1269 results for "Set and Setting"
Real-World Effectiveness of Repeated Ketamine Infusions for Treatment-Resistant Bipolar Depression.
Focus (American Psychiatric Publishing) – October 01, 2023
Summary
Ketamine infusions offer new hope for people with treatment-resistant bipolar depression, reducing symptoms by over 50% in a third of patients. This groundbreaking treatment showed remarkable effectiveness in a Canadian clinic, where 66 patients received four low-dose infusions over two weeks. Beyond improving depression, the treatment reduced anxiety and suicidal thoughts while enhancing daily function and quality of life, with minimal side effects.
Abstract
Clinical trials have demonstrated rapid antidepressant effects with intravenous (IV) ketamine for major depressive disorder, with relatively less r...
Subcutaneous ketamine reduces suicide risk and improves functioning in depression: A proof-of-concept study.
Psychiatry research – July 01, 2024
Summary
A breakthrough in mental health treatment shows that small doses of ketamine injected under the skin can rapidly reduce suicidal thoughts and depression. In this groundbreaking approach, patients received carefully monitored doses, with most showing significant improvement after eight sessions. The C-SSRS assessment tool confirmed dramatic decreases in suicidal ideation, while depression symptoms notably improved. This well-tolerated treatment could offer new hope for those battling severe depression and thoughts of suicide.
Abstract
This investigation explores the efficacy of subcutaneous ketamine for mitigating depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation, addressing a crucial ne...
Perspectives in treatment-resistant depression: esketamine and electroconvulsive therapy.
Wiener klinische Wochenschrift – March 01, 2025
Summary
When traditional antidepressant treatments fail, new hope emerges: nasal esketamine and modern electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) show remarkable success in treating stubborn depression. Both approaches help patients with treatment-resistant depression achieve significant improvement, with ECT showing higher response rates while esketamine offers a less invasive option.
Abstract
Modern electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and the approval of nasal esketamine for clinical use have significantly improved the approach to treatment-...
Effects of intraoperative low-dose esketamine on postoperative pain after vestibular schwannoma resection: A prospective randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.
British journal of clinical pharmacology – August 01, 2024
Summary
A single dose of esketamine during brain surgery showed promise for pain management, though with mixed results. Researchers tested this innovative anesthetic in patients undergoing vestibular schwannoma removal. While monitoring showed the drug was safe and increased brain activity, it didn't significantly reduce postoperative pain after craniotomy. However, patients needed less pain medication to maintain comfort during recovery.
Abstract
Esketamine may reduce acute postoperative pain in several settings. However, the effects of low-dose esketamine on postoperative pain after vestibu...
Long-term follow-up of participants in ketamine clinical trials for mood disorders.
Journal of affective disorders – July 15, 2024
Summary
Groundbreaking clinical trials at NIMH revealed promising long-term safety data for ketamine and esketamine in treating depression. Over 200 participants were followed for an average of 9 years, showing that those who initially received ketamine treatment were more likely to seek it again, with no signs of abuse or increased risk. The treatment proved both safe and effective for managing depression symptoms.
Abstract
Participants who received ketamine at the NIMH were among the first to receive ketamine for depression in controlled clinical trials, providing a u...
Cerebrospinal fluid metabolomes of treatment-resistant depression subtypes and ketamine response: a pilot study.
Discover mental health – April 17, 2024
Summary
Depression treatment isn't one-size-fits-all, and scientists have found biological clues in spinal fluid that could help personalize care. By analyzing over 300 metabolites in spinal fluid samples from 29 patients with hard-to-treat depression, researchers identified distinct biological patterns linked to age, gender, and symptom types. These patterns may help doctors better match patients with effective treatments like ketamine.
Abstract
Depression is a disorder with variable presentation. Selecting treatments and dose-finding is, therefore, challenging and time-consuming. In additi...
Fabrication of a Controlled-Release Core-Shell Floating Tablet of Ketamine Hydrochloride Using a 3D Printing Technique for Management of Refractory Depressions and Chronic Pain.
Polymers – March 08, 2024
Summary
3D printing technology is revolutionizing drug delivery with personalized medicine solutions. Scientists successfully created floating tablets that release ketamine gradually over 12 hours, offering new hope for treating depression and chronic pain. Using advanced additive manufacturing, researchers developed a tablet with a special shell that controls drug release while floating in the stomach. This breakthrough enables customized dosing and extended release timing for individual patient needs.
Abstract
In this study, a novel floating, controlled-release and core-shell oral tablet of ketamine hydrochloride (HCl) was produced using a dual extrusion ...
Psychedelic Therapy: A Primer for Primary Care Clinicians-Ketamine.
American journal of therapeutics
Summary
Ketamine, once solely used as an anesthetic, now shows remarkable promise in mental health treatment. A single dose can reduce depression symptoms within hours - far faster than traditional antidepressants. It effectively treats severe depression, PTSD, and suicidal thoughts, while also helping manage post-surgery pain with fewer opioids needed. Though effects may be temporary, its rapid action and safety profile make it a valuable tool for clinicians.
