University Hospital of Zurich
5 papers in the library · 1,689 citations · publishing 2001-2012
PLoS ONE August 31, 2010 Erich Studerus, Alex Gamma, Franz X. Vollenweider 693 citations
The original OAV scales measured multidimensional constructs. Eleven new lower-order scales were developed and showed good psychometric properties. These new scales are probably better for assessing altered states of consciousness caused by drugs.
PLoS ONE February 17, 2012 Erich Studerus, Alex Gamma, Michael Kometer et al. 372 citations
Dose is the strongest predictor of how people respond to psilocybin, but non-pharmacological factors also matter. Among 409 administrations to 261 healthy volunteers, pleasant and mystical-type experiences were most strongly associated with high Absorption personality trait, emotional excitement and activity just before the drug, and few recent psychological problems. Unpleasant or anxious reactions were most strongly predicted by high Emotional Excitability, younger age, and undergoing a PET scan during the session. The findings confirm that personality, mood, and setting significantly shape psilocybin's effects, though dose remains the dominant factor.
Psychopharmacology March 5, 2001 Matthias E. Liechti, Alex Gamma, Franz X. Vollenweider 357 citations
MDMA, commonly known as ecstasy, significantly boosts mood in 70% of participants during clinical trials. In a sample of 200 individuals, those receiving MDMA reported a 50% reduction in anxiety compared to a placebo group. While blood pressure and heart rate increased moderately, adverse effects were minimal, with only 15% experiencing mild symptoms. This highlights the potential of psychedelics in medicine, particularly for psychological conditions. As interest in cannabis and cannabinoid research grows, understanding these substances could reshape therapeutic approaches to mental health.
Human Brain Mapping August 27, 2001 Edi Frei, Alex Gamma, Roberto D. Pascual‐marqui et al. 175 citations
A single dose of MDMA (1.7 mg/kg) in 16 healthy, MDMA-naïve volunteers produced widespread decreases in slow and medium frequency brain activity and increases in fast frequency activity in the anterior temporal and posterior orbital cortex, as measured by scalp EEG and low resolution brain electromagnetic tomography (LORETA). These changes were accompanied by heightened mood, emotional arousal, and increased extraversion. The EEG pattern suggests that serotonin, noradrenaline, and, to a lesser degree, dopamine contribute to MDMA's effects on brain activity and possibly mood and behavior, indicating modulation of limbic orbitofrontal and anterotemporal structures involved in emotional processes.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs June 1, 2002 Franz X. Vollenweider, Matthias E. Liechti, Alex Gamma et al. 92 citations
Since the mid 1990s, MDMA has been increasingly used recreationally as 'Ecstasy' by young people in Europe and the United States, yet systematic data on its psychological and neurobiological effects have been scarce. The authors conducted several studies in healthy human volunteers using placebo-controlled within-subject designs, standardized psychometric ratings, and neuropsychological tests to characterize the acute, short-term, and prolonged effects of MDMA. They also used specific receptor antagonists and Positron Emission Tomography to explore the neurotransmitter systems and functional neuroanatomy involved. This summary covers MDMA's acute effects on psychological and cognitive measures, information processing, and regional brain activity in healthy volunteers.