Biological Psychiatry
October 21, 2025
Katharina S Lege, Pablo Mallaroni, Sepehr Mortaheb et al.
1 citation
Background The impact of acute cannabis exposure on brain function and cognitive performance varies among individuals. Acute effects of cannabis on behavior may be absent or benign in chronic users, while occasional users experience significant impairment in day-to-day operations. It is hypothesized that repeated cannabis use induces neuroadaptations leading to tolerance and desensitization,...
Brain Behavior and Immunity
September 7, 2023
Natasha L. Mason, Attila Szabo, Kim P. C. Kuypers et al.
83 citations
Patients characterized by stress-related disorders such as depression display elevated circulating concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines and a hyperactive HPA axis. Psychedelics are demonstrating promising results in treatment of such disorders, however the mechanisms of their therapeutic effects are still unknown. To date the evidence of acute and persisting effects of psychedelics on...
medRxiv
November 1, 2022
Natasha L. Mason, Attila Szabo, Kim P. C. Kuypers et al.
6 citations
preprint
Abstract Patients characterized by stress-related disorders such as depression display elevated circulating concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines and a hyperactive HPA axis. Psychedelics are demonstrating promising results in treatment of such disorders, however the mechanisms of their therapeutic effects are still unknown. To date the evidence of acute and persisting effects of...
Translational Psychiatry
April 8, 2021
Natasha L. Mason, Kim P. C. Kuypers, Johannes T. Reckweg et al.
132 citations
Abstract Creativity is an essential cognitive ability linked to all areas of our everyday functioning. Thus, finding a way to enhance it is of broad interest. A large number of anecdotal reports suggest that the consumption of psychedelic drugs can enhance creative thinking; however, scientific evidence is lacking. Following a double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group design, we...
Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology
November 1, 2020
Natasha L. Mason, K P C Kuypers, F Müller et al.
261 citations
There is growing interest in the therapeutic utility of psychedelic substances, like psilocybin, for disorders characterized by distortions of the self-experience, like depression. Accumulating preclinical evidence emphasizes the role of the glutamate system in the acute action of the drug on brain and behavior; however this has never been tested in humans. Following a double-blind,...
Addiction Biology
December 22, 2019
Natasha L. Mason, Eef L. Theunissen, Nadia R. P. W. Hutten et al.
58 citations
Cannabis is the most commonly used illicit drug in the world. However, because of a changing legal landscape and rising interest in therapeutic utility, there is an increasing trend in (long-term) use and possibly cannabis impairment. Importantly, a growing body of evidence suggests that regular cannabis users develop tolerance to the impairing, as well as the rewarding, effects of the drug....
European neuropsychopharmacology : the journal of the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology
December 1, 2019
Natasha L. Mason, Eef L. Theunissen, Nadia R. P. W. Hutten et al.
Cannabis is the most commonly used illicit drug and is known to alter state of consciousness and impair neurocognitive function. However, the mechanisms underlying these effects have yet to be fully elucidated. Rodent studies suggest that Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) activates dopaminergic neurons in the limbic system, subsequently enhancing dopamine, which is implicated in the rewarding...
bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)
July 19, 2019
Natasha L. Mason, Eef L. Theunissen, Nadia R. P. W. Hutten et al.
4 citations
preprint
Abstract Cannabis is the most commonly used illicit drug in the world. However due to a changing legal landscape, and rising interest in therapeutic utility, there is an increasing trend in (long-term) use and possibly, cannabis impairment. Importantly, a growing body of evidence suggests regular cannabis users develop tolerance to the impairing, as well as the rewarding, effects of the drug....