Abstract
Ketamine, an arylcyclohexylamine dissociative anesthetic agent, has evolved into a versatile therapeutic. It has a rapid-onset, well-understood car...
A Case of Hepatotoxicity Induced by Therapeutic Ketamine Use for Sedation.
Case reports in critical care – January 01, 2024
Summary
A rare but serious side effect of ketamine therapy has been documented: liver toxicity. When used for sedation in a 27-year-old ICU patient, ketamine caused concerning elevation in liver enzymes. The condition resolved after stopping the medication. This case highlights that while ketamine is generally safe for short-term use, monitoring liver function during treatment is crucial for patient safety.
Abstract
Ketamine, initially developed as an anesthetic, has shown versatility in medical applications, including pain management, treatment-resistant depre...
The role of mGluR5 on the therapeutic effects of ketamine in Wistar rats.
Psychopharmacology – July 01, 2024
Summary
New research reveals that blocking specific brain receptors can enhance ketamine's antidepressant effects. Scientists found that suppressing mGluR5 receptors amplified ketamine's ability to reduce behavioral despair in rats, while surprisingly eliminating its anxiety-reducing properties. Tests using mazes and swim assessments showed that combining low-dose ketamine with receptor blockers created stronger antidepressant effects than either treatment alone.
Abstract
Ketamine produces dissociative, psychomimetic, anxiolytic, antidepressant, and anesthetic effects in a dose dependent manner. It has a complex mech...
Tags
Perioperative Adjunctive Esketamine for Postpartum Depression Among Women Undergoing Elective Cesarean Delivery
JAMA Network Open – March 06, 2024
Summary
Perioperative ketamine, an anesthetic, significantly lessened early postpartum depression symptoms. In a randomized controlled trial of 298 pregnant women undergoing elective cesarean deliveries, only 23.0% of those given esketamine developed depression symptoms by day 7, compared to 35.3% receiving a placebo. This suggests a promising treatment for major depression risk in obstetrics, improving maternal mental health during pregnancy and postpartum. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale measured these adverse effect outcomes, showing an effect size of 0.74.
Abstract
Importance Postpartum depression (PPD) is one of the most common mental health conditions during the perinatal and postpartum periods, which can ha...
Ketamine for depressive symptoms: A retrospective chart review of a private ketamine clinic.
The South African journal of psychiatry : SAJP : the journal of the Society of Psychiatrists of South Africa – January 01, 2024
Summary
Intravenous ketamine offers new hope for people with major depression, showing remarkable success in a South African clinic. Among 154 patients receiving ketamine infusions alongside their usual treatments, over 60% experienced significant improvement after completing the initial induction series. Half of the patients reported complete relief from suicidal thoughts, while one-third achieved full remission. Many continued with maintenance doses, showing no signs of dependency. Side effects were minimal, mainly limited to manageable nausea.
Abstract
There is currently no published evidence demonstrating the effectiveness and safety of subanaesthetic doses of ketamine, when administered intraven...
Validation and application of a method for the quantification of 137 drugs of abuse and new psychoactive substances in hair.
Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis – June 15, 2024
Summary
Hair testing reveals surprising insights into drug use patterns! Scientists developed a groundbreaking forensic toxicology method that can detect 137 different substances in a single strand of hair. Using advanced mass spectrometry, the technique identifies both traditional drugs and novel psychoactive substances with remarkable accuracy, even at tiny concentrations. When tested on real forensic samples, it successfully spotted multiple substances, proving its value for modern drug screening.
Abstract
In the dynamic universe of new psychoactive substances (NPS), the identification of multiple and chemically diverse compounds remains a challenge f...
Recreational MDMA doses do not elicit hepatotoxicity in HepG2 spheroids under normo- and hyperthermia.
Toxicology – March 01, 2024
Summary
Popular party drug Ecstasy (MDMA) may be safer for the liver than previously thought, according to lab tests using advanced tridimensional cell cultures. Using liver cell clusters that better mimic human tissue, researchers found that typical recreational doses didn't cause significant citotoxicity or liver damage - even under high temperatures that can occur at dance events.
Abstract
MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine), an entactogen with empathogenic and prosocial effects, is widely used in music festivals and other festiv...
Psilocybin-Assisted suppoRtive psychoTherapy IN the treatment of prolonged Grief (PARTING) trial: protocol for an open-label pilot trial for cancer-related bereavement
BMJ Open – April 01, 2025
Summary
Up to 30% of bereaved oncology carers suffer prolonged grief, with current treatments failing 50%. A new clinical trial explores Psilocybin as Medicine for Grief. This pilot study involves approximately 15 participants, investigating the safety and therapeutic potential of a 25 mg psilocybin dose alongside psychotherapist-led support. Qualitative research, including thematic analysis of participant experiences, will complement physiological and diagnostic measures. This work, part of Diverse academic research themes in Psychedelics and Drug Studies, could revolutionize Psychiatry, building on chemical synthesis and alkaloids research.
