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Journal of Psychoactive Drugs

ISSN 0279-1072

366 papers in the library · 12,489 citations · publishing 1976-2026

Papers

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Esketamine-Induced Dissociation: A Case Report.

Journal of Psychoactive Drugs November 10, 2024 Jake Scarcella, Jeffrey MacDaniels, Lucinda Coffin et al. 1 citation

Esketamine, the isolated S-enantiomer of ketamine, has been a recent breakthrough as a non-monoaminergic treatment for treatment-resistant depression (TRD). This case report explores a rare adverse event in a 41-year-old female with TRD, who, despite experiencing significant depressive improvement with esketamine, encountered a severe dissociative episode accompanied by hallucinogenic-like...

Global Trends in Psychedelic Microdosing: Demographics, Substance Testing Behavior, and Patterns of Use

Journal of Psychoactive Drugs November 6, 2024 Rotem Petranker, Valentyn Sobolenko, Zeina Beidas et al. 9 citations

Despite psychedelic microdosing being a growing practice, the research on the topic is still in its infancy. While several studies have described the characteristics, motivations and practices of microdosers, the differences between individuals that only microdose and those that use both micro and macrodoses of psychedelics remain unexplored. In an online survey, we collected data of 6193...

Masking Influences: A Systematic Review of Placebo Control and Masking in Psychedelic Studies

Journal of Psychoactive Drugs November 6, 2024 Aleksandra Barstowe, Petri Kajonius 8 citations

Psychedelic-assisted therapy is becoming increasingly acknowledged as an effective therapeutic intervention for various psychiatric illnesses. However, the evaluation of masking success is rarely reported in trials. The objective of the present systematic review was to evaluate placebo-control and masking in studies exploring psychedelic-assisted therapy. Nine (k = 9) studies dating between...

Does the Perception of Risk Associated with Psychedelics Use Differ in Physicians According to Their Belief of Effectiveness?

Journal of Psychoactive Drugs November 4, 2024 Aurore Bezo, Bruno Romeo, Y Le Strat et al. 1 citation

The aim of this study was to explore the perception of psychedelics within the medical population. Participants were asked by questionnaire about the potential of abuse, the somatic and psychiatric complications, and the risks of self-harm and aggression associated with the use of psychedelics using Likert Scales. A total of 407 participants were included. In our sample, the following means...

Differentiation of Ayahuasca Samples According to Preparation Mode and Botanical Varieties Using Metabolomics.

Journal of Psychoactive Drugs October 29, 2024 Taynara Simão Matos, Flávia Da Silva Zandonadi, Alex Aparecido Rosini Silva et al.

Ayahuasca is a brew traditionally prepared with a mixture of Psychotria viridis leaves and Banisteriopsis caapi vine and has demonstrated therapeutic properties for depression. Knowledge of the brew composition is important to improve the therapeutic potential and decrease side effects if ayahuasca becomes an option for refractory depression treatment. Ultra-high performance liquid...

Rapid Effects of MDMA Administration on Self-Reported Personality Traits and Affect State: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial in Healthy Adults.

Journal of Psychoactive Drugs October 23, 2024 Jessica L Maples-Keller, Courtland S Hyatt, Nathaniel L Phillips et al. 2 citations

3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) assisted therapy has been shown to be a safe and effective treatment for PTSD and emerging research suggests a change in personality traits may be a factor in treatment response. Most prior research on MDMA and personality has focused on cross-sectional comparisons of MDMA users and non-users; as such, well-controlled research assessing personality and...

Inhaled Dimethyltryptamine (DMT): Use Patterns and Predictors of Consumption Frequency.

Journal of Psychoactive Drugs October 15, 2024 Jamie E Parnes, Mitch Earleywine

Despite increasing interest in psychedelics and their potential therapeutic effects, research on inhaled N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) remains limited. Inhaled DMT has a reputation for rapid, dramatic onset and a brief duration, but correlates of use frequency remain poorly understood. A sample recruited from relevant internet sites, including nearly 400 people who had inhaled DMT, reported...

Going Underground: Demographics, Services, and Best Practices Endorsed by Practitioners Providing Support for Naturalistic Psychedelic Use

Journal of Psychoactive Drugs September 19, 2024 Anne Baker, Niloufar Pouyan, Julie Barron et al. 9 citations

Psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) has shown preliminary efficacy for psychiatric and physical health conditions. Although some people report naturalistic psychedelic use with so-called "underground" practitioners, little is known about PAT that occurs outside of controlled clinical settings or perspectives of these practitioners. We conducted an anonymous online survey of individuals who...

