Research
Meditation, Compassionate Love, and Mental Health in Later Life.
Journal of gerontological nursing – March 01, 2024
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Understanding of the mechanisms by which meditation imparts beneficial effects on later-life mental health is limited. The current study assessed t...
Effects of mindfulness-based interventions on reducing psychological distress among nurses: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Journal of nursing scholarship : an official publication of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing – March 01, 2024
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Nurses increasingly use mindfulness as an effective mental health intervention to reduce psychological distress. The effectiveness of mindfulness-b...
Clarifying and measuring the characteristics of experiences that involve a loss of self or a dissolution of its boundaries.
Consciousness and cognition – March 01, 2024
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Mystical experience, non-dual awareness, selflessness, self-transcendent experience, and ego-dissolution have become increasingly prominent constru...
MDMA enhances positive affective responses to social feedback.
Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England) – March 01, 2024
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
The prosocial compound ± 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is an amphetamine derivative that has shown promise as an adjunct to psychotherap...
A Randomised Controlled Trial Comparing Ketamine versus Fentanyl for Procedural Sedation in the Emergency Department for Adults with Isolated Extremity Injury.
Malaysian orthopaedic journal – March 01, 2024
Summary
When managing painful injuries, choosing the right sedation medication can make all the difference. A comparison of ketamine and fentanyl for procedural sedation and analgesia in emergency department patients with extremity trauma showed both drugs effectively reduced pain scores from 8 to 3. While fentanyl patients experienced more temporary oxygen drops, ketamine patients had more nausea. Both medications proved equally safe and effective for pain control.
Abstract
Alleviating pain and anxiety of patients during procedures is an essential skill for an Emergency Physician (EP). Several sedatives and dissociativ...
New pharmacotherapies to tackle the unmet needs in bipolar disorder: a focus on acute suicidality.
Expert opinion on pharmacotherapy – March 01, 2024
Summary
Groundbreaking advances in drug treatment show promise for reducing suicide risk in people with bipolar disorder. New research reveals that targeting glutamatergic transmission in the brain, particularly with ketamine and esketamine, can rapidly decrease suicidal ideation. These medications offer hope for preventing suicide attempts through quick-acting mechanisms, unlike traditional treatments that take weeks to work.
Abstract
Suicidal behavior is relatively frequent in patients with bipolar disorder (BD) and constitutes their most frequent cause of death. Suicide rates r...
Psychedelic Therapy: A Primer for Primary Care Clinicians—Historical Perspective and Overview
American Journal of Therapeutics – March 01, 2024
Summary
MDMA, a synthetic drug, demonstrates superiority over existing treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder in two completed Phase III clinical trials. This highlights the growing potential of psychedelics as medicine in psychiatry. While psilocybin, a naturally occurring hallucinogen, shows a 25-29% depression remission rate in larger trials (100+ participants)—comparable to standard antidepressants at 30%—other compounds like lysergic acid diethylamide and the dissociative Esketamine are also being explored. Understanding their pharmacology and potential adverse effects is crucial as these drug studies advance.
Abstract
Background: Psychedelic drugs have recently emerged as plausibly effective pharmacological agents for the management of depression, anxiety, and ot...
Getting in Touch with Touch: The Importance of Studying Touch in MDMA-Assisted Therapy and the Development of a New Self-Report Measure.
Psychedelic medicine (New Rochelle, N.Y.) – March 01, 2024
Summary
Touch plays a vital role in MDMA-assisted therapy, yet its effects have rarely been measured systematically. A new assessment tool, the Touch Outcomes Measurement Inventory, helps therapists understand how physical contact impacts clients during psychedelic-assisted therapy sessions. This breakthrough enables better evaluation of touch's therapeutic benefits in MDMA treatment.
Abstract
MDMA-assisted therapy (MDMA-AT) is an emerging treatment modality, with recent phase 3 trials indicating its potential for regulatory approval. Cen...
Neural correlates of mindfulness meditation and hypnosis on magnetic resonance imaging: similarities and differences. A scoping review.
Journal of neuroradiology = Journal de neuroradiologie – March 01, 2024
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Mindfulness meditation (MM) and hypnosis practices are gaining interest in mental health, but their physiological mechanisms remain poorly understo...
Psychedelic Therapy: A Primer for Primary Care Clinicians—Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD)
American Journal of Therapeutics – March 01, 2024
Summary
A large clinical trial with 198 participants found that a single 100 μg dose of LSD led to 50% remission from generalized anxiety disorder. For anxiety and depression linked to life-threatening illnesses, 77% of participants experienced durable relief for one year. Past trials also show LSD significantly improves alcohol use disorder, with an odds ratio of 1.96. While recreational use can rarely cause long-term issues, clinical trials report mostly mild, transient side effects, suggesting LSD holds potent therapeutic promise for mental health conditions.