Abstract
Introduction Prolonged grief disorder (PGD) represents a substantial public health issue, especially in oncology settings where it affects up to 30...
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...
MBSR at Work: Perspectives from an Instructor and Software Developers
arXiv Preprint Archive – June 13, 2025
Summary
Software developers who practiced mindfulness at work reported significant personal improvements in stress management, despite initial skepticism. A multinational tech company implemented Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction techniques to help developers cope with workplace pressures. Through interviews, participants revealed better focus and reduced stress, though incorporating mindfulness into daily coding routines proved challenging.
Abstract
In this paper, we present the preliminary findings from a qualitative study (i.e., semi-structured interviews) on how a Mindfulness-Based Stress Re...
Psychedelics in the treatment of unipolar and bipolar depression
International Journal of Bipolar Disorders – July 05, 2022
Summary
Psilocybin shows promising efficacy in initial randomized trials for unipolar depression, signaling a renaissance in psychiatry. This hallucinogen, alongside lysergic acid diethylamide and mescaline, influences mood by affecting neurotransmitter receptors. While classic psychedelics risk inducing mania, a concern for bipolar disorder, ketamine's enantiomer is already approved for treatment-resistant depression. Clinical psychology explores psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. Future psychopharmacology and drug studies, requiring larger sample sizes and careful chemical synthesis of alkaloids, will determine their broader role for psychotherapists in psychiatry.
Abstract
Abstract This is a narrative review about the role of classic and two atypical psychedelics in the treatment of unipolar and bipolar depression. Si...
Intervention Fidelity in Mindfulness-Based Research and Practice: Overview of the Special Collection and State of the Field.
Global advances in integrative medicine and health – January 01, 2025
Summary
Mindfulness-based interventions are widespread, but ensuring consistent teaching quality is vital. A review highlights progress in defining intervention fidelity for mindfulness-based programs (MBPs) like MBSR and MBCT. It explores how teacher skill and adherence are being assessed using clear teaching assessment criteria. Positive findings show emerging standards for competence and intervention integrity, with tools like MBI:TAC strengthening these beneficial practices.
Abstract
Mindfulness-Based Programs (MBPs) are increasingly being introduced into a range of mainstream contexts such as health care, education, criminal ju...
Long‐term benefits of single‐dose psilocybin in depressed patients with cancer
Cancer – June 15, 2025
Summary
A single dose of psilocybin, a natural compound, offers robust antidepressive activity for cancer patients. In 28 oncology patients with major depressive disorder, 53.6% experienced significant depression reduction (average -15.0 points on a rating scale) for two years. Further, 46.4% saw significant anxiety reduction (average -13.9 points). This medicine provides a promising complementary approach in internal medicine and psychiatry, demonstrating how psychedelics can enhance quality of life, potentially transforming mental health care for those facing cancer.
Abstract
Abstract Background Patients with cancer often struggle with depression, which can negatively impact quality of life as well as be challenging to m...
Robot-Assisted Mindfulness Practice: Analysis of Neurophysiological Responses and Affective State Change
arXiv Preprint Archive – August 12, 2020
Summary
A social robot successfully guided participants into more positive emotional states through mindfulness exercises, showing how human-computer interaction (cs.HC) can enhance mental wellness. The research paired robotics (cs.RO) with brain monitoring to track participants' mental states during robot-led meditation sessions. Results showed unique brain activity patterns in the meditation group, particularly increased sensory awareness. Most notably, all participants reported better moods after interacting with the robot, regardless of activity type, highlighting the potential for robotic systems in mental health support.
Abstract
Mindfulness is the state of paying attention to the present moment on purpose and meditation is the technique to obtain this state. This study aims...
Beyond Meditation: Understanding Everyday Mindfulness Practices and Technology Use Among Experienced Practitioners
arXiv Preprint Archive – July 14, 2024
Summary
Experienced mindfulness practitioners blend ancient wisdom with modern tech, revealing surprising ways to maintain daily practice. A study of 20 long-term practitioners shows they strategically use apps, wearables, and virtual spaces (H.5.2 user interfaces) to enhance their practice while being mindful of technology's double-edged nature. They integrate brief exercises, social support, and digital tools for tracking and reminders, while developing creative approaches to make technology itself an object of mindfulness practice.
Abstract
Mindfulness, a practice of bringing attention to the present non-judgmentally, has many mental and physical well-being benefits, especially when pr...
Transcranial Bipolar Direct Current Stimulation of the Frontoparietal Cortex Reduces Ketamine-Induced Oscillopathies: A Pilot Study in the Sedated Rat
arXiv Preprint Archive – October 13, 2020
Summary
Brain stimulation shows promise in treating ketamine-induced neural disturbances. Using mild electrical currents applied to specific brain regions, researchers successfully reduced abnormal brain wave patterns caused by ketamine in rats. This non-invasive technique normalized brain activity patterns, suggesting potential applications for treating psychiatric conditions affecting neural connectivity.
