Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
October 20, 2015
Emmanuelle A. D. Schindler, Christopher Gottschalk, Marsha J. Weil et al.
104 citations
Cluster headache is one of the most debilitating pain syndromes, and many patients do not respond to standard treatments. A survey of 496 people with cluster headache, recruited from websites and clinics, found that the indoleamine hallucinogens psilocybin, lysergic acid diethylamide, and lysergic acid amide were rated as comparable to or more effective than most conventional medications for aborting attacks and preventing them. These substances were also perceived to shorten or abort a cluster period and bring chronic cluster headache into remission more often than conventional medications. Even infrequent, non-hallucinogenic doses were reported as effective. The findings reinforce the need for further controlled studies of these compounds.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
September 1, 2021
103 citations
Clinical psychologists in the United States hold cautiously favorable attitudes toward psychedelic-assisted therapy but express concerns about psychiatric and neurocognitive risks. Most surveyed psychologists report lacking a full understanding of psychedelics' effects and indicate a need for additional consultation. They endorse positive beliefs about the potential of psychedelic treatment and the need for further research. The findings highlight the need to increase education and training about psychedelics for psychologists to enhance knowledge and reduce stigma.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
June 1, 2006
Michael Lerner, Michael Lyvers
99 citations
People who use psychedelic drugs like LSD and psilocybin report stronger mystical beliefs (such as oneness with God and the universe), higher spirituality, and greater concern for others, along with lower value on financial prosperity, compared to users of other illegal drugs or social drinkers. These differences held across Israeli and Australian samples. Users of nonpsychedelic illegal drugs showed lower coping ability than both psychedelic users and non-drug users. Both illegal drug groups scored higher on empathy than non-users. The findings may reflect transformative effects of psychedelic experiences, but could also stem from pre-existing traits of those who choose to take psychedelics.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
June 1, 2002
Rick Doblin
98 citations
Regulatory agencies in the United States and Spain have determined that the potential benefits of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for chronic posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) outweigh the risks under specific conditions, approving pilot studies for patients who did not improve with at least one prior conventional treatment. These trials, funded by the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), are the only therapeutic MDMA studies worldwide. A rationale explains MAPS's focus on MDMA and PTSD. A Clinical Plan outlines the required safety and efficacy trials, estimated to cost about 5 million dollars and take about five years, developed partly from analyzing Pfizer's Zoloft approval process for PTSD.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
November 1, 2012
Michael Lyvers, Molly Meester
97 citations
Even in today's recreational context, higher doses of LSD and psilocybin are linked to mystical experiences, while MDMA, cannabis, cocaine, opiates, and alcohol are not. A survey of 337 adults, mostly recruited through MAPS, found that use of LSD and psilocybin was positively related to scores on mystical experience indices in a dose-dependent manner, despite only a quarter reporting spiritual motives. MDMA use showed no such relationship. The findings suggest that full psychedelics at higher doses can still induce mystical states in many users.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
December 1, 2009
Anette Kjellgren, Anders Eriksson, Torsten Norlander
97 citations
Western users of ayahuasca describe a predictable sequence of experiences: initial motivation, a frightening contractile state, a sudden transformation, limitless expansive states with transcendental experiences, reflections, and a changed worldview with new life orientation. This structure, named the transcendental circle, emerged from anonymous written descriptions by 25 Northern Europeans who participated in group ayahuasca sessions. Participants reported many positive psychological and physical improvements, suggesting ayahuasca could be of potential interest for developing new medicines and therapies.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
September 1, 2001
Alana Rae. Pentney
94 citations
MDA and MDMA (Ecstasy) have been known for nearly a century and are controversial: some see them as dangerous neurotoxins, others as potential psychotherapeutics. Despite being classified as illicit controlled substances in the United States, MDMA remains one of the most popular recreational drugs in North America. Prohibition has led to the distribution of contaminated or misrepresented Ecstasy tablets and has hindered responsible research into both harmful and therapeutic effects. The history of these compounds suggests they could be used safely as psychotherapeutic tools, indicating that their legal status may warrant reconsideration.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
May 26, 2016
Amanda Amorin Nunes, Rafael G. Dos Santos, Flávia de Lima Osório et al.
92 citations
Ayahuasca, a hallucinogenic beverage containing DMT and β-carbolines, shows potential for treating addiction. A systematic review of five animal studies and five observational human studies found that ayahuasca or its components improved biochemical or behavioral measures related to drug-induced disorders. Four of five human studies reported significant reductions in dependence symptoms or substance use; one found no significant effect. The anti-addictive mechanisms are unclear but may involve peripheral MAO-A inhibition by β-carbolines and central 5-HT2A receptor activation by DMT in brain regions regulating mood. Controlled studies are needed to confirm these preliminary findings.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
June 1, 2002
Franz X. Vollenweider, Matthias E. Liechti, Alex Gamma et al.
