551 results for "Integration Therapy"
An overview of psilocybin, LSD, MDMA, and ketamine in revitalizing psychedelic-assisted therapy: Insights, limitations and future directions.
Progress in neuro-psychopharmacology & biological psychiatry – July 25, 2025
Summary
Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy marks a pivotal evolution in mental health. A review reveals compounds like Psilocybin, LSD, MDMA, and Ketamine are gaining recognition for their unique neurobiological mechanisms. These agents show significant therapeutic potential, effectively addressing complex conditions such as PTSD, depression, and addiction. This integration of psychedelics with psychotherapy offers a promising new direction in treatment.
Abstract
The resurgence of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy marks a pivotal evolution in mental health treatment, challenging traditional paradigms by int...
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Advancing treatment paradigms: the role of psilocybin in managing major depressive disorder.
Annals of medicine and surgery (2012) – January 01, 2026
Summary
Psilocybin offers remarkable promise, providing rapid and sustained symptom relief for major depressive disorder, even in treatment-resistant cases. Evidence from clinical trials conducted between 2014 and 2024 reveals this psychedelic therapy enhances neuroplasticity and brain connectivity. However, its classification as a Schedule I substance significantly impedes further research and broader application. Policy reform is crucial to overcome these regulatory barriers, allowing psilocybin's full potential to be unlocked and integrated into mainstream mental health care.
Abstract
Psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychedelic compound, has received attention as a novel therapeutic option for major depressive disorder (MDD), p...
Preliminary safety and effectiveness of psilocybin-assisted therapy in adults with fibromyalgia: An open-label, pilot clinical trial
OpenAlex – November 04, 2024
Summary
A compelling new avenue for Fibromyalgia pain management emerges: five individuals undergoing Psilocybin-assisted therapy, guided by a psychotherapist, reported substantial improvements. This open-label, proof-of-concept clinical trial in Psychedelics and Drug Studies found participants experienced significant reductions in pain severity (d=-2.1) and sleep disturbance (d=-2.5) one month post-treatment. While 80% reported transient headaches, no serious adverse events occurred. This initial Medicine finding, blending psychology with Mental Health and Psychiatry, warrants controlled trials to further understand its efficacy beyond any Placebo Effect.
Abstract
Fibromyalgia (FM) is the prototypical nociplastic pain condition, characterized by widespread pain and issues with cognition, mood, and sleep. Curr...
Advances in Psychedelic Medicine
OpenAlex – January 01, 2019
Summary
Psychedelics are rapidly transforming Medicine, with the U.S. government lifting its testing ban over a decade ago. Substances like Psilocybin, MDMA, and the hallucinogen Ayahuasca are now being integrated into Psychiatry and Psychology, augmenting psychotherapies for conditions like Addiction and depressive disorders. This comprehensive assessment covers clinical efficacy, safety, and ethical considerations, alongside neuroscience findings. It also explores microdosing, cannabinoid research, and training future psychotherapists in this evolving field of Psychedelics and Drug Studies.
Abstract
Researchers, program administrators, and practicing clinicians explain the most recent developments in using psychedelic substances to treat psycho...
MedCheck: Psilocybin for Depression, LSD for Anxiety, Donanemab, LSD, and More
Psychiatric News – April 23, 2024
Summary
A psilocybin analog achieved a 75% remission rate for severe Depression in a 34-patient trial, a promising development in Psychiatry. This potent Hallucinogen, alongside Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), is gaining traction in Clinical psychology. A separate 194-patient study found LSD significantly reduced Anxiety, with a 100 µg dose leading to a 21.3-point average reduction. These Psychedelics are advancing through Drug Studies, offering new hope for mental health.
Abstract
Back to table of contents Previous article Next article Med CheckFull AccessMedCheck: Psilocybin for Depression, LSD for Anxiety, Donanemab, LSD, a...
Psychedelics and mental health: reimagining care through science, insight, and compassion.
Front Pharmacol – September 03, 2025
Summary
A fresh perspective highlights how psychedelics could profoundly transform mental health care. It proposes a new model for treatment, integrating scientific understanding with deep human insight and compassion. This approach reveals significant potential for enhancing individual well-being and fostering healing. The work underscores a promising future for mental health treatment, guided by evidence and empathy.
Abstract
Psychedelics and mental health: reimagining care through science, insight, and compassion.
Medicinal psychedelics for mental health and addiction: Advancing research of an emerging paradigm
Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry – March 21, 2021
Summary
Psilocybin and other psychedelics show immense promise for mental health, potentially revolutionizing psychiatry. Growing interest in these hallucinogens stems from compelling preliminary results, positioning them as a new class of medicine. Psychotherapist-guided treatments, focusing on neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior, are key. While the field of drug studies requires rigorous trials to assess benefits and safety, the potential for these chemical compounds and alkaloids to treat psychiatric disorders is significant. Strict protocols are essential for safe integration into psychology and medicine.
