Research
NMDA receptors antagonists alleviated the acute phase of traumatic brain injury.
Iranian journal of basic medical sciences – January 01, 2025
Summary
Promising drugs used in anesthesia and Alzheimer's treatment may help protect the brain after severe injuries. Ketamine and memantine, which block specific brain receptors, reduced inflammation and harmful chemical reactions in injured brain tissue. Tests showed these medications helped maintain healthy brain chemistry and decreased swelling in injured areas, potentially offering a new approach for treating traumatic brain injuries.
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a significant cause of mortality and disability worldwide. TBI has been associated with factors such as oxidative s...
Functional connectivity drifts during sleep as a marker of fluctuations in the level of consciousness.
Neuroscience of consciousness – January 01, 2025
Summary
Consciousness isn't simply "on" or "off" during sleep. In rats, examining functional connectivity revealed that Non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep, often considered unconscious, contains periods where its brain activity patterns resemble those of wakefulness or REM sleep. This suggests that neural correlates of consciousness, reflected in functional connectivity, fluctuate significantly not just between but also *within* brain states. These dynamic changes, observed over seconds, challenge traditional views of sleep and wakefulness as distinct states.
Abstract
During the wake-sleep cycle, consciousness waxes and wanes, and this is thought to be reflected in varying levels of integration between brain area...
Comparative Efficacy of Esketamine vs Sufentanil with Propofol for Sedation in EUS: A Randomized, Controlled Study.
Journal of pain research – January 01, 2025
Summary
A breakthrough in medical sedation shows that esketamine offers safer outcomes during endoscopic ultrasound procedures. When combined with propofol, this alternative sedative reduced respiratory depression by two-thirds compared to traditional methods. Patients receiving esketamine needed less medication overall and experienced more stable breathing patterns during sedation. The approach also led to faster recovery times and fewer post-procedure complications like nausea and vomiting.
Abstract
This randomized, controlled trial aimed to assess the sedative effects of esketamine and sufentanil combined with propofol during EUS. Three hundre...
An encounter with death: a comparative thematic and content analysis of naturalistic DMT experiences and the near-death experience.
Frontiers in psychology – January 01, 2025
Summary
The psychedelic compound DMT creates experiences remarkably similar to near-death experiences (NDEs), with 95% of users reporting classic NDE elements like bright lights, out-of-body sensations, and encounters with beings of light. Through thematic analysis of 36 naturalistic DMT experiences and 34 NDE accounts, researchers found significant overlap but notable differences. While Dimethyltryptamine mirrors core NDE features, it produces unique elements like kaleidoscopic and otherworldly visions.
Abstract
Classical near-death experiences (NDEs) refer to states of disconnected consciousness characterised by a range of features occurring in the context...
Object relations are processed with, but not without, awareness.
Neuroscience of consciousness – January 01, 2025
Summary
Your brain processes relationships between objects differently when you're aware of them versus not. EEG measurements revealed that while people could easily recognize connections between visible object pairs, these object relations weren't processed when items were hidden from conscious awareness. The N400 brain response only appeared when participants were consciously aware of what they saw, challenging theories about unconscious processing.
Abstract
The scope of unconscious integration is widely debated. Here, we examined this question, focusing specifically on deciphering the relations between...
High-Frequency Analysis of the Cerebral Physiological Impact of Ketamine in Acute Traumatic Neural Injury.
Neurotrauma reports – January 01, 2025
Summary
Ketamine shows promise as a safer sedation option for acute brain injuries, offering unique advantages over traditional treatments. New high-frequency monitoring reveals that this medication doesn't increase dangerous brain pressures in patients with traumatic brain injury, contrary to previous beliefs. By tracking 122 patients' brain activity, doctors found ketamine maintained stable pressure levels while providing effective sedation, potentially offering a valuable treatment option that avoids common side effects of other sedatives.
Abstract
Acute traumatic neural injury, also known as traumatic brain injury (TBI), is a leading cause of death. TBI treatment focuses on the use of sedativ...
Evaluating the potential for psilocybin as a treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder.
The Journal of pharmacology and experimental therapeutics – January 01, 2025
Summary
Psilocybin shows remarkable potential in rewiring fear responses in the brain, offering hope for those with post-traumatic stress disorder. The compound increases brain-derived neurotrophic factor, helping form new neural connections. Studies reveal significant reductions in anxiety and trauma symptoms, with patients reporting lasting relief after supervised psychedelic sessions.
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating psychiatric condition that develops following exposure to a traumatic event. Individuals wi...
Effects of Remimazolam Tosilate Combined with Esketamine on Anesthetic Efficacy and Psychiatric Symptoms in Patients Undergoing Ambulatory Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Study.
