Psychopharmacology
September 2, 2016
Will Lawn, Tom P. Freeman, Rebecca Pope et al.
177 citations
Cannabis containing only THC reduced the likelihood of choosing high-effort rewards compared to placebo, indicating a transient amotivational state, while adding CBD altered the effect of THC on expected value. Cannabis-dependent individuals showed preserved motivation but impaired reward learning compared to non-dependent controls, though depression may have influenced results.
Psychological Medicine
March 3, 2016
Ravi Das, Amanda J. F. Tamman, Viktoriya L. Nikolova et al.
48 citations
Inhaling nitrous oxide shortly after a traumatic event speeds the decline of intrusive memories, reducing them by the next day compared to four days later with medical air. The gas appears to disrupt memory consolidation, but it increases intrusive memories in people who were highly dissociated at the time of the trauma. Sleep quality did not differ between groups. The findings suggest nitrous oxide may help prevent PTSD symptoms in some individuals, but caution is warranted for those with dissociation.
Journal of Psychopharmacology
May 18, 2015
Sunjeev K. Kamboj, Emma J. Kilford, Stephanie Minchin et al.
43 citations
MDMA (ecstasy) and compassionate imagery both increase self-compassion and reduce self-criticism in recreational users. In a non-blind experiment, participants who consumed ecstasy showed similar pro-social effects to those produced by a contemplative compassion exercise, particularly in those with higher attachment-related avoidance. The findings suggest MDMA may enhance psychotherapy by fostering compassionate attitudes toward oneself. However, because the study was not blinded and drug purity was unknown, controlled trials with pharmaceutical-grade MDMA are needed to confirm these effects.
Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England)
February 1, 2025
Sophie-Athéna Chapron, Guilhem Bonazzi, Laura Di Lodovico et al.
5 citations
A systematic review of 31 studies involving 2639 participants found that 12 studies reported a significant decrease in craving for alcohol, opioids, cocaine, or tobacco after psychedelic use. However, all but two studies had moderate to high risk of bias due to methodological issues, so the promising anti-craving effects must be interpreted cautiously. The review highlights the need for larger, well-controlled trials to better understand psychedelics' effects on craving, a core symptom of substance use disorders and a predictor of relapse.
Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews
July 1, 2026
Marcus J. Glennon, Catherine Bird, Prateek Yadav et al.
2 citations
Setting up a psychedelic research study involves a long, arduous, and Kafkaesque process with many unstandardised challenges. These complexities challenge existing assumptions about psychiatric prescribing, the placebo effect, and definitions of selfhood. This review brings together major UK psychedelic research teams to formalise these unique considerations, addressing sociocultural, political, legal, pharmacological, safety, study design, and experiential facets. It identifies continuing areas of debate and provides a practical, experience-based guide with recommendations for policymakers and future researchers intending to set up a psychedelic study or clinical trial.
Open Science Framework
October 20, 2025
Natalia Fernandez‐Vinson, Roger Atkins, Marcus J. Glennon et al.
This registered clinical study investigates whether N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT), alone or combined with reactivating alcohol-related memories, can produce lasting changes in the brain, cognition, and drinking behavior in people with mild alcohol use disorder who are hazardous drinkers but not seeking treatment. Up to 120 participants will be assigned to one of four groups: alcohol memory retrieval plus DMT, alcohol memory retrieval plus placebo, control memory retrieval plus DMT, or control memory retrieval plus placebo. Drinking levels will be measured over three lab sessions and a nine-month follow-up using timeline follow-back and blood tests.
arXiv Preprint Archive
March 28, 2025
Marcus J. Glennon, Catherine Bird, Prateek Yadav et al.
Setting up a psychedelic study is a long and complex process that presents unique challenges not yet standardized. This review brings together major UK research teams to formalize these considerations, identify ongoing debates, and provide a practical guide for researchers and policymakers. It addresses challenges to existing assumptions about psychiatric prescribing, the placebo effect, and definitions of selfhood. The paper can be read end-to-end or used as a manual with sections for specific needs.
The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology
July 23, 2021
Sunjeev K. Kamboj, Hannah Zhao, Luzia Troebinger et al.
Nitrous oxide (N2O), an anesthetic gas that blocks NMDA receptors, produces subjective rewarding effects similar to those of moderate-dose ketamine. Healthy volunteers randomly assigned to inhale 50% N2O reported liking and wanting effects comparable in size to those seen with ketamine. Impulsivity increased how much participants liked N2O, while depressive symptoms decreased how much they wanted more. These opposite directional influences suggest impulsivity may predispose and depression may protect against N2O abuse. N2O may serve as a safe substitute for ketamine in studying reward-related NMDA receptor function in humans.
The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology
April 1, 2017
Katie Walsh, Ravi Das, Sunjeev K. Kamboj
Heavy drinkers with a family history of alcohol-use disorders show a distinct subjective response to nitrous oxide (N2O) inhalation compared to those without such familial risk. During 50% N2O inhalation, the 23 participants with an ostensible family history reported a higher ratio of stimulant to sedative effects than the 37 without that risk. This pattern closely resembles that previously observed with ketamine, suggesting a common mechanism involving N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs). N2O may offer a safer, more accessible alternative to ketamine for studying heritable NMDAR dysregulation in neuropsychiatric disorders.