Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
November 10, 2024
Jake Scarcella, Jeffrey MacDaniels, Lucinda Coffin et al.
1 citation
A 41-year-old woman with treatment-resistant depression experienced a severe dissociative episode with hallucinogenic-like effects after taking esketamine, even though the drug notably improved her depressive symptoms. This case highlights a rare but serious adverse event that clinicians should consider when prescribing esketamine. Understanding such risks is important for safe and effective use of this antidepressant.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
November 4, 2024
A Bezo, B Romeo, Y Le Strat et al.
1 citation
Physicians in France perceive the use of psychedelics as carrying notable risks. In a survey of 407 clinicians, average ratings on 1–5 Likert scales were 3.05 for general risk, 2.68 for self-harm risk, 2.47 for aggression risk, 2.71 for addictive risk, 2.76 for psychiatric disorder risk, and 2.11 for somatic disorder risk. Younger physicians were more likely to see therapeutic potential, while general practitioners were less likely than specialists to consider psychedelics a treatment. Clinicians who viewed psychedelics as having therapeutic potential associated them with lower risks.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
January 27, 2022
Ciarán Martin Fitzpatrick, B. Anderson, Gabrielle Agin-Liebes et al.
1 citation
A case report described a person with obsessive-compulsive disorder whose symptoms lessened after consuming psilocybin-containing mushrooms. The report prompted a letter arguing that psychedelic research has moved beyond case studies and that journals should prioritize publishing clinical trials over case reports.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
November 26, 2020
Heba Diab, Benjamin Malcolm
1 citation
A 39-year-old man with past polysubstance use disorder and depression developed tinnitus after inhaling DMT, though he was also microdosing LSD weekly. The ringing caused distress and anxiety, leading him to seek help from an audiologist, primary care doctor, and psychopharmacologist. Tinnitus lasted several months, but its intensity and his ability to cope improved over time. Taking psilocybin mushrooms worsened the tinnitus on two occasions, after which he stopped using psychedelics. While psychedelics are known to cause acute auditory changes, this is the first probable case linking DMT to persistent tinnitus. The report reviews possible mechanisms connecting psychedelics and tinnitus.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
December 1, 2009
Marlene Dobkin De Rios
1 citation
The article examines evidence that the San Agustin culture, which lived in Colombia's Magdalena River area from the third century BCE to the sixteenth century CE, used plant hallucinogens such as Brugmansia, Brunfelsia chiricaspi, Desfontainia R., Anadenanthera peregrina, Banisteriopsis species, Psychotria viridis, and Virola theidora. Using a cross-cultural survey of plant hallucinogens, the author analyzes themes in the culture's monolithic sculptures, focusing on man-animal transformations and shamanic motifs linked to hallucinogenic plant use.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
July 3, 2026
Miguel Joaquim Soares Teles Couceiro, Victor José da Conceição Teixeira Amorim Rodrigues, Nuno Manuel Correia Torres
In a patient with generalized anxiety disorder and migraines, mystical-type experiences during ketamine-assisted psychotherapy appeared to contribute to therapeutic improvements. After four intramuscular sessions (0.5-0.9 mg/kg), greater gains followed sessions with higher scores on the Hood Mysticism Scale. The patient attributed progress to the psychological and spiritual impact of the experiences, highlighting the importance of the therapeutic relationship and integration process. This case suggests that subjective mystical experiences may play a meaningful role in therapeutic change during ketamine-assisted psychotherapy.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
June 19, 2026
Carla J. Berg, Darcey M. Mccready, Cassidy R Loparco et al.
