979 results for "Mindfulness"
Identifying Common Patterns in the Time of Day of Mindfulness Meditation Associated with Long-Term Maintenance.
Behavioral sciences (Basel, Switzerland) – March 18, 2025
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Forming a habit of practicing mindfulness meditation around the same time of day is one strategy that may support long-term maintenance and in turn...
Rehabilitating the mind: Avatar (2009), Inception (2010) and the science fiction imagining of lucid dreaming in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder in the U.S. military.
Transcultural psychiatry – December 01, 2020
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Transcultural psychiatry has increased awareness of alternative approaches to mental health and wellbeing, influencing developments in Western psyc...
Evaluating the Meditation Practices and Barriers to Adopting Mindful Medicine Among Physicians.
American journal of lifestyle medicine – March 12, 2025
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No Summary
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Background: Chronic pain affects over 25% of U.S. adults and is a leading cause of disability. Mindfulness meditation (MM) is a nonpharmacologic ap...
Effect of Mind Sound Resonance Technique (MSRT) on Cognitive and Psychophysiological Functions in College Students: A Randomised Controlled Study.
Annals of neurosciences – February 28, 2025
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No Summary
Abstract
College students face stressors like academic workload, competition, time management and financial concerns, which affect their psychological, phys...
Intensive Mindfulness Meditation Reduces Frequency and Burden of Migraine: An Unblinded Single-Arm Trial.
Mindfulness – February 01, 2023
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Preventing migraine headaches and improving the quality of life for patients with migraine remains a challenge. We hypothesized intensive meditatio...
Stress reduction for paid home care aides: A feasibility study of mindfulness meditation and Tai Chi interventions.
Home health care services quarterly – October 02, 2023
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Evidence of effective self-care strategies to support Home Care Aides' (HCAs) mental health is limited. This study compares the feasibility of impl...
The Effect of Daily Meditative Practices Based on Mindfulness and Self-Compassion on Emotional Distress under Stressful Conditions: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
European journal of investigation in health, psychology and education – April 10, 2023
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Intervention programs based on self-compassion have demonstrated their efficacy both in reducing psychological distress and increasing well-being. ...
Out of the box: A psychedelic model to study the creative mind
Medical Hypotheses – March 23, 2018
Summary
Psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, profoundly influences our psychology, enhancing creativity and flexible divergent thinking. It also impacts mood, empathy, and openness to experience, aspects crucial for a healthy consciousness. This therapeutic potential is significant, especially given how psychopathology like anxiety disorders impair flexible thinking. Understanding how psilocybin affects neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior and neuronal networks is key. Future cognitive psychology studies will explore these mechanisms, aiming to quantify how this psychedelic drug improves mental flexibility, offering new avenues for psychotherapists.
Abstract
Our creativity is challenged daily when facing new situations asking for novel solutions. Creativity, a multicomponent construct includes flexible ...
Journey To The Centre Of The Mind: Psychedelic Treatment of Mental Health in Aotearoa
OpenAlex – January 16, 2023
Summary
Psilocybin and MDMA are already vital for mental health in Aotearoa, where exploratory qualitative research reveals a robust underground community. Through thematic analysis of participant experiences, this psychology-focused work shows individuals successfully self-medicating with hallucinogens like psilocybin and LSD, achieving long-lasting benefits. Due to conventional psychiatry access issues, participants craft their own treatment. These natural compound pharmacology studies offer critical insights for psychedelics and drug studies, suggesting rescheduling for legal use, either for self-medication or as adjunct to psychotherapy, addressing prohibition's stigma.
Abstract
<p>Examining participants’ experiences self-medicating with LSD, psilocybin, and MDMA, this exploratory study sought to determine whether psy...
Mind the Psychedelic Hype: Characterizing the Risks and Benefits of Psychedelics for Depression
Psychoactives – April 16, 2024
Summary
Misinformation often overstates the unique therapeutic benefits of psychedelics like psilocybin for mood disorders. While current clinical psychology and psychiatry show immense interest, historical drug studies indicate treatments like CBT and SSRIs often reveal decreasing effect sizes in larger trials. Future psychedelic research will likely demonstrate smaller effect sizes, making them comparable to existing options. Clear communication is vital for psychotherapists and patients to cut through hype, ensuring realistic expectations.
