This psychometric pilot study aims to evaluate a new multidimensional simple scale, named the nightmare severity index (NSI) - close to the existing insomnia (ISI) and hypersomnia (HSI) severity indexes. The NSI encompasses all main dimensions of nightmare disorder, evaluating four subdimensions: frequency, emotional impact, diurnal impact, and nocturnal impact of nightmares. The NSI was...
MDMA is a potential novel treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Our goal is to review current knowledge on MDMA and its use in MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD. Literature searches were done on PubMed, Web of Science and Google Scholar and references reviewed in identified articles. MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD usually consists of a few preparatory sessions before two or...
Background: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is one of the most prevalent mental health issues among emergency nurses, particularly in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there is a scarcity of empirical studies on improving PTSD and related symptoms. Objective: To investigate the effectiveness of the mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program in reducing PTSD symptoms,...
Approximately 15-30 % of individuals diagnosed with PTSD experience high levels of dissociation, a condition categorized in the DSM-V as a dissociative subtype of PTSD (PTSD-D). Despite the rising number of studies supporting mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) for the treatment of PTSD, literature on mindfulness and dissociation remains scarce and discording. While best practices for...
Objective: This study aims to provide an overview of pharmacological trials that examine the neurocognitive effects of psychedelics among healthy individuals and patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or major depressive disorder (MDD). Methods: The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews (PRISMA) was used as a guide to structure and report the findings for this review. A...
Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) offers promise as a group-based intervention to alleviate posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression symptoms in traumatized Black adults. Given the high level of barriers that exist for low-income Black adults, virtual delivery of MBCT may be helpful. This pilot randomized controlled trial assessed feasibility and acceptability of an adapted...
Ayahuasca is an original Amazonian brew made from the vines and leaves of Psychotroa viridis and Banisteriopsis caapi. Both P. viridis and B. caapi give this brew its unique psychedelic properties which have been revered over centuries. In recent years, ayahuasca has gained attention as a potential therapeutic tool for mental health disorders, including substance abuse and depression. The...
Introduction and purpose: Post-traumatic stress disorder is a psychiatric condition following an extreme event that causes a near death of an involved individual. Since conventional treatments using selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors do not consistently yield therapeutic success, alternative substances are being explored as potential solutions. This study aims to compile information...
BackgroundPost-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a highly prevalent psychiatric disorder that can become chronic and debilitating when left untreated. Available pharmacotherapies are limited, take weeks to show modest benefit and remain ineffective for up to 40% of patients. Methylone is currently in clinical development for the treatment of PTSD. Preclinical studies show rapid, robust and...
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an enduring condition characterized by a chronic course and impairments across several areas. Despite its significance, treatment options remain limited, and remission rates are often low. Ketamine has demonstrated antidepressant properties and appears to be a promising agent in the management of PTSD. A systematic review was conducted in PubMed/MEDLINE,...
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating disorder inflicting high degrees of symptomatic and socioeconomic burdens. The development of PTSD results from a cascade of events with contributions from multiple processes and the underlying pathophysiology is complex, involving neurotransmitters, neurocircuitry, and neuroanatomical pathways. Presently, only two medications are US...
Psilocybe cubensis is a species of psilocybin mushroom (magic mushroom) of moderate potency whose principal active compounds are psilocybin and psilocin. Recent studies have shown the significant procognitive and mood-enhancer effects of Psilocybe cubensis. However, evidence is so limited, especially in preclinical studies. We aimed to investigate the effect of Psilocybe cubensis extract on...
What Is the Issue? Many drug treatments are available for depression, but 22% of people in Canada with the condition have treatment-resistant depression (TRD). For people with TRD, standard drug treatments do not improve their symptoms or do not work for long, and their depression persists. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a disabling mental health condition that affects about 9% of...
The application of MDMA in conjunction with psychotherapy has in recent years seen a resurgence of clinical, scientific, and public interest in the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Clinical trials have shown promising safety and efficacy, but the mechanisms underlying this treatment form remain largely unestablished. This article explores recent preclinical and clinical...
Introduction There is a resurgence of interest in the therapeutic potential of psychedelic substances such as 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). Primary findings from our randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-site Phase 3 clinical trial of participants with severe PTSD (NCT03537014) showed that MDMA-assisted therapy induced significant attenuation in the...
Abstract: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can occur following exposure to a traumatic experience. An estimated 12 million U.S. adults are presently affected by this disorder. Current treatments include psychological therapies (e.g., exposure-based interventions) and pharmacological treatments (e.g., selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs))....
There is a need for expanded options for therapeutic interventions for patients with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance use disorder (SUD). The study aimed to examine evidence for the feasibility, safety, and acceptability of a virtual Mantram Repetition Program for adults with PTSD and SUD. This project utilized mixed-method design (explanatory sequential design) to collect...
This study reports on 10 frontline healthcare workers, employed during the COVID-19 pandemic and experiencing symptoms of burnout and PTSD, treated with group ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) in a private outpatient clinic setting. Participants attended 6 sessions once weekly. These included 1 preparation session, 3 ketamine sessions (2 sublingual, 1 intramuscular), 2 integration sessions....
Three sessions of 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)‐assisted therapy over 3 months significantly improved symptoms of post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) compared with placebo plus therapy in a Phase 3 trial. MDMA‐assisted therapy also resulted in improvement in a measure of functional impairment. Study results were published online Sept. 14, 2023, in Nature Medicine.
This narrative state-of-the-art review paper describes the progress in the understanding and treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Over the last four decades, the scientific landscape has matured, with many interdisciplinary contributions to understanding its diagnosis, etiology, and epidemiology. Advances in genetics, neurobiology, stress pathophysiology, and brain imaging have...