BioMed Research International
January 1, 2014
Benjamin Rolland, Renaud Jardri, Ali Amad et al.
96 citations
Hallucinations arise from at least three distinct pharmacological pathways: activation of dopamine D2 receptors by psychostimulants, activation of serotonin 5HT2A receptors by psychedelics, and blockage of glutamate NMDA receptors by dissociative anesthetics. In schizophrenia, the relative roles of NMDA and dopamine receptors remain debated, and slight clinical differences appear depending on the cause. This narrative review synthesizes how leading researchers have approached whether the concept of hallucination is clinically and neurobiologically homogeneous. Some favor a single mechanism, while others propose integrated theories based on pharmacological psychosis models. The authors suggest that although common neurobiological pathways may exist, each system likely has unique properties that explain observed clinical differences.
Schizophrenia
September 29, 2022
Mathilde Argote, Guillaume Sescousse, Jérôme Brunelin et al.
7 citations
Formal thought disorder (FTD) is a multidimensional syndrome occurring along the psychosis continuum. A meta-analysis of 19 studies including 1840 cannabis users and 3351 non-cannabis users found that cannabis users had higher severity of FTD (standardized mean difference = 0.21). This increase was present regardless of disorder severity: in healthy individuals, patients with first-episode psychosis, and patients with schizophrenia. Between-group differences were not significant. Cannabis use appears to be associated with increased FTD severity all along the psychosis continuum, consistent with its known effect on positive symptoms.
Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England)
February 1, 2025
Sophie-Athéna Chapron, Guilhem Bonazzi, Laura Di Lodovico et al.
5 citations
A systematic review of 31 studies involving 2639 participants found that 12 studies reported a significant decrease in craving for alcohol, opioids, cocaine, or tobacco after psychedelic use. However, all but two studies had moderate to high risk of bias due to methodological issues, so the promising anti-craving effects must be interpreted cautiously. The review highlights the need for larger, well-controlled trials to better understand psychedelics' effects on craving, a core symptom of substance use disorders and a predictor of relapse.