Personal Psychedelic Experience as a Training Qualification for Facilitators: A Thematic Analysis of Qualitative Interviews with Psilocybin Experts

Journal of Psychoactive Drugs September 13, 2024 Ar Wilson-Poe, Ka Hoffman, Jb Luoma et al. 9 citations

Emerging legal frameworks in Oregon and Colorado license facilitators to support adults receiving psychedelic services. The current legal frameworks are silent regarding facilitators' personal experience with psychedelics. An e-Delphi process recruited 36 experts with at least 5 years' experience facilitating psilocybin experiences in ceremonial settings, indigenous practices, or clinical...

The Epidemiology of Psychedelic Use Among United States Military Veterans

Journal of Psychoactive Drugs September 12, 2024 Katinka Hooyer, Rachel Yehuda, Alan K. Davis et al. 4 citations

We sought to identify patterns of psychedelic use among United States military veterans, compare demographic variables and perspectives of those who did and did not report use, and characterize benefits and adverse outcomes associated with use. Respondents (N = 426) were recruited to complete an online cross-sectional survey. Approximately one-half (51%) reported using psychedelics. Most did so...

Pharmacokinetics of Psilocybin, a Tryptamine Alkaloid in Magic Mushroom ( Psilocybe cubensis ): A Systematic Review

Journal of Psychoactive Drugs September 10, 2024 Nilubon Thaoboonruang, Manupat Lohitnavy, Ornrat Lohitnavy 11 citations

Psilocybin, a major indole alkaloid found in magic mushrooms (Psilocybe cubensis), has recently drawn attention as a breakthrough therapy to treat major depressive disorder. This review aimed to summarize and identify knowledge gaps concerning their pharmacokinetic characteristics of psilocybin and its active metabolite, psilocin. Original studies related to pharmacokinetics of psilocybin...

Magic of the Mushrooms: Effects of Psilocybin Decriminalization

Journal of Psychoactive Drugs July 10, 2024 Ashutosh Bhave 10 citations

In the past few years, psilocybin, a psychedelic compound found in "magic mushrooms" (psilocybin mushrooms), has undergone decriminalization in numerous cities across the US and has been legalized in Oregon and Colorado. Proponents of psilocybin decriminalization have emphasized its therapeutic potential in treating mental health disorders. Furthermore, psilocybin mushrooms are considered the...

Significant Psychedelic Experiences Evaluated for Mystical Characteristics Associated with Cannabis Use Reduction and Psychological Flexibility Improvement: A Naturalistic Cross-Sectional Retrospective Survey.

Journal of Psychoactive Drugs July 3, 2024 Bruno Romeo, Ewen Kervadec, Baptiste Fauvel et al. 5 citations

Treating cannabis use disorder remains a significant challenge in the field of addiction medicine. Some recent studies point to psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy as a potential treatment option for substance use disorders. The objective of this study was therefore to explore the impact of naturalistic psychedelic experiences on cannabis use and psychological flexibility. An online...

Effects of Cannabis Use on Neurocognition: A Scoping Review of MRI Studies

Journal of Psychoactive Drugs June 29, 2024 Dima Audi, Shorouk Hajeer, Marie-belle Saab et al.

ABSTRACT Cannabis is one of the most commonly utilized recreational drugs. However, increasing evidence from the literature suggests harmful implications on cognition. Thus, the main aim of the current review is to summarize literature findings pertaining to the impact of cannabis on neurocognitive skills, focusing on the imaging biomarkers provided by MRI. Two reviewers navigated the...

Attitudes on Psychedelics in a Sample of Croatian Mental Health Professionals: A Cross-Sectional National Survey Study

Journal of Psychoactive Drugs June 27, 2024 T. Mastelić, Tonka Borovina Marasović, M. Žuljević et al.

ABSTRACT For some time now, there has been an increased interest in psychedelics among scientists and mental health experts. Given that experts introduce therapy and advise patients, it is important to know their views. Therefore, the aim of our research was to examine and compare the attitudes of psychiatrists and psychologists toward psychedelics. We were interested in how they are formed and...

Hypertensive Emergency Secondary to Combining Psilocybin Mushrooms, Extended Release Dextroamphetamine-Amphetamine, and Tranylcypromine

Journal of Psychoactive Drugs June 21, 2024 Peter Kenneth Gillman, Brian S. Barnett, Curtis J. Koons et al. 9 citations

Data on medication interactions with psychedelics are limited. Here we present what may be the first published report of a hypertensive emergency following the combination of psilocybin mushrooms with a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). A 42-year-old man with treatment-resistant major depressive disorder took 1 g of Psilocybe cubensis mushrooms, while prescribed tranylcypromine,...

Psychedelic Experiences Increase Mind Perception but do not Change Atheist-Believer Status: A Prospective Longitudinal Study

Journal of Psychoactive Drugs May 7, 2024 Sandeep M. Nayak, Sydney H White, Samantha Hilbert et al. 18 citations

Recent studies suggest psychedelic use may be associated with changes in a variety of beliefs or belief-like states, including increased 1) mind perception, 2) non-naturalistic beliefs, and 3) Atheist-Believer status (e.g. believer, agnostic, or nonbeliever). We conducted a prospective longitudinal study among participants (N = 657) who planned to have a psilocybin experience outside a...

