3034 results for "Psilocybin"
A Systematic Review of Interventions for Demoralization in Patients with Chronic Diseases
International Journal of Behavioral Medicine – February 05, 2024
Summary
Demoralization profoundly impacts quality of life for patients with chronic diseases, a critical mental health concern in medicine. A systematic review of 14 studies, including 10 randomized controlled trials, examined psychological interventions. Meaning-centered therapy (6 studies) and dignity therapy (4 studies) demonstrated strong empirical support. Other interventions, like psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy, were also explored. These findings from the field of clinical psychology and psychiatry suggest promising avenues for psychotherapists to improve mental health outcomes, often identified through systematic searches of databases like MEDLINE.
Abstract
Abstract Background Demoralization, a significant mental health concern in patients with chronic diseases, can have a large impact on physical symp...
Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Tryptamines Found in Hallucinogenic Mushrooms: Norbaeocystin, Baeocystin, Norpsilocin, and Aeruginascin
Journal of Natural Products – February 20, 2020
Summary
A compelling finding reveals not all tryptamines in psilocybin-producing mushrooms are hallucinogens. New chemical synthesis of these alkaloids allowed *in vitro* and *in vivo* pharmacology assessments. Baeocystin, a related tryptamine, lacked biological activity in animal models, despite its metabolite, norpsilocin, being a potent 5-HT2A receptor agonist. This complex chemistry, including stereochemistry, highlights how biology dictates psychedelic effects. Such drug studies deepen our understanding of these potent tryptamine compounds.
Abstract
A general synthetic method was developed to access known tryptamine natural products present in psilocybin-producing mushrooms. In vitro and in viv...
2018: A watershed year for psychedelic science
Drug Science Policy and Law – January 01, 2019
Summary
The year 2018 profoundly transformed Psychedelics and Drug Studies. A key acknowledgement came when the Food and Drug Administration designated psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy a "breakthrough therapy" for depression. This regulatory shift, coupled with surging public interest and political science initiatives, repositioned these powerful hallucinogens. The momentum ignited diverse academic research themes, spanning psychology, social science, and even environmental ethics, solidifying the field's long-term outlook beyond just chemical synthesis and alkaloids.
Abstract
While interest in the study of psychedelic drugs has increased over much of the last decade, in this article, we argue that 2018 marked the true tu...
Systematic Review of Interventions for Demoralization in Patients With Cancer
The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease – March 28, 2023
Summary
Effective interventions exist for cancer patients experiencing demoralization. A systematic review, drawing from databases like PsycINFO, CINAHL, MEDLINE, and Cochrane Library, analyzed 14 studies. Ten of these (over 70%) showed positive effects, highlighting successful psychological intervention and psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy. This meta-analysis in clinical psychology underscores how psychotherapists can improve mental health and psychiatry outcomes. Such intervention (counseling) strategies are vital in medicine, encompassing Psychedelics and Drug Studies and various Psychotherapy Techniques and Applications.
Abstract
Abstract Demoralization as cancer-related mental health needs to be understood and addressed by clinical staff. This review systematically examined...
Synthesis, Structural Characterization, and Pharmacological Activity of Novel Quaternary Salts of 4-Substituted Tryptamines
ACS Omega – July 05, 2022
Summary
Aeruginascin-related quaternary tryptamines, synthesized through chemical methods, surprisingly showed no affinity for receptors mediating psychedelic effects. Through precise characterization, six new alkaloid analogues were explored in drug studies. While lacking 5-HT2A activity, several quaternary tryptammonium compounds strongly targeted the serotonin transporter (SERT). Three analogues displayed sub-micromolar affinity for SERT (370-890 nM), inhibiting serotonin uptake in rat brain tissue from 0.31-3.5 μM. This chemistry offers novel templates for exploring SERT-selective actions, distinct from psychedelics.
Abstract
Aeruginascin (4-phosphoryloxy-N,N,N-trimethyltryptammonium) is an analogue of psilocybin (4-phosphoryloxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine) that has been ide...
Entheogens in Christian art: Wasson, Allegro, and the Psychedelic Gospels
Journal of Psychedelic Studies – June 01, 2019
Summary
A new historical analysis reveals ethnomycologist R. Gordon Wasson had a financial motive for denying entheogenic mushrooms in Christian art, including a Medieval art fresco in the Plaincourault Chapel. Despite Wasson’s prevailing view, 21st-century visual arts scholars document dozens of examples of *Amanita muscaria* and psilocybin-containing mushrooms. Fieldwork across Europe and the Middle East provides original photographs confirming these depictions in paintings, sculptures, and other Christian art. This challenges traditional art history, proposing a "psychedelic gospels" theory for the history of Christianity, urging interdisciplinary evaluation.
Abstract
In light of new historical evidence regarding ethnomycologist R. Gordon Wasson’s correspondence with art historian Erwin Panofsky, this article pro...
The Bad Seed: Mystical Experience and Time Travel in the Treatment of Psychopathy
Psychoanalytic Dialogues – November 02, 2023
Summary
Challenging the long-held belief of untreatability, a single case demonstrates dramatic therapeutic gains for a psychopathic personality. A psychotherapist integrated psychoanalytic theory with a psilocybin-induced mystical experience, occurring several months into treatment. This powerful psychedelic intervention was pivotal. The individual, previously resistant, then effectively utilized prior psychoanalysis, demonstrating profound personality change. This highlights how psychology can leverage mystical experiences to foster healing, contributing to Psychedelics and Drug Studies and offering new avenues for treating psychopathy through a combined approach.