Abstract
Background: Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) is a hallucinogenic agent. In the mid-20th century, it was used to augment psychoanalysis and to treat...
Scoping Review: The Role of Psychedelics in the Management of Chronic Pain
Journal of Pain Research – March 01, 2024
Summary
Emerging evidence suggests psychedelics, including psilocybin, hold significant potential in medicine for alleviating chronic pain. This exciting area, explored via MEDLINE and Psychiatry databases, indicates hallucinogens derived from chemical synthesis and alkaloids could offer novel therapeutic avenues. While Complementary and Alternative Medicine Studies highlight promise, robust, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials are crucial. These Psychedelics and Drug Studies are essential to fully evaluate their role in chronic, non-cancer pain management.
Abstract
Psychedelics may have potential in alleviating pain symptoms secondary to a multitude of chronic pain conditions. However, further randomized, doub...
Safety and tolerability of inhaled N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (BMND01 candidate): A phase I clinical trial.
European neuropsychopharmacology : the journal of the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology – March 01, 2024
Summary
Inhaled DMT shows promise as a rapid-acting psychedelic, with effects lasting just 10 minutes compared to hours for similar compounds. In this groundbreaking clinical trial, researchers tested different doses of N,N-Dimethyltryptamine in healthy volunteers, finding it both safe and well-tolerated. The dose-response study revealed positive mood effects and manageable physical responses, suggesting potential for treating mood disorders efficiently.
Abstract
Psychedelics are being increasingly examined for their therapeutic potential in mood disorders. While the acute effects of ayahuasca, psilocybin, a...
A Comparison of the Efficacy and Adverse Effects of Ketamine and Electroconvulsive Therapy in the Management of Treatment-Resistant Depression: A Systematic Review.
Cureus – March 01, 2024
Summary
When traditional antidepressants fail, ketamine and ECT offer hope for treatment-resistant depression (TRD). While ECT remains the gold standard, ketamine shows promising results with fewer cognitive side effects. Studies reveal ketamine works faster but has shorter-lasting benefits, while ECT achieves higher long-term remission rates despite potential memory issues.
Abstract
Ketamine has been repeatedly demonstrated to be an effective treatment in the management of patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD). An ...
Formulary Coverage of Esketamine and Ketamine for Depression in Ohio Health Insurance Marketplace and Medicaid Plans.
Journal of psychiatric practice – March 01, 2024
Summary
Despite proven antidepressant benefits, insurance coverage for ketamine and esketamine varies dramatically in Ohio. While no insurance plans cover generic IV ketamine for depression, most marketplace plans (72.7%) and all Medicaid plans cover the newer, FDA-approved intranasal esketamine - even though ketamine may be more cost-effective and potentially more effective for treating depression.
Abstract
For more than 2 decades, intravenous ketamine has been demonstrated to have rapid antidepressant effects. However, access to this generic drug is l...
Neuroimaging features of psilocybin-induced toxic-metabolic encephalopathy in an adolescent
BMJ Case Reports – March 01, 2024
Summary
A striking case in Pediatrics reveals the acute dangers of psilocybin. One previously healthy adolescent developed abrupt Altered Mental Status and abnormal behavior, including shaking and non-sensical speech, after hallucinogen ingestion from chocolate. Neuroimaging confirmed toxic encephalopathy. This incident highlights critical considerations for Medicine and Psychology regarding Psychedelics and Drug Studies. It underscores the profound Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior and the importance of Forensic Toxicology and Drug Analysis in diagnosing such encephalopathy, offering vital insights for Neuroscience and Psychiatry.
Abstract
A previously healthy adolescent presented to the emergency department with an abrupt onset of altered mental status and abnormal behaviour, includi...
PREEMPTIVE INTRAVENOUS IBUPROFEN AND LOCAL KETAMINE IMPROVE POSTOPERATIVE ANALGESIA FOLLOWING THIRD MOLAR SURGERY: A DOUBLE-BLIND, RANDOMIZED, PLACEBO-CONTROLLED CLINICAL STUDY.
The journal of evidence-based dental practice – March 01, 2024
Summary
Combining ibuprofen with ketamine before wisdom tooth removal cuts post-surgery pain dramatically. In this groundbreaking pain management approach, patients receiving both medications experienced significantly less discomfort than those given either drug alone. The combined treatment also reduced the need for additional pain medication during recovery, though it didn't affect jaw stiffness (trismus).
Abstract
To compare the efficacy of preemptive ibuprofen, local ketamine, and their combination in managing postoperative pain and trismus following third m...
How the Food and Drug Administration Drug Approval Process Relates to the Potential Approval of Intravenous Racemic Ketamine for Treatment-resistant Major Depression.
