CellsNovember 26, 2025Ivan Anchesi, Maria Francesca Astorino, Ivana Raffaele et al.1 citation
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) therapies effectively modulate peripheral immune responses but largely fail to promote neural repair within the central nervous system. This review evaluates whether psychedelic compounds (PSYs), via 5-HT2A activation, can fill a critical therapeutic gap: the need for agents that simultaneously suppress neuroinflammation and promote regeneration. We dissect the evidence...
Psychotic disorders frequently result from repeated ketamine exposure, yet the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. We propose that repeated exposure to ketamine may induce psychotic-like behaviors via DRD1-mediated nuclear signaling pathways. Our investigation focused on phosphorylated DARPP-32 at Thr34, Thr75, and Ser97, alongside transcriptome profiling in both cell and mouse models. We...
Psychedelics, acting primarily through 5-HT2A receptor binding and modulation of networks such as the default mode network (DMN), can induce shifts in self-perception, cognition, and emotion by promoting neuroplasticity and altering entrenched thought patterns. The biomedical model, emphasizing measurable neurochemical processes, often attempts to extract these neuroplastic benefits while...
Exploding head syndrome (EHS) is a parasomnia characterized by the perception of loud noises originating from inside the head during sleep transitions, often accompanied by visual phenomena and fear. Treatment remains challenging due to unknown etiology and limited therapeutic options. We report a 75-year-old man with chronic exploding head syndrome experiencing lightning-like sensations,...
Ketamine and its enantiomer esketamine are NMDA receptor antagonists that have shown consistent antidepressant effects in major depression disorder (MDD). These effects suggest an active role of glutamate in the pathophysiology of depression. It has been hypothesized that acute increase of glutamate neurotransmission in the prefrontal cortex following treatment with (es)ketamine leads to...
In this viewpoint, we explore the evolving landscape of psychedelic-assisted therapy in Europe, focusing on clinical, regulatory, and therapeutic developments. While access remains limited, recent initiatives in Switzerland, Germany, and the Czech Republic illustrate growing momentum toward regulated use. We examine the debate surrounding psychedelics as pharmacological agents versus...
Medical SciencesNovember 20, 2025Silvia Natoli, Arturo Cuomo, Maurizio Marchesini et al.
Background: Chronic pain affects nearly one in five adults worldwide and remains a major healthcare burden due to its persistence, multidimensional impact, and resistance to conventional therapies. The opioid crisis has further highlighted the urgent need for safer and more effective alternatives. Psilocybin, a serotonergic psychedelic compound, has re-emerged as a potential therapeutic option...
Molecular PsychiatryNovember 18, 2025A. Arena, M. R. Rubinstein, A. M. Genaro et al.
Ketamine has emerged as a rapid and sustained treatment for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and an alternative for patients who have not responded to traditional therapies. Its effects have been partly attributed to the noncompetitive antagonism of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) in the central nervous system, which enhances neuroplasticity. However, the etiopathology of MDD is...
November 17, 2025Tony R. Montgomery, Demond M. Grant
Recent research into classical psychedelics, such as psilocybin, LSD, and DMT, has highlighted their therapeutic potential for mental health disorders. However, emerging evidence suggests their utility may extend beyond treatment into the realm of preventive medicine. This manuscript proposes a novel framework positioning psychedelics as agents of cellular and psychological rejuvenation....
Qualia, the subjective qualities of experience, pose a fundamental challenge to scientific explanation. A promising recent approach is to characterize qualia by their relational structures rather than their intrinsic nature. Assuming the structure of qualia is characterized by the geometry of neural representations, we posit that this geometry is fundamentally organized by symmetry. We propose...