Human use of psychoactive substances has a long and complex history that has been documented in the archaeological record from as early as the Neolithic period (Guerra-Doce 2015). This exciting new field of archaeological research has potential to shed light on many approaches to human behaviours in the past, particularly those focused on ritual practice, phenomenology and human–environment...
The thesis results from ethnographic work and reports two practices that occurred in Portugal: a) compulsive gambling as a disease and its continued definition through participation in a self-help group called Anonymous Families and b) the trance party, a place where electronic music dance is considered as the apex of participation. In spite of the contrast between these two practices, in both...
Introduction Once thought a rarely used drug, LSD use is steadily increasing among US adults. A greater understanding of social factors and psychological determinants leading to lifetime LSD use can assist health educators and professionals in treating this growing problem. This study analyzed psychosocial factors related to LSD use among a national sample of adults. Methods A secondary data...
The lifetime prevalence of addiction to cannabis (marijuana or cannabinoids) is among the highest of that of all illicit drugs in developed countries, and no effective treatment for cannabis addiction is currently available. Previous studies in our research group suggested that astrocyte-mediated long-term depression (LTD) in ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopamine neurons plays a pivotal role in...
In Rastafari smoking herbs (cannabis) and tobacco is central to spiritual practices, including grounding (the process of initiation into Rastafari) and reasoning (ritual discussions). This paper presents ethnographic research with Rastafari smokers in England. It shows that smoking is considered a ‘professional’ activity that communicates dedication to the movement, aids in learning different...
Objective: The purpose of the present study was to obtain patient information across a wide geography about medical history, drug use, symptoms, and treatments of individuals diagnosed with hallucinogen persisting perception disorder (HPPD). Methods: The study was an internet survey that yielded 26 HPPD patients from North America (81%), Europe (12%), and South America (almost 8%),...
To characterize the clinical presentation and hospital course of patients with reported synthetic cannabinoid (SC) exposure requiring Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission. Retrospective case series of patients admitted to medical or cardiac ICU. Urban tertiary care center. Adults ≥18 years old admitted from the emergency department (ED) in 2015. Demographics, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment...
In this article, the origins of the cult of the ritual drink known as soma/haoma are explored. Various shortcomings of the main botanical candidates that have so far been proposed for this so-called “nectar of immortality” are assessed. Attention is brought to a variety of plants identified as soma/haoma in ancient Asian literature. Some of these plants are included in complex formulas and are...
Behavioural Brain ResearchMay 17, 2019Mohaddeseh Ebrahimi-Ghiri, Mohammad Nasehi, Mohammad-Reza Zarrindast
Depression and anxiety disorders are among the most common illnesses and a close relationship between them has been found. Because the psychotropic effects and abuse liability of cannabis prevent its therapeutic application in depression and anxiety states, we decided to investigate the effects of the combination of ineffective doses of cannabinoid CB1 receptor agonist...
Back to table of contents Previous article Next article Full AccessPsychedelic Medicine: Much More Study NeededStanley CaroffM.D.Stanley CaroffSearch for more papers by this authorM.D.Published Online:30 Apr 2019https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.pn.2019.5a24AbstractStanley Caroff, M.D., is a professor of psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine.While new-age spiritual...