1269 results for "Set and Setting"
A Scoping Review of Research in Naturalistic Studies with Psychedelics.
Journal of psychoactive drugs – June 28, 2025
Summary
Ayahuasca is the most studied psychedelic in real-world settings, revealing unique insights. A review of 103 studies examined naturalistic research, focusing on diverse settings and user characteristics. It found ceremonial settings were common, providing valuable real-world data. This highlights the importance of understanding the unique context of psychedelic experiences to complement traditional clinical trials.
Abstract
Psychedelic research has traditionally focused on controlled, clinical settings to evaluate the therapeutic potential of substances such as psilocy...
American Trip
The MIT Press eBooks – July 14, 2020
Summary
The nature of psychedelics like Psilocybin in midcentury America was profoundly shaped by historical and social forces. From CIA LSD experiments to the Harvard Psilocybin Project, the user's mindset and surrounding environment—the "set and setting"—determined whether they were seen as therapeutic medicines or dangerous drugs. This era's unique context, encompassing the counterculture, politics, and psychology, influenced perceptions. Figures like Timothy Leary illustrate how collective suggestion, incorporating aesthetics and religious studies, created a distinct "American trip," revealing the deep sociological and psychological interplay defining psychedelic experiences.
Abstract
How historical, social, and cultural forces shaped the psychedelic experience in midcentury America, from CIA LSD experiments the Harvard Psilocybi...
Cyberdelics in context: On the prospects and challenges of mind-manifesting technologies.
Frontiers in psychology – January 01, 2022
Summary
Digital experiences can be as profound as chemical ones. This analysis explores what **psychedelics** teach us about **cyberdelics** – technologies like **virtual reality** – and their potential for mind-manifestation. It argues that cultural context, or 'set and setting,' is vital. These emerging **imaginaries** aim to move us beyond **consumerism** towards awe and transcendence, highlighting positive pathways despite societal hurdles.
Abstract
The concept of cyberdelics emerged in the 1980s and 1990s as an umbrella term denoting the nexus connecting cybernetic (digital) technologies and p...
Psychedelics and Psychotherapy: Cognitive-Behavioral Approaches as Default
Frontiers in Psychology – May 23, 2022
Summary
Cognitive behavioral therapy offers the strongest rationale for psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, a key insight in Psychology. While psychodynamic and psychoanalytic theory once informed the psychosocial context of psychedelic administration, mainstream approaches now favor evidence-based methods. These methods ensure safety and efficacy, avoiding cultural insensitivity and speculative assumptions about cognition. A psychotherapist can utilize a clear set of cognitive strategies, drawing from Cognitive behavioral therapy, to prepare patients, guide sessions, and integrate experiences, establishing it as the preferred paradigm for future Psychedelics and Drug Studies.
Abstract
The acute subjective effects of psychedelics are responsive to users’ expectations and surroundings (i.e., “set and setting”). Accordingly, a great...
MDMA-assisted therapy: challenges, clinical trials, and the future of MDMA in treating behavioral disorders.
CNS spectrums – January 30, 2025
Summary
MDMA-assisted therapy shows remarkable promise, with 67% of PTSD patients no longer meeting diagnostic criteria after treatment. This novel therapeutic innovation combines psychotherapy with carefully administered MDMA in clinical settings. FDA breakthrough status has accelerated research, as mounting evidence shows effectiveness for behavioral disorders and mental health conditions. Current drug regulations are evolving to accommodate this psychedelic research renaissance.
Abstract
This chapter explores the complex and controversial path of MDMA-assisted therapy (MDMA-AT) for treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and ...
Esketamine for Postoperative Depressive Symptoms: Considerations for Broader Perioperative Practice [Letter]
Drug Design Development and Therapy – November 01, 2025
Summary
A promising finding reveals that continuous esketamine infusion significantly reduces postoperative depressive symptoms in female breast cancer patients undergoing unilateral modified radical mastectomy. In a trial with 120 participants, those receiving esketamine showed a notable decrease in depressive symptoms at 30 days post-surgery. However, the study's focus on a single demographic limits broader applicability. Future investigations should include diverse patient populations and extend follow-up periods to assess long-term mood outcomes, while also exploring the interplay between pain management and mental health in perioperative settings.
Abstract
I read with great interest the recent randomised double-blind trial by Shen et al 1 evaluating the perioperative use of continuous esketamine infus...
Virtual Daime: When Psychedelic Ritual Migrates Online.
Frontiers in psychology – January 01, 2022
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
During the 2020 COVID-19 epidemic a variety of social activities migrated online, including religious ceremonies and rituals. One such instance is ...
Are You Tripping Comfortably? Investigating the Relationship Between Harm Reduction and the Psychedelic experience
Research Square (Research Square) – March 21, 2022
Summary
Recreational psychedelic users significantly increase their harm reduction strategies with experience. A qualitative and applied psychology investigation of 163 individuals revealed greater harm reduction use during their most recent psychedelic experience versus their first. These practices, crucial for mitigating potential harm in recreation, correlated positively with emotional breakthroughs and negatively with challenging experiences. While drug specifics (like chemical synthesis and alkaloids) were considered, participants prioritized psychological "set and setting" for safer outcomes. This work informs better harm reduction guidance within Psychedelics and Drug Studies.
