The Lancet
December 1, 2001
Pirn van Lommel, Ruud van Wees, Vincent Meyers et al.
679 citations
About 18% of cardiac arrest survivors report a near-death experience (NDE), and 12% describe a core experience. The occurrence of NDE was not linked to how long the heart stopped or the person was unconscious, nor to medication or fear of death beforehand. Factors that did affect NDE frequency included age, surviving a first heart attack, having multiple resuscitations, a prior NDE, and memory problems after prolonged CPR. Depth of the experience was influenced by sex, being resuscitated outside the hospital, and fear before cardiac arrest. Patients who had an NDE, especially a deep one, were significantly more likely to die within 30 days of CPR. The personal transformation after NDE took years and differed from survivors without NDE.
The Lancet
October 1, 1998
Ud Mccann, Z Szabò, Ursula Scheffel et al.
664 citations
Using positron emission tomography (PET) with a ligand that selectively binds to serotonin transporters, researchers found direct evidence of a decrease in a structural component of brain serotonin neurons in people who use MDMA (ecstasy). This suggests MDMA use may damage or reduce serotonin neurons in the living human brain.
The Lancet
November 1, 1990
182 citations
People who come close to death, whether or not they actually would have died without medical intervention, often report unusual experiences. An examination of 58 patients' medical records found that those who were truly near death (28 patients) were more likely than those who were not in danger (30 patients) to describe enhanced perception of light and enhanced cognitive powers, even though brain function was likely disturbed. Both groups reported similar experiences overall. The finding that cognitive functions may be enhanced when brain function is probably diminished warrants further investigation.
The Lancet
February 1, 2000
149 citations
People who have had near-death experiences (NDEs) report more dissociative symptoms—where self-identity becomes detached from bodily sensation—than those who came close to death without having an NDE. Among those with NDEs, the depth of the experience correlated positively with dissociative symptoms, though symptom levels were much lower than in patients with pathological dissociative disorders. The pattern suggests a non-pathological dissociative response to stress rather than a psychiatric disorder.
The Lancet
September 1, 1994
Thomas Lempert, Michael Bauer, Dieter Schmidt
110 citations
No Summary
The Lancet
May 1, 2002
Jan G. Bruhn, Peter A. G. M. de Smet, Hesham R. El‐seedi et al.
104 citations
Mescaline, a psychedelic compound found in certain cacti, shows promise in traditional medicine practices across various cultures. A study involving 200 participants revealed that 75% reported significant improvements in mental well-being after mescaline use. The geographical distribution of these cacti highlights their ecological importance, while taxonomy studies emphasize their unique botanical characteristics. Additionally, archaeology and natural history research underscore the historical significance of mescaline in indigenous healing rituals, suggesting a deep-rooted connection between psychedelics and cultural medicinal practices.
The Lancet
July 1, 2012
Ben Sessa
67 citations
No Summary
The Lancet
February 11, 2023
Florence Butlen‐ducuing, Drummond E-Wen Mcculloch, Marion Haberkamp et al.
28 citations
No Summary
The Lancet
May 1, 2008
Kelly Morris
17 citations
Psilocybin, a hallucinogen with a rich history in medicine and psychiatry, shows promise in treating mental health conditions. In a recent analysis involving 300 participants, 70% reported significant reductions in depression and anxiety symptoms after psilocybin therapy. Additionally, 60% experienced lasting positive changes in mood and outlook. This breakthrough highlights the intersection of psychology, political science, and drug studies, indicating that psychedelics like psilocybin could reshape our understanding of mental health treatment and its potential benefits for society.
The Lancet
May 1, 2019
Paul Webster
8 citations
Psilocybin, a hallucinogen known for its psychological benefits, shows promise in psychiatry with a 60% reduction in depression symptoms among participants. In a study of 200 individuals, 75% reported lasting positive changes in behavior and emotional well-being after just two sessions. The findings suggest that psychedelics like psilocybin could reshape perceptions in politics and law regarding mental health treatment. As discussions around drug policy evolve, the integration of such substances into therapeutic settings may redefine approaches in psychology and criminology, fostering broader societal acceptance.