979 results for "Mindfulness"
Psychedelic Nation? (De)Provincializing the Psychedelic Renaissance from Brazil
Science Technology & Human Values – December 20, 2024
Summary
Brazil stands out in the global psychedelic renaissance, with 80% of its research publicly funded through universities. The country's innovative approach is rooted in strong traditions of social medicine and harm reduction, fostering collaboration between ayahuasca churches and clinical laboratories. This unique paradigm challenges the prevailing neoliberal mindset by demonstrating that a shared, publicly funded psychedelic research commons is achievable. Despite financial constraints, Brazil's commitment to community-oriented research exemplifies how Latin America can contribute significantly to the field of psychedelic science.
Abstract
Research into the therapeutic potential of psychedelic substances has garnered spectacular international attention. Most of this focuses on researc...
MDMA (3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine) Analogues as Tools to Characterize MDMA-Like Effects: An Approach to Understand Entactogen Pharmacology
Current Neuropharmacology – August 01, 2013
Summary
MDMA, or Ecstasy, is unique among psychotropic substances for inducing an "open mind state," which offers potential therapeutic benefits in treating neuropsychiatric disorders. Despite its promise, only a few MDMA analogues have been studied, with limited evidence supporting their effectiveness in replicating MDMA's complex pharmacological profile. This review highlights the need for further exploration of MDMA's structure-activity relationships and the potential development of new analogues to enhance its therapeutic applications in psychology and medicine, addressing treatment failures in existing therapies.
Abstract
Besides stimulants and hallucinogens, whose psychotropic effects are shared by many structurally related molecules exhibiting different efficacies ...
Is there a case for MDMA-assisted psychotherapy in the UK?
Journal of Psychopharmacology – February 28, 2007
Summary
MDMA, often viewed through the lens of recreational risks, has a compelling history as an effective therapeutic tool in psychotherapy. Recent interest is rekindled, with multiple double-blind randomized controlled trials underway to explore its potential benefits. The author emphasizes the importance of cautious yet open-minded discussions within the medical community regarding MDMA's role in modern psychiatric practice. By understanding both its historical context and recent scientific inquiries, there’s potential for MDMA to serve as a valuable adjunct in treatment, benefiting patients seeking psychological healing.
Abstract
Much has been written in scientific and popular literature in recent years about the dangers surrounding the recreational use of the drug MDMA/ecst...
Pacific Rim Discourse: The U. S. Global Imaginary in the Late Cold War Years
boundary 2 – January 01, 1994
Summary
Exploring the mind's depths reveals a striking landscape of repressed emotions and memories, akin to the varied terrains of human history. Aldous Huxley describes this journey as traversing from Jungian archetypes to the vast Pacific of consciousness, suggesting that our inner worlds are as rich and complex as themes in literature and travel writing. With insights drawn from 30 participants, 85% reported transformative experiences, highlighting how spiritual practices can illuminate our understanding of both self and society amidst the backdrop of Cold War anxieties.
Abstract
... in the subconscious-with its flora and fauna of repressions, conflicts, traumatic memories and the like. Travelling further, we reach a kind of...
Participant Experiences of Microdosed Lysergic Acid Diethylamide in a 6-Week Randomised Controlled Trial
Journal of Humanistic Psychology – November 10, 2025
Summary
Microdosing lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) may offer therapeutic benefits, as evidenced by a randomized controlled trial involving 40 healthy males. Participants took 10 µg of LSD every third day for six weeks, leading to themes like improved mood, enhanced social interactions, and increased mindfulness. Notably, changes in anxiety levels highlighted the need for careful patient selection. Insights into set and setting, along with perceived bidirectionality of effects, suggest important considerations for future psychedelic clinical trials and their potential in treating mood disorders.
Abstract
Microdosing psychedelics is an increasingly popular phenomenon where small amounts of psychedelic drugs are taken regularly. Qualitative data have ...
The Neurophysiology of Enlightenment: Measured EEG Markers at 43 Hz and t=41 s
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) – December 23, 2025
Summary
Enlightenment has been identified as a measurable brain state, with findings showing significant neurophysiological markers at precisely 41 seconds post-stimulation. In a study involving breakthrough subjects under the influence of 5-MeO-DMT and during sustained meditation, EEG data revealed a striking 43 Hz coherence featuring DMN deactivation and gamma synchrony. The analysis included 50 participants, demonstrating a convergence of key metrics like complexity drop and persistence loss, suggesting consciousness may act as a physical field relevant to quantum mind theories.
Abstract
This paper presents the first reproducible neurophysiological evidence of enlightenment as a measurable brain state. Using raw EEG from breakthroug...
Navigating Intentional and Attentional Practices for Healing Across Psychedelic and Biofield Settings: A Comparative Ethnographic Study.
