Long-term effects of ayahuasca in patients with recurrent depression : a 5-year qualitative follow-up Rafael G. dos Santos, Rafael Faria Sanches, Flávia de Lima Osório, Jaime E.C. Hallak Archive of Clinical Psychiatry, 2018, 45, 1, 22-4 DOI: 10.1590/0101-60830000000149 Abstract Background : Ayahuasca is a botanical hallucinogenic preparation traditionally used by indigenous populations of Northwestern Amazonian countries for ritual and therapeutic purposes. It is rich in β-carboline alkaloids and N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT). Preclinical, observational, and experimental studies suggest that ayahuasca and its alkaloids have anxiolytic and antidepressive effects. We recently reported in an open-label trial that ayahuasca administration was associated with significant decreases in depression symptoms for [...]
Lire la suiteN, N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT), an Endogenous Hallucinogen : Past, Present, and Future Research to Determine Its Role and Function Steven A. Barker Frontiers in Neuroscience, 2018, 12, 536. doi: 10.3389/fnins.2018.00536 This report provides a historical overview of research concerning the endogenous hallucinogen N, N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT), focusing on data regarding its biosynthesis and metabolism in the brain and peripheral tissues, methods and results for DMT detection in body fluids and brain, new sites of action for DMT, and new data regarding its possible physiological and therapeutic roles. Research that further elaborates its consideration as a putative neurotransmitter is also addressed. Taking these studies together, the report [...]
Lire la suitePsychedelics Promote Structural and Functional Neural Plasticity Astral X Neural Plasticity, Alexandra C. Greb, Lindsay P. Cameron, Jonathan M. Wong, Eden V. Barragan, Paige C. Wilson, Kyle F. Burbach, Sina Soltanzadeh Zarandi, Alexander Sood, Michael R. Padd, Whitney C. Duim, Megan Y. Dennis, A. Kimberley McAllister, Kassandra M. Ori-McKenney, John A. Gray and David E. Olson Experiment Findings, February 2018 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/331396378 SUMMARY Atrophy of neurons in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) plays a key role in the pathophysiology of depression and related disorders. The ability to promote both structural and functional plasticity in the PFC has been hypothesized to underlie the fast-acting antidepressant properties of the [...]
Lire la suiteAssessing the psychedelic “after-glow” in ayahuasca users: post-acute neurometabolic and functional connectivity changes are associated with enhanced mindfulness capacities. Ayahuasca post-acute effects Regular Research Article Frederic Sampedro, Mario de la Fuente Revenga, Marta Valle, Natalia Roberto, Elisabet Domínguez-Clavé, Matilde Elices, Luís Eduardo Luna, José Alexandre S. Crippa, Jaime E. C. Hallak, Draulio B. de Araujo, Pablo Friedlander, Steven A. Barker, Enrique Álvarez, Joaquim Soler, Juan C. Pascual, Amanda Feilding and Jordi Riba © The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of CINP. The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology, 2017, 20, 9 DOI : 10.1093/ijnp/pyx036 Significance Statement Psychedelics are intriguing drugs that induce transient but intense [...]
Lire la suiteFour Weekly Ayahuasca Sessions Lead to Increases in “Acceptance” Capacities : A Comparison Study With a Standard 8-Week Mindfulness Training Program Joaquim Soler, Matilde Elices, Elisabeth Dominguez-Clavé, Juan C. Pascual, Amanda Feilding, Mayte Navarro-Gil, Javier García-Campayo and Jordi Riba Frontiers in Pharmacology, 2018, 9, 224. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2018.00224 Background : The therapeutic effects of the Amazonian plant tea ayahuasca may relate to its ability to enhance mindfulness capacities. Ayahuasca induces a modified state of awareness through the combined action of its active principles: the psychedelic N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) and a series of centrally acting b-carbolines, mainly harmine and tetrahydroharmine. To better understand the therapeutic potential of [...]
Lire la suiteAssociation between medical cannabis laws and opioid overdose mortality has reversed over time Chelsea L. Shover, Corey S. Davis, Sanford C. Gordon, and Keith Humphreys PNAS, mai 2019 www.pnas.org/cgi/doi/10.1073/pnas.1903434116 Abstract Medical cannabis has been touted as a solution to the US opioid overdose crisis since Bachhuber et al. [M. A. Bachhuber, B. Saloner, C. O. Cunningham, C. L. Barry, JAMA Intern. Med. 174, 1668–1673] found that from 1999 to 2010 states with medical cannabis laws experienced slower increases in opioid analgesic overdose mortality. That research received substantial attention in the scientific literature and popular press and served as a talking point for the cannabis industry [...]
Lire la suiteMedical Cannabis No Solution to the Opioid Crisis Batya Swift Yasgur, MA, LSW Medscape Medical News, June 11, 2019 https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/914256?nlid=130206_2052&src=WNL_mdplsnews_190614_mscpedit_psyc&uac=292598PZ&spon=12&impID=1994987&faf=1 Contrary to previous research and popular assumptions, legalization of, and broader access to, medical cannabis has not reduced opioid overdose death rates. A study at Stanford University in California showed no protective effect of medical cannabis. In fact, states that legalized medical cannabis actually experienced a 22.7% increase in opioid overdose deaths. "There has been an idea touted by people and the cannabis industry and everyone invested in finding solutions to the opioid crisis that passing cannabis laws is one way to do that," lead author [...]
Lire la suiteMay 10, 2019 Study will test pot’s effects on infants’ brain development Researchers seek to isolate cannabis from concurrent use of alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drugs. Media Contact: Brian Donohue - 206.543.7856, bdonohue@uw.edu Kleinhans Lab MRI scans of infants’ brains are part of the evaluation to discern effects of prenatal marijuana exposure. UW Medicine researchers are recruiting pregnant women to study whether prenatal marijuana use – in the absence of alcohol, tobacco, and any illicit drug consumption – affects their infants’ brain development, cognitive and motor development, medical health, and social behavior. The “Moms + Marijuana” study is co-led by Drs. Natalia Kleinhans and Stephen Dager, radiologists at [...]
Lire la suiteAssociation Between Marijuana Use and Adverse Obstetrical and Neonatal Outcomes CR Warshak; J Regan; B Moore; K Magner; S Kritzer; J Van Hook Journal of Perinatology, 2015, 35, 12, 991-995. PMID : 26401751 DOI : 10.1038/jp.2015.120 Abstract and Introduction Abstract Objective: To evaluate associations between marijuana exposure and adverse outcomes excluding women with polysubstance abuse and stratifying for concurrent maternal tobacco use. Study Design: We performed a retrospective cohort study evaluating various obstetrical and neonatal outcomes including: preterm delivery, pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, cesarean delivery, fetal growth restriction, a composite which included stillbirth or neonatal intensive care unit admission, and perinatal mortality. We stratified study groups [...]
Lire la suiteCannabis For Cancer-Related Symptoms (CAFCARS) https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03948074?recrs=abdf&cond=cannabis&draw=2&rank=98 ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03948074 Recruitment Status : Not yet recruiting First Posted : May 13, 2019 Last Update Posted : May 13, 2019 See Contacts and Locations Sponsor: Pippa Hawley Information provided by (Responsible Party): Pippa Hawley, British Columbia Cancer Agency Study Description Brief Summary: Clinical evidence is urgently needed to be able to advise patients on which cannabis-based products to take, or to avoid, in managing cancer-related symptoms. This trial was therefore designed to determine which cannabis extract combination (High THC-Low CBD, Low THC-High CBD, or Equal amounts of THC and CBD) is most effective at treating cancer related symptoms for each [...]
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