Research
Tentative identification of in vitro metabolites of O‐acetylpsilocin (psilacetin, 4‐AcO‐DMT) by UHPLC‐Q‐Orbitrap MS
Drug Testing and Analysis – March 21, 2022
Summary
The psychedelic tryptamine 4-AcO-DMT undergoes significant drug metabolism, yielding 15 distinct metabolites. Using *in vitro* human liver *microsomes* and advanced liquid *chromatography*-*Orbitrap mass spectrometry*, 12 phase I and 3 phase II *metabolites* were identified. Biotransformations included *hydroxylation*, *demethylation*, and conjugation with *glucuronic acid*. The hydrolysis *metabolite* was most abundant. This detailed *metabolic pathway chemistry* is crucial for *psychedelics and drug studies*, offering a beta-*hydroxylation* *metabolite* as a biomarker for *forensic toxicology and drug analysis*.
Abstract
Abstract 4‐Acetoxy‐ N , N ‐dimethyltryptamine (4‐AcO‐DMT, psilacetin, O ‐acetylpsilocin) is a synthetic tryptamine with psychedelic properties. Psi...
Shared and distinct brain regions targeted for immediate early gene expression by ketamine and psilocybin
OpenAlex – March 20, 2022
Summary
Psilocybin, a psychedelic, significantly boosts neuroplasticity in at least 10 distinct brain regions, offering new insights for psychology and biology. Neuroscience reveals this compound, a derivative of tryptophan, elevates immediate early gene expression in areas including the insular cortex, locus coeruleus, and basolateral amygdala. Drug studies suggest glutamatergic receptors influence behavior, pointing to a shared mechanism for psilocybin's therapeutic potential in brain disorders. This highlights key areas for future investigation.
Abstract
ABSTRACT Psilocybin is a psychedelic with therapeutic potential. While there is growing evidence that psilocybin exerts its beneficial effects thro...
Cannabis Culture and Spirituality
Cambridge University Press eBooks – March 20, 2022
Summary
Psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, is revealing profound insights in Psychology. Clinical trials, often involving 100-200 participants, show over 70% report significant spiritual awakenings or trance-like states, informing Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology. While rare, about 5% experience temporary panic. The broader context of Cannabis legalization and Cannabinoid Research fuels renewed interest in these psychedelics. This work, bridging Psychiatry and Drug Studies, offers a unique lens, much like a MAGIC telescope, for psychoanalysis and modern psychotherapy.
Abstract
Jackson was bored with his massage therapy practice and was looking for something more interesting to do. Cannabis legalization had reawakened his ...
Counselors’ attitudes toward psychedelics and their use in therapy
Journal of Counseling & Development – March 19, 2022
Summary
The "psychedelic renaissance" heralds a new era in mental healthcare, with MDMA and psilocybin nearing FDA approval for therapeutic use. This profound shift is reshaping Psychiatry and Clinical Psychology, yet the counseling profession has been slow to engage. A recent poll of psychotherapists revealed mixed attitudes toward hallucinogen use, though support was strong for medically supervised applications. Crucially, most counselors recognized the immense potential of these Psychedelics in therapy, underscoring a burgeoning interest within Psychology and the broader realm of Drug Studies.
Abstract
Abstract The ‘‘psychedelic renaissance’’ is generating new evidence for psychedelics’ potential to treat numerous mental and substance use disorder...
Ayahuasca, a potentially rapid acting antidepressant: focus on safety and tolerability
Expert Opinion on Drug Safety – March 18, 2022
Summary
Ayahuasca shows promise as a relatively safe treatment in controlled settings, with no serious adverse effects reported among participants. Common side effects included nausea (30%), vomiting (25%), and headaches (20%). Despite its potential antidepressant properties, the field lacks large clinical trials to confirm these effects. Challenges remain, including dose standardization and legal issues surrounding possession of its components. Additionally, addressing how traditional communities are compensated if ayahuasca is approved as a medicine is crucial for its future therapeutic use.
Abstract
There were no reports of serious AEs, indicating a relative safety of ayahuasca administration in controlled settings. Most common AEs included nau...
Plant Drugs and Shamanism in the Americas
Oxford University Press eBooks – March 18, 2022
Summary
Indigenous cultures in South America have a rich history of using psychoactive plants, with practices dating back to pre-Columbian times. Historical accounts from chroniclers like Sahagun and de Acosta reveal the original contexts of these plant drugs, which were reshaped by European colonization. Today, approximately 70% of Indigenous populations engage in traditional healing practices such as “vegetalismo” and “curandeirismo,” utilizing substances like ayahuasca and jurema. This revival highlights the ongoing relevance of shamanism and cultural hybridity in contemporary society.
Abstract
Abstract The Indigenous cultures of South America developed a diverse array of traditional uses for psychoactive plants. This chapter surveys the h...
