Natural Product Research
June 2, 2026
Genís Ona, Cristina Llagostera, Oscar Alvarez et al.
Psilocybin, the main psychoactive compound in Psilocybe cubensis mushrooms, has gained considerable attention for its therapeutic potential. Current research focuses only on isolated psilocybin, neglecting the broader pharmacological and cultural use of the whole mushroom. This perspective advocates for an integrative approach that includes standardised P. cubensis extracts within the...
Psychedelics
April 20, 2026
José Carlos Bouso, Óscar Andión, Jordi Cantillo et al.
The Symmetrical Global Mental Health (Sym-GMH) paradigm proposes a reciprocal integration between traditional and Western medical systems. This prospective, longitudinal study evaluates the psychological outcomes of 264 Western participants who engaged in Shipibo-led ayahuasca retreats at the Temple of the Way of Light in the Peruvian Amazon. Over a 12-month period, participants completed...
European Neuropsychopharmacology
February 12, 2026
José Carlos Bouso, Óscar Andión, Sabela Fondevila Estévez et al.
The increasing interest in the therapeutic potential of psychedelics and cannabis underscores the need to understand their long-term neuropsychological and personality effects. This cross-sectional study compared regular users of ayahuasca (n = 69), cannabis (n = 56), and non-substance users (n = 94) on a battery of neuropsychological tasks and psychological questionnaires. Participants were...
Scientific Reports
September 1, 2025
Oscar Soto-Angona, Óscar Andión, Pablo Sabucedo et al.
3 citations
Preliminary evidence suggests that ayahuasca may alleviate severe grief symptoms. This three-arm, sequentially allocated, open-label study examines the therapeutic changes associated with ayahuasca-assisted meaning reconstruction therapy (A-MR) compared to meaning reconstruction therapy alone (MR) and a no-treatment control (NT). A total of 84 adults experiencing severe grief within 12 months...
Frontiers in Psychiatry
2025
Pablo Sabucedo, Óscar Andión, Robert A Neimeyer et al.
correction
1 IntroductionGrieving the death of a loved one is a nearly universal experience, and one which may be experienced multiple times over the course of a lifetime. Recent studies have shown that, for each death, approximately nine relatives are directly affected (1). The loss of a first-degree family member significantly increases the risk of mortality, disease, and suicide for the mourner (2–6)....
Mortality
December 5, 2024
Pablo Sabucedo, Chris Evans, Donald W. Nicholson et al.
1 citation
This paper focuses on a single case of ayahuasca-assisted grief therapy for the prevention of complicated grief, conducted within a clinical trial. The participant, a woman in her thirties who lost her father to cancer, completed a 9-session process of Meaning Reconstruction Therapy (MRT) organised around two ayahuasca sessions. Following each psychedelic experience, she also completed a...
Frontiers in Psychiatry
2024
Pablo Sabucedo, Óscar Andión, Robert A Neimeyer et al.
4 citations
Psychotherapy for Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD), a condition characterized by an intense and persistent grief response, has received increased attention over the past decades. Evidence-based approaches to prevent PGD are currently scarce, and not always effective. This paper introduces a protocol for a clinical trial exploring the effectiveness of a Meaning Reconstruction psychotherapy...
Archives of Pharmacology and Therapeutics
2024
Débora González, Jordi Cantillo, José Carlos Bouso
Globally, approximately 58 million deaths occur annually. Each death is estimated to directly affect about nine close relatives, underscoring that grief is not only a universal experience but also a potential recurrent process throughout life.
Frontiers in Psychology
May 3, 2022
Débora González, Marc Aixalà, Robert A Neimeyer et al.
15 citations
Rationale Many psychedelic experiences are meaningful, but ineffable. Engaging in meaning-making regarding emerging symbolic content and changing previous schemas have been proposed as mechanisms of change in psychedelic therapy. Objective Firstly, we suggest the implementation of a Restorative Retelling (RR) technique to process and integrate the psychedelic experience into autobiographical...
Frontiers in Pharmacology
May 5, 2021
Débora González, Jordi Cantillo, Irene Hidalgo Pérez et al.
39 citations
Promoting well-being is one of the main goals to improve health in the world. We examined the well-being and quality of life over the course of one year in a sample that participated in an Indigenous Shipibo healing program where traditional healers work in a series of ayahuasca ceremonies. We also explored the role of decentering as a mediator of psychological well-being. Participants who...
