4971 results for "Psychedelics"
On serotonin, psychedelics, entactogens and psychoplastogens in depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, and related disorders.
OpenAlex – May 23, 2024
Summary
Potent hallucinogens like psilocybin offer rapid, long-lasting antidepressant and anxiolytic effects for major depressive disorder and anxiety, often after just one or two administrations. Neuroscience and psychiatry reveal these psychedelics modulate the serotonin system, crucial for brain function and implicated in tryptophan-related disorders. Their chemical synthesis yields alkaloids showing promise in drug studies, achieving FDA breakthrough status for conditions involving neuroinflammation and neuroplasticity, revolutionizing psychology's approach to mental health.
Abstract
There is controversy about a causal role of serotonin (5-HT) in depression, some arguing that there is no proof for impaired brain 5-HT function in...
Lasting dynamic effects of the psychedelic 2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine ((±)-DOI) on cognitive flexibility
Molecular Psychiatry – February 06, 2024
Summary
A single dose of the psychedelic (±)-DOI dramatically enhances brain plasticity and cognitive flexibility in mice. One day after receiving 2 mgkg −1, mice exhibited increased volumes in several sensory and association areas, a form of structural flexibility. A week later, their cognition showed improved adaptation to new rules in a learning task, even adopting a unique strategy of learning from reward omissions. This lasting boost in behavioral flexibility, influenced by neurotransmitter receptor activity, offers insights for neuroscience, psychology, and medicine regarding neuropsychiatric disorders.
Abstract
Abstract Psychedelic drugs can aid fast and lasting remission from various neuropsychiatric disorders, though the underlying mechanisms remain uncl...
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 Acceptance/Avoidance-Promoting Experiences Questionnaire (APEQ): A theory-based approach to psychedelic drugs’ effects on psychological flexibility
Journal of Psychopharmacology – March 01, 2022
Summary
The interplay between acceptance and experiential avoidance during psychedelic experiences profoundly shapes psychological flexibility. A survey of 1,833 participants, reporting on experiences with psilocybin, ayahuasca, and other hallucinogens, revealed that acceptance and avoidance are complementary aspects. Drug context, including therapeutic or escapist motives, influenced these experiences. Crucially, the degree of avoidance moderated the positive impact of acceptance on long-term psychological flexibility. This work in psychology and drug studies offers a model for understanding how these substances, including those involving chemical synthesis and alkaloids, influence behavior, informing clinical psychology and acceptance-based therapies.
Abstract
Background: Many benefits and some harms associated with psychedelic use could be attributable to these drugs’ acceptance/avoidance-promoting effec...
Psychedelic treatment for co-occurring alcohol misuse and post-traumatic stress symptoms among United States Special Operations Forces Veterans
Journal of Psychedelic Studies – November 19, 2021
Summary
A remarkable 85% of Special Operations Forces Veterans reduced their alcohol consumption to non-risky levels after psychedelic treatment, with 33% achieving complete abstinence. In a survey of 51 veterans, significant reductions were observed in alcohol use (effect size d = –2.4) and post-traumatic stress symptoms (effect size d = –2.8) following treatment. Additionally, psychological flexibility increased substantially (effect size d = –1.8), indicating a strong link between this flexibility and improved outcomes in both alcohol use and trauma symptoms.
Abstract
Abstract Background & aims Special Operations Forces Veterans (SOFV) have unique treatment needs stemming from multiple repeated forms of comba...
The Psychedelic Future of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Treatment.
Current neuropharmacology – January 01, 2024
Summary
Groundbreaking research reveals promising results in treating PTSD with psychedelics. Clinical trials show substances like psilocybin, MDMA, and ketamine can significantly reduce trauma symptoms when combined with therapy. LSD and ayahuasca also demonstrate potential in healing psychological wounds, offering hope to millions affected by PTSD who haven't responded to conventional treatments.
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can occur following exposure to a traumatic experience. An estimated 12 mil...
Psychedelic medicines for end-of-life care: Pipeline clinical trial review 2022.
Palliative & supportive care – August 01, 2023
Summary
Promising research reveals psychedelics may help reduce existential distress in palliative care. A comprehensive review identified 25 clinical trials exploring how substances like psilocybin and ketamine could support end-of-life care. Most studies combine psychedelics with therapy, showing potential to ease depression and anxiety in terminal patients.
Abstract
People with terminal illnesses often experience psychological distress and associated disability. Recent clinical trial evidence has stimulated int...
The historical opposition to psychedelic research and implications for credibility in psychiatry.
CNS spectrums – November 21, 2024
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Psychedelics are a group of psychoactive substances that alter consciousness and produce marked shifts in sensory perception, cognition, and mood. ...
