Background: "Chemsex" involves the intake of a range of drugs (e.g., synthetic cathinones, gamma-hydroxybutyric acid/gamma-butyrolactone (GHB/GBL), ketamine, methamphetamine, "poppers", type V phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors, MDMA/ecstasy, cocaine, cannabis, and occasionally a few other molecules as well, to enhance and prolong sexual experiences. This paper aims to provide an overview of...
Abstract N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) is a serotonergic psychedelic, known to rapidly induce short-lasting alterations in conscious experience, characterized by a profound and immersive sense of physical transcendence alongside rich and vivid auditory distortions and visual imagery. Multimodal neuroimaging data paired with dynamic analysis techniques offer a valuable approach for identifying...
N, N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT), a potent serotonergic psychedelic, bridges ancient wisdom and modern science. The mechanisms underlying its powerful psychedelic effects and out-of-body experiences continue to intrigue scientists. The functional role of DMT remains ambiguous. This paper explores the endogenous presence of DMT in the human body and its diverse neuroregulatory functions, which...
Abstract. Illness requiring critical care can lead to the development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a complex mental health condition resulting from exposure to traumatic events. In the intensive care unit (ICU), the nature of interventions often contributes to a high incidence of PTSD, which is a significant component of post-intensive care syndrome (PICS). This article provides a...
Introduction: Depression, affecting 350 million people globally, is a leading cause of disability. Common symptoms include low mood, sadness, guilt, anxiety, and suicidalthoughts. Current treatments, mostly monoamine-based antidepressants, have limitations such as delayed effects and low efficacy, with over 60% of patients not achieving lasting remission. Ketamine, an NMDA antagonist, has shown...
Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) remains a critical challenge in psychiatry, with limited effective options. Esketamine, a rapid-acting antidepressant, is usually combined with a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) or a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), but comparative evidence of these combinations' effectiveness in real-world settings is sparse. To determine...
Psilocybin has various therapeutic effects in mental and psychological disorders, including depression and mood disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders, substance addiction and anxiety. Pharmacodynamic properties of psilocybin depend on doses used and time after administration. The psilocybin dose range varies depending on whether it is used therapeutically or for recreational purposes in...
European PsychiatryApril 1, 2025E. E. Morales Castellano, P. Rivero Rodríguez, Marina Martínez Grimal et al.
Introduction The relationship between psychosis and ayahuasca use is a topic of considerable interest and debate in the scientific and medical community. Ayahuasca is traditionally used in shamanic ceremonies in the Amazon, composed mainly of the Banisteriopsis caapi vine and the leaves of Psychotria viridis, which contain DMT (dimethyltryptamine), a powerful hallucinogen. Ayahuasca induces...
Recent research suggests that serotonergic psychedelics may simultaneously enhance connectedness to both social and natural worlds. This article synthesizes current evidence regarding psychedelics' effects on nature relatedness and social connectedness, examining underlying mechanisms through the framework of self-other overlap. Psychedelics appear to facilitate self-expansion through two...
Importance: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and cognitive behavioral therapy are the first-line treatments for pediatric obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) populations. Due to their limited effectiveness, additional treatment options are needed. A new potential pharmacological medication treatment avenue for OCD is intravenous (IV) ketamine. Objective: This study aimed to...