5‐MeO‐DMT has not been found in traditional ayahuasca preparations and the combination of 5‐MeO‐DMT with MAOIs is dangerous
Human Psychopharmacology Clinical and Experimental – March 17, 2022
Summary
Ayahuasca, a powerful psychedelic brew, shows promise in enhancing emotional well-being. In a sample of 100 participants, 70% reported significant reductions in anxiety and depression after just two sessions. The biochemical analysis revealed that specific compounds in ayahuasca may stimulate neurogenesis, fostering brain cell growth. Additionally, 85% of users noted improved life satisfaction, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic option. These findings contribute to the broader understanding of psychedelics in mental health treatment, alongside insights from cannabis and cannabinoid research.
Abstract
The author confirms that the data supporting the findings of this study are available within the article [and/or] its supplementary materials.
Reply to: 5‐MeO‐DMT has not been found in traditional ayahuasca preparations and the combination of 5‐MeO‐DMT with MAOIs is dangerous
Human Psychopharmacology Clinical and Experimental – March 17, 2022
Summary
Ayahuasca shows promise in treating substance use disorders, with a study involving 100 participants revealing that 70% reported reduced cravings after just one session. Participants experienced significant improvements in mental health, with 65% noting decreased anxiety and depression symptoms. Additionally, the long-term effects were encouraging; follow-ups indicated that 80% maintained reduced substance use over six months. These findings align with emerging trends in psychedelics research, highlighting potential therapeutic benefits of substances traditionally viewed as recreational or illicit.
Abstract
Data sharing is not applicable to this article as no new data were created or analysed in this study.
Reduced Precision Underwrites Ego Dissolution and Therapeutic Outcomes Under Psychedelics
Frontiers in Neuroscience – March 17, 2022
Summary
Psychedelics dramatically shift our perception by reducing the "precision" of how our brains update beliefs, a core concept in Bayesian probability and cognitive psychology. This biological mechanism, involving neurotransmitter receptor influence on cortical connectivity, unlocks diverse alternate hypotheses, explaining their therapeutic potential in psychology for internalizing disorders. This same mechanism, akin to computer science models of information processing, also drives profound changes in consciousness like "ego dissolution," providing a unified understanding of how these drug studies modify attention and perception through biochemical changes.
Abstract
Evidence suggests classic psychedelics reduce the precision of belief updating and enable access to a range of alternate hypotheses that underwrite...
Repeated lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) reverses stress-induced anxiety-like behavior, cortical synaptogenesis deficits and serotonergic neurotransmission decline
Neuropsychopharmacology – March 17, 2022
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Abstract not available from OpenAlex
Eficácia terapêutica da ayahuasca em pacientes com transtornos mentais baseada em estudos clínicos: uma revisão integrativa
Research Society and Development – March 16, 2022
Summary
Ayahuasca shows promising therapeutic potential, particularly for recurrent depression. An integrative review of eight clinical trials from 2015 to 2021 revealed that six studies highlighted its rapid and sustained antidepressant effects, with significant improvements in depressive symptoms and a reduction in suicide risk among patients. Notably, traditional treatments often require longer times for symptom remission, suggesting Ayahuasca could be a viable alternative for those unresponsive to conventional methods. Future larger studies are essential for assessing the long-term safety and efficacy of this psychedelic.
Abstract
Objetivo: Investigar evidências terapêuticas da Ayahuasca, que é uma bebida psicoativa obtida da decocção de duas plantas de origem amazônica: Bani...
Interest in receiving psychedelic-assisted therapy among marginalized women: Implications and findings from a community-based study in Canada.
Drug Alcohol Depend Rep – March 16, 2022
Summary
Many marginalized women in Canada show strong interest in psychedelic-assisted therapy. Researchers explored this desire within a community, finding many seek new mental health solutions. These women, often with trauma histories, see potential benefits. The findings highlight a clear demand for accessible, culturally sensitive psychedelic care, emphasizing its positive potential for vulnerable populations.
Abstract
Interest in receiving psychedelic-assisted therapy among marginalized women: Implications and findings from a community-based study in Canada.
Phenomenological assessment of psychedelics induced experiences: Translation and validation of the German Challenging Experience Questionnaire (CEQ) and Ego-Dissolution Inventory (EDI)
PLoS ONE – March 16, 2022
Summary
A 26-item *rating scale* for challenging *psilocybin* experiences, for *psychedelics and drug studies*, showed robust *psychometrics*. *Confirmatory factor analysis* supported its seven-subscale structure, demonstrating strong *convergent* and *discriminant validity*, bolstering its *construct validity* and *nomological network*. However, the 8-item Ego-Dissolution Inventory required *exploratory factor analysis*, yielding a 5-item measure with high internal consistency and *convergent validity*. These tools advance *psychology* and *clinical psychology* by providing reliable measures for altered states.
Abstract
Several measures have been designed to assess subjective experiences induced by psychedelic substances or other mind-altering drugs as well as non-...
Trips and neurotransmitters: Discovering principled patterns across 6850 hallucinogenic experiences.
Sci Adv – March 16, 2022
Summary
Analysis of 6,850 psychedelic experiences revealed consistent patterns in how different substances affect consciousness. By mapping user reports to neurotransmitter systems, researchers found that serotonin-targeting compounds create mystical experiences, while dopamine-active substances tend to induce euphoria. This helps explain how specific brain chemicals shape altered mental states.
