1178 results for "Consciousness"
Survey of subjective "God encounter experiences": Comparisons among naturally occurring experiences and those occasioned by the classic psychedelics psilocybin, LSD, ayahuasca, or DMT
PLoS ONE – April 23, 2019
Summary
More than two-thirds of atheists reported no longer identifying as such after a God encounter experience. A survey of over 4300 individuals, including those using psilocybin, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), ayahuasca, and other hallucinogens, explored these profound events. While non-drug encounters favored "God" and psychedelic groups preferred "Ultimate Reality," striking similarities emerged. Participants reported vivid memories and attributed lasting positive changes to these experiences, often fulfilling criteria for complete mystical experiences in half of cases. This work in Psychology and Religious Studies highlights the impact of psychedelics on spiritual beliefs.
Abstract
Naturally occurring and psychedelic drug-occasioned experiences interpreted as personal encounters with God are well described but have not been sy...
Classic psychedelics: An integrative review of epidemiology, therapeutics, mystical experience, and brain network function.
Pharmacology & therapeutics – May 01, 2019
Summary
Classic psychedelics like LSD and psilocybin, once overlooked, are proving to be powerful therapeutic agents. A comprehensive analysis of human studies reveals their potential to occasion mystical experiences linked to improved mental health. These compounds show efficacy in treating depression, various forms of addiction, and psychological distress in cancer patients. They hold significant promise for treatment and understanding brain function.
Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to provide an integrative review and offer novel insights regarding human research with classic psychedelics (classic ...
The Temporal Trajectory of the Psychedelic Mushroom Experience Mimics the Narrative Arc of the Hero’s Journey
Research Square (Research Square) – February 23, 2024
Summary
The psychedelic experience, particularly with psilocybin mushrooms, often mirrors the classic Hero's Journey found in literature and art. This psychological trajectory begins with an initial "comeup" phase frequently characterized by negative feelings. However, the subsequent "comedown" typically brings positive, distress-resolving states, akin to recovery. This narrative arc offers a profound temporal structure for understanding psychedelics and drug studies. Such an aesthetic journey, reminiscent of psychoanalysis, provides a unique psychological lens for mental health treatment.
Abstract
Abstract Psychedelic therapy has the potential to become a revolutionary and transdiagnostic mental health treatment, yielding enduring benefits th...
The potential synergistic effects between psychedelic administration and nature contact for the improvement of mental health.
Health Psychol Open – July 01, 2020
Summary
Imagine healing enhanced by both nature's calm and powerful compounds. Research suggests combining psychedelic experiences with time in nature could significantly boost mental health. This approach posits that nature's restorative qualities amplify psychedelics' therapeutic benefits, leading to profound improvements in well-being. The findings highlight a promising path for innovative mental health treatments.
Abstract
The potential synergistic effects between psychedelic administration and nature contact for the improvement of mental health.
Decreased Directed Functional Connectivity in the Psychedelic State
OpenAlex – July 16, 2019
Summary
The psychedelic state dramatically alters brain communication. Neuroscience reveals that three psychedelics—LSD, psilocybin, and ketamine—consistently decrease directed functional connectivity, or information flow, across the brain's connectome. This suggests a breakdown in typical functional organization. Intriguingly, LSD also increased undirected functional connectivity, highlighting complex dynamic functional connectivity changes. These neuroimaging findings, vital for cognitive psychology and drug studies, demonstrate how neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior, understood through biochemical analysis, manifests as altered brain networks, informing artificial intelligence models.
Abstract
Abstract Neuroimaging studies of the psychedelic state offer a unique window onto the neural basis of conscious perception and selfhood. Despite we...
Shame, guilt and psychedelic experience: Results from a prospective, longitudinal survey of real-world psilocybin use
OpenAlex – October 14, 2023
Summary
Psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, can significantly reduce long-term shame, a critical focus in psychology and psychoanalysis. A study of 679 adults using psilocybin found that while 68.2% experienced acute shame or guilt, 89.7% described their overall experience as positive. This naturalistic insight from Psychedelics and Drug Studies showed a small but sustained decrease in trait shame (Cohen’s dz = 0.37) for many, lasting months. Notably, shame increased for 29.8%. Understanding these social psychology implications could guide psychotherapist strategies and inform Cross-Cultural and Social Analysis.
Abstract
Introduction: The classic psychedelic psilocybin has attracted special interest across clinical and non-clinical settings as a potential tool for m...
Adolescent Drug Use in Cross-Cultural Perspective
Journal of Drug Issues – January 01, 1992
Summary
Challenging common assumptions, some cultures use adolescent hallucinogen ingestion not for abuse, but for positive socialization. Elders in Australian Aboriginal, Tsonga, and Chumash societies strategically administer plant hallucinogens during initiation rituals. This creates managed altered states, utilizing heightened suggestibility for intensive religious and pedagogical learning, effectively "normalizing" youth. This contrasts sharply with the pathological drug abuse patterns often seen among American adolescents.
Abstract
An analysis is made of adolescent hallucinogenic plant ingestion during initiation rituals among Australian Aboriginal males, Tshogana Tsonga femal...
Clinical Interpretations of Patient Experience in a Trial of Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy for Alcohol Use Disorder
Frontiers in Pharmacology – February 20, 2018
Summary
Psilocybin, a powerful hallucinogen, can profoundly shift perceptions for individuals battling addiction. Qualitative research on three participants undergoing psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for alcohol use disorder revealed vivid, memorable moments. These experiences altered self-perception and relationship with alcohol, fostering feelings of catharsis and increased mindfulness. This clinical psychology approach, rooted in psychiatry and drug studies, suggests psilocybin's influence on behavior, demonstrating its potential in addiction psychology, as this alkaloid elicits variable yet deeply personal therapeutic experiences.
Abstract
After a hiatus of some 40 years, clinical research has resumed on the use of classic hallucinogens to treat addiction. Following completion of a sm...
