4971 results for "Psychedelics"
Psilocybin-Assisted suppoRtive psychoTherapy IN the treatment of prolonged Grief (PARTING) trial: protocol for an open-label pilot trial for cancer-related bereavement
BMJ Open – April 01, 2025
Summary
Up to 30% of bereaved oncology carers suffer prolonged grief, with current treatments failing 50%. A new clinical trial explores Psilocybin as Medicine for Grief. This pilot study involves approximately 15 participants, investigating the safety and therapeutic potential of a 25 mg psilocybin dose alongside psychotherapist-led support. Qualitative research, including thematic analysis of participant experiences, will complement physiological and diagnostic measures. This work, part of Diverse academic research themes in Psychedelics and Drug Studies, could revolutionize Psychiatry, building on chemical synthesis and alkaloids research.
Abstract
Introduction Prolonged grief disorder (PGD) represents a substantial public health issue, especially in oncology settings where it affects up to 30...
Shared and distinct brain regions targeted for immediate early gene expression by ketamine and psilocybin
OpenAlex – March 20, 2022
Summary
Psilocybin, a psychedelic, significantly boosts neuroplasticity in at least 10 distinct brain regions, offering new insights for psychology and biology. Neuroscience reveals this compound, a derivative of tryptophan, elevates immediate early gene expression in areas including the insular cortex, locus coeruleus, and basolateral amygdala. Drug studies suggest glutamatergic receptors influence behavior, pointing to a shared mechanism for psilocybin's therapeutic potential in brain disorders. This highlights key areas for future investigation.
Abstract
ABSTRACT Psilocybin is a psychedelic with therapeutic potential. While there is growing evidence that psilocybin exerts its beneficial effects thro...
DARK Classics in Chemical Neuroscience: Ibogaine
ACS Chemical Neuroscience – September 14, 2018
Summary
The powerful hallucinogen ibogaine, from the West African iboga plant, historically treated addiction. While neurotoxic at micromolar levels, Neuropharmacology has advanced Medicine. A safer analog, 18-methoxycoronaridine (18-MC), specifically modulates the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. This nicotinic agonist target shows promise in Neuroscience for nicotine addiction. Psychedelics and Drug Studies explore its Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior, offering new approaches. Clinical trials are pending, potentially impacting treatments beyond those for synthetic cannabinoids, as part of Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors Study.
Abstract
The West African iboga plant has been used for centuries by the Bwiti and Mbiri tribes to induce hallucinations during religious ceremonies. Ibogai...
Acute Pharmacological Effects of 2C-B in Humans: An Observational Study
Frontiers in Pharmacology – March 13, 2018
Summary
Compellingly, 2C-B, a euphoriant akin to mescaline, significantly alters mood and physiology. An observational study with 16 users revealed increased blood pressure and heart rate, with 31% reporting mild hallucinogen effects. Via a Visual analogue scale, participants reported enhanced euphoria and altered perceptions. This pharmacology, crucial for Psychedelics and Drug Studies, also mapped pharmacokinetics, showing peak 2C-B levels at one hour. These findings illuminate Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior, distinct from anesthesia, aiding Forensic Toxicology and Drug Analysis and informing future medicine.
Abstract
2,5-dimethoxy-4-bromophenethylamine (2C-B) is a psychedelic phenylethylamine derivative, structurally similar to mescaline. It is a serotonin 5-hyd...
Evolution and Comparative Analysis of Clinical Trials on Psilocybin in the Treatment of Psychopathologies: Trends in the EU and the US
Journal of Clinical Medicine – September 19, 2025
Summary
The United States significantly outpaces the European Union in **Psychedelics and Drug Studies**, conducting a substantially higher number of psilocybin clinical trials for mental health conditions. This reflects robust US research infrastructure and growing financial investment. In contrast, the EU proceeds with fewer trials and slower development, driven by a more cautious regulatory stance emphasizing patient safety. These regional divergences underscore the critical need for international collaboration and harmonized public health policies to ensure scientific rigor and patient protection as psilocybin-assisted interventions expand globally.
Abstract
Background/Objectives: This study examines the development of clinical trials investigating psilocybin for the treatment of psychopathologies, with...
Accurate and Interpretable Prediction of Antidepressant Treatment Response from Receptor-informed Neuroimaging
CrossRef
Summary
Predicting individual depression treatment response is challenging. New predictive tools, using pre-treatment brain imaging and clinical data, accurately forecast antidepressant response in major depressive disorder. This advanced approach achieved strong accuracy, identifying biomarkers tied to better outcomes in serotonin systems. Comparing psychedelic-assisted therapy with psilocybin and escitalopram, psilocybin showed a group-level advantage. It also pinpointed specific brain profiles suggesting who would benefit more from escitalopram, enhancing treatment selection. This advances precision medicine and biomarker discovery, enabling more personalized care.
Abstract
Conventional antidepressants show moderate efficacy in treating major depressive disorder. Psychedelic-assisted therapy holds promise, yet individu...
Expectancies for Subjective and Antidepressant Effects in Psilocybin Users
Journal of Humanistic Psychology – September 22, 2023
Summary
Over 500 individuals using psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, hold specific expectations about its antidepressant effects, crucial for clinical psychology. This area, often overlooked in drug studies, reveals that users anticipate ego dissolution and emotional breakthroughs, not mystical experiences, will alleviate depressive symptoms. Such insights are vital for psychiatry, as expectancy theory suggests these cognitive factors could influence treatment outcomes. Psilocybin's action, a naturally occurring alkaloid, impacts cognition and could be monitored in future antidepressant trials, linking to neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior. The broader field of psychedelics benefits from understanding these specific expectations.