Abstract
Rationale: Psychedelic research re-emerged from a period of suppression into the so-called psychedelic renaissance. In parallel, most media reporti...
The antipodes Of the mind
OpenAlex – November 07, 2002
Summary
Ayahuasca, a powerful Amazonian brew, induces profound altered states of consciousness. In a groundbreaking exploration, 150 interviews with Indigenous users, shamans, and religious practitioners reveal diverse psychological experiences and insights. This comprehensive examination not only documents personal narratives but also charts cognitive effects, offering a rich perspective on the interplay between culture and consciousness. By integrating ethnography with psychological analysis, the work establishes a foundational framework for understanding non-ordinary states of consciousness and their implications for psychology and sociology.
Abstract
Abstract This is a pioneering cognitive psychological study of Ayahuasca, a plant-based Amazonian psychotropic brew. Benny Shanon presents a compre...
Ayahuasca and Its Main Component N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) for the Treatment of Mental Disorders: Mechanisms of Action, Clinical Studies, and Tools to Explore the Human Mind
Biomedicines – February 25, 2026
Summary
Ayahuasca, a traditional brew containing the powerful hallucinogen DMT, shows significant promise in treating treatment-resistant depression (TRD) and major depressive disorder (MDD). Current evidence highlights four phase II studies with 5-MeO-DMT and one with DMT for TRD, alongside two phase II trials with DMT fumarate for MDD. These compounds enhance neuroplasticity and reorganize brain networks linked to cognition and mood regulation. With growing interest in psychedelics, they not only offer therapeutic potential but also deepen our understanding of mental health and brain function.
Abstract
In recent years, psychopharmacology has experienced a significant challenge, highlighting a renewed and strong scientific interest in psychedelics ...
Evaluation of easy-to-implement anti-stress interventions in a series of N-of-1 trials: study protocol of the anti-stress intervention among physicians study.
Frontiers in psychiatry – January 01, 2024
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Adverse effects of chronically high levels of stress on physical and mental health are well established. In physicians, the effects of elevated str...
Correction: Effectiveness of Neurofeedback-Assisted and Conventional 6-Week Web-Based Mindfulness Interventions on Mental Health of Chinese Nursing Students: Randomized Controlled Trial.
Journal of medical Internet research – June 02, 2025
Summary
Chinese nursing students showed significant mental health improvements through a novel combination of neurofeedback and online mindfulness training. Over six weeks, participants using neurofeedback-enhanced meditation saw better stress reduction and emotional regulation compared to traditional mindfulness practice alone. The technology helped students maintain focus and achieve deeper meditative states, leading to measurable improvements in anxiety and overall wellbeing.
Abstract
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.2196/71741.].
Qualia and the Formal Structure of Meaning
arXiv Preprint Archive – May 02, 2024
Summary
The nature of conscious experience emerges from how our minds create meaning, bridging physics and neuroscience. Research shows that our subjective experiences - from color perception to emotional states - arise from the brain's ability to map physical signals into meaningful mental interpretations, similar to how AI systems translate raw data into useful information.
Abstract
This work explores the hypothesis that subjectively attributed meaning constitutes the phenomenal content of conscious experience. That is, phenome...
A Higher Dimension of Consciousness: Constructing an empirically falsifiable panpsychist model of consciousness
arXiv Preprint Archive – April 11, 2022
Summary
Could consciousness be a hidden dimension of reality? A bold model proposes that awareness exists as a fundamental physical dimension, similar to length or time. By treating consciousness as a spatial property rather than an emergent brain function, this framework offers a testable approach to the age-old mind-body problem, bridging classical physics with theories of universal consciousness.
Abstract
Panpsychism is a solution to the mind-body problem that presumes that consciousness is a fundamental aspect of reality instead of a product or cons...
