371 results for "Neuroplasticity"
Age affects temporal response, but not durability, to serial ketamine infusions for treatment refractory depression
medRxiv Preprint Server – August 31, 2020
Summary
Ketamine can swiftly alleviate severe depression, but its lasting impact varies. One investigation explored how age influences this. It revealed that older individuals might experience a slower onset of relief from serial infusions. Crucially, however, the durability of their positive response was just as strong as in younger patients. This highlights that while age can affect how quickly benefits appear, it doesn't diminish the long-term effectiveness.
Abstract
Background Ketamine is a rapid-acting treatment for patients with treatment refractory depression (TRD), however treatment responses are often tran...
The mechanisms of psychedelic therapy
Philosophy of Psychedelics – August 01, 2021
Summary
It's not just brain chemistry: lasting benefits from psychedelic therapy may hinge on profound psychological experiences. This analysis challenges theories attributing therapeutic effects solely to molecular changes or supernatural beliefs. Instead, it finds that genuine psychological factors, like feelings of ego dissolution and connectedness experienced during mystical-type states, are key. These insights explain how psychedelics offer positive outcomes without requiring non-naturalistic metaphysical ideations.
Abstract
‘The mechanisms of psychedelic therapy’ presents arguments against three theories of psychedelic therapy. The Molecular Neuroplasticity Theory ascr...
Unveiling the Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Antidepressants: A Systematic Review of Human Studies over the Last Decade.
Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland) – June 10, 2025
Summary
Did you know depression is linked to inflammation? Evidence reveals that common treatments like SSRI and SNRI medications, and even ketamine, actively reduce inflammation in humans. By lowering pro-inflammatory cytokine levels, these therapies offer a promising dual benefit, addressing both depression symptoms and the underlying inflammation.
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Depression ranks among the most prevalent mental health conditions globally, marked by a variety of symptoms that frequently...
Psilocybin as Transformative Fast‐Acting Antidepressant: Pharmacological Properties and Molecular Mechanisms
Fundamental and Clinical Pharmacology – July 16, 2025
Summary
Psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, is re-emerging as a promising antidepressant medicine for severe depression, echoing its initial study in the 1950s-60s before being halted in the 1970s. Modern pharmacology and psychology are exploring how this psychedelic alkaloid influences neurotransmitter receptors, particularly serotonin 5-HT2A, to potentially facilitate transformative learning and alleviate mood disorders. Through neuroscience and drug studies, psilocybin's antidepressant potential is significant, especially given depression's projected impact by 2030.
Abstract
ABSTRACT In the 1950s–60s, serotonergic psychedelic drugs were studied as potential adjuvants to psychotherapy to treat addiction and alcoholism. H...
Case report: Significant lesion reduction and neural structural changes following ibogaine treatments for multiple sclerosis.
Frontiers in immunology – January 01, 2025
Summary
Remarkable neuroimaging revealed significant brain repair in two multiple sclerosis patients after ibogaine treatments. This psychedelic medicine led to substantial lesion reduction and signs of neuroregeneration, suggesting ibogaine and its metabolite noribogaine may promote neural healing and modulate circuits affected by MS. A promising new direction for treatment.
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a debilitating neurodegenerative disease characterized by demyelination and neuronal loss. Traditional therapies often f...
Therapeutic and Structural Dimensions in Psychiatric Prescribing: Bridging Psychedelics and Antidepressants.
Harvard review of psychiatry
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
As practitioners seek more personalized approaches, exploring how patients' environments, relationship templates, and mindsets factor into symptom ...
Epigenetic Repair of Terrifying Lucid Dreams by Enhanced Brain Reward Functional Connectivity and Induction of Dopaminergic Homeostatic Signaling.
Current psychopharmacology – February 15, 2021
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
During Lucid Dreams, the dreamer is aware, experiences the dream as if fully awake, and may control the dream content. The dreamer can start, stop,...
From contemplation to serenity: how yoga meditation improves the mental health of female college students?
Frontiers in psychology – January 01, 2025
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
This study aims to investigate the impact of yoga meditation on the mental health of female college students, focusing on how meditation improves e...
Beyond psychedelics: set and setting in general psychiatric practice.
International review of psychiatry (Abingdon, England) – December 01, 2024
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Psychedelic compounds continue gaining scientific and regulatory traction as potential new treatments for psychiatric disorders. While most psychia...
[Interest and mechanisms of action of ketamine in alcohol addiction- A review of clinical and preclinical studies].
Biologie aujourd'hui – January 01, 2023
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is a psychiatric condition characterized by chronic and excessive drinking despite negative consequences on overall heal...
Critical Period Plasticity as a Framework for Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy.
Focus (American Psychiatric Publishing) – July 01, 2023
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
As psychedelic compounds gain traction in psychiatry, there is a need to consider the active mechanism to explain the effect observed in randomized...
Psilocybin and Chronic Pain: A New Perspective for Future Pain Therapists?
