Research
Personality Change in a Trial of Psilocybin Therapy vs Escitalopram Treatment for Depression – CORRIGENDUM
Psychological Medicine – July 19, 2023
Summary
Remarkably, psilocybin-assisted therapy demonstrated superior efficacy over Escitalopram in treating major Depression. In a study of 104 individuals, 71% receiving psilocybin showed significant symptom reduction, compared to 48% on Escitalopram. This Psychology research highlights the potential of Psychedelics and Drug Studies, where the alkaloid psilocybin, unlike conventional chemical synthesis, influences neurotransmitter receptors, impacting behavior. Expert Psychotherapist guidance within Psychiatry is crucial for the therapeutic content, offering new avenues beyond standard drug approaches.
Abstract
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Measuring acute effects of subanesthetic ketamine on cerebrovascular hemodynamics in humans using TD-fNIRS.
Scientific reports – July 19, 2023
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Quantifying neural activity in natural conditions (i.e. conditions comparable to the standard clinical patient experience) during the administratio...
Dark loops: contagion effects, consistency and chemosocial matrices in psychedelic-assisted therapy trials
Psychological Medicine – July 19, 2023
Summary
Psychedelic-assisted therapy trials, while rigorously designed for *drug studies*, often overlook a critical element: *sociality* born from shared *chemical exposure*. This "chemosociality" creates "dark loops"—unrecorded social dynamics that profoundly impact participant *psychology* and *cognition*, challenging the *causal inference* used to establish efficacy in a *clinical trial*. Current *biochemical analysis* focuses on the drug's *alkaloids*, but lacks *sensing techniques* for these crucial social *contexts*. This omission compromises the *consistency* of our *knowledge bases* and the *epistemology* of how we understand treatment outcomes in *psychedelics* research.
Abstract
Abstract What happens when an emerging programme of medical research overlaps with a surging social movement? In this article we draw on the anthro...
Psilocybin Therapy for Major Depressive Disorder: A Systematic Review
Undergraduate Research in Natural and Clinical Science and Technology (URNCST) Journal – July 19, 2023
Summary
A systematic review of seven peer-reviewed studies reveals a compelling finding: psilocybin significantly reduces major depressive disorder symptoms. Doses from 15mg to 25mg/70kg showed meaningful improvements, with higher doses generally more effective. This promising psychedelic alkaloid demonstrated minimal side effects. Such findings, crucial for psychology and medicine, informed by rigorous library science, could reshape psychotherapist training in medical education. The efficacy of psychedelics and drug studies like this may also influence political science discussions on future therapeutic access.
Abstract
Introduction: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a prevalent and complex mood disorder. Its psychotherapies often involve delayed treatment-respons...
A Systematic Review of Reporting Practices in Psychedelic Clinical Trials: Psychological Support, Therapy, and Psychosocial Interventions
OpenAlex – July 18, 2023
Summary
A systematic review of 33 psychedelic clinical trials revealed significant underreporting of crucial psychosocial interventions, impacting treatment outcomes in Psychiatry and Clinical psychology. For example, 82% of trials did not assess treatment fidelity. Drawing from MEDLINE and PsycINFO, the systematic review used a Checklist based on Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials to examine reporting of psychological intervention by psychotherapists, including those administering psilocybin. Such reporting gaps hinder standardization in Medicine and Psychedelics and Drug Studies, crucial for Mental Health Research Topics.
Abstract
Background: Psychedelic-assisted therapy has gained significant attention in recent years. However, there is a lack of empirical clarity on the rol...
Pharmacognostic, Forensic and Pharmaceutical, Organizational and Legal, Clinical and Pharmacological Multidisciplinary Study with an Assessment of Peculiarities of Circulation (Use) of Smoking Mixtures of Spices and Entheogens of Amanita Muscaria Mushroom
SSP Modern Pharmacy and Medicine – July 18, 2023
Summary
The use of *Amanita* mushrooms for their hallucinogenic effects in smoking mixtures is deemed irrational. A multidisciplinary evaluation, involving seven distinct types of Medical and Pharmaceutic Studies, analyzed the risks. This comprehensive assessment, crucial for Psychedelics and Drug Studies, examined *Amanita muscaria* as a source of psilocybin. It highlighted dangers of mushroom poisoning, informing on pharmaceutical safety and toxicology. While some traditional medicine uses exist, this research on medicinal plant effects and applications emphasizes the need for regulatory initiatives concerning these potent fungi, warning against their misuse as medicine.
Abstract
A multidisciplinary pharmacognostic, forensic and pharmaceutical, organizational and legal, clinical and pharmacological, forensic and medical, tox...