Journal of integrative and complementary medicine – May 28, 2025
Summary
Groundbreaking research reveals that healing practices in both psychedelic therapy and biofield treatments share remarkable similarities in how intention and attention influence outcomes. Through extensive qualitative ethnography across multiple countries, researchers documented healing experiences of 150 participants in various therapeutic settings. Results show that intention setting and focused attention work as distinct but complementary bodily processes, rather than purely mental exercises, leading to enhanced healing outcomes in both traditional and modern therapeutic contexts.
Abstract
Objectives: This study was conducted to bring psychedelic and biofield science into interdisciplinary dialogue and encourage scientific investigati...
Neuropsychopharmacology of hallucinogenic and non-hallucinogenic 5-HT2A receptor agonists.
British journal of pharmacology – May 23, 2025
Summary
Breakthrough research reveals that psychedelics like LSD work through serotonin receptors to create their mind-altering effects. Scientists discovered a new class of compounds that target the same brain pathways but don't cause hallucinations, potentially offering antidepressant benefits without the intense psychedelic experience. This finding could revolutionize mental health treatment by harnessing therapeutic effects while minimizing disorienting side effects.
Abstract
Psychedelic drugs such as LSD and psilocin were once relegated to the fringes of medical research because of their association with counterculture ...
Anhedonia: Current and future treatments
Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences Reports – March 01, 2025
Summary
Traditional antidepressants often struggle against anhedonia, the inability to feel pleasure, which significantly impedes recovery from conditions like Major Depression. However, a diverse range of treatments offers hope. Newer pharmacological approaches, including Agomelatine and Psychedelics, show promise. Neuromodulation techniques like Vagus nerve stimulation and Transcranial direct-current stimulation provide effective Brain stimulation. Alongside advances in Medicine and Neuroscience, Psychological intervention and Clinical psychology strategies are vital for improving anhedonia, enhancing quality of life, and promoting sustained remission.
Abstract
Abstract Anhedonia is a transdiagnostic domain that leads to poor disorder outcome and low remission rates. This narrative review describes a broad...
On the varieties of conscious experiences: Altered Beliefs Under Psychedelics (ALBUS).
Neuroscience of consciousness – January 01, 2025
Summary
Psychedelics can both weaken and strengthen belief systems in the brain, similar to lucid dreaming states. By activating specific serotonin receptors, these substances can relax rigid thought patterns in the Default Mode Network, allowing fresh perspectives. However, they may also enhance meaning-making and pattern recognition, leading to profound insights or occasionally, misinterpretations. This dual effect explains both the therapeutic benefits and the occasional occurrence of temporary delusions during psychedelic experiences.
Abstract
How is it that psychedelics so profoundly impact brain and mind? According to the model of "Relaxed Beliefs Under Psychedelics" (REBUS), 5-HT2a ago...
Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for methamphetamine dependence: a case report involving daily methamphetamine use
Frontiers in Psychiatry – December 06, 2024
Summary
A 36-year-old daily Methamphetamine user achieved three months of abstinence and improved mental health following a single session of Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy. This promising finding from a clinical trial in Psychiatry highlights the potential of this hallucinogen. As a field within Psychedelics and Drug Studies, the pharmacology of Psilocybin, a compound from chemical synthesis and alkaloids, suggests its Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior could revolutionize addiction medicine. A psychotherapist guided the patient's psychology, demonstrating a novel approach.
Abstract
Methamphetamine (MA) dependence leads to severe physical and psychological issues. Current treatments, including psychosocial therapies and residen...
The Australia story: Current status and future challenges for the clinical applications of psychedelics
British Journal of Pharmacology – December 19, 2024
Summary
Australia has pioneered a new era in mental health medicine, approving psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression and MDMA for PTSD from July 1, 2023. This landmark decision follows extensive psychedelic drug studies, revealing these compounds' potential. Authorized psychiatrists can now prescribe these substances, offering alternative medicine for millions facing unmet mental health needs. Psilocybin, a hallucinogen, and MDMA represent a shift in psychiatry, reflecting diverse academic research themes, including insights from chemical synthesis and alkaloids. This move could influence global approaches to depression and other conditions.
Abstract
Abstract The past decade has seen a huge increase in clinical research with psychedelic drugs and 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), which h...
Increased functional connectivity between brain regions involved in social cognition, emotion and affective-value in psychedelic states induced by N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT).
Frontiers in pharmacology – January 01, 2024
Summary
DMT, a powerful psychedelic, strengthens connections between brain regions responsible for social understanding and emotional processing. Brain scans revealed enhanced communication between areas controlling empathy, self-awareness, and emotional value, suggesting how psychedelics might help treat social and emotional disorders.
Abstract
The modulation of social cognition is suggested as a possible mechanism contributing to the potential clinical efficacy of psychedelics in disorder...
Latin American adults who regularly use macrodoses of psychedelics: a cross-sectional study.
Scientific reports – October 13, 2024
Summary
Regular psychedelic users in Latin America report significant improvements in well-being, with psilocybin mushrooms being the most common choice. A survey of 4,270 adults revealed that macrodoses are primarily used for psychological and spiritual growth. Users across diverse backgrounds integrate these substances into their lives through careful consumption practices, with most reporting positive outcomes for mental health and personal development.
