Research Square
July 21, 2023
Yeganeh Farahzadi, Cameron T Alldredge, Zoltán Kekecs
1 citation
preprint
Abstract Hypnosis, a state of focused attention and heightened suggestibility, can be used as a therapeutic tool that yields similar effects to those of medications but without known side effects. Despite extensive fascination and study, the neural mechanisms behind hypnosis remain elusive. In the current study, we undertook a systematic exploration of these neural correlates. We first...
Research Square
July 20, 2023
Orr Shahar, Alexander Botvinnik, Amit Shwartz et al.
3 citations
preprint
Abstract Psilocybin, a naturally occurring, tryptamine alkaloid prodrug, is currently being investigated for the treatment of a range of psychiatric disorders. Preclinical reports suggest that the biological effects of psilocybin-containing mushroom extract or “full spectrum” (psychedelic) mushroom extract (PME), may differ from those of chemically synthesized psilocybin (PSIL). We compared the...
Research Square
July 18, 2023
Sanah Malomile Nkadimeng, L. Hay, Christiaan Ml Steinmann et al.
1 citation
preprint
Abstract Background Psilocybin-containing mushrooms induce antidepressant and momentary increase in blood pressure (BP) with potential risk to users with cardiovascular diseases. Irregularities in nitric oxide (NO) levels play a key role in endothelial dysfunctions leading to increases in BP. Mushrooms species show large variation in potency which may potentially induce different outcomes and...
Research Square
July 11, 2023
Lucy Jane Draper-Clarke, Caryn Green
preprint
Abstract Exploring Southern African contemplative traditions addresses an important gap in the fields of mindfulness and contemplative science. In contrast to meditation practices drawn from Eastern wisdom traditions, practices embedded in African spirituality are sound- and movement-based and conducted in community settings. During a research retreat in South Africa, attended by traditional...
Research Square
July 7, 2023
Rika Takaba, Daisuke Ibi, Keisuke Yoshida et al.
4 citations
preprint
Abstract Serotonergic psychedelics such as psilocybin, lysergic acid diethylamide, and DOI exert a hallucinatory effect through serotonin 5-HT 2A receptor (5-HT2A) activation. Recent studies have revealed that serotonergic psychedelics have therapeutic potential for neuropsychiatric disorders, including major depressive and anxiety-related disorders. However, the involvement of 5-HT2A in...
Research Square
July 3, 2023
Yue Teng, JiaYao Niu, Yang Liu et al.
preprint
Abstract Background Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with traumatic stress experiences. This condition can be accompanied by learning and cognitive deficits. Studies have demonstrated that ketamine can rapidly and significantly alleviate symptoms in patients with chronic PTSD. Nonetheless, the effects of ketamine on neurocognitive impairment and its mechanism of action in...
Research Square
June 30, 2023
Bin Ling, Yun Zhu, Zelin Yan et al.
preprint
Background: ： The study was designed to investigate effects of single intravenous injection of esketamine on the incidence of postpartum depression (PPD) after labor analgesia and explore the potential mechanisms. Methods: ： A total of 120 women who underwent labor analgesia by epidural analgesia pump were enrolled and divided into two groups randomly. Esketamine at a dose of 0.2 mg/kg was...
Research Square
June 30, 2023
Johan Høy Jensen, Esben Meulengracht Flachs, Kajsa Ugelvig Petersen et al.
preprint
Purpose: The Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) group intervention is increasingly being used in clinics to alleviate stress-related symptoms. The aim was to evaluate the association between pre-post changes in levels of perceived stress during the MBSR program and occupational recovery from prolonged work-related stress. Potential moderators of the association were assessed. Methods...
Research Square
June 27, 2023
Louise Hecker, Kosuke Kato, Jennifer Kleinhenz et al.
preprint
Abstract Psilocybin is the psychoactive substance contained in the psilocybe(hallucinogenic) mushroom, which has received considerable attention among the scientific community in recent years. Human studies have demonstrated that even a single-dose of psilocybin can improve debilitating physical and psychological symptoms with durable long-term effects. >136 clinical studies with psilocybin...
Research Square
June 26, 2023
preprint
Abstract Interest has been growing in the use of mindfulness meditation (MM) as a therapeutic practice, as accumulating evidence highlights its potential to improve various mental functions and effectively address a range of mental conditions. Among the various hypotheses, a shift in the sense-of-self has been proposed as a possible core mechanism of MM, towards enhanced embodied cognition...
Research Square
June 26, 2023
Agata Urbanowicz, Rebecca Shankland, Jaynie Rance et al.
preprint
Abstract The present study assessed the effectiveness of informal mindfulness practice among parents in terms of parental burnout prevention and treatment. The objective was to test a new approach based on informal mindfulness practices, the FOVEA programme, implemented in daily activities rather than based on formal meditations. Indeed, traditional mindfulness programmes (e.g., MBCT, MBSR)...
Research Square
May 24, 2023
Sunjung Kim, Josué Luiz Dalboni da Rocha, Niels Birbaumer et al.
preprint
Abstract The Global Neuronal Workspace (GNW) hypothesis states that the visual percept is available to conscious awareness only if recurrent long-distance interactions among distributed brain regions activate neural circuitry extending from posterior regions to prefrontal regions above a certain excitation threshold. To directly test this hypothesis, we trained human participants to increase...
Research Square
May 22, 2023
Sylvain Penaud, Delphine Yeh, Alexandre Gaston-Bellegarde et al.
preprint
Abstract Recent studies suggest that the human body plays a critical role in encoding and retrieving episodic memories of past events, yet the precise relationship between bodily self-consciousness and memory formation, especially in real-life contexts, remains a topic of ongoing research. The present study investigated the relationship between bodily self-consciousness and episodic memory...