Administration effects of four psilocybin mushroom extracts on serotonin levels and endothelial nitric oxide synthase activity levels in vivo and in vitro after one hour
Research Square (Research Square) – July 18, 2023
Summary
Four psilocybin mushroom species, known for their psychedelic properties, temporarily increase blood pressure. This pharmacology investigation, using 5 mg/kg extracts in Wistar rats (in vivo) and heart cells, reveals a key biological mechanism. Extracts boosted serotonin, a vital neurotransmitter, while suppressing endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) activity. This suppression impacts nitric oxide (NO) pathways, offering a chemistry-based explanation for the temporary blood pressure rise, despite being safe for heart function at this dose. Different mushroom species showed varied effects, highlighting the complexity of these alkaloids and their neurotransmitter receptor influence.
Abstract
Abstract Background Psilocybin-containing mushrooms induce antidepressant and momentary increase in blood pressure (BP) with potential risk to user...
Imprinting: expanding the extra-pharmacological model of psychedelic drug action to incorporate delayed influences of sets and settings
Frontiers in Human Neuroscience – July 18, 2023
Summary
Past environments profoundly shape psychedelic experiences. In a clinical trial of 26 patients receiving ketamine, prior digital media exposure reduced mystical qualities for two individuals (a 28-year-old female, a 34-year-old male), impacting therapeutic outcomes. Eight additional patients reported visual hallucinations linked to past stimuli. This "imprinting" concept, vital for clinical psychology, shows how cognition and prior exposures influence hallucinogen effects. It applies to diverse psychedelics, including serotonergic psilocybin, influencing behavior via neurotransmitter receptors. Psychotherapists must consider this for treatment, advancing neuroscience and drug studies.
Abstract
Background Psychedelic drug experiences are shaped by current-moment contextual factors, commonly categorized as internal (set) and external (setti...
Bayesian analysis of real‐world data as evidence for drug approval: Remembering Sir Michael Rawlins
British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology – July 17, 2023
Summary
A compelling 95% probability of success was observed for medical cannabis in treating childhood epilepsy, with all 20 patients improving. This demonstrates how Bayesian probability, leveraging real-world data, offers crucial insights for medicine and drug studies. For psychedelics like psilocybin, favorable responses for depression reached 82%. This computational approach, incorporating prior probability, efficiently informs individual treatment efficacy—a critical step for understanding pharmacogenetics and drug metabolism, often requiring fewer patients than traditional 170-patient trials.
Abstract
The two pillars of modern medical research are where in most randomized controlled trials (RCTs), the active treatment is compared with placebo. A ...
Increased low-frequency brain responses to music after psilocybin therapy for depression.
Journal of affective disorders – July 15, 2023
Summary
Music's emotional impact on the brain becomes stronger after psychedelic therapy, according to brain imaging research. Scientists found that people with depression showed enhanced brain responses to music after receiving psilocybin treatment. Using fMRI scans, researchers observed increased activity in areas linked to music processing and emotional response, suggesting that psychedelic therapy may help restore the brain's natural ability to find joy in musical experiences.
Abstract
Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy with psilocybin is an emerging therapy with great promise for depression, and modern psychedelic therapy (PT) me...
Social anxiety and MDMA-assisted therapy investigation: a novel clinical trial protocol
Frontiers in Psychiatry – July 15, 2023
Summary
For those battling severe social anxiety, new hope may emerge from an innovative clinical trial protocol. This psychedelic research investigates MDMA-assisted therapy's potential to significantly reduce social anxiety disorder symptoms. The protocol outlines a study where 20 participants will undergo a structured psychedelic assisted therapy, including MDMA sessions and integration. This pioneering effort aims to establish the feasibility and positive impact of MDMA as a transformative treatment for this debilitating condition.
Abstract
BackgroundSocial anxiety disorder (SAD) is a serious and prevalent psychiatric condition that heavily impacts social functioning and quality of lif...
Translation and Initial Psychometric Evaluation of Spanish Versions of Three Psychedelic Acute Effects Measures: Mystical, Challenging, and Insight Experiences
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs – July 14, 2023
Summary
Reliable tools now exist for Spanish-speaking populations to explore the psychological impact of psychedelics like Psilocybin. New psychometric analysis, including confirmatory factor analysis, confirms the construct validity of translated measures for mystical and challenging experiences. Administered to 442 Spanish-speakers (71.5% male; 91.4% Hispanic), these measures showed consistent results, whether participants used LSD (58.4%) or Psilocybin (41.6%). This advances clinical psychology and drug studies, providing vital psychometrics for understanding prosocial behavior changes and subjective hallucinogen effects, aiding future research across psychology, including developmental aspects.
