Journal of studies on alcohol and drugs
May 1, 2023
Matthew E Rossheim, Cassidy R Loparco, Doug Henry et al.
41 citations
Since the 2018 U.S. Farm Bill created what some call a legal loophole in cannabis regulation, many new psychoactive cannabinoid products have appeared, along with inconsistent terminology to describe them. The authors propose the term "derived psychoactive cannabis products" to classify these substances. "Derived" distinguishes them from naturally grown cannabis, "psychoactive" clarifies their effects, and "cannabis products" avoids the racist origins of the word "marijuana." The term aims to be broad enough to cover all related products yet specific enough to exclude other substances. Adopting consistent terminology would reduce confusion and strengthen scientific literature.
Journal of studies on alcohol and drugs
September 1, 2024
Brian Rush, Olivia Marcus, Sara García et al.
12 citations
One year after completing an ayahuasca-assisted, integrative addiction treatment program at the Takiwasi Centre in Peru, 52 participants showed significant reductions in alcohol and drug use severity, depression, and anxiety, and improvements in some quality-of-life dimensions. The majority rated all program aspects as important, particularly the spiritual and therapeutic significance of the ayahuasca experience. However, there was considerable individual variation in outcomes and treatment duration. Within the limitations of an uncontrolled observational study, the findings suggest promise for ayahuasca's effectiveness in a multifactorial treatment context for individuals with significant treatment histories, high comorbidity, and treatment motivation.
Journal of studies on alcohol and drugs
September 1, 2024
Anja Loizaga-Velder, Armando Loizaga Pazzi
4 citations
Ritual uses of natural psychedelics (entheogens) such as ayahuasca, peyote, psilocybin mushrooms, 5-MeO-DMT, and iboga show therapeutic potential for substance use disorders. Observational research and preliminary clinical studies indicate these compounds are relatively safe when used with careful screening and psychotherapy. A pilot intercultural clinical program by the Yaqui tribe in Sonora, Mexico, applies some of these entheogens for addiction and mental health treatment. Integrating entheogenic medicine with culturally attuned therapy may have value, but more interdisciplinary research is needed.
Journal of studies on alcohol and drugs
September 1, 2024
Sisi Li, Taylor Kurtzweil, Shahin Shams et al.
3 citations
Efforts to patent psychedelic compounds for addiction treatment risk privatizing public knowledge and raising costs. The nonprofit Porta Sophia has identified 170 patent documents covering psychedelic addiction therapies, many of which could restrict research and access if granted. Patent examiners must reject false claims, but prior knowledge about psychedelics is often hard to find, leading to overreaching patents. As the FDA approaches key decisions, stakeholders must use available tools to determine prior knowledge and maintain an ethical patent landscape to ensure access to these potential treatments.
Journal of studies on alcohol and drugs
September 1, 2024
Svět Lustig Vijay, Magdalena Harris, Fabio Friso et al.
1 citation
Ayahuasca, a plant-based entheogen from the Amazon, is increasingly studied for treating substance dependence, but little research has examined the act of purging (mainly vomiting) considered central to healing in ayahuasca rituals. At the Takiwasi Center in Peru, interviews with 11 healers, plant preparers, and psychotherapists revealed that purging is understood as a fluid concept beyond vomiting. Their narratives fell into three themes: spiritual-oriented (purging aids spiritual development), Amazonian-oriented (purging expels embodied 'cargas' that cause sickness), and clinical-oriented (purging yields observable therapeutic benefits). All models emphasized purging's pivotal connection to healing during ayahuasca-assisted treatment for substance dependence.
Journal of studies on alcohol and drugs
May 20, 2025
Mark A Prince, Brandon Paez, Jessica L Morse et al.
American Indian (AI) and non-AI youth living on or near reservations show largely similar rates of using substances often grouped as 'other' (inhalants, MDMA, hallucinogens, prescription opioids, over-the-counter cold medicines), though some regional and sex-based differences emerge. In two regions, AI youth had higher odds of using any 'other' substance than non-AI youth, while in the Southeast and Northwest they were less likely to use prescription opioids and over-the-counter cold medicines, respectively. Males in the Southwest were more likely than females to use inhalants, hallucinogens, and tranquilizers. The Southern Plains region reported the highest prevalence of 'other' substance use overall. These patterns can guide targeted prevention and intervention.