Exploring Cultural Competence, Inclusivity, and Diversity in Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy: A Phenomenological Study.

Journal of Psychoactive Drugs May 2, 2024 Dave Rojas, Diane C Zelman, Alexander O Hauson et al. 2 citations

Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), and other minoritized populations are insufficiently represented in research on therapeutic psychedelics. This research was a phenomenological qualitative exploration of a culturally diverse (Hispanic, African American, Asian, Native American, biracial, or LGBTQIA+) and low-income sample of 15 individuals receiving ketamine-assisted psychotherapy...

Psychedelic Microdosing among Young Adults from Southern California

Journal of Psychoactive Drugs February 10, 2024 Alyssa F. Harlow, Peter S. Hendricks, Adam M. Leventhal et al. 6 citations

Despite common depictions in the media, there is little scientific evidence on microdosing psychedelic drugs. We assessed awareness, prevalence, and dosing practices of microdosing psychedelic drugs among young adults 18-22 years old from Southern California (2018-2019). We examined whether sociodemographic factors, personality traits, mental health, or other substance use behaviors were...

Psychedelic Drug Microdosing Practices: A Qualitative Online Exploration

Journal of Psychoactive Drugs January 22, 2024 Estelle Miller, Vida Bojovic, Olivia Maddren et al.

ABSTRACT “Microdosing,” defined as the consumption of small, sub-hallucinogenic quantities of psychedelic drugs, has gained recent popularity. Microdosing is a relatively new concept, therefore no scientific recommendations exist on how to prepare and consume microdoses. Many consumers obtain microdosing information online. Few studies have investigated the content of this information; thus,...

Validation of the Danish Translation of the Revised Mystical Experience Questionnaire (MEQ30) and Possible Impact of Setting, Dose and Intention

Journal of Psychoactive Drugs January 15, 2024 Oliver Rumle Hovmand, Mathias Ebbesen Jensen, Tobias Søgaard Juul et al. 6 citations

Research suggests positive changes in both well-being and psychiatric symptoms following a psychedelic experience. One explanation may be the ability of psychedelic compounds to occasion mystical-type experiences. The Revised Mystical Experiences Questionnaire (MEQ30) is designed to assess the intensity and quality of such experiences. We examined the validity, reliability, and factor structure...

THC-O-Acetate: Scarce Evidence for a Psychedelic Cannabinoid.

Journal of Psychoactive Drugs 2024 Daniel J. Kruger, Carlton Cb Bone, Meredith C Meacham et al. 9 citations

There is a growing interest in semi-synthetic cannabinoids, including THC-O-acetate (THC-Oac). Some cannabis marketers and users have claimed that THC-Oac produces psychedelic effects; the current study is the first to examine this claim. Researchers developed an online survey for THC-Oac consumers based on previous cannabis and psychedelic use surveys and in consultation with the moderator of...

Therapeutic Protocols Using Ketamine and Esketamine for Depressive Disorders: A Systematic Review.

Journal of Psychoactive Drugs 2024 Julia M.k. Freind, Fernando R. Beserra, Bruno S Menezes et al. 9 citations

Depression is one of the most prevalent mental health disorders globally, causing severe emotional suffering, reducing life expectancy and increasing the risk of suicide. Recently, the use of dissociative psychedelic substances such as ketamine and esketamine for depressive disorders has expanded treatment options. We sought to analyze, through a systematic review, the existing protocols for...

Three Decades of Research on the Development of Ibogaine Treatment of Substance Use Disorders: A Scientometric Analysis.

Journal of Psychoactive Drugs 2024 Maria Helha Fernandes-Nascimento, André Brooking Negrão, Karine Viana-Ferreira et al. 7 citations

Ibogaine is a natural psychoactive drug that has been investigated for its potential role in the treatment of substance use disorders since the mid-1960s. To evaluate the interest in ibogaine's use as a therapeutic agent, we performed a scientometric analysis covering the last three decades (1993-2002, 2003-2012, and 2013-2022). A complementary analysis was performed to select and describe...

Commentary: Evidence-Informed Recommendation to Achieve Approximate Parity in the Allowed Number of Doses for Common Psychedelics.

Journal of Psychoactive Drugs 2024 Kelan Thomas, Robert L. Jesse, Nicky J. Mehtani et al. 4 citations

In recent years, policymakers have proposed and implemented regulatory changes promoting the deprioritization, decriminalization, or state-level legalization of one or more psychedelic substances, usually referencing data from clinical trials as reasons to support liberalizing drug control policies. As psychedelic policies continue to be drafted, personal possession limits may be considered for...