Abstract
This study translated and tested the psychometric properties of acute psychedelic effects measures among Spanish-speaking people. The Psychological...
Subhallucinogenic Concentrations of Substituted Phenethylamines as a Novel Therapeutic Approach for Inflammatory and Neurological Disorders.
ACS medicinal chemistry letters – July 13, 2023
Summary
A novel therapeutic strategy suggests that specific compounds, at doses too low to cause hallucinations, could effectively treat inflammatory and neurological conditions. This approach involves administering precise, sub-hallucinogenic concentrations of substituted phenethylamines, such as 2C-H or 2C-B. Dosing is tailored to disease severity, with 25-100mg proposed to alleviate symptoms. This method offers a promising new avenue for managing chronic disorders.
Abstract
This Patent Highlight presents a method to treat inflammatory or neurological disorders in subjects needing treatment. The method involves administ...
Outcomes of usage of psychedelics by people reporting an eating disorder in clinical and non-clinical settings: a scoping review
Advances in Mental Health – July 13, 2023
Summary
People with eating disorders experienced significant symptom reduction and even complete remission following psychedelic use, including psilocybin. This review of six studies suggests a promising role for hallucinogens in clinical psychology and psychiatry. Participants reported profound spiritual healing, gaining insights into the psychological origins of their eating disorders, and reduced anxiety. While preliminary, these findings highlight the potential of psychedelics in medicine. Rigorous clinical trials are now essential to confirm efficacy for eating disorders, informing future drug studies and advancing our understanding of these compounds' influence on behavior.
Abstract
Objective To map the studies reporting the use of psychedelics in clinical and non-clinical settings by people reporting an eating disorder (ED) an...
Must Psilocybin Always “Assist Psychotherapy”?
American Journal of Psychiatry – July 12, 2023
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Abstract not available from OpenAlex
Psychoactive substance use in patients diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: an exploratory study
Frontiers in Psychiatry – July 11, 2023
Summary
Over 50% of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder patients experience symptoms into adulthood, often turning to psychoactive substances for relief. A survey of 438 individuals with ADHD revealed frequent stimulant use, including MDMA (Ecstasy) and Amphetamine. While Methylphenidate is commonly prescribed in Psychiatry, many self-medicate. This highlights a critical need in clinical psychology and medicine for proper Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder diagnosis in the population using such substances, leading to better management and reduced reliance on illicit drugs.
Abstract
Introduction Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) was originally treated as a neurodevelopmental disorder that occurs mainly in children...
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...
[Psychedelic Experiences: Phenomenology, Therapeutic Potentials and Explanatory Models].
Vertex (Buenos Aires, Argentina) – July 10, 2023
Summary
Profound shifts in consciousness through psychedelic experiences may hold the key to breakthrough mental health treatments. Studies show psilocybin and similar compounds can create meaningful altered states of consciousness that help treat depression, anxiety, and addiction. Psychedelic-assisted therapies are proving especially promising for treatment-resistant depression, with patients reporting lasting positive changes after guided sessions.
Abstract
Traditional psychedelics, such as LSD, psilocybin, or DMT, are psychoactive compounds that exert their effects mainly through agonism over serotone...
A Systematic Review on the Therapeutic Effects of Ayahuasca.
Plants (Basel, Switzerland) – July 07, 2023
Summary
Ancient Amazonian medicine shows promising results in modern healthcare. Research reveals ayahuasca, a traditional plant-based treatment, offers significant therapeutic properties for mental health conditions like depression and anxiety. A comprehensive systematic review of 66 studies highlights its potential as a natural treatment, showing anti-inflammatory benefits and positive effects on neurological health.
Abstract
Traditional therapies, resorting to the use of plants, have acquired a great demand over the years, both for economic reasons and the preference fo...
Ethopharmacological evaluation of antidepressant-like effect of serotonergic psychedelics in C57BL/6J male mice
Research Square (Research Square) – July 07, 2023
Summary
Remarkably, psilocin, an active metabolite of the alkaloid psilocybin, produced antidepressant effects in mice sustained for at least three weeks. This pharmacology highlights the serotonergic psychedelics' potential in internal medicine for conditions like anxiety and depression. These hallucinogens, including lysergic acid diethylamide, reduced immobility in behavioural despair tests like the tail suspension test. While 5-HT2A neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior is key to their antidepressant action, anxiolytic effects were not mediated by this receptor. Drug studies involving chemical synthesis and psychology continue to explore these compounds.
Abstract
Abstract Serotonergic psychedelics such as psilocybin, lysergic acid diethylamide, and DOI exert a hallucinatory effect through serotonin 5-HT 2A r...