Abstract
Expectancy effects for many psychoactive substances appear to play a role in consumption, problematic use, subjective responses to acute administra...
A Qualitative Study of Intention and Impact of Ayahuasca Use by Westerners
OpenAlex – April 01, 2021
Summary
Ayahuasca experiences offer profound benefits for mental health and spirituality. Forty-one Western participants in qualitative research reported sustained psychological improvements, including substance use, relationships, and self-perception—outcomes a psychotherapist in clinical psychology often targets. This potent hallucinogen, like psilocybin in psychedelics and drug studies, also fostered enhanced creativity and sensory awareness. While biochemical analysis and olfactory function studies continue exploring such effects, these accounts highlight Ayahuasca's potential, despite two reported problematic experiences.
Abstract
Ayahuasca has gained the attention of researchers over the past decade as psychedelic-assisted therapy for MDMA and psilocybin have progressed thro...
Quantifying the Pollan Effect: Investigating the Impact of Emerging Psychiatric Interventions on Online Mental Health Discourse
OpenAlex – May 11, 2024
Summary
Online discourse on psilocybin mushrooms dramatically shifted towards mental health. A computational analysis of 676,875 Reddit posts over a decade reveals a "Pollan Effect," where these psychedelics are increasingly framed as a psychological intervention for mental health after major media releases. A "Pollan shift" also saw a rise in shared emotional and social experiences. This cross-cultural and social analysis highlights how online platforms shape public understanding of psychiatry, emerging drug studies, and misinformation's impacts.
Abstract
Psychedelic-assisted therapy has shown significant promise in alleviating treatment-resistant mental illness, prompting excitement among people wit...
Psilocybin in late-life mental health: Addressing depression, loneliness, and existential anxiety
General Hospital Psychiatry – December 09, 2025
Summary
Psilocybin therapy holds significant promise for addressing late-life mental health conditions like depression and loneliness, where traditional treatments often falter. Clinical trials in general adult populations show sustained improvements in depressive symptoms, existential anxiety, and social connectedness, linked to enhanced brain flexibility and serotonin pathways. However, older adults are notably underrepresented in psychedelic exploration, creating critical gaps in understanding optimal dosing, safety profiles, and long-term outcomes for this demographic. Tailored protocols are essential given age-related physiological changes and potential drug interactions.
Abstract
The global demographic shift toward aging populations has intensified the need for innovative therapeutic interventions targeting late-life mental ...
MDMA and psilocybin regulate oligodendrocyte-lineage cell numbers and anxiety-like behaviors in a rat model of fear.
Biological psychiatry – February 03, 2026
Summary
Psilocybin and MDMA significantly reduce fear-related behaviors, acting through brain changes. In a study with 210 rats, these compounds promoted oligodendrocyte plasticity and myelination, crucial for brain function. Psilocybin specifically induced oligodendrogenesis, while MDMA enhanced mature myelin markers. Disrupting myelin abolished the anxiety reduction, highlighting how these psychedelics remodel brain circuitry. This suggests enhancing myelination could boost their therapeutic power for conditions like PTSD.
Abstract
Psilocybin and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) produce rapid, enduring therapeutic effects in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); howev...
Evaluation of 1cp-LSD for Enhancing Welfare in Shelter Dogs: A Randomized Blind Trial with Ethological Intervention.
Veterinary sciences – January 19, 2026
Summary
Combining low-dose 1-cyclopropionyl lysergic acid diethylamide, a psychedelic prodrug of lysergic acid diethylamide, with ethological intervention significantly improves shelter dogs' welfare. Among 20 shelter dogs, this integrated approach consistently enhanced animal behavior, fostering greater sociability, calmness, and positive emotional reactivity. These benefits persisted for three weeks post-treatment, offering a promising new strategy rooted in ethology for improving animal welfare in stressful shelter environments.
Abstract
Shelter environments frequently expose dogs to chronic stress and anxiety, which can compromise their welfare and reduce their chances of adoption....
Low Doses of LSD Acutely Increase BDNF Blood Plasma Levels in Healthy Volunteers
ACS Pharmacology & Translational Science – August 31, 2020
Summary
A compelling increase in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) was observed following low doses of LSD. In a placebo-controlled study with 30 healthy volunteers, BDNF levels rose significantly at 4 hours after a 5 μg dose and at 6 hours for both 5 μg and 20 μg doses compared to placebo. This highlights psychedelic medicine's potential for enhancing neuroplasticity, crucial for therapeutic responses in internal medicine and psychology. The biochemical analysis suggests promising avenues for future studies in psychiatric populations.
Abstract
Despite preclinical evidence for psychedelic-induced neuroplasticity, confirmation in humans is grossly lacking. Given the increased interest in us...
Receptor Interaction Profiles of 4-Alkoxy-Substituted 2,5-Dimethoxyphenethylamines and Related Amphetamines
Frontiers in Pharmacology – November 28, 2019
Summary
Phenethylamines and their 4-alkyloxy-substituted derivatives exhibit notable binding affinities, with values ranging from 8 to 1700 nM at the 5-HT2A receptor, indicating a strong potential for psychedelic effects. These compounds showed greater preference for the 5-HT2A receptor over the 5-HT1A and 5-HT2C receptors, with ratios of 1.4 to 333 and 2.1 to 14, respectively. Additionally, phenethylamines demonstrated stronger binding to TAAR1 (21-3300 nM) compared to their amphetamine counterparts (630-3100 nM), highlighting their unique pharmacological profiles.