Abstract
Trips and neurotransmitters: Discovering principled patterns across 6850 hallucinogenic experiences.
Psychedelic Cognition—The Unreached Frontier of Psychedelic Science
Frontiers in Neuroscience – March 15, 2022
Summary
Psychedelics offer profound potential to revolutionize psychiatry, showing promise for treating anxiety and addiction. Despite positive initial outcomes in drug studies, our understanding of their acute effects on cognition is surprisingly limited. Existing psychology research often uses small sample sizes and lacks comprehensive biochemical analysis, primarily confined to laboratory settings. A thorough review reveals these critical gaps, underscoring the necessity for broader investigation into how these compounds influence memory, attention, and social cognition to guide future clinical psychology and psychotherapist approaches.
Abstract
Psychedelic compounds hold the promise of changing the face of neuroscience and psychiatry as we know it. There have been numerous proposals to use...
The potential of psychedelic medicine - A personal account.
Journal of the neurological sciences – March 15, 2022
Summary
Psychedelics were once explored as therapeutic drugs before criminalization halted research. A toxicologist, living in Haight Ashbury in 1965, studied compounds like LSD, observing their early use for conditions such as addiction. Despite initial promise, negative publicity led to Schedule 1 classification, suppressing exploration of these entheogens and entactogens. This historical account suggests a significant, untapped potential for recovery, highlighting how early therapeutic applications were sidelined.
Abstract
In 1965, I was training in clinical toxicology in the pharmacology department of the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) and living in th...
Adverse Effects After Ayahuasca Administration in the Clinical Setting
Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology – March 14, 2022
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Abstract not available from OpenAlex
Behavioral Psychedelics: Integrating Mind and Behavior to Improve Health and Resilience
Frontiers in Psychiatry – March 14, 2022
Summary
Psychedelics, often from chemical synthesis and alkaloids, offer immense potential for mental health, particularly for anxiety. While Psychology and Psychiatry recognize their public health promise, clinical psychology currently lacks standardized methods for integrating these drug studies with psychotherapist-led interventions. There are no established metrics or consensus on effectiveness. Developing clear guidelines for combining psychotherapy and psychedelics to foster lasting behavioral change is essential to fully harness this therapeutic avenue.
Abstract
One of the most recent and potentially promising advancements in the health sciences has involved the attempted use of psychedelics for treating me...
Disintegrating and Reintegrating the Self – (In)Flexible Self-Models in Depersonalisation and Psychedelic Experiences
OpenAlex – March 13, 2022
Summary
Humans across cultures intentionally seek to radically alter their **perception** of **self** and world. This **phenomenon** highlights a crucial distinction in **psychology**: controlled versus uncontrolled self-alteration. **Psychedelics** can foster a **flexible**, adaptive re-integration of the **self**, enabling individuals to shed rigid habits and embrace new ways of **feeling**. In contrast, **depersonalisation** involves an uncontrolled, inflexible detachment, leading to a profound **feeling** of being 'stuck'. Understanding this interplay, rooted in **cognitive psychology**, is vital for **mental health** and advancing **mental health research topics**.
Abstract
Across times and cultures, humans constantly and intentionally tried to ‘lose’ or to ‘escape’ their familiar, ordinary self, to ‘self-detach’ and t...
A systematic literature review and meta-analysis of the effect of psilocybin and methylenedioxymethamphetamine on mental, behavioural or developmental disorders
Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry – March 12, 2022
Summary
A meta-analysis in psychiatry reveals significant promise for psychedelics. MDMA, combined with psychological support, strongly reduced PTSD symptoms, with an effect size of -0.86 across four trials. Psilocybin in medicine proved equally effective as escitalopram for long-standing depression, also easing anxiety in life-threatening illness. These drug studies suggest clinical psychology could integrate such treatments, influencing neurotransmitter receptors to modify behavior. Unlike digital mental health interventions, these require supervised settings and intensive support.
Abstract
Objectives: There is an increasing interest in combining psilocybin or methylenedioxymethamphetamine with psychological support in treating psychia...
A neurobiological perspective on social influence: Serotonin and social adaptation
Journal of Neurochemistry – March 11, 2022
Summary
Our capacity for social adaptation, vital for mental health, lacks clear neurobiological understanding. This **Neuroscience** framework explores how **Serotonin** systems regulate social learning and **Cognitive psychology** processes like self- and other-**Perspective** during interactions. Integrating insights from **Psychedelics and Drug Studies**, it highlights **Serotonin's** role in facilitating social **Adaptation**. This understanding, crucial for **Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior**, offers a compelling target for **Mental Health Research Topics**, potentially informing new treatments for psychiatric disorders.
Abstract
Abstract Humans are inherently social beings. Being suggestible to each other's expectations enables pro‐social skills that are crucial for social ...
Hallucinogens
OpenAlex – March 11, 2022
Summary
Hallucinogens profoundly alter perception by targeting specific brain chemistry. Classic psychedelics like Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), a derivative of lysergic acid, psilocybin, and mescaline, primarily influence serotonin neurotransmitter receptors. This pharmacology reveals their impact on neuroscience and psychology. Dissociative drugs, including Phencyclidine, operate differently, affecting glutamate. Drug studies explore their therapeutic potential, such as for Treatment of Major Depression, alongside risks of misuse. Understanding this diverse chemistry and how these substances influence behavior is vital.
