1269 results for "Set and Setting"
Going Underground: Demographics, Services, and Best Practices Endorsed by Practitioners Providing Support for Naturalistic Psychedelic Use
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs – September 19, 2024
Summary
Clients in naturalistic psychedelic-assisted therapy often report positive outcomes, even with practitioners outside traditional regulation. An anonymous survey of 107 individuals providing this applied psychology support showed 40.2% held a license, while 44.9% lacked a relevant graduate degree. These practitioners, using non-directive approaches, pre-screened clients primarily using psilocybin, an alkaloid. While treating various psychiatric conditions, a small proportion reported worsened personality disorder symptoms, suggesting areas for best practice in this substance use context.
Abstract
Psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) has shown preliminary efficacy for psychiatric and physical health conditions. Although some people report natur...
Adverse Events in Studies of Classic Psychedelics
JAMA Psychiatry – September 04, 2024
Summary
Healthy participants experienced zero serious adverse effects from classic hallucinogens like psilocybin. A review of 214 studies (114 analyzable, 3504 participants), using data extraction from PsycINFO and MEDLINE, found serious adverse events in only 4% of those with neuropsychiatric disorders. Nonserious adverse effects needing medicine were similarly rare. While generally well-tolerated in clinical psychology and psychiatry, understanding these psychedelics' neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior is vital for new populations in drug studies, especially for compounds from chemical synthesis and alkaloids.
Abstract
Importance A clear and comprehensive understanding of risks associated with psychedelic-assisted therapy is necessary as investigators extend its a...
Developing the Open Psychedelic Evaluation Nexus consensus measures for assessment of supervised psilocybin services: An e-Delphi study
Journal of Psychopharmacology – June 18, 2024
Summary
Ensuring safety and quality is paramount as legal psilocybin services emerge. Using a three-phase Delphi method, 36 experts in Psychedelics and Drug Studies, 64% actively providing psilocybin services, established crucial best practices. Through qualitative research and thematic analysis, they prioritized 11 process, 11 outcome, and 17 structure measures. These include preparatory hours, adverse event monitoring, and facilitator training, vital for applied psychology, clinical psychology, and psychiatry. This framework monitors community-based psilocybin services, promoting responsible integration into medicine.
Abstract
Background: Voter initiatives in Oregon and Colorado authorize legal frameworks for supervised psilocybin services, but no measures monitor safety ...
Stutterers' experiences on classic psychedelics: A preliminary self-report study.
Journal of fluency disorders – September 01, 2024
Summary
Online discussions reveal promising connections between psychedelics and stuttering relief. Analysis of Reddit posts shows 74% of people who stutter reported reduced symptoms after using psilocybin or LSD. The qualitative study examined 114 self-reported experiences, finding improvements in speech fluency, social anxiety, and emotional well-being among most users.
Abstract
Stuttering poses challenges to social, occupational, and educational aspects of life. Traditional behavioral therapies can be helpful but effects a...
Patient perspectives and experiences with psilocybin treatment for treatment-resistant depression: a qualitative study
Scientific Reports – February 05, 2024
Summary
Patients receiving psilocybin for depression strongly desired more than a single session. Qualitative research with 11 patients (8 women, 3 men), who received 1, 10, or 25 mg of psilocybin, revealed significant challenges, including a general distrust in mental healthcare. Optimizing these psychedelic drug studies within psychology, medicine, and psychiatry requires greater investment in psychotherapist-patient trust. Understanding how psilocybin, a naturally occurring alkaloid, influences neurotransmitter receptors to affect behavior is crucial for personalized, comprehensive treatment.
Abstract
Abstract Psilocybin is the most researched classic psychedelic for Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD). While optimizing set and setting are consi...
Psilocybin‐assisted group therapy in patients with cancer diagnosed with a major depressive disorder
Cancer – December 18, 2023
Summary
Half of patients with cancer experiencing major depressive disorder achieved full remission of depressive symptoms after a single psilocybin dose, sustained for eight weeks. This breakthrough in Psychedelics and Drug Studies, relevant to Oncology and Psychiatry, involved 30 participants. Psilocybin, a compound from Chemical synthesis and alkaloids, showed a robust 19.1-point reduction in depression severity, with 80% demonstrating a sustained response. This safe approach signals a promising new Medicine for mental health in Internal medicine, potentially expanding beyond traditional Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research.
Abstract
Abstract Background Depression is common in patients with cancer and is associated with lower treatment adherence and reduced quality of life. Anti...
