Revue medicale suisse
August 23, 2023
G. Thorens, Louise Penzenstadler, F. Seragnoli et al.
2 citations
The article proposes ten essential ethical points for the practice of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy (PAP): respecting legal frameworks for psychotropic drugs, managing psychedelics safely (storage, production, security), reporting adverse effects to authorities, guaranteeing psychotherapeutic follow-up, ensuring patient safety during treatment, basing indications on scientific evidence, separating personal recreational use from medical use, avoiding proselytizing or poor medical practices, not equating personal psychedelic consumption with clinical competence, and ensuring equitable and reasonable access to care.
Psychoactives
August 1, 2025
L. Cazorla, S. Alaux, C. Amberger et al.
Salivary oxytocin levels changed significantly over time during a single LSD-assisted psychotherapy session in people with treatment-resistant major depressive disorder. Perceived psychedelic intensity also varied significantly. These findings suggest oxytocin may serve as a biomarker for the therapy's effects. The study was a small observational pilot; larger controlled trials are needed to confirm the results and clarify how oxytocin dynamics relate to changes in depressive symptoms and mental flexibility.
European Psychiatry
August 27, 2024
D. Zullino, L. Penzenstadler, S. Rothen et al.
Enhancement is the most common motive for using MDMA, followed by expansion motives—altering perceptions and increasing self-awareness—which reflects growing interest in MDMA-assisted therapy for conditions like PTSD. Social motives are third, coping fourth, and conformity least common. Compared to alcohol and cannabis, MDMA shows a distinct pattern of motives: social motives are less common for MDMA, and conformity motives are also less significant, possibly due to user maturity. These differences highlight the need for tailored harm reduction and intervention strategies. Data come from an online survey of 99 participants.
European Psychiatry
April 1, 2025
L. Cazorla, S. Alaux, C. Mabilais et al.
In a pilot study of LSD-assisted psychotherapy for patients with resistant anxiety or depression, six of ten planned participants completed the protocol. Salivary oxytocin was measured before and after LSD intake; those analyses are pending. Self-perceived intensity of drug effects peaked at 180 minutes and showed a significant relationship with the intensity of mystical experience reported on the MEQ-30. Depression and anxiety symptom scores will be analyzed after treatment. The authors conclude that preliminary data show a clear effect of perceived treatment intensity and its link to mystical experience, and that including oxytocin data will be valuable.