Acute and Sustained Reductions in Loss of Meaning and Suicidal Ideation Following Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy for Psychiatric and Existential Distress in Life-Threatening Cancer Stephen Ross, Gabrielle Agin-Liebes, Sharon Lo, Richard J. Zeifman, Leila Ghazal, Julia Benville, Silvia Franco Corso, Christian Bjerre Real, Jeffrey Guss, Anthony Bossis, and Sarah E. Mennenga ACS Pharmacology & Translational Science, 2021, 4, 553−562. doi : 10.1021/acsptsci.1c00020 ABSTRACT: People with advanced cancer are at heightened risk of desire for hastened death (DHD), suicidal ideation (SI), and completed suicide. Loss of Meaning (LoM), a component of demoralization, can be elevated by a cancer diagnosis and predicts DHD and SI in this population. We completed [...]
Lire la suiteEfficacy and safety of psilocybin-assisted treatment for major depressive disorder : Prospective 12-month follow-up Natalie Gukasyan, Alan K Davis, Frederick S Barrett, Mary P Cosimano, Nathan D Sepeda, Matthew W Johnson and Roland R Griffiths Journal of Psychopharmacology, 2022, Vol. 36(2) 151–158. Doi : 10.1177/02698811211073759 Abstract Background : Preliminary data suggest that psilocybin-assisted treatment produces substantial and rapid antidepressant effects in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD), but little is known about long-term outcomes. Aims : This study sought to examine the efficacy and safety of psilocybin through 12 months in participants with moderate to severe MDD who received psilocybin. Methods : This randomized, waiting-list controlled study [...]
Lire la suitePsychedelic science in post-COVID-19 psychiatry J. R. Kelly, M. T. Crockett, L. Alexander, M. Haran, A. Baker, L. Burke, C. Brennan and V. O’Keane Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine, 2020, 1-6. doi:10.1017/ipm.2020.94 The medium- to long-term consequences of COVID-19 are not yet known, though an increase in mental health problems are pre- dicted. Multidisciplinary strategies across socio-economic and psychological levels may be needed to mitigate the mental health burden of COVID-19. Preliminary evidence from the rapidly progressing field of psychedelic science shows that psilocybin therapy offers a promising transdiagnostic treatment strategy for a range of disorders with restricted and maladaptive habitual patterns of cognition [...]
Lire la suiteCannabis sativa research trends, challenges, and new-age perspectives, Tajammul Hussain et al., 2021
Cannabis sativa research trends, challenges, and new-age perspectives Tajammul Hussain, Ganga Jeena, Thanet Pitakbut, Nikolay Vasilev, and Oliver Kayser iScience, Cell Press, 2021,24, 103391, 1-13. Doi : 10.1016/j.isci.2021.103391 SUMMARY Cannabis sativa L. has been one of the oldest medicinal plants cultivated for 10,000 years for several agricultural and industrial applications. However, the plant became controversial owing to some psychoactive components that have adverse effects on human health. In this review, we analyzed the trends in cannabis research for the past two centuries. We discussed the historical transitions of cannabis from the category of herbal medicine to an illicit drug and back to a medicinal product post-legalization. [...]
Lire la suiteCannabis Domestication, Breeding History, Present-day Genetic Diversity, and Future Prospects Robert C. Clarke and Mark D. Merlin CRITICAL REVIEWS IN PLANT SCIENCES, 2016, VOL. 35, NOS. 5–6, 293–327 Doi : 10.1080/07352689.2016.1267498 ABSTRACT Humans and the Cannabis plant share an intimate history spanning millennia. Humans spread Cannabis from its Eurasian homelands throughout much of the world, and, in concert with local climatic and human cultural parameters, created traditional landrace varieties (cultivars resulting from a combination of natural and farmer selection) with few apparent signs of domestication. Cannabis breeders combined populations from widely divergent geographical regions and gene pools to develop economically valuable fiber, seed, and drug cultivars, [...]