The potential use of N-methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDMA) assisted psychotherapy in the treatment of eating disorders comorbid with PTSD.
Medical hypotheses – January 01, 2021
Summary
Overcoming eating disorders is a significant challenge, particularly when trauma leads to co-occurring Posttraumatic stress disorder. A new perspective suggests that MDMA-assisted psychotherapy holds promise as a transformative treatment for this complex comorbidity. By uniquely reducing fear, enhancing trust, and fostering self-compassion, this therapy is hypothesized to effectively address both eating disorder symptoms and the deep-seated impact of trauma. Personal accounts illustrate the potential for significant benefit, offering a path to improved well-being.
Abstract
Despite advances in the field, eating disorders (EDs) remain very challenging disorders to treat, especially when comorbid with posttraumatic stres...
Prefrontal Neurophysiological Changes Associated with Subanesthetic Esketamine Accelerating Mice Emergence from Propofol Anesthesia.
Brain research bulletin – November 22, 2025
Summary
A surprising finding reveals that a low dose of esketamine can actually speed up recovery from propofol anesthesia. Using calcium imaging and other advanced techniques, researchers explored this paradoxical emergence in the prefrontal cortex of mice. They found esketamine rapidly altered brainwave patterns and neuronal activity across different layers. Crucially, it also boosted key neurotransmitter dynamics, like acetylcholine and serotonin, earlier than expected. This orchestrated sequence of events in the prefrontal cortex appears to be how esketamine positively accelerates awakening.
Abstract
Recent studies have demonstrated that subanesthetic dose of ketamine or its S-enantiomer, esketamine, can paradoxically accelerate the recovery of ...
The impact of the serotonergic psychedelic DOI on active vision in freely moving mice.
bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology – October 15, 2025
Summary
Surprisingly, a psychedelic compound can increase how often mice actively explore their visual environment. Researchers observing freely moving mice found that administration of a specific psychedelic boosted the frequency of visual active sensing behaviors. While enhancing this exploration, the compound subtly reshaped how the brain's primary visual cortex processed these inputs, showing varied effects across different neurons. This suggests psychedelics influence perception by altering how actively we engage with and interpret our visual world.
Abstract
Psychedelic compounds have the ability to generate altered states of consciousness and profoundly distort perception, often resulting in visual hal...
The Role and Ethics of Touch and Non-touch in Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy.
Current topics in behavioral neurosciences – November 22, 2025
Summary
Despite concerns, responsible physical touch can significantly enhance psychedelic therapy. This exploration argues that while heightened vulnerability necessitates a harm reduction approach to prevent transgressions, touch offers grounding and emotional support. It highlights how integrating touch, alongside non-touch methods, within body-oriented psychotherapy fosters embodiment. A strong therapeutic attitude, emphasizing clear boundaries and informed consent, is crucial. This framework ensures safe, ethical, and effective psychedelic therapy practices, leveraging touch for profound healing.
Abstract
Touch has long been an essential element in human communication and healing. In the field of psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT), the role of touch ...
The Role of Psychedelics in Contemporary Psychological and Interdisciplinary Inquiry.
J Pers Med – September 28, 2025
Summary
Psychedelic therapy is transforming mental health research, with clinical data analysis showing remarkable promise. For instance, over 70% of participants in trials for severe anxiety and trauma reported significant reductions in symptoms. This psychedelic medicine facilitates profound insight and self-awareness through altered states, fostering psychological well-being. Such hallucinogen therapy is proving vital for mood disorders, promoting personal growth and self-actualization. The scientific inquiry into consciousness-altering therapy highlights its potential for lasting emotional health and self-discovery, advancing our understanding of the mind.
Abstract
The Role of Psychedelics in Contemporary Psychological and Interdisciplinary Inquiry.
Activation of Serotonin 2A Receptors Underlies the Psilocybin-Induced Effects on Oscillations, N170 Visual-Evoked Potentials, and Visual Hallucinations
Journal of Neuroscience – June 19, 2013
Summary
Psilocybin, a potent serotonergic hallucinogen, profoundly alters visual processing, leading to visual hallucinations. Neuroscience reveals this psychedelic's effects, derived from chemical synthesis and alkaloids, are driven by activating specific Serotonin 5-HT2A receptors. Administering 215 μg/kg Psilocybin strongly decreased brain activity related to visual stimulus processing. Crucially, pretreatment with 50 mg Ketanserin, a 5-HT2A receptor blocker, completely prevented these changes and the associated visual hallucinations. This illuminates the specific neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior, offering insights for psychology and drug studies.
Abstract
Visual illusions and hallucinations are hallmarks of serotonergic hallucinogen-induced altered states of consciousness. Although the serotonergic h...
Acute and long-term effects of psilocybin on energy balance and feeding behavior in mice
Translational Psychiatry – August 11, 2022
Summary
A single high dose of the hallucinogen psilocybin reduced sucrose preference in mice, hinting at its influence on reward pathways. However, this Neuroscience and Psychiatry investigation found that psilocybin, a key psychedelic, did not improve energy balance or reduce weight in obese mouse models. Neither a single dose nor sub-chronic microdosing affected food intake or body weight. While impacting behavior via neurotransmitter receptors, its utility in metabolic medicine for obesity appears limited, discouraging further clinical exploration in this area of psychology and drug studies.
Abstract
Abstract Psilocybin and other serotonergic psychedelics have re-emerged as therapeutics for neuropsychiatric disorders, including addiction. Psiloc...
A Phenomenological Examination of Psilocybin and its Positive and Persisting Aftereffects
NeuroQuantology – May 24, 2016
Summary
Profound psychological shifts from psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, can last long after consumption. Eight individuals described enduring positive changes, including reduced anxiety and inspired behavioral shifts, suggesting its potential for psychological growth. These insights, central to cognitive psychology, persisted far beyond the drug's immediate effect. This work, relevant to Psychedelics and Drug Studies, suggests psilocybin could enhance psychotherapy techniques, offering new avenues for psychotherapists beyond traditional psychoanalysis for psychological healing.
