Drug and Alcohol Dependence - The Consciousness Library

Trends in first-time psychedelic and other hallucinogen use in the United States: Results from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health.

Drug and Alcohol Dependence May 1, 2026 Juan Carlos C. Montoy, Ralph C. Wang, Allison R. Coker et al.

Psychedelic drug use is increasing due in part to local legislative reforms. Understanding the patterns of first-time psychedelic drug use is imperative for informing consumers, healthcare providers, and policy makers. The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) is a repeated cross-sectional nationally representative survey of civilians aged 12 and older. Use estimates are presented for...

DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2026.113059 Full text Epidemiology Hallucinogens Psychedelics

Three-day blues after ecstasy/MDMA use: Evidence from a longitudinal and daily analysis in the European nightlife scene.

Drug and Alcohol Dependence September 12, 2025 Matthijs Blankers, Ruben Van Beek, Desirée Spronk et al. 1 citation

There is a lack of understanding of the nature of the post-acute affective response in the days after ecstasy/3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) use and whether this is associated with ecstasy/MDMA use or circumstantial factors. In the three days following ecstasy/MDMA use, we evaluated whether a drop in mental well-being is observed and can be related to ecstasy use. Data for this study...

DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2025.112881 Full text Anxiety Ecstasy MDMA Ecological daily assessment +3

Adverse clinical effects associated with the use of synthetic cannabinoids: A systematic review.

Drug and Alcohol Dependence July 1, 2025 Mariana M Prete, Gabriel T B Feitosa, Maria A T Ribeiro et al. 13 citations

Synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) are potent agonists of CB1 and CB2 receptors, with affinities approximately 100 times greater than that of natural cannabis. This increased potency is associated with severe clinical outcomes, including psychosis, dependence, and various autonomic disturbances, such as seizures and rhabdomyolysis. The objective of this study was to synthesize the existing literature...

DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2025.112698 Full text Adverse effects Clinical complications Clinical effects K2 +6

Exploring psychedelic experiences among people who regularly use methamphetamine: Findings from an international survey.

Drug and Alcohol Dependence July 1, 2025 Dilara Bahceci, Krista J. Siefried, Maureen Steele et al.

Methamphetamine use disorder, associated with significant morbidity and mortality, has limited effective treatments. Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy shows promise, but data on its safety and efficacy in this population are limited. This exploratory study describes the demographic, substance use, and mental health characteristics of people who used methamphetamine and psychedelics and the...

DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2025.112699 Full text Substance use disorder Psychedelic therapy Hallucinogens Polysubstance +5

Enhancing interoceptive awareness in chronic pain and opioid misuse via mindfulness-oriented recovery enhancement.

Drug and Alcohol Dependence June 2, 2025 Anna Parisi, Lisa Taylor-Swanson, Jennifer L. Stewart et al. 1 citation

Individuals with substance use disorders often report altered interoceptive awareness of internal bodily signals. However, it is unclear whether these alterations also extend to patients with chronic pain who misuse opioids, and whether interventions that enhance interoceptive awareness, such as mindfulness-based therapies, may reduce opioid misuse in this population. At baseline, participants...

DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2025.112741 Full text Interoception Interoceptive awareness Opioid misuse treatment Opioid addiction treatment +14

Changes in psychosis-related emergency department and hospitalization rates among youth following cannabis legalization in Colorado

Drug and Alcohol Dependence May 1, 2025 Spruha Joshi, Kyle M. Snyder, Christian Thurstone et al.

An increasing number of U.S. states have legalized cannabis, but the effect on adolescent and young adult psychosis-related hospitalizations remains under-studied. Using data from Denver Health between 2005–2020, we examined associations between implementation of the Ogden Memo (expanding use of medical cannabis in Colorado, October 2009) and Amendment 64 (legalizing adult-use cannabis in...

DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2025.112719 Full text

Trends in poisonings involving ketamine in the United States, 2019-2023.

Drug and Alcohol Dependence March 1, 2025 Joseph J Palamar, Jennifer S. Jewell, Omar El-Shahawy et al. 9 citations

Off-label prescribing of ketamine to treat psychiatric disorders has been increasing, as has recreational use and availability of illicit ketamine. It is important to examine trends in ketamine-related poisonings to inform public health efforts. We examined data from poisonings (exposures) involving ketamine reported to Poison Centers in the US between 2019 and 2023 (n = 1519). Annual trends...

DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2025.112549 Full text Poisonings Polydrug use Drug-safety Substance-abuse +3

Associations between psychedelic use and cannabis use disorder in a nationally representative sample.

Drug and Alcohol Dependence 2025 James M Zech, David B. Yaden, Grant Jones 9 citations

Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD) is an increasingly prevalent disorder affecting millions of Americans each year. Psychedelic compounds have recently been investigated for their therapeutic potential in treating substance use disorders, yet no prior work has examined the relationship between naturalistic use of specific psychedelic compounds and rates of disordered cannabis use. Using a nationally...

DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2024.112502 Full text Substance use disorder MDMA DMT Ketamine +8

Misrepresentation of MDMA in the United States, 1999-2023.

