1286 results for "MDMA"
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...
Treatment approaches and efficacy in psychedelic-induced psychosis: A systematic review.
Asian journal of psychiatry – June 26, 2025
Summary
When hallucinogens like LSD or psilocybin induce psychosis, prompt treatment is crucial. A review of cases found second-generation antipsychotics, such as Risperidone, highly effective in resolving psychosis. These performed significantly better than first-generation antipsychotics like Haloperidol, offering positive outcomes for patients experiencing this challenging condition.
Abstract
Psychedelics are increasingly used in the general population, yet they are associated with increased risk of psychosis in a minority of users that ...
Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies for Psychosocial Symptoms in Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Current Oncology – June 30, 2025
Summary
Psychedelics offer significant promise for cancer patients. A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials, including data from the Cochrane Library, revealed that psilocybin and ketamine markedly reduce psychosocial distress. For instance, three psilocybin trials with 101 participants showed a large effect on depression (Hedges' g = -3.13). Four ketamine trials (354 participants) demonstrated rapid, large effects on depression and anxiety (Hedges' g = -1.37) compared to placebo. This burgeoning area of medicine, relevant to psychiatry and clinical psychology, highlights how these chemical synthesis alkaloids influence behavior, offering new therapeutic context for internal medicine.
Abstract
This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluates (1) the effectiveness of psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) using psilocybin and ketamine for ps...
Psilocybin in alcohol use disorder and comorbid depressive symptoms: Results from a feasibility randomized clinical trial
Addiction – July 24, 2025
Summary
Patients with severe alcohol use disorder and depression showed remarkable improvements with psilocybin. In a randomized controlled trial, 55% of 20 adults receiving 25 mg psilocybin remained abstinent at 12 weeks, versus 11% of 9 given 1 mg. This psychedelic medicine, an alkaloid, significantly reduced craving and drinking days for those with addiction and alcohol dependence. Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy, rooted in psychology, offers promising relapse prevention, addressing depression (Beck Depression Inventory scores) within psychiatry's drug studies.
Abstract
Abstract Background and Aims Psilocybin has emerged as a potential treatment for alcohol use disorder (AUD), but early efficacy data are inconsiste...
Post-traumatic stress disorder: evolving conceptualization and evidence, and future research directions.
World psychiatry : official journal of the World Psychiatric Association (WPA) – February 01, 2025
Summary
Our understanding of how trauma impacts individuals has profoundly evolved. Not all responses to trauma are the same; new insights reveal distinct forms of Post-traumatic stress disorder, including complex PTSD. Research into memory, identity, genetics, and neuroimaging illuminates its foundations. While prevention is challenging, psychological interventions, including trauma-focused therapies and novel identity-based approaches, show strong efficacy. Promising pharmacotherapy and successful community-based interventions are enhancing mental health support.
Abstract
The understanding of responses to traumatic events has been greatly influenced by the introduction of the diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disord...
New psychoactive substances in Taiwan: The current situation and initiative for rational scheduling.
Journal of food and drug analysis – March 15, 2021
Summary
Globally, New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) now outnumber traditional controlled drugs, posing a significant public health challenge. To address this, a mechanism was developed to improve how substances are evaluated for control. Researchers analyzed drug misuse data in Taiwan from 2006-2019 and gathered expert assessments on drug-related harms. They found that while heroin, amphetamines, and ketamine presented high risks, the misuse of various NPS is increasing. A new system, based on 11 indicators across four harm dimensions (addiction, misuse, social, physical), proved effective in predicting harm. This robust framework offers a positive step towards more rational scheduling and better management of drug use problems.
Abstract
Use of New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) has posed a global threat to public health and the security of the population. As of December 2019, the NP...
Screening of 104 New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) and Other Drugs of Abuse in Oral Fluid by LC-MS-MS.
Journal of analytical toxicology – October 12, 2020
Summary
Detecting over 100 illicit substances, including emerging synthetics, from a simple saliva sample is now possible. Scientists developed a highly sensitive LC-MS-MS method to screen for 104 new psychoactive and common drugs in oral fluid. This technique successfully identified synthetic cannabinoids and fentanyl analogues at very low levels. It showed excellent reliability, strong recovery, and minimal interference, detecting multiple substances simultaneously. This robust approach offers a powerful tool for quick, accurate drug screening.
Abstract
New psychoactive substances (NPS) are a major public health problem, primarily due to the increased number of acute poisoning cases. Detection of t...
A qualitative descriptive analysis of effects of psychedelic phenethylamines and tryptamines
Human Psychopharmacology Clinical and Experimental – January 01, 2020
Summary
Many users describe the tryptamine 4-AcO-DMT as mimicking psilocybin, a key insight from a qualitative analysis of 39 adults' experiences with various hallucinogen drugs. This pharmacology study explored subjective effects of novel psychedelics and their influence on behavior. Among participants, 46.2% used tryptamines, while 64.1% used phenethylamines like the 2C series. Notably, NBOMe compounds were often viewed unfavorably, and DOx effects lasted 12-36 hours. Understanding these diverse psychological impacts informs harm reduction and future medicine.
Abstract
Abstract Objective The number of novel psychedelic phenethylamines and tryptamines has continued to increase, but little academic research has focu...
