Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews
October 5, 2020
Genís Ona, José Carlos Bouso
59 citations
Psilocybin, a hallucinogen derived from certain mushrooms, significantly improved mood in 70% of participants during a controlled drug study. In a sample of 100 individuals, those receiving psilocybin reported enhanced psychological well-being compared to just 30% in the placebo group. The findings suggest that specific dosing of this alkaloid could serve as a promising avenue in complementary and alternative medicine, highlighting its potential role in pharmacology and mental health treatment. Overall, these results bolster interest in psychedelics within drug studies.
Psychopharmacology
June 1, 2022
Genís Ona, Juliana Mendes Rocha, José Carlos Bouso et al.
41 citations
Ibogaine, a hallucinogenic and psychostimulant alkaloid from the African shrub Tabernanthe iboga, is known for its anti-addictive properties, but its use is associated with serious adverse events and fatalities. A systematic review of 18 studies from 2015 to 2020 found highly heterogeneous results regarding the product used and dosages. Adverse events were classified as acute effects (within 24 hours) and persistent cardiac, psychiatric, and neurological alterations. The review highlights the need for phase I clinical trials to establish safety for standardized ibogaine products, and for research to identify vulnerable populations and develop effective screening and clinical procedures.
Transcultural psychiatry
October 1, 2022
Genís Ona, Ali Berrada, José Carlos Bouso
28 citations
The Global Mental Health movement seeks to expand mental health treatment in low- and middle-income countries, but debates persist about how best to serve diverse cultures. Beyond biomedical interventions, complementary approaches should emphasize social and community aspects. Many cultures have traditional rituals involving communal use of psychoactive plants, which should be respected and promoted as valuable tools for community-level mental health care. These practices foster community engagement, are relatively affordable, and respect local worldviews. Their medical systems can be explained biomedically, and recent clinical trials show therapeutic potential. Psychoactive plants and associated rituals offer benefits as complementary mental health services.
Journal of Psychedelic Studies
March 21, 2018
Genís Ona
26 citations
Bad trips—adverse reactions to psychedelic drugs—are linked to recreational use, consumption in large outdoor spaces, and inexperience with the drug. Mixing drugs, ignorance about purity or dosage, and other problems that may contribute to bad trips can be addressed through harm-reduction strategies. However, a causal connection cannot be established from this descriptive, web-based survey of volunteers who had previously experienced a bad trip. Prospective studies with larger samples are needed to clarify the role of extra-pharmacological factors.
Journal of clinical psychopharmacology
María Gómez-sousa, Daniel F Jiménez-garrido, Genís Ona et al.
24 citations
Among 40 first-time ayahuasca ceremony participants, 7 reported intense challenging psychological effects. Four of those 7 had a pre-existing psychiatric diagnosis; one month after the ceremony, two no longer met diagnostic criteria and the other two showed considerably reduced symptoms, with effects persisting at six months. Poor setting and guidance contributed to some reactions. Six of the seven did not use ayahuasca again during the study. The findings suggest that acute negative psychological reactions during ayahuasca ceremonies can sometimes be followed by positive long-term effects, highlighting the need for prospective research on safety and contextual factors.
Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England)
December 1, 2023
Genís Ona, Ingrid Reverte, Giordano N Rossi et al.
20 citations
Ibogaine and its main metabolite, noribogaine, modulate several brain targets associated with substance use disorders. Rather than having a single key mechanism, their anti-addictive action appears to arise from a complex modulation of multiple receptor systems, creating potential beneficial synergies. This understanding comes from a review of theoretical and experimental studies published up to July 2022. The authors suggest that future research should apply polypharmacology approaches to better describe the multifaceted patterns of this multi-target drug, which could guide both mechanistic and therapeutic studies.
Neuroscience of consciousness
January 1, 2025
Christopher Timmermann, James W Sanders, David Reydellet et al.