Lire la suiteEffectiveness of Psilocybin on Depression : A Qualitative Study Redhwan Ahmed Al-Naggar, Hisham Alshaikhli, Gwen Erlam Electronic Journal of General Medicine, 2021, 18, (3), em296. doi : 10.29333/ejgm/10862 ABSTRACT Introduction : Psilocybin mushroom use is well documented in spiritual and religious ceremonies globally. This drug is now the most popular in Europe and the USA. Objective : The objective of this study is to explore the experiences and effects of psilocybin on patients with depression and anxiety. Method : A qualitative study was conducted interviewing ten participants currently taking psilocybin while experiencing depression and/or anxiety. Ethical approval was obtained from the University ethics committee. Participants were recruited [...]
Lire la suiteGenomic and Chemical Diversity in Cannabis Ryan C. Lyncha,e, Daniela Vergaraa, Silas Tittesa, Kristin Whitea, C. J. Schwartzb, Matthew J. Gibbsb, Travis C. Ruthenburgc,d, Kymron deCesarec, Donald P. Landc, and Nolan C. Kanea CRITICAL REVIEWS IN PLANT SCIENCES, 2016, VOL. 35, NOS. 5–6, 349–363 Doi : 10.1080/07352689.2016.1265363 ABSTRACT Plants of the Cannabis genus are the only prolific producers of phytocannabinoids, compounds that strongly interact with the evolutionarily ancient endocannabinoid receptors shared by most bilaterian taxa. For millennia, the plant has been cultivated not only for these compounds, but also for food, rope, paper, and clothing. Today, specialized varieties yielding high-quality textile fibers, nutritional seed oil, or high cannabinoid [...]
Lire la suiteClassic psychedelics in the treatment of substance use disorder: Potential synergies with twelve-step programs David B. Yaden, Andrea P. Berghella, Paul S. Regier, Albert Garcia-Romeu, Matthew W. Johnson, Peter S. Hendricks International Journal of Drug Policy, 2021, Doi : 10.1016/j.drugpo.2021.103380 a b s t r a c t Several pilot studies have provided evidence supporting the potential of classic psychedelics like psilocybin in the treatment of substance use disorders (SUDs). If larger trials confirm efficacy, classic psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy may eventually be integrated into existing addiction treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy, contingency management, and medication-assisted therapies. Many individuals seeking treatment for SUDs also join twelve-step [...]
Lire la suitePsychedelic-Assisted Group Therapy : A Systematic Review Alexander Trope, Brian T. Anderson, Andrew R. Hooker, Giancarlo Glick, Christopher Stauffer, Joshua D. Woolley Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 2019, 51, (2) 174–188. doi : 10.1080/02791072.2019.1593559 Abstract Contemporary research with classic psychedelic drugs (e.g. lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and psilocybin) is indebted to the 20th century researchers and clinicians who generated valuable clinical knowledge of these substances through experimentation. Several recent reviews that highlight the contributions of this early literature have focused on psychedelic-assisted individual psychotherapy modalities. None have attempted to systematically identify and compile experimental studies of psychedelic-assisted group therapy. In therapeutic settings, psychedelics were often used [...]
Lire la suiteOn the Relationship between Classic Psychedelics and Suicidality : A Systematic Review Richard J. Zeifman, Nikhita Singhal, Leah Breslow, & Cory R. Weissman ACS Pharmacology & Translational Science, 2021, 4, (2), 436-451 Doi : 10.1021/acsptsci.1c00024 Abstract Use of classic psychedelics (e.g., psilocybin, ayahuasca, lysergic acid diethylamide) is increasing and psychedelic therapy is receiving growing attention as a novel mental health intervention. Suicidality remains a potential safety concern associated with classic psychedelics and is, concurrently, a mental health concern that psychedelic therapy may show promise in targeting. Accordingly, further understanding of the relationship between classic psychedelics and suicidality is needed. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review [...]
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