The United States is entering its fourth decade of the opioid epidemic with no clear end in sight. At the center of the epidemic is an increase in opioid use disorder (OUD), a complex condition encompassing physical addiction, psychological comorbidities, and socioeconomic and legal travails associated with the misuse and abuse of opioids. Existing behavioral and medication-assisted therapies...
Abstract Psilocybin and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) experiences can range from very positive to highly challenging (e.g., fear, grief, and paranoia). These challenging experiences contribute to hesitancy toward psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy among health care providers and patients. Co-use of 3,4-Methylenedioxy methamphetamine (MDMA) with psilocybin/LSD anecdotally reduces challenging...
Abstract Background Psilocybin, the psychoactive compound in magic mushrooms, is increasingly discussed in terms of its psychotherapeutic potential; however, little is known about community attitudes towards psilocybin assisted therapy (PAT). Aims To address the question: What are the public's attitudes towards psilocybin and psilocybin-assisted therapy? And what factors explain these...
Background: Psilocybin and psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) have gained renewed interest due to recent findings that PAT can enhance therapeutic outcomes. In 2019, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) approved breakthrough therapy status to psilocybin for the treatment of depression, but PAT has yet to be approved as a therapeutic treatment for mental health disorders. Should the FDA...
Introduction: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a common health issue of complex etiology significantly deteriorating functioning in everyday life. It may develop as a result of exposure to traumatic events like traffic accidents, war experience, sexual abuse and domestic violence. Current methods of treatment consist of trauma-oriented psychotherapy supported by selective serotonin...
The country is the first to make psilocybin and MDMA available for medical use by prescription as part of a psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy regimen. In a move that excited some and concerned others, Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) earlier this year approved the use of MDMA and psilocybin as adjuncts in the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and...
Introduction: The word “psychedelic” derives from the Greek language and can be loosely translated as “mind manifesting” which is to convey that these substances allow the mind to unleash its hidden potential. Psilocybin is considered to be a “classic psychedelic” and is most commonly found in the form of so-called “magic mushrooms”. Due to its unique properties psilocybin has been used during...
Among the greatest unmet needs in major depressive disorder (MDD) is a lack of effective pharmacotherapies for patients who do not respond to first- and second-line antidepressant medications. After decades of muted progress, optimism regarding the future of MDD therapy rose after scientists serendipitously uncovered the antidepressant effects of ketamine. The discovery of ketamine's...
The use of psychedelic medications to treat the brain disorders associated with psychiatric illness has re-emerged in recent years as a viable treatment option (Grieco et al., 2022). Historically there is evidence of hallucinogenic use in religious and spiritual rituals dating back to 500 B.C. (Begola & Dowben, 2018). The discovery of LSD (lysergic acid diethylamine-25) in Switzerland in 1943...
The resurgence of psychedelic research explicitly targets treating mental health conditions largely through psychedelics-assisted psychotherapy. Current theories about mechanisms of change in psychedelics-assisted psychotherapy focus on mystical experiences as the main driver of symptom improvement. During these mystical experiences, participants report an enhanced sense of salience,...