3034 results for "Psilocybin"
Other Psychoactive Substances
OpenAlex – September 04, 2010
Summary
The profound impact of psychoactive substances, spanning from ancient traditional medicine to modern chemical synthesis, is undeniable. This comprehensive overview meticulously analyzes over a dozen distinct compounds, including psychedelics like LSD and psilocybin, alongside ketamine and GHB. It explores their intricate chemistry, pharmacology, and toxicology, providing critical insights for Drug Studies. Forensic Toxicology and Drug Analysis play a vital role in understanding these substances, from alkaloids to synthetic drugs, highlighting their diverse effects and implications.
Abstract
This chapter contains sections titled: LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) GHB (gammahydroxybutyrate) Ketamine Psilocybin PCP (phencyclidine) Hypnosed...
Regulatory Challenges of Integrating Psychedelics into Mental Health Sector
Psychoactives – April 22, 2025
Summary
Psychedelics are emerging as a promising method for treating mental health conditions. Substances like LSD, psilocybin, and MDMA, when administered in controlled settings with psychological support, induce profound insights. These lead to long-lasting positive changes in mood, cognition, and behavior, addressing depression, anxiety, and addiction. This revolutionizes mental health treatment. However, ethical, social, and regulatory challenges in Drug Studies require rigorous inquiry for their therapeutic use within Psychology and mental health.
Abstract
Psychedelic substances have recently emerged as a promising method for treating mental health conditions, despite a history of stigmatization and r...
Advancing elite athlete mental health treatment with psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy
Journal of Applied Sport Psychology – November 10, 2020
Summary
Classical psychedelics like LSD, psilocybin, and DMT, once politically vilified, are re-emerging as powerful tools for mental health. Elite athletes, facing mental health challenges at similar or higher rates than the general population, could greatly benefit. These naturally occurring alkaloids and chemical synthesis compounds, utilized by a psychotherapist, offer a novel approach within psychology. This area of drug studies, often considered a complementary medicine, shows excellent safety and promise for athlete well-being, addressing issues from identity shifts to interpersonal stress in elite sport.
Abstract
Despite a politically vilified past, classical psychedelics, including lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), psilocybin, and dimethyltryptamine (DMT), ...
Fungi Fiction: Analytical Investigation into the Church Of Psilomethoxin's Alleged Novel Compound Using UPLC-HRMS
OpenAlex – June 02, 2023
Summary
Psilomethoxin, a novel tryptamine claimed by the Church of Psilomethoxin as their sacrament, was not detected in analyzed material samples. Using high-performance liquid chromatography and advanced chemistry techniques, only psilocybin, baeocystin, and psilocin – known tryptamine alkaloids – were unambiguously identified. This forensic toxicology and drug analysis challenges the church's claims of chemical synthesis from *Psilocybe* mushrooms. The findings carry significant implications for public health and safety within the broader context of psychedelics and drug studies, informing both chemistry and psychology perspectives.
Abstract
The Church of Psilomethoxin claims to produce a novel tryptamine by adding 5-MeO-DMT to the substrate of cultivated Psilocybe mushrooms, which is t...
Funding Success of United States Federal Grant Applications Proposing to Study Therapeutic Applications of Psychedelics: A Survey Study
Psychoactives – February 05, 2025
Summary
Only 16.7% of 24 federal grant applications for therapeutic psychedelics like psilocybin and MDMA received funding, significantly below the NIH's 23.4% average. A survey of 10 leading Psychology and Psychedelics and Drug Studies researchers, identified using Library Science methods, revealed challenges in securing support. While no Chemical synthesis and alkaloids applications before 2006 were funded, recent success rates (around 20%) now align with typical NIH averages for Public administration.
Abstract
The author surveyed researchers about United States federal grant applications for therapeutic psychedelic research and their funding success. An a...
The trajectory of psychedelic, spiritual, and psychotic experiences: implications for cognitive scientific perspectives on religion
Religion Brain & Behavior – July 11, 2024
Summary
Often obscured by scientific terminology, psychedelic journeys, spiritual awakenings, and incipient psychosis share profound phenomenological commonalities. A theory reveals the psilocybin experience's trajectory—from initial aversion to awe-inspiring peaks and subsequent CLARITY—mirrors spiritual and early psychotic states. This informs Cognitive psychology, proposing a causal pathway: stress and uncertainty increase Perception of Extra Agency, which can either resolve or perpetuate. Religions, through Social psychology, may modulate this pathway to foster social cohesion, a concept relevant to Evolutionary Game Theory and Epistemology.
Abstract
Fruitful comparison of psychedelic, spiritual, and psychotic experiences requires a degree of phenomenological nuance. Some shared features of thes...
A “GENERAL THEORY OF MENTAL SUFFERING”, AND THE ROLE OF AN INNOVATIVE NARRATIVE THERAPEUTIC APPROACH
Psychological Thought – October 30, 2021
Summary
A compelling new perspective suggests mental suffering, from addiction to anxiety, arises when negative life narratives 'capture' the mind, offering a fresh context for Clinical Psychology. Psychedelics and Drug Studies indicate psilocybin can effectively free individuals from these patterns. This understanding of brain plasticity supports an innovative narrative psychotherapy approach. A psychotherapist could guide persons struggling with conditions like anorexia nervosa and other eating disorders, transforming mental health and psychiatry by fostering ethical subjectivities.
Abstract
This article proposes alternative understandings of certain structuralist informed (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders - DSM-III...
Tryptamines
Humana Press eBooks – August 26, 2011
Summary
Identifying hallucinogenic tryptamines is crucial for forensic toxicology. This Chemistry review details the forensic identification of seven key indole-derived tryptamine psychedelics, including psilocybin. It outlines chemical screening using the Indole test (Weber's), extraction, and Chromatography for analysis. The discussion covers structural formulas, abuse effects, and a comprehensive list of plants containing these powerful hallucinogens, vital for Drug Studies and Forensic Toxicology and Drug Analysis.