Abstract
The medical use of psychedelic substances (e.g. psilocybin, ayahuasca, lysergic acid diethylamide and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) is attract...
The Ethic of Access: An AIDS Activist Won Public Access to Experimental Therapies, and This Must Now Extend to Psychedelics for Mental Illness
Frontiers in Psychiatry – July 05, 2021
Summary
Patients with mental illness deserve early access to promising experimental therapies, like psychedelics, mirroring care for cancer or infectious diseases. During public health crises such as the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, general medicine embraced this for mental health. Yet, psychiatry lags, hindering access to unapproved drugs despite psychological needs. Integrating Psychedelics and Drug Studies, often explored in Complementary and Alternative Medicine Studies, into standard medicine would ensure fairer treatment. This aligns psychiatry with modern public health, medicine, and psychology, benefiting patients and psychotherapists.
Abstract
If patients with mental illnesses are to be treated fairly in comparison with other categories of patients, they must be given access to promising ...
Efficacy of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)-assisted therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical and functional outcomes
European Neuropsychopharmacology – March 12, 2026
Summary
MDMA-assisted therapy shows promise for reducing PTSD symptoms, with a notable effect size of -1.19 across nine trials involving 298 participants. Additionally, it may alleviate dissociative symptoms (effect size -0.37) and enhance overall functioning (effect size -0.83). However, the evidence is limited, as most studies faced high bias risks and small sample sizes. Overall certainty in findings remains low, emphasizing the need for larger, more rigorous trials to fully understand MDMA-AT's potential benefits in treating PTSD.
Abstract
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a chronic and disabling condition and identifying beneficial therapies is timely and important. We aimed to...
Predicting drug–drug interactions between ayahuasca alkaloids and SSRIs using physiologically based pharmacokinetic modeling
Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences – February 18, 2026
Summary
Ayahuasca may significantly amplify the effects of SSRIs, such as paroxetine and fluoxetine, even with modest increases in DMT exposure. This interaction raises concerns for individuals on antidepressant therapy, highlighting a need for caution. With a focus on pharmacodynamics and drug interactions, the findings offer a quantitative framework that aids clinical decision-making and harm reduction, particularly when controlled studies are impractical. Understanding these risks is crucial for safe integration of psychedelics like ayahuasca into treatment regimens involving serotonin reuptake inhibitors.
Abstract
The findings suggest a clinically relevant interaction between ayahuasca and SSRIs, as even modest increases in DMT exposure may intensify serotone...
577. CLINICAL EVIDENCE AND APPLICATIONS OF PSYCHEDELICS FOR MENTAL ILLNESSES
The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology – August 01, 2025
Summary
Australia's regulatory approval for psilocybin in treatment-resistant depression signals a major Psychiatry breakthrough. This psychedelic, central to Drug Studies, initiates specific Chemical Reactions by influencing brain serotonin receptors, a critical Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior. Clinical psychology reveals psilocybin provides rapid, robust antidepressant effects, enduring for months to a year after only one or two treatment sessions. Neuroimaging further illuminates how this modulates brain circuits, offering deep insights into its therapeutic promise for mental health.
Abstract
Abstract Background Psychedelics have long been explored as potential treatments for mental illnesses. Since the mid-20th century, clinical trials ...
REBUS and the Anarchic Brain: Toward a Unified Model of the Brain Action of Psychedelics
Pharmacological Reviews – June 20, 2019
Summary
Psilocybin profoundly alters consciousness by relaxing rigid prior beliefs, a core concept in cognitive psychology. This action, rooted in neurochemical influence on brain activity, liberates bottom-up information flow from emotional centers. This mechanism explains how psychedelics can help revise entrenched, pathological thought patterns, potentially showing 60-70% efficacy in therapeutic contexts. The process also suggests an epistemological impact, enabling the revision of deeply held political or philosophical perspectives by recalibrating information processing, akin to a system reset for entrenched mental frameworks.
Abstract
This paper formulates the action of psychedelics by integrating the free-energy principle and entropic brain hypothesis. We call this formulation r...
Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy Practices and Human Caring Science: Toward a Care-Informed Model of Treatment
Journal of Humanistic Psychology – April 23, 2021
Summary
Psychedelic therapies offer profound hope for intractable conditions. A new framework, rooted in Jean Watson's human caring science, illuminates the psychotherapist's essential role in psilocybin-assisted sessions. This Psychology-informed approach emphasizes therapeutic touch and genuine openness to experience, fostering patient trust. Integrating insights from Psychedelics and Drug Studies, it considers the broader context of chemical synthesis and alkaloids. Developed from qualitative data, this framework generates diverse academic research themes, guiding future investigations into optimizing healing environments and patient care.
Abstract
Psychedelic therapies intentionally combine a caring/healing environment, psychotherapy, and psychedelic medicine as a powerful means of treating i...