Abstract
Running title: Frontoparietal anodal tDCS reduces ketamine-induced oscillopathies.Abstract: During the prodromal phase of schizophrenia with its co...
Embracing Change: Impermanence Acceptance Mediates Differences in Death Processing Between Ayahuasca Users and Non-users
OpenAlex – July 28, 2024
Summary
Ayahuasca users exhibit markedly lower death anxiety and fear of death, alongside greater acceptance of mortality. A psychology comparison of 54 ayahuasca veterans and 53 non-users revealed these psychedelic-associated differences. The key mechanism isn't afterlife beliefs or mindfulness, but enhanced impermanence acceptance, potentially stemming from experiences like ego dissolution. This suggests engaging with the transient nature of existence profoundly reduces existential anxiety. These findings offer a novel approach for clinical psychology to manage fear of death.
Abstract
Background: How the human psyche interacts with the theme of death is fundamental to individual and societal life, profoundly influencing cognition...
Understanding the Psychological Effects of Psilocybin and 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine in a Non-Clinical Population
OpenAlex – May 29, 2025
Summary
A single dose of the hallucinogen psilocybin profoundly shifted personality, reducing neuroticism and boosting extraversion in a non-clinical population. Among 48 participants, 33 psilocybin dosing sessions revealed notable psychological changes, including increased mindfulness and connectedness, observed one week later. Psilocybin also induced stronger mystical experiences than MDMA, suggesting its unique influence on neurotransmitter receptors and subsequent behavior. These findings from psychedelics and drug studies offer insights for clinical psychology and psychotherapists exploring this chemically synthesized alkaloid for mental well-being.
Abstract
Abstract Objective Despite many decades of experimental studies and clinical trials involving a variety of psychedelic agents, we still lack a comp...
The Montreal model: an integrative biomedical-psychedelic approach to ketamine for severe treatment-resistant depression
Frontiers in Psychiatry – September 19, 2023
Summary
Ketamine offers rapid antidepressant effects for severe Treatment of Major Depression, a challenging brain disorder. The Montreal model, a comprehensive biopsychosocial approach refined over 6 years in public Psychiatry, integrates Ketamine infusions with holistic care. This model, relevant to Clinical psychology and Medicine, combines structured psychiatric support and ongoing psychotherapy with six Ketamine infusions. Drawing on Psychedelics and Drug Studies, a psychotherapist guides psychedelic-inspired psychological adjuncts, fostering growth and optimizing Ketamine's therapeutic potential for enhanced psychological care.
Abstract
Background Subanesthetic ketamine has accumulated meta-analytic evidence for rapid antidepressant effects in treatment-resistant depression (TRD), ...
Measuring psychotherapeutic processes in the context of psychedelic experiences: Validation of the General Change Mechanisms Questionnaire (GCMQ)
Journal of Psychopharmacology – May 01, 2024
Summary
A new psychology tool reveals how psychedelic experiences activate mechanisms akin to psychotherapy. Validated with 1153 English-speaking and 714 German-speaking users, this instrument measures five "change mechanisms" like resource activation and mastery. Critically, these processes moderated the link between stressful life events and well-being. This cross-cultural analysis provides a crucial framework for clinical psychology and drug studies, helping psychotherapists understand how diverse contexts influence psychedelic effects, potentially informing safer use and therapeutic applications.
Abstract
Background: Therapeutic and salutogenic effects of psychedelic drugs have been attributed to psychotherapeutic or psychotherapy-like processes that...
Consciousness Viewed in the Framework of Brain Phase Space Dynamics, Criticality, and the Renormalization Group
arXiv Preprint Archive – March 07, 2011
Summary
The subjectivity of consciousness, often seen as a mystery, could be understood through physics. A novel perspective in q-bio.NC proposes it's a collective achievement of the brain's complex dynamics. Drawing from cond-mat.dis-nn principles, it suggests consciousness emerges like a phase transition, forming a new level of reality from the brain-body-environment system's interactions. This framework successfully interprets subjective experience.
Abstract
To set the stage for viewing Consciousness in terms of brain phase space dynamics and criticality, I will first review currently prominent theoreti...
Trait mindfulness and personality characteristics in a microdosing ADHD sample: a naturalistic prospective survey study
Frontiers in Psychiatry – October 16, 2023
Summary
Microdosing psychedelics appears to alter fundamental psychological traits. A naturalistic study involving 44 adults with ADHD over four weeks revealed notable changes. Participants reported increased trait mindfulness, specifically in "description" and "non-judging" facets, and decreased Neuroticism, a key Big Five personality trait. Other personality aspects like Conscientiousness, Agreeableness, and Extraversion remained stable. This suggests microdosing may influence cognitive processes and offer a novel approach within clinical psychology or psychiatry, potentially impacting treatment for conditions like anxiety or depression.
Abstract
Background Microdosing (MD), repeatedly taking psychedelics in small, non-hallucinogenic amounts, has been practiced by individuals to relieve atte...
A Multi-Site, Randomized, Parallel-Group, Controlled Trial of Virtually-Delivered Sahaj Samadhi Meditation for the Management of Moderate Depressive Symptoms in Chronic Pain.