Abstract
Natural and synthetic analogs of tryptamine are introduced as a class of hallucinogenic drugs derived from indole. The forensic identification of p...
Microdosing psychedelics and its effect on creativity: Lessons learned from three double-blind placebo controlled longitudinal trials
OpenAlex – June 14, 2021
Summary
Microdosing psilocybin, an alkaloid, subtly enhances creativity, specifically boosting originality in divergent thinking. A robust cognitive psychology investigation, pooling 175 participants across three double-blind placebo-controlled trials, found active microdosing increased the originality-to-fluency ratio in creative responses. While general cognition and mood weren't broadly affected, the quality of novel ideas improved, especially when relative dosage was considered. These psychedelics studies highlight the importance of controlling for expectation biases, suggesting effects are more nuanced than often claimed.
Abstract
Introduction: Microdosing refers to the repetitive administration of tiny doses of psychedelics (LSD, Psilocybin) over an extended period of time. ...
Acid redux: revisiting LSD use in therapy
Contemporary Justice Review – November 18, 2008
Summary
After decades, Harvard has approved clinical trials using psilocybin with terminally ill patients, signaling a shift in Psychiatry. This re-evaluation of historical hallucinogen research, particularly LSD psychotherapy, reveals its complex utility. While early enthusiasm for these chemical synthesis and alkaloids in Psychology was overstated, the article examines three prominent cases, including a psychotherapist's Freudian framework and Mendota's work with alcoholics. This analysis, crucial for Psychedelics and Drug Studies and Complementary and Alternative Medicine Studies, offers a nuanced perspective on integrating these powerful substances into modern therapeutic practice.
Abstract
Recently the use of hallucinogens in therapy has resurfaced in clinical research. Decades after dismissing Timothy Leary for his experiments, Harva...
The Novelty of Ayahuasca Scale and the prediction of intentions to use
Journal of Psychedelic Studies – March 12, 2020
Summary
Ayahuasca is perceived distinctly from other hallucinogens like Psilocybin or Lysergic acid diethylamide, influencing user preferences. A survey of 139 experienced users revealed expectations for unique effects, including profound positive connections to nature and others, dramatic thoughts, and physical reactions. The perceived novelty of Ayahuasca's effects significantly impacts future use intentions. This Psychology research illuminates how specific expectancies for psychedelics shape engagement, offering vital insights for drug studies exploring their therapeutic potential.
Abstract
Abstract Objective Given the growing popularity of ayahuasca and other hallucinogens, we sought to identify related expectancies and their role in ...
Psychedelics for Moral Bioenhancement in Healthy Individuals—A Violation of the Non-Maleficence Principle?
Psychoactives – February 06, 2025
Summary
A compelling Neuroethics perspective challenges the notion that psychedelics, like psilocybin, can achieve moral bioenhancement. While discussed in Human Enhancement, a lack of robust evidence from Psychology and Social psychology undermines claims for ethical improvement. Psychedelics and Drug Studies reveal risks like hallucinogenic properties and psychosis. Furthermore, no sound bioethical basis exists for using these substances in healthy individuals, violating non-maleficence. Without unequivocal demonstration or non-hallucinogenic Biomedical Innovations, current proposals for Complementary and Alternative Medicine Studies remain untenable, lacking the necessary justification.
Abstract
Several authors have advanced the idea that psychedelics such as psilocybin might be effective means for achieving moral bioenhancement (MBE). Here...
The Functional Roles of Attention
OpenAlex – May 08, 2017
Summary
Attention actively reshapes our visual perception, even mimicking changes in physical brightness by identically modulating neural firing rates. Neuroscience reveals attentional focus shrinks receptive fields around objects, solving the binding problem and optimizing complex visual processing mechanisms. This cognitive science principle prevents informational overload, refining neural dynamics and brain function. Neural and behavioral psychology studies show hallucinogens like psilocybin affect attentional tracking, providing insight into drug-induced hallucinations.
Abstract
This chapter considers some implications of broad principles of the neural architecture and neural coding of information in the visual system. J. H...
"Magic" mushrooms don't cause renal failure
BMJ – October 17, 2012
Summary
Claims of renal toxicity from psilocybin mushroom ingestion for hallucinogenic effects often lack crucial evidence. While recreational drug ingestion can lead to mushroom poisoning, and acute renal failure is rarely reported, specific data are frequently absent. Rigorous forensic toxicology and drug analysis are vital for psychedelics as medicine. This demands the same precision as advanced observation, like that from a MAGIC (telescope) in other scientific fields, informing robust drug studies and complementary and alternative medicine studies.
Abstract
“We have had recent experience with renal toxicity caused by deliberate ingestion of psilocybin mushrooms, which are eaten for their hallucinogenic...
Sacred Plants and Mental Health in Latin America
OpenAlex – May 22, 2019
Summary
Mexico holds the greatest diversity of sacred plants across the Americas, reflecting a rich Latin American heritage where indigenous cultures integrate these plants into ritual and traditional medicine. This ethnobotanical wealth underscores their bond with the sacred. Early classification of compounds like psilocybin and mescaline as classical psychedelics profoundly advanced mental health and psychology in the 1950s and 1960s. Such foundational work in complementary and alternative medicine studies, alongside psychedelics and drug studies, reveals the enduring significance of plant-based practices for well-being.
Abstract
Abstract Sacred plants have a number of phenomena that revolve around their ritual and medicinal use, as well as being seen as carrying a bond with...
When art therapy went chemical: Alfred Bader, pharmacology, and art brut, c.1950-1970s
História Ciências Saúde-Manguinhos – January 01, 2022
Summary
Psychopharmacology profoundly reshaped psychiatry's view of art. Unearthing the historical context of art therapy, its origins are repositioned through evolving clinical practices and mind-altering drugs. Early 20th-century use of psychotropic drugs influenced the psychopathology of art. Later, psychiatrist Alfred Bader and pharmacologist Roland Fischer conducted post-WWII experiments involving psilocybin, highlighting consciousness in mental health discussions. Psychotherapists in psychology increasingly linked art brut and modernist aesthetics to neurobiology, defining madness as a social disease, impacting art and mental health.