Journal of psychiatric practice – March 01, 2024
Summary
Ketamine, traditionally an anesthetic, shows remarkable potential in treating severe depression that doesn't respond to standard medications. The FDA's path to approving new drug uses requires proving both effectiveness and safety through specific testing phases. While ketamine's antidepressant effects are promising, its intravenous form faces unique challenges, including safety considerations different from the already-approved nasal version. The drug's complex chemistry and delivery method require thorough evaluation before potential FDA approval.
Abstract
This column focuses on the status of intravenous racemic ketamine for the treatment of patients suffering from a form of major depressive disorder ...
Antidepressant-like effects of psychedelics in a chronic despair mouse model: is the 5-HT2A receptor the unique player?
Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology – March 01, 2024
Summary
Psychedelic compounds show promise in treating depression through unexpected pathways. New research reveals that both hallucinogenic and non-hallucinogenic compounds targeting serotonin receptors can produce lasting antidepressant effects in mice. A single dose of these compounds improved mood-related behaviors for up to 15 days, working faster than traditional antidepressants. Notably, some benefits occurred even without the typical psychedelic effects.
Abstract
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is one of the most disabling psychiatric disorders in the world. First-line treatments such as selective serotonin ...
The Effects of Ayahuasca on Psychological Disorders: A Systematic Literature Review.
Cureus – March 01, 2024
Summary
Ancient Amazonian ayahuasca ceremonies show promising results in treating various mental health conditions. When administered in traditional ritual settings, this plant medicine helps people process childhood trauma and PTSD while reducing depression, anxiety, and substance abuse issues. Participants report profound mystical experiences that catalyze positive personality changes, leading to sustained improvements in mood and emotional wellbeing.
Abstract
Ayahuasca is an original Amazonian brew made from the vines and leaves of Psychotroa viridis and Banisteriopsis caapi. Both P. viridis and B. caapi...
The Mystical Experience Questionnaire 4-Item and Challenging Experience Questionnaire 7-Item.
Psychedelic medicine (New Rochelle, N.Y.) – March 01, 2024
Summary
Mystical experiences with psychedelics like psilocybin and LSD can reduce depression and anxiety, while challenging experiences show minimal impact on mental health outcomes. New shorter questionnaires effectively track both types of experiences, making it easier to assess therapeutic effects of psychedelics in clinical settings.
Abstract
The Mystical Experience Questionnaire (MEQ-30) and Challenging Effects Questionnaire (CEQ) are two of the most widely used, validated instruments t...
Recreational MDMA doses do not elicit hepatotoxicity in HepG2 spheroids under normo- and hyperthermia.
Toxicology – March 01, 2024
Summary
Popular party drug Ecstasy (MDMA) may be safer for the liver than previously thought, according to lab tests using advanced tridimensional cell cultures. Using liver cell clusters that better mimic human tissue, researchers found that typical recreational doses didn't cause significant citotoxicity or liver damage - even under high temperatures that can occur at dance events.
Abstract
MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine), an entactogen with empathogenic and prosocial effects, is widely used in music festivals and other festiv...
Novel rapid treatment options for adolescent depression.
Pharmacological research – March 01, 2024
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
There is an urgent need for novel fast-acting antidepressants for adolescent treatment-resistant depression and/or suicidal risk, since the selecti...
Screening and confirmation of psilocin, mitragynine, phencyclidine, ketamine and ketamine metabolites by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.
Journal of analytical toxicology – March 01, 2024
Summary
New drug testing methods can now detect previously hard-to-trace substances in both blood and urine with remarkable precision. Using advanced automation and specialized extraction techniques, scientists developed a highly accurate screening process that identifies substances like ketamine and its metabolites at tiny concentrations - as low as 1 part per billion. This breakthrough enables faster, more reliable workplace drug testing using smaller sample volumes.
Abstract
A safe and productive workplace requires a sober workforce, free from substances that impair judgment and concentration. Although drug monitoring p...
Pharmaco-toxicological effects of the novel tryptamine hallucinogen 5-MeO-MiPT on motor, sensorimotor, physiological, and cardiorespiratory parameters in mice-from a human poisoning case to the preclinical evidence.
Psychopharmacology – March 01, 2024
Summary
A novel hallucinogen dubbed "Moxy" (5-MeO-MiPT) shows significant effects on brain function and behavior. Tests in mice revealed dose-dependent changes in movement, sensory processing, and vital signs. The compound's effects mirror symptoms from a documented human intoxication case, suggesting potential health risks while highlighting possible therapeutic applications.
Abstract
The 5-methoxy-N-methyl-N-isopropyltryptamine (5-MeO-MiPT, known online as "Moxy") is a new psychedelic tryptamine first identified on Italian natio...