Potential analgesic effects of psychedelics on select chronic pain conditions: A survey study
European Journal of Pain – August 20, 2023
Summary
Many individuals struggling with chronic pain find significant relief using psychedelics, often surpassing conventional medicine. An observational study revealed that full doses of these substances provided better analgesic effects for conditions like fibromyalgia, arthritis, and migraine. Microdoses also offered superior relief for migraine and comparable benefits for fibromyalgia. Interestingly, sciatica was the sole condition where these Complementary and Alternative Medicine approaches didn't outperform standard drug treatments. This highlights a promising avenue for Psychedelics and Drug Studies in pain management.
Abstract
Abstract Background Chronic pain is a major cause of suffering and disability and is often associated with psychiatric complications. Current treat...
Generalizability of Risk Models for Treatment-Resistant Depression Across Three Health Systems.
medRxiv : the preprint server for health sciences – May 27, 2025
Summary
Depression treatment can fail in up to 30% of cases, making early risk prediction crucial. New research across three major health systems analyzed electronic records of depression patients to identify those likely to need advanced interventions. Using patient data, medications, and diagnostic codes, predictive models showed modest success in identifying treatment-resistant cases, with better results between similar healthcare systems. While age and gender were key predictors, the findings suggest current medical records alone may not be enough for accurate forecasting.
Abstract
As multiple strategies have emerged for managing treatment-resistant major depressive disorder, efficient identification of individuals at elevated...
Mapping the Use of Ketamine in Treatment-Resistant Depression and Other Psychiatric Disorders: A Scoping Review of Practice Patterns, Efficacy, and Patient Demographic Trends.
American journal of therapeutics
Summary
Ketamine therapy shows promising results for patients who don't respond to traditional depression treatments, with success rates reaching 70% in some cases. This comprehensive analysis of treatment patterns reveals that IV administration remains the preferred method, though accessibility varies widely. Private clinics offer more flexible psychiatric care than hospitals, but health care accessibility remains a challenge, especially in rural areas. Most patients are middle-aged, and insurance coverage limitations create financial barriers to this innovative treatment option.
Abstract
Ketamine has emerged as a novel treatment for psychiatric disorders, particularly treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Although intravenous (IV) k...
Consciousness in deep hypothermic circulatory arrest: a feasibility study.
Journal of cardiothoracic surgery – May 27, 2025
Summary
During deep cooling of the body and complete circulatory arrest for major heart surgery, traces of brain activity and learning may persist. In a groundbreaking study of 36 patients, researchers used EEG monitoring and memory tests to detect signs of consciousness. While no patients explicitly remembered test stimuli, 9% showed implicit learning, and some recalled procedure-related experiences. Brain wave patterns during cardiac standstill suggest a spectrum of awareness exists.
Abstract
Studies have not explored consciousness during deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA). However, as studies in cardiac arrest have identified a ...
A dualist theory of experience.
Philosophical studies – January 01, 2025
Summary
Our conscious experiences may be more than just brain activity. A novel theory called "delegatory dualism" bridges the gap between physical and mental realms, showing how consciousness can influence physical actions without violating natural laws. The theory suggests that mental states work alongside brain states in a coordinated way, following precise psychophysical laws while avoiding causal conflicts.
Abstract
Dualism holds that experiences somehow arise from physical states, despite being neither identical with nor grounded in such states. This paper mot...
A scoping review of the effects of serotonergic psychedelics on attitudes towards death.
Psychopharmacology – April 21, 2025
Summary
Serotonergic psychedelics show remarkable potential in transforming how people view mortality. Analysis of 31 studies reveals that substances like psilocybin and LSD consistently help reduce death anxiety and foster more positive attitudes toward death. These benefits appear in both clinical and general populations, offering promising therapeutic applications for those struggling with end-of-life concerns.
Abstract
Emerging evidence suggests that psychedelic experiences have the potential to change attitudes towards death and reduce death anxiety. Improved att...
Psychedelics, entropic brain theory, and the taxonomy of conscious states: a summary of debates and perspectives.
Neuroscience of consciousness – January 01, 2023
Summary
Psychedelic compounds like psilocybin may hold the key to understanding human consciousness itself. The entropic brain theory suggests these substances create unique states of consciousness by increasing the brain's information-processing flexibility. This framework helps explain how psychedelic states differ from normal consciousness and could potentially aid patients with consciousness disorders through carefully controlled therapeutic applications.
Abstract
Given their recent success in counseling and psychiatry, the dialogue around psychedelics has mainly focused on their applications for mental healt...
Acute Mood-Elevating Properties of Microdosed Lysergic Acid Diethylamide in Healthy Volunteers: A Home-Administered Randomized Controlled Trial.
Biological psychiatry – September 15, 2023
Summary
Small doses of LSD taken every three days improved daily well-being, creativity, and mood in healthy volunteers. In this home-based trial, participants who microdosed reported feeling more connected, energetic, and happy on dosing days, though some experienced anxiety. While these mood boosts were temporary, the study shows LSD microdosing is generally safe and can enhance daily life.
