In psychedelic therapy, the importance of set and setting is a fundamental but under-researched assumption. The aim of this study is to correlate variables of set (psychedelic use motivation) and setting (psychedelic use location and type of companion) with psychopathology, wellbeing and personality variables. A sample of 1022 participants of the Spanish-speaking population was collected...
Background: Growing clinical interest in psychedelic-assisted therapies has led to a second wave of research involving psilocybin, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and other substances. Data suggests that these compounds have the potential to treat mental health conditions that are especially prevalent in older adults such as depression, anxiety,...
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with significant patient burden. While pharmacotherapies and evidence-based psychotherapy interventions (EBPI) are effective, studies consistently highlight inadequate outcomes and high treatment dropout. Psychedelic therapy (PT) has shown preliminary promise across difficult-to-treat conditions, including MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD,...
ABSTRACT: Psychedelics, including psilocybin, and other consciousness-altering compounds such as 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), currently are being scientifically investigated for their potential therapeutic uses, with a primary focus on measurable outcomes: for example, alleviation of symptoms or increases in self-reported well-being. Accordingly, much recent discussion about the...
Tourists travelling to Turkey may encounter circling (mevlevi) dervishes in Konya, spinning in circles to achieve a kind of altered state of consciousness and enter a trance-like state of ecstasy. The world of popular music has also been inspired by the concepts of Christianity and ecstasy, and some rock bands have emerged from a combination of the two. This altered state of consciousness is...
Modern research on near-death experiences (NDEs), powerful spiritual experiences triggered by a close brush with death, has focused on experiences characterized by profound positive feelings, ranging from incredible peace and calmness to bliss and ecstasy. However, throughout history there have been accounts of frightening deathbed visions and terrifying journeys to a hellish realm peopled by...
Abstract Objective Can machine learning (ML) enable data‐driven discovery of how changes in sentiment correlate with different psychoactive experiences? We investigate by training models directly on text testimonials from a diverse 52‐drug pharmacopeia. Methods Using large language models (i.e. BERT) and 11,816 publicly‐available testimonials, we predicted 28‐dimensions of sentiment across each...
Abstract Background Perception of drug adulteration has increased in Mexico, but there is little research on adulterants and toxicity. The aim of this study was to identify drug composition in an electronic music outdoor festival nearby Mexico City. Methods The participants completed a questionnaire with demographic data, harm reduction strategies, drug-use patterns, history, and the drug they...
The present study investigated differences in perceptions of psychedelic-assisted therapy between Black and White Americans, as well as factors that may influence these perceptions. A final sample of 294 adults (42% female, 44% Black/African American or Mixed Race (of Black/African ancestry), 56% White American; Mage = 36.3 years) completed an online survey which assessed baseline knowledge and...
In recent years, scientific research into the therapeutic potential of psychedelic compounds has experienced a resurgence of interest. New studies have shown promising results, supporting the use of psychedelic drugs in treating various psychiatric disorders, including treatment-resistant depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and even alcohol addiction. The FDA has recognized...