Research
Psilocybin‐assisted therapy leads to personality shifts in patients with alcohol use disorder
The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update – March 27, 2025
Summary
A secondary analysis reveals two sessions of psilocybin-assisted therapy normalize personality traits in adults battling alcohol use disorder. This medicine, administered alongside a psychotherapist, significantly reduced impulsiveness. Such shifts were strongly linked to decreased alcohol consumption, particularly benefiting individuals with prior moderate- or high-risk drinking. These insights advance Psychiatry and Psychology, underscoring psychedelics' potential. The chemical synthesis of psilocybin is crucial for developing novel treatments within Psychedelics and Drug Studies.
Abstract
Adults with alcohol use disorder who received two sessions of psilocybin‐assisted therapy demonstrated personality shifts toward normalization of a...
Epigenetic Echoes: Bridging Nature, Nurture, and Healing Across Generations.
International journal of molecular sciences – March 27, 2025
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Trauma can impact individuals within a generation (intragenerational) and future generations (transgenerational) through a complex interplay of bio...
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...
Existing evidence for the use of psychedelics in patients with cancer and other serious illness: A narrative review.
Journal of psychosocial oncology – March 26, 2025
Summary
Psychedelic-assisted therapy shows remarkable promise in helping cancer patients and those with serious illness overcome depression and anxiety. Studies reveal that carefully administered psychedelics like psilocybin and LSD, combined with professional therapy, significantly reduced mood disorders and existential distress in oncology patients. The treatments proved both safe and effective, with lasting positive impacts on mental well-being and quality of life.
Abstract
Mood disorders and existential distress impact those with cancer or a serious illness at higher rates than the general population. There have been ...
Sublethal Concentrations of 2C-I and 25I-NBOMe Designer Drugs Impact <i>Caenorhabditis elegans</i> Development and Reproductive Behavior.
Int J Mol Sci – March 26, 2025
Summary
Surprisingly, even tiny, non-lethal amounts of designer drugs like 2C-I and 25I-NBOMe can profoundly alter basic life functions. Researchers successfully demonstrated how these compounds impact the development and reproductive behavior of *C. elegans* worms. Through careful observation, it was clearly shown that exposure caused significant delays in the worms' growth and maturation. Moreover, the drugs noticeably disrupted their natural mating patterns. These compelling findings reveal the potent biological effects of these substances on living organisms, influencing critical life stages and behaviors.
Abstract
Sublethal Concentrations of 2C-I and 25I-NBOMe Designer Drugs Impact Caenorhabditis elegans Development and Reproductive Behavior.
Comparing Antidepressant Effects of Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy in Individuals That Were Unmedicated at Initial Screening Versus Individuals Discontinuing Medications for Study Participation: Comparaison des effets antidépresseurs de la psychothérapie assistée par la psilocybine (PAP) chez les personnes non médicamentées à la sélection initiale et les personnes ayant arrêté les médicaments pour participer à l’étude
The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry – March 25, 2025
Summary
Patients experiencing major depressive episodes achieved comparable relief from depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation, whether they tapered off antidepressants (n=18) or were unmedicated (n=9) when receiving psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy. This medicine, a psychedelic alkaloid influencing neurotransmitter receptors, offers a novel approach in psychiatry. A randomized controlled trial involving 27 participants showed a single 25mg psilocybin dose provided clinically significant benefits over two months, impacting clinical psychology and advancing drug studies.
Abstract
Objective: To compare changes in depression, anxiety, and suicidality symptoms after a single 25 mg oral dose of psilocybin between treatment-resis...
Integrated Information Theory and the Phenomenal Binding Problem: Challenges and Solutions in a Dynamic Framework.
Entropy (Basel, Switzerland) – March 25, 2025
Summary
Our brains seamlessly combine countless bits of sensory information into one unified conscious experience - a feat that challenges our understanding of consciousness. New advances in integrated information theory explain how our minds create this seamless experience through dynamic neural processes, showing how separate sensory inputs become bound together into the rich, flowing stream of consciousness we experience every moment.
Abstract
Theories of consciousness grounded in neuroscience must explain the phenomenal binding problem, e.g., how micro-units of information are combined t...
Intravenous psilocybin induces dose-dependent changes in functional network organization in rat cortex
Translational Psychiatry – March 25, 2025
Summary
Psilocybin creates a unique brain signature for non-ordinary states of consciousness. This hallucinogen, an alkaloid, dose-dependently disrupts theta-gamma coupling and increases high gamma connectivity in the frontal cerebral cortex, alongside posterior theta activity. Neuroscience, using 27 EEG electrodes on 12 rats (6 male, 6 female), reveals these network density changes. Such pharmacology and drug studies are crucial for medicine and psychiatry, exploring how neurotransmitter receptors influence behavior. Understanding these effects, beyond chemical synthesis, offers deep insights into psychology.
