Neuroinflammation is a critical factor in the pathogenesis of various neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and major depressive disorder. Psychedelics, such as psilocybin, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), and dimethyltryptamine (DMT), have demonstrated promising therapeutic effects on neuroinflammation, primarily through interactions...
The ever-changing landscape surrounding legality and accessibility of psychedelics and their increasing popularity make it imperative to better understand the nature of psychedelic use by the general population. To this end, 1,486 eligible respondents (Mage = 29.58, 67.1% male) residing in the United States completed an online survey designed to assess the types of psychedelics used, methods of...
At a time when discoveries in the quantum realm of science are challenging traditional concepts of the nature of reality, humans are experiencing a paradigm shift. The burgeoning field of consciousness research emerging from the psychedelic renaissance is encouraging a fresh look at the previously maligned transpersonal domains of experience and supports a more holistic view of psychopathology....
January 23, 2025Eszter Csikós, Viktória Lilla Balázs, Ágnes Farkas et al.
The dried and ground seeds of Ipomoea corymbosa (along with I. violacea and I. tricolor) have been consumed for religious, ceremonial, and healing purposes since the Aztecs. The plant belongs to the Solanales order and the Convolvulaceae (bindweeds or morning glories) family and was previously classified in the now dissolved plant genus Turbina under the name of Turbina corymbosa (L.) Raf. The...
Psychedelics, historically celebrated for their cultural and spiritual significance, have emerged as potential breakthrough therapeutic agents due to their profound effects on consciousness, emotional processing, mood, and neural plasticity. This review explores the mechanisms underlying psychedelics’ effects, focusing on their ability to modulate brain connectivity and neural circuit activity,...
Psychedelics can evoke powerful projections not only for those under the influence of these substances but also for those who study them. As Timothy Leary once quipped, “LSD [is a psychedelic drug that] occasionally causes psychotic behavior in people who have not taken it.” This speaks to how the idea of psychedelics can be polarizing, political, and often poorly defined. While psychedelic...
Different study designs of psychedelic trials may impact the blinding and expectance, leading to biased treatment effects. This study aimed to examine the association between antidepressant efficacy and study designs in psychedelic trials. Six databases were systematically searched. Eligible trials were required to investigate the efficacy of psychedelics (psilocybin, lysergic acid diethylamide...
Psychedelic drugs are increasingly visible in society once more, but their risks and adverse effects have received less attention than perhaps they should. While fatalities associated with psychedelics appear rare, a systematic approach to characterising their aetiology is required to inform harm minimisation efforts. This study aimed to analyse prevalence and characteristics of...
Chronic pain affects approximately 1.5 billion people worldwide, representing the leading cause of disability and a significant financial burden on healthcare systems. Conventional treatments, such as opioids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, are frequently linked to adverse effects, including dependency and gastrointestinal issues, and often offer limited long-term relief. This review...
Interest in psychedelic therapies for adults is rapidly growing, with substances like 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine for posttraumatic stress disorder, psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression, and lysergic acid diethylamide for generalized anxiety disorder showing promise. However, research on these therapies in children and adolescents is limited, with no recent trials. Despite this...