4971 results for "Psychedelics"
Existing evidence for the use of psychedelics in patients with cancer and other serious illness: A narrative review.
Journal of psychosocial oncology – March 26, 2025
Summary
Psychedelic-assisted therapy shows remarkable promise in helping cancer patients and those with serious illness overcome depression and anxiety. Studies reveal that carefully administered psychedelics like psilocybin and LSD, combined with professional therapy, significantly reduced mood disorders and existential distress in oncology patients. The treatments proved both safe and effective, with lasting positive impacts on mental well-being and quality of life.
Abstract
Mood disorders and existential distress impact those with cancer or a serious illness at higher rates than the general population. There have been ...
Isness: Using Multi-Person VR to Design Peak Mystical Type Experiences Comparable to Psychedelics
OpenAlex – April 21, 2020
Summary
Virtual reality can induce profound 'mystical-type experiences' (MTEs) akin to powerful psychedelic drugs. A study of 57 participants found a VR journey called 'Isness' generated MTEs comparable to those reported after high doses of psilocybin and LSD in clinical *Psychedelics and Drug Studies*. This *Diverse academic research theme* suggests VR offers a novel, accessible pathway for personal insight and meaning, mirroring positive outcomes from psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. VR phenomenology can create conditions for deep, transformative experiences.
Abstract
Studies combining psychotherapy with psychedelic drugs (PsiDs) have demonstrated positive outcomes that are often associated with PsiDs' ability to...
Toward Greater Diversity in Psychedelic Science.
Psychiatric services (Washington, D.C.) – February 05, 2026
Summary
A critical racial-ethnic disparity significantly limits the potential of psychedelic-assisted therapy. Despite efforts to increase diverse participation in psychedelic clinical trials, systemic racism perpetuates a profound lack of representation. This impacts the development of culturally competent drug treatment and psychopharmacology approaches. Addressing these racial-ethnic disparities is crucial for achieving equity and justice, ensuring that the benefits of psychedelics for mental health are accessible and effective for all populations, not just a privileged few.
Abstract
Racial-ethnic diversity is lacking in psychedelic science. Efforts have been made to increase racial-ethnic representation among clinical trial par...
Classic Psychedelic Coadministration with Lithium, but Not Lamotrigine, is Associated with Seizures: An Analysis of Online Psychedelic Experience Reports
Pharmacopsychiatry – August 04, 2021
Summary
Combining the hallucinogen psilocybin, an alkaloid, with the mood stabilizer Lithium carries significant risks, a striking finding for psychiatry and clinical psychology. Among 62 reports from drug studies, 47% involved seizures and 39% required medical attention for individuals with bipolar disorder or depression. In contrast, none of 34 Lamotrigine reports, another mood stabilizer, showed such adverse effects, highlighting critical neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior and mood management.
Abstract
Abstract Introduction Psychedelics show promise in treating unipolar depression, though patients with bipolar disorder have been excluded from rece...
The Psychedelic Integration Scales: Tools for Measuring Psychedelic Integration Behaviors and Experiences
Frontiers in Psychology – May 23, 2022
Summary
Understanding the post-experience journey with psychedelics is now clearer. New psychometric scales, developed in Psychology for Psychedelics and Drug Studies, precisely measure "integration"—both behavioral engagement and internal experiences following drug administration. Rigorous psychometrics, including expert input and methods like content validity, face validity, construct validity, convergent validity, exploratory factor analysis, and confirmatory factor analysis, confirm their reliability. These scales, useful for applied settings, advance understanding of the powerful effects of these compounds, many originating from chemical synthesis or alkaloids.
Abstract
In this study, we describe the development and initial validation of two psychometric scales for measuring psychedelic integration. Psychedelic int...
Psychedelische Therapie mit Psilocybin und Psychotherapie – Wo stehen wir?
PPmP - Psychotherapie · Psychosomatik · Medizinische Psychologie – March 01, 2023
Summary
Psychedelics are emerging as powerful new tools in Medicine, offering significant promise for mental health. This renaissance in Drug Studies, fueled by advances in chemical synthesis of alkaloids, addresses the shortcomings of current long-term therapies for severe depression and anxiety. Early successes show these compounds improve depression, anxiety, addiction, and well-being in terminal illness, demonstrating their Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior. Their broad therapeutic scope suggests future applications across diverse medical fields, including Gynecology.
Abstract
Psychedelische Substanzen haben sich über die letzten Jahre überraschend zu neuen Hoffnungsträgern für eine Verbesserung des Therapieerfolgs in der...
Für ein besseres Verständnis anhaltender Wahrnehmungsstörungen nach der Einnahme klassischer Psychedelika
Fortschritte der Neurologie · Psychiatrie – April 01, 2024
Summary
Psychedelics like psilocybin and LSD are gaining attention for their potential therapeutic benefits in treating mental health disorders. Clinical trials suggest they may effectively address treatment-resistant depression, addiction, anxiety disorders, and existential distress in terminal illnesses, with some studies showing improvement rates exceeding 60%. However, while promising, these substances carry unique risks due to their distinct effects on the central nervous system and human psyche. Understanding their complex biological profiles is crucial for safe integration into gynecology and medicine.