Drug design, development and therapy – January 01, 2025
Summary
A breakthrough in surgical anesthesia shows that combining remimazolam tosilate with esketamine significantly reduces post-surgery psychiatric side effects while speeding up recovery. In a study of 249 patients undergoing ambulatory surgery, this combination proved more effective than traditional methods, offering better stability during procedures and faster recovery times. Patients experienced fewer vision problems and mental disturbances, while maintaining optimal sedation levels.
Abstract
The choice of anesthetic drugs is crucial in ambulatory surgery. Esketamine has anesthetic, analgesic, and sedative effects, but it is associated w...
The protective effect of DMT against neurodegeneration.
International review of neurobiology – January 01, 2025
Summary
The molecule dimethyltryptamine (DMT) shows remarkable potential for neuroprotection. Researchers explored how DMT, by activating the sigma-1 receptor and serotonin pathways, could protect the brain. Preclinical studies revealed DMT's ability to mitigate ischemia-reperfusion injury, a key factor in conditions like stroke and brain ischemia. This suggests DMT may offer therapeutic benefits against neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, pointing to universal cellular protective mechanisms.
Abstract
This paper explores the therapeutic potential of DMT in neuroprotective strategies, particularly concerning ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) and n...
Being in the zone during physiological birth: a comparative study of hospital and home birth environments.
Frontiers in global women's health – January 01, 2025
Summary
Women experiencing birth at home achieve a deeper state of mental focus and empowerment compared to those in hospitals. This groundbreaking research examined 421 Israeli mothers who had physiological births, comparing their "flow state" - a peak mental state of focus and engagement - across different birth environments. Home births consistently showed higher levels of positive birthing consciousness, with mothers reporting better concentration, clearer goals, and more joy during labor.
Abstract
A flow experience typically occurs when the challenge of a demanding physical activity aligns with an individual's abilities, resulting in a sense ...
Effect of Esketamine Compared with Sufentanil Combined with Propofol in Patients Undergoing First Trimester Surgical Abortion: A Randomized, Double-Blinded Clinical Trial.
Drug design, development and therapy – January 01, 2025
Summary
Esketamine shows promise as a safer anesthetic option for surgical abortion procedures, offering better stability in blood pressure and heart rate. In this randomized trial of 197 patients, those receiving esketamine maintained steadier vital signs and experienced fewer breathing complications compared to traditional sufentanil. While dizziness was more common, the overall benefits to hemodynamic and respiratory function make it an attractive alternative.
Abstract
We explored whether esketamine anesthesia during first-trimester surgical abortion can reduce intraoperative hemodynamic fluctuations and improve p...
Ascorbic Acid and Esketamine for Mental Disorders in Women with Miscarriage: A Randomized Controlled Double-Blind Trial Protocol.
Neuropsychiatric disease and treatment – January 01, 2025
Summary
Vitamin C may hold promise in enhancing ketamine's ability to prevent depression and anxiety after pregnancy loss. New research explores how combining these treatments could help women recover mentally after miscarriage. The study tests whether vitamin C can boost ketamine's mood-lifting effects while reducing side effects. This approach may improve sleep quality and manage pain, offering a gentler path to emotional healing.
Abstract
Pregnancy leads to vulnerabilities and susceptibilities to mental disorders. Miscarriage, as an adverse pregnancy outcome, and following curettage ...
Effect of Different Doses of Esketamine on Postoperative Recovery in Patients Undergoing Gynecologic Laparoscopic Surgery, a Randomized, Double-Blind, Single-Center Clinical Study.
Drug design, development and therapy – January 01, 2025
Summary
A groundbreaking discovery shows that a single dose of esketamine before surgery can significantly improve recovery outcomes for women. In this investigation of 99 patients undergoing gynecologic laparoscopic surgery, those receiving esketamine experienced better postoperative quality of recovery and needed less pain medication. The higher dose (0.5 mg/kg) proved most effective, reducing pain scores and enhancing recovery without increasing side effects.
Abstract
This study aimed to explore the effect of preoperative different doses of esketamine on postoperative recovery in patients undergoing gynecologic l...
Estimation of the prevalence of substance use by wastewater-based epidemiology study in four cities of Guangdong, China.
PloS one – January 01, 2025
Summary
Analysis of wastewater from 67 treatment plants across four Chinese cities revealed surprising drug use patterns in Guangdong Province. Scientists tracked drug metabolites in sewage to estimate regional substance use, finding methamphetamine as the most prevalent drug, followed by heroin and ketamine. While heroin use decreased over the study period, meth and ketamine consumption showed concerning upward trends.
Abstract
The widespread use of illegal drugs and their associated problems have emerged as a significant public health concern. This study was conducted to ...
Invisible Gorillas in the Mind: Internal Inattentional Blindness and the Prospect of Introspection Training.
Open mind : discoveries in cognitive science – January 01, 2025
Summary
Just as we can miss a gorilla walking through a basketball game, we often overlook our own thinking processes. Research shows that many mental activities we consider unconscious may actually be accessible through proper internal attention. Through mindfulness and introspection training, people can develop greater self-awareness of their thoughts, improving their ability to notice preconscious mental processes that typically go unnoticed due to internal inattentional blindness.