Abstract
Psilocybin produces an altered state of consciousness in humans and is associated with complex spatiotemporal changes in cortical networks. Given t...
Pharmacokinetics of Psilocybin: A Systematic Review
Pharmaceutics – March 25, 2025
Summary
Psilocybin, a promising hallucinogen in medicine, transforms into its active metabolite, psilocin, influencing neurotransmitter receptors. Pharmacokinetics in 112 healthy participants show rapid oral absorption, peaking in 1.8 to 4 hours, with 52.7 ± 20% bioavailability. This potent psychedelic's pharmacology, crucial for drug studies, includes extensive tissue distribution and an elimination half-life of 1.5 to 4 hours. Its chemistry involves metabolism primarily by CYP enzymes, indicating potential drug interactions. Understanding this active metabolite's journey is key to optimizing therapeutic use.
Abstract
Background: Psilocybin has shown promise in therapeutic applications for mental disorders. Understanding the pharmacokinetics of psilocybin and its...
A dynamic bifurcation mechanism explains cortex-wide neural correlates of conscious access.
Cell reports – March 25, 2025
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Conscious access is suggested to involve "ignition," an all-or-none activation across cortical areas. To elucidate this phenomenon, we carry out co...
Mixed-Methods Study of Use and Attitudes About Psychedelics for Therapeutic Purposes Among Low-Income U.S. Veterans Nationally.
Journal of psychoactive drugs – March 24, 2025
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
There is great public and clinical interest in the use of psychedelics for therapeutic purposes. However, there has been little national study of p...
Monoamine neurotransmitter-related gene-based genome-wide association study of low-dose ketamine in patients with treatment-resistant depression.
Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England) – March 24, 2025
Summary
Groundbreaking research from Taiwan reveals how ketamine's antidepressant effects work through multiple brain chemical pathways. Scientists conducted a genome-wide association study of patients with treatment-resistant depression, finding that ketamine's effectiveness links to genes controlling various monoamine neurotransmitters, including serotonin and dopamine systems. The results explain why low-dose ketamine can help patients who don't respond to standard treatments.
Abstract
Low-dose ketamine is an N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist that exerts an antidepressant effect on patients with treatment-resistant depressi...
Effects of Subanesthetic Intravenous Ketamine Infusion on Stress Hormones and Synaptic Density in Rats with Mild Closed-Head Injury.
Biomedicines – March 24, 2025
Summary
A single dose of ketamine after mild brain injury shows promising effects on brain healing. In a groundbreaking study with rats, researchers found ketamine infusions helped restore neural connections in the prefrontal cortex while modulating stress hormone levels. Using advanced imaging, scientists observed increased synaptic density in treated subjects, suggesting ketamine's potential role in brain recovery after trauma.
Abstract
Background: Every year, over 40 million people sustain mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) which affects the glucocorticoid stress pathway and synap...
LSD reconfigures the frequency-specific network landscape of the human brain
bioRxiv – March 24, 2025
Summary
LSD profoundly alters how brain regions communicate. Researchers explored its impact on brain activity patterns. Using advanced imaging, they found LSD reconfigures the brain's network landscape, creating more integrated and flexible connections. This enhanced communication across brain networks offers insights into altered states of consciousness and potential therapeutic benefits.
Abstract
LSD reconfigures the frequency-specific network landscape of the human brain
LPS-Induced Liver Inflammation Is Inhibited by Psilocybin and Eugenol in Mice
Pharmaceuticals – March 23, 2025
Summary
Psilocybin powerfully combats liver inflammation, a key finding from Psychedelics and Drug Studies. In an acute liver injury model, psilocybin (0.88 mg/kg) alone, or combined with eugenol (17.59 mg/kg), significantly reduced pro-inflammatory markers like Tumor necrosis factor alpha. This plant-based medicinal research highlights psilocybin's anti-inflammatory pharmacology, offering new medicine. Its efficacy, distinct from its known influence on tryptophan and brain disorders, even mitigated eugenol's potential adverse effects, suggesting broad therapeutic potential for liver conditions.
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Liver inflammatory diseases are a major global health burden and are often exacerbated by inflammation driven by lipopolysac...
Structural basis for psilocybin biosynthesis.
