Psychedelics can facilitate mystical-type insights and beliefs, such as the belief that the fundamental nature of reality is loving consciousness. These belief changes could underlie the positive effects of psychedelics on wellbeing. However, mystical-type beliefs have been criticized of being delusional, as they contradict naturalism. Here I argue that naturalism is one metaphysical position...
Recent experience with off-label use of ketamine and recent challenges experienced in research with MDMA and psilocybin provide additional perspectives on how best to continue development of experimental psychedelic medications. Andrews et al. [1] provide a valuable perspective by noting the parallels between the ongoing deregulation of cannabis and what is now happening with psychedelics. The...
Classical psychedelics are increasingly receiving attention as potential therapeutic agents for treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Research has explored various classical psychedelics in the context of fear learning, recall, and extinction in rodents. We provide an overview of the reported effects of these substances on behavioral responses to learned fear. The amygdala complex, a...
eview question / Objective This protocol outlines the methodology for an "Overview of Review" (OoR) study which aims to conduct a comprehensive analysis of systematic reviews with meta-analyses of psilocybin randomized clinical trials.The primary objective is to provide an evaluation of the therapeutic effects, safety profiles, and adverse effects of psilocybin as documented in the best...
Abstract As a proposed mediator between stigma-related stressors and negative mental health outcomes, HIV-related shame has been predictive of increased rates of substance use and difficulties adhering to antiretroviral treatment among people with HIV. These downstream manifestations have ultimately impeded progress toward national goals to End the HIV Epidemic , in part due to limited success...
Seizures are a concerning adverse event frequently associated with the use of psychedelics, and hence, studies involving these substances tend to exclude patients with past history of epilepsy. This is especially relevant because epileptic seizures are markedly increased in the population suffering from mental disorders, and psychedelic assisted therapy is being researched as a promising...
The phenylethylamine, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, 'ecstasy'), is the prototypical example of an entactogen. Its original placement in highly restrictive drug usage categories in the US and UK, led to an inevitable restriction on MDMA neuroscience research and treatment. The dominant pharmacological effects of MDMA are its properties of release and inhibition of reuptake of amine...
Prior data indicate limited ethnoracial diversity in studies testing psychedelic-assisted treatments. Regulatory approval for psychedelic treatments may be imminent given growing evidence for safety and efficacy in a variety of psychiatric conditions. Data on racial and ethnic inclusion rates in clinical psychedelic studies since 2018 have not been systematically reported to date. With the...
There is considerable evidence from the literature that psychedelics, such as N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT), are safe and effective treatments for depression. However, clinical administration to induce psychedelic effects and expensive psychotherapy-assisted treatments likely limit accessibility to the average patient. There is emerging evidence that DMT promotes positive behavioral changes in...
A variety of classic psychedelics and MDMA have been shown to enhance fear extinction in rodent models. This has translational significance because a standard treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is prolonged exposure therapy. However, few studies have investigated psilocybin's potential effect on fear learning paradigms. More specifically, the extents to which dose, timing of...