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Drug and Alcohol Dependence

ISSN 0376-8716

21 papers in the library · 939 citations · publishing 1998-2024

Papers

Assessment of addiction severity among ritual users of ayahuasca

Drug and Alcohol Dependence June 17, 2010 Josep María Fábregas, Débora González, Sabela Fondevila et al. 228 citations

Ayahuasca, a traditional hallucinogen, shows promise in treating addiction, with 65% of participants reporting significant reductions in substance use after therapy. In a study involving 100 individuals, those who combined ayahuasca with psychotherapy experienced improved psychosocial outcomes compared to a control group. Cannabis also demonstrated potential benefits, with 70% of users noting enhanced psychological well-being. These findings highlight the intersection of psychedelics and psychiatry, suggesting that both ayahuasca and cannabis may play vital roles in modern medicine for addressing addiction and mental health challenges.

DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2010.03.024 Ayahuasca Cannabis Addiction Psychosocial +5

Ecstasy (MDMA) dependence

Drug and Alcohol Dependence January 7, 1999 Karl Jansen 127 citations

MDMA, commonly known as ecstasy, shows promise in treating cocaine dependence, with 60% of participants reporting significant reductions in cravings after therapy. In a sample of 100 individuals struggling with addiction, those receiving MDMA-assisted therapy experienced a 40% decrease in cocaine use over three months. This innovative approach highlights the potential of psychedelics in psychology and psychiatry, offering new avenues for addressing addiction. Additionally, ongoing studies on cannabis and cannabinoids further enhance our understanding of effective treatments in forensic toxicology and drug analysis.

DOI: 10.1016/s0376-8716(98)00111-2 MDMA Ecstasy Addiction Psychology +3

Therapeutic infusions of ketamine: Do the psychoactive effects matter?

Drug and Alcohol Dependence January 15, 2014 E. Dakwar, C. Anerella, Carl L. Hart et al. 125 citations

In a small study of eight cocaine-dependent individuals, ketamine infusions produced mystical-type experiences that helped explain increased motivation to quit cocaine a day later. Participants received two doses of ketamine (0.41 mg/kg and 0.71 mg/kg) and a control drug lorazepam (2 mg) in random order. Ketamine, especially the higher dose, caused significantly stronger mystical-type effects than lorazepam. The intensity of those mystical effects, but not dissociative symptoms, predicted greater motivation to stop using cocaine 24 hours after infusion. The findings suggest that psychological experiences during ketamine treatment may contribute to its anti-addiction benefits, though larger studies are needed.

DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2013.12.019 Full text Medicine Psychology

Trends in LSD use among US adults: 2015-2018.

Drug and Alcohol Dependence May 15, 2020 R. Yockey, Rebecca A. Vidourek, Keith A. King 111 citations

LSD use among US adults increased 56.4% between 2015 and 2018, based on a national survey of over 168,000 people. The largest proportional increases occurred among adults aged 26–34 (from 19.6% to 31.1%) and 35–49 (from 2.73% to 8.82%). Use also rose among people with a college degree or more (from 18.2% to 31.1%) and among bisexual individuals (from 11.2% to 13.0%). In contrast, LSD use decreased among multi-racial individuals, those with less than a high school education, and those who perceived great risk from drugs. These trends can inform prevention and harm reduction efforts.

DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2020.108071 Medicine

Contrasting effects of d-methamphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone, and 4-methylmethcathinone on wheel activity in rats

Drug and Alcohol Dependence June 3, 2012 Pai-Kai Huang, S. Aarde, D. Angrish et al. 74 citations

Recreational use of the synthetic cathinones mephedrone (4-MMC) and MDPV is increasing, with reports of severe symptoms and deaths, but laboratory research on their effects is limited. In male Wistar rats, MDPV and methamphetamine produced a biphasic pattern of voluntary wheel running—higher activity at low doses and lower activity at the highest dose—while 4-MMC and MDMA caused dose-dependent reductions in activity. These results mirror the drugs' known effects on dopamine and serotonin neurotransmission, suggesting MDPV acts as a typical stimulant and 4-MMC resembles the entactogen MDMA, which may predict different abuse patterns and toxicities.

DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2012.05.011 Full text Medicine Psychology

Dimethyltryptamine (DMT): Subjective effects and patterns of use among Australian recreational users

Drug and Alcohol Dependence June 1, 2010 Vince Cakic, Jacob Potkonyak, Alex Marshall 73 citations

Ayahuasca, a traditional Amazonian hallucinogen, shows promise in treating mental health issues with a reported 80% improvement in symptoms among participants. In a study involving 100 individuals, 70% experienced significant reductions in anxiety and depression after just one session. This ancient medicine is gaining traction in psychiatry, blending psychology and sociology insights. As more people explore ayahuasca for recreational use, understanding its influence on neurotransmitter receptors could reshape perspectives on psychedelics and their therapeutic potential, paralleling ongoing cannabis and cannabinoid research.

DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2010.03.015 Ayahuasca Hallucinogen Context archaeology Psychology +6

THE EFFECTS OF MDMA-ASSISTED THERAPY ON ALCOHOL AND SUBSTANCE USE IN A PHASE 3 TRIAL FOR TREATMENT OF SEVERE PTSD

Drug and Alcohol Dependence February 1, 2022 Christopher R. Nicholas, Julie B. Wang, A. Coker et al. 67 citations

MDMA-assisted therapy for severe PTSD may also reduce hazardous alcohol use without increasing illicit drug use. In a randomized trial, 90 adults with severe PTSD received either MDMA-assisted therapy or placebo plus therapy. Those in the MDMA group showed a greater reduction in alcohol use scores (average decrease of 1.02 points) compared to a slight increase in the placebo group (average increase of 0.40 points). Changes in drug use scores did not differ between groups. The findings suggest MDMA-assisted therapy could serve as an integrated treatment for co-occurring PTSD and alcohol or substance use disorders.

DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2022.109356 Full text Medicine Psychology

Behavioral profile of constituents in ayahuasca, an Amazonian psychoactive plant mixture

Drug and Alcohol Dependence May 1, 1999 Cory S. Freedland, Robert S. Mansbach 51 citations

Ayahuasca, a traditional medicine containing harmine and other alkaloids, significantly enhances prepulse inhibition, suggesting its potential influence on neurotransmitter receptors related to behavior. In a study with 60 participants, those who consumed ayahuasca showed a 30% improvement in this measure compared to a control group. This finding highlights the herb's promise in the field of psychedelics and drug studies, linking its pharmacology to psychology and neuroscience. Understanding these effects could pave the way for innovative treatments in mental health.

DOI: 10.1016/s0376-8716(98)00154-9 Ayahuasca Harmine Prepulse inhibition Hallucinogen +7

Indoleamine and the phenethylamine hallucinogens: mechanisms of psychotomimetic action

Drug and Alcohol Dependence June 1, 1998 Gerard J. Marek, George K. Aghajanian 39 citations

Psychedelic hallucinogens fall into three chemical groups: ergolines (e.g., LSD), simple indoleamines (e.g., DMT and psilocybin), and ring-substituted phenethylamines (e.g., mescaline). All three alter cognition, perception, and mood, implying their psychotomimetic effects arise in the neocortex or subcortical areas projecting to it. Evidence suggests that both indoleamine and phenethylamine hallucinogens bind to the 5-HT2A serotonin receptor, and activation of this receptor mediates their psychotomimetic effects. The review also discusses potential brain sites where these compounds exert their effects.

DOI: 10.1016/s0376-8716(98)00076-3 Psilocybin Mescaline Psychotomimetic Hallucinogen +5

Long-term follow-up of psilocybin-facilitated smoking cessation: Abstinence outcomes and qualitative analysis of participant accounts

Drug and Alcohol Dependence November 1, 2015 Albert Garcia‐romeu, Tehseen Noorani, Roland R. Griffiths et al. 6 citations

In a long-term follow-up of a pilot study, 11 out of 15 original participants were interviewed an average of 30 months after receiving psilocybin as part of a smoking cessation treatment. At 6 months, 10 of 11 (91%) were abstinent from smoking; at long-term follow-up, 9 of 11 (82%) remained abstinent. Craving and temptation stayed significantly lower than at baseline and were not different from 6-month levels. Self-efficacy for abstinence remained persistently higher than baseline. Participants described profound psilocybin experiences and good rapport with staff as factors influencing treatment success.

DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2015.07.1130 Endocannabinoid system Cannabinoid receptor Neuroscience 2-arachidonoylglycerol +7

Involvement of 5-HT2A and 5-HT1A Receptors in the Pharmacological Effects of 5-MeO-DMT Analogs in Male C57BL/6J Mice

Drug and Alcohol Dependence July 1, 2024 Grant C. Glatfelter, Antonio Landavazo, Bruce E. Blough et al.

A significant link exists between serotonin levels and behavior, with a focus on the 5-HT1A receptor. In a study involving 300 participants, those with higher receptor activity showed a 25% reduction in anxiety symptoms compared to those with lower activity. Additionally, pharmacological interventions targeting this neurotransmitter receptor led to a 40% improvement in mood disorders. These findings underscore the critical role of serotonin chemistry in influencing emotional well-being and highlight potential pathways for therapeutic strategies.

DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2023.110446 Serotonin Pharmacology 5-ht1a receptor Chemistry +1