Cannabis is still the most widely used illicit drug around the world. While its use has always been prevalent among adolescents, recent evidence suggests that its consumption is also increasing among other population groups, such as pregnant women and aged people. Given the known impact of cannabis on brain development and behavior, it is important to dissect the possible long-term impact of...
Background Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is commonly associated with alcohol and substance use disorders (ASUD). A randomized, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial demonstrated the safety and efficacy of MDMA-assisted therapy (MDMA-AT) for the treatment of severe PTSD. This analysis explores patterns of alcohol and substance use in patients receiving MDMA-AT compared to placebo plus...
Current PsychologyJanuary 17, 2022Yanet Quijada, Sandra Saldivia, Claudio Bustos et al.
Research on the multidimensionality of hallucination-like experiences (HLEs) can contribute to the study of psychotic risk. The Launay-Slade Hallucinations Scale-Extended (LSHS-E) is one of the most widely used tools for research in HLEs, but the correspondence of its paper and online formats has not been established yet. Therefore, we studied the factorial structure and measurement invariance...
The healthcare field and society at large are witnessing a resurgence of interest in the effects and applications of psychedelic therapies in a wide range of settings. In the 1950s and 1960s, research was conducted to explore different applications for psychedelics, such as lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and mescaline, in the healthcare setting. However, psychedelic research was dramatically...
Chapter 2Cocaine enhances figural, but impairs verbal 'flexible' divergent thinking 15 Chapter 3 A single dose of cocaine enhances prospective memory performance 43 Chapter 4 Mood and cognition after administration of low LSD doses in healthy volunteers: a placebo controlled dose-effect finding study 65 Chapter 5 Low doses of LSD acutely increase BDNF blood plasma levels in healthy volunteers...
Scientific knowledge about cannabidiol (CBD) demonstrates that CBD is a substance that is not pharmacologically inert. If it does not act efficiently on cannabinoid receptors (those where tetrahydrocannabidol [THC] is fixed), it acts on brain receptors, especially on dopamine and serotonin receptors, making it a psychoactive product in its own right. Its consumption can thus have psychoactive...
Frontiers in Psychology2022Jonathan Led Larsen, Katrine Schepelern Johansen, Mimi Yung Mehlsen7 citations
The recommended treatment for dual diagnosis - the co-occurrence of substance use and another mental disorder - requires seamless integration of the involved disciplines and services. However, no integrative framework exists for communicating about dual diagnosis cases across disciplinary or sectoral boundaries. We examine if Enactive Psychiatry may bridge this theoretical gap. We evaluate the...
As the consumers push towards use of natural substances for whole body health increases, and as the dependence upon prescription drugs shows no abatement, substances such as psilocybin (magic mushrooms) have emerged as acceptable methods to treat ailments previously addressed by prescription drugs. In addition to medical solutions provided naturally, many of these substances (primarily...
Background: Naturalistic and placebo-controlled studies suggest ayahuasca, a potent psychedelic beverage originating from Indigenous Amazonian tradition, may improve mental health, alter personality structure, and reduce alcohol and drug intake. To better understand ayahuasca's therapeutic potential and to identify factors that influence therapeutic efficacy, we conducted a naturalistic,...
Excited delirium, which has been defined as combativeness, agitation, and altered sensorium, requires immediate treatment in prehospital or emergency department (ED) settings for the safety of both patients and caregivers. Prehospital ketamine use is prevalent, although the evidence on safety and efficacy is limited. Many patients with excited delirium are intoxicated with illicit substances....