Classic 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 suiteAssessing the treatment of cannabidiolic acid methyl ester: a stable synthetic analogue of cannabidiolic acid on c‑Fos and NeuN expression in the hypothalamus of rats Eric Murillo‑Rodríguez, Diana Millán‑Aldaco, Gloria Arankowsky‑Sandoval, Tetsuya Yamamoto, Roger G. Pertwee, Linda Parker and Raphael Mechoulam Abstract Background : Cannabidiol (CBD), the non-psychotropic compound from Cannabis sativa, shows positive results on controlling several health disturbances; however, comparable data regarding additional chemical from C. sativa, such as cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), is scarce due to its instability. To address this limitation, a stable CBDA analogue, CBDA methyl ester (HU-580), was synthetized and showed CBDA-like effects. Recently, we described that HU-580 increased [...]
Lire la suiteFlashback phenomena after administration of LSD and psilocybin in controlled studies with healthy participants Felix Müller, Elias Kraus, Friederike Holze, Anna Becker, Laura Ley, Yasmin Schmid, Patrick Vizeli, Matthias E. Liechti, Stefan Borgwardt Psychopharmacology, 2022, 1-11. doi : 10.1007/s00213-022-06066-z Abstract Background : LSD and psilocybin are increasingly used in phase I trials and evaluated as therapeutic agents for mental disorders. The phenomenon of reoccurring drug-like experiences after the acute substance effects have worn off was described for both substances and especially attributed to LSD. According to the DSM-V, the persisting and distressing manifestation of these experiences is called hallucinogen-persisting perception disorder (HPPD). Data on both conditions [...]
Lire la suiteMedical cannabis for severe treatment resistant epilepsy in children : a case-series of 10 patients Rayyan Zafar, Anne Schlag, Lawrence Phillips, David J Nutt BMJ Paediatrics Open, 2021, 5, e001234. doi : 10.1136/bmjpo-2021-001234 ABSTRACT Objectives : To report the findings of a case-series of 10 children suffering with intractable epilepsies in the UK to determine the feasibility for using whole-plant cannabis medicines to treat seizures in children. Setting : This study was conducted retrospectively through collecting clinical data from caretakers and clinicians on study outcome variables. Participants were recruited through the MedCann Support and End our Pain charity groups which are patient representative groups that support children [...]
Lire la suiteWhole-plant Cannabis Linked to Large Reduction in Seizures Kelli Whitlock Burton Medscape - Dec 29, 2021. https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/965756 Whole-plant cannabis is linked to a significant reduction in seizures in children with severe treatment-resistant epilepsy, early research suggests. In a small case series, children with severe treatment-resistant epilepsy treated with a range of whole-plant extract cannabis-based medical products (CBMPs) reported an 86% reduction in monthly seizures. All participants had no improvement with traditional antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). The study adds to a small but growing body of research investigating whole-plant cannabis medicines containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in pediatric epilepsies. Rayyan Raja Zafar "Although we have previously noted the superior efficacy of whole-plant medical cannabis is a previous [...]
Lire la suiteEpidiolex Plus THC May Lower Seizures in Pediatric Epilepsy Randy Dotinga Medscape.com - Oct 14, 2021. https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/960842 Children and young adults with epilepsy had fewer seizures after combination treatment with the drug Epidiolex, which contains the cannabidiol (CBD), and various doses of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the component of cannabis that makes people high in larger quantities, researchers reported. "THC can contribute to seizure control and mitigation some of the side effects of CBD," said study coauthor and Austin, Tex., child neurologist Karen Keough, MD, in an interview. Keough and colleagues presented their findings at the 50th annual meeting of the Child Neurology Society. In a landmark move, the Food and [...]
Lire la suiteThe neurobiology of psychedelic drugs : implications for the treatment of mood disorders Franz X. Vollenweider and Michael Kometer Perspectives, www.nature.com, 2010, 11, 642-651. Abstract After a pause of nearly 40 years in research into the effects of psychedelic drugs, recent advances in our understanding of the neurobiology of psychedelics, such as lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), psilocybin and ketamine have led to renewed interest in the clinical potential of psychedelics in the treatment of various psychiatric disorders. Recent behavioural and neuroimaging data show that psychedelics modulate neural circuits that have been implicated in mood and affective disorders, and can reduce the clinical symptoms of [...]
Lire la suiteHallucinogens in Mental Health : Preclinical and Clinical Studies on LSD, Psilocybin, MDMA, and Ketamine Danilo De Gregorio, Argel Aguilar-Valles, Katrin H. Preller, Boris Dov Heifets, Meghan Hibicke, Jennifer Mitchell, and Gabriella Gobbi The Journal of Neuroscience, 2021, 41 (5), 891–900. Doi :10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1659-20.2020 A revamped interest in the study of hallucinogens has recently emerged, especially with regard to their potential application in the treatment of psychiatric disorders. In the last decade, a plethora of preclinical and clinical studies have confirmed the efficacy of ketamine in the treatment of depression. More recently, emerging evidence has pointed out the potential therapeutic properties of psilocybin and LSD, as well as [...]
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 [...]
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