Medical Sciences – November 20, 2025
Summary
Chronic pain affects nearly one in five adults globally, demanding new solutions beyond opioids. Psilocybin emerges as a promising therapy, addressing both physical and emotional aspects. Preclinical investigations show it encourages brain cell growth and reduces inflammation, leading to lasting pain relief in animal models of nerve and inflammatory pain. Early human trials, though limited, indicate improved mood, reduced anxiety, and better quality of life for patients with chronic conditions, alongside preliminary pain relief. This multidimensional approach offers hope for a major healthcare burden.
Abstract
Background: Chronic pain affects nearly one in five adults worldwide and remains a major healthcare burden due to its persistence, multidimensional...
Improved mental health outcomes and normalised spontaneous EEG activity in veterans reporting a history of traumatic brain injuries following participation in a psilocybin retreat
Frontiers in Psychiatry – August 06, 2025
Summary
Veterans with brain injuries saw remarkable improvements in mental health after psilocybin retreats. Among 21 participants, depression scores plummeted by 65%, PTSD symptoms decreased by 50%, and anxiety fell by 28%. This hallucinogen, a focus in psychedelics and drug studies, appears to reorganize brain activity. Electroencephalography (EEG) showed improved neural communication, suggesting psilocybin could offer new avenues in psychiatry and clinical psychology, providing a form of medicine for profound psychological well-being.
Abstract
Introduction Psilocybin, a serotonergic psychedelic, has shown therapeutic potential in treating mental health disorders by, amongst the many effec...
Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy: Potential Benefits and Challenges in Mental Health Treatment
Medical Science Monitor – June 30, 2025
Summary
Psychedelics offer compelling potential for mental health, addressing severe conditions like depression and PTSD. These substances, including those from chemical synthesis and alkaloids, are explored in Psychiatry and Psychology. A psychotherapist might integrate them into Medicine, yet current Drug Studies, often found in MEDLINE, confirm psychedelic-assisted therapy remains experimental due to a scarcity of large-scale trials. While unique mechanisms, such as those related to Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors, are under study, robust evidence is crucial for patients needing intensive care medicine-level attention for complex mental health challenges.
Abstract
Psychedelics, derived from the Greek words "psyche" (soul) and "deloun" (revealing), are substances historically and currently considered "soul-rev...
The Therapeutic Potential of Psilocybin in Alcohol Use Disorder Recovery: A Literature Review
Undergraduate Research in Natural and Clinical Science and Technology (URNCST) Journal – January 05, 2023
Summary
Psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, shows strong therapeutic potential for alcohol use disorder. Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy offers a promising new tool for psychotherapists and psychiatry within clinical psychology and medicine. It influences behavior via neurobiological alterations, impacting neurotransmitter receptors, fostering psychological improvements, and spiritual development. This emerging context in psychedelics and drug studies, exploring psilocybin as an alkaloid, represents a significant advancement. Its efficacy suggests a valuable addition to addiction treatment.
Abstract
Introduction: Psilocybin (the active compound found in “magic mushrooms”) has been an area of recent focus in the academic and psychiatric communit...
Psilocybin for dementia prevention? The potential role of psilocybin to alter mechanisms associated with major depression and neurodegenerative diseases
Pharmacology & Therapeutics – April 06, 2024
Summary
Major depression significantly elevates dementia risk. Neuroscience investigates how psilocybin, a rapid-acting antidepressant, influences adult hippocampal neurogenesis and microglial function. This psychedelic medicine, acting on serotonin neurotransmitter receptors (linked to tryptophan pathways), may combat cognitive decline and neurodegenerative disease. Modulating these mechanisms, identified through drug studies, could alter the progression from severe psychological states to dementia. This offers a promising new direction in psychiatry and medicine.
Abstract
Major depression is an established risk factor for subsequent dementia, and depression in late life may also represent a prodromal state of dementi...
Psilocybin Therapy for Depression: A Review of Current Molecular Knowledge
Journal of the Netherlands Society of Toxicology – January 01, 2024
Summary
A single dose of psilocybin, combined with psychotherapist support, significantly reduces depressive symptoms for months. This naturally occurring hallucinogen offers groundbreaking potential in Medicine and Psychiatry, addressing the global challenge of Depression affecting over 264 million people. Unlike current conventional treatments, this psychedelic acts on neurotransmitter receptors. Drug Studies, including those on chemical synthesis, highlight its unique alkaloid properties, transforming Psychology's approach to mental health.
Abstract
Depression, affecting over 264 million people globally, presents significant treatment challenges, often due to the limited efficacy and adverse ef...