Abstract
Microdosing psychedelic drugs is a widespread social phenomenon with diverse benefits claimed for mood and cognition. Randomized controlled trials ...
Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy and Psychedelic Science: A Review and Perspective on Opportunities in Neurosurgery and Neuro-Oncology
Neurosurgery – December 08, 2022
Summary
Psychedelics like Psilocybin are profoundly re-emerging as potential medicine, showing promise for over a dozen neuropsychiatric conditions including severe Mood and Anxiety disorders. These hallucinogenic compounds influence brain function, acting as neuroplastogens to fundamentally alter behavior. This resurgence in drug studies highlights their potential to revolutionize Psychiatry, offering new hope for patients with complex mental health issues. Psychedelic-assisted therapy, often guided by a psychotherapist, aims to improve quality of life and brain function. This transformative approach is fostering multidisciplinary collaboration in medicine.
Abstract
After a decades-long pause, psychedelics are again being intensely investigated for treating a wide range of neuropsychiatric ailments including de...
Extensive Collection of Psychotropic Mushrooms with Determination of Their Tryptamine Alkaloids
International Journal of Molecular Sciences – November 15, 2022
Summary
Wild mushrooms, valued in traditional medicine and emerging psychedelic therapies, show alarmingly variable tryptamine concentrations. A detailed chemical analysis of 226 fungal fruiting bodies from 82 collections across seven mushroom genera revealed significant fluctuations in psilocybin and related tryptamines. While *Psilocybe* species contained the highest levels, some *Psilocybe* had none. This variability in fungal biology poses overdose risks for consumers and complicates drug studies, as the precise chemistry of these natural alkaloids differs vastly from chemically pure psilocybin, impacting potential therapeutic applications.
Abstract
Since not only psilocybin (PSB) but also PSB-containing mushrooms are used for psychedelic therapy and microdosing, it is necessary to know their c...
Esketamine Combined With SSRI or SNRI for Treatment-Resistant Depression.
JAMA psychiatry – April 02, 2025
Summary
A breakthrough in treating stubborn depression shows that combining esketamine with certain antidepressants significantly improves outcomes. When paired with SNRIs, the therapy reduced death rates by nearly 4% and cut depression relapses by 6% compared to SSRI combinations. Among 55,000+ patients, both approaches proved remarkably safe, with hospitalization rates below 1%.
Abstract
Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) remains a critical challenge in psychiatry, with limited effective options. Esketamine, a rapid-acting antidep...
Advancing past ketamine: emerging glutamatergic compounds for the treatment of depression.
European archives of psychiatry and clinical neuroscience – August 29, 2024
Summary
Groundbreaking research reveals that glutamate, the brain's primary excitatory neurotransmitter, holds the key to faster depression treatment. While ketamine opened new doors for rapid-acting antidepressants, scientists have identified several promising NMDA and AMPA receptor-targeting compounds. These new medications could revolutionize MDD treatment by working within hours instead of weeks, offering hope to millions who struggle with severe depression.
Abstract
Changes in glutamatergic neuroplasticity has been proposed as one of the core mechanisms underlying the pathophysiology of depression. In consequen...
Adjunctive Intranasal Esketamine for Comorbid Treatment-Resistant Depression with Suicidal Ideation in Patients Receiving Palliative Care at a Comprehensive Cancer Center: A Case Series.
Journal of palliative medicine – January 01, 2025
Summary
Cancer patients with severe depression found remarkable relief through innovative nasal spray treatment. In a groundbreaking application, esketamine helped three palliative care patients overcome treatment-resistant depression and suicidal thoughts. All participants showed significant mood improvements that lasted up to a year, with no major side effects. This offers new hope for cancer patients struggling with mental health.
Abstract
Background: The psychiatric needs of those with cancer and other advanced illnesses are becoming increasingly recognized. Ketamine is emerging as a...
Evaluation of spectroscopic techniques for on-site drug testing of festival seizures.
Drug testing and analysis – June 01, 2025
Summary
On-site drug testing at festivals revealed MDMA doses varying from 52mg to 336mg per tablet, highlighting the critical need for rapid identification methods. Advanced infrared and Raman spectroscopy techniques were evaluated for testing drug seizures, with over 160 samples analyzed through packaging. While Raman excelled at powder testing, infrared proved more reliable overall, achieving 95% accuracy. Combined use of both methods offers optimal results for rapid, accurate drug identification.
Abstract
Despite the fact that drugs of abuse are illegal, a drug-free festival still remains an utopia in most settings. For law enforcement purposes, it i...
Off-label Use of Lamotrigine and Naltrexone in the Treatment of Ketamine Use Disorder: A Case Report.
