Abstract Psychedelic drug use is experiencing a global resurgence, both in clinical research and community settings. This paper presents a comprehensive public health analysis of the naturalistic use of psychedelics—defined as use outside clinical or research environments. Drawing on a review of 104 peer-reviewed articles, this analysis evaluates the mental, physical, and social outcomes...
Psychotria viridis Ruiz & Pav. has gained significant attention due to its role in the preparation of ayahuasca. This study aimed to improve the understanding of the specialized metabolite profile in P. viridis leaves and to evaluate how growing conditions and seasonality impact this composition. The specimens were grown either in the open field or in the shaded environment of rubber tree...
Research on psychedelic drugs, such as psilocybin, LSD or DMT, is a burgeoning field, with an increasing number of studies showing their promise in treatment of mental disorders as well as examining their mechanism of action. Determining their effect on the brain is crucial from clinical standpoint, but also offers highly promising avenues of advancement in basic neuroscience—functional...
This study aimed to validate and culturally adapt the Altered States of Consciousness Rating Scale (OAV) and Five Dimensional-Altered States of Consciousness Questionnaire (5D-ASC) for Brazilian Portuguese to measure altered states of consciousness in the context of psychedelic research. A parallel back-translation model was employed with expert reviews to ensure linguistic and cultural...
Drugs AgingJune 24, 2025Lou Vinarcsik, Charles Smoller, George Grossberg1 citation
The use of drugs with psychedelic and dissociative effects for the treatment of psychiatric illnesses has become increasingly popular in recent years. However, few trials have been conducted to determine the efficacy of these agents in the specific setting of treatment-resistant major depressive disorder (MDD) in older adults. In this paper, we review notable aspects of treatment-resistant MDD...
Serotonergic psychedelic drugs are under investigation as therapies for various psychiatric disorders, including major depression. Although serotonergic psychedelic drugs are 5-HT2A receptor agonists, some such agonists are not psychedelic, potentially due to differences in 5-HT2A receptor ligand bias or signalling efficacy. Here, we investigated 5-HT2A receptor signalling properties of...
Currently, the most actively investigated rapidly acting antidepressants, anxiolytics and/or anti PTSD agents, include psychedelics e.g. psilocybin, LSD, N , N ‐dimethyltryptamine, ayahuasca; non‐hallucinogenic entactogens, e.g. MDMA; psychoplastogens which rapidly promote neuroplasticity, e.g. ibogaine, ketamine and esketamine; and other atypicals e.g. dextromorphan/bupropion, esmethadone....
This thesis critiques the war on drugs for disproportionately targeting minority communities and prioritizing systemic exploitation over public health. It examines the flawed, politically influenced DEA drug scheduling process, which neglects evidence of the medical benefits of substances like cannabis, psilocybin, LSD, DMT, and MDMA. This thesis gives a brief history of the evolution of US...
Millions worldwide suffer from chronic pain, a complex condition often accompanied by depression and anxiety, highlighting the urgent need for innovative treatments. Classic psychedelics, including psilocybin, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), and N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT), primarily act on serotonin 5-HT2A receptors and have emerged as potential modulators of pain perception and mood...
Neurological and psychiatric disorders are considered one of the major problems of today's societies and cause many individual and social problems. Current treatments are effective, but due to their burdens, there is always an effort to introduce novel treatments. Psychedelics, a diverse group of psychoactive compounds, including LSD, psilocybin, DMT, MDMA, and ketamine, have shown potential in...