Journal of Psychoactive Drugs - The Consciousness Library

Exploratory Insights into 5-MeO-DMT Experiences on Reddit: A Thematic Analysis

Journal of Psychoactive Drugs September 7, 2026 Damian Swieczkowski, Aleksander Kwaśny, Wiesław Jerzy Cubała

This qualitative study examines self-reported experiences with 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) shared on Reddit to explore subjective reports, contextual influences, and perceived effects. A total of 120 posts from 24 discussion threads were purposively selected and thematically analyzed using an inductive, constructivist approach. The analysis resulted in 48 codes, which were...

DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2026.2727030

Factors Associated with Intentions to Use Psilocybin for Mental Health in Relation to Psychotherapy, Psychiatric Medications, and Natural/Synthetic Options

Journal of Psychoactive Drugs September 1, 2026 Brian P. Meier, Courtney M. Lappas, Matthew W. Johnson

= 1,102), we examined the intentions to use psilocybin in a mental health context in relation to psychotherapy, psychiatric medication, and natural versus synthetic options. We also examined potential predictors of the intentions to use psilocybin. In Study 1, we found that participants had significantly lower intentions to use psilocybin in a mental health context versus psychotherapy and...

DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2026.2727013

Improving Psychedelic Harm Reduction and Therapy: Community Perspectives from Individuals Who Use Recreationally and for Mental Health Purposes.

Journal of Psychoactive Drugs August 12, 2026 Jennifer S. Jewell, C. James, Joshua C. Black

There is still inconsistency in psychedelic research across the United States. There are gaps in our understanding of the psychedelic community's perception of topics including reasons for use and set/setting. The goal is to utilize these findings to produce better quantitative research, to ask the right questions of the right communities. This qualitative study organized focus groups from...

DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2026.2710054

Prevalence of Potential Contraindications and Risk Factors Relevant to MDMA-Assisted Therapy Among U.S. Veterans with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Journal of Psychoactive Drugs August 5, 2026 Catherine S. Hwang, David C. Cameron, Allison O’Neill et al.

3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)-assisted therapy has emerged as a potential strategy to treat posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). We conducted a national serial cross-sectional study of U.S. Veterans with PTSD from January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2023, to quantify the prevalence of potential contraindications, risk factors, and drug-drug interactions relevant to MDMA-assisted...

DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2026.2710059

Mystical Experiences as Catalysts in Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy: A Case Study

Journal of Psychoactive Drugs July 3, 2026 Miguel Joaquim Soares Teles Couceiro, Victor José da Conceição Teixeira Amorim Rodrigues, Nuno Manuel Correia Torres

This case study explores the potential role of mystical-type experiences in ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP). A patient with generalized anxiety disorder and migraines underwent four intramuscular KAP sessions (0.5-0.9 mg/kg). Outcomes were assessed using the Outcome Questionnaire-45 (OQ-45), the Hood Mysticism Scale (HMS), and interviews. Greater therapeutic gains followed sessions with...

DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2026.2696253 Mysticism Anxiety disorder Therapeutic relationship Outcome game theory +4

Psychedelic Use, Microdosing, Motives, and Information and Product Sources Among Young Adults in the United States

Journal of Psychoactive Drugs June 19, 2026 Carla J. Berg, Darcey M. Mccready, Cassidy R Loparco et al.

= 26.38, ~50% past-month cannabis use by design) completed an online survey. Multivariable regression assessed sociodemographics, mental health, and adverse childhood events (ACEs) in relation to: (1) past-year psychedelic use; and (2) among those reporting lifetime use: (a) lifetime microdosing and (b) use motives. Lifetime and past-year psychedelic use were 27.7% and 11.9% (commonly...

DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2026.2685527 Addiction Young adult Product mathematics Substance use +1

Attitudes of Mental Healthcare Professionals Towards the Use of Psychedelics in the Treatment of Substance Use Disorders: A Systematic Review

Journal of Psychoactive Drugs June 17, 2026 F. van Dalen, Stephan Tap, S. D. Venema et al.

Psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) is increasingly recognized as a potential novel treatment for substance use disorder (SUD). As evidence continues to grow, the successful implementation of this modality into clinical practice will depend significantly on the perceptions and attitudes of mental healthcare professionals. Accordingly, a systematic review was conducted to provide a comprehensive...

DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2026.2685514 Substance use Health professionals Perception Medline +11

Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy for Depression: A Survey of Current Practices, Rationales, and Future Directions.

Journal of Psychoactive Drugs June 10, 2026 Jack H Buchanan, Brandon Reynante, Michael T. Dinh et al.

Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) is an emerging treatment approach that may enhance ketamine's antidepressant effects through neuroplastic synergism or transformative psychological experience. Despite growing clinical use, real-world KAP practices remain understudied. This cross-sectional survey examined the practices of fifty licensed KAP providers treating depression, recruited from a...

DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2026.2685515 Full text Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy Depression Clinical best practices Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy +2

Shifting Patterns in Ecstasy Use: Increasing Detection of MDA in Forensic Seizures and Toxicological Cases in Southern Brazil

Journal of Psychoactive Drugs June 10, 2026 Bruno Pereira Dos Santos, Vítor Camargo Pôrto, Letícia Birk et al.

Ecstasy-type drugs are the most frequently seized synthetic drugs in Brazil, usually containing a mixture of MDMA and its analog MDA. In recent years, an increasing number of samples have been found to contain only MDA, possibly reflecting shifts in the synthetic routes of ecstasy-type substances during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the exclusive use of MDA remains poorly characterized, and...

DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2026.2686365 Ecstasy MDMA Forensic toxicology Forensic science +7

Exploring the Use of Ibogaine in Opioid Recovery: Insights from Lived Experience

Journal of Psychoactive Drugs May 22, 2026 Jamie Walker, Daryle Deering, Bruno Hamish Unger

Opioid dependence is a public health concern in New Zealand, with limited treatment options beyond opioid substitution therapy (OST). Ibogaine, a psychoactive alkaloid with reported anti-withdrawal and anti-craving effects for opioid dependence, is legally available by prescription in New Zealand, offering a context for exploring user experiences. A qualitative collective case study design was...

DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2026.2673843 Addiction Thematic analysis Context archaeology Opioid +9

Intention-Setting Among Recreational Psychedelic Users: Associated Acute Effects and Changes in Well-Being.

Journal of Psychoactive Drugs May 22, 2026 Fiona Low, Mitch Earleywine

Limited research suggests that distinct intentions covary with acute experiences and subsequent outcomes. Nevertheless, data on the types of intentions set by users remain scarce, and their effects lack clarity. This study uses a retrospective, mixed-methods, cross-sectional approach to investigate intention-setting among psychedelic users. We establish a taxonomy of intentions in naturalistic...

DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2026.2673844 Full text Psychedelic-assisted therapy Intentions Psychedelics Substance use

Integration of the Psychedelic Experience Among Brazilians: A Survey Study.

Journal of Psychoactive Drugs May 19, 2026 Ana Cláudia Mesquita Garcia, Lucas Oliveira Maia, Everson Meireles et al.

This study examines psychedelic integration among Brazilian users by validating a Brazilian Portuguese version of the Psychedelic Integration Scales (PIS), developed through translation and cultural adaptation to ensure relevance and applicability within the Brazilian sociocultural context. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 1379 participants recruited online. Confirmatory Factor...

DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2026.2673842 Full text Psychedelic Integration Psychometric validation

Association Between Lifetime Hallucinogen Use and Valvular Heart Disease: Findings from the All of Us Research Program

Journal of Psychoactive Drugs May 18, 2026 Kevin H. Yang, Miranda Rasmussen, Kush V. Bhatt et al. 1 citation

Recent literature suggests potential associations between hallucinogen use and valvular heart disease (VHD) due to prolonged activation of serotonin 5-HT2B receptors, which may lead to valvular fibrosis – a condition also linked to drugs including fenfluramine and pergolide. Despite these concerns, epidemiological studies exploring this association are lacking. This exploratory analysis...

DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2026.2673845

Ayahuasca Therapy: Possible Reduction of Suicidal Ideation in Treatment-Resistant Depression - A Systematic Review.

Journal of Psychoactive Drugs April 23, 2026 Brayan Jonas Mano-Sousa, Maria Clara Gama Fontes, Ana Clara Anacleto Gonçalves et al.

Suicide, particularly in treatment-resistant depression (TRD), remains a pressing global health issue, with over 700,000 annual deaths. Existing treatments often have limited efficacy and delayed onset, creating a need for rapid-acting interventions. Ayahuasca, a traditional Amazonian psychedelic, has shown potential for rapidly reducing suicidal ideation. Our systematic review evaluated the...

DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2026.2661580 Full text DMT Ayahuasca Neuroplasticity Psychedelic therapy +2

Psychedelics and Mental Health in Endurance Athletes: A Cross-Sectional Study in Brazil.

Journal of Psychoactive Drugs March 20, 2026 Marina A. M. Portes, Leandro J Bertoglio

Psilocybin, N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT), lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) are psychedelic compounds with therapeutic potential for depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress. However, their relevance to endurance athletes, who face particular psychological and physical stressors, remains underexplored. This study combines a conceptual overview...

DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2026.2644865 Full text Ketamine Neuroplasticity Serotonin Pain +2

Ayahuasca and Public Health III: Health Status of a Sample of Ayahuasca Ceremony Attenders in Portugal.

Journal of Psychoactive Drugs March 19, 2026 Pedro J. Teixeira, Jorge Encantado, Helena D Amaro et al.

Ayahuasca, a traditional Amazonian psychoactive brew, has gained increasing attention for its potential health benefits; however, no previous research has investigated its use in Portugal. This study aims to evaluate the health status, lifestyle behaviors, and psychosocial well-being of Portuguese ayahuasca users, comparing their self-reported health indicators with population norms. A...

DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2026.2631378 Full text Ayahuasca Drug policy Health behaviors Public health

Selection Bias in Psychedelic Research: Comparing Self-Reported Quality-Of-Life Impact Between Enthusiasts and a General Population Sample

Journal of Psychoactive Drugs March 18, 2026 Jonathan Bendz, Linus Schäfer, David Sjöström et al.

Psychedelic experiences have been associated with improved quality of life, but many studies rely on samples of enthusiasts, raising concerns about selection bias. This study examined whether self-reported quality-of-life impact differed between a convenience sample of psychedelic enthusiasts and a general population sample recruited through Prolific, and whether sample differences persisted...

DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2026.2644856 Sample material Selection bias Population Extraversion and introversion +8

Psychedelic Terminology Preference in the 2024 National Survey Investigating Hallucinogenic Trends (NSIHT).

Journal of Psychoactive Drugs March 16, 2026 Faith E Lyons, Karilynn M Rockhill, Evelyn J Fox et al.

Expanding regulation and increased use of psychedelic substances requires surveillance of behaviors and health outcomes in the United States. Widely comprehendible terminology is important for surveys. The objective of this study was to determine what psychedelic terminology is preferred among adults who used a psychedelic in the past 12 months. A cross-sectional survey measuring psychedelic...

DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2026.2644863 Full text Cross-sectional surveys Content validity Psychedelics Survey methods +1

Therapeutic-Like Context and Relational Support During Psychedelic Use Moderate Links Among Stress, Challenging Experiences, and Psychological Outcomes.

Journal of Psychoactive Drugs March 14, 2026 Aaron D. Cherniak, Pehr Granqvist, Mario Mikulincer et al.

Research has established that life stress may elevate the likelihood of challenging experiences with psychedelics, which may be linked to poorer outcomes from psychedelic use. Studies have highlighted the importance of therapeutic support, but questions remain about the type of effective support and its specific contribution. We examined the contribution of therapeutic-like contexts and support...

DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2026.2644857 Full text Challenging psychedelic experiences Coping Life stress Psychedelics +2

LGBTQ+ Ayahuasca Retreat Experience is Associated with Benefits to Mental Health, Quality of Life, and Spiritual Well-Being: A Prospective, Naturalistic Study.

Journal of Psychoactive Drugs March 13, 2026 Matthew X. Lowe, Quinn A Darby, Sasha Kalcheff-Korn et al.

Sexual and gender minority (SGM) individuals experience disproportionately high rates of depression, anxiety, trauma, and discrimination, yet remain underrepresented in psychedelic research. This prospective, naturalistic study explored the impact of an ayahuasca retreat experience on mental health, quality of life, and spiritual well-being among SGM participants. Participants attended a...

DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2026.2644858 Full text Ayahuasca Lgbtq+ Community-based healing Hallucinogen +1

Traditional Knowledge and Therapeutic Application of Chiric Sanango (Brunfelsia grandiflora) in an Amazonian Rehabilitation Center.

Journal of Psychoactive Drugs January 15, 2026 Laura Monteagudo-Romero, Isotta Triulzi, Tommaso Dondoli et al.

The use of traditional medicinal plants in therapeutic settings has gained increasing attention for their potential in mental health and addiction treatment. This study explores the ethnomedical use of Brunfelsia grandiflora (chiric sanango) within the therapeutic framework of the Takiwasi Center in the Peruvian Amazon, where it is integrated into strict plant-based dietary regimens ("dietas")...

DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2026.2614507 Full text Brunfelsia grandiflora Addiction treatment Chiric sanango Mental health +2

Daily Administration of Psilocin Mucate (L-130) Produces a Favorable Safety Profile and Anxiolytic Effects in Rodents Exposed to Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress

Journal of Psychoactive Drugs January 2, 2026 Frederick D. Sancilio, Maghsoud Dariani, Purvi Chavda et al.

Anxiety disorders are chronic health conditions affecting the quality of life of millions of people. Psilocin, the active moiety of psilocybin, provides an anxiolytic effect; however, when orally administered as psilocybin, it only offers a moderate level of bioavailability and less predictable pharmacokinetics, potentially making effects after absorption variable and increasing the risk of...

DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2025.2607726 Dosing Anxiolytic Bioavailability Pharmacology +6

Perceptions of Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy and Standard Interventions for Nicotine Cessation

Journal of Psychoactive Drugs 2026 Philip Kamilar-Britt, Alyssa B. Oliva, Mitch Earleywine

Nicotine dependence remains a leading cause of preventable mortality worldwide. Pharmacotherapy and behavioral interventions offer modest efficacy with limited long-term success. Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy (PAP) is an emerging approach to nicotine cessation with a growing evidence base. As PAP research expands, understanding how nicotine users' attitudes shape treatment engagement...

DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2025.2607724 Psychological intervention Credibility Smoking cessation Clinical psychology +8

The Relationship Between Psychedelic Use and Alcohol Use Disorder in a Nationally Representative Sample.

Journal of Psychoactive Drugs November 9, 2025 James M Zech, Jérémie Richard, Grant Jones

Psychedelic-assisted interventions are emerging as potential treatments for substance use disorders, including alcohol use disorder (AUD). While recent randomized controlled trials suggest efficacy for certain psychedelics and related compounds in treating AUD, the impact of naturalistic psychedelic use on problematic alcohol consumption remains underexplored. This study examines associations...

DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2025.2583967 Full text LSD MDMA Ketamine Psilocybin +2

MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy for PTSD: A Systematic Review of Randomized Control Trials

Journal of Psychoactive Drugs November 5, 2025 B Brett, Christine Bynum 4 citations

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a serious and chronic mental health condition with limited effective treatment options. 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphethamine (MDMA)-assisted psychotherapy (MDMA-AT) has shown promise in phase 2 and phase 3 clinical trials, with many research participants reporting significant reductions in PTSD symptoms. However, the Federal Drug Administration (FDA)...

DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2025.2577308 MDMA Placebo Randomized controlled trial Posttraumatic stress +7

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