Journal of addiction medicine
Summary
A promising treatment breakthrough emerges for ketamine addiction: combining two existing medications - lamotrigine and naltrexone - helped a patient overcome severe cravings and achieve sustained recovery. The medications reduced hallucinogenic effects, triggered nausea when using ketamine, and decreased cravings. When paired with therapy and support groups, this novel approach offers hope for treating ketamine dependency.
Abstract
Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic increasingly utilized in United States medical settings for the treatment of mental health conditions. Additi...
Bioisosteric analogs of MDMA: Improving the pharmacological profile?
Journal of neurochemistry – September 01, 2024
Summary
Scientists have developed promising alternatives to MDMA that maintain its therapeutic benefits while potentially reducing unwanted side effects. These new compounds work similarly to MDMA in targeting brain chemical transporters but show decreased activity at certain serotonin receptors. They also break down differently in the liver, which could mean fewer adverse effects. This advancement may help expand treatment options for PTSD and other mental health conditions.
Abstract
3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, 'ecstasy') is re-emerging in clinical settings as a candidate for the treatment of specific neuropsychiatr...
Exploring Cultural Competence, Inclusivity, and Diversity in Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy: A Phenomenological Study.
Journal of psychoactive drugs – May 02, 2024
Summary
Marginalized communities often face unique challenges in accessing mental health treatments. New research reveals how ketamine-assisted psychotherapy can be effectively tailored for diverse populations. Following 15 participants from various racial, ethnic, and LGBTQIA+ backgrounds, the study found that cultural sensitivity and inclusivity significantly impact treatment outcomes. Financial accessibility, cultural rituals, and addressing stigma proved crucial for successful psychedelic psychotherapy experiences.
Abstract
Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), and other minoritized populations are insufficiently represented in research on therapeutic psyched...
A retrospective analysis of iv ketamine outcome on hospitalisations in an unselected psychiatric sample.
Acta neuropsychiatrica – April 25, 2024
Summary
Ketamine, a promising antidepressive agent, shows potential in treating severe mood disorders. In a clinical analysis of 46 patients with treatment-resistant depression, ketamine therapy reduced depressive symptoms in about one-third of participants. While the treatment demonstrated effectiveness in complex cases, it didn't significantly reduce hospital stays. This highlights ketamine's role as one tool in managing severe psychiatric conditions.
Abstract
This study aims to explore the outcome with iv ketamine treatment in a real-world clinical setting, primarily measured as posttreatment days hospit...
Bioisosteric analogs of MDMA with improved pharmacological profile.
bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology – April 11, 2024
Summary
Scientists have developed modified versions of MDMA that maintain its therapeutic benefits while potentially reducing unwanted side effects. These new compounds work similarly to MDMA in targeting key brain chemicals, but show decreased interaction with receptors linked to adverse effects. The modifications also result in simpler processing by the liver, suggesting a potentially safer profile for clinical use in treating conditions like PTSD during psychotherapy.
Abstract
3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, ' ecstasy' ) is re-emerging in clinical settings as a candidate for the treatment of specific psychiatric ...
Mediated learning: A computational rendering of ketamine-induced symptoms.
Behavioral neuroscience – June 01, 2024
Summary
Ketamine's effects on the brain may help explain how false associations form in conditions like schizophrenia. Using computer modeling, researchers demonstrated how memory retrieval and mental representations interact during learning. The simulations revealed that disrupted processing of indirect associations mirrors symptoms seen in ketamine studies, offering insights into how the brain forms and maintains unusual thought patterns.
Abstract
This article explores the contribution of the double error dynamic asymptote computational associative learning model to understanding the role of ...
A Compositional Model of Consciousness based on Consciousness-Only
arXiv Preprint Archive – July 31, 2020
Summary
A groundbreaking approach flips traditional consciousness studies on their head by treating consciousness as fundamental rather than derivative. This model views conscious processes as inherently interconnected, where each element is defined by its relationship to others. Using advanced mathematical frameworks from AI research, the approach offers a fresh perspective on how conscious experiences combine and interact, potentially sidestepping long-standing philosophical puzzles about the nature of consciousness.
Abstract
Scientific studies of consciousness rely on objects whose existence is assumed to be independent of any consciousness. On the contrary, we assume c...
Examining the Potential Synergistic Effects Between Mindfulness Training and Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy
Frontiers in Psychiatry – August 11, 2021
Summary
Combining mindfulness and psychedelic-assisted therapy shows remarkable promise for mental health. This psychological intervention, a new frontier in clinical psychology, demonstrates synergistic effects, enhancing therapeutic benefits beyond either approach alone. Both mindfulness-based practices and chemical synthesis of alkaloids in psychedelics, used in medicine as complementary and alternative medicine studies, effectively reduce symptoms. Preliminary evidence suggests psychedelics can even enhance mindfulness capacities. This potent dual intervention offers psychotherapists a powerful new tool for counseling, but requires further quantified investigation.