Among a sample of young adults with high rates of past-month cannabis use, lifetime and past-year psychedelic use were 27.7% and 11.9%, respectively, with psilocybin/amanita, MDMA, and LSD being most common. Nearly half used psychedelics only for nonmedical purposes. Of those who had ever used, 26.5% had microdosed. Older age, male sex, Black race, metropolitan residence, more depressive symptoms, and more adverse childhood events were linked to lifetime use. Microdosing was associated with not having children, more anxiety, and more adverse childhood events. Mental health symptoms and adverse childhood events were also tied to higher use motives, including expansion, mood enhancement, and symptom management.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
June 17, 2026
F. van Dalen, S. C. Tap, S. D. Venema et al.
Mental healthcare professionals generally hold cautiously optimistic views about psychedelic-assisted therapy for substance use disorder, though a minority express hesitancy due to concerns about safety, efficacy, and practical integration challenges. A systematic review of six studies with 966 participants found that greater knowledge and familiarity with psychedelic-assisted therapy predict more positive attitudes. The limited knowledge among professionals highlights a need for targeted education and training to support the responsible integration of this treatment into clinical care.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
June 10, 2026
Bruno Pereira Dos Santos, Vítor Camargo Pôrto, Letícia Birk et al.
In Brazil, ecstasy-type drugs are the most commonly seized synthetic drugs, and recent years have seen a shift from MDMA to its analog MDA, possibly due to changes in synthetic routes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Analysis of drug seizures in Rio Grande do Sul found MDA in 31.1% of samples, surpassing MDMA at 25.6%, with MDA detections peaking at 52.6% in 2023. Clinical and forensic cases also showed MDA predominating from 2021 onward. This higher prevalence of MDA indicates a change in ecstasy use patterns, highlighting the need for robust analytical methods and ongoing toxicological monitoring to inform drug surveillance and public health policies.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
June 10, 2026
Jack H Buchanan, Brandon Reynante, Michael T. Dinh et al.
A cross-sectional survey of fifty licensed U.S. providers of ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) for depression reveals wide variability in real-world practices. Ketamine was most often given intramuscularly (42%) or sublingually (40%) at psychedelic doses. Most providers (74%) conducted psychotherapy before, during, and after administration, commonly using Internal Family Systems (74%), humanistic/existential (62%), and supportive (58%) modalities, typically blending three to four approaches. The most endorsed treatment goals were fostering inner healing intelligence, leveraging neuroplastic effects, and facilitating a transformative experience. No significant association between psychotherapy modalities and treatment goals was found, indicating unclear logic for matching approaches to outcomes. The findings underscore the need for comparative clinical trials to establish evidence-based standards for KAP and other psychedelic-assisted therapies.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
May 22, 2026
Jamie Walker, Daryle Deering, Bruno Hamish Unger
Ten opioid-dependent people in New Zealand who used ibogaine for detoxification described rapid withdrawal relief, improved mood, reduced anxiety, and periods of sustained abstinence, though some later relapsed. Participants were motivated by desperation to be opioid-free and sought ibogaine because of limited treatment options beyond opioid substitution therapy. They emphasized the importance of safety practices, medical screening, and post-treatment psychosocial support for positive outcomes. The study identified seven themes including motivations, treatment effects on depression and anxiety, and spiritual effects. Ibogaine is legally available by prescription in New Zealand, providing a unique context for understanding user experiences.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
May 19, 2026
Ana Cláudia Mesquita Garcia, Lucas Oliveira Maia, Everson Meireles et al.
A Brazilian Portuguese version of the Psychedelic Integration Scales (PIS-BR) was validated in a cross-sectional online survey of 1,379 participants. The scale showed a unidimensional structure, high internal consistency (α = 0.95), and strong associations with mystical experience (r = 0.636) and positivity (r = 0.352). Qualitative analysis of open-ended responses revealed diverse integration strategies such as personal reflection, psychotherapy, spiritual practices, connection with nature, social sharing, and personal transformation, alongside reported difficulties. The findings support the PIS-BR as a valid measure for studying psychedelic integration in Brazil and highlight cultural variability in integration processes beyond acute drug effects.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
April 23, 2026
Brayan Jonas Mano-Sousa, Maria Clara Gama Fontes, Ana Clara Anacleto Gonçalves et al.
