The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease
June 1, 1992
Mitchell B. Liester, Charles S. Grob, Gary Bravo et al.
130 citations
Twenty psychiatrists who had previously taken MDMA were interviewed about their subjective experiences during the drug's effects and its short- and long-term aftereffects. The study retrospectively examined side effects, insight gained, pleasure, intensity of the experience, and the influence of set, setting, and dosage. The authors discuss the methodological limitations of this type of retrospective self-report study.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
January 1, 1989
Gary Bravo, Charles S. Grob
38 citations
Psychedelic drugs have declined in psychiatric research because social reactions led to their classification as controlled substances. Three historical paradigms for their use are reviewed: the psychotomimetic approach, which aimed to temporarily induce psychoses but proved limited for understanding or treating mental illness; the psycholytic approach, using low doses to reduce defenses and release unconscious material, rooted in psychoanalysis; and the high-dose psychedelic paradigm, which often produced mystical or spiritual experiences and recast the psychiatrist as a modern shaman, alienating many in the profession. Future sanctioned clinical research should learn from traditional shamanic models to assess efficacy and safety.
Journal of Humanistic Psychology
April 1, 2004
Huston Smith, Charles Grob, Robert Jesse et al.
29 citations
Huston Smith revisits his influential article on whether drugs have religious import. Drawing on personal experience, he discusses how psychedelic experiences have shaped religious traditions and contemplative practices, citing the ancient Vedic tradition, the Eleusinian mysteries, and the contemporary Native American Church. He reflects on why the 1960s psychedelic movement failed to produce lasting social change, critiques current drug policy and culture, and emphasizes the role of elders in society.
The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease
June 1, 1992
Charles S. Grob, Gary Bravo, Roger Walsh et al.
21 citations
MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) can cause lasting damage to serotonin neurons in the brain, raising concerns about its safety for both recreational and therapeutic use. The authors review evidence from animal studies showing that MDMA produces dose-dependent serotonergic neurotoxicity, and they discuss the implications for humans who use the drug. They note that while some studies suggest potential therapeutic benefits for MDMA in psychotherapy, the neurotoxic risks must be carefully weighed. The paper emphasizes the need for further research to clarify the extent of neurotoxicity in humans and to establish safe guidelines for any medical applications.
Frontiers in Psychiatry
May 23, 2022
Raquel Bennett, Christian Yavorsky, Gary Bravo
12 citations
Bipolar disorder type 1 is a serious chronic psychiatric condition often featuring refractory depressive episodes. Racemic ketamine, a glutamate modulator with dissociative and psychedelic properties, has demonstrated rapid antidepressant and anti-obsessional effects that may help treat bipolar depression. Existing research has mostly examined sub-psychedelic doses given by infusion without psychotherapy. This article expands on that work by describing three paradigms for ketamine treatment: biochemical, psychotherapeutic, and psychedelic. The authors use composite clinical vignettes to illustrate different ways of using ketamine for bipolar depression and discuss clinical considerations including route, dose, frequency, chemical mitigators, and adverse events. The paradigms have broad applicability beyond bipolar treatment.