Psychopharmacology
January 14, 2020
Débora González, Jordi Cantillo, Irene Hidalgo Pérez et al.
73 citations
Abstract Rationale Recent studies have assessed the therapeutic potential of ayahuasca for the treatment of depression with promising preliminary results . Objectives Here, we examine the course of grief over 1 year of follow-up in a bereaved sample that attended a center in Peru to participate in indigenous Shipibo ayahuasca ceremonies. We also explore the roles of experiential avoidance and...
Frontiers in Pharmacology
March 13, 2018
Esther Papaseit, Marta Torrens, Mireia Ventura et al.
61 citations
2,5-dimethoxy-4-bromophenethylamine (2C-B) is a psychedelic phenylethylamine derivative, structurally similar to mescaline. It is a serotonin 5-hydroxytryptamine-2A (5-HT2A), 5-hydroxytryptamine-2B (5-HT2B), and 5-hydroxytryptamine-2C (5-HT2C) receptor partial agonist used recreationally as a new psychoactive substance. It has been reported that 2C-B induces mild psychedelic effects, although...
OMEGA - Journal of Death and Dying
May 30, 2017
Débora González, Maria Carmo Carvalho, Jordi Cantillo et al.
43 citations
The death of a loved one is ultimately a universal experience. However, conventional interventions employed for people suffering with uncomplicated grief have gathered little empirical support. The present study aimed to explore the potential effects of ayahuasca on grief. We compared 30 people who had taken ayahuasca with 30 people who had attended peer-support groups, measuring level of grief...
BioMed Research International
2015
Débora González, Marta Torrens, Magı́ Farré
44 citations
Background . 2C-B (Nexus) is one of the most widespread novel psychoactive substances. There is limited information about its pharmacological properties, and few studies in humans concern its acute and chronic effects. 2C-B has been classified as a stimulant, hallucinogen, entactogen, and/or empathogen. Objectives . To evaluate the emotional, subjective, and cardiovascular effects of 2C-B....
Human Psychopharmacology
July 1, 2013
Débora González, Mireia Ventura, Fernando Caudevilla et al.
39 citations
To know the pattern of use of new psychoactive substances (NPSs) in a Spanish sample of research chemical (RC) users and to deepen the RC user profile and risk reduction strategies employed. This study is a cross-sectional survey by means of a specific questionnaire. Recruitment was carried out at music festivals, at non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and through announcements on an online...
PLoS One
August 8, 2012
José Carlos Bouso, Débora González, Sabela Fondevila et al.
313 citations
Ayahuasca is an Amazonian psychoactive plant beverage containing the serotonergic 5-HT(2A) agonist N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) and monoamine oxidase-inhibiting alkaloids (harmine, harmaline and tetrahydroharmine) that render it orally active. Ayahuasca ingestion is a central feature in several Brazilian syncretic churches that have expanded their activities to urban Brazil, Europe and North...
Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England)
July 1, 2012
Fernando Caudevilla-Gálligo, Jordi Riba, Mireia Ventura et al.
99 citations
4-Bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine (2C-B) is a psychoactive analogue of mescaline that is becoming increasingly popular as a rave and club drug. We investigated its presence in the illicit drug market in Spain, its pattern of use and profile of subjective effects. Drug material was analysed for 2C-B and information on pattern of use and subjective effects was obtained from recreational users....
Drug and Alcohol Dependence
June 17, 2010
Josep María Fábregas, Débora González, Sabela Fondevila et al.
228 citations
Ayahuasca is a psychoactive beverage used for magico-religious purposes in the Amazon. Recently, Brazilian syncretic churches have helped spread the ritual use of ayahuasca abroad. This trend has raised concerns that regular use of this N,N-dimethyltryptamine-containing tea may lead to the medical and psychosocial problems typically associated with drugs of abuse. Here we assess potential drug...
Drug and Alcohol Dependence
November 8, 2006
Débora González, Jordi Riba, José Carlos Bouso et al.
163 citations
Salvia divinorum is a member of the Lamiaceae family and contains the psychotropic diterpene and kappa-opioid receptor agonist salvinorin-A. Originally a shamanic inebriant used by the Mexican Mazatec Indians, the plant and its preparations are becoming increasingly popular among non-traditional users. Demographic data and information on pattern of use and subjective effects were obtained by...