Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology
July 1, 2026
Denis Arikci, Joran Borgulya, Isabelle Straumann et al.
1 citation
Based on its in vitro profile and preliminary evidence, 4-bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine (2C-B) may have psychoactive properties that are similar to 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and psilocybin, which are investigated for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder and depressive disorders. We compared acute effects of 2C-B (10, 20, and 30 mg), 125 mg MDMA, and 25 mg psilocybin...
Neuropsychopharmacology
June 18, 2026
Abigail E. Calder, Vincent J Diehl, Morten P. Lietz et al.
Preclinical studies suggest that lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) may induce lasting changes in brain function and learning ability, but evidence in humans is uncertain. Motor learning, in particular, has clinical relevance but has not been investigated in human studies of psychedelics. Forty-five healthy subjects (24 women) participated in this randomized crossover trial comparing 100 µg LSD...
Translational Psychiatry
June 4, 2026
Mélusine Humbert‐droz, Anna M Becker, Jan Valenta et al.
3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)-assisted psychotherapy (MDMA-AT) is being investigated as a treatment for several psychiatric disorders, particularly posttraumatic stress disorder. Phase 2 and 3 trials typically administered a first dose of MDMA followed by a second "booster" dose 1.5-2.5 h later, to extend the acute effect duration. However, the risks and benefits of the booster dose...
Translational Psychiatry
March 27, 2026
Livio Erne, Lorenz Mueller, Isabelle Straumann et al.
N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) is a serotonergic psychedelic that produces short-lived peak effects when administered intravenously as a bolus dose. Initial trials suggested therapeutic effects of DMT in depressive disorders. However, systematic data on dose-dependent pharmacokinetics and acute effects of intravenous bolus DMT administration are currently lacking. We used a double-blind,...
Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology
2026
Isabelle Straumann, Patrick Vizeli, Isidora Avedisian et al.
5 citations
3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is used recreationally, as a research tool, and in MDMA-assisted therapy in patients with posttraumatic stress disorder. 3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) is a psychoactive metabolite of MDMA. Acute effects of MDMA and MDA have never been directly compared in humans. Lysine-conjugated amphetamines slowly release active amphetamine once absorbed,...
Neuropsychopharmacology
December 19, 2024
Livio Erne, Severin B Vogt, Lorenz Müller et al.
14 citations
Abstract N,N -dimethyltryptamine (DMT) is a serotonergic psychedelic that is known for its short-lasting effects when administered intravenously. Several studies have investigated the administration of intravenous boluses or combinations of a bolus and a subsequent continuous infusion. However, data on dose-dependent acute effects and pharmacokinetics of continuous DMT infusions are lacking. We...
Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology
December 1, 2024
Isabelle Straumann, Isidora Avedisian, Aaron Klaiber et al.
20 citations
Racemic 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) acutely increases mood, feelings of empathy, trust, and closeness to others and is investigated to assist psychotherapy. Preclinical research indicates that S-MDMA releases monoamines and oxytocin more potently than R-MDMA, whereas R-MDMA more potently stimulates serotonin 5-hydroxytryptamine-2A receptors. S-MDMA may have more stimulant...
Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology
December 1, 2023
Isabelle Straumann, Laura Ley, Friederike Holze et al.
41 citations
There is renewed interest in the use of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) in psychiatric research and practice. Although acute subjective effects of LSD are mostly positive, negative subjective effects, including anxiety, may occur. The induction of overall positive acute subjective effects is desired in psychedelic-assisted therapy because positive acute experiences are associated with greater...
Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology
October 1, 2023
Laura Ley, Friederike Holze, Denis Arikci et al.
127 citations
Mescaline, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), and psilocybin are classic serotonergic psychedelics. A valid, direct comparison of the effects of these substances is lacking. The main goal of the present study was to investigate potential pharmacological, physiological and phenomenological differences at psychoactive-equivalent doses of mescaline, LSD, and psilocybin. The present study used a...
Journal of the Endocrine Society
October 1, 2023
Cihan Atila, Friederike Holze, Rakithan Murugesu et al.
