Cureus
June 1, 2023
Aneeque Jamil, Sai Dheeraj Gutlapalli, Marya Ali et al.
46 citations
Meditation is associated with positive brain changes visible on MRI, improved immune and inflammatory processes through decreased cytokine levels, and healthier telomere shortening linked to aging. It benefits physical health in conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and fibromyalgia, lowers blood cholesterol, raises HDL, and improves systolic and diastolic blood pressure. For mental health, meditation helps address social anxiety disorder, PTSD, anxiety, and depression by fostering positive emotion. The magnitude of its overall effect remains unknown, and further detailed studies are needed for clearer clinical outcomes.
Cureus
August 21, 2021
Alisha Sapkota, Hajra Khurshid, Israa A Qureshi et al.
44 citations
Intranasal esketamine, approved by the FDA in 2019 for treatment-resistant depression in adults, shows some efficacy in reducing depressive symptoms, but the clinical meaningfulness of the effect in real-world populations remains unclear. A systematic review of 10 studies found that only one of three short-term clinical trials demonstrated a statistically significant difference between esketamine plus an oral antidepressant versus placebo plus an oral antidepressant. The relapse prevention study showed significantly delayed relapse of depressive symptoms with esketamine, and a long-term trial found sustained improvement. Common adverse effects included nausea, dizziness, dissociation, headache, vertigo, somnolence, and dysgeusia, mostly mild to moderate. Rare serious side effects such as panic attacks, mania, and self-harm ideation have been reported, warranting further investigation.
Cureus
September 1, 2022
Joshua S Kurtz, Neal A Patel, Julian L Gendreau et al.
35 citations
A systematic review of clinicaltrials.gov identified 105 registered clinical trials on psychedelic drugs from 2007 to 2020, with 77.1% starting in 2017 or later. The recent uptrend in psychedelic trials mirrors the overall increase in registered trials. Most studies were early-phase (53.3% phase 1, 25.7% phase 2). Common conditions studied include substance addiction, post-traumatic stress disorder, and major depressive disorder. Potential research gaps were identified, such as studying psychedelics for symptomatic treatment during opioid tapering and for depression that does not respond to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.
Cureus
May 1, 2023
Michael Kelson, Justin M Burnett, Amy Matthews et al.
32 citations
A systematic review of 11 studies involving 854 adults from the US, UK, and Russia suggests that combining ketamine with psychotherapy may help people with alcohol use disorder achieve abstinence and reduce drinking. Results were mixed for relapse, craving, and withdrawal. Ketamine may be an option for those who do not respond to first-line treatments, but more rigorous trials are needed to confirm its efficacy, safety, and dosing.
Cureus
February 5, 2022
Shawn Ziff, Benjamin Stern, Gregory D. Lewis et al.
32 citations
Psilocybin, the psychoactive compound in magic mushrooms, has been used for millennia in cultural and religious contexts. After mid-20th-century prohibition halted research, recent clinical trials show it can significantly reduce depression and anxiety compared to a placebo, though one trial found no significant difference versus a standard SSRI. In patients with advanced-stage cancer, psilocybin may ease depression and anxiety linked to terminal diagnosis. For addiction—especially to nicotine and alcohol—small open-label trials suggest psilocybin therapy outperforms traditional treatments. Its low toxicity and infrequent dosing produce durable effects with minimal risk of overuse, positioning it as a promising tool in addiction medicine.
Cureus
May 17, 2021
Sarah Tedesco, Ganeya Gajaram, Shahzad Chida et al.
31 citations
A meta-analysis of 10 studies (168 patients total) and systematic review of 16 articles examined MDMA (ecstasy) for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). MDMA acts as a triple monoamine reuptake inhibitor and weak serotonin receptor agonist. The analysis separately presents disorders where MDMA showed net positive or net negative effects on symptoms, along with adverse events and a therapeutic index for patients who benefited. An odds ratio for beneficial and adverse events helps identify treatment-resistant patients who might benefit from MDMA-assisted psychotherapy. The findings suggest promising evidence for MDMA's potential therapeutic use alongside psychotherapy for PTSD, and its pharmacological profile may guide future drug development for treatment-resistant psychiatric disorders.