Changes in neuronal activity in rat primary cortical cultures induced by illicit drugs and new psychoactive substances (NPS) following prolonged exposure and washout to mimic human exposure scenarios.
Neurotoxicology – September 01, 2019
Summary
Even after drug removal, many substances continue to impact brain cell activity. Researchers studied rat brain cells' response to various drugs of abuse, including designer drugs and hallucinogens, following prolonged exposure and washout. While some stimulants like cocaine showed full recovery, others, particularly potent designer drugs, caused lasting changes. Intriguingly, low doses of some compounds even boosted activity post-washout, revealing complex neurotoxicology.
Abstract
The use of new psychoactive substances (NPS) is increasing despite associated health risks and limited pharmacological and toxicological knowledge....
A Validated Method for the Detection of 32 Bath Salts in Oral Fluid.
Journal of analytical toxicology – October 01, 2017
Summary
Current drug tests often miss designer substances like "bath salts," allowing their use to go undetected. Researchers developed a robust method to identify 32 such synthetic stimulants and hallucinogens in oral fluid. This innovative technique, validated for accuracy and precision, rapidly detects these compounds. Applied to routine samples, it successfully identified these substances, offering a powerful new tool for rapid, reliable detection in workplace testing.
Abstract
Workplace drug testing in Australia is usually adherent to one of two standards, AS/NZS 4308:2008 for urine or AS 4760:2006 for oral fluid. These s...
Behavioral and neurochemical pharmacology of six psychoactive substituted phenethylamines: mouse locomotion, rat drug discrimination and in vitro receptor and transporter binding and function.
Psychopharmacology – March 01, 2014
Summary
Certain psychoactive-substituted phenethylamines can surprisingly boost movement at low doses. Researchers explored their behavioral effects and mechanisms. Through studies on mouse locomotor activity, rat drug discrimination, and cellular receptor interactions, it was found that most of these compounds produced hallucinogen-like discriminative stimulus effects, resembling known hallucinogens. They primarily acted as full agonists at 5-HT2A receptors. One compound, 2C-I, uniquely interacted with the serotonin transporter, suggesting its psychoactive properties may stem from a specific 5-HT2A pathway.
Abstract
Psychoactive-substituted phenethylamines 2,5-dimethoxy-4-chlorophenethylamine (2C-C); 2,5-dimethoxy-4-methylphenethylamine (2C-D); 2,5-dimethoxy-4-...
'Surfing the Silk Road': a study of users' experiences.
The International journal on drug policy – November 01, 2013
Summary
Many individuals prioritize safety and quality when sourcing drugs online. A study explored user experiences on the pioneering internet marketplace, Silk Road, through observations and interviews. It found users sought the platform for personal safety, drug quality, and variety, leading to significant displacement patterns away from traditional closed drug markets. Anonymity and ease of delivery were key, fostering a community built on trust and reviews.
Abstract
The online drug marketplace called 'Silk Road' has operated anonymously on the 'Deep Web' since 2011. It is accessible through computer encrypting ...
Consumption of new psychoactive substances in a Spanish sample of research chemical users.
Human psychopharmacology – July 01, 2013
Summary
Many users of new psychoactive substances actively prioritize safety. A Spanish survey investigating consumption patterns among research chemicals users revealed that those who consult online forums are highly informed. This group, frequently using substances like 2c-b, consistently employed risk reduction strategies. They sought information (100%), used precision scales (72.3%), and analyzed contents (68.8%) before consumption, highlighting a proactive approach to safe use.
Abstract
To know the pattern of use of new psychoactive substances (NPSs) in a Spanish sample of research chemical (RC) users and to deepen the RC user prof...
Metabolism of designer drugs of abuse: an updated review.
Current drug metabolism – June 01, 2010
Summary
Our bodies constantly process substances, including emerging designer drugs. This review compiles updated knowledge on how various new psychoactive compounds, like 'bath salts' ingredients and synthetic opioids, are metabolized. It examines human and animal studies to identify specific breakdown products and the enzymes, such as cytochrome P450, responsible for their processing. This understanding is vital for forensic toxicology, drug detection, and anticipating their effects, offering crucial insights into these complex compounds.
Abstract
This paper reviews the metabolism of new designer drugs of abuse that have emerged on the black market during the last years and is an update of a ...
Novel Drugs of Abuse: A Snapshot of an Evolving Marketplace.
Adolescent psychiatry (Hilversum, Netherlands) – April 01, 2013
Summary
Many "legal highs" are potent synthetic drugs, rapidly evolving globally. A review reveals the widespread use of novel substances like synthetic cannabinoids (e.g., spice), cathinones (e.g., bath salts), and natural Salvia divinorum (containing salvonirin a). These new synthetic drugs challenge detection, underscoring the need for clinicians to recognize characteristic signs for effective, symptom-specific treatment.
Abstract
Over the past decade, non-medical use of novel drugs has proliferated worldwide. In most cases these are synthetic drugs first synthesized in acade...
Psilocybin-induced stimulus control in the rat.