Abstract
Background: 2,4,5-Trimethoxyamphetamine (TMA-2) is a potent psychedelic compound. Structurally related 4-alkyloxy-substituted 2,5-dimethoxyamphetam...
[Interventional psychiatric procedures and novel substances for the treatment of affective disorders: An overview and outlook].
Therapeutische Umschau. Revue therapeutique – April 01, 2025
Summary
Breakthrough treatments are transforming care for treatment-resistant depression. Modern interventions like ketamine therapy and rTMS offer hope for the 33% of patients who don't respond to traditional antidepressants. From gentle tDCS to targeted DBS, doctors now have multiple tools to help patients achieve remission. ECT remains highly effective, while emerging options like psychedelic-assisted therapy show promise for personalized mental health care.
Abstract
Depression is one of the most common mental disorders. The effectiveness of pharmacological and psychotherapeutic treatments is well documented. Re...
An Update on Psychotherapy for the Treatment of PTSD.
The American journal of psychiatry – May 01, 2025
Summary
Trauma-focused psychotherapy remains the gold standard for treating Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), outperforming medication-only approaches. While medications like sertraline help some patients, evidence shows that specialized psychotherapy techniques can rewire trauma responses in the brain, leading to lasting recovery. Top treatments include prolonged exposure and cognitive processing therapy, with success rates reaching 60-70% when properly implemented.
Abstract
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms are part of the normal response to trauma. Most trauma survivors will recover over time without inter...
Therapeutic effect of psilocybin in addiction: A systematic review
Frontiers in Psychiatry – February 09, 2023
Summary
A systematic review of clinical trials reveals psilocybin, a powerful hallucinogen, shows promise as a medicine for addiction. For instance, one trial with 31 patients saw 32% achieve complete alcohol abstinence for six years. Another, involving 95 participants, reduced heavy drinking days by 13.9% compared to placebo. A pilot study on tobacco addiction reported 80% smoking abstinence at 26 weeks among 15 patients. These findings, uncovered through searches including MEDLINE, highlight psilocybin's potential in psychiatry and psychology, influencing neurotransmitter receptors.
Abstract
Background Psychedelic-assisted therapy [e.g., with lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD)] has shown promising results as treatment for substance use di...
Cortical thickness of the posterior cingulate cortex is associated with the ketamine-induced altered sense of self: An ultra-high field MRI study.
Journal of psychiatric research – April 01, 2024
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Subanesthetic doses of ketamine induce an antidepressant effect within hours in individuals with treatment-resistant depression while it furthermor...
LSD alters dynamic integration and segregation in the human brain.
NeuroImage – February 15, 2021
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Investigating changes in brain function induced by mind-altering substances such as LSD is a powerful method for interrogating and understanding ho...
Treating posttraumatic stress disorder and alcohol use disorder comorbidity: Current pharmacological therapies and the future of MDMA-integrated psychotherapy.
Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England) – December 01, 2023
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alcohol use disorder (AUD) frequently co-occur in patients who have experienced trauma. This comorbidity l...
Delayed Anxiolytic-Like Effects of Psilocybin in Male Mice Are Supported by Acute Glucocorticoid Release
OpenAlex – August 14, 2020
Summary
Psilocybin's anxiolytic and potential antidepressant benefits in medicine and psychology may hinge on the body's stress response. This hallucinogen, an alkaloid, acutely increased plasma corticosterone, a glucocorticoid, in mice. While psilocybin produced post-acute anxiety reduction, these effects were lost when animals were pre-exposed to chronic corticosterone. Long-term behavioral changes, relevant for pharmacology and internal medicine, were also diminished. These drug studies suggest complex endocrinology and neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior, highlighting glucocorticoid release as a key modifier of psilocybin's effects.
Abstract
Abstract Despite observed correlations between acute glucocorticoid release, self-reported anxiety, and long-term treatment outcomes for human stud...
Psilocybin and MDMA in Couples Therapy: Investigating Treatment for Substance Use Disorders and Codependency
Contemporary Family Therapy – December 11, 2025
Summary
Addressing the complex interplay of addiction and relationship dynamics, a review explores how psychedelic-assisted therapy could transform couples facing substance use disorders (SUDs). When one partner struggles with addiction, the other often develops negative codependent traits. This analysis examines how psilocybin-assisted therapy for SUDs might combine with MDMA therapy for partners experiencing codependency. Integrating these substances with couples therapy could reduce addictive characteristics in one partner while shifting codependent behaviors in the other, fostering healthier relationship dynamics and offering new pathways for healing.
Abstract
Abstract Substance use disorders (SUDs) are increasingly common in the United States, and while this may be a dilemma for those using, it also infl...
Psilocybin with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for the Treatment of Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD)
OpenAlex – March 01, 2024
Summary
Many experiencing social anxiety find traditional treatments insufficient, with symptoms recurring over 10-12 years. A promising new approach in clinical psychology combines Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) with Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy, potentially involving psilocybin. This biopsychosocial model offers psychotherapists a powerful treatment for anxiety and depression, addressing underlying cognition and emotional patterns. It considers how neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior impacts mental health. This innovative strategy, rooted in psychology and psychiatry, aims to enhance cognitive behavioral therapy and improve psychometrics for treatment.
Abstract
Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) is a debilitating mental health condition characterized by an overwhelming fear and anxiety of social rejection that ...
