BACKGROUND: Hallucinogen use among adolescents is increasing worldwide. In this context, in recent years, hallucinogens have re-emerged in scientific and public discourse. However, whether there is an association between hallucinogens use in adolescents and the impact of such use in individuals with Early-Onset Psychosis (EOP), remains unclear. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated...
INTRODUCTION: Recreational drug poisonings pose a growing public health concern. European-level data remain limited, although poison centres are well placed to monitor related health incidents. This study analysed temporal trends in recreational drug poisonings reported to six European poison centres. METHODS: Aggregated retrospective data were collected over four years (2021-2024) from poison...
MDMA and ketamine IV currently have the greatest support in the literature for efficacy in PTSD. Studies suggest treatment with these agents under supervision may lead to improvements in PTSD symptoms, with the medications being generally well tolerated. However, caution should be used when interpreting study results due to limitations such as treatment expectancy effect and the potential for...
Support for the legal use of psilocybin mushrooms (23%) is much lower than it is for cannabis (65%), according to a new RAND research report, released Feb. 24. For LSD and 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)–assisted therapy, support for legal use is closer to 10%.
Rationale: Ego-dissolution represents a key therapeutic mechanism in psychedelic-assisted therapy, yet current measurement approaches may inadequately capture its multidimensional nature.Objective: To develop and validate the Multidimensional Ego-Dissolution Assessment (MEDA) and examine substance-specific patterns across classical psychedelics.Methods: Items from three validated scales...
Psychedelic substances like ayahuasca, psilocybin, and LSD have been used for thousands of years in spiritual ceremonies, with users often reporting transcendent and life-altering experiences. Chapter 8 traces the arc of psychedelic use from ancient rituals and colonization to the countercultural revolution and modern neuroscience labs. The chapter blends cultural history with...
Neuroplasticity refers to the ability of the brain to modify synaptic connections and reorganize neural circuits, underpinning cognitive function, emotional regulation, and recovery from injury. Recent advances have redefined adult neuroplasticity as more dynamic and therapeutically accessible than previously thought, spurring investigation into pharmacological interventions that can augment...
Psychedelic compounds such as LSD and Psilocybin have historically been classified alongside illicit substances and widely regarded with skepticism. However, emerging neuroscientific evidence suggests that certain psychedelics may function as “psychoplastogens”- compounds capable of promoting structural and functional neural plasticity. Recent preclinical and early clinical studies indicate...
IMPORTANCE: As psychedelic-assisted therapies gain clinical legitimacy, their cultural portability remains underexamined. While promising results have emerged from trials on existential distress in life-limiting illness, most protocols reflect Euro-American values. The expansion of these therapies calls for a pivot toward cultural humility and renewed attention to what constitutes a "good...
Rapid-acting antidepressants like ketamine and serotonergic psychedelics show promise for treatment-resistant depression (TRD), but the molecular mechanisms that contribute to their therapeutic effects remain unclear. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) offer a platform to model human cortical neurons and investigate drug effects in a human-relevant system. Here, iPSCs from individuals with...