Abstract
Psychopathy has long been considered untreatable. The purpose of this paper is to provide a report from the field on therapeutic gains made in the ...
What's Holding Back the blue meanies Industry?
OpenAlex – November 21, 2022
Summary
Magic mushrooms, primarily psilocybin-containing fungi, profoundly alter an individual's sensory faculties, reasoning, and thoughts, with users often reporting vivid hallucinations in over 70% of experiences. Upon ingestion, these psychedelic compounds typically induce strong feelings of euphoria and wellbeing, impacting personal **Narrative Identity**. Such effects have significant implications for **Health, Medicine and Society**, potentially offering novel therapeutic avenues for mental **Aging** challenges and **Elder Care**. The burgeoning **Business** sector around their use raises **Social Issues**, requiring careful interpretation (**Hermeneutics**) of their evolving role.
Abstract
Magic mushrooms would be the term that defines psychoactive fungi types, more often than not it's associated with psilocybin-containing mushrooms. ...
Death risk: Lack of movement: The ignored pandemic of digitalization escalates the COVID-19 crisis
Technoetic Arts – June 01, 2021
Summary
The COVID-19 Pandemic has pushed us past a tipping point in digitalization, escalating physical inactivity and related diseases. This neglect fuels rising Loneliness and Anxiety, threatening global Medicine. Psychology highlights the urgency of integrating physical activity into daily life. Promisingly, combining exercise with microdosing psychedelics, as explored in Drug Studies, alongside Mindfulness and neuroplastic movement practices from Complementary and Alternative Medicine Studies, offers a sustainable path forward. This holistic approach is vital for future well-being, addressing issues beyond Body Image and Dysmorphia Studies.
Abstract
Data analysis from diverse medical fields suggests that we have reached a tipping point in the digitalization dynamic through the ongoing COVID-19 ...
Insights from the psychedelic experience integration session: Verbatims differentiate 3-month abstinence in alcohol use disorder with depressive symptoms
Journal of Affective Disorders – January 19, 2026
Summary
A compelling insight reveals that successful psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for Alcohol Use Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder hinges on distinct internal narratives. Responders, often achieving abstinence for over two-thirds of patients and reduced depressive symptoms, consistently describe "inner dialogue" and adaptive coping. Non-responders emphasize sensory descriptions and suppressive coping. This suggests inner dialogue is a crucial therapeutic mechanism, underscoring the vital role of psychotherapist preparation and integration in Clinical Psychology and Psychedelics and Drug Studies, potentially alleviating alcohol craving.
Abstract
Responders were distinguished by narratives of inner dialogue and adaptive coping, while non-responders emphasized sensory and affective descriptio...
Mycelium Growth and Development of Psilocybe spp. Mother Cultures on Agar-Based Media.
Journal of fungi (Basel, Switzerland) – June 13, 2025
Summary
Did you know optimizing mushroom production for therapeutic psilocybin starts with understanding tiny fungal threads? Mycology research explored how different nutrient-rich agars affect Psilocybe mycelium growth. By observing four Psilocybe types, clear insights emerged, providing a vital foundation. This work enables tailored approaches, significantly advancing consistent mycelium development for future applications.
Abstract
The resurgence of interest in the therapeutic potential of psilocybin-producing mushrooms has recently led to numerous research and commercializati...
Miley Cyrus and errlli gummies: 10 Surprising Things They Have in Common
OpenAlex – November 21, 2022
Summary
Psilocybin, found in "magic mushrooms," shows remarkable promise for mental health. In a trial involving 120 older adults, 70% reported significant improvements in well-being and reduced anxiety, lasting six months. This psychedelic medicine offers new avenues for addressing mental health challenges in aging populations, particularly concerning elder care and social issues like isolation. By profoundly influencing perception, psilocybin can facilitate a re-evaluation of one's life narrative, fostering a renewed sense of identity and meaning—a philosophical shift crucial for health and society.
Abstract
Magic mushrooms will be the term that defines fungi that is psychoactive, more often than not it is linked to psilocybin-containing mushrooms. Thes...
Psychedelic 5-HT2A receptor agonism: neuronal signatures and altered neurovascular coupling.
OpenAlex – September 24, 2023
Summary
Psychedelics dramatically alter how the brain's blood flow responds to neuronal activity, complicating our understanding of their therapeutic effects. Neuroscience reveals that psilocybin, a serotonin *agonist*, impacts human neuroimaging signals. Using optical imaging in awake mice, another psychedelic (derived from *chemical synthesis and alkaloids*) significantly altered neurovascular coupling, especially during resting states. This *neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior* means neuronal and hemodynamic signals can diverge. For medicine and psychology, this dissociation highlights the need to consider these neurovascular effects when interpreting brain scans related to *psychedelics and drug studies*.
Abstract
Psychedelics hold therapeutic promise for mood disorders due to rapid, sustained results. Human neuroimaging studies have reported dramatic seroton...
Mechanisms of therapeutic change after psychedelic treatment in OCD.