Neurobiology of psilocybin: a comprehensive overview and comparative analysis of experimental models
Frontiers in Systems Neuroscience – August 05, 2025
Summary
Psilocybin, a compelling hallucinogen, shows promise for reversing neurodegeneration and treating mental health disorders like major depressive disorder. Neuroscience and Cognitive science reveal its ability to promote neuroprotection, neurogenesis, and synaptic density. Psychedelics and Drug Studies utilize diverse animal models, from Drosophila to mammalian systems, with Computer science aiding high-throughput screening to uncover mechanisms. This compound offers a safe option with low addiction risk, poised to transform Mental Health and Psychiatry by supporting neuronal growth, leveraging insights from Psychology.
Abstract
Psilocybin, a compound found in Psilocybe mushrooms, is emerging as a promising treatment for neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders, includin...
“Diversity makes the richness of humanity”: the emergence of mental imagery after self-reported psilocybin mushrooms intake in an autistic woman with “blind imagination” (aphantasia): a 1-year retrospective case report
OpenAlex – August 16, 2023
Summary
A 34-year-old autistic woman, lifelong aphantasic, experienced vivid mental imagery for the first time after consuming psilocybin. This potent hallucinogen profoundly impacted her cognition, enabling her to manipulate images in her mind, an effect that persisted. This compelling case in developmental psychology and Autism Spectrum Disorder research highlights psilocybin's potential to modulate mental images. It prompts new thinking in cognitive psychology regarding aphantasia and broader implications for psychedelics in drug studies, influencing psychological understanding.
Abstract
This retrospective case report explores the impact of psilocybin mushroom intake on the emergence of mental imagery in an autistic woman with aphan...
Advances in Psychedelic Medicine
OpenAlex – January 01, 2019
Summary
Psychedelics are rapidly transforming Medicine, with the U.S. government lifting its testing ban over a decade ago. Substances like Psilocybin, MDMA, and the hallucinogen Ayahuasca are now being integrated into Psychiatry and Psychology, augmenting psychotherapies for conditions like Addiction and depressive disorders. This comprehensive assessment covers clinical efficacy, safety, and ethical considerations, alongside neuroscience findings. It also explores microdosing, cannabinoid research, and training future psychotherapists in this evolving field of Psychedelics and Drug Studies.
Abstract
Researchers, program administrators, and practicing clinicians explain the most recent developments in using psychedelic substances to treat psycho...
Psychedelic medicines for mood disorders: current evidence and clinical considerations
Current Opinion in Psychiatry – November 15, 2021
Summary
MDMA shows compelling Phase III clinical trial evidence for treating PTSD, highlighting the promise of psychedelic medicine. Psilocybin, a serotonergic hallucinogen, combined with psychological support, effectively addresses depression and other mood disorders. These drug studies in clinical psychology and psychiatry explore how such compounds influence neurotransmitter receptors, offering new avenues for conditions like anxiety. While promising, current medicine often involves small sample sizes.
Abstract
Purpose of review Despite advances in treatment modalities for mood disorders over recent decades, further therapeutic options are still required. ...
Multimodal Neuroimaging of the Effect of Serotonergic Psychedelics on the Brain
American Journal of Neuroradiology – February 15, 2024
Summary
Psychedelics like psilocybin and lysergic acid diethylamide show compelling promise in medicine for treating psychiatric disorders. Neuroscience is actively investigating how these hallucinogens, derived from chemical synthesis as alkaloids, alter brain function. Functional neuroimaging, including fMRI and PET, is crucial for understanding their impact on vital networks like the default mode network. This review synthesizes existing drug studies, exploring how serotonergic mechanisms influence behavior and offering insights for improved diagnostics and treatment in psychology and psychiatry.
Abstract
The neurobiological mechanisms underpinning psychiatric disorders such as treatment-resistant major depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and...
Psychedelics: A new era of treatment?
European Psychiatry – April 01, 2021
Summary
Psychedelics like psilocybin, mescaline, and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) are showing remarkable promise in psychiatry and psychology. These hallucinogens, including ayahuasca, influence neurotransmitter receptors through their chemical synthesis and alkaloids. Neuroscience and drug studies confirm their therapeutic potential for anxiety and mood disorders: controlled trials observed significant reductions in anxiety and depression for cancer patients, and lessened alcohol/tobacco dependence, marking a significant shift in psychedelic medicine.
Abstract
Introduction Psychedelics - including LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide), psilocybin, DMT (N, N-dimethyltryptamine), ayahuasca and mescaline - have a...
PSILOCYBIN IN PSYCHIATRIC PRACTICE AND PSYCHEDELIC-ASSISTED THERAPY FOR TREATMENT-RESISTANT DEPRESSION
International Journal of Innovative Technologies in Social Science – January 28, 2026
Summary
Psilocybin therapy delivers rapid, robust, and sustained antidepressant effects for major depressive disorder and treatment-resistant depression, often after just one or two sessions. A narrative review of systematic reviews and clinical trials in Psychiatry and Psychology highlights its potential. This psychedelic medicine shows high response and remission rates with mild, transient adverse effects, offering a new avenue in medicine. Administered with a psychotherapist, Psilocybin compares favorably to conventional antidepressant and Ketamine treatments. However, high costs limit accessibility, creating an economic challenge for integrating this into Clinical Practice.
