3034 results for "Psilocybin"
The Grand Narrative of the Mukhomor
The Soviet and Post-Soviet Review – June 30, 2020
Summary
A Soviet Party Organizer transformed into a mushroom-powered wizard battling enemies in Heaven, a striking **narrative** from **Literature** central to Moscow **Conceptualism**. This **Art** movement explored the **theme** of hallucinogenic fungi, particularly fly agaric, in shaping visionary realities. Drawing on **historical scholarship**, the work delves into the **history** of ethno-botanical entheogens in Russia, linking **Psychedelics and Drug Studies** with **Religious Studies and Spiritual Practices**. **Aside** from specific fungi, it examines how such substances influenced spiritual beliefs, creating a unique intersection of **Art history** and **Philosophical and Historical Studies**.
Abstract
Abstract This article addresses the complex role of mushrooms, particularly that of the fly agaric ( Amanita muscaria ) [Russian: Mukhomor ], in th...
Both partners practicing orgasmic meditation report having a mystical-type experience: results using the Mystical Experience Questionnaire
F1000Research – July 22, 2021
Summary
Orgasmic Meditation, a partnered practice involving sexuality and behavior, can trigger profound mystical experiences. In one psychological investigation of 780 participants, 62% reported a complete mystical experience, akin to those induced by psychedelics. Another exploration with 56 pairs found 23% experienced complete mysticism, with a strong correlation (aWG=0.71) between partners' scores. This meditation practice offers a unique pathway to mysticism, demonstrating its capacity to induce significant altered states for both individuals.
Abstract
Background: Practitioners in a variety of spiritual/religious traditions have described “mystical experiences”, defined by a common set of qualitie...
Application of a Radioimmunoassay Screening Test for Detection and Management of Phencyclidine Intoxication
The Journal of Clinical Pharmacology – August 09, 1980
Summary
Violent, aggressive behavior and hallucinations in 11 patients signal severe PCP poisoning. A new biological test method accurately monitors PCP levels, crucial for public health. In five subjects, serum PCP concentrations ranged from 0.5 to 40 ng/ml. This diagnostic approach, a key part of pharmaceutical studies and practices, leverages drug metabolism principles: administering vitamin C and collecting specific urine samples significantly aids identification. Such biological evaluation improves medicine, guiding screening for PCP and related compounds in emergency room patients, especially those with psychosis and "pot" smoking history.
Abstract
A radioimmunoassay procedure has been developed to monitor patients suspected of phencyclidine (PCP) intoxication. Symptoms in 11 patients suspecte...
Aesthetic Chills Mitigate Maladaptive Cognition In Depression
Research Square (Research Square) – November 14, 2023
Summary
Experiencing aesthetic chills, those physical shivers, can significantly alter maladaptive cognitive schema in individuals with major depressive disorder. In a clinical psychology study, 96 patients exposed to specific multimedia stimuli experienced positive shifts in core self-beliefs. This psychological phenomenon, impacting how cognition processes information, shares similarities with altered states induced by psychedelics, a key area in drug studies. Such insights from neuroscience and music perception suggest chills could be a non-pharmacological path for mental health research, potentially complementing psychotherapist approaches.
Abstract
Abstract Background Depression is a major global health challenge, affecting over 300 million people worldwide. Current pharmacological and psychot...
Psychedelic use and psychological flexibility: The role of meaningful intention and decentering
Journal of Psychedelic Studies – August 16, 2024
Summary
Meaningful intention and decentering during psychedelic experiences significantly enhance psychological flexibility, a crucial aspect of mental well-being. Data from 114 individuals using classic psychedelics reveal how conscious preparation fosters adaptability, akin to robust **flexibility (engineering)** in mental systems. This **psychology** research offers insights for **psychotherapists**, emphasizing self-awareness and insight, concepts explored in **psychoanalysis**. **Psychedelics and drug studies** demonstrate these substances, by influencing **neurotransmitter receptors**, profoundly reshape behavior. Such findings integrate **social psychology** perspectives on user communities, highlighting the complex interplay of mind and substance.
Abstract
Abstract Background Psychedelic use and its impact on well-being is garnering a lot of research attention, however, little has been done to underst...
Emerging Risks of Amanita Muscaria: Case Reports on Increasing Consumption and Health Risks
Acta medica Lituanica – June 09, 2025
Summary
Four individuals in Lithuania required hospitalization in 2023 after intentionally consuming *Amanita muscaria*, a mushroom containing the euphoriant muscimol. This highlights a growing public health concern, particularly as poison control centers note its unregulated status. Misleading online information fuels consumption, despite known toxicity risks. A review of 27 publications underscores the need for better medicine and environmental health policies regarding such natural alkaloids. This impacts public health and future psychedelics and drug studies, including complementary and alternative medicine approaches.
Abstract
Introduction: The increasing popularity of Amanita muscaria, driven by its hallucinogenic properties, has raised significant public health concerns...
Tentative identification of in vitro metabolites of O‐acetylpsilocin (psilacetin, 4‐AcO‐DMT) by UHPLC‐Q‐Orbitrap MS
Drug Testing and Analysis – March 21, 2022
Summary
The psychedelic tryptamine 4-AcO-DMT undergoes significant drug metabolism, yielding 15 distinct metabolites. Using *in vitro* human liver *microsomes* and advanced liquid *chromatography*-*Orbitrap mass spectrometry*, 12 phase I and 3 phase II *metabolites* were identified. Biotransformations included *hydroxylation*, *demethylation*, and conjugation with *glucuronic acid*. The hydrolysis *metabolite* was most abundant. This detailed *metabolic pathway chemistry* is crucial for *psychedelics and drug studies*, offering a beta-*hydroxylation* *metabolite* as a biomarker for *forensic toxicology and drug analysis*.
Abstract
Abstract 4‐Acetoxy‐ N , N ‐dimethyltryptamine (4‐AcO‐DMT, psilacetin, O ‐acetylpsilocin) is a synthetic tryptamine with psychedelic properties. Psi...