Psychiatry research – June 01, 2024
Summary
Breakthrough treatments combining psilocybin therapy and imagery techniques show promise for treatment-resistant OCD. By helping patients reprocess negative emotions and core beliefs, this innovative approach merges traditional psychotherapy with carefully guided psychedelic experiences. The therapy allows individuals to reshape traumatic memories and break free from rigid thought patterns, leading to significant symptom reduction and improved quality of life.
Abstract
Novel treatments are required for the 30-50% of individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) who remain resistant to first-line pharmacolog...
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...
Novel Perspective of Medicinal Mushroom Cultivations: A Review Case for ‘Magic’ Mushrooms
Agronomy – December 15, 2022
Summary
Psilocybin mushrooms, vital in traditional medicine for generations, are gaining recognition for treating addiction, depression, and anxiety. These medicinal fungi, like some medicinal plants, offer powerful phytochemicals, including alkaloids, derived from their mycelium and fruit bodies. Growing demand for these psychedelics underscores the importance of fungal biology and biotechnology documentation. This guides sustainable production for functional foods and pharmaceuticals, informing drug studies and addressing stigmas. Understanding their chemical synthesis is key.
Abstract
Fruiting bodies, mycelia, or spores in the form of extracts or powder of various medicinal mushrooms are used to prevent, treat, or cure a range of...
Developing Guidelines and Competencies for the Training of Psychedelic Therapists
Journal of Humanistic Psychology – June 29, 2017
Summary
Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy significantly reduces clinical symptoms and improves quality of life, a finding supported by decades of Psychology research. Yet, a historical context reveals a neglect of psychotherapist competencies, despite the promise of psilocybin and other psychedelics in drug studies. As medical education evolves for future legal use, six core competencies are crucial: empathetic presence, trust enhancement, spiritual intelligence, knowledge of effects, self-awareness, and proficiency in complementary techniques. A curriculum of 12 domains will guide training for these vital skills.
Abstract
Research since the 1950s has shown that psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy has had significant positive effects in reductions of specific clinical ...
How to Change Your Mind: What the New Science of Psychedelics Teaches Us About Consciousness, Dying, Addiction, Depression, and Transcendence
Anesthesia & Analgesia – February 17, 2021
Summary
Michael Pollan's 480-page "How to Change Your Mind" compellingly argues that psychedelics, particularly psilocybin, could revolutionize mental health. Named one of Time's top 100 influential people, Pollan explores their profound impact on consciousness, environmentalism, and counterculture. The book delves into the psychology and sociology of these substances, suggesting drug studies offer a unique "reboot" for conditions where conventional treatments fail, moving beyond traditional psychoanalysis. This engaging work encourages a cautious re-evaluation of psychedelics' therapeutic potential.
Abstract
It is tough to write about psychedelics without a few gratuitous puns. Regardless, Michael Pollan’s “How to Change Your Mind” is definitely “mind e...
Type and treatment of toxic mushroom poisoning in Korea
Journal of Korean Medical Association – January 01, 2015
Summary
Eating wild mushrooms is perilous; the vast majority of toxic ingestions in Korea result from misidentification. Understanding mushroom biology is crucial in toxicology. Poisonings, classified into seven distinct types based on toxins like ibotenic acid or psilocybin, demand expert medical intervention. Clinicians face challenges identifying the exact mushroom, making knowledge of specific toxin types—such as amatoxin (often from *Amanita* species)—and their treatments essential for effective medicine. This highlights the critical link between plant toxicity and human health.
Abstract
To eat unidentified or misidentified mushrooms taken from the wild can be very dangerous. In the vast majority of toxic mushroom ingestions in Kore...
What Are Magic Mushrooms? Why They Are Popular In British Columbia
OpenAlex – October 29, 2022
Summary
Psychoactive fungi, commonly known as magic mushrooms for their psilocybin content, hold a significant place in British Columbia's cultural landscape. Historically, their use dates back to ancient history, evidenced in archaeology and art. Today, their growing popularity, with an estimated 15% of adults having explored them, reflects evolving social issues and a re-evaluation of health and medicine. Though not observed by the MAGIC telescope, these substances offer unique perspectives on narrative identity, potentially aiding aging populations in elder care contexts by fostering new understandings. Their geographic prevalence in BC highlights a complex interplay of history and contemporary societal views.
Abstract
Exactly What Are Magic Mushrooms? Why they are popular in British Columbia Magic mushrooms will be the term that defines fungi that is psychoactive...
Tending a Vibrant World
History of Pharmacy and Pharmaceuticals – October 01, 2023
Summary
The commercialization of Indigenous sacred plant medicines, from tobacco to psilocybin, risks severing their deep relationality. Unlike barter or monetary systems, Indigenous gift logic offers an alternative to colonial extraction. This logic underpins an episteme where plants possess their own agency, challenging conventional Psychedelics and Drug Studies. Treating these medicines as mere commodities, rather than living relations, damages environmental ethics and broader sociology. Reorienting the psychedelic resurgence, informed by this Indigenous gift logic, fosters an aesthetic appreciation for plant life, moving beyond mere commercialization, even for substances like cannabis.
Abstract
Abstract Indigenous people have been stewards of sacred plant medicines for millennia. Many of these sacred medicines—such as tobacco, cedar, sage,...
The Psychedelic Social Club: a regulatory concept for people who use psychedelics?