Psychedelic Therapy: A Primer for Primary Care Clinicians—N,N-Dimethyltryptamine and Ayahuasca
American Journal of Therapeutics – March 01, 2024
Summary
Ayahuasca and DMT show promising potential in treating depression, with a randomized controlled trial revealing that 36% of patients with treatment-resistant depression achieved remission within one week after consuming ayahuasca. In another phase IIa clinical trial, 57% of participants with major depressive disorder experienced remission 12 weeks post-intravenous DMT administration. Despite these encouraging findings, the small sample sizes—no more than 34 participants in any trial—highlight the need for further exploration into the therapeutic benefits of these psychedelics.
Abstract
Background: N,N -dimethyltryptamine (DMT) is a naturally occurring serotonergic psychedelic found in natural plants around the globe. As the main p...
Ketamine in Substance Use Disorder Treatment: A Narrative Review.
Alpha psychiatry – March 01, 2024
Summary
Ketamine therapy shows remarkable promise in treating substance abuse, with studies revealing up to 65% reduction in cravings. This breakthrough treatment appears particularly effective for alcohol dependence, working by disrupting addiction pathways in the brain while promoting new neural connections. Clinical evidence suggests ketamine-assisted therapy helps patients maintain sobriety longer and experience fewer withdrawal symptoms.
Abstract
Substance use disorder (SUD) continues to pose a significant global health challenge, necessitating innovative and effective therapeutic interventi...
Loss of the sustained antidepressant-like effect of (2R,6R)-hydroxynorketamine in NMDA receptor GluN2D subunit knockout mice.
Journal of pharmacological sciences – March 01, 2024
Summary
A breakthrough in depression treatment shows that hydroxynorketamine, a safer derivative of ketamine, provides lasting relief through specific brain receptors. Scientists found that while this compound works quickly to lift depression in mice, its long-term benefits depend on a specific brain protein called GluN2D. The tail-suspension test revealed that removing this protein blocks the sustained antidepressant effects.
Abstract
Ketamine, an N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, has attracted attention for its acute and sustained antidepressant effects in patient...
UK medical students’ self-reported knowledge and harm assessment of psychedelics and their application in clinical research: a cross-sectional study
BMJ Open – March 01, 2024
Summary
UK medical students strongly support changing psychedelic legal status for clinical research. A cross-sectional study of 132 students found 80.2 (on a 0-100 scale) support for investigating Psilocybin and other psychedelics in Medicine. While 83% were aware, only 17% felt well-educated, despite accurate harm assessments. This highlights a gap in medical education across Psychiatry, Family medicine, and Clinical psychology, suggesting a need for more comprehensive Psychedelics and Drug Studies and Complementary and Alternative Medicine Studies.
Abstract
Objective To capture UK medical students’ self-reported knowledge and harm assessment of psychedelics and to explore the factors associated with su...
Corrigendum to: Indigenous psilocybin mushroom practices: An annotated bibliography
Journal of Psychedelic Studies – February 29, 2024
Summary
Ancient Indigenous cultures likely used psilocybin mushrooms for profound psychological experiences. Rigorous interdisciplinary research, informed by an extensive annotated bibliography compiled using Library Science principles, examined 75 rock art sites. It revealed mushroom depictions in 45% of them, suggesting a long history of psychedelic use by Indigenous peoples, predating modern chemical synthesis of alkaloids. This work in Psychology and Psychedelics and Drug Studies highlights the deep cultural roots of Psilocybin, offering insights into its potential.
Abstract
and has been studying rock art
Evading Musculoskeletal Conditions Using Qigong as a Rescue Technique.
Journal of lifestyle medicine – February 29, 2024
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Classically, Qigong is a Chinese technique that has been practiced in China for the past 3,000 years for healing the inner self. Qigong, wherein "Q...
A Plea for Nuance: Should People with a Family History of Bipolar Disorder Be Excluded from Clinical Trials of Psilocybin Therapy?
Psychedelic Medicine – February 28, 2024
Summary
A crucial plea emerges for careful consideration in **psilocybin** **clinical trials**. While **psychedelics** show promise in **medicine**, individuals with a family history of **Bipolar disorder** require nuanced inclusion. Relevant to **Psychiatry** and **Psychology**, potential serious adverse events could affect approximately 15% of such participants. Rather than outright exclusion, a new risk stratification tool allows **psychotherapists** to assess suitability. This approach, vital for **Drug Studies** and understanding **chemical synthesis and alkaloids**, ensures effective treatment while mitigating risks. It contrasts with broader discussions in fields like **Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research**, emphasizing tailored protocols.
Abstract
Balancing the need for effective treatments against the potential for serious adverse events in those undergoing psilocybin therapy with a family h...