Effects of Psilocybin on Religious and Spiritual Attitudes and Behaviors in Clergy from Various Major World Religions
Psychedelic Medicine – May 16, 2025
Summary
Psilocybin significantly transformed the spiritual lives of clergy, with 96% reporting at least one experience as among their top five most spiritually significant moments. In a study involving 29 psychedelic-naïve clergy from various religions, those receiving psilocybin showed notable positive changes in religious practices and attitudes, with 79% affirming enhanced daily senses of the sacred. Remarkably, 42% rated an experience as the most profound of their lives. These effects persisted for up to 16 months, highlighting psilocybin's potential benefits in enhancing psychological well-being and religious engagement.
Abstract
Background: Although historical writings, anthropological accounts, and experimental studies document associations between psilocybin use and relig...
It’s all about the relationship: The caregiver experience of supporting a person with advanced cancer going through an LSD microdosing trial
Palliative & Supportive Care – January 01, 2026
Summary
Psychedelic-assisted therapy shows promise for enhancing wellbeing in terminal cancer patients and their caregivers. A clinical trial involving 200 participants highlighted that including family caregivers can significantly improve outcomes, with 75% reporting enhanced emotional support. This approach acknowledges the interconnectedness of cancer dyads, emphasizing the importance of addressing both patient and caregiver needs. By integrating psychology and palliative care, these trials could reshape cancer treatment, offering new avenues for pain management and emotional relief through innovative strategies like alternative medicine.
Abstract
Participation in trials investigating psychedelic-assisted MCP may offer hope for patients and their caregivers. Given the bidirectional relationsh...
State of the Science: MDMA‐assisted psychotherapy for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder
Journal of Traumatic Stress – March 12, 2026
Summary
MDMA-assisted psychotherapy has shown remarkable promise for treating posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), with response rates exceeding 60% and remission rates around 40% in recent trials involving over 300 participants. Despite these encouraging results, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration denied market approval in August 2024 due to concerns about evidence gaps. This review highlights methodological limitations, such as blinding challenges and a lack of active comparators, while suggesting future research should integrate MDMA with established trauma-focused therapies to enhance cognitive behavioral outcomes.
Abstract
There is growing interest in novel approaches to treating posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), including the use of psychedelic substances combine...
MDMA-Assisted Therapy for PTSD: Neuroplastic Change or Psychotherapeutic Catalyst?
Translation The University of Toledo Journal of Medical Sciences – February 17, 2026
Summary
MDMA-assisted psychotherapy shows significant promise for treating PTSD, especially in patients resistant to traditional therapies. Clinical trials indicate up to 67% of participants experience lasting symptom relief. The treatment appears to reduce amygdala activity and enhance hippocampal connectivity, promoting neuroplasticity. Additionally, MDMA's prosocial effects improve therapeutic relationships, crucial for effective outcomes. This dual-action model suggests that MDMA not only aids cognitive processing but also fosters emotional safety, enhancing interpersonal communication during therapy. Such insights could refine protocols and therapist training in psychedelic-assisted approaches.
Abstract
MDMA-assisted psychotherapy has emerged as a promising treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), particularly in individuals unresponsiv...
Bringing MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD to traditional healthcare systems: tending to set and setting.
Frontiers in psychiatry – January 01, 2025
Summary
Veterans struggling with PTSD may soon have access to a groundbreaking treatment: MDMA-assisted therapy shows remarkable promise in helping patients process trauma. The Veterans Health Administration is exploring implementation of this psychedelic therapy, which combines MDMA with intensive psychotherapy. Key factors for success include creating optimal therapeutic environments and ensuring proper patient mindset. Early results suggest this approach could transform PTSD treatment for veterans and civilians alike.
Abstract
Although effective evidence-based trauma-focused psychotherapies for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are available, a significant proportion o...
Clinical Research on Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD) in Psychiatry and Neuroscience.
Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland) – March 29, 2025
Summary
Recent clinical research shows LSD works by activating specific serotonin receptors in the brain, producing profound effects on mood and consciousness. When combined with therapy, this psychedelic medicine significantly reduced anxiety and depression in 79% of participants. Studies reveal that a single supervised session can create lasting positive changes in mental health and addiction recovery.
Abstract
Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) is gaining renewed interest as a potential treatment for anxiety, depression, and alcohol use disorder, with clini...
Phase 1, placebo-controlled, single ascending dose trial to evaluate the safety, pharmacokinetics and effect on altered states of consciousness of intranasal BPL-003 (5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine benzoate) in healthy participants.
Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England) – August 01, 2024
Summary
A groundbreaking nasal spray formulation of the psychedelic compound 5-MeO-DMT shows promise for future therapeutic applications. The treatment proved safe and well-tolerated, with rapid onset (8-10 minutes) and brief duration. 60% of participants reported complete mystical experiences at higher doses, while maintaining an excellent safety profile. The drug's efficient pharmacokinetics and strong pharmacodynamics suggest potential for treating depression.
Abstract
To investigate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) of BPL-003, a novel intranasal benzoate salt formulation o...
Effective Connectivity of Functionally Anticorrelated Networks Under Lysergic Acid Diethylamide.
Biological psychiatry – February 01, 2023
Summary
LSD's profound ability to alter self-perception stems from its unique impact on brain network communication. Research shows the psychedelic disrupts normal boundaries between brain networks that typically maintain our sense of self. Using advanced brain imaging, scientists found LSD transforms inhibitory connections between key neural networks into excitatory ones, particularly affecting how attention-directing systems interact. This may explain the ego dissolution experience many report during psychedelic states.
Abstract
Classic psychedelic-induced ego dissolution involves a shift in the sense of self and a blurring of the boundary between the self and the world. A ...
Salvia divinorum: from Mazatec medicinal and hallucinogenic plant to emerging recreational drug.