Abstract
Mindfulness-based interventions and psychedelic-assisted therapy have been experimentally utilised in recent years as alternative treatments for va...
Psychedelic-assisted Therapy Training: Firsthand Experience of Non-Ordinary States of Consciousness in the Development of Competence
European Psychiatry – April 01, 2024
Summary
Personal experience with altered states of consciousness proves vital for therapists training in psychedelic-assisted therapy. Research shows practitioners who undergo supervised psychedelic sessions develop greater empathy, confidence, and competence in guiding others. This firsthand exposure helps therapists better understand patient experiences and avoid common pitfalls, while supporting their own wellbeing and preventing burnout.
Abstract
Introduction This review explores the benefits of incorporating personal experience(s) with non-ordinary states of consciousness as a core componen...
Enhancing mindfulness and compassion through an ayahuasca-inspired formulation containing N,N-DMT and harmine: A randomized controlled trial in healthy subjects.
Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England) – June 19, 2025
Summary
A single dose of a specific compound can significantly enhance feelings of mindfulness and compassion. Researchers explored if an ayahuasca-inspired formulation, combining N,N-DMT and harmine, could acutely boost these traits in healthy individuals. Participants received the formulation, harmine-only, or placebo. Results showed a notable increase in mindfulness, self-compassion, and compassion towards others just one day after receiving the N,N-DMT and harmine combination. These findings suggest this formulation holds potential for acutely enhancing these beneficial qualities.
Abstract
Mindfulness and compassion are therapeutically relevant and can be increased through different forms of meditation practices. However, meditation p...
Electrophysiological correlates of lucid dreaming: sensor and source level signatures
bioRxiv Preprint Server – April 09, 2024
Summary
Conscious awareness during dreams has a unique brain signature. Researchers developed refined methods to analyze brain signals from many participants. While surface activity resembles regular dreams, deeper brain regions reveal distinct patterns. Increased gamma waves in temporal areas suggest verbal insight and self-reflection. Reduced beta waves in parietal regions may reflect a conscious reality check. Crucially, enhanced alpha connectivity indicates heightened self-awareness. These findings successfully map the neural basis of lucid dreaming.
Abstract
Lucid dreaming (LD) is a state of conscious awareness of the current dream state, predominantly associated with REM sleep. Research progress in unc...
ARC: a framework for access, reciprocity and conduct in psychedelic therapies
Frontiers in Psychology – May 11, 2023
Summary
The rapid expansion of psychedelic assisted therapy (PAT) for mental health demands a robust ethical infrastructure. A new framework, Access, Reciprocity, and Conduct (ARC), offers a solution. ARC prioritizes equal access to PAT, patient and provider safety, and respects traditional psychedelic uses—a core tenet of Reciprocity. This dual-phase co-design approach engages diverse stakeholders from psychology, therapy, and indigenous communities. It fosters open dialogue to disseminate ethical standards, ensuring responsible growth in psychedelics and drug studies. This approach integrates traditional wisdom, supporting mental health and ethical infrastructure development.
Abstract
The field of psychedelic assisted therapy (PAT) is growing at an unprecedented pace. The immense pressures this places on those working in this bur...
Suicide prevention and ketamine: insights from computational modeling
Frontiers in Psychiatry – June 30, 2023
Summary
Computational modeling offers a promising path to understanding how ketamine rapidly alleviates suicidality. This innovative approach in psychiatry uses advanced generative models to simulate brain processes, revealing how ketamine influences neural circuits involved in learning and decision-making. By analyzing altered brain connectivity and receptor densities, this computational modeling helps pinpoint the precise mechanisms. This powerful tool promises to personalize treatment strategies, offering new hope for individuals.
Abstract
Suicide is a pressing public health issue, with over 700,000 individuals dying each year. Ketamine has emerged as a promising treatment for suicida...
The Use, Role, and Function of Music During Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy (PAT) with Ayahuasca: A Scoping Review Protocol
Psychoactives – June 25, 2025
Summary
Music is crucial in traditional ayahuasca use, yet its role in psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) remains underexplored. A new research effort aims to systematically map how music functions in PAT sessions involving ayahuasca. Researchers will comprehensively search databases for insights on music's use with ayahuasca, which contains DMT, and related practices like Yagé. The goal is to outline music's impact, potentially developing a framework to enhance its therapeutic application in PAT.
Abstract
Objective: To provide a state of the art on the use, role, and function of music during psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) with ayahuasca. Introduc...