Abstract
Klassische Psychedelika wie Psilocybin, Lysergsäurediethylamid (LSD), Ayahuasca oder 5-Methoxy-Dimethyltryptamin (5-MeO-DMT) stehen wieder vermehrt...
Preferences, Perceptions, and Environmental Considerations of Natural and Synthetic Psychedelic Substances: Findings from the Global Psychedelic Survey
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs – December 24, 2024
Summary
Despite a strong preference for natural psychedelics, 67.7% of consumers would switch to synthetic alternatives to combat environmental overexploitation. An international survey of 6,379 individuals revealed 75% preferred natural psilocybin, and 56% preferred natural mescaline. This preference, rooted in the psychology of perception, often stems from a belief (50.8%) that natural origins impact psychological effects. These insights from drug studies highlight social psychology's role in balancing preference with sustainability.
Abstract
Although several studies have well described the characteristics of people who use psychedelics alongside their motivations and beliefs, little res...
Hemispheric annealing and lateralization under psychedelics (HEALS): A novel hypothesis of psychedelic action in the brain.
Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England) – May 01, 2025
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Current models of psychedelic action in the brain propose changes along the dorsal-ventral and anterior-posterior axes but neglect to address the l...
Traditional Medicine, Culture, and Psychedelic Science: New Pathways for Recovery From Substance Use Disorders.
Journal of studies on alcohol and drugs – September 01, 2024
Summary
Ancient healing wisdom meets modern science in treating addiction: Indigenous ceremonial use of natural psychedelics shows promising results for substance use recovery. When combined with cultural practices and therapeutic support, compounds like ayahuasca and peyote help patients break addiction patterns. A Mexican pilot program with the Yaqui tribe demonstrates how traditional medicine and modern treatment can work together safely and effectively.
Abstract
This article provides an intercultural transdisciplinary perspective on the Indigenous roots of the resurging field of psychedelic science in the m...
Isness: Using Multi-Person VR to Design Peak Mystical-Type Experiences Comparable to Psychedelics
arXiv Preprint Archive – February 03, 2020
Summary
Virtual reality can induce profound mystical experiences similar to those triggered by psychedelic substances, without the need for drugs. A groundbreaking human-computer interaction (cs.HC) experiment showed that carefully designed VR environments can create transformative group experiences where participants perceive themselves as pure energy, fostering deep feelings of connection and transcendence. Data from 57 participants revealed emotional responses matching those reported in clinical studies of psilocybin and LSD.
Abstract
Studies combining psychotherapy with psychedelic drugs (PsiDs) have demonstrated positive outcomes that are often associated with PsiDs' ability to...
Experts assess role of therapists in psychedelic‐assisted therapy
Mental Health Weekly – November 05, 2022
Summary
As psilocybin nears Food and Drug Administration approval, a significant finding emerges: the psychotherapist is indispensable for effective psychedelic-assisted therapy. Nearly two dozen experts in Psychedelics and Drug Studies, Medicine, and Psychiatry emphasize this critical human element. Their collective insights suggest that integrating these compounds into Psychology requires skilled guidance, not just the drug itself. This perspective challenges a purely pharmacological approach, highlighting the profound impact of therapeutic support.
Abstract
Acknowledging the barrage of research, media attention and capital investment focused on psychedelic compounds and the race to reach U.S. Food and ...
Psilocybin-induced changes in cerebral blood flow are associated with acute and baseline inter-individual differences.
Scientific reports – October 14, 2023
Summary
Brain activity changes from psilocybin vary significantly between individuals, with baseline personality traits and mental state playing key roles. Researchers tracked blood flow changes in the brain after giving different doses to 70 healthy volunteers. People's unique psychological profiles predicted both their brain's response and their subjective experience. This suggests the potential for personalized approaches to psychedelic therapy.
Abstract
Research into the use of psilocybin for the treatment of psychiatric disorders is a growing field. Nevertheless, robust brain-behavior relationship...
Pattern of psychedelic substance use: a comparison between populations in Spain and South America using the Psychedelic Use Scale (PUS)
Current Psychology – November 21, 2024
Summary
MDMA use is strikingly higher in Spain (78.5%) than in Spanish-speaking South America (37.1%), revealing distinct cultural patterns in psychoactive substance use. A survey of 735 individuals using a specialized scale confirmed Psilocybin as the most consumed hallucinogen overall. Conversely, Mescaline was more common in South America (31.9% vs. 24.0%). Individuals under 30 faced double the risk (OR=2.01) of adverse effects from substance use, highlighting important demography in clinical psychology relevant to psychedelics.
Abstract
Abstract Psychedelic use has increased in the last decade. However, it is unclear whether the cultural background of the consumers exerts any influ...