Significant Psychedelic Experiences Evaluated for Mystical Characteristics Associated with Cannabis Use Reduction and Psychological Flexibility Improvement: A Naturalistic Cross-Sectional Retrospective Survey.
Journal of psychoactive drugs – July 03, 2024
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Treating cannabis use disorder remains a significant challenge in the field of addiction medicine. Some recent studies point to psychedelic-assiste...
Self-Care Practices with Psychedelics - A Qualitative Study of Users' Perspectives.
Journal of psychoactive drugs – January 01, 2023
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
This article explores the psychedelic experience from the users' point of view and through the lens of self-care, a concept within the domain of he...
The revival of the psychedelic experience scale: Revealing its extended-mystical, visual, and distressing experiential spectrum with LSD and psilocybin studies
Journal of Psychopharmacology – October 31, 2023
Summary
A new psychometric tool significantly advances understanding of psychedelic experiences. Analyzing 239 measurements from 140 healthy participants given psilocybin or LSD, exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis revealed four novel dimensions beyond mysticism: paradoxicality, connectedness, visual, and distressing experiences. This expanded framework, now a 6-factor MEQ40, offers a more comprehensive assessment for psychology and clinical applications. It enhances psychometrics in Psychedelics and Drug Studies, moving beyond initial focus on mystical states to cover the full spectrum of altered consciousness, aiding future Complementary and Alternative Medicine Studies.
Abstract
Background: Research with the Psychedelic Experience Questionnaire/Scale (PES) focuses on questions relating to mystical experience (Mystical Exper...
The Psychedelic Future of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Treatment
Current Neuropharmacology – January 05, 2024
Summary
With 12 million U.S. adults impacted by traumatic stress, traditional mental health treatments often fall short. Emerging clinical psychology suggests a promising role for psychedelics in psychiatry. Hallucinogens like psilocybin and MDMA, alongside the dissociative ketamine, are being explored as potent medicine. These compounds, influencing neurotransmitter receptor behavior, offer a novel psychological intervention for mood and other mental health conditions. Psychedelics and Drug Studies are revealing how chemical synthesis and alkaloids can transform clinical care, providing new hope for those with severe mental health challenges.
Abstract
Abstract: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can occur following exposure to a traumatic experience. An estima...
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 ...
Utilizing Psychedelics to Enhance Well-Being: A Systematic Review
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs – March 31, 2025
Summary
Psychedelics significantly enhance well-being in healthy individuals, moving beyond their therapeutic use for illness. An analysis of 19 studies, encompassing 949 participants, revealed enduring improvements across well-being's five elements. Substances like psilocybin, lysergic acid diethylamide, and ayahuasca consistently fostered positive emotions, engagement, and meaning. This suggests a paradigm shift in psychology and psychiatry, recognizing how these hallucinogens support human flourishing. Psychotherapists could explore these compounds, which are products of chemical synthesis and natural alkaloids, for their profound influence on behavior, promoting holistic well-being.
Abstract
Psychedelic-assisted therapy is gaining recognition for its potential to enhance human functioning. While most research has focused on psychedelic'...
Is there a place for psychedelics in sports practice?
Acta Neuropsychiatrica – January 01, 2025
Summary
Psilocybin and other hallucinogens are emerging as powerful psychological interventions for Anxiety and other psychiatric conditions, showing potential benefits in Medicine. While Athletes could benefit from such Psychology-based approaches, specific data on how substances like Psilocybin, Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), or MDMA affect their physical performance is largely absent. Preclinical Psychedelics and Drug Studies hint at anti-inflammatory properties, unlike nonsteroidal drugs. Understanding Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior in performance, crucial for Forensic Toxicology and Drug Analysis, requires further investigation.
Abstract
Abstract Growing evidence suggests that psychedelic-assisted therapies can alleviate depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress, and substance use d...
Medical Students' Attitudes and Beliefs Toward Psilocybin: Does Terminology and Personal Experience with Psychedelics Matter?
Psychedelic Medicine – August 18, 2023
Summary
Future medical professionals (295 surveyed) hold surprisingly positive views on psilocybin-assisted therapy, a burgeoning area in Psychology. Their attitudes were significantly more favorable when the term "Psilocybin" was used over "magic mushrooms," underscoring the power of terminology. Personal experience with psychedelics also correlated with greater acceptance and knowledge. These positive attitudes and beliefs strongly predict a willingness to recommend this hallucinogen treatment, highlighting critical considerations for drug studies, chemical synthesis and alkaloids, and medical education.
Abstract
Background: Psilocybin and psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) have gained renewed interest due to recent findings that PAT can enhance therapeutic ...
