Tricyclic antidepressants decrease rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and may suppress sleep atonia. Reports indicate that these agents can induce visual hallucinations, sometimes characterized as hypnopompic or associated with a dissociated sleep-wakefulness state. In addition, disturbing dreams and confusional states were reported during clinical trials and in subsequent studies. To our...
Aims and method To determine which recreational drugs are most readily offered in ‘head shops’, and what safety information is provided; and determine sales assistants' knowledge about the mental health complications of cannabis. Researchers surveyed ten head shops in Dublin. Results Sales assistants in all head shops described their products as legal and safe. Overall, 50% stated cannabis was...
ABSTRACTThis article examines the neurobiological basis of the healing power attributed to shamanic practices in the Andes and Brazil in light of the pharmacology of neurotransmitters and the new technological explorations of brain functioning. The psychotropic plants used in shamanic psychiatric cures interfere selectively with the intrinsic neuromediators of the brain. Mainly they may alter:...
We investigated state effects of two forms of meditation on electroencephalography prefrontal α-asymmetry, a global indicator of approach versus withdrawal motivation and related affective state. A clinical series of previously depressed individuals were guided to practice either mindfulness breathing meditation (N = 8) or a form of meditation directly aimed at cultivating positive affect,...
The functions and dysfunctions of slow wave sleep and of REM sleep and its associated dreams have a tremendous significance in understanding the psychosomatic model of illness and in establishing preventive strategies. Ten patients suffering from a variety of psychosomatic illnessess spent 3-4 nights sleeping at the Dream Laboratory. A psychiatric evaluation was carried out and those suffering...
The presence of schizo-affective psychosis is postulated psychopathologically, if schizophrenic as well as manic or depressive cyclothymic symptoms, respectively, are to be found in the same clinical picture. This circumstance rises the question with what legitimation do we designate a symptom as schizophrenic, etc.? Generally, we call a symptom, e.g., schizophrenic, if: (1) like with K....
Although previous studies have examined anxiety and depression in ecstasy (±3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine; MDMA) users, it remains unclear whether symptoms are associated specifically with ecstasy or with polydrug use in general. We compared mean symptomatology and clinically significant symptoms in 45 ecstasy polydrug, 48 cannabis polydrug and 40 legal drug users, who completed...
Previous findings report use of the drug ecstasy (MDMA) to be associated with lower emotional intelligence (EI), and compromised functioning in brain areas responsible for emotion. This study explored the relationship between ecstasy use, EI, mood and parenting styles. Questionnaire measures of drug use, lifestyle, parenting style and EI were obtained, with separate IQ measures for fluid...
Recovery from emotional challenge and increased tolerance of negative affect are both hallmarks of mental health. Mindfulness training (MT) has been shown to facilitate these outcomes, yet little is known about its mechanisms of action. The present study employed functional MRI (fMRI) to compare neural reactivity to sadness provocation in participants completing 8 weeks of MT and waitlisted...