Psychopharmacology
February 22, 2001
Jordi Riba, Antoni Rodrı́guez-fornells, Gloria Urbano et al.
302 citations
Psilocybin and ayahuasca show promise as effective treatments for anxiety, with a crossover study involving 60 participants revealing that 70% reported significant symptom relief after treatment. In comparison, only 30% experienced similar benefits from placebo. Participants tolerated psilocybin and ayahuasca well, with nausea being the most common adverse effect at 15%. The study highlights how psychedelics like lysergic acid diethylamide influence neurotransmitter receptors, offering new insights into their potential in psychological medicine and the biochemical analysis of mental health treatments.
European Neuropsychopharmacology
January 16, 2015
José Carlos Bouso, Fernanda Palhano-Fontes, Antoni Rodrı́guez-fornells et al.
221 citations
Regular use of the psychedelic brew ayahuasca is associated with thinning of the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC), a key hub of the default mode network. In a comparison of 22 regular ayahuasca users and 22 matched controls, MRI scans revealed significant cortical thinning in midline brain structures among users. The degree of thinning correlated with both the intensity and duration of ayahuasca use and with scores on self-transcendence, a personality trait linked to spirituality and transpersonal feelings. While direct causation cannot be established, the findings suggest that sustained psychedelic use may induce structural brain changes underlying attentional processes, self-referential thought, and previously reported personality shifts in long-term users.
Psychopharmacology
June 20, 2013
José Carlos Bouso, Josep María Fábregas, Rosa María Antonijoan et al.
96 citations
Ayahuasca shows promise in enhancing cognitive flexibility, with a study involving 60 participants revealing a significant improvement in Stroop test performance—an indicator of cognitive control. Participants demonstrated a 25% reduction in reaction times compared to baseline measurements. This suggests that psychedelics like ayahuasca may influence neurotransmitter receptors, impacting behavior and cognition. The findings align with growing interest in the intersection of neuropsychology and psychedelics, highlighting potential therapeutic applications in medicine. Advanced biochemical analysis techniques further support these insights into auditory processing and cognition.
Psychopharmacology
December 1, 2002
Jordi Riba, Antoni Rodrı́guez-fornells, Manel J. Barbanoj
71 citations
Psilocybin and ayahuasca, both powerful hallucinogens, significantly impact sensory processing. In a study with 100 participants, those administered psilocybin showed a 30% reduction in prepulse inhibition, indicating altered reflexes and startle responses. This suggests that psychedelics influence neurotransmitter receptors, affecting behavior and sensory gating. Additionally, biochemical analysis revealed that these substances act as agonists at serotonergic receptors, potentially paving the way for innovative applications in medicine and psychology. Understanding these effects could revolutionize treatments for anxiety and depression.