Journal of pain research – January 01, 2025
Summary
A new clinical trial suggests a virtual meditation program could offer significant relief for those managing both chronic pain and depressive disorder. This mind-body therapy was tested against a control program. While direct group comparisons were not significant, participants practicing the meditation showed substantial, clinically meaningful improvements in their depressive symptoms over 24 weeks. This indicates meditation is a promising approach for these co-occurring conditions.
Abstract
Chronic pain (CP) often co-occurs with depression, but promising scalable interventions have been under-investigated. We assessed the effectiveness...
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 ...
Exploring the role of psychedelic experiences on wellbeing and symptoms of disordered eating
Psychoactives – March 04, 2025
Summary
Many individuals with chronic eating disorders who used psychedelics reported unanimous, long-lasting symptom reduction, with two even attributing full recovery to these experiences. Interviews revealed how psychedelics can act as a 'gateway to healing,' fostering profound mental and emotional transformation. This suggests significant potential for psychedelic-assisted therapy in treating eating disorders.
Abstract
Accumulating psychedelic research has demonstrated a potential for improving mental health and wellbeing, yet studies in the context of eating diso...
Serotonergic psychedelics for depression: A comprehensive overview.
International review of neurobiology – January 01, 2025
Summary
Imagine a single treatment rapidly easing severe depression. Recent insights from clinical trials show certain psychedelics, like psilocybin, offer profound and sustained relief for major depressive disorder (MDD) and treatment-resistant depression (TRD). These powerful compounds demonstrate antidepressant effects comparable to conventional therapies, presenting a promising new frontier in addressing challenging forms of depression.
Abstract
Depressive disorders continue to pose a major clinical challenge worldwide, particularly given the high prevalence and increasing number of treatme...
Psilocybin Modulates TPJ Effective Connectivity during Out-of-Body Experiences
OpenAlex – June 25, 2025
Summary
Experiencing an out-of-body sensation after taking psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, correlates with specific brain changes. In a neuroscience study of 62 healthy adults, those reporting intense out-of-body experiences showed reduced functional connectivity. Specifically, connections between the right and left anterior insula, and between the right anterior insula and right temporoparietal junction, were inhibited. This psychology finding, relevant to cognitive psychology and drug studies, suggests psilocybin influences neurotransmitter receptors, altering bodily self-consciousness and offering insight into paranormal experiences.
Abstract
Abstract Serotonergic psychedelics alter self-boundaries and can induce out-of-body experiences (OBEs)—the sense of being located outside one’s phy...
“Mind the Trap”: Mindfulness Practice Reduces Cognitive Rigidity
PLOS ONE – May 15, 2012
Summary
Our minds often get 'trapped' by familiar solutions, even when simpler, better options are available. Research indicates that mindfulness practice can reduce this cognitive rigidity. Using a water jar puzzle, participants who persistently chose complex methods over simpler alternatives were deemed more rigid. Experienced meditators showed significantly less rigidity. Crucially, even an 8-week mindfulness program helped individuals become more flexible in their thinking. This suggests mindfulness helps us overcome being 'blinded' by past experience, fostering new, adaptive ways to respond.
Abstract
Two experiments examined the relation between mindfulness practice and cognitive rigidity by using a variation of the Einstellung water jar task. P...
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...
What out-of-body experiences may tell us about the mind beyond the brain.
International review of psychiatry (Abingdon, England) – January 01, 2025
Summary
Reports of disembodiment, where consciousness seems to leave the body, challenge current views of the mind. Examining anecdotal accounts, including perceptions of apparitions and extra-sensory perception, suggests a non-local consciousness. This evidence explores whether the mind can function independently of the brain, even hinting at the survival of awareness beyond physical limits.
Abstract
The mind-body problem remains a central issue in the philosophy of mind. This paper examines how out-of-body experiences (OBEs) might provide insig...
PolDrugs 2025: results of the third edition of the nationwide study on psychoactive substance use in the context of psychiatry and harm reduction.
Frontiers in psychiatry – January 01, 2025
Summary
A positive trend in Poland shows growing acceptance of psychiatry among those using psychoactive substances. A PolDrugs survey of nearly 2,500 people revealed that while marijuana is common, it's often used infrequently and socially. Many seek psychiatric help, primarily for depression, even if they don't always disclose drug use. Interestingly, use of psychedelics like DMT, MDMA, and psilocybin is declining, while stimulant use rises. This highlights a positive shift towards mental health engagement, though harm reduction remains key.
Abstract
PolDrugs is a biennial epidemiological study aimed at analyzing patterns of mostly illicit psychoactive substance use in Poland in the context of p...
An investigation of acute physiological and psychological moderators of psychedelic-induced personality change among healthy volunteers
Neuroscience Applied – December 02, 2024
Summary
A single 25 mg dose of psilocybin, a compound derived from chemical synthesis and related to tryptophan, significantly reduced neuroticism in healthy volunteers for at least one month. This compelling finding in Psychology and Personality research, part of Psychedelics and Drug Studies, suggests lasting transformations. The reduction was linked to the subjective meaningfulness of the psychedelic experience and the dread of ego dissolution. Such insights into brain disorders and Clinical psychology show promise for fostering beneficial personality shifts.
