European psychiatry
March 1, 2023
E. Prades, A. Torres, P. Díez et al.
1 citation
A 43-year-old woman experienced a psychotic episode two days after her third ayahuasca session in a ritual context. Symptoms included loss of consciousness, convulsions, weakness and numbness on the right side, and delusions of electromagnetic fields draining her life force. She required four days in intensive care, then was hospitalized and treated with risperidone 1.5 mg, leading to complete symptom remission. The case aligns with other reports of ayahuasca-induced psychosis, though with less intensity and duration. The rising use of ayahuasca in non-controlled and recreational settings warrants clinical awareness.
European psychiatry
June 1, 2022
G. Simões, S. Jesús, R. Silva
1 citation
Ayahuasca, a psychotropic plant used by indigenous Amazonians, shows promise for treating depression. A review of six studies found that ayahuasca use was associated with reductions in depression scale scores, significant antidepressant effects, and improved grief symptoms. It also increased introspection, positive mood, self-acceptance, empathy, openness, and emotional processing. However, the evidence comes from small, variable studies, including retrospective and prospective observational studies, a meta-analysis, and a narrative review. The authors conclude that the results are promising but require further investigation in controlled trials with larger samples to better assess clinical effects, safety, and short- and long-term outcomes.
European psychiatry
April 1, 2025
T. Fernandes, J. G. Freire, M. C. Pais et al.
Only nine studies, published between 1954 and 1967, have examined psychedelic-assisted therapy for functional neurological disorders (FND). Across 22 patients, 69% (18 individuals) showed at least some recovery, but the studies were low quality, often lacking control groups and valid outcome measures. There is insufficient evidence to support the efficacy of psychedelic-assisted therapy for FND. The discussion continues because abnormalities in default mode network activity have been reported in FND, and some proposed benefits of psychedelics may relate to their action on that network.
European psychiatry
June 1, 2022
D. Khalifa, L. Rashed, A. Shamseldeen et al.
Combining ketamine with social isolation in male albino rats produces long-lasting behavioral and neurochemical deficits that resemble schizophrenia, offering a potential model for studying the disorder's multifactorial origins. Rats given ketamine and isolated showed fewer line crossings in an open field test, fewer open arm entries in an elevated plus maze, and lower spontaneous alternation in a Y-maze compared to controls and ketamine-treated rats housed socially. The combined intervention also increased malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and decreased glutathione peroxidase (GPx) levels in the hippocampus and cortex, indicating oxidative stress. Adding aripiprazole helped model both positive and negative symptoms.
European psychiatry
June 1, 2022
E. Frecska, A. Kazai, P. Bokor et al.
After a long pause since the 1970 Controlled Substances Act, research on psychedelic compounds for therapy has revived. Two traditional psychological approaches have emerged: psycholytic therapy, using low to moderate doses with psychoanalytic talk therapy to release emotional content, and psychedelic therapy, using high doses for an overwhelming experience followed by integration sessions. It remains unclear which is better, and they are often mixed as psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. To provide anchor points and warn of limitations, the authors draw on anthropological observations of cultures with long-standing psychedelic use, where administration occurs in a tight community with shared cosmology (set) and ritual context (setting)—conditions difficult to replicate in Western traditions.
European psychiatry
April 1, 2024
K. Sattler, T. Walia, V. Tsang
A crossover trial of 32 participants undergoing ketamine-assisted group therapy for treatment-resistant mental health conditions compares two types of music—a "weightless" playlist and a "grounding" playlist—administered in counterbalanced order. The study evaluates subjective clinical efficacy via psychiatric questionnaires (PHQ-9, GAD-7, PCL-5) and objective changes in brain activity measured by EEG from a MUSE headband before and after each session. Order effects and relevant demographic and medical factors will be controlled. No prior work has examined how different music types influence patient experience with ketamine-assisted therapy in a group setting.
European psychiatry
March 1, 2023
S. Kamrun, T. Sultana, F. Faruki et al.
Synthetic cannabinoids (SCs), known as K2 or spice, are more potent than THC and can cause severe health effects. A review of case series and cross-sectional studies found that SC intoxication leads to life-threatening physical and psychiatric symptoms. In 30 ICU patients, common outcomes included agitation (33%), coma (33%), seizure (20%), acute respiratory failure (60%), tracheal intubation (70%), rhabdomyolysis (26%), invasive mechanical ventilation (40%), acute kidney injury (26%), and cardiotoxic effects. Among 50 male cases, altered perception (68%), palpitation (76%), chest pain (12%), and convulsion were reported. Psychiatric presentations include acute anxiety, agitation, psychosis, paranoia, disorientation, hallucinations, and delusions. Clinicians should be vigilant for these varied manifestations.
European psychiatry
June 1, 2022
B. Leal, D. Vila-Chã, S. Garcia et al.
Nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas, shows promise as a treatment for treatment-resistant major depression. At least two randomized clinical trials since 2018 have demonstrated that a single one-hour inhalation of nitrous oxide produces considerable antidepressant effects that last at least two weeks. A more recent study comparing 25% and 50% concentrations found that the lower dose offers similar efficacy with fewer adverse effects. While these results are encouraging, further research is needed, including comparisons with other established treatments for treatment-resistant depression.