Abstract Disclosure: C. Atila: None. F. Holze: None. R. Murugesu: None. N. Rommers: None. N. Hutter: None. N. Varghese: None. C.O. Sailer: None. A. Eckert: None. M. Heinrichs: None. M. Liechti: None. M. Christ-crain: None. Introduction: Despite adequate treatment, patients with arginine vasopressin deficiency (AVP-D), known as central diabetes insipidus (cDI), often report psychological...
Translational Psychiatry
May 23, 2023
Severin B Vogt, Laura Ley, Livio Erne et al.
85 citations
N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) is distinct among classic serotonergic psychedelics because of its short-lasting effects when administered intravenously. Despite growing interest in the experimental and therapeutic use of intravenous DMT, data are lacking on its clinical pharmacology. We conducted a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled crossover trial in 27 healthy participants to test...
The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology
November 4, 2022
Aaron Klaiber, Friederike Holze, Ioanna Istampoulouoglou et al.
100 citations
Abstract Background Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) is currently being investigated in psychedelic-assisted therapy. LSD has a long duration of acute action of 8–11 hours. It produces its acute psychedelic effects via stimulation of the serotonin 5-hydroxytryptamine-2A (HT2A) receptor. Administration of the 5-HT2A antagonist ketanserin before LSD almost fully blocks the acute subjective...
Frontiers in Pharmacology
July 13, 2022
Patrick Vizeli, Isabelle Straumann, Urs Duthaler et al.
43 citations
Background: 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) has shown initial promise as an adjunct in psychotherapy to treat posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Its efficacy and safety have been demonstrated across phase I–III studies. However, the mechanism underlying the potential utility of MDMA to treat PTSD in humans has not yet been thoroughly investigated. Preliminary evidence suggests that...
Neuropsychopharmacology
February 25, 2022
Friederike Holze, Laura Ley, Felix Müller et al.
223 citations
Abstract Growing interest has been seen in using lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and psilocybin in psychiatric research and therapy. However, no modern studies have evaluated differences in subjective and autonomic effects of LSD and psilocybin or their similarities and dose equivalence. We used a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover design in 28 healthy subjects (14 women,...
Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics
November 7, 2021
Anna M Becker, Friederike Holze, Tanja Grandinetti et al.
177 citations
The psychedelic psilocybin is being investigated for the treatment of depression and anxiety. Unclear is whether antidepressant treatments interact with psilocybin. The present study used a double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, crossover design with two experimental test sessions to investigate the response to psilocybin (25 mg) in healthy subjects after pretreatment with escitalopram or placebo....
Frontiers in Pharmacology
July 13, 2021
Friederike Holze, Isidora Avedisian, Nimmy Varghese et al.
66 citations
The psychedelic lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) has experienced a revival in research, including clinical trials that evaluate LSD-assisted psychotherapy. LSD induces perceptual alterations and influences emotion processing in ways that may support psychotherapy. Here, we investigated the effects of LSD on emotional empathy and mediating role of the serotonin 5-hydroxytryptamine-2A (5-HT 2A )...
Neuropsychopharmacology
October 15, 2020
Friederike Holze, Patrick Vizeli, Laura Ley et al.
243 citations
Abstract Growing interest has been seen in using lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) in psychiatric research and therapy. However, no modern studies have evaluated subjective and autonomic effects of different and pharmaceutically well-defined doses of LSD. We used a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover design in 16 healthy subjects (eight women, eight men) who underwent six 25...
ACS Pharmacology & Translational Science
August 31, 2020
Nadia R. P. W. Hutten, Natasha L. Mason, Patrick C. Dolder et al.
134 citations
Despite preclinical evidence for psychedelic-induced neuroplasticity, confirmation in humans is grossly lacking. Given the increased interest in using low doses of psychedelics for psychiatric indications and the importance of neuroplasticity in the therapeutic response, this placebo-controlled within-subject study investigated the effect of single low doses of LSD (5, 10, and 20 μg) on...
Neuropsychopharmacology
November 16, 2019
Friederike Holze, Patrick Vizeli, Felix Müller et al.
250 citations
Abstract Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) is a classic psychedelic, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is an empathogen, and d -amphetamine is a classic stimulant. All three substances are used recreationally. LSD and MDMA are being investigated as medications to assist psychotherapy, and d -amphetamine is used for the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. All three...