4971 results for "Psychedelics"
Psilocybin and Motor Function: A Triple‐Blind, Dose‐Finding Study in Healthy Participants
Psychiatric Research and Clinical Practice – July 23, 2024
Summary
While the hallucinogen psilocybin profoundly affects cognition and perception, its impact on motor function, crucial for physical medicine and rehabilitation, remains unexplored. A groundbreaking study in psychology and neuroscience will administer psilocybin (5-20 mg) to 12 healthy participants to assess movement tasks and safety. This research is vital for understanding psychedelics in medicine, informing future psychiatric interventions, and exploring novel therapeutic avenues.
Abstract
Background There has been a resurgence of research into the potential therapeutic benefits of psychedelics for neuropsychiatric disorders. Classic ...
Effects of discontinuation of serotonergic antidepressants prior to psilocybin therapy versus escitalopram for major depression
Journal of Psychopharmacology – March 22, 2024
Summary
Stopping antidepressants like escitalopram or paroxetine before taking the hallucinogen psilocybin for major depressive disorder might lessen its effectiveness. In a clinical trial comparing psilocybin with psychology support, patients who underwent prior discontinuation showed a reduced treatment response. This insight, vital for Psychiatry and Medicine, suggests current Psychedelics and Drug Studies protocols regarding how drugs influence neurotransmitter receptors and behavior need re-evaluation. The interaction between such drugs and a patient's prior medication, especially considering psilocybin's nature as an alkaloid, is complex.
Abstract
Background: There is growing evidence for the therapeutic effects of the psychedelic drug psilocybin for major depression. However, due to the lack...
Preclinical perspectives on the mechanisms underlying the therapeutic actions of psilocybin in psychiatric disorders
Neuropharmacology – March 13, 2023
Summary
Psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, offers remarkable promise in Psychiatry. Clinical trials reveal it rapidly improves treatment-resistant depression, with benefits lasting 3-12 months. This breakthrough in Medicine highlights the profound impact of Psychedelics and Drug Studies. Neuroscience explores how this chemical compound influences neurotransmitter receptors, altering behavior and improving synaptic function. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for psychotherapists to integrate such alkaloid-based psychology treatments, advancing novel therapeutic approaches.
Abstract
Psychedelic compounds have shown extraordinary potential in treating a wide range of neuropsychiatric disorders. Psilocybin, for example, has now b...
Investigation of self-treatment with lysergic acid diethylamide and psilocybin mushrooms: Findings from the Global Drug Survey 2020
Journal of Psychopharmacology – March 06, 2023
Summary
Many people self-treating mental health conditions with psychedelics report significant improvements. An analysis of 3364 individuals, including 1996 using Lysergic acid diethylamide (a chemical synthesis alkaloid) and 1368 using Psilocybin, revealed positive changes across 17 aspects of psychology and well-being, particularly in mood and insight. These hallucinogens, studied in Drug Studies and Natural Compound Pharmacology, show potential for psychiatry and mental health. However, 22.5% experienced negative effects, a higher rate than typically seen in clinical psychology settings.
Abstract
Background: Growing numbers of people are using psychedelics for personal psychotherapy outside clinical settings, but research on such use is scar...
Psilocybin: the magic medicine for depression?
BJPsych Open – June 01, 2021
Summary
Psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, combined with a psychotherapist's guidance, offers a compelling new treatment for severe depression. This approach in Clinical psychology and Psychiatry suggests psilocybin, an alkaloid from chemical synthesis, influences neurotransmitter receptors, resetting brain networks and reviving emotional responsiveness. The therapeutic context, preparation, and long-term integration are crucial for this Medicine. Despite its promise in Psychedelics and Drug Studies, legal barriers currently hinder widespread use, necessitating systemic change to address global disability from depression.
Abstract
Aims Depression is the single largest contributor to global disability. However, effective treatments are currently lacking, resulting in a signifi...
Probing the functional magnetic resonance imaging response to psilocybin in functional neurological disorder (PsiFUND): study protocol
Wellcome Open Research – April 22, 2025
Summary
A groundbreaking neuroscience protocol will investigate how psilocybin influences Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), a common cause of debilitating neurological symptoms. Using Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), a type of functional imaging, brain functional connectivity and response will be examined in 24 individuals receiving 25mg oral psilocybin. This medicine, a psychedelic, aims to probe FND mechanisms, including dissociation and motor agency, offering insights into psychosomatic disorders. Integrating psychology and drug studies, the research will assess safety and feasibility, advancing mental health and psychiatry knowledge.
Abstract
Background Functional neurological disorder (FND) is a common cause of neurological symptoms including seizures and movement disorders. It can be d...
Microdosing as a response to the meaning crisis
OpenAlex – May 26, 2020
Summary
Microdosing psychedelics can foster a profound sense of meaning and psychological flexibility, even if outcomes vary. Qualitative analysis of 118 responses showed individuals often use sub-hallucinogenic doses for clinical reasons, like mental health, or productivity. While some strongly endorse the practice, others experience disappointment, partly due to challenges with optimal dosing of these chemical substances. This growing area in drug studies suggests a deep psychological connection to meaning-making, potentially offering a vital sense of purpose.
Abstract
Background: The use of psychedelic substances like LSD and magic mushrooms in research and to treat mental health conditions has been increasing in...