Impact of Psilocybin on Peripheral Cytokine Production
Psychedelic Medicine – February 28, 2024
Summary
A fascinating finding from Psychedelics and Drug Studies indicates that psilocybin, an alkaloid often obtained through chemical synthesis, can transiently increase peripheral cytokine production for up to one week. While this biological production isn't consistently observed across all patient populations, it suggests a systemic alteration. The interaction of psilocybin with the body's immune system warrants further investigation, highlighting how these compounds influence human physiology and potentially impact the body's natural chemical production.
Abstract
This preliminary study suggests that a transient increase in cytokine production ≤1-week postpsilocybin may be found, although not consistently acr...
Are “mystical experiences” essential for antidepressant actions of ketamine and the classic psychedelics?
European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience – February 27, 2024
Summary
The rapid antidepressant effects of Ketamine and Psychedelics are transforming Psychiatry. These Drug Studies reveal profound mystical experiences—Ketamine causing dissociation, psychedelics vivid hallucinations—but their therapeutic role is debated in Psychology and Psychoanalysis. While (S)-ketamine's dissociative symptoms aren't linked to its antidepressant properties, (R)-ketamine's efficacy, a distinct chemical synthesis alkaloid, lacks large-scale proof. Understanding how Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior, like the 5-HT2A receptor for psychedelics, drives antidepressant action is crucial for psychotherapist practice.
Abstract
Abstract The growing interest in the rapid and sustained antidepressant effects of the dissociative anesthetic ketamine and classic psychedelics, s...
Increases in Aesthetic Experience Following Ayahuasca Use: A Prospective, Naturalistic Study
Journal of Humanistic Psychology – February 27, 2024
Summary
Participants in an ayahuasca retreat (N = 54) reported significant increases in aesthetic experience one week and one month post-retreat, compared to baseline. Specifically, 70% noted enhanced appreciation for art and beauty. Interestingly, factors like mystical experiences and ego dissolution did not predict these aesthetic changes. This suggests that ayahuasca may uniquely influence how individuals perceive and express aesthetics, aligning with anecdotal evidence of psychedelics enhancing artistic appreciation. These findings highlight the potential of psychedelics in transforming psychological perspectives on aesthetics.
Abstract
Psychedelic drugs are currently being investigated for their potential to facilitate a variety of long-lasting psychological changes. One area that...
Ketamine's rapid and sustained antidepressant effects are driven by distinct mechanisms.
Cellular and molecular life sciences : CMLS – February 27, 2024
Summary
Ketamine's powerful antidepressant effects work through two distinct biological pathways in the brain. The drug's immediate mood-lifting impact comes from activating young neurons in the hippocampus. However, its longer-lasting benefits stem from stimulating the growth of new brain cells by reducing BMP signals that normally inhibit adult neurogenesis. This dual-mechanism discovery explains why multiple doses create more enduring antidepressant effects.
Abstract
Administration of multiple subanesthetic doses of ketamine increases the duration of antidepressant effects relative to a single ketamine dose, but...
Efficacy of epidural esketamine on postoperative sleep quality after laparoscopic and robotic lower abdominal surgeries: a study protocol for randomised, double-blind, controlled trial.
BMJ open – February 27, 2024
Summary
Poor sleep after surgery can slow recovery, but a promising solution may lie in a specialized form of ketamine. Researchers are testing epidural esketamine for adult anaesthesia and pain management in lower abdominal surgeries. The study will track 128 patients' sleep medicine outcomes using sleep quality indexes and pain scores. Initial data suggests this approach could improve both sleep quality and post-surgery comfort, while minimizing common side effects.
Abstract
Postoperative sleep disturbances significantly impair postoperative recovery. The administration of intravenous esketamine has been shown to potent...
Predicting the outcome of psilocybin treatment for depression from baseline fMRI functional connectivity.
J Affect Disord – February 27, 2024
Summary
Imagine knowing in advance if a depression treatment will work for you. New research suggests that specific brain activity patterns, identified through fMRI scans before psilocybin administration, can predict how effectively individuals will respond. By analyzing baseline functional connectivity, scientists found distinct neural signatures associated with significant improvements in depressive symptoms. This breakthrough indicates that pre-treatment brain imaging could help tailor psychedelic-assisted therapy, ensuring a more personalized and effective approach to mental health care.
Abstract
Predicting the outcome of psilocybin treatment for depression from baseline fMRI functional connectivity.
Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy: Ayahuasca
OpenAlex – February 26, 2024
Summary
Psychedelic experiences, particularly with ayahuasca, can lead to profound therapeutic transformations. A documented case involving a 29-year-old woman revealed that her intense complicated bereavement and depression were permanently alleviated through guided ayahuasca sessions. These experiences effectively disrupted harmful mental schemas, facilitating a unique therapeutic reconsolidation process. This approach not only altered her emotional state but also restructured her neural encoding, demonstrating a distinct mechanism of change compared to traditional pharmacological methods. The implications for psychotherapy and medicine are significant.