Abstract
Much of high-level cognition appears inaccessible to consciousness. Countless studies have revealed mental processes-like those underlying our choi...
The strength of neural entrainment to electronic music correlates with proxies of altered states of consciousness.
Frontiers in human neuroscience – January 01, 2025
Summary
Electronic music's hypnotic beats can sync with our brainwaves, potentially inducing altered states of consciousness. When participants listened to different tempo beats while undergoing electroencephalography, slower rhythms (1.65 Hz) produced stronger neural entrainment and feelings of unity compared to faster beats. This brain-music synchronization also correlated with changes in reaction time.
Abstract
In electronic music events, the driving four-on-the-floor music appears pivotal for inducing altered states of consciousness (ASCs). While various ...
Effects of the subanesthetic dose of esketamine on postoperative sleep quality in patients undergoing modified radical mastectomy: a randomized, double-blind controlled trial.
Frontiers in medicine – January 01, 2025
Summary
A promising anesthetic drug shows mixed results for breast cancer patients' sleep quality after surgery. Low-dose esketamine during modified radical mastectomy was tested to improve postoperative sleep and recovery. While the drug was safe, it didn't significantly enhance sleep quality and slightly extended recovery time compared to standard care. This finding helps doctors make informed decisions about sleep management after breast surgery.
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most common malignant tumor among women worldwide. Surgical intervention is a critical component of treatment, yet the associa...
Effects of ketamine on fear memory extinction: a review of preclinical literature.
Frontiers in neuroscience – January 01, 2025
Summary
Ketamine, traditionally used as an anesthetic, shows promise in treating PTSD by helping people overcome traumatic memories. Recent findings reveal that ketamine may enhance fear extinction—a process where threatening memories lose their emotional power. This molecular mechanism could complement CBT, making it easier for patients to process trauma. While timing and dosage are crucial factors, ketamine's ability to modify fear memories offers hope for improved PTSD treatments.
Abstract
Ketamine, a multimodal dissociative anesthetic, is widely used as a trauma analgesic in emergency situations. Ketamine is also used to treat psychi...
Tulving's (1989) Doctrine of Concordance Revisited.
Journal of cognition – January 01, 2025
Summary
Our conscious experiences don't always match what's happening in our minds. This fascinating insight challenges how we understand memory and awareness. Research shows that while we may feel confident about a memory or experience déjà vu, the brain processes behind these feelings often operate independently from our conscious awareness. This disconnect appears in various memory phenomena, from metacognitive judgments to recognition confidence, revealing that our subjective experiences can be surprisingly unreliable guides to our cognitive processes.
Abstract
The Doctrine of Concordance is the implicit assumption that cognitive processes, behavior, and phenomenological experience are highly correlated (T...
Hypnagogia, psychedelics, and sensory deprivation: the mythic structure of dream-like experiences.
Frontiers in psychology – January 01, 2025
Summary
Dream-like states, from hypnagogia to psychedelic experiences, share fascinating patterns with ancient mythic thinking. Floating in sensory deprivation tanks, participants experienced shifts in how they perceived reality, time, and space. Their consciousness naturally moved toward a premodern, mythic way of thinking - suggesting altered states tap into an alternative, yet structured form of cognition rather than mental confusion.
Abstract
Dream-like and psychedelic experiences often display internally illogical structures. Recent theories propose that these experiences function as "s...
[[Dreams]visions in Hoffmann's «fairy tales»: An experience of phenomenological description].
Zhurnal nevrologii i psikhiatrii imeni S.S. Korsakova – January 01, 2025
Summary
In Romantic literature, dreams blur the line between reality and fantasy, revealing deeper truths about human consciousness. Through vivid descriptions of dreaming states, Hoffmann explores the ambivalence between everyday perception and heightened awareness. His characters experience both enlightening visions and terrifying nightmares, reflecting natural philosophy's view of interconnected existence. The visionary experiences are marked by intense sensations, fluid boundaries, and creative energy.
Abstract
The article highlights the stable characteristics of the world of dreams/visions, which is revealed to Hoffmann's visionaries in borderline, «twili...
The intersection of near-death experiences (NDEs) and traumatic brain injury (TBI): neurobiological, phenomenological, and creative implications.
Frontiers in human neuroscience – January 01, 2025
Summary
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) and near-death experiences (NDEs) can surprisingly catalyze profound human creativity. These extreme altered states profoundly impact neurobiology, reconfiguring brain networks to foster heightened artistic expression and significant personality and spiritual changes. Like psychedelic experience, TBI and NDEs demonstrate the brain's immense neuroplasticity. Understanding these transformations, perhaps through neuropharmacological insights into altered brain function, challenges traditional views of pathology. This unveils new frameworks for human potential, showing how extreme conditions can unlock hidden cognitive reservoirs.
