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Progress in Brain Research

ISSN 0079-6123

2 papers in the library · 154 citations · publishing 2018-2019

Papers

d-Lysergic acid diethylamide, psilocybin, and other classic hallucinogens: Mechanism of action and potential therapeutic applications in mood disorders.

Progress in Brain Research January 1, 2018 D. de Gregorio, J. Enns, N. Nuñez et al. 95 citations

Depression and anxiety are common psychiatric diagnoses with low quality of life and poor response to current drugs, driving research into alternative compounds. Psychedelic medicine, particularly low doses of LSD and psilocybin, has shown antidepressant effects in anecdotal reports and clinical studies. These compounds modulate mood through serotonergic, dopaminergic, and glutamatergic systems; LSD interacts with 5-HT1A, 5-HT2A, D2, and NMDA receptors. Randomized clinical studies have confirmed antidepressant and anxiolytic effects in humans. This chapter reviews psychedelic pharmacology, presents clinical evidence for therapeutic potential in mood disorders, and discusses future directions.

DOI: 10.1016/bs.pbr.2018.07.008 Medicine Psychology

The contemplative exercise through the lenses of predictive processing: A promising approach.

Progress in Brain Research January 1, 2019 G. Pagnoni 59 citations

Predictive processing theory, which explains perception, action, attention, and learning as all following the principle of minimizing free energy, can unify the scattered findings in contemplative research. This opinion piece introduces the theory's basics, applies it to the Zen meditation practice of shikantaza as a paradigmatic example, and suggests experimental paradigms to test hypotheses derived from this approach, aiming to deepen understanding of meditation-related processes.

DOI: 10.1016/bs.pbr.2018.10.022 Full text Medicine Psychology