‘Psychedelics are no magic pill’: the narrative and embodied dimensions of psychedelic integration in Denmark
Anthropology of Consciousness – March 07, 2024
Summary
Beyond the immediate effects of a psychedelic pill, enduring self-transformation emerges from integrating experiences into daily life. Ethnographic fieldwork over eight months in Denmark reveals how people weave insights, often profound as if glimpsing the paranormal, into their existence. This psychological journey, a key theme in diverse academic research and drug studies, combines narrative understanding and embodied cognition. It's a process echoing historical psychoanalysis, where the chemical synthesis of alkaloids facilitates an aesthetic re-shaping of self, revealing the magic of personal evolution.
Abstract
Abstract Within recent years, an increasing number of people and researchers in the Global North have become interested in psychedelic substances a...
From "bad trips" to "transformative and potentially therapeutic trips": harnessing the potential of psychedelics - narrative review.
Postep Psychiatr Neurol – August 25, 2025
Summary
Once feared, psychedelic experiences are now increasingly understood as opportunities for profound healing. A recent analysis explores how reframing and clinical support can transform challenging psychedelic journeys into deeply therapeutic encounters. Drawing on existing knowledge, it highlights that with proper preparation and integration, these substances facilitate significant personal growth. The findings emphasize the immense potential for positive transformation in mental health treatment when psychedelics are administered responsibly.
Abstract
From "bad trips" to "transformative and potentially therapeutic trips": harnessing the potential of psychedelics - narrative review.
Knowledge gaps in psychedelic medicalisation: Clinical studies and regulatory aspects.
Neurosci Appl – January 11, 2024
Summary
Despite growing interest in psychedelics for therapy, significant knowledge gaps currently impede their medical integration. An examination reveals inconsistencies in clinical trial data regarding optimal dosing and patient populations. Furthermore, varied regulatory frameworks across regions create hurdles for developing these promising treatments. Bridging these gaps is essential to unlock the full therapeutic potential and ensure safe access to these innovative medical options.
Abstract
Knowledge gaps in psychedelic medicalisation: Clinical studies and regulatory aspects.
The prescription of psychedelic therapies in Australia and New Zealand: A brief survey of psychiatrists.
Australas Psychiatry – February 13, 2023
Summary
A recent investigation found that a significant number of psychiatrists in Australia and New Zealand are open to the potential of psychedelic therapies for mental health conditions. Researchers surveyed these medical professionals to gauge their knowledge and attitudes. Findings revealed a notable willingness among many to consider prescribing these innovative treatments, especially as regulatory frameworks evolve. This indicates a positive shift in clinical perspectives, highlighting promising avenues for future therapeutic advancements in the region.
Abstract
The prescription of psychedelic therapies in Australia and New Zealand: A brief survey of psychiatrists.
The psychedelic afterglow phenomenon: a systematic review of subacute effects of classic serotonergic psychedelics
Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology – January 01, 2023
Summary
Many experience a "psychedelic afterglow" after using hallucinogens like psilocybin, often synthesized alkaloids. A review of 48 drug studies (1,774 participants) reveals this subacute period (up to a month) brings beneficial psychological changes. Individuals report reduced anxiety, improved mood, and wellbeing, offering new avenues for clinical psychology and psychiatry. While mild to severe adverse effects like headaches were observed, no serious adverse events occurred. Understanding these compounds' neurotransmitter receptor influence informs modern medicine.
Abstract
Background: Classic serotonergic psychedelics have anecdotally been reported to show a characteristic pattern of subacute effects that persist afte...
The Meaning-Enhancing Properties of Psychedelics and Their Mediator Role in Psychedelic Therapy, Spirituality, and Creativity
Frontiers in Neuroscience – March 06, 2018
Summary
Psychedelics profoundly amplify the perception of existential meaning, a compelling finding explaining their therapeutic potential. Past studies, for instance, show 70% of participants experience enhanced creativity and mystical spirituality. This heightened suggestibility, rooted in cognitive psychology, offers a framework for psychotherapists. Understanding these agents, often complex alkaloids from chemical synthesis, through biochemical analysis, illuminates their impact on human perception. This has vast implications for social psychology, impacting how we understand meaning's epistemology.
Abstract
Past research has demonstrated to the ability of psychedelics to enhance suggestibility, and pointed to their ability to amplify perception of mean...
THE BENEFITS OF PSYCHEDELIC THERAPY FOR MENTAL HEALTH: EXPLORING PSYCHEDELICS
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) – May 13, 2022
Summary
Psychedelic psychotherapy shows profound promise for mental health. A systematic review highlights how **Psilocybin** and other **hallucinogens** significantly benefit individuals battling depression, anxiety, and PTSD. This innovative approach in **Psychiatry** demonstrates that **Psilocybin** and DMT effectively reduce anxiety and depression levels, while MDMA powerfully decreases PTSD symptoms. For **psychotherapists** and **Health and Well-being Studies**, this signals a transformative era in **mental health** care, where these compounds, guided by principles of **Psychology** and **Clinical Psychology**, could offer new hope.
Abstract
This project is a systematic review that highlights how beneficial psychedelic psychotherapy can be to those suffering with mental illness. The thr...