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) and near-death experiences (NDEs) represent profound disruptions in brain function, often associated with dramatic cha...
Electroencephalographic characteristics of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation for prolonged disorders of consciousness: a study protocol.
Frontiers in neuroscience – January 01, 2025
Summary
Gentle electrical stimulation of the ear's vagus nerve shows promise in helping patients recover from severe consciousness disorders. This protocol aims to identify which patients will benefit most from this treatment by analyzing their brain activity patterns. Using EEG monitoring, researchers will track changes in brain wave patterns and neural connections in 50 patients receiving ear stimulation over 4 weeks, followed by a year of observation.
Abstract
Increasing evidence indicates that transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) can promote the recovery of consciousness levels in pat...
Case report: Significant lesion reduction and neural structural changes following ibogaine treatments for multiple sclerosis.
Frontiers in immunology – January 01, 2025
Summary
Remarkable neuroimaging revealed significant brain repair in two multiple sclerosis patients after ibogaine treatments. This psychedelic medicine led to substantial lesion reduction and signs of neuroregeneration, suggesting ibogaine and its metabolite noribogaine may promote neural healing and modulate circuits affected by MS. A promising new direction for treatment.
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a debilitating neurodegenerative disease characterized by demyelination and neuronal loss. Traditional therapies often f...
A dualist theory of experience.
Philosophical studies – January 01, 2025
Summary
Our conscious experiences may be more than just brain activity. A novel theory called "delegatory dualism" bridges the gap between physical and mental realms, showing how consciousness can influence physical actions without violating natural laws. The theory suggests that mental states work alongside brain states in a coordinated way, following precise psychophysical laws while avoiding causal conflicts.
Abstract
Dualism holds that experiences somehow arise from physical states, despite being neither identical with nor grounded in such states. This paper mot...
A quantum microtubule substrate of consciousness is experimentally supported and solves the binding and epiphenomenalism problems.
Neuroscience of consciousness – January 01, 2025
Summary
New evidence reveals that tiny structures called microtubules inside neurons may be the key to consciousness. When anesthesia blocks these structures, consciousness fades. This supports the quantum consciousness theory, suggesting our awareness emerges from quantum processes in brain cells. The findings help explain how separate brain experiences combine into one unified conscious experience, addressing long-standing questions about consciousness and free will.
Abstract
Recent experimental evidence, briefly reviewed here, points to intraneuronal microtubules as a functional target of inhalational anesthetics. This ...
Attitudes Towards Psilocybin: A General Population’s Opinions on Psilocybin and Psilocybin-Assisted Therapies
Psi Chi Journal of Psychological Research – January 01, 2025
Summary
Overall attitudes towards psilocybin-assisted therapies are positive, suggesting a growing receptiveness to these innovative treatments. A survey of 235 individuals revealed that prior knowledge of psilocybin and experience with psychedelics correlated with more favorable views. This insight, crucial for Psychedelics and Drug Studies, indicates that as the therapeutic potential of compounds derived through chemical synthesis and alkaloids is further explored, public acceptance may expand. Men, Democrats, and atheists also reported more positive attitudes.
Abstract
Psilocybin-assisted therapies (PAT) have been used to treat several issues including obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), major depressive disorder...
Navigating groundlessness: An interview study on dealing with ontological shock and existential distress following psychedelic experiences.
PloS one – January 01, 2025
Summary
Psychedelic experiences can profoundly shake one's understanding of reality, leading some people to grapple with deep existential questions. Researchers interviewed 26 individuals who faced psychological challenges after psychedelic use. While participants initially struggled with confusion about existence and meaning, many found relief through physical grounding practices, social support, and gradually integrating their experiences into a new worldview. The findings highlight how these intense experiences can ultimately lead to personal growth and transformed perspectives.
Abstract
Psychedelic induced mystical experiences have been largely assumed to drive the therapeutic effects of these substances, which may in part be media...
Brain Representation in Conscious and Unconscious Vision.
Journal of cognition – January 01, 2025
Summary
Our brains process visual information even when we're not consciously aware of it. Using advanced fMRI scanning, researchers found that both conscious and unconscious visual perception activate similar patterns across the brain's visual and decision-making regions. The study revealed that artificial intelligence models could predict brain responses to images, whether consciously seen or not, suggesting consciousness may be more about how we reflect on information than how it spreads through the brain.
Abstract
The development of robust frameworks to understand how the human brain represents conscious and unconscious perceptual contents is paramount to mak...
Effect and safety of perioperative ketamine/esketamine administration on postoperative pain and depression after breast cancer surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Frontiers in pharmacology – January 01, 2025
Summary
Ketamine and esketamine show promise in reducing short-term depression following breast cancer surgery, according to comprehensive analysis of 748 patients. While these medications didn't significantly impact postoperative pain levels, they helped lower depression scores in the first week after surgery and reduced instances of dizziness compared to standard care.