Abstract
This study investigated the effects of a single high-dose of psilocybin on personality traits in psychedelic-naïve healthy volunteers. These data o...
Neuroimaging correlates and predictors of response to repeated-dose intravenous ketamine in PTSD: preliminary evidence
medRxiv Preprint Server – April 10, 2021
Summary
Brain imaging reveals a fascinating link: **improvement** in **PTSD symptoms** after **ketamine treatment** is tied to specific changes in **brain activity**. Successful **treatment** with **ketamine** was associated with increased connectivity between the prefrontal cortex and amygdala, key regions for emotion regulation. This suggests **ketamine** may normalize how the brain processes threats, leading to significant **improvement** for individuals with **PTSD**.
Abstract
Promising initial data indicate that the glutamate N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist ketamine may be beneficial in post-traumatic str...
The serotonergic psychedelic N,N-dipropyltryptamine alters information-processing dynamics in cortical neural circuits
arXiv Preprint Archive – October 31, 2023
Summary
Psychedelics profoundly reshape brain activity. Research on rat cortical cultures reveals that the psychedelic DPT reversibly alters information processing. It increases neural firing entropy and reduces how long neurons store data. This suggests a shift in information dynamics (q-bio.NC). DPT also changes circuit structure, decreasing overall information flow while boosting weak connections, fostering a unique blend of integration and disintegration. These findings offer insights into how such compounds influence complex systems (cs.IT, math.IT, nlin.AO).
Abstract
Most of the recent work in psychedelic neuroscience has been done using non-invasive neuroimaging, with data recorded from the brains of adult volu...
OAV and 5D-ASC for Brazilian Portuguese: A validation and adaptation study.
Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England) – June 28, 2025
Summary
Understanding the profound subjective experiences induced by Psychedelics is crucial. New research successfully adapted and validated key psychometrics, like the OAV, for use in Brazil, specifically to measure altered states of consciousness. Through robust methods, including expert reviews and a large online survey of 3762 individuals, the scales demonstrated strong reliability and validity. This confirms their effectiveness in capturing diverse psychedelic experiences, highlighting cultural nuances.
Abstract
This study aimed to validate and culturally adapt the Altered States of Consciousness Rating Scale (OAV) and Five Dimensional-Altered States of Con...
Australia's psychedelic experiment: reflections from a psychiatrist clinical researcher.
Australasian psychiatry : bulletin of Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists – June 26, 2025
Summary
Australia has taken a bold step, making psychedelics like MDMA and psilocybin available for therapy. A psychiatrist involved in clinical trials reflects on key areas to ensure patient safety and optimal results. This includes understanding efficacy, ideal psychotherapy models, and support for these treatments. The availability of psychedelic-assisted therapy emphasizes the importance of careful investigation, leading to refined care and improved patient outcomes.
Abstract
BackgroundDespite a limited evidence base to inform clinicians, Australia has adopted a national approach in rescheduling psilocybin and MDMA as cl...
Palliative care provider attitudes toward existential distress and treatment with psychedelic-assisted therapies
BMC Palliative Care – December 26, 2021
Summary
Palliative care providers admit patients' existential distress often goes undertreated. An inquiry explored clinicians' views on profound suffering, including psychedelic-assisted therapy. Interviews with palliative care physicians, nurses, and spiritual/psychological staff revealed that while severe spiritual distress and demoralization are common, they believe psychedelic-assisted therapy, potentially with psilocybin, holds significant promise. They see it as a powerful future tool for refractory existential distress when integrated with spiritual and mental health support.
Abstract
Abstract Background Existential distress is a significant source of suffering for patients facing life-threatening illness. Psychedelic-Assisted Th...
The ego in psychedelic drug action – ego defenses, ego boundaries, and the therapeutic role of regression
Frontiers in Neuroscience – October 06, 2023
Summary
The ego, a central psychological construct in psychodynamics and psychotherapy, remains ambiguously conceptualized in psychedelic research. Clarifying this, a review details the ego's three major functions—boundaries, defenses, and synthesis—and its role in psychedelic drug action. Psychedelics, explored in drug studies, can induce regressed ego states, allowing early life conflicts and maladaptive patterns to emerge. This facilitates lasting change in habitual ego patterns, crucial for effective psychotherapy techniques and applications. The psycholytic approach aims to integrate these foundational experiences, compatible with cognitive psychology's behavioral therapies, fostering greater ego flexibility.
Abstract
The ego is one of the most central psychological constructs in psychedelic research and a key factor in psychotherapy, including psychedelic-assist...