Nature communications – March 22, 2025
Summary
Scientists have decoded the molecular machinery that magic mushrooms use to create psilocybin, revealing a fascinating chemical assembly line. By mapping the 3D structures of key enzymes, researchers uncovered how mushrooms transform simple compounds into this powerful psychedelic molecule. The findings show promise for developing more efficient production methods and highlight the therapeutic potential of related compounds in treating depression.
Abstract
Psilocybin shows significant therapeutic potential for psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy in addressing various psychiatric conditions. The biosynth...
Efficacy and safety of esketamine in preventing perioperative neurocognitive disorders: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled studies.
Systematic reviews – March 22, 2025
Summary
Esketamine shows promise in protecting brain function during surgery. This medication significantly reduced cognitive complications in surgical patients while improving postoperative recovery. Studies found it lowered inflammatory markers and decreased the risk of memory and thinking problems by 47%. Patients showed better cognitive function and experienced less nausea, with minimal side effects.
Abstract
Perioperative neurocognitive disorders (POND) are common in older adults and are associated with adverse outcomes. This meta-analysis aimed to eval...
Pharmacological Monotherapy for Depressive Disorders: Current and Future-A Narrative Review.
Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) – March 21, 2025
Summary
Breakthrough treatments for depression are evolving beyond traditional antidepressants. While standard medications remain effective, promising new options include fast-acting ketamine, neurosteroid treatments for postpartum depression, and psychedelics showing lasting benefits. Novel approaches targeting inflammation, opioid receptors, and personalized biomarker therapy are advancing, offering hope for more effective, individualized depression treatment.
Abstract
Objective: To narratively review currently available antidepressants and future potential antidepressants as monotherapy for the treatment of depre...
Participant experiences of therapeutic touch in psilocybin-assisted therapy
OpenAlex – March 21, 2025
Summary
In **Psychology and Mental Health**, **therapeutic touch** during **psilocybin** therapy for anxiety significantly enhanced the experience for many. Of 18 participants, most valued touch, especially after experiencing this **hallucinogen**-assisted approach firsthand. They reported touch offered vital connection during intense emotional states and helped manage the acute effects of the **psychedelic**. Some even attributed direct therapeutic benefits to it. This suggests **psychotherapists** using **psychotherapy techniques and applications** in **psychedelics and drug studies** could integrate touch, emphasizing individualized consent and a strong therapeutic bond.
Abstract
This study explores therapeutic touch in psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) through the longitudinal perspectives of participants (n = 18) within a...
Hype or hope? The developing evidence base for psychedelic treatment of addiction disorders.
The British journal of psychiatry : the journal of mental science – March 21, 2025
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
There has been substantial recent renewed interest and investment to assess the therapeutic potential of psychedelic compounds in addiction disorde...
The effects of psilocybin therapy versus escitalopram on cognitive bias: A secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial
OpenAlex – March 21, 2025
Summary
Patients with major depression experienced a significant boost in optimism following psilocybin therapy. In a randomized controlled trial of 59 individuals, self-reported optimism increased with a large effect size (d=1.1) after two psilocybin doses, compared to no change with escitalopram. Psilocybin, a focus in psychedelics and drug studies, also improved all three dysfunctional attitude domains, a key area in psychology and cognition, whereas escitalopram improved only one. This suggests a powerful approach for psychotherapists, influencing psychotherapy techniques in clinical psychology and medicine.
Abstract
Abstract Background Patients with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) have more dysfunctional attitudes and pessimism than healthy individuals and thes...
Oral Ketamine for the Treatment of Depression: A randomized controlled trial and meta-analysis
medRxiv Preprint Server – March 21, 2025
Summary
Treating depression at home could soon be a reality. Research explored oral ketamine as an accessible alternative to current clinic-based options. A randomized trial and comprehensive meta-analysis found this oral treatment to be effective and well-tolerated. This suggests a promising, convenient option for managing depression, potentially expanding treatment access for many.
Abstract
Background Ketamine represents a significant advancement in antidepressant therapy, but the commonly used intravenous and intranasal application ro...
Self-treatment with psychedelic substances for health and wellbeing in Aotearoa New Zealand: an exploratory descriptive study
Kōtuitui – March 20, 2025
Summary
Many in New Zealand are turning to psychedelic self-medication for mental health. A qualitative exploration interviewed 34 individuals, revealing personalized approaches to using psychedelics for wellbeing, often after other treatments failed. Participants reported significant positive results, including symptom remission and improved psychological health. This highlights an emerging practice distinct from formal psychedelic-assisted therapy.
Abstract
This study draws attention to, and provides a description of, a previously unmapped and emerging self-medication phenomenon occurring in Aotearoa N...