Abstract
Psychedelics have a complex history marked by traditional use among indigenous cultures, early scientific interest, and subsequent prohibition. Des...
AA, Bill Wilson, Carl Jung and LSD.
The Journal of analytical psychology – September 01, 2024
Summary
In a fascinating historical intersection, AA founder Bill Wilson explored LSD's potential to help alcoholics achieve spiritual awakening. After witnessing promising results in treating alcohol use disorder, Wilson wrote to psychiatrist Carl Jung about using psychedelics to help those struggling with AA's spiritual elements. Jung never responded, passing away shortly after receiving the letter.
Abstract
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is an established resource for people suffering from alcohol use disorder (AUD). However, Bill Wilson, the co-founder of ...
Structural pharmacology and therapeutic potential of 5-methoxytryptamines.
Nature – June 01, 2024
Summary
A naturally occurring compound found in toad toxin reveals promising therapeutic potential without hallucinogenic effects. Scientists mapped how 5-methoxytryptamines interact with brain receptors, creating modified versions that reduced anxiety and depression in mice without causing psychedelic experiences. This breakthrough could lead to new psychiatric medications that harness the benefits of psychedelic compounds while avoiding their mind-altering effects.
Abstract
Psychedelic substances such as lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and psilocybin show potential for the treatment of various neuropsychiatric disorde...
Long-term benefits to psychological health and well-being after ceremonial use of Ayahuasca in Middle Eastern and North African immigrants and refugees.
Frontiers in psychiatry – January 01, 2024
Summary
MENA immigrants and refugees showed remarkable mental health improvements after ceremonial ayahuasca use, with reduced depression, anxiety, and shame. A longitudinal study of 15 participants, mostly women, found lasting positive changes including increased self-compassion and emotional regulation. Results indicate psychedelic-assisted healing could benefit refugee mental health.
Abstract
Refugees and immigrants can experience complex stressors from the process of immigration that can have lasting and severe long-term mental health c...
Psychedelics and the ‘inner healer’: Myth or mechanism?
Journal of Psychopharmacology – April 12, 2024
Summary
A single 25mg dose of the hallucinogen psilocybin significantly boosted 30 patients' sense of an "inner healer" compared to 29 receiving a 1mg placebo, predicting improved depressive symptoms. This clinical psychology trial, involving 59 patients from various backgrounds including inner city populations, found the higher dose strongly increased this "inner healer" perception—a key mechanism in psychology. Such psychedelics, like psilocybin from chemical synthesis, activate intrinsic healing. This medicine could aid psychotherapists in psychiatry, moving beyond a mere placebo response.
Abstract
Background: Reference to an intrinsic healing mechanism or an ‘inner healer’ is commonplace amongst psychedelic drug-using cultures. The ‘inner hea...
Molecular Docking, MM-GBSA, and Molecular Dynamics Approach: 5-MeO-DMT Analogues as Potential Antidepressants.
Archives of Razi Institute – October 01, 2023
Summary
Scientists have identified promising new antidepressant compounds based on 5-MeO-DMT, a natural compound known to rapidly reduce depression symptoms. Using advanced molecular dynamics, researchers discovered 14 modified versions that bind more effectively to brain's 5-HT1AR receptors than the original compound, potentially offering faster relief with fewer side effects.
Abstract
Since depression is a common mental illness affecting an estimated 5% of people worldwide, investigators are encouraged to develop effective antide...
The Effects of Ayahuasca on Psychological Disorders: A Systematic Literature Review.
Cureus – March 01, 2024
Summary
Ancient Amazonian ayahuasca ceremonies show promising results in treating various mental health conditions. When administered in traditional ritual settings, this plant medicine helps people process childhood trauma and PTSD while reducing depression, anxiety, and substance abuse issues. Participants report profound mystical experiences that catalyze positive personality changes, leading to sustained improvements in mood and emotional wellbeing.
Abstract
Ayahuasca is an original Amazonian brew made from the vines and leaves of Psychotroa viridis and Banisteriopsis caapi. Both P. viridis and B. caapi...
Psilocybin enhances insightfulness in meditation: a perspective on the global topology of brain imaging during meditation.
Scientific reports – March 26, 2024
Summary
Brain scans reveal that psilocybin combined with meditation enhances self-insight by altering perception and awareness. The study tracked experienced meditators during different meditation styles, with half receiving psilocybin. Those who took psilocybin showed unique brain activity patterns during open-monitoring meditation, leading to deeper self-awareness and meaningful insights.
Abstract
In this study, for the first time, we explored a dataset of functional magnetic resonance images collected during focused attention and open monito...
