Human psychopharmacology
May 1, 2020
Laura Orsolini, Stefania Chiappini, Duccio Papanti et al.
27 citations
Ayahuasca, a hallucinogenic plant preparation used in sacred ceremonies by indigenous Amazonian groups, may offer therapeutic benefits for mental health. Evidence from preclinical, observational, and experimental studies suggests it acts as a fast-acting and enduring antidepressant, emotional regulator, anxiolytic, and antiaddictive drug. It appears safe and well tolerated, with nausea and vomiting as the most common transient side effects. However, findings indicate it should not be used in bipolar or psychotic patients due to increased risk of manic switch or psychotic onset. Further research with randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials and neuroimaging is needed to better evaluate its therapeutic potential in mental disorders.
Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)
January 29, 2024
Valerio Ricci, Domenico De Berardis, Giuseppe Maina
16 citations
Third-generation antipsychotics (aripiprazole, cariprazine, brexpiprazole, and lurasidone) show promise for treating substance-induced psychosis, a condition triggered by substance misuse or withdrawal that features prominent hallucinations, delusions, mood disturbances, and cognitive issues. Substances such as cannabinoids, cocaine, amphetamines, and LSD are especially likely to induce psychosis. The review describes each drug's unique pharmacological properties and neurotransmitter interactions, suggesting they may address both psychotic symptoms and substance misuse. The authors call for more research on long-term effects and advocate combining medication with psychological treatments, emphasizing the complexity of managing substance-induced psychosis.
Diseases
November 3, 2023
Kainat Riaz, Sejal Suneel, Mohammad Hamza Bin Abdul Malik et al.
16 citations
Half of patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) do not respond to traditional therapies. A review of six phase II randomized controlled trials indicates that MDMA-assisted psychotherapy can reduce PTSD symptoms even in treatment-resistant cases. MDMA appears to work by increasing neurohormones such as dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine, and oxytocin, and by modulating brain regions involved in fear and anxiety. The FDA has granted MDMA-assisted psychotherapy a "breakthrough therapy" designation. Further research is needed to determine whether the benefits outweigh the risks and how it might fit into existing PTSD treatment options.
Journal of psychoactive drugs
January 8, 2025
Valerio Ricci, Domenico De Berardis, Sheikh Shoib et al.
4 citations
Frequent recreational ketamine use among young adults is linked to more psychotic-like experiences, such as unusual thoughts and perceptions. In ten participants aged 18–24 who used ketamine multiple times weekly, higher use frequency correlated with more such experiences, while other drugs like THC, MDMA, and alcohol did not significantly contribute. The findings suggest ketamine's action on NMDA receptors may produce symptoms resembling schizophrenia. The small sample and reliance on self-report limit the conclusions, and more research is needed to confirm causality and long-term effects.
Alpha psychiatry
April 1, 2025
Francisco López-Muñoz, Pilar D'Ocón, Alejandro Romero et al.
3 citations
Most new antidepressants, including SSRIs, SNRIs, and other modern classes, were developed through rational, targeted design rather than chance. Only moclobemide and ketamine involved serendipity: moclobemide's antidepressant effect was discovered after chance observation of MAO inhibition during antihyperlipidemic research, and ketamine's antidepressant properties emerged from illicit use observations, not its original development as an anesthetic. The majority follow a type IV pattern where serendipity played no role.
Preprints.org
Kainat Riaz, Sejal Suneel, Mohammad Hamza Bin Abdul Malik et al.
1 citation
preprint
Half of patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) do not respond to standard pharmacotherapy or psychotherapy. A review of six phase II randomized controlled trials indicates that MDMA-assisted psychotherapy can reduce PTSD symptoms, even in treatment-resistant cases, by increasing neurohormones such as dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine, and oxytocin and by modulating brain regions involved in fear and anxiety. The FDA has granted MDMA-assisted psychotherapy a "Breakthrough Therapy" designation. Further research is needed to determine whether the benefits outweigh the risks and whether this approach can be integrated into existing treatment options.
Frontiers in psychiatry
January 1, 2025
Valerio Ricci, Domenico De Berardis, Giovanni Martinotti et al.
Cannabis use, especially high-potency THC products, is consistently linked to elevated dissociative experiences in patients with first-episode psychosis. Users scored 11-13 points higher on the Dissociative Experiences Scale-II than non-users, and daily high-potency use tripled the odds of clinically significant dissociation (OR: 3.21). These dissociative symptoms, along with more severe anomalous self-experiences, predicted poorer functional outcomes at 12 months (GAF scores: 52 ± 14 vs. 67 ± 12). About 75% of patients showed reduced dissociation after stopping cannabis, suggesting potential reversibility. The evidence certainty was moderate for dissociation severity and low for self-disturbance outcomes.