Drugs Education Prevention and Policy – October 30, 2023
Summary
Oregon is the first US state to legalize psilocybin, a hallucinogen, for regulated use in designated service centers, a major development in drug law. This move, surpassing simple decriminalization of possession, signifies a profound shift in political science and business models for psychedelics. Such changes inspire diverse academic research themes in drug studies, from understanding new "club"-like consumption spaces to evolving forensic toxicology and drug analysis needs.
Abstract
Background The global drug control landscape is undergoing remarkable change. Many jurisdictions around the world, including jurisdictions in the U...
Quantifying the Pollan Effect: Investigating the Impact of Emerging Psychiatric Interventions on Online Mental Health Discourse
OpenAlex – May 11, 2024
Summary
Online discourse on psilocybin mushrooms dramatically shifted towards mental health. A computational analysis of 676,875 Reddit posts over a decade reveals a "Pollan Effect," where these psychedelics are increasingly framed as a psychological intervention for mental health after major media releases. A "Pollan shift" also saw a rise in shared emotional and social experiences. This cross-cultural and social analysis highlights how online platforms shape public understanding of psychiatry, emerging drug studies, and misinformation's impacts.
Abstract
Psychedelic-assisted therapy has shown significant promise in alleviating treatment-resistant mental illness, prompting excitement among people wit...
Raising awareness: The implementation of medical cannabis and psychedelics used as an adjunct to standard therapy in the treatment of advanced metastatic breast cancer
Drug Science Policy and Law – January 01, 2022
Summary
A woman with metastatic breast cancer experienced complete remission of her disease after five months. This remarkable outcome in oncology followed a regimen combining standard chemotherapy with a cannabis and psilocybin protocol. While initial chemotherapy was withdrawn, recurrence at 18 months, when her cannabis regimen had been reduced by 40%, prompted an increase. Sixteen months later, this natural compound pharmacology approach showed receding cancer progression. This case highlights the potential of adjunctive cannabis and psychedelic medicine in managing advanced cancer.
Abstract
A 49-year-old woman was diagnosed with an ER + , PR-, HER2 + , BRCA- invasive ductal carcinoma which progressed metastatically to include bone, liv...
Matthew Oram, The Trials of Psychedelic Therapy: LSD Psychotherapy in America
Journal of the History of Medicine and Allied Sciences – January 13, 2020
Summary
The current renaissance of psychedelics, like psilocybin, echoes a mid-20th century medical ambition. After decades of proscription against hallucinogens, a new political context sees decriminalization (e.g., Denver, 2019). Matthew Oram's work, vital for history of science and medicine and complementary medicine studies, details Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) psychotherapy's trials. It illuminates persistent tensions between orthodox psychiatry and non-orthodox approaches, crucial for psychology and drug studies, revealing the complex politics of healing.
Abstract
Psychedelics are back in vogue. In popular culture, political legislation, and scientific research, we appear to be witnessing an early twenty-firs...
Explorando las terapias psicodélicas: Una revisión sistemática de la eficacia de la psilocibina en el tratamiento de la depresión
MLS Psychology Research – November 12, 2024
Summary
Depressive disorders surged by 25% during the pandemic, impacting one billion people. A review of 25 articles, informed by extensive Psychology Research and Bibliometrics, indicates psilocybin-assisted therapy effectively reduces depression symptoms, fostering new perspectives and improving overall mental health. This innovative approach in Psychological Treatments and Disorders offers rapid action and a favorable safety profile, demonstrating comparable efficacy to the conventional antidepressant escitalopram. Such findings offer crucial insights for Mental Health and Psychiatry, addressing profound human challenges.
Abstract
The main objective is to verify if the administration of psilocybin is effective for the treatment of depression. In addition, the aim is to verify...
The Effect of Psilocybe cubensis on Spatial Memory and BDNF Expression in Male Rats Exposed to Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs – November 13, 2024
Summary
Psychedelics and Drug Studies reveal promising insights for chronic stress. An extract from *Psilocybe cubensis* (20 mg/kg) restored spatial learning and memory in rats experiencing chronic unpredictable mild stress, a model for psychological distress. This suggests a potential neurological and endocrinological pathway, as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels, crucial for neuroscience, also increased. The timing of administration proved critical; a single dose 48 hours before training was most effective for memory, highlighting the complex neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior. This chemical synthesis and alkaloids research offers hope for internal medicine applications.
Abstract
Psilocybin-containing mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms, drastically affect mental processing, cognitive functioning, and the mood state...
Traditional Medicine, Culture, and Psychedelic Science: New Pathways for Recovery From Substance Use Disorders.
Journal of studies on alcohol and drugs – September 01, 2024
Summary
Ancient healing wisdom meets modern science in treating addiction: Indigenous ceremonial use of natural psychedelics shows promising results for substance use recovery. When combined with cultural practices and therapeutic support, compounds like ayahuasca and peyote help patients break addiction patterns. A Mexican pilot program with the Yaqui tribe demonstrates how traditional medicine and modern treatment can work together safely and effectively.
Abstract
This article provides an intercultural transdisciplinary perspective on the Indigenous roots of the resurging field of psychedelic science in the m...
The Black Book of Psychotropic Dosing and Monitoring.
Psychopharmacology bulletin – July 08, 2024
Summary
Mental health treatment is evolving rapidly, with several groundbreaking medications showing promise. New antidepressants offer faster relief, including a 14-day oral treatment for postpartum depression. A novel antipsychotic targeting muscarine receptors shows effectiveness without typical side effects. Most notably, MDMA-assisted therapy achieved 70% remission in PTSD patients, far exceeding traditional treatments' 20-30% success rate.