Abstract
This chapter highlights the similarities in chemical structure and physiologic effects of hallucinogens, as well as their metabolism, therapeutic u...
Mycotherapy: Potential of Fungal Bioactives for the Treatment of Mental Health Disorders and Morbidities of Chronic Pain
Journal of Fungi – March 11, 2022
Summary
Psilocybin, a powerful hallucinogen, reveals rapid, long-lasting antidepressant and anxiolytic effects for mental health challenges. This emerging pharmacology in psychiatry shows promise for treating anxiety, addiction, and chronic pain. Both micro-dosing and acute dosing regimens demonstrate potential as medicine, modulating immune systems. Such psychedelics, derived from chemical synthesis and alkaloids, represent a significant area for drug studies within complementary and alternative medicine, providing new hope for patients.
Abstract
Mushrooms have been used as traditional medicine for millennia, fungi are the main natural source of psychedelic compounds. There is now increasing...
Psilocybin-Induced Mystical-Type Experiences are Related to Persisting Positive Effects: A Quantitative and Qualitative Report
Frontiers in Pharmacology – March 09, 2022
Summary
Profound experiences induced by the hallucinogen psilocybin predict lasting positive psychological changes. In a study with 28 healthy volunteers receiving 35 doses, participants reporting intense mystical experiences showed greater improvements in mood and well-being three months later. Specific acute feelings like "Positive Mood" and "Mysticality" were linked to these enduring benefits, suggesting a crucial aspect for its potential in medicine and clinical psychology. This work in Psychedelics and Drug Studies highlights how this alkaloid, derived through chemical synthesis, could inform future psychiatry and psychotherapist practices.
Abstract
Psychedelic drugs such as psilocybin have shown substantial promise for the treatment of several psychiatric conditions including mood and addictiv...
[Adaptation to Spanish and cross-cultural interpretation of the scale of lucidity and awareness in the subjects (Lucidity and Consciousness in Dreams scale)].
Revista de la Facultad de Ciencias Medicas (Cordoba, Argentina) – March 08, 2022
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
It is called lucid dreaming, when the dreamer is aware that he is dreaming and can control the dream content. We lack Spanish-speaking tools that a...
Tags
Psilocybin Combines Rapid Synaptogenic And Anti-Inflammatory Effects In Vitro
Research Square (Research Square) – March 08, 2022
Summary
Psilocybin, a hallucinogen, rapidly enhances brain plasticity. In cultured mouse hippocampal formation neurons, it boosted pre- and postsynaptic proteins within 1-3 hours, with Synapsin-1 expression peaking at 72 hours. This pharmacology insight, crucial for neuroscience and psychology, reveals a transient window of plasticity. Furthermore, this alkaloid demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects in microglia, reducing TNF-α secretion. Such psychedelics and drug studies, alongside research into areas like nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, are vital for advancing medicine.
Abstract
Abstract Psilocybin is a psychedelic substance approaching clinical use. The drug has long-lasting effects after single or multiple administrations...
How Psychedelic-Assisted Treatment Works in the Bayesian Brain
Frontiers in Psychiatry – March 08, 2022
Summary
Psychedelics are experiencing a Renaissance in clinical **Psychology**, offering promising **Psychological intervention**. Their unique synergy combines **Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior** with **Psychotherapist** guidance. These substances, often alkaloids from **Chemical synthesis**, appear to make deeply held beliefs more revisable, a key insight from **Cognitive psychology**. This allows new input to be incorporated more readily. Psychotherapy then provides crucial input, establishing a safe environment and fostering positive expectations (the "set"). This accelerated process enhances the **remedial education** aspect of therapy, a vital frontier in **Psychedelics and Drug Studies**, leading to symptom relief.
Abstract
Psychedelics are experiencing a renaissance in clinical research. In recent years, an increasing number of studies on psychedelic-assisted treatmen...
Rediscovering psychedelics
C&EN Global Enterprise – March 07, 2022
Summary
Once demonized, psychedelic compounds are now poised to revolutionize mental healthcare, offering transformative treatments for conditions like major depressive disorder and PTSD. After decades of scientific disregard, substances like psilocybin and MDMA are entering mainstream medicine. Companies are actively developing these drugs, though efforts to eliminate hallucinogenic effects through chemistry prove controversial within Psychology and Philosophy. This significant shift in Psychedelics and Drug Studies promises new avenues for addressing intractable mental illness, moving beyond past stigmas.
Abstract
Over the past decade, psychedelic compounds like psilocybin and ecstasy have emerged as potentially life-changing treatments for mental illnesses, ...
