Journal of psychoactive drugs
April 18, 2025
Damian Swieczkowski, Aleksander Kwaśny, Krzysztof Sadko et al.
1 citation
Ibogaine, a non-classical psychedelic, is being studied as a potential treatment for substance use disorders, but safety concerns and lack of commercial interest hinder its development. A cross-sectional analysis of nine clinical trials from major registries found wide variability in trial designs, including dosing regimens and outcome measures. Most trials are early-phase, focusing on pharmacokinetics, withdrawal symptoms, and safety, with particular attention to cardiovascular risks. Preliminary evidence suggests possible therapeutic benefits, but the absence of large, late-phase trials prevents firm conclusions. Standardized clinical frameworks and lessons from research on classical psychedelics and MDMA could improve trial design and address issues like blinding and expectancy bias.
Journal of psychoactive drugs
March 15, 2025
Trey Brasher, David Rosen, Marcello Spinella
1 citation
People who use psychedelics report lower symptoms of behavioral addictions such as problem gambling, sexual addiction, compulsive buying, and eating disorders, along with greater well-being, even after accounting for demographics and other drug use. In a community sample of 1107 adults, psychedelic use uniquely predicted lower behavioral addiction scores, while major stimulant, alcohol, and nicotine vaping use predicted higher scores. Behavioral addiction symptoms were inversely correlated with well-being measures. These findings suggest psychedelics may help treat behavioral addictions, warranting a controlled pilot study or clinical trial.
Journal of psychoactive drugs
February 13, 2025
Yitong Xin, Roland R Griffiths, Alan K Davis
1 citation
Among ayahuasca users who report encountering an entity during their experience, males and females show different patterns of religious belief change. Before the encounter, males were more likely to identify as atheists and less likely to hold religious beliefs than females. After the encounter, both sexes became less atheist or agnostic and more religious, but the shift was larger for males: the proportion of religious males rose significantly, while the increase for females was not statistically significant. These results suggest that sex is linked to how religious beliefs shift after an entity encounter, pointing to the importance of considering sex in psychedelic research on spirituality.
Journal of psychoactive drugs
January 1, 2025
Morgan Hadley, Alicia Halliday, James M Stone
1 citation
Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder (HPPD) may be more common than previously thought. Among 415 hallucinogen and other drug users who completed an online questionnaire, 39.7% reported symptoms of Type I HPPD and 4.3% reported symptoms of Type II HPPD. Neuroticism scores did not differ between those with and without HPPD. Individuals with Type II HPPD were more likely to report anxiety, obsessional thoughts, paranoia, hypochondria, and panic attacks, and were also more likely to have used 25I-NBOMe, dextromethorphan, nitrous oxide, and benzodiazepines. Nearly half (47.3%) had never tested their drugs, complicating attribution of HPPD severity to specific substances.
Journal of psychoactive drugs
November 10, 2024
Jake Scarcella, Jeffrey MacDaniels, Lucinda Coffin et al.
1 citation
A 41-year-old woman with treatment-resistant depression experienced a severe dissociative episode with hallucinogenic-like effects after taking esketamine, even though the drug notably improved her depressive symptoms. This case highlights a rare but serious adverse event that clinicians should consider when prescribing esketamine. Understanding such risks is important for safe and effective use of this antidepressant.
Journal of psychoactive drugs
November 4, 2024
A Bezo, B Roméo, Y Le Strat et al.
1 citation
Physicians in France perceive the use of psychedelics as carrying notable risks. In a survey of 407 clinicians, average ratings on 1–5 Likert scales were 3.05 for general risk, 2.68 for self-harm risk, 2.47 for aggression risk, 2.71 for addictive risk, 2.76 for psychiatric disorder risk, and 2.11 for somatic disorder risk. Younger physicians were more likely to see therapeutic potential, while general practitioners were less likely than specialists to consider psychedelics a treatment. Clinicians who viewed psychedelics as having therapeutic potential associated them with lower risks.
Journal of psychoactive drugs
December 1, 2009
Marlene Dobkin De Rios
1 citation
The article examines evidence that the San Agustin culture, which lived in Colombia's Magdalena River area from the third century BCE to the sixteenth century CE, used plant hallucinogens such as Brugmansia, Brunfelsia chiricaspi, Desfontainia R., Anadenanthera peregrina, Banisteriopsis species, Psychotria viridis, and Virola theidora. Using a cross-cultural survey of plant hallucinogens, the author analyzes themes in the culture's monolithic sculptures, focusing on man-animal transformations and shamanic motifs linked to hallucinogenic plant use.
Journal of psychoactive drugs
June 10, 2026
Jack H Buchanan, Brandon Reynante, Michael T Dinh et al.