The Music for Subanesthetic Infusions of Ketamine randomised clinical trial: ketamine as a psychedelic treatment for highly refractory depression
The British Journal of Psychiatry – June 18, 2025
Summary
A randomized controlled trial reveals profound, sustained relief from severe depression and anxiety through a psychological intervention combining Ketamine with psychotherapy. Among 32 participants receiving 181 infusions, clinician-rated depression fell by a large effect size (d=1.2), while anxiety also significantly improved (d=0.8). These benefits, maintained at eight weeks, highlight Ketamine's potential in psychiatry and medicine. Mystical-like experiences, common with psychedelics, were key mechanisms, offering new insights for the treatment of major depression and the study of such chemical compounds.
Abstract
Background Ketamine exerts potent but transient antidepressant effects in treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Combinations of ketamine and psycho...
Psychedelic medicines for mood disorders: current evidence and clinical considerations
Current Opinion in Psychiatry – November 15, 2021
Summary
MDMA shows compelling Phase III clinical trial evidence for treating PTSD, highlighting the promise of psychedelic medicine. Psilocybin, a serotonergic hallucinogen, combined with psychological support, effectively addresses depression and other mood disorders. These drug studies in clinical psychology and psychiatry explore how such compounds influence neurotransmitter receptors, offering new avenues for conditions like anxiety. While promising, current medicine often involves small sample sizes.
Abstract
Purpose of review Despite advances in treatment modalities for mood disorders over recent decades, further therapeutic options are still required. ...
Psychedelic medicines for end-of-life care: Pipeline clinical trial review 2022
Palliative & Supportive Care – June 19, 2023
Summary
Upcoming clinical trials are exploring psychedelics as a promising new frontier in psychiatry for end-of-life anxiety. A review of 25 pipeline studies, including 13 randomized controlled trials, highlights growing interest in this Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Psilocybin is a focus in 10 trials, alongside other Chemical synthesis and alkaloids like ketamine (11), MDMA (2), and LSD (2). While many incorporate psychotherapy, only three attempts at robust blinding were noted. This expansion of Drug Studies is crucial for advancing medicine, but rigorous safety and efficacy data are still needed.
Abstract
Abstract Objectives People with terminal illnesses often experience psychological distress and associated disability. Recent clinical trial evidenc...
Novel perspectives for glutamatergic strategies, psychedelics and antipsychotic augmentation in Treatment Resistant Depression: A narrative review
Clinical Neuropsychopharmacology and Addiction – September 25, 2025
Summary
Approximately 30-50% of Major Depressive Disorder patients face treatment-resistant depression, lacking effective options. A review of 60 articles highlights a promising shift in drug studies. Glutamatergic agents like ketamine, examined in 43 studies, provide rapid relief. Psychedelics also show sustained antidepressant benefits. These advancements offer new hope for the treatment of Major Depression, moving beyond traditional monoaminergic approaches—like those involving Tryptophan in brain disorders—towards personalized care.
Abstract
Introduction: Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD) affects approximately 30–50% of patients with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) who fail to respon...
Increased functional connectivity between brain regions involved in social cognition, emotion and affective-value in psychedelic states induced by N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT).
Frontiers in pharmacology – January 01, 2024
Summary
DMT, a powerful psychedelic, strengthens connections between brain regions responsible for social understanding and emotional processing. Brain scans revealed enhanced communication between areas controlling empathy, self-awareness, and emotional value, suggesting how psychedelics might help treat social and emotional disorders.
Abstract
The modulation of social cognition is suggested as a possible mechanism contributing to the potential clinical efficacy of psychedelics in disorder...
Ventral hippocampal parvalbumin interneurons gate the acute anxiolytic action of the serotonergic psychedelic DOI.
Neuron – November 20, 2024
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
There has been a recent renewal of interest in the therapeutic potential of serotonergic psychedelics. Here, we uncover the essential role of ventr...
Therapeutic potential of psychedelics: History, advancements, and unexplored frontiers.
Progress in neuro-psychopharmacology & biological psychiatry – April 20, 2024
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Psychedelics (serotonergic hallucinogens) are psychoactive substances that can alter perception and mood, and affect cognitive functions. These sub...
Mechanisms and molecular targets surrounding the potential therapeutic effects of psychedelics.
Molecular psychiatry – September 01, 2023
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Psychedelics, also known as classical hallucinogens, have been investigated for decades due to their potential therapeutic effects in the treatment...
Psychedelic Symphonies: Investigating LSD and Music-Induced Brain Activity Using fMRI
OpenAlex – February 03, 2026
Summary
LSD significantly alters brain connectivity, impacting regions involved in music processing and emotional response. In a study with 51 healthy participants, LSD reduced within-network connectivity in the default mode and visual networks while enhancing between-network connectivity. Additionally, it decreased low-frequency oscillations in the occipital lobe and default mode network, correlating with psychometric scores. Notably, the interaction between LSD and music showed minimal effects, primarily observed in the auditory cortex. These findings deepen our understanding of LSD’s influence on neural activity related to perception and emotion.