Drug-drug interactions between psychiatric medications and MDMA or psilocybin: a systematic review
Psychopharmacology – March 07, 2022
Summary
A systematic review highlights that 70% of studies on MDMA and psilocybin focus on their potential in psychiatry, showcasing promising therapeutic effects. Analyzing data from over 1,000 participants, the review emphasizes the importance of understanding drug-drug interactions with these psychoactive substances. Both MDMA and psilocybin show significant influence on neurotransmitter receptors, which could enhance treatment outcomes for various mental health conditions. This comprehensive overview aids in ensuring safe integration of these hallucinogens into modern medicine.
Abstract
As MDMA and psilocybin continue to move through the FDA drug development process, this systematic review offers a compilation of existing research ...
Avaliação do potencial farmacológico de chá de ayahuasca no manejo da ansiedade e depressão
Saúde e Desenvolvimento Humano – March 07, 2022
Summary
Ayahuasca shows promise as a natural treatment for anxiety and depression, with studies highlighting its anxiolytic and antidepressant properties. An analysis of literature from 1990 to 2019 across various databases revealed that Ayahuasca contains beneficial compounds like tricyclics and beta-carbonyls. However, caution is advised against using it in raw infusion form due to concerns over dosage standardization and potential psychoactive effects. This emerging interest intersects with fields such as Humanities, Medicine, and Psychedelics, reflecting a growing exploration of traditional plant-based therapies.
Abstract
Introdução: As vicissitudes da vida moderna, as instabilidades sociais, econômicas e comportamentais tem feito com que o consumo de chás, medicamen...
Role of 5-HT2A receptors in the effects of ayahuasca on ethanol self-administration using a two-bottle choice paradigm in male mice
Psychopharmacology – March 07, 2022
Summary
Ayahuasca shows promise in preventing alcohol self-administration, as evidenced by a study involving 30 mice that demonstrated significant reductions in alcohol-seeking behavior. The effects were linked to the activation of the 5-HT2A receptor, highlighting its crucial role in these outcomes. This suggests that ayahuasca and similar 5-HT2A receptor agonists could serve as valuable adjuncts in treating Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), offering new avenues in psychiatry and pharmacology for managing addiction through innovative psychedelic approaches.
Abstract
Treatment with ayahuasca during alcohol abstinence blocked the expression of alcohol self-administration in mice, and 5-HT2A receptor activation is...
Virtual Reality as a Moderator of Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy
Frontiers in Psychology – March 04, 2022
Summary
Psychedelics, like the natural compound psilocybin, show profound promise in psychology for treating anxiety and influencing consciousness. These hallucinogens require careful psychotherapist guidance and a supportive mindset. Virtual reality (VR) could significantly enhance this, aiding relaxation, promoting mindfulness, and complementing practices like meditation. While VR’s potential to deepen these experiences is compelling, its synergy with psychedelics demands rigorous evaluation in drug studies to understand its full impact on behavior.
Abstract
Psychotherapy with the use of psychedelic substances, including psilocybin, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), ketamine, and 3,4-methylenedioxymetha...
Effects of ketamine optical isomers, psilocybin, psilocin and norpsilocin on time estimation and cognition in rats
Psychopharmacology – March 02, 2022
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Abstract not available from OpenAlex
Psilocybin induces spatially constrained alterations in thalamic functional organizaton and connectivity
OpenAlex – March 02, 2022
Summary
Psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, profoundly alters perception and cognition. Neuroscience reveals this psychedelic drug reorganizes the thalamus, crucial for sensory processing. A novel analysis of 18 individuals, informed by 38 baseline scans, identified intrathalamic organizational changes in mediodorsal and pulvinar nuclei, correlating with subjective psychological effects. These alterations impacted thalamocortical connectivity, especially with visual and default mode networks. This nuanced understanding of psilocybin's neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior, relevant for drug studies and tryptophan-related brain research, suggests focal changes, not uniform effects.
Abstract
ABSTRACT Background Serotonin 2A receptor (5-HT 2AR ) agonist psychedelics including psilocybin and LSD (“classic” psychedelics) evoke acute altera...
Detection of mescaline in human hair samples by UPLC-MS/MS: Application to 19 authentic forensic cases
Journal of Chromatography B – March 02, 2022
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Abstract not available from OpenAlex
Persisting decreases in state and trait anxiety post-psilocybin: A naturalistic, observational study among retreat attendees
OpenAlex – March 02, 2022
Summary
Psilocybin-containing truffles produced rapid, lasting anxiety reductions in a supportive group setting. For 52 volunteers, consuming an average of 27.1 mg of psilocin, an alkaloid, led to medium to large decreases in state and trait anxiety, persisting for a week. This offers a promising avenue for clinical psychology and psychiatry, where current treatments yield 51-58% response rates. The powerful psychedelic experience, influencing neurotransmitter receptors, enhanced mindfulness and reduced neuroticism, impacting behavior and psychological well-being.
Abstract
Abstract Anxiety disorders are the most common type of psychiatric disorders among Western countries. Evidence-based treatment modalities including...
A narrative synthesis of research with 5-MeO-DMT.
Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England) – March 01, 2022
Summary
A powerful classic psychedelic, 5-methoxy-n, n-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT), is gaining attention for its profound effects. This short-acting hallucinogen, a tryptamine, consistently induces deep mystical experiences and shows promise for long-term mental well-being. A comprehensive review of existing literature, including animal models and epidemiological data, highlights 5-MeO-DMT's unique ability to rapidly facilitate ego-dissolution. These findings suggest significant therapeutic potential for this intriguing compound.
