The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry
April 1, 2007
316 citations
A review of 15 controlled studies found that mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) does not have a reliable effect on symptoms of depression and anxiety across a range of clinical populations. When MBSR was compared to active control groups, it showed no benefit. Adherence to the program was rarely measured, and when it was, the link between practice and symptom changes was unclear. The evidence for any beneficial effect of MBSR on depression and anxiety was equivocal.
The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry
February 1, 2012
283 citations
Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) combines cognitive-behavioral therapy with mindfulness-based stress reduction in an 8-session group program. Originally developed to prevent relapse in people with recurrent depression, it has been applied to other psychiatric conditions. MBCT encourages patients to relate differently to thoughts and feelings rather than changing them. Preliminary neuroimaging studies suggest mindfulness improves emotional regulation by enhancing cortical control of limbic circuits and attention. Findings from several randomized controlled trials indicate MBCT is useful for relapse prevention in recurrent depression, with efficacy similar to maintenance antidepressants. Preliminary studies also show promise for active depression, including treatment-resistant cases, and pilot studies have evaluated MBCT in bipolar disorder and anxiety disorders.
The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry
August 1, 2002
Samantha R. Gross, Sean P. Barrett, John S. Shestowsky et al.
97 citations
In a sample of 210 rave attendees in Montreal, alcohol and cannabis were the most commonly used substances, both over a lifetime and in the previous 30 days. MDMA and amphetamine were the next most popular drugs for recent use and for having ever tried. The sequence of first use followed a consistent order: alcohol, nicotine, cannabis, LSD, psilocybin, amphetamine, cocaine, MDMA, GHB, ephedrine, ketamine. Early alcohol or cannabis use was associated with earlier experimentation with all other drugs tried by more than a quarter of the sample. Drug consumption levels were substantial, especially for MDMA, amphetamine, cannabis, and alcohol, with little heroin use.
The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry
April 1, 2011
Emmanuel H During, Fanny M Elahi, Olivier Taieb et al.
84 citations
Dissociative trance disorder (DTD) is a recognized but understudied condition. A review of 28 articles covering 402 cases worldwide found that possession-type episodes (69%) are more common than trance alone (31%). Amnesia occurred in 20% of patients, while hallucinatory symptoms during possession were reported in 56%, suggesting this should be a key diagnostic criterion. Somatic complaints appeared in 34% of cases. The authors argue that DTD should be included in the DSM-5 with adjustments, as it is a widespread idiom of distress likely underdiagnosed in Western countries due to cultural biases. Accurate diagnosis requires evaluating both sociocultural and individual factors, including acculturation difficulties.
The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry
August 17, 2022
Joshua D. Rosenblat, Muhammad Ishrat Husain, Yena Lee et al.
58 citations
Serotonergic psychedelics are being reconsidered as potential treatments for major depressive disorder. A Canadian task force systematically reviewed clinical trials from 1990 to 2021 and found that only psilocybin and ayahuasca have been tested in contemporary studies. Two pilot studies of single-dose ayahuasca for treatment-resistant depression showed preliminary positive effects (Level 3 evidence). Small randomized controlled trials of psilocybin combined with psychotherapy for major depressive disorder showed superiority to waitlist controls and comparable efficacy and safety to escitalopram with supportive psychotherapy, with additional trials showing efficacy in cancer-related depression (Level 3 evidence).
The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry
January 17, 2024
Andrew G. Lee, Daniel Rosenbaum, Daniel Z. Buchman
25 citations
No Summary
The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry
November 1, 1980
Angus S. Mcdonald
11 citations
This article reviews major hallucinogenic fungi, focusing on their historical and neurochemical significance. Despite extensive literature, relatively little study has examined psilocybin-related substances that might relate to psychotic illness. The review covers metabolic pathways, highlighting the need for more research on indole compounds such as baeocystin.
The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry
February 1, 1981
Alec Roy
7 citations
Chronic schizophrenics who had taken LSD before their illness began showed no meaningful differences in the age at which symptoms first appeared or the age at which they were first hospitalized, compared with schizophrenics who had not used LSD. A matched controlled study of 37 individuals in each group found no significant differences on either measure.
The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry
March 25, 2025
Noah Chisamore, Erica S Kaczmarek, Zoe Doyle et al.
1 citation
A single 25 mg dose of psilocybin combined with psychotherapy produced clinically significant reductions in depression, anxiety, and suicidality symptoms over two months in people with treatment-resistant depression. Among 27 participants, those who tapered off antidepressant medications before treatment (n = 18) and those not on antidepressants at screening (n = 9) showed comparable improvements, with no significant differences between groups on clinician-rated depression, self-reported depression, anxiety, or suicidality. The intensity of the psychedelic experience was also similar. These results suggest that tapering antidepressants before psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy may not diminish therapeutic benefits, though further research is needed.