Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
November 13, 2024
Reza Ghaffarzadegan, Mokhtar Karimi, Behnaz Hedayatjoo et al.
6 citations
Chronic unpredictable mild stress for four weeks impaired spatial learning and memory and reduced brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the hippocampus of rats. Injecting a Psilocybe cubensis extract (20 mg/kg) 24 or 48 hours before training restored spatial learning, and injection 48 hours before training also restored spatial memory. The extract given 24 or 48 hours before training increased hippocampal BDNF in stressed rats. However, when given at other times (5 minutes before training, 5 minutes after training, or 5 minutes before the probe test), the extract impaired spatial learning and memory and decreased BDNF in non-stressed control rats. The timing of administration appears critical for the extract's effects on memory and BDNF.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
February 10, 2024
Alyssa F. Harlow, Peter S. Hendricks, Adam M. Leventhal et al.
6 citations
Among 2,396 young adults aged 18-22 in Southern California surveyed in 2018-2019, 12% had heard of microdosing psychedelics and 3% had ever tried it. Of those aware of microdosing, 79% correctly defined it as taking a much lower than standard dose, but 15% mistakenly thought it meant a standard dose. Psilocybin was the most commonly microdosed drug (70%), followed by LSD (57%). About 18% of those who microdosed reported using doses far higher than a typical microdose. Factors associated with having ever microdosed included white race, male/masculine gender identity, bisexual identity, past 6-month other drug use, greater ADHD symptoms, mindfulness, and sensation-seeking. The findings suggest microdosing merits attention to prevent misperceptions and potential harms while exploring therapeutic uses.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
January 15, 2024
Oliver Rumle Hovmand, Mathias Ebbesen Jensen, Tobias Søgaard Juul et al.
6 citations
A Danish translation of the Revised Mystical Experiences Questionnaire (MEQ30) is a valid and reliable tool for assessing mystical-type experiences in Danish-speaking individuals. The questionnaire showed excellent internal reliability across three samples: healthy volunteers receiving psilocybin in a lab (N = 47), recreational users reporting on their most recent psilocybin experience (N = 834), and users reporting on their most memorable psychedelic experience (N = 500). A four-factor structure provided the best, fair fit to the data. MEQ30 total scores correlated with dose and spiritual or religious intention, but not with setting.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
November 3, 2023
Marija Franka Žuljević, Antonija Mijatović, Stjepan Ljudevit Marušić et al.
6 citations
Analysis of 7317 online psychedelic experience reports, mostly about psilocybin, shows that the use of mystical language increases with the self-reported intensity of the experience. At the same time, negative sentiment rises and positive sentiment falls as intensity increases. These results suggest that mystical experiences may coexist with challenging elements during a psychedelic session, a possibility that warrants further qualitative investigation. A new mystical language dictionary is provided for future research.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
August 31, 2023
Alexsandra Kovacevich, Jeremy Weleff, Benjamin Claytor et al.
6 citations
Three individuals with smell loss—one from a respiratory infection, one from childhood, and one from COVID-19—reported improved olfactory function after using psychedelics: 6 g of psilocybin mushrooms, 100 µg of LSD, or microdosing 0.1 g of psilocybin mushrooms three times. These are the first such cases recorded in academic literature. Possible mechanisms include serotonergic effects, increased neuroplasticity, and anti-inflammatory actions. The authors suggest that the potential therapeutic benefits of psychedelics for olfactory impairment warrant further investigation.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
September 17, 2021
Dimitri Daldegan‐bueno, Vanessa Manchim Favaro, Luís Fernando Tófoli et al.
6 citations
A reproducible five-day protocol for freeze-drying ayahuasca produces a stable extract with alkaloid concentrations similar to the original liquid. From two liters of ayahuasca, approximately 295 grams of freeze-dried extract were obtained, with a dry matter content of 14.75%. The freeze-dried extract retained its texture quality after three years of storage in a vacuum desiccator at about 6°C. The protocol includes alkaloid quantification by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry for both liquid and freeze-dried forms. Further research is needed on the effects of storage conditions and lyophilization on alkaloid quantities, particularly the impact of heat on β-carbolines.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
March 6, 2019
Ansgar Rougemont-Bücking, Henrik Jungaberle, Milan Scheidegger et al.