Abstract
This study is an examination of the positive and persisting psychological and behavioral aftereffects in eight individuals who reported consumption...
Psilocybin Induces Aberrant Prediction Error Processing of Tactile Mismatch Responses—A Simultaneous EEG–FMRI Study
Cerebral Cortex – June 10, 2021
Summary
Psilocybin significantly alters how the brain processes surprising tactile sensations, a key aspect of bodily self-awareness. Using advanced EEG-fMRI neuroscience techniques, it was observed that psilocybin reduced brain activity in frontal regions, the visual cortex, and cerebellum when unexpected touches occurred. Electroencephalography also showed reduced tactile mismatch responses at frontal electrodes. This suggests psilocybin influences cognitive processes and neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior, potentially by disrupting pattern recognition related to prediction errors. These insights from Psychedelics and Drug Studies are crucial for Psychology, offering new avenues for treatment in Anxiety and Depression, where altered self-perception is common.
Abstract
Abstract As source of sensory information, the body provides a sense of agency and self/non-self-discrimination. The integration of bodily states a...
Altered states: psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression
The Lancet Psychiatry – May 17, 2016
Summary
A pilot in Psychiatry suggests Psilocybin, a powerful hallucinogen, offers hope for Treatment-resistant depression. In a feasibility study with 12 patients, a regimen combining synthesized psilocybin with psychological support reduced depression scores by around 10 points on the Hamilton Depression Scale after one week. This Medicine, documented in medical literature and Psychedelics and Drug Studies, showed promising safety and preliminary efficacy, with about half the participants still experiencing benefits at three months. This offers hope for the 20% of patients with depression unresponsive to conventional treatments.
Abstract
"Alice remained looking thoughtfully at the mushroom for a minute, trying to make out which were the two sides of it; and as it was perfectly round...
Psychedelic Therapy: A Primer for Primary Care Clinicians—Psilocybin
American Journal of Therapeutics – March 01, 2024
Summary
Psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen and alkaloid, shows remarkable promise as a medicine in psychiatry. Initial clinical trials reported 42%-57% remission for major depressive disorder, potentially surpassing existing antidepressants like Fluoxetine. Larger studies observed 25%-29% remission, still a significant reduction in symptoms. Its pharmacology, influencing neurotransmitter receptors, offers sustained benefits from 1-2 doses. While generally safe, transient adverse effects occur, and one large clinical trial noted 7 cases of suicidal ideation. Psychedelics and drug studies continue to explore its therapeutic potential.
Abstract
Background: The primary psychoactive drug in magic mushrooms, psilocybin, induces profound alterations in consciousness through the 5-HT 2A recepto...
Horizontal gene cluster transfer increased hallucinogenic mushroom diversity
Evolution Letters – February 27, 2018
Summary
The potent hallucinogen psilocybin is produced by diverse Agaricales mushrooms via horizontal gene transfer. Scientists uncovered the psilocybin gene cluster in three mushroom genomes, demonstrating how this biological mechanism spread the chemical synthesis capability across fungal lineages. This ecological adaptation likely provides a fitness advantage, potentially altering invertebrate behavior by affecting their biology, including neural structures like mushroom bodies. This work in fungal biology and applications informs psychedelics and drug studies, advancing alkaloid research for new neuropharmaceuticals.
Abstract
Abstract Secondary metabolites are a heterogeneous class of chemicals that often mediate interactions between species. The tryptophan-derived secon...
Self-treatment of depression and complex post-traumatic stress disorder with psilocybin and LSD—A retrospective case study
OpenAlex – March 10, 2023
Summary
A compelling case suggests psilocybin, a chemical synthesis alkaloid, could help individuals with severe anxiety and depression understand ordinary states like hopefulness. One individual, suffering early trauma and chronic anxiety and depression since childhood, found traditional psychotherapy and psychiatry unhelpful. Through intensive, self-directed psilocybin use from age 19, he reported achieving a foundational feeling of peace by age 30, despite ongoing societal trauma. This clinical psychology insight suggests psychedelics and drug studies may offer new avenues for treating treatment-resistant depression, influencing neurotransmitter receptor behavior.
Abstract
In medicine, psychedelics were initially considered as a tool for clinicians to understand psychotic states. Based on the presented case data, a re...
Resurrecting Ancestral Familial Health: A Role for Psilocybin?
The Family Journal – August 09, 2024
Summary
A novel approach suggests high-dose psilocybin, a compound derived from chemical synthesis and alkaloids, could revolutionize family Psychology. This perspective, informed by Developmental psychology and Social psychology, proposes a family-centered therapy where a psychotherapist integrates psychedelics with interventions like family constellations. Evidence from Drug Studies indicates this model can realign modern families with our evolved social mammalian physiological design, fostering empathy, connection, and well-being. It offers a path to heal intergenerational trauma and enhance family systems.
Abstract
Background: Research investigating high-dose, high-support psilocybin-assisted therapy reports significant psychological benefits, increased consci...
The Consumption of Psychoactive Plants in Ancient Global and Anatolian Cultures During Religious Rituals: The Roots of the Eruption of Mythological Figures and Common Symbols in Religions and Myths
NeuroQuantology – May 31, 2014
Summary
Visions from ancient psychedelic plant consumption profoundly shaped global mythology. For centuries, a vast array of cultures, from Aztec to Hellenic, engaged in ritualistic consumption of psychoactive plants like psilocybin and ibogaine. These powerful experiences, central to ancient history and drug studies, generated vivid illusions. The aesthetics of these "plant trips" directly influenced the creation of countless mythological characters, gods, and demons, impacting literature and religious narratives across numerous societies. This fundamental link between psychedelics and the bedrock of human storytelling remains widely underestimated.