Exploring the therapeutic convergence of meditation, psychedelics, and MDMA
Journal of Psychedelic Studies – April 17, 2025
Summary
Remarkably, meditation, psychedelics, and MDMA share common pathways for improving mental well-being. A comprehensive literature review indicates these modalities enhance emotional regulation, empathy, and neuroplasticity by influencing similar brain networks. Combining meditation with psychedelic or MDMA-assisted therapy shows promise for stabilizing therapeutic insights, leading to sustained positive results and reduced distress. This convergence offers a powerful new approach for mental health.
Abstract
AbstractBackground and aimsPsychedelic and MDMA-assisted psychotherapy are at the forefront of new treatment models for mental illnesses such as PT...
Cultural Humility and Psychedelics: A Framework Analysis of Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy Manuals and Practice Guidelines
CrossRef – February 13, 2025
Summary
Cultural biases in healthcare lead to unequal care. An analysis of psychedelic therapy manuals, compared against established multicultural guidelines, revealed a critical gap: no manual adequately instructs therapists on delivering culturally responsive care. Bridging this gap by integrating cultural humility into training is vital for ensuring these promising new therapies benefit all individuals equitably.
Abstract
Abstract Background Cultural biases within healthcare systems result in inequitable treatment, harms, and mistrust—particularly for individuals wit...
What motivates spiritual health practitioners in psychedelic-assisted therapy? A qualitative study and implications for facilitator training practices
Psychedelics – April 29, 2025
Summary
Intriguingly, spiritual care providers in psychedelic therapy are often driven by profound personal experiences. A qualitative investigation of 15 practitioners revealed that direct encounters with psychedelics frequently sparked their initial interest. They find deep fulfillment and personal growth by witnessing patient healing. This personal insight is invaluable, and robust facilitator training emphasizing self-reflection ensures objective, high-quality spiritual care for patient well-being.
Abstract
Spiritual health practitioners (SHPs), also known as healthcare chaplains, are increasingly involved in facilitating psychedelic-assisted therapies...
An Overview of Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy
EMBARK Psychedelic Therapy for Depression – April 23, 2024
Summary
A novel therapeutic model, EMBARK, is revolutionizing mental health support. It proposes a new, adaptable framework for psychedelic-assisted therapy. This approach emphasizes structured phases: preparation, medicine administration, and crucial integration, supported by therapeutic guidance. Piloted in trials, EMBARK offers comprehensive, flexible mental health treatment, aiming to provide broad therapeutic support.
Abstract
AbstractChapter 1 introduces the concept of psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) and the EMBARK psychedelic therapy model, a new approach to PAT and ...
Prospective examination of synthetic 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine inhalation: effects on salivary IL-6, cortisol levels, affect, and non-judgment
Psychopharmacology – December 10, 2019
Summary
A single session with the tryptamine-based psychedelic 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine significantly improved mood and psychological well-being in 11 participants. Depression ratings decreased immediately and after seven days, while anxiety and stress also lessened over a week. Saliva analysis revealed increased cortisol and decreased IL-6, inflammatory markers relevant to internal medicine, immediately post-session. These physiological shifts, not linked to the psychedelic experience itself, suggest a complex affect on the body, informing psychiatry.
Abstract
Abstract Rationale 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine is a psychotropic substance found in various plant and animal species and is synthetically prod...
Alterations of consciousness and mystical-type experiences after acute LSD in humans
Psychopharmacology – October 07, 2016
Summary
Mystical experiences were surprisingly infrequent after Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD). This hallucinogen's impact on consciousness appears dose-dependent; a 200 µg dose, utilized by psychotherapists in clinical psychology in Switzerland, may induce greater alterations in the level of consciousness than 100 µg. Ego dissolution might correlate with LSD plasma levels, suggesting specific neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior. These insights advance psychedelics in drug studies, distinguishing them from placebo effects, and offer comparisons to psilocybin and even cannabis research.
Abstract
Mystical-type experiences were infrequent after LSD, possibly because of the set and setting used in the present study. LSD may produce greater or ...
Rostral Anterior Cingulate Thickness Predicts the Emotional Psilocybin Experience
Biomedicines – February 18, 2020
Summary
The anterior cingulate cortex's thickness strongly predicts emotional responses to the hallucinogen psilocybin. Among 55 healthy adults receiving oral psilocybin (0.160 or 0.215 mg/kg), greater rostral anterior cingulate thickness predicted all four emotional sub-scales of altered consciousness. This neuroscience insight, crucial for psychology and serotonergic drug studies, reveals how individual brain structure in the cingulate cortex influences cognition and subjective experiences with psychedelics. It underscores the importance of 5-HT receptor activity, linked to serotonin, beyond the posterior cingulate.
Abstract
Psilocybin is the psychoactive compound of mushrooms in the psilocybe species. Psilocybin directly affects a number of serotonin receptors, with hi...