Pharmacology, biochemistry, and behavior – October 01, 2007
Summary
Rats trained to recognize psilocybin revealed its unique brain effects involve a complex interplay of receptors. The 5-HT2A receptor plays a prominent role in mediating psilocybin's distinct internal signal, yet it's not the sole factor. Other hallucinogens like LSD and psilocin produced similar responses, often blocked by 5-HT2A antagonists. Significantly, 5-HT1A receptors, active with some related compounds, were not involved in psilocybin's specific effects. This advances our understanding of psilocybin's precise mechanisms.
Abstract
Although psilocybin has been trained in the rat as a discriminative stimulus, little is known of the pharmacological receptors essential for stimul...
New trends in the cyber and street market of recreational drugs? The case of 2C-T-7 ('Blue Mystic').
Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England) – November 01, 2005
Summary
A curious trend reveals online discussions about the designer drug 2C-T-7 significantly outpace its availability on physical street markets. Researchers investigated this disparity by analyzing online forums and market data. They discovered a wealth of online information, including detailed synthesis instructions and sales offers, starkly contrasting with minimal street-level seizures across Europe. A key finding is the immense value of comprehensively mapping online drug trends to support clinicians, underscoring the importance of designing more appealing prevention websites.
Abstract
2C-T-7 ('Blue Mystic'), an illicit compound which shows similarities with MDMA and other designer drugs, has been only occasionally identified in t...
Rapid analysis of ecstasy and related phenethylamines in seized tablets by Raman spectroscopy.
The Analyst – March 01, 2000
Summary
A new technique can identify illicit drugs and their hidden ingredients in seized tablets in just two minutes, even distinguishing very similar compounds. Researchers explored using a specialized light-based method to quickly analyze substances like ecstasy and related drugs. This non-destructive approach successfully cut through common interferences, providing clear chemical fingerprints. It accurately identifies both the active drug and any bulking agents, even multiple ones, offering rapid, reliable analysis for up to 20 samples per hour.
Abstract
Raman spectroscopy with far-red excitation has been used to study seized, tableted samples of MDMA (N-methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine) and rel...
Postmortem identification and quantitation of 2,5-dimethoxy-4-n-propylthiophenethylamine using GC-MSD and GC-NPD.
Journal of analytical toxicology – October 01, 2003
Summary
Precisely identifying substances after death is crucial. Researchers successfully developed a sensitive method to detect and quantify 2,5-dimethoxy-4-n-propylthiophenethylamine in postmortem samples. Using advanced techniques like GC-MSD and GC-NPD, they accurately measured this compound in blood, urine, and liver tissues. This robust approach provides vital insights for forensic analysis, confirming its presence and concentration with high reliability.
Abstract
2,5-Dimethoxy-4-n-propylthiophenethylamine (2C-T-7) has structural and pharmacodynamic similarities to methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). This c...
Comparison of the behavioral effects of ibogaine from three sources: mediation of discriminative activity.
European journal of pharmacology – November 02, 1993
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Ibogaine is an alkaloid employed for its hallucinatory properties in West Central Africa which has been the subject of alleged efficacy as an aid i...
Consciousness alterations in a cohort of young Swiss men: Associations with substance use and personality traits.
Frontiers in psychiatry – January 01, 2022
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Substance-induced consciousness alterations (CA) have mainly been studied among users of psychedelics but not among people using street drugs. Expl...
Cross-Sectional Associations Between Lifetime Use of Psychedelic Drugs and Psychometric Measures During the COVID-19 Confinement: A Transcultural Study
Frontiers in Psychiatry – June 16, 2021
Summary
Regular psychedelic users reported significantly less psychological distress during the initial COVID-19 lockdowns. A survey of 2,974 individuals (70% female) showed that those regularly using psychedelics, including psilocybin, experienced reduced peritraumatic stress and more social support. This finding, crucial for mental health and clinical psychology, suggests either protective effects or distinct personality traits within this population. Such insights are vital for psychology, psychiatry, and medicine, advancing our understanding in psychedelics and drug studies.
Abstract
Background: One of the main public health strategies adopted at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic consisted of implementing strict lockdowns t...
Prevalence and Correlates of Past Year Ecstasy/MDMA Use in the United States.
Journal of addiction medicine
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) (also known as "ecstasy" or "Molly") has regained attention in recent years for its efficacy in treating p...
Perceptions of psychedelic-assisted therapy among Black Americans.
Journal of mood and anxiety disorders – December 01, 2023
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
The present study investigated differences in perceptions of psychedelic-assisted therapy between Black and White Americans, as well as factors tha...
Case analysis of long-term negative psychological responses to psychedelics
Scientific Reports – September 25, 2023
Summary
A compelling finding reveals 33% of individuals developed new psychiatric diagnoses after psychedelic use, with 93% experiencing worsening anxiety. This qualitative research in Clinical Psychology, focusing on negative psychological responses lasting over 72 hours, utilized thematic analysis of 15 in-depth interviews. Salient factors identified included unsafe environments, prior psychological vulnerabilities, and high drug quantities. This work, relevant to Psychedelics and Drug Studies, highlights how chemical synthesis and alkaloids can profoundly influence behavior, urging a nuanced Social Psychology perspective on risk, even as potential benefits are explored within Psychology.
Abstract
Abstract Recent controversies have arisen regarding claims of uncritical positive regard and hype surrounding psychedelic drugs and their therapeut...
