Biological Psychiatry
November 4, 2015
Jaskaran Singh, Maggie Fedgchin, Ella Daly et al.
466 citations
A single 40-minute intravenous infusion of esketamine at either 0.20 mg/kg or 0.40 mg/kg produced a rapid and robust antidepressant effect in patients with treatment-resistant depression, with significant improvement in depression scores within two hours. The higher and lower doses were similarly effective, but the lower dose may offer better tolerability. Common side effects included headache, nausea, and transient dissociation that resolved within four hours.
Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England)
August 1, 2024
James Jonathan Rucker, Claire T. Roberts, Mathieu Seynaeve et al.
32 citations
A new intranasal formulation of 5-MeO-DMT, called BPL-003, was tested in 44 healthy people who had never used psychedelics. Doses up to 12 mg were well tolerated, with no serious side effects; common mild effects included nasal discomfort, nausea, headache, and vomiting. The drug was absorbed quickly, reaching peak levels in about 8–10 minutes, and cleared from the body in under 27 minutes. Higher doses produced stronger subjective drug intensity and mystical experiences, with 60% of participants reporting a 'complete mystical experience' at 10 and 12 mg. The rapid onset and short duration suggest potential for treating conditions like depression.
The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology
April 7, 2020
Michel Nijs, Ewa Wajs, Leah Aluisio et al.
21 citations
For patients with treatment-resistant depression, adjusting how often they use esketamine nasal spray based on their symptoms can help maintain or improve treatment response. In an open-label study of 778 patients, those who responded to twice-weekly esketamine during a 4-week induction phase then had their treatment frequency reduced to weekly. After four weeks of weekly treatment, 26% of 580 responders continued to improve, 50% maintained benefit, and 24% worsened. When frequency was further reduced to every other week, 19% improved, 49% maintained benefit, and 32% worsened. For patients who lost remission after reducing frequency, increasing back to weekly led to 47% improving, 43% staying the same, and 10% worsening. These results suggest that personalizing esketamine treatment frequency can optimize outcomes.
Biological Psychiatry
April 10, 2023
James Rucker, Mathieu Seynaeve, Allan H. Young et al.
1 citation
Nasal administration of tryptamine psychedelics significantly elevates mood in 70% of participants, based on a sample size of 150 individuals. This method enhances the effects on consciousness and psychological well-being, indicating strong potential in pharmacology and psychiatry. The study highlights how these substances influence neurotransmitter receptors, leading to altered states of awareness. With implications for forensic toxicology and drug analysis, findings suggest that psychedelics may offer new avenues for therapeutic applications in mental health.
Clinical Chemistry
March 7, 2023
Steven W. Cotten, Frederick G. Strathmann, Frederick S. Barrett et al.
Experts in psychedelic research, drug discovery, and regulation discuss the challenges of clinical adoption of psychedelic compounds and their impact on laboratory medicine. FDA approval of psychedelics like psilocybin, which has Phase III trials for major depressive disorder and treatment-resistant depression, would be a major milestone. Approval would require federal workplace drug testing guidelines to address new prescription drugs, potential false positives, and Medical Review Officer decisions. Laboratories must adapt by evaluating test panels, analytical ranges, and interpretive comments. Media portrayal ranges from dangerous drugs to panaceas, but regulatory decisions should rely on objective scientific data. Patients with mood and substance use disorders stand to benefit most.