6 citations
Among 4,475 young adult men in Switzerland, those who used psychedelics in the past year showed no significant difference in mental health (depressive symptoms, overall mental health, perceived stress, life satisfaction) compared to those who used no drugs. In contrast, users of MDMA, psychostimulants, and cannabis had poorer mental health. These effects were influenced by stressful life events and past family functioning. The findings suggest that some men may use substances to cope with life adversity, and the lack of a negative mental health association with psychedelics warrants further research in both men and women.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
January 2, 2025
Petri Kajonius, David Sjöström, Emma Claesdotter‐knutsson
5 citations
A majority of Swedish psychedelic users rank their experience among the most meaningful events of their lives: 58% placed it among the top 5 most meaningful, and 85% among the top 10. Most participants (94%) reported positive life improvements, and factors like a personal growth motive and supportive social networks were linked to better well-being. The findings align with previous international research, though the study's self-selected sample, self-reported measures, and cross-sectional design limit generalizability.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
June 1, 2005
Marlene Dobkin de Ríos, Charles S. Grob
5 citations
In a November 2004 telephone interview, Jeffrey Bronfman, representative mestre for the União do Vegetal Church in the United States, discusses the church's legal battle after U.S. authorities seized a large quantity of ayahuasca tea intended for sacramental use. The case, which the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear, pits the church's claim to religious freedom against federal drug laws that classify ayahuasca as a scheduled substance. Bronfman describes the church's efforts to seek remediation through the courts on this freedom of religion issue.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
November 5, 2025
B Brett, Christine Bynum
4 citations
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a serious chronic condition with limited effective treatments. MDMA-assisted psychotherapy (MDMA-AT) has shown promise in earlier trials, but the FDA recently voted against recommending it due to risk-benefit concerns. This systematic review of seven randomized controlled trials involving 280 adults with PTSD (160 received MDMA, 120 received placebo) found that five of six studies (83.3%) reported significantly greater PTSD symptom reduction with MDMA-AT compared to placebo. Across studies, 41.7% to 85.7% of MDMA recipients no longer met PTSD criteria post-treatment versus 25.0% to 33.3% in placebo groups. The treatment was well-tolerated. The findings support MDMA-AT as a potential treatment, but additional research with ethical oversight should inform FDA approval.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
June 23, 2025
Annika Wirsching, Erwin Krediet, Martijn H.b. Koolen et al.
4 citations
Dutch mental health professionals hold generally positive attitudes toward psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy (PAP) for conditions like PTSD and major depression, according to a survey of 198 clinicians. Positive attitudes were associated with clinicians' own prior use of MDMA or psilocybin. Respondents considered psychiatrists and licensed psychologists the most suitable professionals to administer PAP, expressed concerns about maintaining therapeutic connection during patients' altered states, and preferred that PAP be delivered in specialized hospital-based facilities. The findings point to implementation needs, including targeted training and clear clinical guidelines.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
September 12, 2024
Katinka Hooyer, Rachel Yehuda, Alan K. Davis et al.
4 citations
About half of U.S. military veterans surveyed reported using psychedelics, most often for healing or treatment (70%) and spiritual purposes (48%). The vast majority (85%) said they benefited from use. Veterans who used psychedelics indicated they would be more likely to use VA services, and they expressed greater interest in psychedelic therapy compared to non-users. However, some adverse outcomes were reported, suggesting that without proper preparation and support, psychedelics may carry risks. The findings point to a potential role for psychedelic-assisted approaches in veteran mental health care.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
July 14, 2023
Christopher Timmermann, Aki Nikolaidis, Alan K. Davis et al.
4 citations
Spanish translations of three questionnaires measuring acute psychedelic effects—the Psychological Insight Questionnaire (PIQ), Challenging Experiences Questionnaire (CEQ), and Mystical Experiences Questionnaire (MEQ)—showed good psychometric properties in a sample of 442 native Spanish speakers. Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed that the factor structures matched the original English versions, and this consistency held across subgroups who had used LSD or psilocybin. Construct validity was supported by positive associations between the PIQ and MEQ and between these measures and changes in cognitive fusion, alongside negative associations with changes in prosocial behaviors. Predictive validity was indicated by strong relationships between persisting effects and scores on the MEQ and PIQ. The Spanish versions can be reliably used in research with Spanish-speaking populations.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
January 3, 2022
Brianna R. Altman, Mitch Earleywine, Joseph De Leo
4 citations
People with depressive symptoms view cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) as more credible than psilocybin-assisted therapy (PAT). In a study of 803 adults recruited from Amazon's MTurk, participants read descriptions of each therapy and rated their credibility. Those with prior therapy experience rated CBT higher than those without. Men and individuals who had used hallucinogens rated PAT more favorably than women and non-users. Other demographic and clinical factors explained little of the variation in credibility ratings. The findings suggest that potential clients are cautious about PAT, and researchers and clinicians should consider patients' treatment beliefs as possible predictors of outcomes.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
August 10, 2017
Andrew J. Lees
4 citations
In 1953, William S. Burroughs made unrecognized discoveries about the composition and clinical pharmacology of the hallucinogenic plant potion ayahuasca. His voucher sample of Psychotria viridis and a letter to ethnobotanist Richard Evans Schultes are published here for the first time.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
June 1, 2005
Christian Frenopoulo
4 citations
Ayahuasca, a traditional medicine hallucinogen, shows significant potential in enhancing psychological well-being. In a sample of 150 participants, 70% reported improved emotional health after engaging in ayahuasca ceremonies. Additionally, 65% experienced increased creativity, influencing their artistic expression. Psychotherapists noted that those who used psychedelics like ayahuasca demonstrated greater openness and emotional resilience. The findings suggest that integrating such substances into therapeutic practices could enrich psychological interventions, highlighting the intersection of traditional medicine and modern psychology in promoting mental health.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
January 1, 1981
Rudolf Gelpke
4 citations
No Summary
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
March 3, 2025
Wayne Kepner, Patricia Dionicio, Katie Bailey et al.
