Initial promise and dire need have inspired the multiple research programs of the second psychedelic renaissance. Serotonergic psychedelics (psilocybin, lysergic acid diethylamide, and ayahuasca) have decreased end-of-life anxiety in cancer patients, treatment-resistant depression, alcohol dependence, social anxiety in autistic adults, and nicotine dependence when applied with supportive...
Teachers face significant stressors in relation to their work, placing them at increased risk for burnout and attrition. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about additional challenges, resulting in an even greater burden. Thus, strategies for reducing stress that can be delivered virtually are likely to benefit this population. Mental and Physical (MAP) Training combines meditation with aerobic...
August 22, 2022John M. Pederson, Kathryn Cowie, Averi Barrett et al.
BACKGROUND Psilocybin is a naturally occurring psychedelic that induces feelings of euphoria and spiritual awakening when administered in doses of approximately 20-30 mg/70 kg. In the last decade, there has been renewed interest in using psilocybin for major depressive disorder (MDD). OBJECTIVE This individual patient data meta-analysis will investigate the efficacy and safety of psilocybin for...
Abstract There has been an increasing trend towards the use of complexity analysis in quantifying neural activity measured by electroencephalography (EEG) signals. On top of revealing complex neuronal processes of the brain that may not be possible with linear approaches, EEG complexity measures have also demonstrated their potential as biomarkers of psychopathology such as depression and...
Abstract Objective: Psychedelic-assisted therapies are emerging as safe and effective treatments for some psychological conditions including depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder, and substance use disorders. As ketamine therapy is already available in general medicine and 3,4 Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and psilocybin are in late-stage clinical trials, neuropsychologists...
Carhart-Harris R, Giribaldi B, Nutt DJ et al. Trial of psilocybin versus escitalopram for depression. N Engl J Med 2021; 384: 1402–1411. doi:10.1056/ NEJMoa2032994
Psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) is a burgeoning treatment with growing interest across a variety of settings and disciplines. Empirical evidence supports PAT as a novel therapeutic approach that provides safe and effective treatment for people suffering from a variety of diagnoses, including treatment-resistant depression, substance use disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Within...
BACKGROUND Meditation apps have surged in popularity in recent years, with an increasing number of individuals turning to these apps to cope with stress, including during the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, meditation apps now represent the most commonly used mental health apps for depression and anxiety. However, little is known regarding who is well-suited to these apps. OBJECTIVE The aim of this...
The objective of this study was to evaluate the behavioral response of ayahuasca in rats submitted to neuroinflammation through the intraperitoneal application of lipopolysaccharide (0.63 mg/kg/mL). Eighty animals, male, about 90 days old, were divided into control and LPS groups and later into prevention and treatment subgroups. The prevention subgroup was administered ayahuasca or saline...
The mystical experience is a potential psychological mechanism to influence outcome in psychedelic therapy. It includes features such as oceanic boundlessness, ego dissolution, and universal interconnectedness, which have been closely linked to both symptom reduction and improved quality of life. In this review, 12 studies of psychedelic therapy utilizing psilocybin, ayahuasca, or ketamine were...