Does Psychedelic Therapy Have a Transdiagnostic Action and Prophylactic Potential ? Rita Kocárová, Jirí Horácek and Robin Carhart-Harris Frontiers in Psychiatry, July 2021, Volume 12, Article 661233, 1-18. doi : 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.661233 Addressing global mental health is a major 21st-century challenge. Current treatments have recognized limitations; in this context, new ones that are prophylactic and effective across diagnostic boundaries would represent a major advance. The view that there exists a core of transdiagnostic overlap between psychiatric disorders has re-emerged in recent years, and evidence that psychedelic therapy holds promise for a range of psychiatric disorders supports the position that it may be transdiagnostically effective. Here, [...]
Lire la suitePsychedelic perceptions: mental health service user attitudes to psilocybin therapy Kate Corrigan · Maeve Haran · Conor McCandliss · Roisin McManus · Shannon Cleary · Rebecca Trant · Yazeed Kelly · Kathryn Ledden · Gavin Rush · Veronica O’Keane · John R. Kelly Irish Journal of Medical Science (1971 -), 2021, 1-13. Doi : 10.1007/s11845-021-02668-2 Abstract Introduction : Despite the rapid advance of psychedelic science and possible translation of psychedelic therapy into the psychiatric clinic, very little is known about mental health service user attitudes. Objectives : To explore mental health service user attitudes to psychedelics and psilocybin therapy. Methods : A questionnaire capturing demographics, diagnoses, previous [...]
Lire la suiteRediscovering Psilocybin as an Antidepressive Treatment Strategy Rene Zeiss, Maximilian Gahr and Heiko Graf Pharmaceuticals, 2021, 14, 985, 1-14. doi : 10.3390/ph14100985 Abstract : There has recently been a renewal of interest in psychedelic research on the use of psilocybin in psychiatric treatment and, in particular, for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD). Several state-of-the-art studies have provided new insight into the mechanisms of action of psilocybin and its therapeutic potential. Nevertheless, many questions remain unanswered. With this review, we provide an overview of the current state of research on the potential mechanisms of psilocybin, its antidepressant potential, and the associated risks [...]
Lire la suiteThe Chemistry and Pharmacology of Synthetic Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists as New Psychoactive Substances : Origins Samuel D. Banister and Mark Connor Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology, # Springer International Publishing AG, part of Springer Nature 2018 doi : 10.1007/164_2018_143 Contents 1 Introduction 2 Chemical Classification of Synthetic Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists 3 Cannabinoid Type 1 Receptor (CB1) Structure and Function 4 Historical Synthetic Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists 4.1 Classical Cannabinoids and Phytocannabinoid Analogs 4.2 Nonclassical Cannabinoids 4.3 Aminoalkylindoles (AAIs) 5 Synthetic Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists as New Psychoactive Substances 5.1 Molecular Hybridization 5.2 Bioisosteric Fluorination 6 Conclusions References Abstract Synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists (SCRAs) have proliferated as new psychoactive substances (NPS) over the past decade. Relative to other classes of NPS, SCRAs [...]
Lire la suiteCannabidiol modulation of oxidative stress and signalling Sonia R. Pereira, Becky Hackett, David N. O’Driscoll, Melody Cui Sun and Eric J. Downer Neuronal Signaling, 2021, 5, NS20200080 doi : 10.1042/NS20200080 Cannabidiol (CBD), one of the primary non-euphoric components in the Cannabis sativa L. plant, has undergone clinical development over the last number of years as a therapeutic for patients with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndromes. This phytocannabinoid demonstrates functional and pharmacological diversity, and research data indicate that CBD is a comparable antioxidant to common antioxidants. This review gathers the latest knowledge regarding the impact of CBD on oxidative signalling, with focus on the proclivity [...]
Lire la suiteCannabinoids and Neurogenesis : The Promised Solution for Neurodegeneration ? Andrea Valeri and Emanuela Mazzon Molecules, 2021, 26, 6313, 1-26. doi : 10.3390/molecules26206313 Abstract : The concept of neurons as irreplaceable cells does not hold true today. Experiments and evidence of neurogenesis, also, in the adult brain give hope that some compounds or drugs can enhance this process, helping to reverse the outcomes of diseases or traumas that once were thought to be everlasting. Cannabinoids, both from natural and artificial origins, already proved to have several beneficial effects (e.g., anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidants and analgesic action), but also capacity to increase neuronal population, by replacing the [...]
Lire la suiteIn vitro and in vivo pharmacological activity of minor cannabinoids isolated from Cannabis sativa Ayat Zagzoog, Kawthar A. Mohamed, Hye Ji J. Kim, Eunhyun D. Kim, Connor S. Frank, Tallan Black, Pramodkumar D. Jadhav, Larry A. Holbrook & Robert B. Laprairie Scientific Reports, www.nature.com, 2020, 10, 20405, 1-13. Doi : 10.1038/s41598-020-77175-y The Cannabis sativa plant contains more than 120 cannabinoids. With the exceptions of Δ9-tetrahydro-cannabinol (Δ9-THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), comparatively little is known about the pharmacology of the less-abundant plant-derived (phyto) cannabinoids. The best-studied transducers of cannabinoid-dependent effects are type 1 and type 2 cannabinoid receptors (CB1R, CB2R). Partial agonism of CB1R by Δ9-THC is [...]
Lire la suiteTerpenoids From Cannabis Do Not Mediate an Entourage Effect by Acting at Cannabinoid Receptors David B. Finlay, Kathleen J. Sircombe, Mhairi Nimick, Callum Jones and Michelle Glass Frontiers in Pharmacology, 2020, Volume 11, Article 359, 1-9. doi : 10.3389/fphar.2020.00359 The entourage effect was a proposed explanation for biological observations that endocannabinoid ligand activities can be modified by other lipids released from cells at the same time. An increasing volume of anecdotal reports and interest in the plant have provoked research into the activity of minor chemical constituents of the plant—including volatile terpenoids such as myrcene, a- and b- pinene, b-caryophyllene, and limonene. However, to [...]
Lire la suiteNew psychoactive substances: a review and updates Abu Shafi, Alex J. Berry, Harry Sumnall, David M. Wood and Derek K. Tracy Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology, 2020, Vol. 10, 1–21. Doi : 10.1177/2045125320967197 Abstract : New psychoactive substances (NPS) are a heterogeneous group of substances. They are associated with a number of health and social harms on an individual and societal level. NPS toxicity and dependence syndromes are recognised in primary care, emergency departments, psychiatric inpatient and community care settings. One pragmatic classification system is to divide NPS into one of four groups: synthetic stimulants, synthetic cannabinoids, synthetic hallucinogens and synthetic depressants (which include synthetic opioids [...]
Lire la suiteMolecular Mechanisms of Action of Novel Psychoactive Substances (NPS). A New Threat for Young Drug Users with Forensic-Toxicological Implications Arianna Giorgetti, Jennifer P. Pascali, Paolo Fais, Guido Pelletti, Andrea Gabbin, Giorgia Franchetti, Giovanni Cecchetto and Guido Viel Life, 2021, 11, 440, 1-17. doi : 10.3390/life11050440 Abstract : Novel psychoactive substances (NPS) represent a severe health risk for drug users. Even though the phenomenon has been growing since the early 2000s, the mechanisms of action of NPS at the receptors and beyond them are still scarcely understood. The aim of the present study was to provide a systematic review of the updated knowledge regarding the molecular [...]
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