Cureus
November 1, 2022
Ricardo Irizarry, Amelia Winczura, Omar Dimassi et al.
26 citations
Psilocybin shows promise for treating some psychiatric illnesses, but evidence remains mixed. A meta-analysis of nine randomized controlled trials found substantial heterogeneity (I² = 73.68%), meaning the studies examined different populations and results varied widely. A separate analysis of depression severity scores from three studies showed no significant heterogeneity (I² effectively 0%), allowing a fixed-effects model. Overall, psilocybin appears to produce symptom improvement in certain conditions, but the authors conclude that more research is needed to determine its efficacy and safety for psychiatric applications.
Cureus
October 1, 2022
Dev B Goel, Sarju Zilate
24 citations
Psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychedelic compound found in certain mushrooms, has been used ceremonially by indigenous peoples for centuries and was studied in mid-20th-century psychiatry before falling out of favor due to non-medical use. Renewed 21st-century interest, driven by encouraging studies, has focused on its therapeutic potential. Three controlled trials found that a single dose of psilocybin may reduce depression and anxiety symptoms in cancer patients for at least six months. A small open-label study reported fewer depressive and anxiety symptoms three months after two doses in treatment-resistant depression. Small pilot studies on addiction showed promising results for alcohol and cigarette dependence.
Cureus
May 23, 2022
Kawther N Elsouri, Sahand Kalhori, Diego Colunge et al.
15 citations
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that can follow traumatic events, from burglary to genocide. Current treatments rely on psychotherapy and conventional medications, but psychoactive drugs—MDMA, ketamine, and psilocybin—are being investigated for their ability to reduce fear and anxiety in the brain. These drugs show promise for patients with treatment-resistant PTSD. Historically, restrictive laws limited research due to concerns about harm, but shifting public opinion has spurred new studies. This article reviews how these three substances work in the PTSD brain and their potential therapeutic benefits.
Cureus
April 1, 2023
Karina Wang, Yiqun Sun, Brenda Nava et al.
14 citations
Medical students who report greater knowledge about psilocybin, less concern about its adverse effects, and more support for recreational legalization tend to hold more positive views about its medical use. A survey of 213 U.S. medical students found that these three factors together predicted favorable attitudes toward therapeutic psilocybin, with the model accounting for 57% of the variance. Notably, endorsing recreational legalization was linked to more positive medical-use attitudes, a somewhat counterintuitive result. The study highlights the need for better medical education on psilocybin as its therapeutic potential gains attention.
Cureus
February 1, 2024
Suneeta Kumari, Hassan A Chaudhry, Adam Sagot et al.
13 citations
For patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) or major depressive disorder with suicidal intent, intranasal esketamine—the S-enantiomer of ketamine—shows greater efficacy as an add-on to standard oral antidepressants than oral antidepressants plus placebo, based on a narrative review of 18 clinical trials. Esketamine received FDA breakthrough designation and approval in 2019-2020. The primary efficacy endpoint in most trials was reduction in the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) score. The review outlines esketamine's pharmacology, safety profile, adverse effects, and cognitive impact, and compares it favorably to intravenous ketamine as a more practical clinical alternative. Further research is needed on its mechanism of action, a consensus definition of TRD, and use in patients with co-occurring mental illnesses.
Cureus
March 1, 2023
Natalie A Gonzalez, Navya Sakhamuri, Sreekartthik Athiyaman et al.
13 citations
A systematic review of 10 studies found that yoga and meditation positively affect attention, hyperactivity, and impulsive behavior in children with ADHD. These practices also appeared to improve anxiety, low self-esteem, and family dynamics when done in group sessions. The authors suggest yoga and meditation are beneficial as supplemental therapy rather than standalone treatment, and call for larger, longer-term research.
Cureus
October 31, 2022
Arafath Mohamed, Shehla Touheed, Muzammil Ahmed et al.
