Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
January 29, 2025
Jason B Luoma, Kim Hoffman, Adrianne R Wilson-Poe et al.
3 citations
Oregon's early psilocybin facilitator workforce is relatively diverse, with many holding existing healthcare licenses. Among 16 active training programs, mean tuition was $9,359 and half offered diversity scholarships. Survey respondents (n=106) reported that training expenses were a moderate-to-severe financial strain, though most were satisfied with their training. The mean planned price for a session was $1,388, and common specializations included trauma, mental disorders, consciousness exploration, and spirituality. Facilitators requested ongoing training opportunities. These findings are crucial for informing future policy and training program development to support a diverse and effective workforce.
Frontiers in psychiatry
January 1, 2025
Dimitri Perivoliotis, Kayla Knopp, Shannon Remick et al.
2 citations
Set and setting—the mindset a person brings to therapy and the environment in which it occurs—are foundational to MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD and critically influence its efficacy. Drawing on experience conducting clinical trials in the Veterans Health Administration, this article describes advantages and challenges of implementing this intervention in large healthcare systems. Specific, practical suggestions are offered for optimizing set and setting from both participant and clinician perspectives, aiming to leverage opportunities and adapt to challenges. These recommendations are intended to inform future research and potential clinical implementation efforts in traditional healthcare settings.
Frontiers in neuroscience
January 1, 2026
Jenna E Kachmarik, Jennifer M Loftis, Christopher S Stauffer
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is linked to higher inflammation and chronic illness risk, but few studies have examined how PTSD interventions affect inflammatory biomarkers. In this pilot study, 23 Veterans with PTSD provided blood samples before and after MDMA-assisted group therapy. Small increases occurred in interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP), while tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) showed a small decrease. Higher baseline IL-6 and TNF-α were associated with more severe PTSD symptoms. IL-6 change correlated with symptom change, and higher baseline IL-6 weakly predicted symptom improvement. These preliminary results suggest MDMA-assisted therapy may influence inflammatory biomarkers and highlight relationships between biomarkers and PTSD symptoms.
Drug and alcohol dependence
July 1, 2025
Dilara Bahceci, Krista Siefried, Maureen Steele et al.
Among 268 people who used methamphetamine, nearly half had a diagnosed mental illness and were at risk of suicide, and most had taken other substances besides methamphetamine and psychedelics. Most psychedelic experiences were unplanned, recreational, and combined with other drugs. After the experience, about 59% reported improved mood, 50% improved social functioning, and 34% reduced methamphetamine use. Planning the experience and having less challenging experiences were linked to better outcomes. The findings suggest that psychedelic use may improve mood and social function and reduce substance use in this population, but highlight the importance of context and setting.