Human psychopharmacology – September 01, 2013
Summary
The most potent natural hallucinogenic drug known is salvinorin A, found in *Salvia divinorum*. Once a Mazatec medicinal plant, it's now a recreational "herbal high." Research surveys its brain effects and use trends, revealing it induces intense, short-lived psychedelic experiences. While perceived as safe, data indicate potential health risks. Understanding its unique interaction with the kappa opioid receptor is crucial for public awareness.
Abstract
Salvia divinorum is a sage endemic to a small region of Mexico and has been traditionally used by the Mazatec Indians for divination and spiritual ...
Correction to "Ayahuasca in the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder: Mixed-methods case series evaluation in military combat veterans" by Weiss et al. (2023).
Psychological trauma : theory, research, practice and policy – December 01, 2024
Summary
Military veterans experiencing trauma symptoms showed promising improvements after participating in a three-day ayahuasca ceremony. While initial calculations overstated symptom severity, the plant-based psychedelic treatment still demonstrated positive results. Most participants reported lasting benefits, including enhanced emotional well-being and greater life purpose, though some noted challenging experiences during sessions.
Abstract
Reports an error in "Ayahuasca in the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder: Mixed-methods case series evaluation in military combat veterans"...
Examining the Therapeutic Effect of Ceremonial Ayahuasca on Narcissistic Personality and Antagonistic Externalizing in Adults.
Journal of personality disorders – April 01, 2023
Summary
Traditional ayahuasca ceremonies show promise in reducing negative narcissistic traits like entitlement and exploitation. In a groundbreaking study of 314 adults, participants showed decreased antagonistic behaviors and improved leadership qualities after ceremonial psychedelic sessions. While changes were modest, the positive effects persisted for three months, suggesting ayahuasca's potential as a therapeutic tool for personality development.
Abstract
Changes in narcissistic traits (e.g., entitlement) following the ceremonial use of ayahuasca were examined across three timepoints (baseline, postr...
The void and the brain.
Cell reports – July 22, 2025
Summary
A potent psychedelic uniquely slows brain activity without the typical reduction in alpha waves seen with other similar compounds. Researchers tracked volunteers' brain activity via EEG after inhaling 5-MeO-DMT. This revealed profoundly slowed brain function, indicating a distinct neural state. This positive finding challenges previous understandings, highlighting novel pathways for consciousness exploration.
Abstract
Blackburne et al. track the electroencephalogram activity of volunteers inhaling a high dose of the powerful psychedelic 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryp...
Synthesis, Structural Characterization, and Pharmacological Activity of Novel Quaternary Salts of 4-Substituted Tryptamines
ACS Omega – July 05, 2022
Summary
Aeruginascin-related quaternary tryptamines, synthesized through chemical methods, surprisingly showed no affinity for receptors mediating psychedelic effects. Through precise characterization, six new alkaloid analogues were explored in drug studies. While lacking 5-HT2A activity, several quaternary tryptammonium compounds strongly targeted the serotonin transporter (SERT). Three analogues displayed sub-micromolar affinity for SERT (370-890 nM), inhibiting serotonin uptake in rat brain tissue from 0.31-3.5 μM. This chemistry offers novel templates for exploring SERT-selective actions, distinct from psychedelics.
Abstract
Aeruginascin (4-phosphoryloxy-N,N,N-trimethyltryptammonium) is an analogue of psilocybin (4-phosphoryloxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine) that has been ide...
Targeting Phantom Pain with Psilocybin: Toward Integration with Adaptive Sensory Technologies
ACS Medicinal Chemistry Letters – April 10, 2025
Summary
Psilocybin offers a clinically meaningful reduction in phantom and residual limb pain, marking a significant advance in Pain Management and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. This pharmacological finding highlights its potential within Medicine. Future Biomedical Innovations integrate these Psychedelics and Drug Studies with Adaptive Sensory Environments. These ASEs, leveraging Computer Science, use biosensors to modulate the Sensory system and psychological states during therapy. This approach aims for precision and scale in interventions, prompting considerations for Neuroethics and Human Enhancement in optimizing therapeutic benefits.
Abstract
Psilocybin demonstrates a clinically meaningful reduction in phantom and residual limb pain. Adaptive sensory environments (ASEs) separately offer ...
Moderating factors in psilocybin-assisted treatment affecting mood and personality: A naturalistic, open-label investigation
Psychopharmacology – January 07, 2025
Summary
A single high dose of psilocybin, combined with therapy, significantly improved mental health, lowering anxiety, depression, PTSD, and neuroticism for three months. This advance in clinical psychology and psychiatry showcases psilocybin's potential. Participants reported mystical experiences and emotional breakthroughs, which, alongside demographic factors, showed moderation effects on mood and personality changes. This suggests how psychedelics, like synthesized alkaloids, influence neurotransmitter receptors, offering new avenues for psychology and mental health, potentially easing irritability.
Abstract
Abstract Rationale Psychedelic-assisted therapy is increasingly applied within mental health treatment. Objectives This study focused on factors mo...
The revival of psilocybin between scientific excitement, evidence of efficacy, and real-world challenges.
CNS spectrums – December 01, 2024
Summary
Psilocin, the active compound in magic mushrooms, shows remarkable potential as one of nature's rapid-acting antidepressants. Recent evidence reveals it can enhance cognitive flexibility and promote synaptic plasticity in the brain. This natural pharmacotherapy option may offer relief for depression, anxiety, and addiction while potentially fostering positive personality changes. Initial clinical results show significant improvements in patient outcomes with minimal side effects.
Abstract
The revival of psilocybin in psychopharmacological research heralds a potential paradigm shift for treating mood and anxiety disorders, and other p...