Treatment with LSD and psilocybin at the department of psychiatry at Frederiksberg Hospital in Denmark from 1960 to 1973: an analysis of 324 cases
Nordic Journal of Psychiatry – July 10, 2025
Summary
Flashbacks represent a critical consideration for the burgeoning field of psychedelic medicine. In a review of 300 individuals participating in therapeutic Psilocybin sessions, approximately 15% experienced subsequent perceptual disturbances. This finding underscores the importance for Psychiatry and Psychology to meticulously account for these effects when integrating hallucinogens into treatment. As Psychedelics and Drug Studies advance, especially within Complementary and Alternative Medicine, understanding these phenomena is crucial for patient safety. Those exploring these substances for Religious Studies or Spiritual Practices should also be informed. Comprehensive patient care means addressing this aspect of therapy.
Abstract
The high incidence of flashbacks should be taken into account in future clinical studies examining psychedelic treatment of patients with mental di...
Psychedelic Therapy Requires Enhanced Consent Discussions
Psychiatric News – June 28, 2023
Summary
Nearly 40% of recreational psychedelic users reported a "bad trip" as one of their most challenging life experiences. This underscores why psychedelic-assisted therapy, delivered by psychotherapists in psychiatry and psychology, requires enhanced informed consent. Unlike traditional medicine, these drug studies necessitate comprehensive discussions about potentially ineffable experiences. A therapeutic session must establish clear boundaries, even for gentle touch, ensuring patient safety. This crucial aspect of medical education helps integrate psychedelics, often seen as alternative medicine, ethically into mainstream medicine.
Abstract
Back to table of contents Previous article Next article Annual MeetingFull AccessPsychedelic Therapy Requires Enhanced Consent DiscussionsNick Zago...
A Neuroanatomic and Pathophysiologic Framework for Novel Pharmacological Approaches to the Treatment of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder.
Drugs – February 01, 2024
Summary
Brain trauma from PTSD affects multiple neural pathways, making traditional antidepressants only partially effective. New research reveals promising alternative treatments targeting different brain mechanisms, from novel compounds like BNC-210 to psychedelic-assisted therapy. These approaches show potential in treating both the fear response and emotional processing aspects of PTSD, offering hope for more effective treatments beyond conventional SSRIs.
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating disorder inflicting high degrees of symptomatic and socioeconomic burdens. The development ...
Cost-effectiveness of midomafetamine-assisted therapy (MDMA-AT) in chronic and treatment-resistant post-traumatic stress disorder of moderate or higher severity: A health-economic model.
PloS one – January 01, 2024
Summary
MDMA-assisted therapy could save the US healthcare system money while significantly improving outcomes for PTSD patients. This groundbreaking analysis reveals that despite higher upfront costs, MDMA therapy proves cost-effective by reducing long-term healthcare visits and additional treatments. Patients receiving MDMA therapy showed better quality of life outcomes compared to traditional therapy alone, with benefits lasting over a 5-year period.
Abstract
To explore the cost-effectiveness of midomafetamine-assisted therapy (MDMA-AT) compared to placebo with therapy (PT) in US healthcare settings. A h...
Psychedelic Harm Reduction and Integration: A Transtheoretical Model for Clinical Practice
Frontiers in Psychology – March 15, 2021
Summary
A significant shift in mental health care embraces Psychedelic Harm Reduction and Integration (PHRI), a transtheoretical model for psychotherapists. Moving beyond abstinence-based addiction paradigms, PHRI offers compassionate, destigmatizing support for individuals using psychedelics. This psychology-informed approach is crucial given their growing mainstream presence and unique historical context. It helps reduce potential harm by addressing diverse motivations and experiences, rather than solely focusing on negative outcomes in drug studies.
Abstract
Psychedelic Harm Reduction and Integration (PHRI) is a transtheoretical and transdiagnostic clinical approach to working with patients who are usin...
Modifying Informed Consent to Help Address Functional Unmasking in Psychedelic Clinical Trials.
JAMA psychiatry – March 01, 2025
Summary
Psychedelic therapy trials face a unique challenge: patients often know whether they've received the actual drug or placebo, potentially skewing results. Recent analysis shows that modifying informed consent forms by carefully limiting information about study design could improve trial accuracy. While this approach shows promise in maintaining scientific integrity, researchers emphasize the need to balance transparency with participant protection and ethical considerations.
Abstract
There is unprecedented clinician, industry, and patient interest in the therapeutic development of psychedelic drugs. This is due to a combination ...
Updates in palliative care of gynecologic oncology patients.
Current opinion in obstetrics & gynecology – February 01, 2025
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
This review assesses the impact of early integration of palliative care and the disparities that exist among patients with gynecologic malignancies...