Abstract
Patients with breast cancer experience varying degrees of pain, depression, and anxiety after surgery, which affect their postoperative recovery. A...
Effect of Esketamine-Based Opioid-Sparing Anesthesia Protocol on the Quality of Early Recovery After Urological Surgery: A Randomized Clinical Trial.
Drug design, development and therapy – January 01, 2025
Summary
A breakthrough in surgical recovery shows that using esketamine during kidney surgery leads to better patient outcomes. This innovative opioid-sparing anesthesia approach resulted in faster recovery times, less postoperative pain, and fewer side effects like nausea. Patients who received esketamine during nephrectomy procedures woke up sooner and reported higher quality of recovery scores compared to traditional methods.
Abstract
The quality of postoperative recovery under enhanced recovery after surgery protocols has always been the focus of anesthesiologists. It has been p...
Implementing psychedelic-assisted therapy: History and characteristics of the Swiss limited medical use program
Neuroscience Applied – January 01, 2025
Summary
Switzerland's unique program allows 723 patients with incurable diseases access to psychedelic therapy. Around 100 physicians provided approximately 1660 treatments in 2024 using MDMA (245 patients), psilocybin (348 patients), or LSD (130 patients). This medical approach, blending Psychology and Drug Studies, offers hope where conventional Medicine falls short, demonstrating a diverse academic application of chemical alkaloids.
Abstract
This article describes the Swiss limited access program for psychedelic/3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)-assisted therapy. The Swiss Federa...
Exploring Perceived Barriers and Facilitators for Implementing Acute Pain Clinical Trials: A Mixed-Methods Analysis of Ketamine Infusions for Sickle Cell Pain.
Journal of pain research – January 01, 2025
Summary
Ketamine shows promise as a non-opioid treatment for severe pain in sickle cell disease patients. A comprehensive analysis revealed that while healthcare providers vary in their comfort with ketamine use, both doctors and patients are open to clinical trials testing its effectiveness. Key success factors include clear safety protocols, strong provider-patient trust, and streamlined trial processes that respect patients' time and privacy concerns.
Abstract
Vaso-occlusive events (VOEs) are the primary cause of acute pain in individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD), where high-dose opioids are the cur...
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...
Effective doses of remimazolam and esketamine combined with remifentanil for endotracheal intubation without muscle relaxants in pediatric patients.
Frontiers in pharmacology – January 01, 2025
Summary
Pediatric anesthesiologists have discovered a safer way to intubate young patients without using muscle relaxants. By combining remimazolam and esketamine with remifentanil, doctors achieved successful intubation while maintaining stable heart rates and blood pressure. Using Dixon's up-and-down method, researchers determined effective doses for children aged 3-6, finding optimal results with 0.56 mg/kg remimazolam and 0.97 mg/kg esketamine.
Abstract
The combination of remimazolam and esketamine effectively alleviates adverse hemodynamic effects, such as tachycardia and hypertension, during intu...
Electroencephalography Correlation of Ketamine-induced Clinical Excitatory Movements: A Systematic Review.
The western journal of emergency medicine – January 01, 2025
Summary
Ketamine's effects on brain activity reveal a striking pattern: while it's safe for most people, those with epilepsy respond differently. Brain wave recordings show that nearly 30% of people with epilepsy experience seizure activity during ketamine use, while those without epilepsy show no such activity. The effect is even more pronounced in children with epilepsy, where 60% show measurable brain changes. Physical movements during ketamine use strongly correlate with these brain patterns, especially in patients with pre-existing seizure conditions.
Abstract
This is a systematic review investigating the correlation between seizures identifiable on electroencephalogram (EEG), clinical excitatory movement...
Ketamine in treating opioid use disorder and opioid withdrawal: a scoping review.
Frontiers in psychiatry – January 01, 2025
Summary
As opioid-related deaths double over two decades, medical experts explore ketamine - a powerful NMDA antagonist - as a promising treatment option. This medication shows potential in reducing both opioid cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Studies reveal that ketamine helps patients manage substance use challenges, particularly during the difficult withdrawal phase, while also supporting successful buprenorphine treatment transitions.
Abstract
Opioid use disorder (OUD) continues to be a public health crisis in the United States, with mortality having doubled over the last twenty years, le...
Corrigendum: Ayahuasca-induced personal death experiences: prevalence, characteristics, and impact on attitudes toward death, life, and the environment.
Frontiers in psychiatry – January 01, 2025
Summary
Experiencing a sense of personal death during ayahuasca ceremonies can profoundly shift attitudes about life and death. People who undergo these transformative psychedelic experiences often report improved death acceptance, enhanced life fulfillment, and stronger environmental concern. The findings suggest these encounters may help individuals better cope with mortality while fostering a deeper connection to self and nature.
Abstract
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1287961.].
Lateral habenula astroglia modulate the potentiating antidepressant-like effects of bright light stimulation in intractable depression.