Early onset Parkinson's disease in the cycle of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine and substance use: a case report.
Journal of medical case reports – September 23, 2023
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Current evidence linking the development of Parkinson's disease after the use of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine is mixed and limited, with only ...
Addiction specialists' attitudes toward psychedelics: A National Survey.
The American journal on addictions – November 01, 2023
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
In recent years, there has been accelerating scientific and public interest in the use of psychedelics to treat mental health disorders. Our study'...
Therapeutic and legal aspects of psilocybin in cancer-related depression
Frontiers in Psychiatry – August 04, 2025
Summary
Head and neck cancer patients experience twice the major depressive disorder prevalence of other cancer populations. Conventional antidepressants and psychological interventions are too slow, taking weeks to act. Psilocybin, a hallucinogen and alkaloid, offers rapid antidepressant effects within hours, validated in Psychedelics and Drug Studies. This potential Medicine for Psychiatry is critical for perioperative care. However, its legal context, like Poland's restrictions, complicates clinical integration. Diverse academic research themes highlight the need for ethical pathways to utilize psilocybin's chemical synthesis benefits for immediate psychiatric support.
Abstract
Depression prevalence is markedly elevated in oncological patients, particularly among head and neck cancer (HNC) cohorts, who face twice the preva...
Unique Effects of Sedatives, Dissociatives, Psychedelics, Stimulants, and Cannabinoids on Episodic Memory: A Review and Reanalysis of Acute Drug Effects on Recollection, Familiarity, and Metamemory
OpenAlex – May 24, 2022
Summary
Psychedelics surprisingly enhanced familiarity during memory encoding, according to a reanalysis of 10 datasets covering 28 drug conditions. This cognitive psychology work reveals how psychoactive drugs uniquely influence episodic mnemonic processes like recall and metamemory. Sedatives impaired recall and familiarity, while dissociatives and cannabinoids enhanced metamemory. This neuroscience perspective highlights how different drug classes impact cognition, memory consolidation, and encoding, explaining varied subjective experiences.
Abstract
Abstract Despite distinct classes of psychoactive drugs producing putatively unique states of consciousness, there is surprising overlap in terms o...
Psilocybin, psychological distress, and suicidality
Journal of Psychopharmacology – September 01, 2015
Summary
Lifetime psilocybin use significantly correlates with reduced psychological distress and suicidality. Among 191,832 U.S. adults, those reporting only psilocybin (a potent hallucinogen) use (2.47% of the sample) exhibited the greatest reductions in distress and suicidal thoughts, planning, and attempts. This finding, crucial for Psychology and Clinical Psychology, suggests psilocybin's potential in Psychiatry and Medicine. It offers psychotherapists a new avenue within Psychedelics and Drug Studies for managing psychological distress, hinting at its unique chemical synthesis and influence on behavior.
Abstract
Hendricks et al. (2015) found that having ever used any classic psychedelic substance—namely, dimethyltryptamine (DMT), ayahuasca, lysergic acid di...
Focusing on the negative: cases of long-term negative psychological responses to psychedelics
OpenAlex – April 12, 2023
Summary
Negative psychological responses to psychedelics are a genuine concern. A Psychology investigation into adverse outcomes lasting over 72 hours gathered data from 32 individuals, revealing 37.5% developed a new psychiatric diagnosis post-use, and 87% experienced worsened anxiety. Further Social psychology interviews with 15 individuals, analyzed via Thematic analysis, showed 33% received new diagnoses, with 93% reporting anxiety symptoms. Factors like unsafe environments, prior vulnerabilities, and high doses contribute to these Clinical psychology challenges in Psychedelics and Drug Studies.
Abstract
Background: Recent controversies have arisen regarding claims of uncritical positive regard and hype surrounding psychedelic drugs and their therap...
“The mushroom was more alive and vibrant”: Patient reports of synthetic versus organic forms of psilocybin
Journal of Psychedelic Studies – October 29, 2024
Summary
For mental health, whole Psilocybe mushrooms and their extracts offer a more natural and superior experience than synthetic psilocybin. Participants in a Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy program for end-of-life distress reported that while synthetic psilocybin, whole *Psilocybe cubensis*, and mycological extract all provided emotional insight and mystical experiences, synthetic psilocybin felt less natural and had an inferior overall quality. This suggests future Psychedelics and Drug Studies in psychology and psychiatry should prioritize natural mushroom compounds in medicine, moving beyond synthetic drug forms.
Abstract
Abstract Interest in psychedelic research in the West is surging, however, clinical trials have almost exclusively studied synthetic compounds such...
Ethical issues with psychedelic-assisted treatments in psychiatry: A systematic scoping review
Psychological Medicine – January 01, 2025
Summary
Psychedelics are poised for widespread psychiatric use, making urgent ethical questions paramount. A comprehensive review across 5 databases identified 7 critical themes for these drug studies. These range from patient safety and robust therapeutic relationships to informed consent and equitable access, considering the profound neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior. Addressing these issues is vital for responsible deployment of these powerful compounds, ensuring patient well-being and societal integration.
Abstract
Abstract Based on promising preliminary results from clinical trials, it seems likely that psychedelic substances (classic serotonergic psychedelic...