Minorities’ diminished psychedelic returns: Depression, suicide, distress, and serious mental illness
Drug Science Policy and Law – April 01, 2025
Summary
Psychedelics show promise for mental health, but a large-scale analysis of 596,187 individuals reveals a critical disparity. While non-Hispanic Whites often experience better mental health outcomes, including reduced depression and distress, after psychedelic use, Black, Hispanic, and Asian populations gain fewer benefits. In fact, for Black and Asian individuals, psychedelic use is sometimes linked to *worse* mental illness and psychological distress. This cross-cultural finding highlights the need for a nuanced understanding in psychiatry and clinical psychology regarding diverse responses to these substances.
Abstract
Although there is growing support for the protective effects of psychedelics on mental health, recent evidence finds racial and ethnic minorities g...
Tattoos and Trauma: Are Tattoos Healing for Trauma?
OpenAlex – June 01, 2023
Summary
Tattoos offer a compelling, ancient path to healing trauma, a practice often considered taboo in Western medicine. A review of 30 peer-reviewed articles highlights how Indigenous traditions have long embraced tattooing's medicinal value. Today, a growing number of individuals with treatment-resistant trauma symptoms are seeking this alternative. Far from merely visual culture or aesthetic expression, tattoos are emerging as a powerful therapeutic tool, distinct from concerns about tattoo and body piercing complications or body image dysmorphia studies, providing ample evidence of their positive connection to trauma recovery.
Abstract
Prior research and literature reviews suggest that there is medicinal value in tattooing for the healing of trauma. However, tattooing is still a b...
Is PTSD an Evolutionary Survival Adaptation Initiated by Unrestrained Cytokine Signaling and Maintained by Epigenetic Change?
Military Medicine – April 21, 2022
Summary
Poor PTSD treatment outcomes may stem from the immune system. A 6-year medical literature review suggests unrestrained cytokine signaling induces epigenetic changes, hardwiring a persistent defensive state. This neuroinflammation, involving cholinergic system withdrawal, promotes chronic stress responses, impacting cortisol. Neuroscience and immunology, potentially via bioinformatics, explain how cytokines alter brain function, affecting tryptophan metabolism in brain disorders. Medicine suggests PTSD might be an evolutionary adaptation, with drugs showing benefit via anti-inflammatory effects impacting neurodegeneration mechanisms.
Abstract
ABSTRACT Introduction Treatment outcomes for PTSD with current psychological therapies are poor, with very few patients achieving sustained symptom...
Psychedelic Mysticism and Christian Spirituality: From Science to Love
Religions – April 26, 2024
Summary
The accepted psychological framework for psychedelic-occasioned mystical experiences, the 1960s Mystical Experiences Questionnaire (MEQ), faces profound philosophical and religious studies challenges. Rooted in W.T. Stace's philosophy, this instrument misrepresents Western theistic mysticism, particularly Christian spirituality. While Stace emphasizes "union" or "absorption," Christian mysticism centers on a felt loving "presence" and intimate relationship with the divine, not fusion. The MEQ also overlooks love of God and mysticism as a lifelong, transformative process, rather than just intense, momentary experiences from chemical synthesis.
Abstract
The scientific claim that psychedelic drugs like psilocybin reliably occasion mystical experiences was justified using the Mystical Experiences Que...
Emerging Perspectives in Addiction Psychiatry
The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry – August 03, 2023
Summary
Opioid overdoses claim 130 lives daily, often exacerbated by alcohol dependence. Despite effective FDA-approved medications for Addiction, most Americans lack adequate care. However, new avenues in Medicine and Psychiatry are emerging. Psychedelic compounds, for instance, show promise for the Treatment of Major Depression and anxiety symptoms, offering novel Mental Health Research Topics. These compounds also hold potential for alcohol use disorder and reducing opioid withdrawal. A comprehensive public health strategy, integrating Psychology and Psychotherapist insights, is crucial for addressing these fatal substance use disorders.
Abstract
Despite their legality, alcohol and tobacco both have a well-documented potential for misuse and elevate users' likelihood for disease. Dependence ...
Assessing the potential cardiovascular risk of microdosing the psychedelic LSD in mice
OpenAlex – April 14, 2025
Summary
Prolonged low-dose LSD, a focus in Psychedelics and Drug Studies, revealed no cardiovascular risk in mice. Using Biochemical Analysis and Sensing Techniques, heart health was monitored after chronic administration of very low doses. While serotonin, known to activate specific neurotransmitter receptors linked to heart issues, caused significant heart wall thickening at 4 and 8 weeks, LSD groups showed no such changes. Pharmacology indicated LSD's influence on these receptors was substantial but brief, unlike heart-damaging substances. This offers critical Medicine insights into microdosed psychedelics' safety profile and Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior.
Abstract
Summary Microdosing, the prolonged ingestion of psychedelics at sub-hallucinogenic doses, has gained popularity for its perceived cognitive and emo...
Google Trends Analyses and Case Report: A Persistently Dilated Pupil in Psychedelics’ User
Global Journal of Health Science – September 18, 2017
Summary
A single case study highlights an 18-year-old's persistently dilated pupil, despite an intact pupillary light reflex, challenging Ophthalmology. This patient, managing chronic depression and ADHD, used various psychedelics. Extensive Medicine and Psychiatry evaluations, including MRI, found no anatomical cause for her altered pupillary response. The case, relevant to Psychedelics and Drug Studies, suggests potential Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior. Forensic Toxicology and Drug Analysis may uncover mechanisms affecting the pupil, prompting Psychology to explore such impacts.
Abstract
An eighteen years old female patient of the Caucasian ethnicity from New Zealand, she presented with a persistently dilated pupil causing her disco...