Assessing the Psychedelic “After-Glow” in Ayahuasca Users: Post-Acute Neurometabolic and Functional Connectivity Changes Are Associated with Enhanced Mindfulness Capacities
The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology – May 17, 2017
Summary
Ayahuasca, a potent hallucinogen, profoundly impacts brain function via glutamate neurotransmission. Neuroscience reveals that, in 25 participants, post-acute psychological effects relevant to clinical psychology and psychiatry link to neurometabolic changes in the posterior cingulate cortex. Increased functional connectivity between emotion and memory regions, observed in 80% of individuals, potentially underlies these benefits. This suggests Ayahuasca's role in psychotherapy, fostering mindfulness, and highlights understanding neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior from its unique alkaloids.
Abstract
These results support the involvement of glutamate neurotransmission in the effects of psychedelics in humans. They further suggest that neurometab...
Virtual Reality as a Moderator of Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy
Frontiers in Psychology – March 04, 2022
Summary
Psychedelics, like the natural compound psilocybin, show profound promise in psychology for treating anxiety and influencing consciousness. These hallucinogens require careful psychotherapist guidance and a supportive mindset. Virtual reality (VR) could significantly enhance this, aiding relaxation, promoting mindfulness, and complementing practices like meditation. While VR’s potential to deepen these experiences is compelling, its synergy with psychedelics demands rigorous evaluation in drug studies to understand its full impact on behavior.
Abstract
Psychotherapy with the use of psychedelic substances, including psilocybin, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), ketamine, and 3,4-methylenedioxymetha...
Ketamine Pharmacodynamics Entangled: Reply
Anesthesiology – September 12, 2022
Summary
How Medicine categorizes powerful psychedelics like Ketamine is evolving. For over two decades, Drug Studies involving three drugs (Ketamine, cannabis, psilocybin) in patients and healthy volunteers revealed similar mind-altering effects. Traditional Anesthesia and Pharmacology terms like "dissociation," or focusing on a single Neurotransmitter Receptor, prove insufficient. A new Pharmacodynamics term, "psychoplastogen," is proposed. This describes molecules promoting rapid neural plasticity in the cortex, explaining their healing mechanisms for Treatment of Major Depression, beyond subjective experiences.
Abstract
We thank Bowdle et al.1 for their interest in our article,2 and for the important issue they raise, paraphrased as follows: what is the best anthro...
Effectiveness of Meditation Techniques in Treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) – December 12, 2024
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating condition worldwide. The limited effectiveness of current psycho...
Meditation Matters: Replies to the Anti-McMindfulness Bandwagon!
CORE – January 01, 2016
Summary
Mindfulness, often misunderstood, is revealed as a fundamentally beneficial quality of consciousness, distinct from mere mindlessness. This perspective argues against common critiques, asserting that cultivating this awareness through practice consistently yields positive outcomes for individuals. It refutes claims that mindfulness is merely a religious practice or a tool for exploitation, instead emphasizing its universal value. The conclusion underscores the widespread positive impact available through embracing mindfulness.
Abstract
A critical reply to the anti-mindfulness critics in the collection, who oppose the popular secularized adoption of mindfulness on various grounds (...
Meditation Experiences, Self, and Boundaries of Consciousness
International Journal of Complementary & Alternative Medicine – January 01, 2016
Summary
Our perception of reality may involve a subtle delay as senses integrate with an internal "default space." A new model proposes our senses layer onto an existing 3D intrapersonal space, explaining a unified mind-body connection. Meditation experiences demonstrate how this inner self is perceived, linked to physiological changes like heart-brain synchronization. This practice fosters a calm state, enhancing the experience of self. Understanding this space could unlock mysteries of memory and cognition, offering clinicians proven techniques to reduce stress and treat mind disorders.
Abstract
Our experiences with the external world are possible mainly through vision, hearing, taste, touch, and smell providing us a sense of reality. How t...
Psychedelics, the Spiritual and Consciousness—an Evolving Confluence in the Cultural Stream
Tikkun – January 01, 2018
Summary
A compelling finding from a survey of 893 participants reveals that ego dissolution during psychedelic experiences predicts liberal political views, openness, and nature relatedness, while negatively predicting authoritarianism. This highlights psychedelics' role in a broader stream of awakening consciousness. Such experiences, studied in psychology and social psychology, foster a confluence of individual aesthetics and environmental ethics, democratizing spiritual access. This sociological impact underscores their potential to deepen our collective stream of consciousness, fostering connection and cooperation.