[Esketamine Alleviates Postoperative Depressive Symptoms in Frail Elderly Patients Undergoing Thoracoscopic Radical Resection of Lung Cancer: A Randomized Double-Blind Controlled Trial].
Sichuan da xue xue bao. Yi xue ban = Journal of Sichuan University. Medical science edition – March 20, 2025
Summary
Minimizing emotional distress after major surgery is crucial. For frail elderly patients undergoing thoracoscopic radical resection of lung cancer, a study found that Esketamine significantly improved their postoperative depressive state. This randomized trial showed patients given Esketamine had better mood, sleep, and cognitive function, alongside reduced pain and faster recovery. It offers a clear benefit for these vulnerable individuals.
Abstract
To investigate the effect of esketamine on postoperative depression in frail elderly patients undergoing thoracoscopic radical resection of lung ca...
Psychedelic Drugs in Mental Disorders: Current Clinical Scope and Deep Learning‐Based Advanced Perspectives
Advanced Science – March 20, 2025
Summary
Psychedelics like psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, show renewed promise in Psychiatry for treating conditions like anxiety and major depressive disorder. Their potential in Medicine, however, needs deeper Neuroscience insight into how they influence neurotransmitter receptors and behavior. Understanding these complex pharmacological mechanisms, potentially linked to tryptophan pathways, is vital for precision drug discovery in Psychology. Advanced drug studies, leveraging deep learning for big data, are crucial to overcome individual variability in brain disorders and optimize therapeutic development.
Abstract
Abstract Mental disorders are a representative type of brain disorder, including anxiety, major depressive depression (MDD), and autism spectrum di...
The acute effects of methoxphenidine on behaviour and pharmacokinetics profile in animal model.
Progress in neuro-psychopharmacology & biological psychiatry – March 20, 2025
Summary
A recent investigation into Methoxphenidine, a new psychoactive substance, reveals its rapid journey into the brain. Pharmacokinetics showed it peaks in Wistar rats within 30 minutes. Behavioral analysis, including an open field test, precisely mapped its effects: stimulant at lower doses, sedative at higher ones, and disrupted sensorimotor gating. The study also clearly defined its systemic toxicity, providing vital insights into the dangers of recreational use.
Abstract
Methoxphenidine (MXP) is classified as a new psychoactive substance that has recently emerged on the illicit drug market. Understanding the pharmac...
N-Acetylcysteine Mitigates Ketamine Neurotoxicity in Young Rats by Modulating ROS-Mediated Pyroptosis and Ferroptosis.
Molecular neurobiology – March 20, 2025
Summary
A common anesthetic used in pediatric surgery, ketamine, can potentially harm developing brains. However, N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a powerful antioxidant, shows promise in preventing this damage. NAC works by blocking harmful cellular processes called ferroptosis and pyroptosis, which are triggered by excess reactive oxygen species (ROS). This protection helps preserve brain function and prevents cognitive impairment in young patients.
Abstract
Ketamine, an N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist with anesthetic and analgesic properties, is extensively utilized for the induction and maint...
Subdiaphragmatic vagotomy reduces hypothalamic oxytocin expression and blood levels after oral MDMA administration in male rats.
Progress in neuro-psychopharmacology & biological psychiatry – March 20, 2025
Summary
The vagus nerve, a key player in the gut-brain axis, significantly influences how MDMA affects hormone levels in the body. When researchers severed this nerve in rats, they found dramatically reduced oxytocin levels in both blood and brain regions, particularly in the paraventricular and supraoptic nucleus. This reveals how crucial the connection between digestive and nervous systems is for MDMA's well-known emotional and social effects.
Abstract
3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is a widely recognized entactogen frequently used recreationally. It is known for its interaction with the...
Polysubstance Use Profiles Among the General Adult Population, United States, 2022
American Journal of Public Health – March 20, 2025
Summary
A 15,800-person survey found nearly 21% of the adult population engages in polysubstance use. A latent class model identified four patterns. While 11.5% showed medically guided use from a medical prescription, 4.0% exhibited a principal cannabis use variety, informing Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, with 31.9% having substance abuse. Another 3.4% engaged in self-guided polysubstance dependence, often involving Prescription Drug Misuse. 2.1% displayed indiscriminate coexposures, relevant to Psychedelics and Drug Studies, with 58.9% substance abuse. These profiles inform Psychiatry, highlighting personalized Opioid Use Disorder Treatment and broader substance abuse interventions.
Abstract
Objectives. To characterize present-day polysubstance use patterns in the general adult population. Methods. From a 2022 nationally representative ...
Acute Effects of the Psychedelic Phenethylamine 25I-NBOMe in C57BL/6J Male Mice.
