Cureus
July 1, 2023
Katie O'Donnell, Melanie Dunbar, Diana Speelman
4 citations
During the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, adults who used a meditation app for 10 minutes daily over 30 days showed reduced anxiety and improved well-being compared to a control group. Anxiety scores (GAD-7) decreased in the intervention group from a median of 5.5 to 3.0, while the control group showed no significant change. Well-being scores (WHO-5) improved in both groups, but the improvement was larger in the intervention group, rising from a mean of 12.0 to 16.3 versus 11.6 to 12.9 in controls. The findings suggest that brief daily meditation app use may help reduce anxiety and enhance well-being during stressful periods.
Cureus
June 1, 2025
Rudin Domi, Alma Cani, Asead Abdyli et al.
3 citations
Ketamine, an intravenous anesthetic that blocks NMDA receptors, provides hypnosis, pain relief, anticonvulsant effects, anti-inflammatory action, and neuroprotection. Early concerns that it might raise intracranial pressure have been disproven, renewing interest in its use for neurocritical care. Its use in neurosurgical patients, both in operating rooms and intensive care units, is growing because it offers hemodynamic stability and neuroprotective benefits. Ketamine also shows promise for treating stroke and refractory seizures, broadening its clinical applications. This review summarizes ketamine's usefulness in these settings.
Cureus
September 1, 2024
Marina Nasr, Brian Assadi, Brianna C Weissman et al.
3 citations
A 22-year-old woman with bipolar I disorder was admitted to a psychiatric emergency department after using the illicit drug 2C, a compound with hallucinogenic and stimulant properties similar to ketamine, MDMA, methamphetamine, cocaine, and opioids. She experienced visual hallucinations, euphoria, and an increased heart rate. Laboratory tests confirmed the presence of 2C components. She required admission to an acute inpatient psychiatric unit for medication stabilization. The case highlights the need for healthcare providers to recognize 2C intoxication and intervene promptly, and it underscores the importance of further research and public health efforts to address risks from rising recreational use of such substances.
Cureus
April 1, 2024
Mitchell Liester, Rachel Wilkenson, Barry Patterson et al.
3 citations
A woman with borderline personality disorder and treatment-resistant depression improved after taking very low doses of ketamine under the tongue. Ketamine, typically given intravenously, has shown rapid antidepressant effects and can also reduce borderline personality disorder symptoms when given repeatedly through a vein. A single previous case reported improvement with intranasal esketamine. This case suggests that very low-dose sublingual ketamine may be an effective treatment for psychiatric conditions like borderline personality disorder and co-occurring treatment-resistant depression.
Cureus
April 1, 2024
Ashraf F Hanna, Danielle Bolling, Mariam Tadros
3 citations
A 43-year-old man with Stiff Person Syndrome, a rare autoimmune disorder causing painful muscle spasms and rigidity, experienced improved pain and function after intravenous ketamine treatment. After an initial 10-day infusion, he maintained symptom control for nearly two years with combined intravenous immunoglobulin and ketamine. When his symptoms worsened after immunoglobulin, he discontinued it and continued ketamine alone, reporting further improvement. He stopped using fentanyl patches and managed pain at home with ketamine lozenges, oxycodone-acetaminophen, and dextromethorphan. His condition remained effectively managed, allowing him to return to work and improve his quality of life. This case suggests ketamine may benefit patients with treatment-resistant Stiff Person Syndrome.
Cureus
December 1, 2023
Imyarila Longkumer, Ragini Patil, Nayan Sinha et al.
3 citations
Dissociative disorders, including trance and possession disorder, have long been shaped by cultural, social, and spiritual beliefs. Diagnosis now follows ICD-10, DSM-5, and ICD-11 criteria. In Indian society, trance and possession disorder poses particular challenges for psychiatrists. A case illustrates how social and cultural factors delay diagnosis and management; individuals often first consult a general physician rather than a psychiatrist. This underscores the need for consultation liaison psychiatry (CLP) in diagnosis and ongoing care. Greater awareness of the mind-body relationship and psychosocial support, respecting patients' and relatives' beliefs, remains necessary.