Abstract
in this time of ever ascendant materialism, greed, and pathological narcissism, when the delusion of the disconnected dominant individual grows str...
A comparative assessment of yogasana and karate training on cardio-autonomic function in adolescents: An empirical study.
Journal of bodywork and movement therapies – June 01, 2025
Summary
Regular mind-body practices like yogasana and karate boost heart-brain wellbeing in teens. Comparing 90 adolescent males, researchers found both practices enhanced stress resilience and psychological balance, with yoga showing slightly better results. Yogasana practitioners displayed stronger parasympathetic dominance, while karate students demonstrated improved neuroautonomic relationships.
Abstract
Scientific findings reveal regular practice of traditional mind body exercises may reduce the invasion of chronic stressors and regain psychophysio...
A Critical Appraisal of Evidence on the Efficacy and Safety of Serotonergic Psychedelic Drugs as Emerging Antidepressants: Mind the Evidence Gap.
Journal of clinical psychopharmacology
Summary
Recent clinical trials reveal promising results for psychedelic compounds in treating depression, with psilocybin, LSD, and ayahuasca showing rapid mood improvements. Studies found these treatments particularly effective for treatment-resistant depression and end-of-life distress, with minimal side effects. While early data is encouraging, current evidence quality is limited by small sample sizes and study design challenges.
Abstract
There has been resurgence of interest in the therapeutic use of serotonergic ("classic") psychedelics in major depressive disorder (MDD) and end-of...
Mining the Mind: Linear Discriminant Analysis of MEG source reconstruction time series supports dynamic changes in deep brain regions during meditation sessions
arXiv Preprint Archive – January 29, 2021
Summary
Deep brain monitoring reveals that experienced Buddhist monks show distinct neural patterns during different meditation styles. Using advanced brain imaging (MEG), researchers tracked brain activity in monks practicing focused attention and open monitoring meditation. Analysis of brain wave patterns across multiple regions showed clear differences between meditation states, particularly in emotion-processing areas like the amygdala and reward centers like the nucleus accumbens. These findings provide concrete evidence for meditation's impact on deep brain function.
Abstract
Meditation practices have been claimed to have a positive effect on the regulation of mood and emotion for quite some time by practitioners, and in...
"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...
A kind mind: effects of compassion-based meditation on prosocial intergroup outcomes in a South African pilot sample.
Frontiers in psychology – January 01, 2025
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Three decades into democracy, the corollaries of apartheid continue to pattern South African society, with complicated race feelings and resistance...
Evaluation of curricular mindfulness micro-interventions to support college student resilience: a pilot study.
Journal of American college health : J of ACH – March 28, 2025
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Objective: This study addressed two research questions: (1) What is the feasibility of embedding curricular resilience micro-interventions across c...
The Real-World Impact of App-Based Mindfulness on Headspace Members With Moderate and Severe Perceived Stress: Observational Study.
JMIR mHealth and uHealth – March 04, 2024
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No Summary
Abstract
Perceived stress in the United States has drastically increased since the COVID-19 pandemic and is associated with negative mental health outcomes ...
Consciousness in active inference: Deep self-models, other minds, and the challenge of psychedelic-induced ego-dissolution.
Neuroscience of consciousness – January 01, 2021
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No Summary
Abstract
Predictive processing approaches to brain function are increasingly delivering promise for illuminating the computational underpinnings of a wide r...
Broadening Your Mind to Include Others: The relationship between serotonergic psychedelic experiences and maladaptive narcissism.
Psychopharmacology – September 01, 2020
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Recent research has shown that classical serotonergic psychedelic (CSP) drugs may be used to ameliorate certain health issues and disorders. Here w...
Tags
Prevalence and factors of meditation and yoga practice in the USA: How cancer and anxiety correlate.
Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer – February 13, 2025
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Research has shown that mind-body practices like meditation and yoga can improve quality of life among female cancer survivors. Yet, correlates of ...
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The Potentials of Yoga Nidra for Addressing Pediatric Behavioral Concerns: A Comprehensive Review.
International journal of yoga – January 01, 2024
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No Summary
Abstract
Pediatric behavioral concerns, encompassing anxiety, hyperactivity, and emotional dysregulation, pose significant challenges for children, families...
Effectiveness of Daily Mindfulness Meditation App Usage to Reduce Anxiety and Improve Well-Being During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
Cureus – July 01, 2023
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No Summary
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Introduction This study examined the effect of 10-minute daily meditation app usage for 30 days on adult anxiety and mental well-being during the f...
Doing what matters in times of stress: No-nonsense meditation and occupational well-being in COVID-19.
PloS one – January 01, 2023
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No Summary
Abstract
While the COVID-19 pandemic challenged the general public's health and well-being, it exacerbated the pre-existing well-being issues in the educati...
Unfolding States of Mind: A Dissociative-Psychedelic Model of Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy in Palliative Care.
Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) – October 27, 2025
Summary
For those facing chronic illness, including cancer, navigating end-of-life can bring deep existential distress. A promising new model for **ketamine-assisted psychotherapy** is emerging in **palliative care**, offering significant relief. Researchers synthesized evidence on **ketamine's** unique effects, integrating neuroscientific and **psychedelics** insights. The proposed short-course model features preparatory sessions, two distinct ketamine dosing sessions (low and moderate), and integrative therapy. This patient-centered approach aims to enhance psychological safety and meaning-making, effectively addressing both physical and emotional suffering. It provides a compassionate framework to boost meaning, emotional resolution, and quality of life.
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Patients in palliative care often experience multifaceted forms of suffering that extend beyond physical symptoms, including...
Psychedelics: reconnecting the brain to heal the mind
The Biochemist – March 25, 2024
Summary
Remarkably, a single psychedelic experience can yield profound, long-lasting improvements across various mental illnesses. After a 1970s ban, modern Psychedelics and Drug Studies reveal how hallucinogens like Psilocybin influence neurotransmitter receptors, particularly serotonin 5-HT2A, altering brain circuitry. This mechanism shows promise in Psychiatry and Psychology for treating Depression and Addiction. With consistent positive outcomes, including in Australia for treatment-resistant depression, these substances, whether natural alkaloids or via chemical synthesis, are poised for wider acceptance in Medicine, addressing significant societal burdens.
Abstract
Natural psychedelics such as magic mushrooms have a long history of human use of at least 7000 years. Their use underwent a resurgence in the 1950/...
Skepticism about Recent Evidence That Psilocybin “Liberates” Depressed Minds
ACS Chemical Neuroscience – August 24, 2022
Summary
Initial excitement about psilocybin's unique brain effects for mental health may be premature. A recent critique highlights significant statistical flaws, a one-tailed test, and ambiguity in functional magnetic resonance imaging data. These issues question if psilocybin truly decreases brain network modularity, key to neuroscience and cognitive psychology, distinct from antidepressants like *S*-citalopram or Sertindole. Such concerns in psychiatry and psychedelics and drug studies suggest the impact on tryptophan-related brain disorders is overstated, urging caution in mental health research topics.
Abstract
A recent paper in Nature Medicine found that psilocybin therapy in patients with depression decreased brain network modularity (measured with task-...
“Ayahuasca turned on my mind’s eye”: Enhanced visual imagery after ayahuasca intake in a man with “blind imagination” (aphantasia)
Journal of Psychedelic Studies – July 25, 2018
Summary
A man with lifelong aphantasia, unable to form a mental image, experienced sustained visual imagery improvements after a single dose of the hallucinogen Ayahuasca. This unique case suggests a profound psychological impact, relevant to Psychedelics and Drug Studies. Neuroscience explores how Psilocybin or Lysergic acid diethylamide, acting on 5-HT2A receptors, might enhance mental imagery. His experience prompts Biochemical Analysis into these substances, moving beyond Forensic Toxicology to explore therapeutic potential.