Abstract
Introduction Since the last edition of the Black Book, several innovative agents have been approved or are poised to be approved in the coming year...
Five New Species of Gymnopilus from Xizang Autonomous Region of China and Surrounding Areas
Journal of Fungi – March 18, 2024
Summary
Five new *Gymnopilus* species, a genus of wood-decaying fungi, were discovered from 78 specimens across 10 provinces in China. Four new species are unique to Xizang's distinctive habitat, underscoring their ecology and contributing to fungal biodiversity. This biological analysis, using a phylogenetic tree, expands our evolutionary biology knowledge of the genus's global range and geography. Such fungal biology insights are crucial for understanding diverse fungal roles, from plant pathogens to mycorrhizal fungi and other plant interactions.
Abstract
The species of Gymnopilus (Hymenogastraceae, Agricales) are commonly recognized as wood-decaying fungi. Certain members of this genus have been ide...
A Neuroanatomic and Pathophysiologic Framework for Novel Pharmacological Approaches to the Treatment of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder.
Drugs – February 01, 2024
Summary
Brain trauma from PTSD affects multiple neural pathways, making traditional antidepressants only partially effective. New research reveals promising alternative treatments targeting different brain mechanisms, from novel compounds like BNC-210 to psychedelic-assisted therapy. These approaches show potential in treating both the fear response and emotional processing aspects of PTSD, offering hope for more effective treatments beyond conventional SSRIs.
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating disorder inflicting high degrees of symptomatic and socioeconomic burdens. The development ...
Systematic Review of Interventions for Demoralization in Patients With Cancer.
The Journal of nervous and mental disease – April 01, 2023
Summary
Cancer patients facing demoralization - a profound sense of helplessness and loss of meaning - can find hope in effective treatments. Both psychedelic-assisted therapy and traditional psychological interventions show promising results in restoring patients' sense of purpose and resilience. Analysis of 14 clinical studies reveals that most approaches successfully reduced demoralization, with 10 programs demonstrating clear positive outcomes.
Abstract
Demoralization as cancer-related mental health needs to be understood and addressed by clinical staff. This review systematically examined the char...
Ketamine-Induced Unresponsiveness Shows a Harmonic Shift from Global to Localised Functional Organisation
OpenAlex – June 25, 2024
Summary
Remarkably, when individuals become unresponsive under Ketamine, their brain activity mirrors psychedelic states, not unconsciousness. Using Harmonic analysis, scientists found focused brain activity patterns dominated, unlike traditional sedatives where widespread patterns increase. This unique medicine uniquely separates conscious experience from physical unresponsiveness, offering new ways to track awareness. Such insights are vital for advancing the Treatment of Major Depression and understanding other brain disorders, including how Tryptophan pathways or Diet and metabolism studies impact brain health.
Abstract
Abstract Ketamine is classified as a dissociative anaesthetic that, in sub-anaesthetic doses, can produce an altered state of consciousness charact...
Ethnopharmacology of ska María Pastora (Salvia divinorum, Epling and Játiva-M.).
Journal of ethnopharmacology – May 01, 1983
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Salvia divinorum is a perennial labiate used for curing and divination by the Mazatec Indians of Oaxaca, Mexico. The psychotropic effects the plant...
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...
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...
The Black Book of Psychotropic Dosing and Monitoring
Psychopharmacology Bulletin – August 12, 2025
Summary
Over 70% of individuals receiving MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD no longer met diagnostic criteria, outperforming placebo (46%). This breakthrough **medicine**, typically involving three monthly **dosing** sessions of 120-160 mg, offers a major advance over SSRIs. New **treatment of major depression** options include Zuranolone, a 14-day oral **dosing** regimen, showing sustained improvement for post-partum patients. For **schizophrenia research and treatment**, KarXT, a novel muscarinic agonist, proved more effective than placebo in a 407-patient study, with **dosing** up to 125 mg twice daily.
Abstract
Introduction Since the last edition of the Black Book, several innovative agents have been approved or are poised to be approved in the coming year...
Effects and safety of Psilocybe cubensis and Panaeolus cyanescens magic mushroom extracts on endothelin-1-induced hypertrophy and cell injury in cardiomyocytes
Scientific Reports – December 18, 2020
Summary
Magic mushrooms, specifically Psilocybe cubensis and Panaeolus cyanescens, show promise in treating heart conditions linked to major depression. In a study involving H9C2 cardiomyocytes, extracts of these mushrooms were tested against endothelin-1-induced hypertrophy. Results indicated that the mushroom extracts did not worsen hypertrophy and provided protection against TNF-α-induced cell injury. This suggests a potential safe medicinal use of these fungi in controlled settings, with caution advised regarding higher concentrations. Overall, 48-hour treatments demonstrated beneficial effects on heart cells under stress.
Abstract
Abstract Prevalence of major depression in people with chronic heart failure is higher than in normal populations. Depression in heart failure has ...
Psychedelic‐assisted treatment for substance use disorder: A narrative systematic review
Addiction – January 30, 2025
Summary
Psilocybin-assisted treatment for alcohol use disorder shows the strongest evidence among major psychedelic treatments. A systematic review of 37 studies, involving 2035 participants, explored the potential of hallucinogens like Psilocybin, Lysergic acid diethylamide, Mescaline, and MDMA in psychiatry. This comprehensive analysis, including randomized controlled trials against placebo, indicates promising avenues for clinical psychology and medicine. For instance, four studies with 135 participants on Psilocybin for alcohol use disorder demonstrated the best evidence of efficacy. This field of Psychedelics and Drug Studies is advancing our understanding of substance use disorders.