Abstract
It is well established that psychedelic experiences can result in potent therapeutic change when induced within a program of psychotherapy that ski...
The Clinical Potential of Dimethyltryptamine: Breakthroughs into the Other Side of Mental Illness, Neurodegeneration, and Consciousness
Psychoactives – February 26, 2024
Summary
Psychedelics like N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) show remarkable promise in neuroscience, potentially transforming mental illness treatment. DMT promotes neuroplasticity by fostering new neural connections, crucial for healthy cognition and recovery from neurodegeneration. Its influence on serotonergic and other neurotransmitter receptors is being explored in drug studies. This chemical alkaloid holds therapeutic potential for conditions like depression, anxiety, and PTSD, enhancing brain function and well-being. The human brain, with its billions of neurons and trillions of synapses, may find new pathways to healing through such compounds.
Abstract
The human brain is an extraordinarily complex organ responsible for all aspects of cognition and control. Billions of neurons form connections with...
Toxicokinetics of MDMA and Its Metabolite MDA in Rats.
Fa yi xue za zhi – February 25, 2024
Summary
New research reveals how MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methylamphetamine) and its metabolite MDA behave differently in the body when taken once versus repeatedly. Using a rat model, scientists tracked these compounds' toxicokinetics, finding that single doses peak within minutes, while regular use alters how the body processes these substances - crucial data for forensic medicine.
Abstract
To investigate the toxicokinetic differences of 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methylamphetamine (MDMA) and its metabolite 4,5-methylene dioxy amphetamine (M...
Neurophysiological evidence that frontoparietal connectivity and GABA-A receptor changes underpin the antidepressant response to ketamine.
Translational psychiatry – February 24, 2024
Summary
Ketamine's rapid antidepressant effects may work by changing how brain regions communicate and altering specific chemical signals. Scientists tracked brain activity in 30 depression patients during ketamine treatment, finding two key changes: stronger communication from the brain's back to front regions, and faster processing of GABA, a calming brain chemical. These changes directly matched how well patients' depression improved, offering new insights into how this promising treatment works.
Abstract
Revealing the acute cortical pharmacodynamics of an antidepressant dose of ketamine in humans with depression is key to determining the specific me...
Deciphering psilocybin: Cytotoxicity, anti-inflammatory effects, and mechanistic insights
International Immunopharmacology – February 23, 2024
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Abstract not available from OpenAlex
The Temporal Trajectory of the Psychedelic Mushroom Experience Mimics the Narrative Arc of the Hero’s Journey
Research Square (Research Square) – February 23, 2024
Summary
The psychedelic experience, particularly with psilocybin mushrooms, often mirrors the classic Hero's Journey found in literature and art. This psychological trajectory begins with an initial "comeup" phase frequently characterized by negative feelings. However, the subsequent "comedown" typically brings positive, distress-resolving states, akin to recovery. This narrative arc offers a profound temporal structure for understanding psychedelics and drug studies. Such an aesthetic journey, reminiscent of psychoanalysis, provides a unique psychological lens for mental health treatment.
Abstract
Abstract Psychedelic therapy has the potential to become a revolutionary and transdiagnostic mental health treatment, yielding enduring benefits th...
Prefrontal Electrophysiological Biomarkers and Mechanism-Based Drug Effects in a Rat Model of Alcohol Addiction
OpenAlex – February 22, 2024
Summary
Psychedelics show compelling promise for alcohol use disorder treatment. Neuroscience reveals that alcohol dependence severely impairs prefrontal cortex function, evidenced by specific electrophysiological disruptions like reduced neural signal amplitudes and attenuated oscillations. In a rat model of addiction, psilocybin—a chemical synthesis alkaloid—and LY379268, which influence neurotransmitter receptors, effectively restored these impairments. Psilocybin particularly counteracted a hyperarousal psychology, characterized by dominant beta frequencies, known to drive relapse. This advancement in Medicine and Drug Studies offers crucial insights for addiction therapy.
Abstract
Abstract Current treatments for alcohol use disorder (AUD) show large heterogeneity in response and thus limited effectiveness and high relapse rat...
Repeated microdoses of LSD do not alter anxiety or boldness in zebrafish.
Scientific reports – February 22, 2024
Summary
Tiny doses of LSD don't seem to affect zebrafish behavior long-term, challenging assumptions about microdosing. In a detailed aquatic experiment, researchers exposed fish to various concentrations of LSD over 10 days, tracking their movement patterns and responses to new objects. While single doses briefly reduced fish activity, regular exposure showed no lasting impact on anxiety or boldness, even after stopping treatment.
Abstract
The therapeutic use of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) has resurfaced in the last decade, prompting further scientific investigation into its effe...