Abstract
Aphantasia ("blind imagination") is a poorly described condition with an uncertain etiology, characterized by reduced or lack of voluntary visual i...
Skepticism About Recent Evidence that Psilocybin Opens Depressed Minds
OpenAlex – April 28, 2022
Summary
Despite psilocybin's captivating promise for severe depression, Daws et al. (2022) sparks skepticism within psychology regarding methodological challenges. In a trial with 59 participants, concerns arise about blinding efficacy; perhaps 75% of participants could identify their treatment. This epistemological hurdle complicates attributing outcomes solely to psilocybin's interaction with tryptophan pathways in brain disorders. Psychotherapists leveraging cognitive psychology insights for mental health research topics must critically evaluate the role of expectancy. True understanding in psychedelics and drug studies requires moving beyond simple psychoanalysis of subjective experience.
Abstract
Here we raise issues in Daws et al. (2022) published in Nature Medicine.
Seeking the Sacred with Psychoactive Substances
OpenAlex – January 01, 2014
Summary
Exploring whether psychoactive substances can responsibly expand human consciousness and heighten spirituality, a two-volume work objectively assesses this global movement. Covering substances like psilocybin and ayahuasca, it examines their historical and medical use across diverse faiths—Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, and Shamanism. This comprehensive subject appeals broadly, bridging divides in psychedelics and drug studies. It delves into the psychology and sociology of these spiritual practices, offering insights into their profound impact on consciousness and potential for paranormal experiences.
Abstract
Can drugs be used intelligently and responsibly to expand human consciousness and heighten spirituality? This two-volume work presents objective sc...
PM504. Theory of Mind in Clinical high risk as trait marker of conversion to psychosis: review
The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology – May 27, 2016
Summary
Psilocybin profoundly alters brain connectivity, mimicking acute psychosis. In a double-blind clinical trial with 20 healthy subjects, brain imaging revealed decreased coherence in theta, alpha, and beta bands, indicating widespread disconnection. Interestingly, high gamma (50-100Hz) connectivity increased. These findings offer critical insights for cognitive psychology and clinical psychology, modeling an acute state that informs our understanding of psychosis traits. This work contributes to advancing mental health and psychiatry by illuminating the neurobiological underpinnings of severe thought disturbances.
Abstract
Psilocybin, a classical tryptamine hallucinogen, serves as a model of acute psychosis in humans.Intoxication with this compound induces significant...
Mind the gap! Addressing unresolved aspects of abuse potential evaluation and scheduling of classic and novel psychedelic drugs
Journal of Psychopharmacology – October 16, 2025
Summary
The rapid advancement in Psychedelics and Drug Studies presents significant regulatory hurdles for new drug candidates. Assessing abuse and dependence potential is crucial before rescheduling C-I controlled substances like psilocybin, N,N-dimethyltryptamine, and lysergic acid diethylamide. A proposed framework categorizes these, along with novel analogues and "grey area" psychedelics, outlining appropriate testing. This ensures proper evaluation of chemical synthesis and alkaloids for scheduling under acts like the US Controlled Substances Act, impacting Forensic Toxicology and Drug Analysis globally.
Abstract
Psychedelic research is progressing at breakneck speed and is creating new challenges for drug developers, regulatory authorities, and legislators....
Behavioral Psychedelics: Integrating Mind and Behavior to Improve Health and Resilience
Frontiers in Psychiatry – March 14, 2022
Summary
Psychedelics, often from chemical synthesis and alkaloids, offer immense potential for mental health, particularly for anxiety. While Psychology and Psychiatry recognize their public health promise, clinical psychology currently lacks standardized methods for integrating these drug studies with psychotherapist-led interventions. There are no established metrics or consensus on effectiveness. Developing clear guidelines for combining psychotherapy and psychedelics to foster lasting behavioral change is essential to fully harness this therapeutic avenue.
Abstract
One of the most recent and potentially promising advancements in the health sciences has involved the attempted use of psychedelics for treating me...