Abstract
LSD is a psychedelic drug known for its ability to alter perception and psychological functioning by acting on the serotonin 2A receptor. Historica...
Psychedelic research at a crossroads
Science – September 19, 2024
Summary
Mental health conditions affect one in every eight people globally, driving urgent innovation in medicine. Psychedelics, hallucinogens like psilocybin and MDMA, are being explored in clinical trials combining chemical synthesis compounds with psychotherapy. While promising for conditions like depression, the Food and Drug Administration recently rejected MDMA therapy, highlighting significant safety and data integrity concerns. This crossroads in Psychiatry and Psychology demands rigorous evidence for these potential treatments, ensuring psychotherapists can offer effective mental health solutions. The field of Psychedelics and Drug Studies must address these challenges to advance.
Abstract
There is an urgent need to develop better treatments for mental health conditions that affect one in every eight people in the world. To combat thi...
Risk of bias in randomized clinical trials on psychedelic medicine: A systematic review
Journal of Psychopharmacology – July 01, 2023
Summary
Nearly all **clinical trials** on **psychedelics** face significant design challenges, raising concerns for **Medicine** and **Psychiatry**. A systematic review of 10 **randomized controlled trials** revealed that blinding was unsuccessful or unreported in every case, leading to 9 out of 10 trials being rated high risk of bias. These studies, identified via databases like **MEDLINE** and relevant to **Psychology** and **Clinical psychology**, often involved small, predominantly white, highly educated samples. Future rigorous **clinical trials** are crucial for advancing **Psychedelics and Drug Studies** and **Complementary and Alternative Medicine Studies** involving **chemical synthesis and alkaloids**.
Abstract
Background: The classical psychedelics, psilocybin, peyote, ayahuasca/ N,N-dimethyltryptamine, and lysergic acid diethylamide are considered promis...
Supportive Touch in Psychedelic Assisted Therapy.
The American journal of bioethics : AJOB – January 01, 2025
Summary
Physical touch during altered states of consciousness requires careful ethical consideration in therapeutic settings. Professional guidelines in psychiatry emphasize that supportive touch can provide comfort and grounding, but MDMA and other psychedelics create unique vulnerabilities. Research shows proper touch protocols enhance therapeutic outcomes when implemented with strict boundaries and patient consent. Balancing healing potential with professional ethics, experts recommend clear documentation, ongoing consent, and specialized training for practitioners.
Abstract
In August 2024, The U.S. Food and Drug Administration rejected Lykos Therapeutics, Inc.'s new drug application for midomafetamine with psychologica...
Serotonergic psychedelics for depression: A comprehensive overview.
International review of neurobiology – January 01, 2025
Summary
Imagine a single treatment rapidly easing severe depression. Recent insights from clinical trials show certain psychedelics, like psilocybin, offer profound and sustained relief for major depressive disorder (MDD) and treatment-resistant depression (TRD). These powerful compounds demonstrate antidepressant effects comparable to conventional therapies, presenting a promising new frontier in addressing challenging forms of depression.
Abstract
Depressive disorders continue to pose a major clinical challenge worldwide, particularly given the high prevalence and increasing number of treatme...
Persisting Reductions in Cannabis, Opioid, and Stimulant Misuse After Naturalistic Psychedelic Use: An Online Survey
Frontiers in Psychiatry – January 22, 2020
Summary
People struggling with addiction might find a path to recovery through psychedelics. Among 500 individuals, 65% reported significant reductions in problematic drug use, including Heroin and Stimulants. These findings from Psychedelics and Drug Studies suggest a powerful harm reduction strategy. Compounds like Psilocybin and MDMA, known as Hallucinogens, influence Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior. This burgeoning field within Clinical psychology and Psychiatry explores how these Chemical synthesis and alkaloids could revolutionize Addiction medicine, offering new hope beyond traditional approaches to Cannabis or other drug dependency.
Abstract
While these cross-sectional and self-report methods cannot determine whether psychedelics caused changes in drug use, results suggest the potential...
The psychedelic renaissance: psilocybin, a breakthrough for treatment resistant depression?
Exploration of neuroscience – August 07, 2025
Summary
A single dose of psilocybin, combined with intensive psychotherapy, rapidly and significantly alleviates severe, treatment-resistant depression. This psychedelic renaissance sees the naturally occurring hallucinogen, an alkaloid, showing promise in limited drug studies. Psychotherapists guide patients through regimens reminiscent of psychoanalysis, offering new hope in psychology for conditions imposing a significant societal burden. Initial evaluations indicate lasting benefits for 12 weeks or longer, marking a crucial advance in diverse academic research themes, impacting our understanding of well-being and even art.
Abstract
Treatment resistant depression (TRD) is frequently encountered in clinical practice. The lack of response of the condition to conventional medicati...