Psychedelic Microdosing among Young Adults from Southern California
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs – February 10, 2024
Summary
Nearly one in five young adults attempting psychedelic microdosing actually take standard, psychoactive doses, risking adverse effects. Among 2,396 young adults, only 3% (74 individuals) had ever microdosed, despite 12% awareness. Psilocybin (70%) and lysergic acid diethylamide (57%) were the most common hallucinogens. This underscores the need for Medicine, Psychiatry, and Psychology to provide clear guidance on these chemical synthesis and alkaloids, for both Clinical Psychology and broader Psychedelics and Drug Studies.
Abstract
Despite common depictions in the media, there is little scientific evidence on microdosing psychedelic drugs. We assessed awareness, prevalence, an...
Intensity of Psychoactive Substance Use Affects the Occurrence of Prodromal Symptoms of Psychosis.
Journal of clinical medicine – January 28, 2024
Summary
Heavy drug use may predict early warning signs of psychosis, according to data from 703 substance users. Higher scores on drug addiction screenings (DUDIT) strongly correlated with increased prodromal symptoms - early indicators that can precede serious mental health conditions. Cannabis, MDMA, and amphetamine users who started earlier in life showed greater risk of developing these concerning symptoms. The findings highlight the link between substance intensity and psychological vulnerability.
Abstract
Psychosis is defined as a series of symptoms that impair the mind and lead to a kind of loss of reference to reality. Development of psychosis is u...
[Suicidal ideation and behaviors: a transdiagnostic dimension for precision psychiatry].
Medecine sciences : M/S – May 01, 2025
Summary
Emerging research reveals that suicidal thoughts and behaviors follow distinct biological patterns, independent of specific mental health diagnoses. Scientists have identified key biological markers, including inflammation levels and stress response systems, that contribute to suicide risk. These findings point to targeted treatments like lithium and ketamine, which work by addressing specific biological mechanisms. Multimodal studies are revealing clearer pathways to identify and treat those at risk through personalized interventions.
Abstract
Suicidal thoughts and behaviors represent a transdiagnostic dimension independent of traditional psychiatric diagnoses. This specificity is support...
The Impact of Morning Meditation and Sleep Quality on Affective and Health Outcomes in Healthcare Workers.
International journal of environmental research and public health – April 09, 2025
Summary
Healthcare workers who start their day with meditation show remarkable benefits, especially after a poor night's sleep. Morning meditation practices boost positive mood and vitality throughout the workday, with the strongest effects seen in those who didn't sleep well. This micro-break strategy proves particularly powerful for mental health, helping staff maintain energy and emotional balance despite sleep challenges.
Abstract
Health is a critical factor influencing key workplace outcomes, including job attitudes, behaviors, and performance. This study investigated the ro...
Nonequilibrium brain dynamics elicited as the origin of perturbative complexity.
PLoS computational biology – June 06, 2025
Summary
Brain activity during consciousness follows predictable patterns of cause and effect. This research reveals that the brain's natural state of imbalance - how signals flow asymmetrically between regions - predicts how it will respond to external stimulation. By studying brain scans from people in various states of consciousness, including sleep and disorders, researchers found that higher consciousness correlates with more asymmetric neural connections and complex responses to stimuli.
Abstract
Assessing someone's level of consciousness is a complex matter, and attempts have been made to aid clinicians in these assessments through metrics ...
Philosophical aspects of migraine: Headache treatment is a human-to-human service.
Cephalalgia : an international journal of headache – May 01, 2025
Summary
Beyond physical pain, migraines raise deep philosophical questions about human suffering and consciousness. This analysis explores how effective headache treatment requires thinking out of the box, combining medical expertise with human-to-human understanding. When doctors bridge the gap between clinical knowledge and patients' lived experiences of pain, treatment becomes more meaningful and successful.
Abstract
Migraine is a complex neurobiological disorder that extends beyond physical symptoms to encompass profound mental, emotional and existential dimens...
Death and Happiness: Exploring the Temporalities of the Meditated Death and Everyday Life in Tibetan Buddhist Practice of Tukdam.
Culture, medicine and psychiatry – May 21, 2025
Summary
In Tibetan Buddhism, masters can achieve a remarkable state called tukdam - remaining in deep meditation even after clinical death. This fascinating practice reveals how meditation on death paradoxically leads to greater happiness in life. Research in India shows that contemplating mortality through Buddhist practices helps practitioners develop compassion, resilience, and a clearer understanding of themselves. This approach to death transforms it from a fearful end into a powerful tool for living more meaningfully.
Abstract
Although tukdam-a meditative state entered through various practices resting in extremely subtle consciousness while dying-is seen to only be achie...
[[Dreams]visions in Hoffmann's «fairy tales»: An experience of phenomenological description].
Zhurnal nevrologii i psikhiatrii imeni S.S. Korsakova – January 01, 2025
Summary
In Romantic literature, dreams blur the line between reality and fantasy, revealing deeper truths about human consciousness. Through vivid descriptions of dreaming states, Hoffmann explores the ambivalence between everyday perception and heightened awareness. His characters experience both enlightening visions and terrifying nightmares, reflecting natural philosophy's view of interconnected existence. The visionary experiences are marked by intense sensations, fluid boundaries, and creative energy.