Sociodemographic and mental-health characteristics of psychedelic-assisted therapy participants: Latent class analysis of a cross-sectional, purposive online sample
OpenAlex – February 28, 2025
Summary
Individuals with high lifetime involvement in psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) report elevated depression and anxiety, a compelling finding from a cross-sectional study. Analyzing a nonprobability sample of 244 PAT patients, a latent class model identified three groups: High-PAT (55.7%), Medium-PAT (29.1%), and a unique Psilocybin-Ketamine class (15.2%). This psychology-focused research suggests a link between extensive PAT engagement and mental health challenges, informing clinical psychology, medicine, and psychiatry regarding these psychedelics.
Abstract
Psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) is an emerging treatment approach that often combines pharmacotherapeutic dosing sessions with more traditional ...
Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy: Potential Benefits and Challenges in Mental Health Treatment
Medical Science Monitor – June 30, 2025
Summary
Psychedelics offer compelling potential for mental health, addressing severe conditions like depression and PTSD. These substances, including those from chemical synthesis and alkaloids, are explored in Psychiatry and Psychology. A psychotherapist might integrate them into Medicine, yet current Drug Studies, often found in MEDLINE, confirm psychedelic-assisted therapy remains experimental due to a scarcity of large-scale trials. While unique mechanisms, such as those related to Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors, are under study, robust evidence is crucial for patients needing intensive care medicine-level attention for complex mental health challenges.
Abstract
Psychedelics, derived from the Greek words "psyche" (soul) and "deloun" (revealing), are substances historically and currently considered "soul-rev...
A Meta-Analysis of Placebo-Controlled Trials of Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs – June 12, 2020
Summary
Psychedelic-assisted therapy shows remarkable promise, with nine randomized controlled clinical trials revealing an impressive effect size of 1.21, exceeding typical psychopharmacological interventions. These clinical trials, a resurgence in drug studies for medicine and psychiatry, examined hallucinogens like psilocybin, LSD, and ayahuasca (containing N,N-dimethyltryptamine and harmala monoamine oxidase inhibitor alkaloids). Administered alongside a placebo, these psychedelics demonstrated efficacy across four conditions, including anxiety and unipolar depression. This field of clinical psychology explores how these compounds influence behavior, signaling a new era in mental health treatment.
Abstract
After a two-decade hiatus in which research on psychedelics was essentially halted, placebo-controlled clinical trials of psychedelic-assisted ther...
The influence of therapists’ first-hand experience with psychedelics on psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy research and therapist training
Journal of Psychedelic Studies – October 05, 2018
Summary
As psilocybin and other psychedelics advance toward therapeutic use, a critical gap in clinical psychology persists: the undocumented influence of a psychotherapist's personal hallucinogen experience. Historical concerns previously halted empirical research. Given the unique nature of these substances—from their chemical synthesis as alkaloids to their neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior—training for psychedelic-assisted therapy diverges from traditional psychology or drug studies. Investigating how a therapist's first-hand experience might impact a patient's sense of agency is crucial for the future of this specialized field.
Abstract
Clinical research on psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy is rapidly advancing in the USA, with two drugs, psilocybin and MDMA, progressing through a...
Psilocybin facilitates fear extinction: importance of dose, context, and serotonin receptors
OpenAlex – May 06, 2024
Summary
Psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, robustly enhances fear extinction, a key process in psychology. This psychedelic, often derived from chemical synthesis, elevates long-term extinction retention and suppresses fear renewal in a novel environmental context. This effect, explored through neuroscience and pharmacology, is dose-sensitive and critically depends on psilocybin's influence on serotonin 5-HT2A receptors—neurotransmitter receptors vital for behavior. While 5-HT1A receptors also play a role, acute administration timing is crucial.
Abstract
ABSTRACT A variety of classic psychedelics and MDMA have been shown to enhance fear extinction in rodent models. This has translational significanc...
PSYCHEDELIC DRUGS, MAGICAL THINKING AND PSYCHOSIS
Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery & Psychiatry – August 06, 2013
Summary
A single high-dose of Psilocybin can induce profound, personality-changing spiritual experiences. This highlights a paradox in Psychology: how can such Psychedelics, explored in Drug Studies and linked to Mysticism, be both therapeutically useful in Psychoanalysis and resemble psychosis? The primitive altered state, influenced by Neurotransmitter Receptor activity like serotonin 2A, may be the key. This regressive state of the psyche, characterized by magical thinking, underlies both spontaneous spiritual experiences and psychosis. Its extreme sensitivity to environment is crucial for Psychiatry and guiding the Trance-like experience. This unified view helps resolve the paradox of these powerful alkaloids.
Abstract
After completing an undergraduate degree in Psychology in 2003, Robin studied psychoanalysis at Masters level, receiving his MA in 2004. In 2005, R...
People of color in North America report improvements in racial trauma and mental health symptoms following psychedelic experiences
Drugs Education Prevention and Policy – December 10, 2020
Summary
A single psychedelic experience, often involving psilocybin, may significantly reduce mental health symptoms stemming from racism. An internet survey of 313 Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) revealed moderate reductions in traumatic stress (d=-.45), depression (d=-.52), and anxiety (d=-.53) in the 30 days post-use. This suggests a powerful role for hallucinogens in clinical psychology and psychiatry. Understanding the pharmacology of these natural compounds offers new avenues in medicine for addressing psychopathology linked to racism.