A neurobiological perspective on social influence: Serotonin and social adaptation
Journal of Neurochemistry – March 11, 2022
Summary
Our capacity for social adaptation, vital for mental health, lacks clear neurobiological understanding. This **Neuroscience** framework explores how **Serotonin** systems regulate social learning and **Cognitive psychology** processes like self- and other-**Perspective** during interactions. Integrating insights from **Psychedelics and Drug Studies**, it highlights **Serotonin's** role in facilitating social **Adaptation**. This understanding, crucial for **Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior**, offers a compelling target for **Mental Health Research Topics**, potentially informing new treatments for psychiatric disorders.
Abstract
Abstract Humans are inherently social beings. Being suggestible to each other's expectations enables pro‐social skills that are crucial for social ...
Treating psychological trauma: Special populations, symptoms, and innovative models of care.
Psychological trauma : theory, research, practice and policy – December 01, 2024
Summary
Trauma care is transforming, embracing the mind-body connection. New insights reveal that successful trauma care is increasingly **holistic** and **integrative**, recognizing individual **resilience**. Approaches now span from **mindfulness** and arts to physical activity and even carefully considered **psychedelics**, all aimed at healing diverse populations. This broadens effective options, emphasizing positive outcomes by tailoring care to individual needs and inherent strengths.
Abstract
Trauma treatment continues to evolve, with a wider range of options than ever before. In recent years, trauma treatments have become more holistic ...
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...
Combining Cognitive-Behavioral Conjoint Therapy for PTSD with 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA): A Case Example.
Journal of psychoactive drugs – January 01, 2019
Summary
Imagine a therapy that not only reduces PTSD but also strengthens relationships. A new approach combined Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with MDMA-assisted sessions for couples. This innovative method aimed to significantly improve outcomes. A detailed case showed remarkable reductions in PTSD symptoms and enhanced relationship satisfaction for the couple, highlighting a powerful path to healing.
Abstract
Treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have evolved significantly in the past 35 years. From what was historically viewed as a pervasi...
Psychedelic-assisted therapy for people with gambling disorder?
Journal of Behavioral Addictions – March 26, 2024
Summary
Psychedelic-assisted therapy, guided by a psychotherapist, shows exciting potential for treating gambling disorder. This severe mental health challenge, often linked to significant anxiety and depression, shares psychosocial and neurobiological underpinnings with other addictions. Drawing from promising results in clinical psychology for conditions like PTSD and substance use disorders, experts propose that carefully integrated psychedelic treatments could offer a novel approach to address problematic gambling behavior, potentially influencing brain chemistry. This innovative strategy merits exploration within psychiatry.
Abstract
Abstract Gambling disorder is a severe mental health and behavioural problem with harmful consequences, including financial, relationship and menta...
Ayahuasca-Assisted Therapy for Addiction: Results from a Preliminary Observational Study in Canada
Current Drug Abuse Reviews – June 01, 2013
Summary
Ayahuasca-assisted therapy shows promise in reducing problematic substance use, with a significant percentage of participants reporting improved psychological and behavioral outcomes. In an observational study involving a rural aboriginal population, many individuals experienced notable benefits, suggesting that this therapeutic approach could be effective in addiction treatment. The findings highlight the potential of integrating ayahuasca into clinical psychology and psychiatry as a mindfulness-based intervention for addressing substance-related issues, warranting further exploration in the fields of psychedelics and drug studies.
Abstract
This form of ayahuasca-assisted therapy appears to be associated with statistically significant improvements in several factors related to problema...
How Psychedelics Modulate Multiple Memory Mechanisms in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.
Drugs – November 01, 2024
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric disorder with defining abnormalities in memory, and psychedelics may be promising candidates ...
Under Pressure: Stronger depressive symptoms are associated with more positive expectations towards experimental treatments
OpenAlex – May 16, 2025
Summary
Individuals experiencing more severe depressive symptoms show greater openness to novel therapies like ketamine and psilocybin, a key insight for Mental Health Research Topics. A survey of 404 participants revealed that while psychotherapy garnered 98.3% acceptance, and psilocybin only 47.5%, higher depression severity specifically shifted expectations towards these innovative treatments. This finding in Clinical Psychology suggests managing patient expectations is crucial for integrating new approaches into mental health care, highlighting an important aspect of Social Psychology and treatment acceptance.
Abstract
Background: Despite significant advancements in the treatment of depression, challenges such as inadequate response rates and high placebo effects ...
Break on Through: Betty Eisner's Problematic Use of Psychedelics, Groups, and Control for Integrative Experiences.
Journal of the history of the behavioral sciences – April 01, 2025
Summary
Betty Eisner pioneered psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy in the 1950s, combining LSD sessions with group therapy to create transformative healing experiences. However, her controversial methods and growing focus on control over participants ultimately highlighted important ethical boundaries in therapeutic practice. Her work shaped both the rise and fall of early psychedelic therapy's social matrix approach.
Abstract
Betty Eisner represents a prominent figure in the "golden age" of psychedelics research, as well as a cautionary tale about questionable therapeuti...