Abstract
Abstract This article analyzes how psychopharmacology transformed the relationship between art and psychiatry. It outlines a novel genealogy of art...
Drugs and Phantasy.
Archives of Internal Medicine – September 01, 1966
Summary
A critical review challenges the logic behind some psychedelic research, particularly regarding the fundamental question of Psilocybin's role in life. One paragraph's statement, suggesting detailed accounts resolve this, represents an enormous epistemological LEAP. Methodological concerns arise; for instance, a study involved three students receiving psychedelics, yet only one student initially requested a drug. Such approaches, despite invoking "magic words" like control and placebo (relevant to computer science, pain management, and mental health/psychiatry), undermine rigorous psychology in Psychedelics and Drug Studies.
Abstract
The final paragraph of the 20-page chapter "A Brief Review" (and it is, by-and-large, a good review) reads: "We feel that detailed first-hand accou...
Exploring the integration of psychedelic-assisted therapy and digital mental health interventions in trauma recovery for underserved adults with high-functioning autism
Magna Scientia Advanced Research and Reviews – June 28, 2025
Summary
Trauma and substance use are profoundly underdiagnosed and undertreated in individuals with Level 1 Autism. While promising psychedelic-assisted therapies (e.g., psilocybin, MDMA, ketamine) address PTSD, and digital mental health interventions improve access, their intersection with autistic needs remains critically underexplored. This psychology review proposes a neurodevelopmentally sensitive, hybrid model. It integrates digital mental health tools with psychedelic psychological interventions to enhance mental health and trauma healing for autistic populations, addressing critical gaps in clinical psychology and psychiatry.
Abstract
Trauma-related disorders and substance use are disproportionately underdiagnosed and undertreated in individuals with High-Functioning Autism (Leve...
Stroke and Adverse Effects on The Immune and Cardiovascular Systems: The Danger of the Rise and Use of Psychedelic Drugs for Depression and PTSD
Journal of Clinical & Experimental Immunology – March 03, 2021
Summary
For centuries, plant-based hallucinogen drugs like psilocybin have been integral to native medicine. With growing concerns about depression and PTSD, early insights into psychedelics are gaining renewed attention. As early as 1950, reports suggested lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and other mood-altering drugs held potential for psychological and psychiatric treatment. This rich history, spanning millennia of drug studies, underscores a long-standing recognition of these powerful compounds' therapeutic value in medicine.
Abstract
Depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), in the past two decades, has been a growing problem among adults and our youth. For hundreds,...
New psychoactive substances and the risks of consumption in children and adolescents
Romanian Journal of Pediatrics – December 31, 2019
Summary
Four main classes of designer drugs, new psychoactive substances, pose a serious public health threat. Synthetic cannabinoids, potent Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists, mimic Cannabis's Tetrahydrocannabinol but cause more severe effects. Synthetic cathinones, like Mephedrone derived from Cathinone, are stimulants. Natural Hallucinogens, such as Psilocybin and Mescaline, alter perception. Their Pharmacology is vital for Medicine and Forensic Toxicology and Drug Analysis, as addiction to these drugs of abuse impacts young people, driving Psychedelics and Drug Studies and Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research.
Abstract
According to the definition established by the European Monitoring Center for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) a “new psychoactive substance is co...
The Altered Xperience Project (AXP): Quantitative and Qualitative Data from a Citizen Science Initiative on the Subjective Experience of Altered States of Consciousness
OpenAlex – June 04, 2023
Summary
An innovative **citizen science** initiative is building a vast **open science** repository of **consciousness**-altering experiences. This project systematically collects **psychology** data on substances like **psilocybin**, alcohol, and cannabis, alongside non-pharmacological methods. Utilizing **computer science** for an app and **data science** for machine-readable insights, it offers participants an engaging **infographic**. This effort in **applied psychology** informs **psychedelics and drug studies**, potentially aiding **digital mental health interventions** and broader **mental health research topics**. Such data could even contribute to **medical education** and **medicine**.
Abstract
The Altered Xperience Project (AXP) is an ongoing research project that takes the form of an open citizen science initiative. Its main goal is to s...
Standards Without Labs: Drug Development in the Psychedelic Underground
Citizen Science Theory and Practice – January 01, 2022
Summary
An online network, Clusterbusters, developed a standardized protocol for using homegrown psilocybe mushrooms as a cluster headache treatment, challenging traditional medicine. Lacking pharmaceutical-grade psilocybin, they created an "embodied standard" for dosage. This combined dried mushroom weight with subjective experience, fostering consistency in their knowledge bases. This innovative approach demonstrates how citizen science can establish effective protocols for psychedelics and drug studies, bridging psychology and complementary medicine, without relying on expensive chemical synthesis or institutional medical support.
Abstract
Standards are useful in the development of medicine because they enable communication and consistency in experimentation. Standards, however, often...
Weiterbildung in Psychedelika-assistierter Therapie – Erfahrungen aus der Schweiz
Die Psychotherapie – February 08, 2024
Summary
Psychedelics like MDMA, LSD, and psilocybin show promise for treating affective disorders. For safe and effective Psychedelics-assisted Therapy (PAT), specialized therapist training is paramount. Existing programs globally, and in Switzerland since 2018, highlight the need for diverse qualifications. Switzerland's health authorities grant limited medical use permits for these compounds, which are products of chemical synthesis. This emerging field, relevant to Complementary and Alternative Medicine Studies, emphasizes structured education. The increasing demand and limited supply underscore the political science challenge of expanding quality training, ensuring patient access across various healthcare needs, potentially including those in gynecology.
Abstract
Zusammenfassung Erste Studienergebnisse zeigen ein Potenzial von Psychedelika und 3,4-Methylendioxy-N-methylamphetamin (MDMA) für die Behandlung vo...