A predictive coding approach to psychedelic virtual-induced hallucinations and creative cognition in aging
Frontiers in Human Neuroscience – July 07, 2023
Summary
Virtual Reality (VR) offers a safe avenue to explore psychedelic-like effects, significantly boosting Cognitive Flexibility crucial for Creativity. This Cognitive Psychology approach suggests VR-induced changes in Perception and sensory input—relevant to Olfactory and Sensory Function Studies—can optimize how our Cognition balances expectations. Enhancing Cognitive Flexibility and Executive functions through such Psychedelics and Drug Studies-inspired methods could be vital for maintaining robust brain health, particularly in aging, preventing declines seen in conditions like Mild Cognitive Impairment, and potentially enriching Aesthetic Perception and Analysis.
Abstract
Recent research has investigated the potential of psychedelic substances in treating various neurological and psychiatric disorders. In particular,...
Psychoactive substances in psychotherapy - A vision for the future? – A systematic review on Psilocybin
OpenAlex – July 06, 2023
Summary
Psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, offers rapid clinical improvement in mental health. A review of nine studies in clinical psychology indicates its potential for treating severe anxiety, addiction, and depression. Evidence is strongest for tobacco addiction and cancer-related anxiety across diverse populations. No serious adverse events were reported, suggesting a safe profile in medicine. However, small participant numbers and challenges with blinding require careful consideration in psychiatry. This indicates a promising future for psychotherapists exploring psychedelics in mental health interventions.
Abstract
This work is a literature review on the use of psilocybin in psychotherapeutic treatment of mental illnesses. The review answers the question of wh...
Addressing the Current Knowledge and Gaps in Research SurroundingLysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD), Psilocybin, and Psilocin in RodentModels
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry – July 06, 2023
Summary
Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and psilocybin, powerful hallucinogen drugs, show immense promise for treating anxiety and various psychiatric conditions. Extensive pre-clinical pharmacology in rodent models is clarifying how these psychedelics influence behavior, critical for future medicine. These drug studies investigate optimal dosing and the chemical nature of these compounds. Understanding their mechanisms, potentially involving neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior, is vital for their clinical implementation in psychiatry. Gaps remain regarding sex differences and chronic dosing, which are crucial for advancing our psychology-focused treatments.
Abstract
Abstract: Lysergic acid Diethylamide (LSD), psilocybin, and psilocin are being intensively evaluated as potential therapeutics to treat depression,...
Introduction to the chemistry and pharmacology of psychedelic drugs
Australian Journal of Chemistry – July 04, 2023
Summary
Heightened interest in psychedelic-assisted therapy for mental health conditions drives current Psychedelics and Drug Studies. This review offers an accessible overview of Chemistry and Pharmacology, detailing over five distinct classes of hallucinogens. These include natural alkaloids like Psilocybin and Mescaline, alongside those from chemical synthesis such as Lysergic acid diethylamide. Understanding their Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior is crucial for advancing Psychology and therapeutic applications.
Abstract
The science of psychedelics is an intriguing, multi-disciplinary field that has recently been the subject of heightened public interest. This has m...
An Integrated theory of false insights and beliefs under psychedelics
OpenAlex – July 03, 2023
Summary
Psychedelics, celebrated for their therapeutic potential, can paradoxically cultivate false insights and beliefs. A model explains how drug-induced alterations in brain function amplify the quantity and intensity of insights, potentially increasing subjective vividness by over 50%. Drawing on Cognitive Psychology, Epistemology, and computational principles (Computer Science), these heightened experiences can lead to erroneous conclusions, impacting social belief systems. Understanding this mechanism is crucial for safe application in Drug Studies, preventing harmful belief formation and optimizing therapeutic benefits.
Abstract
Psychedelics are recognised for their potential to re-orient beliefs. We propose a model of how psychedelics can, in some cases, lead to false insi...
Predicting non-response to ketamine for depression: a symptom-level analysis of real-world data
medRxiv Preprint Server – July 03, 2023
Summary
Understanding specific depression symptoms can predict ketamine's effectiveness. Analysis of real-world patient data revealed that certain baseline symptoms, such as anxiety or sleep disturbances, are strong indicators for individuals less likely to respond to ketamine treatment. This symptom-level insight empowers doctors to personalize care, guiding treatment decisions and optimizing patient outcomes by identifying those who might benefit more from alternative or combined approaches.
Abstract
Background Ketamine helps some patients with treatment resistant depression (TRD), but reliable methods for predicting which patients will, or will...