Cureus
September 1, 2023
Nm Mahmudul Alam Bhuiya, Robin J Jacobs, Karina Wang et al.
3 citations
Among 161 pharmacy students at a southern U.S. school, 75% believed psilocybin should be decriminalized for therapeutic use, but only 34% supported recreational decriminalization. A regression model explained 57% of the variance in students' attitudes: more self-assessed knowledge, less concern about negative effects, and stronger support for both therapeutic and recreational decriminalization predicted more positive views on medical psilocybin. The average age was 24; 12% had used psilocybin recreationally and 1% therapeutically. Students reported minimal training on psilocybin and a desire to learn more, suggesting that attitudes may be shaped by knowledge gaps, safety concerns, and legalization opinions.
Cureus
April 20, 2022
Maryam Bayat Mokhtari, Moein Bayat Mokhtari, Blanca Z Rodriguez et al.
3 citations
A patient who consumed large amounts of ayahuasca over three days during a satanic ritual developed severe complications, including coma (Glasgow Coma Scale score of 3), seizures, and suicidal ideation. Laboratory tests revealed hypoosmolar hyponatremia caused by syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH). After supportive care in the intensive care unit, the patient recovered within four days. The authors suggest that ayahuasca's active compounds, similar to monoamine oxidase inhibitors and MDMA, may trigger SIADH.
Cureus
August 1, 2025
Haytham Khalifa, Mohamed Abdulmajeed
2 citations
A 21-year-old woman collapsed after taking MDMA (ecstasy) and drinking large volumes of water, developing severe cerebral edema and hyponatremia. She was intubated, transferred to a tertiary center, and managed with intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring and careful sodium correction. She made a full recovery and was discharged from intensive care within four days. This case illustrates that ICP-guided management can help optimize care and reduce risks in patients with MDMA-related cerebral edema.
Cureus
June 1, 2025
Shaheen E Lakhan
2 citations
Do-it-yourself brain hacking has moved from fringe experimentation to a cultural and clinical phenomenon, reshaping how individuals interact with their brains. Early self-directed use of nootropics, at-home brain stimulation, and meditation apps has evolved into regulated interventions, including FDA-cleared prescription digital therapeutics for ADHD, depression, and migraine. Informal mood tracking and journaling practices have informed structured cognitive behavioral therapy apps and biosensor-based adaptive interventions. The editorial traces this trajectory across three phases—experimental enthusiasts, consumer biohackers, and clinical convergence—and argues that medicine must shift from skepticism to stewardship, guiding this transformation with evidence and ethics to safeguard patient autonomy, efficacy, and safety.
Cureus
June 1, 2025
Rabih Nasrallah, Amin Ossaily, Mazen Al Hammoud et al.
2 citations
A 27-year-old previously healthy man developed oppressive chest pain and diffuse ST-segment elevation on his electrocardiogram several days after using ecstasy (MDMA). His troponin level was normal, and coronary angiography showed no blockages, consistent with coronary vasospasm rather than a heart attack. MDMA increases serotonin, dopamine, and noradrenaline, which can trigger vasospasm. Though conclusive evidence linking MDMA to acute coronary syndrome is limited, cases of transient vasospasm and thrombosis have been reported, indicating that prompt evaluation is needed for chest pain after ecstasy use.
Cureus
February 1, 2025
Eric J Formeister, James Mitchell, Roseanne Krauter et al.
2 citations
A mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program, delivered virtually over eight weeks, significantly reduced dizziness-related handicap and improved quality of life in 20 women (average age 46.7) with vestibular migraine. Scores on the Dizziness Handicap Index, Cognitive Failures Questionnaire, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, General Anxiety Disorder-7, and other measures all improved after the program. Daily vertigo severity did not change during a 24-day lead-in period but decreased significantly over the eight-week MBSR treatment. The authors conclude that MBSR is highly effective for decreasing dizziness burden in this population, though they note the need for future randomized controlled trials.