Naturalistic Entheogenics
Philosophy and the Mind Sciences – April 19, 2022
Summary
Emerging drug studies show psilocybin can reduce severe depression by 50-70% in some patients, challenging traditional psychology. A core "Comforting Delusion Objection" questions if this therapeutic promise, often involving chemical synthesis and alkaloids, relies on non-naturalistic metaphysical beliefs, creating an epistemological dilemma for psychotherapists. Psychedelic therapy, rather than promoting delusion, alters self-representations, offering profound epistemic and spiritual benefits fully compatible with naturalism, moving beyond simple neuroplasticity or placebo effect in pain management.
Abstract
In this précis I summarise the main ideas of my book Philosophy of Psychedelics. The book discusses philosophical issues arising from the therapeut...
Hallucinogen actions on human brain revealed
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences – January 30, 2012
Summary
It's time to fundamentally reconsider long-standing hypotheses about hallucinogens like psilocybin, a key ingredient in Psilocybe cubensis. New insights from neuroscience and psychology, emerging from modern drug studies, challenge our understanding of their actions in the human brain. These psychedelics, through their unique chemical synthesis and the biochemical analysis of their alkaloids, are revealing complex interactions with brain mechanisms, compelling a fresh look at their profound impact on cognition and consciousness.
Abstract
With regard to hallucinogens like psilocybin—an ingredient of so-called “magic mushrooms” (e.g., Psilocybe cubensis)—it may be high time to reconsi...
Pattern of psychedelic substance use: a comparison between populations in Spain and South America using the Psychedelic Use Scale (PUS)
Current Psychology – November 21, 2024
Summary
MDMA use is strikingly higher in Spain (78.5%) than in Spanish-speaking South America (37.1%), revealing distinct cultural patterns in psychoactive substance use. A survey of 735 individuals using a specialized scale confirmed Psilocybin as the most consumed hallucinogen overall. Conversely, Mescaline was more common in South America (31.9% vs. 24.0%). Individuals under 30 faced double the risk (OR=2.01) of adverse effects from substance use, highlighting important demography in clinical psychology relevant to psychedelics.
Abstract
Abstract Psychedelic use has increased in the last decade. However, it is unclear whether the cultural background of the consumers exerts any influ...
Quantitative natural language processing markers of psychoactive drug effects: A pre-registered systematic review
Journal of Psychopharmacology – February 16, 2025
Summary
A fascinating finding in Drug Studies reveals that all psychoactive drugs, from stimulants to Psychedelics, alter language production. New Psychology research, applying automated language analysis, objectively identifies short-term effects. For instance, based on two or more studies per substance, stimulants increase verbosity, while MDMA increases closeness to emotional words. Psilocybin enhances positive sentiment, suggesting potential for Medicine and Treatment of Major Depression. One study even validated identifying MDMA intoxication. This objective approach, examining how diverse chemical synthesis and alkaloids impact the mind, moves beyond subjective accounts.
Abstract
Psychoactive substances used for recreational purposes have mind-altering effects, but systematic evaluation of these effects is largely limited to...
Methods for GC/MS Analysis of the Most Commonly Seized Drugs of Abuse and Their Metabolites in Biological Samples
Chemosensors – August 04, 2025
Summary
Accurate detection of illicit substances is crucial in forensic toxicology. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) is vital for analyzing over a dozen drugs of abuse, like phencyclidine, mescaline, psilocybin, and metabolites such as benzoylecgonine. Complex sample preparation, often involving derivatization, is essential for analyzing urine or hair. This analytical chemistry aids forensic toxicology, identifying hallucinogens, phenethylamines, and designer drugs. Precise identification is critical for understanding their pharmacology and neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior.
Abstract
Gas chromatography with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) is a common analytical technique used for identifying and quantifying drugs of abuse, as well as ...
Functional imaging investigation of psychedelic visual imagery
Spiral (Imperial College London) – October 01, 2019
Summary
Psychedelics induce vivid **mental image** experiences, making the visual system mimic real-world perception even with eyes closed. **Psychology** investigations with 15 subjects on 75 µg LSD revealed increased visual cortex connectivity and patterns matching neural **Cartography** (retinotopic mapping), similar to **Computer vision**. This active **Cognitive psychology** processing, relevant to **Artificial intelligence** and **Aesthetic Perception and Analysis**, creates these **Psychedelics and Drug Studies** visions. 9 subjects on 2mg psilocybin also showed hierarchical visual cortex activation during imagery onset.
Abstract
Psychedelics can induce eyes-closed imagery in which various visions can be experienced. These visions vary from simple geometrical patterns, to mo...
Psychedelic Drug Therapy for Mental Disorders?
Open Journal of Medical Psychology – January 01, 2023
Summary
Despite a government move allowing psychiatrists in one country to prescribe two drugs, including psilocybin, from July 1, 2023, an expert review challenges the underlying psychology. Psychedelic drug studies exploring these chemical synthesis and alkaloids reveal medicine's evidence is irretrievably flawed. All future trials, examining their neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior, are deemed similarly unreliable. No trustworthy proof exists for effectiveness against mental disorders. Beyond this, therapy is impractical due to specialized psychotherapist training and high costs. False publicity about psychedelics risks unsupervised self-dosing, leading to an unacceptably high addiction rate.
Abstract
Objective: Psychedelic drug therapy is banned in all countries of the world except Australia, where the government regulatory watchdog, the Therape...
Psychedelics as novel therapeutic agents for chronic pain: mechanisms and future perspectives
Exploration of neuroscience – September 24, 2024
Summary
Chronic pain afflicts an estimated 1.5 billion people globally, with traditional medicine often falling short. Emerging drug studies reveal psychedelics, including compounds from chemical synthesis and alkaloids like psilocybin, offer new hope. These substances influence behavior by activating neurotransmitter receptors, particularly serotonin, to alter pain perception and foster brain rewiring. This unique approach in psychology suggests a psychotherapist could guide patients, moving beyond conventional treatments. This promising avenue in medicine directly addresses the complex nature of chronic pain.