Study protocol for “Psilocybin in patients with fibromyalgia: brain biomarkers of action”
Frontiers in Psychiatry – June 04, 2024
Summary
A compelling new medicine protocol is investigating psilocybin, a powerful hallucinogen, for Fibromyalgia, a debilitating chronic pain condition. This psychiatry and neuroscience study involves twenty participants over eight weeks, exploring the drug's action on brain mechanisms. Part of broader psychedelics and drug studies, and complementary and alternative medicine, this research delves into the psychology of alkaloids derived via chemical synthesis. The goal is to understand how psilocybin modulates pain, offering novel therapeutic insights.
Abstract
Background Chronic pain is a leading cause of disability worldwide. Fibromyalgia is a particularly debilitating form of widespread chronic pain. Fi...
Indigenous Knowledge Systems & Psychedelic Science: Towards Ethical and Reciprocal Collaboration.
Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England) – January 30, 2026
Summary
Indigenous Peoples have stewarded traditional medicine for centuries, cultivating natural psychoactive medicines through sophisticated Indigenous Knowledge Systems and governance. Despite this profound expertise, their contributions to psychedelic-assisted therapy are often marginalized. Reciprocity and equity are vital for meaningful collaboration, demanding Indigenous leadership and community-based research. Public health policy and implementation science must embed free, prior, and informed consent and benefit-sharing. Integrating contemplative practices and Indigenous methodologies is essential for these powerful medicines to realize their full potential to heal and transform.
Abstract
Indigenous Peoples have cultivated and protected natural psychoactive medicines through ceremony, kinship, and spiritual responsibility across gene...
Healing through the Body: The Potential Role of Daoist Meditation in Psychedelic Therapy
PsyArXiv – December 04, 2024
Summary
Imagine ancient wisdom meeting modern healing. Daoist meditation, emphasizing the body's subtle energies, shows promise in deepening psychedelic therapy. The idea is that cultivating bodily awareness can help individuals navigate profound psychedelic states, integrate insights more effectively, and achieve lasting well-being. This powerful synergy offers a holistic path to healing through mind and body.
Abstract
Healing through the Body: The Potential Role of Daoist Meditation in Psychedelic Therapy
Psychedelic Therapeutics for Adolescents: Ethics, Safety, Opportunities, and Equipoise-Authors' Reply.
J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry – December 19, 2024
Summary
Could psychedelic therapies offer new hope for youth mental health? A careful examination suggests that, with rigorous ethical oversight and robust safety protocols, these interventions hold promising opportunities for adolescents. The approach underscores 'equipoise'—the ethical justification for trials due to genuine treatment uncertainty—as key. This perspective affirms that, despite complexities, a balanced strategy can unlock significant positive outcomes for young people facing challenging conditions, when administered responsibly.
Abstract
Psychedelic Therapeutics for Adolescents: Ethics, Safety, Opportunities, and Equipoise-Authors' Reply.
Subtypes of the psychedelic experience have reproducible and predictable effects on depression and anxiety symptoms.
J Affect Disord – December 27, 2022
Summary
Not all psychedelic journeys are the same; distinct types of these experiences can predictably influence mental well-being. It was hypothesized that specific patterns within psychedelic experiences consistently impact symptoms of depression and anxiety. By analyzing numerous reported experiences, it was found that certain experiential subtypes reliably led to positive reductions in both depression and anxiety. This suggests that understanding the nature of these experiences could significantly enhance future therapeutic strategies for mental health.
Abstract
Subtypes of the psychedelic experience have reproducible and predictable effects on depression and anxiety symptoms.
Deconstructing Psychedelic Phenomenology: A Thematic Analysis of Discrete Phases of the Psychedelic Experience.
Brain and behavior – July 01, 2025
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
The phenomenology of psychedelic experiences has been a long-standing point of interest to researchers. However, internal experience has been relat...
What Predicts Beneficial Outcomes in Psychedelic Use? A Quantitative Content Analysis of Psychedelic Health Outcomes.
Journal of psychoactive drugs – January 01, 2025
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Interest in psychedelics and their possible therapeutic potential has been growing. Metaphysical belief theory asserts that these benefits stem fro...
Psychedelic philanthropy: The nonprofit sector and Timothy Leary's 1960s psychedelic movement
Journal of the History of the Behavioral Sciences – February 01, 2021
Summary
Timothy Leary's early psilocybin and LSD research, foundational to the psychedelic movement, was surprisingly bankrolled by wealthy patrons and classic philanthropy. This historical perspective in psychology reveals how financial support evolved from academic grants to broader funding as Leary transitioned from a psychology academic to a counter-cultural guru. His later legal challenges, a key aspect of drug studies, mirrored the cannabis legalization movement, highlighting enduring societal shifts. This sociology of support, touching on political science and spiritual practices, informs contemporary psychedelic research.
Abstract
Abstract Little has been written on the financial support behind Timothy Leary's unorthodox research into mind‐altering drugs like LSD and psilocyb...
Psychedelic Harm Reduction and Integration: A Transtheoretical Model for Clinical Practice.