Cureus
January 29, 2025
Sorcha O'Connor, Kate Godfrey, Sara Reed et al.
2 citations
The study aims to uncover the neural mechanisms by which psilocybin-assisted therapy affects obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and whether those brain changes align with improvements in cognitive symptoms. A secondary goal is to test whether a low, tolerable dose is both practical and effective as a clinical treatment. The results will provide essential data for designing a future randomized controlled trial.
Cureus
November 1, 2024
Ana I Flores, Mitchell B Liester
2 citations
Memory involves encoding, storing, and retrieving information, and recent research suggests it extends beyond the brain to include body-based and cellular mechanisms. Synaptic changes in the hippocampus are crucial for memory consolidation, but somatic memory shows how sensory and traumatic experiences are stored implicitly. Studies indicate that memories can be encoded and stored in cells and may be transferred between individuals through organ transplantation. Observations in organisms without nervous systems, such as bacteria, fungi, and plants, expand traditional memory concepts. This review compiles findings across disciplines to build a framework explaining cellular processes in memory retention and transfer, though critical gaps remain in understanding how cellular memory interfaces with neural systems.
Cureus
November 1, 2024
Selvaraj Giridharan
2 citations
Meditation retreats, which combine intensive practice with intentional rest, can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression while enhancing emotional resilience. Physical benefits include reduced inflammatory markers and improved metabolic health. These retreats offer sustainable benefits beyond traditional leisure activities and are positioned as a promising tool in preventive healthcare. Challenges such as varied formats, limited follow-up, and accessibility issues limit broader application. Further research is needed to standardise protocols and evaluate cost-effectiveness.
Cureus
August 1, 2024
Cristian I Babos, Daniel C Leucuta, Dan L Dumitrascu
2 citations
A systematic review and meta-analysis of 10 randomized controlled trials examined whether meditation-based therapies improve symptoms, quality of life, and mood in adults with chronic peripheral neuropathy. Compared with control conditions, meditation-based therapy was associated with significantly lower anxiety and depression scores, higher mindfulness scores, and reduced pain severity at 1 to 1.5 months follow-up. Differences in neuropathic pain severity, perceived stress, quality of life, and sleep quality were not statistically significant. The authors note that many results pointed toward improvement but that heterogeneity and risk of bias in the included studies limit the strength of the conclusions.
Cureus
July 1, 2024
Mariam Tadros, Dianella Rente Lavastida, Ashraf Hanna
2 citations
A 56-year-old woman with early-onset dementia who had not responded to standard treatments including memantine, donepezil, and rivastigmine received a series of intravenous ketamine infusions over two months. After treatment, she experienced notable improvements in cognitive function, mood, and daily living activities, reporting more mental clarity, increased focus, improved memory, and increased energy. This case suggests that IV ketamine may be a potential therapeutic option for early-onset dementia, but larger clinical trials are needed to confirm these findings.
Cureus
July 1, 2024
Oluwatosin O Arubuolawe, Ibrahim L Folorunsho, Adeniyi K Busari et al.
2 citations
Combining transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) with ketamine produces substantial and sustained improvement in depressive symptoms for people with treatment-resistant depression, with higher efficacy than either therapy alone. A review of six studies—three case reports, a retrospective study, a pilot study, and a review—found significant reductions in depression severity and gains in psychosocial functioning. Adverse effects were generally mild and transient, with no severe events reported in most studies. The heterogeneity of study designs and small sample sizes highlight the need for larger randomized controlled trials to standardize protocols and confirm these findings.
Cureus
May 1, 2024
Zach Hart, Thomas Anderson, Hanna Fanous et al.
