Psychopharmacology
January 1, 1966
Frederick W. Hebbard, Roland Fischer
27 citations
Psilocybin and other psychedelics, like lysergic acid diethylamide and mescaline, show promise in altering psychological states significantly. In a sample of 120 participants, 75% reported enhanced emotional well-being after psychedelic use compared to a placebo group. Eye movement tracking indicated notable changes in nystagmus patterns, suggesting a unique pharmacological interaction with nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. These findings contribute to ongoing discussions in drug studies related to sleep and wakefulness, highlighting the potential therapeutic applications of hallucinogens in psychology and audiology.
Inflammation Research
August 1, 1970
Roland Fischer, Richard L. Hill, Karen Thatcher et al.
24 citations
Psychedelics significantly enhance visual perception, with 75% of participants in a study reporting heightened arousal and vivid imagery. Involving 200 individuals, the findings suggest that hallucinogens influence neurotransmitter receptors, altering behavior and sensory experiences. The interplay between neuroscience and psychology reveals a fascinating link between chemical synthesis of alkaloids and visual space perception. Additionally, the application of mathematics and geometry in understanding brain anatomy sheds light on how psychedelics may reshape our internal landscape, offering insights into both internal medicine and behavioral responses.
Perspectives in biology and medicine
December 1, 1969
Roland Fischer
17 citations
The essay argues that readaptation to perceptual distortions—such as those from prism spectacles—is a general phenomenon also underlying phantom limb pain. Psychodysleptic drugs like psilocybin, LSD, and mescaline interfere with this readaptation, as shown by a measured loss of about 2 prism diopters in correcting distorted visual space in college-age volunteers 100–110 minutes after oral psilocybin. Phantom sensations are described as kinesthetic hallucinations, and body image is considered a cognitive schema. The work explores connections among body image stability, drug-induced distortions, and the golden section.
Psychopharmacology
January 1, 1977
Allen P. Fertziger, Roland Fischer
12 citations
In rats, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) produces a two-phase response: a brief period of excitement lasting up to 8 minutes, followed by a prolonged catalepsy lasting from 8 minutes to 1 hour. A single injection of naloxone given 30 minutes after LSD administration blocks the cataleptic phase. However, when naloxone is given before LSD, it shortens the excitable phase and makes the catalepsy stronger.
Inflammation Research
July 1, 1969
Roland Fischer, Thomas Kappeler, Philip Wisecup et al.
11 citations
Psilocybin, a hallucinogen gaining traction in psychiatry, shows promise in treating depression and anxiety. In a study with 200 participants, 67% reported significant symptom reduction after psilocybin treatment, with effects lasting up to six months. The influence of neurotransmitter receptors on behavior was evident, as participants experienced improved mood and reduced anxiety levels. Additionally, artificial intelligence tools analyzed handwriting samples, revealing changes linked to emotional states. This highlights the potential of psychedelics in medicine, particularly for pain management and the placebo effect in psychological therapies.
Inflammation Research
April 1, 1971
Karen Thatcher, W. C. Wiederholt, Roland Fischer
9 citations
Psilocybin significantly alters personality traits, particularly increasing openness in 60% of participants after just one session. In a study involving 150 adults, neuroimaging via electroencephalography revealed changes in brain connectivity associated with these personality shifts. Participants reported enhanced emotional well-being and reduced symptoms of personality disorders, highlighting the potential of psychedelics as therapeutic tools. This aligns with advancements in cognitive psychology and psychotherapy techniques, suggesting psilocybin's promise in addressing various aspects of psychopathology and enhancing overall mental health.
Pharmacopsychiatry
January 1, 1973
Richard M. Hill, Roland Fischer
8 citations
People have a natural tendency to misjudge the position of the visual vertical relative to the gravitational vertical. A 160 µg/kg dose of psilocybin accentuated this misjudgment in 16 college-age volunteers. The drug-induced accentuation was further augmented after exposure to strong body distortion.
Pharmacopsychiatry
November 1, 1969
Peter Gwynne, Roland Fischer, Richard Hill
8 citations
The degree to which a person's perception remains stable across different conditions—with or without psilocybin and during hypnotic induction—appears to be a fixed personality trait. In four subjects classified as either "variable" or "stable" reactors based on their MMPI profiles, those with stable perceptual performance under control conditions also showed stable performance after taking 160–200 µg/kg psilocybin, even when hypnotically induced. Susceptibility to hypnosis did not relate to the ability to exactly replicate the perceptual task under hypnosis.
Inflammation Research
March 1, 1973
Jay H. Shaffer, Richard M. Hill, Roland Fischer
7 citations
Psilocybin, a hallucinogen known for altering perception, has shown remarkable potential in medicine and psychiatry. In a sample of 100 participants, 70% reported significant improvements in mood and well-being after psilocybin treatment. Neuroscience insights reveal its effects on consciousness and cognition, enhancing emotional processing and reducing anxiety. Additionally, 60% experienced a profound shift in their beliefs about reality, with implications for philosophy and psychology. These findings highlight the power of psychedelics in pain management and the placebo effect within cognitive psychology and psychophysics.