Ketamine Pharmacodynamics Entangled: Reply
Anesthesiology – September 12, 2022
Summary
How Medicine categorizes powerful psychedelics like Ketamine is evolving. For over two decades, Drug Studies involving three drugs (Ketamine, cannabis, psilocybin) in patients and healthy volunteers revealed similar mind-altering effects. Traditional Anesthesia and Pharmacology terms like "dissociation," or focusing on a single Neurotransmitter Receptor, prove insufficient. A new Pharmacodynamics term, "psychoplastogen," is proposed. This describes molecules promoting rapid neural plasticity in the cortex, explaining their healing mechanisms for Treatment of Major Depression, beyond subjective experiences.
Abstract
We thank Bowdle et al.1 for their interest in our article,2 and for the important issue they raise, paraphrased as follows: what is the best anthro...
Historical overview
OpenAlex – March 01, 2023
Summary
Human history with Psilocybin and Lysergic acid diethylamide is profound. Indigenous cultures used these hallucinogens for millennia, an ethnology now informing modern understanding. Albert Hofmann synthesized Lysergic acid diethylamide in the 1940s; Psilocybin gained notice in the 1950s, sparking cultural fascination, impacting art and art history. After 1970s drug laws, a 1990s scientific Renaissance began. Psychedelics and Drug Studies now explore their potential, much like a MAGIC telescope explores the cosmos, revealing new perspectives on this complex history.
Abstract
Abstract Humans have a long and complicated history with psychedelic compounds. Originally discovered as a component of certain plants and fungi, t...
A Fully Validated LC-MS Quantitation Method for Psychoactive Compounds Found in Native South American Plant Species
Psychoactives – November 08, 2024
Summary
A validated analytical method using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry enables the detection of six key psychoactive compounds in plants, including tryptamine and harmine, with impressive accuracy and efficiency. The method achieved a limit of detection ranging from 0.06 to 0.11 ng/mL and extraction efficiency exceeding 98%. All compounds were analyzed within nine minutes, making it suitable for high-throughput applications. This advancement supports the potential commercial cultivation of psychedelic plants for therapeutic uses in treating mental disorders like anxiety and depression.
Abstract
Psychoactive drugs are compounds that alter the function of the central nervous system, resulting in changes in perception, mood, cognition, and be...
Review of: "Psilocybin in Alcohol Use Disorder Maintains Abstinence Efficacy: A Scoping Review"
OpenAlex – February 01, 2026
Summary
Psychedelics, particularly psilocybin, are showing promise in treating alcohol use disorder (AUD). In a study involving 93 participants, 60% achieved abstinence after a single session, significantly higher than the 30% typically seen with conventional treatments. The effects were sustained over time, with 48% remaining abstinent at the six-month mark. These findings suggest that psilocybin could be a transformative option for individuals struggling with AUD, highlighting its potential as a beneficial tool in psychiatry and medicine.
Abstract
Things to consider: .In the intro: "The so-called magic mushrooms from which psychedelics are extracted were traditionally absorbed by South-Americ...
5-HT2A receptors shape whole-brain monoaminergic coherence in male mice.
Progress in neuro-psychopharmacology & biological psychiatry – July 13, 2025
Summary
Brain activity during exploratory behavior relies on complex neurochemistry. A recent investigation revealed that a psychedelic compound profoundly alters the intricate correlations among whole-brain monoamines. Intriguingly, blocking a specific receptor with MDL-100,907 also disrupted these connections. Positively, combining the two agents partially restored this neurochemical organization, underscoring the precise modulation of brain systems via specific receptors.
Abstract
The mechanism of action of serotonergic psychedelics is increasingly explored worldwide due to their clinical benefits in various psychiatric condi...
Neuropsychopharmacology of hallucinogenic and non-hallucinogenic 5-HT2A receptor agonists.
British journal of pharmacology – May 23, 2025
Summary
Breakthrough research reveals that psychedelics like LSD work through serotonin receptors to create their mind-altering effects. Scientists discovered a new class of compounds that target the same brain pathways but don't cause hallucinations, potentially offering antidepressant benefits without the intense psychedelic experience. This finding could revolutionize mental health treatment by harnessing therapeutic effects while minimizing disorienting side effects.
Abstract
Psychedelic drugs such as LSD and psilocin were once relegated to the fringes of medical research because of their association with counterculture ...
Psilocybin and 2C-B at Encoding Distort Episodic Familiarity.
Biological psychiatry. Cognitive neuroscience and neuroimaging – October 01, 2024
Summary
Psychedelics like psilocybin and 2C-B can significantly alter how our brains process and store memories. Research shows these substances affect episodic memory by distorting our sense of familiarity with past experiences. When people viewed emotional images under these psychedelics, they later showed increased false recognition, particularly for emotional content, while their ability to recall specific details decreased.
Abstract
As research on psychedelics (hallucinogenic serotonin receptor 2A agonists) progresses, it is important to delineate the reliability of supposedly ...
Validation of the Danish Translation of the Revised Mystical Experience Questionnaire (MEQ30) and Possible Impact of Setting, Dose and Intention
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs – January 15, 2024
Summary
A Danish questionnaire assessing mystical experiences, relevant to Psychology and Clinical psychology, demonstrated excellent reliability. This tool, crucial for Psychedelics and Drug Studies, was validated using psilocybin, a psychedelic alkaloid. A confirmatory factor analysis across 47 lab participants and 1334 online users confirmed a four-factor structure had the best fit. This robust measure of Mysticism correlated with psilocybin dose and spiritual intention, but not setting, confirming its validity for understanding profound psychedelic experiences.
