Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
October 1, 1986
Charles L. Renfroe
37 citations
A 1986 article describes the results of an anonymous drug analysis service that tested samples sold as MDMA on the street. The analysis found that many samples contained substances other than MDMA, including other psychoactive drugs or adulterants, and that the purity and composition varied widely. The text reports the range of actual MDMA content and the presence of substitutes or contaminants in the tested samples, highlighting the risks of unregulated street drugs.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
January 1, 2014
Petr Winkler, Ladislav Csémy
36 citations
Mental health professionals who participated in legal LSD research in former Czechoslovakia reported no long-term negative effects from their self-experiments. In structured interviews with 22 individuals, all but two described enrichment in self-awareness or understanding of people with mental disorders. Despite concerns about preventing adverse reactions, respondents supported self-experimentation with LSD in mental health science. This work is the first systematic examination of psychedelic self-experimentation behind the Iron Curtain.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
April 2, 2018
Joselaine Ida Da Cruz, Solange Aparecida Nappo
35 citations
Crack cocaine users in Brazil who consumed ayahuasca tea in a religious context reported reduced drug use and, in some cases, abstinence. In interviews with 40 users, participants described that ayahuasca allowed them to access a dimension of consciousness that helped solve problems and traumas, leading to decreased crack cocaine consumption. The religious ceremony enhanced spirituality, and community reception provided emotional and social support, boosting self-esteem. These positive experiences were integrated into daily routines. The findings suggest that ayahuasca, within a religious setting, may have therapeutic potential for treating crack cocaine dependence.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
January 1, 2017
Annamarie Heink, Steve Katsikas, Tiffany Lange-Altman
35 citations
Ibogaine, a naturally occurring psychoactive substance, has been reported to have anti-addictive properties that aid in treating substance use disorders. An online survey of 27 individuals who used ibogaine in the past found that they tended to describe thematically similar experiences post-treatment. Using a psychometrically sound measure of altered states of consciousness (5d-ASC), the study found positive correlations between various dimensions of the altered states and treatment outcomes, including ability to make changes in one's life, reduced cravings, and how changed the person was as a result of ibogaine treatment. Generalizability is limited due to high attrition and low sample size.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
January 11, 2022
Terence H. W. Ching, Alan K. Davis, Yitong Xin et al.
34 citations
Among 92 Asian adults in North America who used psychedelics in response to racial discrimination, racial trauma symptoms improved moderately (d = 0.52) from 30 days before to 30 days after their most meaningful psychedelic experience. Higher-intensity insightful experiences were linked to stronger ethnic identity through reductions in trauma symptoms, while lower-intensity challenging experiences also contributed to symptom improvement and identity strengthening. The findings suggest that both insightful and challenging psychedelic experiences may help alleviate racial trauma and support ethnic identity in this population.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
November 22, 2020
Agustín Lugo-Radillo, Jorge Luis Cortés-lópez
34 citations
A man with obsessive-compulsive disorder experienced a clinically meaningful reduction in his symptoms after consuming psilocybin-containing mushrooms. Psilocybin, a psychoactive compound found in certain mushrooms, may offer a treatment option for OCD patients who do not respond to first-line therapies. The case report adds to existing evidence suggesting the effectiveness of psilocybin for OCD symptoms, though further research is needed to determine the safety and efficacy of psilocybin and related compounds.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
January 1, 2018
Alan K. Davis, Elise Renn, Austin-Marley Windham-Herman et al.
34 citations
Most people who underwent ibogaine detoxification for chronic opioid use reported lasting positive changes, including enhanced gratitude, authenticity, and appreciation for life. Those who responded well to treatment showed greater improvements in tolerating difficult feelings, coping with stress, reduced unhealthy anger, and increased inner peace, joy, love, and a sense of sacredness in life. They also reported heightened spiritual awareness and stronger connections in relationships. Challenges included psychological and health difficulties during treatment and problems with post-treatment integration. The findings point to the need for more integration and aftercare resources. Further rigorous experimental research is needed.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
January 1, 2014
Jon C. Cole
34 citations
After nearly 30 years of research warning about MDMA's dangers, the expected widespread harm among millions of ecstasy users has not materialized in epidemiological evidence. The precautionary principle has led experts to advise avoiding MDMA, but these dire warnings persist despite a lack of clinically relevant problems. The 'ecstasy paradigm' describes how research funding and publication bias shape public information. The evidence base for MDMA's harms has significant problems, raising the question of whether maintaining this status quo is acceptable given MDMA's therapeutic potential.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
June 1, 2005
Marlene Dobkin De Rios, Charles S. Grob, Enrique Lopez et al.