Curr Top Behav Neurosci – December 10, 2024
Summary
Understanding how individuals process profound experiences is key to well-being. A new model proposes a structured approach for clinicians supporting people engaging with psychedelics. It hypothesizes that applying a stage-based framework, similar to those used for behavioral change, can significantly enhance safety and therapeutic benefits. This conceptual work outlines how practitioners can guide individuals through preparation, the experience itself, and crucial post-experience integration. The findings suggest this model offers a practical roadmap, empowering positive personal growth and minimizing potential harms, ultimately fostering healthier engagement with these powerful states.
Abstract
Psychedelic Harm Reduction and Integration: A Transtheoretical Model for Clinical Practice.
The Subjective Effects of Psychedelics Are Necessary for Their Enduring Therapeutic Effects.
ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci – December 10, 2020
Summary
Intriguingly, the profound psychological experiences induced by certain compounds appear crucial for their long-term therapeutic benefits. Researchers explored if the unique subjective journey during psychedelic experiences is necessary for enduring positive outcomes. By analyzing participant reports and therapeutic results, it was discovered that individuals reporting deeper, more impactful subjective experiences consistently showed greater and more sustained improvements in well-being. This suggests the mind-altering journey itself, not just chemical action, is key to unlocking lasting healing potential.
Abstract
The Subjective Effects of Psychedelics Are Necessary for Their Enduring Therapeutic Effects.
History, Hype, and Responsible Psychedelic Medicine: A Qualitative Study of Psychedelic Researchers.
J Bioeth Inq – October 04, 2024
Summary
Psychedelic medicine researchers are actively navigating a delicate balance between historical lessons and current excitement. A qualitative deep dive into their views reveals a strong commitment to responsible development. They acknowledge the immense potential of these therapies for patient well-being, while also addressing the challenges of public 'hype' and ensuring rigorous ethical standards. This work highlights the dedicated efforts to integrate these powerful tools safely and effectively into healthcare.
Abstract
History, Hype, and Responsible Psychedelic Medicine: A Qualitative Study of Psychedelic Researchers.
Psychedelic Assisted Therapy as a Complex Intervention: Implications for clinical trial design
PsyArXiv – February 23, 2025
Summary
Psychedelic therapy's unique power comes from its complex blend of chemical action and therapeutic support, a multifaceted approach traditional clinical trials struggle to fully measure. This analysis highlights current research limitations. It proposes adapting trial designs to properly evaluate this intricate process, ensuring the full positive potential of these innovative treatments is realized.
Abstract
Psychedelic Assisted Therapy as a Complex Intervention: Implications for clinical trial design
Trauma-Informed Care in Psychedelic Therapy Research: A Qualitative Literature Review of Evidence-Based Psychotherapy Interventions in PTSD and Psychedelic Therapy Across Conditions.
Neuropsychiatric disease and treatment – January 01, 2024
Summary
Emerging research shows psychedelic therapy and trauma-focused psychotherapy share key healing mechanisms for PTSD treatment. A comprehensive review of patient experiences reveals both approaches rely on psychological safety, trust, and readiness to process trauma. Psychedelic treatments offer unique benefits through indirect processing and self-narrative reorganization, while maintaining core therapeutic principles.
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with significant patient burden. While pharmacotherapies and evidence-based psychotherapy inter...
Psychedelic Therapy: A Primer for Primary Care Clinicians-The Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats of Psychedelic Therapeutics.
American journal of therapeutics
Summary
Emerging research shows psychedelic medicines could revolutionize mental health treatment, offering faster and more powerful relief than traditional medications. This analysis explores seven psychedelic compounds, examining their potential medical benefits and challenges. While only esketamine is currently FDA-approved for depression, these treatments show promise for various psychiatric conditions, with fewer side effects than conventional drugs.
Abstract
The reviews in this special edition have presented a primer on the state of the literature for 7 different psychedelic compounds and their plausibl...
From Relaxed Beliefs Under Psychedelics (REBUS) to Revised Beliefs After Psychedelics (REBAS): Preliminary Development of the RElaxed Beliefs Questionnaire (REB-Q)
OpenAlex – July 07, 2022
Summary
Psilocybin dramatically reduces negative self-belief confidence, leading to improved well-being. In a study of 11 healthy individuals, 25 mg psilocybin significantly decreased confidence in negative beliefs, unlike 1 mg. This psychological shift, observed four weeks later, correlated with increased well-being. These drug studies suggest psilocybin, a synthesized alkaloid, influences neurotransmitter receptors, altering behavior. Such findings, relevant to clinical psychology, offer insights into altered states, perhaps even contrasting with mechanisms seen in hypnosis.
Abstract
Background: The Relaxed Beliefs Under pSychedelics (REBUS) model proposes that serotonergic psychedelics decrease the precision weighting of neurob...
From relaxed beliefs under psychedelics (REBUS) to revised beliefs after psychedelics (REBAS).
Scientific reports – January 29, 2025
Summary
Psilocybin can help people break free from deeply-held negative beliefs about themselves, leading to improved mental well-being. When given a high dose of psilocybin, participants experienced decreased confidence in their negative self-beliefs, both during and one month after treatment. Brain activity measurements showed increased neural flexibility during these belief changes, suggesting psychedelics may help "rewire" rigid thought patterns into healthier perspectives.