Predictors of Pharmacy Students' Attitudes About the Therapeutic Use of Psilocybin.
Cureus – September 01, 2023
Summary
Future pharmacists show strong support for therapeutic magic mushrooms, with 75% favoring legalization for mental health treatment. This survey of pharmacy students revealed that those with more knowledge about psilocybin were more likely to support its use for depression, anxiety, and other psychiatric conditions. Greater understanding and less concern about side effects correlated with positive attitudes toward this alternative medicine approach.
Abstract
Background Psilocybin has been studied for its potential therapeutic benefits, particularly for the treatment of psychiatric disorders such as anxi...
Co-use of MDMA with psilocybin/LSD may buffer against challenging experiences and enhance positive experiences
Scientific Reports – August 22, 2023
Summary
Combining MDMA with the hallucinogens Psilocybin or Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) may significantly reduce challenging experiences like grief. In a sample of 698 individuals, 27 co-used these psychedelics, reporting less intense fear and grief, alongside increased self-compassion, love, and gratitude, compared to using Psilocybin/LSD alone. This finding, relevant to clinical psychology and psychiatry, suggests MDMA, a product of chemical synthesis, could enhance therapeutic applications of these compounds. Such insights from drug studies could inform complementary medicine approaches.
Abstract
Abstract Psilocybin and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) experiences can range from very positive to highly challenging (e.g., fear, grief, and par...
Psilocybin-assisted therapy for major depressive disorder: An exploratory placebo-controlled, fixed-order trial
Journal of Psychopharmacology – March 20, 2023
Summary
Psilocybin, a hallucinogen, demonstrated significant antidepressant effects for major depressive disorder. In a clinical psychology study, 19 individuals received placebo then 15 received psilocybin dosing (0.3 mg/kg); response rates reached 66.7% and remission 46.7%. While both conditions improved anxiety, psilocybin’s antidepressant effect sizes (d′ = 1.02–2.27) surpassed placebo’s (d′ = 0.65–0.99). This pharmacology research in psychiatry and medicine, exploring psychedelics and drug studies, underscores psilocybin's potential. Its unique chemical synthesis and role in complementary medicine approaches warrant further study.
Abstract
Background: Several early phase studies have demonstrated that psilocybin-assisted therapy has rapid-acting and persisting antidepressant effects f...
A Cohort Based Case Series: Learnings from an Iterative Group Therapy Model to Support Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy for Patients with a Terminal Diagnosis
European Psychiatry – April 01, 2024
Summary
A new group psychotherapy model successfully helped 21 of 25 participants (84%) facing terminal health conditions. This novel approach delivered psilocybin, an alkaloid used in medicine, within four iterative cohorts over a year. Combining six to eight weekly group sessions with one psilocybin experience, participants reported gaining perspective and peace. The virtual community, guided by a psychotherapist, proved crucial for connection. This series of drug studies demonstrates the potential for safe, accessible group psychedelics.
Abstract
Introduction While much is known about psilocybin-assisted therapy for individuals, little is known about the experience of participants in a group...
Christian Responses to Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy and Potential Religious and Spiritual Experiences
Religions – October 19, 2023
Summary
Psilocybin-assisted therapy frequently elicits profound religious experiences, reportedly occurring in over 70% of participants, often resembling trance states. This prompts vital Christian community discussion regarding these spiritual encounters, which significantly benefit mental health. Perspectives range from dismissing them as an illusion or inherently evil, to embracing them as divine, or acknowledging their broader spiritual reality. Engaging these psychological and sociological considerations is crucial for supporting individuals seeking mental health relief through emerging psychedelics and drug studies. A psychotherapist's role in navigating this spirituality is paramount.
Abstract
This paper explores Christian responses to religious and spiritual experiences (RSEs) associated with psilocybin-assisted therapy (PAT). It address...
Psilocybin-Occasioned Mystical Experiences in the Treatment of Tobacco Addiction
Current Drug Abuse Reviews – January 09, 2015
Summary
A compelling 80% of 15 participants achieved verified smoking abstinence at six months in a pilot study exploring psilocybin, an alkaloid, for addiction treatment. This clinical psychology research, part of broader psychedelics and drug studies, suggests the hallucinogen's therapeutic potential. Successful smoking cessation was strongly linked to profound mystical experiences, reported by 60% of participants, rather than general drug intensity. This highlights how the unique psychological context of these experiences, fostering openness to experience and reducing craving, can be a powerful medicine in psychiatry, guiding individuals towards lasting abstinence.
Abstract
Psilocybin-occasioned mystical experiences have been linked to persisting effects in healthy volunteers including positive changes in behavior, att...
Subjective features of the psilocybin experience that may account for its self-administration by humans: a double-blind comparison of psilocybin and dextromethorphan.
Psychopharmacology – August 01, 2020
Summary
Psilocybin induces a greater desire for repeat use in humans compared to Dextromethorphan, despite both being hallucinogens. A double-blind comparison found that while both produced psychedelic effects, higher psilocybin doses led to significantly more positive subjective experience, including enhanced mood, profound insight, and mystical experience. These reinforcing effects, like an insightful experience and increased appreciation for beauty, suggest psilocybin's unique profile contributes to its higher abuse liability, explaining observed differences in non-medical use.
Abstract
Although both psilocybin and dextromethorphan (DXM) produce psychedelic-like subjective effects, rates of non-medical use of psilocybin are consist...
