Abstract Objectives This exploratory study examined how meditators’ orientations (e.g., motives, expectations, beliefs) are associated with experiences, perceived benefits/risks, and practice patterns in Hong Kong, with the aim of informing safer meditation. Method We conducted a cross-sectional online survey with 164 adults. Participants ranked nine possible motives for meditation and reported...
Although research shows that psychedelic use may lead to improvement in mental health and well-being, the underlying changes in psychological predictors associated with these improvements remain unclear. 161 participants were recruited in a prospective online survey assessing naturalistic psychedelic use. We used lasso regression to assess how 19 distinct changes in psychological variables...
Stress and anxiety issues among students in the Indonesia–Malaysia border region pose a serious challenge to the learning process. The inability to manage emotions can interfere with students' concentration and academic development. This community service activity aims to improve teachers' competence in managing stress and anxiety through integrative counseling based on Mindfulness-Based Stress...
본 논문은 현대인의 불안 극복 방안으로 수(受, vedanā)가 지닌 치유 가능성을 모색하는 데 그 목적이 있다. 이에 본 연구는 수(受)를 근(根, 감각기관), 경(境, 대상), 식(識, 인식 작용)의 삼사화합(三事和合, 감각 접촉)에서 발생하는 신체 반응과 감각, 그리고 이에 대한 지각으로 정의하고, 이를 중심으로 논의를 전개하고자 한다.이를 위해 수의 전통적 의미와 현대적 해석의 연구 동향을 검토하고, 국내 불안장애 실태를 개관한 뒤, 신경과학적 관점에서 불안과 수의 관계를 고찰함으로써 수의 치유 가능성을 탐색하였다.연구 결과, 불안의 신경과학적 메커니즘에서 신체 반응이 정서 경험에 선행한다는 핵심 원리를 확인할 수 있었으며, 수 단계에서의 신체 감각 관찰이 불안의 확산을 방지하고 정서 조절에...
The fear of death is a fundamental existential issue that has been widely discussed in psychology, philosophy, and religious studies. This dissertation explores the phenomenon of death anxiety from the perspective of Buddhism, which offers a unique approach to understanding and overcoming the fear of death. Using a qualitative methodology, data was collected through in-depth interviews with 108...
Research SquareOctober 30, 2025Elisabeth Kenne Sarenmalm, Salmir Nasic, Anna-Lena Emanuelsson Loft et al.
preprint
Abstract Purpose This 5-year longitudinal randomized controlled trial explored the long-term efficacy of a MBSR intervention for psychological and biological response in breast cancer survivors. Methods A total of 166 women were randomly assigned into one of 3 groups: MBSR, Active controls and non-MBSR. Data were collected at baseline, 3-months, 6-months and 1-year follow-up, thereafter yearly...
Adolescent girls living in orphanages face more complex psychosocial challenges compared to their peers in general. Experiences of loss, limited family support, and uncertainty about the future often lead to heightened anxiety. One effective psychological intervention to manage anxiety is mindful breathing training, or conscious breathing exercises. This community service activity aimed to...
Psilocybin is a serotonergic psychedelic with growing evidence for efficacy in mood disorders, and its therapeutic potential in obsessive—compulsive disorder (OCD) and related conditions is increasingly recognised but remains understudied. We systematically evaluated clinical and preclinical evidence on psilocybin's effects on obsessive and compulsive behaviours with attention to translational...
PsychopharmacologyOctober 27, 2025Nina Gregoire, Ethan Klukas, Kimberley Kaseweter et al.
Ketamine-assisted therapy is emerging as a fast-acting intervention for treatment-resistant depression and anxiety. However, individual response to treatment varies, and little is known about how personality traits and trauma history influence outcomes. This study investigated whether distinct personality profiles emerge in a real-world sample of patients undergoing ketamine therapy and...
Background: Academic anxiety is affecting many students of all ages and school levels, which represents a social problem that requires attention. Numerous are the factors that promote high levels of anxiety among them: competitiveness among university students, pressure before evaluations. Strategies and methodologies are required to calm the mind, such as Mindfulness. Practice based on...
Anxiety and depressive disorders affect hundreds of millions globally, with substantial barriers limiting access to evidence-based treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy. Digital mental health interventions offer potential solutions to improve access to support. However, evidence of efficacy through randomized controlled trials is essential for clinical adoption. This study evaluated the...
Nowadays, people and especially women experience high levels of anxiety and stress in different areas of their daily lives with significant effects in emotional and cognitive level. The “Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction” (MBSR) program is a rigorously structured, scientifically validated eight-week protocol primarily aimed at managing stress, with documented positive outcomes across...
Effective and well-tolerated pharmacotherapies for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), which is one of the most common psychiatric disorders, are needed. To determine the dose-response relationship of MM120 (lysergide D-tartrate) in adults with moderate to severe GAD. This phase 2b, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study enrolled 198 adults aged 18 to 74 years with a...
MDMA, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (“ecstasy,” “molly”), is a distinctive entactogen that reverses the serotonin (5-HT) transporter to increase synaptic 5-HT, while also engaging catecholaminergic and oxytocinergic pathways. In clinical trials, MDMA-assisted psychotherapy has yielded substantial improvements in treatment-resistant posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), although regulatory...
Psychiatric illness, particularly stress-related disorders including depression, anxiety and posttraumatic stress disorder, presents a considerable health burden worldwide with high prevalence, disabling symptoms, and scant efficacy of available treatments. Chronic stress is a major contributor to the origin and development of these conditions, to the detriment of both individual and, by...
MDMA-assisted therapy (MDMA-AT) for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) shows promise, but attitudes and beliefs about this treatment, especially in symptomatic veterans, remain poorly understood. We sought to explore relevant attitudes in veterans receiving healthcare from Veterans Affairs as a step toward designing relevant surveys or psychoeducation materials for future work. We employed a...
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is one of the most prevalent psychiatric conditions worldwide, affecting over 350 million people. Standard treatments, primarily antidepressants targeting serotonin, noradrenaline, and/or dopamine, are based on the monoamine hypothesis, which links depression to imbalances in these neurotransmitters. A sizable fraction of patients, however, does not get enough...
Emerging research suggests some of the most profound meditation-induced psychological transformations require mastery of mental skills that enable access to advanced meditative states, stages, and endpoints. Such development, however, often demands years of sustained practice and expert guidance. Transcranial focused ultrasound (tFUS) offers a novel means of potentially supporting meditative...
BACKGROUND: Termination of pregnancy for fetal abnormalities (TOPFA) represents a significant global healthcare challenge. In China, the occurrence of fetal abnormalities is notably high. TOPFA is a devastating traumatic event for parents and families. Parents frequently encounter psychological issues and negative emotions such as depression, anxiety, prolonged grief, feelings of inadequacy,...
418 Background: Caregivers of patients undergoing ambulatory cancer surgery often experience acute anxiety in surgical waiting rooms, which can impair their ability to support postoperative recovery. Although mindfulness-based interventions are effective, traditional formats are time- and resource-intensive, limiting feasibility in fast-paced clinical settings. This pilot study evaluated a...