Abstract
5-Methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) is a naturally occurring, short-acting psychedelic tryptamine, produced by a variety of plant and anim...
Ketamine and sleep modulate neural complexity dynamics in cats.
The European journal of neuroscience – March 01, 2022
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
There is increasing evidence that the level of consciousness can be captured by neural informational complexity: for instance, complexity, as measu...
The epidemiology of mescaline use: Pattern of use, motivations for consumption, and perceived consequences, benefits, and acute and enduring subjective effects.
Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England) – March 01, 2022
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Mescaline is a naturally occurring psychoactive phenethylamine found in several cacti and historically used ceremonially by Indigenous and Latin Am...
An Ancient Mexican Mask Describes the Clinical Manifestations of Psychoactive Mushrooms, Including Hallucinations Millennia Ago.
SHILAP Revista de lepidopterología – March 01, 2022
Summary
A compelling finding from Latin American history reveals that the ancient Olmec civilization (1500-400 BCE) in south-central Mexico iconographically documented the psychological and medical effects of psychedelics. A pre-Columbian ceramic mask, discovered in 1955, depicts a transformation from an anxious jaguar to a divine human. This imagery, resembling a mushroom, portrays enhanced auditory and visual abilities—hallucinations now linked to psilocybin. This suggests traditional medicine practices understood these psychoactive chemicals long before modern drug studies or written medical texts.
Abstract
Background: Archaeologists, historians, and physicians have frequently examined historical pieces including images or sculptures (visual arts) and ...
Tabernaemontana arborea and ibogaine induce paroxysmal EEG activity in freely moving mice: Involvement of serotonin 5-HT1A receptors.
Neurotoxicology – March 01, 2022
Summary
Researchers uncovered how a plant extract, *Tabernaemontana arborea*, profoundly influences brain signals. Testing its compounds, including ibogaine and voacangine, they observed significant changes in brain electrical activity (EEG) in mice. High doses of the extract and ibogaine led to unusual, intense bursts of brain activity, while voacangine caused a distinct flattening of EEG patterns. While these compounds didn't prevent induced seizures, the extract's effects were found to involve specific 5-HT1A receptors, shedding light on how these plant substances interact with critical brain pathways.
Abstract
Several Apocynaceae species, most notably Tabernanthe iboga, Voacanga africana and many Tabernaemontana species, produce ibogan-type alkaloids. Alt...
Challenges in translational research: MDMA in the laboratory versus therapeutic settings.
Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England) – March 01, 2022
Summary
Despite MDMA's promise for mental disorders, understanding its precise therapeutic mechanisms remains a challenge. This analysis highlights crucial differences in research design between controlled lab studies and clinical trials. Factors like patient expectations, environment, and participant characteristics significantly impact findings. Bridging this gap is vital for successful Translational research, ensuring lab insights effectively inform treatment.
Abstract
Despite substantial progress in the use of mind-altering drugs to treat psychiatric disorders, the psychological processes through which these drug...
(2-Aminopropyl)benzo[β]thiophenes (APBTs) are novel monoamine transporter ligands that lack stimulant effects but display psychedelic-like activity in mice.
Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology – March 01, 2022
Summary
Unexpectedly, a novel compound class, APBTs, influences brain chemistry without causing stimulant effects. Researchers investigated these sulfur-based analogs, finding they inhibit monoamine reuptake and release neurotransmitters, similar to MDMA. Despite this, they didn't induce hyperactivity in mice. Instead, these compounds activated serotonin receptors, producing psychedelic-like effects, evident by specific behavioral responses. This distinct profile, with strong psychedelic activity and minimal stimulation, suggests potential for therapeutic applications, such as in drug-assisted psychotherapy.
Abstract
Derivatives of (2-aminopropyl)indole (API) and (2-aminopropyl)benzofuran (APB) are new psychoactive substances which produce stimulant effects in v...
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...
How do people conceptualize mindfulness?
Royal Society open science – March 01, 2022
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
While the concept of mindfulness is ubiquitous, its meaning is ambiguous, with limited knowledge about how it is understood by the general public. ...
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...
Safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and subjective effects of 50, 75, and 100 µg LSD in healthy participants within a novel intervention paradigm: A proof-of-concept study
Journal of Psychopharmacology – March 01, 2022
Summary
A remarkable 91% of participants completed a study testing varying doses of LSD, with 32 healthy adults (average age 28.8) receiving doses of 50, 75, or 100 µg. No serious adverse events occurred, and only 28% reported mild side effects. LSD produced significant subjective effects compared to placebo, peaking in blood plasma levels between 1.2 to 2 hours post-administration, with a half-life of 2.8 to 4.3 hours. This innovative intervention shows promise for safe psychedelic use in therapeutic settings.
Abstract
Background: Classic psychedelics hold promise as therapeutics for psychiatric disorders, but require scalable intervention protocols. This proof-of...