A cross-sectional survey of fifty licensed U.S. providers of ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) for depression reveals wide variability in real-world practices. Ketamine was most often given intramuscularly (42%) or sublingually (40%) at psychedelic doses. Most providers (74%) conducted psychotherapy before, during, and after administration, commonly using Internal Family Systems (74%), humanistic/existential (62%), and supportive (58%) modalities, typically blending three to four approaches. The most endorsed treatment goals were fostering inner healing intelligence, leveraging neuroplastic effects, and facilitating a transformative experience. No significant association between psychotherapy modalities and treatment goals was found, indicating unclear logic for matching approaches to outcomes. The findings underscore the need for comparative clinical trials to establish evidence-based standards for KAP and other psychedelic-assisted therapies.
Journal of psychoactive drugs
May 19, 2026
Ana Cláudia Mesquita Garcia, Lucas Oliveira Maia, Everson Meireles et al.
A Brazilian Portuguese version of the Psychedelic Integration Scales (PIS-BR) was validated in a cross-sectional online survey of 1,379 participants. The scale showed a unidimensional structure, high internal consistency (α = 0.95), and strong associations with mystical experience (r = 0.636) and positivity (r = 0.352). Qualitative analysis of open-ended responses revealed diverse integration strategies such as personal reflection, psychotherapy, spiritual practices, connection with nature, social sharing, and personal transformation, alongside reported difficulties. The findings support the PIS-BR as a valid measure for studying psychedelic integration in Brazil and highlight cultural variability in integration processes beyond acute drug effects.
Journal of psychoactive drugs
April 23, 2026
Brayan Jonas Mano-Sousa, Maria Clara Gama Fontes, Ana Clara Anacleto Gonçalves et al.
In people with treatment-resistant depression, ayahuasca—a traditional Amazonian psychedelic—rapidly reduces suicidal thoughts and depressive symptoms. A systematic review of five studies found consistent evidence of these effects, attributed to the synergistic action of β-carbolines and DMT. Neurobiologically, ayahuasca promotes neuroplasticity by upregulating Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor and decreasing Default Mode Network activity, enabling profound introspection and emotional processing. Despite promising results, large-scale, rigorous longitudinal studies are needed to establish safe clinical guidelines.
Journal of psychoactive drugs
March 20, 2026
Marina A M Portes, Leandro J Bertoglio
Endurance athletes face unique psychological and physical stressors, yet their knowledge and attitudes toward psychedelic therapies are largely unknown. A survey of 28 Brazilian endurance athletes (mean age 37) found that 64% reported a lack of mental health support in their athletic environments. Only 11% had prior psychedelic experience, while 79% were open to legal, supervised psychedelic therapies. However, 61% were unaware of evidence for psychedelics in treating mental health conditions, and 78% mistakenly believed psychedelics are addictive. Women more often reported pharmacological treatment for depression or anxiety. The findings highlight unmet mental health needs, knowledge gaps, and misconceptions, pointing to a need for targeted, evidence-based education.
Journal of psychoactive drugs
March 19, 2026
Pedro J Teixeira, Jorge Encantado, Helena D Amaro et al.
Portuguese adults who participate in ayahuasca ceremonies report good or very good health, with lower rates of chronic disease and obesity compared to the general population. They also report greater physical activity, lower alcohol consumption, and enhanced psychological well-being. Many attribute positive lifestyle changes, reduced substance use, and less reliance on prescription medication to their ayahuasca experiences. These findings align with prior research linking ayahuasca use to health and well-being, though causal pathways remain unclear.
Journal of psychoactive drugs
March 16, 2026
Faith E Lyons, Karilynn M Rockhill, Evelyn J Fox et al.
Adults who used a psychedelic in the past year most prefer surveys that use specific substance names (e.g., psilocybin, ayahuasca) over umbrella terms. In a cross-sectional survey of 2,306 respondents, specific substance names received the highest preference (median rank 3; 24.3% ranked first), followed by "psychedelics" (median rank 3; 19.4%). Terms like "hallucinogen," "medicines," and "entheogens" ranked lower. Preferences were consistent across age, education, and experience levels. The findings offer recommendations for terminology in future survey development.
Journal of psychoactive drugs
March 13, 2026
Matthew X Lowe, Quinn A Darby, Sasha Kalcheff-Korn et al.
Sexual and gender minority individuals face high rates of depression, anxiety, trauma, and discrimination but have been underrepresented in psychedelic research. A naturalistic study of a seven-day ayahuasca retreat for SGM participants found significant reductions in depression and anxiety scores and increases in spiritual well-being and quality of life, especially in the first month after the retreat. Participants described the experience as highly meaningful, with many ranking it among the most meaningful events of their lives. Positive behavioral changes included improved relationships and reduced substance use. Adverse effects were minimal and transient. The findings highlight the need for inclusive psychedelic spaces that support healing and identity affirmation for queer communities, reclaiming psychedelics from past misuse in conversion therapy.