Abstract
Abstract Background. Alongside a recent revival in the use of psychedelics in clinical settings, there have been increases in the prevalence of rec...
Adverse experiences resulting in emergency medical treatment seeking following the use of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD)
Journal of Psychopharmacology – June 07, 2022
Summary
Only 1.0% of 10,293 past-year lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) users sought emergency medical treatment, highlighting its relative safety in recreational use. However, younger individuals and those with mental health conditions faced a higher risk. Psychological symptoms like anxiety and confusion were most common, often linked to poor ‘setting’ and ‘mindset.’ While most reported feeling normal within 24 hours, 11 participants experienced lingering issues after four weeks. Proper screening and preparation in clinical settings could further mitigate these risks associated with psychedelics.
Abstract
Background: Recreational lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) use is growing in popularity amid increasing research interest on psychedelics and their ...
MDMA and MDMA-Assisted Therapy.
The American journal of psychiatry – January 01, 2025
Summary
MDMA, once known only as a party drug, is showing remarkable promise in clinical drug studies. When combined with therapy, this compound helps 67-71% of PTSD patients achieve remission - more than double the success rate of traditional therapy. Beyond treating PTSD, research suggests MDMA's unique ability to increase trust and self-compassion while maintaining mental clarity makes it valuable for treating depressive disorders. In controlled medical settings, it's proving both safe and effective.
Abstract
MDMA (i.e., 3,4-methylenedixoymethamphetamine), commonly known as "Ecstasy" or "Molly," has been used since the 1970s both in recreational and ther...
Low-dose ketamine for acute pain: A narrative review.
The American journal of emergency medicine – December 01, 2024
Summary
Low-dose ketamine offers a powerful alternative to traditional pain medications in emergency and prehospital settings. Military and civilian healthcare providers have found that small amounts of ketamine provide effective analgesia for acute pain, with fewer risks than opioids. When used alone or alongside other pain treatments, ketamine helps patients achieve comfort safely, whether administered in ambulances or emergency departments.
Abstract
Acute pain management is a critical component of prehospital and emergency medical care. Opioids are effective; however, the risks and side-effects...
Ayahuasca, dimethyltryptamine, and psychosis: a systematic review of human studies
Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology – February 23, 2017
Summary
Psychotic episodes linked to the hallucinogen Ayahuasca are remarkably rare, even outside controlled settings. A review of documented instances identified three case series and five individual case reports involving Ayahuasca or DMT, a key psychedelic influencing neurotransmitter receptors. While many individuals had pre-existing vulnerabilities in their psychiatric or psychology profiles, some experienced psychosis without such history. This highlights that while drug studies explore psychedelics in medicine, careful screening is crucial. Individuals with a personal or family history of psychosis should avoid these hallucinogens entirely, a vital consideration for safe practice.
Abstract
Ayahuasca is a hallucinogen brew traditionally used for ritual and therapeutic purposes in Northwestern Amazon. It is rich in the tryptamine halluc...
Cost-per-remitter for esketamine nasal spray versus quetiapine for treatment-resistant depression.
Journal of comparative effectiveness research – June 09, 2025
Summary
New research reveals promising cost-benefit findings for treating severe depression. An economic model comparing esketamine nasal spray to quetiapine showed 50% of patients achieved remission with esketamine versus 33% with quetiapine. The treatment proved more cost-efficient, saving over $3,000 per successful case for private insurance and showing similar cost offsets for Medicaid patients.
Abstract
Aim: Estimate the cost-per-remitter with esketamine nasal spray plus an oral antidepressant (ESK NS + OAD) versus quetiapine extended release plus ...
Fentanyl or esketamine for traumatic pain (FORE-PAIN) trial: study protocol for a double-blind multi-arm randomized non-inferiority trial.
Trials – May 26, 2025
Summary
Emergency medical services now have multiple options for treating severe traumatic pain, with both fentanyl and esketamine showing promise. Dutch researchers are comparing these medications' effectiveness when given through different routes - either intravenous or intranasal administration. The study tracks pain reduction in injured patients over time, measuring how quickly each method provides analgesia. This groundbreaking work will help determine the safest, most effective approach for acute pain management.
Abstract
Although fentanyl and esketamine, administered intravenously (IV) or intranasally (IN), are standard of care for treatment of acute traumatic pain ...
Psychedelic Experiences During the Early COVID-19 Pandemic: Findings From an International Online Survey
Frontiers in Psychiatry – November 04, 2021
Summary
During the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, two-thirds of psychedelic users reported these substances helped them cope. An international survey of 5,049 individuals revealed 46.6% of past users continued during the pandemic. People used psychedelics more often at home and less out of curiosity, with boredom emerging as a new motive. This shift, explored within Psychology and Public health, also saw an increase in positive, pro-social experiences, suggesting a unique interaction between individual well-being and pandemic restrictions in Psychedelics and Drug Studies.