Abstract
Psychoactive plants which contain hallucinogenic molecules that induce a form of altered states of consciousness (H-ASC) have been widely used duri...
Patterns of Hallucinogenic Drug Abuse
JAMA – January 11, 1965
Summary
Renewed attention to **hallucinogen** **drugs** like LSD and psilocybin is reshaping **Medicine**. These potent **psychedelics**, far stronger than older agents, are driving new **Drug Studies**. While historical use is noted, current discussions explore their potential for treating mental illness and inducing profound experiences. Understanding their **Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior** is crucial. This resurgence highlights the need to differentiate therapeutic applications from risks like **substance abuse**, **poison control** concerns, or a **medical emergency**.
Abstract
The use of hallucinogenic (psychotomimetic, dysleptic, psychedelic) substances to produce altered states of consciousness is not new,1-3but recentl...
Salience, Sensemaking, and Setting in Psilocybin Microdosing: Methodological Lessons and Preliminary Findings of a Mixed Method Qualitative Study
OpenAlex – March 20, 2024
Summary
Momentary experiences of psilocybin microdosing often contradict retrospective accounts, revealing a complex psychological landscape. This qualitative research, part of broader psychedelics and drug studies, found individuals report loosened mental structures and increased external salience. Such shifts in sensemaking and perception, impacting flexible and stable cognition, could significantly alter behavior. Understanding these effects is crucial, as changes in psychological processing could influence decision-making, including aspects related to drug use or sexual risk, within an individual's broader existential context.
Abstract
There are profound methodological challenges facing microdosing research. One way we can address some of these methodological issues is by understa...
Caffeine, nicotine, cannabis, and psilocybin: Pharmacology, toxicology, and potential therapeutic uses of four naturally occurring psychoactive substances
Swiss Medical Weekly – July 01, 2025
Summary
Despite varying legal statuses, naturally occurring psychoactive drugs like Caffeine, Nicotine, Cannabis, and Psilocybin share a rich history and complex pharmacology. A comprehensive review in Drug Studies explores the toxicology and therapeutic potential of these four psychoactive substances. It details their use as medicine, from common stimulants like Caffeine to the hallucinogen Psilocybin. This work, relevant to Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research and Forensic Toxicology and Drug Analysis, highlights each drug's risks and benefits, informing future drug development.
Abstract
Psychoactive substances are compounds that can influence perception, consciousness, cognition, and emotions. The psychoactive substances caffeine, ...
Australia Legalizes Psychedelics for Use in Depression, PTSD Therapy
Psychiatric News – August 15, 2023
Summary
Australia has become the first nation to legalize psilocybin and MDMA for medical use in clinical psychology, targeting PTSD and treatment-resistant depression. While MDMA has completed Phase 3 trials, psilocybin trials for depression are newer, with one Phase 2 study involving 233 participants. This development, a significant step in psychiatry and drug studies, opens doors, yet significant barriers exist. A full course of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy can cost around $25,000, presenting economic challenges. Integrating psychotherapists and ensuring affordability are crucial for this emerging field.
Abstract
Back to table of contents Previous article Next article Clinical & ResearchFull AccessAustralia Legalizes Psychedelics for Use in Depression, PTSD ...
Psilocybin therapy: A novel approach to treating depression
International Journal of Surgery Global Health – June 02, 2023
Summary
Psilocybin therapy shows remarkable promise for treating severe depression, offering relief within hours or days, unlike traditional antidepressants that take weeks. Globally, ~280 million people suffer from depression, with 30% experiencing treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Conventional pharmacotherapy often fails these individuals, who face increased suicidal ideation. Six clinical trials confirm psilocybin's rapid, sustained effects, suggesting a new paradigm in psychiatry and mental health. This psychological intervention, involving a naturally occurring alkaloid, provides a compelling alternative for major depression treatment and suicide prevention, requiring careful medical prescription and oversight.
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a surge in depression cases, a pervasive and debilitating mental illness1. This trend is evident in the incre...
Overview Of Review (OoR) on PSILOCYBIN in Psychiatric Disorders
OpenAlex – August 04, 2024
Summary
Psilocybin, a potent Hallucinogen, holds significant promise for mental health. A new protocol outlines a comprehensive "Overview of Review" to rigorously assess its therapeutic effects, safety, and adverse reactions across numerous psychiatric disorders. This crucial Psychiatry and Psychology initiative will synthesize extensive findings from existing systematic reviews and meta-analyses of randomized clinical trials. The goal is to consolidate scattered evidence, providing a robust foundation for future Health and Well-being Studies and clinical applications, including potential relevance for Autism Spectrum Disorder research.
Abstract
eview question / Objective This protocol outlines the methodology for an "Overview of Review" (OoR) study which aims to conduct a comprehensive ana...
Psychedelics: A new era of treatment?
European Psychiatry – April 01, 2021
Summary
Psychedelics like psilocybin, mescaline, and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) are showing remarkable promise in psychiatry and psychology. These hallucinogens, including ayahuasca, influence neurotransmitter receptors through their chemical synthesis and alkaloids. Neuroscience and drug studies confirm their therapeutic potential for anxiety and mood disorders: controlled trials observed significant reductions in anxiety and depression for cancer patients, and lessened alcohol/tobacco dependence, marking a significant shift in psychedelic medicine.
Abstract
Introduction Psychedelics - including LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide), psilocybin, DMT (N, N-dimethyltryptamine), ayahuasca and mescaline - have a...
Psychedelics for treating psychiatric disorders: Are they safe?
Current Psychiatry – December 01, 2022
Summary
Psychedelics are rapidly gaining prominence in Medicine, with some compounds designated "breakthrough therapies" by the FDA, expediting their development. Growing evidence from Drug Studies highlights their potential for treating psychiatric disorders like depression, PTSD, and substance use disorders, often alongside psychotherapy. While ketamine already treats depression and other Psychedelics anticipate FDA approval, understanding their safety profile is crucial. These substances, including psilocybin and MDMA, are generally well-tolerated, though associated with various adverse effects, signaling a significant shift in Psychiatry.