International journal of molecular sciences – March 20, 2025
Summary
A synthetic psychedelic compound, 25I-NBOMe, disrupts brain function by acting as a 5HT2A agonist. Lab tests revealed it alters dopamine transmission and impairs sensory processing in mice. Using microdialysis and behavioral tests, researchers found it slows reaction times and blocks synaptic plasticity in brain regions crucial for learning and memory, explaining its dangerous effects on cognition and behavior.
Abstract
25I-NBOMe (4-Iodo-2,5-dimethoxy-N-(2-methoxybenzyl) phenethylamine) is a synthetic psychedelic compound abused for its ambiguous legal state as a c...
N, N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) in rodent brain: Concentrations, distribution, and recent pharmacological data.
Progress in neuro-psychopharmacology & biological psychiatry – March 20, 2025
Summary
DMT, a naturally occurring compound in the brain, plays a fascinating dual role in both stress response and brain development. Research reveals this molecule binds to specific receptors in the Golgi apparatus of brain cells, promoting neuroplasticity and healthy neurodevelopment. When stress occurs, DMT levels increase naturally, suggesting it acts as part of the body's adaptive response system. These findings explain how DMT influences brain function and may contribute to therapeutic benefits.
Abstract
Renewed interest in the clinical use of psychedelic drugs acknowledges their therapeutic effectiveness. It has also provided a changing frame of re...
Exploring factors associated with the intensity of a mystical experience following naturalistic psychedelic use: A retrospective survey.
Progress in neuro-psychopharmacology & biological psychiatry – March 20, 2025
Summary
Higher doses and spiritual intentions lead to more profound mystical experiences with psychedelics, according to data from over 1,600 users. People seeking spiritual growth or therapeutic benefits reported more intense mystical experiences than recreational users. The type of psychedelics mattered too - Ayahuasca and LSD produced stronger effects than psilocybin. Alcohol use during sessions reduced mystical experience intensity.
Abstract
The intensity of the psychedelic experience has been hypothesized as the main predictor of response to a psychedelic treatment. This study aimed to...
Synthesis and In Vitro Profiling of Psilocin Derivatives: Improved Stability and Synthetic Properties
Journal of Medicinal Chemistry – March 20, 2025
Summary
Revolutionizing psychedelic medicine, new chemical synthesis methods promise easier access to therapeutic compounds. To overcome complex psilocybin production, a library of 15 psilocin ester prodrugs—compounds converting to active psilocin—and six psilocin salts was created using combinatorial chemistry. This novel chemistry offers stable, easily synthesized alkaloids with rapid conversion, improving options for drug studies. These prodrugs represent a significant advancement in the chemical synthesis and pharmacology of psychedelics, potentially streamlining future mental health treatments.
Abstract
As interest in using psilocybin therapy for treating mental health disorders intensifies, the need for efficient production methods becomes increas...
The psychedelic psilocybin and light exposure have similar and synergistic effects on gene expression patterns in the visual cortex.
Molecular brain – March 18, 2025
Summary
Psilocybin, the compound in magic mushrooms, triggers gene changes in the brain's visual center that remarkably mirror those caused by light exposure - even in complete darkness. Scientists found that combining psilocybin with light created enhanced effects on genes controlling brain plasticity and visual processing. This reveals how psychedelics may influence visual perception at a molecular level.
Abstract
Psilocybin, a psychedelic compound found in specific hallucinogenic mushrooms, is known to induce changes in visual perception and experience in hu...
Preliminary safety and effectiveness of psilocybin-assisted therapy in adults with fibromyalgia: an open-label pilot clinical trial
Frontiers in Pain Research – March 18, 2025
Summary
Three out of five individuals with Fibromyalgia experienced significant symptom improvement after a pilot clinical trial involving psilocybin-assisted therapy. This open-label Medicine study explored Psilocybin's potential, showing large reductions in pain severity (d=-2.1) and sleep disturbance (d=-2.5). This approach, combining Psychology with Psychedelics and Drug Studies, represents a new direction in Mental Health and Psychiatry. Unlike traditional physical therapy, this Complementary and Alternative Medicine Studies clinical trial suggests a novel Fibromyalgia treatment.
Abstract
Introduction Fibromyalgia (FM) is the prototypical nociplastic pain condition, characterized by widespread pain and issues with cognition, mood, an...
Identifying Common Patterns in the Time of Day of Mindfulness Meditation Associated with Long-Term Maintenance.
Behavioral sciences (Basel, Switzerland) – March 18, 2025
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Forming a habit of practicing mindfulness meditation around the same time of day is one strategy that may support long-term maintenance and in turn...