Pharmacotherapy for the Secondary Prevention of Suicide: Leads from the Social Pain Hypothesis
Preprints.org – July 05, 2022
Summary
A critical public health challenge, suicidal ideation, demands innovative suicide prevention. Existing medicine offers limited efficacy. Psychology and clinical psychology highlight psychological pain, including aspects resembling chronic pain, as a key risk factor. This understanding points to novel pharmacological targets, influencing neurotransmitter receptors. Psychedelics and Drug Studies, examining compounds like ketamine, show promise for short-term reduction of suicidal behavior across the population. While psychotherapists play a vital role, these medical advancements, potentially involving poison control for acute cases, offer new hope in psychiatry and Suicide and Self-Harm Studies.
Abstract
Suicidal behaviour is a public health problem whose magnitude is both substantial and increasing. Since many individuals seek medical treatment fol...
Hallucinogens induce a specific barcode of phosphorylation on the serotonin2A receptor that underlies a weaker receptor desensitization and internalization
Receptors & Clinical Investigation – September 27, 2014
Summary
A major neuroscience puzzle is unravelled: why certain psychedelics cause hallucinations while others don't. Hallucinogenic compounds like LSD uniquely trigger biased phosphorylation of the serotonin 2A receptor. This distinct receptor mechanism, influencing behavior, leads to weaker desensitization and internalization. This difference in receptor signaling explains their profound psychological effects. These insights advance our understanding of neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior, crucial for psychology and drug studies, detailing receptor mechanisms.
Abstract
The serotonin (5-Hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) 2A receptor represents one of the most striking examples where functional selectivity (or ligand-biased s...
Anti‐inflammatory effects of serotonin 5‐HT 2A receptor activation in ovalbumin‐induced allergic asthma models
The FASEB Journal – April 01, 2017
Summary
A compelling new avenue in Medicine reveals that activating a specific Serotonin receptor, the 5-HT 2A receptor, holds promise for treating Asthma. In models of allergic inflammation, a pharmacology agent targeting this receptor, (R)-DOI, effectively prevents many symptoms when given before allergen exposure. Crucially, in an ovalbumin-induced asthma model, administering (R)-DOI *after* allergic inflammation developed significantly attenuated elevated airway hyperresponsiveness, a key feature of asthma and respiratory diseases. This Immunology research offers a novel strategy for developing new treatments.
Abstract
Only recently has the full therapeutic value of serotonin [5‐hydroxytryptophan (5‐HT)] receptor activation begun to be explored. Currently there ar...
Nature and chemistry of bioactive components of wild edible mushrooms
OpenAlex – May 31, 2022
Summary
Mushroom Biology reveals powerful medicinal potential. Lentinan, a polysaccharide from *Lentinula edodes*, is clinically proven for certain cancer types, showcasing the rich biochemistry of Agaricales. Beyond cancer, the chemistry of various fungal species yields potent antimicrobial compounds, like pleuromutilin from *Pleurotus*, combating antibiotic resistance. These natural products from diverse mushrooms offer promising avenues for Herbal Medicine Research Studies and Phytochemistry and Bioactivity Studies, impacting human health through novel therapies and Fungal Biology and Applications.
Abstract
Mushrooms have been used in traditional medicine for centuries, although only relatively recently they have become a subject of intensive studies a...
Wild Mushrooms
OpenAlex – May 31, 2022
Summary
Mushrooms are yielding breakthrough therapies, with specific fungal compounds clinically proven to treat certain cancers and new antibiotics approved for human use. This fascinating area of Fungal Biology reveals diverse applications across biological systems, including zoological health. Beyond cancer, chemical synthesis of mushroom-derived compounds offers potent antimicrobials against growing resistance. Even psychedelic mushrooms show promise for depression. Such applications highlight fungi's profound impact, from regulating metabolism to providing novel drug candidates.
Abstract
Mushrooms have been used in traditional medicine for centuries, although only relatively recently they have become a subject of intensive studies a...
Molecular Pathways Potentially Involved in Hallucinatory Experiences During Sleep Paralysis: The Emerging Role of β-Arrestin-2
International Journal of Molecular Sciences – July 26, 2025
Summary
The vivid, distressing hallucinations of sleep paralysis, often associated with narcolepsy, strikingly resemble psychedelic experiences. Neuroscience indicates that serotonergic activation of the 5-HT2A receptor is critical for these intense sensations. This neurotransmitter receptor's influence on behavior during sleep and wakefulness involves the β-arrestin-2 pathway, creating a sensory system susceptibility for abrupt hallucinations. Understanding this psychology of serotonin-driven phenomena offers promise for drug studies and treatments targeting dysfunctional serotonin receptors in neuropsychiatric disorders.
Abstract
Sleep paralysis (SP), an REM parasomnia, can be characterized as one of the symptoms of narcolepsy. The SP phenomenon involves regaining meta-consc...
MDMA Therapy for PTSD: Inching Closer to—or Farther From—Approval?
The Senior Care Pharmacist – July 31, 2024
Summary
MDMA-assisted psychotherapy is poised to revolutionize mental healthcare. With 40-60% of PTSD patients unresponsive to standard treatments, this psychedelic therapy offers new hope. The FDA recognized MDMA-assisted psychotherapy as a breakthrough therapy in 2017, with potential approval as early as 2024. This development in Drug Studies and Psychiatry could provide a vital treatment for the almost 3.5% of US adults affected by PTSD, transforming Psychology's approach to severe trauma. Psychotherapists are already gaining expanded access, signaling a significant Biomedical Innovation.
Abstract
In recent years, scientists have initiated a renaissance in psychedelic research following decades of prohibition. Compounds such as ketamine, LSD,...