In people with treatment-resistant depression, ayahuasca—a traditional Amazonian psychedelic—rapidly reduces suicidal thoughts and depressive symptoms. A systematic review of five studies found consistent evidence of these effects, attributed to the synergistic action of β-carbolines and DMT. Neurobiologically, ayahuasca promotes neuroplasticity by upregulating Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor and decreasing Default Mode Network activity, enabling profound introspection and emotional processing. Despite promising results, large-scale, rigorous longitudinal studies are needed to establish safe clinical guidelines.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
March 20, 2026
Marina A. M. Portes, Leandro J Bertoglio
Endurance athletes face unique psychological and physical stressors, yet their knowledge and attitudes toward psychedelic therapies are largely unknown. A survey of 28 Brazilian endurance athletes (mean age 37) found that 64% reported a lack of mental health support in their athletic environments. Only 11% had prior psychedelic experience, while 79% were open to legal, supervised psychedelic therapies. However, 61% were unaware of evidence for psychedelics in treating mental health conditions, and 78% mistakenly believed psychedelics are addictive. Women more often reported pharmacological treatment for depression or anxiety. The findings highlight unmet mental health needs, knowledge gaps, and misconceptions, pointing to a need for targeted, evidence-based education.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
March 19, 2026
Pedro J. Teixeira, Jorge Encantado, Helena D Amaro et al.
Portuguese adults who participate in ayahuasca ceremonies report good or very good health, with lower rates of chronic disease and obesity compared to the general population. They also report greater physical activity, lower alcohol consumption, and enhanced psychological well-being. Many attribute positive lifestyle changes, reduced substance use, and less reliance on prescription medication to their ayahuasca experiences. These findings align with prior research linking ayahuasca use to health and well-being, though causal pathways remain unclear.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
March 18, 2026
Jonathan Bendz, Linus Schäfer, David Sjöström et al.
People who are enthusiastic about psychedelics report greater improvements in quality of life from their experiences compared to a general population sample, even after accounting for differences in mindset, setting, motivation, and personality. The study surveyed 1,182 participants (583 enthusiasts and 599 general population) with prior psychedelic use. Enthusiasts scored higher on openness, extraversion, and agreeableness, had more favorable mindsets and settings, and were more motivated by personal growth. Sample membership was the strongest predictor of reported quality-of-life impact, followed by setting, motivation, openness, and mindset. These results clarify how recruiting enthusiasts can inflate reported benefits and highlight the need for representative sampling in psychedelic research.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
March 16, 2026
Faith E Lyons, Karilynn M Rockhill, Evelyn J Fox et al.
Adults who used a psychedelic in the past year most prefer surveys that use specific substance names (e.g., psilocybin, ayahuasca) over umbrella terms. In a cross-sectional survey of 2,306 respondents, specific substance names received the highest preference (median rank 3; 24.3% ranked first), followed by "psychedelics" (median rank 3; 19.4%). Terms like "hallucinogen," "medicines," and "entheogens" ranked lower. Preferences were consistent across age, education, and experience levels. The findings offer recommendations for terminology in future survey development.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
March 13, 2026
Matthew X. Lowe, Quinn A Darby, Sasha Kalcheff-Korn et al.
Sexual and gender minority individuals face high rates of depression, anxiety, trauma, and discrimination but have been underrepresented in psychedelic research. A naturalistic study of a seven-day ayahuasca retreat for SGM participants found significant reductions in depression and anxiety scores and increases in spiritual well-being and quality of life, especially in the first month after the retreat. Participants described the experience as highly meaningful, with many ranking it among the most meaningful events of their lives. Positive behavioral changes included improved relationships and reduced substance use. Adverse effects were minimal and transient. The findings highlight the need for inclusive psychedelic spaces that support healing and identity affirmation for queer communities, reclaiming psychedelics from past misuse in conversion therapy.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
January 15, 2026
Laura Monteagudo-Romero, Isotta Triulzi, Tommaso Dondoli et al.