Frontiers in pharmacology – January 01, 2025
Summary
Light therapy combined with traditional antidepressants shows promise for hard-to-treat depression. In a groundbreaking discovery using mice, researchers found that bright light exposure enhances antidepressant effects, including ketamine, through an unexpected pathway involving eye cells (rods) and brain astroglia. This offers hope for people with treatment-resistant depression.
Abstract
Beside image vision, light plays a pivotal role in regulating diverse non-visual functions, including affective behaviors. Recently, bright light s...
We are the Sensors of Consciousness! A Review and Analysis on How Awakenings During Sleep Influence Dream Recall.
Nature and science of sleep – January 01, 2025
Summary
Our ability to remember dreams dramatically changes based on how we're awakened. Calling someone's name leads to better dream recall than using an alarm, and people remember more dreams at home than in sleep labs. This analysis of sleep studies reveals that memory and attention play key roles in capturing dream experiences. Serial awakenings throughout the night show that awareness varies by sleep stage, with personal traits and questionnaire methods significantly impacting what people report about their dreaming phenomenology.
Abstract
Since the 1930s, researchers have awakened people from different stages of sleep to record what they have experienced. While some aspects, includin...
Opioid-Free Anesthesia with Esketamine Combined with Iliac Fascia Block in Elderly Patients Undergoing Hip Surgery.
Drug design, development and therapy – January 01, 2025
Summary
A breakthrough in hip surgery pain management shows that elderly individuals can recover more comfortably without opioids. Using esketamine combined with targeted nerve blocks provided superior pain control and fewer side effects compared to traditional opioid-based methods. Patients experienced more stable blood pressure, better postoperative analgesia, and significantly less nausea - marking a safer approach for seniors needing hip fracture repair.
Abstract
Most patients with hip fractures are elderly people with relatively high risks of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular accidents. Esketamine has litt...
Efficacy of perioperative esketamine on postoperative depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Frontiers in psychiatry – January 01, 2025
Summary
Breakthrough findings show that esketamine, a fast-acting antidepressant, significantly reduces depression after surgery. Analysis of 1,724 patients across multiple studies revealed that those receiving esketamine during anesthesia had lower rates of postoperative depression at one week, two weeks, and long-term follow-up compared to control groups.
Abstract
Postoperative depression (POD) represents a serious complication in surgical patients, exacerbating morbidity and mortality rates while imposing a ...
Opioid-Free versus Opioid-Sparing Anesthesia for Postoperative Pain and Early Recovery After Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
Journal of pain research – January 01, 2025
Summary
Pain management without opioids during gallbladder surgery proves just as effective as traditional opioid-based methods. In this groundbreaking comparison, patients receiving opioid-free anesthesia experienced similar pain control and recovery outcomes as those given conventional opioid-sparing techniques during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The opioid-free group even showed faster bowel recovery, while maintaining stable vital signs and high satisfaction levels.
Abstract
Enhanced recovery after surgery emphasizes effective analgesia while minimal opioid use. Opioid-free anesthesia (OFA) and opioid-sparing anesthesia...
Effect of perioperative esketamine use on emergency delirium in children undergoing tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Frontiers in medicine – January 01, 2025
Summary
A promising breakthrough in pediatric surgery shows that esketamine can reduce post-surgery confusion by 67% in children having their tonsils removed. This comprehensive analysis of 1,996 young patients found that giving esketamine during surgery not only decreased emergence delirium but also led to less pain and fewer complications. Children recovered faster and needed less time in post-surgery care.
Abstract
Emergence delirium(ED) is a common postoperative complication in children undergoing tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy under general anesthesia. Ther...
Potential Serotonin 5-HT2A Receptor Agonist of Psychoactive Components of Silene undulata Aiton: LC-MS/MS, ADMET, and Molecular Docking Studies.
Current pharmaceutical biotechnology – January 01, 2025
Summary
African dream herb Silene undulata contains compounds similar to LSD in their interaction with brain receptors. Chemical profiling revealed 51 active compounds, including β-carboline alkaloids. Advanced molecular docking shows these substances bind to serotonin receptors nearly as strongly as LSD, explaining the plant's traditional use in inducing vivid dreams and altered states of consciousness.
Abstract
Silene undulata is historically used for inducing vivid and prophetic lucid dreams, but limited information exists on its phytochemical composition...
Butorphanol-azaperone-medetomidine and ketamine-butorphanol-azaperone-medetomidine chemical immobilization in habituated subadult female giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis).
Veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia – January 01, 2025
Summary
Safe sedation of giraffes is crucial for veterinary care. New research shows promising results using two drug combinations (BAM and KBAM) for giraffe immobilization. KBAM proved more efficient, achieving sedation in just 6 minutes compared to BAM's 17 minutes. Both methods were successful and resulted in calm recovery, though oxygen supplementation is recommended during the procedure.