19 citations
The psychedelic 5-MeO-DMT can, in its most extreme cases, produce a complete absence of self-experience and other perceptual content while preserving a quality of aroused, waking awareness. In an exploratory observational study in naturalistic ceremonial settings, micro-phenomenological interviews, questionnaires, and EEG recordings revealed a dynamic progression of effects, including variable disruptions of bodily and narrative self, reduced phenomenal distinctions, and visual imagery. EEG showed global alpha and posterior beta power reductions, suggesting inhibition of top-down brain models. The findings indicate 5-MeO-DMT's potential as a pharmacological model for deconstructed consciousness, though retrospective questionnaires have limitations.
Drug and alcohol review
February 1, 2023
Borja J Rodríguez-cano, Maja Kohek, Genís Ona et al.
17 citations
Ibogaine, a psychoactive alkaloid from the Tabernanthe iboga plant traditionally used in Bwiti culture, has been used experimentally to treat substance use disorders (SUD) since 1962. Interviews with 13 people who self-treated their SUD with ibogaine revealed that the drug's therapeutic benefits arise not only from its pharmacology but also from the subjective experience it induces. Participants reported that ibogaine evoked interpersonal and transpersonal experiences, autobiographical memories, and personal insights. These effects, along with preparation, integration, and motivation for lifestyle change, appear to help individuals cope with their SUD, particularly given limited alternative treatment options.
The international journal of neuropsychopharmacology
January 12, 2022
Genís Ona, Frederic Sampedro, Sergio Romero et al.
17 citations
Kappa opioid receptor (KOR) agonists like salvinorin-A produce psychotomimetic effects through largely unknown mechanisms. In a double-blind, crossover, randomized, placebo-controlled study, acute administration of salvinorin-A increased delta and gamma brain waves while decreasing alpha waves, as measured by electroencephalography. Single-photon emission computed tomography revealed significant decreases in regional cerebral blood flow across frontal, temporal, parietal, and occipital cortices, with increases in the medial temporal lobe, amygdala, hippocampal gyrus, and cerebellum. Subjective effects resembled other psychotomimetic drugs but were distinctly dissociative, with no dysphoria reported. KOR agonism by salvinorin-A induces dramatic psychotomimetic effects alongside generalized reductions in cortical blood flow and electrical activity.
Frontiers in Psychiatry
December 19, 2023
Jonathan David, José Carlos Bouso, Maja Kohek et al.
14 citations
More than half of people who participate in ayahuasca ceremonies report having a subjective sense of death during the experience, termed Ayahuasca-induced Personal Death (APD). These experiences are typically strong and transformative, associated with an increased sense of transcending death and greater certainty that consciousness continues after death. APDs are not linked to demographics, personality, or psychopathology, but are associated with greater environmental concern, improved ability to cope with life problems, and a heightened sense of life fulfillment. The findings suggest these death experiences may be a mechanism for psychedelics' long-term positive effects.
Journal of Psychedelic Studies
February 12, 2019
Genís Ona, Sebastián Troncoso
13 citations
A case report describes a long-lasting analgesic effect after use of changa, a psychedelic drug containing N,N-dimethyltryptamine and β-carboline-rich seeds of Peganum harmala. The authors suggest both pharmacological and non-pharmacological factors may be involved, but due to changa's complex actions on multiple neurotransmitter systems, further research is needed to establish specific mechanisms. This provides preliminary evidence of an analgesic effect from changa.
Culture, medicine and psychiatry
June 1, 2023
José Carlos Bouso, Genís Ona, Maja Kohek et al.
8 citations
Hallucinations are not exclusively tied to psychopathology; they also occur in healthy individuals and, in certain contexts such as those induced by hallucinogenic drugs, can improve mental health. Historical, epidemiological, and scientific evidence suggests hallucinations are a common phenomenon that can be functional and beneficial. The authors argue that hallucinations can provide a privileged route to understanding the mind and the world, a shift that could impact drug policy, civil law, psychiatry, and reduce stigma around mental disorders.
Preprints.org
January 24, 2019
Genís Ona, José Carlos Bouso
8 citations
preprint
The current crisis in psychopharmacology has deep historical roots and requires innovative approaches. The therapeutic use of psychedelic drugs offers a promising and integrative treatment with enduring effects for mental health problems.
European neuropsychopharmacology : the journal of the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology
August 1, 2024
Óscar Soto-Angona, Adriana Fortea, Lydia Fortea et al.
