Ketamine has been used in the treatment of several pain syndromes, particularly those with a relevant neuropathic component. Sub-anesthetic doses of ketamine produce a potent analgesic effect, due to its inhibition of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors and enhancement of descending inhibitory pathways. Its short-term analgesic effect is well-documented perioperatively, with an associated reduction...
Psychedelic compounds, including psilocybin, LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide), DMT (N,N -dimethyltryptamine), and 5-MeO-DMT (5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine), all of which are serotonin 2A receptor agonists, are being investigated as potential treatments. This review aims to summarize the current clinical research on these 4 compounds and mescaline to guide future research. Their mechanism(s)...
Over the last decade, psychological researchers have begun exploring the effects of Vipassana, a meditation practice based on teachings expounded in the earliest Buddhist texts, dating back more than two-and-a-half millennia (Bodhi, 2005). Courses to learn the technique are widely available, with hundreds of thousands of participants attending residential courses at Vipassana meditation centres...
Individuals with chronic kidney disease experience difficult physical and psychological symptoms, that impact quality of life, and are at increased risk of anxiety and depression. Access to specialist psychological support is limited. This study aimed to support a new service development project, in collaboration with Kidney Care UK, to implement the Compassionate Mindful Resilience (CMR)...
Subanesthetic ketamine is increasingly used for the treatment of varied psychiatric conditions, both on- and off-label. While it is commonly classified as an N -methyl D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antagonist, our picture of ketamine’s mechanistic underpinnings is incomplete. Recent clinical evidence has indicated, controversially, that a component of the efficacy of subanesthetic ketamine may...
Photopharmacology is a vivid field of research that combines the unsurpassed spatiotemporal resolution of light with the principles of pharmacology. By introduction of synthetic chemical photoswitches into the structures of biologically active compounds, researchers can obtain control over biological processes. This is especially useful in the research of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs)...
JMIR Formative ResearchJanuary 30, 2024Caeleigh A Landry, Hugh C Mccall, Janine D Beahm et al.7 citations
Public safety personnel (PSP) are individuals who work to ensure the safety and security of communities (eg, correctional workers, firefighters, paramedics, and police officers). PSP have a high risk of developing mental disorders and face unique barriers to traditional mental health treatments. The PSP Wellbeing Course is a transdiagnostic, internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy...
Background: There is growing evidence for the therapeutic effects of psychedelics. However, it is still uncertain how these drugs interact with serotonergic antidepressants (serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRIs)). Objective: This study explores the interaction between psychedelics and SRIs in terms of therapeutic effects. The objective is to compare acute psychedelic effects and subsequent...
A significant number of individuals with alcohol use disorder remain unresponsive to currently available treatments, which calls for the development of new alternatives. In parallel, psilocybin-assisted therapy for alcohol use disorder has recently yielded promising preliminary results. Building on extant findings, the proposed study is set to evaluate the feasibility and preliminary clinical...
Psilocybin is a natural substance with hallucinogenic properties that has recently been used in the field of health. It is an alkaloid that, when associated with psychotherapy, has shown benefits in the treatment of depression and anxiety. This study aims to analyze the current state of knowledge about the psychological effects of psilocybin in patients with terminal cancer. The method used was...