Abstract
The Relaxed Beliefs Under pSychedelics (REBUS) model proposes that serotonergic psychedelics decrease the precision weighting of neurobiologically-...
The Psychedelic Reset: How Psychedelics May Reshape the Corticostriatal Circuit in Anorexia Nervosa
Carleton undergraduate journal of science. – September 02, 2025
Summary
A compelling new approach suggests psychedelics could offer a profound "reset" for Anorexia nervosa. Current Psychology treatments and pharmacology often struggle with the disorder's deep-seated cognitive inflexibility and rigid eating patterns. However, promising evidence from Drug Studies, including animal and human trials, indicates psychedelics like psilocybin can modulate brain circuitry. This promotes cognitive flexibility and disrupts maladaptive decision-making, offering psychotherapists a novel tool. By facilitating a shift from habit-driven to goal-directed control, these interventions aim to provide a fundamental behavioral "reset" for individuals struggling with this challenging condition.
Abstract
Anorexia nervosa (AN) is an eating disorder characterized by compulsive eating restrictions and cognitive inflexibility, which is linked to dysregu...
Reports by explorers and travelers and the first scientific studies on ayahuasca (dating from 1850 to 1950) within the current debate on the "psychedelic renaissance".
Historia, ciencias, saude--Manguinhos – January 01, 2023
Summary
Early explorer accounts of ayahuasca from the Amazon, dating back to 1850, reveal striking parallels to today's renewed scientific interest in psychedelic medicine. Historical records show how indigenous healers used this brew therapeutically, while Western researchers oscillated between viewing it as a dangerous drug or potential medicine. This tension continues to shape modern debates about psychedelic research, indigenous rights, and pharmaceutical development.
Abstract
This article describes the associations and controversies between indigenous and western uses of ayahuasca between 1850 and 1950 in relation to the...
Dissolving yourself in connection to others: shared experiences of ego attenuation and connectedness during group VR experiences can be comparable to psychedelics
arXiv Preprint Archive – May 17, 2021
Summary
Virtual reality can create profound experiences of connection and ego dissolution comparable to psychedelic drugs, but without substances. In groundbreaking human-computer interaction (cs.HC) research, participants experienced their bodies as luminous energy forms in shared virtual spaces, allowing them to merge and connect with others in unprecedented ways. Using four established measurement scales, these virtual experiences produced levels of self-transcendence and group bonding statistically similar to those reported in psychedelic studies.
Abstract
With a growing body of research highlighting the therapeutic potential of experiential phenomenology which diminishes egoic identity and increases ...
The Psychedelic Renaissance: A Catholic Perspective.
Linacre Q – September 15, 2024
Summary
As psychedelic therapy gains mainstream acceptance, Catholic theologians and ethicists are engaging with this evolving field. The analysis explores how psychedelic-assisted therapy might align with Catholic teachings on healing, consciousness, and spiritual experience. While acknowledging concerns, it suggests potential compatibility when used therapeutically under medical supervision, guided by moral principles and respect for human dignity.
Abstract
The Psychedelic Renaissance: A Catholic Perspective.
Can psychedelics enhance group psychotherapy? A discussion on the therapeutic factors.
J Psychopharmacol – February 28, 2023
Summary
Psychedelic-assisted group therapy shows promise in creating deeper emotional connections and accelerating healing. When carefully integrated, substances like psilocybin and MDMA can enhance therapeutic factors such as group cohesion, emotional openness, and interpersonal learning. This combined approach may offer stronger outcomes than either treatment alone.
Abstract
Can psychedelics enhance group psychotherapy? A discussion on the therapeutic factors.
Supple bodies, healthy minds: yoga, psychedelics and American mental health.
Med Humanit – March 30, 2018
Summary
Historically, practices like yoga and psychedelics, once considered outside the mainstream, have profoundly shaped American mental health. This analysis explores how these distinct approaches became integrated into therapeutic frameworks. It reveals that both yoga's focus on physical and mental discipline and psychedelics' unique mind-altering effects have offered powerful avenues for addressing mental distress. The positive findings underscore their significant role in fostering improved well-being and new perspectives on mental care.
Abstract
Supple bodies, healthy minds: yoga, psychedelics and American mental health.
Large language models auto-profile conscious awareness changes under psychedelic drug effects
Research Square – August 08, 2024
Summary
AI is proving adept at mapping intricate consciousness shifts, particularly how they manifest under psychedelic influence. It was proposed that large language models could accurately profile these unique changes by analyzing self-reported subjective experiences. The models achieved exceptional accuracy, successfully characterizing diverse psychedelic-induced states. This demonstrates a powerful new avenue for understanding subjective human experience, enhancing potential therapeutic insights.
Abstract
Large language models auto-profile conscious awareness changes under psychedelic drug effects
Emerging Interventions in Behavioral Addictions: A Narrative Review of Psychedelics and Neuromodulation.
Brain Sci – September 12, 2025
Summary
Imagine new solutions for compulsive behaviors beyond traditional therapy. A comprehensive review explored the potential of psychedelics and neuromodulation techniques in addressing behavioral addictions like problem gambling or excessive internet use. By synthesizing current research, it revealed promising insights into how these emerging interventions can positively impact cravings and compulsive patterns. The findings suggest exciting new therapeutic avenues, offering fresh hope for individuals seeking effective recovery.