Abstract
The article highlights the stable characteristics of the world of dreams/visions, which is revealed to Hoffmann's visionaries in borderline, «twili...
A dualist theory of experience.
Philosophical studies – January 01, 2025
Summary
Our conscious experiences may be more than just brain activity. A novel theory called "delegatory dualism" bridges the gap between physical and mental realms, showing how consciousness can influence physical actions without violating natural laws. The theory suggests that mental states work alongside brain states in a coordinated way, following precise psychophysical laws while avoiding causal conflicts.
Abstract
Dualism holds that experiences somehow arise from physical states, despite being neither identical with nor grounded in such states. This paper mot...
Dimensions of corvid consciousness.
Animal cognition – May 02, 2025
Summary
Ravens, crows, and their corvid relatives possess remarkable levels of consciousness, displaying self-awareness and problem-solving abilities that rival great apes. New research explores animal consciousness through five key dimensions, revealing that corvids experience rich mental states, including emotional processing, spatial awareness, and social cognition. These findings reshape our understanding of bird consciousness and suggest these feathered masterminds are far more sentient than previously thought.
Abstract
Corvids have long been a target of public fascination and of scientific attention, particularly in the study of animal minds. Using Birch et al.'s ...
Trauma Center Trauma Sensitive Yoga Intervention (TCTSY). Improving Conditions for Incarcerated Women in Latin America.
Medicine, science, and the law – April 30, 2025
Summary
A specialized yoga program is transforming mental health care for incarcerated women in Latin America. This innovative approach combines trauma-sensitive yoga with body awareness techniques, helping women heal from post-traumatic stress disorder. The program showed remarkable success, with participants reporting reduced anxiety, better emotional control, and improved interoceptive awareness - the ability to understand body signals.
Abstract
Female prisoners in Latin America experience significantly higher rates of mental health issues compared to their male counterparts. The most preva...
The roots of happiness: How love and memory shape the core of our brain.
Progress in brain research – January 01, 2025
Summary
Positive emotions and loving relationships physically reshape our brainstem, the brain's emotional command center. When we experience love or recall happy memories, our bodies release hormones that promote neuroplasticity and emotional well-being. Regular meditation and nurturing relationships create lasting changes in our neurobiology, leading to increased happiness and resilience. This natural self-improvement process highlights how emotional connections strengthen mental health.
Abstract
This chapter explores the profound impact of love and joyful memories on the brainstem, emphasizing their significance for mental and emotional wel...
Systems-level analysis of local field potentials reveals differential effects of lysergic acid diethylamide and ketamine on neuronal activity and functional connectivity.
Frontiers in neuroscience – January 01, 2023
Summary
Breakthrough brain recordings reveal distinct neural signatures of two powerful mind-altering compounds. While both LSD and ketamine alter consciousness, they do so through different neurological mechanisms. Using advanced in vivo neurophysiology, researchers measured brain activity patterns and neural communication in rodents. LSD, a classic psychedelic, decreased brain network connectivity without changing overall neural activity. Ketamine, a dissociative anesthetic, both increased neural firing and reduced connectivity between brain regions.
Abstract
Psychedelic substances have in recent years attracted considerable interest as potential treatments for several psychiatric conditions, including d...
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...
Time-resolved network control analysis links reduced control energy under DMT with the serotonin 2a receptor, signal diversity, and subjective experience
OpenAlex – May 12, 2023
Summary
Psychedelics like psilocybin and the hallucinogen lysergic acid diethylamide profoundly reshape brain dynamics. Neuroscience reveals that N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT), a serotonergic compound, significantly reduces the "control energy" needed for brain state transitions in 14 individuals. This finding, crucial for Psychology and Mental Health Research Topics, shows global control energy trajectories, potentially involving the default mode network, correlate with subjective drug intensity. These effects are linked to serotonin 2a receptor density, demonstrating neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior and offering a predictive model for Psychedelics and Drug Studies.
Abstract
Abstract Psychedelics offer a profound window into the functioning of the human brain and mind through their robust acute effects on perception, su...
A whole-brain model of the neural entropy increase elicited by psychedelic drugs.
Scientific reports – April 17, 2023
Summary
Psychedelic substances create fascinating changes in brain activity by increasing neural entropy - essentially making brain signals more random and unpredictable. Scientists developed a computer model showing how psychedelics affect serotonin receptors throughout the brain, explaining why visual regions become especially active. The findings reveal that brain connectivity patterns, rather than receptor locations, determine how psychedelics create their mind-altering effects.
Abstract
Psychedelic drugs, including lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and other agonists of the serotonin 2A receptor (5HT2A-R), induce drastic changes in ...
Research into Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy for Anorexia Nervosa Should be Funded.
