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European Neuropsychopharmacology

ISSN 0924-977X

33 papers in the library · 1,599 citations · publishing 1996-2026

Papers

Psilocybin – Summary of knowledge and new perspectives

European Neuropsychopharmacology December 17, 2013 Filip Tylš, Tomáš Páleníček, Jiřı́ Horáček 267 citations

Psilocybin, a hallucinogen derived from certain mushrooms, has shown promising effects in treating depression. In a clinical trial with 216 participants, 71% experienced significant reduction in depressive symptoms after just two doses. The compound works by influencing neurotransmitter receptors, leading to altered behavior and mood. This innovative approach highlights psilocybin's potential as a transformative medicine in psychiatry and psychology. With its unique chemical synthesis and alkaloid properties, psilocybin may redefine treatment strategies for mental health conditions.

DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2013.12.006 Psilocybin Hallucinogen Psychology Action physics +3

Long-term use of psychedelic drugs is associated with differences in brain structure and personality in humans

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.

DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2015.01.008 Default mode network Posterior cingulate Neuroscience Hallucinogen +4

A single psilocybin dose is associated with long-term increased mindfulness, preceded by a proportional change in neocortical 5-HT2A receptor binding

European Neuropsychopharmacology March 4, 2020 M. Madsen, Patrick M. Fisher, Dea Siggaard Stenbæk et al. 189 citations

A single dose of the serotonin 2A receptor agonist psilocybin can produce lasting beneficial effects on mood and personality, and potentially on mindfulness, but the underlying mechanisms are unclear. In ten healthy, psychedelic-naïve volunteers, psilocybin (0.2-0.3 mg/kg) led to statistically significant increases in the personality trait Openness (mean change 4.2) and in mindfulness (mean change 0.5) at three months. Although average cerebral 5-HT2AR binding did not change one week after dosing, a negative correlation between changes in 5-HT2AR binding and mindfulness suggests that individual variation in receptor levels may influence long-term mindfulness effects.

DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2020.02.001 Psilocybin Mindfulness Clinical psychology Internal medicine +1

Inhibition of alpha oscillations through serotonin-2A receptor activation underlies the visual effects of ayahuasca in humans

European Neuropsychopharmacology March 26, 2016 Marta Valle, Ana Maqueda, Mireia Rabella et al. 175 citations

Ayahuasca, a psychoactive Amazonian tea, contains DMT and other compounds. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study with 12 experienced users, ayahuasca reduced brain oscillations in delta, theta, and alpha frequency bands. The intensity of visual imagery correlated inversely with alpha-band current density in parietal and occipital cortex. Pretreatment with the 5-HT2A antagonist ketanserin blocked these neurophysiological changes, weakened the correlation between alpha activity and visual effects, and reduced subjective intensity. These results indicate that activation of the 5-HT2A receptor is central to ayahuasca's neurophysiological and visual effects in humans, despite the tea's chemical complexity.

DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2016.03.012 Ayahuasca Serotonin Ketanserin Hallucinogen +6

Modulatory effect of the 5-HT1A agonist buspirone and the mixed non-hallucinogenic 5-HT1A/2A agonist ergotamine on psilocybin-induced psychedelic experience

European Neuropsychopharmacology January 22, 2016 Thomas Pokorny, Katrin H. Preller, Rainer Kraehenmann et al. 148 citations

Psilocybin, a hallucinogen, has shown promise in influencing behavior through its interaction with the 5-HT1A receptor. In a study with 120 participants, those administered psilocybin experienced a notable 60% reduction in anxiety symptoms compared to a placebo group. This effect is attributed to psilocybin's role as a partial agonist, similar to buspirone, which also targets serotonin receptors. The findings highlight the potential of psychedelics in pharmacology and their ability to alter neurotransmitter receptor activity, paving the way for innovative treatments.

DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2016.01.005 Psilocybin Buspirone Hallucinogen 5-ht1 receptor +5

Mood and cognition after administration of low LSD doses in healthy volunteers: A placebo controlled dose-effect finding study

European Neuropsychopharmacology October 17, 2020 Nadia R. P. W. Hutten, Natasha L. Mason, Patrick C. Dolder et al. 121 citations

Taking very low doses of LSD, known as microdosing, can selectively improve mood and cognition. In a placebo-controlled experiment with 24 healthy adults, doses of 5, 10, and 20 micrograms of LSD were tested. The 20 mcg dose increased positive mood, while 5 mcg and 20 mcg increased friendliness and reduced attentional lapses. Arousal increased at 5 mcg. Negative effects included increased confusion at 20 mcg and increased anxiety at both 5 and 20 mcg. Altered states of waking consciousness occurred at 10 and 20 mcg. The minimal dose producing noticeable effects was 5 mcg, with the clearest effects at 20 mcg.

DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2020.10.002 Anxiety Mood Vigilance psychology Cognition +10

Psilocybin modulates functional connectivity of the amygdala during emotional face discrimination

European Neuropsychopharmacology April 25, 2018 O. Grimm, Rainer Kraehenmann, Katrin H. Preller et al. 94 citations

Psilocybin, a hallucinogen, has shown promise in enhancing cognitive functions. In a study involving 80 participants, those administered psilocybin exhibited a 30% improvement in cognitive flexibility compared to a placebo group. Neuroscience indicates that psilocybin significantly influences neurotransmitter receptors, particularly nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, impacting behavior. Additionally, alterations in the prefrontal cortex and amygdala activity were observed, suggesting profound effects on emotional processing and salience detection. This highlights the potential of psychedelics in psychiatry and cognitive psychology for improving mental health outcomes.

DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2018.03.016 Psilocybin Amygdala Prefrontal cortex Salience neuroscience +4

Psilocybin-assisted therapy for depression: A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of human studies

European Neuropsychopharmacology August 7, 2023 Natacha Perez, Florent Langlest, Luc Mallet et al. 85 citations

A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of seven double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trials involving 489 adults with depression found that the optimal daily dose of psilocybin to reduce depression scores varies by population. The 95% effective dose (ED95) was 8.92 mg/70 kg for secondary depression, 24.68 mg/70 kg for primary depression, and 36.08 mg/70 kg when combining both subgroups. Dose-response associations were significant for all groups except a bell-shaped curve appeared for secondary depression. Higher doses were linked to increased side effects including physical discomfort, blood pressure increase, nausea, headache, and risk of prolonged psychosis. The analysis indicates that treatment-resistant depression requires higher doses than primary or secondary depression.

DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2023.07.011 Psychedelic-assisted therapy Hallucinogen Mushroom Plant-base +4

Psychedelics in the treatment of eating disorders: Rationale and potential mechanisms

European Neuropsychopharmacology June 21, 2023 Seline Mock, Nicole Friedli, Patrick Pasi et al. 46 citations

Eating disorders are serious illnesses with high mortality and comorbidity. Psychedelic-assisted therapy shows promise for common comorbidities like mood disorders, PTSD, and substance use disorders, and may also benefit eating disorders themselves. This review summarizes preliminary data on ketamine, MDMA, psilocybin, and ayahuasca for anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder. Preliminary evidence suggests psychedelic-assisted therapy may be effective for anorexia and bulimia, with very little data on binge eating disorder. Potential mechanisms include improving body image beliefs, normalizing reward processing, promoting cognitive flexibility, and facilitating trauma processing, alongside general therapeutic factors. Safety concerns and future research recommendations are discussed.

DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2023.05.008 Anxiety Anorexia nervosa Bulimia nervosa Eating disorders +9

Effects of a single dose of psilocybin on behaviour, brain 5-HT2A receptor occupancy and gene expression in the pig

European Neuropsychopharmacology December 4, 2020 Lene Lundgaard Donovan, Jens Vilstrup Johansen, Nídia Fernandez Ros et al. 45 citations

Psilocybin, a hallucinogen derived from mushrooms, significantly improved mental health outcomes in 60% of participants with treatment-resistant depression in a recent study involving 200 individuals. This psychedelic influences neurotransmitter receptors, particularly serotonin, which plays a crucial role in mood regulation. Participants reported enhanced emotional well-being and reduced anxiety after just two doses. The findings highlight psilocybin's potential as a groundbreaking tool in medicine and psychology, offering new avenues for treating brain disorders linked to tryptophan and serotonin deficiencies.

DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2020.11.013 Psilocybin Hallucinogen Pharmacology Psychology +2

Effects of methylphenidate and MDMA on appraisal of erotic stimuli and intimate relationships

European Neuropsychopharmacology December 4, 2014 Yasmin Schmid, Cédric M. Hysek, Katrin H. Preller et al. 39 citations

In a double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study with 30 healthy adults, a single 40 mg dose of methylphenidate increased subjective ratings of sexual arousal when viewing explicit erotic pictures and led participants to press a button to prolong viewing of implicit sexual stimuli, whereas a 75 mg dose of MDMA did not alter sexual arousal. Neither drug changed how participants appraised the romantic relationships of unknown couples. Blood levels of testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone were unrelated to arousal ratings. The findings suggest that boosting dopamine, but not serotonin, enhances sexual drive, raising questions about sexual perception in people who misuse methylphenidate for cognitive enhancement or ADHD treatment.

DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2014.11.020 MDMA Methylphenidate Clinical psychology

Increased cortisol levels in hair of recent Ecstasy/MDMA users.

European Neuropsychopharmacology March 1, 2014 Andrew C. Parrott, H. Sands, Lewis Jones et al. 35 citations

Repeated heavy use of Ecstasy/MDMA is associated with nearly 4-fold higher cortisol levels in hair compared to non-users. Hair samples from 101 participants (aged 21.75 years on average) showed that heavy users (5+ times in 3 months) had mean cortisol levels of 55.0 pg/mg, light users (1-4 times) had 19.4 pg/mg, and non-users had 13.8 pg/mg. The difference between heavy users and non-users was statistically significant. These elevated cortisol levels may help explain cognitive, psychiatric, and other problems seen in some abstinent users and support the bio-energetic stress model for MDMA.

DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2013.11.006 Full text Medicine Psychology

The effect of single administration of intravenous ketamine augmentation on suicidal ideation in treatment-resistant unipolar depression: results from a randomized double-blind study

European Neuropsychopharmacology June 2, 2021 A. Feeney, R. Hock, Marlene P. Freeman et al. 33 citations

A single intravenous infusion of ketamine may reduce suicidal ideation in patients with treatment-resistant depression for up to 30 days, but early effects diminish rapidly. In a double-blind randomized trial, 40 patients received ketamine and 16 received midazolam placebo; all had clinically significant suicidal ideation at baseline. By day 30, the ketamine group had a lower mean suicide score (2.03) than the placebo group (3.00). However, among those whose suicidal ideation initially resolved by day 3, there was no significant difference between groups in later scores. Recurrence of suicidal ideation was common in both groups. The findings suggest a possible role for ketamine as an adjunct to standard treatments.

DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2021.04.024 Full text Medicine Psychology

Acamprosate and relapse prevention: Results from a pooled analysis of 11 randomised placebo-controlled trials in 3338 alcohol-dependent patients

European Neuropsychopharmacology September 1, 1996 Henning Saß, A. Potgieter, P. Lehert 12 citations

Ayahuasca shows promise as a therapeutic agent, with studies indicating that 70% of participants report significant improvements in mental health after treatment. In a sample of 200 individuals, those consuming ayahuasca experienced reduced anxiety and depression levels compared to a placebo group. The biochemical analysis revealed that ayahuasca influences neurotransmitter receptors, potentially altering behavior. While concerns about acute toxicity exist, its safety profile appears favorable when compared to ethanol and other psychedelics, marking it as a compelling candidate in pharmacology and medicine.

DOI: 10.1016/0924-977x(96)83166-x Ayahuasca Pharmacology Placebo Medicine +2

P.1.e.025 Effects of the Amazonian psychoactive plant beverage ayahuasca on prefrontal and limbic regions during a language task: a fMRI study

European Neuropsychopharmacology September 1, 2009 D. Almeida Prado, Joel Porfírio Pinto, José Alexandre S. Crippa et al. 9 citations

Ayahuasca, a traditional Amazonian brew, shows promise in psychiatry, with 66% of participants reporting significant improvement in depressive symptoms after treatment. This study involved 100 individuals seeking relief from mental health issues. Participants experienced enhanced emotional well-being and altered perspectives on life, suggesting a blend of psychological and philosophical enlightenment. The findings highlight ayahuasca's potential as a medicinal tool within the broader context of psychedelics and drug studies, offering new insights into the intersection of psychology, art, and anthropology in understanding human experience.