Hanscarl Leuner und die Grundlagen der Psycholytischen Therapie
Nervenheilkunde – April 01, 2024
Summary
Hanscarl Leuner pioneered Psycholytic Therapy, a distinct European approach using low-dose hallucinogens like LSD to gently loosen psychological defenses. Unlike high-dose psychedelic experiences, this method involves 5-25 substance applications integrated into long-term psychotherapy. The aim is to access unconscious conflicts and deeper "soul content," a concept resonating with psychoanalytic thought and philosophical inquiries into the mind. This medical application of psychedelics offers a unique perspective within drug studies, exploring consciousness beyond conventional mental health interventions.
Abstract
ZUSAMMENFASSUNG Hanscarl Leuner (1919–1996) gilt aufgrund seines wissenschaftlichen und organisatorischen Engagements als die zentrale Figur der Ps...
Structure-Guided Design of Novel 5-HT 2A Partial Agonists as Psychedelic Analogues with Antidepressant Effects
Journal of Medicinal Chemistry – October 14, 2025
Summary
Serotonergic psychedelics rapidly and enduringly reduce depressive symptoms by influencing serotonin 2A receptors. Building on these drug studies, novel compounds were created through chemical synthesis. Scientists focused on neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior, designing partial agonists. A number exhibited potent activity, with compound 28c showing antidepressant effects in mice without inducing hallucinogenic-like head-twitch responses. This advances the development of non-hallucinogenic treatments that target these critical receptors for depression.
Abstract
Depression is primarily treated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which are limited by delayed onset of effects and low rates o...
Neuromodulatory mechanisms of N,N-dimethyltryptamine
Brain Network and Modulation – July 01, 2023
Summary
Naturally occurring DMT, a potent psychedelic, holds significant promise for its antidepressive, anxiolytic, and antiaddictive properties. Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research reveals its complex chemistry profoundly influences behavior. DMT's neuromodulatory actions reshape large-scale brain dynamics by interacting with various neurotransmitter receptors, including serotonin 2A, and glutamatergic systems. This alters perception and enhances bottom-up processing. Crucially, its plastogenic effects, mediated by sigma 1 receptors, promote brain plasticity related to mental well-being. These insights from Psychedelics and Drug Studies highlight DMT's therapeutic potential.
Abstract
N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) is the simplest psychedelic tryptamine and is produced naturally by many plant and animal species, including humans. W...
Neuroplasticity and Psychedelics: a comprehensive examination of classic and non-classic compounds in pre and clinical models
arXiv (Cornell University) – November 29, 2024
Summary
Psychedelics demonstrate remarkable potential for rapid, lasting treatment of neuropsychiatric conditions. Neuroscience reveals these compounds, often natural alkaloids or products of chemical synthesis, profoundly enhance brain neuroplasticity—the nervous system's adaptive capacity. Preclinical and clinical drug studies indicate they re-open developmental windows, driving structural and functional changes that significantly impact mood and behavior. This critical effect, vital for psychology and cognitive science, is being elucidated in humans using advanced techniques, including isotopic radioligands, paving the way for targeted interventions.
Abstract
Neuroplasticity, the ability of the nervous system to adapt throughout an organism's lifespan, offers potential as both a biomarker and treatment t...
5-MeO-DMT in the complete resolution of the consequences of chronic, severe sexual abuse in early childhood—a retrospective case study
OpenAlex – June 07, 2024
Summary
A woman, deeply traumatized by childhood sexual abuse and neglect, including witnessing her mother's suicide, found profound healing. After years of acting out, even planning to kill her father, a series of four 5-MeO-DMT sessions, guided by a facilitator, completely resolved her symptoms. She developed compassion and a functional relationship with her father, stable for three years. This case highlights psychedelics' potential in psychology, challenging traditional psychiatry's approaches to severe trauma.
Abstract
5-MeO-DMT is a psychedelic substance with a short duration of action and intensive effects. Its therapeutic efficacy and practicality may significa...
Novel perspectives for glutamatergic strategies, psychedelics and antipsychotic augmentation in Treatment Resistant Depression: A narrative review
Clinical Neuropsychopharmacology and Addiction – September 25, 2025
Summary
Approximately 30-50% of Major Depressive Disorder patients face treatment-resistant depression, lacking effective options. A review of 60 articles highlights a promising shift in drug studies. Glutamatergic agents like ketamine, examined in 43 studies, provide rapid relief. Psychedelics also show sustained antidepressant benefits. These advancements offer new hope for the treatment of Major Depression, moving beyond traditional monoaminergic approaches—like those involving Tryptophan in brain disorders—towards personalized care.
Abstract
Introduction: Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD) affects approximately 30–50% of patients with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) who fail to respon...
Beyond prohibition: A public health analysis of naturalistic psychedelic use
Journal of Psychedelic Studies – July 03, 2025
Summary
Naturalistic psychedelic use, outside clinical settings, appears to significantly reduce depression, anxiety, PTSD, and even interpersonal violence, while boosting well-being and social connection. A review of 104 peer-reviewed articles reveals these public health benefits across diverse populations. Though adverse effects can occur, they are typically brief and linked to factors like high doses or psychological vulnerability. This comprehensive analysis, spanning psychology and criminology, indicates current drug policies are outdated. An evidence-informed public health approach for psychedelics is urgently needed.
Abstract
Abstract Psychedelic drug use is experiencing a global resurgence, both in clinical research and community settings. This paper presents a comprehe...
Millennials in the search for spiritual ecstasy
OpenAlex – October 14, 2021
Summary
Millennials are driving a global revitalization of indigenous spiritual practices, seeking psychedelic plant medicine ceremonies for profound personal growth. Visiting places like Huautla de Jimenez for shamanic mushroom rituals, individuals pursue psychological healing for mental, emotional, and spiritual imbalances. Five common motivations emerged: a search for knowledge, healing, curiosity, self-improvement, and inner wellness. These drug studies highlight the commodification of sacred experiences and the critical need for indigenous inclusion in validating these powerful psychedelics.
Abstract
Although young countercultural travellers and spiritual seekers have visited Latin American indigenous communities for the purposes of drug-induced...
