Pharmacological Reports
April 16, 2020
J. Kryst, P. Kawalec, Alicja Mikrut Mitoraj et al.
157 citations
A meta-analysis of 20 randomized controlled trials found that a single dose of ketamine produces a rapid and robust antidepressant effect in patients with major depression, with the largest reduction in depressive symptoms observed at 24 hours and effects lasting up to 7 days. The effect was significant in treatment-resistant patients and when ketamine was added to ongoing antidepressant treatment, but not when used as monotherapy at 7 days. Repeated ketamine administration sustained the initial antidepressant effects over 2–3 weeks, with significant reductions in depression severity scores compared to placebo.
Pharmacological Reports
October 24, 2023
Agnieszka Wsół
56 citations
Psychedelics like psilocybin, LSD, and ayahuasca show promise for treating depression, anxiety, and substance abuse, and are generally considered physiologically safe with low toxicity and addictive potential. However, their activation of serotonergic receptors raises concerns about possible cardiotoxicity, effects on platelet aggregation, and proarrhythmic risks, alongside sympathomimetic effects seen in studies. Experimental research on cardiovascular effects is inconsistent, while clinical trials indicate relative safety in healthy volunteers. Evidence is insufficient for microdosing therapies and for patients with existing cardiovascular disease, so more research is needed to determine long-term cardiovascular safety.
Pharmacological Reports
November 6, 2023
Paweł Holas, Justyna Kamińska
39 citations
Psychedelic and meditation-based interventions show overlapping neurophysiological and phenomenological features and can enhance each other when combined. Both approaches have been validated as alternative treatments for depression, addictions, and anxiety disorders, producing moderate to large effects and long-term symptom reduction and well-being improvements in clinical and healthy populations. Shared mechanisms include altered self-consciousness, present-moment awareness, and antidepressant action via neuromodulation. Research indicates synergistic benefits when the two are used together, but more theoretical and methodologically rigorous studies are needed before clinical application. This review discusses the theoretical rationale for combining psychedelics with mindfulness training, including the predictive coding framework, and offers suggestions for integration.
Pharmacological Reports
August 1, 2024
Maja Owe-Larsson, Katarzyna Kamińska, Barbara Buchalska et al.
11 citations
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) affects about 2% of the population and involves troubling obsessions and compulsions that disrupt daily life. Its causes are not fully understood, but dysfunctions in serotonin, dopamine, and glutamate neurotransmission, along with early maladaptive schemas, appear important. Current treatments include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), yet up to 40% of patients do not respond. Psilocybin, a non-physically addictive psychoactive substance, may help manage symptoms when used in appropriate doses under strict clinical control. This narrative article reviews OCD's etiology, current treatments, and emerging evidence for psilocybin's efficacy.
Pharmacological Reports
March 11, 2026
1 citation
People with both substance use disorders and treatment-resistant depression are more likely to respond to ketamine, which is effective for depression but also has misuse potential. The authors contrast a biological mechanism with a possible expectancy effect to explain this link, and advise weighing risks and benefits when using ketamine for these patients.
Pharmacological Reports
June 22, 2026
Magdalena Zaniewska
Serotonin (5-HT) is a key neuromodulator involved in mood, appetite, aggression, and impulse control. Dysregulation of central 5-HT function is implicated in alcohol use disorder (AUD) and comorbid depression. Reduced 5-HT activity increases the risk of developing AUD, particularly Cloninger's type II, characterized by early onset, violent, and antisocial behaviors. Tph2-deficient mice, which lack central 5-HT, exhibit increased ethanol consumption and behavioral features resembling type II alcohol dependence. Alcohol-preferring rat lines show reduced 5-HT levels, decreased serotonergic projections to the cortex, and reduced prefrontal 5-HT2A receptor binding. The efficacy of selective 5-HT reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) is limited, with beneficial effects only in less severe, later-onset forms. Serotonergic psychedelic-assisted therapies may activate 5-HT2A receptors in the prefrontal cortex, a region dysfunctional in AUD.
Pharmacological Reports
June 12, 2026
Wojciech Ziemichód, Natalia Kajka, Klaudia Kister et al.
AMPA receptors, a key component of the glutamatergic system, are linked to the rapid antidepressant effects and synaptic plasticity observed after ketamine administration. Positive allosteric modulators of AMPA receptors, called AMPAkines, prolong receptor channel opening, enhance excitatory neurotransmission, and upregulate brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Preclinical studies consistently show antidepressant-like effects of low-impact AMPAkines, which have a favorable safety profile compared to high-impact compounds that carry seizure risk. Preliminary clinical trials support these findings but are limited in scope. Significant translational hurdles remain, including a narrow therapeutic window, suboptimal pharmacokinetic properties, and limited predictive validity of animal models.
Pharmacological Reports
January 20, 2026
Piotr Olejnik, Katarzyna Kamińska, Krystyna Gołembiowska et al.
Psilocybin, a hallucinogen known for its effects on serotonin receptors, significantly reduced inflammation in a study involving 40 participants. The treatment lowered levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha by 30% and decreased hyperalgesia—a heightened pain response—by 25%. Utilizing both ex vivo and in vivo models, findings showed that psilocybin modulates microglial activity, impacting the immune system's response. These results suggest potential applications in internal medicine for managing neuroinflammation and pain mechanisms, highlighting the promise of psychedelics in pharmacology and analgesic therapies.
Pharmacological Reports
February 20, 2021
S. Kohtala
Ketamine, an anesthetic used for 50 years, has recently been studied for chronic pain, addiction, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Its rapid antidepressant effects have sparked research into its mechanisms, though the neurobiological basis remains unclear due to complex dose-dependent molecular actions, active metabolites, and facilitation of synaptic plasticity. This review covers ketamine's diverse uses, focusing on its antidepressant effects at molecular, cellular, and network levels, different doses in antidepressant research, and latest hypotheses about its action.