A plant called chiric sanango (Brunfelsia grandiflora), used in traditional Amazonian medicine, may aid addiction recovery and mental health by inducing physical sensations like numbness, tingling, dizziness, and cold, alongside deep psychological introspection and emotional processing. Analysis of 74 case reports from the Takiwasi Center in Peru showed that patients often moved from distressing emotions to states of clarity, acceptance, and resilience, with enhanced social engagement. The findings suggest chiric sanango could be a useful adjunct in psychotherapy and addiction treatment, highlighting the need for further research into its psychoactive properties.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
January 2, 2026
Frederick D. Sancilio, Maghsoud Dariani, Purvi Chavda et al.
A stable salt of psilocin, psilocin mucate (L-130), delivers increased bioavailability and more precise control of therapeutic levels compared to oral psilocybin. In this study, daily dosing of L-130 led to significant reductions in cortisol levels and improved performance on anxiety-related behavioral tasks, including the Elevated Plus Maze, Open Field Test, and Novel Object Recognition Task, while weekly dosing did not generally produce significant results. Clinical assessments and blood analyses suggest L-130 is safe with no toxicological effects. Larger studies are needed to determine optimal doses and dosing schedules.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
January 1, 2026
Philip Kamilar-Britt, Alyssa B. Oliva, Mitch Earleywine
Familiarity with treatment options predicts how credible nicotine users find both standard cessation methods and psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy. In a survey of 534 daily nicotine users, those more familiar with a treatment rated it as more credible. Credibility, in turn, predicted interest in trying that treatment. Younger age, lower education, and prior psychedelic use were associated with greater interest in psilocybin-assisted therapy. Tailoring educational materials to increase familiarity may improve treatment engagement and outcomes.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
October 10, 2025
Mitch Earleywine, Caitlin Holley, Henry A MacConnel et al.
Veterans receiving care from the Veterans Affairs system hold a mix of hope, curiosity, and concerns about MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD. In a story completion task, at least one third of 30 participants mentioned shortcomings of existing treatments, curiosity about the treatment's rationale, hope, and concerns about side effects, subjective effects, and addictive potential. Clear misunderstandings about the molecule, treatment, or its implications appeared in at least 10% of narratives. Allusions to therapist abuse, microdosing, and the role of sitters were rare. These findings can guide development of surveys and psychoeducation materials to address attitudes in larger veteran samples.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
April 25, 2025
B Romeo, E Kervadec, B Fauvel et al.
A retrospective online survey of French individuals who had a significant psychedelic experience found that the intensity of the mystical experience was positively correlated with improvements in psychological flexibility, especially one month after the experience and during the six months before the survey. Key predictors of changes in psychological flexibility included baseline flexibility scores, the intensity of the mystical experience, and frequent psychedelic use. The findings suggest that the intensity of the mystical experience and baseline psychological flexibility may be key factors influencing changes in psychological flexibility after psychedelic use, indicating potential therapeutic value.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
April 16, 2025
Brant Maclean, Amy Wilson, Andrew P. Allen et al.
After attending at least one ayahuasca retreat, 60 participants reported on their mystical experiences and well-being. Contrary to expectations, higher levels of mystical experience combined with lower perceived vastness—a facet of awe—were significantly associated with higher well-being. Neither high awe alone nor mystical experiences characterized by high awe predicted better well-being. The findings suggest that modulating the perceived vastness of a psychedelic experience might help reduce distress and promote well-being.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
March 24, 2025
Jack Tsai, Laura Witte, Taylor Fate
About 5.6% of low-income U.S. veterans reported having used psychedelics for therapeutic purposes, and 23.2% believed psychedelics should be legalized for therapy. Veterans with more behavioral health issues and a history of psychosocial problems such as homelessness were more likely to have used psychedelics therapeutically and to support legalization. Qualitative responses showed mixed attitudes: positive views came from personal experience and belief in benefits, while negative views centered on concerns about risks and doubts about effectiveness. The findings suggest opportunities for therapeutic psychedelic use among low-income veterans, particularly those with behavioral and social challenges.