Abstract Background: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a significant public health concern, and current treatments often have limitations in effectiveness and adherence. Psilocybin, a psychedelic compound found in certain mushrooms, is being explored as a potential treatment for depression. It primarily acts through the serotonin 5-HT2A receptor but interacts with 5-HT1A and 5-HT2C receptors....
Professor Gregor Hasler stands at the forefront of revolutionary psychedelic research and neuroplasticity studies, transforming our understanding of mental health treatment through groundbreaking scientific discoveries. As Chair of Psychiatry at the University of Fribourg, Switzerland, where he directs the Molecular Psychiatry Lab, Hasler has pioneered research on how psychedelics like LSD,...
Introduction: This is the first randomized controlled trial to use both qualitative and quantitative methods to evaluate the effects of a combined sensory intervention that included mindfulness, music, and a light-occluding eye mask during antidepressant-dose ketamine treatment for depression. Methods: Forty-three participants with unipolar depressive disorder enrolled in the study; 22...
Background: Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is a chronic pain disorder affecting the oral mucosa, often accompanied by psychological comorbidities. Higher levels of mindfulness have been associated with reduced pain and fewer emotional symptoms in some chronic pain conditions, but its role in BMS remains inadequately explored. Methods: 146 patients diagnosed with BMS, according to the...
CureusSeptember 2025Muhammad Abbas, David B Adams, Jack Noto et al.
Management of treatment-resistant depression (TRD) is complex and frustrating for patients, requiring several treatment courses before (or without) achieving remission. This investigation aims to highlight and analyze real-world instances of using esketamine for patients with TRD who have failed electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Four case reports from a single Hackensack-Meridian care center are...
Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) remains a major clinical challenge, affecting nearly one-third of individuals with major depressive disorder (MDD) who fail to respond to standard antidepressant therapies. Esketamine, the S-enantiomer of ketamine, has emerged as a novel therapeutic option. Esketamine, initially introduced as an add-on therapy, has more recently also received recognition for...
INTRODUCTION Dysfunction in amygdala networks has been implicated in major depressive disorder (MDD). Pharmacological treatments, such as esketamine and sertraline, are believed to exert their antidepressant effects by modulating amygdalar activity. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between changes in dynamic functional connectivity (dFC) within amygdala subregions and treatment...
AbstractBackground and ObjectivesCannabis use is associated with psychotic disorder onset and exacerbation. This study examines how continued cannabis use affects depressive symptoms, psychotic symptoms, and suicidal behaviors following cannabis‐induced first‐episode psychosis (FEP).MethodsSixty‐five participants (aged 16–50 years) with FEP were recruited from psychiatric inpatient facilities...
Mental health issues, particularly stress and depression, are highly prevalent among the elderly, especially those residing in old age homes. Elevated serum cortisol levels are associated with prolonged stress and depression, leading to further health complications. This study evaluates the effectiveness of a mindfulness-based approach in reducing stress, depression, and serum cortisol levels...
Internet gaming disorder (IGD) frequently co-occurs with depression. IGD and depression have overlapping and distinct biological and psychological substrates. Mindfulness meditation (MM) has demonstrated efficacy in treating IGD and depression separately. However, its efficacy in treating concurrent IGD and depression and the possible brain mechanisms remain largely unknown. Seventy individuals...
Nitrous oxide (N2O) has been known since the end of the eighteenth century. Today, N2O plays a huge role as a greenhouse gas and an ozone-depleting stratospheric molecule. The main sources of anthropogenic N2O emissions are agriculture, fuel combustion, wastewater treatment, and various industrial processes. By contrast, the contribution of medical N2O to the greenhouse effect appears to be...
INTRODUCTION Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD) remains a major challenge in the management of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). Esketamine, the S-enantiomer of ketamine and a glutamatergic modulator, has been approved by the FDA and EMA for TRD in 2019. Beyond its rapid antidepressant effects, esketamine may enhance neuroplasticity, facilitating the reconnection with emotional and cognitive...
Accumulating evidence indicates the role of ketamine as a rapid-onset antidepressant, with a rising controversy regarding its cognitive and psychotic effects, especially with long-term use. However, no previous experimental study has directly compared short-term and long-term ketamine effects using a time schedule that simulates infusion protocols in major depressive disorder patients. This...
Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) remains a relevant issue in psychiatric practice, driving the exploration of innovative therapeutic alternatives. Ketamine and its enantiomer, esketamine, are emerging as treatments known for their effectiveness as rapid-acting antidepressants. Although previous comparative studies have highlighted some differences in their effects, they did not concurrently...
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) presents severe symptomology and often co-occurs with depression, warranting novel treatment approaches to address both conditions simultaneously. Ketamine has emerged as a rapid antidepressant and potential treatment for PTSD, with some real-world evidence for effectiveness regardless of comorbidities. The purpose of this secondary analysis was to explore...
Background: Depressive disorders are a major global health challenge, with many individuals unresponsive to existing treatments. Novel psychedelic therapies show promise but require further research. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility, safety and effectiveness of psilocybin with psychotherapeutic support for treatment-resistant depression (TRD), investigate predictors of...
Psychedelics have shown promising antidepressant effects in recent phase 2 randomized controlled trials, with phase 3 studies underway. While therapeutic outcomes are encouraging, the underlying mechanisms—from receptor-level pharmacology to subjective experience and context—remain only partially understood. We highlight clinical and mechanistic advances and outline priorities for future...
Although electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is the standard treatment for Stage 2 or higher treatment-resistant depression, it has several drawbacks. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and intravenous racemic ketamine (IV ketamine) have emerged as potential alternatives, but their comparative effectiveness and safety remain unclear due to limited evidence. We systematically...
This study examined the efficacy of a Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Behavioral Group Program (MCBGP) designed to improve the mental health of patients with intractable diseases. Adults (n = 35) with such diseases participated in the study. They were categorized into a high- or low-depression group based on the Profile of Mood States (POMS) depression subscale score of 60 as the cutoff score....
Intranasal (IN) esketamine represents a novel add-on treatment for treatment-resistant depression (TRD) with reported favourable effects on insomnia. IN esketamine treatment might similarly reduce the incidence of insomnia as an adverse event (AE). The present meta-analysis therefore investigated whether IN esketamine relative to placebo is associated with a lower incidence of insomnia as an AE...