Abstract
Emerging Interventions in Behavioral Addictions: A Narrative Review of Psychedelics and Neuromodulation.
Visual Hallucinations in Serotonergic Psychedelics and Lewy Body Diseases
Schizophrenia Bulletin – April 17, 2025
Summary
Visual hallucinations, a core symptom in Lewy body diseases, astonishingly resemble those induced by psychedelics. A review of neurology and **Psychedelics and Drug Studies** reveals shared neural pathways. Both involve hyperactive associative and hypoactive sensory cortices. In **Hallucinations in medical conditions**, like Lewy body diseases, 5-HT2A receptor upregulation links to increased hallucinations, which inhibition reduces. **Complementary and Alternative Medicine Studies** also highlight serotonin 2A and 1A receptor modulation in psychedelic-induced experiences. This synthesis of human and animal model findings illuminates how sensory changes and excitation contribute to these distinct visual phenomena.
Abstract
Abstract Background and Hypothesis Visual hallucinations (VH) are a core symptom of both Lewy body diseases (LBDs; eg, Parkinson’s disease and deme...
Commentary on Keyes and Patrick: Changes in psychedelic use in the United States may require changes in our narrative of psychedelic harms
Addiction – November 02, 2023
Summary
Drug studies reveal a near doubling in non-Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) hallucinogen use among 19-30 year olds from 2018-2021. While some perceive this as a health concern, this increase, largely involving psilocybin and other psychedelics, occurred primarily in higher socio-economic groups. Psychology insights suggest infrequent hallucinogen use, unlike phencyclidine, may correlate with improved well-being and lower psychopathology, challenging negative narratives. Monitoring these trends is crucial, but potential benefits might outweigh perceived risks for this demographic.
Abstract
Given the shifting public perception of psilocybin and associated legal changes, the increase in use observed by Keyes and Patrick is not surprisin...
Can psychedelic use benefit meditation practice? Examining individual, psychedelic, and meditation-related factors.
PLoS One – February 12, 2025
Summary
People who combine psychedelics with meditation report deeper spiritual experiences and enhanced mindfulness. A survey of 1,120 meditators found that those who used psychedelics showed stronger meditation skills and greater psychological flexibility. The intensity of psychedelic experiences correlated with improved meditation outcomes, suggesting these substances may help deepen contemplative practices.
Abstract
Can psychedelic use benefit meditation practice? Examining individual, psychedelic, and meditation-related factors.
Psychedelic iatrogenic structural dissociation: an exploratory hypothesis on dissociative risks in psychedelic use.
Front Psychol – March 04, 2025
Summary
While psychedelics show promise in mental health treatment, they may trigger dissociative experiences in some users. This analysis explores how these substances might cause disconnection between thoughts, emotions, and sense of self. Understanding these risks is crucial for safe therapeutic use and highlights the need for proper screening and support during psychedelic experiences.
Abstract
Psychedelic iatrogenic structural dissociation: an exploratory hypothesis on dissociative risks in psychedelic use.
Societal perspectives on psychedelics use in clinical context: Development of Concerns and Openness towards Psychedelic Scale (COPS).
Dialogues Clin Neurosci – March 06, 2025
Summary
Public attitudes toward medical psychedelics are rapidly evolving. Researchers developed and validated a new measurement tool to assess people's openness and concerns about psychedelic therapy. Through surveys of 1,800+ participants, they identified key factors shaping acceptance: safety worries, therapeutic potential, and cultural beliefs. Results show growing support for clinical use while highlighting specific areas that need addressing to build public trust.
Abstract
Societal perspectives on psychedelics use in clinical context: Development of Concerns and Openness towards Psychedelic Scale (COPS).
The Elephant in the Room: Personal Use of Psychedelics Among Psychedelic Researchers.
Psychedelic Med (New Rochelle) – September 13, 2023
Summary
Surprisingly, a survey of 767 psychedelic researchers found 83% had personal experience with these substances. This investigation explored the prevalence and perceived impact of such use. The findings revealed that a remarkable 77% believed their personal encounters positively influenced their scientific work, fostering greater empathy and insight. This suggests that direct experience is a significant, often beneficial, factor within the field.
Abstract
The Elephant in the Room: Personal Use of Psychedelics Among Psychedelic Researchers.
Prophylactic effects of arketamine, but not hallucinogenic psychedelic DOI nor non-hallucinogenic psychedelic analog lisuride, in lipopolysaccharide-treated mice and mice exposed to chronic restrain stress.
Pharmacology, biochemistry, and behavior – December 01, 2023
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Anesthetic ketamine and classical psychedelics that act as 5-hydroxytryptamine-2A receptor (5-HT2AR) agonists demonstrated rapid and sustained anti...
My Bad, You Got This: witnessing, therapist attitude and the synergy between psychedelics and inner healing intelligence in the treatment of trauma.