34 citations
In Brazil, adolescents who consume ayahuasca as part of the União do Vegetal religion appear to be healthy, thoughtful, considerate, and strongly bonded to their families and religious peers, based on qualitative comparisons with non-using peers. The study examined 28 ayahuasca-consuming teens and 28 non-users, using vignettes to measure moral and ethical concerns. The findings suggest that, within a legal, structured religious context with elder facilitation, ayahuasca-using youth do not differ from their non-using counterparts in these qualitative measures. This work helps clarify the effects of hallucinogenic plant use in a socially sanctioned setting.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
June 1, 2005
J. C. Callaway
34 citations
Harmine, a main alkaloid in ayahuasca (hoasca), inhibits monoamine oxidase-A and the cytochrome P450 isozyme 2D6, which metabolizes harmine. CYP 2D6 has genetic variations that may cause different effects among users. In 14 experienced male members of the União do Vegetal who received a standardized dose of hoasca, two subgroups of CYP 2D6 phenotypes—fast and slow metabolizers of harmine—were identified. In their religious practice, the presiding mestre individually adjusts the hoasca dose to compensate for metabolic differences and variations in alkaloid content.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
October 5, 2022
A M McCartney, H T McGovern, A De Foe
33 citations
A thematic analysis of twenty-two first-person accounts of psychedelic use (for ketamine, MDMA, LSD, and psilocybin) identified six factors that shape positive or adverse experiences: three external predictors (nature, music, and preparation) and three internal predictors (understanding, mind-set, and motivation). Each factor contained two sub-themes. Nature and music may help de-escalate adverse reactions. Substance-specific perceptual and sensorial effects also emerged. The findings highlight the importance and interrelationship of preparation, mind-set, understanding, and motivation as common themes. The work represents an early step toward a more nuanced understanding of factors influencing psychedelic experience, with implications for clinical progress and harm reduction.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
December 7, 2020
Lucas Oliveira Maia, Dimitri Daldegan-Bueno, Luís Fernando Tófoli
33 citations
Ritual ayahuasca use during treatment for severe physical illnesses helps people accept their condition by reshaping how they understand and relate to it. Through introspection, emotional processing, recall of autobiographical memories linked to illness origin, and perspective changes, the experience facilitates illness resignification and a more balanced relationship with illness, life, and death. The findings suggest ayahuasca may promote therapeutic effects for people with physical illnesses by influencing the meanings attached to the illness.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
April 13, 2017
Khary K. Rigg
33 citations
African American young adults in Southwest Florida use MDMA primarily to alter the effects of marijuana and alcohol, last longer sexually, enhance sexual pleasure, and facilitate "freaky" sexual experiences. These motivations contrast with those commonly reported among largely White users, such as introspection or getting into the music. Findings indicate the need for health messages addressing the risks of mixing MDMA with other drugs and engaging in high-risk sexual behaviors, as well as tailored prevention and harm-reduction efforts for African American users.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
March 9, 2020
Rafael Lancelotta, Alan K. Davis
32 citations
A survey of 515 people who used the psychedelic 5-MeO-DMT found that most employed strategies to enhance benefits and reduce challenging effects. Among a subset of 116 one-time users, those who used such strategies reported more intense mystical-type experiences and greater lasting personal meaning and spiritual significance, while some strategies were linked to less challenging experiences. The findings suggest benefit-enhancement strategies are common and may boost positive acute and persisting effects, though causal relationships require further longitudinal study.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
March 28, 2011
Beatriz Caiuby Labate
32 citations
In Brazil, official Resolutions from 2010 categorize ayahuasca consumption by pregnant women and children in the Santo Daime and União do Vegetal religions as an exercise of parental rights, yet this practice remains controversial. The article examines the public debate by consulting biomedical and health specialists, then presents an interview with a Santo Daime follower who consumed ayahuasca during all four pregnancies and whose children also drink it. Her account reveals cultural parameters of use. The analysis explores contradictions between biomedical, anthropological, and users' discourses, raises questions about religious freedom and state intervention in family matters, and considers how science influences drug policy decisions.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
July 1, 1991
Lynne Watson, Jerome Beck
32 citations
Among New Ager seekers, social worlds shape which qualities of the MDMA experience are most valued. Unlike recreational users who see little long-term benefit, New Agers typically believe carefully planned MDMA use holds lasting spiritual or therapeutic potential. Many New Agers avoid alcohol and other drugs but are impressed with MDMA, though motivations differ: some use it as a sacramental adjunct for specific spiritual paths, others for general spiritual growth. The stark contrast between New Agers and recreational users highlights the importance of social worlds and context in understanding drug-using behavior.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
January 1, 1989
W Emboden
32 citations
Water lilies and mandrakes, both powerful narcotic plants, likely played a role in shamanistic healing in dynastic Egypt, not merely in ritual mourning as usually thought. An extensive review of iconography and ritual suggests these plants induced a shamanistic trance used in medicine and healing rituals. Analysis of stelae, magical papyri, and vessels indicates that dynastic Egyptians possessed profound knowledge of plant lore and altered states of consciousness. The shamanistic priest, highly placed in society, guided souls, provided for transmutation of souls, and personified plants as possessed by human spirits.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
January 1, 2023
Kevin O. St. Arnaud, Donald Sharpe
31 citations
Recreational psychedelic use can either improve or harm mental health depending on how and why they are used. A survey of 511 psychedelic users found that frequent use and using the substances to cope with negative emotions predicted worse mental health. In contrast, using psychedelics in a group setting, with intentions of self-expansion, and engaging in post-use integration predicted better mental health. The findings underscore the importance of set and setting—the user's mindset and environment—in determining outcomes, suggesting that recreational use is not inherently beneficial or harmful but depends on contextual factors.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
March 23, 2022
Mitch Earleywine, Fiona Low, Brianna R. Altman et al.