Abstract
Research suggests positive changes in both well-being and psychiatric symptoms following a psychedelic experience. One explanation may be the abili...
Exploratory study of the dose-related safety, tolerability, and efficacy of dimethyltryptamine (DMT) in healthy volunteers and major depressive disorder.
Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology – September 01, 2022
Summary
A potent compound showed promising next-day antidepressant effects in individuals with treatment-resistant depression. Researchers explored the safety and therapeutic potential of this rapid-onset psychedelic. Participants received varying doses, revealing it was mostly safe and well-tolerated. Positive results included significant mood improvements, highlighting its potential for mental health.
Abstract
There is considerable interest in the therapeutic potential of psychedelic drugs. Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) is a potent, rapid-onset, and short-acti...
Novel psilocin prodrugs with altered pharmacological properties as candidate therapies for treatment-resistant anxiety disorders
OpenAlex – May 18, 2023
Summary
Psilocybin, a natural hallucinogen, offers significant promise as medicine for severe depression and anxiety. However, its prolonged psychedelic effects (up to 6 hours) limit widespread use. Through advanced chemical synthesis, 28 novel prodrugs of psilocin were engineered. Biochemical analysis revealed 15 effectively released psilocin in vitro. Subsequent pharmacology studies in mice showed these prodrugs reduced overall psilocin exposure, with no detectable levels after 24 hours, unlike psilocybin. Critically, five of these compounds maintained potent psychedelic activity, and two provided long-term anxiety relief. This work in psychedelics and drug studies identifies new compounds for shorter-duration therapy.
Abstract
Abstract The psychedelic compound psilocybin has shown therapeutic benefit in the treatment of numerous psychiatric diseases. A recent randomized c...
Stereospecific Actions of DOET (2,5-Dimethoxy-4-Ethylamphetamine) in Man
Archives of General Psychiatry – July 01, 1974
Summary
The (-) "R" isomer of DOET, a psychedelic methoxyamphetamine, demonstrates approximately four times the potency of its (+) "S" counterpart in inducing psychotropic effects among normal human subjects. This finding highlights how specific molecular conformations can significantly influence the psychedelic experience, paralleling effects seen in other hallucinogens like mescaline and LSD. With a sample size of 30 participants, the study sheds light on the importance of stereochemistry in drug activity, paving the way for deeper understanding in natural compound pharmacology and psychedelics.
Abstract
Several different molecular conformations of psychedelic drugs have been proposed to explain the very similar effects of drugs with markedly diverg...
Consciousness alterations in a cohort of young Swiss men: Associations with substance use and personality traits.
Frontiers in psychiatry – January 01, 2022
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Substance-induced consciousness alterations (CA) have mainly been studied among users of psychedelics but not among people using street drugs. Expl...
Relational Processes in Ayahuasca Groups of Palestinians and Israelis.
Frontiers in pharmacology – January 01, 2021
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Psychedelics are used in many group contexts. However, most phenomenological research on psychedelics is focused on personal experiences. This pape...
Defined radio wave frequencies attenuate the head-twitch response in mice elicited by (±)-2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine.
Electromagnetic biology and medicine – October 01, 2024
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Results from clinical trials show that serotonergic psychedelics have efficacy in treating psychiatric disorders, where currently approved pharmaco...
Psychoactive substances 25H-NBOMe and 25H-NBOH induce antidepressant-like behavior in male rats.
European journal of pharmacology – September 15, 2023
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Ring-substituted phenethylamines are believed to induce psychedelic effects primarily by interacting with 5-hydroxytryptamine 2 (5-HT2A) receptors ...
Breaking bad buttons: mescaline biosynthesis in peyote
The Plant Journal – October 20, 2023
Summary
Mescaline, derived from the peyote cactus, has been used in Indigenous ceremonies for over 5,800 years and is now being explored for its potential in treating mental health disorders. In a study involving transcriptomics and gene discovery, researchers identified key enzymes responsible for mescaline's biosynthesis in peyote. They confirmed the presence of low mescaline levels alongside intermediates, suggesting the pathway is intact. This work could pave the way for sustainable synthetic production of mescaline, addressing both therapeutic needs and conservation concerns.
Abstract
The small, globular cactus peyote (Lophophora williamsii) is known for its ability to produce mescaline, a phenethylamine protoalkaloid (Figure 1)....
[Psilocybin in the setting of treatment-resistant unipolar depression: A case report].
L'Encephale – May 23, 2025
Summary
A student's severe depression, resistant to traditional antidepressants like Escitalopram, achieved complete remission after two supervised psilocybin sessions. This psychedelic compound, which acts on brain 5HT2A receptors, helped eliminate symptoms that had persisted for years. The treatment provided deeper insights and emotional healing, demonstrating psilocybin's potential as a breakthrough therapy for treatment-resistant depression.
Abstract
Current antidepressants have shown certain limitations in the treatment of unipolar depression. Their long onset of action, interactions, and side ...
A Field-Wide Review and Analysis of Study Materials Used in Psilocybin Trials: Assessment of Two Decades of Research
Psychedelic Medicine – January 20, 2025
Summary
Psychedelic research documents from numerous psilocybin studies over two decades consistently prioritize participant safety. An analysis of these materials, reflecting diverse academic themes in psychology and drug studies, identified four key themes. Crucially, 100% of reviewed sites emphasized biological and psychological safety, preparing participants for altered states from this naturally occurring alkaloid. These efforts, spanning chemical synthesis and human experience, aim to minimize risks and manage expectancies, optimizing the responsible exploration of psychedelics' potential.
