Neuropharmacology
November 1, 2018
Henrik Jungaberle, Sascha Thal, Andrea Zeuch et al.
70 citations
A review of 77 studies with 9876 participants examined how psychedelics and entactogens relate to positive psychology—the study of healthy functioning, well-being, and eudaemonia. The substances produced acute and long-term effects on mood, well-being, prosocial behaviors, empathy, cognitive flexibility, creativity, openness, value orientations, nature-relatedness, spirituality, self-transcendence, and mindfulness-related capabilities. Evidence is preliminary due to methodological restrictions. Longitudinal data on both positive and adverse effects are lacking, so more rigorous, standardized measures from positive psychology should be applied in less biased populations with prospective longitudinal designs to assess the benefit-risk ratio.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
March 6, 2019
Ansgar Rougemont-Bücking, Henrik Jungaberle, Milan Scheidegger et al.
6 citations
Among 4,475 young adult men in Switzerland, those who used psychedelics in the past year showed no significant difference in mental health (depressive symptoms, overall mental health, perceived stress, life satisfaction) compared to those who used no drugs. In contrast, users of MDMA, psychostimulants, and cannabis had poorer mental health. These effects were influenced by stressful life events and past family functioning. The findings suggest that some men may use substances to cope with life adversity, and the lack of a negative mental health association with psychedelics warrants further research in both men and women.
European Journal of Trauma & Dissociation
June 1, 2024
Ansgar Rougemont-Bücking, F. Guenot, V. Salamin et al.
Psychedelic-augmented psychotherapy (PAP) is a promising approach for treating traumatic dissociation. This review combines empirical findings with observations of patients' phenomenological experiences during PAP and relates them to the 'structural dissociation model,' which posits an emotional part and an apparently normal part of the personality. Three pathogenic dynamics in complexly traumatized patients are considered: phobic avoidance of traumatic memories, contextualization deficit, and traumatic attachment. By re-evaluating phenomenological experiences alongside neurobiological mechanisms, PAP offers a deeper understanding and therapeutic resolution of traumatic dissociation, potentially improving treatment for many trauma-related disorders.