Major depressive disorder is a severe mental condition characterized by abnormalities in the structure and function of the brain. Ketamine is a novel antidepressant that has rapid effects on depression. This drug is clinically used to treat depression in patients with acute suicidal ideation or behavior. It is typically administered at a dose of 84 mg. However, the distribution of ketamine in...
This case study documents the integrative treatment of a woman with chronic schizophrenia, complex PTSD, and comorbid anxiety and depression, incarcerated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her primary symptoms included persistent hallucinations, trauma-driven nightmares, and emotional dysregulation. Traumatic themes of incest, supernatural forces, and violent dream figures dominated her inner...
MDMA, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (“ecstasy,” “molly”), is a distinctive entactogen that reverses the serotonin (5-HT) transporter to increase synaptic 5-HT, while also engaging catecholaminergic and oxytocinergic pathways. In clinical trials, MDMA-assisted psychotherapy has yielded substantial improvements in treatment-resistant posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), although regulatory...
Psychiatric illness, particularly stress-related disorders including depression, anxiety and posttraumatic stress disorder, presents a considerable health burden worldwide with high prevalence, disabling symptoms, and scant efficacy of available treatments. Chronic stress is a major contributor to the origin and development of these conditions, to the detriment of both individual and, by...
Depression is primarily treated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which are limited by delayed onset of effects and low rates of remission. Recent studies showed that serotonergic psychedelics such as psilocybin can reduce depressive symptoms both rapidly and enduringly. Such effects have been associated with the activation of the serotonin 2A (5-HT2A) receptor in the...
Psychiatry InternationalOctober 13, 2025Felipe Montalva-Valenzuela, Eduardo Guzmán-Muñoz, Gérson Ferrari et al.1 citation
Background: Physical activity is essential for good health and human well-being, yet one-third of adults worldwide fail to achieve the recommended weekly physical activity. Buddhist Walking Meditation (BWM), Walking Meditation (WM), or Mindful Walking (MW) is a mindfulness practice characterized by mind–body interaction, seeking to promote people’s well-being. Therefore, this systematic review...
Substance Use Disorder (SUD) is a chronic, relapsing mental health condition characterized by compulsive substance use despite harmful consequences. According to the World Health Organization, in 2021, approximately 39.5 million individuals worldwide suffered from drug use disorders, contributing to an estimated 600,000 deaths annually. Moreover, current pharmacological treatment, such as...
ACS Chemical NeuroscienceOctober 13, 2025Rajiv Agrawal, Daniel J. Gillie, Alison E. Mungenast et al.8 citations
Many neuropsychiatric conditions, including depression, involve synaptic loss and atrophy of the prefrontal cortex. The rapid regrowth of cortical neurons has been hypothesized to explain the rapid and enduring therapeutic effects of psychedelics and the dissociative anesthetic ketamine. However, safety concerns related to hallucinogenic/dissociative properties have limited the addressable...
A depressão é um transtorno de grande impacto clínico e social, frequentemente resistente ao tratamento convencional, o que motiva a busca por estratégias terapêuticas complementares. Psicodélicos como a psilocibina e o MDMA têm se destacado por induzir respostas rápidas e duradouras em sintomas depressivos. Esta revisão integrativa analisou 14 estudos publicados entre 2015 e 2024, selecionados...
Psychedelic-assisted therapies are re-emerging as credible options in psychological care amid a high global burden of mental ill-health and limited response to first-line treatments. Once marginal, psychedelics are now part of mainstream research and policy debate, while remaining illegal or tightly restricted in many jurisdictions. Classic and atypical compounds (e.g., psilocybin, MDMA) act...