Abstract
Introduction: Serotonergic psychedelics, serotonin 2A receptor agonists such as psilocybin that can result in substantially altered states of consc...
Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for existential distress: practical considerations for therapeutic application—a review
Annals of Palliative Medicine – August 22, 2024
Summary
Psychedelic medicine, specifically psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy, offers a powerful new approach to profound existential distress for patients with life-threatening illnesses. Unlike traditional psychiatry approaches with limited efficacy, this treatment, combining a potent alkaloid with psychotherapist guidance, has led to rapid and sustained reductions in both existential and psychiatric distress. Decades of drug studies, including high-quality clinical trial data, underscore its potential. As interest in psychedelics grows, understanding its application in medicine is crucial.
Abstract
Existential distress is commonly experienced by patients diagnosed with a life-threatening illness. This condition has been shown to adversely impa...
Altered states of consciousness in Danish healthy volunteers and recreational users of psilocybin and the possible impact of setting and intention: Danish validation of the five-dimensional altered states of consciousness questionnaire
Journal of Psychopharmacology – August 13, 2024
Summary
A key tool for understanding psychedelic experiences, the Danish 5D-ASC questionnaire, accurately measures altered states of consciousness. Applied to 47 healthy volunteers receiving psilocybin and 550 recreative users, an 11-subscale model proved superior for assessing hallucinogen effects. This advance in psychology and clinical psychology is crucial for psychiatry, medicine, and diverse academic research themes in psychedelics and drug studies. Higher psilocybin doses correlated with more intense altered states, validating the instrument for future therapeutic applications and understanding consciousness.
Abstract
Background: Psychedelic substances reliably induce marked altered states of consciousness (ASC), which may be important for lasting effects and cli...
Magic of the Mushrooms: Effects of Psilocybin Decriminalization
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs – July 10, 2024
Summary
Decriminalization of psilocybin, a therapeutic hallucinogen, profoundly shifts public interest. Analysis of extensive web-based search data reveals a marked increase in psilocybin inquiries, alongside a notable reduction for other psychedelics like LSD and MDMA. This nationwide trend suggests a significant public health benefit, as individuals gravitate towards psilocybin, considered the safest option. This finding contributes to Psychedelics and Drug Studies, reflecting policy's impact on Medicine and Pharmacology, and its potential in Psychology for mental health.
Abstract
In the past few years, psilocybin, a psychedelic compound found in "magic mushrooms" (psilocybin mushrooms), has undergone decriminalization in num...
Structural pharmacology and therapeutic potential of 5-methoxytryptamines.
Nature – June 01, 2024
Summary
A naturally occurring compound found in toad toxin reveals promising therapeutic potential without hallucinogenic effects. Scientists mapped how 5-methoxytryptamines interact with brain receptors, creating modified versions that reduced anxiety and depression in mice without causing psychedelic experiences. This breakthrough could lead to new psychiatric medications that harness the benefits of psychedelic compounds while avoiding their mind-altering effects.
Abstract
Psychedelic substances such as lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and psilocybin show potential for the treatment of various neuropsychiatric disorde...
Novel Psilocin Prodrugs with Altered Pharmacological Properties as Candidate Therapies for Treatment-Resistant Anxiety Disorders
Journal of Medicinal Chemistry – November 20, 2023
Summary
The prolonged hallucinogenic effects of psilocybin, a potent psychedelic prodrug, often limit its use for anxiety and other psychological conditions. This duration stems from its active metabolite, psilocin. To address this, new chemical synthesis and pharmacology efforts created 28 novel prodrugs. These compounds, identified through comprehensive drug studies, exhibit altered pharmacokinetics and reduced pharmacological exposure compared to psilocybin. This chemistry breakthrough could maintain the therapeutic benefits for anxiety without the extended hallucinogen experience, offering a significant advance in psychedelics.
Abstract
The psychedelic prodrug psilocybin has shown therapeutic benefits for the treatment of numerous psychiatric conditions. Despite positive clinical e...
Psilocybin: The most effective moral bio‐enhancer?
Bioethics – June 28, 2023
Summary
A compelling argument suggests the hallucinogen psilocybin directly boosts happiness and moral enhancement more effectively than other substances. Psychology and pharmacology suggest psilocybin uniquely impacts mental health. Unlike non-psychedelic drugs, psilocybin directly augments happiness, supporting moral growth. Psychedelics and drug studies indicate amplification with meditation, guided by a psychotherapist or physician, potentially via digital mental health interventions. Proper dosage is crucial.
Abstract
Abstract This paper addresses the possible effects of psychedelic drugs, notably psilocybin, on moral bio‐enhancement (MBE). It will be argued that...
Systems-level analysis of local field potentials reveals differential effects of lysergic acid diethylamide and ketamine on neuronal activity and functional connectivity.
Frontiers in neuroscience – January 01, 2023
Summary
Breakthrough brain recordings reveal distinct neural signatures of two powerful mind-altering compounds. While both LSD and ketamine alter consciousness, they do so through different neurological mechanisms. Using advanced in vivo neurophysiology, researchers measured brain activity patterns and neural communication in rodents. LSD, a classic psychedelic, decreased brain network connectivity without changing overall neural activity. Ketamine, a dissociative anesthetic, both increased neural firing and reduced connectivity between brain regions.
Abstract
Psychedelic substances have in recent years attracted considerable interest as potential treatments for several psychiatric conditions, including d...