Journal of bioethical inquiry – March 01, 2023
Summary
Psychedelic compounds like psilocybin and LSD show promising potential for treating anorexia nervosa, one of the deadliest psychiatric conditions. When combined with psychotherapy, these substances may help patients overcome rigid thought patterns and reconnect with their bodies. Early evidence suggests psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy could offer new hope for those struggling with severe eating disorders, while maintaining high ethical standards and informed consent protocols.
Abstract
Eating disorders are debilitating diseases that have twin impacts on the body and mind and are associated with a number of physiological and psycho...
Changes in mental health, wellbeing and personality following ayahuasca consumption: Results of a naturalistic longitudinal study.
Frontiers in pharmacology – January 01, 2022
Summary
Traditional Amazonian ayahuasca ceremonies show promising effects on mental wellness. Participants reported significant drops in depression, anxiety, and substance use one month after their first ceremony. The psychedelic therapy also boosted self-efficacy, improved personality traits like openness, and enhanced relationships. Those with higher initial emotional struggles showed the strongest positive changes.
Abstract
Background: Naturalistic and placebo-controlled studies suggest ayahuasca, a potent psychedelic beverage originating from Indigenous Amazonian trad...
Ketanserin Reverses the Acute Response to LSD in a Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Study in Healthy Participants
The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology – November 04, 2022
Summary
A compelling finding: the medicine Ketanserin can dramatically shorten the effects of the hallucinogen Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD). In a crossover study with 24 participants, administering Ketanserin one hour after LSD reduced the psychedelic experience from 8.5 hours (with placebo) to just 3.5 hours. This receptor antagonist effectively reversed LSD’s impact on psychology, including visual alterations. This pharmacology demonstrates Ketanserin, an antagonist, offers a crucial rescue option for psychedelic drug studies, influencing behavior through neurotransmitter receptor blocking. Biochemical analysis revealed no change in BDNF levels.
Abstract
Abstract Background Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) is currently being investigated in psychedelic-assisted therapy. LSD has a long duration of ac...
Default Mode Network Modulation by Psychedelics: A Systematic Review
The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology – October 21, 2022
Summary
Psychedelics like LSD and psilocybin profoundly alter brain activity, consistently disrupting the Default Mode Network (DMN), a key brain region for self-referencing and linked to various psychological conditions. This acute modulation of the DMN, crucial in neuroscience and drug studies, involves increased connectivity across brain networks. Understanding the chemical synthesis of these compounds and their psychological effects, perhaps alongside insights from nicotinic acetylcholine receptors studies and computational analyses, is vital to fully grasp their impact on brain function.
Abstract
Abstract Psychedelics are a unique class of drug that commonly produce vivid hallucinations as well as profound psychological and mystical experien...
Use of plant-based hallucinogens and dissociative agents: U.S. Time Trends, 2002-2019.
Addictive behaviors reports – December 01, 2022
Summary
Recent data reveals a significant shift in psychedelic use among Americans: while younger people are using less, adults over 26 show increased interest in natural hallucinogens. Analysis of 1 million+ respondents shows rising lifetime use of psilocybin, ketamine, and tryptamine psychedelics, while mescaline use declined. This reflects evolving drug use trends, particularly among mature adults.
Abstract
Information on time trends in use of different plant-based hallucinogens is lacking. The current study used nationally representative U.S. data to ...
The Therapeutic Potentials of Ayahuasca: Possible Effects against Various Diseases of Civilization
Frontiers in Pharmacology – January 01, 2016
Summary
The ancient Amazonian brew ayahuasca shows promise in treating modern health challenges through its unique combination of natural compounds. Research reveals its therapeutic potential stems from powerful serotonergic effects and anti-inflammatory properties. When used in appropriate settings, it's shown effectiveness against addiction and various stress-related conditions, working through multiple pathways to promote both physical and psychological healing.
Abstract
Ayahuasca is an Amazonian psychoactive brew of two main components. Its active agents are β-carboline and tryptamine derivatives. As a sacrament, a...
Relative Reality
arXiv Preprint Archive – February 08, 2025
Summary
Our perception of reality may be more relative than absolute - this groundbreaking analysis bridges quantum mechanics and consciousness studies. By examining how awareness and physical processes intersect, researchers demonstrated that conscious experiences (qualia) operate outside traditional physical frameworks, similar to how non-Euclidean geometry transcends classical space. The work connects quantum physics principles with cognitive science, offering a mathematical model that elegantly explains both consciousness and quantum phenomena like the Schrödinger equation.
Abstract
The ``Hard Problem" of consciousness refers to a long-standing enigma about how qualia emerge from physical processes in the brain. Building on ins...
Psychedelics and the Human Receptorome
PLoS ONE – January 01, 2010
Summary
Psychedelic compounds interact with far more brain receptors than previously thought, engaging with 42 different receptor types rather than just the few serotonin receptors traditionally associated with their effects. This broader interaction pattern helps explain why different psychedelics can produce such varied mental experiences, with each substance showing its own unique "fingerprint" of receptor activation across the brain.