7 citations
A scoping review of 16 human and 11 animal studies suggests that classic psychedelics may not increase seizure risk in healthy individuals or animals when used alone, but concomitant use of other substances like kambo or lithium could raise that risk. The evidence is heterogeneous and lacks sufficient external validity, so conclusions should be interpreted cautiously. The review also outlines possible neurobiological mechanisms and future research directions.
Advances in experimental medicine and biology
January 1, 2021
Jose Carlos Bouso, Genís Ona, Rafael G Dos Santos et al.
6 citations
Research on psychedelic drugs for therapeutic use has grown, driven by the need for innovative psychiatric treatments. Clinical trials have assessed psilocybin and ayahuasca for mental disorders including major depression. This chapter reviews the history and terminology of psychedelic research, analyzes recent clinical trials administering these drugs to patients, describes neurobiological mechanisms that may underlie therapeutic effects, and notes that psychedelics are commonly used as adjuncts to psychotherapy. The chapter concludes by suggesting future challenges for this field.
Quaderns de l Institut Català d Antropologia
October 24, 2023
Genís Ona
2 citations
In Brazil, ayahuasca is used in clinical settings without the psychotherapeutic models that typically guide subjective effects in other countries. This creates a complex intersection between clinical use, Indigenous and religious community practices, and the dominant therapeutic frameworks built around hallucinogens. The text discusses how these different uses and relationships interact, highlighting the unique Brazilian context where no specific psychotherapeutic orientations or techniques for directing subjective experience are employed.
Natural product research
May 1, 2023
Genís Ona, Maja Kohek, José Carlos Bouso
2 citations
The authors argue that the emerging field of psychedelic research can benefit from natural product research. They outline specific research topics involving hallucinogens that directly connect with broader natural product research.
Natural product research
June 2, 2026
Genís Ona, Cristina Llagostera, Oscar Alvarez et al.
Psilocybin from Psilocybe cubensis mushrooms shows therapeutic potential, but current research focuses only on isolated psilocybin, ignoring the whole mushroom's broader pharmacology and cultural use. This perspective advocates for studying standardized whole-mushroom extracts. Preclinical studies comparing whole extracts with pure psilocybin reveal enhanced or distinct effects on synaptic proteins, metabolomic profiles, and behavioral outcomes in models of depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Whole extracts may also enable more affordable and equitable treatment models than high-cost synthetic psilocybin. The article argues for urgent exploration of whole-mushroom therapeutics to base psychedelic medicine on a full spectrum of evidence.
Journal of Psychedelic Studies
March 9, 2026
Genís Ona, Sidsel Marie
Ibogaine, a psychedelic alkaloid, has a history before its 1960s anti-addictive discovery that involves colonial appropriation, early pharmaceutical research, and commodification. During French colonial rule, ibogaine-containing plants from the Congo Basin were classified and appropriated. In 1900, ibogaine was isolated from Tabernanthe iboga, leading to early French scientific research on its effects. Throughout the 20th century, ibogaine was commercialized in several pharmaceutical products, including Dragées Nyrdahl, Grains des Anémiques, Syséros, Viris Lucet, Ibobiose, and Iperton. Evidence shows ibogaine was used in Mexico in 1913 for substance use disorder, challenging the dominant account of its anti-addictive discovery. Indigenous medicinal knowledge from the Congo Basin critically shaped subsequent scientific understanding.
Frontiers in psychiatry
January 1, 2025
Jonathan David, José Carlos Bouso, Maja Kohek et al.
correction
A correction was issued for a published article: the average number of ayahuasca uses in the ayahuasca group was revised from 69.4 to 55.7 (standard deviation 82.1). Participants had used ayahuasca 5.2 times more than psilocybin, 4.6 times more than mescaline, and 5.6 times more than LSD. The authors state the error does not alter the scientific conclusions.
Repositorio Universidad de Caldas
July 1, 2018
Genís Ona
A review of current research on the therapeutic potential of psychedelic substances identifies notable limitations and biases in both observational studies and clinical trials. The authors conclude that current research on psychedelic therapy contains significant errors that may lead to confusion about its efficacy and safety in therapeutic contexts.