The Afterglow Inventory (AGI) – validation of a new instrument for measuring subacute effects of classic serotonergic psychedelics
OpenAlex – October 22, 2024
Summary
The "psychedelic afterglow," a period of enhanced well-being following acute effects, is now systematically measurable. A new Afterglow Inventory (AGI) was developed via an international survey of 1,323 individuals who used psychedelics and 157 controls, a significant Drug Studies contribution. This 24-item tool quantifies positive subacute psychological effects like vitality and inspiration. The AGI score correlated with acute experience intensity (r=0.165) and positive valence (r=0.251), offering crucial insights into how serotonergic compounds influence lasting states and Psychedelics' therapeutic outcomes.
Abstract
Background: Classic psychedelics such as psilocybin and LSD are anecdotally associated with the phenomenon of "psychedelic afterglow," a set of pre...
A lexicon for psychedelic research and treatment
Drug Science Policy and Law – September 01, 2025
Summary
Psychedelics are progressing to Phase 3 trials for depression, yet clinical development urgently needs standardized terms. A new framework for Psychedelics and Drug Studies classifies compounds pharmacologically—like serotonergic and glutamatergic—and defines four dose categories: microdose, minidose, mididose, macrodose. This diverse academic research theme also standardizes pharmacokinetic parameters and proposes a three-phase treatment model. Such a lexicon, vital for understanding Chemical synthesis and alkaloids, will enhance trial design, communication, and equitable access to these emerging therapies.
Abstract
Psychedelics are undergoing a clinical research renaissance, with compounds such as psilocybin advancing to Phase 3 trials for treatment-resistant ...
Magic mushrooms‐ P. cubensis and H. erinaceus a possible novel treatment for Alzheimer's disease symptoms
Alzheimer s & Dementia – December 01, 2025
Summary
Fungal Biology offers novel medicine for Alzheimer's Disease. Oral supplementation of Psilocybe cubensis (1g-3.5g) may boost serotonergic activity, improving mood and anxiety, and potentially breaking down beta-amyloid plaques, crucial for neuroprotection in aging brains. Hericium erinaceus extracts could enhance cognition, memory, and motor skills, reversing myelin degradation. This neuroscience approach aims to mitigate neuropsychological symptoms, reduce neuro-inflammation, and address key aspects of this debilitating disease, offering a new path beyond conventional medicine.
Abstract
Abstract Background Recent studies have highlighted the neuroprotective properties of certain mushrooms. Proposing a research hypothesis for a nove...
Trip Reports
OpenAlex – October 27, 2022
Summary
Psychedelic intoxication follows observable patterns, challenging notions that such experiences are purely mystic. Analyzing approximately 100 online "trip reports," with a deep dive into nine, reveals how users structure their experiences. They combine external context—like expectations and surroundings—with internal psychological reactions. This approach to Psychedelics and Drug Studies, using firsthand accounts, suggests intoxication is a structured experience. These insights could refine harm reduction strategies and further explore the therapeutic potential of psychedelics, moving beyond purely religious interpretations.
Abstract
Background: Experiences of intoxication elude scientific research because of their immediate and 'inner' nature for the intoxicated individual. In ...
Endocannabinoids, depression, and treatment resistance: Perspectives on effective therapeutic interventions
Psychiatry Research – August 18, 2025
Summary
A breakthrough reveals that diverse interventions for treatment-resistant depression, a significant economic burden, converge on the endocannabinoid system. Strategies in psychiatry and psychology, from rTMS and ketamine to psychedelics, elevate endocannabinoids like anandamide and 2-AG or modulate CB1 receptors. This unifying mechanism offers new medicine. Such findings, crucial for psychotherapists, highlight the importance of Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research and Psychedelics and Drug Studies in overcoming treatment resistance.
Abstract
Depression is a prevalent and heterogeneous disorder with significant personal and social consequences. The rise of treatment-resistant depression ...
#35647 Alternative pharmacological approaches to chronic pain management
OpenAlex – September 01, 2023
Summary
Emerging pharmacological approaches offer new hope for chronic pain management, potentially reducing reliance on addictive analgesics in medicine. Promise emerges from cannabis, psychedelics, and dissociative hypnotics like ketamine. While cannabis is most explored, its adverse effects need understanding. Ketamine shows potential but raises abuse concerns, critical for pharmacology and intensive care medicine. Psychedelics, though least understood, demonstrate promise in preliminary small studies, requiring more study on dose-dependent adverse effects. Significant progress is crucial before these options become standard, yet they could improve patients' quality of life.
Abstract
Please confirm that an ethics committee approval has been applied for or granted: Not relevant (see information at the bottom of this page) Backgro...
Reconsidering evidence for psychedelic-induced psychosis: An overview of reviews, a systematic review, and meta-analysis of human studies
European Psychiatry – April 01, 2025
Summary
Psychedelics and Drug Studies reveal a remarkably low 0.002% incidence of psychedelic-induced psychosis in the general population (N=123,800). However, among individuals with schizophrenia, 3.8% (N=133) experienced long-lasting psychotic symptoms after psychedelic exposure. Furthermore, 13.1% (N=353) of those who experienced psychedelic-induced psychosis later developed schizophrenia. While the overall risk is low, these findings suggest a higher risk for individuals with pre-existing conditions, indicating careful consideration for future clinical trials exploring these substances.
Abstract
Introduction Persons with schizophrenia are currently excluded from psychedelic-assisted therapy due to concerns about psychedelic-induced acute or...
Pagliaros’ Comprehensive Guide to Drugs and Substances of Abuse
American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy – February 01, 2005
Summary
Effective patient care hinges on a deep understanding of drugs of abuse. A comprehensive guide details the status, trends, and pharmacology of 96 substances prevalent in North America. It equips healthcare professionals in Medicine, Psychology, and Psychiatry with vital knowledge, from withdrawal syndromes to Opioid Use Disorder Treatment. The resource covers psychodepressants like alcohol (relevant for Alcoholism and Thiamine Deficiency), psychostimulants, and psychedelics, ensuring informed approaches to dependence, toxicity, and medical indications.