Abstract
Chronic neuropathic pain is a significant public health issue affecting an estimated 1.5 billion individuals worldwide. The mechanisms underlying c...
Psychopathological effects of S-ketamine and dimethyltryptamine (DMT) in humans: a double-blind, cross-over human experimental study of the NMDA antagonist and the 5HT2A agonist model of psychosis
Pharmacopsychiatry – September 01, 2005
Summary
NMDA receptor antagonists like Phencyclidine (PCP) and Ketamine, and serotonergic hallucinogens such as Psilocybin and Lysergic acid diethylamide, model distinct psychosis aspects, not one being superior. A neuroscience study with fifteen healthy volunteers compared a 5-HT2A agonist (DMT) and a dissociative NMDA antagonist (Ketamine). Though hallucinogenic intensity was similar, DMT mirrored positive schizophrenia symptoms, while Ketamine highlighted negative ones. This pharmacology insight from drug studies advances psychology's understanding of neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior, informing major depression treatment.
Abstract
Pharmacological challenges with hallucinogens are used as models for psychosis in experimental research. The state induced by glutamate antagonists...
Herbal Resources in the medication of depression during pandemic COVID-19
Acta Poloniae Pharmaceutica - Drug Research – May 10, 2022
Summary
The 2019-20 coronavirus outbreak significantly worsened mental health, with Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) exacerbating clinical depression. Conventional medicine offers partial relief, prompting exploration of Medicinal Plants and Bioactive Compounds. This Virology-informed approach analyzed the usefulness of six specific Medicinal Plant Extracts Effects, including Sceletium tortuosum and Bacopa monnieri, plus psychedelics like psilocybin. These alternatives offer vital support for depression during the Pandemic, especially when COVID-19 challenges strain traditional medicine.
Abstract
Depression has long been recognized as a major public health problem.Fear and anxiety associated with the high morbidity and mortality of COVID-19 ...
Substance Abuse and Cognitive Decline: The Critical Role of Tau Protein as a Potential Biomarker
International Journal of Molecular Sciences – August 07, 2025
Summary
Surprisingly, certain psychedelics like psilocybin can decrease Tau protein phosphorylation and aid cognitive restoration in animal models. This contrasts sharply with alcohol and opioids, which promote Tau hyperphosphorylation—a process central to Alzheimer's disease research and cognitive decline. Understanding these diverse effects across various psychoactive substances is vital for Psychiatry, Psychology, and Medicine. Tau emerges as a critical biomarker, offering insights into substance-related brain disorders and potential therapeutic targets for improving cognition, highlighting complex receptor mechanisms and signaling pathways.
Abstract
Tau protein is essential for the structural stability of neurons, particularly through its role in microtubule assembly and axonal transport. Howev...
Psychedelic Drugs in Correctional Treatment
Crime & Delinquency – July 01, 1972
Summary
Early **psychedelics and drug studies** revealed intriguing potential for **psychotherapy techniques and applications** in **prison** settings. For example, **psilocybin** appeared to induce positive **behavior** changes among **thirty-three** incarcerated individuals. Another initiative showed LSD could accelerate **psychotherapy** for **addiction**, suggesting its **value** in **psychiatry** and **medicine**. While long-term outcomes remain unquantified, these historical explorations hint at the profound impact such **psychotherapist**-guided approaches could have on correctional **psychology**.
Abstract
Psychedelic drugs have been used for individual psychotherapy in prison settings. This paper outlines two studies that explore the use of psychedel...
A Systematic Review of Reporting Practices in Psychedelic Clinical Trials: Psychological Support, Therapy, and Psychosocial Interventions
OpenAlex – July 18, 2023
Summary
A systematic review of 33 psychedelic clinical trials revealed significant underreporting of crucial psychosocial interventions, impacting treatment outcomes in Psychiatry and Clinical psychology. For example, 82% of trials did not assess treatment fidelity. Drawing from MEDLINE and PsycINFO, the systematic review used a Checklist based on Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials to examine reporting of psychological intervention by psychotherapists, including those administering psilocybin. Such reporting gaps hinder standardization in Medicine and Psychedelics and Drug Studies, crucial for Mental Health Research Topics.
Abstract
Background: Psychedelic-assisted therapy has gained significant attention in recent years. However, there is a lack of empirical clarity on the rol...
A-118 Psychedelic Interventions for Neuropsychological Conditions
Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology – August 17, 2022
Summary
Psychedelics like MDMA and psilocybin show promise for neuropsychological conditions, beyond treating anxiety and other psychological conditions. A comprehensive review of over 800 relevant papers, drawn from 4319 identified in 1024 searches, revealed new opportunities for psychological intervention. This included potential applications for traumatic brain injury and autism spectrum disorder. While these psychedelic therapies are advancing through clinical trials in psychiatry and medicine, some contraindications exist for specific co-occurring psychological disorders, highlighting the evolving landscape of drug studies and their impact on clinical psychology.
Abstract
Abstract Objective: Psychedelic-assisted therapies are emerging as safe and effective treatments for some psychological conditions including depres...
Outcomes of usage of psychedelics by people reporting an eating disorder in clinical and non-clinical settings: a scoping review
Advances in Mental Health – July 13, 2023
Summary
People with eating disorders experienced significant symptom reduction and even complete remission following psychedelic use, including psilocybin. This review of six studies suggests a promising role for hallucinogens in clinical psychology and psychiatry. Participants reported profound spiritual healing, gaining insights into the psychological origins of their eating disorders, and reduced anxiety. While preliminary, these findings highlight the potential of psychedelics in medicine. Rigorous clinical trials are now essential to confirm efficacy for eating disorders, informing future drug studies and advancing our understanding of these compounds' influence on behavior.
Abstract
Objective To map the studies reporting the use of psychedelics in clinical and non-clinical settings by people reporting an eating disorder (ED) an...