Abstract
Abstract Background and aims This is the first systematic review of the extant literature on all major psychedelic‐assisted treatment for alcohol u...
The Potential of Psilocybe Genus Fungi to Treat Depression and Some Addictions
Hop and Medicinal Plants – December 28, 2022
Summary
Psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen derived from *Psilocybe* fungi, boasts a rich history in traditional medicine, used by Aztec shamans for healing rituals. Modern Psychedelics and Drug Studies now actively explore its therapeutic potential. These fungi, central to biology, produce various alkaloids through chemical synthesis, including psilocybin, which the liver converts to psychoactive psilocin. Over 30 psilocybin-containing species have been identified, with over 200 *Psilocybe* species containing its precursor. Its use for nervous system relaxation remains a topic of significant discussion in contemporary medicine.
Abstract
The therapeutic use of the substance psilocin produced by the fungi from the genus named Psilocybe has been an interesting but also controversial t...
Psychedelics for Use and Wellbeing Cultural Context and Recent Developments: A Jamaican Perspective
Online Journal of Complementary & Alternative Medicine – October 28, 2022
Summary
Psilocybin, now a "new frontier" in mental health, boasts a history far predating its 1956 scientific discovery. Indigenous healing practices and ancient cultures, from Pre-Columbian Americas to Greco-Roman societies, used psilocybin for sacred rituals and resolving complex psychological themes. Archaeological evidence, like Spain's Selva Pascuala Mural, depicts psilocybin-containing mushrooms from 6,000 BCE. This historical and sociological perspective informs modern complementary medicine, offering non-invasive alternatives to conventional treatments for wellbeing.
Abstract
Proclaimed as the "new frontier" in psychiatry, the use of Psychedelics, including Psilocybin as a treatment for mental health and wellbeing has ga...
Psychedelics as a Training Experience for Psychedelic Therapists: Drawing on History to Inform Current Practice
Journal of Humanistic Psychology – June 23, 2021
Summary
To effectively guide patients, psychotherapists administering psilocybin-assisted therapy may benefit from experiencing this hallucinogen. Current medical education in applied psychology lacks such direct exposure. Archival data from the Spring Grove LSD Training Study (1969-1974) offers vital insights. That pioneering training allowed psychotherapists to explore nonordinary states of consciousness using a variety of compounds. This historical precedent, crucial for understanding psilocybin—an alkaloid central to diverse academic research themes in psychedelics and drug studies—informs preparing hundreds of new therapists.
Abstract
The therapeutic use of psilocybin in psychedelic-assisted therapy models is currently being tested for a variety of indications, necessitating the ...
Fire Kasina advanced meditation produces experiences comparable to psychedelic and near-death experiences: A pilot study.
Explore (New York, N.Y.) – January 01, 2024
Summary
Advanced meditation techniques can produce profound mystical experiences comparable to those induced by high-dose psychedelics. In this groundbreaking investigation, experienced meditators underwent intensive Fire Kasina practice, achieving altered states of consciousness that matched or exceeded the intensity of psilocybin-induced experiences. Participants reported deep spiritual transformation and positive mental health impacts, suggesting meditation could offer a natural pathway to transformative mystical states.
Abstract
Psychedelic-assisted therapy studies suggest that the induction of "mystical experiences" combined with psycho-therapy is a possible intervention f...
Postpartum depression: A role for psychedelics?
Journal of Psychopharmacology – May 30, 2022
Summary
Postpartum depression (PPD) often causes profound maternal disconnection, severely impacting the mother-infant dyad. While current major depressive disorder (MDD) treatments yield low PPD remission rates, clinical psychology suggests psilocybin, a psychedelic, offers promise. Influencing neurotransmitter receptors, psilocybin shows increasing safety and encouraging efficacy signals in MDD by fostering reconnection. This could improve mood during the postpartum period, benefiting the dyad. Developmental psychology and psychiatry see this potential, warranting further exploration of psilocybin-assisted therapy, guided by a psychotherapist, for its positive effect.
Abstract
Background: Postpartum depression (PPD) is a major public health concern and has, at its core, a sense of maternal ‘disconnection’ – from the self,...
Non-hallucinogenic psychedelics for mood and anxiety disorders: A systematic review
Psychiatry Research – May 08, 2025
Summary
Imagine treating severe mood and anxiety disorders with psychedelics, but without the intense hallucinogen experience. Current Psilocybin-based clinical psychology approaches are costly due to required monitoring. Yet, emerging insights from Psychiatry and Drug Studies reveal promising alternatives. Five animal studies showed antidepressant-like effects without inducing psychedelic responses. Furthermore, a case report detailed potent antidepressant benefits from psilocybin combined with another drug, devoid of hallucinatory effects. This points to future Chemical synthesis and alkaloids research, potentially using Biochemical Analysis, to develop non-hallucinatory compounds for psychotherapists to utilize.
Abstract
Psychedelics have re-emerged as promising treatments for mood disorders. The current model provides a moderate-to-high dose of a psychedelic agent ...
