3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), commonly known as ecstasy, is a psychostimulant with entactogenic properties and known to induce arousal and euphoria. As an amphetamine derivate, MDMA acts on the monoamine systems in the brain and stimulates release of dopamine (DA), noradrenaline (NA) and serotonin (5-HT), yet their individual contributions in driving arousal and euphoria remain...
The nature, location and functioning of the human mind remain contentious topics among philosophers, psychologists, linguists and AI researchers. Noam Chomsky, a pivotal figure in the cognitive revolution, offers a comprehensive framework for understanding the mind’s structure, processes and interactions with cognitive modules. This paper explores Chomsky’s perspective on the mind’s capacities,...
Acute subjective experiences induced by psychedelics have been identified as important mediators of therapeutic outcomes in many studies. Mystical experiences specifically, have been correlated with a range of therapeutic outcomes including reductions in symptoms of depression, anxiety and addiction. This paper assesses acute subjective experiences induced by an encapsulated DMT-harmala...
Attention regulation is a core mechanism of mindfulness meditation and has been proposed to underlie many of its health-related benefits. Here, we review and synthesize behavioral findings on attentional outcomes in long-term meditators, integrating neurocognitive evidence within a meditative development framework. Key findings indicate trait-level improvements across attentional...
This novel qualitative study examines the lived experiences of long-term participants in ayahuasca spiritual communities (ASCs) in the United States. Semi-structured interviews ( n = 11) were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis indicating that these communities (1) attract individuals seeking healing from trauma, addiction, and psychological distress, while offering a sense of belonging...
Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) is associated with worse clinical outcomes and longer course of illness. However, TRD is more difficult to model in animal phenotypes, suggesting that other experimental and translational models must be considered to properly address and research novel therapeutics. Reelin, an endogenous glycoprotein downregulated in depression, has shown rapid...
Childhood trauma has been found to be associated with suicidal ideation among youth. However, the underlying processes that link childhood trauma and suicidal ideation are unclear. This study investigates the role of nightmare frequency in the association between childhood trauma and suicidal ideation, and the potential moderating effect of sex. Youths were recruited from Fujian Province,...
ABSTRACT This article explores the relevance of classical Theravāda Buddhist doctrine to the present-day development of artificial general intelligence. Specifically, it addresses the interconnected possibilities of machine consciousness and machine agency. The first section consists of a philosophical exploration of the notion of artificial consciousness in light of ordinary language...
Psilocybin, a psychedelic compound in "magic" mushrooms, has promise as a novel treatment for psychiatric disorders, many of which are more prevalent in females and have onsets during adolescence. However, there is a lack of research about how factors such as sex and age affect responses to psilocybin, as well as potential safety concerns with developmental exposure. The primary objectives of...
Serotonergic psychedelics like psilocybin and LSD have shown potential therapeutic benefits for mental health conditions, including depression, PTSD, and addiction. However, research remains limited due to regulatory barriers and a lack of diversity in study populations. Spanish-speaking individuals, despite their significant global and U.S. presence, are underrepresented in psychedelic...