"I've learned that I'm open-minded to this possibility": A qualitative study to evaluate the acceptability of a psilocybin-aided smoking cessation treatment for people with HIV who smoke.
Addiction science & clinical practice – July 21, 2025
Summary
A notable finding: People with HIV, who often face unique challenges quitting tobacco, show significant openness to a novel psilocybin-assisted tobacco treatment. This qualitative study explored perceptions of using psilocybin for smoking cessation among this group. Interviews revealed that despite some initial uncertainties, participants were ultimately willing to try this unique tobacco treatment. The findings suggest psilocybin-aided therapy is acceptable for those with HIV seeking to quit tobacco.
Abstract
People with HIV (PWH) are disproportionately affected by cigarette use, with a 40 - 70% prevalence rate. Although many express a strong interest in...
Effect of Ketamine on the Bispectral Index, Spectral Edge Frequency, and Surgical Pleth Index During Propofol-Remifentanil Anesthesia: An Observational Prospective Trial.
Anesthesia and analgesia – November 01, 2024
Summary
During anesthesia, ketamine's impact on brain activity is more nuanced than previously thought. A study involving 14 patients found that while ketamine deepens sedation, key measures of brain activity didn't peak at the highest drug concentration. Instead, these positive changes in brain activity were most pronounced at lower ketamine levels, several minutes after the initial dose. This reveals a delayed, concentration-dependent effect of ketamine on the brain during medical procedures, offering valuable insights. Pain response indicators, however, remained unaffected.
Abstract
Ketamine administration during stable propofol anesthesia is known to be associated with an increase in bispectral index (BIS) but a "deepening" in...
Past-year hallucinogen use in relation to psychological distress, depression, and suicidality among US adults.
Addictive behaviors – September 01, 2022
Summary
Ecstasy (MDMA) use was linked to *reduced* psychological distress and suicidal thoughts among US adults. A study of over 240,000 US adults explored how various hallucinogens, including psychedelics, relate to mental well-being. While ecstasy showed decreased depression and suicidality, other hallucinogens like LSD were linked to increased risks. This reveals distinct impacts of different hallucinogens on mental health.
Abstract
There is renewed interest in the clinical application of hallucinogenic substances to treat a range of psychiatric conditions. However, there is mi...
The use patterns of novel psychedelics: experiential fingerprints of substituted phenethylamines, tryptamines and lysergamides.
Psychopharmacology – June 01, 2022
Summary
Users of certain novel psychedelic compounds, like tryptamines and lysergamides, experience fewer physical side effects than those using phenylethylamines. Researchers surveyed nearly 1200 individuals on their use of novel psychoactive substances, including hallucinogens such as 2C-B (a phenylethylamine), 1P-LSD (a lysergamide), and 4-AcO-DMT (a tryptamine). Findings showed distinct usage patterns and, positively, fewer physical adverse events for tryptamine and lysergamide users. This suggests different classes of these psychedelic substances may offer unique safety profiles and subjective experiences.
Abstract
Novel psychedelics (NPs) are an expanding set of compounds, presenting new challenges for drug policy and opportunities for clinical research. Unli...
A systematic literature review of clinical trials and therapeutic applications of ibogaine.
Journal of substance abuse treatment – July 01, 2022
Summary
A comprehensive review suggests ibogaine, a unique psychedelic, shows promise as a treatment for substance use disorder. It appears effective in reducing withdrawal and craving, particularly for opioid and cocaine addiction. Unlike classic hallucinogens, this approach may offer novel therapeutic opportunities, also aiding depressive symptoms. Rigorous medical oversight is crucial for safe application.
Abstract
Iboga and its primary alkaloids, ibogaine and noribogaine, have been of interest to researchers and practitioners, mainly due to their putative eff...
Hallucinogens and redemption.
Journal of psychoactive drugs – January 01, 2002
Summary
Hallucinogens like ayahuasca are showing promise in helping individuals overcome addiction. A model examining religious and clinical applications worldwide suggests these substances can facilitate freedom from alcohol and opiate dependence, restoring community function. Drawing on data from the U.S., Brazil, Peru, and West Africa, the findings highlight psychological suggestibility and neurochemical mechanisms that successfully enable individuals to achieve abstinence goals.
Abstract
This article examines drug substitution with regard to hallucinogens (ayahuasca, ibogaine, peyote and LSD) set within the concept of redemption. Th...
Treatment of acute opioid withdrawal with ibogaine.
The American journal on addictions – January 01, 1999
Summary
Imagine alleviating severe opioid withdrawal symptoms within just 24 hours. A compelling review of 33 cases showed that individuals using ibogaine, primarily for intravenous heroin, experienced significant relief. For 25 patients, acute withdrawal signs vanished, and drug-seeking behavior stopped within a day, persisting for 72 hours. This highlights ibogaine's promising capacity to rapidly mitigate opioid withdrawal. One fatality occurred, potentially due to undisclosed heroin use.