11 citations
Post-traumatic stress disorder remains a chronic condition even after psychotherapy, which is the primary recommended treatment. This article reviews the efficacy of psychedelic-assisted therapy as a potential new approach, examining current research on 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, ketamine, classical psychedelics, and cannabis for PTSD. It evaluates the benefits and drawbacks of each therapy, covering therapeutic justification, context of use, and level of evidence. The review also formulates questions for future research to better understand the topic.
Cureus
April 1, 2024
Dapkupar Wankhar, Archana Prabu Kumar, Venugopal Vijayakumar et al.
9 citations
Mind-body medicine techniques such as meditation, mindfulness-based stress reduction, and relaxation may improve systolic blood pressure in patients with cardiovascular disease, but evidence is weak. A systematic review and meta-analysis of 15 randomized controlled trials with 927 patients found a significant effect on systolic blood pressure (standardized mean difference -0.78), but no significant effect on diastolic blood pressure. Heterogeneity among studies was very high, and the quality of included studies was low, so more robust evidence is needed before recommending mind-body medicine as an effective treatment for reducing blood pressure in cardiovascular disease.
Cureus
August 1, 2021
Varchasvi Mudgal, Rashmi Dhakad, Rahul Mathur et al.
9 citations
A 15-year-old male patient reported an out-of-body experience in which he saw himself from a third-person perspective, floating outside his body. Evaluation led to diagnoses of dissociative identity disorder and dissociative fugue. The patient improved after abreaction, hypnosis, relaxation training, and supportive psychotherapy. Dissociative disorders arise from internal conflict between ego and self, failure to repress trauma, or emergence of repressed memories, producing altered perception described as an out-of-body experience. This case highlights a rare psychiatric cause of OBE that may guide management approaches.
Cureus
February 1, 2024
Ana Faísco, Rita Dinis, Tânia Seixas et al.
8 citations
Ketamine is used to treat pain syndromes, especially those involving nerve damage. At sub-anesthetic doses, it produces strong pain relief by blocking N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors and boosting descending inhibitory pathways. Its short-term pain relief is well-documented in surgical settings, where it also reduces chronic postoperative pain and opioid use. Evidence for long-term benefits remains limited due to few clinical studies. Ketamine also has antidepressant effects, which may help chronic pain patients. Side effects, particularly psychomimetic ones, can hinder treatment adherence. Co-administering ketamine with benzodiazepines or α2-agonists improves its clinical use. More research is needed on long-term safety and risk-benefit analysis.
Cureus
November 1, 2023
Priyanshu Raj, Shyambabu Rauniyar, Bhagyesh Sapkale
8 citations
Serotonergic hallucinogens, or psychedelics, such as LSD and psilocybin, profoundly alter perception, mood, and cognition by acting on serotonin receptors. Contemporary research recognizes their therapeutic value, showing promise for treating depression, PTSD, and anxiety through effects on neuroplasticity. Compared to alcohol, LSD and psilocybin are relatively safer. The modern revival of scientific interest calls for viewing these substances as therapeutic tools rather than recreational ones, necessitating rigorous investigation and societal discourse to dispel myths and harness their potential for treating mental illness.
Cureus
October 1, 2024
Priyadarsini Samanta, Ipsa Mohapatra, Rituparna Mitra et al.
6 citations
Internet Addiction Disorder (IAD) harms adolescents' social relationships, academic performance, and emotional well-being. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) improve self-awareness, emotional regulation, and cognitive flexibility, offering a potential therapeutic approach. This narrative review summarizes research showing that mindfulness practices help adolescents reduce excessive internet use, control compulsive online habits, and resist impulsive urges. Techniques such as breathing exercises, body scanning, and meditation also alleviate stress, anxiety, and depression commonly linked to IAD. The review calls for more research on long-term MBI effects, integration into school programs, and interventions tailored to adolescent developmental needs. Mindfulness appears promising for reducing IAD, but further thorough research is needed.
Cureus
May 7, 2023
Suhwoo Bae, Michael Vaysblat, Ilja Dejanovic et al.
6 citations
A 48-year-old man with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder taking lisdexamfetamine experienced a fainting episode and was found to be in ventricular fibrillation. Extensive cardiac testing, including MRI and electrophysiology, revealed no underlying cause. He received an implantable defibrillator and was later diagnosed with hereditary hemochromatosis. His combination of medications may have triggered catecholamine release, leading to the dangerous heart rhythm.