Abstract
This study examined how psychedelics reduced symptoms of racial trauma among black, indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) subsequent to an experi...
The Potential Role of Serotonergic Hallucinogens in Depression Treatment
Life – July 29, 2021
Summary
Psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, demonstrates remarkable promise for treating depressive symptoms. A review of 14 clinical trials from the last 10 years in Psychedelics and Drug Studies found this serotonergic compound, derived from chemical synthesis and alkaloids, significantly reduced depression. One study even showed psilocybin's efficacy comparable to escitalopram, a standard medicine. No serious adverse effect was reported. This Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior offers new avenues for clinical psychology and psychiatry, potentially transforming how psychotherapists approach mental health challenges, easing the burden of depression.
Abstract
Due to an increasing number of depression diagnoses and limited effective treatments, researchers continue to explore novel therapeutic strategies ...
Ethnoracial health disparities and the ethnopsychopharmacology of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapies.
Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology – June 07, 2021
Summary
Psychedelics, used in psychotherapy, offer significant hope for treating psychiatric conditions like PTSD and depression, advancing Clinical psychology and Medicine. Yet, current Psychedelics and Drug Studies have almost exclusively included White participants. This critical omission means Psychotherapists lack understanding of how ethnoracial differences affect drug metabolism and clinical outcomes, hindering generalizability. Expanding research to include diverse populations, particularly Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, is crucial for equitable and effective mental health care in Psychiatry.
Abstract
Emerging evidence from randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials suggests psychedelic compounds such as 3,4-methylenedioxymetham...
Altered stakes: Identifying gaps in the informed consent process for psychedelic-assisted therapy trials
Journal of Psychedelic Studies – November 20, 2023
Summary
A review of nineteen informed consent forms from psychedelic clinical trials, a biomedical innovation, revealed a critical neuroethics gap. While these documents met federal inclusion criteria and regulations, they often lacked crucial information about participant vulnerability during psychedelic-assisted therapy. This oversight impacts the psychology of individuals undergoing intervention (counseling) for anxiety or treatment of major depression. Robust informed consent protocols are vital for the future of psychiatry and medicine, particularly given the unique nature of psychedelics and drug studies.
Abstract
Abstract Background and aims Psychedelic-assisted therapy (P-AT) has been shown to reduce post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and an...
A Qualitative Study of Intention and Impact of Ayahuasca Use by Westerners
OpenAlex – April 01, 2021
Summary
Ayahuasca experiences offer profound benefits for mental health and spirituality. Forty-one Western participants in qualitative research reported sustained psychological improvements, including substance use, relationships, and self-perception—outcomes a psychotherapist in clinical psychology often targets. This potent hallucinogen, like psilocybin in psychedelics and drug studies, also fostered enhanced creativity and sensory awareness. While biochemical analysis and olfactory function studies continue exploring such effects, these accounts highlight Ayahuasca's potential, despite two reported problematic experiences.
Abstract
Ayahuasca has gained the attention of researchers over the past decade as psychedelic-assisted therapy for MDMA and psilocybin have progressed thro...
Self-Reported Illicit Drug Use Among Norwegian University and College Students. Associations With Age, Gender, and Geography
Frontiers in Psychiatry – December 10, 2020
Summary
Illicit drug use among Norwegian university students is climbing. A survey of 50,054 students found that from 2014-2018, illicit drug use rose for males (30.8% to 36.7%) and females (17.5% to 24.0%). Cannabis (15.2%) was the most common drug in the past year. These demographic trends, varying by geography and age (peaking 23-28), pose a challenge for clinical psychology and medicine. Robust substance abuse treatment, including for opioid use disorder, and mental health access are crucial for student environmental health in Norway.
Abstract
Background and Aims: Several studies have pointed to relatively high levels of illicit drug use among students in higher education compared to the ...
Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained: Regulations Cripple Potentially Life-Saving Research of Illicit Substances
ACS Chemical Neuroscience – May 12, 2020
Summary
Regulations designed to prevent harm from substances like Psilocybin and Lysergic acid diethylamide severely cripple scientific progress. These rules make it nearly impossible to acquire illicit hallucinogens for vital research, achieving nothing but hindering potential life-saving discoveries. Reclassifying these compounds would unlock critical advancements in Pharmacology, impacting fields from Psychedelics and Drug Studies to Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research and even Forensic Toxicology and Drug Analysis. This regulatory business currently stifles crucial scientific inquiry.
Abstract
Modern day research, in an attempt to determine the potential therapeutic and adverse effects of illicit substances, is a growing field, but one th...
Should Adolescents be Included in Emerging Psychedelic Research?
Canadian Journal of Bioethics – January 01, 2022
Summary
Psychedelic substances like psilocybin show significant promise for adult mental health, yet adolescent inclusion in psychological intervention trials is currently 0%. A compelling argument highlights the urgent need for novel medical interventions to address growing youth mental health burdens. Psychedelics pose low risk compared to existing psychiatric medications. While developmental risks and informed consent complexities exist, including adolescents in clinical psychology and drug studies is crucial. This would improve their quality of life, offering innovative treatments and advancing diverse academic research themes in medicine and psychology.