3 citations
About 1 in 20 Asian American and Pacific Islander adults (5.1%) have used ecstasy/MDMA in their lifetime, based on a nationally representative sample from 2015-2020. Females had higher odds of use than males, and adults aged 26-34 had higher odds than those aged 18-25, while those aged 50 or older had lower odds. Lifetime use of other substances—cannabis, ketamine, LSD, cocaine, psilocybin, prescription opioids, and prescription stimulants—was associated with increased odds of ecstasy/MDMA use. Variations by age, sex, family income, substance type, and mental health service use point to the need for targeted public health strategies.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
January 29, 2025
Carrie Cuttler, Amanda Stueber, Jonathan Simone et al.
3 citations
An online survey of 1,486 U.S. adults (average age 29.58, 67.1% male) examined patterns of psychedelic use. Respondents most often used MDMA, LSD, DMT, and psilocybin, primarily by oral administration and for recreational purposes. The most common acute effects were hallucinations, increased heart rate, positive mood, and visual tracers; residual effects included headaches, dry mouth, nausea, hallucinations, and anxiety. Distress about negative mood, vomiting, and nausea during acute effects was low on average. These findings can inform clinical trials and policy as psychedelic legality and accessibility evolve.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
January 29, 2025
Jason B Luoma, Kim Hoffman, Adrianne R Wilson-Poe et al.
3 citations
Oregon's early psilocybin facilitator workforce is relatively diverse, with many holding existing healthcare licenses. Among 16 active training programs, mean tuition was $9,359 and half offered diversity scholarships. Survey respondents (n=106) reported that training expenses were a moderate-to-severe financial strain, though most were satisfied with their training. The mean planned price for a session was $1,388, and common specializations included trauma, mental disorders, consciousness exploration, and spirituality. Facilitators requested ongoing training opportunities. These findings are crucial for informing future policy and training program development to support a diverse and effective workforce.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
December 24, 2024
Omer A Syed, Rotem Petranker, Emily C Fewster et al.
3 citations
A strong preference for natural over synthetic sources exists among users of psilocybin (75%), DMT (56%), and mescaline (56%), based on an anonymous online survey of 6,379 consumers from 85 countries. About half of respondents (50.8%) believe the source affects a psychedelic's psychological and physiological effects, while 34.4% are neutral. Despite preferring natural sources, 67.7% would switch to synthetic alternatives if it reduced environmental harm from overharvesting. The survey's respondents came mainly from anglophone regions.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
June 22, 2023
Bheatrix Bienemann, Amanda Rocha Barbosa, Lucas Villar Magalhães da Cruz et al.
3 citations
Psilocybin use is growing globally, and recent research shows promise for treating mental disorders. Analyzing 846 public online self-reports with textual analysis software, five clusters emerged describing mental experiences, cognitive processes, somatic experiences, perceptual alterations, and context of administration. The findings reinforce that psilocybin experiences commonly involve somatic and visual changes, feelings of connectedness and oneness with the world, the importance of setting, beneficial mystical experiences, and the phenomenon of ego dissolution. Understanding these circumstances may guide clinical use and harm reduction.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
January 22, 2023
Fiona Low, Mitch Earleywine
3 citations
Brief written educational materials of about 300 words significantly increased how credible people found both cognitive behavioral therapy and psilocybin-assisted therapy for depression, with a large effect size. Asking participants to imagine open-mindedness before reading further boosted credibility ratings for psilocybin-assisted therapy, with a medium effect. These simple, low-cost strategies could help improve how patients view treatments. The findings suggest that even short informational texts can shape treatment perceptions, and that priming open-mindedness may be especially useful for newer or less familiar therapies.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
October 9, 2025
Joseph J. Palamar, Nicole D. Fitzgerald
2 citations
The DEA proposed placing the psychedelic phenethylamines DOC and DOI into Schedule I. Analysis of DEA seizure data, national survey responses, and scientific literature from 2005 to 2024 found that DOC submissions to forensic labs peaked at 152 in 2012 then dropped to only two in 2023-2024, while only forty DOI submissions were ever recorded, with none since 2019. Self-reported lifetime use of either drug on a nationally representative U.S. survey was below 0.01%. Only three poisonings linked to DOC and none to DOI were found. Availability, recreational use, and poisonings from these substances appear rare.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
September 11, 2025
Katie Dickson, Daniel Stubbings, Megan Hurst et al.
2 citations
Attitudes toward psychedelics in the UK are shaped by broader views on drug policy. People who see drug use as a health issue rather than a criminal one are more likely to support psychedelic legalization and perceive lower risks. Women and religious individuals tend to view psychedelics as more harmful, while left-leaning and non-religious participants are more supportive of therapeutic use. Those with prior drug experience are more open to psychedelics. The findings suggest that shifting policy framing toward health-based approaches could increase support for psychedelic reform.