15 papers in the library · 231 citations · publishing 2020-2026
The British Journal of Psychiatry October 23, 2026 Matthew Butler, Mike Jay, Timothy R. Nicholson
In 1772, Joseph Priestley, natural philosopher and erstwhile teacher at the dissenting Warrington Academy, synthesised nitrous oxide, which he called 'dephlogisticated nitrous air'.
CNS Drugs August 7, 2026 Chiranth Bhagavan, Olivia Carter, Glenn Nielsen et al.
BACKGROUND: Psychedelics exert widespread effects on brain activity, but their impact on motor function is unclear. This is clinically relevant given the emerging interest in psychedelic-assisted physical therapy for disorders of motor function. This study examined the feasibility and safety of administering movement tasks following low-to-moderate doses of psilocybin in healthy volunteers....
Journal of Psychopharmacology June 16, 2026 Alice Caulfield, Matthew Butler, Mitul A. Mehta
The therapeutic potential of psychedelics is currently being explored in a range of neuropsychiatric conditions. Nevertheless, their designation as Schedule 1 substances causes substantial regulatory and economic barriers to research. Rigorous human mechanistic studies are required to address the critical knowledge gaps surrounding the mechanisms underlying the putative treatment effects of...
Acta Neuropsychiatrica November 4, 2025 Chiranth Bhagavan, Alexander Bryson, Olivia Carter et al. 4 citations
Abstract Background: Motor functional neurological disorder (FND) is a common illness associated with significant functional impairment. There are no effective pharmacotherapies, and despite the early promise of physiotherapy studies, many suffer disabling symptoms in the long term. There is a theoretical rationale for combining psychedelics with physiotherapy; however, the potential benefit of...
Wellcome Open Research April 22, 2025 Matthew Butler, Catherine Bird, Carolina Maggio et al. 3 citations
Background Functional neurological disorder (FND) is a common cause of neurological symptoms including seizures and movement disorders. It can be debilitating, is associated with high health and social care costs, and can have a poor prognosis. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has suggested FND is a multi-network disorder. Converging evidence suggests that other mechanisms including...
Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain October 9, 2024 James Rucker, Matthew Butler, Sadie Hambleton et al.
Matt Butler has nothing to declare. Sanjay Cheema: Received a research fellowship sponsored by Abbott. Giorgio Lambru: Co-chair of the Medical Advisory Board of the Trigeminal neuralgia Association (TNA) UK; received personal fees from Abbvie, Teva, Novartis, Eli Lilly, Lundbeck; participated in clinical trials as principal investigator for Novartis, Eli Lilly, Teva, Nevro. Manjit Matharu:...
Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain September 20, 2024 James Rucker, Sadie Hambleton, Catherine Bird et al. 12 citations
Abstract Background Short‐lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks (SUNHA) are trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias that feature intense and recurrent paroxysms of pain and autonomic symptoms. Many patients are left with debilitating symptoms despite best‐available treatment. Psychedelics, such as the serotonin 2A partial agonist psilocybin, have shown promise in related disorders such as...
Psychiatric Research and Clinical Practice July 23, 2024 Chiranth Bhagavan, Richard Kanaan, Olivia Carter et al. 2 citations
Background There has been a resurgence of research into the potential therapeutic benefits of psychedelics for neuropsychiatric disorders. Classic psychedelics, such as psilocybin, exert complex effects on higher cognitive functions such as perception and awareness, but their impact on motor function remains unexplored. Moreover, there is a theoretical rationale for using psychedelics to...
Journal of Psychosomatic Research March 2023 Erica Sharpe, Matthew Butler, Jesse Clark-Stone et al.
We aimed to examine trial feasibility plus physiological and psychological effects of a guided meditation practice, Yoga Nidra, in adults with self-reported insomnia. Twenty-two adults with self-reported insomnia were recruited to attend two visits at our research center. At Visit 1 (V1), participants were asked to lie quietly for ninety minutes. The primary outcome was change in...
Frontiers in Psychiatry 2023 Simon Ruffell, Nige Netzband, WaiFung Tsang et al. 1 citation correction
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.687615.].
Psychopharmacology September 5, 2022 Matthew Butler, Luke A. Jelen, James Rucker 91 citations
Modern psychedelic research remains in an early phase, and the eventual introduction of psychedelics into clinical practice remains in doubt. In this piece, we discuss the role of blinding and expectancy in psychedelic trials, and place this in a broader historical and contemporary context of blinding in trials across the rest of healthcare. We suggest that premature and uncritical promotion...
The Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences May 17, 2022 Matthew Butler, Mathieu Seynaeve, Abigail Bradley‐Westguard et al. 6 citations
Objective: Functional neurological disorder (FND) causes a high burden of disability and distress. Although it is a common disorder, there is a pressing need for improved access to evidence-based treatments. With difficulties in finding effective treatment, some people with FND may seek alternative means of symptom relief, such as legal and illicit psychoactive substances, although the...
Frontiers in Psychiatry June 9, 2021 Simon Ruffell, Nige Netzband, WaiFung Tsang et al. 74 citations
Ayahuasca is a natural psychoactive brew, used in traditional ceremonies in the Amazon basin. Recent research has indicated that ayahuasca is pharmacologically safe and its use may be positively associated with improvements in psychiatric symptoms. The mechanistic effects of ayahuasca are yet to be fully established. In this prospective naturalistic study, 63 self-selected participants took...
Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry July 20, 2020 Matthew Butler, Mathieu Seynaeve, Timothy R. Nicholson et al.
Aims Functional neurological disorder (FND), formerly known as conversion disorder, causes a high burden of disability and distress, and is amongst the most commonly encountered conditions in neurology clinics and neuropsychiatry services, yet the therapeutic evidence base is limited. Research into psychedelics such as psilocybin and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) is currently being...
Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology 2020 Matthew Butler, Mathieu Seynaeve, Timothy R. Nicholson et al. 38 citations
Functional neurological disorder (FND), formerly known as conversion disorder, causes a high burden of disability and distress, and is amongst the most commonly encountered conditions in neurology clinics and neuropsychiatric services, yet the therapeutic evidence base is somewhat limited. There has been recent interest in the therapeutic potential of psychedelics such as psilocybin and...