Abstract
Recent evidence shows significant potential for therapies involving psychedelic substances such as psilocybin and MDMA to improve clinical outcomes...
Mapping Pharmacologically-induced Functional Reorganisation onto the Brain’s Neurotransmitter Landscape
OpenAlex – July 13, 2022
Summary
Mind-altering drugs profoundly reorganize brain function by engaging intricate neurotransmitter systems. Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research demonstrates that psychoactive substances, including 10 diverse drugs like psychedelics (LSD, psilocybin) and anesthetics, exert their effects based on the brain's molecular makeup. By mapping 19 neurotransmitter receptors and transporters, a clear link emerged between specific neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior and drug-induced changes. This work in Psychology and Medicine highlights how pharmacology precisely targets brain regions, revealing patterns that even mirror those seen in brain disorders.
Abstract
Abstract To understand how pharmacological interventions can exert their powerful effects on brain function, we need to understand how they engage ...
Introduction to the chemistry and pharmacology of psychedelic drugs
Australian Journal of Chemistry – July 04, 2023
Summary
Heightened interest in psychedelic-assisted therapy for mental health conditions drives current Psychedelics and Drug Studies. This review offers an accessible overview of Chemistry and Pharmacology, detailing over five distinct classes of hallucinogens. These include natural alkaloids like Psilocybin and Mescaline, alongside those from chemical synthesis such as Lysergic acid diethylamide. Understanding their Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior is crucial for advancing Psychology and therapeutic applications.
Abstract
The science of psychedelics is an intriguing, multi-disciplinary field that has recently been the subject of heightened public interest. This has m...
Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy
Cambridge University Press eBooks – May 28, 2021
Summary
Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy is transforming the treatment landscape for challenging psychiatric disorders. Clinical drug studies, including those with psilocybin, show significant efficacy. Trials involving hundreds of subjects demonstrate over 60% of participants experience substantial symptom reduction, marking a major shift in psychology and psychiatry. This potent medicine, leveraging unique psychotherapy techniques, is moving from a fringe subject to a recognized method all psychotherapists should consider, with its influence on neurotransmitter receptors underpinning its therapeutic potential.
Abstract
In recent years there has been a resumption of research into the potential therapeutic benefits of psychedelic1 drugs such as MDMA2, psilocybin and...
A Comparative Review of the Neuro-Psychopharmacology of Hallucinogen-Induced Altered States of Consciousness: The Uniqueness of Some Hallucinogens
NeuroQuantology – June 01, 2012
Summary
Hallucinogens like psilocybin and mescaline profoundly alter consciousness, inducing euphoriant states or challenging perceptions. Understanding how these psychedelics influence the brain remains a key challenge for neuroscience and psychology. While neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior, including systems like Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors, offers partial explanations, cognitive psychology and psychoanalysis suggest deeper mechanisms. These substances serve as unique tools for drug studies, revealing insights into the human psyche and the nature of perception, despite the complex interplay of individual psychology and "set and setting" shaping the experience.
Abstract
Altered states of consciousness induced by hallucinogens (H-ASC) is still a vaguely understood phenomenon. Taken the diverse psychological effects ...
Psychedelics for Psychiatric Disorders: Promise, Not Panacea
Psychiatric Annals – September 01, 2022
Summary
Psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, significantly reduces end-of-life anxiety in cancer patients and shows promise for depression and addiction. This emerging field within clinical psychology and psychiatry suggests psychedelics could offer new therapeutic avenues. While current drug studies (often with small samples) reveal promising effect sizes, caution is warranted against viewing them as a panacea. Rigorous, coordinated trials are essential to understand mechanisms, rather than rushing to widespread application. Future research must compare these alkaloids to existing treatments like Sertraline, addressing forensic toxicology and drug analysis for safe integration.
Abstract
Initial promise and dire need have inspired the multiple research programs of the second psychedelic renaissance. Serotonergic psychedelics (psiloc...
Psychedelics and Psychotherapy: Is the Whole Greater than the Sum of its Parts?
Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics – October 05, 2023
Summary
The potential of psychedelics like psilocybin and mescaline for conditions such as anxiety is compelling, driving new clinical trials in psychiatry. These hallucinogens influence neurotransmitter receptors, but it's unclear if their benefits truly synergize with psychological support from a psychotherapist. Rigorous 2x2 factorial clinical trials are crucial. These drug studies, vital for clinical psychology, will precisely evaluate the individual and combined effects of psilocybin and psychotherapy, informing future chemical synthesis of alkaloids and ensuring cost-effective, safe treatments.
Abstract
Clinical trials of psychedelics have provided support for their potential efficacy and safety. Although most combined a psychedelic with psychologi...
Minorities’ diminished psychedelic returns: Depression, suicide, distress, and serious mental illness
Drug Science Policy and Law – April 01, 2025
Summary
Psychedelics show promise for mental health, but a large-scale analysis of 596,187 individuals reveals a critical disparity. While non-Hispanic Whites often experience better mental health outcomes, including reduced depression and distress, after psychedelic use, Black, Hispanic, and Asian populations gain fewer benefits. In fact, for Black and Asian individuals, psychedelic use is sometimes linked to *worse* mental illness and psychological distress. This cross-cultural finding highlights the need for a nuanced understanding in psychiatry and clinical psychology regarding diverse responses to these substances.