Journal of psychoactive drugs
January 15, 2026
Laura Monteagudo-Romero, Isotta Triulzi, Tommaso Dondoli et al.
A plant called chiric sanango (Brunfelsia grandiflora), used in traditional Amazonian medicine, may aid addiction recovery and mental health by inducing physical sensations like numbness, tingling, dizziness, and cold, alongside deep psychological introspection and emotional processing. Analysis of 74 case reports from the Takiwasi Center in Peru showed that patients often moved from distressing emotions to states of clarity, acceptance, and resilience, with enhanced social engagement. The findings suggest chiric sanango could be a useful adjunct in psychotherapy and addiction treatment, highlighting the need for further research into its psychoactive properties.
Journal of psychoactive drugs
April 25, 2025
B Romeo, E Kervadec, B Fauvel et al.
A retrospective online survey of French individuals who had a significant psychedelic experience found that the intensity of the mystical experience was positively correlated with improvements in psychological flexibility, especially one month after the experience and during the six months before the survey. Key predictors of changes in psychological flexibility included baseline flexibility scores, the intensity of the mystical experience, and frequent psychedelic use. The findings suggest that the intensity of the mystical experience and baseline psychological flexibility may be key factors influencing changes in psychological flexibility after psychedelic use, indicating potential therapeutic value.
Journal of psychoactive drugs
April 16, 2025
Brant Maclean, Amy Wilson, Andrew Allen et al.
After attending at least one ayahuasca retreat, 60 participants reported on their mystical experiences and well-being. Contrary to expectations, higher levels of mystical experience combined with lower perceived vastness—a facet of awe—were significantly associated with higher well-being. Neither high awe alone nor mystical experiences characterized by high awe predicted better well-being. The findings suggest that modulating the perceived vastness of a psychedelic experience might help reduce distress and promote well-being.
Journal of psychoactive drugs
March 24, 2025
Jack Tsai, Laura Witte, Taylor Fate
About 5.6% of low-income U.S. veterans reported having used psychedelics for therapeutic purposes, and 23.2% believed psychedelics should be legalized for therapy. Veterans with more behavioral health issues and a history of psychosocial problems such as homelessness were more likely to have used psychedelics therapeutically and to support legalization. Qualitative responses showed mixed attitudes: positive views came from personal experience and belief in benefits, while negative views centered on concerns about risks and doubts about effectiveness. The findings suggest opportunities for therapeutic psychedelic use among low-income veterans, particularly those with behavioral and social challenges.
Journal of psychoactive drugs
January 22, 2025
Mackenzie T Kiniry, Renee E Magnan, Sarah N Elder et al.
In a survey of 309 adults, perceptions of psychedelic substances varied by the reason for use: therapeutic use was seen as having more positive health consequences, while recreational use was seen as having more negative health consequences. People who had used psychedelics in their lifetime (40.7% of the sample) rated both therapeutic and recreational uses as having more positive health consequences. Overall, moderate to strong positive and negative health perceptions were reported. The findings suggest that public views of psychedelics depend on the context of use, which could inform public health communications.
Journal of psychoactive drugs
October 29, 2024
Taynara Simão Matos, Flávia da Silva Zandonadi, Alex Aparecido Rosini Silva et al.
Ayahuasca, a traditional brew made from Psychotria viridis leaves and Banisteriopsis caapi vine, shows therapeutic potential for depression. Analysis of 126 samples from different religious groups and geographic origins using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography–high-resolution mass spectrometry revealed that metabolite composition varies by preparation group. Samples also differed in antioxidant effects measured by FRAP and ORAC assays. Glycosylated and phenolic compounds were key to distinguishing brews. Preparation method caused more variability than the botanical variety of B. caapi. Brews made with "caupuri" or "tucunacá" varieties showed differences in L-glutamate and arginine/proline metabolism, suggesting a possible explanation for swollen stem nodes in "caupuri."
Journal of psychoactive drugs
October 15, 2024
Jamie E Parnes, Mitch Earleywine
People who inhale DMT often start because of curiosity, general interest in psychedelics, and hope for spiritual benefits. Those who have used other psychoactive substances, especially ayahuasca, and who extract DMT themselves tend to use it more frequently. Most users obtain DMT from a friend and find it slightly difficult to get. They typically inhale it from a glass pipe in private homes, alone or in small groups. Positive experiences include psychological cleansing or catharsis, while challenges involve difficult integration, aversive experiences, or bad trips. Users generally rate DMT as very or slightly safe. The findings highlight the need for education and harm reduction as media coverage of DMT's potential benefits grows.