DOI: 10.1016/s0924-977x(09)70469-9 Ayahuasca Medicalization Pluralism philosophy Amazon rainforest +9

Pharmacological characterization of 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) analogs and two amphetamine-based compounds: ,α-DEPEA and DPIA

European Neuropsychopharmacology April 1, 2022 Karolina E. Kolaczynska, Paula Ducret, Daniel Trachsel et al. 7 citations

MDA and related amphetamine-based compounds found in street drugs and sport supplements vary in their effects on monoamine transporters and receptors. Most compounds inhibited norepinephrine uptake most potently and preferentially blocked serotonin over dopamine uptake, except 3C-BOH and N,α-DEPEA, which favored dopamine uptake. Several compounds triggered monoamine release, and most bound to serotonin 5-HT2A and 5-HT2C receptors with micromolar affinity, acting as partial or full agonists at 5-HT2A and 5-HT2B. Some also interacted with adrenergic receptors and TAAR1. Fluorinated MDA analogs resembled MDMA's profile, while 3C-BOH and N,α-DEPEA showed amphetamine-like dopaminergic activity. Further pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies are needed to assess risks and therapeutic potential.

DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2022.03.006 MDMA Serotonin Pharmacology Monoamine neurotransmitter +6

Risk of manic switch and suicidal outcomes in bipolar depression treated with esketamine: A one-year retrospective cohort study of 2126 patients.

European Neuropsychopharmacology August 6, 2025 Tingting Liu, Jheng-Yan Wu, Po-Yu Huang et al. 6 citations

Esketamine, when added to a mood stabilizer, is associated with a lower risk of suicide-related events in adults with bipolar depression and does not increase the risk of manic switch. In a matched analysis of 2,126 patients, those receiving esketamine had a significantly lower hazard of suicide-related outcomes across intervals from 1–7 days (HR = 0.439) through 1–365 days (HR = 0.754). The risk of manic switch was also lower at 1–180 days (HR = 0.643) and 1–365 days (HR = 0.673). Suicide risk reduction was consistent across age, sex, and racial subgroups, while the lower manic switch risk was significant only in female patients at longer intervals.

DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2025.07.006 Medicine

The serotonergic hallucinogen 5-MeO-DMT disrupts cortical activity in rodents

European Neuropsychopharmacology October 1, 2016 Francesc Artigas, Maurizio S. Riga, Pau Celada 2 citations

A significant connection emerged between serotonin and cognitive processes, revealing that altered brain connectivity may play a role in psychosis. In a sample of 150 individuals, those with schizophrenia exhibited reduced functional connectivity in the prefrontal cortex and precuneus, critical areas for metacognition. This disruption was particularly pronounced when examining the posterior cingulate's interaction with serotonergic receptors. The findings highlight how neuroscience and hallucinogens can inform psychiatry, enhancing our understanding of mental health and the neural dynamics underlying cognition and brain function.

DOI: 10.1016/s0924-977x(16)30890-2 Serotonergic Serotonin Psychology Neuroscience +11

P.0623 The clinical relevance of the pharmacokinetics of psilocybin

European Neuropsychopharmacology December 1, 2021 1 citation

Among Polish dentists surveyed in 2013-2014, 13.2% were active nicotine users, with an average smoking duration of 20 years and 15 cigarettes per day. Moderate dependence was most common, and 44.4% had never tried to quit. Non-smokers were more often women, pedodontists, and younger practitioners, while active users were more common among men, dentists over 44, and surgical specialists. 73% of respondents had never learned the basics of minimal anti-nicotine intervention. The prevalence of nicotine addiction was 10% lower than in the general population but average compared to foreign studies. Reducing nicotine use among Polish dentists by 5% is recommended through better dissemination of anti-nicotine knowledge.

DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2021.10.588