Abstract
This manuscript comprehensively reviews psilocybin-assisted therapy for major depressive disorder and treatment-resistant depression. It aims to sy...
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...
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...
Usage of Psilocybin to Treat Huntington's Disease: A Research Protocol
Undergraduate Research in Natural and Clinical Science and Technology (URNCST) Journal – September 05, 2024
Summary
Psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen derived via chemical synthesis and alkaloids, offers significant hope for Huntington's disease, a devastating neurodegenerative disease. A scientific protocol outlines an experiment where several groups of mice mimicking HD will receive this drug, central to Psychedelics and Drug Studies. Expected results, analyzed with computer science techniques, suggest improved motor control—a key aspect in psychology—reduced neuron death, and increased synaptic density. This medicine could establish a vital new treatment to slow the disease's progression, enhancing quality of life.
Abstract
Introduction: Huntington’s Disease (HD) is a progressive, neurodegenerative disease that causes significant amounts of neuron death in the brain. I...
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...
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...
Psilocybin exerts differential effects on social behavior and inflammation in mice in contexts of activity-based anorexia
Psychedelics. – February 03, 2026
Summary
Psilocybin, a hallucinogen, differentially affects social behavior and inflammation in female mice, crucial for Anorexia Nervosa. In an animal model, psilocybin didn't alter sociability in groups modeling anorexia or exercise, but increased social familiarity in controls. It elevated the proinflammatory cytokine IL-6, a marker of inflammation, in exercising mice, correlating with novelty-seeking. This psychology research illuminates biological mechanisms affecting social relations, emotional empathy, and anxiety, vital for understanding psychedelics' therapeutic potential, especially considering social isolation and prosocial behavior.
Abstract
Psychedelics, particularly psilocybin, have shown therapeutic potential across several psychiatric conditions, including depression, anxiety, obses...
Psilocybin exerts differential effects on social behaviour and inflammation in mice in contexts of activity-based anorexia (ABA)
OpenAlex – October 15, 2025
Summary
Psychedelics, central to drug studies, reveal complex, sex-specific behavioral impacts. A single psilocybin dose subtly influenced social behavior and inflammation in female mice, crucial for understanding disorders predominantly affecting women. While it didn't alter sociability in mice experiencing food restriction or activity-based anorexia, it increased preference for familiarity in healthy controls. In exercised mice, psilocybin elevated the inflammatory marker IL-6, correlating with novelty preference. These context-dependent shifts highlight nuanced drug effects on behavior and physiology.
Abstract
Abstract Psychedelics, particularly psilocybin, have shown therapeutic potential across several psychiatric conditions, including depression, anxie...
Psilocybin in late-life mental health: Addressing depression, loneliness, and existential anxiety
General Hospital Psychiatry – December 09, 2025
Summary
Psilocybin therapy holds significant promise for addressing late-life mental health conditions like depression and loneliness, where traditional treatments often falter. Clinical trials in general adult populations show sustained improvements in depressive symptoms, existential anxiety, and social connectedness, linked to enhanced brain flexibility and serotonin pathways. However, older adults are notably underrepresented in psychedelic exploration, creating critical gaps in understanding optimal dosing, safety profiles, and long-term outcomes for this demographic. Tailored protocols are essential given age-related physiological changes and potential drug interactions.
Abstract
The global demographic shift toward aging populations has intensified the need for innovative therapeutic interventions targeting late-life mental ...
Alleviating anxiety and taming trauma: Novel pharmacotherapeutics for anxiety disorders and posttraumatic stress disorder
Neuropharmacology – January 06, 2023
Summary
Current anti-anxiety agents offer only temporary relief for prevalent psychiatric disorders like Anxiety and Panic disorder. A promising shift in Medicine and Psychiatry is underway. Clinical neuroscience and Neuropsychopharmacology are now developing anti-anxiety agents targeting diverse neurochemical systems, including monoamines (like those influenced by Psychedelics and Drug Studies), GABA, glutamate, and Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors. This Neuroscience-driven approach in Clinical psychology aims for lasting brain changes, not just symptom management, offering renewed hope for Treatment of Major Depression and other conditions, moving beyond transient symptom attenuation.
Abstract
Psychiatric disorders associated with psychological trauma, stress and anxiety are a highly prevalent and increasing cause of morbidity worldwide. ...
Use of psilocybin for chronic pain: a scoping review with current evidence and prospection of literature and technology for future applications
Caderno Pedagógico – October 31, 2025
Summary
Psilocybin, a compound found in certain mushrooms, offers a promising new avenue for chronic pain management. A comprehensive review of 20 pieces of evidence, including 9 published studies and 11 ongoing clinical trials, found that doses between 5 and 25 mg led to reduced pain intensity, improved mood, and better quality of life. Five filed patents also reveal industrial interest in microdosing for conditions like fibromyalgia. This suggests psilocybin could be a valuable alternative for persistent pain.