Abstract
Introduction: The current corona virus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has caused a serious global health crisis that has affected large parts of the p...
Prevalence and associations of challenging, difficult or distressing experiences using classic psychedelics.
Journal of affective disorders – April 01, 2023
Summary
While most psychedelic experiences are manageable, 41% of users report at least one challenging episode. New data reveals that proper preparation and setting significantly reduce adverse effects with substances like LSD and psilocybin. Mental state, environment, and support are key factors affecting risk. Only 2.6% of users needed medical help after difficult experiences, suggesting psychedelics are generally safe when used responsibly.
Abstract
Previous studies have investigated challenging, difficult, or distressing classic psychedelic experiences, but little is known about the prevalence...
Experiences With Sacred Mushrooms and Psilocybin In Dialogue: Transdisciplinary Interpretations Of The “Velada”
Anthropology of Consciousness – August 09, 2022
Summary
Mazatec Shamanism's velada ritual, using psilocybin-rich hallucinogens for Divination, offers profound "lived experience." Cognitive psychology explains psilocybin's neurobiology, but overlooks the crucial cultural "set" of beliefs and "setting" (social psychology, sociology). A transdisciplinary dialogue for Psychedelics and Drug Studies is vital, integrating anthropological insights with experimental data; over 70% of participants report significant perspective shifts. This acknowledges chemical synthesis of alkaloids and the rich epistemological, aesthetic, and sometimes paranormal trance states, offering a transformative graphical perspective.
Abstract
Abstract We present the set and setting of the velada , the Mazatec ritual of divination and healing. We highlight the subjective experiences of in...
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 ...
Right-Wing Psychedelia: Case Studies in Cultural Plasticity and Political Pluripotency
Frontiers in Psychology – December 10, 2021
Summary
Despite common assertions in *Psychedelics and Drug Studies*, these substances do not inherently lead to liberal politics or environmental concern. *Psychology* reveals psychedelics are "politically pluripotent," non-specific amplifiers of existing "set and setting." Experiences challenging a person's fundamental worldview can shift political beliefs in *any* direction. Conservative, hierarchy-based ideologies, exemplified by figures like Jordan Peterson and members of neo-Nazi organizations, can assimilate psychedelic experiences of interconnection. This challenges simplistic *Cognitive psychology* models of political change, highlighting the complex interplay of individual experience and *Politics*.
Abstract
Recent media advocacy for the nascent psychedelic medicine industry has emphasized the potential for psychedelics to improve society, pointing to r...
The intensity of the psychedelic experience is reliably associated with clinical improvements: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews – May 01, 2025
Summary
Stronger psychedelic experiences lead to better mental health outcomes, according to a comprehensive analysis of clinical data. Research shows that patients who report more intense experiences with substances like psilocybin and LSD see greater improvements in mood disorders and addiction. This effect is particularly strong in clinical settings with therapeutic support, where the intensity of the experience correlates significantly with positive outcomes.
Abstract
Psychedelic-assisted therapies have demonstrated promising results in treating mental disorders, with results suggesting that the subjective intens...
Psychedelic substance use in the Reddit psychonaut community. A qualitative study on motives and modalities
Drugs and Alcohol Today – August 03, 2020
Summary
Online communities are actively defining responsible psychedelic use, offering crucial insights for medical education and harm reduction. A qualitative analysis of 350 Reddit posts revealed diverse motives, including curiosity, recreation, and self-medication. Modalities emphasize preparation, integration, and information gathering—a valuable set of principles reflecting applied psychology. These findings offer originality, illuminating the social psychology of psychedelics and providing context for diverse academic research themes. This reflexivity helps understand user-driven harm reduction strategies.
Abstract
Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate motives and modalities of psychedelic substance use in the psychonaut community that is hosted ...
Motivation and retrospective appraisal of psychedelic study participation: a qualitative study in healthy volunteers.
Psychopharmacology – March 26, 2025
Summary
Healthy volunteers who participated in psychedelic research valued nature access and music during their experiences. In interviews with 151 participants who received substances like psilocybin and LSD, researchers found that personal growth and scientific curiosity were key motivations. Most participants reported positive experiences, especially when supported by trusted investigators in comfortable settings. Natural environments enhanced outcomes.
Abstract
Little is known about motives of healthy volunteers to participate in psychedelic trials and how they appraise their study experience retrospective...
A Field-Wide Review and Analysis of Study Materials Used in Psilocybin Trials: Assessment of Two Decades of Research
Psychedelic Medicine – January 20, 2025
Summary
Psychedelic research documents from numerous psilocybin studies over two decades consistently prioritize participant safety. An analysis of these materials, reflecting diverse academic themes in psychology and drug studies, identified four key themes. Crucially, 100% of reviewed sites emphasized biological and psychological safety, preparing participants for altered states from this naturally occurring alkaloid. These efforts, spanning chemical synthesis and human experience, aim to minimize risks and manage expectancies, optimizing the responsible exploration of psychedelics' potential.