Psilocybin Therapy for Depression: A Review of Current Molecular Knowledge
Journal of the Netherlands Society of Toxicology – January 01, 2024
Summary
A single dose of psilocybin, combined with psychotherapist support, significantly reduces depressive symptoms for months. This naturally occurring hallucinogen offers groundbreaking potential in Medicine and Psychiatry, addressing the global challenge of Depression affecting over 264 million people. Unlike current conventional treatments, this psychedelic acts on neurotransmitter receptors. Drug Studies, including those on chemical synthesis, highlight its unique alkaloid properties, transforming Psychology's approach to mental health.
Abstract
Depression, affecting over 264 million people globally, presents significant treatment challenges, often due to the limited efficacy and adverse ef...
The revival of psilocybin between scientific excitement, evidence of efficacy, and real-world challenges
CNS Spectrums – December 01, 2024
Summary
Psilocybin, a unique hallucinogen derived from chemical synthesis, shows promising preliminary results in clinical psychology for treating mood and anxiety disorders. This review of psychedelics and drug studies highlights its potential in psychiatry, alleviating depression, anxiety, and obsessive behaviors. While a psychotherapist might one day integrate this medicine, robust evidence from complementary and alternative medicine studies is still needed. Concerns about optimal dosage, long-term efficacy, and safety persist. Rigorous, larger studies are essential to solidify psilocybin's therapeutic role.
Abstract
Abstract The revival of psilocybin in psychopharmacological research heralds a potential paradigm shift for treating mood and anxiety disorders, an...
Psilocybin triggers an activity-dependent rewiring of large-scale cortical networks
Cell – December 05, 2025
Summary
A single dose of psilocybin dramatically reconfigures brain connections, offering new insights into its therapeutic potential. In mice, psilocybin specifically strengthens communication pathways from areas involved in perception and self-reflection to deeper brain regions. Simultaneously, it weakens connections within repetitive cortical loops. This targeted rewiring, involving structural changes in brain cells, depends on brain activity during drug administration; silencing specific areas prevents the reorganization. These findings illuminate how psychedelics reshape large-scale brain networks, suggesting that modulating brain activity can guide psilocybin's profound effects.
Abstract
Psilocybin holds promise as a treatment for mental illnesses. One dose of psilocybin induces structural remodeling of dendritic spines in the media...
Exploring the Credibility of Psilocybin-assisted Therapy and Cognitive-behavioral Therapy for Depression
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs – January 03, 2022
Summary
Potential clients view psilocybin-assisted therapy with caution, rating its credibility lower than cognitive behavioral therapy. Among 803 individuals with depressive symptoms, those with prior psychotherapy experience rated the established psychological intervention higher. Men and lifetime hallucinogen users, familiar with psychedelics and drug studies, viewed psilocybin—a chemical synthesis and alkaloid influencing neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior—more favorably. For clinical psychology and psychiatry, understanding patient perceptions is crucial. A psychotherapist knows such beliefs impact cognition, making credibility vital for new depression treatments.
Abstract
Depression treatments succeed with many but leave others unimproved, and they can generate concerns about side effects, time, and cost. Psilocybin ...
Neurochemical characterization of 5-HT 2A R partial agonists with simultaneous PET-MRI
Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow & Metabolism – November 29, 2024
Summary
A single low dose of lisuride (5 µg/kg) achieved similar brain 5-HT receptor occupancy (31%) as a higher dose of psilocybin (60 µg/kg, 32%). This Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research, using nuclear magnetic resonance in three nonhuman primates, reveals critical differences in how various psychedelics influence brain activity. While psilocybin and lisuride showed complex neurochemical responses, a selective compound produced larger cerebral blood volume changes despite only 7% receptor occupancy. This characterization helps understand these drugs' chemistry for future Medicine and Psychology applications, informing Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior.
Abstract
Understanding neuromodulatory effects of serotonin 2A receptor (5-HT 2A R) agonists with diverse pharmacological profiles is relevant to advancing ...
Psilocybin-occasioned Mystical-Type Experiences and Mental Wellness
OpenAlex – August 29, 2025
Summary
A single dose of the hallucinogen Psilocybin can profoundly transform lives, leading to significant positive behavioral changes, like ceasing alcohol and nicotine use. Eight individuals in New Zealand, exploring mental wellness, reported mystical experiences characterized by oneness and higher reality. These Psychedelics and Drug Studies suggest that such experiences, rooted in Psychology, foster personal growth and spiritual well-being. The profound impact highlights Psilocybin's potential, even without a Psychotherapist, for deep personal change and mental wellness.
Abstract
<p><strong>Psilocybin, the psychoactive compound found in certain mushrooms, has gained increasing attention for its potential therapeu...
Molecular Pathways Potentially Involved in Hallucinatory Experiences During Sleep Paralysis: The Emerging Role of β-Arrestin-2
International Journal of Molecular Sciences – July 26, 2025
Summary
The vivid, distressing hallucinations of sleep paralysis, often associated with narcolepsy, strikingly resemble psychedelic experiences. Neuroscience indicates that serotonergic activation of the 5-HT2A receptor is critical for these intense sensations. This neurotransmitter receptor's influence on behavior during sleep and wakefulness involves the β-arrestin-2 pathway, creating a sensory system susceptibility for abrupt hallucinations. Understanding this psychology of serotonin-driven phenomena offers promise for drug studies and treatments targeting dysfunctional serotonin receptors in neuropsychiatric disorders.
Abstract
Sleep paralysis (SP), an REM parasomnia, can be characterized as one of the symptoms of narcolepsy. The SP phenomenon involves regaining meta-consc...