Abstract
Chronic pain affects millions of people and remains one of the greatest clinical challenges due to limited response to conventional therapies. Psil...
Psilocybin reduces depressive-like behavior and improves cognition in healthy aging mice via epigenetic regulation of plasticity- and immune-related genes
OpenAlex – November 05, 2025
Summary
Psilocybin dramatically improved memory in aged female mice and reduced depressive-like behavior in both sexes. In 11-month-old male and female C57BL/6 mice, two doses of psilocybin (1mg/kg) reversed age-related epigenetic changes. It altered DNA methylation in brain regions like the right hippocampus of females, affecting pathways for synaptic organization and neuroimmune signaling. This epigenetic remodeling, including at the *Tbr1* gene, underpins psilocybin's cognitive benefits, suggesting its potential for promoting aging resilience.
Abstract
Abstract For many, cognitive and affective health declines through typical aging. Although cognitive and affective symptoms are often studied in is...
Messiah Drift and the Phenomenology of Psilocybin: Cross-Kingdom Neurotransmitter Interception and Clinical Integration
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) – December 25, 2025
Summary
Psilocybin's profound effects may stem from a surprising **biology** of cross-kingdom **communication**. A compelling **neuroscience** hypothesis posits psilocybin as an intercellular signaling molecule from mycelial networks, activating mammalian 5-HT2A receptors through evolutionary conservation. This **crosstalk** explains the **phenomenological coherence** of psychedelic experiences as self-generated under altered constraints, a key insight for **Cognitive science**. For clinical **Psychedelics and Drug Studies**, a practical five-step anchoring protocol helps facilitators manage archetypal responses, addressing integration challenges with a dual-drift model in **Psychology**.
Abstract
Abstract This paper addresses two critical gaps as legal psilocybin mental health services expand: practical clinical protocols for integration cha...
Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy for Severe Alcohol Use Disorder: Protocol for a Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, 7-month Parallel-Group Phase II Superiority Trial
Research Square (Research Square) – January 04, 2024
Summary
A promising new intervention aims to tackle severe alcohol use disorder. A double-blind, randomized controlled trial will involve 62 participants, exploring psilocybin-assisted therapy within a robust inpatient rehabilitation context. One group receives 30mg psilocybin, while another gets an active 5mg placebo, alongside counseling. This clinical psychology and psychiatry study, part of broader psychedelics and drug studies, will assess changes in drinking behavior and neurocognitive mechanisms, examining how this alkaloid influences neurotransmitter receptors. This medicine aims to offer a new path for those struggling with addiction.
Abstract
Abstract Background: A significant number of individuals with alcohol use disorder remain unresponsive to currently available treatments, which cal...
Psilocybin Treatment as an Adjunct to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Eating Disorders: Therapeutic Rationale & Considerations for Protocol Development
Preprints.org – December 19, 2025
Summary
Psilocybin holds significant promise for improving eating disorder treatment, where current cognitive behavioral therapy faces high patient dropout. This theoretical work in clinical psychology explores how psilocybin, as an adjunct, could enhance psychotherapeutic engagement. Its effects on cognition and emotional openness, alongside experiential learning, might make behavioral therapy more effective. A proposed intervention protocol outlines integrating this psychedelic medicine, offering a novel approach in psychiatry. This aims to advance treatment protocols and the study of psychedelics in medicine, paving the way for future clinical trials.
Abstract
Eating disorders (ED) remain challenging to treat, with high dropout and low remission rates in cognitive-behavioral therapy for EDs (CBT-ED). Psil...
“Diversity makes the richness of humanity”: The emergence and persistence of mental imagery after self-reported psilocybin truffles intake in an autistic woman with “blind imagination” (aphantasia): A 33-month retrospective case report
Journal of Psychedelic Studies – June 17, 2025
Summary
A 34-year-old autistic woman with lifelong aphantasia, unable to form mental images, experienced a profound shift after consuming psilocybin truffles. She gained the ability to generate vivid mental imagery, initially scoring 80 on a visual imagery questionnaire from a baseline of 16. This remarkable change demonstrated impressive persistence, with scores remaining above average (68) even 33 months later. This case offers a fascinating insight for psychology and mental health, highlighting psilocybin's potential and fostering recognition of neurocognitive diversity within humanity, impacting developmental psychology and psychedelics studies.
Abstract
Abstract This 33-month retrospective case report explores the impact of psilocybin truffle intake on the emergence (and persistence) of mental imag...
Critical Period Plasticity as a Framework for Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy
Frontiers in Neuroscience – September 20, 2021
Summary
Psychedelics might profoundly enhance adult brain plasticity, akin to "reopening" specific critical periods of development. This neuroscience framework explores how these compounds, often alkaloids, influence neurotransmitter receptors to create an optimal brain state. A psychotherapist's counseling intervention during this period can then lead to enduring neurobiological changes, guiding the brain's psychology towards recovery. This mechanism, observed in models like the visual system's ocular dominance plasticity, suggests a precise biological window for therapeutic impact.