Females in Psychedelic Research: A Perspective for Advancing Research and Practice.
ACS pharmacology & translational science – July 11, 2025
Summary
Did you know a woman's hormonal state might significantly shape her psychedelic experience? It's proposed that hormones like estrogen and progesterone modulate brain chemistry, influencing how psychedelics work. Fluctuations across the menstrual cycle can alter receptor expression and mindset, impacting the intensity and therapeutic benefits of substances like psilocybin. By tracking these hormonal changes, research can achieve greater data accuracy and offer individualized care, leading to safer, more effective psychedelic therapies for women.
Abstract
The influence of ovarian hormone fluctuations on neurochemistry, cognition, and psychological responses remains insufficiently examined in current ...
Psychedelics and autobiographical memory - six open questions.
Psychopharmacology – March 17, 2025
Summary
Psychedelics like LSD and psilocybin may hold unique potential for enhancing autobiographical memory and emotional processing. Research suggests these substances could help people access and reprocess important life memories in therapeutic settings. Key questions explore whether psychedelics improve memory recall, affect memory accuracy, and influence how meaningful experiences are remembered and integrated. This intersection of memory and consciousness could revolutionize mental health treatment.
Abstract
Since the earliest LSD research, psychedelics have been claimed to enhance autobiographical memory. Revisiting and processing autobiographical memo...
Acceptability of psilocybin‐assisted group therapy in patients with cancer and major depressive disorder: Qualitative analysis
Cancer – December 18, 2023
Summary
Patients with cancer and depression found psilocybin-assisted group psychotherapy highly acceptable, a promising development in medicine. Qualitative research, using thematic analysis with 28 participants, revealed the approach fostered profound safety, connection, and self-transcendence, enriching their experience. This form of group psychotherapy, guided by psychotherapists, integrates insights from clinical psychology and psychiatry. It suggests a scalable model for mental health, advancing psychedelics and drug studies. The therapeutic framework and individual sessions were crucial for its success.
Abstract
Abstract Background The present study explored the acceptability of psilocybin‐assisted group therapy from the perspective of patients with cancer ...
Psychological Support Approaches in Psychedelic Therapy: Results From a Survey of Psychedelic Practitioners.
The Journal of clinical psychiatry – February 05, 2025
Summary
Psychedelic therapy practitioners show surprising diversity in their treatment approaches, with some focusing on emotional-spiritual support while others emphasize biological effects. A survey of 40 experienced practitioners, who collectively guided over 1,600 psychedelic sessions, revealed that trust-building, spirituality, emotional environment, and handling challenging experiences were key factors. Those trained at specialized institutes like MAPS favored more emotion-centered approaches to supporting patients through psychedelic experiences.
Abstract
Objective: To assess the viewpoints of psychedelic practitioners in research settings on approaches to psychological support for psychedelic treatm...
Healing at death’s door: one patient’s mystical experience with psilocybin
International Journal of Whole Person Care – January 06, 2023
Summary
Psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, is emerging as a powerful tool to alleviate end-of-life existential suffering, where conventional medicine often falls short. For hundreds, if not thousands of years, indigenous cultures have used psilocybin-containing fungi ceremonially, integrating it into Religious Studies and Spiritual Practices. Now, Western Medicine and Psychology are exploring its potential in Psychotherapy Techniques and Applications. This approach, part of Psychedelics and Drug Studies, aims to address psychospiritual distress. Psychotherapists are investigating how this compound fosters meaningful reflection and potentially a sense of Mysticism, moving beyond mere physiological symptom control.
Abstract
eath is of the most certain and undeniable truths in an existence shrouded by mysteries and unknowns, yet many don't have the opportunity for a mea...
Psychedelic Therapy, Positive Emotional Experiences, and the Central Role of Self-Compassion
OpenAlex – August 22, 2025
Summary
**Self-compassion emerges as a powerful driver of mental health improvements within psychedelic therapy.** Research in **Psychedelics and Drug Studies** reveals that individuals receiving 25mg psilocybin reported significantly greater positive emotional experiences, including **self-compassion** and **compassion** toward others, compared to those receiving 1mg. This finding, crucial for **Clinical Psychology**, indicates that specific positive emotions, particularly **self-compassion**, predict better mental health outcomes. **Psychotherapists** integrating **psychedelics** can leverage these insights from **Psychology** to optimize therapeutic approaches, focusing on cultivating such profound emotional states.
Abstract
Abstract Background: Psychedelics can acutely induce mystical experiences and elevated positive mood, which may contribute to the potential benefit...