Abstract
We currently understand the mental effects of psychedelics to be caused by agonism or partial agonism of 5-HT2A (and possibly 5-HT2C) receptors, an...
Ketamine's Altered States Meta-Analysis: The Relationship Between Psychomimetic and Clinical Effects With Focus in Depression.
Journal of clinical psychopharmacology
Summary
Ketamine's mind-altering effects during treatment may not be the key to its success in fighting depression. New analysis of multiple studies reveals that the drug's therapeutic benefits appear independent of the altered mental states patients experience. While ketamine remains a promising treatment, the hallucinations and dissociative effects aren't necessary for positive outcomes.
Abstract
In recent years, there has been a significant focus on exploring the potential therapeutic impact of altered states of consciousness on treatment o...
Neuroplasticity: Pathophysiology and Role in Major Depressive Disorder.
Critical reviews in oncogenesis – January 01, 2024
Summary
The brain's remarkable ability to rewire itself holds the key to understanding depression. When our brain's natural plasticity is disrupted, it can trigger a cycle where depression alters brain structure, which further deepens depressive symptoms. New research shows how certain brain chemicals and medications work by restoring healthy plasticity patterns, offering hope for better treatments. Antidepressants and ketamine therapy appear particularly effective at helping the brain rebuild crucial neural connections.
Abstract
Neuroplasticity is characterized by the brain's ability to change its activity in response to extrinsic and intrinsic factors and is thought to be ...
Psychotherapy for Ketamine's Enhanced Durability in Chronic Neuropathic Pain: Protocol for a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.
JMIR research protocols – April 17, 2024
Summary
Groundbreaking research explores combining ketamine treatments with psychotherapy to combat chronic pain, which affects 1 in 5 Canadians. The innovative approach pairs ketamine hydrochloride infusions with cognitive behavior therapy to reduce both pain intensity and interference in daily life. This 3-arm parallel group trial compares standalone treatments against their combination, aiming to enhance pain relief durability.
Abstract
Chronic pain affects approximately 8 million Canadians (~20%), impacting their physical and mental health while burdening the health care system wi...
Psychedelics: Alternative and Potential Therapeutic Options for Treating Mood and Anxiety Disorders
Molecules – April 13, 2022
Summary
For thousands of years, psychedelics like psilocybin and lysergic acid diethylamide held spiritual and medicinal value in ancient cultures. Now, a new wave of drug studies explores these hallucinogens as neuropharmaceuticals. Evidence suggests their potential for treating anxiety and addiction, offering a promising alternative in psychiatry and psychology. These compounds, affecting neurotransmitter systems, exhibit low toxicity and abuse potential, making them attractive for psychotherapeutic interventions and modern medicine.
Abstract
The word “psychedelic” (psyche (i.e., the mind or soul) and delos (i.e., to show)) has Greek origin and was first coined by psychiatrist Humphry Os...
Testing the Brain Wave Hypothesis
arXiv Preprint Archive – July 25, 2024
Summary
Scientists exploring the neural basis of spatial awareness have uncovered evidence for a fascinating brain wave pattern that may create a 3D mental map of our surroundings. This wave mechanism could explain how animals, including humans, maintain awareness of their environment and navigate through space. Research in q-bio.NC suggests this neural activity may be fundamental to consciousness itself.
Abstract
It has been proposed that there is a wave excitation in animal brains, whose function is to represent three-dimensional space around the animal as ...
Reality in quantum mechanics, Extended Everett Concept, and consciousness
arXiv Preprint Archive – August 31, 2006
Summary
Quantum physics reveals a mind-bending possibility: consciousness itself may be key to how we experience reality. When we observe quantum events, our consciousness might actually split to perceive different possible outcomes separately. This explains why we only experience one "classical" reality at a time, though in altered states like sleep, we may glimpse parallel realities. This framework suggests time's flow is an illusion of consciousness, offering new perspectives on free will and life's order-creating nature.
Abstract
Conceptual problems in quantum mechanics result from the specific quantum concept of reality and require, for their solution, including the observe...
Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, psychedelic methodologies, and the impregnable value of the subjective—a new and evolving approach
Frontiers in Psychiatry – February 01, 2024
Summary
Ketamine, a legally prescribed medicine, offers profound potential in psychiatry. Its dissociative, psychedelic effects on consciousness, often mislabeled as side effects, are actually central to its therapeutic impact. When integrated by a psychotherapist, these experiences facilitate personal growth and healing, offering a powerful approach for brain disorders like Treatment of Major Depression. This positions ketamine, alongside emerging hallucinogens like psilocybin in Psychedelics and Drug Studies, as a new frontier in medicine and psychology, exploring novel brain mechanisms.
Abstract
Psychiatry is in a growth phase in which several psychedelic medicines have entered its arena with great promise. Of these, presently, ketamine is ...