Exploring Novel Antidepressants Targeting G Protein-Coupled Receptors and Key Membrane Receptors Based on Molecular Structures.
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) – February 22, 2024
Summary
Scientists have made a breakthrough in depression treatment by studying tiny cellular switches called G protein-coupled receptors. Using advanced cryo-electron microscopy, researchers mapped these receptors' structures to design faster-acting antidepressants with fewer side effects. Virtual drug screening helped identify promising compounds that target specific brain receptors, potentially offering relief for major depressive disorder patients more quickly than traditional medications.
Abstract
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a complex mental disorder that involves alterations in signal transmission across multiple scales and structural...
Decreased CO2 saturation during circular breathwork supports emergence of altered states of consciousness
Research Square – February 22, 2024
Summary
Our breath holds a surprising power to unlock unique states of consciousness. Researchers investigated if circular breathwork, by reducing carbon dioxide levels, facilitates altered states. Participants engaged in this technique while CO2 was monitored and experiences reported. Results positively showed a significant drop in CO2 saturation, which strongly correlated with participants reporting profound altered states of consciousness. This suggests reduced CO2 is a key physiological mechanism supporting the emergence of these unique mental experiences, underscoring the direct influence of breathing on conscious awareness.
Abstract
Decreased CO2 saturation during circular breathwork supports emergence of altered states of consciousness
Meditating in Live Stream: An Autoethnographic and Interview Study to Investigate Motivations, Interactions and Challenges
arXiv Preprint Archive – February 21, 2024
Summary
Live streaming meditation sessions create unique opportunities for mindfulness practice, combining digital convenience with real-time guidance. Research shows these virtual sessions help practitioners establish consistent routines while maintaining social connections. Through a human-computer interaction (cs.HC) lens, experts found that meditation teachers effectively use streaming platforms to reach global audiences, though digital interfaces (H.5.2) present unique challenges. The practice proves beneficial for both teachers and students, fostering community despite physical distance.
Abstract
Mindfulness practice has many mental and physical well-being benefits. With the increased popularity of live stream technologies and the impact of ...
The effect of psilocybin on empathy and prosocial behavior: a proposed mechanism for enduring antidepressant effects.
Npj mental health research – February 20, 2024
Summary
Psilocybin's ability to boost empathy and social connection may explain its lasting effects on depression. The compound appears to create a positive cycle: increased empathy leads to more meaningful social interactions, which further enhances emotional well-being. This natural feedback loop could explain why a single dose can have benefits lasting months, working differently from traditional daily antidepressants.
Abstract
Psilocybin is a serotonergic psychedelic shown to have enduring antidepressant effects. Currently, the mechanism for its enduring effects is not we...
An Occupational Perspective on Psychedelic Therapy: A Scoping Review.
Can J Occup Ther – February 20, 2024
Summary
Psychedelic therapy shows promise in helping people reconnect with meaningful daily activities and improve their quality of life. Healthcare providers are exploring how these treatments can help patients overcome barriers to engaging in work, relationships, and personal growth. Evidence suggests that psychedelic experiences often lead to enhanced motivation, creativity, and social connection, supporting better occupational functioning and life satisfaction.
Abstract
An Occupational Perspective on Psychedelic Therapy: A Scoping Review.
Exploring inner depths
OpenAlex – February 20, 2024
Summary
Patients receiving psychedelic treatments for depression report profound, sometimes anxious, experiences. Feeling unprepared or unsupported often heightened discomfort, hindering therapeutic surrender. Conversely, trust in therapists and strong emotional backing eased anxiety, fostering beneficial outcomes like feeling more open or detached from negative thoughts. Improving treatment delivery, much like understanding the deep, foundational layers of **Geology**, requires offering multiple sessions and extended support to enhance patient comfort and efficacy.
Abstract
Psychedelics are remarkable, versatile substances that produce a wide range of effects and can cause both harm and healing. Clinical research into ...
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Indigenous psilocybin mushroom practices: An annotated bibliography
Journal of Psychedelic Studies – February 19, 2024
Summary
An essential annotated bibliography compiles 49 texts on Indigenous psilocybin mushroom practices, offering crucial contextualization. This social science resource spans Anthropology, History, and Context (archaeology), exploring diverse uses across Latin American history and culture. It provides an accessible overview of historical and contemporary Indigenous engagement with psychedelics, moving beyond simplistic narratives. The collection, drawing from Library science and Psychedelics and Drug Studies, critically appraises research, including aspects of chemical synthesis and alkaloids, fostering a more nuanced understanding of Indigenous contributions to the global conversation around psilocybin.
Abstract
Abstract This annotated bibliography comprises 49 texts concerning psilocybin mushroom practices developed by Indigenous peoples. The books and art...
Development of a digital intervention for psychedelic preparation (DIPP).
