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Effects of varied doses of psilocybin on time interval reproduction in human subjects

Jiřı́ Wackermann, Marc Wittmann, Felix Hasler, Franz X. Vollenweider

Neuroscience Letters February 13, 2008 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2008.02.006 (opens in new tab)

Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Double-blind, placebo-controlled study Qualitative Peer reviewed
Sample size 21
Population Human subjects
Intervention Psilocybin
Dose graded doses (Experiment 1) and very low dose (Experiment 2)
Duration 90 minutes from drug intake
Topics Psilocybin
Keywords Hallucinogen Placebo Kappa Time perception Audiology Developmental psychology
Citations 95
Key points Psilocybin significantly increased the kappa parameter, indicating a higher loss rate of internal duration representation at 90 minutes post-intake.

Abstract

Action of a hallucinogenic substance, psilocybin, on internal time representation was investigated in two double-blind, placebo-controlled studies: Experiment 1 with 12 subjects and graded doses, and Experiment 2 with 9 subjects and a very low dose. The task consisted in repeated reproductions of time intervals in the range from 1.5 to 5s. The effects were assessed by parameter kappa of the 'dual klepsydra' model of internal time representation, fitted to individual response data and intra-individually normalized with respect to initial values. The estimates kappa were in the same order of magnitude as in earlier studies. In both experiments, kappa was significantly increased by psilocybin at 90 min from the drug intake, indicating a higher loss rate of the internal duration representation. These findings are tentatively linked to qualitative alterations of subjective time in altered states of consciousness.

Comparable studies

Other randomized controlled trials on psilocybin, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
Psilocybin produces substantial and sustained decreases in depression and anxiety in patients with life-threatening cancer: A randomized double-blind trial Cancer patients with life-threatening diagnoses and symptoms of depression and/or anxiety 2016 Randomized controlled trial n = 51
Rapid and sustained symptom reduction following psilocybin treatment for anxiety and depression in patients with life-threatening cancer: a randomized controlled trial Patients with cancer-related anxiety and depression 2016 Double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial n = 29
Psilocybin can occasion mystical-type experiences having substantial and sustained personal meaning and spiritual significance Hallucinogen-naïve adults reporting regular participation in religious or spiritual... 2006 Double-blind study n = 36
Trial of Psilocybin versus Escitalopram for Depression Selected group of patients with depression 2021 Randomized controlled trial
Effects of Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy on Major Depressive Disorder Adults aged 21 to 75 years with major depressive disorder, not currently using... 2020 Randomized controlled trial n = 24

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