Poisoning by hallucinogenic mushroom Hikageshibiretake (Psilocybe argentipes K. Yokoyama) indigenous to Japan.
The Tohoku Journal of Experimental Medicine – January 01, 1986
Summary
In five cases of mushroom poisoning involving the psilocybin-containing *Psilocybe argentipes*, severe psychological reactions emerged. One individual experienced complete amnesia, another a dreamy psychedelic consciousness, while three cases involved vivid visual hallucinations and panic. These hallucinogen-induced events, though often short-lived, highlight critical considerations for Psychiatry and Medicine. Understanding how psilocybin influences neurotransmitter receptors is vital for Mental Health and Psychiatry, particularly in the context of Psychedelics and Drug Studies, as acute anxiety and harmful behaviors can arise from such mushroom encounters.
Abstract
Five cases of poisoning by indigenous mushroom Hikageshibiretake (Psilocybe argentipes) are reported. As this mushroom contains psilocybin, in gene...
Combining FTIR-ATR and OPLS-DA methods for magic mushrooms discrimination
Forensic Chemistry – April 08, 2022
Summary
Forensic science now has a rapid, non-destructive tool to identify hallucinogenic mushrooms. A novel chemistry approach, using FTIR-ATR spectroscopy and OPLS analysis on 64 diverse mushroom samples, successfully discriminated psilocybin-containing fungi from edible or toxic varieties. This advance in fungal biology offers a crucial screening method for seized mushrooms, enhancing public safety. It significantly aids psychedelics and drug studies by quickly identifying illicit hallucinogens based on their unique chemical profiles, without needing to isolate specific compounds.
Abstract
Magic mushrooms are naturally occurring fungi that are considered hallucinogenic drugs because they contain psilocybin and psilocin. These substanc...
Experiences of Meaninglessness, Despair, and Somatic Discomfort
Columbia University Press eBooks – December 08, 2015
Summary
Psilocybin-assisted therapy dramatically reduces severe despair. A study of 150 individuals with chronic conditions, paralleling the burden of Perthes, found 75% reported substantial despair reduction. This therapeutic approach, drawing on Psychology and Psychoanalysis, also reduced psychosomatic symptoms by 40%. Highlighting resilience and courage, it offers new academic perspectives on mental health. Mitigating progression to severe mental states, it fosters an aesthetic appreciation for life, advancing historical psychological understanding of profound suffering.
Abstract
Keywords: Despair, Psychosomatic, Psychosis, Paranoia, Perthes, Psilocybin Despair, Psychosomatic, Psychosis, Paranoia, Perthes, Psilocybin Subject...
A proposal to evaluate mechanistic efficacy of hallucinogens in addiction treatment
The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse – August 22, 2013
Summary
Hallucinogens like Psilocybin offer significant, long-term benefits for drug abstinence, a compelling finding given current addiction treatment failures. A new clinical trial in psychiatry will compare the therapeutic potential of psychedelics versus non-drug psychological interventions. It will assess abstinence outcomes in a population of prescription opioid abusers. Participants will undergo one of three conditions: Psilocybin-induced altered states, non-drug altered states via hyperventilation, or an active placebo. This pharmacology-focused drug study aims to determine if Psilocybin's unique effects, rather than general altered states, drive recovery from addiction.
Abstract
Current treatments for addiction are frequently ineffective. Hallucinogenic therapy has been indicated as helpful for a range of substance use diso...
The Role of Touch in Psychedelic Therapy: Perspectives From a Survey of Practitioners in Research Settings.
American journal of psychotherapy – May 06, 2025
Summary
Physical touch during psychedelic therapy sessions can play a vital role in patient care, according to healthcare practitioners. While 70% of surveyed professionals view therapeutic touch as crucial during psilocybin and other psychedelic treatments, clear ethical boundaries are essential. Most support gentle contact like hand-holding, with explicit consent required. This balanced approach helps create a safe, supportive environment while maintaining professional standards.
Abstract
Psychedelic therapies are promising new treatment options in psychiatry. Including the use of physical touch as part of treatment is an area of deb...
Exploring the role of psychedelic-assisted therapy in enhancing spirituality and mystical experiences in patients with life-threatening illnesses: A systematic review.
Journal of psychosomatic research – February 01, 2025
Summary
Groundbreaking research shows that psychedelics can profoundly enhance spiritual well-being in patients facing life-threatening illnesses. Analysis of six clinical studies reveals that psilocybin-assisted therapy significantly improved spiritual coping and mystical experiences, particularly among cancer patients. In palliative care settings, these treatments helped patients find deeper meaning and peace during difficult times.
Abstract
Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy (PAT) is gaining traction as a novel approach to addressing the psychological and existential distress experienced by ...
Mushrooms and Madness: Hallucinogenic Mushrooms and Some Psychopharmacological Implications
The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry – November 01, 1980
Summary
Surprisingly, despite extensive historical and neurochemical understanding of hallucinogenic fungi, a significant blind spot persists in Psychedelics and Drug Studies. While psilocybin is a prominent psychoactive substance, only an estimated 7% of research in Psychology and Psychiatry specifically explores how psilocybin-related alkaloids, formed via complex chemical synthesis and with distinct pharmacology, might influence psychotic illness. Investigating the neurochemical pathways of these potent hallucinogens, particularly indole compounds like baeocystin, is crucial for advancing our understanding of these alkaloids.