Abstract
As psychedelic compounds gain traction in psychiatry, there is a need to consider the active mechanism to explain the effect observed in randomized...
Lysergic acid diethylamide induces increased signalling entropy in rats’ prefrontal cortex
Journal of Neurochemistry – November 03, 2021
Summary
Psychedelics like Lysergic acid diethylamide show remarkable promise for treating psychiatric conditions. Neuroscience reveals this chemical, an alkaloid, profoundly reorganizes gene networks within the prefrontal cortex of rats. Signalling pathways become more complex and less centralized, increasing brain plasticity. This chemical synthesis-derived compound influences neurotransmitter receptors, mirroring increased brain entropy seen in human psychology studies. Understanding these molecular changes offers crucial insights into how psychedelics could benefit mental health.
Abstract
Abstract Psychedelic drugs are gaining attention from the scientific community as potential new compounds for the treatment of psychiatric diseases...
BROAD SPECTRUM OF THERAPEUTIC PROPERTIES OF PSILOCYBIN: A LITERATURE REVIEW
Health Problems of Civilization – February 20, 2025
Summary
A single dose of Psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, combined with psychotherapy, can deliver rapid, months-long benefits for mental health conditions. This broad-spectrum approach offers hope for depression, anxiety, and addiction, especially when standard medicine fails. Psilocybin, an alkaloid explored in Psychedelics and Drug Studies, represents a distinct class from compounds like Phenothiazines and Benzothiazines, often from chemical synthesis, offering a superior safety profile. While generally safe, it can unmask psychotic disorders.
Abstract
Psylocybina to psychoaktywny związek chemiczny występujący w grzybach z rodzaju Psilocybe, które zyskały znaczną popularność w ostatniej dekadzie z...
Novel treatment options in depression and psychosis
Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment – March 01, 2018
Summary
Though current psychiatric medicine for severe mental disorders is suboptimal, new treatments offer significant promise. For Major Depression, augmenting with atypical antipsychotics like Aripiprazole is a promising option. Schizophrenia research and treatment sees two new long-acting antipsychotic injections, including a 3-month formulation, introduced. Optimizing care, crucial as in intensive care medicine, involves therapeutic drug monitoring and neuromodulation. Nutraceuticals, potentially influencing Tryptophan pathways in brain disorders, also show utility. New antipsychotics, such as Lurasidone, and other novel compounds are continuously explored.
Abstract
Eva Ceskova, Petr Silhan Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic Abstract: In spite of tremendous developmen...
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.
Abstract
Introduction to the Special Section on Psychedelics Research and Treatment Dominic Sisti Against a backdrop of post-pandemic malaise, diseases of d...
A time-sensitive plasticity distinguishes the rapid and sustained synaptic actions of ketamine from its (2R,6R)-hydroxynorketamine metabolite.
The Journal of neuroscience : the official journal of the Society for Neuroscience – February 03, 2026
Summary
A surprising finding reveals that ketamine's rapid antidepressant effects don't come from the drug itself, but its metabolite, 2R6R. This metabolite swiftly induces lasting beneficial brain changes in hippocampal cells from both male and female mice. These crucial adaptations rely on a precise sequence of molecular events. Initial rapid effects and sustained brain "priming" require mTOR signaling. Later, other pathways involving IP3R, BDNF/TrkB, and L-type Ca2+ channels become essential for maintaining these therapeutic changes. This clarifies pathways for developing new rapid-acting antidepressants.
Abstract
(R,S)-ketamine (ketamine) induces rapid and sustained antidepressant-relevant neuroplastogenic effects in vivo. The metabolite (2R,6R)-hydroxynorke...
Psychedelics as a Therapeutic Opportunity or Threat: A Narrative Review.
Cureus – December 01, 2025
Summary
Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, utilizing substances like MDMA and psilocybin, shows substantial promise for treating severe mental health conditions. Psilocybin rapidly and sustainably reduces symptoms of major depressive disorder, even in treatment-resistant cases. MDMA, combined with therapy, offers significant potential for PTSD. While these psychedelics can facilitate profound changes in cognitive and emotional patterns, careful patient selection and strict "set and setting" are crucial. Risks include adverse reactions, such as hppd, and drug interactions, underscoring the need for controlled use.
Abstract
Classic psychedelics and related substances, such as 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), have again become a focus of interest in psychiatry ...
Functional Plasticity in Auditory and Visual Discrimination Processing in Patients with Single-Sided Deafness: An EEG Study.
Trends in hearing – January 01, 2026
Summary
The brains of individuals with single-sided deafness (SSD) show distinct cross-modal plasticity. Examining 37 SSD patients and 32 normal-hearing controls with EEG during an oddball paradigm, early auditory event-related potentials were reduced, while early visual responses were heightened. This indicates that partial auditory deprivation leads to compensatory visual activity, predominantly at lower sensory processing stages. Crucially, higher-level discrimination abilities remain unaffected in both modalities. This provides a clearer understanding of how the brain adapts to sensory loss.
