Acta medica portuguesa
May 2, 2025
Pedro Mota, Jorge Encantado, Laura C Carvalho et al.
1 citation
A survey of 156 Portuguese psychiatrists and psychologists found that while 59% were open to using ketamine for treatment-resistant depression, only 35.9% reported substantial knowledge of its therapeutic potential. 73% expressed concerns about inadequate professional training. Psychiatrists reported higher knowledge and openness than psychologists, and younger professionals showed greater interest in training and use. The results indicate favorable attitudes toward ketamine but highlight substantial educational gaps, suggesting that customized training based on age, sex, and professional background is needed for safe clinical integration.
Professional Psychology Research and Practice
February 1, 2026
Jorge Encantado, Laura C. Carvalho, Pedro Mota et al.
Psilocybin, a hallucinogen, shows promise in transforming mental health care, with 70% of participants reporting significant improvements in depression and anxiety after treatment. In a clinical study involving 100 individuals, those receiving psilocybin therapy experienced an average reduction of 60% in symptoms within three weeks. Health professionals in psychiatry and clinical psychology are increasingly exploring psychedelics as viable options for patients. This shift could reshape mental health approaches, offering hope to those struggling with traditional therapies in Portugal and beyond.
European Psychiatry
April 1, 2021
Jackelyne Gabrielle Jesus de Miranda, Mario Barbosa, I. Figueiredo et al.
Classic psychedelics such as LSD, mescaline, and psilocybin have been used in sacramental contexts since ancient times and were studied in psychiatry in the 1950s–1960s before research halted due to countercultural associations. Modern research has renewed interest in these substances for treating cancer-related distress and addiction. This review of articles from 2010–2020 finds that psychedelics, as 5HT2AR agonists, can occasion mystical experiences—characterized by a strong sense of unity—that may produce abrupt, sustained changes in behavior and perception. Research on psychedelics for substance use disorders is at an early stage, but results show promise with no clinically significant adverse events when high-risk individuals are excluded. Psilocybin for specific addictions may become available in the near future if safety and efficacy continue to be demonstrated.
International Journal of Psychiatry Research
January 1, 2020
Pedro Mota, Pedro Macedo, Silvério Macedo
Cannabidiol (CBD) appears to reduce psychotic symptoms and cognitive impairment associated with cannabis use and decrease the risk of developing psychosis in that context. Early clinical studies confirm its potential as an effective antipsychotic compound with negligible side effects, excellent safety profile, and tolerability. CBD also modulates neuronal circuits involved in substance use disorders, presenting potential to reduce dependence. CBD is an emerging therapeutic agent with potential efficacy for psychotic disorders and substance use disorders, possibly representing a more acceptable and tolerable option for vulnerable populations.