizing negative experiences. Practitioners trained at the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies or the California Institute of Integral Studies showed a significantly stronger emotive preference than those trained elsewhere.
Psychopharmacology
October 27, 2025
David A Bender, Sandeep M Nayak, Joshua S Siegel et al.
Providers administering psychedelic drugs in clinical trials report a range of challenges, including intense dysphoria during sessions (42% of respondents), disappointment with the intervention (25%), and re-engaging with traumatic experiences (17%). An anonymous survey of 40 qualified respondents who oversaw 1656 psychedelic sessions identified 11 distinct themes of challenges. 70% of respondents felt that individuals with PTSD or prior trauma need additional psychological support, and they recommended an average of 9.8 hours of total psychological support for first-time recipients with serious mental illness. These findings highlight the need to incorporate potential adverse experiences into psychological support protocols for clinical trials and future guidelines.