Brazilian Journal of Psychiatry
March 1, 2010
Jaime E. C. Hallak, João Paulo Machado‐de‐Sousa, José Alexandre S. Crippa et al.
122 citations
A single dose of cannabidiol (CBD) does not improve selective attention in people with schizophrenia, and higher doses may worsen performance. In a study of 28 patients, those given 600 mg of CBD performed worse on the Stroop Color Word Test than those given 300 mg or placebo, while all groups showed some improvement from practice. No differences were found in electrodermal responses to sounds. The authors suggest that chronic CBD administration might still be beneficial, but acute treatment appears ineffective for cognitive symptoms.
BMC Neuroscience
March 5, 2015
Ludmyla Kandratavicius, Priscila Alves Balista, Daniele C. Wolf et al.
40 citations
Nitric oxide donors, especially sodium nitroprusside (SNP), show promise for treating schizophrenia. In a rat model using ketamine to induce schizophrenia-like behaviors, SNP given either before or after ketamine consistently reduced hyperlocomotion. Glyceryl trinitrate and SNP given after ketamine improved long-term memory, while methylene blue given before ketamine also improved long-term memory. The effects depended on whether the drug was administered before or after ketamine, suggesting the timing of treatment matters. These findings indicate that nitric oxide modulation could be a new pharmacological approach for schizophrenia.
Front Psychiatry
November 6, 2024
Cristiano Chaves, Rafael G. Dos Santos, Serdar M. Dursun et al.
11 citations
DMT (N,N-dimethyltryptamine) is a naturally occurring psychedelic found in plants and produced endogenously in the human body. Unlike other classical psychedelics such as LSD and psilocybin, DMT does not induce tolerance with repeated use, produces intense visual and breakthrough experiences, and activates sigma-1 receptors and intracellular 5HT2A receptors. Its unique pharmacology includes interactions with multiple neurotransmitter systems and promotion of neuroplasticity. Preliminary research suggests therapeutic potential for treatment-resistant depression and other mental health disorders, though studies remain early-stage with small samples. DMT's short duration and lack of tolerance make it practical for clinical use, but more research is needed on optimal dosing, safety, and efficacy.
European Neuropsychopharmacology
September 1, 2009
D. Almeida Prado, Joel Porfírio Pinto, José Alexandre S. Crippa et al.
9 citations
Ayahuasca, a traditional Amazonian brew, shows promise in psychiatry, with 66% of participants reporting significant improvement in depressive symptoms after treatment. This study involved 100 individuals seeking relief from mental health issues. Participants experienced enhanced emotional well-being and altered perspectives on life, suggesting a blend of psychological and philosophical enlightenment. The findings highlight ayahuasca's potential as a medicinal tool within the broader context of psychedelics and drug studies, offering new insights into the intersection of psychology, art, and anthropology in understanding human experience.
Journal of Eating Disorders
December 27, 2024
Elena Koning, Cristiano Chaves, Elisa Brietzke et al.
2 citations
Eating disorders affect 1-3% of the population, and standard treatments fail for about one third of cases. Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy shows emerging evidence for improving outcomes, but limited knowledge of its neurobiological mechanisms restricts confirmation of clinical utility. This narrative review surveys methodologies—including magnetic resonance imaging, molecular neuroimaging, electrophysiology, and neuroplasticity markers—that could probe the neurobiological correlates of psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy in eating disorders. It describes implications of these methods for psychedelic study design, challenges, limitations, and future directions, serving as a resource for scientists designing studies to identify effective therapeutic interventions.
Trends in Psychiatry and Psychotherapy
January 1, 2025
Elena Koning, Pedro Starzynski Bacchi, Cristiano Chaves et al.
Both models of psychological intervention in psilocybin-assisted therapy (PAP) may have clinical relevance for treating depression. Future research should standardize reporting of psychological interventions in PAP and use comparative study designs to better evaluate non-specific and specific treatment models, which could inform clinical guidelines.