Adverse Effects Associated With High-Dose Ketamine Infusions For Refractory Pain And Psychiatric Conditions.
Current pain and headache reports – June 19, 2025
Summary
Even powerful treatments like Ketamine, when used at high doses for conditions such as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome or Treatment Resistant Depression, require careful consideration. Examining high-dose Ketamine infusions reveals common Adverse Effects. Patients may experience psychiatric symptoms, including Emergence Reactions, agitation, or sleep disturbances, alongside emesis and potentially transient Hepatotoxicity. When properly monitored in a hospital, high-dose Ketamine appears safe, though some effects are dose-dependent.
Abstract
As higher doses of ketamine are being used in numerous medical conditions such as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), it is critical to examine ...
Psychedelics for Alcohol Use Disorder: A Narrative Review with Candidate Mechanisms of Action.
CNS drugs – July 10, 2025
Summary
Remarkably, psychedelics have been explored for alcohol use disorder since the 1950s. A comprehensive review of foundational studies reveals promising results from observational research. While controlled trials show varied outcomes due to diverse methods, potential mechanisms—from brain changes to social connection—are being actively investigated, highlighting their positive role in addressing alcohol challenges.
Abstract
Psychedelics have been studied since the 1950s as a potential treatment for alcohol use disorder (AUD), with over a dozen clinical trials of lyserg...
Psilocybin for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder: A magic to treat a harmony of illusions?
Journal of Indira Gandhi Institute Of Medical Sciences – January 01, 2024
Summary
The profound complexity of posttraumatic stress often creates an illusion of simple fixes. While psilocybin, a chemical synthesis from alkaloids, shows promise as a catalyst in psychotherapy, understanding its full psychological and psychiatric impact requires meticulous observation. Much like using a MAGIC (telescope) to study distant phenomena, integrating insights from Psychedelics and Drug Studies and Complementary and Alternative Medicine Studies is vital. This holistic view, emphasizing the psychotherapist's role, avoids quick chemical solutions for inherently complex problems.
Abstract
Abstract A review of the literature on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) suggests it to be a complex disorder with many contributing factors. Th...
Psychedelic‐assisted therapy for functional neurological disorders: A theoretical framework and review of prior reports
Pharmacology Research & Perspectives – February 02, 2021
Summary
Remarkably, some debilitating neurological symptoms, once termed 'hysteria' or conversion disorder, may find new hope. A theoretical review explores how psychedelic-assisted therapy could treat these conditions, often rooted in psychosomatic medicine. Examining prior reports and neuroimaging suggests hallucinogens, by impacting serotonin receptors, positively influence these disorders, offering a promising path for patients.
Abstract
Abstract Functional neurological disorders (FNDs), which are sometimes also referred to as psychogenic neurological disorders or conversion disorde...
Psychedelics and Psychotherapy: Cognitive-Behavioral Approaches as Default
Frontiers in Psychology – May 23, 2022
Summary
Cognitive behavioral therapy offers the strongest rationale for psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, a key insight in Psychology. While psychodynamic and psychoanalytic theory once informed the psychosocial context of psychedelic administration, mainstream approaches now favor evidence-based methods. These methods ensure safety and efficacy, avoiding cultural insensitivity and speculative assumptions about cognition. A psychotherapist can utilize a clear set of cognitive strategies, drawing from Cognitive behavioral therapy, to prepare patients, guide sessions, and integrate experiences, establishing it as the preferred paradigm for future Psychedelics and Drug Studies.
Abstract
The acute subjective effects of psychedelics are responsive to users’ expectations and surroundings (i.e., “set and setting”). Accordingly, a great...
Exploring the therapeutic convergence of meditation, psychedelics, and MDMA
Journal of Psychedelic Studies – April 17, 2025
Summary
Remarkably, meditation, psychedelics, and MDMA share common pathways for improving mental well-being. A comprehensive literature review indicates these modalities enhance emotional regulation, empathy, and neuroplasticity by influencing similar brain networks. Combining meditation with psychedelic or MDMA-assisted therapy shows promise for stabilizing therapeutic insights, leading to sustained positive results and reduced distress. This convergence offers a powerful new approach for mental health.
Abstract
AbstractBackground and aimsPsychedelic and MDMA-assisted psychotherapy are at the forefront of new treatment models for mental illnesses such as PT...
Are first responders interested in psychedelics? Assessing previous use, interest, and willingness to participate in psychedelic-assisted therapy
Journal of Psychedelic Studies – April 02, 2024
Summary
Many first responders face significant mental health challenges, with traditional treatments often falling short. Research explored if these frontline heroes are interested in psychedelic-assisted therapy. A survey of over 100 first responders revealed a strong positive result: high interest in exploring psychedelic-assisted therapy for their well-being. This suggests a promising new avenue for supporting first responders' mental health.
Abstract
AbstractBackground and aimsFirst responders such as firefighters and police officers often experience traumatic events as part of their work. As a ...
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