Introduction: Psychedelics are emerging as potential treatments for neuropsychiatric conditions, with evidence suggesting a single administration can lead to enduring behavioural changes. While the underlying putative mechanism(s) remain unclear, there is evidence supporting altered learning as a key candidate. Aim: This systematic review examined studies assessing the effects of psychedelics...
5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) is a psychedelic drug known for its uniquely profound effects on consciousness; however, it remains unknown how it affects the brain. We collected electroencephalography (EEG) data of 29 healthy individuals before and after inhaling a high dose (12-mg) of vaporized synthetic 5-MeO-DMT. We replicate results from rodents showing amplified low-frequency...
A revolutionary change in contemporary therapeutic paradigms may be seen in the renewed interest in psychedelic plant remedies. Psychedelic plants like psilocybe mushrooms, ayahuasca, iboga, and salvia divinorum, which have long been valued for their spiritual and therapeutic qualities in a variety of cultures, are now the subject of intense scientific research. According to recent clinical...
Abstract Determining the scale of neural representations is a central challenge in neuroscience. While localized representations have traditionally dominated, evidence suggests information is also encoded in distributed, hierarchical networks. Recent research indicates that the hierarchy of causal influences shaping functional patterns serves as a signature of distinct brain states, with...
A recent study published in Neuron by Tiwari et al . identified the critical role of 5-HT 2A receptor in ventral hippocampal parvalbumin (PV) interneurons (INs) in mediating the acute anxiolytic effects of the serotonergic psychedelic 2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine (DOI). This study not only advances psychedelic neuropharmacology but also provides a robust framework for developing novel...
ABSTRACT In the 1950s–60s, serotonergic psychedelic drugs were studied as potential adjuvants to psychotherapy to treat addiction and alcoholism. However, starting in the 70s, preclinical and clinical studies on psychedelics stopped for decades because legislation controlled its recreational use, citing their hallucinogenic and psychotomimetic effects, as well as their abuse potential....
Pain is a protective mechanism that can be classified into acute and chronic types. Ayahuasca is a psychoactive brew rich in dimethyltryptamine or DMT (a 5-HT2A receptor agonist), and harmine (a monoamine-oxidase (MAO) inhibitor) used for religious and therapeutic purposes. Previous preclinical and anecdotal evidence suggests that ayahuasca and its compounds have antinociceptive and...
The classical psychedelics (+)-lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), psilocybin, and mescaline exert their psychedelic effects via activation of the 5-HT2A serotonin receptor (5-HT2AR). Recent clinical studies have suggested that classical psychedelics may additionally have therapeutic potential for many neuropsychiatric conditions including depression, anxiety, migraine and cluster headaches, drug...
Depression is a common disorder around the world, according to the WHO (World Health Organization) about 350 million people worldwide suffer from the disease, a number that is growing every day. Brazil is the second country in the Americas with the highest number of depressive people, where about 5.8% of the population has been diagnosed with the pathology. Depression is a chronic and recurrent...
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a significant global health challenge, with limited effective treatments for its acute and chronic consequences. TBI is characterized by neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, impaired neuroplasticity, imbalances in neurotransmission, and cell death - factors that contribute to the development of neurological and psychiatric disorders. Emerging evidence suggests...