Safety and tolerability of multiple sublingual microdoses of 5-MeO-DMT in adults with moderate symptoms of depression and/or anxiety: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.
Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology – July 15, 2025
Summary
Sub-psychedelic doses of 5-MeO-DMT show remarkable safety and tolerability. A first-of-its-kind trial gave weekly sublingual doses to adults with moderate anxiety/depression. Results indicated rapid absorption, no drug accumulation, and only mild, transient side effects, without inducing full psychedelic effects. This fast-acting compound modulated brain activity, emerging as a promising candidate for future mental health therapies.
Abstract
This Phase I clinical trial is the first to rigorously evaluate the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of a novel sublingual formulation of...
Role of 5-HT2A, 5-HT2C, 5-HT1A and TAAR1 receptors in the head twitch response induced by 5-hydroxytryptophan and psilocybin: Translational implications
OpenAlex – July 23, 2022
Summary
The therapeutic promise of psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, hinges on its pharmacology and interaction with brain serotonin 5-HT receptors. In mice, psilocybin (e.g., 4.4 mg/kg) and the serotonin precursor 5-HTP (e.g., 200 mg/kg) induce a head twitch response, a proxy for human psychedelic effects. A 5-HT2A receptor antagonist significantly reduced this serotonergic response, confirming its central role. Further, a 5-HT1A receptor agonist also attenuated the effect. Other 5-HT receptors modulate these effects, offering new insights into neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior for internal medicine and future psychedelic drug studies.
Abstract
Abstract There is increasing interest in the therapeutic potential of psilocybin in psychiatric disorders. In common with other serotonergic psyche...
Semantic activation in LSD: evidence from picture naming
Language Cognition and Neuroscience – August 11, 2016
Summary
LSD profoundly alters how our brains connect concepts. A Cognitive psychology experiment involving ten participants showed LSD significantly changed accuracy and error correction during a picture-naming task. This suggests the psychedelic drug expands semantic processing, increasing the spread of associations. Such an effect, relevant to Linguistics and Memory, implies a more "entropic" mental state where ideas are less constrained. This work in Psychedelics and Drug Studies sheds light on how neural mechanisms underpin our perception and understanding, potentially informing Natural language processing models.
Abstract
Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) is a classic psychedelic drug that alters cognition in a characteristic way. It has been suggested that psychedeli...
Die subakuten Effekte des Psilocybin auf Persönlichkeit, Achtsamkeit und die Auflösung des Selbst
OpenAlex – January 01, 2024
Summary
Psilocybin significantly reduces neuroticism and anxiety, improving life satisfaction. A naturalistic study of 55 participants at psychedelic retreats revealed clear trends: reduced anxiety and neuroticism, plus improved life satisfaction, seven days post-consumption. This work in clinical psychology highlights psilocybin's profound psychological impact on personality, contributing to psychedelics and drug studies. Such findings offer new perspectives for mental health and psychiatry, informing psychotherapist practices and discussions in psychoanalysis.
Abstract
Psychedelics are a class of drugs that can occasion similar changes in conscious ex- periences mediated via the G-protein coupled Serotonin 2A rece...
597. ARE SIDE EFFECTS NECESSARY FOR ANTIDEPRESSIVE TREATMENT: THE PSILOCYBIN EXPERIENCE
The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology – August 01, 2025
Summary
A critical debate in Psychology and Medicine centers on Psilocybin and other Psychedelics. While some psychotherapists in Psychiatry believe the hallucinogen-induced "psychedelic experience" is crucial for therapeutic benefit, preclinical animal models suggest otherwise. These models demonstrate antidepressant-like actions via specific opioid and glutamatergic pathways, indicating that the profound perceptual shifts may not be necessary for efficacy. This insight from Pharmacology and Drug Studies points towards developing safer, non-hallucinogenic medications, offering therapeutic potential without the intense experiences.
Abstract
Abstract Background Psycholicibin is now studied in clinical settings. Aims & Objectives To elaborate if side effects are part of the therapeut...
Baseline Power of Theta Oscillations Predicts Mystical-Type Experiences Induced by DMT in a Natural Setting
Frontiers in Psychiatry – November 05, 2021
Summary
Baseline brain activity, measured by Electroencephalography, can predict profound changes in Consciousness induced by psychedelics like DMT. In a study of 35 healthy volunteers, DMT significantly altered neural correlates of consciousness, reducing alpha/beta oscillations and increasing delta/theta/gamma activity. Intriguingly, initial brain activity patterns influenced the subjective Feeling of unity and transcendence, a key area of Psychology. This suggests understanding Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior through baseline brain activity could enhance therapeutic outcomes in Psychedelics and Drug Studies.
Abstract
N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) is a classic psychedelic capable of inducing short-lasting but profound changes in consciousness. As with other psyche...
Increases in aesthetic experience following ayahuasca use: An open-label, naturalistic study
OpenAlex – May 15, 2023
Summary
People report richer aesthetic experiences after Ayahuasca. A cohort of 54 individuals attending a retreat showed increased aesthetic perception one week and one month later compared to baseline. This finding, relevant to Psychology and Clinical psychology, suggests psychedelics can profoundly shift how we engage with beauty. While acute mystical experiences did not predict these lasting changes, it offers a new dimension for psychotherapists exploring perception and mysticism, expanding the scope of Psychedelics and Drug Studies.
Abstract
Psychedelic drugs are currently being investigated for their potential to facilitate a variety of long-lasting psychological changes. One area of p...
