Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine
September 23, 2019
John R. Kelly, Annie Baker, Mona Babiker et al.
22 citations
A growing body of preliminary clinical research indicates that psilocybin, a compound found in hallucinogenic fungi, combined with psychological support can improve mood, reduce anxiety, and enhance quality of life. An open-label study showed marked reductions in depression symptoms among participants with treatment-resistant depression. The underlying neurobiological changes include altered brain connectivity and activity in the amygdala and default mode network, as well as increased synaptogenesis and neural plasticity. A randomized, double-blind trial has recently launched across Europe and North America, including a center in Ireland, to further test psilocybin's efficacy for treatment-resistant depression.
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine
September 1, 1994
Géraldine Cassidy, Clive Ballard
18 citations
Two case reports describe psychiatric disorders that appeared shortly after abuse of the hallucinogenic amphetamines MDMA, MDA, and MDEA. The cases suggest that using these drugs can trigger various mental health problems, including paranoid psychosis, mixed affective psychosis, and symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine
August 19, 2020
John R. Kelly, Matthew Crockett, Laith Alexander et al.
16 citations
The medium- to long-term mental health consequences of COVID-19 are predicted to increase, requiring multidisciplinary strategies. Psilocybin therapy shows promise as a transdiagnostic treatment for disorders with maladaptive habitual patterns, such as depression, addiction, and obsessive compulsive disorder. The COMPASS Pathways phase 2b double-blind trial is testing psilocybin therapy in antidepressant-free treatment-resistant depression (TRD) to determine safety, efficacy, and optimal dose. Results from the Imperial College London Psilodep-RCT comparing psilocybin therapy to the SSRI escitalopram will soon be published. The efficacy and safety of psilocybin therapy with SSRIs in TRD is not yet known; a COMPASS study in Dublin will address this. Psilocybin therapy may play an important role in post-COVID-19 psychiatry, though it is at an early clinical stage.
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine
May 27, 2021
Lydia Johnson-Ferguson, Marta Di Forti
8 citations
Heavy cannabis use is the most modifiable risk factor for the onset and poor outcomes of psychotic disorders, though the biological mechanisms underlying individual susceptibility remain unknown. The authors argue that this demands a clear move toward primary and secondary prevention interventions to reduce the impact of heavy cannabis use on the incidence and prevalence of psychotic disorders.
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine
November 7, 2024
Andrew Gribben, Tara Burke, Colm Harrington et al.
5 citations
A survey of 151 psychiatrists in Ireland found that most hold positive attitudes toward psilocybin therapy: 81.5% agreed it shows promise for treating psychiatric disorders, 86.8% supported funding research, 86.8% would refer a patient if licensed, and 78.1% would consider it for themselves. However, only 40.0% felt knowledgeable and just 9.9% felt adequately prepared to participate. A minority expressed concerns: 6.6% thought it unsafe under medical supervision, 21.9% considered it potentially addictive, and 15.9% reported at least one concern about evidence, effectiveness, safety, cost, or impartiality. Consultant psychiatrists were less optimistic than trainees about its role in bipolar depression and emotionally unstable personality disorder.
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine
March 25, 2025
Harshita Kamal, Orla Mitchell, Claire O'Doherty et al.
3 citations
Compassion motivates people to relieve others' pain and can enhance psychological wellness, but constant compassionate behavior, especially among healthcare workers, may lead to burnout. Compassion-focused meditation may relieve this burnout. This scoping review, following PRISMA guidelines, examined studies on neuroplastic changes from compassion-based meditation, excluding studies with multiple meditation practices, participants with psychiatric histories (except anxiety or depression), or exclusively aging populations. The reviewed studies found neurological changes in the amygdala, anterior insula, medial prefrontal cortex, medial orbitofrontal cortex, and dopamine system structures following compassion-based training. The review suggests such training could enhance well-being, resilience, and compassionate care in healthcare professionals, but more research is needed on sustained benefit and cost-effectiveness.
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine
February 15, 2023
Gurjot Brar, Henry O’Connell
3 citations
No Summary
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine
June 19, 2026
Piril Cevikel, Joana Ferreira, Eamon Raji et al.
Two adolescents with no prior psychiatric history developed psychosis after using the semi-synthetic cannabinoid hexahydrocannabinol (HHC), requiring about six weeks of inpatient psychiatric treatment. Their symptoms resolved following abstinence from HHC and treatment with antipsychotic medications. These cases support recent regulatory measures banning HHC and highlight the need for clinician awareness of its associated risk of psychosis.
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine
December 26, 2025
Declan Christopher Lyons, Mohammed Al Hassan, Shahzeb Shahid et al.
Throughout history, many psychological and physical afflictions have been attributed to involuntary demonic possession, with traditional remedies like exorcism used to expel such forces. Similar beliefs can be symptoms of major mental illness, for which medication and psychotherapy are recommended. In an increasingly secular Western world, non-denominational Christian churches and other faiths that accept spirit possession and exorcism are growing. Culturally competent mental health professionals may struggle with exorcism, viewing it as interference with conventional treatment, and may be unwilling to differentiate between possession and mental illness. This paper explores diverse views on this topic, points of contention and overlap, and stresses necessary risks and cautions.
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine
December 18, 2025
Gurjot Brar, T. R. Jun. Burke, Andrew Gribben et al.
Online news coverage of psilocybin as a depression treatment increased sharply after 2022, with 43.2% of articles published between 2022 and 2024, mostly from US outlets. Although 90.4% of articles cited researchers, only 47.2% addressed risks, 46.4% discussed long-term evidence, and 25% included patient perspectives. Sentiment was very positive, averaging 2.27 on a −5 to +5 scale, and did not change significantly over time. Reporting on psilocybin's onset and duration of effects improved, but coverage remains concentrated in prominent outlets and lacks balance on risks and patient experiences.
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine
May 14, 2020
C. Behan
Meditation and mindfulness, particularly evidence-based programs like mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), can support healthcare professionals, patients, carers, and the general public during crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Systematic reviews show improvements in anxiety, depression, and pain scores. Structural and functional brain changes have been demonstrated in people with long-term traditional meditation practice and in those who completed MBSR. These practices translate well across different populations and ability levels, offering a low-cost method to complement treatment and support anxiety.