Abstract
Introduction: Serotonergic psychedelics, serotonin 2A receptor agonists such as psilocybin that can result in substantially altered states of consc...
Informed Consent in Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy.
Current topics in behavioral neurosciences – December 31, 2024
Summary
As psychedelic therapy gains medical recognition, proper informed consent becomes crucial for patient safety. MDMA and psilocybin treatments show promising benefits for mental health, but require careful consideration of risks. Healthcare providers must clearly communicate potential outcomes, duration of effects, and integration support. This ensures patients make educated decisions about their treatment journey.
Abstract
Humans have long used classical serotonergic psychedelics, such as psilocybin, for a variety of purposes. Entactogens, such as methylenedioxymetham...
Leveraging family and caregiver support in psychedelic-assisted therapy: considerations for the treatment of adolescents.
Child and adolescent psychiatry and mental health – June 04, 2025
Summary
Family support proves crucial in emerging psychedelic therapy approaches for adolescents with mental health challenges. Research shows integrating caregivers into treatment protocols creates a more supportive healing environment and improves outcomes. By combining family systems approaches with carefully supervised psychedelic sessions, therapists can help young people recover while strengthening vital family bonds.
Abstract
Psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) is gaining recognition as a promising intervention for treatment-refractory mental health conditions in adults. ...
Development of a nomogram for predicting the outcome in patients with prolonged disorders of consciousness based on the multimodal evaluative information.
BMC neurology – April 23, 2025
Summary
A breakthrough in predicting recovery from severe brain injury reveals that over 50% of patients with disorders of consciousness show improvement within six months. By analyzing multiple factors including brain responses and hormone levels in a cohort of 170 patients in both minimally conscious and vegetative states, researchers developed a highly accurate prediction tool. The model combines behavioral scores, sensory responses, and estradiol levels to forecast recovery chances, achieving 92% accuracy in identifying patients likely to regain consciousness.
Abstract
To establish a nomogram prediction model for the patients with prolonged disorders of consciousness (PDOC) caused by brain injury at six months bas...
The Varieties of the Psychedelic Experience: A Preliminary Study of the Association Between the Reported Subjective Effects and the Binding Affinity Profiles of Substituted Phenethylamines and Tryptamines
Frontiers in Integrative Neuroscience – November 01, 2018
Summary
The profound diversity of subjective effects from classic psychedelics isn't just about mindset; it's also linked to how these drugs uniquely interact with brain receptors. Research correlating user experiences with drug binding affinity profiles revealed that the variety of reported effects strongly aligns with interactions at serotonin, dopamine, glutamate, muscarinic, opioid receptors, and the Ca+ channel. This advances our neuroscientific understanding of these compounds.
Abstract
Classic psychedelics are substances of paramount cultural and neuroscientific importance. A distinctive feature of psychedelic drugs is the wide ra...
Varying the High-pass-Cut Off Frequency Influences the Accuracy of the Model for Detection of Mind State Associated with Himalayan Yoga and Vipassana Meditation.
Annals of neurosciences – July 19, 2025
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Meditation and Yoga practices are being adopted and gaining considerable interest as a tool that prevents the occurrence of numerous ailments. Medi...
"This Is Something That Changed My Life": A Qualitative Study of Patients' Experiences in a Clinical Trial of Ketamine Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorders.
Frontiers in psychiatry – January 01, 2021
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Background: The therapeutic benefits of ketamine have been demonstrated for a variety of psychiatric disorders. However, the role of ketamine induc...
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...
Table 1_Acute and post-dosing effects of single-dose psilocybin for obsessive-compulsive disorder in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial: an interpretative phenomenological analysis.docx
OPAL (Open@LaTrobe) (La Trobe University) – December 10, 2025
Summary
A single dose of the hallucinogen psilocybin can profoundly shift how individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder perceive their condition. Qualitative research, using interpretative phenomenological analysis with 12 participants from a randomized controlled trial, explored these experiences. Participants reported acute perceptual and psychological effects. Post-dosing, they experienced changes in OCD symptoms and their perspective on the disorder. This suggests psilocybin, within clinical psychology and with psychotherapist support, offers a novel approach in psychiatry by altering subjective experience, opening new avenues for understanding and treating OCD.
Abstract
Introduction The subjective effects of psilocybin on obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) are under-explored. Therefore, we conducted a qualitative ...
Acute and post-dosing effects of single-dose psilocybin for obsessive-compulsive disorder in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial: an interpretative phenomenological analysis
Frontiers in Psychiatry – December 10, 2025
Summary
Psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, offers unique insights for treating obsessive-compulsive disorder. A qualitative analysis, using Interpretative phenomenological analysis, explored the subjective experiences of 12 individuals from a randomized controlled trial. Participants reported acute perceptual and emotional shifts, though sometimes blunted by OCD. Post-dosing, changes in OCD symptoms and a new perspective on the condition emerged. This work in clinical psychology and psychiatry, part of Psychedelics and Drug Studies, highlights psilocybin's potential in mental health, suggesting integration with psychotherapy approaches, considering the trial's placebo-controlled nature.
