Psilocybin, the prodrug to the psychoactive compound in 'magic' mushrooms, is currently being studied in clinical trials as a treatment for severe mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety. Previous reports of psilocybin biosynthesis as reconstituted in E. coli reported maximum titers of 1.16 g/L, exclusively using genes from the most common recreationally used mushroom,...
Psychology, Health & MedicineApril 15, 2025Carlos Said Páez-márquez, Elkin Higuera-Dagovett, Jaime Tomás Rojas-Valencia1 citation
Traditional management strategies for diabetes primarily focus on behavioural risk factors and pharmacological therapies. Furthermore, mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) aim to assist patients in recognising and accepting sensations, emotions and cognitions without automatic reactivity. This approach can potentially enhance glycaemic control and mental health in diabetic patients. This...
Meditation, traditionally seen as a path to spiritual enlightenment, is commonly used in therapeutic contexts for its mental health benefits, such as reducing stress, anxiety, and depression. However, alongside these benefits, practitioners of diverse forms of meditation have repeatedly been reporting adverse effects (AEs) of meditation. While most of these AEs are transient, some of them are...
Decreased dendritic spine density in the cortex is a key pathological feature of neuropsychiatric diseases including depression, addiction, and schizophrenia (SCZ). Psychedelics possess a remarkable ability to promote cortical neuron growth and increase spine density; however, these compounds are contraindicated for patients with SCZ or a family history of psychosis. Here, we report the...
Recurrent isolated sleep paralysis (RISP) belongs to the parasomnias of the REM sleep. Currently, there are few treatment options for this disorder. Pharmacotherapy is reserved only for the most severe cases of RISP. The first-line treatment is cognitive-behavioural therapy, the availability of which is limited. A new treatment option is meditation-relaxation therapy (MR therapy), the...
Abstract Altered states of consciousness (ASCs), induced e.g. during psychedelic-assisted therapy, show potential to treat prevalent mental health disorders like depression and posttraumatic stress disorder. However, access to such treatments is restricted by legal, medical, and financial barriers. Circular breathwork may present a non-pharmacological and hence more accessible alternative to...
The Physical and Psychological Effects of MeditationPari Patel Meditation has many physical and psychological effects on the human body.Meditation originated from ancient Eastern culture and has been practiced for centuries.Meditation back then was considered a religious practice; however, it is not necessary to be religious to meditate.Trials conducted and respected research show that...
This review examines the neuropsychological basis of somatic meditation, exploring its relationship with embodied cognition theories and its therapeutic potential. Somatic meditation, which cultivates focused attention on internal bodily sensations (interoception), is increasingly recognized for addressing the embodied aspects of stress, trauma, and chronic pain. Drawing on insights linking...
Psychedelics and AI modulate cognitive frameworks, disrupt rigid thought patterns, and enhance neuroplasticity, offering therapeutic potential for depression, PTSD, and addiction. Relaxing neural filters reveal altered states of consciousness, challenging perceptions of reality. This Viewpoint explores their neurobiological mechanisms and AI's role in augmenting psychiatric treatments.
Peak and mystical experiences can be seen as states of consciousness that exist on a spectrum of varying intensity and duration. They are often described as moments of profound joy, ecstasy, and awe that involve feelings of noetic quality, decreased self-salience, and heightened interconnectedness. The renewed interest in psychedelics as a potential tool for therapeutic intervention has been...