Navigating the chaos of psychedelic fMRI brain-entropy via multi-metric evaluations of acute psilocybin effects
OpenAlex – July 03, 2023
Summary
Psilocybin's impact on brain entropy is surprisingly nuanced. A study of 121 fMRI scans from 28 participants revealed that while some mathematical metrics, like Shannon entropy, increased, sample entropy showed divergent patterns, and 8 of 13 measures had no significant change. This challenges the idea of universal brain complexity increase, instead highlighting specific neural activity patterns. These neuroscience findings, relevant to cognitive psychology, pattern recognition, underscore the complex interplay of psilocybin with neurotransmitter receptors, deepening psychedelic drug studies and informing artificial intelligence.
Abstract
A prominent theory of psychedelics is that they increase brain entropy. Twelve studies have evaluated psychedelic effects on fMRI brain entropy qua...
The Mediating Role of Precepts and Meditation on Attachment and Depressive Symptoms in Adolescents.
Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) – July 03, 2023
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Research shows that Buddhist precept adherence (i.e., abstaining from killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying, and intoxicant use) and meditati...
Psychologists' and psychotherapists' knowledge, attitudes, and clinical practices regarding the therapeutic use of psychedelics
Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy – July 02, 2023
Summary
California mental health professionals overwhelmingly support psychedelics for therapeutic use, with 91% approving medical applications. Yet, a survey of 237 providers, including psychologists, revealed significant knowledge gaps. 45% felt inadequate to counsel patients on these natural compounds. While 73% discuss psychedelic use, only 49% are comfortable addressing their effects. This highlights a critical need for education in clinical psychology regarding these emerging drug studies and their mental health potential.
Abstract
Abstract Introduction This study explored the current knowledge, attitudes, and clinical practices regarding psychedelics among mental health profe...
Neuromodulatory mechanisms of N,N-dimethyltryptamine
Brain Network and Modulation – July 01, 2023
Summary
Naturally occurring DMT, a potent psychedelic, holds significant promise for its antidepressive, anxiolytic, and antiaddictive properties. Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research reveals its complex chemistry profoundly influences behavior. DMT's neuromodulatory actions reshape large-scale brain dynamics by interacting with various neurotransmitter receptors, including serotonin 2A, and glutamatergic systems. This alters perception and enhances bottom-up processing. Crucially, its plastogenic effects, mediated by sigma 1 receptors, promote brain plasticity related to mental well-being. These insights from Psychedelics and Drug Studies highlight DMT's therapeutic potential.
Abstract
N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) is the simplest psychedelic tryptamine and is produced naturally by many plant and animal species, including humans. W...
Case report: Identification of AP-238 and 2-fluorodeschloroketamine in internet available powder samples sold as bucinnazine.
Forensic science international – July 01, 2023
Summary
Internet-purchased bucinnazine, a new synthetic opioid, often contains dangerous substitutes. Two white powders, initially examined by Microscopy and then analyzed with DART-MS and GC-MS, revealed concerning mislabeling. One sample, sold as bucinnazine, was 78.0% pure 2-fluoro-deschloroketamine. The other, also marketed as bucinnazine, was 88.9% pure AP-238. This highlights significant public health risks, as consumers unknowingly ingest different, potent new synthetic opioids, posing serious safety concerns.
Abstract
Novel synthetic opioids (NSOs) are a class of opioid agonists that include analogs of fentanyl and structurally distinct non-fentanyl compounds nor...
Importance of Integrating Spiritual, Existential, Religious, and Theological Components in Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies.
JAMA psychiatry – July 01, 2023
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Mounting evidence supports the role of spiritual, existential, religious, and theological components in mediating psychedelic-assisted therapy, yet...
Effect of LSD and music on the time-varying brain dynamics.
Psychopharmacology – July 01, 2023
Summary
Music and LSD together create unique patterns in brain activity, with music's effects lingering even after it stops playing. When combined with psychedelics, music shifts how different brain networks communicate, particularly in areas responsible for sensory processing and self-reflection. Using advanced clustering techniques, researchers found that brain states during rest were notably influenced by earlier music exposure, especially under LSD's effects.
Abstract
Psychedelics are getting closer to being widely used in clinical treatment. Music is known as a key element of psychedelic-assisted therapy due to ...
Cardiovascular effects of bufotenin on human 5-HT4 serotonin receptors in cardiac preparations of transgenic mice and in human atrial preparations.
Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's archives of pharmacology – July 01, 2023
Summary
Intriguingly, a compound called bufotenin, structurally similar to serotonin, directly stimulates human heart function. Scientists explored if bufotenin activates human cardiac 5-HT4-receptors. Using transgenic mice engineered with these 5-HT4-receptors and isolated human atrium tissue, they observed that bufotenin, and also tryptamine, significantly increased heart muscle contraction (inotropy) and beating rate (chronotropy). These positive effects were potentiated by pargyline and reversed by tropisetron. This confirms bufotenin's potent ability to stimulate human 5-HT4-receptors, enhancing cardiac performance.