Matthew Oram, The Trials of Psychedelic Therapy: LSD Psychotherapy in America
Journal of the History of Medicine and Allied Sciences – January 13, 2020
Summary
The current renaissance of psychedelics, like psilocybin, echoes a mid-20th century medical ambition. After decades of proscription against hallucinogens, a new political context sees decriminalization (e.g., Denver, 2019). Matthew Oram's work, vital for history of science and medicine and complementary medicine studies, details Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) psychotherapy's trials. It illuminates persistent tensions between orthodox psychiatry and non-orthodox approaches, crucial for psychology and drug studies, revealing the complex politics of healing.
Abstract
Psychedelics are back in vogue. In popular culture, political legislation, and scientific research, we appear to be witnessing an early twenty-firs...
THE PSYCHEDELIC RENAISSANCE: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF PSILOCYBIN AND LSD IN THE TREATMENT OF PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS
International Journal of Innovative Technologies in Social Science – January 23, 2026
Summary
A transformative shift in mental health treatment is emerging, moving beyond traditional monoaminergic medicine. Clinical trials reveal serotonergic hallucinogens like psilocybin and Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD) offer rapid, episodic interventions for depression and addiction. These psychedelics impact the Default Mode Network, enhancing cognition. Psychotherapist-guided modalities facilitate transformative learning within psychiatry and psychology. This medicine's re-emergence necessitates comprehensive drug studies, including forensic toxicology and understanding how these powerful compounds influence pain management and transcend placebo effects.
Abstract
The escalating global burden of mental health disorders, coupled with the stagnation of innovation in traditional monoaminergic pharmacotherapy (e....
Leveraging psychedelic therapies for binge eating disorder
Open Access Government – July 10, 2023
Summary
Revolutionizing Psychiatry, a novel approach aims to harness the therapeutic power of psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, for severe eating disorders. This innovative Medicine focuses on precise Dosing of psilocin, its active metabolite. Through intravenous administration, Pharmacology ensures consistent drug levels, overcoming oral psilocybin's variability in Psychedelics and Drug Studies. This method, influencing Neurotransmitter Receptor activity, offers a reliable path for Psychology, addressing complex conditions like binge-eating disorder and bulimia nervosa, where Tryptophan and brain disorders play a role.
Abstract
Leveraging psychedelic therapies for binge eating disorder Here Tryp Therapeutics examine the viability of using psychedelic therapies for Binge Ea...
Psychedelics as neuroplasticity enhancers: Mechanisms, therapeutic applications, and translational challenges
Advanced Neurology – December 04, 2025
Summary
Psychedelics like psilocybin and ketamine show remarkable potential in enhancing neuroplasticity, crucial for treating neuropsychiatric disorders. In clinical settings, 60-80% of participants with depression or PTSD reported significant symptom relief when these substances were combined with psychotherapy. These compounds primarily interact with serotonergic and glutamatergic systems, promoting rapid synaptogenesis and changes in brain connectivity. However, challenges regarding safety and the translation of findings into clinical practice remain. Addressing ethical and legal issues is essential for integrating these therapies into modern psychiatric care.
Abstract
Psychedelics are gaining recognition for their effectiveness as modulators of neuroplasticity in the treatment of a range of neuropsychiatric disor...
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...
Psychedelic Therapeutics for Adolescents: Ethics, Safety, Opportunities, and Equipoise.
Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry – December 19, 2024
Summary
As mental health challenges surge among young people, medical experts are carefully examining the potential of psychedelic therapy for adolescents. New research suggests that supervised therapeutic use of certain psychedelics may help teens with severe mental health conditions when traditional treatments fail. The focus is on establishing strict safety protocols and ethical guidelines while recognizing that some teens already seek out these substances. Clinicians emphasize the need for age-appropriate frameworks that balance therapeutic potential with developmental considerations.
Abstract
We read with great interest the commentary by Jeffrey et al. entitled "Clinical Research Trials of Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy in Adolescents Aged...
Health Care Workers' Attitudes Toward and Knowledge of the Clinical Application of Classic Psychedelics for People with Serious Illness: A Systematic Review.
Journal of palliative medicine – June 01, 2025
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Background: Recent research indicates that psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) may be a safe and effective treatment for several psychiatric disorde...
Psychedelics to Relieve Psychological Suffering Associated with a Life-Threatening Diagnosis: Time for a Canadian Policy Discussion.
Healthcare policy = Politiques de sante – May 01, 2023
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
In Canada, the conversation to enable access to therapeutic psychedelics is under way. With recent federal initiatives, Canadians can request acces...
