Frontiers in Public Health
January 25, 2024
Yu Kyung Lee, Mark S Gold, Kenneth Blum et al.
45 citations
Opioid use disorder remains a major public health crisis, with overdose deaths at an all-time high despite increased access to naloxone, buprenorphine, and harm reduction strategies. The COVID-19 pandemic worsened substance use and disrupted treatment. Current medications have not reversed the rising death toll, indicating a need for different prevention and treatment approaches. This article reviews recent trends and limitations of existing medications and briefly examines novel treatments that may be more durable and effective. These include interventional treatments, psychedelics, neuroimmune, nutraceutical, and electromagnetic therapies, which are at various stages of investigation and FDA approval and may reduce overdoses, attenuate OUD, and address comorbid disorders.
Frontiers in Public Health
December 11, 2024
Amy Bartlett, Challian Christ, Bradford Martins et al.
8 citations
A scoping review of academic literature on the intersection of queer identity and psychedelics found only 18 relevant resources from over 30,000 initially captured, revealing that most existing literature stigmatizes and problematizes queer psychedelic use. The review highlights strong interest among queer populations in using psychedelics for healing and identity development, and emphasizes the need for clinicians to understand queer psychedelic experiences to provide safe, effective care. It recommends future research directions to better explore the meaningful overlap between psychedelics and queerness, aiming to center queer experiences as essential in psychedelic research and practice.
Frontiers in Public Health
May 13, 2024
Andy Hau Yan Ho, Stephanie Hilary Xinyi Ma, Jing Ting Ng et al.
4 citations
A randomized controlled trial tested an enhanced version of the Slow Art program, called Slow Art Plus, which combines mindfulness, self-compassion, and creative reflection with Southeast Asian art. Compared to a waitlist control group, participants who completed the single-session program showed immediate improvements in spiritual well-being, describing thoughts and experiences, and nonreacting to inner experiences. One day after the program, the intervention group also showed significant improvements in perceived stress, mindfulness, active engagement with the world, and self-compassion. Focus groups identified themes of peaceful relaxation, self-compassion, and widened perspective. The program may be suitable for social prescribing initiatives.
Frontiers in Public Health
June 17, 2026
Lawrence Leeman, Maya Armstrong, Dara Menashi et al.
A community-informed, open-label feasibility study will test group psilocybin-assisted therapy for PTSD using whole psilocybin mushrooms. The protocol includes six groups of six participants—veterans, first responders, and women survivors of sexual violence—who will receive two doses (20 mg and 30 mg) of psilocybin in chocolate, combined with group and individual therapy. Outcomes will measure safety, feasibility, and PTSD symptoms using standard scales. A parallel micro-costing analysis will capture delivery costs for community engagement, therapy, and extended integration. The study aims to ensure access and trust for populations facing structural barriers.
Frontiers in Public Health
April 14, 2026
Anthony L. Back, Bonnie A. Mcgregor, Leslie L. Thorn et al.
A second experience of group retreat psilocybin therapy appears safe and feasible for people with metastatic cancer who did not fully benefit from a first session. In a small study of 13 partial responders, the protocol was modified with a higher initial dose (35 mg), an optional 10 mg booster, and no requirement to taper antidepressants. Seven participants received the booster. Anxiety and depression scores improved substantially, with 69% of participants scoring below the clinical threshold at follow-up. The proportion reporting a complete mystical experience rose from 38% after the first session to 77% after the second, without more challenging experiences. Social support and group cohesion also improved and were maintained at 24 weeks.
Frontiers in Public Health
January 29, 2026
Vivian W. L. Tsang, Camille Roney, Pamela Kryskow et al.
Psilocybin-assisted therapy (PAT) combines psilocybin with structured psychological support to address psychological, emotional, and existential distress, particularly at end of life. The therapy is relational in nature, recognizing that healing occurs through human connection. Roots to Thrive in Nanaimo, British Columbia, is the only multidisciplinary non-profit healthcare practice in Canada legally offering group PAT, primarily serving terminally ill patients. Between 2022 and late 2024, 471 Special Access Program (SAP) applications were submitted for psilocybin or MDMA in Canada, with about 318 approved.