Abstract
Ibogaine is an alkaloid with putative effect in acute opioid withdrawal. Thirty-three cases of treatments for the indication of opioid detoxificati...
Soma siddhas and alchemical enlightenment: psychedelic mushrooms in Buddhist tradition.
Journal of ethnopharmacology – October 01, 1995
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
In the legendary biographies of some Buddhist adepts from the 2nd- and 9th-centuries there are some clues which can be interpreted to reveal that t...
Deconstructing Psychedelic Phenomenology: A Thematic Analysis of Discrete Phases of the Psychedelic Experience.
Brain and behavior – July 01, 2025
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
The phenomenology of psychedelic experiences has been a long-standing point of interest to researchers. However, internal experience has been relat...
Psychosis and psychedelics: Historical entanglements and contemporary contrasts.
Transcultural psychiatry – October 01, 2022
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Experiences of psychedelics and psychosis were deeply entangled in scientific practices in the mid-20th century, from uses of psychedelic drugs tha...
If the Doors of Perception Were Cleansed, Would Chronic Pain be Relieved? Evaluating the Benefits and Risks of Psychedelics.
The journal of pain – October 01, 2022
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No Summary
Abstract
Psychedelic substances have played important roles in diverse cultures, and ingesting various plant preparations to evoke altered states of conscio...
Patterns of Occurrence of Four States of Consciousness as a Function of Trait Absorption.
Journal for person-oriented research – January 01, 2019
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No Summary
Abstract
Four states of consciousness are considered here: the hypnagogic state (the transitional state between waking and sleeping); the hypnopompic state ...
Meditation for perioperative pain and anxiety: A systematic review.
Brain and behavior – July 01, 2024
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No Summary
Abstract
Effective pain and anxiety management during the perioperative phase remains a challenge for patients undergoing surgeries and other invasive proce...
Improvements in well-being following naturalistic psychedelic use and underlying mechanisms of change in older adults: A prospective cohort study.
Research square – March 08, 2024
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No Summary
Abstract
Affective symptoms such as anxiety, low mood, and loneliness are prevalent and highly debilitating symptoms among older adults (OA). Serotonergic p...
Use of ketamine for treatment resistant depression: updated review of literature and practical applications to a community ketamine program in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Frontiers in psychiatry – January 01, 2023
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Abstract
Though intravenous (IV) ketamine and intranasal (IN) esketamine are noted to be efficacious for treatment-resistant depression (TRD), access to eac...
Measuring acute effects of subanesthetic ketamine on cerebrovascular hemodynamics in humans using TD-fNIRS.
Scientific reports – July 19, 2023
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No Summary
Abstract
Quantifying neural activity in natural conditions (i.e. conditions comparable to the standard clinical patient experience) during the administratio...
Human behavioral pharmacology of psychedelics.
Advances in pharmacology (San Diego, Calif.) – January 01, 2022
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No Summary
Abstract
The past decade has witnessed a rapid growth of research on the basic science and clinical understanding of psychedelics. This chapter provides an ...
Genome-Wide Translatome Analysis Following Low-Dose Ketamine to Reveal Novel Targets for Antidepressant Treatment.
Synapse (New York, N.Y.) – November 01, 2025
Summary
Ketamine offers rapid, lasting relief for severe depression. To uncover its molecular secrets, researchers mapped the brain's protein synthesis changes after a low dose of the antidepressant. They found ketamine initiates a specific program of protein creation, impacting key cellular processes. A key discovery was VIPR2, a novel target. Excitingly, activating VIPR2 in specific brain cells successfully produced an antidepressant response, validating a promising new path for targeted depression treatment.
Abstract
Low-dose ketamine is an efficacious antidepressant for treatment-resistant unipolar and bipolar depressed patients. Major depressive disorder patie...
Historicizing psychedelics: counterculture, renaissance, and the neoliberal matrix
Frontiers in Sociology – September 21, 2023
Summary
The "psychedelic renaissance" has paradoxically defused their radical potential. Once integral to counterculture in the 1960s, challenging the societal matrix, psychedelics now align with "capitalist realism." Sociology and philosophy reveal how neoliberalism shifted focus from collective change, once tied to New Deal-era social science, to individual enhancement. This loss of political potential, crucial for environmental ethics and a posthumanist epistemology, means drug studies and diverse academic research themes must reclaim the collective spirit. Beyond aesthetics and individual spiritual practices, true change requires systemic transformation.
Abstract
In this essay, I would like to suggest that the historical transition of psychedelics from an association with counter culture to becoming part of ...