Abstract
Introduction The subjective effects of psilocybin on obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) are under-explored. Therefore, we conducted a qualitative ...
Exploring the first use of psychedelic macrodoses in Latin American adults: Sociodemographic profiles, consumption factors, and subjective experiences
Journal of Psychedelic Studies – November 20, 2025
Summary
When Latin Americans first try psychedelic macrodoses, 86.3% continue using them, often citing lack of opportunity as the only reason for not repeating. A survey of 4,810 adults found psilocybin mushrooms (57.6%) and LSD (33.3%) were most common, primarily for recreational (70.5%) or spiritual (21.6%) purposes. Most consumed with friends (65.7%). Psilocybin was linked to introspection, MDMA to empathy. This offers crucial insight into non-clinical psychedelic use, guiding public health and harm reduction efforts.
Abstract
Abstract This study explores the first-time use of psychedelic macrodoses among Latin American adults, addressing a gap in the literature regarding...
Altered States of Consciousness and Short-Term Psychological After-Effects Induced by the First Time Ritual Use of Ayahuasca in an Urban Context in Brazil
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs – June 01, 2005
Summary
Nineteen participants from Santo Daime and nine from União do Vegetal experienced significant mental health improvements after their first ayahuasca ritual. One to two weeks post-experience, those in the Santo Daime group reported a notable reduction in minor psychiatric symptoms, while both groups experienced enhanced assertiveness, serenity, and joy. Predominantly positive expectations shaped their experiences, with common themes including visual phenomena, numinousness, and insights. This highlights the potential of ayahuasca as a transformative tool in mental health and consciousness exploration.
Abstract
This report describes psychological assessments of the first time ritual use of ayahuasca in the religious groups União do Vegetal and Santo Daime....
Dance-based interventions in clinical populations: not all are the same
Frontiers in Psychology – October 17, 2025
Summary
Dance therapy can significantly enhance emotional, cognitive, and social integration, showing promise for various clinical populations. For instance, interventions like dance movement psychotherapy (DMP) have been effective in addressing issues such as depression, anxiety, and autism. A minimum of two years of training is required for practitioners to deliver these therapies. Additionally, adapted dance programs promote inclusivity for individuals with disabilities, fostering creativity and community engagement. Overall, these diverse dance-based interventions underscore the therapeutic potential of the arts in health and well-being.
Abstract
Introduction Dance is described as a phenomenon in which the human body and its movement, that may have a symbolic or aesthetic value within a vari...
Predictors and potentiators of psychedelic-occasioned mystical experiences
Journal of Psychedelic Studies – March 22, 2022
Summary
Mystical experiences, among life's most profound events, are reliably occasioned by psychedelics under specific conditions. These experiences are crucial for sustained psychological benefits across diverse populations. Over a dozen factors, including context, individual traits like absorption, and states of surrender, significantly influence their occurrence. Optimizing elements such as meditation practices and social psychology's "set and setting" enhances these mystical journeys. Understanding how psychotherapists can integrate these insights is crucial for maximizing beneficial outcomes from drug studies.
Abstract
Abstract Mystical experiences are often described as being among the most profound and meaningful events of a person’s life. Their occurrence, whil...
Bridging the reporting gap: Application of the ReSPCT guidelines in psilocybin clinical trial protocols.
European neuropsychopharmacology : the journal of the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology – January 16, 2026
Summary
Psilocybin trials for Major Depressive Disorder and Treatment-Resistant Depression often overlook critical contextual details. An evaluation of 13 protocols, assessing their reporting of set and setting using ReSPCT guidelines, found only 15.6% of 390 items fully compliant. While procedural elements like medical procedures (100% reported) were well-documented, 84.6% of protocols lacked cultural competence information, and 92.3% omitted details on the therapeutic environment. This indicates that crucial non-pharmacological aspects influencing therapeutic outcomes are largely underreported, highlighting the need for broader adoption of ReSPCT guidelines for transparent and reproducible research.
Abstract
Psilocybin-assisted therapies are increasingly studied for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD), and methodolog...
Confronting the figure of the "mad scientist" in psychedelic history: LSD's use as a correctional tool in the postwar period.
Frontiers in psychology – January 01, 2023
Summary
In postwar Canada, respected psychiatrists used LSD therapy in prisons, challenging our modern image of "mad scientists" conducting reckless experiments. Researchers administered psychedelics to inmates, believing these treatments could reform behavior and reduce recidivism. The findings reveal how institutional settings shaped early psychedelic research, highlighting both the promise and ethical complexities of using powerful mind-altering substances in correctional contexts.
Abstract
Since reports about CIA-funded LSD studies came out in the 1970s, psychedelic drugs have invoked images of unethical experimentation and "mad scien...
Acute Subjective Experiences of Intravenous Ketamine Therapy Among Medically Hospitalized Patients with Alcohol Use Disorder.
Psychedelic medicine (New Rochelle, N.Y.) – June 01, 2024
Summary
Ketamine therapy shows promise for treating alcohol use disorder, offering unique healing experiences even in hospital settings. Researchers found that hospitalized patients receiving intravenous ketamine reported overwhelmingly positive experiences, with high satisfaction scores averaging 9.5 out of 10. Participants described meaningful spiritual insights and positive emotional states during their psychedelic sessions.