Drug and Alcohol Dependence November 1, 2024 Eric L Sevigny, Sylvia Thyssen, Earth Erowid et al. 5 citations

The misrepresentation of illicit drugs in unregulated markets increases the risk of adverse health events. This study analyzed drug checking data to compare represented, expected, and actual content of alleged MDMA samples, estimate trends in the quality of the MDMA supply, document the presence of adulterants, compare patterns of adulteration, and validate drug checking against law enforcement...

DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2024.112467 Full text Safe supply Drug checking services MDMA Adulteration Harm reduction +2

Chronic cannabis use associated with subcortical topological reorganization of structural connectivity in adults.

Drug and Alcohol Dependence September 1, 2024 R P Bell, J R Cohen, S L Towe et al.

Cannabis is commonly used in the United States. However, chronic cannabis use has been linked to alterations in white matter (WM) integrity. Studies investigating WM in people who use cannabis (PWC) have produced varying results, which may be due to a variety of factors, including a focus on individual WM tracts. Here, we examined WM connectivity using a module-based approach to help clarify...

DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2024.111405 Full text Cannabis Diffusion imaging Graph theory Modules +1

Biological Sex Modulates the Efficacy of 2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine (DOI) to Mitigate Fentanyl Demand

Drug and Alcohol Dependence August 1, 2024 Alice J. McQueney, Erik J. Garcia

Background: Overdose deaths remain high for opioid use disorder, emphasizing the need to pursue innovative therapeutics. Classic psychedelic drugs that engage many monoamine receptors mitigate opioid use. Here, we tested the hypothesis that the preferential serotonin 5-HT2AR agonist, 2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine (DOI) could reduce the demand for fentanyl in a preclinical model of fentanyl...

DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2024.112426 Full text

National and regional trends in seizures of shrooms (psilocybin) in the United States, 2017-2022.

Drug and Alcohol Dependence May 1, 2024 Joseph J Palamar, Nicole D. Fitzgerald, Thomas H Carr et al. 9 citations

Psilocybin, the principle psychoactive component in "shrooms", is regaining acceptance in therapeutic settings, leading to media coverage of medical benefits associated with use. Possession is also becoming increasingly decriminalized throughout the United States. There is a lack of data on prevalence of shroom use, but trends in law enforcement seizure data can provide one indicator of shroom...

DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2024.111086 Full text Drug laws Drug seizures Psilocybin mushrooms Law enforcement surveillance +2

3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) impairs cognitive function during withdrawal via activation of the arachidonic acid cascade in the hippocampus.

Drug and Alcohol Dependence April 1, 2024 Yoko Nawata, Tsuyoshi Nishioku, Tsuneyuki Yamamoto et al. 2 citations

The recreational drug ±3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA; also known as "ecstasy") has unusual subjective prosocial and empathogenic effects, and has exhibited potential as an adjunct to psychotherapy in recent years. However, there has been some concern regarding possible neuropsychiatric symptoms, such as cognitive impairment and dependence, emerging after abstinence. Therefore, this...

DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2024.111139 Full text MDMA Cognitive impairment Cyclooxygenase Prostaglandin e2 +4

The effects of (2R,6R)-hydroxynorketamine on oxycodone withdrawal and reinstatement.

Drug and Alcohol Dependence December 1, 2023 Caryssa R Drinkuth, Michael J Lehane, Gregory C Sartor 9 citations

Despite the thousands of lives lost during the ongoing opioid crisis, a scarcity of new and effective clinical treatments for opioid use disorder (OUD) remains. To address this unmet need, some researchers have turned to dissociative and psychedelic drugs to treat multiple psychiatric conditions. In particular, low doses of ketamine have been shown to attenuate opioid withdrawal and drug use in...

DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2023.110987 Full text Opioid use disorder Hnk Hydroxynorketamine Oxycodone +1

Acute effects of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) on resting state connectivity networks and impact of COMT genotype: A multi-site pharmacological fMRI study

Drug and Alcohol Dependence August 11, 2023 Teuntje A. D. Pelgrim, Johannes G. Ramaekers, Matthew B. Wall et al. 3 citations

BACKGROUND: Cannabis produces various acute psychotropic effects, with marked individual differences. Cannabis use is a risk factor for developing psychotic disorders. The main component responsible for these effects is Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Here we investigated the neural basis of acute THC effects and its modulation by catechol-methyl-transferase (COMT) Val158Met genotype. METHODS:...

DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2023.110925 Default mode network Resting State FMRI Striatum Insula +3

Prevalence and associations of classic psychedelic-related seizures in a population-based sample.

Drug and Alcohol Dependence October 1, 2022 Otto Simonsson, Simon B. Goldberg, Richard Chambers et al. 16 citations

Previous studies have reported links between classic psychedelic use and seizures, but little remains known about prevalence and potential risk factors of classic psychedelic-related seizures. Using a sample representative of the US adult population with regard to sex, age, and ethnicity (N = 2822), this study examined the prevalence and potential risk factors of classic psychedelic-related...

DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2022.109586 Full text LSD Psilocybin Adverse Psychedelics +2

THE EFFECTS OF MDMA-ASSISTED THERAPY ON ALCOHOL AND SUBSTANCE USE IN A PHASE 3 TRIAL FOR TREATMENT OF SEVERE PTSD

Drug and Alcohol Dependence February 1, 2022 Christopher R. Nicholas, Julie B. Wang, Allison R. Coker et al. 67 citations

Background Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is commonly associated with alcohol and substance use disorders (ASUD). A randomized, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial demonstrated the safety and efficacy of MDMA-assisted therapy (MDMA-AT) for the treatment of severe PTSD. This analysis explores patterns of alcohol and substance use in patients receiving MDMA-AT compared to placebo plus...

DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2022.109356 Full text

Cannabis use disorder and dissociation: A report from a prospective first-episode psychosis study.

Drug and Alcohol Dependence October 1, 2021 Valerio Ricci, F. Ceci, Francesco di Carlo et al.

BACKGROUND Cannabis is the most used recreational drug worldwide. Its use can increase the risk of developing psychotic disorders and exacerbate their course. However, the relationship between cannabis use and dissociative symptoms has been scarcely investigated. AIMS To examine differences in psychotic and dissociative symptoms, and in functioning in first-episode psychotic patients (FEPp)...

DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2021.109118

Effect of Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol on Frontostriatal Resting State Functional Connectivity and Subjective Euphoric Response in Healthy Young Adults

Drug and Alcohol Dependence February 3, 2021 Natania A. Crane, K. Phan

Background: Few studies have examined how Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive component of cannabis, impacts brain reward circuitry in humans. In this study, we examined if an acute dose of THC altered resting state functional connectivity between the striatum and prefrontal cortex among healthy young adults with limited cannabis use. Methods: Participants received THC (n=24)...

DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2021.108565 Full text

A within-person comparison of the subjective effects of higher vs. lower-potency cannabis.

Drug and Alcohol Dependence November 1, 2020 Sarah A Okey, Madeline H Meier

Cannabis concentrates have much higher concentrations of THC than marijuana (flower) and are quickly gaining popularity in the United States. One hypothesis is that use of higher-THC cannabis (concentrates) might result in greater intoxication and more severe acute negative effects than lower-THC cannabis (marijuana), but few studies have compared the subjective effects of concentrates and...

DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2020.108225 Full text Cannabis Marijuana Butane hash oil Concentrates +1

Trends in LSD use among US adults: 2015-2018.

Drug and Alcohol Dependence May 15, 2020 R. Yockey, Rebecca A. Vidourek, Keith A. King 111 citations

BACKGROUND The recent use of LSD to treat severe psychological disorders in several clinical applications has proven effective in reducing symptoms and distressing events. Trend analyses are warranted to provide the most current data for clinical and health interventions. The purpose of this study was to examine trends in LSD use among adults in the United States. METHODS A secondary analysis...

DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2020.108071

Emergency department presentations related to acute toxicity following recreational use of cannabis products in Switzerland.

Drug and Alcohol Dependence 2020 Yasmin Schmid, Irene Scholz, Laura Mueller et al.

Concomitant use of cannabis and other psychoactive substances is common and it is often difficult to differentiate its acute effects from those of other substances. This study aimed to characterize the acute toxicity of cannabis with and without co-use of other substances. Retrospective analysis of cases presenting at the emergency departments of three large hospitals in Switzerland due to...

DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2019.107726 Full text Cannabis THC Acute toxicity Emergency department +1

Drug checking services at music festivals and events in a Canadian setting.

Drug and Alcohol Dependence December 1, 2019 Karen McCrae, Samuel Tobias, Kenneth W. Tupper et al.

OBJECTIVES Drug checking is a harm reduction intervention that allows for identification of drug composition. The objective of the study was to assess drug market components and concordance between expected substance reported by clients and results from point-of-care drug checking at music festivals and events in British Columbia. METHODS From July to September 2018, we provided drug checking...

DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2019.107589

Mindfulness-oriented recovery enhancement reduces opioid craving among individuals with opioid use disorder and chronic pain in medication assisted treatment: Ecological momentary assessments from a stage 1 randomized controlled trial

Drug and Alcohol Dependence August 5, 2019 E. Garland, Adam W. Hanley, Anna Kline et al.

Background Methadone maintenance therapy (MMT) is an efficacious form of medication assisted treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD), yet many individuals on MMT relapse. Chronic pain and deficits in positive affective response to natural rewards may result in dysphoria that fuels opioid craving and promotes relapse. As such, behavioral therapies that ameliorate chronic pain and enhance...

DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2019.07.007 Full text

Ibogaine for treating drug dependence. What is a safe dose?

Drug and Alcohol Dependence September 1, 2016 Leo J. Schep, Robin J Slaughter, S Galea et al. 30 citations

The indole alkaloid ibogaine, present in the root bark of the West African rain forest shrub Tabernanthe iboga, has been adopted in the West as a treatment for drug dependence. Treatment of patients requires large doses of the alkaloid to cause hallucinations, an alleged integral part of the patient's treatment regime. However, case reports and case series continue to describe evidences of...

DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2016.07.005 Full text Drug dependence Qt prolongation Ibogaine treatment ibogaine Current ibogaine doses +6

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