31 citations
People with depressive symptoms consider it somewhat important that guides in psilocybin-assisted therapy have personally used psilocybin. In a survey of over 800 MTurk respondents with depressive symptoms, ratings for the importance of a guide who had used psilocybin exceeded the "somewhat important" level (50 on a 0–100 scale) and were higher than ratings for other guide qualities and for a cognitive behavioral therapist who shared demographics, had depression experience, or received personal therapy. People of color and those with prior therapy gave even higher importance ratings. Participants listed similar desired qualities—proper training and empathy—for both psilocybin guides and CBT therapists. The findings suggest that guides who have used psilocybin and inform clients might enhance therapy's antidepressant effects for some clients.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
January 1, 2020
Helle Kaasik, Kairi Kreegipuu
31 citations
In Estonia, ayahuasca is used mainly in neoshamanic group ceremonies, with users motivated by spiritual development, self-knowledge, and spiritual experiences. A cross-sectional case-controlled study compared thirty ayahuasca users with thirty nonusers matched by gender, age, and education. Users reported mostly positive subjective consequences for their health and life, though some difficult experiences and adverse effects occurred. No abuse of or addiction to ayahuasca was found. Screening test indicators of depression and anxiety were lower in the ayahuasca-using group, and no deterioration of mental health was observed compared to nonusers. Participants perceive ayahuasca use as a spiritual practice with favorable outcomes and as a reasonably safe, self-limiting practice.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
April 25, 2019
Alexandra Vsl Rodrigues, Francisco Almeida, Maria Augusta Vieira‐coelho
30 citations
N, N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) is an indole alkaloid found in plants and animals, including humans, with psychoactive effects first described in 1956 but used for centuries by South American indigenous populations in ayahuasca. This review assesses the state of knowledge on endogenous DMT and potential clinical uses of ayahuasca and DMT. The role of endogenous DMT remains unclear, but ayahuasca shows promising results for anxiety, depression, and substance dependence. Given ayahuasca's good safety profile, further research is crucial to develop new psychiatric treatments.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
September 1, 2002
Neil F. Goodman
30 citations
Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) primarily acts on the brain's serotonergic diffuse neuromodulatory system, which normally filters sensory information to allow only what is necessary for survival. LSD opens this filter, increasing the amount of somatosensory data processed and heightening the sense of importance attributed to that information. Based on established scientific research and documented personal accounts, the article describes similarities between the effects of LSD and religious mystical experiences. The author proposes that both phenomena may share common modes of action in the brain, potentially opening avenues for research into mysticism and consciousness.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
January 1, 2002
Robin Rodd
30 citations
Accounts of how yopo—a hallucinogenic snuff from Anadenanthera peregrina seeds—is prepared and used have changed little since the 19th century. Recent fieldwork among the Piaroa of southern Venezuela reveals a practice not described in those early reports: shamans add Banisteriopsis caapi cuttings to the snuff and also drink B. caapi before inhaling, adjusting doses based on the strength of visions needed for specific tasks. This combined use of yopo and B. caapi is pharmacologically and ethnobotanically significant, supporting claims that admixtures were used in snuff. The article argues that further ethnographic study of the snuff hallucinogen complex is necessary.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
May 27, 2014
Clancy Cavnar
29 citations
Gay and lesbian people who drink ayahuasca in ceremonial settings report affirmation of their sexual orientation and no negative effects on their identity. This qualitative study of 17 self-identified gay and lesbian participants who had consumed ayahuasca in shamanic, Santo Daime, or Afro-Brazilian ceremonies within the past three years found that the brew's positive effects on mental states and perceptions of identity, previously observed in general populations, extend to this group. Participants also attributed additional positive changes in other life areas to their ayahuasca sessions.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
September 1, 2009
Dawn N Albertson, Laura E Grubbs
29 citations
Salvia divinorum, a naturally occurring psychedelic and potent hallucinogen, acts via a unique molecular mechanism as a kappa opioid receptor agonist. A survey of 193 participants, including 34 Salvia users, found that users differed from nonusers in personality characteristics and reported consuming significantly more alcohol. Although users rated their hallucinogenic experiences as similar to previously published reports, the majority likened the experience to marijuana rather than traditional psychedelics. Low scores on the ARCI LSD subscale confirmed this finding and challenge the prevailing theory that Salvia produces LSD-like subjective effects.