92 citations
Since the mid 1990s, MDMA has been increasingly used recreationally as 'Ecstasy' by young people in Europe and the United States, yet systematic data on its psychological and neurobiological effects have been scarce. The authors conducted several studies in healthy human volunteers using placebo-controlled within-subject designs, standardized psychometric ratings, and neuropsychological tests to characterize the acute, short-term, and prolonged effects of MDMA. They also used specific receptor antagonists and Positron Emission Tomography to explore the neurotransmitter systems and functional neuroanatomy involved. This summary covers MDMA's acute effects on psychological and cognitive measures, information processing, and regional brain activity in healthy volunteers.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
July 1, 2012
Ede Frecska, Csaba E. Móré, András Vargha et al.
88 citations
Visual creativity, measured by the Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking, increased after a series of ayahuasca ceremonies once acute effects had subsided. Forty ayahuasca ritual participants in Brazil showed significantly more highly original solutions and phosphenic (entoptic) responses compared to twenty-one controls tested two weeks apart. However, ayahuasca participants already produced more phosphenic solutions at baseline, likely because they had more recent psychedelic experiences. The naturalistic study suggests that ritual ayahuasca use may enhance certain visual creativity measures and increase entoptic activity after the acute psychoactive effects recede.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
March 15, 2019
Lisa Jerome, Brad Burge, Richard Doblin et al.
87 citations
Psychedelic plants and fungi have been used in indigenous healing for millennia. Modern research began with Albert Hofmann's synthesis of LSD-25 in 1938, and his accidental self-ingestion in 1943. After scientific and cultural exploration in the 1950s and 1960s, research was nearly halted by government restrictions in the 1970s and 1980s, despite evidence of limited medical risks and therapeutic potential. Today, rigorous studies are abundant, including clinical trials with MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD, alcoholism, and social anxiety, psilocybin studies for depression and addiction, investigations into psychedelics' ability to catalyze spiritual experiences and inspire creativity, and neuroscientific research on their nervous system effects.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
January 1, 2013
Rafael Guimarães Dos Santos
87 citations
Ayahuasca, a hallucinogenic brew used in rituals, appears not to be seriously toxic to humans after either single or long-term use. While animal studies have raised concerns about possible harm to developing offspring, the limited human evidence on adolescents exposed to ayahuasca in the womb reports no serious toxic effects from ritual consumption. The authors caution against directly extrapolating animal data to humans and call for more basic and human research before drawing firm conclusions about risks to pregnant women and children.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
June 1, 2002
Mim J. Landry
87 citations
An estimated 6.4 million individuals have used MDMA. Among 8th, 10th, and 12th graders, use substantially increased from the mid-1990s to 2001, with sharp rises in 2000 and a more gradual increase in 2001. Exposure among high school seniors nearly quadrupled over the past decade, and many young adults report having friends who use MDMA. Perceived availability rose dramatically during the 1990s, with sharp increases in 2000 and 2001; MDMA is now one of the most available drugs for youth. Among college students and young adults, use increased progressively throughout the 1990s and sharply in 2000. MDMA-related emergency department visits increased dramatically, often nearly doubling each year, mostly among patients 25 or younger.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
July 1, 2012
Mitchell B. Liester, James I. Prickett
78 citations
Ayahuasca, a medicinal plant mixture used by indigenous peoples in the Amazon, combines monoamine oxidase inhibitors and DMT to produce profound changes in consciousness. It is increasingly used to treat addictions, though its mechanism of action remains unclear. Four hypotheses are offered to explain possible biochemical, physiological, psychological, and transcendent mechanisms behind its anti-addiction effects.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
May 8, 2017
Kelan Thomas, Benjamin Malcolm, Dan Lastra
77 citations
A review of seven clinical trials found that psilocybin-assisted therapy reduced symptoms of anxiety, depression, and substance use, with large effect sizes for improved depression and anxiety. Reductions in alcohol or tobacco use and increased abstinence rates in addiction were less clear due to open-label designs without statistical analysis. The therapy appears promising, but more robust trials are needed for FDA approval.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
February 7, 2019
Genís Oña, Maja Kohek, Tomàs Massaguer et al.