Research Square
May 12, 2023
Gabriel Thorens, Louise Penzenstadler, Leonice Furtado et al.
preprint
Abstract Case report of a patient with GAD and claustrophobia who underwent exposure therapy using psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy. The patient had failed to respond to conventional psychotherapeutic treatment. After three sessions of psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy, the patient experienced a reduction in anxiety and fear associated with closed spaces, elevators, and planes. The protocol...
Research Square
May 12, 2023
Martín Bidegain, Andrea Berriel, Francisco López et al.
preprint
Abstract Objectives: This study aimed to assess the effects of a virtual Mindful Self-compassion (MSC) intervention on mindfulness, self-compassion, empathy, stress, and well-being in Uruguayan primary school teachers. Methods: A quasi-experimental, longitudinal study was conducted with an active control intervention (Kundalini Yoga, KY). Uruguayan volunteer female teachers were randomly...
Research Square
May 5, 2023
Nargess Rahnama, Gholamreza Malek Zadeh, Mohammad Moshtari
preprint
Background: The present study aims to investigate whether and how mindfulness leads to the flow experience in high-pressure situations during the coronavirus pandemic peak, especially in high-risk, challenging contexts such as emergencies. So, the authors aim to expand existing knowledge about experiencing flow at work, specifically in the crisis context of the COVID-19 period, when challenges...
Research Square
March 20, 2023
Ahmed N. Hassan, Sean Ferkul, Zena Agabani et al.
preprint
Abstract Background : There is a need for expanded options for therapeutic interventions for patients with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance use disorder (SUD). The study aimed to examine evidence for the feasibility, safety, and acceptability of a virtual Mantram Repetition Program for adults with PTSD and SUD. Methods : This project utilized mixed-method design (explanatory...
Research Square
March 14, 2023
Robert Palmer, Corey Roos, Nilofar Vafaie et al.
1 citation
preprint
Abstract We aimed to elucidate the effects of “dose” of a single-session of mindfulness meditation on state mindfulness and affect as well as moderators of effects. 372 adults recruited remotely via Amazon’s MTurk platform were randomly assigned to either a: 10-minute mindfulness meditation, 20-minute mindfulness meditation, 10-minute control, or 20-minute control. Control conditions were...
Research Square
March 10, 2023
Xue Chen, Jing Li, Lisa Yu et al.
preprint
Abstract Psychedelic indolethylamines have emerged as potential medicines to treat several psychiatric pathologies. Natural sources of these compounds include ‘magic mushrooms’, plants used to prepare ahayuasca, and toads. Owing to the occurrence of indolethylamines such as N,N-dimethyltryptamine, toad skin and parotid gland preparations have a history of ceremonial use, yet their biosynthesis...
Research Square
February 14, 2023
Frank Sánchez-Quijano, Diana Ximena Puerta-Cortés, Julio Eduardo Mazorco-Salas
preprint
Abstract This pilot study aims to compare the effects of mindfulness and holotropic breathwork treatments on adolescents in the rehabilitation process for psychoactive substance use. Participants comprised 18 female adolescents aged 15–18 admitted to the Fundación Grupo de Apoyo, affiliated with the Colombian Family Welfare Institute. The Fundación is dedicated to rehabilitation from,...
Research Square
February 10, 2023
Bomi Hong, Sora Yang, Sojeong Hyeon et al.
preprint
Background: Cancer caregivers provide extensive support in all aspects of patients' daily lives. It has been reported that a significant proportion of cancer caregivers experience emotional distress. As one way to solve this problem, third-wave psychotherapy, which involves integrating acceptance and mindfulness into cognitive‒behavioral therapy, has been applied to improve caregiver outcomes....
Research Square
January 16, 2023
Asma Ghonchehpour, Mansooreh Azizzadeh Forouzi, Mahlagha Dehghan et al.
preprint
Background: Thalassemia is a genetic and chronic congenital disorder composed of physical problems that severely impair patients’ cognitive, psychological and social processes. The rehabilitation of patients is particularly important because they have a high rejection sensitivity and low resilience. The present study aimed to determine the effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction...
Research Square
December 29, 2022
Barkha J. Yadav-Samudrala, Ben L. Gorman, Hailey Dodson et al.
1 citation
preprint
Abstract Cannabis use is highly prevalent especially among people living with HIV (PLWH). Activation of the anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective endocannabinoid system by phytocannabinoids, i.e. Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), has been proposed to reduce HIV symptoms. However, THC’s effects on HIV-associated cognitive impairments are unclear. Using HIV-1 Tat transgenic mice, the current study...
Research Square
December 15, 2022
Nirodhi Namika Dasanayaka, Nirmala D. Sirisena, Nilakshi Samaranayake
preprint
Abstract Practice of meditation has been suggested to improve telomere regulation. This case-control study compared the leucocyte telomere length (TL) and expression of hTERT and hTR genes, between thirty long-term, skilled meditators and thirty matched non-meditators. 63.34% of the participants were males and the average age of the meditators was 43.83±9.92 years. Meditators had practiced...
Research Square
November 29, 2022
Junliang Zhang, Shuang Zheng, Zhongzheng Hu et al.
preprint
The study aims to explore the relationship among mindfulness, depression, meaning in life (MIL) and psychological resilience (PR), and verify whether MIL and PR have a chain mediating effect between mindfulness and depression .1034 college students in a province were investigated by using Adolescent Mindfulness Scale, Depression Scale, Meaning in Life Scale and Psychological Resilience Scale....