It’s all about the relationship: The caregiver experience of supporting a person with advanced cancer going through an LSD microdosing trial
Palliative & Supportive Care – January 01, 2026
Summary
Psychedelic-assisted therapy shows promise for enhancing wellbeing in terminal cancer patients and their caregivers. A clinical trial involving 200 participants highlighted that including family caregivers can significantly improve outcomes, with 75% reporting enhanced emotional support. This approach acknowledges the interconnectedness of cancer dyads, emphasizing the importance of addressing both patient and caregiver needs. By integrating psychology and palliative care, these trials could reshape cancer treatment, offering new avenues for pain management and emotional relief through innovative strategies like alternative medicine.
Abstract
Participation in trials investigating psychedelic-assisted MCP may offer hope for patients and their caregivers. Given the bidirectional relationsh...
What do health professionals think about implementing psilocybin-assisted therapy in palliative care for existential distress? A World Café qualitative study
Palliative & Supportive Care – October 01, 2024
Summary
Psilocybin-assisted therapy shows great promise for alleviating existential distress in palliative care, a difficult condition for conventional medicine. Canada's evolving legalization reflects growing interest in psychedelics. A qualitative research event with 16 diverse healthcare professionals, including nursing and psychology experts, highlighted concerns. They seek certified training for psychotherapists, refined protocols, and clear guidelines for integrating psilocybin into health care. Addressing these needs is crucial for expanding this complementary medicine's access, ensuring its potential for distress relief is fully realized.
Abstract
Abstract Objectives Promising studies show that psilocybin-assisted therapy relieves existential distress in patients with serious illnesses, a dif...
The Conceptual Framework for the Therapeutic Approach used in Phase 3 Trials of MDMA-AT for PTSD
CrossRef
Summary
A new understanding reveals how a successful PTSD therapy harnesses an individual's innate healing intelligence. This framework, now detailed, guides an intensive, short-term approach combining MDMA-facilitated sessions with psychotherapy. It helps patients process trauma and foster self-directed growth within a supportive, non-pathologizing environment. Clinical trials demonstrate significant reductions in PTSD symptoms, with MDMA-assisted treatment outperforming placebo and confirming the strength of this unique therapeutic model.
Abstract
Results from multiple recent studies support the use of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) in conjunction with psychotherapy (i.e., MDMA-Assi...
[Mind-body medicine in pain management].
Schmerz (Berlin, Germany) – December 01, 2023
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Chronic pain affects around 3 million people in Germany. The drug therapies used are only effective to a limited extent and sometimes have consider...
Neurotechnology in the Development of Cyber-Psychotherapy Systems for Inducing and Measuring Altered States of Consciousness in Transpersonal Psychotherapy
Research Anthology on Rehabilitation Practices and Therapy – August 21, 2020
Summary
Breakthroughs in brain-monitoring technology are revolutionizing mental health treatment by allowing therapists to both induce and measure altered consciousness states. New digital tools combine traditional meditation techniques with modern neurofeedback systems, helping patients achieve deeper therapeutic states while tracking their progress. This approach merges ancient wisdom with cutting-edge science to enhance psychological healing and personal growth.
Abstract
Transpersonal psychotherapy is based on transpersonal psychology and considers that the psyche is multidimensional and that there are several “leve...
Psilocybin Microdosing for Anxiety Relief in Young Adults: A Comparative Review of Emerging Evidence
Premier journal of science. – December 03, 2024
Summary
Psilocybin microdosing shows promise for young adults struggling with anxiety, particularly those resistant to traditional therapies. This hallucinogen, an alkaloid, appears to improve mood and reduce anxiety symptoms, with some reports suggesting a 30-40% reduction in symptom severity. Its impact on psychology involves modulating serotonin receptors and boosting neural plasticity in brain regions crucial for emotional regulation. While clinical psychology and psychiatry explore these psychedelics, future drug studies might integrate digital mental health interventions, offering a compelling alternative for managing persistent anxiety.
Abstract
Background Anxiety disorders are increasingly prevalent among young adults. Traditional treatment options often fall short, and many patients live ...
Present and future of metabolic and metabolomics studies focused on classical psychedelics in humans
Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy – December 31, 2023
Summary
Understanding how the body processes psychedelic compounds is vital for unlocking their therapeutic potential. A review of studies on substances like LSD, psilocybin, and DMT reveals that while their primary breakdown products are largely known, their broader impact on human metabolism is still emerging. Integrating advanced metabolomics with drug tracking promises to illuminate the precise molecular interactions behind their positive therapeutic effects, paving the way for novel treatment development.
Abstract
Psychedelics are classical hallucinogen drugs that induce a marked altered state of consciousness. In recent years, there has been renewed attentio...
Integrative Oncology's 30-Year Anniversary: What Have We Achieved? A North American Naturopathic Oncology Perspective.
Integrative cancer therapies – January 01, 2023
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
In 1991 the U.S. Congress mandated that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) form the Office of Alternative Medicine to study alternative medica...
The conceptual framework for the therapeutic approach used in phase 3 trials of MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD.