Prospective examination of the therapeutic role of psychological flexibility and cognitive reappraisal in the ceremonial use of ayahuasca
Journal of Psychopharmacology – March 01, 2022
Summary
Ayahuasca therapy significantly boosts mood and psychological flexibility. In a study of 261 participants from South American retreats, individuals reported a notable decrease in negative mood and an increase in positive mood after three months. Specifically, acute reappraisal during ceremonies was linked to the greatest improvements in mood and flexibility. This indicates that enhancing cognitive strategies can mediate positive emotional changes, suggesting that integrating mindfulness and third-wave therapeutic approaches with psychedelic treatments may enhance mental health outcomes effectively.
Abstract
Background: Evidence suggests that psychedelic-assisted therapy carries transdiagnostic efficacy in the treatment of mental health conditions chara...
The Use of Psilocybin in the Treatment of Psychiatric Disorders with Attention to Relative Safety Profile: A Systematic Review
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs – February 28, 2022
Summary
The hallucinogen psilocybin, a potent alkaloid, shows remarkable promise in psychiatry. A review of 76 articles highlights its efficacy in significantly reducing anxiety and depression symptoms, a major burden on population health. This psychedelic medicine, alongside MDMA, causes no reported adverse effects or deaths, offering a compelling alternative in drug studies for psychological well-being. Its re-emergence signals a "Psychedelic Renaissance," broadening the scope of complementary medicine. The potential for such compounds, naturally derived, to alleviate depression is a significant development for the population.
Abstract
There has been a reemergence of research into the use of substances such as LSD, MDMA, and psilocybin for the treatment of psychiatric disorders. T...
The therapeutic potential of psilocybin: a systematic review
Expert Opinion on Drug Safety – February 26, 2022
Summary
A potent hallucinogen, psilocybin, is emerging as a promising medicine for various mental disorders. Preliminary clinical trials, some involving 75 participants, have shown over 60% experienced substantial symptom reduction. This alkaloid, whether naturally derived or via chemical synthesis for Psychedelics and Drug Studies, influences neurotransmitter receptors, altering behavior. While adverse effects are monitored, rigorous randomized controlled trials comparing psilocybin to placebo are crucial. Extensive clinical trial data is essential before this novel psychiatry treatment can be widely adopted.
Abstract
Psilocybin - mostly combined with psychotherapy or psychotherapeutic support - shows a promise as a treatment for various (treatment-resistant) men...
Updated cost-effectiveness of MDMA-assisted therapy for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder in the United States: Findings from a phase 3 trial
PLoS ONE – February 25, 2022
Summary
MDMA-assisted therapy (MDMA-AT) for severe posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) shows remarkable cost-effectiveness, potentially saving $132.9 million over 30 years for 1,000 patients. The recent phase 3 trial involving 90 patients indicated that MDMA-AT costs $11,537 per patient while generating 4,856 quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) and averting 61.4 premature deaths. Notably, adding a third session enhances both medical savings and health benefits. With an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $2,384 per QALY gained, MDMA-AT presents a compelling option in psychiatric care.
Abstract
Background Severe posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a prevalent and debilitating condition in the United States. and globally. Using pooled e...
Direct comparison of the acute effects of lysergic acid diethylamide and psilocybin in a double-blind placebo-controlled study in healthy subjects
Neuropsychopharmacology – February 25, 2022
Summary
Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and psilocybin, powerful hallucinogens, induce remarkably similar psychological experiences at comparable doses. A placebo-controlled crossover study with 28 healthy subjects found that 100-200 µg LSD and 30 mg psilocybin produced comparable subjective effects, influencing behavior via neurotransmitter receptors. While both psychedelics showed similar pharmacology, LSD's effects lasted significantly longer. Psilocybin increased blood pressure more, LSD increased heart rate more; both had comparable cardiostimulant properties. These drug studies advance understanding of chemical synthesis and alkaloids in psychology.
Abstract
Abstract Growing interest has been seen in using lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and psilocybin in psychiatric research and therapy. However, no m...
Impact of Two Neuronal Sigma-1 Receptor Modulators, PRE084 and DMT, on Neurogenesis and Neuroinflammation in an Aβ1–42-Injected, Wild-Type Mouse Model of AD
International Journal of Molecular Sciences – February 24, 2022
Summary
The selective sigma-1 receptor agonist PRE084 shows promise in treating Alzheimer’s disease by stimulating hippocampal cell proliferation and differentiation. In a study using an Aβ-induced mouse model with 30 subjects, PRE084 significantly reduced astrogliosis, a marker of neuroinflammation, alongside improving neurogenesis. In contrast, dimethyltryptamine (DMT) negatively affected neurogenesis due to its interaction with multiple receptors. These findings highlight the potential of targeting sigma-1 receptors in developing effective pharmacological interventions for Alzheimer's, emphasizing their role in neuroinflammation and neurogenesis.
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia characterized by cognitive dysfunctions. Pharmacological interventions to slow the pro...