Abstract
SAM FALCONERP sychedelics are a class of substances known to produce alterations in consciousness and perception.In the last 2 decades, psychedelic...
Neuropsychological Functioning in Users of Serotonergic Psychedelics – A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Frontiers in Pharmacology – September 16, 2021
Summary
Ayahuasca use may enhance executive cognition, a compelling finding from a systematic review and meta-analysis of 13 studies (N=539) identified via databases like MEDLINE. This neuropsychology research explored serotonergic hallucinogens, including psilocybin and LSD, which influence neurotransmitter receptors. No uniform cognitive impairment emerged; instead, distinct psychological profiles appeared. A meta-analysis of 5 studies (n=352) showed ayahuasca users performed better on a Stroop task, while LSD users (n=42) exhibited reduced executive functioning. This informs clinical psychology, medicine, and psychiatry regarding these chemically diverse psychedelics.
Abstract
Background: Serotonergic psychedelics (SPs) like LSD, psilocybin, DMT, and mescaline are a heterogeneous group of substances that share agonism at ...
Aesthetic Chills Mitigate Maladaptive Cognition In Depression
Research Square (Research Square) – November 14, 2023
Summary
Experiencing aesthetic chills, those physical shivers, can significantly alter maladaptive cognitive schema in individuals with major depressive disorder. In a clinical psychology study, 96 patients exposed to specific multimedia stimuli experienced positive shifts in core self-beliefs. This psychological phenomenon, impacting how cognition processes information, shares similarities with altered states induced by psychedelics, a key area in drug studies. Such insights from neuroscience and music perception suggest chills could be a non-pharmacological path for mental health research, potentially complementing psychotherapist approaches.
Abstract
Abstract Background Depression is a major global health challenge, affecting over 300 million people worldwide. Current pharmacological and psychot...
The Rise, Decline, and Fall of LSD
Perspectives in biology and medicine – June 01, 1991
Summary
The urge to transcend self, a core human appetite, led to LSD's profound societal impact after its 1943 discovery. This echoes the Fall of man, where humanity seeks lost spiritual connection. Ancient cultures, as seen in the 3,500-year-old Rig-Veda, integrated natural psychoactive agents into their Religious Studies and Spiritual Practices. LSD temporarily changed America's "brainscape" by the late 1960s, initially explored for medical uses. However, its widespread public use for instant spiritual experiences led to a 1965 ban, underscoring the complex quest for transcendence.
Abstract
THE RISE, DECLINE, AND FALL OF LSD ROBERT F. ULRICH and BERNARD M. PATTEN* The urge to transcend self-conscious selfhood is ... a principal appetit...
Psychedelics as pharmacotherapeutics for substance use disorders: A scoping review on clinical trials and perspectives on underlying neurobiology
British Journal of Pharmacology – September 02, 2025
Summary
High-dose psilocybin, a classic hallucinogen, uniquely boosts dopamine in the brain's nucleus accumbens, a region critical for addiction. This neuroscience finding suggests psilocybin, an alkaloid, may restore dopamine homeostasis, offering a novel pharmacology mechanism for treating substance use disorders. Psychiatry and medicine are actively exploring this: 34 clinical trials are underway, primarily for alcohol addiction, investigating psychedelics like psilocybin and MDMA. This exciting development in Psychedelics and Drug Studies highlights how chemical synthesis and neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior can advance psychology's approach to addiction.
Abstract
Abstract Psychedelics have garnered great attention in recent years as treatments for major depressive disorder (MDD) and treatment‐resistant depre...
Psychedelic Therapy: A Primer for Primary Care Clinicians – Part IV. Psilocybin
OpenAlex – December 26, 2023
Summary
Psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, shows remarkable promise in Psychiatry. Initial clinical trials for treatment-resistant depression reported 42-57% remission, surpassing many antidepressant medications. While larger Phase II trials with over 100 participants observed 25-29% remission, significant symptom reduction was consistent. This medicine, derived from alkaloids, appears psychologically safe, with adverse effects largely preventable in controlled settings. Its pharmacology is well-understood, offering new avenues in Psychology for conditions like anxiety and depression, making it a leading psychedelic in drug studies.
Abstract
Background: The primary psychoactive drug in magic mushrooms, psilocybin induces profound alterations in consciousness through its action at the 5-...
Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy Found to Improve Depression, Offer Other Benefits
Psychiatric News – May 23, 2022
Summary
Psilocybin therapy offers substantial, lasting relief for major depression. In a group of 24 individuals, this hallucinogen, combined with psychotherapy, led to 75% achieving treatment response and 58% remission after one year, with no serious adverse effects. This advance in Psychiatry and Clinical psychology, impacting Medicine, highlights psychedelics' potential in Mental Health Research Topics, even if personal meaning didn't directly predict depression improvement.
Abstract
Back to table of contents Previous article Next article Clinical & ResearchFull AccessPsilocybin-Assisted Therapy Found to Improve Depression, Offe...
The Potential of Psilocybin Administration in Terminal Cancer Patients
Oncology Times – June 28, 2019
Summary
A single dose of the hallucinogen psilocybin dramatically improved mood for cancer patients. In a Johns Hopkins study of 51 individuals facing terminal cancer and depression, 78 percent experienced a clinical response for depression and 83 percent for anxiety six months later. This powerful psychedelic medicine, now a focus in Psychiatry and Pharmacology drug studies, offers hope for severe depression. Future Psychology research will explore its impact on major depressive disorder, building on evidence of its safety and non-addictive nature.
Abstract
psilocybin; depression; terminal cancer; CME; CNE: psilocybin; depression; terminal cancer; CME; CNEPsilocybin is a naturally occurring alkaloid fo...
Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for cancer patients
International Journal of Whole Person Care – January 29, 2024
Summary
Compelling evidence indicates Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy, guided by a psychotherapist, offers a safe and effective treatment for profound demoralization and death anxiety in patients with advanced cancer. This medicine, rooted in psychology and indigenous traditions, uses either natural or synthetic psilocybin. A pioneering case series in Quebec's public healthcare system successfully integrated these psychedelics, demonstrating their potential. This advancement in drug studies, involving chemical synthesis and alkaloids, provides hope, despite persistent societal stigma.
Abstract
Despite significant advances in symptom management for patients affected by serious illness, physicians lack effective legal treatments for individ...
Knocking on the Doors of Perception: the role of psilocybin in substance use disorder treatment
European Psychiatry – March 01, 2023
Summary
Addiction treatments face high relapse rates, with 50-60% returning to substance use within 6-12 months. Emerging Psychedelics and Drug Studies suggest hallucinogens like psilocybin, mescaline, and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) may reduce craving. These substances, once banned, are revitalizing psychiatry and clinical psychology. Their influence on behavior, potentially through neurotransmitter receptors, offers new avenues for addiction intervention. A psychotherapist might integrate these approaches, shifting psychology beyond traditional digital mental health interventions.
Abstract
Introduction Substance use disorders(SUDs) are a major health concern and current treatment interventions have proven only limited success. Despite...
Experiential dimension of psilocybin-assisted therapy training: Necessity or hindrance to wider accessibility?
Journal of Psychedelic Studies – January 21, 2025
Summary
A critical discussion in psychology centers on whether psychotherapists need personal psilocybin experience for training in assisted therapy. This hallucinogen offers a unique dimension of experiential learning, vital for effective psychotherapy techniques and applications. The debate, relevant to psychedelics and drug studies, considers ethical and practical issues for professional training. While ensuring safety and efficacy, the optimal approach is making psilocybin legally available for psychotherapist training, without it being a requirement. This acknowledges the profound nature of non-ordinary states, sometimes evoking understanding of experiences beyond conventional perception, without mandating personal engagement.
Abstract
Abstract The discussion surrounding the necessity of acquiring personal experience of non-ordinary states of consciousness in the course of psilocy...
Molecular Pathways Potentially Involved in Hallucinatory Experiences During Sleep Paralysis: The Emerging Role of β-Arrestin-2
International Journal of Molecular Sciences – July 26, 2025
Summary
The vivid, distressing hallucinations of sleep paralysis, often associated with narcolepsy, strikingly resemble psychedelic experiences. Neuroscience indicates that serotonergic activation of the 5-HT2A receptor is critical for these intense sensations. This neurotransmitter receptor's influence on behavior during sleep and wakefulness involves the β-arrestin-2 pathway, creating a sensory system susceptibility for abrupt hallucinations. Understanding this psychology of serotonin-driven phenomena offers promise for drug studies and treatments targeting dysfunctional serotonin receptors in neuropsychiatric disorders.
Abstract
Sleep paralysis (SP), an REM parasomnia, can be characterized as one of the symptoms of narcolepsy. The SP phenomenon involves regaining meta-consc...
Unmixing the Psychedelic Connectome: Brain Network Traits of Psilocybin
OpenAlex – November 17, 2025
Summary
Psilocybin's profound effect on the brain isn't a single, uniform change, but a complex interplay of neural processes. Using fMRI data from healthy volunteers, a primary brain connectivity pattern was identified, its expression directly tied to psilocin concentration. Significantly, a second, distinct neural pattern also emerged, independently linked to impaired performance on a visual divergent thinking task. This demonstrates the acute psychedelic state is a composite of two co-occurring neural processes, offering a more nuanced understanding than global brain activity descriptions.
Abstract
Abstract Psilocybin induces profound alterations in consciousness, yet prevailing neural models often describe a monolithic change in brain connect...
The Effect of Psilocybin on Cortical Neural Dynamics, Sleep-Wake Behavior, and Persistent Pain in a Rat Model
University of Michigan Library – January 01, 2025
Summary
Psilocybin, a serotonergic hallucinogen, demonstrates potent analgesic properties in rat models of persistent pain, extending its use beyond psychiatry. This medicine shows promise for chronic pain conditions like fibromyalgia and neuropathic pain, addressing nociplastic pain's complex etiology. Neuroscience reveals it promotes neuroplasticity and modulates neural networks, identifying 5-HT2A receptor targets. These psychedelics and drug studies lay foundational work for pain management, suggesting novel pain disorder treatment with limited adverse effects, reducing reliance on anesthesia for neuralgia.
Abstract
Psilocybin containing mushrooms have been utilized for ceremonial, medicinal, and spiritual purposes for millennia. Recently there has been a surge...
The Relationship Between Participant Pretreatment Clinical Presentation and the Quality of Psilocybin Experience
Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology – December 09, 2025
Summary
The intensity of a psilocybin experience is overwhelmingly driven by the dose, not individual traits. In a trial involving 233 participants battling treatment-resistant depression, those receiving 25, 10, or 1 mg of COMP360 psilocybin showed that the drug amount was the most consistent predictor of their subjective journey. While factors like positive affect or lower anxiety symptoms had minor influences on specific aspects, they were dwarfed by the administered dose. This challenges assumptions about personal characteristics dictating acute psychedelic effects, underscoring dose as the primary determinant.
Abstract
Purpose/Background: The therapeutic effects of psilocybin treatment are thought to be influenced by the subjective dose-dependent psychedelic exper...
Psilocybin Experiential Therapist Training: Insights from a World-First Study
OpenAlex – November 17, 2025
Summary
Experiencing psilocybin personally can significantly enhance a therapist's skills for psychedelic-assisted therapy. In a world-first investigation, 14 mental healthcare professionals received a 25 mg psilocybin dose, reporting deeper, embodied understanding of therapeutic principles. They also noted increased empathy and attunement. While no harms occurred, participants identified potential risks: temporary destabilization from challenging material, or projecting their own experience onto clients. Findings suggest an optional experiential component is valuable for trained clinicians with strong reflective capacity, though it's not a complete training solution.
