Introduction: Ketamine, traditionally known for its anesthetic properties, is now being explored for its rapid-acting therapeutic effects in various psychiatric and pain-related disorders. Its emerging role in managing treatment-resistant depression (TRD), chronic pain, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is supported by recent clinical evidence. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness...
Research SquareDecember 28, 2023Joshua M. Poulin, Gregory E. Bigford, Krista L. Lanctôt et al.1 citation
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Abstract Background: Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a leading cause of disability worldwide across domains of health and cognition, affecting overall quality of life. Approximately one third of individuals with depression do not fully respond to treatments (e.g., conventional antidepressants, psychotherapy) and alternative strategies are needed. Recent early phase trials suggest psilocybin...
Background: The primary psychoactive drug in magic mushrooms, psilocybin induces profound alterations in consciousness through its action at the 5-HT2A receptor. This comprehensive review consolidates current research findings to elucidate the pharmacology, safety profile, and clinical applications of psilocybin.Areas of Uncertainty: Despite initial concerns that psilocybin could cause...
Ketamine and its enantiomers represent an innovative glutamatergic agent as a treatment for individuals with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) and major depressive disorder (MDD) with suicidal ideation and behavior. Intranasal (IN) formulations could allow for quick onset of action on depressive symptoms as well as a reduction in side effects by bypassing the blood–brain barrier compared...
Ketamine has shown rapid antidepressant and anti-suicidal effects in treatment-resistant depression (TRD) with single and serial intravenous (IV) infusions, but the effectiveness for depressive episodes of bipolar disorder is less clear. We conducted an updated systematic review and meta-analysis to appraise the current evidence on the efficacy and tolerability of ketamine/esketamine in bipolar...
Background: Treatment-resistant Depression (TRD) does not respond to conventional treatments. Despite the efforts made to control depression, the outcomes are controversial and inconclusive. New strategies such as ketamine use are accompanied by promising outcomes; however, the best dosage remains a question. Objectives: The current study aimed to compare the effect of 1 and 2 mg/kg of oral...
It has been demonstrated that one of the components of mindfulness meditation, called self-kindness, plays a prominent role in alleviating distress perception, and reducing depressive symptoms, especially among younger women with breast cancer (BC), who represent a particularly vulnerable patient population, often struggling not only with a serious illness but also with numerous family and...
Several recent studies have investigated psilocybin as a novel therapeutic compound for the treatment of existential distress in patients with cancer, demonstrating persistent, positive effects on mood. This editorial discusses two articles in the current issue of Cancer that report findings of a group‐based psilocybin‐assisted intervention for treatment of depression in patients diagnosed with...
Abstract Background The present study explored the acceptability of psilocybin‐assisted group therapy from the perspective of patients with cancer and depression who participated in a clinical trial assessing the safety and efficacy of this novel intervention. Methods Guided by the conceptual framework of acceptability, the authors conducted semi‐structured interviews with participants of the...
Abstract Background Depression is common in patients with cancer and is associated with lower treatment adherence and reduced quality of life. Antidepressants and psychotherapy have limited success in improving depression among patients with cancer. This study explored the safety, feasibility, and efficacy of psilocybin‐assisted therapy in patients with cancer and major depressive disorder....
Abstract Interest in psychedelics is increasing due to potential for improved mental health and quality of life. However, adverse effects on mental health are still a concern. Personality traits have been suggested to both influence the psychedelic experience and mental health, and even be changed by psychedelic use. The present study describes for the first time a national sample of Swedish...
Bipolar depression constitutes a major problem in psychiatry. It correlates with high suicidality, treatment resistance, chronicity, and poor quality of life. Registered treatment for bipolar depression is limited and insufficient. There is an urgent need for implementing new therapeutic strategies. Intranasal ketamine’s enantiomer—esketamine is a novel rapid-acting antidepressant with proven...
Importance Bipolar II disorder (BDII) is a debilitating condition frequently associated with difficult-to-treat depressive episodes. Psilocybin has evidence for rapid-acting antidepressant effects but has not been investigated in bipolar depression. Objective To establish the safety and efficacy of psilocybin in patients with BDII in a current depressive episode. Design, Setting, and...
Objective To compare group and individual psychedelic-assisted therapy in terms of clinician time, costs and patient access. Methods Using 2023 data from two group therapy trial sites, one using 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) to treat posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and one using psilocybin to treat major depressive disorder (MDD), we compared overall variable costs, clinician...
Abstract Depression is a reason of the most common causes of premature death. Therefore, it becomes crucial, to find simple preventive measures. Many research show that the combination of pharmacotherapy and mind-body interventions is an effective way. The purpose of the pilot study is to analyze the potential use of an active form of meditation for prevention and alleviation of depressive...
Nitrous oxide (N2O – also known as Hilarious Gas) has recently emerged has a potential fast-acting antidepressant, based on a number of randomized controlled trials (RCT) in young adults with treatment resistant depression (TRD). The antidepressant mechanisms of N2O are not fully understood but may include an antagonist action on NDMA receptors, similar to ketamine. N2O shows additional...
This Viewpoint examines key issues stemming from several recent reports of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) vs ketamine for improving depressive symptoms in treatment-resistant depression (TRD).
Prevalence rates of peripartum depression and anxiety are high and correlate with adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBI) have been shown to reduce mental distress during pregnancy. A multicenter, randomized controlled study was conducted after screening for depressive symptoms. The intervention group (IG) was given access to an 8-week supervised eMBI...
We aimed to investigate the intervention effect of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) in patients with postpartum depression. The method of computer and manual keyword retrieval was used to search PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library. Literature included in the study was assessed for quality and meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.3 software. Twelve articles were finally included...