Abstract
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is widespread and problematic in the United States, and current pharmacotherapy options have relatively modest effects. ...
Inpatient Treatment of Suicidality: A Systematic Review of Clinical Trials.
The Journal of clinical psychiatry – January 08, 2025
Summary
Recent findings show that intravenous ketamine leads the way in rapidly reducing suicidal thoughts among psychiatric inpatients. While various treatments exist, from light therapy to psychotherapy, ketamine emerged as the most consistent option in hospital settings. A comprehensive analysis of 49 clinical trials revealed promising results for mood and trauma-related disorders, though effectiveness varied across different therapeutic approaches.
Abstract
Objective: Psychiatric inpatients represent an acutely vulnerable population with high rates of suicidality (ie, suicidal ideation, attempts, and c...
Predicting Responses to Psychedelics: A Prospective Study
Frontiers in Pharmacology – November 02, 2018
Summary
Psychological well-being increased for participants (initial N=654) two weeks after a psychedelic experience, sustained at four weeks. A "mystical-type experience" positively impacted this change. Having clear intentions and a positive "set" decreased challenging experiences; intentions for recreation also helped. Baseline trait variables like absorption, alongside higher drug doses, promoted all acute experiences. These extra-pharmacological factors, crucial for understanding human psychology, explained the largest variance in well-being changes, informing clinical psychology guidelines for psychedelics.
Abstract
Responses to psychedelics are notoriously difficult to predict, yet significant work is currently underway to assess their therapeutic potential an...
With great power comes great vulnerability: an ethical analysis of psychedelics’ therapeutic mechanisms proposed by the REBUS hypothesis
Journal of Medical Ethics – April 12, 2023
Summary
Psychedelics can make rigid beliefs flexible, offering new therapeutic avenues. This happens by increasing openness to new information, making individuals highly suggestible and sensitive to their environment. While this mechanism shows promise for healing, it also creates significant vulnerability, as patients become dependent on the therapeutic setting. Fully informing patients about this suggestibility and implementing strong safeguards are vital for ethical treatment.
Abstract
Psychedelics are experiencing a renaissance in mental healthcare. In recent years, more and more early phase trials on psychedelic-assisted therapy...
Client and counselor attitudes toward the use of medications for treatment of opioid dependence.
Journal of substance abuse treatment – March 01, 2007
Summary
Peer influence profoundly shapes attitudes toward medications for opioid dependence. An assessment of over 1,400 clients and counselors across diverse treatment settings found that social norms were a dominant factor. Positive intentions for methadone were strong within its dedicated programs, while buprenorphine received neutral views, and other medications were seen negatively. This highlights how perceived peer beliefs critically impact the acceptance of medication-assisted treatment.
Abstract
Attitudes, perceived social norms, and intentions were assessed for 376 counselors and 1,083 clients from outpatient, methadone, and residential dr...
A new behavior change program using psilocybin.
Psychotherapy – January 01, 1965
Summary
With 67% of offenders returning to prison within five years, traditional rehabilitation struggles. A novel **Psychology** program explored using **Psilocybin** within a collaborative group setting to foster profound insight and cognitive change. This approach, diverging from conventional **Psychotherapy Techniques**, aimed to equip individuals with new ways of living, challenging established **Clinical psychology** models. Eschewing a traditional **Psychotherapist** role, it represents an early application in **Psychedelics and Drug Studies** for behavioral transformation, seeking to significantly reduce re-offending rates.
Abstract
This paper describes the procedure and results of a new kind of behavior change or rehabilitation program The methods used here may have applicatio...
Examining attitudes to psilocybin: Should candidates for medical psilocybin be required to pass a contextual suitability test
OpenAlex – November 23, 2021
Summary
Personal factors significantly predict attitudes toward psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, in drug studies. A psychology model incorporating "Set," "Openness to Experience," and Extraversion accurately predicted scores on the Attitudes Towards Psilocybin (ATP) scale. This scale, tested for construct validity and criterion validity, proved reliable among 219 participants (52.1% having used psychedelics). These findings suggest a suitability test could be a valuable tool in clinical psychology and psychiatry, guiding appropriate psilocybin prescriptions and integrating crucial extra-pharmacological considerations for future psychedelic treatments.
Abstract
Background: Due to increasing evidence of efficacy in treating mental health disorders, psilocybin may become a legal medicinal drug. This study te...
Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy—A Systematic Review of Associated Psychological Interventions
Frontiers in Psychology – June 10, 2022
Summary
Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy shows compelling outcomes, yet some patients relapse. A review using **MEDLINE**, **Scopus**, and **PsycINFO** examined **clinical psychology** models for **Psychedelics and Drug Studies**. These **psychological intervention** approaches, delivered by a **psychotherapist**, highlight how individual **set** and environmental **context** influence efficacy. Such **interventions (counseling)** demonstrate the **moderation** of therapeutic factors on outcomes, considering the **chemical synthesis and alkaloids** involved and their **neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior**. This **Psychology** review maps current practices, emphasizing therapeutic stance for improved patient care.
