Heliyon
December 1, 2022
Benjamin Kelmendi, Giuliana DePalmer, Gayle Maloney et al.
34 citations
A patient with treatment-resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder received psilocybin and was followed for a year. His OCD symptoms markedly improved, with the YBOCS score dropping from 24 to between 0 and 2. Broader gains included better emotional connection, social and work functioning, and quality of life. This individual was an early participant in an ongoing controlled study. The results are preliminary but suggest that carefully monitored and supported psychedelic treatment may hold therapeutic potential for obsessions and compulsions.
Heliyon
August 1, 2019
S. Best, D. Pavel, N. Haustrup
34 citations
Combining transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) with biomarker-determined ketamine infusions (CTK) is an effective long-term therapy for treatment-resistant depression. In a retrospective review of 28 patients, the mean Clinical Global Impression severity score dropped by 4.46 points after treatment, and this improvement remained stable two years later. The coincident administration of ketamine allowed patients to tolerate higher TMS intensities than they otherwise could. This suggests CTK is a safe and durable option for treatment-resistant depression.
Heliyon
May 14, 2024
30 citations
Advanced concentrative absorption meditation, such as the jhanas, involves volitional mental absorption that can be scientifically studied. This paper argues that these states represent a distinct category of meditative experience characterized by deep, effortless focus and profound well-being. It proposes a scientific framework for understanding these measurable states of consciousness, drawing on existing research to outline how absorption, concentration, and positive outcomes like well-being can be systematically investigated. The authors suggest that developing a rigorous scientific approach to jhana and similar practices could bridge contemplative traditions and consciousness research, offering new insights into the nature of deep meditative states and their potential benefits.
Heliyon
June 30, 2024
Fariba Eslamimoghadam, Zahra Abedini, Ashraf Khoramirad
7 citations
A mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program delivered via social networks reduced stress, anxiety, and depression among nursing students during the COVID-19 pandemic. In an experiment with 72 nursing students, those who received the MBSR intervention showed significantly lower scores on stress, anxiety, and depression measures immediately after the program and two months later, compared with a control group. The findings suggest that MBSR can be an effective and practical tool for supporting the mental health of nursing students during crises and could be incorporated into their curriculum.
Heliyon
May 15, 2024
Yan-Jun Lin, Su-Li Chen, Xiang-Li Zheng et al.
7 citations
In female patients undergoing hysteroscopy, combining propofol with 0.2 mg/kg of esketamine required a median effective dose (ED50) of 1.95 mg/kg of propofol to prevent response to laryngeal mask airway insertion, while 0.3 mg/kg of esketamine lowered the ED50 to 1.60 mg/kg. The 95% effective doses were 2.22 mg/kg and 2.15 mg/kg, respectively. Although the higher esketamine dose reduced propofol needs, it led to significantly greater additional propofol doses and higher airway pressure. No serious adverse effects occurred. The authors recommend using 0.2 mg/kg esketamine with propofol for optimal conditions during LMA insertion in this population.
Heliyon
May 17, 2023
Dominique Strauss, Soumya Ghosh, Zurika Murray et al.
7 citations
A review of the fungal genus Panaeolus finds that, although species in this group are reputed to contain the psychedelic compound psilocybin and are used recreationally, no contemporary scientific summary has catalogued which species are psychedelic versus those that are not. The global distribution, species diversity, and extent of DNA sequence data for identification remain poorly documented. This lack of data hinders regulation and law enforcement as markets for these fungi rapidly develop. The review reveals regions where species are mostly known and highlights areas lacking biodiversity data. Substantial further study is needed to confirm which Panaeolus species are truly psychedelic and what compounds they produce.
Heliyon
April 15, 2024
Aletta Me Millen, William Mu Daniels, Sooraj Baijnath
6 citations
Depression prevalence in Africa is severely underestimated due to unique societal risk factors and low public awareness. Treatment is hindered by inaccessible, low-cost options and a one-dimensional focus on outdated neurotransmitter theories, leading to rising treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Ketamine has emerged as a novel antidepressant, with esketamine FDA-approved for TRD in 2019, and ketamine infusion clinics established in Africa. However, esketamine is expensive and inaccessible to many, while cheaper racemic ketamine shows clinical potential but lacks regulation and understanding of its neurological mechanisms, especially in diverse African populations. This review provides an African context of depression and ketamine's therapeutic potential by highlighting its molecular mechanism of action.
Heliyon
August 15, 2024
A Faramarzi, M Fooladi, M Yousef Pour et al.
4 citations
Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) relieves pain by modulating the brain's pain neural network. In a crossover study with 20 healthy volunteers, brain scans using fMRI showed that LSD alters activity and connectivity in pain-processing regions. During placebo, more active voxels appeared in the anterior cingulate cortex, thalamus, insula cortex, parietal operculum, and frontal pole compared to LSD. LSD increased activity in left frontal pole and left insula cortex. Functional connectivity patterns differed between LSD and placebo, and effective connectivity between the left anterior insula, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, and secondary somatosensory cortex changed significantly. These results suggest LSD affects pain network architecture and function.
Heliyon
September 15, 2024
Hao Hua, Xinghuo Fu, Wenli Wang et al.
2 citations
A bibliometric analysis of 710 publications from 2004 to October 2023 reveals growing research interest in psychedelics as treatments for depression. The analysis maps annual publication trends, authorship, countries, institutions, journals, and keywords to visualize emerging frontiers and influential factors. The authors assert that regulation of psychedelic drugs is necessary but should not impede scientific progress.
Heliyon
January 15, 2025
E A S K Somarathne, M W Gunathunga, E Lokupitiya
1 citation
Among 25 skilled Vipassana meditators in Sri Lanka, trait mindfulness was strongly associated with positive lifestyle habits. Two facets of mindfulness—observing and non-reactivity to present-moment experience—showed statistically strong links with perceived quality of life. Positive lifestyle habits significantly mediated the relationship between the observing facet of mindfulness and carbon footprint from food and beverage consumption, as well as between acting with awareness and carbon footprint from solid waste disposal. No temporal variables of meditation experience were significantly correlated with any domain of carbon footprint.