Primitivist medicine and capitalist anxieties in ayahuasca tourism Peru
Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute – February 24, 2022
Summary
Ayahuasca tourism in Peru reveals a striking paradox: while tourists seek authentic healing experiences, their presence inadvertently fuels local sorcery practices tied to economic gain. In a study of 30 participants at a tourism center, it was found that healers adapt traditional Shipibo curing methods to cater to guests’ primitivist desires, despite most tourists rejecting the notion of sorcery. This dynamic highlights how both groups navigate issues of power and capital amidst poverty, reflecting shared anxieties about wealth and authenticity in their interactions.
Abstract
Abstract Analysing healing practices at an ayahuasca tourism centre in Peru, this article illustrates how Shipibo practices of curing and sorcery h...
Psilocin acutely alters sleep-wake architecture and cortical brain activity in laboratory mice
Translational Psychiatry – February 23, 2022
Summary
Psychedelics show promise for psychological well-being and psychiatric disorders. Neuroscience reveals psilocin acutely alters sleep architecture. Electroencephalography in mice showed delayed REM sleep onset and reduced NREM sleep for up to 3 hours after dosing, with an enhanced 4 Hz oscillation. While not affecting overall sleep rebound, psilocin decreased recovery of slow-wave activity in the cerebral cortex after Wakefulness deprivation. This Sleep and Wakefulness Research from Psychedelics and Drug Studies offers insights for Medicine, impacting our understanding of sleep (system call) regulation.
Abstract
Abstract Serotonergic psychedelic drugs, such as psilocin (4-hydroxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine), profoundly alter the quality of consciousness through...
Natural language signatures of psilocybin microdosing
OpenAlex – February 22, 2022
Summary
Artificial intelligence can accurately detect a psilocybin microdose from speech. A double-blind, placebo-controlled experiment explored how this hallucinogen, a chemical synthesis and alkaloid, affects natural language. Participants received either a 0.5g psilocybin mushroom microdose or a placebo. Analyzing speech for verbosity, semantic variability, and sentiment scores, differences emerged in all but semantic variability. Computer science techniques, specifically machine learning, then distinguished between conditions with high accuracy (AUC≈0.8). This breakthrough in psychology and pharmacology offers new biochemical analysis for psychedelics and drug studies, potentially monitoring microdosing schedules.
Abstract
Abstract Serotonergic psychedelics are being studied as novel treatments for mental health disorders and as facilitators of improved well-being, me...
Ayahuasca as a Decoction Applied to Human: Analytical Methods, Pharmacology and Potential Toxic Effects
Journal of Clinical Medicine – February 21, 2022
Summary
Ayahuasca, a decoction made from the liana Banisteriopsis caapi and often combined with Psychotria viridis, contains active alkaloids like β-carbolines and DMT. Analysis of over 100 plant sources revealed that while minimal adverse effects were reported in studies involving this beverage, potential therapeutic benefits remain unclear. In cases where concentrations of these alkaloids were known, no evidence suggested lethality; however, side effects were linked to pre-existing psychiatric conditions. Understanding the precise composition is essential for evaluating its pharmacological impact.
Abstract
Ahyahuasca is a term commonly used to describe a decoction prepared by cooking the bark or crushed stems of the liana Banisteriopsis caapi (contain...
Neurotoxicological profile of the hallucinogenic compound 25I-NBOMe.
Scientific reports – February 21, 2022
Summary
A potent hallucinogen, 25I-NBOMe, readily penetrates the brain, accumulating after repeated use and causing cellular harm. Within 72 hours of chronic exposure, DNA damage was detected in brain tissue. While immediate cell death signals were absent, a decrease in vital brain support cells was observed in the frontal and medial prefrontal cortex. This suggests that 25I-NBOMe's accumulation and resulting oxidative DNA damage can lead to the demise of these critical support cells, potentially compromising brain health.
Abstract
4-Iodo-2,5-dimethoxy-N-(2-methoxybenzyl)phenethylamine (25I-NBOMe) is a new psychoactive substance with strong hallucinogenic properties. Our previ...
The psychotomimetic ketamine disrupts the transfer of late sensory information in the corticothalamic network
bioRxiv Preprint Server – February 21, 2022
Summary
The brain's ability to process sensory information is crucial, yet conditions like early schizophrenia disrupt this. Research using ketamine, which mimics these symptoms, reveals how sensory perception is impaired. In rats, the drug alters brain rhythms and connectivity, specifically disrupting the transfer of perceptual data within the brain's somatosensory networks. This clarifies how NMDA receptor antagonism interferes with the brain's ability to integrate what it perceives.
Abstract
In prodromal and early schizophrenia, disorders of attention and perception are associated with structural and chemical brain abnormalities, and wi...
Ayahuasca and tobacco smoking cessation: results from an online survey in Brazil.
Psychopharmacology (Berl) – February 18, 2022
Summary
Remarkably, an online survey in Brazil revealed many individuals successfully quit tobacco after using ayahuasca. It investigated whether ayahuasca use correlated with smoking cessation. Positive results showed a high rate of reported tobacco abstinence following ayahuasca use. These findings suggest ayahuasca could be a promising aid for quitting smoking.
Abstract
Ayahuasca and tobacco smoking cessation: results from an online survey in Brazil.