The rebirth of psychedelic psychiatry
Current Psychiatry – January 01, 2021
Summary
Even after decades of conventional psychiatry, psychotherapy, and multiple medications, Mr. P, 65, faced severe depression and suicidal ideation following a cancer diagnosis. This underscores a compelling finding in Medicine: Psychedelics and Drug Studies are transforming mental healthcare. Emerging research demonstrates psilocybin's profound impact; trials, often with 20-40 participants, show around 60-80% experience significant, lasting reductions in anxiety and depression. This psychological and spiritual shift, explored across diverse academic research themes, offers a vital new avenue for individuals like Mr. P, whose profound suffering resists traditional approaches.
Abstract
M r.P, age 65, has a history of major depressive disorder (MDD), gen- eralized anxiety disorder, and social phobia.Mr. P's personality is high in n...
Describing the Unspeakable: Psychedelic Communication Technologies and the Development of a Posthuman Language
Journal of Posthuman Studies – December 01, 2020
Summary
A compelling idea from psychology and cognitive science suggests psychedelics like DMT, LSD, and psilocybin function as communication technologies. They profoundly challenge traditional views of human subjectivity and consciousness. Across diverse academic research themes, the ineffable nature of these transpersonal states challenges our understanding. These molecules prime the brain for higher-dimensional language, contributing to multisensory, posthuman expression. This posthumanist perspective unifies their neurological and subjective effects, offering a new epistemology for mind.
Abstract
ABSTRACT Over the last three decades, the renaissance of interdisciplinary research into psychedelic drugs has challenged the Cartesian notions of ...
To treat or not to treat? High-potency benzodiazepine use in a case of comorbid hallucinogen persisting perception disorder and alcohol use disorder.
Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology – September 01, 2022
Summary
Visual hallucinations can persist for over 20 years after Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) use, a key finding in Psychology and Psychiatry. One 37-year-old experienced halos and moving walls, even with a history of Cannabis use. These severe perception disturbances, characteristic of a Hallucinogen persisting perception disorder, resolved with Clonazepam, a Benzodiazepine. This case from Psychedelics and Drug Studies highlights the importance of accurate diagnosis, distinguishing such visual phenomena from other hallucinations in medical conditions to ensure proper treatment, especially when Psilocybin or LSD are involved.
Abstract
Hallucinogen persisting perception disorder (HPPD) is characterized by visual disturbances that resemble psychedelic intoxication and linger after ...
Corrigendum to “Psychedelic therapy for depressive symptoms: A systematic review and meta-analysis”. [J. Affect. Disord., 322 (2023), 194–204]
Journal of Affective Disorders – January 05, 2024
Summary
Remarkable findings in clinical psychology show psilocybin, an alkaloid from chemical synthesis, significantly reduces depressive symptoms. A study revealed marked reductions in negative affect, with Hedges' g values of 3.1 at one week, 2.7 at five weeks, and 2.0 at three months. At five weeks, 45% of participants responded to treatment, and 20% achieved remission. These insights are crucial for psychiatry and psychotherapists exploring novel psychedelics and drug studies for brain disorders, potentially linked to tryptophan pathways.
Abstract
The authors wish to express their regret regarding an error in the publication of the original article. In Table 3, titled “Psilocybin studies on d...
Unsupervised Extractive Summarization of Psychedelic User Experience Reports
OpenAlex – August 27, 2025
Summary
New advances in Artificial Intelligence are revolutionizing how we understand mental health experiences. Automatic summarization techniques, a core area of Computer Science and Information Retrieval, were applied to 1,200 psychedelic user reports (LSD, psilocybin, DMT) to make them clinically useful. LexRank showed the best overall balance, while SBERT excelled in content depth but lacked narrative coherence. This work pioneers automated analysis for Psychedelics and Drug Studies, revealing trade-offs in summarizing complex subjective data, crucial for future Data Visualization and Analytics in Mental Health Research Topics.
Abstract
A bstract Contemporary psychedelic research highlights the value of user experience reports, yet their verbose, subjective nature poses challenges ...
A Rapid Review of Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy in the Context of Palliative Care
Journal of Hospice and Palliative Nursing – December 19, 2024
Summary
Psychedelic-assisted therapy shows initial promise for addressing profound psycho-spiritual-existential distress in palliative care. A review of 34 articles (2021-2024) highlights the safety and efficacy of these medicines, predominantly psilocybin. Administered by a psychotherapist, this novel approach in medicine integrates principles of psychology, drawing from drug studies. These compounds, often naturally occurring alkaloids, echo a deep human history of plant-based exploration—a context studied by archaeology—offering a potent complementary therapy.
Abstract
Psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) involves supported experiences with psychedelic medicines in carefully curated environments. Early evidence sugg...
Resetting the Hippocampal Buffer: A Neurocognitive Account of Psychedelic Therapy for Anxiety-Related Psychopathology
OpenAlex – May 26, 2024
Summary
A novel neurocognitive model in neuroscience explains how psychedelics, like the alkaloid psilocybin (a chemical synthesis product), may alleviate anxiety-related psychopathology. Anxiety involves the hippocampal formation biasing processing towards fearful information. Psychedelics, via 5-HT2A neurotransmitter receptor influence, acutely free cortical networks, allowing the hippocampal formation to "reset." This process, relevant to clinical and cognitive psychology, promotes long-term anxiety reduction by enabling adaptive information integration. While promising for psychology and psychotherapists in Psychedelics and Drug Studies, acute anxiety increases pose a challenge.
Abstract
Psychedelics (hallucinogenic 5-HT2A agonists such as psilocybin) are gaining recognition for their potential to treat a range of conditions, includ...