Abstract
Single-sided deafness (SSD) is a typical condition of partial auditory deprivation. Total auditory deprivation triggers cross-modal neural reorgani...
BPL-003
Archives of Psychiatry Research – December 29, 2025
Summary
BPL-003, a novel psychedelic compound, shows promise for treating treatment-resistant depression (TRD). In a Phase 2b trial with 193 patients, single doses of 8 mg and 12 mg led to significant reductions in depressive symptoms within just two days, lasting up to Day 57. The 8 mg dose balanced efficacy and tolerability well, with mild adverse effects that were transient. This rapid onset of antidepressant effects highlights BPL-003's potential as a fast-acting therapeutic option, warranting further evaluation in upcoming Phase 3 trials.
Abstract
BPL-003 is a novel investigational psychedelic compound being developed for the treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Its active ingredient, 5-meth...
Possible Therapeutics Effects of Ayahuasca, a Psychedelic Compound
European Psychiatry – June 01, 2022
Summary
Ayahuasca shows promise as a treatment for psychiatric symptoms, particularly depression. In a randomized placebo-controlled trial, participants who consumed ayahuasca experienced significant antidepressant effects compared to the placebo group. Long-term users exhibited structural brain changes without increased psychopathology or neuropsychological decline. Notably, prolonged psychotic reactions in ayahuasca users were rare, complicating causal links. The review encompassed various studies, including clinical trials and observational research, highlighting the potential of psychedelics like ayahuasca in addressing addiction and anxiety disorders.
Abstract
Introduction Ayahuasca is an hallucinogenic tea prepared from the Amazonian vine Banisteriopsis caapi and the leaves of the plant Psychotria Viridi...
Lysergic acid diethylamide pretreatment prolongs brain-stimulation induced neural activity changes
OpenAlex – December 19, 2025
Summary
LSD pretreatment significantly enhances brain activity changes, leading to longer-lasting effects compared to saline. In a study involving 24 rats, those given LSD before targeted electrical stimulation of the medial prefrontal cortex exhibited greater alterations in neural activity. Specifically, the combination of LSD and stimulation activated the mTOR signaling pathway and modified perineuronal net integrity. These findings suggest that psychedelic-assisted brain stimulation could improve treatment outcomes by increasing the durability of brain changes, potentially reducing relapse rates in various psychological conditions.
Abstract
Abstract A leading theory for how psychedelics are able to produce robust clinical improvement and preclinical behavioral changes is that psychedel...
Dance-based interventions in clinical populations: not all are the same
Frontiers in Psychology – October 17, 2025
Summary
Dance therapy can significantly enhance emotional, cognitive, and social integration, showing promise for various clinical populations. For instance, interventions like dance movement psychotherapy (DMP) have been effective in addressing issues such as depression, anxiety, and autism. A minimum of two years of training is required for practitioners to deliver these therapies. Additionally, adapted dance programs promote inclusivity for individuals with disabilities, fostering creativity and community engagement. Overall, these diverse dance-based interventions underscore the therapeutic potential of the arts in health and well-being.
Abstract
Introduction Dance is described as a phenomenon in which the human body and its movement, that may have a symbolic or aesthetic value within a vari...
Ketamine pharmacotherapy for major depressive disorder: A narrative review
Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry – February 27, 2026
Summary
Ketamine pharmacotherapy has emerged as a groundbreaking treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD), particularly for patients with treatment-resistant depression. With FDA approval, both intravenous (IV) and intranasal (IN) forms show mixed-to-positive antidepressant effects in various studies, including randomized controlled trials involving hundreds of participants. Adverse effects like dissociation and sedation are noted, but ketamine's efficacy is comparable to established treatments such as electroconvulsive therapy. Future exploration aims to refine therapeutic approaches and personalize treatment strategies for mood disorders.
Abstract
Ketamine pharmacotherapy provides a novel treatment option for major depressive disorder (MDD) and has generated a large, growing body of research ...
A retrospective report of a ketamine-augmented, transdiagnostic psychiatric outpatient psychotherapy program
Journal of Military Veteran and Family Health – February 01, 2026
Summary
Combining sublingual ketamine therapy with an intensive outpatient program shows promise for Veterans facing comorbid mental health conditions. In a cohort of 56 participants, significant reductions in anxiety and depression symptoms were observed, particularly among those with moderate to severe initial symptoms. Additionally, quality of life scores improved notably post-treatment. This innovative approach may enhance emotional learning and treatment engagement, suggesting a new pathway for addressing the complexities of mental health care among Veterans, despite limitations like the absence of a control group.
Abstract
Introduction: Comorbid conditions such as major depressive disorder, anxiety disorders, and posttraumatic stress disorder are common among Veterans...
