Effective connectivity changes in LSD-induced altered states of consciousness in humans Katrin H. Preller, Adeel Razib, Peter Zeidman, Philipp Stämpflif, Karl J. Friston, and Franz X. Vollenweider Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences ,· January 2019 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1815129116 Abstract : Psychedelics exert unique effects on human consciousness. The thalamic filter model suggests that core effects of psychedelics may result from gating deficits, based on a disintegration of information processing within cortico–striato–thalamo-cortical (CSTC) feedback loops. To test this hypothesis, we characterized changes in directed (effective) connectivity between selected CTSC regions after acute administration of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), and after pretreatment with Ketanserin (a selective serotonin [...]
Lire la suiteClassic psychedelic use is associated with reduced psychological distress and suicidality in the United States adult population Peter S Hendricks, Christopher B Thorne, C Brendan Clark, David W Coombs, and Matthew W Johnson Journal of Psychopharmacology · January 2015 DOI: 10.1177/0269881114565653 · Abstract : Mental health problems are endemic across the globe, and suicide, a strong corollary of poor mental health, is a leading cause of death. Classic psychedelic use may occasion lasting improvements in mental health, but the effects of classic psychedelic use on suicidality are unknown. We evaluated the relationships of classic psychedelic use with psychological distress and suicidality among over 190,000 USA [...]
Lire la suiteReducing the risks of drug use: The case for set and setting PHIL DALGARNO & DAVID SHEWAN Addiction Research and Theory, 2005, 13, 3, 259–265 Abstract : The central proposition of this article is that if people are thoughtful, well-prepared and aware of the means and best environments for using a particular drug, then the risks associated with the use of a particular drug – any drug – can be minimal. The types of drugs discussed in this context focus on those assumed to be the most ‘addictive’ – heroin and cocaine – to those less well-known but potentially more hazardous to use without [...]
Lire la suiteCeremonial ‘Plant Medicine’ use and its relationship to recreational drug use : an exploratory study Caroline Dorsen, Joseph Palamar and Michele G. Shedlin Addiction Research & Theory, 2018 https://doi.org/10.1080/16066359.2018.1455187 ABSTRACT Background : The ceremonial use of psychoactive/hallucinogenic plant based drugs, such as ayahuasca, psilocybin and others, is a growing trend in the United States (US) and globally. To date, there has been little research documenting how many people are using psychoactive substances in this context, who the users are, what benefits/risks exist in the use of these drugs and the relationship between ceremonial drug use and recreational drug use. In this paper we describe a [...]
Lire la suiteModel of Passion Applied to Recreational Marijuana Consumption Alan K Davis, Addiction Research & Theory, 2017, 25, 3, 188-194 Published online 2016 Dec 5. doi: 10.1080/16066359.2016.1242722 Abstract : This study was designed to evaluate the application of the dualistic model of passion (Vallerand, 2015; Vallerand et al., 2003) to recreational marijuana consumption. Using a web-based recruitment and data collection procedure, an online sample of 524 frequent marijuana consumers were administered a modified version of the Passion Scale (Marijuana-Harmonious and Obsessive Passion Scale; M-HOPS) and other questionnaires. Results from a canonical correlation analysis indicated that obsessive passion scores were significantly positively associated with past 30-day consumption, [...]
Lire la suiteThe Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Terpenoids from Cannabis Ruth Gallily, Zhannah Yekhtin, and Lumı´r Ondrˇej Hanusˇ Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, 3, 1, 2018, 282-290. Doi : 10.1089/can.2018.0014 Abstract : Introduction : Cannabinoids are well known to have anti-inflammatory effects in mammalians; however, the Cannabis plant also contains other compounds such as terpenoids, whose biological effects have not yet been characterized. The aim of this study was to compare the anti-inflammatory properties of terpenoids with those of cannabidiol (CBD). Materials and Methods : Essential oils prepared from three monoecious nonpsychoactive chemotypes of Cannabis were analyzed for their terpenoid content and subsequently studied pharmacologically for their anti-inflammatory properties in [...]
Lire la suiteHow effective and safe is medical cannabis as a treatment of mental disorders ? A systematic review Eva Hoch,· Dominik Niemann, · Rupert von Keller, · Miriam Schneider, · Chris M. Friemel, · Ulrich W. Preuss ,·Alkomiet Hasan, · Oliver Pogarell European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience, 2019 Doi.org/10.1007/s00406-019-00984-4 Abstract : We conducted a review of systematic reviews (SRs) and randomized-controlled trials (RCTs) to analyze efficacy and safety of cannabis-based medication in patients with mental disorders. Five data bases were systematically searched (2006—August 2018); 4 SRs (of 11 RCTs) and 14 RCTs (1629 participants) were included. Diagnoses were: dementia, cannabis and opioid dependence, psychoses/schizophrenia, general [...]
Lire la suiteCannabidiol inhibits THC-elicited paranoid symptoms and hippocampal-dependent memory impairment Englund A, Morrison PD, Nottage J, Hague D, Kane F, Bonaccorso S, Stone JM, Reichenberg A, Brenneisen R, Holt D, Feilding A, Walker L, Murray RM, Kapur S. Beckley Foundation, 2017. https://beckleyfoundation.org/resource/cannabidiol-inhibits-thc-elicited-paranoid-symptoms-and-hippocampal-dependent-memory-impairment/ Abstract Community-based studies suggest that cannabis products that are high in delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) but low in cannabidiol (CBD) are particularly hazardous for mental health. Laboratory-based studies are ideal for clarifying this issue because THC and CBD can be administered in pure form, under controlled conditions. In a between-subjects design, we tested the hypothesis that pre-treatment with CBD inhibited THC-elicited psychosis and cognitive impairment. Healthy participants were [...]
Lire la suitePills to Pot : Observational Analyses of Cannabis Substitution Among Medical Cannabis Users With Chronic Pain Kevin F. Boehnke, J. Ryan Scott, Evangelos Litinas, Suzanne Sisley, David A. Williams, Daniel J. Clauw The Journal of Pain, 2019 https://www.jpain.org/article/S1526-5900(18)30735-1/fulltext DOI : https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpain.2019.01.010 Highlights •Medical cannabis users reported substituting cannabis for pain medications. •User rationale for substitution was fewer side effects and better pain management. •Most users reported improved pain and health since using cannabis. •Intentions behind and duration of cannabis use affected substitution behavior. •Unlike previous studies, >50% of participants were women and adults >50 years old. Abstract Chronic pain is common, costly, and challenging to treat. Many [...]
Lire la suiteCannabidiol in Anxiety and Sleep : A Large Case Series SHANNON S., LEWIS N., LEE H., HUGHES S. The Permanente Journal, 2019, 23 Abstract CONTEXT: Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of many cannabinoid compounds found in cannabis. It does not appear to alter consciousness or trigger a "high." A recent surge in scientific publications has found preclinical and clinical evidence documenting value for CBD in some neuropsychiatric disorders, including epilepsy, anxiety, and schizophrenia. Evidence points toward a calming effect for CBD in the central nervous system. Interest in CBD as a treatment of a wide range of disorders has exploded, yet few clinical studies of [...]
Lire la suite