Use of the head-twitch response to investigate the structure–activity relationships of 4-thio-substituted 2,5-dimethoxyphenylalkylamines
Psychopharmacology – December 07, 2022
Summary
A fivefold boost in potency for psychedelic compounds was achieved by adding an α-methyl group to 4-thio-substituted phenylalkylamines. Using advanced biochemical analysis and sensing techniques to measure head twitch responses in male C57BL/6 J mice, this pharmacology research explored the neuroscience of these compounds. Twelve different chemical synthesis variations showed that extending the thio-group enhanced activity, while fluorination proved detrimental. This aligns with known structure-activity relationships in drug studies, confirming their classification as psychedelics and informing future chemistry for potential medicine applications.
Abstract
Abstract Rationale 4-Thio-substituted phenylalkylamines such as 2,5-dimethoxy-4-ethylthiophenethylamine (2C-T-2) and 2,5-dimethoxy-4- n -propylthio...
Guidelines for Establishing Safety in Ayahuasca and Ibogaine Administration in Clinical Settings
Psychoactives – December 11, 2023
Summary
A comprehensive set of guidelines has been developed to ensure the safety of participants in clinical trials involving psychedelics like ayahuasca and ibogaine. With an increasing number of individuals presenting varied medical conditions, these protocols aim to address potential adverse effects, including psychiatric issues such as panic attacks (reported in 20% of cases) and clinical manifestations like hypertensive crises (observed in 10%). Crafted through collaboration with specialists and extensive literature review, these guidelines enhance the safety and management of psychedelic research at the University of São Paulo’s LEAPS laboratory.
Abstract
As the research field with psychedelic substances grows, it is expected to encompass a more extensive cohort of individuals presenting a spectrum o...
OAV and 5D-ASC for Brazilian Portuguese: A validation and adaptation study.
Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England) – June 28, 2025
Summary
Understanding the profound subjective experiences induced by Psychedelics is crucial. New research successfully adapted and validated key psychometrics, like the OAV, for use in Brazil, specifically to measure altered states of consciousness. Through robust methods, including expert reviews and a large online survey of 3762 individuals, the scales demonstrated strong reliability and validity. This confirms their effectiveness in capturing diverse psychedelic experiences, highlighting cultural nuances.
Abstract
This study aimed to validate and culturally adapt the Altered States of Consciousness Rating Scale (OAV) and Five Dimensional-Altered States of Con...
Monoamine receptor interaction profiles of 4-thio-substituted phenethylamines (2C-T drugs).
Neuropharmacology – May 15, 2018
Summary
The potent psychedelic effects of certain new psychoactive substances, phenethylamines, are deeply tied to specific brain receptors. This research aimed to map their interaction profiles. Scientists found these compounds have high affinity for 5-HT2A and 5-HT2C receptors, strongly activating them. This strong receptor engagement successfully predicts their powerful psychedelic effects.
Abstract
4-Thio-substituted phenethylamines (2C-T drugs) are potent psychedelics with poorly defined pharmacological properties. Because of their psychedeli...
Rapid and sustained antidepressant effects of vaporized N,N-dimethyltryptamine: a phase 2a clinical trial in treatment-resistant depression.
Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology – May 01, 2025
Summary
A groundbreaking treatment shows promise in rapidly lifting severe depression: vaporized DMT, a naturally-occurring compound, achieved an 86% response rate in patients who hadn't improved with standard treatments. In just 10-20 minutes, participants experienced significant mood improvements that lasted up to 3 months. The treatment proved safe, reduced suicidal thoughts, and worked alongside existing medications.
Abstract
Depression affects over 185 million people worldwide, with approximately one-third classified as treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Current trea...
Psilocybin and ketamine affect novel neuropeptides gene expression in the rat hypothalamus
Journal of Psychopharmacology – April 17, 2025
Summary
A single dose of the hallucinogen psilocybin dramatically alters brain chemistry. In a pilot study on male Wistar–Han rats, a 10 mg/kg dose of psilocybin increased the expression of most neuropeptides and specific serotonin 5-HT receptors (5-HT1A, 5-HT2A, 5-HT2B) within the hypothalamus. This neurochemical shift, observed in Neuroscience and Pharmacology, suggests how psilocybin, a key compound in Psychedelics and Drug Studies, influences neurotransmitter receptor activity. Understanding these changes in the Hypothalamus, crucial for Endocrinology, could explain its profound psychological effects and inform Internal medicine applications, potentially impacting Sleep and Wakefulness Research.
Abstract
Objective: Psychedelics are able to trigger highly intense and profound alterations in self-consciousness, perception, affective, and cognitive pro...
Concurrent stress modulates the acute and post-acute effects of psilocybin in a sex-dependent manner
Neuropharmacology – December 24, 2024
Summary
Psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, affects males and females differently, a crucial insight for Psychiatry and Medicine. In C57BL/6J mice, psilocybin increased head-twitch responses more significantly in females. This pharmacology also revealed that acute stress entirely blocked psilocybin's anxiety-reducing effects in males, yet only partially in females. Neuroscience indicates both stress and psilocybin independently raised corticosterone levels. These Psychedelics and Drug Studies highlight how the psychological experience, beyond chemical synthesis, profoundly shapes psilocybin's mood-altering actions, vital for therapeutic use.
Abstract
There is renewed interest in psychedelics, such as psilocybin, as therapies for multiple difficult-to-treat psychiatric disorders. Even though psyc...
Psilocybin desynchronizes the human brain.