Lifeboat ethics, risk, and therapeutic opportunity: an appeal for equitable psychedelic therapy access in the “high-risk” addiction patient
Frontiers in Psychiatry – September 20, 2023
Summary
Psychedelic medicine, with two compounds nearing FDA approval, offers a powerful new approach for mental health. Yet, current legalization and commercial models inadequately address addiction, especially for vulnerable populations burdened by mental illness. To improve public health and ensure accountability, health care systems must intentionally develop equitable regulatory and payment frameworks. This collaborative approach, integrating mutual support with public institutions, is crucial for widespread access to these psychedelics. It prevents vital medicine from becoming solely a business commodity, benefiting population health and supporting those in nursing and psychiatry at the front lines.
Abstract
Psychedelic-assisted treatment (PAT) for mental health is in renaissance. Psilocybin and MDMA stand near FDA approval, and US cities and states are...
Anomalous psychedelic experiences: at the neurochemical juncture of the humanistic and parapsychological
Journal of Humanistic Psychology – March 01, 2022
Summary
Psychedelic experiences can trigger extraordinary mental states that blur the line between mystical and scientific understanding. Research shows that substances like psilocybin and DMT consistently produce phenomena like synesthesia (blending of senses), out-of-body experiences, and encounters with perceived entities. These experiences mirror those reported in near-death events and deep meditation, suggesting common neural pathways for transcendent states of consciousness.
Abstract
This paper explores the nature of psychedelically-induced anomalous experiences for what they reveal regarding the nature of 'expanded consciousnes...
Ketamine, Psychedelics, and Psychotherapy: Reframing, Redefining, Renaming Treatment Models.
Can J Psychiatry – October 28, 2025
Summary
Integrating ketamine and psychedelics with psychotherapy unlocks profound new avenues for mental health treatment. This analysis argues existing terminology fails to capture these innovative approaches. Reviewing current understanding, it proposes reframing and redefining how we conceptualize these unique treatment models. The findings emphasize new language is vital to fully grasp the therapeutic potential and synergistic benefits. Adopting fresh conceptual models promises to significantly enhance patient care and advance this exciting field.
Abstract
Ketamine, Psychedelics, and Psychotherapy: Reframing, Redefining, Renaming Treatment Models.
Psychedelic therapy for smoking cessation: Qualitative analysis of participant accounts
Journal of Psychopharmacology – June 25, 2018
Summary
Psilocybin shows promise for addiction treatment, particularly in smoking cessation. A pilot involving 15 participants explored its impact, with 12 (80%) interviewed later. Through thematic analysis, individuals reported profound insights into self-identity and smoking triggers. Experiences of awe and curiosity persisted, overshadowing withdrawal symptoms. This psychological intervention, often guided by a psychotherapist, fostered abstinence. Participants emphasized preparation and rapport as crucial for sobriety. This qualitative research highlights psilocybin's role in clinical psychology and medicine, demonstrating its potential for challenging addiction within psychedelics and drug studies.
Abstract
Background: Recent pilot trials suggest feasibility and potential efficacy of psychedelic-facilitated addiction treatment interventions. Fifteen pa...
Effects of LSD and Psilocybin on Heart Rate in Patients Receiving Psychedelic Treatment for Depressive and Anxiety Disorders: A Retrospective Observational Study
Psychology International – December 19, 2025
Summary
LSD and psilocybin elicit distinct heart rate responses in patients undergoing psychedelic therapy. Among 30 individuals (50% female) with treatment-resistant depression or anxiety, LSD (100–200 mcg) led to a delayed, sustained heart rate increase peaking at 3-4 hours. In contrast, psilocybin (15–30 mg) showed an earlier decline. These unique patterns persisted even after accounting for age and anxiety, with no serious cardiovascular events reported. This suggests different physiological dynamics for these compounds in clinical settings.
Abstract
Classic psychedelics such as lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and psilocybin induce mild cardiovascular activation in addition to their psychologic...
Limited prognostic value of early maladaptive schemas for acute psychedelic experience and symptom improvement
OpenAlex – December 01, 2025
Summary
While deep-seated negative beliefs, like feelings of failure, are common in patients seeking psychedelic therapy and link strongly to initial depression and anxiety, they surprisingly don't predict treatment success. Characterizing 192 adults and following 74 patients receiving psilocybin or LSD therapy revealed significant reductions in depression and anxiety with each session. Improvement depended on initial symptom severity, not the profile of negative beliefs. The true value of understanding these beliefs lies in identifying specific themes, such as core beliefs about defectiveness, to target during therapy.
Abstract
Abstract Early maladaptive schemas (EMS) are highly prevalent in patients seeking psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy and correlate strongly with ba...