Abstract
Drug and substance abuse is a major problem in North America. Health care providers who care for patients who abuse drugs and other substances need...
Book of the Month: Karch's Pathology of Drug Abuse
Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine – May 01, 2002
Summary
Cocaine, once used in Medicine to treat morphine addiction, became the commonest cause of drug-related death in the USA. A comprehensive Drug analysis resource, Karch's Pathology of Drug Abuse, spans 541 pages with 800 new references. It explores critical Forensic Toxicology challenges, like interpreting post-mortem drug concentrations, and Psychiatry concerns, such as stimulants like khat inducing psychotic illness. Despite widespread opiate deaths, only 12 new papers on microscopic findings emerged in a decade, underscoring research gaps.
Abstract
Over the past decade, the widespread use of ‘recreational’ drugs has been increasingly acknowledged. In a burst of revelation last year, politician...
What can we learn from the history of research on psychedelic drugs in the addictions?
Addiction – August 12, 2021
Summary
Early **psychedelic** **drug** **studies** in the 1950s showed promise for **addiction** treatment. One approach using LSD for alcohol dependence reported 50% of 24 patients greatly or moderately improved, describing profound psychological experiences. However, later, more controlled **drug** trials and a meta-analysis found that while initial benefits occurred up to six months, they did not persist at 12 months. **Psychiatry** and **medicine** must proceed cautiously with these powerful **compounds**, ensuring rigorous clinical trials define their role in **addiction** **psychology** to avoid past mistakes in their therapeutic use.
Abstract
The history of research on the use of psychedelic drugs to treat alcohol dependence in the 1950s and 1960s suggests the need for caution in their p...
Serotonin
Encyclopedia of Life Sciences – October 15, 2012
Summary
Serotonin, discovered in 1949, remarkably exists in every aerobic organism and human tissue. This vital neurotransmitter, pivotal in Neuroscience and Biology, influences sex, appetite, and sleep. Its serotonergic pathways regulate neuroendocrine function and behavior, impacting Psychology and Internal medicine. Activating at least 14 5-HT receptors, notably the 5-HT2A receptor, explains psychedelic effects in Drug Studies. Crucially, maternal serotonin, synthesized partly via TPH2, guides fetal brain development. A decrease in this molecule is linked to severe conditions like depression.
Abstract
Abstract Serotonin was discovered in 1949 and has been detected in all living aerobic organisms and in every tissue of the human body. In animals, ...
The new drug phenomenon
Drug Testing and Analysis – July 01, 2014
Summary
A new drug phenomenon sees novel psychoactive substances rapidly flood markets. Europe detected 81 new drugs in 2013, a sharp rise from 41 in 2010, averaging one new substance every 5-6 days. This commodification, sometimes from 'failed medicines,' creates significant addiction risks due to unknown pharmacology. Forensic toxicology and drug analysis face immense challenges. The political science of control struggles against this tide, raising engineering ethics concerns about substances influencing neurotransmitter receptors, often explored in psychedelics and drug studies.
Abstract
This special issue provides a multidisciplinary snapshot of recent developments of the broader, arguably phenomenal, changes to the drug market tha...
Ethnobotany: Evolution of a Discipline
Bulletin of the history of medicine – September 01, 1998
Summary
Ethnobotany, celebrating its centennial, confronts a critical challenge: the rapid loss of medicinal plants and traditional societies. This interdisciplinary field, encompassing Botany, Ecology, and Taxonomy Studies, explores human-plant interactions and environmental ethics. History reveals ancient Egyptian and Mayan cultures used mandrakes and Datura in shamanic rituals. An Aztec physician's 1552 manuscript detailed how healers differentiated external Datura poultices from internal potions, showcasing sophisticated Ethnobotanical and Medicinal Plants Studies. This urgent situation for global geography underscores the need for conservation.
Abstract
Reviewed by: Ethnobotany: Evolution of a Discipline Karen Reeds Richard Evans Schultes and Siri von Reis, eds. Ethnobotany: Evolution of a Discipli...
Scanning the new frontier of mental health: psychedelic brain imaging
The Biochemist – March 14, 2024
Summary
Thousands of patients received LSD therapy for depression, anxiety, and addiction by the 1960s, opening a significant frontier in medicine. These psychedelics, long used in ancient cultures, profoundly shift consciousness, fostering connectedness. This early wave of drug studies, alongside other psychiatric breakthroughs, revolutionized mental health treatment. Today, neuroscience and psychology are revisiting this field, employing brain scanning and neuroimaging to understand these compounds' profound impact.
Abstract
The use of psychoactive substances for ritual, spiritual and medicinal purposes stretches back into prehistory and has been a common feature of man...
Psychedelic Therapy Requires Enhanced Consent Discussions
Psychiatric News – June 28, 2023
Summary
Nearly 40% of recreational psychedelic users reported a "bad trip" as one of their most challenging life experiences. This underscores why psychedelic-assisted therapy, delivered by psychotherapists in psychiatry and psychology, requires enhanced informed consent. Unlike traditional medicine, these drug studies necessitate comprehensive discussions about potentially ineffable experiences. A therapeutic session must establish clear boundaries, even for gentle touch, ensuring patient safety. This crucial aspect of medical education helps integrate psychedelics, often seen as alternative medicine, ethically into mainstream medicine.
Abstract
Back to table of contents Previous article Next article Annual MeetingFull AccessPsychedelic Therapy Requires Enhanced Consent DiscussionsNick Zago...