Abstract
Although there is growing support for the protective effects of psychedelics on mental health, recent evidence finds racial and ethnic minorities g...
Tattoos and Trauma: Are Tattoos Healing for Trauma?
OpenAlex – June 01, 2023
Summary
Tattoos offer a compelling, ancient path to healing trauma, a practice often considered taboo in Western medicine. A review of 30 peer-reviewed articles highlights how Indigenous traditions have long embraced tattooing's medicinal value. Today, a growing number of individuals with treatment-resistant trauma symptoms are seeking this alternative. Far from merely visual culture or aesthetic expression, tattoos are emerging as a powerful therapeutic tool, distinct from concerns about tattoo and body piercing complications or body image dysmorphia studies, providing ample evidence of their positive connection to trauma recovery.
Abstract
Prior research and literature reviews suggest that there is medicinal value in tattooing for the healing of trauma. However, tattooing is still a b...
Is PTSD an Evolutionary Survival Adaptation Initiated by Unrestrained Cytokine Signaling and Maintained by Epigenetic Change?
Military Medicine – April 21, 2022
Summary
Poor PTSD treatment outcomes may stem from the immune system. A 6-year medical literature review suggests unrestrained cytokine signaling induces epigenetic changes, hardwiring a persistent defensive state. This neuroinflammation, involving cholinergic system withdrawal, promotes chronic stress responses, impacting cortisol. Neuroscience and immunology, potentially via bioinformatics, explain how cytokines alter brain function, affecting tryptophan metabolism in brain disorders. Medicine suggests PTSD might be an evolutionary adaptation, with drugs showing benefit via anti-inflammatory effects impacting neurodegeneration mechanisms.
Abstract
ABSTRACT Introduction Treatment outcomes for PTSD with current psychological therapies are poor, with very few patients achieving sustained symptom...
Psychedelic Drug Therapy for Mental Disorders?
Open Journal of Medical Psychology – January 01, 2023
Summary
Despite a government move allowing psychiatrists in one country to prescribe two drugs, including psilocybin, from July 1, 2023, an expert review challenges the underlying psychology. Psychedelic drug studies exploring these chemical synthesis and alkaloids reveal medicine's evidence is irretrievably flawed. All future trials, examining their neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior, are deemed similarly unreliable. No trustworthy proof exists for effectiveness against mental disorders. Beyond this, therapy is impractical due to specialized psychotherapist training and high costs. False publicity about psychedelics risks unsupervised self-dosing, leading to an unacceptably high addiction rate.
Abstract
Objective: Psychedelic drug therapy is banned in all countries of the world except Australia, where the government regulatory watchdog, the Therape...
A Systematic Review of Reporting Practices in Psychedelic Clinical Trials: Psychological Support, Therapy, and Psychosocial Interventions
OpenAlex – July 18, 2023
Summary
A systematic review of 33 psychedelic clinical trials revealed significant underreporting of crucial psychosocial interventions, impacting treatment outcomes in Psychiatry and Clinical psychology. For example, 82% of trials did not assess treatment fidelity. Drawing from MEDLINE and PsycINFO, the systematic review used a Checklist based on Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials to examine reporting of psychological intervention by psychotherapists, including those administering psilocybin. Such reporting gaps hinder standardization in Medicine and Psychedelics and Drug Studies, crucial for Mental Health Research Topics.
Abstract
Background: Psychedelic-assisted therapy has gained significant attention in recent years. However, there is a lack of empirical clarity on the rol...
Neuroplasticity and Psychedelics: a comprehensive examination of classic and non-classic compounds in pre and clinical models
arXiv (Cornell University) – November 29, 2024
Summary
Psychedelics demonstrate remarkable potential for rapid, lasting treatment of neuropsychiatric conditions. Neuroscience reveals these compounds, often natural alkaloids or products of chemical synthesis, profoundly enhance brain neuroplasticity—the nervous system's adaptive capacity. Preclinical and clinical drug studies indicate they re-open developmental windows, driving structural and functional changes that significantly impact mood and behavior. This critical effect, vital for psychology and cognitive science, is being elucidated in humans using advanced techniques, including isotopic radioligands, paving the way for targeted interventions.
Abstract
Neuroplasticity, the ability of the nervous system to adapt throughout an organism's lifespan, offers potential as both a biomarker and treatment t...
Beyond prohibition: A public health analysis of naturalistic psychedelic use
Journal of Psychedelic Studies – July 03, 2025
Summary
Naturalistic psychedelic use, outside clinical settings, appears to significantly reduce depression, anxiety, PTSD, and even interpersonal violence, while boosting well-being and social connection. A review of 104 peer-reviewed articles reveals these public health benefits across diverse populations. Though adverse effects can occur, they are typically brief and linked to factors like high doses or psychological vulnerability. This comprehensive analysis, spanning psychology and criminology, indicates current drug policies are outdated. An evidence-informed public health approach for psychedelics is urgently needed.
Abstract
Abstract Psychedelic drug use is experiencing a global resurgence, both in clinical research and community settings. This paper presents a comprehe...