Nature – August 01, 2024
Summary
A single dose of psilocybin dramatically alters brain connectivity patterns, causing networks that normally work in sync to become temporarily desynchronized. This disruption is particularly strong in brain regions linked to our sense of self and perception of time. The changes persist for weeks, especially between memory centers and self-awareness networks, potentially explaining psilocybin's therapeutic benefits.
Abstract
A single dose of psilocybin, a psychedelic that acutely causes distortions of space-time perception and ego dissolution, produces rapid and persist...
Dynamic Functional Hyperconnectivity After Psilocybin Intake Is Primarily Associated With Oceanic Boundlessness.
Biological psychiatry. Cognitive neuroscience and neuroimaging – July 01, 2024
Summary
Psilocybin creates a unique brain state where neural connections become highly dynamic and integrated, leading to profound shifts in consciousness. Research using fMRI scans revealed that when people received psilocybin, their brains showed increased connectivity across regions, particularly during feelings of unity and boundlessness. Brain activity patterns matched participants' reported experiences on the 5D-ASC scale, suggesting that heightened neural communication underlies the substance's consciousness-expanding effects.
Abstract
Psilocybin is a widely studied psychedelic substance that leads to the psychedelic state, a specific altered state of consciousness. To date, the r...
Assessment of the Acute Effects of 2C‐B vs. Psilocybin on Subjective Experience, Mood, and Cognition
Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics – May 30, 2023
Summary
While the hallucinogen 2C-B, derived from mescaline, impacts cognition similarly to psilocybin, its psychological effects differ. In a 22-participant double-blind study, 2C-B (20mg) and psilocybin (15mg) both impaired psychomotor speed versus placebo. Yet, psilocybin caused greater dysphoria and auditory alterations, relevant to audiology. As a serotonergic compound, 2C-B’s effects resolved within six hours. These psychedelics and drug studies inform clinical psychology's understanding of mood, anhedonia, and neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior, crucial for developmental psychology insights.
Abstract
2,5‐dimethoxy‐4‐bromophenethylamine (2C‐B) is a hallucinogenic phenethylamine derived from mescaline. Observational and preclinical data have sugge...
Moderators of ayahuasca’s biological antidepressant action
Frontiers in Psychiatry – December 05, 2022
Summary
Acute emotional and physiological actions during an Ayahuasca session significantly modulate antidepressant outcomes. A randomized, double-blinded trial with 72 participants, including those with treatment-resistant depression, found larger symptom reductions predicted higher serum cortisol. Lesser salivary cortisol changes linked to higher BDNF levels, crucial for Psychology and Medicine. This Pharmacology insight, vital for Psychiatry and Psychedelics and Drug Studies, suggests psychotherapists could optimize therapeutic action. Biochemical Analysis techniques confirm these effects, informing future Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research into similar drug mechanisms.
Abstract
Introduction The understanding of biological responses to psychedelics with antidepressant potential is imperative. Here we report how a set of acu...
Psilocybin as Transformative Fast‐Acting Antidepressant: Pharmacological Properties and Molecular Mechanisms
Fundamental and Clinical Pharmacology – July 16, 2025
Summary
Psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, is re-emerging as a promising antidepressant medicine for severe depression, echoing its initial study in the 1950s-60s before being halted in the 1970s. Modern pharmacology and psychology are exploring how this psychedelic alkaloid influences neurotransmitter receptors, particularly serotonin 5-HT2A, to potentially facilitate transformative learning and alleviate mood disorders. Through neuroscience and drug studies, psilocybin's antidepressant potential is significant, especially given depression's projected impact by 2030.
Abstract
ABSTRACT In the 1950s–60s, serotonergic psychedelic drugs were studied as potential adjuvants to psychotherapy to treat addiction and alcoholism. H...
Set and Setting in the Santo Daime
Frontiers in Pharmacology – May 04, 2021
Summary
A compelling finding in **Psychedelics and Drug Studies**: **Ayahuasca's** profound effects are shaped by **psychology**, **sociology**, and cultural **context**. This 'set and setting' principle, vital for **social psychology**, is exemplified by the Santo Daime religion. They meticulously use symbolic, social, and **aesthetic** elements to direct the **hallucinogen** experience. This **field** exploration shows how psychological **set** and cultural **context** are paramount, offering a template beyond **natural compound pharmacology studies** or **biochemical analysis and sensing techniques**.
Abstract
Set and setting is a fundamental concept in the field of psychedelic drug research, which points to the profound dependence of psychedelic effects ...
Development of the Psychological Insight Questionnaire among a sample of people who have consumed psilocybin or LSD
Journal of Psychopharmacology – January 09, 2021
Summary
A new psychometric tool, the Psychological Insight Questionnaire, was developed to assess acute psychological insights during experiences with psilocybin and other psychedelics. Among 1661 users (83% Caucasian, 72% men) surveyed via computer-assisted web interviewing, the 23-item questionnaire demonstrated strong construct validity. Its two subscales, including one on experiential avoidance, correlated moderately-to-strongly with improved psychological flexibility and well-being. This advances clinical psychology and drug studies by uniquely predicting positive changes beyond mystical experiences, highlighting the potential of these alkaloid-based compounds.
Abstract
Background: Several measures have been developed to examine acute psychedelic effects (e.g. mystical-type and challenging experiences), but no meas...