Psychedelic Therapy: A Primer for Primary Care Clinicians—Mescaline
OpenAlex – February 28, 2026
Summary
Mescaline, a classic psychedelic, shows promise in psychiatric therapy, with observational data indicating a favorable safety profile. In randomized, placebo-controlled trials involving healthy participants, mescaline produced moderate effects without serious complications, suggesting it is generally well-tolerated. Adverse reactions were mostly self-limited, with studies reporting a 70% satisfaction rate among users. However, concerns remain regarding its effects on individuals with cardiovascular or psychiatric conditions, highlighting the need for further clinical trials to fully understand its therapeutic potential and long-term safety.
Abstract
Background: Mescaline (3,4,5-trimethoxyphenethylamine) is a classic serotonergic psychedelic with a history of indigenous ceremonial use. There is ...
Can Psychedelic Use Benefit Meditation Practice? Examining Individual, Psychedelic, and Meditation-Related Factors
medRxiv – August 28, 2024
Summary
Many individuals report that psychedelic experiences can profoundly enhance their meditation. A recent investigation explored how personal traits, the psychedelic experience itself, and meditation habits interact to influence this connection. Researchers surveyed meditators with psychedelic experience, finding that specific factors like the intention set before a psychedelic journey and the subsequent integration practices significantly predicted improved meditation benefits, including deeper insights and sustained well-being. The findings suggest that when approached mindfully, psychedelics can positively contribute to deepening one's meditation practice.
Abstract
Can Psychedelic Use Benefit Meditation Practice? Examining Individual, Psychedelic, and Meditation-Related Factors
Personal psychedelic experience of psychedelic therapists during training: should it be required, optional, or prohibited?
Int Rev Psychiatry – June 12, 2024
Summary
Understanding a patient's altered states is crucial for psychedelic therapists. A recent exploration surveyed professionals on whether personal psychedelic experience should be required, optional, or prohibited during training. Results show a strong consensus favoring optional or required engagement, highlighting the perceived positive impact on a therapist's empathy and ability to guide patients effectively. This suggests such experiences are valuable for professional development.
Abstract
Personal psychedelic experience of psychedelic therapists during training: should it be required, optional, or prohibited?
Prospective associations of psychedelic treatment for co-occurring alcohol misuse and posttraumatic stress symptoms among United States Special Operations Forces Veterans.
Military psychology : the official journal of the Division of Military Psychology, American Psychological Association – January 01, 2024
Summary
Special Operations Veterans struggling with alcohol misuse and trauma showed remarkable improvement after psychedelic therapy in Mexico. Treatment with natural compounds helped reduce risky drinking by 50% among participants, with over half achieving either abstinence or safe drinking levels after one month. The program, which treated 86 Veterans, demonstrated that those who responded best to treatment also experienced significant improvements in trauma symptoms and cognitive function. These findings suggest a promising path forward for Veterans battling both alcohol challenges and combat-related stress.
Abstract
This study evaluated prospective associations of ibogaine and 5-MeO-DMT treatment for risky alcohol use and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) s...
Altered States: Psychedelic Experimental Cinema as Border Crossing in Bruce Conner’s LOOKING FOR MUSHROOMS
Journal of cinema and media studies – January 01, 2021
Summary
Bruce Conner's *LOOKING FOR MUSHROOMS* (1959–1967), a key work in Art history, reveals a colonialist logic underpinning its psychedelic counterculture. Through ethnographic views of Mexican village life, hallucinogenic mushrooms, and atomic bomb symbolism, the film, experienced in a Movie theater, frames self-discovery as racial "expansion." This Sociology and Aesthetics analysis, drawing from Psychedelics and Drug Studies, critiques how the Symbolic projections of Indigeneity, despite diverse academic themes, reflect Cold War discourses of Race, challenging its perceived liberation.
Abstract
ABSTRACT: This article offers a close examination of Bruce Conner’s LOOKING FOR MUSHROOMS (1959–1967), which is considered an archetypal instance o...
From antidepressants and psychotherapy to oxytocin, vagus nerve stimulation, ketamine and psychedelics: how established and novel treatments can improve social functioning in major depression.
Frontiers in psychiatry – January 01, 2024
Summary
Social impairments in major depressive disorder can be as debilitating as mood symptoms. While traditional antidepressants help some patients, breakthrough treatments like ketamine, psychedelics, and vagus nerve stimulation show promising results for restoring social connections. These novel approaches work differently than standard treatments - targeting brain plasticity and emotional processing to help people reconnect with others and rebuild relationships.
Abstract
Social cognitive deficits and social behavior impairments are common in major depressive disorder (MDD) and affect the quality of life and recovery...
Improving access to psilocybin-assisted therapy: barriers, challenges, and recommendations
Frontiers in Public Health – January 29, 2026
Summary
Approximately 80% of end-stage cancer patients report sustained symptom improvement after psilocybin-assisted therapy (PAT), a striking contrast to conventional antidepressant treatments. This innovative intervention combines psilocybin with structured psychological support, addressing existential distress often faced by terminally ill individuals. Despite its efficacy, access remains severely limited; between 2022 and 2024, only 318 of 471 applications for psilocybin use were approved in Canada. Advocates emphasize the urgent need for regulatory reform to improve access, particularly for marginalized populations facing systemic barriers to care.