76 citations
Long-term ayahuasca use in community settings is linked to better self-reported health and healthier lifestyles. A survey of 380 regular users in Spain found that 56% reduced their prescription drug use after starting ayahuasca. Those who had used ayahuasca more than 100 times scored higher on measures of personal values. The authors conclude that respectful, controlled use of psychedelic drugs in group settings can benefit public health.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
July 1, 2013
Anette Kjellgren, Kristoffer Jonsson
75 citations
Methoxetamine (MXE), a ketamine analogue sold as a "legal high" on the Internet, produces a heavily altered state of consciousness with effects similar to both classic hallucinogens (such as LSD and psilocybin) and the dissociative ketamine. Analysis of 33 anonymous online reports using the Empirical Phenomenological Psychological Method yielded 10 themes, including altered sensory perception, dissolution of identity and body, spiritual and transcendental experiences, and re-dosing and addiction. Negative effects like fear and anxiety were also reported, and acceptance was the best coping strategy. MXE appeared to have a high abuse potential. More research on safety, harm reduction, and motivations for use is needed.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
June 1, 2009
Stephen Trichter, Jon Klimo, Stanley Krippner
73 citations
Participation in an ayahuasca ceremony did not significantly increase scores on the Spiritual Well-being Scale or the Mysticism Scale among novice participants compared to a non-participating group. However, higher scores on the Peak Experience Profile were associated with greater positive changes in spiritual well-being and mysticism. Qualitative interviews and written accounts revealed common spiritual themes among ceremony participants. Experiential differences within the ayahuasca ceremony group suggest that confounding variables may influence why some participants report changes in spirituality while others do not.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
July 1, 2012
Rachel Harris, Lee Gurel
69 citations
People who use ayahuasca report benefits including reduced alcohol intake, healthier diets, improved mood, greater self-acceptance, and more loving relationships. A comparison of 81 ayahuasca users and 46 Catholic retreat attendees on a spiritual experience questionnaire showed that ayahuasca users scored higher on Joy in Life and Relationship to the Sacred, but the differences were modest, suggesting both groups had similarly authentic spiritual experiences. Seventy-four percent of ayahuasca users said they had a relationship with and received ongoing guidance from the spirit of ayahuasca. The data represent more than 2,267 ayahuasca ceremonies.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
June 1, 2017
Álvaro José Palma-Conesa, Mireia Ventura, Liliana Galindo et al.
65 citations
New psychoactive tryptamines, which mimic the effects of regulated hallucinogens, pose a potential public health risk. Analysis of 25,296 samples submitted to a harm-reduction organization from 2006 to 2015 identified 436 tryptamines, of which 232 (53.21%) were not regulated. The most common unregulated tryptamine was 4-AcO-DMT, for which no human studies exist. Unregulated tryptamines were more likely to contain a single unadulterated substance. The number of tryptamine samples increased over time, and there were significant differences between client expectations and actual analysis results for regulated versus unregulated groups. Further research is needed to address health risks.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
August 19, 2021
Brian S. Barnett, Yvan Beaussant, Franklin King et al.
64 citations
Psychiatrists attending psychedelic didactic presentations at two national meetings largely believe psychedelics show treatment promise and strongly support federal funding for medicinal psychedelic research. The most common concerns were lack of trained providers, logistics of therapy delivery, administration for patients with contraindications, and diversion. Desired educational topics included potential benefits, how to conduct therapy, pharmacology, and side effects. Factors associated with increased belief in treatment potential included working primarily in research, higher psychedelic knowledge test scores, and less concern about addictive potential. Support for legalization of non-medicinal use was negatively associated with age and positively associated with support for medicinal legalization.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
December 5, 2016
Rafael G. Dos Santos, Jaime E. C. Hallak
64 citations
Harmine, a natural alkaloid found in ayahuasca and Syrian rue, shows neuroprotective and cognitive-enhancing effects in preclinical studies. A systematic review of two hippocampal cell culture studies and nine animal model studies found that harmine reduced excitotoxicity, inflammation, and oxidative stress, increased brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels, and improved memory and learning. These effects may involve monoamine oxidase or acetylcholinesterase inhibition, upregulation of glutamate transporters, decreased reactive oxygen species, increased neurotrophic factors, and anti-inflammatory actions. Further preclinical and human research is needed.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
March 8, 2019
William P. Barone, Jerome Beck, Michiko Mitsunaga-Whitten et al.
63 citations
In a long-term follow-up of a phase 2 clinical trial, veterans, firefighters, and police officers with chronic, treatment-resistant PTSD reported lasting personal benefits and enhanced quality of life one year after MDMA-assisted psychotherapy. Interviews with 19 of 24 participants were analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. All participants described benefits that went beyond symptom reduction, such as improved relationships and well-being. The findings suggest that qualitative methods can capture treatment effects that standard symptom scales may miss. The authors discuss limitations of the study and recommend improved qualitative research protocols for future trials.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
October 20, 2014
Joji Suzuki, Justin L. Poklis, Alphonse Poklis
60 citations
A case report describes a suicide attempt following ingestion of a substance believed to be LSD, but laboratory analysis identified it as 25I-NBOMe, a synthetic hallucinogen of the NBOMe class. The authors emphasize that clinicians should suspect NBOMe ingestion in patients who report recent use of LSD or other hallucinogens, as adverse effects are increasingly reported.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
January 1, 2014
A. C. Parrott
60 citations
MDMA has properties that could aid psychotherapy, but its effects are complex and not always beneficial. The drug acts as an entactogen, promoting feelings of love and warmth, yet it can also trigger negative experiences because it non-selectively releases thoughts and emotions—similar to LSD. Acutely, MDMA alters hormone levels, raising cortisol, oxytocin, and testosterone; oxytocin may help therapy, while cortisol can increase stress. After use, a neurochemical recovery period often brings lethargy and depression due to low serotonin. Regular use risks serotonergic neurotoxicity, memory problems, and other psychobiological issues. Proponents argue MDMA-assisted therapy should be limited to reactive disorders like PTSD, as it may worsen distress in those with prior psychiatric conditions.