Abstract
Modern clinical research on psychedelics is generating interesting outcomes in a wide array of clinical conditions when psychedelic-assisted psycho...
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...
Jeremy Shaw's DMT
Performance Research – August 18, 2017
Summary
A compelling finding reveals how a hallucinogen like DMT, akin to psilocybin, can be therapeutically potent for addiction and PTSD. An artist's 2004 video work explored the drug's agency, transforming a psychedelic session into art. This challenges traditional psychology, highlighting the critical context of the setting—whether a "white cube" aesthetic or a psychotherapist's office. Such diverse academic research themes, spanning art history to cross-cultural and social analysis, demonstrate how curated environments influence the euphoriant's effect, inducing trance-like states and potentially revealing existential meaning. The project offers a unique lens for psychedelics and drug studies.
Abstract
This article examines DMT by Jeremy Shaw, a Berlin-based Canadian artist whose oeuvre has investigated altered states. For this 2004 video work, Sh...
Ayahuasca: what mental health professionals need to know
Archives of Clinical Psychiatry (São Paulo) – August 01, 2017
Summary
Ayahuasca, a psychoactive ethnobotanical, shows promise as a medicine, demonstrating antidepressive, anxiolytic, and antiaddictive effects in various drug studies. While generally safe in controlled settings with few adverse effects, prolonged psychotic reactions are rare. Understanding its therapeutic potential for psychiatry and psychology, likely through neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior, is advanced by biochemical analysis. However, individuals with a history of psychotic disorders should avoid it due to potential medical complications.
Abstract
Abstract Background Ayahuasca is a psychoactive ethnobotanical concoction that has been used for decades by indigenous groups of the Northwestern A...
Acute subjective effects in LSD- and MDMA-assisted psychotherapy
Journal of Psychopharmacology – October 08, 2020
Summary
LSD and MDMA are showing promise in treating posttraumatic stress disorder and major depression, particularly for patients unresponsive to conventional therapies. In Switzerland, 18 patients (12 women, 6 men, aged 29-77) participated in a compassionate use program between 2014-2018. They experienced significant alterations in consciousness, with LSD producing notable mystical experiences. Sessions were conducted every 3.5 months after initial psychotherapy, yielding effects comparable to those observed in clinical trials. These findings support the potential of psychedelics in therapeutic settings for mental health challenges.
Abstract
Background: Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) were used in psychotherapy in the 1960s–1980s, and are cu...
A phenomenology of subjectively relevant experiences induced by ayahuasca in Upper Amazon vegetalismo tourism
Journal of Psychedelic Studies – March 29, 2019
Summary
Ayahuasca experiences can evoke deep emotional responses, revealing a complex interplay between pleasant and unpleasant feelings. In a study involving nine foreign tourists at an ayahuasca retreat in Peru, participants reported various themes, including personal preparation, physical symptoms, and cognitive-emotional phenomena. Notably, 67% experienced psychotherapeutic target emotions alongside challenging feelings during sessions. The findings suggest that the ceremonial setting and participants' expectations significantly shape their experiences, influencing perceptions of visionary content and communication with perceived entities.
Abstract
Aims This heuristic study reports observations on the phenomenology of ayahuasca experiences of nine foreign tourist participants of an ayahuasca r...
Reflections on crafting an ayahuasca community guide for the awareness of sexual abuse
Journal of Psychedelic Studies – February 20, 2020
Summary
An alarming aspect of ayahuasca use is the potential for sexual abuse, highlighted by the development of guidelines aimed at raising awareness in various settings. With a focus on the Chacruna Institute's efforts, the guidelines address the complexities of creating educational resources that emphasize that abuse is never the victim's fault. In light of increasing global interactions involving ayahuasca—often consumed by diverse groups—the need for these guidelines is urgent. Collaborative creation faced challenges, yet aims to inform about common abuse scenarios while promoting survivor support.
Abstract
This article reflects upon the conception and development of a set of guidelines for the awareness of sexual abuse in ayahuasca settings, an assort...
Ayahuasca rituals for the treatment of substance use disorders: Three narratives of former patients of a neo‐shamanic center from Uruguay
Anthropology of Consciousness – November 10, 2024
Summary
Ayahuasca, a psychedelic beverage from the Amazon, shows promise in treating substance use disorders (SUDs). In a neo-shamanic center in Uruguay, three former patients shared transformative narratives after participating in ayahuasca rituals. These individuals reported significant shifts in their biographical and spiritual trajectories, highlighting the beverage's role not just as a psychedelic but as a psychotherapeutic tool within a rich cultural context. This approach emphasizes the importance of social and spiritual settings in healing processes, revealing profound implications for psychology and psychiatry.
Abstract
Abstract Ayahuasca is a psychedelic beverage from the Amazon rainforest, used in spiritual and religious settings for medical purposes. Since the 1...
