ACS pharmacology & translational science
April 9, 2021
Gabrielle Agin-Liebes, Trevor F Haas, Rafael Lancelotta et al.
121 citations
Most people who used mescaline in natural settings reported lasting improvements in depression, anxiety, PTSD, and substance use disorders, with 68–86% of those with a history of these conditions noting subjective improvement after their most memorable experience. Those who improved reported stronger acute mystical-type, psychological insight, and ego dissolution effects (Cohen's d 0.7–1.5). For 35–50% of respondents, the mescaline experience ranked among the top five most spiritually significant or meaningful events of their lives. Psychological insight during the experience was linked to higher odds of improvement in depression, anxiety, and alcohol and drug use disorders. The authors call for controlled clinical trials to confirm these preliminary findings.
Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England)
January 1, 2024
Lisa X Luan, Emma Eckernäs, Michael Ashton et al.
41 citations
A novel method of administering the psychedelic DMT via a bolus injection followed by a constant-rate infusion safely extends the experience to 30 minutes in a stable and tolerable fashion. In eleven healthy volunteers, subjective effects plateaued into a steady state while plasma DMT concentrations continued to rise, indicating acute psychological tolerance. Anxiety ratings remained low and heart rate habituated within 15 minutes, demonstrating psychological and physiological safety. This continuous intravenous administration method lays groundwork for further basic and clinical research into DMT's potential for treating mental health conditions and studying consciousness.
Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews
December 1, 2023
Guy W Fincham, Amy Kartar, Malin V Uthaug et al.
41 citations
High Ventilation Breathwork (HVB)—volitional manipulation of breathing used historically for psychological distress—produces extraordinary changes in subjective experience and profound effects on central and autonomic nervous systems by modulating neurometabolic parameters and interoceptive sensory systems. Clinical observations and neurophysiological studies indicate these practices may have therapeutic potential for trauma-related, affective, and somatic disorders. The evidence base suggests that the phenomenological effects of HVB can be understood and potentially harnessed through volitional perturbation of psychophysiological state, but further research is needed for detailed mechanistic knowledge and rigorous clinical testing of these potential uses.
Frontiers in Psychiatry
November 13, 2023
Tor-Morten Kvam, Malin V Uthaug, Kristoffer A A Andersen et al.
21 citations
In a survey of 770 Norwegian adults who had a memorable experience with a classic psychedelic substance like psilocybin or LSD, most used the substance for recreational (46.1%) or therapeutic (42.3%) reasons. Psilocybin was the most common substance for the memorable experience. Many participants reported self-perceived symptoms of mental disorders and substance use disorders, and most said their condition improved after the experience. Adverse reactions were usually mild and short-lived, but 4.2% lasted a year or more, and 2.9% had persisting flashbacks for a year or more. The findings highlight both benefits and long-term risks in a self-selecting sample.
Frontiers in psychiatry
January 1, 2021
Sylvana Vilca-Melendez, Malin V Uthaug, Julian L Griffin
5 citations
A systematic review found that proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) spectroscopy has been used primarily for structural elucidation and analytical characterization of psychedelic molecules such as psilocin, LSD, DMT, and bufotenin, but no studies have applied 1H NMR to metabolic profiling of biofluids in psychedelic research, revealing a research gap. The review compared 1H NMR with mass spectrometry, noting both techniques are suitable for biofluid analysis in other fields. Future directions identified include real-time NMR, in vivo magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and gut microbiome studies. Further research is needed to determine whether 1H NMR will be an effective approach for analyzing metabolites in peripheral biofluids and in vivo.
Frontiers in pharmacology
January 1, 2025
Paula Aarseth Tunstad, Tor-Morten Kvam, Malin V Uthaug et al.
2 citations
An anonymous internet survey of Norwegian-speaking adults who had a memorable experience with a classic psychedelic substance found that 85% reported a small to large positive change in subjective wellbeing after the experience. Integration, ego dissolution, and emotional breakthrough had a clear positive predictive effect on self-reported wellbeing. Variables with smaller but significant effects included challenging experiences, nature or ceremony settings, and a therapeutic or seeking intention. The authors view these findings as hypothesis-generating rather than confirmatory due to study limitations.