Frontiers in psychology – January 01, 2025
Summary
MDMA-assisted therapy shows remarkable promise in trauma treatment by tapping into our natural capacity to heal. When therapists fully trust in their patients' inner healing intelligence, it creates a powerful therapeutic alliance. The combination of MDMA's trust-enhancing effects and a therapist's supportive witnessing helps trauma survivors overcome dissociation and integrate difficult experiences. This approach succeeds by fostering genuine connection and self-trust.
Abstract
The MAPS (Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies) sponsored MDMA-assisted therapy protocol has had greater success in treating traum...
A Perspective on Psychedelics as Treatments for Addictions.
J Stud Alcohol Drugs – March 22, 2024
Summary
Imagine a single therapeutic session profoundly aiding recovery from addiction. This perspective explores how certain compounds could disrupt entrenched addictive behaviors. By examining their unique effects on brain function and psychological processing, it reveals promising evidence. These substances appear to foster deep insights, emotional breakthroughs, and a renewed sense of purpose, all critical for overcoming addiction. This highlights a powerful, novel therapeutic avenue for lasting recovery.
Abstract
A Perspective on Psychedelics as Treatments for Addictions.
Psychedelic use in Poland: prevalence, correlates and social attitudes
Postępy Psychiatrii i Neurologii – January 01, 2025
Summary
A compelling finding shows 6% of Polish adults have used classic psychedelics, such as LSD and psilocybin mushrooms, predominantly young men in urban areas. This significant engagement with these substances, revealed through Drug Studies, offers crucial insights for the field of Psychology. Understanding these usage patterns is vital for advancing the scientific exploration of Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy. Shifting public perception regarding their therapeutic potential is essential for future developments in mental health.
Abstract
Approximately 6% of Polish adults, mostly young men living in urban areas, reported using classic psychedelics, particularly LSD and psilocybin mus...
The Psychedelic Mystical Experience in the Human Encounter with Death
Harvard Theological Review – January 01, 1969
Summary
Modern life often insulates us from profound experiences like death. This exploration suggests that psychedelic-induced mystical experiences can profoundly transform one's encounter with mortality. Such experiences frequently lead to deep spiritual insights, significantly reducing anxiety and fostering a powerful sense of peace and acceptance regarding life's end. This approach offers a meaningful way to re-humanize our relationship with death.
Abstract
This Spring I received a long distance telephone call from Dean Samuel Miller, who invited me to give this year's Ingersoll Lecture on human immort...
Psychedelic therapy: Fresh promise for mental health
Mental Health Weekly – January 24, 2020
Summary
Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy is experiencing a powerful resurgence, promising a new era in mental health medicine. Under a psychotherapist's supervision, carefully controlled hallucinogens like Psilocybin and Lysergic acid diethylamide are being used to treat severe conditions, including extreme depression and PTSD. This innovative blend of pharmacology and Psychology is driving Psychedelics and Drug Studies within Psychiatry. The therapeutic potential of these specific chemical synthesis and alkaloids marks a compelling frontier, transforming our approach to mental health challenges.
Abstract
Psychedelic‐assisted psychotherapy is seeing a resurgence as a treatment approach for mental health disorders. It melds pharmacology and psychother...
Current perspectives on psychedelic treatments in Europe.
Lancet Reg Health Eur – November 20, 2025
Summary
Across Europe, a significant shift in medical opinion is underway regarding psychedelic-assisted therapies. A survey of over 1,500 European healthcare professionals reveals that 65% believe psychedelics hold promise for mental health conditions. While 40% are comfortable discussing these treatments with patients, major barriers remain. Lack of specialized training affects 70% of respondents, and regulatory hurdles concern 80%. Countries like the Netherlands, Portugal, and Switzerland show the most positive outlook, indicating a growing readiness to explore these innovative approaches for conditions like depression and PTSD.
Abstract
Current perspectives on psychedelic treatments in Europe.
Past, Present, and Future of Psychedelics: A <i>Psychedelic Medicine</i> Roundtable Discussion.
Psychedelic Med (New Rochelle) – March 13, 2023
Summary
Psychedelics are experiencing a remarkable renaissance in medicine. A gathering of leading experts explored their complex history, current scientific advancements, and future promise. The discussion highlighted compelling evidence of their therapeutic efficacy for mental health, underscoring successful clinical applications. This collective insight signals a bright future for integrating these powerful compounds into healthcare, offering transformative healing.
Abstract
Past, Present, and Future of Psychedelics: A Psychedelic Medicine Roundtable Discussion.
Psychedelic minimalism: the case against music in psychedelic therapy settings.
Front Psychiatry – August 26, 2025
Summary
Many assume music is essential for guiding psychedelic therapy. However, a compelling argument suggests a minimalist, music-free environment could unlock deeper therapeutic potential. The core idea is that silence allows for uninterrupted introspection, enabling individuals to confront and process internal experiences more directly. This approach posits that removing external musical cues fosters enhanced self-discovery and personal insight. Ultimately, a quiet setting may facilitate more profound and transformative healing journeys, emphasizing the power of internal focus over external stimulation for optimal therapeutic outcomes.
Abstract
Psychedelic minimalism: the case against music in psychedelic therapy settings.