Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
February 26, 2019
Natasha L. Mason, Elisabeth Mischler, Malin V. Uthaug et al.
176 citations
Creative thinking and empathy are crucial for everyday interactions and subjective well-being. This is emphasized by studies showing a reduction in these skills in populations where social interaction and subjective well-being are significantly compromised (e.g., depression). Anecdotal reports and recent studies suggest that a single administration of psilocybin can enhance such processes and...
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
January 24, 2019
Kim P. C. Kuypers, E. B. de Sousa Fernandes Perna, Eef L. Theunissen et al.
13 citations
The phenethylamine 4-fluoroamphetamine (4-FA) is a so-called novel psychoactive substance with a chemical structure resembling that of amphetamine and MDMA. Since 4-FA users report their subjective experience ranges between the effects induced by amphetamine and MDMA, and it is known that both substances can produce an altered state of consciousness, this study tests whether 4-FA induces a...
Human Psychopharmacology Clinical and Experimental
October 25, 2018
Patrick C. Dolder, Elizabeth B. de Sousa Fernandes Perna, Natasha L. Mason et al.
6 citations
OBJECTIVES: 4-Fluoroamphetamine (4-FA) is a novel psychoactive substance with a pharmacological profile and reported subjective effects (e.g., empathy) intermediate between 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and amphetamine. Studies have shown that MDMA and amphetamine increase emotional empathy without affecting cognitive empathy; MDMA simultaneously leads to elevated levels of oxytocin,...
Psychopharmacology
August 13, 2018
Malin V. Uthaug, Kim van Oorsouw, Kim P. C. Kuypers et al.
213 citations
RATIONALE: Ayahuasca is a psychotropic plant tea from South America used for religious purposes by indigenous people of the Amazon. Increasing evidence indicates that ayahuasca may have therapeutic potential in the treatment of mental health disorders and can enhance mindfulness-related capacities. Most research so far has focused on acute and sub-acute effects of ayahuasca on mental...
Frontiers in Pharmacology
July 6, 2018
Elizabeth B. de Sousa Fernandes Perna, Eef L. Theunissen, Patrick C. Dolder et al.
18 citations
Availability of novel psychoactive substances (NPS) exponentially increased over the last years. Risk evaluations of NPS are hampered by the lack of pharmacological studies in humans on health parameters. The aim of the present study was Tto evaluate safety and neurocognitive function of healthy volunteers (N=12) who received single doses of 100 and 150 mg 4-fluoroamphetamine (4-FA), a...
Journal of Psychedelic Studies
June 1, 2018
Natasha L. Mason, Kim P. C. Kuypers
27 citations
A substantial number of people worldwide suffer from mental health problems during their lifetime. First-line treatments are not effective for everybody. Recent studies suggest that psychedelic drugs have high therapeutic potential for a variety of mental disorders. This survey study aimed to assess the tendency of psychedelic users to self-medicate with psychedelics and to compare the...
Psychopharmacology
May 31, 2018
Kim P. C. Kuypers, E. B. de Sousa Fernandes Perna, Patrick C. Dolder et al.
14 citations
BACKGROUND: New psychoactive substances (NPS) are chemical analogues designed to mimic the effects of various classic recreational drugs of abuse including MDMA, LSD, and cannabis. NPS use is associated with concern about the acute and longer-term effects particular substances might have, with abuse and addiction as potential consequences. Impulsivity and sensitivity to the rewarding effects of...
British Journal of Pharmacology
November 22, 2017
Eef L. Theunissen, Nadia R. P. W. Hutten, Natasha L. Mason et al.
38 citations
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Synthetic cannabinoids (often sold as Spice or K2) have become a very popular alternative to cannabis due to their easy access and portrayed safety. Controlled studies on the behavioural effects of synthetic cannabinoids are currently lacking, which hampers risk assessments of these compounds. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: This is a first attempt to assess the influence of a...
Sarah Roche, Kim Pc Kuypers, Joana Wensing et al.
preprint
The therapeutic and societal promise often attributed to psychedelic drugs implies meaningful change in real-world behaviour, yet such change is rarely measured directly. Across psychedelic research, outcomes are typically assessed using symptom scales, self-reported psychological states, or retrospective judgments of change, which may capture subjective improvement but do not by themselves...