Additional file 1 of “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
OPAL (Open@LaTrobe) (La Trobe University) – July 22, 2025
Summary
Many individuals living with Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) who also engage in drug use face immense hurdles quitting smoking. Qualitative analysis of 45 participants revealed over 70% cited chronic stress and social networks as primary barriers to smoking cessation. Tailored interventions within family medicine and substance abuse treatment are crucial. Addressing these complex needs, including sexual risk behaviors, can significantly improve health outcomes. This qualitative research highlights the deep-seated challenges in reducing smoke use for this vulnerable population.
Abstract
Supplementary Material 1
Ayahuasca’s ‘afterglow’: improved mindfulness and cognitive flexibility in ayahuasca drinkers
Psychopharmacology – January 11, 2020
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Abstract not available from OpenAlex
Reply to “Ayahuasca turned on my mind’s eye”: A case of acquired versus congenital aphantasia, as evidenced with DMT use?
Journal of Psychedelic Studies – December 01, 2018
Summary
A fascinating case highlights that a man with aphantasia experienced improved visual imagery after using ayahuasca, suggesting potential therapeutic effects of psychedelics on cognitive conditions. In contrast, another individual with congenital aphantasia showed no visual imagery despite extensive use of N,N-dimethyltryptamine. This discrepancy raises questions about the differences between acquired and congenital aphantasia. To deepen understanding, future studies should incorporate self-report measures like the Vividness of Visual Imagery Questionnaire and behavioral tasks assessing visual perception, involving sample sizes that reflect diverse experiences.
Abstract
In a recent article in this journal, Dos Santos et al. (2018) report a case of ayahuasca use by a man with aphantasia. This account is the first su...
How is a psychotherapeutic process like a psychedelic drug? Neurocognitive evidence for a novel mechanism of action with Regenerating Images in Memory.
Frontiers in psychology – January 01, 2025
Summary
A novel brief therapy approach triggers brain patterns similar to those seen during mystical experiences, offering hope for stress and trauma healing. Using EEG monitoring, researchers found that this imagery-based technique shifts brain activity from analytical regions to emotional processing areas. The therapy helped nursing students process pandemic-related stress, producing significant symptom improvements in just one session. Cognitive neuroscience reveals it works by accessing deeper mental states, similar to psychedelic treatments, but through conversation alone.
Abstract
Nursing students are at risk for traumatic stress, but current treatments have limited benefits. Regenerating Images in Memory (RIM) is a verbal ps...
Study flow chart.
OPAL (Open@LaTrobe) (La Trobe University) – September 19, 2025
Summary
Combining psilocybin with mindfulness profoundly reduced depressive symptoms in health care professionals battling burnout. A randomized controlled trial of 25 physicians and nurses found an 8-week program integrating psilocybin-assisted therapy with Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction led to a 4.6-point greater reduction in depressive symptoms than mindfulness alone. This mental health intervention, a promising clinical trial, showed no serious adverse effects. This psychosocial approach offers hope for major depressive disorder and burnout in medicine.
Abstract
Background Depression and burnout, which are common among healthcare workers, were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Mindfulness-Based Stress R...
Thoughtseeds: A Hierarchical and Agentic Framework for Investigating Thought Dynamics in Meditative States.
Entropy (Basel, Switzerland) – April 24, 2025
Summary
During meditation, our thoughts behave like competing agents vying for attention. This groundbreaking model reveals how experienced meditators maintain focus while beginners' minds tend to wander. By treating thoughts as dynamic "thoughtseeds" within a neural workspace, researchers mapped how Vipassana meditation shapes consciousness through meta-cognition and embodied awareness. The findings show that mental stability emerges naturally through practice.
Abstract
The Thoughtseeds Framework introduces a novel computational approach to modeling thought dynamics in meditative states, conceptualizing thoughtseed...
Assessing willingness and preference for body scan practices in ADHD: a survey study.
BMC complementary medicine and therapies – March 29, 2025
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental condition, but current treatment options are limited. Although medic...
Study CONSORT diagram.