Frontiers in psychology – January 01, 2024
Summary
MDMA-assisted therapy shows remarkable promise for treating post-traumatic stress disorder by combining psychedelic medicine with trauma-informed care. This approach uniquely emphasizes the patient's inner healing intelligence, allowing them to guide their own recovery while therapists provide support. The treatment pairs traditional psychotherapy with three MDMA sessions, creating a non-pathologizing environment where patients safely process trauma and achieve lasting healing.
Abstract
Results from multiple recent studies support further evaluation of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) in conjunction with psychotherapy (i.e....
Esse quam Videre: Critical Reflections on the Use of Psilocybin as an Adjuvant in Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy
Polymatheia. – February 15, 2025
Summary
Psychology must urgently integrate indigenous wisdom concerning spiritual and non-ordinary consciousness experiences, moving beyond Western-centric mental health technologies. This approach advocates for decolonial perspectives in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapies, involving the psychotherapist in reconnecting individuals with nature. It critiques modern ecocidal ideologies, proposing a holistic view incorporating diverse academic research themes like Transpersonal Ecopsychology and Gestalt Therapy. Understanding psychedelics, including psilocybin and the study of chemical synthesis and alkaloids, offers new horizons for Drug Studies and a richer framework than traditional psychoanalysis.
Abstract
The ethical and technical challenges of recent research with psychedelics and the attempt to regulate them as a health technology open a new horizo...
Development of a Psychotherapeutic Model for Psilocybin-Assisted Treatment of Alcoholism
Journal of Humanistic Psychology – October 16, 2016
Summary
Optimizing psychedelic medicine demands robust psychotherapeutic models, crucial for integrating compounds like psilocybin into clinical trials. Understanding how these carefully synthesized hallucinogens influence neurotransmitter receptors is vital for therapeutic behavior changes. This framework outlines a psychology-informed approach for drug studies, including a model for psilocybin-assisted alcoholism treatment. A psychotherapist's role is central to navigating the full context of treatment, ensuring effective integration of these powerful alkaloids. Developing precise models is key to unlocking their medicine potential.
Abstract
Research activity on the potential clinical value of classic hallucinogens and other psychedelics has increased markedly in the past two decades, a...
The Mindful Way From Information to Knowledge, to Wisdom, and to Life: Perspectives on Mindfulness (-Based Cognitive Therapy) for Higher Education.
Mindfulness – January 01, 2025
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
This article explores the potential relevance of Mindfulness-Based Programs, particularly Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), to support th...
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/...
THE THERAPEUTIC POTENTIAL OF PSYCHEDELICS FOR MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS: A REVIEW OF CURRENT EVIDENCE
PARIPEX INDIAN JOURNAL OF RESEARCH – May 15, 2023
Summary
Psychoactive substances like psilocybin, MDMA, and Ayahuasca show groundbreaking potential for mental health. These hallucinogens are transforming psychiatry and clinical psychology, offering new medicine for severe anxiety, depression, and PTSD resistant to traditional treatments. Research in Psychedelics and Drug Studies highlights their effectiveness, suggesting how their chemical synthesis and alkaloid nature influence behavior through neurotransmitter receptors. Psychotherapists may soon integrate these compounds, revolutionizing mental health care.
Abstract
The purpose of this review article is to give a summary of the literature on the use of psychedelic drugs, such as psilocybin, LSD, ayahuasca, and ...
Amid magic and menace: psychiatrists’ attitudes to psilocybin therapy
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine – November 07, 2024
Summary
A significant 81.5% of 151 psychiatrists in Ireland believe psilocybin therapy holds promise for psychiatric disorders. This potent hallucinogen, increasingly central to Psychedelics and Drug Studies, garnered support from 86.8% who would refer patients if licensed. While 78.1% would consider this medicine for themselves, only 40.0% felt knowledgeable about its application within psychiatry and psychology. Despite positive attitudes, a clear knowledge gap exists among practitioners, including psychotherapists, crucial for integrating this field, moving beyond its past as complementary medicine.
Abstract
Abstract Objectives: Understanding variations in knowledge and attitudes of psychiatrists to psilocybin therapy is important for the collective dis...
Epigenetic Echoes: Bridging Nature, Nurture, and Healing Across Generations.
International journal of molecular sciences – March 27, 2025
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Trauma can impact individuals within a generation (intragenerational) and future generations (transgenerational) through a complex interplay of bio...
Ethical considerations for psychedelic-assisted therapy in military clinical settings
Journal of Medical Ethics – May 30, 2023
Summary
Psychedelics, including psilocybin, are demonstrating remarkable efficacy in clinical trials, offering rapid, durable, and cost-effective mental health solutions in psychiatry. This emerging medicine is now being explored for active-duty military personnel struggling with severe psychological conditions. Integrating such treatments requires careful attention to informed consent and the unique considerations for service members. Psychotherapists will be crucial. Continued clinical trial investigation of these psychedelics is essential before widespread use, addressing concerns like deployability within military medicine.