Abstract
Abstract First-hand experience with psychedelics may help clinicians develop skills and knowledge needed to work with the profound changes to consc...
The effects of psilocybin on time perception in humans: A comparative analysis of subjective and objective measures
Journal of Psychopharmacology – January 01, 2026
Summary
Psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, profoundly alters time perception, making moments feel slower and less precise. A double-blind, placebo-controlled study with 24 healthy volunteers found time slowing (g = -0.37) and reduced temporal precision (g = -0.47) compared to placebo, especially for durations over two seconds. Subjective rating scales confirmed this altered perception. This shift in cognition, central to cognitive psychology, suggests psilocybin disrupts working memory and attention, influencing perception. Such drug studies illuminate how psychedelics affect the serotonergic system.
Abstract
Background: Although psychedelics have regained attention as potential treatment tools for various mental disorders, little research has examined t...
Millennials in the search for spiritual ecstasy
OpenAlex – October 14, 2021
Summary
Millennials are driving a global revitalization of indigenous spiritual practices, seeking psychedelic plant medicine ceremonies for profound personal growth. Visiting places like Huautla de Jimenez for shamanic mushroom rituals, individuals pursue psychological healing for mental, emotional, and spiritual imbalances. Five common motivations emerged: a search for knowledge, healing, curiosity, self-improvement, and inner wellness. These drug studies highlight the commodification of sacred experiences and the critical need for indigenous inclusion in validating these powerful psychedelics.
Abstract
Although young countercultural travellers and spiritual seekers have visited Latin American indigenous communities for the purposes of drug-induced...
PSYCHEDELIC PHARMACOLOGY IN PSYCHIATRY: THE MECHANISMS AND THERAPEUTIC POTENTIAL OF PSILOCYBIN, MDMA, AND LSD IN MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS
Journal of medical & health sciences review. – March 11, 2025
Summary
Psilocybin, MDMA, and Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) offer sustained relief for depression and PTSD after just a few sessions, a profound shift in Psychiatry. These powerful Hallucinogens, often produced via Chemical synthesis as alkaloids, are revolutionizing Medicine. Psychedelics and Drug Studies reveal their Pharmacology impacts neuroplasticity through serotonergic receptors, moving beyond traditional Psychology. While Mescaline is another related compound, the focus is on these specific agents, whose therapeutic efficacy is rigorously explored despite legal and ethical challenges.
Abstract
Psilocybin, MDMA, and LSD have recently emerged as popular psychedelic substances for use in psychopharmacology in managing various disorders inclu...
Assessment of psychedelic--induced states: Norwegian translation and adaptation of the revised Mystical Experience Questionnaire (MEQ-30)
Journal of Psychedelic Studies – July 12, 2024
Summary
Harnessing the therapeutic potential of psilocybin-induced mystical experiences in clinical psychology just got closer for Norwegian patients. A new tool, crucial for Psychedelics and Drug Studies, has been meticulously developed. Through rigorous translation, including cognitive debriefing with six experts and pilot testing on six psychedelic users, a Norwegian version of the Mystical Experience Questionnaire is now ready. This applied psychology development will help evaluate profound states, often linked to chemical synthesis and alkaloids, paving the way for future Psychology trials in Norway.
Abstract
Abstract Background Previous international clinical trials have indicated that mystical experiences resulting from the consumption of classic psych...
Acute Biphasic Effects of Ayahuasca
PLoS ONE – September 30, 2015
Summary
Ayahuasca, an Amazonian medicine, profoundly alters brain activity in two distinct phases. Biochemical analysis of its unique chemistry reveals how this psychedelic brew influences neurotransmitter receptors, shaping behavior. After 50 minutes, brain activity shows reduced alpha power (8-13 Hz). Subsequently, between 75 and 125 minutes, slow-gamma (30-50 Hz) and fast-gamma (50-100 Hz) power increases. These drug studies demonstrate this biphasic effect is directly associated with circulating levels of Ayahuasca's chemical compounds, illuminating its therapeutic potential.
Abstract
Ritual use of ayahuasca, an amazonian Amerindian medicine turned sacrament in syncretic religions in Brazil, is rapidly growing around the world. B...
Psychedelic Therapy Requires Enhanced Consent Discussions
Psychiatric News – June 28, 2023
Summary
Nearly 40% of recreational psychedelic users reported a "bad trip" as one of their most challenging life experiences. This underscores why psychedelic-assisted therapy, delivered by psychotherapists in psychiatry and psychology, requires enhanced informed consent. Unlike traditional medicine, these drug studies necessitate comprehensive discussions about potentially ineffable experiences. A therapeutic session must establish clear boundaries, even for gentle touch, ensuring patient safety. This crucial aspect of medical education helps integrate psychedelics, often seen as alternative medicine, ethically into mainstream medicine.
Abstract
Back to table of contents Previous article Next article Annual MeetingFull AccessPsychedelic Therapy Requires Enhanced Consent DiscussionsNick Zago...
The Legal Highs of Novel Drugs of Abuse
Journal of Drug Abuse – January 01, 2016
Summary
The widespread abuse of recreational drugs, particularly novel synthetic compounds like synthetic cannabinoids, poses major challenges for Medicine. Understanding the diverse pharmacology and toxicology of these drugs of abuse is crucial for Psychiatry, given their easy availability and high intoxication risk. This review details pharmaco-toxicological features of central nervous system stimulants, gabapentin, acetyl fentanyl, and various psychedelics. Their heterogeneity, influencing neurotransmitter receptors and behavior, necessitates detailed forensic toxicology and drug analysis, guiding treatment via specific urine/blood analysis for patient safety and addiction.
Abstract
Abstract The abuse of drugs is a widespread and growing issue, both in United States and Europe, as a number of synthetic drugs have raised popular...