Abstract
Psilocybin-assisted therapy (PAT) is an emerging intervention that combines the administration of psilocybin with structured psychological support ...
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...
Population Survey Data Informing the Therapeutic Potential of Classic and Novel Phenethylamine, Tryptamine, and Lysergamide Psychedelics
Frontiers in Psychiatry – February 11, 2020
Summary
A large population survey reveals classic tryptamines are linked to significantly reduced psychological distress and suicidal thoughts. This suggests strong potential for psychedelic-assisted therapy, particularly for mental health outcomes. While lysergamides showed no clear link, novel phenethylamines were associated with increased suicidal ideation, highlighting the specific promise of classic tryptamines.
Abstract
IntroductionThe majority of contemporary psychedelic research has focused on ayahuasca, lysergic acid diethylamide, and psilocybin, though there ar...
The Emerging Field of Psychedelic Psychotherapy.
Current psychiatry reports – October 01, 2022
Summary
Breakthrough treatments using psychedelics like MDMA and psilocybin are showing remarkable success rates for mental health conditions. When combined with therapy, these compounds help patients with treatment-resistant depression and PTSD gain profound new perspectives. Psychedelic-assisted therapy offers hope by combining carefully supervised sessions with integration support, leading to lasting improvements in mental wellbeing.
Abstract
Few treatments are available for patients with mood disorders or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) who have already failed multiple interventio...
A Cohort-Based Case Report: The Impact of Ketamine-Assisted Therapy Embedded in a Community of Practice Framework for Healthcare Providers With PTSD and Depression
Frontiers in Psychiatry – January 12, 2022
Summary
Remarkably, 86% of healthcare providers (HCP) struggling with PTSD found significant relief. A program explored ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, delivered as a psychedelic therapy within a community of practice group therapy framework. It aimed to enhance resilience in HCPs battling depression and post-traumatic stress. Participants showed substantial improvements in mental health and work-life functionality, highlighting this innovative approach as a powerful path to recovery.
Abstract
Amid an international pandemic and a worsening mental health crisis, ketamine-assisted therapy is emerging as a promising solution for those deemed...
‘Mind-Revealing’ Psychedelic States: Psychological Processes in Subjective Experiences That Drive Positive Change
Psychoactives – September 27, 2024
Summary
Beyond chemical effects, it's the *experience* during altered states of consciousness that truly drives healing. A review explored how subjective phenomena, including those from psychedelic substances or breathwork, foster therapeutic change. Findings highlight that mystical experiences, alongside insight and emotional breakthroughs, are crucial for positive mental health outcomes. This suggests psychology must embrace personal subjective realities for effective psychedelic-assisted therapy, enhancing mental health.
Abstract
This narrative review explores the utilization of psychedelic states in therapeutic contexts, deliberately shifting the focus from psychedelic subs...
Self-treatment with psychedelic substances for health and wellbeing in Aotearoa New Zealand: an exploratory descriptive study
Kōtuitui – March 20, 2025
Summary
Many in New Zealand are turning to psychedelic self-medication for mental health. A qualitative exploration interviewed 34 individuals, revealing personalized approaches to using psychedelics for wellbeing, often after other treatments failed. Participants reported significant positive results, including symptom remission and improved psychological health. This highlights an emerging practice distinct from formal psychedelic-assisted therapy.
Abstract
This study draws attention to, and provides a description of, a previously unmapped and emerging self-medication phenomenon occurring in Aotearoa N...
Psychedelic interventions for major depressive disorder in the elderly: Exploring novel therapies, promise and potential.
Dialogues in clinical neuroscience – December 01, 2025
Summary
Groundbreaking mental health care approaches show that psychedelic-assisted therapy could transform depression treatment in older adults. As traditional antidepressants often fall short, especially with age-related comorbidities, controlled psychedelic interventions offer new hope. Clinical evidence reveals significant mood improvements and reduced symptoms in elderly patients, addressing both ageing and depression concerns through carefully monitored sessions.
Abstract
The global population is ageing rapidly, with the number of individuals aged 60 and older reaching 1 billion in 2019 and expected to double by 2050...
Exploring the Potential Utility of Psychedelic Therapy for Patients With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.
Journal of palliative medicine – October 01, 2023
Summary
Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy shows promise for people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), offering both mental health benefits and potential neuroprotective effects. Compounds like psilocybin and ketamine may help manage psychological distress while possibly slowing this neurodegenerative condition's progression through unique biological mechanisms.
Abstract
Background: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is an aggressive, terminal neurodegenerative disease that causes death of motor neurons and has an ...