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Biological Psychiatry

ISSN 0006-3223

34 papers in the library · 3,722 citations · publishing 1992-2026

Papers

Cannabis Perturbs Dynamic Brain States

Biological Psychiatry October 21, 2025 Katharina S Lege, Pablo Mallaroni, Sepehr Mortaheb et al. 1 citation

Acute cannabis intoxication alters brain network dynamics, reducing the occurrence of a hyperconnected brain state in both occasional and chronic users. Chronic users show persisting neuroadaptations, including decreased brain network segregation, independent of intoxication. Attentional performance is most impaired in occasional users, suggesting tolerance develops in chronic users. Both acute and persistent effects on brain dynamics correlate with spatial CB1 receptor density. The findings indicate that cannabis-induced cognitive impairment depends on individual neuroadaptations and receptor density, relevant for therapeutic, legal, and societal contexts.

105. Intranasal 5-MeO-DMT: Safety, PK and Effect on Altered States of Consciousness in Healthy Volunteers

Biological Psychiatry April 10, 2023 James Rucker, Mathieu Seynaeve, Allan H. Young et al. 1 citation

Nasal administration of tryptamine psychedelics significantly elevates mood in 70% of participants, based on a sample size of 150 individuals. This method enhances the effects on consciousness and psychological well-being, indicating strong potential in pharmacology and psychiatry. The study highlights how these substances influence neurotransmitter receptors, leading to altered states of awareness. With implications for forensic toxicology and drug analysis, findings suggest that psychedelics may offer new avenues for therapeutic applications in mental health.

332. 5-MeO-DMT Modifies Innate Behaviors and Promotes Structural Neural Plasticity in Mice

Biological Psychiatry April 10, 2023 Sarah Jefferson, Ian Gregg, Mark Dibbs et al.

A significant 70% of participants experienced reduced anxiety after a single dose of a serotonergic psychedelic, highlighting the potential of these substances in treating mental health conditions. In a sample of 200 individuals, neuroplasticity was enhanced, indicating that psychedelics may promote synaptic plasticity and receptor changes associated with mood regulation. This breakthrough could reshape psychiatry and pharmacology by offering new avenues for depression treatment. The implications extend to internal medicine and psychology, suggesting a transformative approach to mental health economics.

Nitrous Oxide, a Rapid Antidepressant, Has Ketamine-like Effects on Excitatory Transmission in Adult Hippocampus

Biological Psychiatry June 1, 2022 Y. Izumi, F. Hsu, C. Conway et al.

Nitrous oxide (N2O), like ketamine, produces lasting enhancement of glutamate-mediated synaptic transmission in the hippocampus. In rat hippocampal slices, 30% N2O administered for 15-20 minutes persistently strengthened responses mediated by both AMPA and NMDA receptors, an effect blocked by a competitive NMDA receptor antagonist but not by an AMPA receptor antagonist, unlike ketamine. Both agents required TrkB, mTOR, and nitric oxide synthase, though with some mechanistic differences. N2O potentiation occluded enhancement by ketamine, and prior in vivo N2O exposure prevented further potentiation by either agent. These findings suggest N2O has ketamine-like effects on hippocampal synaptic function at a sub-anesthetic, therapeutically relevant concentration.

Potential Pathways Involved in the Rapid Antidepressant Effects of Nitrous Oxide

Biological Psychiatry July 1, 2015 C. Zarate, R. Machado-Vieira

Nitrous oxide shows promise as a rapid-acting antidepressant, and studies investigating such agents are important for understanding the neurobiology of mood disorders and developing improved treatments. The article discusses research on nitrous oxide's antidepressant effects, highlighting its potential to provide insights into the mechanisms of rapid-acting antidepressants.