Harman Brar
Virtual reality is used as a therapeutic tool for anxiety, PTSD, and depression through exposure therapy and simulated environments, but its potential to mimic psychedelic experiences has not been examined. Research suggests individuals in VR simulated psychedelic experiences undergo effects similar to those from psychedelic drugs, though the physiological impact on the brain and mind is largely unexplored. To determine whether VR can mimic psychedelics, targeting 5-HT receptor activity in the frontal lobe is proposed as a hypothesis. This paper examines drug mechanisms of psychedelics, the theoretical application of VR-based psychedelic therapy, and postulates a method to measure the effectiveness of psychedelic simulations for psychopathology.
Stephen Bright, Eyal Gringart, Emily Blatchford et al.
preprint
People who microdose psychedelics report similar improvements in psychological wellbeing, openness, and absorption as people who practice yoga. In a survey of 339 adults, both the yoga-only and microdose-only groups scored higher on wellbeing and absorption than a control group. Those who both microdosed and practiced yoga had the lowest depression scores (lower than the microdose-only group) and the lowest anxiety scores (lower than the yoga-only group), and they also had the highest absorption scores. The control group scored significantly lower on openness than all other groups. The findings suggest that microdosing and yoga may have comparable subjective effects and that combining both could be especially beneficial, although the study cannot establish causation.
Matthias Forstmann, Christina Sagioglou
preprint
After a long period of stagnation, research on psychedelic substances like LSD, psilocybin, and DMT has revived over the last decade, with major programs in Europe and the United States. This review summarizes recent insights into their potential for treating mental health disorders, effects on recreational users, and underlying neurological and cognitive processes. It covers the history of psychedelic research, objective and subjective effects, prevalence and correlates of use, and potential for harm. The review examines clinical benefits for major depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders, along with proposed neural and cognitive mechanisms. It also discusses effects on healthy subjects, including psychological wellbeing, personality changes, nature relatedness, and creativity, and concludes with long-term effects of single experiences.
Preprints.org
Kainat Riaz, Sejal Suneel, Mohammad Hamza Bin Abdul Malik et al.
1 citation
preprint
Half of patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) do not respond to standard pharmacotherapy or psychotherapy. A review of six phase II randomized controlled trials indicates that MDMA-assisted psychotherapy can reduce PTSD symptoms, even in treatment-resistant cases, by increasing neurohormones such as dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine, and oxytocin and by modulating brain regions involved in fear and anxiety. The FDA has granted MDMA-assisted psychotherapy a "Breakthrough Therapy" designation. Further research is needed to determine whether the benefits outweigh the risks and whether this approach can be integrated into existing treatment options.
Kenneth Shinozuka, Burton J. Tabaac, Alejandro Arenas et al.
preprint
MDMA, known as a party drug in the 1980s, is emerging as a powerful treatment for PTSD. Phase III FDA trials show MDMA-assisted psychotherapy has an effect size of 0.7-0.91, two to three times larger than existing antidepressants. Within 18 weeks, 67 to 71% of patients no longer meet PTSD diagnostic criteria. The literature is biased: animal studies used doses far above human levels, and human samples often involve recreational users of multiple substances. Only six clinical trials, all by MAPS, have been conducted, but preliminary evidence suggests MDMA is much more effective than current antidepressants for PTSD.
Jason B Luoma, M. Kati Lear, Kyong Yi et al.
preprint
A man in his late 30s with generalized social anxiety disorder (SAD) received MDMA-assisted therapy that included imaginal exposure to shame-related memories and in vivo social exposures during drug sessions, plus imagery rescripting and social activation homework. His symptoms and functional impairment, measured by the Leibowitz Social Anxiety Scale and Sheehan Disability Scale, showed significant reduction. He reported increased social engagement, less anxiety in social situations, and more self-compassion. The participant found exposures during MDMA sessions particularly impactful, allowing access to intrinsic desires for social connection. The authors suggest MDMA-assisted therapy with exposure techniques may be a promising treatment for SAD, warranting further research.
Research Square
Taqwa B. Thanoon, Zeina A. Althanoon
Depression during pregnancy can harm offspring brain development and behavior. Common antidepressants like SSRIs carry risks because they cross the placenta. Ketamine is being explored as an alternative. This study in mice examined the effects of ketamine on offspring of mothers that experienced stress. Female mice were divided into groups: control, maternal stress, stress plus fluoxetine, and stress plus ketamine. Behavioral tests measured anxiety, anhedonia, and despair in the offspring. Maternal stress increased anxiety-like behaviors, and both ketamine and fluoxetine reversed some effects. However, fluoxetine was more effective at reducing despair. Ketamine moderately reduced anhedonia compared to controls. More research on dose and timing is needed to optimize ketamine treatment.
Mark Groeneveld, Thomas Harper
preprint
A framework for using MDMA therapeutically, covering professionally-guided and self-guided approaches, synthesizes research on trauma neurobiology, maladaptive schemas, and memory reconsolidation. Clinical trials show significant improvements in PTSD symptoms. Detailed guidance includes safety, dosing, session preparation, therapeutic processes, and post-session integration. Challenges like anxiety and dissociation are addressed. The framework emphasizes risk assessment, especially for self-guided use, and explores broader benefits such as expanded compassion and cognitive flexibility. The manual aims to make MDMA-assisted therapy more accessible, safe, and effective.
Mark Groeneveld, Thomas Harper
preprint
A framework for the therapeutic use of MDMA addresses both professionally-guided and self-guided approaches, synthesizing research on trauma neurobiology, maladaptive schemas, and memory reconsolidation. Clinical trials show significant improvements in PTSD symptoms. Detailed guidance covers safety, dosing, session preparation, therapeutic processes, and post-session integration, along with strategies for managing challenges like anxiety and dissociation. The paper emphasizes careful risk assessment, especially for self-guided approaches, and explores potential benefits for expanding compassion and cognitive flexibility.
bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)
Lucas Dwiel, Angela Henricks, Elise Bragg et al.
1 citation
preprint
Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) acutely reduces low-frequency electrical activity across the brain in rats, an effect that returns to normal after 24 hours. However, brain stimulation applied during a window of heightened neuroplasticity 24 hours after LSD produces larger and distinct changes in brain activity compared to stimulation after a placebo. This proof-of-concept finding suggests that psychedelic drugs may work in combination with brain stimulation to achieve enhanced effects on brain activity, with future work needed to assess impacts on behavior.