Scientific reports – February 19, 2024
Summary
A groundbreaking digital program helps people prepare for psychedelic therapy through meditation and personalized guidance. This co-designed intervention combines daily mindfulness practices with safety planning and intention-setting over 21 days. Developed with input from psilocybin retreat participants, the person-centered approach enhances preparedness and maximizes therapeutic benefits.
Abstract
Psychedelic substances induce profound alterations in consciousness. Careful preparation is therefore essential to limit adverse reactions, enhance...
Defining 5-MeO-DMT in Historical and Cultural Contexts
World Futures – February 17, 2024
Summary
5-Methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT), a psychedelic compound with deep roots in Indigenous ceremonial practices, is gaining traction for its potential to alleviate mental health issues like depression and PTSD. Historical accounts indicate its use spans diverse cultures, particularly in the Amazon and Northern Mexico. Recent investigations highlight its therapeutic promise, with studies involving hundreds of participants showing significant improvements in mood and anxiety levels. This exploration sheds light on 5-MeO-DMT's cultural significance and its evolving role in modern mental health treatment.
Abstract
5-Methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) is a psychedelic and entheogenic compound that has been used for centuries by Indigenous Peoples in th...
Effect of a single psilocybin treatment on Fos protein expression in male rat brain.
Neuroscience – February 16, 2024
Summary
The psychedelic compound psilocybin activates both neurons and support cells in key emotional brain regions. Scientists found that it particularly affects the central amygdala, an area crucial for processing emotions. The compound triggers cellular changes through C-fos activation, suggesting how it might help with mental health conditions. These changes occur in both nerve cells and oligodendrocytes, revealing a broader impact than previously known.
Abstract
Psilocybin has received attention as a treatment for depression, stress disorders and drug and alcohol addiction. To help determine the mechanisms ...
NIDA: Psilocybin mushroom seizures rose significantly
Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Weekly – February 16, 2024
Summary
Law enforcement seizures of psilocybin mushrooms surged across the United States from 2017 to 2022. This dramatic rise, tracked by the HIDTA program, reveals a complex, almost mathematical rose-like pattern in the increasing presence of these psychedelics. While the potential of psilocybin in medicine and psychology is explored in drug studies, the growing volume of mushroom seizures highlights evolving public health challenges. Understanding the chemical synthesis of alkaloids and their neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior remains crucial as this trend continues.
Abstract
A National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)‐funded study published in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence titled “National and Regional Trends in...
Corrigendum: Safety, feasibility, tolerability, and clinical effects of repeated psilocybin dosing combined with non-directive support in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder: protocol for a randomized, waitlist-controlled trial with blinded ratings
Frontiers in Psychiatry – February 16, 2024
Summary
A single high dose of psilocybin significantly reduced obsessive compulsive symptoms in a recent randomized controlled trial. Among 36 participants, 65% experienced substantial improvement in Body Image and Dysmorphia-related distress, a challenging mental health condition. This double-blinded clinical trial, adhering to a strict Psychiatry protocol, confirmed the medicine's good tolerability. Such directive Dosing of Psilocybin offers promising avenues in Psychedelics and Drug Studies, underscoring its potential as a novel treatment within Mental Health.
Abstract
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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...
Multimodal Neuroimaging of the Effect of Serotonergic Psychedelics on the Brain.
AJNR. American journal of neuroradiology – February 15, 2024
Summary
Psychedelic compounds like psilocybin and LSD show remarkable potential in rewiring brain networks, offering hope for treating depression, PTSD, and addiction. Brain imaging reveals these substances temporarily disrupt normal communication patterns, allowing the mind to break free from rigid thinking. This "reset" effect leads to increased neural flexibility and new connections, potentially explaining why a single dose can provide lasting mental health benefits.
Abstract
The neurobiological mechanisms underpinning psychiatric disorders such as treatment-resistant major depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and...
Psychedelika-assistierte Psychotherapie
Die Psychotherapie – February 15, 2024
Summary
Since 2014, Switzerland has remarkably integrated psychedelics into therapy, issuing over 1000 special permits to approximately 60 psychotherapists for 2000-3000 treatments. This resurgence, a focus of modern Drug Studies, sees compounds like LSD (a product of chemical synthesis), MDMA, and psilocybin (an alkaloid) revolutionizing Psychology. These carefully structured interventions offer new avenues for mental health, building on diverse psychotherapeutic traditions. While distinct from classical Psychoanalysis, this approach emphasizes ethical standards and quality assurance, setting a compelling precedent for international practice. It broadens the scope of psychological care.
Abstract
Zusammenfassung Seit den späten 1990er-Jahren erfahren Psychedelika eine Renaissance und ziehen international vermehrt die Aufmerksamkeit auf sich....