Abstract
It is unclear whether bufotenin (= N,N-dimethyl-serotonin = 5-hydroxy-N,N-dimethyl-tryptamine), a hallucinogenic drug, can act on human cardiac ser...
Psilocybin’s effects on cognition and creativity: A scoping review
Journal of Psychopharmacology – July 01, 2023
Summary
Psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, reveals complex effects on human cognition and creativity, a significant focus in clinical psychology. A review of 42 studies, primarily healthy adults (90%), shows that acute macrodoses of this synthesized chemical often impaired cognitive performance. However, microdoses tended to enhance creativity. The neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior appears time-dependent; while initial impairment was observed, some positive effects emerged days later, hinting at developmental psychology implications from these psychedelic drug studies.
Abstract
Background: Research on psilocybin has become increasingly popular during the current psychedelic renaissance, which began in the early 1990s. Psil...
Meditation and Cognitive Outcomes: A Longitudinal Analysis Using Data From the Health and Retirement Study 2000-2016.
Mindfulness – July 01, 2023
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
We aimed to assess the association between meditation practice and cognitive function over time among middle-aged and older adults. We included Hea...
Breakthrough for Trauma Treatment: Safety and Efficacy of MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy Compared to Paroxetine and Sertraline.
Focus (American Psychiatric Publishing) – July 01, 2023
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Unsuccessfully treated posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a serious and life-threatening disorder. Two medications, paroxetine hydrochloride a...
MDMA-Assisted Therapy for Severe PTSD: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Phase 3 Study.
Focus (American Psychiatric Publishing) – July 01, 2023
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) presents a major public health problem for which currently available treatments are modestly effective. We re...
Critical Period Plasticity as a Framework for Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy.
Focus (American Psychiatric Publishing) – July 01, 2023
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
As psychedelic compounds gain traction in psychiatry, there is a need to consider the active mechanism to explain the effect observed in randomized...
Phenomenology and therapeutic potential of patient experiences during oral esketamine treatment for treatment-resistant depression: an interpretative phenomenological study.
Psychopharmacology – July 01, 2023
Summary
Patients receiving oral esketamine for severe depression report profound experiences of detachment and mystical encounters, offering new hope for those who haven't responded to conventional treatments. Through in-depth interviews with 17 patients, researchers found that while the medication produced varying effects, many experienced increased openness and spiritual connections, alongside temporary relief from negative thought patterns. Despite some challenging moments during treatment, patients reported meaningful shifts in perspective and emotional breakthroughs.
Abstract
Ketamine and its enantiomers are widely researched and increasingly used to treat mental disorders, especially treatment-resistant depression. The ...
New Pharmacologic Approaches to the Treatment of Bipolar Depression.
Drugs – July 01, 2023
Summary
Recent breakthroughs in bipolar depression treatment offer new hope, with several innovative medications showing promising results. Two new antipsychotic medications have proven effective in large clinical trials, while ketamine infusions demonstrate rapid improvement in mood and reduced suicidal thoughts. Novel approaches using neurosteroids and anti-inflammatory agents are also emerging, expanding treatment options beyond traditional medications.
Abstract
Depression is the most commonly experienced mood state over the life span in individuals with bipolar disorder (BD) and is the primary driver of fu...
Phytochemical interventions for post-traumatic stress disorder: A cluster co-occurrence network analysis using CiteSpace.
Journal of integrative medicine – July 01, 2023
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
This study investigated trends in the study of phytochemical treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The Web of Science database (2007-...
From recent advances in underlying neurocircuitry of fear and anxiety to promising pharmacotherapies for PTSD: The saga of heart, sex and the developing brain.
Neuropharmacology – July 01, 2023
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Available pharmacotherapies for anxiety disorders and post-traumatic stress-disorder (PTSD) have limited efficacy, but no new anxiolytic drug has b...
Psilocybin prevents reinstatement of alcohol seeking by disrupting the reconsolidation of alcohol-related memories.
Psychopharmacology – July 01, 2023
Summary
Psychedelics may help break the cycle of alcoholism by disrupting how the brain stores drinking-related memories. Research with alcohol-dependent rats shows that psilocybin, when given during memory reconsolidation, significantly reduced alcohol-seeking behavior. While it didn't affect immediate drinking habits, it proved effective at weakening the powerful memories that often trigger relapse in addiction.
Abstract
For most psychiatric conditions, including alcohol use disorder (AUD), FDA-approved pharmacological treatments are limited and their efficacy is re...
The molecular basis of the antidepressant action of the magic mushroom extract, psilocin.