Abstract
To describe the effects of butorphanol-azaperone-medetomidine (BAM) and ketamine-butorphanol-azaperone-medetomidine (KBAM) used for the chemical im...
Effect of Intraoperative Intravenous Infusion of Esketamine Combined with Dexmedetomidine on Postoperative Sleep Disturbance in Patients Undergoing Radical Mastectomy.
Drug design, development and therapy – January 01, 2025
Summary
Sleep problems affect many breast cancer patients after surgery, but new research shows promise in managing these disruptions. A combination of two medications - esketamine and dexmedetomidine - during surgery revealed interesting effects on sleep patterns. While esketamine helped reduce nighttime awakenings, dexmedetomidine influenced rapid eye movement sleep. Together, these medications offer potential benefits for managing post-surgical sleep disturbance.
Abstract
Postoperative sleep disturbance(POSD) is a problem in breast cancer patients after surgery. Little is known about the differences in the treatment ...
Effects of acute and chronic ketamine administration on spontaneous and evoked brain activity.
Brain research – January 01, 2025
Summary
Ketamine's effects on brain activity patterns mirror schizophrenia symptoms, revealing crucial insights into mental health treatment. Research with mice shows that blocking NMDA receptors with ketamine alters brain oscillations and reduces neural responses to stimuli. While both short and long-term ketamine use impact brain activity, surprisingly, extended use doesn't intensify these changes - challenging previous assumptions about chronic effects.
Abstract
Schizophrenia is believed to be, at least in part, a dysfunction of the glutamatergic system. In line with anatomical evidence, suppressing N-methy...
Sedation practices in patients intubated in the emergency department compared with those in patients in the intensive care unit.
Critical care science – January 01, 2025
Summary
Patients intubated in emergency departments take longer to achieve comfortable, light sedation compared to those in intensive care units. Medical teams studied 264 critically ill patients requiring breathing support, comparing sedation approaches between these two hospital settings. Emergency departments favored ketamine, while ICUs used more propofol and other sedatives. The key finding: ED patients took 13.5 hours to reach optimal sedation levels versus 10.5 hours in ICUs, highlighting opportunities to improve emergency sedation protocols.
Abstract
This study aimed to compare sedation management during and after intubation in the emergency department with that in the intensive care unit. This ...
Comparative Sedative Effects of Esketamine and Dexmedetomidine Versus Dexmedetomidine Alone in Patients Undergoing Spinal Tumor Surgery.
Therapeutics and clinical risk management – January 01, 2025
Summary
Combining two powerful sedatives shows promising results in complex back surgeries. When esketamine is paired with dexmedetomidine, patients undergoing spinal tumor surgery experience better pain control and more stable vital signs compared to using dexmedetomidine alone. The combination proved equally safe and demonstrated superior sedative effects, while maintaining essential nerve monitoring capabilities during surgery.
Abstract
Esketamine and dexmedetomidine are commonly used sedatives in surgery, which can result in minimal respiratory depression and analgesic activity. T...
Effect of Low-Dose Esketamine Combined with Propofol on Postoperative Fatigue in Colonoscopy: A Randomized Clinical Trial.
Therapeutics and clinical risk management – January 01, 2025
Summary
A promising breakthrough in colonoscopy comfort: Adding low-dose esketamine to standard anesthesia reduces post-procedure fatigue by 16% and speeds up recovery. In a trial of 151 patients, those receiving esketamine experienced less tiredness and went home 5 minutes sooner than the control group. They also reported higher satisfaction and showed better vital signs.
Abstract
Postoperative fatigue (POF) is a common occurrence following colonoscopy, primarily attributed to bowel preparation and endoscopic probe stimulatio...
Psilocybin Mushrooms and Public Health in Brazil: Insights from a Retrospective Analysis of Adverse Events and Their Implications for Regulatory Discussions.
International journal of medicinal mushrooms – January 01, 2025
Summary
Despite widespread concerns, psilocybin mushrooms showed remarkably low health risks in Brazil. Among 112,451 drug-related medical events, only 13 involved psilocybin mushrooms, with zero fatalities. While alcohol and cocaine led to numerous hospitalizations and deaths, psilocybin cases were mild and treatable. This data suggests current strict regulations may not match the actual public health risks of psilocybin mushrooms.
Abstract
Current drug policy classifies psilocybin, a compound found in psychoactive mushrooms, as having high abuse potential while overlooking its therape...
Correction: Study Protocol for 'PsilOCD: A Pharmacological Challenge Study Evaluating the Effects of the 5-HT2A Agonist Psilocybin on the Neurocognitive and Clinical Correlates of Compulsivity'.
Cureus – January 01, 2025
Summary
Scientists are exploring psilocybin, the active compound in magic mushrooms, as a potential treatment for OCD. This protocol outlines a groundbreaking investigation into how psilocybin affects brain function and compulsive behaviors. Researchers will study participants with OCD using brain imaging and behavioral tests to understand if and how this psychedelic compound might help reduce obsessive-compulsive symptoms.