Persistent Tinnitus after Inhaled N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT)
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs – November 26, 2020
Summary
A unique case links hallucinogen use to persistent ear ringing. A 39-year-old male with a history of polysubstance dependence and depression developed tinnitus after a single DMT use, persisting for several months. The context included weekly LSD microdosing. Distress and anxiety over the condition prompted evaluation by audiology and medicine, including psychiatry. Psilocybin microdoses exacerbated symptoms on two occasions. While psychedelics are known for sensory changes, this case highlights a novel association in drug studies, prompting further psychological and medical inquiry into tinnitus mechanisms.
Abstract
This case report describes a 39-year-old male with remote history of polysubstance use disorder and depression who developed tinnitus after use of ...
The “Endless Trip”: Psychopathology and psychopharmacology in the Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder (HPPD)
European Psychiatry – March 01, 2016
Summary
Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder (HPPD) causes profound, lasting visual disturbances and psychopathology, a challenging condition in psychiatry. Affecting individuals exposed to psychedelics like Lysergic acid diethylamide, psilocybin, MDMA (Ecstasy), or mescaline, its underlying mechanisms, including neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior, remain largely unknown. Despite formal recognition in clinical psychology and medicine, a recent review of drug studies highlights this critical knowledge gap. Understanding HPPD's etiology is vital for developing effective treatments, underscoring the need for further forensic toxicology and drug analysis to unravel this complex hallucinogen-induced syndrome.
Abstract
Introduction Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder (HPPD) is a syndrome characterized by prolonged or reoccurring perceptual symptoms, remini...
Pharmacotherapy of Psychological Disorders Using Psychedelic Drugs: A Treatise for Psychiatrists
Current Psychiatry Research and Reviews – January 21, 2024
Summary
Psychedelics, including psilocybin and MDMA, are re-emerging in Psychiatry as potent Medicine for mental illness. Decades after being classified as Schedule I hallucinogens, evidence from animal and human drug studies suggests their potential against conditions like anxiety, addiction, and treatment-resistant depression. These substances, many being alkaloids or products of chemical synthesis, are generally considered physically safe, with low risk of substance abuse or dependency. Psychology is exploring how they influence neurotransmitter receptors, offering revolutionary treatments beyond conventional psychotherapist approaches. Careful management is crucial to ensure their medical role.
Abstract
: Psychedelics are currently being examined once more as potential remedies for untreatable biological illnesses after decades of research problems...
Faces of HPPD: Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder Patient Survey Results and a Descriptive Analysis of Patient Demographics, Medical Background, Drug Use History, Symptoms, and Treatments
Addictive Disorders & Their Treatment – June 10, 2019
Summary
Over 69% of individuals with hallucinogen persisting perception disorder (HPPD) report suicidal ideation, a critical concern for Psychiatry. An internet survey of 26 patients, predominantly from North America, found 100% had a psychiatric history of mood disorders. Previous use of psychedelics like Lysergic acid diethylamide and Psilocybin was common. Patients experience severe anxiety and depersonalization (92.3%), with many dependent on prescribed medicine or cannabis. This highlights challenges for Clinical psychology, Psychedelics and Drug Studies, and Forensic Toxicology and Drug Analysis.
Abstract
Objective: The purpose of the present study was to obtain patient information across a wide geography about medical history, drug use, symptoms, an...
Exploring Public Sentiments of Psychedelics Versus Other Substances: A Reddit-Based Natural Language Processing Study
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs – May 30, 2025
Summary
Public sentiment towards psychedelics like psilocybin and LSD is surprisingly neutral to slightly positive, contrasting sharply with highly negative views on substances like heroin. Using **Natural Language Processing** and **Computer Science** techniques, specifically Google's cloud-based infrastructure, **Psychology** insights were gleaned from Reddit discussions. This approach effectively captured public perception in **Psychedelics and Drug Studies**, suggesting growing acceptance of therapeutic potential. **Cognitive psychology** principles underpin understanding how online language reflects these evolving views, highlighting the method's cost-efficiency in gauging complex societal topics.
Abstract
New methods that capture the public's perception of controversial topics may be valuable. This study investigates public sentiments toward psychede...
Geschichte der Anwendung von Psychedelika
Nervenheilkunde – June 01, 2024
Summary
Psychedelics, substances with a history spanning millennia, are experiencing a profound resurgence in scientific and medical interest. After early pharmacological inquiry and clinical use for psychotherapy (1950s-60s), prohibition in the 1970s curtailed research. Yet, since the 2000s, new clinical studies, particularly involving psilocybin for depression, have surged. This re-evaluation, bridging humanities and political science, prompts broad philosophical and societal discussions. It highlights the complex interplay of chemical synthesis, art, and drug studies, exploring their potential integration into psychiatry and complementary medicine.
Abstract
ZUSAMMENFASSUNG Die menschliche Nutzung heute als psychedelisch bezeichneter Substanzen erfolgt bereits seit Jahrtausenden. Die wissenschaftliche U...
Microdosing psychedelics in the treatment of ADHD and comorbid disorders
European Psychiatry – April 01, 2024
Summary
Many individuals with ADHD report microdosing psychedelics offers more symptom relief than conventional treatments. A naturalistic study of people with ADHD over four weeks revealed reduced symptoms, increased trait mindfulness, and decreased neuroticism. These findings suggest microdosing, involving small doses of substances like LSD or psilocybin (from chemical synthesis and alkaloids), holds promise for Psychiatry and Psychology. It could potentially serve as a maintenance therapy, aiding those for whom full psychedelic doses are unsuitable. Ongoing clinical trials will further explore these intriguing effects.
Abstract
Abstract Microdosing psychedelics has garnered considerable attention within both nonprofessional circles and the scientific community in recent ye...
Zalsupindole is a Nondissociative, Nonhallucinogenic Neuroplastogen with Therapeutic Effects Comparable to Ketamine and Psychedelics
ACS Chemical Neuroscience – October 13, 2025
Summary
A novel compound, zalsupindole, effectively regrows brain connections linked to depression without inducing hallucinations, a significant step in **Psychedelics and Drug Studies**. Developed through **Chemical synthesis and alkaloids**, this agent demonstrated robust neuroplasticity and sustained antidepressant-like effects in rats. Its impact was comparable to or greater than ketamine, psilocybin, and N,N-dimethyltryptamine. This highlights the profound **Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior**, suggesting zalsupindole could offer a safer, scalable treatment for conditions like depression, overcoming the limitations of traditional psychedelic compounds.