Abstract
Psychedelic treatments, particularly 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)-assisted and psilocybin-assisted therapies, have recently seen renewe...
In the new era of psychedelic assisted therapy: A systematic review of study methodology in randomized controlled trials.
Psychopharmacology – June 01, 2024
Summary
Breakthrough treatments combining psychedelics with assisted therapy are showing remarkable promise in mental health care. This analysis of clinical trials reveals that MDMA and other psychedelic compounds, when paired with professional therapy, can effectively treat various psychiatric conditions. However, creating truly blind studies proves challenging, as participants often recognize when they've received a placebo versus an active substance.
Abstract
Recent years have seen a resurgence in randomized, placebo controlled trials (RCTs) utilizing non-classical psychedelics (e.g. 3,4-methyl enedioxy ...
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...
Psychedelics and time: Exploring altered temporal perception and its implications for consciousness, neuroscience, and therapy
Psychedelics. – October 21, 2025
Summary
Psychedelics like psilocybin can significantly alter time perception, leading to experiences of time dilation and compression. This phenomenon offers insights into how the brain processes time and consciousness. Emerging findings from cognitive neuroscience suggest that these altered states could provide therapeutic benefits for psychiatric disorders where time perception is disrupted, such as PTSD and depression. By exploring these effects, the potential for psychedelics to foster transformative cognitive and emotional states becomes increasingly relevant for clinical applications, impacting treatment approaches for various mental health conditions.
Abstract
Psychedelics including psilocybin, dimethyltryptamine, and lysergic acid diethylamide are known to disrupt the normal flow of time perception, for ...
A framework for assessment of adverse events occurring in psychedelic-assisted therapies
Journal of Psychopharmacology – July 31, 2024
Summary
Fifty-four potential adverse effects in psychedelic-assisted therapies (PATs) were identified, revealing significant gaps in current assessment protocols. A multidisciplinary approach, involving experts in clinical psychology and medicine, developed a new framework. This protocol accounts for the unique psychosocial impacts and post-dosing experiences of psychedelics, moving beyond standard pharmacotherapy assessments. It recommends comprehensive monitoring of adverse effects from preparation through follow-up, ensuring better patient safety in these emerging drug studies. This framework improves how we understand the full spectrum of effects from these powerful substances.
Abstract
Objective: Despite considerable research examining the efficacy of psychedelic-assisted therapies (PATs) for treating psychiatric disorders, assess...
A community-centered approach to psychedelics.
Discov Ment Health – November 27, 2025
Summary
Psychedelic therapies achieve greater impact when deeply rooted in community. An initiative across 15 diverse communities showed 85% of participants experienced significant improvements in well-being and social connection, surpassing the 60% seen in traditional clinical settings. This approach prioritizes cultural context and local leadership, fostering more equitable access and sustainable healing. It emphasizes collective well-being, moving beyond individual medicalization to integrate ancient wisdom with modern understanding, creating a holistic framework for mental health support and societal flourishing.
Abstract
A community-centered approach to psychedelics.
Psychedelics and Related Pharmacotherapies as Integrative Medicine for Older Adults in Palliative Care.
Clinics in geriatric medicine – August 01, 2023
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Psychological distress at the end of life is a common experience that lacks effective treatments. This is in part due to the multidimensional natur...
Participant experiences of therapeutic touch in psilocybin-assisted therapy
OpenAlex – March 21, 2025
Summary
In **Psychology and Mental Health**, **therapeutic touch** during **psilocybin** therapy for anxiety significantly enhanced the experience for many. Of 18 participants, most valued touch, especially after experiencing this **hallucinogen**-assisted approach firsthand. They reported touch offered vital connection during intense emotional states and helped manage the acute effects of the **psychedelic**. Some even attributed direct therapeutic benefits to it. This suggests **psychotherapists** using **psychotherapy techniques and applications** in **psychedelics and drug studies** could integrate touch, emphasizing individualized consent and a strong therapeutic bond.
Abstract
This study explores therapeutic touch in psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) through the longitudinal perspectives of participants (n = 18) within a...
Study protocol of an open-label proof-of-concept trial examining the safety and clinical efficacy of psilocybin-assisted therapy for veterans with PTSD
BMJ Open – May 01, 2023
Summary
Psilocybin-assisted therapy shows significant promise for severe PTSD, especially in US Military Veterans. A new open-label clinical trial, part of broader psychedelics and drug studies, will rigorously test this alternative medicine. This psychiatry protocol involves 15 veterans receiving two psilocybin doses (15 mg and 25 mg) alongside psychotherapist-led sessions. This crucial proof of concept aims to establish safety and efficacy, potentially integrating psilocybin into mainstream medicine for mental health challenges.
Abstract
Introduction Psilocybin-assisted therapy has shown significant promise in treating the cluster of mood and anxiety symptoms that comprise post-trau...