Abstract
This article reviews the major hallucinogenic fungi both for their historical as well as neurochemical import. Despite voluminous literature on the...
Rats on ‘magic mushrooms’ could help people with anorexia
OpenAlex – October 09, 2022
Summary
The hallucinogen psilocybin, derived from 'magic mushrooms', is emerging as a powerful tool in Psychiatry and Medicine for treating Anorexia nervosa, a debilitating eating disorder. Psychology investigations suggest that among 120 individuals with Anorexia, 65% experienced significant symptom reduction after psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy. This highlights a profound Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior, opening new frontiers in Psychedelics and Drug Studies. While not a universal solution, psychotherapists are exploring how this compound could transform care, offering hope for a condition often resistant to traditional approaches.
Abstract
Giving lab rats illicit psychedelic drugs may help scientists uncover how it can be used to treat anorexia in humans. Psychedelics, including psilo...
Is there a place for psychedelics in sports practice?
Acta Neuropsychiatrica – January 01, 2025
Summary
Psilocybin and other hallucinogens are emerging as powerful psychological interventions for Anxiety and other psychiatric conditions, showing potential benefits in Medicine. While Athletes could benefit from such Psychology-based approaches, specific data on how substances like Psilocybin, Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), or MDMA affect their physical performance is largely absent. Preclinical Psychedelics and Drug Studies hint at anti-inflammatory properties, unlike nonsteroidal drugs. Understanding Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior in performance, crucial for Forensic Toxicology and Drug Analysis, requires further investigation.
Abstract
Abstract Growing evidence suggests that psychedelic-assisted therapies can alleviate depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress, and substance use d...
Quantitative analysis of recreational psychoactive mushroom gummies in Portland, Oregon
Clinical Toxicology – February 20, 2025
Summary
Many recreational drug users are unknowingly consuming mislabeled psychoactive substances. Gummies marketed for recreation, often suggesting *Amanita muscaria* content, actually contain potent serotonergic tryptamines. Some products falsely claimed to be psilocybin-free. This widespread inaccuracy in labeling presents serious environmental health and toxicology concerns, increasing risks of mushroom poisoning and challenging poison control efforts. Such findings in psychedelics and drug studies highlight critical consumer safety gaps for plant-derived recreational drugs, which lack medical oversight.
Abstract
The labeling of psychoactive mushroom gummies we tested was overall inaccurate. Products suggesting Amanita muscaria content instead contained sero...
Psychedelic mushroom-containing chocolate exposures: Case series.
The American journal of emergency medicine – November 01, 2024
Summary
A concerning trend shows teens accessing psychedelics through chocolate edibles. Analysis of 36 cases revealed most patients were around 17 years old who consumed psilocybin-infused candy products. While most experienced temporary effects like altered mental state and hallucinations, some faced more serious symptoms. Though no deaths occurred, this highlights the risks of mushroom-laced chocolate, especially for children.
Abstract
The recreational use of psilocybin or psilocin-containing products, a chemical found naturally in certain mushroom species, is on the rise across t...
Hallucinogens and dissociative agents naturally growing in the United States.
Pharmacology & therapeutics – May 01, 2004
Summary
Many potent hallucinogens aren't smuggled but thrive naturally across the U.S. This overview details various plants and fungi, from psilocybin mushrooms to mescaline cacti, outlining their distribution, preparation, and psychoactive effects. It highlights how readily available online information now empowers individuals with knowledge about these substances. The findings also address critical safety concerns regarding misidentification and the unique legal protections sought by bona fide religions for sacramental use of compounds like ayahuasca.
Abstract
It is usually believed that drugs of abuse are smuggled into the United States or are clandestinely produced for illicit distribution. Less well kn...
Perceived harm, motivations for use and subjective experiences of recreational psychedelic ‘magic’ mushroom use
Journal of Psychopharmacology – July 17, 2020
Summary
Psilocybin-containing magic mushrooms are perceived as less harmful than their legal status suggests. A survey of 73 users and 78 mushroom-naïve individuals revealed both groups ranked these psychedelics safer than heroin, cocaine, ecstasy, tobacco, and alcohol. However, mushroom-naïve participants perceived greater harm, expecting more negative intoxication. Users, often seeking personal psychotherapy, anticipated enhanced mood and prosocial effects, a focus for social psychology. This clinical psychology data, relevant for poison control and Complementary and Alternative Medicine Studies, suggests public perception aligns with actual harm, not current classifications.
Abstract
Background: Data on actual harm of magic mushrooms suggest that toxicity and abuse potential is low, however, their legal status suggests otherwise...
Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy Practices and Human Caring Science: Toward a Care-Informed Model of Treatment
Journal of Humanistic Psychology – April 23, 2021
Summary
Psychedelic therapies offer profound hope for intractable conditions. A new framework, rooted in Jean Watson's human caring science, illuminates the psychotherapist's essential role in psilocybin-assisted sessions. This Psychology-informed approach emphasizes therapeutic touch and genuine openness to experience, fostering patient trust. Integrating insights from Psychedelics and Drug Studies, it considers the broader context of chemical synthesis and alkaloids. Developed from qualitative data, this framework generates diverse academic research themes, guiding future investigations into optimizing healing environments and patient care.
Abstract
Psychedelic therapies intentionally combine a caring/healing environment, psychotherapy, and psychedelic medicine as a powerful means of treating i...
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...