Abstract
Many neuropsychiatric conditions, including depression, involve synaptic loss and atrophy of the prefrontal cortex. The rapid regrowth of cortical ...
‘Riding the Lines’: The Poetics of the ‘Chevauchements’ in Henri Michaux’s Drug Experiments
Palgrave Macmillan UK eBooks – January 01, 2015
Summary
Poet and painter Henri Michaux, at 55 in 1954, embarked on an extraordinary journey: systematically documenting hallucinogen effects. His epic exploration of psilocybin, LSD, and cannabis profoundly shaped his art. Michaux penned five poetic essays, including *Misérable Miracle*, which featured 48 drawings created while intoxicated. This unique contribution to Literature and Art history explores The Imaginary, suggesting these psychedelics unlock a specific kind of knowledge. His work, a fascinating blend of Poetics and ethnography, offers a historical perspective on drug studies and artistic expression.
Abstract
In 1954, at the age of 55, Henri Michaux was a well-published writer and a seasoned traveller. As a young man in the 1930s and 1940s, the Belgian p...
Psychedelics for depression: from neurobiology to treatment
European Psychiatry – March 01, 2023
Summary
Remarkably, a single or double dose of psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, can achieve remission in patients with treatment-resistant depression. This profound therapeutic effect, a major development in Psychiatry and Medicine, contrasts sharply with conventional approaches where one-third of patients fail to improve. The rapid onset of this therapeutic approach is fueling interest in Psychology and Psychedelics and Drug Studies. Understanding its mechanisms, from Chemical synthesis and alkaloids to the Psychotherapist's role and Biochemical Analysis, offers a promising strategy against depression.
Abstract
Abstract Decades ago, the classical psychedelics psilocybin and LSD entered the therapeutic setting and already then showed their therapeutic poten...
Preliminary validation and refinement of the psychedelic aesthetic experience questionnaire
Frontiers in Psychology – September 15, 2025
Summary
Vivid aesthetic experiences during psychedelic use can predict improvements in well-being. A new questionnaire, the PAEQ, was validated with 365 psilocybin users, revealing four dimensions: sensory, affective, semantic, and flow. The PAEQ demonstrated high reliability (α=0.90) and strong correlations with existing measures (e.g., r=0.69). This tool advances Psychedelics and Drug Studies by quantifying Aesthetic Perception and Analysis, linking profound experiences to better sleep, reduced anxiety, and improved quality of life.
Abstract
Introduction Aesthetic experiences under psychedelics are often described as vivid, emotionally powerful, and meaningful, yet they remain under-mea...
Therapeutic interventions for PTSD – current evidence on the the role of psychedelics
European Psychiatry – April 01, 2021
Summary
MDMA-assisted psychological intervention offers a compelling new direction for chronic PTSD, often complicated by psychiatric comorbidity. Integrating this potent hallucinogen into psychotherapy, a psychotherapist can guide patients toward safe, effective, and durable relief, even for treatment-refractory cases. While psilocybin and other psychedelics are also being explored in medicine within clinical psychology, this novel pharmacotherapy represents a significant advance in Psychedelics and Drug Studies, offering new hope.
Abstract
Introduction Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is often a chronic condition, despite the existence of evidence-based treatment options. Psychot...
IS PSYCHEDELIC TREATMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS READY FOR PRIME TIME?
Journal of Pakistan Psychiatric Society – June 30, 2024
Summary
Psychedelics like Psilocybin and MDMA are transforming Psychiatry, offering hope for millions with mental health challenges. These powerful hallucinogens, including Lysergic acid diethylamide (used clinically from the 1950s-1967) and Ayahuasca, influence neurotransmitter receptors, altering consciousness. Clinical psychology and drug studies reveal their potential to disrupt pathological brain activity, promoting neuroplasticity. Psychotherapist-guided sessions, leveraging these chemical synthesis alkaloids, address anxiety and other conditions. This burgeoning field of Psychology suggests a new era for mental health treatment.
Abstract
Psychedelics, substances known to alter perception, mood, and consciousness, have been used across various cultures for centuries, often in religio...
Clinical Psychedelic Therapy Research Involving Adolescents: Protocol for a Scoping Review of Intervention Studies
Wellcome Open Research – July 08, 2025
Summary
A striking gap exists: controlled clinical research on psychedelics and drug studies for adolescents under 18 is virtually absent in the 21st century. While compounds like psilocybin, often from chemical synthesis and alkaloids, influence neurotransmitter receptors, there are no reported sample sizes or effect sizes for youth. A new protocol will review interventional studies from 2000-present where psychedelics were administered to individuals under 18, mapping this critical void in therapeutic understanding and influence on behavior.
Abstract
Background Recent years have seen renewed clinical interest in the therapeutic potential of classical psychedelics, such as psilocybin, LSD, DMT, a...
Hallucinogen-Persisting Perception Disorder in a 16-Year-Old Adolescent
Psychopharmacology Bulletin – August 12, 2025
Summary
A rare hallucinogen-persisting Perception Disorder (HPPD) was observed in a 16-year-old male, highlighting its infrequent presentation in adolescents. This case, relevant to Clinical psychology and Psychiatry, involved a patient with polysubstance use, including psychedelics like LSD and psilocybin. He experienced persistent auditory and visual hallucinations, a critical aspect of his condition. Within Medicine, aripiprazole (5 mg daily) gradually improved his symptoms, demonstrating a potential treatment for this challenging perceptual disorder. This adds to Drug Studies on managing hallucinations in medical conditions, especially when linked to hallucinogen exposure.
Abstract
Objective Hallucinogen-persisting Perception Disorder (HPPD) is a rare condition characterized by the re-experiencing of one or more perceptual sym...