‘Mind-Revealing’ Psychedelic States: Psychological Processes in Subjective Experiences That Drive Positive Change
Psychoactives – September 27, 2024
Summary
Beyond chemical effects, it's the *experience* during altered states of consciousness that truly drives healing. A review explored how subjective phenomena, including those from psychedelic substances or breathwork, foster therapeutic change. Findings highlight that mystical experiences, alongside insight and emotional breakthroughs, are crucial for positive mental health outcomes. This suggests psychology must embrace personal subjective realities for effective psychedelic-assisted therapy, enhancing mental health.
Abstract
This narrative review explores the utilization of psychedelic states in therapeutic contexts, deliberately shifting the focus from psychedelic subs...
Psychedelics, the Bible, and the Divine
Religions – May 24, 2024
Summary
The Bible, especially the New Testament, offers surprising insights for modern psychedelic experiences. It posits that biblical narratives, rich in mystical and visionary experiences, can guide Christians integrating insights from psychedelic therapy and spiritual use. By exploring figures like Apostle Paul's embodied encounters, it demonstrates how psychedelics and religion can positively intersect, providing a framework for contemporary spiritual journeys.
Abstract
The current psychedelic renaissance intersects with Christian practices in two key ways. First, as psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) becomes more ...
The Psychedelic Debriefing in Alcohol Dependence Treatment: Illustrating Key Change Phenomena through Qualitative Content Analysis of Clinical Sessions
Frontiers in Pharmacology – February 21, 2018
Summary
Patients receiving the hallucinogen psilocybin for alcohol dependence offer insights into its therapeutic potential. Qualitative research analyzed 17 debriefing sessions, where individuals described how this alkaloid's acute effects contributed to reduced drinking. This work in clinical psychology and psychiatry, part of broader psychedelics and drug studies, illuminates change processes. A psychotherapist guides these sessions, informing medicine for a wider population. Understanding psilocybin's biochemistry, informed by chemical synthesis and biochemical analysis, is key.
Abstract
Research on the clinical applications of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy has demonstrated promising early results for treatment of alcohol depen...
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 ...
Underground small-group therapy of treatment-resistant depression and complex post-traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD) with psilocybin—A retrospective case study
OpenAlex – March 10, 2023
Summary
A woman with 30 years of treatment-resistant depression found lasting relief through psilocybin. After prior medications caused adverse effects and discontinuation, she engaged in six psilocybin sessions over 1.5 years. This approach in clinical psychology helped interrupt dissociative trauma responses. A 2.5-year follow-up confirmed remission, suggesting a multi-dose strategy with psychedelics can offer profound psychological healing. This case highlights how psilocybin, an alkaloid influencing neurotransmitter receptors, may resolve severe depression where traditional psychiatry failed, particularly for those experiencing early life trauma and feelings of abandonment.
Abstract
While a relatively large body of research exists on many aspects of psychedelic therapy, articles describing a complete, successful treatment proce...
Virtual Reality as a Moderator of Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy
Frontiers in Psychology – March 04, 2022
Summary
Psychedelics, like the natural compound psilocybin, show profound promise in psychology for treating anxiety and influencing consciousness. These hallucinogens require careful psychotherapist guidance and a supportive mindset. Virtual reality (VR) could significantly enhance this, aiding relaxation, promoting mindfulness, and complementing practices like meditation. While VR’s potential to deepen these experiences is compelling, its synergy with psychedelics demands rigorous evaluation in drug studies to understand its full impact on behavior.
Abstract
Psychotherapy with the use of psychedelic substances, including psilocybin, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), ketamine, and 3,4-methylenedioxymetha...
Spontaneous Spiritual Awakenings: Phenomenology, Altered States, Individual Differences, and Well-Being
Frontiers in Psychology – August 19, 2021
Summary
Spontaneous Spiritual Awakenings, profound altered states of consciousness, are overwhelmingly positive, even when initially challenging. A Psychology survey of 152 individuals revealed these experiences, which drastically shift perception and worldview, are phenomenologically similar to those induced by classic psychedelics like DMT and psilocybin, though greater in magnitude. Personality traits, such as absorption, predict these events. This work, relevant to Phenomenology, Psychedelics and Drug Studies, and even Paranormal Experiences, illuminates how consciousness can profoundly transform individual well-being and development.
Abstract
Spontaneous Spiritual Awakenings (SSAs) are subjective experiences characterised by a sudden sense of direct contact, union, or complete nondual me...
Biochemical Insights into Diverse Psilocybe Mushrooms and Their Metabolites as Sources of Neuroactive Agents: A Review.
Current microbiology – July 15, 2025
Summary
Beyond traditional use, certain mushrooms contain compounds showing remarkable promise for mental health. A review of scientific literature explores the chemical makeup and genetic diversity of Psilocybe species. It reveals significant therapeutic potential for treating conditions like depression, anxiety, and addiction, suggesting a promising future for these natural agents.
Abstract
Psilocybe species, commonly known as "magic mushrooms", are a group of hallucinogenic fungi known for their psychoactive compounds such as psilocyb...
Acute and long-term effects of repeated ketamine infusions in treatment-resistant depression and associated metabolite changes.