2 citations
A 64-year-old woman with hypothyroidism and parotid sarcoidosis developed acute chest pain and shortness of breath after receiving a ketamine infusion for mental health treatment. Echocardiography showed a temporarily reduced ejection fraction and apical hypokinesis, and angiography found no blocked coronary arteries, consistent with stress-induced cardiomyopathy. The timing suggests ketamine may have triggered the cardiomyopathy. Ketamine is increasingly used for depression and substance use disorders, but caution is warranted in patients with cardiovascular disease, and more research on its cardiac effects is needed.
Cureus
March 1, 2024
Shaan I Chaudhri, Amina Amin, Binay K Panjiyar et al.
2 citations
Ketamine is an effective treatment for treatment-resistant depression (TRD), but whether it is as good as or better than electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) remains unclear. Ketamine works faster than ECT, but its antidepressant effects do not last as long. ECT leads to higher remission rates over extended periods, while ketamine causes fewer cognitive side effects like memory loss. Existing studies vary in quality, often have small sample sizes, and may be biased. More high-quality randomized controlled trials are needed before concluding that ketamine should replace ECT for TRD.
Cureus
February 26, 2024
Yatika Chadha, Ragini Patil, Saket Toshniwal et al.
2 citations
Trance and possession disorder involves a temporary altered state of consciousness, with trance marked by narrowed awareness or uncontrollable behaviors without identity change, and possession by replacement of personal identity with that of a spirit, deity, or animal. These episodes vary culturally and are linked to emotional stress, repressed emotions, domestic discord, or sociocultural issues. A case from Maharashtra, India, describes a patient diagnosed with trance and possession disorder alongside underlying dysthymia; treating the dysthymia stopped the trance episodes, illustrating the interplay between the two conditions.
Cureus
August 1, 2023
Jonathann Kuo, Tabitha Block, Megan Nicklay et al.
2 citations
Mental health disorders are common in the United States, and standard treatments rely on counseling and medication. A new model called Interventional Mental Health combines multiple modalities—Stellate Ganglion Blocks, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, and ketamine therapy—into a single treatment algorithm. The authors hypothesize that delivering these therapies together within a consolidated timeframe will produce synergistic benefits for patients with comorbid PTSD, depression, and anxiety who have not responded well to traditional methods.
Cureus
May 27, 2022
Robert Sotille, Herpreet Singh, Anne Weisman et al.
2 citations
Psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychedelic compound, may relieve depression by promoting neuronal plasticity and altering brain network connectivity. Recent clinical trials suggest it effectively reduces symptoms in major depressive disorder and treatment-resistant depression. Cellular experiments in mice demonstrate psilocybin promotes neuritogenesis, potentially addressing the cellular root of depression. Human brain imaging shows psilocybin therapy enhances functional connectivity in intrinsic networks, leading to durable improvements in depressive symptoms. This review highlights psilocybin's promise as a psychotherapeutic that targets neuronal atrophy, a model supplanting the neurotransmitter deficit hypothesis.
Cureus
April 5, 2026
1 citation
A 28-year-old man with no prior psychiatric or substance use history developed catatonia—specifically mutism and inability to feed himself—for six months after his first use of psilocybin. Imaging and lab tests showed no abnormalities. This case is one of the earliest documented instances of catatonia triggered by psilocybin.
Cureus
November 20, 2025
C.d. Bissell, Kenneth S. Rankin
1 citation
A 57-year-old woman with no known medical history presented with acute altered mental status after intranasal ketamine use, followed by back pain. She was obtunded and hypertensive, requiring intubation. CT angiography revealed a Type A aortic dissection extending from the aortic root to the left iliac artery, involving the carotid, mesenteric, and renal vessels. Despite initial conservative management and later surgery, she suffered intraoperative cardiac arrest and died. The case highlights that ketamine's sympathomimetic effects can precipitate aortic dissection in susceptible individuals.