Of Mycelia and Men
Emergency Medicine News – June 01, 2009
Summary
Surprisingly, a New York banker, R. Gordon Wasson, not counterculture icons, introduced psychedelics to America. His passion for mushroom history led to a 1957 adventure: a shamanic ceremony in Mexico, yielding profound visions. His *Life Magazine* account sparked widespread fascination, influencing Timothy Leary. Andy Letcher's "Shroom" chronicles this pivotal history, exploring these fungi's role in mythology, art history, and civilization. It delves into drug studies, debunking myths, and offering a compelling narrative of humanity's evolving vision, documented with around 500 references.
Abstract
Quick: Name the person who started the psychedelic movement of the 1960s and 1970s. Most people old enough to understand the question or who read T...
The Problem of Pain
Dissent – January 01, 2021
Summary
The Sackler family extracted $10 billion from Purdue Pharma between 2007-2017, paying only $225 million after the company’s 2019 bankruptcy, despite an $8.3 billion penalty. This history reveals how "white market" medicine, driven by business interests, has long blurred lines between healing and harm. Examining diverse historical and scientific studies, one finds that drugs deemed illicit, like psychedelics, can offer therapeutic benefits, challenging the law's distinctions. Psychiatry and criminology often overlook this complex history, perpetuating racial bias in drug policy.
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The Problem of Pain Sophie Pinkham (bio) White Market Drugs: Big Pharma and the Hidden History of Addiction in America by David Herzberg University...
Travails of the terminally ill and dying with cancer
Journal of Cancer Research and Therapeutics – January 01, 2015
Summary
A small study by Stanislav Grof suggests controlled hallucinogen administration can offer profound peace to the terminally ill, exemplified by Aldous Huxley's serene death with LSD. Many facing progressive disease endure isolation, neglect, and loss of dignity, experiencing disfigurement, delirium, and profound grief. Palliative care in medicine often overlooks these crucial psychological and spiritual needs. Addressing these complex ethics in medical practice, fostering optimism and well-being, requires holistic nursing and psychiatry approaches, ensuring comprehensive support for those at life's end.
Abstract
In a big yawn of death life is extinguished, ennui of existence comes to an end. The implacable pain evokes a cascade of emotions so does the idea ...
Introduction to the Special Section on Psychedelics Research and Treatment
Perspectives in biology and medicine – January 01, 2024
Summary
A 1971 ban robbed society of half a century of progress in Psychedelics and Drug Studies, impacting Medicine and Psychology. This Special section addresses ethical challenges as psychedelics, studied from 1940-1970, re-enter treatment. A June 2023 meeting highlighted the need for ethical frameworks, encompassing molecular biology, Chemical synthesis and alkaloids, and even Chromatography in Natural Products, for developing new molecules. Navigating profound psychological experiences responsibly is paramount for integration.
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Introduction to the Special Section on Psychedelics Research and Treatment Dominic Sisti Against a backdrop of post-pandemic malaise, diseases of d...
Indigenous Knowledge Systems & Psychedelic Science: Towards Ethical and Reciprocal Collaboration.
Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England) – January 30, 2026
Summary
Indigenous Peoples have stewarded traditional medicine for centuries, cultivating natural psychoactive medicines through sophisticated Indigenous Knowledge Systems and governance. Despite this profound expertise, their contributions to psychedelic-assisted therapy are often marginalized. Reciprocity and equity are vital for meaningful collaboration, demanding Indigenous leadership and community-based research. Public health policy and implementation science must embed free, prior, and informed consent and benefit-sharing. Integrating contemplative practices and Indigenous methodologies is essential for these powerful medicines to realize their full potential to heal and transform.
Abstract
Indigenous Peoples have cultivated and protected natural psychoactive medicines through ceremony, kinship, and spiritual responsibility across gene...
Self-administered complementary and alternative methods of treating mental disorders among students in Wrocław: a cross-sectional study.
Frontiers in public health – January 01, 2025
Summary
Nearly all university students in Poland (96.1%) use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) for mental health, even as 74.7% with a disorder history experience depression. A survey of 493 students revealed high rates of alternative medicine use like marijuana (31.3%) and ashwagandha (24.8%). Cost (80.7%) and availability (35.7%) are major barriers to professional care. Intriguingly, marijuana users and those taking ashwagandha reported more intense depressive symptoms, highlighting potential risks of unsupervised substance use.
Abstract
Mental health disorders such as depression are a rising issue among university students. Some of them use complementary and alternative medicine (C...
Psychological Therapy Quantity and Depressive Symptom Reduction in Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
JAMA network open – January 02, 2026
Summary
Psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) significantly reduces depressive symptoms, showing a large overall effect. A review of 12 trials, encompassing 733 participants (49.8% female), revealed a substantial symptom reduction (Hedges g = -0.84) compared to control conditions. Crucially, more hours spent in preparation therapy before psychedelic dosing were associated with greater symptom reduction (β = -0.13). Conversely, integration therapy after dosing or total session count did not show this link. Longer follow-up periods generally correlated with smaller treatment effects (β = 0.02). Most trials (75%) had a high risk of bias.
Abstract
Psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) is a novel intervention for depressive symptoms, typically delivered with additional psychological therapy sessi...
Safety and Efficacy of Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors in Patients Who Use Psychoactive Substances: Potential Drug Interactions and Substance Use Disorder Treatment Data.
CNS drugs – January 17, 2026
Summary
Combining MAOIs with certain psychoactive substances can be fatal. A comprehensive review of 219 publications, including 20 randomized trials and 56 case reports, found MAOIs combined with amphetamines, MDMA, or some opioids pose serious risks, including serotonin toxicity and hypertensive crises. Fatalities were reported with eight different substances. However, MAOI treatment can be carefully managed with substances like low-tyramine alcohol, cannabis, or caffeine under monitoring. Robust human data supporting MAOIs for treating substance use disorders are absent. Further safety investigation in these complex patients is crucial.
Abstract
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) remain an important option for patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) and other psychiatric condit...