Abstract
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.7759/cureus.78171.].
Preoperative Ketamine Gargle for Prevention of Postoperative Sore Throat After Tracheal Intubation in Adults: A Meta-Analysis.
Pain research & management – January 01, 2025
Summary
A simple gargle solution before surgery can significantly reduce post-surgery throat pain. Ketamine gargle before procedures requiring breathing tubes cuts throat discomfort by up to 86% in the first hours after surgery, with benefits lasting up to 24 hours. This painless preventive measure doesn't extend surgery time and offers a practical way to improve patient comfort during recovery.
Abstract
Objective: This meta-analysis aims to evaluate the impact of preoperative ketamine gargle on postoperative throat pain in patients undergoing gener...
Resolution of Refractory Status Epilepticus With Ketamine Without Intubation in a Patient With Stroke-Like Migraine Attacks After Radiation Therapy (SMART) Syndrome.
Case reports in neurological medicine – January 01, 2025
Summary
A breakthrough in treating severe seizures: Ketamine successfully halted persistent seizures in a radiation therapy patient without requiring invasive breathing support. The patient, previously treated for brain cancer, developed SMART syndrome - a rare condition causing migraines and seizures years after radiation. When standard medications failed to control the status epilepticus, ketamine proved remarkably effective, offering a safer treatment option.
Abstract
Stroke-like migraine attacks after radiation therapy (SMART) syndrome is an infrequently reported complication arising years after radiation therap...
Identification of Key Genes in Esketamine's Therapeutic Effects on Perioperative Neurocognitive Disorders via Transcriptome Sequencing.
Drug design, development and therapy – January 01, 2025
Summary
Scientists have discovered five key genes that explain how esketamine helps protect brain function during surgery. Using advanced genetic analysis, researchers found that esketamine reduces cognitive problems by activating specific genes in the brain. The study used mouse models to show how this drug prevents perioperative neurocognitive disorders through targeted gene regulation, offering new insights for improving surgical recovery.
Abstract
Esketamine ameliorates propofol-induced brain damage and cognitive impairment in mice. However, the precise role and underlying mechanism of esketa...
Impact of social determinants of health on esketamine nasal spray initiation among patients with treatment-resistant depression in the United States.
Journal of managed care & specialty pharmacy – January 01, 2025
Summary
Lower education and income levels reduce access to innovative depression treatments by 37%, according to healthcare data from over 250,000 Americans. Patients with treatment-resistant depression were tracked to analyze how social and economic factors influence their ability to receive esketamine nasal spray therapy. Income below $75,000 and education below bachelor's level significantly decreased treatment access, while gender gaps also emerged, with women less likely to receive care.
Abstract
Disparities in mental health care access and health outcomes based on sociodemographic factors in the United States have been extensively documente...
Characterizing the therapeutical use of ketamine for adolescent rats of both sexes: Antidepressant-like efficacy and safety profile.
Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie – January 01, 2025
Summary
Ketamine shows promise in treating adolescent depression, but its effects vary significantly between males and females. New research reveals that while this medication effectively reduces depressive symptoms in young rats, safety concerns emerged. Female adolescents showed signs of drug sensitization, while males displayed increased addiction risk when re-exposed to ketamine in adulthood. The findings highlight the complex balance between therapeutic benefits and safety considerations in youth mental health treatment.
Abstract
While ketamine was approved for treatment-resistant depression in adult patients, its efficacy and safety profile for adolescence still requires fu...
Analytical and behavioral characterization of 1-dodecanoyl-LSD (1DD-LSD).
Drug testing and analysis – January 01, 2025
Summary
Scientists have discovered that 1DD-LSD, a new variant of the classic psychedelic LSD, shows promise but with unique properties. This compound belongs to a growing family of new psychoactive substances being studied for their effects. Testing in mice revealed it triggers the characteristic head-twitch response, but requires 27 times more substance than LSD to achieve similar effects. The longer molecular structure may explain its reduced potency.
Abstract
1-Acetyl-N,N-diethyllysergamide (1A-LSD, ALD-52) was first synthesized in the 1950s and found to produce psychedelic effects similar to those of LS...
Is there a place for psychedelics in sports practice?
Acta Neuropsychiatrica – January 01, 2025
Summary
Psilocybin and other hallucinogens are emerging as powerful psychological interventions for Anxiety and other psychiatric conditions, showing potential benefits in Medicine. While Athletes could benefit from such Psychology-based approaches, specific data on how substances like Psilocybin, Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), or MDMA affect their physical performance is largely absent. Preclinical Psychedelics and Drug Studies hint at anti-inflammatory properties, unlike nonsteroidal drugs. Understanding Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior in performance, crucial for Forensic Toxicology and Drug Analysis, requires further investigation.
Abstract
Abstract Growing evidence suggests that psychedelic-assisted therapies can alleviate depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress, and substance use d...