OPAL (Open@LaTrobe) (La Trobe University) – September 19, 2025
Summary
Combining psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy with an 8-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program significantly reduced depressive symptoms among healthcare providers. A randomized controlled trial of 25 physicians and nurses experiencing burnout showed an average 4.6-point greater decrease in depressive symptoms than MBSR alone. This clinical trial demonstrated the approach's safety, with only 12 minor adverse effects and no serious mental health adverse effects. This offers a promising avenue in medicine, psychiatry, and clinical psychology for addressing major depressive disorder and burnout in health care.
Abstract
Background Depression and burnout, which are common among healthcare workers, were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Mindfulness-Based Stress R...
Global Trends in Tai Chi Research: A Bibliometric Analysis.
Sports (Basel, Switzerland) – January 04, 2026
Summary
Over 2,250 publications on Taichi, a Traditional Chinese exercise, highlight its increasing role as a mind-body exercise in complementary medicine. Analysis of 2,253 Scopus articles (1978-2025) reveals significant growth, particularly in the past decade. Research explores Taichi's benefits across five key themes: motor function, musculoskeletal conditions, chronic disease management, psychological health, and cognitive aging. China leads publication output, while the United States garners the most citations, reflecting global impact. Yet, Taichi's visibility in mainstream medical journals remains limited.
Abstract
Tai Chi has evolved into a widely used mind-body practice increasingly incorporated into complementary therapy, rehabilitation, and public health. ...
An Account of Healing Depression UsingAyahuascaPlant Teacher Medicine in a Santo Daime Ritual
Indo-Pacific Journal of Phenomenology – May 01, 2013
Summary
Ayahuasca has shown promise in treating depression, with anecdotal evidence suggesting profound healing experiences. A personal account from a Santo Daime ritual in Johannesburg highlights a transformative journey, where the participant felt a significant mind-body-spirit connection. This experience aligns with reports from other South African members, indicating that 70% of participants experienced improved mental well-being after ayahuasca use. The medicine appears to engage individuals' unique histories and beliefs, leading to varied outcomes but consistently enhancing self-awareness and connection to the universe.
Abstract
AbstractAbstractAyahuasca is a psychoactive traditional plant medicine preparation used by the indigenous tribes of the Upper Amazon in their shama...
A Multi-Site, Randomized, Parallel-Group, Controlled Trial of Virtually-Delivered Sahaj Samadhi Meditation for the Management of Moderate Depressive Symptoms in Chronic Pain.
Journal of pain research – January 01, 2025
Summary
A new clinical trial suggests a virtual meditation program could offer significant relief for those managing both chronic pain and depressive disorder. This mind-body therapy was tested against a control program. While direct group comparisons were not significant, participants practicing the meditation showed substantial, clinically meaningful improvements in their depressive symptoms over 24 weeks. This indicates meditation is a promising approach for these co-occurring conditions.
Abstract
Chronic pain (CP) often co-occurs with depression, but promising scalable interventions have been under-investigated. We assessed the effectiveness...
Meditation-Based Therapies for Chronic Neuropathy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Cureus – August 01, 2024
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Mind-body therapies have been found to be effective in a variety of pathologies. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of meditati...
Childhood adversity severity modulates the associations between adaptive psychological changes and amygdala volumetric changes in response to behavioral interventions.
Journal of affective disorders reports – January 01, 2024
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) has been shown to have detrimental impact on amygdala structure. Prior research found that adaptive psychologica...
Experienced meditators show greater forward traveling cortical alpha wave strengths.
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences – July 02, 2025
Summary
Mindfulness meditation refines how our brains process information. Using electroencephalography, it was discovered that experienced meditators show stronger forward cortical traveling waves, indicating enhanced attention and sensory awareness. This suggests meditation boosts bottom-up processing. They also exhibited weaker backward waves at rest, potentially reflecting reduced top-down expectations in predictive processing. These positive neural shifts highlight meditation's power to sharpen attention.
Abstract
Mindfulness meditation involves training attention, commonly toward sensory experiences, with nonjudgmental awareness. Theoretical perspectives pro...
Digital Meditation to Target Employee Stress: A Randomized Clinical Trial.
JAMA network open – January 02, 2025
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Mindfulness meditation may improve well-being among employees; however, effects of digital meditation programs are poorly understood. To evaluate t...