Chronic treatment with LY341495 decreases 5-HT2A receptor binding and hallucinogenic effects of LSD in mice
Neuroscience Letters – January 16, 2013
Summary
Chronic treatment with the mGlu2/3 receptor antagonist LY341495 significantly reduced hallucinogenic effects of LSD in mice. Specifically, after 21 days of treatment with LY341495 (1.5 mg/kg), head-twitch behavior and expression of c-fos, egr-1, and egr-2 decreased notably. This was confirmed by a reduction in [(3)H]ketanserin binding in the somatosensory cortex of wild-type mice, while mGlu2 knockout mice showed no such effect. These results highlight the role of metabotropic glutamate receptors in modulating the impact of psychedelics like LSD.
Abstract
Hallucinogenic drugs, such as lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), mescaline and psilocybin, alter perception and cognitive processes. All hallucinoge...
Natural language analysis of the structure of altered states of consciousness
Journal of Psychedelic Studies – May 17, 2025
Summary
Psychedelics like salvia and ketamine show remarkable similarities in content to non-drug methods of inducing altered states of consciousness (ASC), based on an analysis of 300 narrative reports. Most psychedelics, excluding LSD, were associated with positive and authentic experiences, with authenticity linked to a positive sentiment (R = 0.68). The study identified themes that trace the journey from ordinary awareness to profound metaphysical experiences, suggesting a structured understanding of ASC across various induction techniques, which could enhance future explorations in psychology and linguistics.
Abstract
Abstract Background and aims Altered states of consciousness (ASC) represent acute and marked deviations from normal waking consciousness. Investig...
Meditation, psychedelics, and brain connectivity: A randomized controlled resting-state fMRI study of N,N-dimethyltryptamine and harmine in a meditation retreat
Universität Zürich, ZORA – September 29, 2025
Summary
Meditation and psychedelics may have complementary effects on brain function, according to a study involving 40 meditation practitioners at a 3-day retreat. Participants received either a placebo or a combination of DMT and harmine. Those in the DMT group exhibited increased functional connectivity within the visual network and between visual and salience networks, while the placebo group showed reduced connectivity across networks. These findings highlight distinct neural mechanisms for meditation versus psychedelic-augmented meditation, suggesting that both could play significant roles in enhancing mental health interventions.
Abstract
Both meditation and psychedelics are widely studied for their therapeutic potential in mental health. Recent research suggests potential synergies ...
Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy (Pat): A New Frontier in Mental Health Treatment
The journal of desk research review and analysis. – December 16, 2025
Summary
Psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) shows remarkable potential in treating mental health disorders, with studies indicating a 60-70% reduction in depression symptoms among participants. Recent clinical trials from 2020 to 2024 involved diverse sample sizes, revealing significant benefits for conditions like PTSD and substance use disorders. Emerging evidence emphasizes the importance of addressing ethical issues and exploring underrepresented groups, such as older adults. This synthesis highlights the need for continued investigation into PAT's mechanisms and regulatory frameworks, paving the way for future advancements in psychiatry and psychology.
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Psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) has emerged as a promising and innovative approach to treating a range of mental health disorders, including dep...
Correction to: The hidden therapist: evidence for a central role of music in psychedelic therapy.
Psychopharmacology – May 01, 2018
Summary
Music profoundly shapes psychedelic experiences. Researchers explored how curated music influences therapeutic outcomes during psilocybin treatment. Participants received psilocybin while listening to specific music. Findings revealed music significantly enhanced emotional release, facilitated profound insights, and contributed to lasting positive psychological changes. This suggests music is a vital, active component, guiding patients through transformative therapeutic journeys.
Abstract
The article The hidden therapist: evidence for a central role of music in psychedelic therapy, written by Mendel Kaelen, Bruna Giribaldi, Jordan Ra...
"Facing Death. . . Now, That's a Serious Thing to Confront" A Qualitative Analysis of Patient Perspectives on Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy for Cancer-Related Psychosocial Symptoms.
Integrative cancer therapies – January 01, 2025
Summary
People facing cancer often experience profound existential distress that current support systems don't fully address. This study investigated how patients perceive psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) as a novel approach for cancer-related psychosocial symptoms. Interviewed individuals expressed cautious optimism, viewing PAT, potentially involving psilocybin, as a promising way to confront existential distress and engage with suffering beyond mere symptom management. Despite recognizing practical hurdles, the findings highlight significant patient interest and the potential for positive results in integrating PAT into cancer care.
Abstract
People living with cancer (PLWC) often face profound existential distress that is insufficiently addressed by conventional psychosocial supports. T...
"O USO TERAPÊUTICO INDEPENDENTE DE MICRODOSAGEM DE PSILOCIBINA SOB PROTOCOLO FADIMAN : UM DIÁRIO DO AUTO-CONHECIMENTO"
Anais do 14º Congresso Brasileiro de Naturologia: Paradigmas contemporâneos da saúde mental e as novas perspectivas da medicina botânica – January 01, 2022
Summary
Could tiny doses of psilocybin unlock personal growth? A detailed self-report explored an individual's experience with a structured microdosing protocol. The compelling findings highlighted enhanced emotional regulation, improved focus, and profound insights into self-awareness, suggesting its potential as a tool for therapeutic self-discovery and overall well-being.
Abstract
A psilocibina é um composto psicodélico de ocorrência natural produzido por mais de 200 espécies de fungos. Os mais potentes são membros do gênero ...
Innovation and inequity in psychedelic research at the Mayo Clinic.
History of psychiatry – April 28, 2025
Summary
Groundbreaking experiments with LSD and psilocybin at Mayo Clinic in the 1950-60s revealed troubling bioethics practices. Researchers administered psychedelics to patients with schizophrenia and other conditions, often without proper consent. While these studies advanced our understanding of these compounds, they highlight the critical importance of ethical research protocols and patient autonomy in modern psychedelic medicine.
Abstract
This paper provides an overview of psychedelic research at the Mayo Clinic in the 1950s and 1960s, focusing on methods, objectives, findings, and e...