“Tobacco Is the Chief Medicinal Plant in My Work”: Therapeutic Uses of Tobacco in Peruvian Amazonian Medicine Exemplified by the Work of a Maestro Tabaquero
Frontiers in Pharmacology – October 07, 2020
Summary
In the Peruvian Amazon, tobacco, globally known for harm, is revered as a potent medicinal plant. An *Amazonian traditional medicine* practitioner applies it for five distinct ailment categories, including "problems of the mind" and parasitic illnesses. The most common *medicine* is an orally ingested liquid, inducing pronounced psychoactive effects and often emesis. This therapeutic *work* highlights sophisticated plant knowledge, contributing to *ethnobotanical and medicinal plants studies* and informing emergent *psychedelics and drug studies*.
Abstract
Introduction Harmful usage of tobacco is a public health problem of global concern and, in many countries, the main risk factor for non-communicabl...
Changes in global and thalamic brain connectivity in LSD-induced altered states of consciousness are attributable to the 5-HT2A receptor
eLife – October 25, 2018
Summary
LSD significantly alters brain connectivity, enhancing sensory-somatomotor and thalamic connections while reducing associative connectivity. In a study with 24 participants, those receiving LSD (100 µg) showed pronounced effects, which were completely blocked by Ketanserin, a selective 5-HT2A receptor antagonist. The brain's response to LSD closely matched patterns of 5-HT2A receptor gene expression, underscoring its critical role in LSD’s neuropharmacology. These findings advance our understanding of how psychedelics influence brain function and support the development of therapeutic applications in medicine.
Abstract
Background: Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) has agonist activity at various serotonin (5-HT) and dopamine receptors. Despite the therapeutic and s...
LSD-LIKE DELIRIUM FOLLOWING INGESTION OF A SMALL AMOUNT OF ITS BROM ANALOG (BOL-148)
Annals of Internal Medicine – May 01, 1958
Summary
Ingesting just a small amount of the brominated analog of lysergic acid diethylamide (BOL-148) led to significant delirium in patients. Out of a sample of 10 individuals, 70% experienced intense psychological effects, highlighting the compound's potency. This compound, similar to ergonovine, acts by blocking serotonin receptors, which may explain its powerful impact on mental states. The findings underscore the complex interactions between psychedelics and brain chemistry, particularly regarding their potential therapeutic applications and risks in pharmacology.
Abstract
Case Reports1 May 1958LSD-LIKE DELIRIUM FOLLOWING INGESTION OF A SMALL AMOUNT OF ITS BROM ANALOG (BOL-148)NELSON RICHARDS, LORING F. CHAPMAN, HELEN...
Extraction and Characterization of N,N-Dimethyltryptamine from Mimosa tenuiflora: A Multivariate Approach
ACS Omega – September 16, 2025
Summary
Sample 2C, derived from the stem bark of *Mimosa tenuiflora*, yielded 3.45% DMT from 5 g of powdered material, equating to approximately 0.172 g of pure compound. Characterization revealed a rich profile of alkaloids and flavonoids, with thermal stability up to 135 °C, crucial for pharmaceuticals. High-performance liquid chromatography confirmed DMT with a retention time of 11.81 min, while gas chromatography-mass spectrometry showed an 88% match with NIST spectra. Cellular viability exceeded 85% at therapeutic doses, positioning sample 2C as a viable candidate for future psychedelic therapies.
Abstract
N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT), a plant-derived tryptamine alkaloid, has attracted growing interest due to its therapeutic potential in treating ment...
Network Rerouting Under Ayahuasca: Temporally and Hemisphere-Resolved EEG Connectomics
OpenAlex – December 11, 2025
Summary
Ayahuasca significantly alters brain connectivity, revealing distinct network-level changes over time. In a study involving 30 naïve users, EEG data showed that 2 hours post-dose, there was a notable decrease in hub influence and increased degree heterogeneity in the right hemisphere. Classification performance peaked at 93% accuracy using machine learning techniques. Specifically, posterior-left connections weakened while right temporal-central coupling strengthened. These findings suggest that as traditional communication pathways weaken, the brain shifts to less efficient, distributed networks, emphasizing the importance of temporal scale in understanding psychedelic effects.
Abstract
Abstract Ayahuasca profoundly alters conscious experience, yet robust, time-resolved EEG markers of its network-level effects remain limited. We co...
Ketamine psychotherapy for heroin addiction: immediate effects and two-year follow-up.
Journal of substance abuse treatment – December 01, 2002
Summary
A powerful insight into addiction treatment reveals that psychotherapy paired with a specific high dose of ketamine dramatically boosts long-term recovery. Seventy individuals with heroin addiction received psychotherapy, either with a high or low ketamine dose. Those receiving the higher dose experienced significantly greater abstinence from heroin over two years, along with a lasting reduction in craving and positive emotional changes. This highlights the potential of psychedelic-assisted therapy for lasting success.
Abstract
Seventy detoxified heroin-addicted patients were randomly assigned to one of two groups receiving ketamine psychotherapy (KPT) involving two differ...
Development of the Japanese version of the Challenging Experience Questionnaire
Neuropsychopharmacology Reports – November 08, 2024
Summary
Understanding the full spectrum of human experiences with psychedelics is crucial for therapeutic use. To better assess challenging aspects, a team successfully developed a Japanese version of the Challenging Experience Questionnaire. They meticulously translated and back-translated the instrument, ensuring accuracy and cultural relevance. This positive development now enables Japanese speakers to evaluate difficult experiences during psychedelic-assisted therapy, a vital step for broader human research and clinical application.
Abstract
Abstract Introduction The therapeutic potential of psychedelics for various mental disorders has gained significant interest. Previous studies have...