MDMA polydrug users show processspecific central executive impairments coupled with impaired social and emotional judgement processes
Journal of Psychopharmacology – March 30, 2006
Summary
MDMA users exhibit significant cognitive impairments, particularly in set shifting and memory updating tasks, impacting their social and emotional judgment. In a study involving 30 participants—15 MDMA users and 15 non-users—results showed that while both groups completed drug use questionnaires, the MDMA group struggled more with tasks assessing executive functions. Notably, deficits in social and emotional judgment persisted even after accounting for other drug use, highlighting potential risks associated with recreational ecstasy consumption on prefrontal cortex-mediated processes.
Abstract
In recent years working memory de.cits have been reported in users of MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, ecstasy). The current study aimed to...
"Quite a Profoundly Strange Experience": An Analysis of the Experiences of Salvia divinorum Users.
Journal of psychoactive drugs – January 01, 2016
Summary
Many describe salvia as a "profoundly strange experience." Research explored the complex drug effects and patterns of drug use among 167 individuals. Findings emphasized the critical role of set and setting in shaping experiences, with pleasure being a significant motivator. Users, often "drug wise," sought salvia for its novel, intermittent effects.
Abstract
Salvia divnorum (an intense hallucinogen) is currently illegal in New Zealand under the 2014 Psychoactive Substances Amendment Act. Despite this, t...
Protective Behavioral Strategies for Psychedelic Use: A Mini Review of the Evidence.
Psychedelic medicine (New Rochelle, N.Y.) – December 01, 2024
Summary
As psychedelic use rises among Americans, proven harm reduction strategies are helping people navigate these powerful substances more safely. Research shows that protective behavioral strategies, like careful dosing and creating supportive environments, can significantly reduce risks. Users who implement these practices report fewer negative experiences while maintaining potential benefits. The psychedelic community has developed effective safety protocols, from proper substance testing to post-experience integration.
Abstract
Approximately 8.5 million Americans over the age of 12 endorsed past year psychedelic use in 2022, with 1.4 million individuals initiating use duri...
Catalyst for change: Psilocybin’s antidepressant mechanisms—A systematic review
Journal of Psychopharmacology – January 20, 2025
Summary
Psilocybin, a powerful hallucinogen, offers promising antidepressant effects. A review of 15 studies in Clinical Psychology and Neuroscience reveals its mechanisms: promoting psychological openness and improved cognition, fostering social connectedness. This chemical's impact on neurotransmitter receptors alters brain dynamics, reducing activity in the default mode network and increasing other neural connections. A psychotherapist-guided context, vital for therapeutic change and reflecting universal human needs, is crucial. This multi-level approach, encompassing neurobiology and psychology, highlights psilocybin's therapeutic potential.
Abstract
Background: Recent clinical trials suggest promising antidepressant effects of psilocybin, despite methodological challenges. While various studies...
Psychedelics: From Cave Art to 21st-Century Medicine for Addiction
European Addiction Research – September 25, 2024
Summary
Psychedelics offer compelling new hope for treating addiction. A comprehensive review spanning 40 years of Psychedelics and Drug Studies highlights their therapeutic potential in medicine and psychiatry. Substances like Psilocybin, Lysergic acid diethylamide, and Mescaline, alongside MDMA, are being re-examined. These hallucinogens influence neurotransmitter receptors, impacting behavior and improving psychological symptoms of dependence. This re-emergence in psychology and chemical synthesis and alkaloids research suggests these compounds could be vital tools for psychotherapists addressing addiction, especially when conventional methods fail.
Abstract
Background: Psychedelic substance use in ritualistic and ceremonial settings dates back as early as 8,500 BCE. Only in recent years, from the mid-2...
Assessment of the acute subjective psychedelic experience: A review of patient-reported outcome measures in clinical research on classical psychedelics
Journal of Psychopharmacology – November 16, 2023
Summary
Measuring the profound shifts in consciousness induced by psychedelics like psilocybin, ayahuasca, and lysergic acid diethylamide is surprisingly inconsistent, hindering clinical psychology. A review of 93 trials revealed 17 distinct rating scales are used across the population to assess these altered states. The Hallucinogen Rating Scale is among the five most utilized. This variability in instruments impacts our understanding of the level of consciousness and how these substances, relevant to psychiatry and drug studies, affect the subjective experience. Standardized measurement is crucial.
Abstract
Background: The classical psychedelics psilocybin, peyote, ayahuasca/ N, N-dimethyltryptamine, and lysergic acid diethylamide can temporarily produ...
Implementation of a multimodal pain protocol in adult burn patients.
Burns : journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries – June 01, 2025
Summary
Burn patients who received a balanced combination of pain medications needed 44% less morphine while maintaining effective pain control. A new electronic prescription system helped doctors better manage acute pain in burns by automatically suggesting multiple pain relief options. The approach combined traditional opioids with safer alternatives like acetaminophen, leading to better multimodal pain treatment without compromising patient comfort.
Abstract
The 2020 American Burn Association guidelines recommend a multimodal approach to pain management comprised of both opioids and non-opioids. The pur...