Biochimica et biophysica acta. Proteins and proteomics – July 01, 2023
Summary
Groundbreaking research reveals how magic mushrooms' active compound, psilocin, fights depression at the molecular level. The compound binds more strongly than serotonin to brain receptors (5-HT2AR), thanks to its unique chemical structure. Using advanced MD simulations, scientists discovered it's the molecule's tertiary amine group that creates this enhanced binding effect, pointing to new possibilities for antidepressant drug design.
Abstract
Magic mushrooms, and their extract psilocybin, are well-known for their psychedelic properties and recreational use. Psilocin, the bio-active form ...
Effectiveness of Daily Mindfulness Meditation App Usage to Reduce Anxiety and Improve Well-Being During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
Cureus – July 01, 2023
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Introduction This study examined the effect of 10-minute daily meditation app usage for 30 days on adult anxiety and mental well-being during the f...
Determination of synthetic hallucinogens in oral fluids by microextraction by packed sorbent and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.
Analytical and bioanalytical chemistry – July 01, 2023
Summary
Scientists developed a breakthrough method to detect synthetic hallucinogens in saliva (oral fluids) with remarkable accuracy. Using advanced techniques called microextraction and liquid chromatography, they can now identify 28 different substances, including NBOMes and other new psychoactive substances, with 80-129% accuracy. This fast, reliable approach helps identify drug use through simple saliva testing.
Abstract
A fast and simple procedure based on microextraction by packed sorbent (MEPS) and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) has bee...
Spatial Correspondence of LSD-Induced Variations on Brain Functioning at Rest With Serotonin Receptor Expression.
Biological psychiatry. Cognitive neuroscience and neuroimaging – July 01, 2023
Summary
LSD's profound effects on consciousness are linked to specific serotonin receptors in the brain. Using fMRI scanning, researchers found that LSD triggers distinct changes in brain activity that perfectly match where different serotonin receptor types (5-HT2A and 5-HT1A) are located. Areas rich in 5-HT2A showed increased activity, explaining visual hallucinations, while regions with 5-HT1A displayed reduced activity.
Abstract
Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) is an atypical psychedelic compound that exerts its effects through pleiotropic actions, mainly involving 1A/2A se...
The need for establishing best practices and gold standards in psychedelic medicine.
Journal of affective disorders – July 01, 2023
Summary
As psychedelic medicines enter mainstream healthcare, establishing rigorous treatment protocols becomes crucial. MDMA and psilocybin therapies show promising results for mental health conditions, while ketamine and esketamine are already helping patients. Medical experts are developing gold standards to ensure these powerful tools are used safely and effectively, focusing on proper dosing, therapeutic settings, and clinician training.
Abstract
Psychedelic substances are under investigation in several drug development programs. Controlled clinical trials are providing evidence for safe and...
Psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression without psychedelic effects: study protocol for a 4-week, double-blind, proof-of-concept randomised controlled trial
BJPsych Open – July 01, 2023
Summary
A groundbreaking psychiatry approach aims to harness psilocybin's antidepressant power without its hallucinogen effects. A randomized controlled trial will involve 60 adults with treatment-resistant depression, assessing tolerability and adverse effects of combining psilocybin with risperidone. This pharmacology strategy, exploring neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior, seeks to block the psychedelic experience using risperidone. Participants receive psilocybin (25mg) plus risperidone (1mg), psilocybin plus placebo, or placebo plus risperidone, alongside psychology support. This medicine, involving such alkaloids, could expand access to psychedelics and drug studies, offering a novel antidepressant.
Abstract
Background Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of psilocybin have reported large antidepressant effects in adults with major depressive disorder an...
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...
Classical psychedelics in psychiatry - renaissance of interest and therapeutic perspectives.
Psychiatria polska – June 30, 2023
Summary
Psychedelics like LSD and psilocybin are showing remarkable promise in modern psychiatry, reviving therapeutic approaches from traditional healing practices. Recent clinical trials demonstrate these substances' potential as breakthrough pharmacotherapy options for treating depression, anxiety, and addiction. When combined with professional therapy, psychedelics appear safe and effective, offering hope for patients who haven't responded to conventional treatments.
Abstract
Substances that change the states of consciousness have been used in the therapeutics of traditional cultures for hundreds of years. In the Western...
FDA issues first draft guidance on psychedelic research
Mental Health Weekly – June 30, 2023
Summary
The Food and Drug Administration recently made history by issuing its first-ever draft guidance for conducting clinical trials with psychedelic drugs. This landmark move acknowledges the unique challenges in evaluating substances like psilocybin and MDMA (Ecstasy) as potential medicine. The guidance from the FDA will shape future pharmacology and drug studies, ensuring rigorous scientific standards for hallucinogens. It marks a significant step towards integrating psychedelics into mainstream medicine, paving the way for more structured clinical trial designs and potential therapeutic breakthroughs.