Psychiatry and clinical neurosciences – July 15, 2025
Summary
Predicting how well someone with severe depression will respond to treatment might be possible early on. Researchers explored if repeated ketamine infusions could help those with treatment-resistant depression. They found these infusions rapidly improved symptoms, with some patients achieving sustained relief. Crucially, changes in a specific metabolite, 3-hydroxybutyrate, measured via metabolomics after the first ketamine dose, predicted long-term improvements in depression. This suggests a powerful way to personalize future depression care.
Abstract
This study aims to investigate the acute and sustained antidepressant effects of repeated ketamine infusions in patients with treatment-resistant d...
Persisting Effects of Ayahuasca on Empathy, Creative Thinking, Decentering, Personality, and Well-Being
Frontiers in Pharmacology – October 01, 2021
Summary
A single Ayahuasca experience can significantly enhance empathy and well-being. Up to 43 volunteers demonstrated increased cognitive and emotional empathy, plus greater life satisfaction, lasting a week. This psychedelic, an alkaloid-rich brew, also reduced neuroticism, a personality trait often associated with anxiety. Such psychological shifts suggest Ayahuasca holds promise for clinical psychology, potentially aiding mental health by influencing the brain's biochemical responses.
Abstract
Background: Naturalistic and placebo-controlled studies have suggested that ayahuasca, a traditional Amazonian beverage, could be helpful in the tr...
LSD Restores Synaptic Plasticity in VTA of Morphine-Treated Mice and Disrupts Morphine-Conditioned Place Preference.
bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology – June 15, 2025
Summary
Could psychedelics unlock new addiction treatments? One study shows LSD can reverse brain changes caused by opioids. In mice, a single dose or microdoses of LSD quickly reduced morphine preference. It also restored vital brain cell connections, previously damaged by morphine, and induced beneficial epigenetic shifts. These findings suggest LSD can positively reshape reward circuits, attenuating drug-seeking behaviors.
Abstract
Psychedelics are emerging as a promising treatment option for a range of neuropsychiatric disorders, including substance use disorders. One potenti...
Peculiar plants and fantastic fungi: An ethnobotanical study of the use of hallucinogenic plants and mushrooms in Slovenia
PLoS ONE – January 07, 2021
Summary
Most individuals using hallucinogens seek personal growth, not problematic drug use. A study of 68 users revealed 91% consumed Psilocybin-containing mushrooms, with 50% using no other natural psychedelics. Initial use, often in their 20s and driven by curiosity, involved 26 different plants. This pattern, observed in Slovenia, highlights the complex psychology behind ethnobotany and these substances. It shifts drug studies' focus, suggesting motivations beyond recreation, relevant to traditional medicine and the inherent biochemical makeup of these alkaloids.
Abstract
The present study examined the patterns of use among a sample of 68 users of hallucinogenic plants and mushrooms in Slovenia. In compiling the list...
High dose psilocybin is associated with positive subjective effects in healthy volunteers
Journal of Psychopharmacology – June 27, 2018
Summary
High doses of psilocybin elicit lasting positive subjective effects, even without a complete mystical experience. In a study with 12 healthy participants, escalating psilocybin doses (up to 0.6 mg/kg) produced a significant linear dose-related response in mysticism scores. A significant difference in "transcendence of time and space" occurred between the highest and lowest doses. Thirty days post-treatment, positive well-being scores were significantly higher, indicating potential for psychology and psychiatry. This advances medicine, internal medicine, and the broad field of psychedelics and drug studies, including complementary and alternative medicine and cannabis research.
Abstract
Aim: The aim of the current study was to investigate the relationship between escalating higher doses of psilocybin and the potential psilocybin oc...
Effects of psilocybin therapy on personality structure
Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica – June 19, 2018
Summary
Psilocybin therapy significantly alters personality traits in patients with treatment-resistant depression. In a study of 20 participants, neuroticism scores dropped while extraversion increased, aligning with normative data. Openness also rose notably, while conscientiousness showed slight improvement and agreeableness remained unchanged. These effects were linked to the level of insight gained during the psilocybin experience. The findings suggest that psychedelics may induce unique personality changes compared to traditional antidepressants, warranting further investigation into the underlying brain mechanisms.
Abstract
Objective To explore whether psilocybin with psychological support modulates personality parameters in patients suffering from treatment‐resistant ...
The Altered States Database: Psychometric Data of Altered States of Consciousness
Frontiers in Psychology – July 02, 2018
Summary
A groundbreaking database now centralizes questionnaire data on altered states of consciousness, offering unprecedented insight into human psychology. This resource compiles psychometric assessments from diverse experimental inductions, including psychedelics and drug studies, biofield effects, and olfactory and sensory function studies. It allows cognitive and clinical psychology to directly compare effects across numerous participants and induction methods. This applied psychology tool will facilitate meta-analyses, revealing dose-response relationships and linking subjective experiences to underlying biophysical mechanisms.
Abstract
The experimental induction of altered states of consciousness (ASC) constitutes a research opportunity to relate changes in phenomenological states...