Transcriptional Profiles in Nucleus Accumbens of Antidepressant Resistance in Chronically Stressed Mice.
bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology – March 17, 2025
Summary
Brain chemistry reveals why some antidepressants work better after failed treatments. Scientists found that when standard antidepressants don't work initially, they actually "prime" the brain to respond better to ketamine therapy later. Using mouse studies, researchers discovered specific gene patterns in a brain reward center that influence both stress sensitivity and treatment success. This insight could help doctors better predict and personalize depression treatments.
Abstract
Unsuccessful response to several courses of antidepressants is a core feature of treatment-resistant depression (TRD), a severe condition that affe...
Ketamine as adjuvant treatment in eating disorders: an exploratory study of a case series and retrospective analysis.
Journal of eating disorders – March 17, 2025
Summary
Ketamine, traditionally used as an anesthetic, shows promising results in treating severe eating disorders. In a groundbreaking case series, eight women with anorexia nervosa received ketamine as an adjuvant treatment alongside standard care. The therapy helped reshape rigid food-related thoughts and improved body mass index, particularly after 4-5 sessions. Patients experienced reduced obsessive thinking and better self-image, suggesting ketamine's potential in treating challenging eating disorders.
Abstract
Eating disorders (EDs) significantly impair physical health and psychosocial functioning. Few effective therapeutic approaches exist for EDs, parti...
Associations between psychedelic-related and meditation-related variables: A longitudinal study.
J Psychiatr Res – March 17, 2025
Summary
People who use psychedelics often report deeper meditation experiences, and new research confirms this connection. Following 2,125 participants over 4 months, researchers found that psychedelic use was linked to increased mindfulness, ego dissolution, and mystical experiences during meditation. Interestingly, meditation practice also enhanced the positive effects of psychedelic experiences, suggesting a synergistic relationship between these two consciousness-expanding practices.
Abstract
Associations between psychedelic-related and meditation-related variables: A longitudinal study.
A Modern Overview of the Potential Therapeutic Effects of Psilocybin in the Treatment of Depressive Disorders, Treatment-Resistant Depression, and End-of-Life Distress
Cureus – March 17, 2025
Summary
Psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, shows significant promise as a Medicine. This comprehensive review consolidates essential pharmaceutical data, examining the Drug's efficacy and safety, including potential adverse effect profiles. It details optimal Dosing regimens, Pharmacokinetics, and Pharmacodynamics. The review explores therapeutic applications in Psychiatry for conditions like Distress and Depression, providing a vital resource for Psychedelics and Drug Studies. It covers chemical synthesis and alkaloids, alongside the Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior, guiding future Pharmacology and Intensive care medicine applications.
Abstract
The purpose of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview of the current findings and data on the therapeutic effects of psilocybin, a natu...
Psychedelics and autobiographical memory - six open questions.
Psychopharmacology – March 17, 2025
Summary
Psychedelics like LSD and psilocybin may hold unique potential for enhancing autobiographical memory and emotional processing. Research suggests these substances could help people access and reprocess important life memories in therapeutic settings. Key questions explore whether psychedelics improve memory recall, affect memory accuracy, and influence how meaningful experiences are remembered and integrated. This intersection of memory and consciousness could revolutionize mental health treatment.
Abstract
Since the earliest LSD research, psychedelics have been claimed to enhance autobiographical memory. Revisiting and processing autobiographical memo...
Psychedelic use and bipolar disorder - An investigation of recreational use and its impact on mental health.
Journal of affective disorders – March 15, 2025
Summary
Recent findings reveal that psychedelic use among people with bipolar disorder led to reduced depression symptoms without triggering mania. Through Timeline Follow Back tracking, researchers found participants experienced fewer mental health symptoms and decreased cannabis use after psychedelic experiences. This suggests potential therapeutic benefits for mood disorders, challenging previous concerns about psychedelics in bipolar treatment.
Abstract
Psychedelic substances such as psilocybin have recently gained attention for their potential therapeutic benefits in treating depression and other ...
Psychedelic Use and Behavioral Addictions.
Journal of psychoactive drugs – March 15, 2025
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Recent clinical trials on classic psychedelics for depression and anxiety have raised questions about their potential to treat other psychiatric co...
Mice lacking the serotonin transporter do not respond to the behavioural effects of psilocybin.
European journal of pharmacology – March 15, 2025
Summary
Psilocybin's therapeutic effects may depend on a functioning serotonin transporter (5-HTT) in the brain. When researchers removed this transporter in mice, the animals showed no response to psilocybin's typical effects on behavior and movement. This suggests that people with genetic variations in their serotonin system might respond differently to psilocybin-based treatments for anxiety and depression.