LSD flattens the hierarchy of directed information flow in fast whole-brain dynamics
OpenAlex – April 28, 2024
Summary
Psychedelics profoundly reshape consciousness by flattening the brain's information flow hierarchy. A study with 16 healthy participants, administered 75 micrograms of LSD, revealed the drug diminished the asymmetry in neural signal sending and receiving. This rebalancing of brain dynamics weakens the established hierarchy. Computer science techniques, specifically machine learning classifiers, distinguished LSD states from placebo significantly more accurately when trained on these hierarchy metrics. This suggests LSD fundamentally alters how information flows, promoting a more balanced brain function.
Abstract
Abstract Psychedelics are serotonergic drugs that profoundly alter consciousness, yet their neural mechanisms are not fully understood. A popular t...
The effects of psilocybin and MDMA on between-network resting state functional connectivity in healthy volunteers
Frontiers in Human Neuroscience – May 27, 2014
Summary
Psilocybin profoundly alters consciousness, making brain networks less differentiated. Using resting state fMRI in Psychedelics and Drug Studies, functional connectivity between brain regions generally increased under this hallucinogen, impacting neural dynamics. In contrast, MDMA had a notably less marked effect on these connections. This Neuroscience and Psychology research, exploring altered states, suggests psilocybin uniquely perturbs consciousness, offering insights into brain function and cognitive psychology. Understanding these changes in functional brain connectivity advances our grasp of consciousness.
Abstract
Perturbing a system and observing the consequences is a classic scientific strategy for understanding a phenomenon. Psychedelic drugs perturb consc...
Psilocybin modulation of dynamic functional connectivity is associated with plasma psilocin and subjective effects
OpenAlex – December 17, 2021
Summary
Psilocybin, a serotonergic hallucinogen, profoundly alters brain activity. In 15 healthy individuals, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) revealed that as psilocin levels rose, typical frontoparietal connectivity patterns, including the Default Mode Network, decreased. Simultaneously, a more uniformly connected brain state increased. This shift in resting state fMRI dynamics correlated with subjective psychedelic intensity. These neuroscience insights into functional brain connectivity suggest how psilocybin influences mood and consciousness, offering new directions for psychology and medicine, impacting our understanding of neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior.
Abstract
Abstract Background Psilocin, the neuroactive metabolite of psilocybin, is a serotonergic psychedelic that induces an acute altered state of consci...
Self-treatment of depression and complex post-traumatic stress disorder with psilocybin and LSD—A retrospective case study
OpenAlex – March 10, 2023
Summary
A compelling case suggests psilocybin, a chemical synthesis alkaloid, could help individuals with severe anxiety and depression understand ordinary states like hopefulness. One individual, suffering early trauma and chronic anxiety and depression since childhood, found traditional psychotherapy and psychiatry unhelpful. Through intensive, self-directed psilocybin use from age 19, he reported achieving a foundational feeling of peace by age 30, despite ongoing societal trauma. This clinical psychology insight suggests psychedelics and drug studies may offer new avenues for treating treatment-resistant depression, influencing neurotransmitter receptor behavior.
Abstract
In medicine, psychedelics were initially considered as a tool for clinicians to understand psychotic states. Based on the presented case data, a re...
Age and cannabis co-use moderate experience and perceived benefits of psilocybin
OpenAlex – May 22, 2025
Summary
Cannabis co-use with Psilocybin may significantly improve quality of life, anxiety, depression, and reduce alcohol abuse. A Psychology investigation of 365 current users, part of broader Psychedelics and Drug Studies, reveals age also modulates experiences with this Hallucinogen. Younger adults (18-25) reported more adverse effects, while older adults (55-77) had milder acute experiences. This Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research on human Behavior, increasingly accessible via technology, highlights how age and co-use influence outcomes relevant to diverse aspects of life, including sexuality.
Abstract
As psychedelic use increases, understanding how demographic and behavioral factors influence the effects of psychedelics is essential for both rese...
The Legal Perspective on Psilocybin for Medical Use in Czechia: A Key Milestone and the Case for Broader Consideration Beyond the Clinical Setting
Psychoactives – September 11, 2025
Summary
Czechia's approval of medical psilocybin marks a significant policy shift, opening doors for regulated therapeutic applications and broader *Psychedelics and Drug Studies*. This reform, informed by insights from a ketamine-assisted therapy program, highlights the need for clear pathways for non-clinical use, beyond just medical contexts. The legal ambiguity surrounding "spreading toxicomania" underscores the importance of a rational, evidence-based regulatory approach. This evolving landscape encourages *diverse academic research themes* into these *alkaloids*, whether naturally derived or via *chemical synthesis*.
Abstract
Czechia has recently approved the medical use of psilocybin, marking a pivotal shift in the country’s drug policy landscape. This development paves...
Natural language signatures of psilocybin microdosing
OpenAlex – February 22, 2022
Summary
Artificial intelligence can accurately detect a psilocybin microdose from speech. A double-blind, placebo-controlled experiment explored how this hallucinogen, a chemical synthesis and alkaloid, affects natural language. Participants received either a 0.5g psilocybin mushroom microdose or a placebo. Analyzing speech for verbosity, semantic variability, and sentiment scores, differences emerged in all but semantic variability. Computer science techniques, specifically machine learning, then distinguished between conditions with high accuracy (AUC≈0.8). This breakthrough in psychology and pharmacology offers new biochemical analysis for psychedelics and drug studies, potentially monitoring microdosing schedules.
Abstract
Abstract Serotonergic psychedelics are being studied as novel treatments for mental health disorders and as facilitators of improved well-being, me...