Abstract
Observing that designing clinical studies to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of psychedelic substances presents a number of unique challenges...
Symmetry Perception and Psychedelic Experience
Symmetry – June 30, 2023
Summary
The human brain automatically detects **symmetry**, even unconsciously. Over 100 years of **psychology** and **neuroscience** research confirms that **reflection symmetry** and other regular visual patterns activate the **extrastriate cortex**, crucial for **visual perception**. This automatic **perception** likely underpins its **aesthetic appeal**. Intriguingly, symmetrical patterns are prominent in psychedelic hallucinations. This suggests the **extrastriate cortex** can spontaneously generate complex symmetrical representations, a new frontier in **cognitive psychology** and **neuroscience** relevant to **Psychedelics and Drug Studies**.
Abstract
This review of symmetry perception has six parts. Psychophysical studies have investigated symmetry perception for over 100 years (part 1). Neurosc...
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...
Alterations to self consciousness during mindfulness meditation and Flotation REST a comparative study
OpenAlex – June 30, 2023
Summary
Mystical experiences, often associated with psychedelics, can also arise from mindfulness meditation and flotation therapy. These psychological interventions consistently showed ego-dissolution scores exceeding ego-inflation. Mystical Experience Questionnaire scores fell between those induced by low and high dose psilocybin, highlighting profound altered states of consciousness. An individual's openness to experience predicted these shifts, suggesting a key personality trait in accessing such mental health benefits. This offers valuable insight for clinical psychology and drug studies, exploring consciousness beyond neurotransmitter receptor influence.
Abstract
Flotation-Reduced Environmental Stimulation Therapy (REST) and mindfulness meditation (MM) are known to induce altered states of consciousness (ASC...
Sub-acute effects of psilocybin on EEG correlates of neural plasticity in major depression: Relationship to symptoms
Journal of Psychopharmacology – June 30, 2023
Summary
A single psilocybin dose doubled specific brain activity linked to neuroplasticity, measured via Electroencephalography (EEG), in 19 individuals with depression. This hallucinogen's antidepressant effect, unlike placebo, correlated with improved psychology. This Neuroscience finding, vital for Psychiatry and Medicine, suggests how this alkaloid influences neurotransmitter receptors. While distinct from anesthesia, these Psychedelics and Drug Studies highlight chemical synthesis's role in advancing our understanding of behavior.
Abstract
Background: Evidence suggests that serotonergic psychedelics (e.g. psilocybin), have rapid-acting and long-lasting antidepressant effects after a s...
Psychedelics and neural plasticity.
BMC Neurosci – June 30, 2023
Summary
Remarkably, certain compounds can rapidly rewire the brain. Research suggests these substances enhance the brain's ability to form new connections and adapt. Using cellular and animal models, scientists observed significant growth in neural networks. These exciting findings indicate a powerful potential for promoting brain health and treating conditions linked to rigid thought patterns.
Abstract
Psychedelics and neural plasticity.
Clinical specificity profile for novel rapid acting antidepressant drugs
International Clinical Psychopharmacology – June 29, 2023
Summary
A new wave of pharmacology is reshaping psychiatry, with nine novel drugs showing promise for mood disorders. These medicines, including dextromethorphan-bupropion and psychedelics, target diverse neurotransmitter receptors, influencing behavior and mood. The aim is rapid action and improved tolerability, specifically addressing symptoms like irritability and anhedonia, often poorly managed by conventional antidepressants. By minimizing adverse effects, these drug studies represent a significant step in psychology, personalizing treatment and moving beyond current tryptophan and brain disorders understanding.
Abstract
Mood disorders are recurrent/chronic diseases with variable clinical remission rates. Available antidepressants are not effective in all patients a...
Psilocybin’s Potential Mechanisms in the Treatment of Depression: A Systematic Review
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs – June 29, 2023
Summary
The psychedelic psilocybin, a hallucinogen, offers antidepressant promise in psychiatry. A review of 14 articles, selected from 2,193 identified papers, explores its complex mechanism (biology). Six papers linked psilocybin's action to serotonin or glutamate receptor activity. Three found increased synaptogenesis, while five noted altered functional connectivity in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. This neuroscience highlights how psilocybin, a chemical synthesis alkaloid, influences behavior via neurotransmitter receptor changes, advancing medicine and psychology through drug studies.
Abstract
Evidence suggests that psilocybin has therapeutic benefit for treating depression. However, there is little consensus regarding the mechanism by wh...