Abstract
Psilocybin is a serotonergic psychedelic with therapeutic potential for several neuropsychiatric disorders, including depression and anxiety disord...
Associations between hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis hormone levels, major depression features and antidepressant effects of ketamine.
Journal of affective disorders – March 15, 2025
Summary
Stress hormones may hold clues to depression's duration and severity. New research reveals that ketamine, a promising rapid-acting antidepressant, works independently of key stress hormones like cortisol and adrenocorticotropic hormone. While these hormone levels don't predict treatment success, lower hormone levels correlate with shorter depressive episodes, potentially offering a way to gauge illness duration.
Abstract
Subanesthetic doses of (R,S)-ketamine (ketamine) have demonstrated rapid and robust antidepressant effects in individuals with depression. However,...
Repeated intermittent administration of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine mitigates demyelination in the brain from cuprizone-treated mice.
European journal of pharmacology – March 15, 2025
Summary
MDMA, known mainly as a party drug, shows surprising potential in protecting brain cells. Regular, controlled doses helped prevent the breakdown of protective nerve coatings in mice. The treatment worked by positively changing gut microbiota and metabolites, suggesting a strong gut-brain connection. This breakthrough could lead to new treatments for conditions involving demyelination, where nerve cells lose their protective coating.
Abstract
3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), commonly known as a recreational drug, may also offer therapeutic benefits for mental health. Population-...
Assessing pharmaceutical and illicit drugs abuse in a university environment through wastewater analysis.
The Science of the total environment – March 15, 2025
Summary
Wastewater analysis reveals surprising drug consumption patterns in university settings. Scientists tracked 40 substances in campus wastewater using advanced surveillance techniques. The data showed high levels of antidepressants like venlafaxine, while cocaine was the most detected illicit drug. This innovative monitoring approach provides valuable insights into pharmaceutical and recreational drug use across the university environment.
Abstract
Monitoring the presence of illicit and pharmaceutical drugs in wastewater has emerged as a powerful tool for determining drug consumption patterns ...
Trends and characteristics in ketamine use among US adults with and without depression, 2015-2022.
Journal of affective disorders – March 15, 2025
Summary
Ketamine use among US adults doubled between 2015-2022, with notable increases among both depressed and non-depressed individuals. Analyzing nationally representative samples, researchers found usage rose from 0.11% to 0.28% of adults. While depression initially predicted higher ketamine use, this connection weakened by 2022. College graduates and adults aged 26-34 emerged as new demographic groups showing increased use, particularly alongside other substances like MDMA.
Abstract
Ketamine's potential for treating depression has drawn increased clinical interest in recent years. However, despite growing therapeutic use, recre...
Using cluster analysis to investigate consumption patterns in cases positive to ketamine: a national 7-year study.
Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's archives of pharmacology – March 14, 2025
Summary
Nearly half of ketamine-related deaths involved alcohol consumption, revealing dangerous consumption patterns among users. Analysis of 414 cases showed distinct groups of polydrug use, with most people combining ketamine with alcohol, new psychoactive substances, or methamphetamine. Those with moderate ketamine levels showed higher suicide risk, while lower doses were linked to accidental deaths. Self-administered ketamine proved most lethal when mixed with other substances.
Abstract
The use of ketamine has increased; however, actual consumption patterns and ketamine-related deaths remain poorly understood. This study aimed to (...
Psilocybin-assisted therapy for relapse prevention in alcohol use disorder: a phase 2 randomized clinical trial
EClinicalMedicine – March 14, 2025
Summary
Individuals with Alcohol use disorder experienced a 70% reduction in heavy drinking days over 32 weeks, versus 40% in a control group, after psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy. This compelling finding from a randomized controlled trial of 93 participants highlights psilocybin's potential in Medicine. Administered by a psychotherapist, this clinical trial demonstrates a novel approach for relapse prevention in Psychiatry. Psychedelics and drug studies, exploring compounds from chemical synthesis and alkaloids, offer new avenues for alcohol treatment, paralleling Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research.
Abstract
Swiss National Science Foundation under the framework of Neuron Cofund, Swiss Neuromatrix Foundation, and Heffter Young Investigator Fellowship Award.
Person-centred care during treatment with nasal esketamine - a qualitative study.
BMC nursing – March 14, 2025
Summary
Patients receiving nasal esketamine for treatment-resistant depression report better outcomes when healthcare providers take a person-centered approach. Through qualitative interviews with 20 patients, researchers found that engaged, competent nurses who build relationships and personalize care significantly improve the treatment experience. A supportive environment, staff continuity, and private treatment spaces help patients feel secure and achieve better results.