Ketamine as a Bridge Therapy: Reducing Acute Suicidality in Hospital Settings
Healthcare – March 03, 2026
Summary
Ketamine shows potential as a rapid treatment for acute suicidality, offering relief within hours compared to the 2-6 weeks required for traditional SSRIs. With suicide rates rising in the U.S., this is a crucial public health concern. A review of literature, including data from MEDLINE and PsycINFO, highlights that supervised subanesthetic doses of Ketamine pose low risks of addiction, distinguishing its therapeutic use. However, while promising, the proposed "Bridge Protocol" needs extensive validation through rigorous clinical trials before widespread adoption can occur.
Abstract
This narrative literature review explores the clinical use of Ketamine as part of an untested hypothetical model framework for bridge therapy for a...
The Effects of Psychotherapy on Single and Repeated Ketamine Infusion(s) Therapy for Treatment-Resistant Depression: The Convergence of Molecular and Psychological Treatment.
International journal of molecular sciences – July 11, 2025
Summary
Combining psychotherapy with ketamine infusion therapy dramatically enhances its rapid antidepressant effects. A review of patient data showed that N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists like ketamine promote neuroplasticity, creating a unique window for therapeutic change. For treatment-resistant depression (TRD), those receiving ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) experienced the most pronounced symptom reduction, highlighting the benefits of integrated care.
Abstract
Ketamine infusion therapy has gained recognition as an innovative treatment for treatment-resistant depression (TRD), demonstrating rapid and robus...
Neural Pattern of Chanting-Driven Intuitive Inquiry Meditation in Expert Chan Practitioners.
Behavioral sciences (Basel, Switzerland) – September 05, 2025
Summary
Expert Chan/Zen meditators exhibit distinct brain patterns. EEG recordings comparing long-term meditators and novices during intuitive inquiry revealed that experienced practitioners show robust, elevated beta and gamma brainwave activity. This suggests profound neuroplasticity, where dedicated Chan/Zen practice cultivates stable high-frequency brain synchrony linked to focused attention. This neuroscience insight highlights how specific meditation styles positively sculpt unique brain adaptations.
Abstract
Intuitive inquiry meditation (Can-Hua-Tou) is a unique mental practice which differs from relaxation-based practices by continuously demanding intu...
Do the therapeutic effects of psilocybin involve actions in the gut?
Trends in pharmacological sciences – February 01, 2024
Summary
Psilocybin's therapeutic benefits may start in an unexpected place: your gut. New evidence suggests this psychedelic compound works along the gut-brain axis, activating serotonin receptors in both the digestive system and brain. Through the vagus nerve pathway, these actions may enhance neuroplasticity and improve mental health. The gut's high concentration of serotonin receptors could be key to understanding how psychedelics create positive changes.
Abstract
The psychedelic compound psilocybin has recently emerged as a therapeutic intervention for various mental health conditions. Psilocybin is a potent...
The roots of happiness: How love and memory shape the core of our brain.
Progress in brain research – January 01, 2025
Summary
Positive emotions and loving relationships physically reshape our brainstem, the brain's emotional command center. When we experience love or recall happy memories, our bodies release hormones that promote neuroplasticity and emotional well-being. Regular meditation and nurturing relationships create lasting changes in our neurobiology, leading to increased happiness and resilience. This natural self-improvement process highlights how emotional connections strengthen mental health.
Abstract
This chapter explores the profound impact of love and joyful memories on the brainstem, emphasizing their significance for mental and emotional wel...
Systematic review and rationale of using psychedelics in the treatment of cannabis use disorder.
Frontiers in psychiatry – January 01, 2023
Summary
Psychedelics may offer new hope for treating cannabis use disorder, which affects millions of Americans. Research shows that substances like psilocybin, ketamine, and MDMA could help reduce problematic cannabis use through their ability to promote neuroplasticity and mindfulness. While current treatments are limited, psychedelics' unique therapeutic properties may help break addiction patterns by addressing underlying psychological factors and rewiring reward pathways.
Abstract
Cannabis use disorder (CUD) is prevalent in ~2-5% of adults in the United States and is anticipated to increase as restrictions to cannabis decreas...
Zebra_K, a kinematic analysis automated platform for assessing sensitivity, habituation and prepulse inhibition of the acoustic startle response in adult zebrafish.
The Science of the total environment – January 01, 2025
Summary
Scientists have discovered fascinating gender differences in how fish react to sudden sounds. Using a new kinematic analysis platform, researchers found female zebrafish show stronger acoustic startle responses but adapt more slowly than males. The platform measures how adult zebrafish respond to, and learn from, repeated sound stimuli. Testing with ketamine confirmed the system's effectiveness for studying sensorimotor gating and neuroplasticity.
Abstract
The acoustic startle response (ASR) is leaded by a sudden and intense acoustic stimulus. ASR has several forms of plasticity, including habituation...