Cureus
January 1, 2024
Vishwa Sree Yadla, Patil Nj, Prabhakar Kamarthy et al.
5 citations
Adding yoga to standard care substantially reduces anxiety and improves quality of life for people with panic disorder. Sixty-four adults diagnosed with panic disorder were randomly assigned to either a yoga-plus-standard-care group or a standard-care-only control group. The yoga group practiced integrated yoga (postures, breathing, meditation) for 60 minutes, five days a week, for 12 weeks. Anxiety scores on the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale dropped from an average of 49.13 to 13.53 in the yoga group, while quality of life improved significantly across physical, psychological, social, and environmental domains. The control group also improved but less. Yoga appears to be a valuable complementary treatment for panic disorder.
Cureus
November 22, 2023
5 citations
Chronic pain affects millions, and meditation—practiced for thousands of years—offers a non-pharmacological tool for managing it. Mindfulness meditation has been shown in randomized controlled trials to reduce pain intensity, enhance pain tolerance, and improve quality of life, as well as lower stress, improve sleep, and boost body awareness. While not a permanent cure, meditation provides patients with a useful coping strategy by improving the body's natural pain-relieving processes. The evidence is encouraging, though further research is needed to fully understand the underlying mechanisms.
Cureus
August 25, 2022
Vedant N Hedau, Ashish P Anjankar
5 citations
Psychedelics are hallucinogenic drugs that substantially alter consciousness, causing psychological, auditory, and visual changes. Chronic pain, a major global cause of disability, is often managed with pharmacological interventions and physical therapy, but these can lead to drug resistance, side effects, and addiction, as with opioids. Standard therapies are not always effective long-term. Psychedelics have shown promise in clinical psychology, and research is exploring their use for pain disorders. The article discusses how psychedelics affect the brain and body and how they might modulate pain, though the precise mechanism of chronic pain remains incompletely understood.
Cureus
June 28, 2022
Ann Inouye, Aaron Wolfgang
5 citations
The Food and Drug Administration granted breakthrough therapy status to MDMA-assisted therapy in 2017 based on early evidence for treating PTSD. Across six phase-II trials, 54% of participants receiving a full dose no longer met PTSD diagnosis after two sessions, compared to 23% in the control group. In the first phase-III trial, 67% no longer met criteria after three sessions. Effects persisted: 67% remained undiagnosable after one year and 74% after nearly four years. The therapy was being fast-tracked for potential FDA approval by 2023. Hawaii's 2021 Senate Bill 738, which unsuccessfully sought to reschedule psilocybin for major depressive disorder, highlighted that MDMA, also a Schedule I substance, could benefit Hawaii residents.
Cureus
September 1, 2024
Selvaraj Giridharan
4 citations
Cancer patients face both physical symptoms and psychological distress, with about 50% experiencing clinically significant anxiety, depression, or sleep disturbances that can worsen treatment outcomes and quality of life. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy often intensify these mental health challenges. Yoga Nidra, a guided meditation practice, may be especially helpful for patients undergoing intensive treatments where physical limitations or stress are pronounced. The editorial discusses Yoga Nidra as a non-invasive, cost-effective, and accessible complementary therapy that shows promise for alleviating psychological distress and improving sleep quality in cancer patients, reflecting growing medical interest in holistic approaches to cancer care.
Cureus
March 1, 2024
Reena Sheth, Esha Parikh, Kunmilayo Olayeye et al.
4 citations
Ayahuasca, an Amazonian brew with psychedelic properties, shows promise as a therapeutic tool for mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, substance abuse, eating disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Its effects stem from both its biochemical makeup and the ritual context guided by a shaman, often described as a "mystical experience." This systematic review of 43 articles published between September 2017 and May 2023 finds that ayahuasca influences mind, body, and spirit when used in the right setting. However, most studies relied on surveys and self-reporting, and no clear standard for testing efficacy has been established. Respect for ayahuasca's cultural origins must be maintained as Western medicine explores its benefits.