Abstract
Patients suffering from treatment-resistant depression may be treated with nasal esketamine. The treatment requires administration in a healthcare ...
A Review of the Food and Drug Administration Pipeline and Proposed California Legislation on Medicinal Psychedelics.
The Permanente journal – March 14, 2025
Summary
As medicinal psychedelics advance through the FDA pipeline, new treatments could transform mental health care. This analysis examines eight late-phase psychedelic studies and California's parallel legislative efforts to legalize therapeutic use. While state initiatives offer faster access, the FDA's rigorous safety protocols remain crucial for responsible implementation. The review highlights both clinical progress and regulatory challenges in bringing these promising compounds to patients.
Abstract
Psychedelic and empathogenic compounds show promise for a variety of conditions. However, studying these compounds can be highly complex, be very e...
Studies seek signs of consciousness before birth.
Science (New York, N.Y.) – March 14, 2025
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Fetal and infant brains offer clues to when human experience begins.
The effects of psychedelic-assisted therapy on illness and death anxiety: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
J Psychiatr Res – March 14, 2025
Summary
Many people grapple with intense fears of illness and death. A recent comprehensive analysis of multiple studies found that psychedelic-assisted therapy significantly alleviates these profound anxieties. By synthesizing existing research, the review concluded that this innovative therapeutic approach offers substantial positive effects, promoting greater peace and well-being for individuals facing existential dread.
Abstract
The effects of psychedelic-assisted therapy on illness and death anxiety: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Therapeutic Potential of Psilocybin for Treating Neuropsychiatric Long COVID Symptoms: A Reddit Investigation
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs – March 14, 2025
Summary
Remarkably, 78.2% of individuals with long COVID symptoms, a consequence of Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), reported improvement using the hallucinogen psilocybin. An analysis of 110 online accounts from the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic revealed 77.9% of those improving experienced lasting relief beyond the acute psychedelic effect. Common neuropsychiatric issues like fatigue (47.3%) and cognitive impairment (46.4%) were cited. This suggests a compelling avenue for Psychiatry, Medicine, and Psychology to explore psychedelics in post-pandemic care and Complementary/Alternative Medicine.
Abstract
Long COVID lacks effective pharmaceutical treatment options. Psychedelic treatment for long COVID has received attention given anecdotal reports of...
Exploring End-of-Life Experiences and Consciousness through the Lens of Psychedelics.
ACS pharmacology & translational science – March 14, 2025
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Exploring dying through the lens of psychedelic experiences offers transformative perspectives on the end-of-life process, potentially alleviating ...
Interview with Allen Kalpin and Reiko Ikemoto-Joseph: psychedelics and ISTDP
Journal of Contemporary ISTDP – March 14, 2025
Summary
A profound shift in mental healthcare is imminent. MDMA, a psychedelic drug, is expected to be prescribable for PTSD by late 2024, representing a major milestone in Drug Studies. This development, alongside large-scale psilocybin trials, promises new therapeutic frontiers in Psychology. Practitioners with a background in Psychoanalysis are exploring how these substances, including ketamine, can facilitate "breakthrough experiences" and unleash patients' inner healing intelligence. Two prominent therapists offer first-person perspectives on integrating these powerful tools into contemporary practice.
Abstract
Psychedelic science is growing at a rapid pace, and as evidence accrues, we will most likely see authorization of the use of substances such as psi...
Māori healthcare professionals' perceptions of psychedelic-assisted therapy: a qualitative study.
The New Zealand medical journal – March 14, 2025
Summary
Māori healthcare professionals show growing openness to psychedelic-assisted therapy, seeing potential alignment with traditional Indigenous healing practices. In interviews with 13 Māori health experts, participants emphasized how this innovative treatment could complement Te Ao Māori (Māori worldview) when developed with cultural sensitivity. Key findings revealed that increased understanding led to greater acceptance, with professionals supporting its potential while emphasizing the importance of equitable access and cultural safety for Māori communities.
Abstract
Psychedelic-assisted therapies are gaining interest as an innovative treatment for problems with mental health and addictions, and there are severa...
Validation of the Spanish Version of the Body Awareness Questionnaire (BAQ) and an Exploration of Its Relationship to Meditation and Embodiment Variables.
Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) – March 14, 2025
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Purposes: The Body Awareness Questionnaire (BAQ) has been considered the best available measure of body awareness, but it is not currently availabl...
The Gateway Experience Facilitates Psychological Well-Being.
Integrative psychological & behavioral science – March 13, 2025
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This study investigates the effects of the Gateway Experience (GE) on psychological well-being. The GE has been developed several decades ago for t...