Neuropharmacology
August 17, 2022
Jack E Henningfield, Marion A Coe, Roland R Griffiths et al.
34 citations
New medicines containing classic hallucinogenic and entactogenic psychedelics like psilocybin, LSD, and MDMA are being developed for psychiatric and neurological disorders. These substances are currently Schedule I under the US Controlled Substances Act (CSA) and similarly controlled globally. The CSA framework governs research, drug approval, and rescheduling; upon FDA approval, a drug containing a Schedule I substance must be rescheduled. Abuse potential research informs the eight CSA factors used for rescheduling, as well as product labeling and required risk evaluation and mitigation strategies (REMS). Standard human abuse potential studies are problematic for strong hallucinogens like psilocybin, so alternative strategies are discussed. Abuse-related research may also illuminate mechanisms of action, therapeutic effects, and effects on brain, behavior, mood, spirituality, and consciousness.
Neuropharmacology
April 2, 2023
Farah Z Zia, Michael H Baumann, Sean J Belouin et al.
28 citations
Chronic pain is a leading cause of disability and opioid overdose in the United States. While many people manage pain with existing medicines and psychosocial treatments, others find these options ineffective or unacceptable due to side effects and risks. Preliminary evidence suggests psychedelics may improve quality of life, functionality, and reduce disability and distress for people whose pain may never be completely relieved. This commentary calls for more basic research and clinical trials to explore psychedelics' potential in chronic pain management, and to determine whether effects stem from direct antinociceptive or anti-inflammatory mechanisms, or from increased tolerability, acceptance, and spirituality that mediate therapeutic effects seen in psychiatric disorders.
Neuropharmacology
June 1, 2023
Dan Xi, Ann Berger, David Shurtleff et al.
11 citations
In 2021, the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) held its first-ever speaker series focused on a psychedelic substance, titled the 'NIH Psilocybin Research Speaker Series,' from April 22 to June 10. The series aimed to provide evidence-based information to the public and scientific community, assess the current state of psilocybin science, review regulatory and policy landscapes, and identify knowledge gaps to define future research needs. Highlights from lectures and discussions by 26 national and international experts formed the basis for a Special Issue of Neuropharmacology.