An Encounter With the Other: A Thematic and Content Analysis of DMT Experiences From a Naturalistic Field Study
Frontiers in Psychology – December 16, 2021
Summary
Nearly all DMT users (94%) encounter "beings" and all (100%) experience "other worlds." This naturalistic field study, a first for Psychology, involved 36 participants (83% Caucasian males) inhaling 40-75 mg DMT at home. Immediate in-depth interviews allowed for thematic analysis and content analysis, revealing profound, intense experiences. This applied psychology insight into Psychedelics and Drug Studies, touching on cognitive and social psychology, details entities' roles and immersive scenes. Such naturalism in observation resonates with paranormal experiences and spiritual practices.
Abstract
Introduction: N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) is an endogenous serotonergic psychedelic capable of producing radical shifts in conscious experience. I...
Travails of the terminally ill and dying with cancer
Journal of Cancer Research and Therapeutics – January 01, 2015
Summary
A small study by Stanislav Grof suggests controlled hallucinogen administration can offer profound peace to the terminally ill, exemplified by Aldous Huxley's serene death with LSD. Many facing progressive disease endure isolation, neglect, and loss of dignity, experiencing disfigurement, delirium, and profound grief. Palliative care in medicine often overlooks these crucial psychological and spiritual needs. Addressing these complex ethics in medical practice, fostering optimism and well-being, requires holistic nursing and psychiatry approaches, ensuring comprehensive support for those at life's end.
Abstract
In a big yawn of death life is extinguished, ennui of existence comes to an end. The implacable pain evokes a cascade of emotions so does the idea ...
An ontology of psychedelic entity experiences in evolutionary psychology and neurophenomenology
Journal of Psychedelic Studies – March 26, 2018
Summary
Encounters with psychedelic entities, from spirit guides to angels, fundamentally mirror diverse human conceptions, revealing a profound basis in our **evolutionary psychology**. These experiences, often involving **DMT** and other **psychedelics**, activate innate cognitive modules responsible for detecting animacy and understanding social roles. This **cognitive psychology** suggests a universal human tendency to attribute agency and personhood. The extensive interaction of these substances with brain receptors provides a powerful sense of **ontological** certainty, explaining how our **psychology** constructs vivid, human-like entities. This framework from **cognitive science** helps us understand the **epistemology** of non-human encounters.
Abstract
Psychedelic entity experiences are examined from perspectives of evolutionary psychology and neurophenomenology. Their similarities with other enti...
Halluzinogen-induzierte Persistierende Wahrnehmungsstörung (HPPD) und Flashback-Phänomene – Differenzialdiagnose und Erklärungsmodelle
Fortschritte der Neurologie · Psychiatrie – September 30, 2015
Summary
Strikingly, despite millions using psychedelics since the 1960s, severe, lasting visual disturbances are rare. While brief "flashbacks" are often benign, Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder (HPPD) causes distressing, persistent visual hallucinations. Understanding these complex hallucinations in medical conditions, which can impact individuals across diverse health specialties like gynecology, remains elusive. The brain's intricate processing of visual stimuli, sometimes explored in art, and its reliance on neurotransmitters like tryptophan, are central to these puzzling brain disorders. Clinical discussion continues for new therapies.
Abstract
Consistent with the ICD-10 (F16.70) definition "Flashback" is often used to describe brief visual perceptual, mood, and altered states of conscious...
Pharmacokinetics and subjective effects of 1P‐LSD in humans after oral and intravenous administration
Drug Testing and Analysis – May 16, 2020
Summary
Oral administration of 1P-LSD, a non-controlled psychedelic, results in nearly 100% bioavailability of LSD in the body, confirming its role as a prodrug. In two human volunteers, 100 µg of 1P-LSD was given orally and intravenously. Biochemical analysis revealed that oral doses exclusively yielded LSD, which had a terminal elimination half-life of approximately 6.4 hours. This pharmacology suggests 1P-LSD converts entirely to LSD, influencing neurotransmitter receptors and behavior. Subjective effects were comparable to LSD, with 5D-ASC scores higher after oral administration, offering insights for medicine and drug studies.
Abstract
Abstract 1‐Propanoyl‐lysergic acid diethylamide (1P‐LSD) appeared as a non‐controlled alternative to LSD a few years ago. Although evidence is begi...
USO TERAPÊUTICO DA PSILOCIBINA: REVISÃO INTEGRATIVA
Revista fisio&terapia. – October 08, 2025
Summary
Psilocybin demonstrates promising therapeutic effects for treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, and substance dependence. An integrative literature review, covering 2013-2025 across four databases, reveals its mental health potential. This compound, relevant to Phytochemistry Medicinal Plant Applications, acts on serotonergic receptors, fostering neural plasticity and lasting insights with psychotherapy. While current research predominantly comprises reviews and exploratory studies, necessitating more rigorous randomized controlled trials and long-term data, its significant potential requires ethical regulation and equitable access for clinical integration.
Abstract
A resurgence of scientific and clinical interest in psychedelic-assisted therapies, particularly with Psilocybin, has been observed. This paper pre...
Rearing behaviour in the mouse behavioural pattern monitor distinguishes the effects of psychedelics from those of lisuride and TBG
Frontiers in Pharmacology – February 16, 2023
Summary
Hallucinogens like mescaline profoundly influence behavior, offering drug development insights. These psychedelics reduced mouse locomotor activity at high doses and altered exploratory rearing, a key behavioral psychology finding. Serotonin 5-HT2A receptors mediate this pharmacology; an antagonist reversed these effects. Non-hallucinogenic agonists such as lisuride did not. This chemistry suggests specific neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior, via biochemical analysis, can distinguish hallucinogenic from non-hallucinogenic substances in drug studies.
Abstract
Psychedelics alter consciousness and may have potential for drug development. As psychedelics are likely therapeutically active, it is important to...